The Beatitudes

The whole of it is summed up in Micah 6:8:

What does the Lord require of you? He requires you to be fair, love mercy and walk humbly with Him here on earth.

5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The NKJV says this: The Sermon on the Mount was not given as the way of salvation for the lost, but as
the way of life for true children of the kingdom. It was instruction
for those who had responded to Jesus' invitation to "repent". These disciples were probably confused as to the true nature of righteousness and God's kingdom. In this address, Jesus clarified both
the heart of the law and
nature of true religion in the God's kingdom, Micah 6:8. In a sense, Jesus turned the law, which was mainly negative, inside out to show its positive core. The Beatitudes are comprised of three elements: a pronouncement of blessing, a quality of life, and a reason why the recipient should be considered blessed.