Please read through the following two slides – and then answer the question below.

But first, a statement that many live by; many who are believers, Christians or whatever label you choose. They are adamant that you cannot take away or add to those books we call the Bible or Torah or Tanakh.

Keep this in mind as you proceed to read the slides, and also keep in mind the many translated versions of the Bible, and then answer this:

Which Word are we not to add to or take away from?Which of these two Gospels is correct? They are different and they are contradictory . Just two words added to the first quote of Matthew completely changes the meaning of the text.

A WORD – JUST A WORD – MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

Matthew 5:3-12 Luke 6:20-6

Congratulations to the poor in spirit! Congratulations, you poor!

Heaven’s domain belongs to them. God’s domain belongs to you.

Congratulations to those who grieve: Congratulations, you hungry!

They will be consoled. You will have a feast.

Congratulations to the gentle! Congratulations, you who weep now!

They will inherit the earth. You will laugh.

Congratulations to those who hunger and thirst for justice! They will have a feast.

Congratulations to you when people hate you, and when they ostracize you and denounce you and scorn your name as evil, because of the son of Adam! Rejoice on that day, and jump for joy! Just remember, your compensation is great in heaven. Recall that their ancestors treated the prophets the same way.

A WORD – JUST A WORD – MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

Matthew 5:3-12 Luke 6:20-6

Congratulations to the merciful! They will receive mercy.

Damn you rich! You already have your consolation.

Congratulations to those with undefiled hearts! They will see God.

Damn you who are well-fed now! You will know hunger

Congratulations to those who work for peace. They will be known as God’s children.

Damn you who laugh now! You will learn to weep and grieve.

Congratulations to those who have suffered persecution for the sake of justice! Heaven’s domain belongs to them.

Damn you when everybody speaks well of you! Recall that their ancestors treated the phony prophet the same way.

Congratulations to you when they denounce you and persecute you and spread malicious gossip about you because of me! Rejoice and be glad! Your compensation is great in heaven. Recall that this is how they persecuted the prophets who preceded you.

One final verse, I leave with you. Yahshua speaks. He is leaving the disciples, and speaks of Peace.

John 20:9 Jesus came and stood among them and said “Peace be with you.”

Luke 24:36 And as they wre saying this, Jesus stood among them and said to them, “Peace to you!”

**Letter of Peter to Philip 140:15-23 Then Jesus appeared saying to them, “Peace to you and everyone who believes in my name. …”

**Mary Magdala 4:1 When the Blessed One had said this, he greeted them all. “Peace be with you!” he said. “Acquire my peace within yourselves.”

**There are quotes here not found in the “traditional” versions of the Bible…we must remain open to Spirit.