because he defends the poor and saves them from those who condemn them to death.

But God saves the poor from death; he saves the needy from oppression.

He gives hope to the poor and silences the wicked.

"I will look for those that are lost, bring back those that wander off, bandage those that are hurt, and heal those that are sick; but those that are fat and strong I will destroy, because I am a shepherd who does what is right.

"Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

OMITTED TEXT

Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him.

But you dishonor the poor! Who are the ones who oppress you and drag you before the judges? The rich!