8267	----	From www.ebible.org with slight reformatting by Martin Ward. Book 40 Matthew 001:001 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ{Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew) both mean "Anointed One"}, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 001:002 Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers. 001:003 Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram. 001:004 Ram became the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon. Nahshon became the father of Salmon. 001:005 Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse. 001:006 Jesse became the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 001:007 Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa. 001:008 Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uzziah. 001:009 Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah. 001:010 Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah. 001:011 Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the exile to Babylon. 001:012 After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel. 001:013 Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim. Eliakim became the father of Azor. 001:014 Azor became the father of Sadoc. Sadoc became the father of Achim. Achim became the father of Eliud. 001:015 Eliud became the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan. Matthan became the father of Jacob. 001:016 Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus{"Jesus" means "Salvation."}, who is called Christ. 001:017 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations. 001:018 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this; for after his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 001:019 Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. 001:020 But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 001:021 She shall bring forth a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins." 001:022 Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 001:023 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son. They shall call his name Immanuel;" which is, being interpreted, "God with us."{Isaiah 7:14} 001:024 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself; 001:025 and didn't know her sexually until she had brought forth her firstborn son. He named him Jesus. 002:001 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men{The word for "wise men" (magoi) can also mean teachers, scientists, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, or sorcerers.} from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 002:002 "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him." 002:003 When Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 002:004 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. 002:005 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written through the prophet, 002:006 'You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come forth a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.'"{Micah 5:2} 002:007 Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. 002:008 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him." 002:009 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. 002:010 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 002:011 They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 002:012 Being warned in a dream that they shouldn't return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way. 002:013 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." 002:014 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, 002:015 and was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called my son."{Hosea 11:1} 002:016 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. 002:017 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, 002:018 "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn't be comforted, because they are no more."{Jeremiah 31:15} 002:019 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 002:020 "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child's life are dead." 002:021 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 002:022 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee, 002:023 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene." 003:001 In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 003:002 "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" 003:003 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight."{Isaiah 40:3} 003:004 Now John himself wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 003:005 Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. 003:006 They were baptized{or, immersed} by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 003:007 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism,{or, immersion} he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 003:008 Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance! 003:009 Don't think to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 003:010 "Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire. 003:011 I indeed baptize{or, immerse} you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.{TR and NU add "and with fire"} 003:012 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire." 003:013 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 003:014 But John would have hindered him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?" 003:015 But Jesus, answering, said to him, "Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. 003:016 Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. 003:017 Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." 004:001 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 004:002 When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. 004:003 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 004:004 But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"{Deuteronomy 8:3} 004:005 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 004:006 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge concerning you.' and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don't dash your foot against a stone.'"{Psalm 91:11-12} 004:007 Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'"{Deuteronomy 6:16} 004:008 Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 004:009 He said to him, "I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me." 004:010 Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me,{TR and NU read "Go away" instead of "Get behind me"} Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'"{Deuteronomy 6:13} 004:011 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him. 004:012 Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee. 004:013 Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 004:014 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 004:015 "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 004:016 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned."{Isaiah 9:1-2} 004:017 From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." 004:018 Walking by the sea of Galilee, he{TR reads "Jesus" instead of "he"} saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 004:019 He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men." 004:020 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 004:021 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 004:022 They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him. 004:023 Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 004:024 The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. 004:025 Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him. 005:001 Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 005:002 He opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 005:003 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.{Isaiah 57:15; 66:2} 005:004 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.{Isaiah 61:2; 66:10,13} 005:005 Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.{or, land. Psalm 37:11} 005:006 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. 005:007 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 005:008 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 005:009 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. 005:010 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 005:011 "Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 005:012 Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 005:013 "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. 005:014 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden. 005:015 Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. 005:016 Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 005:017 "Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill. 005:018 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter{literally, iota} or one tiny pen stroke{or, serif} shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. 005:019 Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 005:020 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 005:021 "You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, 'You shall not murder;'{Exodus 20:13} and 'Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.' 005:022 But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause{NU omits "without a cause".} shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca{"Raca" is an Aramaic insult, related to the word for "empty" and conveying the idea of empty-headedness.}!' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.{or, Hell} 005:023 "If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, 005:024 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 005:025 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him in the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. 005:026 Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny.{literally, kodrantes. A kodrantes was a small copper coin worth about 2 lepta (widow's mites)--not enough to buy very much of anything.} 005:027 "You have heard that it was said, {TR adds "to the ancients,"} 'You shall not commit adultery;'{Exodus 20:14} 005:028 but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. 005:029 If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.{or, Hell} 005:030 If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.{or, Hell} 005:031 "It was also said, 'Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,'{Deuteronomy 24:1} 005:032 but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery. 005:033 "Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' 005:034 but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; 005:035 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 005:036 Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black. 005:037 But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one. 005:038 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'{Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21} 005:039 But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 005:040 If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. 005:041 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 005:042 Give to him who asks you, and don't turn away him who desires to borrow from you. 005:043 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.'{Leviticus 19:18} 005:044 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, 005:045 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 005:046 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 005:047 If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 005:048 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. 006:001 "Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 006:002 Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. 006:003 But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does, 006:004 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 006:005 "When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. 006:006 But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 006:007 In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. 006:008 Therefore don't be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him. 006:009 Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 006:010 Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 006:011 Give us today our daily bread. 006:012 Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. 006:013 Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.{NU omits "For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen."}' 006:014 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 006:015 But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 006:016 "Moreover when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. 006:017 But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; 006:018 so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 006:019 "Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; 006:020 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal; 006:021 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 006:022 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. 006:023 But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 006:024 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon. 006:025 Therefore, I tell you, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 006:026 See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they? 006:027 "Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment{literally, cubit} to his lifespan? 006:028 Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, 006:029 yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. 006:030 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith? 006:031 "Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' 006:032 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 006:033 But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. 006:034 Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient. 007:001 "Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. 007:002 For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. 007:003 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye? 007:004 Or how will you tell your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye;' and behold, the beam is in your own eye? 007:005 You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye. 007:006 "Don't give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. 007:007 "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. 007:008 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. 007:009 Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 007:010 Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? 007:011 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 007:012 Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets. 007:013 "Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. 007:014 How{TR reads "Because" instead of "How"} narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it. 007:015 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 007:016 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? 007:017 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. 007:018 A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. 007:019 Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. 007:020 Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. 007:021 Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 007:022 Many will tell me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?' 007:023 Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.' 007:024 "Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. 007:025 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock. 007:026 Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn't do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. 007:027 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell--and great was its fall." 007:028 It happened, when Jesus had finished saying these things, that the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, 007:029 for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes. 008:001 When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 008:002 Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean." 008:003 Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be made clean." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 008:004 Jesus said to him, "See that you tell nobody, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." 008:005 When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him, 008:006 and saying, "Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented." 008:007 Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." 008:008 The centurion answered, "Lord, I'm not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 008:009 For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and tell another, 'Come,' and he comes; and tell my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 008:010 When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed, "Most certainly I tell you, I haven't found so great a faith, not even in Israel. 008:011 I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, 008:012 but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 008:013 Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed." His servant was healed in that hour. 008:014 When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. 008:015 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him.{TR reads "them" instead of "him"} 008:016 When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick; 008:017 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases."{Isaiah 53:4} 008:018 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side. 008:019 A scribe came, and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 008:020 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 008:021 Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." 008:022 But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." 008:023 When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him. 008:024 Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. 008:025 They came to him, and woke him up, saying, "Save us, Lord! We are dying!" 008:026 He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. 008:027 The men marveled, saying, "What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" 008:028 When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes,{NU reads "Gadarenes"} two people possessed by demons met him there, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that nobody could pass that way. 008:029 Behold, they cried out, saying, "What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" 008:030 Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them. 008:031 The demons begged him, saying, "If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs." 008:032 He said to them, "Go!" They came out, and went into the herd of pigs: and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the cliff into the sea, and died in the water. 008:033 Those who fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, including what happened to those who were possessed with demons. 008:034 Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders. 009:001 He entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city. 009:002 Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you." 009:003 Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man blasphemes." 009:004 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 009:005 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Get up, and walk?' 009:006 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." (then he said to the paralytic), "Get up, and take up your mat, and go up to your house." 009:007 He arose and departed to his house. 009:008 But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. 009:009 As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, "Follow me." He got up and followed him. 009:010 It happened as he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 009:011 When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 009:012 When Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. 009:013 But you go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,'{Hosea 6:6} for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.{NU omits "to repentance".}" 009:014 Then John's disciples came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast?" 009:015 Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 009:016 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. 009:017 Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved." 009:018 While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 009:019 Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples. 009:020 Behold, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe{or, tassel} of his garment; 009:021 for she said within herself, "If I just touch his garment, I will be made well." 009:022 But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, "Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour. 009:023 When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd in noisy disorder, 009:024 he said to them, "Make room, because the girl isn't dead, but sleeping." They were ridiculing him. 009:025 But when the crowd was put out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 009:026 The report of this went out into all that land. 009:027 As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, "Have mercy on us, son of David!" 009:028 When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They told him, "Yes, Lord." 009:029 Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." 009:030 Their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly charged them, saying, "See that no one knows about this." 009:031 But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land. 009:032 As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him. 009:033 When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!" 009:034 But the Pharisees said, "By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons." 009:035 Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 009:036 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed{TR reads "weary" instead of "harassed"} and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. 009:037 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 009:038 Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest." 010:001 He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. 010:002 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother; 010:003 Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, whose surname was{NU omits "Lebbaeus, whose surname was"} Thaddaeus; 010:004 Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 010:005 Jesus sent these twelve out, and charged them, saying, "Don't go among the Gentiles, and don't enter into any city of the Samaritans. 010:006 Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 010:007 As you go, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!' 010:008 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers{TR adds ", raise the dead"}, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. 010:009 Don't take any gold, nor silver, nor brass in your money belts. 010:010 Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. 010:011 Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on. 010:012 As you enter into the household, greet it. 010:013 If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn't worthy, let your peace return to you. 010:014 Whoever doesn't receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet. 010:015 Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. 010:016 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 010:017 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. 010:018 Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. 010:019 But when they deliver you up, don't be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. 010:020 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 010:021 "Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. 010:022 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. 010:023 But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come. 010:024 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. 010:025 It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! 010:026 Therefore don't be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known. 010:027 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. 010:028 Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.{or, Hell.} 010:029 "Aren't two sparrows sold for an assarion coin{An assarion is a small coin worth one tenth of a drachma or a sixteenth of a denarius (approximately the wages of one half hour of agricultural labor).}? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father's will, 010:030 but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 010:031 Therefore don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 010:032 Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. 010:033 But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven. 010:034 "Don't think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn't come to send peace, but a sword. 010:035 For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 010:036 A man's foes will be those of his own household.{Micah 7:6} 010:037 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me. 010:038 He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me, isn't worthy of me. 010:039 He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 010:040 He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 010:041 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward: and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 010:042 Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward." 011:001 It happened that when Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. 011:002 Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 011:003 and said to him, "Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?" 011:004 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 011:005 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,{Isaiah 35:5} the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.{Isaiah 61:1-4} 011:006 Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me." 011:007 As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 011:008 But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in king's houses. 011:009 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 011:010 For this is he, of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'{Malachi 3:1} 011:011 Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 011:012 From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.{or, plunder it.} 011:013 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 011:014 If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. 011:015 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 011:016 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions 011:017 and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you didn't dance. We mourned for you, and you didn't lament.' 011:018 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 011:019 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children.{NU reads "actions" instead of "children"}" 011:020 Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn't repent. 011:021 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 011:022 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 011:023 You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades.{or, Hell} For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until this day. 011:024 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day of judgment, than for you." 011:025 At that time, Jesus answered, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants. 011:026 Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. 011:027 All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him. 011:028 "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 011:029 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 011:030 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." 012:001 At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 012:002 But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, "Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath." 012:003 But he said to them, "Haven't you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him; 012:004 how he entered into the house of God, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests?{1 Samuel 21:3-6} 012:005 Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? 012:006 But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 012:007 But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,'{Hosea 6:6} you would not have condemned the guiltless. 012:008 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." 012:009 He departed there, and went into their synagogue. 012:010 And behold there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?" that they might accuse him. 012:011 He said to them, "What man is there among you, who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won't he grab on to it, and lift it out? 012:012 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day." 012:013 Then he told the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other. 012:014 But the Pharisees went out, and conspired against him, how they might destroy him. 012:015 Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all, 012:016 and charged them that they should not make him known: 012:017 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 012:018 "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations. 012:019 He will not strive, nor shout; neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 012:020 He won't break a bruised reed. He won't quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory. 012:021 In his name, the nations will hope."{Isaiah 42:1-4} 012:022 Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 012:023 All the multitudes were amazed, and said, "Can this be the son of David?" 012:024 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons." 012:025 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 012:026 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 012:027 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 012:028 But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 012:029 Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house. 012:030 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn't gather with me, scatters. 012:031 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 012:032 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come. 012:033 "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. 012:034 You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 012:035 The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure{TR adds "of the heart"} brings out evil things. 012:036 I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 012:037 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." 012:038 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you." 012:039 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. 012:040 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 012:041 The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here. 012:042 The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here. 012:043 But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and doesn't find it. 012:044 Then he says, 'I will return into my house from which I came out,' and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 012:045 Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation." 012:046 While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. 012:047 One said to him, "Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you." 012:048 But he answered him who spoke to him, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" 012:049 He stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, "Behold, my mother and my brothers! 012:050 For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother." 013:001 On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside. 013:002 Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach. 013:003 He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, "Behold, a farmer went out to sow. 013:004 As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. 013:005 Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn't have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. 013:006 When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away. 013:007 Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them: 013:008 and others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. 013:009 He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 013:010 The disciples came, and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 013:011 He answered them, "To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them. 013:012 For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn't have, from him will be taken away even that which he has. 013:013 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don't see, and hearing, they don't hear, neither do they understand. 013:014 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, 'By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive: 013:015 for this people's heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and should turn again; and I would heal them.'{Isaiah 6:9-10} 013:016 "But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. 013:017 For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn't see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn't hear them. 013:018 "Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. 013:019 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. 013:020 What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; 013:021 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 013:022 What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 013:023 What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty." 013:024 He set another parable before them, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, 013:025 but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds{darnel is a weed grass (probably bearded darnel or lolium temulentum) that looks very much like wheat until it is mature, when the difference becomes very apparent.} also among the wheat, and went away. 013:026 But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then the darnel weeds appeared also. 013:027 The servants of the householder came and said to him, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where did this darnel come from?' 013:028 "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and gather them up?' 013:029 "But he said, 'No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them. 013:030 Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, "First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn."'" 013:031 He set another parable before them, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; 013:032 which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches." 013:033 He spoke another parable to them. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast, which a woman took, and hid in three measures{literally, three sata. 3 sata is about 39 litres or a bit more than a bushel} of meal, until it was all leavened." 013:034 Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn't speak to them, 013:035 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world."{Psalm 78:2} 013:036 Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field." 013:037 He answered them, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 013:038 the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. 013:039 The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 013:040 As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. 013:041 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity, 013:042 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 013:043 Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 013:044 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. 013:045 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, 013:046 who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 013:047 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet, that was cast into the sea, and gathered some fish of every kind, 013:048 which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach. They sat down, and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away. 013:049 So will it be in the end of the world. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 013:050 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth." 013:051 Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They answered him, "Yes, Lord." 013:052 He said to them, "Therefore, every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things." 013:053 It happened that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there. 013:054 Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom, and these mighty works? 013:055 Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas{or, Judah}? 013:056 Aren't all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?" 013:057 They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house." 013:058 He didn't do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. 014:001 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, 014:002 and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him." 014:003 For Herod had laid hold of John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. 014:004 For John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 014:005 When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 014:006 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod. 014:007 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask. 014:008 She, being prompted by her mother, said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer." 014:009 The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths, and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given, 014:010 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. 014:011 His head was brought on a platter, and given to the young lady: and she brought it to her mother. 014:012 His disciples came, and took the body, and buried it; and they went and told Jesus. 014:013 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat, to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities. 014:014 Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them, and healed their sick. 014:015 When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, "This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food." 014:016 But Jesus said to them, "They don't need to go away. You give them something to eat." 014:017 They told him, "We only have here five loaves and two fish." 014:018 He said, "Bring them here to me." 014:019 He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 014:020 They all ate, and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces. 014:021 Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. 014:022 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 014:023 After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone. 014:024 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 014:025 In the fourth watch of the night,{The night was equally divided into four watches, so the fourth watch is approximately 3:00 A. M. to sunrise.} Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. 014:026 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear. 014:027 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying "Cheer up! It is I!{or, I AM!} Don't be afraid." 014:028 Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters." 014:029 He said, "Come!" Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. 014:030 But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 014:031 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 014:032 When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. 014:033 Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, "You are truly the Son of God!" 014:034 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 014:035 When the people of that place recognized him, they sent into all that surrounding region, and brought to him all who were sick, 014:036 and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe{or, tassel} of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole. 015:001 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying, 015:002 "Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don't wash their hands when they eat bread." 015:003 He answered them, "Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition? 015:004 For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,'{Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16} and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.'{Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9} 015:005 But you say, 'Whoever may tell his father or his mother, "Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God," 015:006 he shall not honor his father or mother.' You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition. 015:007 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 015:008 'These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 015:009 And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'"{Isaiah 29:13} 015:010 He summoned the multitude, and said to them, "Hear, and understand. 015:011 That which enters into the mouth doesn't defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." 015:012 Then the disciples came, and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying?" 015:013 But he answered, "Every plant which my heavenly Father didn't plant will be uprooted. 015:014 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit." 015:015 Peter answered him, "Explain the parable to us." 015:016 So Jesus said, "Do you also still not understand? 015:017 Don't you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body? 015:018 But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. 015:019 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. 015:020 These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn't defile the man." 015:021 Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 015:022 Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely demonized!" 015:023 But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away; for she cries after us." 015:024 But he answered, "I wasn't sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 015:025 But she came and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, help me." 015:026 But he answered, "It is not appropriate to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 015:027 But she said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." 015:028 Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that hour. 015:029 Jesus departed there, and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up into the mountain, and sat there. 015:030 Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at his feet. He healed them, 015:031 so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, injured whole, lame walking, and blind seeing--and they glorified the God of Israel. 015:032 Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way." 015:033 The disciples said to him, "Where should we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?" 015:034 Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish." 015:035 He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground; 015:036 and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. 015:037 They all ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. 015:038 Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 015:039 Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala. 016:001 The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 016:002 But he answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' 016:003 In the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can't discern the signs of the times! 016:004 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah." He left them, and departed. 016:005 The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread. 016:006 Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 016:007 They reasoned among themselves, saying, "We brought no bread." 016:008 Jesus, perceiving it, said, "Why do you reason among yourselves, you of little faith, 'because you have brought no bread?' 016:009 Don't you yet perceive, neither remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 016:010 Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 016:011 How is it that you don't perceive that I didn't speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 016:012 Then they understood that he didn't tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 016:013 Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 016:014 They said, "Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 016:015 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 016:016 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 016:017 Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 016:018 I also tell you that you are Peter,{Peter's name, Petros in Greek, is the word for a specific rock or stone.} and on this rock{Greek, petra, a rock mass or bedrock.} I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades{or, Hell} will not prevail against it. 016:019 I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven." 016:020 Then he charged the disciples that they should tell no one that he is Jesus the Christ. 016:021 From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. 016:022 Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you." 016:023 But he turned, and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men." 016:024 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 016:025 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. 016:026 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? 016:027 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds. 016:028 Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom." 017:001 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. 017:002 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. 017:003 Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. 017:004 Peter answered, and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let's make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 017:005 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him." 017:006 When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid. 017:007 Jesus came and touched them and said, "Get up, and don't be afraid." 017:008 Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone. 017:009 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Don't tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead." 017:010 His disciples asked him, saying, "Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" 017:011 Jesus answered them, "Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things, 017:012 but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn't recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them." 017:013 Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer. 017:014 When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him, saying, 017:015 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. 017:016 So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him." 017:017 Jesus answered, "Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me." 017:018 Jesus rebuked him, the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour. 017:019 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, "Why weren't we able to cast it out?" 017:020 He said to them, "Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 017:021 But this kind doesn't go out except by prayer and fasting." 017:022 While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men, 017:023 and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up." They were exceedingly sorry. 017:024 When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins{A didrachma is a Greek silver coin worth 2 drachmas, about as much as 2 Roman denarii, or about 2 days' wages. It was commonly used to pay the half-shekel temple tax, because 2 drachmas were worth one half shekel of silver.} came to Peter, and said, "Doesn't your teacher pay the didrachma?" 017:025 He said, "Yes." When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?" 017:026 Peter said to him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Therefore the children are exempt. 017:027 But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin.{A stater is a silver coin equivalent to four Attic or two Alexandrian drachmas, or a Jewish shekel: just exactly enough to cover the half-shekel temple tax for two people.} Take that, and give it to them for me and you." 018:001 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" 018:002 Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the midst of them, 018:003 and said, "Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 018:004 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 018:005 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me, 018:006 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea. 018:007 "Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes! 018:008 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. 018:009 If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna{or, Hell} of fire. 018:010 See that you don't despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 018:011 For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost. 018:012 "What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn't he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? 018:013 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 018:014 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. 018:015 "If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. 018:016 But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.{Deuteronomy 19:15} 018:017 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector. 018:018 Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven. 018:019 Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. 018:020 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them." 018:021 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" 018:022 Jesus said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven. 018:023 Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. 018:024 When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.{Ten thousand talents represents an extremely large sum of money, equivalent to about 60,000,000 denarii, where one denarius was typical of one day's wages for agricultural labor.} 018:025 But because he couldn't pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 018:026 The servant therefore fell down and kneeled before him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!' 018:027 The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 018:028 "But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii,{100 denarii was about one sixtieth of a talent.} and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 018:029 "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will repay you!' 018:030 He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due. 018:031 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done. 018:032 Then his lord called him in, and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. 018:033 Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?' 018:034 His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. 018:035 So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don't each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds." 019:001 It happened when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan. 019:002 Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there. 019:003 Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?" 019:004 He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,{Genesis 1:27} 019:005 and said, 'For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?'{Genesis 2:24} 019:006 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart." 019:007 They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?" 019:008 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. 019:009 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery." 019:010 His disciples said to him, "If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry." 019:011 But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given. 019:012 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it." 019:013 Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 019:014 But Jesus said, "Allow the little children, and don't forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these." 019:015 He laid his hands on them, and departed from there. 019:016 Behold, one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" 019:017 He said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." 019:018 He said to him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder.' 'You shall not commit adultery.' 'You shall not steal.' 'You shall not offer false testimony.' 019:019 'Honor your father and mother.'{Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20} And, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"{Leviticus 19:18} 019:020 The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?" 019:021 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 019:022 But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions. 019:023 Jesus said to his disciples, "Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. 019:024 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God." 019:025 When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 019:026 Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." 019:027 Then Peter answered, "Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?" 019:028 Jesus said to them, "Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 019:029 Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. 019:030 But many will be last who are first; and first who are last. 020:001 "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 020:002 When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius{A denarius is a silver Roman coin worth 1/25th of a Roman aureus. This was a common wage for a day of farm labor.} a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 020:003 He went out about the third hour,{Time was measured from sunrise to sunset, so the third hour would be about 9:00 AM.} and saw others standing idle in the marketplace. 020:004 To them he said, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went their way. 020:005 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour,{noon and 3:00 P. M.} and did likewise. 020:006 About the eleventh hour{5:00 PM} he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, 'Why do you stand here all day idle?' 020:007 "They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' "He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right.' 020:008 When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.' 020:009 "When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius. 020:010 When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius. 020:011 When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household, 020:012 saying, 'These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!' 020:013 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn't you agree with me for a denarius? 020:014 Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you. 020:015 Isn't it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?' 020:016 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen." 020:017 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 020:018 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, 020:019 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, to scourge, and to crucify; and the third day he will be raised up." 020:020 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him. 020:021 He said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom." 020:022 But Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to him, "We are able." 020:023 He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 020:024 When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers. 020:025 But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 020:026 It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be{TR reads "let him be" instead of "shall be"} your servant. 020:027 Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, 020:028 even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." 020:029 As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 020:030 Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!" 020:031 The multitude rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, "Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!" 020:032 Jesus stood still, and called them, and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" 020:033 They told him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." 020:034 Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight, and they followed him. 021:001 When they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethsphage,{TR & NU read "Bethphage" instead of "Bethsphage"} to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 021:002 saying to them, "Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them, and bring them to me. 021:003 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and immediately he will send them." 021:004 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, 021:005 "Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."{Zechariah 9:9} 021:006 The disciples went, and did just as Jesus commanded them, 021:007 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them. 021:008 A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Others cut branches from the trees, and spread them on the road. 021:009 The multitudes who went before him, and who followed kept shouting, "Hosanna{"Hosanna" means "save us" or "help us, we pray."} to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"{Psalm 118:26} 021:010 When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" 021:011 The multitudes said, "This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee." 021:012 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers' tables and the seats of those who sold the doves. 021:013 He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,'{Isaiah 56:7} but you have made it a den of robbers!"{Jeremiah 7:11} 021:014 The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 021:015 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the son of David!" they were indignant, 021:016 and said to him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" Jesus said to them, "Yes. Did you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?'"{Psalm 8:2} 021:017 He left them, and went out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there. 021:018 Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry. 021:019 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, "Let there be no fruit from you forever!" Immediately the fig tree withered away. 021:020 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree immediately wither away?" 021:021 Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don't doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it would be done. 021:022 All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." 021:023 When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?" 021:024 Jesus answered them, "I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 021:025 The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?" They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 021:026 But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet." 021:027 They answered Jesus, and said, "We don't know." He also said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. 021:028 But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, 'Son, go work today in my vineyard.' 021:029 He answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind, and went. 021:030 He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, 'I go, sir,' but he didn't go. 021:031 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into the Kingdom of God before you. 021:032 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn't believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn't even repent afterward, that you might believe him. 021:033 "Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household, who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug a winepress in it, built a tower, leased it out to farmers, and went into another country. 021:034 When the season for the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers, to receive his fruit. 021:035 The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 021:036 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they treated them the same way. 021:037 But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 021:038 But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and seize his inheritance.' 021:039 So they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 021:040 When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?" 021:041 They told him, "He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will give him the fruit in its season." 021:042 Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes?'{Psalm 118:22-23} 021:043 "Therefore I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation bringing forth its fruit. 021:044 He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whoever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust." 021:045 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them. 021:046 When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet. 022:001 Jesus answered and spoke again in parables to them, saying, 022:002 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son, 022:003 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast, but they would not come. 022:004 Again he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "Behold, I have made ready my dinner. My oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage feast!"' 022:005 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise, 022:006 and the rest grabbed his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them. 022:007 When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 022:008 "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren't worthy. 022:009 Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the marriage feast.' 022:010 Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests. 022:011 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn't have on wedding clothing, 022:012 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?' He was speechless. 022:013 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness; there is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.' 022:014 For many are called, but few chosen." 022:015 Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk. 022:016 They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter who you teach, for you aren't partial to anyone. 022:017 Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" 022:018 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test me, you hypocrites? 022:019 Show me the tax money." They brought to him a denarius. 022:020 He asked them, "Whose is this image and inscription?" 022:021 They said to him, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 022:022 When they heard it, they marveled, and left him, and went away. 022:023 On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him, 022:024 saying, "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.' 022:025 Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no seed left his wife to his brother. 022:026 In like manner the second also, and the third, to the seventh. 022:027 After them all, the woman died. 022:028 In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her." 022:029 But Jesus answered them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. 022:030 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God's angels in heaven. 022:031 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven't you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, 022:032 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?'{Exodus 3:6} God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." 022:033 When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. 022:034 But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. 022:035 One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. 022:036 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" 022:037 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'{Deuteronomy 6:5} 022:038 This is the first and great commandment. 022:039 A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'{Leviticus 19:18} 022:040 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments." 022:041 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 022:042 saying, "What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "Of David." 022:043 He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying, 022:044 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?'{Psalm 110:1} 022:045 "If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?" 022:046 No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forth. 023:001 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, 023:002 saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses' seat. 023:003 All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don't do their works; for they say, and don't do. 023:004 For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. 023:005 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries{phylacteries (tefillin in Hebrew) are small leather pouches that some Jewish men wear on their forehead and arm in prayer. They are used to carry a small scroll with some Scripture in it. See Deuteronomy 6:8.} broad, enlarge the fringes{or, tassels} of their garments, 023:006 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 023:007 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi, Rabbi' by men. 023:008 But don't you be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. 023:009 Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. 023:010 Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. 023:011 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 023:012 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 023:013 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. 023:014 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don't enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.{Some Greek manuscripts reverse the order of verses 13 and 14, and some omit verse 13, numbering verse 14 as 13.} 023:015 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much of a son of Gehenna{or, Hell} as yourselves. 023:016 "Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.' 023:017 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 023:018 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated?' 023:019 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 023:020 He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it, and by everything on it. 023:021 He who swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him who was living in it. 023:022 He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits on it. 023:023 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin,{ cumin is an aromatic seed from Cuminum cyminum, resembling caraway in flavor and appearance. It is used as a spice.} and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. 023:024 You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel! 023:025 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness.{TR reads "self-indulgence" instead of "unrighteousness"} 023:026 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside of it may become clean also. 023:027 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 023:028 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 023:029 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the tombs of the righteous, 023:030 and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn't have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.' 023:031 Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets. 023:032 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 023:033 You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna{or, Hell}? 023:034 Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city; 023:035 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar. 023:036 Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. 023:037 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not! 023:038 Behold, your house is left to you desolate. 023:039 For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'"{Psalm 118:26} 024:001 Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. 024:002 But he answered them, "Don't you see all of these things? Most certainly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone on another, that will not be thrown down." 024:003 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?" 024:004 Jesus answered them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray. 024:005 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will lead many astray. 024:006 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren't troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. 024:007 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. 024:008 But all these things are the beginning of birth pains. 024:009 Then they will deliver you up to oppression, and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name's sake. 024:010 Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. 024:011 Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray. 024:012 Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. 024:013 But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved. 024:014 This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. 024:015 "When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation,{Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11} which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 024:016 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 024:017 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house. 024:018 Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes. 024:019 But woe to those who are with child and to nursing mothers in those days! 024:020 Pray that your flight will not be in the winter, nor on a Sabbath, 024:021 for then there will be great oppression, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. 024:022 Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened. 024:023 "Then if any man tells you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or, 'There,' don't believe it. 024:024 For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. 024:025 "Behold, I have told you beforehand. 024:026 If therefore they tell you, 'Behold, he is in the wilderness,' don't go out; 'Behold, he is in the inner chambers,' don't believe it. 024:027 For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 024:028 For wherever the carcass is, there is where the vultures{or, eagles} gather together. 024:029 But immediately after the oppression of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken;{Isaiah 13:10; 34:4} 024:030 and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 024:031 He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. 024:032 "Now from the fig tree learn this parable. When its branch has now become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that the summer is near. 024:033 Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 024:034 Most certainly I tell you, this generation{The word for "generation" (genea) can also be translated as "race."} will not pass away, until all these things are accomplished. 024:035 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 024:036 But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 024:037 "As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 024:038 For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, 024:039 and they didn't know until the flood came, and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 024:040 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left; 024:041 two women grinding at the mill, one will be taken and one will be left. 024:042 Watch therefore, for you don't know in what hour your Lord comes. 024:043 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 024:044 Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect, the Son of Man will come. 024:045 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 024:046 Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. 024:047 Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has. 024:048 But if that evil servant should say in his heart, 'My lord is delaying his coming,' 024:049 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards, 024:050 the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn't expect it, and in an hour when he doesn't know it, 024:051 and will cut him in pieces, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be. 025:001 "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. 025:002 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 025:003 Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, 025:004 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 025:005 Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 025:006 But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!' 025:007 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.{The end of the wick of an oil lamp needs to be cut off periodically to avoid having it become clogged with carbon deposits. The wick height is also adjusted so that the flame burns evenly and gives good light without producing a lot of smoke.} 025:008 The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 025:009 But the wise answered, saying, 'What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 025:010 While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 025:011 Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' 025:012 But he answered, 'Most certainly I tell you, I don't know you.' 025:013 Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. 025:014 "For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them. 025:015 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. 025:016 Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 025:017 In like manner he also who got the two gained another two. 025:018 But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 025:019 "Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. 025:020 He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.' 025:021 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 025:022 "He also who got the two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.' 025:023 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 025:024 "He also who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter. 025:025 I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.' 025:026 "But his lord answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn't sow, and gather where I didn't scatter. 025:027 You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. 025:028 Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 025:029 For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn't have, even that which he has will be taken away. 025:030 Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 025:031 "But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 025:032 Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 025:033 He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 025:034 Then the King will tell those on his right hand, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 025:035 for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; 025:036 naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.' 025:037 "Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? 025:038 When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? 025:039 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?' 025:040 "The King will answer them, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers{The word for "brothers" here may be also correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."}, you did it to me.' 025:041 Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; 025:042 for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; 025:043 I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' 025:044 "Then they will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you?' 025:045 "Then he will answer them, saying, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.' 025:046 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." 026:001 It happened, when Jesus had finished all these words, that he said to his disciples, 026:002 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." 026:003 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. 026:004 They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit, and kill him. 026:005 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people." 026:006 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 026:007 a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 026:008 But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? 026:009 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor." 026:010 However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? Because she has done a good work for me. 026:011 For you always have the poor with you; but you don't always have me. 026:012 For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 026:013 Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her." 026:014 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, 026:015 and said, "What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?" They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver. 026:016 From that time he sought opportunity to betray him. 026:017 Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 026:018 He said, "Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples."'" 026:019 The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover. 026:020 Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. 026:021 As they were eating, he said, "Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me." 026:022 They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, "It isn't me, is it, Lord?" 026:023 He answered, "He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me. 026:024 The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born." 026:025 Judas, who betrayed him, answered, "It isn't me, is it, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You said it." 026:026 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for{TR reads "blessed" instead of "gave thanks for"} it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." 026:027 He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, "All of you drink it, 026:028 for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. 026:029 But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's Kingdom." 026:030 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 026:031 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'{Zechariah 13:7} 026:032 But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee." 026:033 But Peter answered him, "Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble." 026:034 Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 026:035 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you." All of the disciples also said likewise. 026:036 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go there and pray." 026:037 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled. 026:038 Then he said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me." 026:039 He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire." 026:040 He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What, couldn't you watch with me for one hour? 026:041 Watch and pray, that you don't enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 026:042 Again, a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cup can't pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done." 026:043 He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 026:044 He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words. 026:045 Then he came to his disciples, and said to them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 026:046 Arise, let's be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand." 026:047 While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priest and elders of the people. 026:048 Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, "Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him." 026:049 Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 026:050 Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 026:051 Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. 026:052 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword. 026:053 Or do you think that I couldn't ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? 026:054 How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?" 026:055 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn't arrest me. 026:056 But all this has happened, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him, and fled. 026:057 Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 026:058 But Peter followed him from a distance, to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to see the end. 026:059 Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death; 026:060 and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward, 026:061 and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.'" 026:062 The high priest stood up, and said to him, "Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?" 026:063 But Jesus held his peace. The high priest answered him, "I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God." 026:064 Jesus said to him, "You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky." 026:065 Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy. 026:066 What do you think?" They answered, "He is worthy of death!" 026:067 Then they spit in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him, 026:068 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit you?" 026:069 Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, "You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!" 026:070 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I don't know what you are talking about." 026:071 When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him, and said to those who were there, "This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth." 026:072 Again he denied it with an oath, "I don't know the man." 026:073 After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, "Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known." 026:074 Then he began to curse and to swear, "I don't know the man!" Immediately the rooster crowed. 026:075 Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and wept bitterly. 027:001 Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 027:002 and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor. 027:003 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 027:004 saying, "I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? You see to it." 027:005 He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary, and departed. He went away and hanged himself. 027:006 The chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, "It's not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood." 027:007 They took counsel, and bought the potter's field with them, to bury strangers in. 027:008 Therefore that field was called "The Field of Blood" to this day. 027:009 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah{some manuscripts omit "Jeremaiah"} the prophet was fulfilled, saying, "They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced, 027:010 and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."{Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 19:1-13; 32:6-9} 027:011 Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said to him, "So you say." 027:012 When he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 027:013 Then Pilate said to him, "Don't you hear how many things they testify against you?" 027:014 He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. 027:015 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they desired. 027:016 They had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 027:017 When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?" 027:018 For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up. 027:019 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him." 027:020 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 027:021 But the governor answered them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" 027:022 Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do to Jesus, who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let him be crucified!" 027:023 But the governor said, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they cried out exceedingly, saying, "Let him be crucified!" 027:024 So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it." 027:025 All the people answered, "May his blood be on us, and on our children!" 027:026 Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified. 027:027 Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him. 027:028 They stripped him, and put a scarlet robe on him. 027:029 They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 027:030 They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 027:031 When they had mocked him, they took the robe off of him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him. 027:032 As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross. 027:033 They came to a place called "Golgotha," that is to say, "The place of a skull." 027:034 They gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink. 027:035 When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,{TR adds "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: 'They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots;'" [see Psalm 22:18 and John 19:24]} 027:036 and they sat and watched him there. 027:037 They set up over his head the accusation against him written, "THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS." 027:038 Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left. 027:039 Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, 027:040 and saying, "You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!" 027:041 Likewise the chief priests also mocking, with the scribes, the Pharisees,{TR omits "the Pharisees"} and the elders, said, 027:042 "He saved others, but he can't save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 027:043 He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" 027:044 The robbers also who were crucified with him cast on him the same reproach. 027:045 Now from the sixth hour{noon} there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.{3:00 P. M.} 027:046 About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lima{TR reads "lama" instead of "lima"} sabachthani?" That is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"{Psalm 22:1} 027:047 Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, "This man is calling Elijah." 027:048 Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him a drink. 027:049 The rest said, "Let him be. Let's see whether Elijah comes to save him." 027:050 Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. 027:051 Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. 027:052 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 027:053 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. 027:054 Now the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God." 027:055 Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him. 027:056 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. 027:057 When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus' disciple came. 027:058 This man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus' body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up. 027:059 Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 027:060 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock, and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. 027:061 Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. 027:062 Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate, 027:063 saying, "Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: 'After three days I will rise again.' 027:064 Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal him away, and tell the people, 'He is risen from the dead;' and the last deception will be worse than the first." 027:065 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can." 027:066 So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone. 028:001 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 028:002 Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it. 028:003 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 028:004 For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men. 028:005 The angel answered the women, "Don't be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. 028:006 He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying. 028:007 Go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.' Behold, I have told you." 028:008 They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. 028:009 As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 028:010 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid. Go tell my brothers{The word for "brothers" here may be also correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me." 028:011 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief priests all the things that had happened. 028:012 When they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers, 028:013 saying, "Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 028:014 If this comes to the governor's ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry." 028:015 So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until this day. 028:016 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. 028:017 When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted. 028:018 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 028:019 Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 028:020 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. 
6356	----	Copyright (C) 2002 by Lightheart. The Gospel of Matthew for Readers Editor's Preface What is God's will for us? The answer can be found in the pages of the Gospel of Matthew, a rich source of information detailing the Son of God's instructions from Our Father to us. Here we learn, through Jesus' teachings and actions, what we must keep of the old. We find what must be replaced. We see what has been fulfilled and has come full circle. We discover the new material and the new message. The Gospel of Matthew holds out the keys to "this generation's" entry into the kingdom of heaven ... if we have ears to hear and eyes to see. This edition of the Gospel of Matthew is designed for easy reading and is presented in chapter and paragraph style. The first chapter begins with the birth of Jesus rather than the geneological listing which can easily be found at the beginning of other editions. edited by Lightheart PracticeGodsPresence.com 1 The birth of Jesus Christ was thus: When Mary, His mother, was espoused to Joseph, and before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, a just man, not willing to make her a public example, decided to put her away privately. But while he thought about these things an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, thou son of David, do not fear to take Mary as thy wife. The one who is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She shall bring forth a son and thou shall call Him Jesus. He will save His people from their sins. All this was done so that what was spoken of the Lord by the prophet might be fulfilled: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us. Then Joseph awoke and did as the angel of the Lord told him and took unto him his wife. He knew her not until she brought forth her firstborn son, Jesus. 2 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east went to Jerusalem. They said, Where is He that is born King of the Jews for we have seen His star in the east and go to worship Him. When Herod heard these things, he was troubled as was all Jerusalem. Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes together and demanded to know where Christ would be born. They said, In Bethlehem of Judaea. It is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, the least among the princes of Juda, yet out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people. Herod called the wise men to enquire about the time the star would appear. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the young child. When ye have found Him bring me word that I may come and worship Him also. After they met with the king they departed; and, lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them until it stood over the young child. When they saw the star they rejoiced. The wise men came to the place and saw the young child with Mary, His mother. They bowed down and worshipped Him. They presented Him with gifts of gold, and frankincense and myrrh. Since they were warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country by another way. After they departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Arise and take the young child and His mother and flee into Egypt. Stay there until I bring thee word for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him. Joseph took the young child and His mother, by night, and departed into Egypt. There they remained until the death of Herod. This was so it might be fulfilled what was spoken of the Lord by the prophet: Out of Egypt have I called my son. Herod realized he was mocked by the wise men and was exceedingly wrathful. He ordered that all the children that were in Bethlehem and in all the coasts two years old and under be slayed. This was based on what he was told by the wise men. Then that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet was fulfilled: In Rama there was heard the sound of lamentation, weeping, and great mourning. Rachel was weeping for her children and would not be comforted because they are no longer. When Herod died an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. The angel said, Arise and take the young child and His mother and go into the land of Israel. They are now dead who sought the young child's life. Joseph took the young child and His mother and started toward Israel. Along the way Joseph heard that Archelaus reigned in Judaea in the place of his father, Herod. Joseph was afraid to go there. Despite being warned by God in a dream, he turned toward Galilee. He came to dwell in a city called Nazareth that it might be fulfilled what was spoken by the prophets: He shall be called a Nazarene. 3 In those days John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judaea. He message was, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. John is the one that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias: The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make His paths straight. The same John wore camel's hair and a leathern girdle around his loins. His food was locusts and wild honey. He went out to Jerusalem. all Judaea, and all the region round Jordan. Many people were baptized by him and confessed their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth fruits fit for repentance. Do not say, We have Abraham for our father, because I say to you, God is able to raise up children to Abraham with these stones. The axe is now laid to the root of the trees. Every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance but He that comes after me is mightier than I. His shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with the fire whose fan is in His hand. He will throughly purge His floor and gather His wheat into the garner. He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. When Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by him, John forbad Him. He said, Why come to me? I should be baptized by thee. Jesus answered, For now, suffer it to be so because it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. When Jesus was baptized He came up out of the water and the heavens opened to Him. John saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and light upon Him. A voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After He fasted forty days and forty nights He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Jesus answered, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. The devil then took Him up into the holy city and sat Him on a pinnacle of the temple. He said, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee and in their hands they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus countered Him saying, It is also written, Thou shalt not test the Lord thy God. Next, the devil took Him up into an exceedingly high mountain. He showed Him the kingdoms of the world in all their glory. He said, All these things I will give thee if thou will bow down and worship me. Then Jesus said, Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil left Him. And, behold, angels came and ministered to Him. When Jesus heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee. And, leaving Nazareth, He dwelt in Capernaum on the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim. This He did so that what was spoken by Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled: In the land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim by the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people which sat in darkness saw great light. And to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up. From this time forward Jesus began His teaching of repentance because the kingdom of God is at hand. As Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, his brother. They were fishers and were casting a net into the sea. He said to them, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. They left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, Jesus saw two other brethren, James, the son of Zebedee, and John. They were in a boat, mending their nets, with Zebedee, their father. Jesus called them and they immediately left the boat and their father and followed Him. Then Jesus went all about Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people. His fame spread throughout all Syria. They brought to Him sick people who were taken with diverse diseases, torments, and those who were possessed with devils. They brought those who were lunatic, and those who had palsy. He healed them. Great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan followed Him. 5 Seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain and sat. His disciples came and He taught them: Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad. Great is your reward in heaven. And, likewise, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth. If the salt loses its savour it is good for nothing except to be cast out and walked on. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. A candle is not lighted to be put under a bushel, but on a candlestick. This way it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works reflecting only your Father in heaven. Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the words of the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For verily I say, Until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall pass from the law until all is fulfilled. Whoever breaks one of these least commandments, and teaches others to do likewise shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever shall keep these least commandments and teach them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way ye shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Ye have heard it was said of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, Whoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment. Whoever shows contempt toward his brother shall be in danger of the council. But whosoever curses his brother is in danger of hell fire. So, if thou bring a gift to the altar and then remember that thy brother has something against thee, leave the gift before the altar. Be reconciled to thy brother first. Then come back and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art with him; lest, at any time, thy adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt not come out then until all is paid. Ye have heard it said by them of old, Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say, Whoever looks on a woman in lust has already committed adultery in his heart. If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it away. It is more profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish rather than thy whole body be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee. It is more profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish rather than thy whole body be cast into hell. It has been said, Whoever puts away his wife shall give her a writing of divorcement. But I say, Whoever puts away his wife, except for reason of fornication, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries her that is divorced commits adultery. Also, ye have heard it said by them of old, Thou shalt not forswear thyself but perform your oaths unto the Lord. But I say, take no oaths at all. Do not swear by heaven because it is God's throne. Do not swear by the earth because it is His footstool. Do not swear by Jerusalem for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by thy self because you are incapable of making even one hair white or black. Let your statement be only Yea, yes; Nay, no: for anything more than this comes to evil. Ye have heard it said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say, Do not resist evil. Whoever strikes thee on thy right cheek, turn the other to him also. And, if any one lawfully sues thee and takes away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. Whoever compels thee to go a mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of thee. From him who would borrow of thee, do not turn away. Ye have heard it said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy. But I say, Love your enemy. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who spitefully use and persecute you. Do this that ye may be the children of your Father in heaven. He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good. He sends rain on the just and on the unjust. If ye love only those who love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans do this? And if ye greet your friends only, what do ye do more than others? Do not even the publicans do this? Instead be ye as perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. 6 Take heed that ye do not do your almsgiving to be seen by others. If so, ye have no reward from your Father in heaven. When you give, do not sound a trumpet in the synagogues and in the streets as do the hypocrites. They seek the glory of men. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward. When you give alms, do not let thy left hand know what thy right does. Give alms in secret and thy Father, who sees in secret, shall reward thee openly. When thou pray, thou shalt not be like the hypocrites. They love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets so they may be seen. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward. When thou pray, enter into thy closet. When thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father in secret. Thy Father, who sees in secret, shall reward thee openly. When ye pray, do not use vain repetitions like the heathen. They think that they shall be heard for their long speaking. Be not like them. Your Father knows what things ye need even before ye ask Him. Pray like this: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. If ye forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites. They disfigure their faces and look sad so they may appear to others to fast. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward. However, when thou fast, anoint thy head and wash thy face so that thou not appear to fast. Keep secret except unto thy Father, who is in secret, and thy Father shall reward thee openly. Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupts, and where thieves break in and steal. Instead, lay up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts, nor thieves can break in and steal. For, where your treasure is, there, also, will be your heart. The light of the body is the eye. If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But, if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. And, if the light that is in thee becomes darkness, how much greater will be that darkness! No man can serve two masters. He will either hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore, I say unto you, Take no concern for your life: what ye shall eat, what ye shall drink; nor for your body: what ye shall put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air. They sow not, and neither do they reap nor gather into barns. Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Are ye not worth as much as they are? And, who of you, by worrying, can add one cubit to his stature? So why take thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. They toil not and neither do they spin. Even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of them. So, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is here and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not clothe you even more, O ye of little faith? So, take no concern by saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, How shall we be clothed? Your heavenly Father knows that ye need all these things. Instead, seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then all these things shall be added unto you. Take no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take care of itself. The cares of today are sufficient for today. 7 Judge not that ye be not judged, for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged. And with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Why behold the mote in thy brother's eye, but not consider the beam in thine own eye? How can you say to thy brother, Let me pull the mote out of thine eye when, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite. First, cast out the beam from thine own eye, then thou shall see clearly enough to cast the mote from thy brother's eye. Do not give that which is holy to dogs. And do not cast your pearls before swine lest they trample them under their feet and turn around and rend you. Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you. Who of you is there who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or, if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him? Therefore, all things ye would have others do to you, do so to them. This is the law and the meaning of the prophets. Enter in at the strait gate. Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction. Many go in that way. Because the gate is strait and the way that leads to life is narrow, there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? No, every good tree brings forth good fruit. A corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. So, by their fruits ye shall know them. Now, not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Only he who does the will of my Father in heaven shall enter. Many will say to me, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? In thy name have we not cast out devils? And, in thy name, have we not done many wonderful works? Then will I say to them, I never knew you. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Whoever hears these sayings and does them, I liken to a wise man who built his house upon a rock. When the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon the house, it did not fall because it was founded upon a rock. Whoever hears these sayings and does not do them I liken to a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. When the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, it fell. And a great fall it was. When Jesus finished these sayings, people were astonished at His doctrine because He taught as one having authority different from the scribes. 8 When He came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And, behold, there came a leper who worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if Thou will, Thou can make me clean. Jesus put out His hand, touched him, and said, Be thou clean. Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, See that thou tell no man. Go thy way, show thyself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded for a testimony. Then, when Jesus was in Capernaum, a centurion beseeched Him saying, Lord, my servant lies at home sick with palsy and grievously tormented. Jesus said to him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered, Lord, I am not worthy that thou should come under my roof, but only give the word and my servant shall be healed. I am a man of authority, understand commands, and have soldiers under me. I command this man, Go, and he goes. To another I say, Come, and he comes. I direct my servant to do this, and he does it. When Jesus heard this, He marvelled and said to those who followed, Verily, I say unto you, I have not found such great faith anywhere, no, not even in Israel. And I say to you, Many shall come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said to the centurion, Go thy way. As thou has believed, so be it done unto thee. And the servant was healed that same hour. When Jesus went to Peter's house, He saw Peter's wife's mother laid sick with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her. She arose and ministered to them. That evening they brought to Him many that were possessed with devils and He cast out the spirits with His word. He healed all who were sick so that it might be fulfilled what was spoken by Esaias the prophet: He took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. Jesus saw great multitudes gathering. He decided they should depart to the other side of the water. A scribe approached Him and said, Master, I will follow wherever thou go. Jesus only replied, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has no place to lay His head. Another came to Him and said, Lord, let me first go and bury my father. But Jesus replied, Follow me and let the dead bury their dead. Then they got in a boat and started for the other side. Behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea. It was so great that the boat was covered with the waves. Jesus was asleep. His disciples woke Him and said, Lord, save us. We will perish. Jesus replied, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. There was a great calm. The disciples marvelled and said, What kind of man is this who even the winds and the sea obey! On the other side they came into the country of the Gergesenes. There He met two men coming out of the tombs who were possessed with devils so fierce that no man dared pass them. They cried out, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come here to torment us before the time? At a distance from them was a herd of swine. The devils said to Him, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go into the herd of swine. Jesus said to them, Go. When they came out of the men, they went into the herd of swine. Behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea and perished in the waters. The herders who kept them fled into the city and told everything including what happened to those possessed by the devils. Then the whole city came out to see Jesus and, when they saw Him, they besought Him to depart from their coasts. 9 He took a boat to His own city. There they brought to Him a man with palsy who was lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the sick man; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee. Behold, certain of the scribes said, This man blasphemes. And, Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? Is it easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee or Arise and walk? So ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (then He said to the sick man) Arise, take up thy bed and go to thy house. The man did get up and went to his house. When the multitude saw it, they marvelled and glorified God who had given such power. When Jesus left there He saw a man sitting at the receipt of custom. He said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed Him. As Jesus sat at dinner, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, Why does your master eat with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard this, He said, Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick do. Go and learn what that means. I will have mercy and not revenge because I have not come to call the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance. Then John's disciples came to Him and asked, Why do we and the Pharisees often fast, but thy disciples do not fast? Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The day will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them and then they will fast. No man uses a piece of new cloth to patch an old garment for that which is put in to cover the space takes from the garment and the rent is worse than before. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, the wine runs out and the bottles perish. They put new wine into new bottles and both are preserved. While He spoke these things there came a certain ruler who worshipped Him and said, My daughter is almost now dead, but come and lay thy hand upon her and she shall live. Jesus arose and followed him, and His disciples came along also. On the way, a woman who was diseased with an issue of blood for twelve years came up behind Him. She touched the hem of His garment because she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment I shall be healed. Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith has made thee whole. The woman was healed from that hour. Finally, when Jesus arrived at the ruler's house, He saw many mourners. He said to them, Stand aside. The maid is not dead but sleeps. They laughed Him to scorn. But when the people moved aside, He went in, took her by the hand, and she arose. This news spread abroad into all that land. When Jesus left there, two blind men followed Him. They cried, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. When He entered a house, the blind men came to Him. Jesus said to them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said to Him, Yea, Lord. Then He touched their eyes and said, According to your faith be it done unto you. Their eyes were opened. Then Jesus charged them to make sure that no man knew of this. But, after they departed, they spread His fame all around that country. As they were leaving that place a mute man possessed with a devil was brought to Jesus. When the devil was cast out, the man could then speak. The multitude marvelled and said nothing like it was ever before seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casts out devils through the prince of the devils. Jesus went to all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. He healed every kind of sickness and disease among the people. But when He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion on them because they fainted and were scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray to the Lord so He will send forth laborers to His harvest. 10 Jesus called together His twelve disciples and gave them power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal all manner of sickness and disease. The names of the twelve apostles are these; Simon, who is called Peter, Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee, John his brother; Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; the publican; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them: Go not into the way of the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As ye go, preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick. Cleanse the lepers. Raise the dead. Cast out devils. Freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses. Take no scrip for your journey. Neither take two coats, nor shoes, nor staves because the workman is worthy of his food. Into whatever city or town ye enter, enquire who in it is worthy. Abide there until ye go on. When ye come into a house, salute it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it. If it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. Whoever shall not receive you or hear your words, when ye leave that house or city, shake the dust from your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Beware of men. They will deliver you up to the councils. They will scourge you in their synagogues. Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for a testimony against them and the Gentiles because of me. But when they deliver you up, do not worry how or what ye shall speak. It will be given you at the time ye speak because it is not ye that will speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks through you. Also be aware that a brother shall deliver up a brother to death, and a father the child. Children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But he that endures to the end shall be saved. When they persecute you in one city, flee to another. Verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone to all the cities of Israel before the Son comes. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house, Beelzebub, how much more shall they call those of God's household? Fear them not. There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and nothing hid that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, speak ye in light. And what ye hear in the ear, preach that upon the housetops. Fear not those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul. Instead, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing. The very hairs of your head are all numbered by Him. Fear not because ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whoever confesses me before men, I will confess him before my Father in heaven. Whoever denies me before men, I will deny him before my Father in heaven. Think not that I came to earth to send peace. I came not to send peace, but a sword. My coming will set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's foes shall be those of his own household. He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. He that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me. He that finds his life shall lose it. He that loses his life for my sake shall find it. He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives Him that sent me. He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. He that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever shall give to one of the little ones a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, he shall never lose his reward. 11 When Jesus finished instructing His twelve disciples, He departed to teach and preach in their cities. When John, who was in prison, heard of the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples. They asked Jesus, Art thou He that should come or do we look for another? Jesus answered, Go and show John those things which ye hear and see. The blind receive their sight. The lame walk. The lepers are cleansed. The deaf hear. The dead are raised up. And the poor have the gospel preached to them. Blessed is he, who shall not be offended in me. As they departed, Jesus spoke to the crowds concerning John saying, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? What went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What went ye out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and he is more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send my messenger before thy face who shall prepare the way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among those born of woman there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist who would make himself least in the kingdom of heaven. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffered violence and the violent took it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied of John. If ye will receive it, this is Elias, who was to come. He that has ears to hear, let him hear. But how shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the markets and calling unto their fellows saying, We have piped to you and ye have not danced. We have mourned you and ye have not lamented. John came neither eating nor drinking and they say he had a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking and they say he is a gluttonous man, a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom shall be justified of her children. Then He began to upbraid the cities where most of His mighty works were done because they did not repent. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! If the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. And Capernaum, exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell. If the mighty works which have been done in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee. Then Jesus prayed aloud: I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou has hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. It is so, Father, for it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me by my Father. No man knows the Son but the Father. Neither knows any man the Father except the Son. He is revealed to whomever the Son will reveal Him. Come to me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me. I am meek and lowly in heart. Ye shall find rest for your souls because my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 12 It was a sabbath day when Jesus and His disciples passed through a cornfield. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears of corn to eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to Jesus, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, Have ye not read what David did when he was hungry? He and those who were with him entered into the house of God and ate the showbread. This was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those with him because the bread was only for the priests. And, have ye not read in the law how on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath and are blameless? But I say unto you, Here is one greater than the temple. If ye knew what this meant, ye would not have condemned the guiltless because the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. When Jesus went into the synagogue He was met by a man who had a withered hand. So that they might accuse Jesus, the Pharisees asked Him, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? Jesus replied, What man is there among you who has one sheep and, if it falls into a pit on the sabbath day, will not lay hold on it and lift it out? How much more is a man worth than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the sabbath day. Jesus turned to the man and said, Stretch forth thine hand. The man stretched it forth and it was restored, whole and like his other hand. Then the Pharisees left and held a council about how they might destroy Jesus. But when Jesus knew this, He departed from there. Great multitudes followed Him and He healed them all. He charged them that they should not make Him known. This was done to fulfill what was spoken by Esaias the prophet: Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my spirit upon Him and He shall show judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench till He send forth judgment unto victory. And in His name the Gentiles shall trust. Then a blind and mute man who was possessed with a devil, was brought to Him. Jesus healed him, and, to such an extent, that he both spoke and saw. All the people were amazed and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This one casts out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. Jesus knew their thoughts and said, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. Every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself. How, then, shall his kingdom stand? If I, by Beelzebub, cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges. But, if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. And, if not, then how can someone enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods unless he first bind the strong man? Only then is he able to spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me. He that gathers not with me scatters abroad. So I say to you, All manner of sin and blasphemy against men shall be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven Him. But whoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven Him; not in this world and not in the world to come. Either make the tree good and its fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man, out of the good treasure of the heart, brings forth good things. An evil man, out of the evil of the heart, brings forth evil things. I say to you, For every idle word that a man speaks, he shall account for it in the day of judgment. By thy words thou shall be justified and by thy words thou shall be condemned. Then, some of the scribes and Pharisees said, Master, we want to see a sign from thee. But Jesus answered, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign. There shall be no sign given except the sign of the prophet Jonas. Just as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment of this generation and shall condemn it. This is so because they repented at the preaching of Jonas. Behold, one greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment of this generation and shall condemn it. She came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon and, behold, one greater than Solomon is here. When an unclean spirit has left a man, he wanders through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then the unclean spirit says, I will return to the house from which I came. When he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and garnished. Then he returns with seven other spirits more wicked than himself. They go back into the man and dwell there. Then the last state of that man is worse than the first. This is how it shall be with this wicked generation. While Jesus continued to talk to the people, His mother and His brethren stood outside and requested to speak with Him. Someone reported this to Him saying, Behold, thy mother and brethren are outside and desire to speak with thee. But Jesus addressed the one that told Him by saying, Who is my mother and who are my brethren? Then He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren! Whoever shall do the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother. 13 That same day Jesus sat by the sea. Great multitudes gathered. He had to get into a boat and sit while the whole multitude stood on the shore. Then He taught them in parables. Jesus said, Behold, a sower went forth to sow seed. When he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell upon stony places where there was not much earth. They sprang up but they had no deep roots. So, when the sun was up, they were scorched and withered away. Also, some of the seeds fell among thorns. The thorns sprang up and choked them. Yet other seeds fell on good ground. These brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who has ears to hear, let him hear. The disciples asked Jesus, Why do you speak to them in parables? He answered, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whoever has understanding, more shall be given him and he shall have abundance. But whoever does not have understanding, what little he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore, I speak to them in parables because, not seeing and not hearing, they do not understand. Also, in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias: By hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand. And by seeing ye shall see and shall not perceive. For the people's hearts are hardened. Their ears are dull of hearing. They have closed their eyes. They do not see or hear for fear they will be converted and have to change their hearts. But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which ye see and they have not seen them. They have desired to hear the things which ye hear, and have not heard them. So, again, listen to the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the wicked one snatches away all that was sown in his heart. This is the one who received seed by the wayside. Now he that received the seed in the stony places, received the word with joy. But he has no deep root and endures only for a while. When tribulation or persecution arises he is uprooted. Now the one that received seed among the thorns hears the word but is too much ensnared by things of this world and the deceitfulness of riches. The understanding of the word is choked out and he becomes unfruitful. Finally, the one that received seed in the good ground is he that hears the word, understands it, and bears fruit. He brings forth a hundredfold or sixty or thirty. He spoke another parable saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But, during the night, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat then slipped away. When the blades sprang up and brought forth fruit weeds appeared also. The householder's servants came to him and asked, Sir, did thou not sow good seed in the field? Where did the tares come from? The householder answered, An enemy has done this. The servants then asked, Shall we go and pull them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye shall uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then, at harvest time, I will say to the reapers, First gather together the weeds and bind them in bundles. These tares shall ye burn up. Then the wheat is to go in the shelter. Jesus told another parable, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed. A man sowed it in his field. Now this, indeed, is the least of all seeds. However, when it is grown, it is the largest among all the herbs. It grows like a tree so the birds of the air can come and lodge in its branches. Another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven. A woman took a little, hid it in three measures of meal and, at last, all was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitude. Thus it might be fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables. I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went inside. His disciples came to Him and said, Explain to us the parable of the tares in the field. Jesus answered and said, He that sows the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world. The good seed are the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are the angels. As the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth His angels. They shall clear out of His kingdom all that offends and does iniquity and cast it into a furnace. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man discovers it, he buries it again. Then joyfully he goes and sells all that he has to buy that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking good pearls. When he finds even one pearl of great price, he goes and sells all he has to buy it. And the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea to gather every kind of fish. When it was full, they drew the net to shore. The good they gathered into vessels. But they cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall come and sever the wicked from the just and cast them into the furnace where there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jesus asked, Have ye understood all these things? They said, Yea, Lord. Then He said, Therefore, every scribe who is instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings forth out of his treasure things both new and old. Jesus went into His own country. He taught in the synagogue. The people were astonished and said, Whence has He this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is His mother not called Mary and His brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Are His sisters not here with us? Where did this man get all these things? They were offended by Him. Jesus told them that a prophet is not without honor except in His own country and in His own house. He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. 14 At that time Herod heard of the fame of Jesus. He said to his servants, This is John the Baptist. He is risen from the dead and mighty works show forth in him. Herod had imprisoned John for the sake of Herodia, his brother Philip's wife. He did this because John told Herod that it was not lawful for Herod to have her. He would have immediately put John to death but Herod feared the multitude, who counted John as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, Herodias' daughter danced and greatly pleased Herod. He promised, with an oath, to give her whatever she asked. Having previously been instructed by her mother, she said, Give me John the Baptist's head on a charger. Herod was sorry. However, for the oath's sake and those who sat at dinner with him, he commanded it be given her. He had John beheaded in prison. Then his head was brought on a charger, presented to her, and she brought it to her mother. Then John's disciples came, took up the body, buried it, and reported it to Jesus. When Jesus heard, He departed from there by boat to a desert place. When the people heard this, they followed Him on foot out of the cities. As Jesus went forth He saw a great multitude. He was moved with compassion toward them and He healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him and said, This is a desert place and it is late. Send the multitude away so they may go into the villages and buy food. But Jesus said, They need not depart. Give them food to eat. They said, We have only five loaves and two fish. Jesus said, Bring them to me. He told the multitude to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He blessed it. Then He broke and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples gave them to the multitude. They all ate and were full. Afterwards, they took up the fragments that remained, twelve baskets full. Those who had eaten numbered about five thousand men, in addition to women and children. Immediately, Jesus instructed His disciples to get into a boat and go ahead of Him to the other side. After He sent the multitude away, He went up into a mountain to pray. When evening came He was there alone. But the boat was now in the midst of the sea and tossed with waves by the strong wind. In the fourth watch of the night, the disciples saw Jesus walking toward them on the sea. They were afraid and said, It is a spirit. They cried out for fear. But Jesus said, Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid. Peter answered and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. Jesus said, Come. Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he became afraid and immediately began to sink. He cried, Lord, save me. Jesus stretched out His hand, caught Peter, and said, O thou of little faith. Why did thou doubt? When they got into the boat the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Jesus. They said, Surely thou art the Son of God. Then they reached the land of Gennesaret. When the people there had knowledge of Him, they sent word all around the country. They brought to Jesus all who were diseased. They besought Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And all who touched His garment were made perfectly whole. 15 Then scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus. They asked, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat bread. Jesus answered, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? God commanded: Honor thy father and mother. Let him be put to death who curses father or mother. But ye say that whoever says to his father or mother that it is a gift by whatever thou might profit by me, dishonoring the father or mother, shall be free. Your tradition has made the commandment of God useless. Ye hypocrites. Well did Esaias prophesy: This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips. But their hearts are far from me. In vain do they worship me. They teach the commandments of men as doctrines. Jesus then called the multitude and said, Hear and understand. Nothing that goes into the mouth defiles a man. But that which comes out of the mouth defiles a man. His disciples approached him and said, Know thou that the Pharisees were offended after they heard these words? Jesus said, Every plant that was not planted by my heavenly Father shall be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Next, Peter approached Him and said, Explain the parable to us. Jesus replied, Are ye still without understanding? Do ye not yet understand that whatever goes in at the mouth goes into the belly and is expelled. But those things which come out of the mouth come from the heart. They defile the man because out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. These are the things that defile a man. To eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man. Then Jesus went into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. A woman of Canaan came to Him and said, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David. My daughter is grievously tormented with a devil. Jesus said not a word to her. Finally, His disciples came and said, Send her away for she cries after us. Jesus replied, I am not here for the lost sheep of the house of Israel only. She came forward and worshipped Him. She said, Lord, help me. He answered, It is not fit to take the children's bread and cast it to dogs. She answered, True, Lord. Yet dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table. Jesus said to her, O woman, great is thy faith. Be it done unto thee as thou wilt. So her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Jesus left and went near the sea of Galilee where He went up into a mountain to rest. Soon, great multitudes came to Him. They brought those who were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others. They placed them at Jesus' feet and He healed them. The multitude wondered when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. They glorified the God of Israel. Jesus called His disciples aside and said, I have compassion on the multitude because they have been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I will not send them away hungry lest they faint on the way. His disciples said, Where should we find enough bread in the wilderness to fill so great a multitude? Jesus asked them, How many loaves have ye? They said, Seven and a few little fish. Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks. He broke them and gave them to His disciples and the disciples gave them to the multitude. They all ate and were full. They took up the food that was left, seven baskets full. Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. Then Jesus sent away the multitude and took a boat to the coasts of Magdala. 16 The Pharisees and the Sadducees came and, testing Jesus, asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said, When it is evening, ye say it will be fair weather because the sky is red. In the morning, ye say it will be foul weather because the sky is red. O ye hypocrites. Ye can discern the face of the sky but cannot discern the signs of the times! It is a wicked and adulterous generation that seeks a sign. There shall be no sign given except the sign of the prophet, Jonas. Then He left them, and departed to the other side. Jesus uttered, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. The disciples thought He referred to their not remembering to bring bread along with them. When Jesus perceived this, He said, O ye of little faith, why do you concern yourselves because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand or remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many baskets of leftovers ye took up? Do ye not remember the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets of leftovers ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spoke not about the leaven of bread but that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then they understood that the leaven was the doctrine and teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. When Jesus came to the coast of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am? They answered, Some say that thou art John the Baptist. Some say Elias. Others say Jeremias or one of the prophets. Then Jesus asked them, But who do ye say that I am? Simon Peter spoke up, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood has not revealed it to thee, but my Father which is in heaven. I say also unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. Whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. Then He charged His disciples to tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ. From that time forward Jesus instructed His disciples about how He must go into Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes. He told them He would be killed and be raised again on the third day. Peter began to rebuke Him and said, Far be it from thee, Lord. This shall not be. Jesus turned quickly, stopped Peter, and said, Get thee behind me, Satan. Thou art an offence to me. Thou savor not the things of God, but those of men. Then Jesus said to His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. Whoever saves his life shall lose it. Whoever loses his life, for my sake, shall find it. What is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? What can a man give in exchange for his soul? The Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father, with His angels and shall reward every man according to his works. Verily, I say unto you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom. 17 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and his brother, John up into a high mountain. Here Jesus was transfigured before them. His face shone as bright as the sun. His raiment was as white as pure light. And, behold, Moses and Elias appeared and talked with Him. Peter then said, Lord, it is good for us to be here. If thou wilt, let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias. But, as he was speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them. From the cloud, a voice said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him. When the disciples heard, they fell on their faces and were afraid. Then Jesus came, touched them, and said, Arise. Be not afraid. When they looked up they saw no one but Jesus. As they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them to tell no one what they witnessed until the Son of man had risen from the dead. His disciples asked Him, Why, then, do the scribes say that Elias must come first? Jesus answered, Elias comes first and restores all things. But I tell you that Elias has already come. They knew him not and caused him to suffer at their hands. Likewise, the Son of man shall also suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that Jesus meant John the Baptist. As they approached the multitude, a man came up to Jesus. Kneeling down, the man said, Lord, have mercy on my son. He is lunatic and greatly vexed. He often falls into the fire and into the water. I brought my son to thy disciples but they could not cure him. Jesus said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring the boy here to me. When Jesus rebuked the devil, he departed out of the child and the boy was cured from that very hour. The disciples took Jesus aside and asked, Why could we not cast the devil out? Jesus answered, Because of your unbelief. Verily, I say unto you, if ye have the faith of a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say to this mountain, Move yonder and it shall move. Nothing shall be impossible. This kind of devil goes out only after much strengthening of faith by prayer and fasting. During their time in Galilee, Jesus told all His disciples, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men. They shall kill Him and, on the third day, He shall be raised again. The disciples felt great sorrow. When they arrived at Capernaum, those who collected tribute money came to Peter and questioned him saying, Does your master pay tribute? Peter said, Yes. When Peter came into the house, Jesus stopped him and said, What think thou, Simon? Should the kings of the earth take custom or tribute of their own children or of strangers? Peter replied, Of strangers. Jesus said, So then, the children are free. Then Jesus added, Nonetheless, so we do not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. In his mouth thou shalt find a coin. Take that and give it to those who collect the tribute money for me and thee. 18 At the same time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Unless you are converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself like this little child, is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever shall receive a little child in my name receives me. But whoever offends one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him that a millstone were hung around his neck and he drown in the deep of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! It must needs be that offences come; but woe to the one by whom the offence comes! Therefore, if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off and cast them from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, In heaven their angels always look upon the face of my Father. The Son of man is here to save that which was lost. How think ye? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them is gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine and go into the mountains to seek the one gone astray? And if he find it, he rejoices more over that sheep than of the ninety and nine which did not stray. So, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. If thy brother trespasses against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. If he will hear thee, thou has gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he neglects to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he neglects to hear the church, let him be treated as a heathen and a publican. Whatever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. Whatever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Then Peter came to Him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Until seven times? Jesus replied, I say unto thee, not until seven times but until seventy times seven. The kingdom of heaven is like a king who took an account of his servants. When he began to reckon, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But since he was unable to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant fell down and worshipped him saying, Lord, have patience with me and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, loosed him, and forgave him the debt. This same servant left and met one of his fellowservants who owed him a small sum. He laid hands on him and took him by the throat saying, Pay me what thou owe. The fellowservant fell down at his feet and besought him saying, have patience with me and I will pay thee all. But he would not. He cast him into prison until the debt was paid. When the rest of the servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and went to their lord and told him everything. Then the servant's lord called him and said, O, thou wicked servant! I forgave thee all that debt because thou desired it of me. Should not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant as I had pity on thee? His lord was angry and delivered him to the tormentors until he paid all that was due. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you if ye do not forgive other's trespasses. 19 It came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, He departed from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan. Great multitudes followed Him and He healed many there. The Pharisees also came to test Him. They questioned Him saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? Jesus answered, have ye not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother and shall cleave to his wife. The two shall be one? Therefore, they are no longer two but one flesh. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. They said, Why, then, did Moses allow a writing of divorcement to put a wife away? Jesus said, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives. But, from the beginning, it was not so. I say to you, Whoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery. Whoever marries her who is put away also commits adultery. His disciples said, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. Jesus said, All men cannot receive this saying, except those to whom this saying is given. There are some eunuchs who were so born from their mother's womb. There are some eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men. And there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray. When the disciples rebuked them Jesus said, Allow these little children and do not forbid them to come to me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus laid His hands on them, and then departed. Behold, a young man came to Him and asked, Good Master, what shall I do that I may have eternal life? He said to him, Why call me good? There is none good but one, and that is God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. The young man asked, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt not murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Honour thy father and thy mother. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man said, All these things I have kept from my youth up. What do I yet lack? Jesus answered, If thou will be perfect, go and sell what you have and give to the poor. Thou shalt have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying he went away sorrowful because he had many possessions. Then said Jesus to His disciples, Hardly a rich man shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When His disciples heard this they were greatly amazed. They asked, Who, then, can be saved? Jesus beheld them and said, With men it is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Peter asked, Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee. What shall we have? Jesus said, Verily, at the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye who have followed me shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. 20 The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers for a coin a day, he sent them into his vineyard. Then, about the third hour he went out and saw others standing idle in the marketplace. He said to them, Go ye also into my vineyard and whatever is right I will give you. He went out again about the sixth and the ninth hour and did the same. About the eleventh hour he went out, found others standing idle, and said, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They answered, Because no man has hired us. He then replied, Go ye also into the vineyard and whatever is right you shall receive. When evening came, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning from the last unto the first. When those who were hired about the eleventh hour came, every man received a coin. But when the first came, supposing they should receive more, they each also received a coin. When they received it, they murmured against the good man of the house and said, These last have worked but one hour and thou has made them equal to those of us who have borne the burden and heat of the day. He answered one of them and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong. Did thou not agree with me for a coin? Take what is thine and go thy way. I will give to the last the same as I give to thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own coins? Must you see evil in my goodness? So, the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few are chosen. Then Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside and said, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem where the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death. They will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, scourge, and crucify Him. And on the third day He shall rise again. The mother of the sons of Zebedee and her sons, James and John, approached Jesus. She praised Him, desiring something of Him. He said to her, What wilt thou? She replied, Grant that my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to Him, We are able. And Jesus said, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand or on my left is not mine to give. It shall be given to them for whom it is prepared by my Father. When the remaining ten heard this they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them to Him and said, Ye know that the princes of worldliness and ambition influence them. But it shall not be so among you. Whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. Whoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Likewise, the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give His life as a ransom for many. When they departed from Jericho a great multitude followed. Behold, when they heard that Jesus passed by, two blind men who were sitting by the wayside cried out, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. The multitude rebuked them and told them to keep quiet. But they cried more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. Jesus stood still and said to them, What shall I do for you? They answered, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and they followed Him. 21 As they drew close to Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage by the mount of Olives. Jesus sent two disciples ahead and said, Go into the village and ye shall find tied there an ass with her colt. Untie them and bring them to me. If a man says anything to you, say, The Lord has need of them and, straightway, he will send them. All this was done so this saying of the prophet might be fulfilled: Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon a colt, the foal of an ass. The disciples did as Jesus directed. They brought the ass and the colt and set Jesus thereupon. A multitude spread out their garments and others cut down tree branches and lined the way. They cried out, Hosanna to the son of David. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. When Jesus came into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred. They asked, Who is this? The multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee. Jesus went into the temple of God and cast out all who bought and sold. He overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, It is written that my house shall be called a house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple and He healed them. When the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things Jesus did and heard the children crying out in the temple, Hosanna to the son of David; they were greatly displeased. They said to Him, Hear thou what they are saying? Jesus answered, Yea. Have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes comes perfect praise? Then He left them and went into Bethany where He lodged that night. In the morning Jesus, being very hungry, started out to return to the city. On His way He saw a fig tree. As He came to it He found nothing on it but leaves. He said, Let no fruit ever grow on thee. The fig tree withered away. When the disciples saw this, they marvelled and said, How quickly the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this that was done to the fig tree, but also, if ye shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed and cast into the sea; it shall be done. The things ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Then He went into the temple. The chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching and asked, By what authority do you do these things? Who gave thee this authority? Jesus replied, I, in turn, will ask you one thing, which, if ye can tell me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven or from man? They reasoned among themselves and said, If we say, From heaven; He will ask us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we say, From man; we fear the people for they hold John as a prophet. Finally they said to Jesus, We cannot tell. Jesus responded, Neither, then, do I tell you by what authority I do these things. Hear this. A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, Son, today go to work in my vineyard. The son answered, I will not. But, afterward he repented and went to work. Then the man went to the second son and said the same thing. The second son said, I will go, sir; but he did not go. Which of these two did the will of his father? They answered, The first son. Jesus said, Verily I say, The publicans and the harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. John came to you in the way of righteousness and ye believed him not. But the publicans and the harlots believed him. And ye, even after ye had seen, did not repent that ye believed him. Hear another parable: There was a householder who planted a vineyard. He hedged it all around, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to husbandsmen and went abroad. When the time of the harvest drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandsmen to receive the fruits of it. The husbandsmen took his servants, beat one, stoned one, and killed another. Next, he sent more servants than the first time. They did to them the same thing. Finally, he sent his son, saying, They will respect my son. But when the husbandsmen saw the son, they said, This is the heir. Let us kill him and seize his inheritance. So they caught him, cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When, therefore, the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to these husbandsmen? They said to Jesus, He will destroy these miserable and wicked men and he will rent out his vineyard to others who will render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus said, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected is the same that has become the cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes? I tell you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation that brings forth its fruits. Whoever falls on this stone shall be broken. On whomever this stone falls, he will be ground into powder. When the chief priests and Pharisees heard these parables, they saw that Jesus spoke about them. But when they thought of laying hands on Him, they feared the multitude because they took Jesus for a prophet. 22 Jesus related more parables. He said, The kingdom of heaven is like a king who arranged a marriage feast for his son. He sent his servants forth to call those who were invited to the wedding but they did not come. He sent other servants to say, Dinner is prepared. The king's oxen and fatlings are killed. Everything is ready. Come to the marriage. Those who were invited made light of it and went their ways. One went out to his farm. Another attended to his merchandise. The others took the king's servants, treated them spitefully, and then slew them. When the king heard this he was outraged. He sent out his armies to destroy the murderers and burn their city. Then he said to his servants, The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, invite them to the marriage feast. These servants went out and gathered together all those they found, both bad and good, and the wedding was furnished with guests. Then, the king came in to greet the guests. He spotted a man who did not wear the wedding garment that was provided. The king said to him, Friend, why did you come in here without the wedding garment? The man made no answer. So the king told his servants, Bind him hand and foot. Then take him away and cast him into outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for many are called but few are chosen. Then the Pharisees met to discuss how they might trap Jesus in His words. They sent some of their people along with the herodians to question Jesus. They said, Master, we know that thou art true and teach the way of God in truth. Tell us, therefore, what thou think. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? Jesus, perceiving their wicked motive, said, Why test me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. They brought a coin to Him. Jesus asked, Whose image and superscription is this? They said, Caesar's. Jesus said, Render, therefore, unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's. When they heard these words, they marvelled, and left Him to go their way. The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked, Master, Moses said if a man dies and has no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother. Likewise, the second also, and the third, up to the seventh brother. Then, finally the woman died also. Now, according to the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seven since they all had her? Jesus said, Ye err. You do not know the scriptures nor the power of God. In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Concerning the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. When the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine. But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus put the Sadducees to silence, they gathered together. One of them, a lawyer, tested Jesus with this question, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus answered, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments rests all the law and the prophets. While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He? They said, The son of David. Jesus then asked, How, then, does David, in spirit, call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David calls him Lord, how is he his son? No man was able to answer a word, nor dare any man from that day forth ask Jesus any more questions. 23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowd and to His followers. He said, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' place. Whatsoever they bid you to observe and do, ye shall observe and do. But do not follow after their works because what they say, they do not do themselves. They bind heavy burdens, grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders. But they, themselves, will not even lay so much as a finger on one of them. All their works they do for show to other men. They love the uppermost rooms at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues. They like greetings in the markets and to be called out to, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be ye not called Rabbi. Only one is your teacher, even Christ; and ye are all brethren. Call no man on earth your father, for only one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters, for only one is your Master, even Christ. Also, he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall be humbled shall be exalted. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye shut men out of the kingdom of heaven, ye enter not in yourselves, and you do not allow others to attempt to enter in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye devour widows' houses and, for a pretence, make long prayers. Therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye venture over sea and land for one proselyte and, when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides who say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, is worth nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, makes a good pledge! Ye fools and blind men. What is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And ye say, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, is worth nothing; but whosoever swears by the gift that is upon it, is worthy of praise. Ye fools and blind men. What is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Whoso, therefore, shall swear by the altar, swears by it and by all things upon it. And whoso shall swear by the temple, swears by it and by Him that dwells therein. And He that shall swear by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him that sits thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, but ye have ignored the weightier matters of the law; judgment, mercy, and faith. Ye blind guides who strain from your drink a gnat and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye make the outside of the cup and platter clean, but inside they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee. Cleanse first that which is inside the cup and platter so the outside may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye are like whited sepulchres, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and uncleanness. Even if ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, inside ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye build the tombs for the prophets and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous. Ye say, If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Be witnesses unto yourselves. Ye are the children of those who killed the prophets and ye measure up to your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? I send prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them ye shall kill and crucify. Some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues and persecute them from city to city. On your hands shall be the blood of all the righteous shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killed the prophets, and stoned those sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not have it! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Ye shall not see me again until ye shall say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. 24 Jesus went outside and His disciples came to show Him the buildings of the temple. Jesus said, Take note of all these things. There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. On the mount of Olives, the disciples said, Tell us, when will these things happen? What shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world? Jesus answered, Take heed that no man deceive you. Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ and they shall deceive many. Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye are not troubled. All these things must come to pass but the end is not come yet. Nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There shall be famines, pestilence, and earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. They will deliver you up to be afflicted. They shall kill you. Ye shall be hated by all nations for my name's sake. Many will be offended and will betray and hate one another. False prophets shall arise and deceive. And, because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will wax cold. But those who endure unto the end shall be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached all around the world as a witness to all nations. Then the end shall come. When ye see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet, Daniel, stand in the holy place; understand the prophecy. Let those who are in Judaea flee into the mountains. Let him stay who is on the housetop and not come down to take anything out of his house. Neither let he who is in the field return to get his clothing. Woe unto the women who are with child. Pray that your flight be not in the winter or on the sabbath day. There shall be great tribulation, such as was not seen from the beginning of the world until now and will never be seen again. Unless those days are numbered, no flesh shall be saved. But, for the elect's sake, those days shall be numbered. Thus, if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ, or there He is; believe it not. There shall arise false Christs and false prophets. They will show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it be possible, they will deceive the very elect. Behold, I tell you all this beforehand. So, if they say to you, Behold, He is in the desert, do not go forth. Or, behold, He is in the secret chambers, believe it not. For, just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over unto the west, so also shall be the coming of the Son of man. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened. The moon will not reflect light. The stars will fall from heaven. The powers of the heavens shall be shaken. All the people of the earth shall mourn. Then the sign of the Son of man will appear. They shall see Him coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet. His angels will gather together His elect from the four winds and from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable about the fig tree. When its branch is yet tender and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is near. So, likewise, when ye see all these things, know what is near. This generation shall not pass away until all these things are fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But, of the day and the hour no man knows, no, not the angels of heaven, but only my Father. The coming of the Son of man shall be like in the days of Noah. Before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. They knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. So shall also be the coming of the Son of man. At that time, two shall be in the field. One shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill. One shall be taken and the other left. Watch, for ye know not what hour your Lord comes. Know this, If the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have guarded and would not have suffered his house to be broken into. Therefore, be ready. At an hour that ye think the Son of man will not come, then He will come. It is a faithful and wise servant who, his lord having given him charge over the household, prepares the foods in due season. Blessed is that servant who, when his lord arrives, shall find him doing so. He shall make the servant ruler over all his goods. It is an evil servant who says, My lord delays his coming so I shall take advantage. He smites his fellowservants and eats and drinks until drunken. The lord of that servant shall come in a day when the servant does not expect him. At a time when the servant is unaware, he shall be cut asunder and thrown out with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 25 The kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise. Five were foolish. The foolish took their lamps but no extra oil with them. The wise took oil in their vessels along with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered. At midnight there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom is coming. Go out to meet Him. All the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, No, there will be not enough for us and you. Go to them that sell oil and buy some. While they went to buy the oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went in with him to the marriage and the door was shut. Much later, the other virgins arrived and called, Lord, Lord, open the door to us. But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I do not know you. Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes. The kingdom of heaven is like a man who travels into a far country. Before he leaves he calls his servants and turns his goods over to them. To one he gives five talents. To another he gives two talents. To another he gives one. He gives to every man according to his ability. The servant who received the five talents traded and made another five talents. He who received two, gained another two. But the servant that received one, dug a hole in the earth and hid his lord's money. After a long time, the lord returned from his journey and reckoned with his servants. He who received five talents came and brought another five talents. He said, Lord, thou delivered five talents to me. Behold, I have gained five more talents besides them. His lord said, Well done. Thou has been faithful over a few things so I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of thy lord! He who received two talents came and said, Lord, thou delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained two more talents beside them. His lord said, Well done. Thou has been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of thy lord! Then the servant who received the one talent came and said, Lord, I know that thou art a hard man who reaps where he has not sown and gathers where he has not toiled. I was afraid, so I hid thy talent in the earth. Here, now thou has what is thine. His lord cried, Thou wicked and slothful servant. Thou knew that I reap where I sow not and gather where I do not toil. Thou ought to have, at least, put my money out to the exchangers so, upon my return, I should have received my own money with interest. Take the talent and give it to the one who has ten talents. To the one who uses his talent wisely, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance. But to the one who does not, any talent he has shall be taken away. The unprofitable servant shall be cast into outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. When the Son of man comes with His holy angels, He shall sit upon the throne of His glory. Before Him shall be gathered all nations. He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from his goats. He shall set the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on the left. Then the King shall say to those on His right, Come, ye blessed of my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry and ye gave me food. I was thirsty and ye gave me drink. I was a stranger and ye took me in. I was naked and ye clothed me. I was sick and ye visited me. I was in prison and ye came to me. Then the righteous shall ask Him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee? Or thirsty and gave thee drink? When did we see thee a stranger and take thee in? Or naked and clothe thee? When did we see thee sick, or in prison and come to thee? The King shall answer, Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it to me. Then He shall say to those on the left, Depart from me into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry and ye gave me no food. I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink. I was a stranger and ye did not take me in. I was naked and ye did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison and ye did not visit me. Then they shall also ask Him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and not minister unto thee? He shall answer them, Inasmuch as ye did not do these things to one of the least of my brethren, ye did not do it to me. These shall go to everlasting punishment. And the righteous shall have life eternal. 26 It came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings He said to His disciples, In two days is the feast of the passover. The Son of man will be betrayed and crucified. At the same time the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people held a meeting in the palace of the high priest, Caiaphas. They discussed how they might take Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they said, It cannot happen on the feast day lest there be an uproar among the people. Jesus was now in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. There He was approached by a woman carrying an alabaster box containing very precious ointment. She, then, annointed His head as He sat at dinner. When His disciples saw it they were indignant and said, To what purpose is this waste? This ointment could have been sold for much and the money given to the poor. When Jesus overheard them He said, Why bother this woman? She has wrought a good work upon me. The poor ye have always with you; but me ye have not always. In annointing me, she prepared me for my burial. Anywhere in the world this gospel is preached it shall also be told what this woman has done. Then, one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests. He asked, What will ye give me if I will deliver Jesus unto you? They agreed on thirty pieces of silver and, from that time, Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Him. On the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Where shall we prepare for thee to eat the passover? Jesus told them to go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Master says His time is at hand. Tell this man that He will keep the passover there with His disciples. Then the disciples did as Jesus had appointed and they prepared the passover. When it was evening, Jesus sat down with the twelve. While they ate He said, Verily I say unto you, one of you shall betray me. The disciples heard this with great sorrow and, all at the same time uttered, Lord, is it me? Jesus only said, He that dips his hand in the dish with me shall betray me. It is written: Woe unto the one by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been better for him if he had not been born. Then Judas, who betrayed Him, asked, Master, is it me? Jesus turned to him and quietly said, Thou has said right. While they ate, Jesus took up the bread and blessed it. He then broke it and gave it to the disciples saying, Take this and eat for this is my body. Then He took the cup and gave thanks. He passed it to them saying, Drink ye all from this for this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins. I say unto you, I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you in my Father's kingdom. Following the meal, they sang hymns and went out into the mount of Olives. Jesus said to the disciples, Ye shall all be offended this night because of me for it is written: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But, after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter said to Him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, I will never be offended. Jesus answered Peter, This night, before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter replied, Though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. Then all the disciples said the same. Jesus took them into a place called Gethsemane and said, Sit here while I go yonder to pray. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him. He said to these three, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful and heavy unto death. Stay here and watch with me. He went off a little farther and fell on His face. Jesus prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, be it not as I will, but as Thou wilt. Then He went to the three disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, Could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray so ye do not give in to this temptation again because, while the spirit may be willing, the flesh is weak. He went away a second time and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me unless I drink it, then Thy will be done. Returning to the three, He, again, found that they had been asleep for their eyes were heavy. He left them and went to pray a third time, saying the same words. When Jesus went back to all the disciples He said, Behold, the hour is at hand. The Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. The one who betrays me is at hand. While He spoke, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came with a great multitude. They were armed with swords and staves from the chief priests and elders of the people. Judas had agreed on a sign saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He. Hold Him fast. Judas approached Jesus, greeted Him; then kissed Him. Jesus said to him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then they came and took hold of Jesus. Behold, one who was with Jesus drew his sword, and, striking out at one of the high priest's servants, smote off his ear. Jesus said to him, Put thy sword back into its place. All who take to the sword shall perish by the sword. Think thou that I cannot pray to my Father and He shall give me more than twelve legions of angels? But, then, how shall the scriptures be fulfilled that this is the way it must be? Jesus said to this multitude, Do ye come at me as against a thief with swords and staves to take me? Daily I sat with you teaching in the temple and ye did not lay hold of me. This was done so the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. When they took hold of Jesus, all the disciples left Him and fled. They led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest where the scribes and elders were assembled. But Peter followed far behind to the high priest's palace. He went in and sat with the servants. The chief priests, elders, and all the council sought false witness against Jesus in order to put Him to death. At last, two false witnesses came and said, This one said He was able to destroy the temple of God and build it up again in three days. The high priest arose and said to Jesus, Answerest thou nothing? What is it that they witness against thee? But Jesus said nothing. Then the high priest said to Him, I adjure thee, by the living God, tell us whether thou are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus replied, Thou has said so. I say unto you, hereafter, ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and appearing in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest cried, He has spoken blasphemy. What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy. What think ye? They answered, He is guilty of death. Then they spit in His face. Others struck Him with the palms of their hands and said, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that struck thee? During this, Peter sat outside the palace. A damsel came up to him and said, Thou also was with Jesus of Galilee. But Peter denied this and he went out on the porch. Another maid saw him and said to the others standing there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. Peter denied this with an oath and said, I do not know the man. Later, one of the bystanders came up to Peter and said, Surely, by thy voice I know thou art one of them. Peter began to curse and swear and said, I know not the man. Then the cock crowed. Peter remembered the words of Jesus to him: Before the cock crows, thou shall deny me thrice. He went out and wept bitterly. 27 The next morning all the chief priests and elders met concerning Jesus. They agreed to put Him to death. They bound Him, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate, the governor. When Judas realized that Jesus was condemned, he repented. He took the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests and elders. He said, I have sinned. I have betrayed the innocent. They retorted, What is that to us? So Judas cast down the pieces of silver in the temple. Immediately he went away and hung himself. At the same time, the chief priests took up the silver pieces and said, It is not lawful to put this into the treasury because it is blood money. After they took counsel, they bought the potter's field for the burial of strangers, which became known as The Field of Blood. The prophecy of Jeremy was fulfilled: They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price for Him that was valued of the children of Israel, and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed. Jesus now stood before Pilate, the governor. Pilate asked Him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus replied, Thou sayest so. When Jesus was accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him, Hearest thou the things they witness against thee? Jesus said never a word. At this the governor marvelled greatly. The custom at the passover feast was for the governor to release a prisoner of the people's choosing. A notable prisoner named Barabbas was in the prison. Therefore, when the people were gathered together, Pilate said, Whom will ye that I release, Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ? While he was seated on the judgment seat, Pilate's wife sent a message to him that said, Have nothing to do with that just man. Today I have suffered many things in a dream because of Him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude to choose Barabbas and destroy Jesus. When Pilate, the governor, asked which of the two they chose they said, Barabbas. Pilate asked, What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ? They all said, Let Him be crucified. The governor asked, Why, what evil has He done? But they cried out the more and shouted, Let Him be crucified. Pilate realized he could not prevail without making a tumult among the people. So he took water, washed his hands before the multitude, and said, I am innocent of the blood of this just person. See ye to it. The people said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then Pilate released Barabbas. He had Jesus scourged and delivered Him to be crucified. Pilate's soldiers took Jesus into the common hall where the whole band of soldiers gathered around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. They platted a crown of thorns and put it on His head. Then they put a reed in His right hand. Bowing down, they mocked Him saying, Hail, King of the Jews! They spit on Him, took the reed, and struck Him on the head. As they were leading Him away to be crucified, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and compelled him to carry the cross for Jesus. They took Him to a place called Golgotha, or the place of a skull. There they gave Him vinegar to drink mixed with gall. When Jesus tasted it, He would not drink it. They crucified Him and parted out His garments by casting lots. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled: They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Then the soldiers placed a written accusation over His head. It read: This Is Jesus, The King Of The Jews. Two thieves were crucified alongside Jesus, one on His right hand and the other on His left. As people passed by they reviled Him and called out: Thou that destroys the temple and builds it again in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. The chief priests, along with the scribes and elders, mocked Him. They said, He saved others but He cannot save Himself. If He is the King of Israel, let Him come down from the cross and we will believe Him. He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now, if God will have Him, for He said, I am the Son of God. From the sixth until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. At about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? When some of those standing by heard this, they said, This man calls for Elias. Presently, one of them ran to get a sponge. He filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, Leave it alone. Let us see whether Elias will come to save Him. Then Jesus cried again in a loud voice and yielded Himself up. Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split apart. Graves were opened. The bodies of many saints who slept rose up and, after His resurrection, went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurions who were watching Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that were done, they became afraid and said, Truly this was the Son of God. Many of the women who followed Jesus of Galilee and ministered to Him were there looking on. Among them was Mary Magdalene; another Mary; and the mother of Zebedee's children. When evening came, a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who was also Jesus' disciple arrived. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb which was hewn out of rock. He rolled a great stone across the door of the sepulchre and departed. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat alongside the sepulchre. The next day following the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and said, Sir, that deceiver, while he was yet alive, said that, in three days, He would rise up again. Command that the sepulchre be made secure until the third day lest His disciples come by night, steal Him away, and tell the people that He is risen from the dead. Then the last error will be worse than the first. Pilate said to them, Ye have a watch. Go your way. Make it as secure as ye can. The chief priests and the Pharisees went and made the sepulchre secure by sealing the stone and setting guards to watch. 28 After the sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre. Behold, there was a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning with raiment white as snow. The guards shook with fear of Him and became as dead men. The angel said to the women, Fear not for I know that ye seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here for, as He said, He is risen. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead. Behold, He goes before you into Galilee. There ye shall see Him. Lo, I have told you. The women quickly left the sepulchre filled with both fear and great joy. They ran to bring word to Jesus' disciples. As they went along Jesus met them and greeted them. They went to Him, held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. Then Jesus said to them, Be not afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go into Galilee and there they shall see me. Some of the guards on watch went into the city and told the chief priests the things that were done. After an assembly of the elders the soldiers were offered a large amount of money to say that Jesus' disciples came by night and stole Him away while they slept. The soldiers were assured they would be protected if this came to the governor's ears. They took the money and did as they were told. This report is common among the Jews until this day. The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain appointed by Jesus. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. Jesus came to them and said, All power is given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and teach all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teach them to observe all the things I have commanded you. I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. --------------- 11-2002 edited by Lightheart PracticeGodsPresence.com 
8040	----	This eBook was produced by David Widger with the help of Derek Andrew's text from January 1992 and the work of Bryan Taylor in November 2002. Book 40 Matthew 40:001:001 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 40:001:002 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 40:001:003 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 40:001:004 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 40:001:005 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 40:001:006 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 40:001:007 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 40:001:008 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 40:001:009 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 40:001:010 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 40:001:011 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 40:001:012 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 40:001:013 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 40:001:014 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 40:001:015 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 40:001:016 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 40:001:017 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. 40:001:018 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 40:001:019 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 40:001:020 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 40:001:021 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 40:001:022 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 40:001:023 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 40:001:024 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 40:001:025 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. 40:002:001 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 40:002:002 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 40:002:003 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 40:002:004 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 40:002:005 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 40:002:006 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 40:002:007 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 40:002:008 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 40:002:009 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 40:002:010 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 40:002:011 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 40:002:012 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 40:002:013 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 40:002:014 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 40:002:015 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. 40:002:016 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. 40:002:017 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 40:002:018 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. 40:002:019 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 40:002:020 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. 40:002:021 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 40:002:022 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 40:002:023 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. 40:003:001 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 40:003:002 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 40:003:003 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 40:003:004 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 40:003:005 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 40:003:006 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 40:003:007 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 40:003:008 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 40:003:009 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 40:003:010 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 40:003:011 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 40:003:012 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 40:003:013 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 40:003:014 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 40:003:015 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 40:003:016 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 40:003:017 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 40:004:001 Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 40:004:002 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 40:004:003 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 40:004:004 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 40:004:005 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 40:004:006 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 40:004:007 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 40:004:008 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 40:004:009 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 40:004:010 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 40:004:011 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. 40:004:012 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 40:004:013 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 40:004:014 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 40:004:015 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 40:004:016 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 40:004:017 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 40:004:018 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 40:004:019 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 40:004:020 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 40:004:021 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 40:004:022 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. 40:004:023 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 40:004:024 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 40:004:025 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. 40:005:001 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 40:005:002 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 40:005:003 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 40:005:004 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 40:005:005 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 40:005:006 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 40:005:007 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 40:005:008 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 40:005:009 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 40:005:010 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 40:005:011 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 40:005:012 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 40:005:013 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 40:005:014 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 40:005:015 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 40:005:016 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 40:005:017 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 40:005:018 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 40:005:019 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 40:005:020 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 40:005:021 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 40:005:022 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 40:005:023 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 40:005:024 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 40:005:025 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 40:005:026 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 40:005:027 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 40:005:028 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 40:005:029 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 40:005:030 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 40:005:031 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 40:005:032 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 40:005:033 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 40:005:034 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 40:005:035 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 40:005:036 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 40:005:037 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 40:005:038 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 40:005:039 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40:005:040 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 40:005:041 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 40:005:042 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 40:005:043 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 40:005:044 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 40:005:045 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 40:005:046 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 40:005:047 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 40:005:048 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 40:006:001 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 40:006:002 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 40:006:003 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 40:006:004 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 40:006:005 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 40:006:006 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 40:006:007 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 40:006:008 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 40:006:009 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 40:006:010 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 40:006:011 Give us this day our daily bread. 40:006:012 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 40:006:013 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 40:006:014 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 40:006:015 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 40:006:016 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 40:006:017 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 40:006:018 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 40:006:019 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 40:006:020 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 40:006:021 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 40:006:022 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 40:006:023 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 40:006:024 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 40:006:025 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 40:006:026 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 40:006:027 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 40:006:028 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 40:006:029 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 40:006:030 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 40:006:031 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 40:006:032 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 40:006:033 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 40:006:034 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 40:007:001 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 40:007:002 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 40:007:003 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 40:007:004 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 40:007:005 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 40:007:006 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 40:007:007 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 40:007:008 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 40:007:009 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 40:007:010 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 40:007:011 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 40:007:012 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 40:007:013 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 40:007:014 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 40:007:015 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 40:007:016 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 40:007:017 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 40:007:018 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 40:007:019 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 40:007:020 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 40:007:021 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 40:007:022 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 40:007:023 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 40:007:024 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 40:007:025 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 40:007:026 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 40:007:027 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 40:007:028 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 40:007:029 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 40:008:001 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 40:008:002 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 40:008:003 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 40:008:004 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 40:008:005 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 40:008:006 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 40:008:007 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 40:008:008 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 40:008:009 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 40:008:010 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 40:008:011 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 40:008:012 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 40:008:013 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. 40:008:014 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. 40:008:015 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. 40:008:016 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 40:008:017 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. 40:008:018 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. 40:008:019 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 40:008:020 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 40:008:021 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 40:008:022 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. 40:008:023 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 40:008:024 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 40:008:025 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 40:008:026 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 40:008:027 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! 40:008:028 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 40:008:029 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 40:008:030 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 40:008:031 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 40:008:032 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 40:008:033 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 40:008:034 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. 40:009:001 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 40:009:002 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 40:009:003 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 40:009:004 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 40:009:005 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 40:009:006 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 40:009:007 And he arose, and departed to his house. 40:009:008 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. 40:009:009 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. 40:009:010 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 40:009:011 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 40:009:012 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 40:009:013 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 40:009:014 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 40:009:015 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. 40:009:016 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 40:009:017 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. 40:009:018 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 40:009:019 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 40:009:020 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 40:009:021 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 40:009:022 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 40:009:023 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 40:009:024 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 40:009:025 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 40:009:026 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land. 40:009:027 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. 40:009:028 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 40:009:029 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 40:009:030 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. 40:009:031 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. 40:009:032 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. 40:009:033 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. 40:009:034 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. 40:009:035 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 40:009:036 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 40:009:037 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 40:009:038 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. 40:010:001 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 40:010:002 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 40:010:003 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 40:010:004 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 40:010:005 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 40:010:006 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 40:010:007 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 40:010:008 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 40:010:009 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 40:010:010 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 40:010:011 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 40:010:012 And when ye come into an house, salute it. 40:010:013 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 40:010:014 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 40:010:015 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 40:010:016 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 40:010:017 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 40:010:018 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 40:010:019 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 40:010:020 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 40:010:021 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 40:010:022 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 40:010:023 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 40:010:024 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 40:010:025 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? 40:010:026 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 40:010:027 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 40:010:028 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 40:010:029 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 40:010:030 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 40:010:031 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 40:010:032 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 40:010:033 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 40:010:034 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 40:010:035 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 40:010:036 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 40:010:037 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 40:010:038 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 40:010:039 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 40:010:040 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 40:010:041 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 40:010:042 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. 40:011:001 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. 40:011:002 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 40:011:003 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 40:011:004 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 40:011:005 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 40:011:006 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 40:011:007 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 40:011:008 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 40:011:009 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 40:011:010 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 40:011:011 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 40:011:012 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 40:011:013 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 40:011:014 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 40:011:015 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 40:011:016 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 40:011:017 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 40:011:018 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 40:011:019 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. 40:011:020 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 40:011:021 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 40:011:022 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 40:011:023 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 40:011:024 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. 40:011:025 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 40:011:026 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 40:011:027 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 40:011:028 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 40:011:029 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 40:011:030 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 40:012:001 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. 40:012:002 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 40:012:003 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 40:012:004 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 40:012:005 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 40:012:006 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 40:012:007 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 40:012:008 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 40:012:009 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 40:012:010 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 40:012:011 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 40:012:012 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 40:012:013 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 40:012:014 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 40:012:015 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 40:012:016 And charged them that they should not make him known: 40:012:017 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 40:012:018 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 40:012:019 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 40:012:020 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 40:012:021 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. 40:012:022 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 40:012:023 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 40:012:024 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 40:012:025 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 40:012:026 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 40:012:027 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 40:012:028 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 40:012:029 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. 40:012:030 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 40:012:031 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 40:012:032 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. 40:012:033 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 40:012:034 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 40:012:035 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 40:012:036 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 40:012:037 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. 40:012:038 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 40:012:039 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40:012:040 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 40:012:041 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 40:012:042 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. 40:012:043 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 40:012:044 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 40:012:045 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. 40:012:046 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 40:012:047 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 40:012:048 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 40:012:049 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 40:012:050 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. 40:013:001 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 40:013:002 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 40:013:003 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 40:013:004 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 40:013:005 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 40:013:006 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 40:013:007 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 40:013:008 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 40:013:009 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 40:013:010 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 40:013:011 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 40:013:012 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 40:013:013 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 40:013:014 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 40:013:015 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 40:013:016 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 40:013:017 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 40:013:018 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 40:013:019 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 40:013:020 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 40:013:021 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 40:013:022 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 40:013:023 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 40:013:024 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 40:013:025 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 40:013:026 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 40:013:027 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 40:013:028 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 40:013:029 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 40:013:030 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 40:013:031 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 40:013:032 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 40:013:033 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 40:013:034 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 40:013:035 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. 40:013:036 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 40:013:037 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 40:013:038 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 40:013:039 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40:013:040 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 40:013:041 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 40:013:042 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 40:013:043 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 40:013:044 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 40:013:045 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 40:013:046 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 40:013:047 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 40:013:048 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 40:013:049 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 40:013:050 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 40:013:051 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. 40:013:052 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. 40:013:053 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 40:013:054 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 40:013:055 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 40:013:056 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? 40:013:057 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 40:013:058 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. 40:014:001 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 40:014:002 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 40:014:003 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. 40:014:004 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 40:014:005 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 40:014:006 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 40:014:007 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 40:014:008 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. 40:014:009 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. 40:014:010 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 40:014:011 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. 40:014:012 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 40:014:013 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 40:014:014 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 40:014:015 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 40:014:016 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 40:014:017 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 40:014:018 He said, Bring them hither to me. 40:014:019 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 40:014:020 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 40:014:021 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. 40:014:022 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 40:014:023 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 40:014:024 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 40:014:025 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 40:014:026 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 40:014:027 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 40:014:028 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 40:014:029 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 40:014:030 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 40:014:031 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 40:014:032 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 40:014:033 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. 40:014:034 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. 40:014:035 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; 40:014:036 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. 40:015:001 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 40:015:002 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 40:015:003 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 40:015:004 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 40:015:005 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 40:015:006 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 40:015:007 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 40:015:008 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 40:015:009 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 40:015:010 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 40:015:011 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 40:015:012 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 40:015:013 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 40:015:014 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 40:015:015 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. 40:015:016 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 40:015:017 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 40:015:018 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 40:015:019 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 40:015:020 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. 40:015:021 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 40:015:022 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 40:015:023 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 40:015:024 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 40:015:025 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 40:015:026 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 40:015:027 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 40:015:028 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. 40:015:029 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 40:015:030 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: 40:015:031 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. 40:015:032 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. 40:015:033 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 40:015:034 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 40:015:035 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 40:015:036 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 40:015:037 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. 40:015:038 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. 40:015:039 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala. 40:016:001 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 40:016:002 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 40:016:003 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 40:016:004 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. 40:016:005 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 40:016:006 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 40:016:007 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 40:016:008 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 40:016:009 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 40:016:010 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 40:016:011 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 40:016:012 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 40:016:013 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 40:016:014 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 40:016:015 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 40:016:016 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 40:016:017 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 40:016:018 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 40:016:019 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 40:016:020 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. 40:016:021 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 40:016:022 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 40:016:023 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. 40:016:024 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 40:016:025 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 40:016:026 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 40:016:027 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 40:016:028 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. 40:017:001 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 40:017:002 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 40:017:003 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 40:017:004 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 40:017:005 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 40:017:006 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 40:017:007 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 40:017:008 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 40:017:009 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. 40:017:010 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 40:017:011 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 40:017:012 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 40:017:013 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. 40:017:014 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 40:017:015 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 40:017:016 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 40:017:017 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 40:017:018 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 40:017:019 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 40:017:020 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 40:017:021 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. 40:017:022 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: 40:017:023 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry. 40:017:024 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 40:017:025 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 40:017:026 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 40:017:027 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. 40:018:001 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 40:018:002 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 40:018:003 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 40:018:004 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 40:018:005 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 40:018:006 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 40:018:007 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 40:018:008 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 40:018:009 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 40:018:010 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 40:018:011 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 40:018:012 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 40:018:013 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 40:018:014 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 40:018:015 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 40:018:016 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 40:018:017 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 40:018:018 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 40:018:019 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 40:018:020 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 40:018:021 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 40:018:022 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 40:018:023 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 40:018:024 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 40:018:025 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 40:018:026 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 40:018:027 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 40:018:028 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 40:018:029 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 40:018:030 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 40:018:031 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 40:018:032 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 40:018:033 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 40:018:034 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 40:018:035 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. 40:019:001 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; 40:019:002 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 40:019:003 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 40:019:004 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 40:019:005 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 40:019:006 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 40:019:007 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 40:019:008 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 40:019:009 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 40:019:010 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 40:019:011 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 40:019:012 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. 40:019:013 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 40:019:014 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 40:019:015 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. 40:019:016 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 40:019:017 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 40:019:018 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 40:019:019 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40:019:020 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 40:019:021 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 40:019:022 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 40:019:023 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 40:019:024 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 40:019:025 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 40:019:026 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 40:019:027 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 40:019:028 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 40:019:029 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 40:019:030 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. 40:020:001 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 40:020:002 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 40:020:003 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 40:020:004 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 40:020:005 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 40:020:006 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 40:020:007 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 40:020:008 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 40:020:009 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 40:020:010 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 40:020:011 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 40:020:012 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 40:020:013 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 40:020:014 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 40:020:015 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 40:020:016 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. 40:020:017 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 40:020:018 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 40:020:019 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. 40:020:020 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 40:020:021 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 40:020:022 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 40:020:023 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 40:020:024 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 40:020:025 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 40:020:026 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 40:020:027 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 40:020:028 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 40:020:029 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 40:020:030 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. 40:020:031 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. 40:020:032 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 40:020:033 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 40:020:034 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. 40:021:001 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 40:021:002 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 40:021:003 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 40:021:004 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 40:021:005 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 40:021:006 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 40:021:007 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 40:021:008 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 40:021:009 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 40:021:010 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 40:021:011 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. 40:021:012 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 40:021:013 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 40:021:014 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 40:021:015 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, 40:021:016 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? 40:021:017 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. 40:021:018 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 40:021:019 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 40:021:020 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 40:021:021 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 40:021:022 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. 40:021:023 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 40:021:024 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 40:021:025 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 40:021:026 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. 40:021:027 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 40:021:028 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 40:021:029 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 40:021:030 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 40:021:031 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 40:021:032 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. 40:021:033 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 40:021:034 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 40:021:035 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 40:021:036 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 40:021:037 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 40:021:038 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 40:021:039 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40:021:040 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 40:021:041 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 40:021:042 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 40:021:043 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 40:021:044 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 40:021:045 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. 40:021:046 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. 40:022:001 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 40:022:002 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 40:022:003 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 40:022:004 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 40:022:005 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 40:022:006 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 40:022:007 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 40:022:008 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 40:022:009 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 40:022:010 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 40:022:011 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 40:022:012 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 40:022:013 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 40:022:014 For many are called, but few are chosen. 40:022:015 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 40:022:016 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 40:022:017 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 40:022:018 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 40:022:019 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 40:022:020 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 40:022:021 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 40:022:022 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. 40:022:023 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 40:022:024 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 40:022:025 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 40:022:026 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 40:022:027 And last of all the woman died also. 40:022:028 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 40:022:029 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 40:022:030 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 40:022:031 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 40:022:032 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 40:022:033 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. 40:022:034 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 40:022:035 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 40:022:036 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 40:022:037 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 40:022:038 This is the first and great commandment. 40:022:039 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40:022:040 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 40:022:041 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 40:022:042 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. 40:022:043 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 40:022:044 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 40:022:045 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 40:022:046 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. 40:023:001 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 40:023:002 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 40:023:003 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 40:023:004 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 40:023:005 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 40:023:006 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 40:023:007 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 40:023:008 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 40:023:009 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 40:023:010 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 40:023:011 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 40:023:012 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 40:023:013 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 40:023:014 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 40:023:015 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 40:023:016 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 40:023:017 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 40:023:018 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 40:023:019 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 40:023:020 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 40:023:021 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 40:023:022 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 40:023:023 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 40:023:024 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 40:023:025 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 40:023:026 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 40:023:027 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 40:023:028 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 40:023:029 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 40:023:030 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 40:023:031 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 40:023:032 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 40:023:033 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 40:023:034 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 40:023:035 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 40:023:036 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. 40:023:037 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 40:023:038 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 40:023:039 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. 40:024:001 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 40:024:002 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 40:024:003 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 40:024:004 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 40:024:005 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 40:024:006 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 40:024:007 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 40:024:008 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 40:024:009 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 40:024:010 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 40:024:011 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 40:024:012 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 40:024:013 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 40:024:014 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 40:024:015 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 40:024:016 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 40:024:017 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 40:024:018 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 40:024:019 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 40:024:020 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 40:024:021 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 40:024:022 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 40:024:023 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 40:024:024 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 40:024:025 Behold, I have told you before. 40:024:026 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 40:024:027 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40:024:028 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 40:024:029 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 40:024:030 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 40:024:031 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 40:024:032 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 40:024:033 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 40:024:034 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 40:024:035 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 40:024:036 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 40:024:037 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40:024:038 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 40:024:039 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40:024:040 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 40:024:041 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 40:024:042 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 40:024:043 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 40:024:044 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 40:024:045 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 40:024:046 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 40:024:047 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 40:024:048 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 40:024:049 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 40:024:050 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 40:024:051 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 40:025:001 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 40:025:002 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 40:025:003 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 40:025:004 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 40:025:005 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 40:025:006 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 40:025:007 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 40:025:008 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 40:025:009 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 40:025:010 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 40:025:011 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 40:025:012 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 40:025:013 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 40:025:014 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 40:025:015 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 40:025:016 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 40:025:017 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 40:025:018 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 40:025:019 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 40:025:020 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 40:025:021 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 40:025:022 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 40:025:023 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 40:025:024 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 40:025:025 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 40:025:026 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 40:025:027 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 40:025:028 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 40:025:029 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 40:025:030 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 40:025:031 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 40:025:032 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 40:025:033 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 40:025:034 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 40:025:035 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 40:025:036 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 40:025:037 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 40:025:038 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 40:025:039 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40:025:040 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 40:025:041 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 40:025:042 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 40:025:043 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 40:025:044 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 40:025:045 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 40:025:046 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. 40:026:001 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, 40:026:002 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 40:026:003 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 40:026:004 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. 40:026:005 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. 40:026:006 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 40:026:007 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 40:026:008 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 40:026:009 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 40:026:010 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 40:026:011 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 40:026:012 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 40:026:013 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. 40:026:014 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 40:026:015 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 40:026:016 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. 40:026:017 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 40:026:018 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 40:026:019 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 40:026:020 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 40:026:021 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 40:026:022 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 40:026:023 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 40:026:024 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 40:026:025 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. 40:026:026 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 40:026:027 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 40:026:028 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 40:026:029 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 40:026:030 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 40:026:031 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 40:026:032 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 40:026:033 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 40:026:034 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 40:026:035 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. 40:026:036 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 40:026:037 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 40:026:038 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 40:026:039 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40:026:040 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 40:026:041 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 40:026:042 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 40:026:043 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 40:026:044 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 40:026:045 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 40:026:046 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. 40:026:047 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 40:026:048 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 40:026:049 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 40:026:050 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him. 40:026:051 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 40:026:052 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 40:026:053 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 40:026:054 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 40:026:055 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 40:026:056 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. 40:026:057 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 40:026:058 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 40:026:059 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 40:026:060 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 40:026:061 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 40:026:062 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 40:026:063 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 40:026:064 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 40:026:065 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 40:026:066 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. 40:026:067 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 40:026:068 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? 40:026:069 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 40:026:070 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 40:026:071 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 40:026:072 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 40:026:073 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 40:026:074 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 40:026:075 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. 40:027:001 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 40:027:002 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 40:027:003 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 40:027:004 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 40:027:005 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. 40:027:006 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 40:027:007 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. 40:027:008 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. 40:027:009 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; 40:027:010 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me. 40:027:011 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 40:027:012 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 40:027:013 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 40:027:014 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. 40:027:015 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 40:027:016 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 40:027:017 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 40:027:018 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 40:027:019 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 40:027:020 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 40:027:021 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 40:027:022 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 40:027:023 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 40:027:024 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 40:027:025 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 40:027:026 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 40:027:027 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 40:027:028 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 40:027:029 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 40:027:030 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. 40:027:031 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. 40:027:032 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. 40:027:033 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 40:027:034 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 40:027:035 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 40:027:036 And sitting down they watched him there; 40:027:037 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 40:027:038 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 40:027:039 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40:027:040 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 40:027:041 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 40:027:042 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 40:027:043 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 40:027:044 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. 40:027:045 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 40:027:046 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 40:027:047 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 40:027:048 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 40:027:049 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 40:027:050 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 40:027:051 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 40:027:052 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 40:027:053 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 40:027:054 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. 40:027:055 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 40:027:056 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children. 40:027:057 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: 40:027:058 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 40:027:059 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 40:027:060 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. 40:027:061 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. 40:027:062 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 40:027:063 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 40:027:064 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 40:027:065 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 40:027:066 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. 40:028:001 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 40:028:002 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 40:028:003 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 40:028:004 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 40:028:005 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 40:028:006 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 40:028:007 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 40:028:008 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 40:028:009 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 40:028:010 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 40:028:011 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 40:028:012 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 40:028:013 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 40:028:014 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 40:028:015 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. 40:028:016 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 40:028:017 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 40:028:018 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 40:028:019 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 40:028:020 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 
8347	----	This eBook was produced by David Widger from etext #1581 prepared by Dennis McCarthy, Atlanta, Georgia and Tad Book, student, Pontifical North American College, Rome. THE HOLY BIBLE Translated from the Latin Vulgate Diligently Compared with the Hebrew, Greek, and Other Editions in Divers Languages THE OLD TESTAMENT First Published by the English College at Douay A.D. 1609 & 1610 and THE NEW TESTAMENT First Published by the English College at Rheims A.D. 1582 With Annotations The Whole Revised and Diligently Compared with the Latin Vulgate by Bishop Richard Challoner A.D. 1749-1752 THE HOLY GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW Saint Matthew, one of the twelve Apostles, who from being a publican, that is, a taxgatherer, was called by our Saviour to the Apostleship: in that profession his name is Levi. (Luke 5.27, and Mark 2.14.) He was the first of the Evangelists that wrote the Gospel, and that in Hebrew or Syro-Chaldaic which the Jews in Palestine spoke at that time. The original is not now extant; but it was translated in the time of the Apostles into Greek, that version was of equal authority. He wrote about six years after the Lord's Ascension. Matthew Chapter 1 The genealogy of Christ: he is conceived and born of a virgin. 1:1. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: 1:2. Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and his brethren. 1:3. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. 1:4. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon. 1:5. And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse. 1:6. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias. 1:7. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot Asa. 1:8. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias. 1:9. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias. 1:10. And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. 1:11. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. 1:12. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. 1:13. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. 1:14. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. 1:15. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob. 1:16. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. The husband of Mary... The Evangelist gives us rather the pedigree of St. Joseph, than that of the blessed Virgin, to conform to the custom of the Hebrews, who in their genealogies took no notice of women; but as they were near akin, the pedigree of the one sheweth that of the other. 1:17. So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations. 1:18. Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. 1:19. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. 1:20. But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. 1:21. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins. 1:22. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: 1:23. Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 1:24. And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. 1:25. And he knew her not till she brought forth her first born son: and he called his name Jesus. Till she brought forth her firstborn son... From these words Helvidius and other heretics most impiously inferred that the blessed Virgin Mary had other children besides Christ; but St. Jerome shews, by divers examples, that this expression of the Evangelist was a manner of speaking usual among the Hebrews, to denote by the word until, only what is done, without any regard to the future. Thus it is said, Genesis 8. 6 and 7, that Noe sent forth a raven, which went forth, and did not return till the waters were dried up on the earth. That is, did not return any more. Also Isaias 46. 4, God says: I am till you grow old. Who dare infer that God should then cease to be: Also in the first book of Machabees 5. 54, And they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, and offered holocausts, because not one of them was slain till they had returned in peace. That is, not one was slain before or after they had returned. God saith to his divine Son: Sit on my right hand till I make thy enemies thy footstool. Shall he sit no longer after his enemies are subdued? Yea and for all eternity. St. Jerome also proves by Scripture examples, that an only begotten son, was also called firstborn, or first begotten: because according to the law, the firstborn males were to be consecrated to God; Sanctify unto me, saith the Lord, every firstborn that openeth the womb among the children of Israel, etc. Ex. 13. 2. Matthew Chapter 2 The offerings of the wise men: the flight into Egypt: the massacre of the Innocents. 2:1. When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, 2:2. Saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to adore him. 2:3. And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 2:4. And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. 2:5. But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet: 2:6. And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel. 2:7. Then Herod, privately calling the wise men learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; 2:8. And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him. 2:9. Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the East, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. 2:10. And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 2:11. And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him: and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 2:12. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country. 2:13. And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. 2:14. Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod: 2:15. That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son. 2:16. Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry: and sending killed all the menchildren that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. 2:17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: 2:18. A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. 2:19. But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, 2:20. Saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child. 2:21. Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 2:22. But hearing that Archclaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee. 2:23. And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew Chapter 3 The preaching of John: Christ is baptized. 3:1. And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea. 3:2. And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Do penance... Paenitentiam agite. Which word, according to the use of the scriptures and the holy fathers, does not only signify repentance and amendment of life, but also punishing past sins by fasting, and such like penitential exercises. 3:3. For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. 3:4. And the same John had his garment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 3:5. Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan: 3:6. And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 3:7. And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come? Pharisees and Sadducees... These were two sects among the Jews: of which the former were for the most part notorious hypocrites; the latter, a kind of freethinkers in matters of religion. 3:8. Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance. 3:9. And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 3:10. For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire. 3:11. I indeed baptize you in water unto penance, but he that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire. 3:12. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. 3:13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. 3:14. But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? 3:15. And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfil all justice. Then he suffered him. 3:16. And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. 3:17. And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew Chapter 4 Christ's fast of forty days: He is tempted. He begins to preach, to call disciples to him, and to work miracles. 4:1. Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. 4:2. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry. 4:3. And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4:4. Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. 4:5. Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple, 4:6. And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone. 4:7. Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 4:8. Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, Shewed him, etc... That is, pointed out to him where each kingdom lay; and set forth in words what was most glorious and admirable in each of them. Or also set before his eyes, as it were in a large map, a lively representation of all those kingdoms. 4:9. And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me. 4:10. Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve. 4:11. Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to him. 4:12. And when Jesus had heard that John was delivered up, he retired into Galilee: 4:13. And leaving the city Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capharnaum on the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and of Nephthalim; 4:14. That it might be fulfilled which was said by Isaias the prophet: 4:15. Land of Zabulon and land of Nephthalim, the way of the sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: 4:16. The people that sat in darkness, hath seen great light: and to them that sat in the region of the shadow of death, light is sprung up. 4:17. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say: Do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 4:18. And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers). 4:19. And he saith to them: Come ye after me, and I will make you to be fishers of men. 4:20. And they immediately leaving their nets, followed him. 4:21. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and he called them. 4:22. And they forthwith left their nets and father, and followed him. 4:23. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom: and healing all manner of sickness and every infirmity, among the people. 4:24. And his fame went throughout all Syria, and they presented to him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and such as were possessed by devils, and lunatics, and those that had the palsy, and he cured them: 4:25. And much people followed him from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. Matthew Chapter 5 Christ's sermon upon the mount. The eight beatitudes. 5:1. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him. 5:2. And opening his mouth he taught them, saying: 5:3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The poor in spirit... That is, the humble; and they whose spirit is not set upon riches. 5:4. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. 5:5. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5:6. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. 5:7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 5:8. Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God. 5:9. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 5:10. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 5:11. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: 5:12. Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you. 5:13. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing anymore but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. 5:14. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. 5:15. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. 5:16. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 5:17. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. To fulfil... By accomplishing all the figures and prophecies; and perfecting all that was imperfect. 5:18. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. Amen... That is, assuredly of a truth... This Hebrew word, amen, is here retained by the example and authority of all the four Evangelists. It is used by our Lord as a strong asseveration, and affirmation of the truth. 5:19. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 5:20. For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. The scribes and Pharisees... The scribes were the doctors of the law of Moses: the Pharisees were a precise set of men, making profession of a more exact observance of the law: and upon that account greatly esteemed among the people. 5:21. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment. Shall be in danger of the judgment... That is, shall deserve to be punished by that lesser tribunal among the Jews, called the Judgment, which took cognizance of such crimes. 5:22. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Raca... A word expressing great indignation or contempt. Shall be in danger of the council... That is, shall deserve to be punished by the highest court of judicature, called the Council, or Sanhedrim, consisting of seventy-two persons, where the highest causes were tried and judged, which was at Jerusalem. Thou fool... This was then looked upon as a heinous injury, when uttered with contempt, spite, or malice: and therefore is here so severely condemned. Shall be in danger of hell fire... literally, according to the Greek, shall deserve to be cast into the Gehenna of fire. Which words our Saviour made use of to express the fire and punishments of hell. 5:23. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against thee; 5:24. Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. 5:25. Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 5:26. Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing. 5:27. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adultery. 5:28. But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. 5:29. And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than thy whole body be cast into hell. Scandalize thee... That is, if it be a stumblingblock, or occasion of sin to thee. By which we are taught to fly the immediate occasions of sin, though they be as dear to us, or as necessary as a hand or an eye. 5:30. And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body go into hell. 5:31. And it hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce. 5:32. But I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, excepting the cause of fornication, maketh her to commit adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery. 5:33. Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord. 5:34. But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven for it is the throne of God: Not to swear at all... It is not forbid to swear in truth, justice and judgment; to the honour of God, or our own or neighbour's just defence: but only to swear rashly, or profanely, in common discourse, and without necessity. 5:35. Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king: 5:36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 5:37. But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil. 5:38. You have heard that it hath been said: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 5:39. But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other: Not to resist evil, etc... What is here commanded, is a Christian patience under injuries and affronts, and to be willing even to suffer still more, rather than to indulge the desire of revenge: but what is further added does not strictly oblige according to the letter, for neither did Christ nor St. Paul turn the other cheek. St. John 18., and Acts 23. 5:40. And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him. 5:41. And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other two. 5:42. Give to him that asketh of thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away. 5:43. You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy. 5:44. But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you: 5:45. That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust. 5:46. For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? do not even the publicans this? The publicans... These were the gatherers of the public taxes: a set of men, odious and infamous among the Jews, for their extortions and injustice. 5:47. And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? do not also the heathens this? 5:48. Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew Chapter 6 A continuation of the sermon on the mount. 6:1. Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven. Your justice... that is, works of justice; viz., fasting, prayer, and almsdeeds; which ought to be performed not out of ostentation, or a view to please men, but solely to please God. 6:2. Therefore when thou dost an alms-deed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. 6:3. But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. 6:4. That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. 6:5. And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. 6:6. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret, and thy father who seeth in secret will repay thee. 6:7. And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard. 6:8. Be not you therefore like to them for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him. 6:9. Thus therefore shall you pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 6:10. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 6:11. Give us this day our supersubstantial bread. Supersubstantial bread... In St. Luke the same word is rendered daily bread. It is understood of the bread of life, which we receive in the Blessed Sacrament. 6:12. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. 6:13. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen. Lead us not into temptation... That is, suffer us not to be overcome by temptation. 6:14. For if you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences. 6:15. But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offences. 6:16. And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. 6:17. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; 6:18. That thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee. 6:19. Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust, and moth consume, and where thieves break through, and steal. 6:20. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal. 6:21. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also. 6:22. The light of thy body is thy eye. If thy eye be single, thy whole body shall be lightsome. 6:23. But if thy eye be evil thy whole body shall be darksome. If then the light that is in thee, be darkness: the darkness itself how great shall it be! 6:24. No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Mammon... That is, riches, worldly interest. 6:25. Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat: and the body more than the raiment? 6:26. Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they? 6:27. And which of you by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit? 6:28. And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. 6:29. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. 6:30. And if the grass of the field, which is to day, and to morrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little faith? 6:31. Be not solicitous therefore, saying: What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? 6:32. For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. 6:33. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you. 6:34. Be not therefore solicitous for to morrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. Matthew Chapter 7 The third part of the sermon on the mount. 7:1. Judge not, that you may not be judged. 7:2. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again. 7:3. And why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye? 7:4. Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote out of thy eye; and behold a beam is in thy own eye? 7:5. Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thy own eye, and then shalt thou see to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 7:6. Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you. 7:7. Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. 7:8. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. 7:9. Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone? 7:10. Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent? 7:11. If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him? 7:12. All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets. 7:13. Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat. 7:14. How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it! 7:15. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 7:16. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 7:17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 7:18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. 7:19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. 7:20. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. 7:21. Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. 7:22. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name? 7:23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. 7:24. Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock, 7:25. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock. 7:26. And every one that heareth these my words and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand, 7:27. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof. 7:28. And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these words, the people were in admiration at his doctrine. 7:29. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees. Matthew Chapter 8 Christ cleanses the leper, heals the centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law, and many others: he stills the storm at sea, drives the devils out of two men possessed, and suffers them to go into the swine. 8:1. And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him: 8:2. And behold a leper came and adored him, saying: Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 8:3. And Jesus stretching forth his hand, touched him, saying: I will, be thou made clean. And forthwith his leprosy was cleansed. 8:4. And Jesus saith to him: See thou tell no man: but go, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 8:5. And when he had entered into Capharnaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him, 8:6. And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grievously tormented. 8:7. And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him. 8:8. And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed. 8:9. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 8:10. And Jesus hearing this, marvelled; and said to them that followed him. Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel. 8:11. And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven: 8:12. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 8:13. And Jesus said to the centurion: Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was healed at the same hour. 8:14. And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying, and sick of a fever; 8:15. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she arose and ministered to them. 8:16. And when evening was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word: and all that were sick he healed: 8:17. That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophet Isaias, saying: He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases. 8:18. And Jesus seeing great multitudes about him, gave orders to pass over the water. 8:19. And a certain scribe came and said to him: Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou shalt go. 8:20. And Jesus saith to him: The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 8:21. And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 8:22. But Jesus said to him: Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead. 8:23. And when he entered into the boat, his disciples followed him: 8:24. And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but he was asleep. 8:25. And they came to him, and awaked him, saying: Lord, save us, we perish. 8:26. And Jesus saith to them: Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? Then rising up, he commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm. 8:27. But the men wondered, saying: What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey him? 8:28. And when he was come on the other side of the water, into the country of the Gerasens, there met him two that were possessed with devils, coming out of the sepulchres, exceeding fierce, so that none could pass by that way. 8:29. And behold they cried out, saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 8:30. And there was, not far from them, a herd of many swine feeding. 8:31. And the devils besought him, saying: If thou cast us out hence, send us into the herd of swine. 8:32. And he said to them: Go. But they going out went into the swine, and behold the whole herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea: and they perished in the waters. 8:33. And they that kept them fled: and coming into the city, told every thing, and concerning them that had been possessed by the devils. 8:34. And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their coast. Matthew Chapter 9 Christ heals one sick of palsy: calls Matthew: cures the issue of blood: raises to life the daughter of Jairus: gives sight to two blind men: and heals a dumb man possessed by the devil. 9:1. And entering into a boat, he passed over the water and came into his own city. 9:2. And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy: Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee. 9:3. And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: He blasphemeth. 9:4. And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts? 9:5. Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise, and walk? 9:6. But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the man sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house. 9:7. And he arose, and went into his house. 9:8. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that gave such power to men. 9:9. And when Jesus passed on from thence, he saw a man sitting in the custom house, named Matthew; and he saith to him: Follow me. And he arose up and followed him. 9:10. And it came to pass as he was sitting at meat in the house, behold many publicans and sinners came, and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 9:11. And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples: Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners? 9:12. But Jesus hearing it, said: They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are ill. 9:13. Go then and learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the just, but sinners. 9:14. Then came to him the disciples of John, saying: Why do we and the Pharisees, fast often, but thy disciples do not fast? 9:15. And Jesus said to them: Can the children of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast. Can the children of the bridegroom... This, by a Hebraism, signifies the friends or companions of the bridegroom. 9:16. And nobody putteth a piece of raw cloth unto an old garment. For it taketh away the fulness thereof from the garment, and there is made a greater rent. 9:17. Neither do they put new wine into old bottles. Otherwise the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish. But new wine they put into new bottles: and both are preserved. 9:18. As he was speaking these things unto them, behold a certain ruler came up, and adored him, saying: Lord, my daughter is even now dead; but come, lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 9:19. And Jesus rising up followed him, with his disciples. 9:20. And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment. 9:21. For she said within herself: If I shall touch only his garment, I shall be healed. 9:22. But Jesus turning and seeing her, said: Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 9:23. And when Jesus was come into the house of the ruler, and saw the minstrels and the multitude making a rout, 9:24. He said: Give place, for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 9:25. And when the multitude was put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand. And the maid arose. 9:26. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that country. 9:27. And as Jesus passed from thence, there followed him two blind men crying out and saying, Have mercy on us, O Son of David. 9:28. And when he was come to the house, the blind men came to him. And Jesus saith to them, Do you believe, that I can do this unto you? They say to him, Yea, Lord. 9:29. Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it done unto you. 9:30. And their eyes were opened, and Jesus strictly charged them, saying, See that no man know this. 9:31. But they going out, spread his fame abroad in all that country. 9:32. And when they were gone out, behold they brought him a dumb man, possessed with a devil. 9:33. And after the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke, and the multitudes wondered, saying, Never was the like seen in Israel. 9:34. But the Pharisees said, By the prince of devils he casteth out devils. 9:35. And Jesus went about all the cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every infirmity. 9:36. And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd. 9:37. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. 9:38. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest. Matthew Chapter 10 Christ sends out his twelve apostles, with the power of miracles. The lessons he gives them. 10:1. And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. 10:2. And the names of the twelve Apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, 10:3. James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, 10:4. Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 10:5. These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles, and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye not. 10:6. But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 10:7. And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 10:8. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils: freely have you received, freely give. 10:9. Do not possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your purses: 10:10. Nor scrip for your journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff; for the workman is worthy of his meat. 10:11. And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till you go thence. 10:12. And when you come into the house, salute it, saying: Peace be to this house. 10:13. And if that house be worthy, your peace shall come upon it; but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you. 10:14. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: going forth out of that house or city shake off the dust from your feet. 10:15. Amen I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 10:16. Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves. Simple... That is, harmless, plain, sincere, and without guile. 10:17. But beware of men. For they will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. 10:18. And you shall be brought before governors, and before kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles: 10:19. But when they shall deliver you up, take no thought how or what to speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what to speak: 10:20. For it is not you that speak, but the spirit of your Father that speaketh in you. 10:21. The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall put them to death. 10:22. And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake: but he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved. 10:23. And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another. Amen I say to you, you shall not finish all the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come. 10:24. The disciple is not above the master, nor the servant above his lord. 10:25. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the good man of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household? 10:26. Therefore fear them not. For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed: nor hid, that shall not be known. 10:27. That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light: and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops. 10:28. And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell. 10:29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father. 10:30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 10:31. Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows. 10:32. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. 10:33. But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven. 10:34. Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. 10:35. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. I came to set a man at variance, etc... Not that this was the end or design of the coming of our Saviour; but that his coming and his doctrine would have this effect, by reason of the obstinate resistance that many would make, and of their persecuting all such as should adhere to him. 10:36. And a man's enemies shall be they of his own household. 10:37. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. 10:38. And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me. 10:39. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it. 10:40. He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. 10:41. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man. 10:42. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you he shall not lose his reward. Matthew Chapter 11 John sends his disciples to Christ, who upbraids the Jews for their incredulity, and calls to him such as are sensible of their burdens. 11:1. And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he passed from thence, to teach and to preach in their cities. 11:2. Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him: 11:3. Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another? 11:4. And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen. 11:5. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 11:6. And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me. Scandalized in me... That is, who shall not take occasion of scandal or offence from my humility, and the disgraceful death of the cross which I shall endure. 11:7. And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind? 11:8. But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of kings. 11:9. But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yea I tell you, and more than a prophet. 11:10. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before my face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. 11:11. Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is the lesser in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 11:12. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away. Suffereth violence, etc... It is not to be obtained but by main force, by using violence upon ourselves, by mortification and penance, and resisting our perverse inclinations. 11:13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John: 11:14. And if you will receive it, he is Elias that is to come. He is Elias, etc... Not in person, but in spirit. St. Luke 1. 17. 11:15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 11:16. But whereunto shall I esteem this generation to be like? It is like to children sitting in the market place. 11:17. Who crying to their companions say: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have lamented, and you have not mourned. 11:18. For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say: He hath a devil. 11:19. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say: Behold a man that is a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners. And wisdom is justified by her children. 11:20. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most of his miracles, for that they had not done penance. 11:21. Woe thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes. 11:22. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you. 11:23. And thou Capharnaum, shalt thou be exalted up to heaven? thou shalt go down even unto hell. For if in Sodom had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in thee, perhaps it had remained unto this day. 11:24. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee. 11:25. At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. 11:26. Yea, Father: for so hath it seemed good in thy sight. 11:27. All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no one knoweth the Son but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him. 11:28. Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. 11:29. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls. 11:30. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light. Matthew Chapter 12 Christ reproves the blindness of the Pharisees, and confutes their attributing his miracles to Satan. 12:1. At that time Jesus went through the corn on the sabbath: and his disciples being hungry, began to pluck the ears, and to eat. 12:2. And the Pharisees seeing them, said to him: Behold thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days. 12:3. But he said to them: Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and they that were with him: 12:4. How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the loaves of proposition, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for them that were with him, but for the priests only? The loaves of proposition... So were called the twelve loaves which were placed before the sanctuary in the temple of God. 12:5. Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple break the sabbath, and are without blame? 12:6. But I tell you that there is here a greater than the temple. 12:7. And if you knew what this meaneth: I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: you would never have condemned the innocent. 12:8. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath. 12:9. And when he had passed from thence, he came into their synagogues. 12:10. And behold there was a man who had a withered hand, and they asked him, saying: Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 12:11. But he said to them: What man shall there be among you, that hath one sheep: and if the same fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not take hold on it and lift it up? 12:12. How much better is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do a good deed on the sabbath days. 12:13. Then he saith to the man: Stretch forth thy hand; and he stretched it forth, and it was restored to health even as the other. 12:14. And the Pharisees going out made a consultation against him, how they might destroy him. 12:15. But Jesus knowing it, retired from thence: and many followed him, and he healed them all. 12:16. And he charged them that they should not make him known. 12:17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaias the prophet, saying: 12:18. Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul hath been well pleased. I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 12:19. He shall not contend, nor cry out, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 12:20. The bruised reed he shall not break: and smoking flax he shall not extinguish: till he send forth judgment unto victory. 12:21. And in his name the Gentiles shall hope. 12:22. Then was offered to him one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb: and he healed him, so that he spoke and saw. 12:23. And all the multitudes were amazed, and said: Is not this the son of David? 12:24. But the Pharisees hearing it, said: This man casteth not out devils but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 12:25. And Jesus knowing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself shall be made desolate: and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. 12:26. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how then shall his kingdom stand? 12:27. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 12:28. But if I by the Spirit of God cast out devils, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. 12:29. Or how can any one enter into the house of the strong, and rifle his goods, unless he first bind the strong? and then he will rifle his house. 12:30. He that is not with me, is against me: and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth. 12:31. Therefore I say to you: Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but the blasphemy of the Spirit shall not be forgiven. The blasphemy of the Spirit... The sin here spoken of is that blasphemy, by which the Pharisees attributed the miracles of Christ, wrought by the Spirit of God, to Beelzebub the prince of devils. Now this kind of sin is usually accompanied with so much obstinacy, and such wilful opposing the Spirit of God, and the known truth, that men who are guilty of it, are seldom or never converted: and therefore are never forgiven, because they will not repent. Otherwise there is no sin, which God cannot or will not forgive to such as sincerely repent, and have recourse to the keys of the church. 12:32. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world, nor in the world to come. Nor in the world to come... From these words St. Augustine (De Civ. Dei, lib. 21, c. 13) and St. Gregory (Dialog., 4, c. 39) gather, that some sins may be remitted in the world to come; and, consequently, that there is a purgatory or a middle place. 12:33. Either make the tree good and its fruit good: or make the tree evil, and its fruit evil. For by the fruit the tree is known. 12:34. O generation of vipers, how can you speak good things, whereas you are evil? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 12:35. A good man out of a good treasure bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of an evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 12:36. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment. Every idle word... This shews there must be a place of temporal punishment hereafter where these slighter faults shall be punished. 12:37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. 12:38. Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying: Master, we would see a sign from thee. A sign... That is, a miracle from heaven. St. Luke 11. 16. 12:39. Who answering said to them: An evil and adulterous generation seeketh a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. 12:40. For as Jonas was in the whale's belly three days and three nights: so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. Three days, etc... Not complete days and nights; but part of three days, and three nights taken according to the way that the Hebrews counted their days and nights, viz., from evening to evening. 12:41. The men of Ninive shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they did penance at the preaching of Jonas. And behold a greater than Jonas here. 12:42. The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon here. 12:43. And when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest, and findeth none. 12:44. Then he saith: I will return into my house from whence I came out. And coming he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 12:45. Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is made worse than the first. So shall it be also to this wicked generation. 12:46. As he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him. 12:47. And one said unto him: Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without, seeking thee. 12:48. But he answering him that told him, said: Who is my mother, and who are my brethren? Who is my mother?... This was not spoken by way of slighting his mother, but to shew that we are never to suffer ourselves to be taken from the service of God, by any inordinate affection to our earthly parents: and that which our Lord chiefly regarded in his mother, was her doing the will of his Father in heaven. It may also further allude to the reprobation of the Jews, his carnal kindred, and the election of the Gentiles. 12:49. And stretching forth his hand towards his disciples, he said: Behold my mother and my brethren. 12:50. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father, that is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew Chapter 13 The parables of the sower and the cockle: of the mustardseed, etc. 13:1. The same day Jesus going out of the house, sat by the sea side. 13:2. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went up into a boat and sat: and all the multitude stood on the shore. 13:3. And he spoke to them many things in parables, saying: Behold the sower went forth to sow. 13:4. And whilst he soweth some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate them up. 13:5. And other some fell upon stony ground, where they had not much earth: and they sprung up immediately, because they had no deepness of earth. 13:6. And when the sun was up they were scorched: and because they had not root, they withered away. 13:7. And others fell among thorns: and the thorns grew up and choked them. 13:8. And others fell upon good ground: and they brought forth fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold, and some thirty fold. 13:9. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 13:10. And his disciples came and said to him: Why speakest thou to them in parables? 13:11. Who answered and said to them: Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven: but to them it is not given. 13:12. For he that hath, to him shall be given, and he shall abound: but he that hath not, from him shall be taken away that also which he hath. 13:13. Therefore do I speak to them in parables: because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 13:14. And the prophecy of Isaias is fulfilled in them, who saith: By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand: and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive. 13:15. For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears they have been dull of hearing, and their eyes they have shut: lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 13:16. But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. 13:17. For, amen, I say to you, many prophets and just men have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them: and to hear the things that you hear and have not heard them. 13:18. Hear you therefore the parable of the sower. 13:19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, there cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he that received the seed by the way side. 13:20. And he that received the seed upon stony ground, is he that heareth the word, and immediately receiveth it with joy. 13:21. Yet hath he not root in himself, but is only for a time: and when there ariseth tribulation and persecution because of the word, he is presently scandalized. 13:22. And he that received the seed among thorns, is he that heareth the word, and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choketh up the word, and he becometh fruitless. 13:23. But he that received the seed upon good ground, is he that heareth the word, and understandeth, and beareth fruit, and yieldeth the one an hundredfold, and another sixty, and another thirty. 13:24. Another parable he proposed to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seed in his field. 13:25. But while men were asleep, his enemy came and oversowed cockle among the wheat and went his way. 13:26. And when the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle. 13:27. And the servants of the good man of the house coming said to him. Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? Whence then hath it cockle? 13:28. And he said to them: An enemy hath done this. And the servants said to him: Wilt thou that we go and gather it up? 13:29. And he said: No, lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. 13:30. Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn. 13:31. Another parable he proposed unto them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. 13:32. Which is the least indeed of all seeds; but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come, and dwell in the branches thereof. 13:33. Another parable he spoke to them: The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. 13:34. All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes: and without parables he did not speak to them. 13:35. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. 13:36. Then having sent away the multitudes, he came into the house, and his disciples came to him, saying: Expound to us the parable of the cockle of the field. 13:37. Who made answer and said to them: He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man. 13:38. And the field is the world. And the good seed are the children of the kingdom. And the cockle are the children of the wicked one. 13:39. And the enemy that sowed them, is the devil. But the harvest is the end of the world. And the reapers are the angels. 13:40. Even as cockle therefore is gathered up, and burnt with fire: so shall it be at the end of the world. 13:41. The Son of man shall send his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all scandals, and them that work iniquity. 13:42. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13:43. Then shall the just shine as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 13:44. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 13:45. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls. 13:46. Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it. 13:47. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kinds of fishes. 13:48. Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth. 13:49. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just. 13:50. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13:51. Have ye understood all these things? They say to him: Yes. 13:52. He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old. 13:53. And it came to pass: when Jesus had finished these parables, he passed from thence. 13:54. And coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogues, so that they wondered and said: How came this man by this wisdom and miracles? 13:55. Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Jude: His brethren... These were the children of Mary the wife of Cleophas, sister to our Blessed Lady, (St. Matt. 27. 56; St. John 19. 25,) and therefore, according to the usual style of the Scripture, they were called brethren, that is, near relations to our Saviour. 13:56. And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence therefore hath he all these things? 13:57. And they were scandalized in his regard. But Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 13:58. And he wrought not many miracles there, because of their unbelief. Matthew Chapter 14 Herod puts John to death. Christ feeds five thousand in the desert. He walks upon the sea, and heals all the diseased with the touch of his garment. 14:1. At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard the fame of Jesus. Tetrarch... This word, derived from the Greek, signifies one that rules over the fourth part of a kingdom: as Herod then ruled over Galilee, which was but the fourth part of the kingdom of his father. 14:2. And he said to his servants: This is John the Baptist: he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works shew forth themselves in him. 14:3. For Herod had apprehended John and bound him, and put him into prison, because of Herodias, his brother's wife. 14:4. For John said to him: It is not lawful for thee to have her. 14:5. And having a mind to put him to death, he feared the people: because they esteemed him as a prophet. 14:6. But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them: and pleased Herod. 14:7. Whereupon he promised with an oath, to give her whatsoever she would ask of him. 14:8. But she being instructed before by her mother, said: Give me here in a dish the head of John the Baptist. 14:9. And the king was struck sad: yet because of his oath, and for them that sat with him at table, he commanded it to be given. 14:10. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 14:11. And his head was brought in a dish: and it was given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother. 14:12. And his disciples came and took the body, and buried it, and came and told Jesus. 14:13. Which when Jesus had heard, he retired from thence by a boat, into a desert place apart, and the multitudes having heard of it, followed him on foot out of the cities. 14:14. And he coming forth saw a great multitude, and had compassion on them, and healed their sick. 14:15. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying: This is a desert place, and the hour is now passed: send away the multitudes, that going into the towns, they may buy themselves victuals. 14:16. But Jesus said to them, They have no need to go: give you them to eat. 14:17. They answered him: We have not here, but five loaves, and two fishes. 14:18. Who said to them: Bring them hither to me. 14:19. And when he had commanded the multitude to sit down upon the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. 14:20. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up what remained, twelve full baskets of fragments. 14:21. And the number of them that did eat, was five thousand men, besides women and children. 14:22. And forthwith Jesus obliged his disciples to go up into the boat, and to go before him over the water, till he dismissed the people. 14:23. And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening, he was there alone. 14:24. But the boat in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary. 14:25. And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking upon the sea. 14:26. And they seeing him walking upon the sea, were troubled, saying: It is an apparition. And they cried out for fear. 14:27. And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good heart: it is I, fear ye not. 14:28. And Peter making answer, said: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee upon the waters. 14:29. And he said: Come. And Peter going down out of the boat walked upon the water to come to Jesus. 14:30. But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me. 14:31. And immediately Jesus stretching forth his hand took hold of him, and said to him: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt? 14:32. And when they were come up into the boat, the wind ceased. 14:33. And they that were in the boat came and adored him, saying: Indeed thou art the Son of God. 14:34. And having passed the water, they came into the country of Genesar. 14:35. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent into all that country, and brought to him all that were diseased. 14:36. And they besought him that they might touch but the hem of his garment. And as many as touched, were made whole. Matthew Chapter 15 Christ reproves the Scribes. He cures the daughter of the woman of Canaan: and many others: and feeds four thousand with seven loaves. 15:1. Then came to him from Jerusalem scribes and Pharisees, saying: 15:2. Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the ancients? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 15:3. But he answering, said to them: Why do you also transgress the commandment of God for your tradition? For God said: 15:4. Honour thy father and mother: And: He that shall curse father or mother, let him die the death. 15:5. But you say: Whosoever shall say to father or mother, The gift whatsoever proceedeth from me, shall profit thee. The gift, etc... That is, the offering that I shall make to God, shall be instead of that which should be expended for thy profit. This tradition of the Pharisees was calculated to enrich themselves; by exempting children from giving any further assistance to their parents, if they once offered to the temple and the priests, that which should have been the support of their parents. But this was a violation of the law of God, and of nature, which our Saviour here condemns. 15:6. And he shall not honour his father or his mother: and you have made void the commandment of God for your tradition. 15:7. Hypocrites, well hath Isaias prophesied of you, saying: 15:8. This people honoureth me with their lips: but their heart is far from me. 15:9. And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and commandments of men. Commandments of men... The doctrines and commandments here reprehended are such as are either contrary to the law of God, (as that of neglecting parents, under pretence of giving to God,) or at least are frivolous, unprofitable, and no ways conducing to true piety, as that of often washing hands, etc., without regard to the purity of the heart. But as to the rules and ordinances of the holy church, touching fasts, festivals, etc., these are no ways repugnant to, but highly agreeable to God's holy word, and all Christian piety: neither are they to be counted among the doctrines and commandments of men; because they proceed not from mere human authority; but from that which Christ has established in his church; whose pastors he has commanded us to hear and obey, even as himself. St. Luke 10. 16; St. Matt. 18. 17. 15:10. And having called together the multitudes unto him, he said to them: Hear ye and understand. 15:11. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man: but what cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Not that which goeth into, etc... No uncleanness in meat, nor any dirt contracted by eating it with unwashed hands, can defile the soul: but sin alone; or a disobedience of the heart to the ordinance and will of God. And thus when Adam took the forbidden fruit, it was not the apple, which entered into the mouth, but the disobedience to the law of God which defiled him. The same is to be said if a Jew, in the time of the old law, had eaten swine's flesh; or a Christian convert, in the days of the apostles, contrary to their ordinance, had eaten blood; or if any of the faithful at present should transgress the ordinance of God's church, by breaking the fasts: for in all these cases the soul would be defiled; not indeed by that which goeth into the mouth; but by the disobedience of the heart, in wilfully transgressing the ordinance of God, or of those who have their authority from him. 15:12. Then came his disciples, and said to him: Dost thou know that the Pharisees, when they heard this word, were scandalized? 15:13. But he answering, said: Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 15:14. Let them alone: they are blind, and leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both fall into the pit. 15:15. And Peter answering, said to him: Expound to us this parable. 15:16. But he said: Are you also yet without understanding? 15:17. Do you not understand, that whatsoever entereth into the mouth, goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the privy? 15:18. But the things which proceed out of the mouth, come forth from the heart, and those things defile a man. 15:19. For from the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. 15:20. These are the things that defile a man. But to eat with unwashed hands doth not defile a man. 15:21. And Jesus went from thence, and retired into the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 15:22. And behold a woman of Canaan who came out of those coasts, crying out, said to him: Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David: my daughter is grievously troubled by a devil. 15:23. Who answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying: Send her away, for she crieth after us: 15:24. And he answering, said: I was not sent but to the sheep, that are lost of the house of Israel. 15:25. But she came and adored him, saying: Lord, help me. 15:26. Who answering, said: It is not good to take the bread of the children, and to cast it to the dogs. 15:27. But she said: Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat of the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters. 15:28. Then Jesus answering, said to her: O woman, great is thy faith: be it done to thee as thou wilt: and her daughter was cured from that hour. 15:29. And when Jesus had passed away from thence, he came nigh the sea of Galilee: and going up into a mountain, he sat there. 15:30. And there came to him great multitudes, having with them the dumb, the blind, the lame, the maimed, and many others: and they cast them down at his feet, and he healed them: 15:31. So that the multitudes marvelled seeing the dumb speak, the lame walk, the blind see: and they glorified the God of Israel. 15:32. And Jesus called together his disciples, and said: I have compassion on the multitudes, because they continue with me now three days, and have not what to eat, and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. 15:33. And the disciples say unto him: Whence then should we have so many loaves in the desert, as to fill so great a multitude? 15:34. And Jesus said to them: How many loaves have you? But they said: Seven, and a few little fishes. 15:35. And he commanded the multitude to sit down upon the ground. 15:36. And taking the seven loaves and the fishes, and giving thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples gave to the people. 15:37. And they did all eat, and had their fill. And they took up seven baskets full, of what remained of the fragments. 15:38. And they that did eat, were four thousand men, beside children and women. 15:39. And having dismissed the multitude, he went up into a boat, and came into the coasts of Magedan. Matthew Chapter 16 Christ refuses to shew the Pharisees a sign from heaven. Peter's confession is rewarded. He is rebuked for opposing Christ's passion. All his followers must deny themselves. 16:1. And there came to him the Pharisees and Sadducees tempting: and they asked him to shew them a sign from heaven. 16:2. But he answered and said to them: When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red. 16:3. And in the morning: To day there will be a storm, for the sky is red and lowering. You know then how to discern the face of the sky: and can you not know the signs of the times? 16:4. A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. And he left them, and went away. 16:5. And when his disciples were come over the water, they had forgotten to take bread. 16:6. Who said to them: Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 16:7. But they thought within themselves, saying: Because we have taken no bread. 16:8. And Jesus knowing it, said: Why do you think within yourselves, O ye of little faith, for that you have no bread? 16:9. Do you not yet understand, neither do you remember the five loaves among five thousand men, and how many baskets you took up? 16:10. Nor the seven loaves, among four thousand men, and how many baskets you took up? 16:11. Why do you not understand that it was not concerning bread I said to you: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees? 16:12. Then they understood that he said not that they should beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 16:13. And Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? 16:14. But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 16:15. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? 16:16. Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. 16:17. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 16:18. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Thou art Peter, etc... As St. Peter, by divine revelation, here made a solemn profession of his faith of the divinity of Christ; so in recompense of this faith and profession, our Lord here declares to him the dignity to which he is pleased to raise him: viz., that he to whom he had already given the name of Peter, signifying a rock, St. John 1. 42, should be a rock indeed, of invincible strength, for the support of the building of the church; in which building he should be, next to Christ himself, the chief foundation stone, in quality of chief pastor, ruler, and governor; and should have accordingly all fulness of ecclesiastical power, signified by the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Upon this rock, etc... The words of Christ to Peter, spoken in the vulgar language of the Jews which our Lord made use of, were the same as if he had said in English, Thou art a Rock, and upon this rock I will build my church. So that, by the plain course of the words, Peter is here declared to be the rock, upon which the church was to be built: Christ himself being both the principal foundation and founder of the same. Where also note, that Christ, by building his house, that is, his church, upon a rock, has thereby secured it against all storms and floods, like the wise builder, St. Matt. 7. 24, 25. The gates of hell, etc... That is, the powers of darkness, and whatever Satan can do, either by himself, or his agents. For as the church is here likened to a house, or fortress, built on a rock; so the adverse powers are likened to a contrary house or fortress, the gates of which, that is, the whole strength, and all the efforts it can make, will never be able to prevail over the city or church of Christ. By this promise we are fully assured, that neither idolatry, heresy, nor any pernicious error whatsoever shall at any time prevail over the church of Christ. 16:19. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. Loose on earth... The loosing the bands of temporal punishments due to sins, is called an indulgence; the power of which is here granted. 16:20. Then he commanded his disciples, that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ. 16:21. From that time Jesus began to shew to his disciples, that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the ancients and scribes and chief priests, and be put to death, and the third day rise again. 16:22. And Peter taking him, began to rebuke him, saying: Lord, be it far from thee, this shall not be unto thee. And Peter taking him... That is, taking him aside, out of a tender love, respect and zeal for his Lord and Master's honour, began to expostulate with him, as it were to rebuke him, saying, Lord, far be it from thee to suffer death; but the Lord said to Peter, ver. 23, Go behind me, Satan. These words may signify, Begone from me; but the holy Fathers expound them otherwise, that is, come after me, or follow me; and by these words the Lord would have Peter to follow him in his suffering, and not to oppose the divine will by contradiction; for the word satan means in Hebrew an adversary, or one that opposes. 16:23. Who turning, said to Peter: Go behind me, Satan, thou art a scandal unto me: because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men. 16:24. Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 16:25. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. 16:26. For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? 16:27. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works. 16:28. Amen I say to you, there are some of them that stand here, that shall not taste death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Matthew Chapter 17 The Transfiguration of Christ: He cures the lunatic child: foretells his passion; and pays the didrachma. 17:1. And after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: 17:2. And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. 17:3. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. 17:4. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 17:5. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. 17:6. And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. 17:7. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear not. 17:8. And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus. 17:9. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead. 17:10. And his disciples asked him, saying: Why then do the scribes say that Elias must come first? 17:11. But he answering, said to them: Elias indeed shall come, and restore all things. 17:12. But I say to you, that Elias is already come, and they knew him not, But have done unto him whatsoever they had a mind. So also the Son of man shall suffer from them. 17:13. Then the disciples understood, that he had spoken to them of John the Baptist. 17:14. And when he was come to the multitude, there came to him a man falling down on his knees before him saying: Lord, have pity on my son, for he is a lunatic, and suffereth much: for he falleth often into the fire, and often into the water. 17:15. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17:16. Then Jesus answered and said: O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me. 17:17. And Jesus rebuked him, and the devil went out of him, and the child was cured from that hour. 17:18. Then came the disciples to Jesus secretly, and said: Why could not we cast him out? 17:19. Jesus said to them: Because of your unbelief. For, amen I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain: Remove from hence hither, and it shall remove: and nothing shall be impossible to you. As a grain of mustard seed... That is, a perfect faith; which in its properties, and its fruits, resembles the grain of mustard seed, in the parable, chap. 13. 31. 17:20. But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting. 17:21. And when they abode together in Galilee, Jesus said to them: The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: 17:22. And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall rise again. And they were troubled exceedingly. 17:23. And when they were come to Capharnaum, they that received the didrachmas, came to Peter, and said to him: Doth not your master pay the didrachma? The didrachmas... A didrachma was half a sicle, or half a stater; that is, about 15d. English: which was a tax laid upon every head for the service of the temple. 17:24. He said: Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying: What is thy opinion, Simon? The kings of the earth, of whom do they receive tribute or custom, of their own children, or of strangers? 17:25. And he said: Of strangers. Jesus said to him: Then the children are free. 17:26. But that we may not scandalize them, go to the sea, and cast in a hook: and that fish which shall first come up, take: and when thou hast opened it's mouth, thou shalt find a stater: take that, and give it to them for me and thee. Matthew Chapter 18 Christ teaches humility, to beware of scandal, and to flee the occasions of sin: to denounce to the church incorrigible sinners, and to look upon such as refuse to hear the church as heathens. He promises to his disciples the power of binding and loosing: and that he will be in the midst of their assemblies. No forgiveness for them that will not forgive. 18:1. At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? 18:2. And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them. 18:3. And said: amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 18:4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. 18:5. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. 18:6. But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. Shall scandalize... That is, shall put a stumblingblock in their way, and cause them to fall into sin. 18:7. Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh. It must needs be, etc... Viz., considering the wickedness and corruption of the world. 18:8. And if thy hand, or thy foot, scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. Scandalize thee... That is, cause thee to offend. 18:9. And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 18:10. See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 18:11. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 18:12. What think you? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them should go astray: doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the mountains, and goeth to seek that which is gone astray? 18:13. And if it so be that he find it: Amen I say to you, he rejoiceth more for that, than for the ninety-nine that went not astray. 18:14. Even so it is not the will of your Father, who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 18:15. But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother. 18:16. And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. 18:17. And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. 18:18. Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven. 18:19. Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven. 18:20. For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. There am I in the midst of them... This is understood of such assemblies only as are gathered in the name and authority of Christ; and in unity of the church of Christ. St. Cyprian, De Unitate Ecclesiae. 18:21. Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 18:22. Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times. 18:23. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants. 18:24. And when he had begun to take the account, one as brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents. Talents... A talent was seven hundred and fifty ounces of silver, which at the rate of five shillings to the ounce is a hundred and eighty-seven pounds ten shillings sterling. 18:25. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 18:26. But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 18:27. And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt. 18:28. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow- servants that owed him an hundred pence: and laying hold of him, he throttled him, saying: Pay what thou owest. Pence... The Roman penny was the eighth part of an ounce, that is, about sevenpence half-penny English. 18:29. And his fellow-servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 18:30. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt. 18:31. Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came, and told their lord all that was done. 18:32. Then his lord called him: and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me: 18:33. Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee? 18:34. And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt. 18:35. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. Matthew Chapter 19 Christ declares matrimony to be indissoluble: he recommends the making one's self an eunuch for the kingdom of heaven; and parting with all things for him. He shews the danger of riches, and the reward of leaving all to follow him. 19:1. And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan. 19:2. And great multitudes followed him: and he healed them there. 19:3. And there came to him the Pharisees tempting him, saying: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 19:4. Who answering, said to them: Have ye not read, that he who made man from the beginning, made them male and female? And he said: 19:5. For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh. 19:6. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. 19:7. They say to him: Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorce, and to put away? 19:8. He saith to them: Because Moses by reason of the hardness of your heart permitted you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 19:9. And I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery. Except it be, etc... In the case of fornication, that is, of adultery, the wife may be put away: but even then the husband cannot marry another as long as the wife is living. 19:10. His disciples say unto him: If the case of a man with his wife be so, it is not expedient to marry. 19:11. Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given. All men take not this word... That is, all receive not the gift of living singly and chastely, unless they pray for the grace of God to enable them to live so, and for some it may be necessary to that end to fast as well as pray: and to those it is given from above. 19:12. For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mothers womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it. There are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs, for the kingdom of heaven... This text is not to be taken in the literal sense; but means, that there are such, who have taken a firm and commendable resolution of leading a single and chaste life, in order to serve God in a more perfect state than those who marry: as St. Paul clearly shews. 1 Cor. 7. 37, 38. 19:13. Then were little children presented to him, that he should impose hands upon them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them. 19:14. But Jesus said to them: Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come to me: for the kingdom of heaven is for such. 19:15. And when he had imposed hands upon them, he departed from thence. 19:16. And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? 19:17. Who said to him: Why askest thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 19:18. He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. 19:19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 19:20. The young man saith to him: All these have I kept from my youth, what is yet wanting to me? 19:21. Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 19:22. And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad: for he had great possessions. 19:23. Then Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 19:24. And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 19:25. And when they had heard this, the disciples wondered much, saying: Who then can be saved? 19:26. And Jesus beholding, said to them: With men this is impossible: but with God all things are possible. 19:27. Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have? 19:28. And Jesus said to them: Amen I say to you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 19:29. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting. 19:30. And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be first. Matthew Chapter 20 The parable of the labourers in the vineyard. The ambition of the two sons of Zebedee. Christ gives sight to two blind men. 20:1. The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 20:2. And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 20:3. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the marketplace idle. 20:4. And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just. 20:5. And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner. 20:6. But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: Why stand you here all the day idle? 20:7. They say to him: Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them: Go ye also into my vineyard. 20:8. And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first. 20:9. When therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 20:10. But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: And they also received every man a penny. 20:11. And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, 20:12. Saying: These last have worked but one hour and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats. 20:13. But he answering said to one of them: friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? 20:14. Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee. 20:15. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thy eye evil, because I am good? What I will... Viz., with my own, and in matters that depend on my own bounty. 20:16. So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called but few chosen. 20:17. And Jesus going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart and said to them: 20:18. Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes: and they shall condemn him to death. 20:19. And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified: and the third day he shall rise again. 20:20. Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him. 20:21. Who said to her: What wilt thou? She saith to him: say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom. 20:22. And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to him: We can. 20:23. He saith to them: My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father. 20:24. And the ten, hearing it, were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 20:25. But Jesus called them to him and said: You know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them; and that they that are the greater, exercise power upon them. 20:26. It shall not be so among you: but whosoever is the greater among you, let him be your minister. 20:27. And he that will be first among you shall be your servant. 20:28. Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a redemption for many. 20:29. And when they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 20:30. And behold two blind men sitting by the way side heard that Jesus passed by. And they cried out, saying: O Lord, thou son of David, have mercy on us. 20:31. And the multitude rebuked them that they should hold their peace. But they cried out the more, saying: O Lord, thou son of David, have mercy on us. 20:32. And Jesus stood and called them and said: What will ye that I do to you? 20:33. They say to him: Lord, that our eyes be opened. 20:34. And Jesus having compassion on them, touched their eyes. And immediately they saw and followed him. Matthew Chapter 21 Christ rides into Jerusalem upon an ass. He casts the buyers and sellers out of the temple, curses the fig tree and puts to silence the priests and scribes. 21:1. And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem and were come to Bethphage, unto mount Olivet, then Jesus sent two disciples, 21:2. Saying to them: Go ye into the village that is over against you: and immediately you shall find an ass tied and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to me. 21:3. And if any man shall say anything to you, say ye that the Lord hath need of them. And forthwith he will let them go. 21:4. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 21:5. Tell ye the daughter of Sion: Behold thy king cometh to thee, meek and sitting upon an ass and a colt, the foal of her that is used to the yoke. 21:6. And the disciples going, did as Jesus commanded them. 21:7. And they brought the ass and the colt and laid their garments upon them and made him sit thereon. 21:8. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way: and others cut boughs from the trees and strewed them in the way. 21:9. And the multitudes that went before and that followed cried, saying: Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. 21:10. And when he was come into Jerusalem, the whole city was moved, saying: Who is this? 21:11. And the people said: This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee. 21:12. And Jesus went into the temple of God and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple and overthrew the tables of the money changers and the chairs of them that sold doves. 21:13. And he saith to them: It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves. 21:14. And there came to him the blind and the lame in the temple: and he healed them. 21:15. And the chief priests and scribes, seeing the wonderful things that he did and the children crying in the temple and saying: Hosanna to the son of David, were moved with indignation, 21:16. And said to him: Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus said to them: Yea, have you never read: Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise? 21:17. And leaving them, he went out of the city into Bethania and remained here. 21:18. And in the morning, returning into the city, he was hungry. 21:19. And seeing a certain fig tree by the way side, he came to it and found nothing on it but leaves only. And he saith to it: May no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And immediately the fig tree withered away. 21:20. And the disciples seeing it wondered, saying: How is it presently withered away? 21:21. And Jesus answering, said to them: Amen, I say to you, if you shall have faith and stagger not, not only this of the fig tree shall you do, but also if you shall say to this mountain, Take up and cast thyself into the sea, it shall be done. 21:22. And all things whatsoever you shall ask in prayer believing, you shall receive. 21:23. And when he was come into the temple, there came to him, as he was teaching, the chief priests and ancients of the people, saying: By what authority dost thou these things? And who hath given thee this authority? 21:24. Jesus answering, said to them: I also will ask you one word, which if you shall tell me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 21:25. The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men? But they thought within themselves, saying: 21:26. If we shall say, from heaven, he will say to us: Why then did you not believe him? But if we shall say, from men, we are afraid of the multitude: for all held John as a prophet. 21:27. And answering Jesus, they said: We know not. He also said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. 21:28. But what think you? A certain man had two sons: and coming to the first, he said: Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 21:29. And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went. 21:30. And coming to the other, he said in like manner. And he answering said: I go, Sir. And he went not. 21:31. Which of the two did the father's will? They say to him: The first. Jesus saith to them: Amen I say to you that the publicans and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you. 21:32. For John came to you in the way of justice: and you did not believe him. But the publicans and the harlots believed him: but you, seeing it, did not even afterwards repent, that you might believe him. 21:33. Hear ye another parable. There was a man, an householder, who planted a vineyard and made a hedge round about it and dug in it a press and built a tower and let it out to husbandmen and went into a strange country. 21:34. And when the time of the fruits drew nigh, he sent his servants to the husbandmen that they might receive the fruits thereof. 21:35. And the husbandmen laying hands on his servants, beat one and killed another and stoned another. 21:36. Again he sent other servants, more than the former; and they did to them in like manner. 21:37. And last of all he sent to them his son, saying: They will reverence my son. 21:38. But the husbandmen seeing the son, said among themselves: This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and we shall have his inheritance. 21:39. And taking him, they cast him forth out of the vineyard and killed him. 21:40. When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do to those husbandmen? 21:41. They say to him: He will bring those evil men to an evil end and let out his vineyard to other husbandmen that shall render him the fruit in due season. 21:42. Jesus saith to them: Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? By the Lord this has been done; and it is wonderful in our eyes. 21:43. Therefore I say to you that the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and shall be given to a nation yielding the fruits thereof. 21:44. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder. 21:45. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they knew that he spoke of them. 21:46. And seeking to lay hands on him, they feared the multitudes, because they held him as a prophet. Matthew Chapter 22 The parable of the marriage feast. Christ orders tribute to be paid to Caesar. He confutes the Sadducees, shews which is the first commandment in the law and puzzles the Pharisees. 22:1. And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying: 22:2. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who made a marriage for his son. 22:3. And he sent his servants to call them that were invited to the marriage: and they would not come. 22:4. Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my beeves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come ye to the marriage. 22:5. But they neglected and went their ways, one to his farm and another to his merchandise. 22:6. And the rest laid hands on his servants and, having treated them contumeliously, put them to death. 22:7. But when the king had heard of it, he was angry: and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers and burnt their city. 22:8. Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy. 22:9. Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage. 22:10. And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests. 22:11. And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. 22:12. And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment? But he was silent. 22:13. Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 22:14. For many are called, but few are chosen. 22:15. Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to insnare him in his speech. 22:16. And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker and teachest the way of God in truth. Neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men. The Herodians... That is, some that belonged to Herod, and that joined with him in standing up for the necessity of paying tribute to Caesar, that is, to the Roman emperor. Some are of opinion that there was a sect among the Jews called Herodians, from their maintaining that Herod was the Messias. 22:17. Tell us therefore what dost thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 22:18. But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? 22:19. Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny. 22:20. And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this? 22:21. They say to him: Caesar's. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's. 22:22. And hearing this, they wondered and, leaving him, went their ways. 22:23. That day there came to him the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection; and asked him, 22:24. Saying: Master, Moses said: If a man die having no son, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up issue to his brother. 22:25. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first having married a wife, died; and not having issue, left his wife to his brother. 22:26. In like manner the second and the third and so on, to the seventh. 22:27. And last of all the woman died also. 22:28. At the resurrection therefore, whose wife of the seven shall she be? For they all had her. 22:29. And Jesus answering, said to them: You err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. 22:30. For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor be married, but shall be as the angels of God in heaven. 22:31. And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you: 22:32. I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living. 22:33. And the multitudes hearing it were in admiration at his doctrine. 22:34. But the Pharisees, hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together. 22:35. And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him: 22:36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 22:37. Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind. 22:38. This is the greatest and the first commandment. 22:39. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 22:40. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets. 22:41. And the Pharisees being gathered together, Jesus asked them, 22:42. Saying: What think you of Christ? Whose son is he? They say to him: David's. 22:43. He saith to them: How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying: 22:44. The Lord said to my Lord: Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool? 22:45. If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 22:46. And no man was able to answer him a word: neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. Matthew Chapter 23 Christ admonishes the people to follow the good doctrine, not the bad example of the scribes and Pharisees. He warns his disciples not to imitate their ambition and denounces divers woes against them for their hypocrisy and blindness. 23:1. Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, 23:2. Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. 23:3. All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not. For they say, and do not. 23:4. For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens and lay them on men's shoulders: but with a finger of their own they will not move them. 23:5. And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad and enlarge their fringes. Phylacteries... that is, parchments, on which they wrote the ten commandments, and carried them on their foreheads before their eyes: which the Pharisees affected to wear broader than other men; so to seem more zealous for the law. 23:6. And they love the first places at feasts and the first chairs in the synagogues, 23:7. And salutations in the market place, and to be called by men, Rabbi. 23:8. But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master: and all you are brethren. 23:9. And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven. Call none your father--Neither be ye called masters, etc... The meaning is that our Father in heaven is incomparably more to be regarded, than any father upon earth: and no master to be followed, who would lead us away from Christ. But this does not hinder but that we are by the law of God to have a due respect both for our parents and spiritual fathers, (1 Cor. 4. 23:15,) and for our masters and teachers. 23:10. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, Christ. 23:11. He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant. 23:12. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 23:13. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for you yourselves do not enter in and those that are going in, you suffer not to enter. 23:14. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour the houses of widows, praying long prayers. For this you shall receive the greater judgment. 23:15. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte. And when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves. 23:16. Woe to you, blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but he that shall swear by the gold of the temple is a debtor. 23:17. Ye foolish and blind: for whether is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 23:18. And whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it is a debtor. 23:19. Ye foolish and blind: for whether is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 23:20. He therefore that sweareth by the altar sweareth by it and by all things that are upon it. 23:21. And whosoever shall swear by the temple sweareth by it and by him that dwelleth in it. 23:22. And he that sweareth by heaven sweareth by the throne of God and by him that sitteth thereon. 23:23. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you tithe mint and anise and cummin and have left the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and faith. These things you ought to have done and not to leave those undone. 23:24. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel. 23:25. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you make clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within you are full of rapine and uncleanness. 23:26. Thou blind Pharisee, first make clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, that the outside may become clean. 23:27. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you are like to whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful but within are full of dead men's bones and of all filthiness. 23:28. So you also outwardly indeed appear to men just: but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 23:29. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, that build the sepulchres of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the just, Build the sepulchres, etc... This is not blamed, as if it were in itself evil to build or adorn the monuments of the prophets: but the hypocrisy of the Pharisees is here taxed; who, whilst they pretended to honour the memory of the prophets, were persecuting even unto death the Lord of the prophets. 23:30. And say: If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 23:31. Wherefore you are witnesses against yourselves, that you are the sons of them that killed the prophets. 23:32. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 23:33. You serpents, generation of vipers, how will you flee from the judgment of hell? 23:34. Therefore behold I send to you prophets and wise men and scribes: and some of them you will put to death and crucify: and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city. 23:35. That upon you may come all the just blood that hath been shed upon the earth, from the blood of Abel the just, even unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias, whom you killed between the temple and the altar. That upon you may come, etc... Not that they should suffer more than their own sins justly deserved; but that the justice of God should now fall upon them with such a final vengeance, once for all, as might comprise all the different kinds of judgments and punishments, that had at any time before been inflicted for the shedding of just blood. 23:36. Amen I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation. 23:37. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered together thy children, as the hen doth gather her chickens under her wings, and thou wouldst not? 23:38. Behold, your house shall be left to you, desolate. 23:39. For I say to you, you shall not see me henceforth till you say: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Matthew Chapter 24 Christ foretells the destruction of the temple, with the signs that shall come before it and before the last judgment. We must always watch. 24:1. And Jesus being come out of the temple, went away. And his disciples came to shew him the buildings of the temple. 24:2. And he answering, said to them: Do you see all these things? Amen I say to you, there shall not be left here a stone upon a stone that shall not be destroyed. 24:3. And when he was sitting on mount Olivet, the disciples came to him privately, saying: Tell us when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the consummation of the world? 24:4. And Jesus answering, said to them: Take heed that no man seduce you. 24:5. For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ. And they will seduce many. 24:6. And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not troubled. For these things must come to pass: but the end is not yet. 24:7. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And there shall be pestilences and famines and earthquakes in places. 24:8. Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows. 24:9. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall put you to death: and you shall be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 24:10. And then shall many be scandalized and shall betray one another and shall hate one another. 24:11. And many false prophets shall rise and shall seduce many. 24:12. And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold. 24:13. But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved. 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all nations: and then shall the consummation come. 24:15. When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him understand. 24:16. Then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains: 24:17. And he that is on the housetop, let him not come down to take any thing out of his house: 24:18. And he that is in the field, let him not go back to take his coat. 24:19. And woe to them that are with child and that give suck in those days. 24:20. But pray that your flight be not in the winter or on the sabbath. 24:21. For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be. 24:22. And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved: but for the sake of the elect those days shall be shortened. 24:23. Then if any man shall say to you, Lo here is Christ, or there: do not believe him. 24:24. For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. 24:25. Behold I have told it to you, beforehand. 24:26. If therefore they shall say to you, Behold he is in the desert: go ye not out. Behold he is in the closets: believe it not. 24:27. For as lightning cometh out of the east and appeareth even into the west: so shall also the cowling of the Son of man be. 24:28. Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together. Wheresoever, etc... The coming of Christ shall be sudden, and manifest to all the world, like lightning: and wheresoever he shall come, thither shall all mankind be gathered to him, as eagles are gathered about a dead body. 24:29. And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be moved. The stars... Or flaming meteors resembling stars. 24:30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven. And then shall all tribes of the earth mourn: and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty. The sign, etc... The cross of Christ. 24:31. And he shall send his angels with a trumpet and a great voice: and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them. 24:32. And from the fig tree learn a parable: When the branch thereof is now tender and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh. 24:33. So you also, when you shall see all these things, know ye that it is nigh, even at the doors. 24:34. Amen I say to you that this generation shall not pass till all these things be done. 24:35. Heaven and earth shall pass: but my words shall not pass. Shall pass... Because they shall be changed at the end of the world into a new heaven and new earth. 24:36. But of that day and hour no one knoweth: no, not the angels of heaven, but the Father alone. 24:37. And as in the days of Noe, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 24:38. For, as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, even till that day in which Noe entered into the ark: 24:39. And they knew not till the flood came and took them all away: so also shall the coming of the Son of man be. 24:40. Then two shall be in the field. One shall be taken and one shall be left. 24:41. Two women shall be grinding at the mill. One shall be taken and one shall be left. 24:42. Watch ye therefore, because you know not what hour your Lord will come. 24:43. But this know ye, that, if the goodman of the house knew at what hour the thief would come, he would certainly watch and would not suffer his house to be broken open. 24:44. Wherefore be you also ready, because at what hour you know not the Son of man will come. 24:45. Who, thinkest thou, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath appointed over his family, to give them meat in season? 24:46. Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come he shall find so doing. 24:47. Amen I say to you: he shall place him over all his goods. 24:48. But if that evil servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a coming: 24:49. And shall begin to strike his fellow servants and shall eat and drink with drunkards: 24:50. The lord of that servant shall come in a day that he hopeth not and at an hour that he knoweth not: 24:51. And shall separate him and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew Chapter 25 The parable of the ten virgins and of the talents. The description of the last judgment. 25:1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. 25:2. And five of them were foolish and five wise. 25:3. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them. 25:4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. 25:5. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. 25:6. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh. Go ye forth to meet him. 25:7. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 25:8. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. 25:9. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves. 25:10. Now whilst they went to buy the bridegroom came: and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage. And the door was shut. 25:11. But at last came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. 25:12. But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. 25:13. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour. 25:14. For even as a man going into a far country called his servants and delivered to them his goods; 25:15. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. 25:16. And he that had received the five talents went his way and traded with the same and gained other five. 25:17. And in like manner he that had received the two gained other two. 25:18. But he that had received the one, going his way, digged into the earth and hid his lord's money. 25:19. But after a long time the lord of those servants came and reckoned with them. 25:20. And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents. Behold I have gained other five over and above. 25:21. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 25:22. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me. Behold I have gained other two. 25:23. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 25:24. But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown and gatherest where thou hast not strewed. 25:25. And being afraid, I went and hid thy talent in the earth. Behold here thou hast that which is thine. 25:26. And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not and gather where I have not strewed. 25:27. Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers: and at my coming I should have received my own with usury. 25:28. Take ye away therefore the talent from him and give it him that hath ten talents. 25:29. For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away. 25:30. And the unprofitable servant, cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 25:31. And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty. 25:32. And all nations shall be gathered together before him: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats: 25:33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. 25:34. Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 25:35. For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: 25:36. Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. 25:37. Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry and fed thee: thirsty and gave thee drink? 25:38. Or when did we see thee a stranger and took thee in? Or naked and covered thee? 25:39. Or when did we see thee sick or in prison and came to thee? 25:40. And the king answering shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me. 25:41. Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels. 25:42. For I was hungry and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty and you gave me not to drink. 25:43. I was a stranger and you took me not in: naked and you covered me not: sick and in prison and you did not visit me. 25:44. Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to thee? 25:45. Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen: I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me. 25:46. And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting. Matthew Chapter 26 The Jews conspire against Christ. He is anointed by Mary. The treason of Judas. The last supper. The prayer in the garden. The apprehension of our Lord. His treatment in the house of Caiphas. 26:1. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended all these words, he said to his disciples: 26:2. You know that after two days shall be the pasch: and the Son of man shall be delivered up to be crucified. 26:3. Then were gathered together the chief priests and ancients of the people, into the court of the high priest, who was called Caiphas: 26:4. And they consulted together that by subtilty they might apprehend Jesus and put him to death. 26:5. But they said: Not on the festival day, lest perhaps there should be a tumult among the people. 26:6. And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper, 26:7. There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of precious ointment and poured it on his head as he was at table. 26:8. And the disciples seeing it had indignation, saying: To what purpose is this waste? 26:9. For this might have been sold for much and given to the poor. 26:10. And Jesus knowing it, said to them: Why do you trouble this woman? For she hath wrought a good work upon me. 26:11. For the poor you have always with you: but me you have not always. Me you have not always... Viz., in a visible manner, as when conversant here on earth; and as we have the poor, whom we may daily assist and relieve. 26:12. For she in pouring this ointment on my body hath done it for my burial. 26:13. Amen I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done shall be told for a memory of her. 26:14. Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests. 26:15. And said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver. 26:16. And from thenceforth he sought opportunity to betray him. 26:17. And on the first day of the Azymes, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the pasch? Azymes... Feast of the unleavened bread. Pasch... The paschal lamb. 26:18. But Jesus said: Go ye into the city to a certain man and say to him: The master saith, My time is near at hand. With thee I make the pasch with my disciples. 26:19. And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them: and they prepared the pasch. 26:20. But when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve disciples. 26:21. And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you that one of you is about to betray me. 26:22. And they being very much troubled began every one to say: Is it I, Lord? 26:23. But he answering said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me. 26:24. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born. 26:25. And Judas that betrayed him answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it. 26:26. And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread and blessed and broke and gave to his disciples and said: Take ye and eat. This is my body. This is my body... He does not say, This is the figure of my body--but This is my body. (2 Council of Nice, Act. 6.) Neither does he say in this, or with this is my body; but absolutely, This is my body: which plainly implies transubstantiation. 26:27. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. Drink ye all of this... This was spoken to the twelve apostles; who were the all then present; and they all drank of it, says St. Mark 14. 23. But it no ways follows from these words spoken to the apostles, that all the faithful are here commanded to drink of the chalice; any more than that all the faithful are commanded to consecrate, offer and administer this sacrament; because Christ upon this same occasion, and at the same time, bid the apostles do so; in these words, St. Luke 22. 19, Do this for a commemoration of me. 26:28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins. Blood of the new testament... As the old testament was dedicated with the blood of victims, by Moses, in these words: This is the blood of the testament, etc., Heb. 9. 20; so here is the dedication and institution of the new testament, in the blood of Christ, here mystically shed by these words: This is the blood of the new testament, etc. 26:29. And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father. Fruit of the vine... These words, by the account of St. Luke 26:22. 18, were not spoken of the sacramental cup, but of the wine that was drunk with the paschal lamb. Though the sacramental cup might also be called the fruit of the vine, because it was consecrated from wine, and retains the likeness, and all the accidents or qualities of wine. 26:30. And a hymn being said, they went out unto mount Olivet. 26:31. Then Jesus saith to them: All you shall be scandalized in me this night. For it is written: I will strike the shepherd: and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed. Scandalized in me, etc... Forasmuch as my being apprehended shall make you all run away and forsake me. 26:32. But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 26:33. And Peter answering, said to him: Although all shall be scandalized in thee, I will never be scandalized. 26:34. Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee that in this night before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. 26:35. Peter saith to him: Yea, though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner said all the disciples. 26:36. Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani. And he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray. 26:37. And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. 26:38. Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay you here and watch with me. 26:39. And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt. 26:40. And he cometh to his disciples and findeth them asleep. And he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me? 26:41. Watch ye: and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 26:42. Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done. 26:43. And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy. 26:44. And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word. 26:45. Then he cometh to his disciples and said to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest. Behold the hour is at hand: and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. 26:46. Rise: let us go. Behold he is at hand that will betray me. 26:47. As he yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people. 26:48. And he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he. Hold him fast. 26:49. And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: Hail, Rabbi. And he kissed him. 26:50. And Jesus said to him: Friend, whereto art thou come? Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and held him. 26:51. And behold one of them that were with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, drew out his sword: and striking the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear. 26:52. Then Jesus saith to him: Put up again thy sword into its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 26:53. Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels? 26:54. How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done? 26:55. In that same hour, Jesus said to the multitudes: You are come out, as it were to a robber, with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple: and you laid not hands on me. 26:56. Now all this was done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples, all leaving him, fled. 26:57. But they holding Jesus led him to Caiphas the high priest, where the scribes and the ancients were assembled. 26:58. And Peter followed him afar off, even to the court of the high priest, And going in, he sat with the servants, that he might see the end. 26:59. And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death. 26:60. And they found not, whereas many false witnesses had come in. And last of all there came two false witnesses: 26:61. And they said: This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and after three days to rebuild it. 26:62. And the high priest rising up, said to him: Answerest thou nothing to the things which these witness against thee? 26:63. But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said to him: I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us if thou be the Christ the Son of God. 26:64. Jesus saith to him: Thou hast said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God and coming in the clouds of heaven. 26:65. Then the high priest rent his garments, saying: He hath blasphemed: What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy. 26:66. What think you? But they answering, said: He is guilty of death. 26:67. Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him. And others struck his face with the palms of their hands, 26:68. Saying: Prophesy unto us, O Christ. Who is he that struck thee? 26:69. But Peter sat without in the court. And there came to him a servant maid, saying: Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean. 26:70. But he denied before them all, saying: I know not what thou sayest. 26:71. And as he went out of the gate, another maid saw him; and she saith to them that were there: This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth. 26:72. And again he denied with an oath: I know not the man. 26:73. And after a little while, they came that stood by and said to Peter: Surely thou also art one of them. For even thy speech doth discover thee. 26:74. Then he began to curse and to swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 26:75. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus which he had said: Before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And going forth, he wept bitterly. Matthew Chapter 27 The continuation of the history of the passion of Christ. His death and burial. 27:1. And when morning was come, all the chief priests and ancients of the people took counsel against Jesus, that they might put him to death. 27:2. And they brought him bound and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 27:3. Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients, 27:4. Saying: I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. But they said: What is that to us? Look thou to it. 27:5. And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed and went and hanged himself with an halter. 27:6. But the chief priests having taken the pieces of silver, said: It is not lawful to put them into the corbona, because it is the price of blood. Corbona... A place in the temple where the people put in their gifts or offerings. 27:7. And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter's field, to be a burying place for strangers. 27:8. For this cause that field was called Haceldama, that is, the field of blood, even to this day. 27:9. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was prized, whom they prized of the children of Israel. 27:10. And they gave them unto the potter's field, as the Lord appointed to me. 27:11. And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus saith to him: Thou sayest it. 27:12. And when he was accused by the chief priests and ancients, he answered nothing. 27:13. Then Pilate saith to him: Dost not thou hear how great testimonies they allege against thee? 27:14. And he answered him to never a word, so that the governor wondered exceedingly. 27:15. Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would. 27:16. And he had then a notorious prisoner that was called Barabbas. 27:17. They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said: Whom will you that I release to You: Barabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ? 27:18. For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 27:19. And as he was sitting in the place of judgment, his wife sent to him, saying: Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 27:20. But the chief priests and ancients persuaded the people that they should ask Barabbas and make Jesus away. 27:21. And the governor answering, said to them: Whether will you of the two to be released unto you? But they said: Barabbas. 27:22. Pilate saith to them: What shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ? They say all: Let him be crucified. 27:23. The governor said to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying: Let him be crucified. 27:24. And Pilate seeing that he prevailed nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, taking water washed his hands before the people, saying: I am innocent of the blood of this just man. Look you to it. 27:25. And the whole people answering, said: His blood be upon us and upon our children. 27:26. Then he released to them Barabbas: and having scourged Jesus, delivered him unto them to be crucified. 27:27. Then the soldiers of the governor, taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band. 27:28. And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about him. 27:29. And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, King of the Jews. 27:30. And spitting upon him, they took the reed and struck his head. 27:31. And after they had mocked him, they took off the cloak from him and put on him his own garments and led him away to crucify him. 27:32. And going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon: him they forced to take up his cross. 27:33. And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary. 27:34. And they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall. And when he had tasted, he would not drink. 27:35. And after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: They divided my garments among them; and upon my vesture they cast lots. 27:36. And they sat and watched him. 27:37. And they put over his head his cause written: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27:38. Then were crucified with him two thieves: one on the right hand and one on the left. 27:39. And they that passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, 27:40. And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 27:41. In like manner also the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking said: 27:42. He saved others: himself he cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross: and we will believe him. 27:43. He trusted in God: let him now deliver him if he will have him. For he said: I am the Son of God. 27:44. And the selfsame thing the thieves also that were crucified with him reproached him with. 27:45. Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over the whole earth, until the ninth hour. 27:46. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? That is, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? 27:47. And some that stood there and heard said: This man calleth Elias. 27:48. And immediately one of them running took a sponge and filled it with vinegar and put it on a reed and gave him to drink. 27:49. And the others said: Let be. Let us see whether Elias will come to deliver him. 27:50. And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 27:51. And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom: and the earth quaked and the rocks were rent. 27:52. And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints that had slept arose, 27:53. And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city and appeared to many. 27:54. Now the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, were sore afraid, saying: Indeed this was the Son of God. 27:55. And there were there many women afar off, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 27:56. Among whom was Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. 27:57. And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus. 27:58. He went to Pilate and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the body should be delivered. 27:59. And Joseph taking the body wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth: 27:60. And laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument and went his way. 27:61. And there was there Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. 27:62. And the next day, which followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees came together to Pilate, The day of preparation... The eve of the sabbath; so called, because on that day they prepared all things necessary; not being allowed so much as to dress their meat on the sabbath day. 27:63. Saying: Sir, we have remembered, that that seducer said, while he was yet alive: After three days I will rise again. 27:64. Command therefore the sepulchre to be guarded until the third day: lest perhaps his disciples come and steal him away and say to the people: He is risen from the dead. And the last error shall be worse than the first. 27:65. Pilate saith to them: You have a guard. Go, guard it as you know. 27:66. And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone and setting guards. Matthew Chapter 28 The resurrection of Christ. His commission to his disciples. 28:1. And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre. 28:2. And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and coming rolled back the stone and sat upon it. 28:3. And his countenance was as lightning and his raiment as snow. 28:4. And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror and became as dead men. 28:5. And the angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you: for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 28:6. He is not here. For he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid. 28:7. And going quickly, tell ye his disciples that he is risen. And behold he will go before you into Galilee. There you shall see him. Lo, I have foretold it to you. 28:8. And they went out quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, running to tell his disciples. 28:9. And behold, Jesus met them, saying: All hail. But they came up and took hold of his feet and adored him. 28:10. Then Jesus said to them: Fear not. Go, tell my brethren that they go into Galilee. There they shall see me. 28:11. Who when they were departed, behold, some of the guards came into the city and told the chief priests all things that had been done. 28:12. And they being assembled together with the ancients, taking counsel, gave a great sum of money to the soldiers, 28:13. Saying: Say you, His disciples came by night and stole him away when we were asleep. 28:14. And if the governor shall hear of this, we will persuade him and secure you. 28:15. So they taking the money, did as they were taught: and this word was spread abroad among the Jews even unto this day. 28:16. And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 28:17. And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. 28:18. And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. All power, etc... See here the warrant and commission of the apostles and their successors, the bishops and pastors of Christ's church. He received from his Father all power in heaven and in earth: and in virtue of this power, he sends them (even as his Father sent him, St. John 20. 21) to teach and disciple, not one, but all nations; and instruct them in all truths: and that he may assist them effectually in the execution of this commission, he promises to be with them, not for three or four hundred years only, but all days, even to the consummation of the world. How then could the Catholic Church ever go astray; having always with her pastors, as is here promised, Christ himself, who is the way, the truth, and the life. St. John 14. 28:19. Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. 28:20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world. 
8828	----	Weymouth New Testament in Modern Speech, Matthew Third Edition 1913 R. F. Weymouth Book 40 Matthew 001:001 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 001:002 Abraham was the father of Isaac; Isaac of Jacob; Jacob of Judah and his brothers. 001:003 Judah was the father (by Tamar) of Perez and Zerah; Perez of Hezron; Hezron of Ram; 001:004 Ram of Amminadab; Amminadab of Nahshon; Nahshon of Salmon; 001:005 Salmon (by Rahab) of Boaz; Boaz (by Ruth) of Obed; Obed of Jesse; 001:006 Jesse of David--the King. David (by Uriah's widow) was the father of Solomon; 001:007 Solomon of Rehoboam; Rehoboam of Abijah; Abijah of Asa; 001:008 Asa of Jehoshaphat; Jehoshaphat of Jehoram; Jehoram of Uzziah; 001:009 Uzziah of Jotham; Jotham of Ahaz; Ahaz of Hezekiah; 001:010 Hezekiah of Manasseh; Manasseh of Amon; Amon of Josiah; 001:011 Josiah of Jeconiah and his brothers at the period of the Removal to Babylon. 001:012 After the Removal to Babylon Jeconiah had a son Shealtiel; Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel; 001:013 Zerubbabel of Abiud; Abiud of Eliakim; Eliakim of Azor; 001:014 Azor of Zadok; Zadok of Achim; Achim of Eliud; 001:015 Eliud of Eleazar; Eleazar of Matthan; Matthan of Jacob; 001:016 and Jacob of Joseph the husband of Mary, who was the mother of JESUS who is called CHRIST. 001:017 There are therefore, in all, fourteen generations from Abraham to David; fourteen from David to the Removal to Babylon; and fourteen from the Removal to Babylon to the Christ. 001:018 The circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ were these. After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they were united in marriage, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 001:019 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling publicly to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal. 001:020 But while he was contemplating this step, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to bring home your wife Mary, for she is with child through the Holy Spirit. 001:021 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to call His name JESUS for He it is who will save His People from their sins." 001:022 All this took place in fulfilment of what the Lord had spoken through the Prophet, 001:023 "Mark! The maiden will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call His name Immanuel"--a word which signifies `God with us'. 001:024 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded, and brought home his wife, 001:025 but did not live with her until she had given birth to a son. The child's name he called JESUS. 002:001 Now after the birth of Jesus, which took place at Bethlehem in Judaea in the reign of King Herod, excitement was produced in Jerusalem by the arrival of certain Magi from the east, 002:002 inquiring, "Where is the newly born king of the Jews? For we have seen his Star in the east, and have come here to do him homage." 002:003 Reports of this soon reached the king, and greatly agitated not only him but all the people of Jerusalem. 002:004 So he assembled all the High Priests and Scribes of the people, and anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born. 002:005 "At Bethlehem in Judaea," they replied; "for so it stands written in the words of the Prophet, 002:006 "`And thou, Bethlehem in the land of Judah, by no means the least honorable art thou among princely places in Judah! For from thee shall come a prince--one who shall be the Shepherd of My People Israel.'" 002:007 Thereupon Herod sent privately for the Magi and ascertained from them the exact time of the star's appearing. 002:008 He then directed them to go to Bethlehem, adding, "Go and make careful inquiry about the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and do him homage." 002:009 After hearing what the king said, they went to Bethlehem, while, strange to say, the star they had seen in the east led them on until it came and stood over the place where the babe was. 002:010 When they saw the star, the sight filled them with intense joy. 002:011 So they entered the house; and when they saw the babe with His mother Mary, they prostrated themselves and did Him homage, and opening their treasure-chests offered gifts to Him-- gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 002:012 But being forbidden by God in a dream to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by a different route. 002:013 When they were gone, and angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise: take the babe and His mother and escape to Egypt, and remain there till I bring you word. For Herod is about to make search for the child in order to destroy Him." 002:014 So Joseph roused himself and took the babe and His mother by night and departed into Egypt. 002:015 There he remained till Herod's death, that what the Lord had said through the Prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called My Son." 002:016 Then Herod, finding that the Magi had trifled with him, was furious, and sent and massacred all the boys under two years of age, in Bethlehem and all its neighbourhood, according to the date he had so carefully ascertained from the Magi. 002:017 Then were these words, spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah, fulfilled, 002:018 "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and bitter lamentation: It was Rachel bewailing her children, and she refused to be comforted because there were no more." 002:019 But after Herod's death an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said to him, 002:020 "Rise from sleep, and take the child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." 002:021 So he roused himself and took the child and His mother and came into the land of Israel. 002:022 But hearing that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod on the throne of Judaea, he was afraid to go there; and being instructed by God in a dream he withdrew into Galilee, 002:023 and went and settled in a town called Nazareth, in order that these words spoken through the Prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene." 003:001 About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching in the Desert of Judaea. 003:002 "Repent," he said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand." 003:003 He it is who was spoken of through the Prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying aloud, `In the desert prepare ye a road for the Lord: make His highway straight.'" 003:004 This man John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a loincloth of leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey. 003:005 Then large numbers of people went out to him--people from Jerusalem and from all Judaea, and from the whole of the Jordan valley-- 003:006 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of their sins. 003:007 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he exclaimed, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 003:008 Therefore let your lives prove your change of heart; 003:009 and do not imagine that you can say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. 003:010 And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which does not produce good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire. 003:011 I indeed am baptizing you in water on a profession of repentance; but He who is coming after me is mightier than I: His sandals I am not worthy to carry for a moment; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. 003:012 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thorough clearance of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but burning up the chaff in unquenchable fire." 003:013 Just at that time Jesus, coming from Galilee to the Jordan, presents Himself to John to be baptized by him. 003:014 John protested. "It is I," he said, "who have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 003:015 "Let it be so on this occasion," Jesus replied; "for so we ought to fulfil every religious duty." Then he consented; 003:016 and Jesus was baptized, and immediately went up from the water. At that moment the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him, 003:017 while a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This is My Son, the dearly loved, in whom is My delight." 004:001 At that time Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the Desert in order to be tempted by the Devil. 004:002 There He fasted for forty days and nights; and after that He suffered from hunger. 004:003 So the Tempter came and said, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to turn into loaves." 004:004 "It is written," replied Jesus, "`It is not on bread alone that a man shall live, but on whatsoever God shall appoint.'" 004:005 Then the Devil took Him to the Holy City and caused Him to stand on the roof of the Temple, 004:006 and said, "If you are God's Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, "`To His angels He will give orders concerning thee, and on their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any moment thou shouldst strike thy foot against a stone.'" 004:007 "Again it is written," replied Jesus, "`Thou shalt not put the Lord thy God to the proof.'" 004:008 Then the Devil took Him to the top of an exceedingly lofty mountain, from which he caused Him to see all the Kingdoms of the world and their splendour, 004:009 and said to Him, "All this I will give you, if you will kneel down and do me homage." 004:010 "Begone, Satan!" Jesus replied; "for it is written, `To the Lord thy God thou shalt do homage, and to Him alone shalt thou render worship.'" 004:011 Thereupon the Devil left Him, and angels at once came and ministered to Him. 004:012 Now when Jesus heard that John was thrown into prison, He withdrew into Galilee, 004:013 and leaving Nazareth He went and settled at Capernaum, a town by the Lake on the frontiers of Zebulun and Naphtali, 004:014 in order that these words, spoken through the Prophet Isaiah, might be fulfilled, 004:015 "Zebulun's land and Naphtali's land; the road by the Lake; the country beyond the Jordan; Galilee of the Nations! 004:016 The people who were dwelling in darkness have seen a brilliant light; and on those who were dwelling in the region of the shadow of death, on them light has dawned." 004:017 From that time Jesus began to preach. "Repent," He said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand." 004:018 And walking along the shore of the Lake of Galilee He saw two brothers--Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew-- throwing a drag-net into the Lake; for they were fishers. 004:019 And He said to them, "Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 004:020 So they immediately left their nets and followed Him. As He went further on, 004:021 He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zabdi and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zabdi mending their nets; and He called them. 004:022 And they at once left the boat and their father, and followed Him. 004:023 Then Jesus travelled through all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and infirmity among the people. 004:024 Thus His fame spread through all Syria; and they brought all the sick to Him, the people who were suffering from various diseases and pains--demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He cured them. 004:025 And great crowds followed Him, coming from Galilee, from the Ten Towns, from Jerusalem, and from beyond the district on the other side of the Jordan. 005:001 Seeing the multitude of people, Jesus went up the Hill. There He seated Himself, and when His disciples came to Him, 005:002 He proceeded to teach them, and said: 005:003 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens. 005:004 "Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted. 005:005 "Blessed are the meek, for they as heirs shall obtain possession of the earth. 005:006 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be completely satisfied. 005:007 "Blessed are the compassionate, for they shall receive compassion. 005:008 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 005:009 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for it is they who will be recognized as sons of God. 005:010 "Blessed are those who have borne persecution in the cause of Righteousness, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens. 005:011 "Blessed are you when they have insulted and persecuted you, and have said every cruel thing about you falsely for my sake. 005:012 Be joyful and triumphant, because your reward is great in the Heavens; for so were the Prophets before you persecuted. 005:013 "*You* are the salt of the earth; but if salt has become tasteless, in what way can it regain its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown away and trodden on by the passers by. 005:014 *You* are the light of the world; a town cannot be hid if built on a hill-top. 005:015 Nor is a lamp lighted to be put under a bushel, but on the lampstand; and then it gives light to all in the house. 005:016 Just so let your light shine before all men, in order that they may see your holy lives and may give glory to your Father who is in Heaven. 005:017 "Do not for a moment suppose that I have come to abrogate the Law or the Prophets: I have not come to abrogate them but to give them their completion. 005:018 Solemnly I tell you that until Heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or smallest detail will pass away from the Law until all has taken place. 005:019 Whoever therefore breaks one of these least commandments and teaches others to break them, will be called the least in the Kingdom of the Heavens; but whoever practises them and teaches them, he will be acknowledged as great in the Kingdom of the Heavens. 005:020 For I assure you that unless your righteousness greatly surpasses that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will certainly not find entrance into the Kingdom of the Heavens. 005:021 "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, `Thou shalt not commit murder', and whoever commits murder will be answerable to the magistrate. 005:022 But I say to you that every one who becomes angry with his brother shall be answerable to the magistrate; that whoever says to his brother `Raca,' shall be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and that whoever says, `You fool!' shall be liable to the Gehenna of Fire. 005:023 If therefore when you are offering your gift upon the altar, you remember that your brother has a grievance against you, 005:024 leave your gift there before the altar, and go and make friends with your brother first, and then return and proceed to offer your gift. 005:025 Come to terms without delay with your opponent while you are yet with him on the way to the court; for fear he should obtain judgement from the magistrate against you, and the magistrate should give you in custody to the officer and you be thrown into prison. 005:026 I solemnly tell you that you will certainly not be released till you have paid the very last farthing. 005:027 "You have heard that it was said, `Thou shalt not commit adultery.' 005:028 But I tell you that whoever looks at a woman and cherishes lustful thoughts has already in his heart become guilty with regard to her. 005:029 If therefore your eye, even the right eye, is a snare to you, tear it out and away with it; it is better for you that one member should be destroyed rather than that your whole body should be thrown into Gehenna. 005:030 And if your right hand is a snare to you, cut it off and away with it; it is better for you that one member should be destroyed rather than that your whole body should go into Gehenna. 005:031 "It was also said, `If any man puts away his wife, let him give her a written notice of divorce.' 005:032 But I tell you that every man who puts away his wife except on the ground of unfaithfulness causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries her when so divorced commits adultery. 005:033 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, `Thou shalt not swear falsely, but shalt perform thy vows to the Lord.' 005:034 But I tell you not to swear at all; neither by Heaven, for it is God's throne; 005:035 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool under His feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King. 005:036 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 005:037 But let your language be, `Yes, yes,' or `No, no.' Anything in excess of this comes from the Evil one. 005:038 "You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' 005:039 But I tell you not to resist a wicked man, but if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 005:040 If any one wishes to go to law with you and to deprive you of your under garment, let him take your outer one also. 005:041 And whoever shall compel you to convey his goods one mile, go with him two. 005:042 To him who asks, give: from him who would borrow, turn not away. 005:043 "You have heard that it was said, `Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy.' 005:044 But I command you all, love your enemies, and pray for your persecutors; 005:045 that so you may become true sons of your Father in Heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the wicked as well as the good, and sends rain upon those who do right and those who do wrong. 005:046 For if you love only those who love you, what reward have you earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that? 005:047 And if you salute only your near relatives, what praise is due to you? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 005:048 You however are to be complete in goodness, as your Heavenly Father is complete. 006:001 "But beware of doing your good actions in the sight of men, in order to attract their gaze; if you do, there is no reward for you with your Father who is in Heaven. 006:002 `When you give in charity, never blow a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets in order that their praises may be sung by men. I solemnly tell you that they already have their reward. 006:003 But when you are giving in charity, let not your left hand perceive what your right hand is doing, 006:004 that your charities may be in secret; and then your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you. 006:005 "And when praying, you must not be like the hypocrites. They are fond of standing and praying in the synagogues or at the corners of the wider streets, in order that men may see them. I solemnly tell you that they already have their reward. 006:006 But you, whenever you pray, go into your own room and shut the door: then pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you. 006:007 "And when praying, do not use needless repetitions as the Gentiles do, for they expect to be listened to because of their multitude of words. 006:008 Do not, however, imitate them; for your Father knows what things you need before ever you ask Him. 006:009 "In this manner therefore pray: `Our Father who art in Heaven, may Thy name be kept holy; 006:010 let Thy kingdom come; let Thy will be done, as in Heaven so on earth; 006:011 give us to-day our bread for the day; 006:012 and forgive us our shortcomings, as we also have forgiven those who have failed in their duty towards us; 006:013 and bring us not into temptation, but rescue us from the Evil one.' 006:014 "For if you forgive others their offences, your Heavenly Father will forgive you also; 006:015 but if you do not forgive others their offences, neither will your Father forgive yours. 006:016 "When any of you fast, never assume gloomy looks as the hypocrites do; for they disfigure their faces in order that it may be evident to men that they are fasting. I solemnly tell you that they already have their reward. 006:017 But, whenever you fast, pour perfume on your hair and wash your face, 006:018 that it may not be apparent to men that you are fasting, but to your Father who is in secret; and your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you. 006:019 "Do not lay up stores of wealth for yourselves on earth, where the moth and wear-and-tear destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 006:020 But amass wealth for yourselves in Heaven, where neither the moth nor wear-and-tear destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 006:021 For where your wealth is, there also will your heart be. 006:022 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eyesight is good, your whole body will be well lighted; 006:023 but if your eyesight is bad, your whole body will be dark. If however the very light within you is darkness, how dense must the darkness be! 006:024 "No man can be the bondservant of two masters; for either he will dislike one and like the other, or he will attach himself to one and think slightingly of the other. You cannot be the bondservants both of God and of gold. 006:025 For this reason I charge you not to be over-anxious about your lives, inquiring what you are to eat or what you are to drink, nor yet about your bodies, inquiring what clothes you are to put on. Is not the life more precious than its food, and the body than its clothing? 006:026 Look at the birds which fly in the air: they do not sow or reap or store up in barns, but your Heavenly Father feeds them: are not you of much greater value than they? 006:027 Which of you by being over-anxious can add a single foot to his height? 006:028 And why be anxious about clothing? Learn a lesson from the wild lilies. Watch their growth. They neither toil nor spin, 006:029 and yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his magnificence could array himself like one of these. 006:030 And if God so clothes the wild herbage which to-day flourishes and to-morrow is thrown into the oven, is it not much more certain that He will clothe you, you men of little faith? 006:031 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 006:032 For all these are questions that Gentiles are always asking; but your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things-- all of them. 006:033 But make His Kingdom and righteousness your chief aim, and then these things shall all be given you in addition. 006:034 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, about to-morrow, for to-morrow will bring its own cares. Enough for each day are its own troubles. 007:001 "Judge not, that you may not be judged; 007:002 for your own judgement will be dealt--and your own measure meted--to yourselves. 007:003 And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, and not notice the beam which is in your own eye? 007:004 Or how say to your brother, `Allow me to take the splinter out of your eye,' while the beam is in your own eye? 007:005 Hypocrite, first take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to remove the splinter from your brother's eye. 007:006 "Give not that which is holy to the dogs, nor throw your pearls to the swine; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and then turn and attack you. 007:007 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 007:008 For it is always he who asks that receives, he who seeks that finds, and he who knocks that has the door opened to him. 007:009 What man is there among you, who if his son shall ask him for bread will offer him a stone? 007:010 Or if the son shall ask him for a fish will offer him a snake? 007:011 If you then, imperfect as you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 007:012 Everything, therefore, be it what it may, that you would have men do to you, do you also the same to them; for in this the Law and the Prophets are summed up. 007:013 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad the road which leads to ruin, and many there are who enter by it; 007:014 because narrow is the gate and contracted the road which leads to Life, and few are those who find it. 007:015 "Beware of the false teachers--men who come to you in sheep's fleeces, but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves. 007:016 By their fruits you will easily recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from brambles? 007:017 Just so every good tree produces good fruit, but a poisonous tree produces bad fruit. 007:018 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a poisonous tree good fruit. 007:019 Every tree which does not yield good fruit is cut down and thrown aside for burning. 007:020 So by their fruits at any rate, you will easily recognize them. 007:021 "Not every one who says to me, `Master, Master,' will enter the Kingdom of the Heavens, but only those who are obedient to my Father who is in Heaven. 007:022 Many will say to me on that day, "`Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Thy name, and in Thy name expelled demons, and in Thy name performed many mighty works?' 007:023 "And then I will tell them plainly, "`I never knew you: begone from me, you doers of wickedness.' 007:024 "Every one who hears these my teachings and acts upon them will be found to resemble a wise man who builds his house upon rock; 007:025 and the heavy rain falls, the swollen torrents come, and the winds blow and beat against the house; yet it does not fall, for its foundation is on rock. 007:026 And every one who hears these my teachings and does not act upon them will be found to resemble a fool who builds his house upon sand. 007:027 The heavy rain descends, the swollen torrents come, and the winds blow and burst upon the house, and it falls; and disastrous is the fall." 007:028 When Jesus had concluded this discourse, the crowds were filled with amazement at His teaching, 007:029 for He had been teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their Scribes taught. 008:001 Upon descending from the hill country He was followed by immense crowds. 008:002 And a leper came to Him, and throwing himself at His feet, said, "Sir, if only you are willing you are able to cleanse me." 008:003 So Jesus put out His hand and touched him, and said, "I am willing: be cleansed." Instantly he was cleansed from his leprosy; 008:004 and Jesus said to him, "Be careful to tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses appointed as evidence for them." 008:005 After His entry into Capernaum a Captain came to Him, and entreated Him. 008:006 "Sir," he said, "my servant at home is lying ill with paralysis, and is suffering great pain." 008:007 "I will come and cure him," said Jesus. 008:008 "Sir," replied the Captain, "I am not a fit person to receive you under my roof: merely say the word, and my servant will be cured. 008:009 For I myself am also under authority, and have soldiers under me. To one I say `Go,' and he goes, to another `Come,' and he comes, and to my slave `Do this or that,' and he does it." 008:010 Jesus listened to this reply, and was astonished, and said to the people following Him, "I solemnly tell you that in no Israelite have I found faith as great as this. 008:011 And I tell you that many will come from the east and from the west and will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of the Heavens, 008:012 while the natural heirs of the Kingdom will be driven out into the darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth." 008:013 And Jesus said to the Captain, "Go, and just as you have believed, so be it for you." And the servant recovered precisely at that time. 008:014 After this Jesus went to the house of Peter, whose mother-in-law he found ill in bed with fever. 008:015 He touched her hand and the fever left her: and then she rose and waited upon Him. 008:016 In the evening many demoniacs were brought to Him, and with a word He expelled the demons; and He cured all the sick, 008:017 in order that this prediction of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, "He took on Him our weaknesses, and bore the burden of our diseases." 008:018 Seeing great crowds about Him Jesus had given directions to cross to the other side of the Lake, 008:019 when a Scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 008:020 "Foxes have holes," replied Jesus, "and birds have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 008:021 Another of the disciples said to Him, "Sir, allow me first to go and bury my father." 008:022 "Follow me," said Jesus, "and leave the dead to bury their own dead." 008:023 Then He went on board a fishing-boat, and His disciples followed Him. 008:024 But suddenly there arose a great storm on the Lake, so that the waves threatened to engulf the boat; but He was asleep. 008:025 So they came and woke Him, crying, "Master, save us, we are drowning!" 008:026 "Why are you so easily frightened," He replied, "you men of little faith?" Then He rose and reproved the winds and the waves, and there was a perfect calm; 008:027 and the men, filled with amazement, exclaimed, "What kind of man is this? for the very winds and waves obey him!" 008:028 On His arrival at the other side, in the country of the Gadarenes, there met Him two men possessed by demons, coming from among the tombs: they were so dangerously fierce that no one was able to pass that way. 008:029 They cried aloud, "What hast Thou to do with us, Thou Son of God? Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?" 008:030 Now at some distance from them a vast herd of swine were feeding. 008:031 So the demons entreated Him. "If Thou drivest us out," they said, "send us into the herd of swine." 008:032 "Go," He replied. Then they came out from the men and went into the swine, whereupon the entire herd instantly rushed down the cliff into the Lake and perished in the water. 008:033 The swineherds fled, and went and told the whole story in the town, including what had happened to the demoniacs. 008:034 So at once the whole population came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they besought Him to leave their country. 009:001 Accordingly He went on board, and crossing over came to His own town. 009:002 Here they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, my child; your sins are pardoned." 009:003 "Such language is impious," said some of the Scribes among themselves. 009:004 Knowing their thoughts Jesus said, "Why are you cherishing evil thoughts in your hearts? 009:005 Why, which is easier?--to say, `Your sins are pardoned,' or to say `Rise up and walk'? 009:006 But, to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to pardon sins"--He then says to the paralytic, "Rise, and take up your bed and go home." 009:007 And he got up, and went off home. 009:008 And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and ascribed the glory to God who had entrusted such power to a man. 009:009 Passing on thence Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the Toll Office, and said to him, "Follow me." And he arose, and followed Him. 009:010 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of tax-gathers and notorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His disciples. 009:011 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?" 009:012 He heard the question and replied, "It is not men in good health who require a doctor, but the sick. 009:013 But go and learn what this means, `It is mercy that I desire, not sacrifice'; for I did not come to appeal to the righteous, but to sinners." 009:014 At that time John's disciples came and asked Jesus, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?" 009:015 "Can the bridegroom's party mourn," He replied, "as long as the bridegroom is with them? But other days will come (when the Bridegroom has been taken from them) and then they will fast. 009:016 No one ever mends an old cloak with a patch of newly woven cloth. Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away some of the old, and a worse hole would be made. 009:017 Nor do people pour new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins would split, the wine would escape, and the skins be destroyed. But they put new wine into fresh skins, and both are saved." 009:018 While He was thus speaking, a Ruler came up and profoundly bowing said, "My daughter is just dead; but come and put your hand upon her and she will return to life." 009:019 And Jesus rose and followed him, as did also His disciples. 009:020 But a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with haemorrhage came behind Him and touched the tassel of His cloak; 009:021 for she said to herself, "If I but touch His cloak, I shall be cured." 009:022 And Jesus turned and saw her, and said, "Take courage, daughter; your faith has cured you." And the woman was restored to health from that moment. 009:023 Entering the Ruler's house, Jesus saw the flute-players and the crowd loudly wailing, 009:024 and He said, "Go out of the room; the little girl is not dead, but asleep." And they laughed at Him. 009:025 When however the place was cleared of the crowd, Jesus went in, and on His taking the little girl by the hand, she rose up. 009:026 And the report of this spread throughout all that district. 009:027 As Jesus passed on, two blind men followed Him, shouting and saying, "Pity us, Son of David." 009:028 And when He had gone indoors, they came to Him. "Do you believe that I can do this?" He asked them. "Yes, Sir," they replied. 009:029 So He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be to you." 009:030 Then their eyes were opened. And assuming a stern tone Jesus said to them, "Be careful to let no one know." 009:031 But they went out and published His fame in all that district. 009:032 And as they were leaving His presence a dumb demoniac was brought to Him. 009:033 When the demon was expelled, the dumb man could speak. And the crowds exclaimed in astonishment, "Never was such a thing seen in Israel." 009:034 But the Pharisees maintained, "It is by the power of the Prince of the demons that he drives out the demons." 009:035 And Jesus continued His circuits through all the towns and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and infirmity. 009:036 And when He saw the crowds He was touched with pity for them, because they were distressed and were fainting on the ground like sheep which have no shepherd. 009:037 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant, but the reapers are few; 009:038 therefore entreat the Owner of the Harvest to send out reapers into His fields." 010:001 Then He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over foul spirits, to drive them out; and to cure every kind of disease and infirmity. 010:002 Now the names of the twelve Apostles were these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zabdi, and his brother John; 010:003 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax-gatherer, James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 010:004 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas the Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. 010:005 These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving them their instructions: "Go not," He said, "among the Gentiles, and enter no Samaritan town; 010:006 but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel's race. 010:007 And as you go, preach and say, `The Kingdom of the Heavens is close at hand.' 010:008 Cure the sick, raise the dead to life, cleanse lepers, drive out demons: you have received without payment, give without payment. 010:009 "Provide no gold, nor even silver nor copper to carry in your pockets; 010:010 no bag for your journey, nor change of linen, nor shoes, nor stick; for the labourer deserves his food. 010:011 "Whatever town or village you enter, inquire for some good man; and make his house your home till you leave the place. 010:012 When you enter the house, salute it; 010:013 and if the house deserves it, the peace you invoke shall come upon it. If not, your peace shall return to you. 010:014 And whoever refuses to receive you or even to listen to your Message, as you leave that house or town, shake off the very dust from your feet. 010:015 I solemnly tell you that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of Judgement than for that town. 010:016 "Remember it is I who am sending you out, as sheep into the midst of wolves; prove yourselves as sagacious as serpents, and as innocent as doves. 010:017 But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to appear before Sanhedrins, and will flog you in their synagogues; 010:018 and you will even be put on trial before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles. 010:019 But when they have delivered you up, have no anxiety as to how you shall speak or what you shall say; for at that very time it shall be given you what to say; 010:020 for it is not you who will speak: it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 010:021 Brother will betray brother to death, and father, child; and children will rise against their own parents and will put them to death. 010:022 And you will be objects of universal hatred because you are called by my name; but he who holds out to the End-- he will be saved. 010:023 Whenever they persecute you in one town, escape to the next; for I solemnly tell you that you will not have gone the round of all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 010:024 "The learner is never superior to his teacher, and the servant is never superior to his master. 010:025 Enough for the learner to be on a level with his teacher, and for the servant to be on a level with his master. If they have called the master of the house Baal-zebul, how much more will they slander his servants? 010:026 Fear them not, however; there is nothing veiled which will not be uncovered, nor secret which will not become known. 010:027 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what is whispered into your ear, proclaim upon the roofs of the houses. 010:028 "And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 010:029 Do not two sparrows sell for a halfpenny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's leave. 010:030 But as for you, the very hairs on your heads are all numbered. 010:031 Away then with fear; you are more precious than a multitude of sparrows. 010:032 "Every man who acknowledges me before men I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven. 010:033 But whoever disowns me before men I also will disown before my Father who is in Heaven. 010:034 "Do not suppose that I came to bring peace to the earth: I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 010:035 For I came to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 010:036 and a man's own family will be his foes. 010:037 Any one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and any one who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 010:038 and any one who does not take up his cross and follow where I lead is not worthy of me. 010:039 To save your life is to lose it, and to lose your life for my sake is to save it. 010:040 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives Him who sent me. 010:041 Every one who receives a prophet, because he is a prophet, will receive a prophet's reward, and every one who receives a righteous man, because he is a righteous man, will receive a righteous man's reward. 010:042 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink because he is a disciple, I solemnly tell you that he will not lose his reward." 011:001 When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve disciples, He left in order to teach and to proclaim His Message in the neighbouring towns. 011:002 Now John had heard in prison about the Christ's doings, and he sent some of his disciples to inquire: 011:003 "Are you the Coming One, or is it a different person that we are to expect?" 011:004 "Go and report to John what you see and hear," replied Jesus; 011:005 "blind eyes receive sight, and cripples walk; lepers are cleansed, and deaf ears hear; the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them; 011:006 and blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because of my claims." 011:007 When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind? 011:008 But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed? Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings' palaces. 011:009 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 011:010 This is he of whom it is written, "`See I am sending My messenger before Thy face, and he will make Thy road ready before Thee.' 011:011 "I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no greater has ever been raised up than John the Baptist; yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he. 011:012 But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force. 011:013 For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John. 011:014 And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah who was to come. 011:015 Listen, every one who has ears! 011:016 "But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like children sitting in the open places, who call to their playmates. 011:017 "`We have played the flute to you,' they say, `and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten your breasts.' 011:018 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon.' 011:019 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they exclaim, `See this man!--given to gluttony and tippling, and a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!' And yet Wisdom is vindicated by her actions." 011:020 Then began He to upbraid the towns where most of His mighty works had been done--because they had not repented. 011:021 "Alas for thee, Chorazin!" He cried. "Alas for thee, Bethsaida! For had the mighty works been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in both of you, they would long ere now have repented, covered with sackcloth and ashes. 011:022 Only I tell you that it will be more endurable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of Judgement than for you. 011:023 And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted even to Heaven? Even to Hades shalt thou descend. For had the mighty works been done in Sodom which have been done in thee, it would have remained until now. 011:024 Only I tell you all, that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom on the day of Judgement than for thee." 011:025 About that time Jesus exclaimed, "I heartily praise Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from sages and men of discernment, and hast unveiled them to babes. 011:026 Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will. 011:027 "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one fully knows the Son except the Father, nor does any one fully know the Father except the Son and all to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. 011:028 "Come to me, all you toiling and burdened ones, and *I* will give you rest. 011:029 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 011:030 For it is good to bear my yoke, and my burden is light." 012:001 About that time Jesus passed on the Sabbath through the wheatfields; and His disciples became hungry, and began to gather ears of wheat and eat them. 012:002 But the Pharisees saw it and said to Him, "Look! your disciples are doing what the Law forbids them to do on the Sabbath." 012:003 "Have you never read," He replied, "what David did when he and his men were hungry? 012:004 how he entered the House of God and ate the Presented Loaves, which it was not lawful for him or his men to eat, nor for any except the priests? 012:005 And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt? 012:006 But I tell you that there is here that which is greater than the Temple. 012:007 And if you knew what this means, `It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned those who are without guilt. 012:008 For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath." 012:009 Departing thence He went to their synagogue, 012:010 where there was a man with a shrivelled arm. And they questioned Him, "Is it right to cure people on the Sabbath?" Their intention was to bring a charge against Him. 012:011 "Which of you is there," He replied, "who, if he has but a single sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 012:012 Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is right to do good on the Sabbath." 012:013 Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your arm." And he stretched it out, and it was restored quite sound like the other. 012:014 But the Pharisees after leaving the synagogue consulted together against Him, how they might destroy Him. 012:015 Aware of this, Jesus departed elsewhere; and a great number of people followed Him, all of whom He cured. 012:016 But He gave them strict injunctions not to blaze abroad His doings, 012:017 that those words of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, 012:018 "This is My servant whom I have chosen, My dearly loved One in whom My soul takes pleasure. I will put My spirit upon Him, and He will announce justice to the nations. 012:019 He will not wrangle or raise His voice, nor will His voice be heard in the broadways. 012:020 A crushed reed He will not utterly break, nor will He quench the still smouldering wick, until He has led on Justice to victory. 012:021 And on His name shall the nations rest their hopes." 012:022 At that time a demoniac was brought to Him, blind and dumb; and He cured him, so that the dumb man could speak and see. 012:023 And the crowds of people were all filled with amazement and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" 012:024 The Pharisees heard it and said, "This man only expels demons by the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of demons." 012:025 Knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Every kingdom in which civil war has raged suffers desolation; and every city or house in which there is internal strife will be brought low. 012:026 And if Satan is expelling Satan, he has begun to make war on himself: how therefore shall his kingdom last? 012:027 And if it is by Baal-zebul's power that I expel the demons, by whose power do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall be your judges. 012:028 But if it is by the power of the Spirit of God that I expel the demons, it is evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 012:029 Again, how can any one enter the house of a strong man and carry off his goods, unless first of all he masters and secures the strong man: then he will ransack his house. 012:030 "The man who is not with me is against me, and he who is not gathering with me is scattering abroad. 012:031 This is why I tell you that men may find forgiveness for every other sin and impious word, but that for impious speaking against the Holy Spirit they shall find no forgiveness. 012:032 And whoever shall speak against the Son of Man may obtain forgiveness; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, neither in this nor in the coming age shall he obtain forgiveness." 012:033 "Either grant the tree to be wholesome and its fruit wholesome, or the tree poisonous and its fruit poisonous; for the tree is known by its fruit. 012:034 O vipers' brood, how can you speak what is good when you are evil? For it is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth speaks. 012:035 A good man from his good store produces good things, and a bad man from his bad store produces bad things. 012:036 But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak they will be held accountable on the day of Judgement. 012:037 For each of you by his words shall be justified, or by his words shall be condemned." 012:038 Then He was accosted by some of the Scribes and of the Pharisees who said, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign given by you." 012:039 "Wicked and faithless generation!" He replied, "they clamour for a sign, but none shall be given to them except the sign of the Prophet Jonah. 012:040 For just as Jonah was three days in the sea-monster's belly, so will the Son of Man be three days in the heart of the earth. 012:041 There will stand up men of Nineveh at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and mark! there is One greater than Jonah here. 012:042 The Queen of the south will awake at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and mark! there is One greater than Solomon here. 012:043 "No sooner however has the foul spirit gone out of the man, then he roams about in places where there is no water, seeking rest but finding none. 012:044 Then he says, `I will return to my house that I left;' and he comes and finds it unoccupied, swept clean, and in good order. 012:045 Then he goes and brings back with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they come in and dwell there; and in the end that man's condition becomes worse than it was at first. So will it be also with the present wicked generation." 012:046 While He was still addressing the people His mother and His brothers were standing on the edge of the crowd desiring to speak to Him. 012:047 So some one told Him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and desire to speak to you." 012:048 "Who is my mother?" He said to the man; "and who are my brothers?" 012:049 And pointing to His disciples He added, "See here are my mother and my brothers. 012:050 To obey my Father who is in Heaven--that is to be my brother and my sister and my mother." 013:001 That same day Jesus had left the house and was sitting on the shore of the Lake, 013:002 when a vast multitude of people crowded round Him. He therefore went on board a boat and sat there, while all the people stood on the shore. 013:003 He then spoke many things to them in figurative language. "The sower goes out," He said, "to sow. 013:004 As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. 013:005 Some falls on rocky ground, where it has but scanty soil. It quickly shows itself above ground, because it has no depth of earth; 013:006 but when the sun is risen, it is scorched by the heat, and through having no root it withers up. 013:007 Some falls among the thorns; but the thorns spring up and stifle it. 013:008 But a portion falls upon good ground, and gives a return, some a hundred for one, some sixty, some thirty. 013:009 Listen, every one who has ears!" 013:010 (And His disciples came and asked Him, "Why do you speak to them in figurative language?" 013:011 "Because," He replied, "while to you it is granted to know the secrets of the Kingdom of the Heavens, to them it is not. 013:012 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away. 013:013 I speak to them in figurative language for this reason, that while looking they do not see, and while hearing they neither hear nor understand. 013:014 And in regard to them the prophecy of Isaiah is receiving signal fulfilment: "`You will hear and hear and by no means understand, and you will look and look and by no means see. 013:015 For this people's mind is stupefied, their hearing has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears, or understanding with their minds, and turning back, so that I might heal them.' 013:016 "But as for you, blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 013:017 For I solemnly tell you that many Prophets and holy men have longed to see the sights you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the words you hear, and have not heard them. 013:018 "To you then I will explain the parable of the Sower. 013:019 When a man hears the Message concerning the Kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil one comes and catches away what has been sown in his heart. This is he who has received the seed by the road-side. 013:020 He who has received the seed on the rocky ground is the man who hears the Message and immediately receives it with joy. 013:021 It has struck no root, however, within him. He continues for a time, but when suffering comes, or persecution, because of the Message, he at once stumbles and falls. 013:022 He who has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears the Message, but the cares of the present age and the delusions of riches quite stifle the Message, and it becomes unfruitful. 013:023 But he who has received the seed on good ground is he who hears and understands. Such hearers give a return, and yield one a hundred for one, another sixty, another thirty.") 013:024 Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "may be compared to a man who has sown good seed in his field, 013:025 but during the night his enemy comes, and over the first seed he sows darnel among the wheat, and goes away. 013:026 But when the blade shoots up and the grain is formed, then appears the darnel also. 013:027 "So the farmer's men come and ask him, "`Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed on your land? Where then does the darnel come from?' 013:028 "`Some enemy has done this,' he said. "`Shall we go, and collect it?' the men inquire. 013:029 "`No,' he replied, `for fear that while collecting the darnel you should at the same time root up the wheat with it. 013:030 Leave both to grow together until the harvest, and at harvest-time I will direct the reapers, Collect the darnel first, and make it up into bundles to burn it, but bring all the wheat into my barn.'" 013:031 Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "is like a mustard-seed, which a man takes and sows in his ground. 013:032 It is the smallest of all seeds, and yet when full-grown it is larger than any herb and forms a tree, so that the birds come and build in its branches." 013:033 Another parable He spoke to them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "is like yeast which a woman takes and buries in a bushel of flour, for it to work there till the whole mass has risen." 013:034 All this Jesus spoke to the people in figurative language, and except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them, 013:035 in fulfilment of the saying of the Prophet, "I will open my mouth in figurative language, I will utter things kept hidden since the creation of all things." 013:036 When He had dismissed the people and had returned to the house, His disciples came to Him with the request, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel sown in the field." 013:037 "The sower of the good seed," He replied, "is the Son of Man; 013:038 the field is the world; the good seed--these are the sons of the Kingdom; the darnel, the sons of the Evil one. 013:039 The enemy who sows the darnel is *the Devil*; the harvest is the Close of the Age; the reapers are the angels. 013:040 As then the darnel is collected together and burnt up with fire, so will it be at the Close of the Age. 013:041 The Son of Man will commission His angels, and they will gather out of His Kingdom all causes of sin and all who violate His laws; 013:042 and these they will throw into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth. 013:043 Then will the righteous shine out like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Listen, every one who has ears! 013:044 "The Kingdom of the Heavens is like treasure buried in the open country, which a man finds, but buries again, and, in his joy about it, goes and sells all he has and buys that piece of ground. 013:045 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a jewel merchant who is in quest of choice pearls. 013:046 He finds one most costly pearl; he goes away; and though it costs all he has, he buys it. 013:047 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a draw-net let down into the sea, which encloses fish of all sorts. 013:048 When full, they haul it up on the beach, and sit down and collect the good fish in baskets, while the worthless they throw away. 013:049 So will it be at the Close of the Age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 013:050 and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth." 013:051 "Have you understood all this?" He asked. "Yes," they said. 013:052 "Therefore," He said, "remember that every Scribe well trained for the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a householder who brings out of his storehouse new things and old." 013:053 Jesus concluded this series of parables and then departed. 013:054 And He came into His own country and proceeded to teach in their synagogue, so that they were filled with astonishment and exclaimed, "Where did he obtain such wisdom, and these wondrous powers? 013:055 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judah? 013:056 And his sisters--are they not all living here among us? Where then did he get all this?" 013:057 So they turned angrily away from Him. But Jesus said to them, "There is no prophet left without honour except in his own country and among his own family." 013:058 And He performed but few mighty deeds there because of their want of faith. 014:001 About that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 014:002 and he said to his courtiers, "This is John the Baptist: he has come back to life--and that is why these miraculous Powers are working in him." 014:003 For Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip's wife, 014:004 because John had persistently said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 014:005 And he would have liked to put him to death, but was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a Prophet. 014:006 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before all the company, and so pleased Herod 014:007 that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she asked. 014:008 So she, instigated by her mother, said, "Give me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist." 014:009 The king was deeply vexed, yet because of his repeated oath and of the guests at his table he ordered it to be given her, 014:010 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. 014:011 The head was brought on a dish and given to the young girl, and she took it to her mother. 014:012 Then John's disciples went and removed the body and buried it, and came and informed Jesus. 014:013 Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat to an uninhabited and secluded district; but the people heard of it and followed Him in crowds from the towns by land. 014:014 So Jesus went out and saw an immense multitude, and felt compassion for them, and cured those of them who were out of health. 014:015 But when evening was come, the disciples came to Him and said, "This is an uninhabited place, and the best of the day is now gone; send the people away to go into the villages and buy something to eat." 014:016 "They need not go away," replied Jesus; "you yourselves must give them something to eat." 014:017 "We have nothing here," they said, "but five loaves and a couple of fish." 014:018 "Bring them here to me," He said, 014:019 and He told all the people to sit down on the grass. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and after looking up to heaven and blessing them, He broke up the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples distributed them to the people. 014:020 So all ate, and were fully satisfied. The broken portions that remained over they gathered up, filling twelve baskets. 014:021 Those who had eaten were about 5,000 adult men, without reckoning women and children. 014:022 Immediately afterwards He made the disciples go on board the boat and cross to the opposite shore, leaving Him to dismiss the people. 014:023 When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in solitude. Night came on, and he was there alone. 014:024 Meanwhile the boat was far out on the Lake, buffeted and tossed by the waves, the wind being adverse. 014:025 But towards daybreak He went to them, walking over the waves. 014:026 When the disciples saw Him walking on the waves, they were greatly alarmed. "It is a spirit," they exclaimed, and they cried out with terror. 014:027 But instantly Jesus spoke to them, and said, "There is no danger; it is I; do not be afraid." 014:028 "Master," answered Peter, "if it is you, bid me come to you upon the water." 014:029 "Come," said Jesus. Then Peter climbed down from the boat and walked upon the water to go to Him. 014:030 But when he felt the wind he grew frightened, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Master, save me." 014:031 Instantly Jesus stretched out His hand and caught hold of him, saying to him, "O little faith, why did you doubt?" 014:032 So they climbed into the boat, and the wind lulled; 014:033 and the men on board fell down before him and said, "You are indeed God's Son." 014:034 When they had quite crossed over, they put ashore at Gennesaret; 014:035 and the men of the place, recognizing Him, sent word into all the country round. So they brought all the sick to Him, 014:036 and they entreated Him that they might but touch the tassel of His outer garment; and all who did so were restored to perfect health. 015:001 Then there came to Jesus a party of Pharisees and Scribes from Jerusalem, who inquired, 015:002 "Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders by not washing their hands before meals?" 015:003 "Why do you, too," He retorted, "transgress God's commands for the sake of your tradition? 015:004 For God said, `Honour thy father and thy mother'; and `Let him who reviles father or mother be certainly put to death'; 015:005 but you--this is what you say: `If a man says to his father or mother, That is consecrated, whatever it is, which otherwise you should have received from me-- 015:006 he shall be absolved from honouring his father'; and so you have abrogated God's Word for the sake of your tradition. 015:007 Hypocrites! well did Isaiah prophesy of you, 015:008 "`This is a People who honour Me with their lips, while their heart is far away from Me; 015:009 but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'" 015:010 Then, when He had called the people to Him, Jesus said, "Hear and understand. 015:011 It is not what goes into a man's mouth that defiles him; but it is what comes out of his mouth--that* defiles a man." 015:012 Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were greatly shocked when they heard those words?" 015:013 "Every plant," He replied, "which my Heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 015:014 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind; and if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into some pit." 015:015 "Explain to us this figurative language," said Peter. 015:016 "Are even you," He answered, "still without intellingence? 015:017 Do you not understand that whatever enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is afterwards ejected from the body? 015:018 But the things that come out of the mouth proceed from the heart, and it is these that defile the man. 015:019 For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech. 015:020 These are the things which defile the man; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile." 015:021 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew into the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon. 015:022 Here a Canaanitish woman of the district came out and persistently cried out, "Sir, Son of David, pity me; my daughter is cruelly harassed by a demon." 015:023 But He answered her not a word. Then the disciples interposed, and begged Him, saying, "Send her away because she keeps crying behind us." 015:024 "I have only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel," He replied. 015:025 Then she came and threw herself at His feet and entreated Him. "O Sir, help me," she said. 015:026 "It is not right," He said, "to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 015:027 "Be it so, Sir," she said, "for even the dogs eat the scraps which fall from their masters' tables." 015:028 "O woman," replied Jesus, "great is your faith: be it done to you as you desire." And from that moment her daughter was restored to health. 015:029 Again, moving thence, Jesus went along by the Lake of Galilee; and ascending the hill, He sat down there. 015:030 Soon great crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were crippled in feet or hands, blind or dumb, and many besides, and they hastened to lay them at His feet. And He cured them, 015:031 so that the people were amazed to see the dumb speaking, the maimed with their hands perfect, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they gave the glory to the God of Israel. 015:032 But Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "My heart yearns over this mass of people, for it is now the third day that they have been with me and they have nothing to eat. I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they should faint on the road." 015:033 "Where can we," asked the disciples, "get bread enough in this remote place to satisfy so vast a multitude?" 015:034 "How many loaves have you?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they said, "and a few small fish." 015:035 So He bade all the people sit down on the ground, 015:036 and He took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks He broke them up and then distributed them to the disciples, and they to the people. 015:037 And they all ate and were satisfied. The broken portions that remained over they took up--seven full hampers. 015:038 Those who ate were 4,000 adult men, without reckoning women and children. 015:039 He then dismissed the people, went on board the boat, and came into the district of Magadan. 016:001 Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him; and, to make trial of Him, they asked Him to show them a sign in the sky. 016:002 He replied, "In the evening you say, `It will be fine weather, for the sky is red;' 016:003 and in the morning, `It will be rough weather to-day, for the sky is red and murky.' You learn how to distinguish the aspect of the heavens, but the signs of the times you cannot. 016:004 A wicked and faithless generation are eager for a sign; but none shall be given to them except the sign of Jonah." and He left them and went away. 016:005 When the disciples arrived at the other side of the Lake, they found that they had forgotten to bring any bread; 016:006 and when Jesus said to them, "See to it: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees," 016:007 they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have not brought any bread." 016:008 Jesus perceived this and said, "Why are you reasoning among yourselves, you men of little faith, because you have no bread? 016:009 Do you not yet understand? nor even remember the 5,000 and the five loaves, and how many basketfuls you carried away, 016:010 nor the 4,000 and the seven loaves, and how many hampers you carried away? 016:011 How is it you do not understand that it was not about bread that I spoke to you? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 016:012 Then they perceived that He had not warned them against bread-yeast, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 016:013 When He arrived in the neighbourhood of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus questioned His disciples. "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" He asked. 016:014 "Some say John the Baptist," they replied; "others Elijah; others Jeremiah or one of the Prophets." 016:015 "But you, who do you say that I am?" He asked again. 016:016 "You," replied Simon Peter, "are the Christ, the Son of the ever-living God." 016:017 "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jonah," said Jesus; "for mere human nature has not revealed this to you, but my Father in Heaven. 016:018 And I declare to you that you are Peter, and that upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the might of Hades shall not triumph over it. 016:019 I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of the Heavens; and whatever you bind on earth shall remain bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall remain loosed in Heaven." 016:020 Then He urged His disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ. 016:021 From this time Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer much cruelty from the Elders and the High Priests and the Scribes, and be put to death, and on the third day be raised to life again. 016:022 Then Peter took Him aside and began taking Him to task. "Master," he said, "God forbid; this will not be your lot." 016:023 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Adversary; you are a hindrance to me, because your thoughts are not God's thoughts, but men's." 016:024 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If any one desires to follow me, let him renounce self and take up his cross, and so be my follower. 016:025 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it. 016:026 Why, what benefit will it be to a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give to buy back his life? 016:027 For the Son of Man is soon to come in the glory of the Father with His angels, and then will He requite every man according to his actions. 016:028 I solemnly tell you that some of those who are standing here will certainly not taste death till they have seen the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom." 017:001 Six day later, Jesus took with Him Peter and the brothers James and John, and brought them up a high mountain to a solitary place. 017:002 There in their presence His form underwent a change; His face shone like the sun, and His raiment became as white as the light. 017:003 And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them conversing with Him. 017:004 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Master, we are thankful to you that we are here. If you approve, I will put up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 017:005 He was still speaking when a luminous cloud spread over them; and a voice was heard from within the cloud, which said, "This is My Son dearly beloved, in whom is My delight. Listen to Him." 017:006 On hearing this voice, the disciples fell on their faces and were filled with terror. 017:007 But Jesus came and touched them, and said, "Rouse yourselves and have no fear." 017:008 So they looked up, and saw no one but Jesus. 017:009 As they were descending the mountain, Jesus laid a command upon them. "Tell no one," He said, "of the sight you have seen till the Son of Man has risen from among the dead." 017:010 "Why then," asked the disciples, "do the Scribes say that Elijah must first come?" 017:011 "Elijah was indeed to come," He replied, "and would reform everything. 017:012 But I tell you that he has already come, and they did not recognize him, but dealt with him as they chose. And before long the Son of Man will be treated by them in a similar way." 017:013 Then it dawned upon the disciples that it was John the Baptist about whom He had spoken to them. 017:014 When they had returned to the people, there came to Him a man who fell on his knees before Him and besought Him. 017:015 "Sir," he said, "have pity on my son, for he is an epileptic and is very ill. Often he falls into the fire and often into the water. 017:016 I have brought him to your disciples, and they have not been able to cure him." 017:017 "O unbelieving and perverse generation!" replied Jesus; "how long shall I be with you? how long shall I endure you? Bring him to me." 017:018 Then Jesus reprimanded the demon, and it came out and left him; and the boy was cured from that moment. 017:019 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked Him, "Why could not we expel the demon?" 017:020 "Because your faith is so small," He replied; "for I solemnly declare to you that if you have faith like a mustard-seed, you shall say to this mountain, `Remove from this place to that,' and it will remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you. 017:021 But an evil spirit of this kind is only driven out by prayer and fasting." 017:022 As they were travelling about in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men; 017:023 they will put Him to death, but on the third day He will be raised to life again." And they were exceedingly distressed. 017:024 After their arrival at Capernaum the collectors of the half-shekel came and asked Peter, "Does not your Teacher pay the half-shekel?" 017:025 "Yes," he replied, and then went into the house. But before he spoke a word Jesus said, "What think you, Simon? From whom do this world's kings receive customs or capitation tax? from their own children, or from others?" 017:026 "From others," he replied. "Then the children go free," said Jesus. 017:027 "However, lest we cause them to sin, go and throw a hook into the Lake, and take the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth, you will find a shekel in it: bring that coin and give it to them for yourself and me." 018:001 Just then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who ranks higher than others in the Kingdom of the Heavens?" 018:002 So He called a young child to Him, and, bidding him stand in the midst of them, 018:003 said, "In solemn truth I tell you that unless you turn and become like little children, you will in no case be admitted into the Kingdom of the Heavens. 018:004 Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this young child, he it is who is superior to others in the Kingdom of the Heavens. 018:005 And whoever for my sake receives one young child such as this, receives me. 018:006 But whoever shall occasion the fall of one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung round his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 018:007 "Alas for the world because of causes of falling! They cannot but come, but alas for each man through whom they come! 018:008 If your hand or your foot is causing you to fall into sin, cut it off and away with it. It is better for you to enter into Life crippled in hand or foot than to remain in possession of two sound hands or feet but be thrown into the fire of the Ages. 018:009 And if your eye is causing you to fall into sin, tear it out and away with it; it is better for you to enter into Life with only one eye, than to remain in possession of two eyes but be thrown into the Gehenna of fire. 018:010 "Beware of ever despising one of these little ones, for I tell you that in Heaven their angels have continual access to my Father who is in Heaven. 018:011 [] 018:012 What do you yourselves think? Suppose a man gets a hundred sheep and one of them strays away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go and look for the one that is straying? 018:013 And if he succeeds in finding it, in solemn truth I tell you that he rejoices over it more than he does over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. 018:014 Just so it is not the will of your Father in Heaven that one of these little ones should be lost. 018:015 "If your brother acts wrongly towards you, go and point out his fault to him when only you and he are there. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 018:016 But if he will not listen to you, go again, and ask one or two to go with you, that every word spoken may be attested by two or three witnesses. 018:017 If he refuses to hear them, appeal to the Church; and if he refuses to hear even the Church, regard him just as you regard a Gentile or a tax-gatherer. 018:018 I solemnly tell you that whatever you as a Church bind on earth will in Heaven be held as bound, and whatever you loose on earth will in Heaven be held to be loosed. 018:019 I also solemnly tell you that if two of you here on earth agree together concerning anything whatever that they shall ask, the boon will come to them from my Father who is in Heaven. 018:020 For where there are two or three assembled in my name, there am I in the midst of them." 018:021 At this point Peter came to Him with the question, "Master, how often shall my brother act wrongly towards me and I forgive him? seven times?" 018:022 "I do not say seven times," answered Jesus, "but seventy times seven times. 018:023 "For this reason the Kingdom of the Heavens may be compared to a king who determined to have a settlement of accounts with his servants. 018:024 But as soon as he began the settlement, one was brought before him who owed 10,000 talents, 018:025 and was unable to pay. So his master ordered that he and his wife and children and everything that he had should be sold, and payment be made. 018:026 The servant therefore falling down, prostrated himself at his feet and entreated him. "`Only give me time,' he said, `and I will pay you the whole.' 018:027 "Whereupon his master, touched with compassion, set him free and forgave him the debt. 018:028 But no sooner had that servant gone out, than he met with one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 shillings; and seizing him by the throat and nearly strangling him he exclaimed, "`Pay me all you owe.' 018:029 "His fellow servant therefore fell at his feet and entreated him, "`Only give me time,' he said, `and I will pay you.' 018:030 "He would not, however, but went and threw him into prison until he should pay what was due. 018:031 His fellow servants, therefore, seeing what had happened, were exceedingly angry; and they came and told their master without reserve all that had happened. 018:032 At once his master called him and said, "`Wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you entreated me: 018:033 ought not you also to have had pity on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 018:034 "So his master, greatly incensed, handed him over to the jailers until he should pay all he owed him. 018:035 "In the same way my Heavenly Father will deal with you, if you do not all of you forgive one another from your hearts." 019:001 When Jesus had finished these discourses, He removed from Galilee and came into that part of Judaea which lay beyond the Jordan. 019:002 And a vast multitude followed him, and He cured them there. 019:003 Then came some of the Pharisees to Him to put Him to the proof by the question, "Has a man a right to divorce his wife whenever he chooses?" 019:004 "Have you not read," He replied, "that He who made them `made them' from the beginning `male and female, 019:005 and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall be one'? 019:006 Thus they are no longer two, but `one'! What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." 019:007 "Why then," said they, "did Moses command the husband to give her `a written notice of divorce,' and so put her away?" 019:008 "Moses," He replied, "in consideration of the hardness of your nature permitted you to put away your wives, but it has not been so from the beginning. 019:009 And I tell you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except her unfaithfulness, and marries another woman, commits adultery." 019:010 "If this is the case with a man in relation to his wife," said the disciples to Him, "it is better not to marry." 019:011 "It is not every man," He replied, "who can receive this teaching, but only those on whom the grace has been bestowed. 019:012 There are men who from their birth have been disabled from marriage, others who have been so disabled by men, and others who have disabled themselves for the sake of the Kingdom of the Heavens. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it." 019:013 Then young children were brought to Him for Him to put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples interfered. 019:014 Jesus however said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike that the Kingdom of the Heavens belongs." 019:015 So He laid His hands upon them and went away. 019:016 "Teacher," said one man, coming up to Him, "what that is good shall I do in order to win the Life of the Ages?" 019:017 "Why do you ask me," He replied, "about what is good? There is only One who is truly good. But if you desire to enter into Life, keep the Commandments." 019:018 "Which Commandments?" he asked. Jesus answered, "`Thou shalt not kill;' `Thou shalt not commit adultery;' `Thou shalt not steal;' `Thou shalt not lie in giving evidence;' 019:019 `Honour thy father and thy mother'; and `Thou shalt love thy fellow man as much as thyself.'" 019:020 "All of these," said the young man, "I have carefully kept. What do I still lack?" 019:021 "If you desire to be perfect," replied Jesus, "go and sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and come, follow me." 019:022 On hearing those words the young man went away much cast down; for he had much property. 019:023 So Jesus said to His disciples, "I solemnly tell you that it is with difficulty that a rich man will enter the Kingdom of the Heavens. 019:024 Yes, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." 019:025 These words utterly amazed the disciples, and they asked, "Who then can be saved?" 019:026 Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God everything is possible." 019:027 Then Peter said to Jesus, "See, *we* have forsaken everything and followed you; what then will be *our* reward?" 019:028 "I solemnly tell you," replied Jesus, "that in the New Creation, when the Son of Man has taken His seat on His glorious throne, all of you who have followed me shall also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 019:029 And whoever has forsaken houses, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children or lands, for my sake, shall receive many times as much and shall have as his inheritance the Life of the Ages. 019:030 "But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first. 020:001 "For the Kingdom of the Heavens is like an employer who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard, 020:002 and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a day, sent them into his vineyard. 020:003 About nine o'clock he went out and saw others loitering in the market-place. 020:004 To these also he said, "`You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' 020:005 "So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o'clock, he went out and did the same. 020:006 And going out about five o'clock he found others loitering, and he asked them, "`Why have you been standing here all day long, doing nothing?' 020:007 "`Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "`You also, go into the vineyard,' he said. 020:008 "When evening came, the master said to his steward, "`Call the men and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and finish with the first.' 020:009 "When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they received a shilling apiece; 020:010 and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they also each got the shilling. 020:011 So when they had received it, they grumbled against the employer, saying, 020:012 "`These who came last have done only one hour's work, and you have put them on a level with us who have worked the whole day and have borne the scorching heat.' 020:013 "`My friend,' he answered to one of them, `I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling? 020:014 Take your money and go. I choose to give this last comer just as much as I give you. 020:015 Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own property? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 020:016 "So the last shall be first, and the first last." 020:017 Jesus was now going up to Jerusalem, and He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, 020:018 "We are going up to Jerusalem, and there the Son of Man will be betrayed to the High Priests and Scribes. They will condemn Him to death, 020:019 and hand Him over to the Gentiles to be made sport of and scourged and crucified; and on the third day He will be raised to life." 020:020 Then the mother of the sons of Zabdi came to Him with her sons, and knelt before Him to make a request of Him. 020:021 "What is it you desire?" He asked. "Command," she replied, "that these my two sons may sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your Kingdom." 020:022 "None of you know what you are asking for," said Jesus; "can you drink out of the cup from which I am about to drink?" "We can," they replied. 020:023 "You shall drink out of my cup," He said, "but a seat at my right hand or at my left it is not for me to allot, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 020:024 The other ten heard of this, and their indignation was aroused against the two brothers. 020:025 But Jesus called them to Him, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 020:026 Not so shall it be among you; but whoever desires to be great among you shall be your servant, 020:027 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant; 020:028 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as the redemption-price for many." 020:029 As they were leaving Jericho, an immense crowd following Him, 020:030 two blind men sitting by the roadside heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, and cried aloud, "Sir, Son of David, pity us." 020:031 The people angrily tried to silence them, but they cried all the louder. "O Sir, Son of David, pity us," they said. 020:032 So Jesus stood still and called to them. "What shall I do for you?" He asked. 020:033 "Sir, let our eyes be opened," they replied. 020:034 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him. 021:001 When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front, 021:002 saying to them, "Go to the village you see facing you, and as you enter it you will find a she-ass tied up and a foal with her. Untie her and bring them to me. 021:003 And if any one says anything to you, say, `The Master needs them,' and he will at once send them." 021:004 This took place in order that the Prophet's prediction might be fulfilled: 021:005 "Tell the Daughter of Zion, `See, thy King is coming to thee, gentle, and yet mounted on an ass, even on a colt the foal of a beast of burden.'" 021:006 So the disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them: 021:007 they brought the she-ass and the foal, and threw their outer garments on them. So He sat on them; 021:008 and most of the crowd kept spreading their garments along the road, while others cut branches from the trees and carpeted the road with them, 021:009 and the multitudes--some of the people preceding Him and some following--sang aloud, "God save the Son of David! Blessings on Him who comes in the Lord's name! God in the highest Heavens save Him!" 021:010 When He thus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was thrown into commotion, every one inquiring, "Who is this?" 021:011 "This is Jesus, the Prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee," replied the crowds. 021:012 Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were buying and selling there, and overturned the money-changers' tables and the seats of the pigeon-dealers. 021:013 "It is written," He said, "`My House shall be called the House of Prayer', but you are making it a robbers' cave." 021:014 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the Temple, and He cured them. 021:015 But when the High Priests and the Scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done and the children who were crying aloud in the Temple, "God save the Son of David," they were filled with indignation. 021:016 "Do you hear," they asked Him, "what these children are saying?" "Yes," He replied; "have you never read, `Out of the mouths of infants and of babes at the breast Thou hast brought forth the praise which is due'?" 021:017 So He left them and went out of the city to Bethany and passed the night there. 021:018 Early in the morning as He was on His way to return to the city He was hungry, 021:019 and seeing a fig-tree on the road-side He went up to it, but found nothing on it but leaves. "On you," He said, "no fruit shall ever again grow." And immediately the fig-tree withered away. 021:020 When the disciples saw it they exclaimed in astonishment, "How instantaneously the fig-tree has withered away!" 021:021 "I solemnly tell you," said Jesus, "that if you have an unwavering faith, you shall not only perform such a miracle as this of the fig-tree, but that even if you say to this mountain, `Be thou lifted up and hurled into the sea,' it shall be done; 021:022 and everything, whatever it be, that you ask for in your prayers, if you have faith, you shall obtain." 021:023 He entered the Temple; and while He was teaching, the High Priests and the Elders of the people came to Him and asked Him, "By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you this authority?" 021:024 "And I also have a question to ask *you*," replied Jesus, "and if you answer me, I in turn will tell you by what authority I do these things. 021:025 John's Baptism, whence was it?--had it a heavenly or a human origin?" So they debated the matter among themselves. "If we say `a heavenly origin,'" they argued, "he will say, `Why then did you not believe him?' 021:026 and if we say `a human origin' we have the people to fear, for they all hold John to have been a Prophet." 021:027 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," He replied, "by what authority I do these things." 021:028 "But give me your judgement. There was a man who had two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "`My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.' 021:029 "`I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry, and went. 021:030 He came to the second and spoke in the same manner. His answer was, "`I will go, Sir.' "But he did not go. 021:031 Which of the two did as his father desired?" "The first," they said. "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you. 021:032 For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him. 021:033 "Listen to another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, made a fence round it, dug a wine-tank in it, and built a strong lodge; then let the place to vine-dressers, and went abroad. 021:034 When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes; 021:035 but the vine-dressers seized the servants, and one they cruelly beat, one they killed, one they pelted with stones. 021:036 Again he sent another party of servants more numerous than the first; and these they treated in the same manner. 021:037 Later still he sent to them his son, saying, "`They will respect my son.' 021:038 "But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one another, "`Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' 021:039 "So they seized him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 021:040 When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?" 021:041 "He will put the wretches to a wretched death," was the reply, "and will entrust the vineyard to other vine-dressers who will render the produce to him at the vintage season." 021:042 "Have you never read in the Scriptures," said Jesus, "`The Stone which the builders rejected has been made the Cornerstone: this Cornerstone came from the Lord, and is wonderful in our eyes'? 021:043 "That, I tell you, is the reason why the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and given to a nation that will exhibit the power of it. 021:044 He who falls on this stone will be severely hurt; but he on whom it falls will be utterly crushed." 021:045 After listening to His parables the High Priests and the Pharisees perceived that He was speaking about them; 021:046 but though they were eager to lay hands upon Him, they were afraid of the people, for by them He was regarded as a Prophet. 022:001 Again Jesus spoke to them in figurative language. 022:002 "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "may be compared to a king who celebrated the marriage of his son, 022:003 and sent his servants to call the invited guests to the wedding, but they were unwilling to come. 022:004 "Again he sent other servants with a message to those who were invited. "`My breakfast is now ready," he said, `my bullocks and fat cattle are killed, and every preparation is made: come to the wedding.' 022:005 "They however gave no heed, but went, one to his home in the country, another to his business; 022:006 and the rest seized the king's servants, maltreated them, and murdered them. 022:007 So the king's anger was stirred, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burnt their city. 022:008 Then he said to his servants, "`The wedding banquet is ready, but those who were invited were unworthy of it. 022:009 Go out therefore to the crossroads, and everybody you meet invite to the wedding.' 022:010 "So they went out into the roads and gathered together all they could find, both bad and good, and the banqueting hall was filled with guests. 022:011 "Now the king came in to see the guests; and among them he discovered one who was not wearing a wedding-robe. 022:012 "`My friend,' he said, `how is it that you came in here without a wedding robe?' 022:013 "The man stood speechless. Then the king said to the servants, "`Bind him hand and foot and fling him into the darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth.' 022:014 "For there are many called, but few chosen." 022:015 Then the Pharisees went and consulted together how they might entrap Him in His conversation. 022:016 So they sent to Him their disciples together with the Herodians; who said, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and that you faithfully teach God's truth; and that no fear of man misleads you, for you are not biased by men's wealth or rank. 022:017 Give us your judgement therefore: is it allowable for us to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" 022:018 Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, "Why are you hypocrites trying to ensnare me? 022:019 Show me the tribute coin." And they brought Him a shilling. 022:020 "Whose likeness and inscription," He asked, "is this?" 022:021 "Caesar's," they replied. "Pay therefore," He rejoined, "what is Caesar's to Caesar; and what is God's to God." 022:022 They heard this, and were astonished; then left Him, and went their way. 022:023 On the same day a party of Sadducees came to Him, contending that there is no resurrection. And they put this case to Him. 022:024 "Teacher," they said, "Moses enjoined, `If a man die childless, his brother shall marry his widow, and raise up a family for him.' 022:025 Now we had among us seven brothers. The eldest of them married, but died childless, leaving his wife to his brother. 022:026 So also did the second and the third, down to the seventh, 022:027 till the woman also died, after surviving them all. 022:028 At the Resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? for they all married her." 022:029 The reply of Jesus was, "You are in error, through ignorance of the Scriptures and of the power of God. 022:030 For in the Resurrection, men neither marry nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in Heaven. 022:031 But as to the Resurrection of the dead, have you never read what God says to you, 022:032 `I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of dead, but of living men." 022:033 All the crowd heard this, and were filled with amazement at His teaching. 022:034 Now the Pharisees came up when they heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, 022:035 and one of them, an expounder of the Law, asked Him as a test question, 022:036 "Teacher, which is the greatest Commandment in the Law?" 022:037 "`Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,'" He answered, "`with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, thy whole mind.' 022:038 This is the greatest and foremost Commandment. 022:039 And the second is similar to it: `Thou shalt love thy fellow man as much as thyself.' 022:040 The whole of the Law and the Prophets is summed up in these two Commandments." 022:041 While the Pharisees were still assembled there, Jesus put a question to them. 022:042 "What think you about the Christ," He said, "whose son is He?" "David's," they replied. 022:043 "How then," He asked, "does David, taught by the Spirit, call Him Lord, when he says, 022:044 "`The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand until I have put thy foes beneath thy feet'? 022:045 "If therefore David calls Him Lord, how can He be his son?" 022:046 No one could say a word in reply, nor from that day did any one venture again to put a question to Him. 023:001 Then Jesus addressed the crowds and His disciples. 023:002 "The Scribes," He said, "and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses. 023:003 Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do, they do not do it themselves. 023:004 Heavy and cumbrous burdens they bind together and load men's shoulders with them, while as for themselves, not with one finger do they choose to lift them. 023:005 And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large, 023:006 and love the best seats at a dinner party or in the synagogues, 023:007 and like to be bowed to in places of public resort, and to be addressed by men as `Rabbi.' 023:008 "As for you, do not accept the title of `Rabbi,' for one alone is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 023:009 And call no one on earth your Father, for One alone is your Father-- the Heavenly Father. 023:010 And do not accept the name of `leader,' for your Leader is one alone--the Christ. 023:011 He who is the greatest among you shall be your servant; 023:012 and one who exalts himself shall be abased, while one who abases himself shall be exalted. 023:013 "But alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you lock the door of the Kingdom of the Heavens against men; you yourselves do not enter, nor do you allow those to enter who are seeking to do so. 023:014 [] 023:015 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you scour sea and land in order to win one convert--and when he is gained, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves. 023:016 "Alas for you, you blind guides, who say, "`Whoever swears by the Sanctuary it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the Sanctuary, is bound by the oath.' 023:017 "Blind fools! Why, which is greater?--the gold, or the Sanctuary which has made the gold holy? 023:018 And you say, "`Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the offering lying on it is bound by the oath.' 023:019 "You are blind! Why, which is greater?--the offering, or the altar which makes the offering holy? 023:020 He who swears by the altar swears both by it and by everything on it; 023:021 he who swears by the Sanctuary swears both by it and by Him who dwells in it; 023:022 and he who swears by Heaven swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it. 023:023 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you pay the tithe on mint, dill, and cumin, while you have neglected the weightier requirements of the Law--just judgement, mercy, and faithful dealing. These things you ought to have done, and yet you ought not to have left the others undone. 023:024 You blind guides, straining out the gnat while you gulp down the camel! 023:025 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you wash clean the outside of the cup or dish, while within they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 023:026 Blind Pharisee, first wash clean the inside of the cup or dish, and then the outside will be clean also. 023:027 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are just like whitewashed sepulchres, the outside of which pleases the eye, though inside they are full of dead men's bones and of all that is unclean. 023:028 The same is true of you: outwardly you seem to the human eye to be good and honest men, but, within, you are full of insincerity and disregard of God's Law. 023:029 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you repair the sepulchres of the Prophets and keep in order the tombs of the righteous, 023:030 and your boast is, "`If we had lived in the time of our forefathers, we should not have been implicated with them in the murder of the Prophets.' 023:031 "So that you bear witness against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the Prophets. 023:032 Fill up the measure of your forefathers' guilt. 023:033 O serpents, O vipers' brood, how are you to escape condemnation to Gehenna? 023:034 "For this reason I am sending to you Prophets and wise men and Scribes. Some of them you will put to death--nay, crucify; some of them you will flog in your synagogues and chase from town to town; 023:035 that all the innocent blood shed upon earth may come on you, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Berechiah whom you murdered between the Sanctuary and the altar. 023:036 I tell you in solemn truth that all these things will come upon the present generation. 023:037 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! thou who murderest the Prophets and stonest those who have been sent to thee! how often have I desired to gather thy children to me, just as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not come! 023:038 See, your house will now be left to you desolate! 023:039 For I tell you that you will never see me again until you say, `Blessed be He who comes in the name of the Lord.'" 024:001 Jesus had left the Temple and was going on His way, when His disciples came and called His attention to the Temple buildings. 024:002 "You see all these?" He replied; "in solemn truth I tell you that there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be pulled down." 024:003 Afterwards He was on the Mount of Olives and was seated there when the disciples came to Him, apart from the others, and said, "Tell us when this will be; and what will be the sign of your Coming and of the Close of the Age?" 024:004 "Take care that no one misleads you," answered Jesus; 024:005 "for many will come assuming my name and saying `I am the Christ;' and they will mislead many. 024:006 And before long you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. Do not be alarmed, for such things must be; but the End is not yet. 024:007 For nation will rise in arms against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places; 024:008 but all these miseries are but like the early pains of childbirth. 024:009 "At that time they will deliver you up to punishment and will put you to death; and you will be objects of hatred to all the nations because you are called by my name. 024:010 Then will many stumble and fall, and they will betray one another and hate one another. 024:011 Many false prophets will rise up and lead multitudes astray; 024:012 and because of the prevalent disregard of God's law the love of the great majority will grow cold; 024:013 but those who stand firm to the End shall be saved. 024:014 And this Good News of the Kingdom shall be proclaimed throughout the whole world to set the evidence before all the Gentiles; and then the End will come. 024:015 "When you have seen (to use the language of the Prophet Daniel) the `Abomination of Desolation', standing in the Holy Place"-- let the reader observe those words-- 024:016 "then let those who are in Judaea escape to the hills; 024:017 let him who is on the roof not go down to fetch what is in his house; 024:018 nor let him who is outside the city stay to pick up his outer garment. 024:019 And alas for the women who at that time are with child or have infants! 024:020 "But pray that your flight may not be in winter, nor on the Sabbath; 024:021 for it will be a time of great suffering, such as never has been from the beginning of the world till now, and assuredly never will be again. 024:022 And if those days had not been cut short, no one would escape; but for the sake of God's own People those days will be cut short. 024:023 "If at that time any one should say to you, `See, here is the Christ!' or `Here!' give no credence to it. 024:024 For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets, displaying wonderful signs and prodigies, so as to deceive, were it possible, even God's own People. 024:025 Remember, I have forewarned you. 024:026 If therefore they should say to you, `See, He is in the Desert!' do not go out there: or `See, He is indoors in the room!' do not believe it. 024:027 For just as the lightning flashes in the east and is seen to the very west, so will be the Coming of the Son of Man. 024:028 Wherever the dead body is, there will the vultures flock together. 024:029 "But immediately after those times of distress the sun will be darkened, the moon will not shed her light, the stars will fall from the firmament, and the forces which control the heavens will be disordered and disturbed. 024:030 Then will appear the Sign of the Son of Man in the sky; and then will all the nations of the earth lament, when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with great power and glory. 024:031 And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet-blast, and they will bring together His own People to Him from north, south, east and west--from one extremity of the world to the other. 024:032 "Now learn from the fig-tree the lesson it teaches. As soon as its branches have now become soft and it is bursting into leaf, you all know that summer is near. 024:033 So you also, when you see all these signs, may be sure that He is near--at your very door. 024:034 I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly not pass away without all these things having first taken place. 024:035 Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my words will not pass away. 024:036 "But as to that day and the exact time no one knows--not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 024:037 `For as it was in the time of Noah, so it will be at the Coming of the Son of Man. 024:038 At that time, before the Deluge, men were busy eating and drinking, taking wives or giving them, up to the very day when Noah entered the Ark, 024:039 nor did they realise any danger till the Deluge came and swept them all away; so will it be at the Coming of the Son of Man. 024:040 Then will two men be in the open country: one will be taken away, and one left behind. 024:041 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken away, and one left behind. 024:042 Be on the alert therefore, for you do not know the day on which your Lord is coming. 024:043 But of this be assured, that if the master of the house had known the hour at which the robber was coming, he would have kept awake, and not have allowed his house to be broken into. 024:044 Therefore you also must be ready; for it is at a time when you do not expect Him that the Son of Man will come. 024:045 "Who therefore is the loyal and intelligent servant to whom his master has entrusted the control of his household to give them their rations at the appointed time? 024:046 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes shall find so doing! 024:047 In solemn truth I tell you that he will give him the management of all his wealth. 024:048 But if the man, being a bad servant, should say in his heart, `My master is a long time in coming,' 024:049 and should begin to beat his fellow servants, while he eats and drinks with drunkards; 024:050 the master of that servant will arrive on a day when he is not expecting him and at an hour of which he has not been informed; 024:051 he will treat him with the utmost severity and assign him a place among the hypocrites: there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 025:001 "Then will the Kingdom of the Heavens be found to be like ten bridesmaids who took their torches and went out to meet the bridegroom. 025:002 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 025:003 For the foolish, when they took their torches, did not provide themselves with oil; 025:004 but the wise, besides their torches, took oil in their flasks. 025:005 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, so that meanwhile they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 025:006 But at midnight there is a loud cry, "`The bridegroom! Go out and meet him!' 025:007 "Then all those bridesmaids roused themselves and trimmed their torches. 025:008 "`Give us some of your oil,' said the foolish ones to the wise, `for our torches are going out.' 025:009 "`But perhaps,' replied the wise, `there will not be enough for all of us. Go to the shops rather, and buy some for yourselves.' 025:010 "So they went to buy. But meanwhile the bridegroom came; those bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 025:011 "Afterwards the other bridesmaids came and cried, "`Sir, Sir, open the door to us.' 025:012 "`In solemn truth I tell you,' he replied, `I do not know you.' 025:013 "Keep awake therefore; for you know neither the day nor the hour. 025:014 "Why, it is like a man who, when going on his travels, called his bondservants and entrusted his property to their care. 025:015 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one-- to each according to his individual capacity; and then started from home. 025:016 Without delay the one who had received the five talents went and employed them in business, and gained five more. 025:017 In the same way he who had the two gained two more. 025:018 But the man who had received the one went and dug a hole and buried his master's money. 025:019 "After a long lapse of time the master of those servants returned, and had a reckoning with them. 025:020 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, and said, "`Sir, it was five talents that you entrusted to me: see, I have gained five more.' 025:021 "`You have done well, good and trustworthy servant,' replied his master; `you have been trustworthy in the management of a little, I will put you in charge of much: share your master's joy.' 025:022 "The second, who had received the two talents, came and said, "`Sir, it was two talents you entrusted to me: see, I have gained two more.' 025:023 "`Good and trustworthy servant, you have done well,' his master replied; `you have been trustworthy in the management of a little, I will put you in charge of much: share your master's joy.' 025:024 "But, next, the man who had the one talent in his keeping came and said, "`Sir, I knew you to be a severe man, reaping where you had not sown and garnering what you had not winnowed. 025:025 So being afraid I went and buried your talent in the ground: there you have what belongs to you.' 025:026 "`You wicked and slothful servant,' replied his master, `did you know that I reap where I have not sown, and garner what I have not winnowed? 025:027 Your duty then was to deposit my money in some bank, and so when I came I should have got back my property with interest. 025:028 So take away the talent from him, and give it to the man who has the ten.' 025:029 (For to every one who has, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him who has nothing, even what he has shall be taken away.) 025:030 `But as for this worthless servant, put him out into the darkness outside: *there* will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.' 025:031 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then will He sit upon His glorious throne, 025:032 and all the nations will be gathered into His presence. And He will separate them from one another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 025:033 and will make the sheep stand at His right hand, and the goats at His left. 025:034 "Then the King will say to those at His right, "`Come, my Father's blessed ones, receive your inheritance of the Kingdom which has been divinely intended for you ever since the creation of the world. 025:035 For when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was homeless, you gave me a welcome; 025:036 when I was ill-clad, you clothed me; when I was sick, you visited me; when I was in prison, you came to see me.' 025:037 "`When, Lord,' the righteous will reply, `did we see Thee hungry, and feed Thee; or thirsty, and give Thee drink? 025:038 When did we see Thee homeless, and give Thee a welcome? or ill-clad, and clothe Thee? 025:039 When did we see Thee sick or in prison, and come to see Thee?' 025:040 "But the King will answer them, "`In solemn truth I tell you that in so far as you rendered such services to one of the humblest of these my brethren, you rendered them to myself.' 025:041 "Then will He say to those at His left, "`Begone from me, with the curse resting upon you, into the Fire of the Ages, which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels. 025:042 For when I was hungry, you gave me nothing to eat; when thirsty, you gave me nothing to drink; 025:043 when homeless, you gave me no welcome; ill-clad, you clothed me not; sick or in prison, you visited me not.' 025:044 "Then will they also answer, "`Lord, when did we see Thee hungry or thirsty or homeless or ill-clad or sick or in prison, and not come to serve Thee?' 025:045 "But he will reply, "`In solemn truth I tell you that in so far as you withheld such services from one of the humblest of these, you withheld them from me.' 025:046 "And these shall go away into the Punishment of the Ages, but the righteous into the Life of the Ages." 026:001 When Jesus had ended all these discourses, He said to His disciples, 026:002 "You know that in two days' time the Passover comes. And the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." 026:003 Then the High Priests and Elders of the People assembled in the court of the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas, 026:004 and consulted how to get Jesus into their power by stratagem and put Him to death. 026:005 But they said, "Not during the Festival, lest there be a riot among the people." 026:006 Now when Jesus was come to Bethany and was at the house of Simon the Leper, 026:007 a woman came to Him with a jar of very costly, sweet-scented ointment, which she poured over His head as He reclined at table. 026:008 "Why such waste?" indignantly exclaimed the disciples; 026:009 "for this might have been sold for a considerable sum, and the money given to the poor." 026:010 But Jesus heard it, and said to them, "Why are you vexing her? For she has done a most gracious act towards me. 026:011 The poor you always have with you, but me you have not always. 026:012 In pouring this ointment over me, her object was to prepare me for burial. 026:013 In solemn truth I tell you that wherever in the whole world this Good News shall be proclaimed, this deed of hers shall be spoken of in memory of her." 026:014 At that time one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the High Priests 026:015 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I betray him to you?" So they weighed out to him thirty shekels, 026:016 and from that moment he was on the look out for an opportunity to betray Him. 026:017 On the first day of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus with the question, "Where shall we make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 026:018 "Go into the city," He replied, "to a certain man, and tell him, `The Teacher says, My time is close at hand. It is at your house that I shall keep the Passover with my disciples.'" 026:019 The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and got the Passover ready. 026:020 When evening came, He was at table with the twelve disciples, 026:021 and the meal was proceeding, when Jesus said, "In solemn truth I tell you that one of you will betray me." 026:022 Intensely grieved they began one after another to ask Him, "Can it be I, Master?" 026:023 "The one who has dipped his fingers in the bowl with me," He answered, "is the man who will betray me. 026:024 The Son of Man is indeed going as is written concerning Him; but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had been a happy thing for that man if he had never been born." 026:025 Then Judas, the disciple who was betraying Him, asked, "Can it be I, Rabbi?" "It is you," He replied. 026:026 During the meal Jesus took a Passover biscuit, blessed it and broke it. He then gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it: it is my body." 026:027 And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you; 026:028 for this is my blood which is to be poured out for many for the remission of sins--the blood which ratifies the Covenant. 026:029 I tell you that I will never again take the produce of the vine till that day when I shall drink the new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom." 026:030 So they sang the hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. 026:031 Then said Jesus, "This night all of you will stumble and fail in your fidelity to me; for it is written, `I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered in all directions.' 026:032 But after I have risen to life again I will go before you into Galilee." 026:033 "All may stumble and fail," said Peter, "but I never will." 026:034 "In solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that this very night, before the cock crows, you will three times disown me." 026:035 "Even if I must die with you," declared Peter, "I will never disown you." In like manner protested all the disciples. 026:036 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane. And He said to the disciples, "Sit down here, whilst I go yonder and there pray." 026:037 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zabdi. Then He began to be full of anguish and distress, 026:038 and He said to them, "My soul is crushed with anguish to the very point of death; wait here, and keep awake with me." 026:039 Going forward a short distance He fell on His face and prayed. "My Father," He said, "if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou willest." 026:040 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and He said to Peter, "Alas, none of you could keep awake with me for even a single hour! 026:041 Keep awake, and pray that you may not enter into temptation: the spirit is right willing, but the body is frail." 026:042 Again a second time He went away and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is impossible for this cup to pass without my drinking it, Thy will be done." 026:043 He came and again found them asleep, for they were very tired. 026:044 So He left them, and went away once more and prayed a third time, again using the same words. 026:045 Then He came to the disciples and said, "Sleep on and rest. See, the moment is close at hand when the Son of Man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinful men. 026:046 Rouse yourselves. Let us be going. My betrayer is close at hand." 026:047 He had scarcely finished speaking when Judas came-- one of the Twelve--accompanied by a great crowd of men armed with swords and bludgeons, sent by the High Priests and Elders of the People. 026:048 Now the betrayer had agreed upon a sign with them, to direct them. He had said, "The one whom I kiss is the man: lay hold of him." 026:049 So he went straight to Jesus and said, "Peace to you, Rabbi!" And he kissed Him eagerly. 026:050 "Friend," said Jesus, "carry out your intention." Then they came and laid their hands on Jesus and seized Him firmly. 026:051 But one of those with Jesus drew his sword and struck the High Priest's servant, cutting off his ear. 026:052 "Put back your sword again," said Jesus, "for all who draw the sword shall perish by the sword. 026:053 Or do you suppose I cannot entreat my Father and He would instantly send to my help more than twelve legions of angels? 026:054 In that case how are the Scriptures to be fulfilled which declare that thus it must be?" 026:055 Then said Jesus to the crowds, "Have you come out as if to fight with a robber, with swords and bludgeons to apprehend me? Day after day I have been sitting teaching in the Temple, and you did not arrest me. 026:056 But all this has taken place in order that the writings of the Prophets may be fulfilled." At this point the disciples all left Him and fled. 026:057 But the officers who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the High Priest, at whose house the Scribes and the Elders had assembled. 026:058 And Peter kept following Him at a distance, till he came even to the court of the High Priest's palace, where he entered and sat down among the officers to see the issue. 026:059 Meanwhile the High Priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death; 026:060 but they could find none, although many false witnesses came forward. At length there came two 026:061 who testified, "This man said, `I am able to pull down the Sanctuary of God and three days afterwards to build a new one.'" 026:062 Then the High Priest stood up and asked Him, "Have you no answer to make? What is it these men are saying in evidence against you?" 026:063 Jesus however remained silent. Again the High Priest addressed Him. "In the name of the ever-living God," he said, "I now put you on your oath. Tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God." 026:064 "I am He," replied Jesus. "But I tell you that, later on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Omnipotence, and coming on the clouds of the sky." 026:065 Then the High Priest tore his robes and exclaimed, "Impious language! What further need have we of witnesses! See, you have now heard the impiety. 026:066 What is your verdict?" "He deserves to die," they replied. 026:067 Then they spat in His face, and struck Him--some with the fist, some with the open hand-- 026:068 while they taunted Him, saying, "Christ, prove yourself a Prophet by telling us who it was that struck you." 026:069 Peter meanwhile was sitting outside in the court of the palace, when one of the maidservants came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilaean." 026:070 He denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean." 026:071 Soon afterwards he went out and stood in the gateway, when another girl saw him, and said, addressing the people there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene." 026:072 Again he denied it with an oath. "I do not know the man," he said. 026:073 A short time afterwards the people standing there came and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your brogue shows it." 026:074 Then with curses and oaths he declared, "I do not know the man." Immediately a cock crowed, 026:075 and Peter recollected the words of Jesus, how He had said, "Before the cock crows you will three times disown me." And he went out and wept aloud, bitterly. 027:001 When morning came all the High Priests and the Elders of the people consulted together against Jesus to put Him to death; 027:002 and binding Him they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the Governor. 027:003 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He was condemned, smitten with remorse he brought back the thirty shekels to the High Priests and Elders 027:004 and said, "I have sinned, in betraying to death one who is innocent." "What does that matter to us?" they replied; it is your business." 027:005 Flinging the shekels into the Sanctuary he left the place, and went and hanged himself. 027:006 When the High Priests had gathered up the money they said, "It is illegal to put it into the Treasury, because it is the price of blood." 027:007 So after consulting together they spent the money in the purchase of the Potter's Field as a burial place for people not belonging to the city; 027:008 for which reason that piece of ground received the name, which it still bears, of `the Field of Blood.' 027:009 Then were fulfilled the words spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah, "And I took the thirty shekels, the price of the prized one on whom Israelites had set a price, 027:010 and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me." 027:011 Meanwhile Jesus was brought before the Governor, and the latter put the question, "Are you the King of the Jews?" "I am their King," He answered. 027:012 When however the High Priests and the Elders kept bringing their charges against Him, He said not a word in reply. 027:013 "Do you not hear," asked Pilate, "what a mass of evidence they are bringing against you?" 027:014 But He made no reply to a single accusation, so that the Governor was greatly astonished. 027:015 "Now it was the Governor's custom at the Festival to release some one prisoner, whomsoever the populace desired; 027:016 and at this time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 027:017 So when they were now assembled Pilate appealed to them. "Whom shall I release to you," he said, "Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?" 027:018 For he knew that it was from envious hatred that Jesus had been brought before him. 027:019 While he was sitting on the tribunal a message came to him from his wife. "Have nothing to do with that innocent man," she said, "for during the night I have suffered terribly in a dream through him." 027:020 The High Priests, however, and the Elders urged the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to demand the death of Jesus. 027:021 So when the Governor a second time asked them, "Which of the two shall I release to you?"--they cried, "Barabbas!" 027:022 "What then," said Pilate, "shall I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?" With one voice they shouted, "Let him be crucified!" 027:023 "Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they kept on furiously shouting, "Let him be crucified!" 027:024 So when he saw that he could gain nothing, but that on the contrary there was a riot threatening, he called for water and washed his hands in sight of them all, saying, "I am not responsible for this murder: you must answer for it." 027:025 "His blood," replied all the people, "be on us and on our children!" 027:026 Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he ordered to be scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified. 027:027 Then the Governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and called together the whole battalion to make sport of Him. 027:028 Stripping off His garments, they put on Him a general's short crimson cloak. 027:029 They twisted a wreath of thorny twigs and put it on His head, and they put a sceptre of cane in His right hand, and kneeling to Him they shouted in mockery, "Long live the King of the Jews!" 027:030 Then they spat upon Him, and taking the cane they repeatedly struck Him on the head with it. 027:031 At last, having finished their sport, they took off the cloak, clothed Him again in His own garments, and led Him away for crucifixion. 027:032 Going out they met a Cyrenaean named Simon; whom they compelled to carry His cross, 027:033 and so they came to a place called Golgotha, which means `Skull-ground.' 027:034 Here they gave Him a mixture of wine and gall to drink, but having tasted it He refused to drink it. 027:035 After crucifying Him, they divided His garments among them by lot, 027:036 and sat down there on guard. 027:037 Over His head they placed a written statement of the charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 027:038 At the same time two robbers were crucified with Him, one at His right hand and the other at His left. 027:039 And the passers-by reviled Him. They shook their heads at Him 027:040 and said, "You who would pull down the Sanctuary and build a new one within three days, save yourself. If you are God's Son, come down from the cross." 027:041 In like manner the High Priests also, together with the Scribes and the Elders, taunted Him. 027:042 "He saved others," they said, "himself he cannot save! He is the King of Israel! Let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in him. 027:043 His trust is in God: let God deliver him now, if He will have him; for he said, `I am God's Son.'" 027:044 Insults of the same kind were heaped on Him even by the robbers who were being crucified with Him. 027:045 Now from noon until three o'clock in the afternoon there was darkness over the whole land; 027:046 but about three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is to say, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" 027:047 "The man is calling for Elijah," said some of the bystanders. 027:048 One of them ran forthwith, and filling a sponge with sour wine put it on the end of a cane and offered it Him to drink; 027:049 while the rest said, "Let us see whether Elijah is coming to deliver him." 027:050 But Jesus uttered another loud cry and then yielded up His spirit. 027:051 Immediately the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom: the earth quaked; the rocks split; 027:052 the tombs opened; and many of God's people who were asleep in death awoke. 027:053 And coming out of their tombs after Christ's resurrection they entered the holy city and showed themselves to many. 027:054 As for the Captain and the soldiers who were with Him keeping guard over Jesus, when they witnessed the earthquake and the other occurrences they were filled with terror, and exclaimed, "Assuredly he was God's Son." 027:055 And there were a number of women there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to His necessities; 027:056 among them being Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zabdi. 027:057 Towards sunset there came a wealthy inhabitant of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself also had become a disciple of Jesus. 027:058 He went to Pilate and begged to have the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 027:059 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean sheet of fine linen. 027:060 He then laid it in his own new tomb which he had hewn in the solid rock, and after rolling a great stone against the door of the tomb he went home. 027:061 Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were both present there, sitting opposite to the sepulchre. 027:062 On the next day, the day after the Preparation, the High Priests and the Pharisees came in a body to Pilate. 027:063 "Sir," they said, "we recollect that during his lifetime that impostor pretended that after two days he was to rise to life again. 027:064 So give orders for the sepulchre to be securely guarded till the third day, for fear his disciples should come by night and steal the body, and then tell the people that he has come back to life; and so the last imposture will be more serious than the first." 027:065 "You can have a guard," said Pilate: "go and make all safe, as best you can." 027:066 So they went and made the sepulchre secure, sealing the stone besides setting the guard. 028:001 After the Sabbath, in the early dawn of the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary came to see the sepulchre. 028:002 But to their amazement there had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord had descended from Heaven, and had come and rolled back the stone, and was sitting upon it. 028:003 His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. 028:004 For fear of him the guards trembled violently, and became like dead men. 028:005 But the angel said to the women, "As for you, dismiss your fears. I know that it is Jesus that you are looking for-- the crucified One. 028:006 He is not here: He has come back to life, as He foretold. Come and see the place where He lay. 028:007 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead and is going before you into Galilee: there you shall see Him. Remember, I have told you." 028:008 They quickly left the tomb and ran, still terrified but full of unspeakable joy, to carry the news to His disciples. 028:009 And then suddenly they saw Jesus coming to meet them. "Peace be to you," He said. And they came and clasped His feet, bowing to the ground before Him. 028:010 Then He said, "Dismiss all fear! Go and take word to my brethren to go into Galilee, and there they shall see me." 028:011 While they went on this errand, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the High Priests every detail of what had happened. 028:012 So the latter held a conference with the Elders, and after consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers, 028:013 telling them to say, "His disciples came during the night and stole his body while we were asleep." 028:014 "And if this," they added, "is reported to the Governor, we will satisfy him and screen you from punishment." 028:015 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this story was noised about among the Jews, and is current to this day. 028:016 As for the eleven disciples, they proceeded into Galilee, to the hill where Jesus had arranged to meet them. 028:017 There they saw Him and prostrated themselves before Him. Yet some doubted. 028:018 Jesus however came near and said to them, "All power in Heaven and over the earth has been given to me. 028:019 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations; baptize them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; 028:020 and teach them to obey every command which I have given you. And remember, I am with you always, day by day, until the Close of the Age."