Weymouth's New Testament in Modern Speech

THE AGES DIGITAL LIBRARY

BIBLES

WEYMOUTH’S

THE NEW TESTAMENT IN

MODERN SPEECH

Translated by Richard Francis Weymouth

To the Students of the Words, Works and Ways of God:

AGES Software Albany, OR USA

Version 1.0 © 1996

THE NEW TESTAMENT

IN MODERN SPEECH

RICHARD FRANCIS WEYMOUTH

Initial Publication

1903

AGES Software

Albany, Oregon

© 1996

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

The Translation of the New Testament here offered to English-speaking

Christians is a bona fide translation made directly from the Greek, and is in

no sense a revision. The plan adopted has been the following.

1. An earnest endeavor has been made (based upon more than sixty years’

study of both the Greek and English languages, besides much further

familiarity gained by continual teaching) to ascertain the exact meaning of

every passage not only by the light that Classical Greek throws on the

language used, but also by that which the Septuagint and the Hebrew

Scriptures afford; aid being sought too from Versions and Commentators

ancient and modern, and from the ample et cetera of apparatus

grammaticus and theological and Classical reviews and magazines--or

rather, by means of occasional excursions into this vast prairie.

2. The sense thus seeming to have been ascertained, the next step has been

to consider how it could be most accurately and naturally exhibited in the

English of the present day; in other words, how we can with some

approach to probability suppose that the inspired writer himself would have

expressed his thoughts, had he been writing in our age and country.

3. Lastly it has been evidently desirable to compare the results thus attained

with the renderings of other scholars, especially of course with the

Authorized and Revised Versions. But alas, the great majority of even

“new translations,” so called, are, in reality, only Tyndale’s immortal work

a little — often very little — modernized!

4. But in the endeavor to find in Twentieth Century English a precise

equivalent for a Greek word, phrase, or sentence there are two dangers to

be guarded against. There are a Scylla and a Charybdis. On the one hand

there is the English of Society, on the other hand that of the utterly

uneducated, each of these patois having also its own special, though

expressive, borderland which we name ‘slang.’ But all these salient angles

(as a professor of fortification might say) of our language are forbidden

ground to the reverent translator of Holy Scripture.

5. But again, a modern translation — does this imply that no words or

phrases in any degree antiquated are to be admitted? Not so, for great

numbers of such words and phrases are still in constant use. To be

antiquated is not the same thing as to be obsolete or even obsolescent, and

without at least a tinge of antiquity it is scarcely possible that there should

be that dignity of style that befits the sacred themes with which the

Evangelists and Apostles deal.

6. It is plain that this attempt to bring out the sense of the Sacred Writings

naturally as well as accurately in present-day English does not permit,

except to a limited extent, the method of literal rendering — the verbo

verbum reddere at which Horace shrugs his shoulders. Dr. Welldon,

recently Bishop of Calcutta, in the Preface (p. vii) to his masterly

translation of the Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle, writes, “I have

deliberately rejected the principle of trying to translate the same Greek

word by the same word in English, and where circumstances seemed to call

for it I have sometimes used two English words to represent one word of

the Greek;” — and he is perfectly right. With a slavish literality delicate

shades of meaning cannot be reproduced, nor allowance be made for the

influence of interwoven thought, or of the writer’s ever shifting — not to

say changing — point of view. An utterly ignorant or utterly lazy man, if

possessed of a little ingenuity, can with the help of a dictionary and

grammar give a word-for-word rendering, whether intelligible or not, and

print ‘Translation’ on his title-page. On the other hand it is a melancholy

spectacle to see men of high ability and undoubted scholarship toil and

struggle at translation under a needless restriction to literality, as in

intellectual handcuffs and fetters, when they might with advantage snap the

bonds and fling them away, as Dr. Welldon has done: more melancholy

still, if they are at the same time racking their brains to exhibit the result of

their labors — -a splendid but idle philological tour de force — in what

was English nearly 300 years before.

7. Obviously any literal translation cannot but carry idioms of the earlier

language into the later, where they will very probably not be understood;

and more serious still is the evil when, as in the Jewish Greek of the N T,

the earlier language of the two is itself composite and abounds in forms of

speech that belong to one earlier still. For the N.T. Greek, even in the

writings of Luke, contains a large number of Hebrew idioms; and a literal

rendering into English cannot but partially veil, and in some degree distort,

the true sense, even if it does not totally obscure it (and that too where

perfect clearness should be attained, if possible), by this admixture of

Hebrew as well as Greek forms of expression.

8. It follows that the reader who is bent upon getting a literal rendering,

such as he can commonly find in the R.V. or (often a better one) in Darby’s

New Testament, should always be on his guard against its strong tendency

to mislead.

9. One point however can hardly be too emphatically stated. It is not the

present Translator’s ambition to supplant the Versions already in general

use, to which their intrinsic merit or long familiarity or both have caused all

Christian minds so lovingly to cling. His desire has rather been to furnish a

succinct and compressed running commentary (not doctrinal) to be used

side by side with its elder compeers. And yet there has been something of a

remoter hope. It can scarcely be doubted that some day the attempt will be

renewed to produce a satisfactory English Bible — one in some respects

perhaps (but assuredly with great and important deviations) on the lines of

the Revision of 1881, or even altogether to supersede both the A.V. and

the R.V.; and it may be that the Translation here offered will contribute

some materials that may be built into that far grander edifice.

10. THE GREEK TEXT here followed is that given in the Translator’s

Resultant Greek Testament.

11. Of the VARIOUS READINGS only those are here given which seem the

most important, and which affect the rendering into English. They are in

the footnotes, with V.L. (varia lectio) prefixed. As to the chief modern

critical editions full details will be found in the Resultant Greek Testament,

while for the original authorities — MSS., Versions, Patristic quotations

— the reader must of necessity consult the great works of Lachmann,

Tregelles, Tischendorf, and others, or the numerous monographs on

separate Books. In the margin of the R.V. a distinction is made between

readings supported by “a few ancient authorities,” “some ancient

authorities,” “many ancient authorities,” and so on. Such valuation is not

attempted in this work.

12. Considerable pains have been bestowed on the exact rendering of the

tenses of the Greek verb; for by inexactness in this detail the true sense

cannot but be missed. That the Greek tenses do not coincide, and cannot

be expected to coincide with those of the English verb; that — except in

narrative — the aorist as a rule is more exactly represented in English by

our perfect with “have” than by our simple past tense; and that in this

particular the A.V. is in scores of instances more correct than the R.V.; the

present Translator has contended (with arguments which some of the best

scholars in Britain and in America hold to be “unanswerable” and

“indisputable”) in a pamphlet On the Rendering into English of the Greek

Aorist and Perfect. Even an outline of the argument cannot be given in a

Preface such as this.

13. But he who would make a truly English translation of a foreign book

must not only select the right nouns, adjectives, and verbs, insert the

suitable prepositions and auxiliaries, and triumph (if he can) over the

seductions and blandishments of idioms with which he has been familiar

from his infancy, but which, though forcible or beautiful with other

surroundings, are for all that part and parcel of that other language rather

than of English: he has also to beware of connecting his sentences in an

un-English fashion.

Now a careful examination of a number of authors (including Scottish,

Irish, and American) yields some interesting results. Taking at haphazard a

passage from each of fifty-six authors, and counting on after some full stop

till fifty finite verbs — i.e. verbs in the indicative, imperative, or subjunctive

mood — have been reached (each finite verb, as every schoolboy knows,

being the nucleus of one sentence or clause), it has been found that the

connecting links of the fifty-six times fifty sentences are about one-third

conjunctions, about one-third adverbs or relative and interrogative

pronouns, while in the case of the remaining third there is what the

grammarians call an asyndeton — no formal grammatical connection at all.

But in the writers of the N.T. nearly two-thirds of the connecting links are

conjunctions. It follows that in order to make the style of a translation true

idiomatic English many of these conjunctions must be omitted, and for

others adverbs, etc., must be substituted.

The two conjunctions for and therefore are discussed at some length in

two Appendices to the above-mentioned pamphlet on the Aorist, to which

the reader is referred.

14. The NOTES, with but few exceptions, are not of the nature of a general

commentary. Some, as already intimated, refer to the readings here

followed, but the great majority are in vindication or explanation of the

renderings given. Since the completion of this new version nearly two years

ago, ill-health has incapacitated the Translator from undertaking even the

lightest work. He has therefore been obliged to entrust to other hands the

labor of critically examining and revising the manuscript and of seeing it

through the press. This arduous task has been undertaken by Rev. Ernest

Hampden-Cook, M.A., St. John’s College, Cambridge, of Sandhach,

Cheshire, with some co-operation from one of the Translator’s sons; and

the Translator is under deep obligations to these two gentlemen for their

kindness in the matter. He has also most cordially to thank Mr. Hampden-

Cook for making the existence of the work known to various members of

the OLD MILLHILIANS’ CLUB and other former pupils of the Translator,

who in a truly substantial manner have manifested a generous

determination to enable the volume to see the light. Very grateful does the

Translator feel to them for this signal mark of their friendship.

Mr. Hampden-Cook is responsible for the headings of the paragraphs, and

at my express desire has inserted some additional notes.

I have further to express my gratitude to Rev. Frank Baliard, M.A., B.Sc.,

Lond., at present of Sharrow, Sheffield, for some very valuable assistance

which he has most kindly given in connection with the Introductions to the

several books.

I have also the pleasure of acknowledging the numerous valuable and

suggestive criticisms with which I have been favored on some parts of the

work, by an old friend, Rev. Sydney Thelwall, B.A., of Leamington, a

clergyman of the Church of England, whom I have known for many years

as a painstaking and accurate scholar, a well-read theologian. and a

thoughtful and devout student of Scripture.

I am very thankful to Mr. H. L. Gethin. Mr. S. Hales, Mr. J. A. Latham,

and Rev. T. A. Seed, for the care with which they have read the proof

sheets.

And now this Translation is humbly and prayerfully commended to God’s

gracious blessing.

R.F.W.

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

For the purposes of this edition the whole volume has been re-set in new

type, and, in the hope of increasing the interest and attractiveness of the

Translation, all conversations have been spaced out in accordance with

modern custom. A freer use than before has been made of capital letters,

and by means of small, raised figures, prefixed to words in the text, an

indication has been given whenever there is a footnote. “Capernaum” and

“Philadelphia” have been substituted for the less familiar but more literal

“Capharnahum” and “Philadelpheia.” Many errata have been corrected, and

a very considerable number of what seemed to be infelicities or slight

inaccuracies in the English have been removed. A few additional footnotes

have been inserted, and, for the most part, those for which the Editor is

responsible have now the letters ED. added to them.

Sincere thanks are tendered to the many kind friends who have expressed

their appreciation of this Translation, or have helped to make it better

known, and to the many correspondents who have sent criticisms of the

previous editions, and made useful suggestions for the improvement of the

volume.

E.H.C.

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE NOTES

Aorist. Dr. Weymouth’s Pamphlet on the Rendering of the Greek Aorist

and Perfect Tenses into English.

A.V. Authorized English Version, 1611.

Cp. Compare.

ED. Notes for which the Editor is responsible, wholly or in part.

I.E. That is.

Lit. Literally.

LXX. The Septuagint (Greek) Version of the Old Testament.

n. Note.

nn. Notes.

N.T. New Testament.

O.T. Old Testament.

R.V. Revised English Version, 1881-85.

S.H. Sanday and Headlam’s Commentary on ‘Romans.’

V.L. Varia Lectio. An alternative reading found in some Manuscripts of the

New Testament.

V.V. Verses.

[ ] Verse omitted as unsupported by the earliest or majority of manuscripts

In accordance with modern English custom, ITALICS are used to indicate

emphasis.

Old Testament quotations are printed in SMALL CAPITALS.

During Christ’s earthly ministry even His disciples did not always recognize

His super-human nature and dignity. Accordingly, in the Gospels of this

Translation, it is only when the Evangelists themselves use of Him the

words “He,” “Him,” “His,” that these are spelt with capital initial letters.

The spelling of “me” and “my” with small initial letters, when used by

Christ Himself in the Gospels, is explained by the fact that, before His

Resurrection, He did not always emphasize His own super-human nature

and dignity.

THE GOOD NEWS

AS RECORDED BY

MATTHEW

There are ample reasons for accepting the uniform tradition which from

earliest times has ascribed this Gospel to Levi the son of Alphaeus, who

seems to have changed his name to ‘Matthew’ on becoming a disciple of

Jesus. Our information as to his subsequent life is very scanty. After the

feast which he made for his old friends (<420529>Luke 5:29) his name only

appears in the New Testament in the list of the twelve Apostles. Early

Christian writers add little to our knowledge of him, but his life seems to

have been quiet and somewhat ascetic. He is also generally represented as

having died a natural death. Where his Gospel was written, or where he

himself labored, we cannot say.

Not a little controversy has arisen as to the form in which this Gospel first

appeared, that is, as to whether we have in the Greek MSS. an original

document or a translation from an earlier Aramaic writing. Modern

scholarship inclines to the view that the book is not a translation, but was

probably written in Greek by Matthew himself, upon the basis of a

previously issued collection of “Logia” or discourses, to the existence of

which Papias, Irenaeus, Pantaenus, Origen, Eusebius and Jerome all testify.

The date of the Gospel, as we know it, is somewhat uncertain, but the best

critical estimates are included between 70 and 90, A.D. Perhaps, with

Harnack, we may adopt 75, A.D.

The book was evidently intended for Jewish converts, and exhibits Jesus as

the God-appointed Messiah and King, the fulfiller of the Law and of the

highest expectations of the Jewish nation. This speciality of aim rather

enhances than diminishes its general value. Renan found reason for

pronouncing it “the most important book of Christendom — the most

important book which has ever been written.” Its aim is manifestly didactic

rather than chronological.

MATTHEW

CHAPTER 1

1:1 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of

Abraham.

1:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac; Isaac of Jacob; Jacob of Judah

and his brothers.

1:3 Judah was the father (by Tamar) of Perez and Zerah; Perez of

Hezron; Hezron of Ram;

1:4 Ram of Amminadab; Amminadab of Nahshon; Nahshon of

Salmon;

1:5 Salmon (by Rahab) of Boaz; Boaz (by Ruth) of Obed; Obed of

Jesse;

1:6 Jesse of David — the King. David (by Uriah’s widow) was the

father of Solomon;

1:7 Solomon of Rehoboam; Rehoboam of Abijah; Abijah of Asa;

1:8 Asa of Jehoshaphat; Jehoshaphat of Jehoram; Jehoram of Uzziah;

1:9 Uzziah of Jotham; Jotham of Ahaz; Ahaz of Hezekiah;

1:10 Hezekiah of Manasseh; Manasseh of Amon; Amon of Josiah;

1:11 Josiah of Jeconiah and his brothers at the period of the Removal

to Babylon.

1:12 After the Removal to Babylon Jeconiah had a son Shealtiel;

Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel;

1:13 Zerubbabel of Abiud; Abiud of Eliakim; Eliakim of Azor;

1:14 Azor of Zadok; Zadok of Achim; Achim of Eliud;

1:15 Eliud of Eleazar; Eleazar of Matthan; Matthan of Jacob;

1:16 and Jacob of Joseph the husband of Mary, who was the mother of

JESUS who is called CHRIST.

1:17 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.

1:18 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.

1:19 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling

publicly to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately

from the betrothal.

1:20 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.

1:21 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.”

1:22 All this took place in fulfilment of what the Lord had spoken

through the Prophet,

1:23 “HARK! 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’.

1:24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had

commanded, and brought home his wife,

1:25 but did not live with her until she had given birth to a son. The

child’s name he called JESUS.

CHAPTER 2

2:1 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,

2:2 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.”

2:3 Reports of this soon reached the king, and greatly agitated not

only him but all the people of Jerusalem.

2:4 So he assembled all the High Priests and Scribes of the people,

and anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born.

2:5 “At Bethlehem in Judaea,” they replied; “for so it stands written in

the words of the Prophet,

2:6 “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.”

2:7 Thereupon Herod sent privately for the Magi and ascertained

from them the exact time of the star’s appearing.

2:8 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.”

2:9 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.

2:10 When they saw the star, the sight filled them with intense joy.

2:11 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.

2:12 But being forbidden by God in a dream to return to Herod, they

went back to their own country by a different route.

2:13 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.”

2:14 So Joseph roused himself and took the babe and His mother by

night and departed into Egypt.

2:15 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.”

2:16 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 neighborhood, according to the date

he had so carefully ascertained from the Magi.

2:17 Then were these words, spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah, fulfilled,

2:18 “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.”

2:19 But after Herod’s death an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream

to Joseph in Egypt, and said to him,

2:20 “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.”

2:21 So he roused himself and took the child and His mother and came

into the land of Israel.

2:22 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,

2:23 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.”

CHAPTER 3

3:1 About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching

in the Desert of Judaea.

3:2 “Repent,” he said, “for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at

hand.”

3:3 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.’”

3:4 This man John wore a garment of camel’s hair, and a loincloth of

leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey.

3:5 Then large numbers of people went out to him — people from

Jerusalem and from all Judaea, and from the whole of the Jordan

valley —

3:6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of

their sins.

3:7 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?

3:8 Therefore let your lives prove your change of heart;

3:9 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.

3:10 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.

3:11 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.

3:12 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.”

3:13 Just at that time Jesus, coming from Galilee to the Jordan,

presents Himself to John to be baptized by him.

3:14 John protested. “It is I,” he said, “who have need to be baptized

by you, and do you come to me?”

3:15 “Let it be so on this occasion,” Jesus replied; “for so we ought to

fulfil every religious duty.” Then he consented;

3:16 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,

3:17 while a voice came from Heaven, saying, “This is My Son, the

dearly loved, in whom is My delight.”

CHAPTER 4

4:1 At that time Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the Desert in order

to be tempted by the Devil.

4:2 There He fasted for forty days and nights; and after that He

suffered from hunger.

4:3 So the Tempter came and said, “If you are the Son of God,

command these stones to turn into loaves.”

4:4 “It is written,” replied Jesus, “‘IT IS NOT ON BREAD ALONE THAT A

MAN SHALL LIVE, BUT ON WHATSOEVER GOD SHALL APPOINT.’”

4:5 Then the Devil took Him to the Holy City and caused Him to

stand on the roof of the Temple,

4:6 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.’”

4:7 “Again it is written,” replied Jesus, “‘THOU SHALT NOT PUT THE

LORD THY GOD TO THE PROOF.’”

4:8 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 splendor,

4:9 and said to Him, “All this I will give you, if you will kneel down

and do me homage.”

4:10 “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.’”

4:11 Thereupon the Devil left Him, and angels at once came and

ministered to Him.

4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John was thrown into prison, He

withdrew into Galilee,

4:13 and leaving Nazareth He went and settled at Capernaum, a town

by the Lake on the frontiers of Zebulun and Naphtali,

4:14 in order that these words, spoken through the Prophet Isaiah,

might be fulfilled,

4:15 “Zebulun’s land and Naphtali’s land; the road by the Lake; the

country beyond the Jordan; Galilee of the Nations!

4:16 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.”

4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach. “Repent,” He said, “for the

Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand.”

4:18 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.

4:19 And He said to them, “Come and follow me, and I will make you

fishers of men.”

4:20 So they immediately left their nets and followed Him. As He went

further on,

4:21 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.

4:22 And they at once left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

4:23 Then Jesus traveled 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.

4:24 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.

4:25 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.

CHAPTER 5

5:1 Seeing the multitude of people, Jesus went up the Hill. There He

seated Himself, and when His disciples came to Him,

5:2 He proceeded to teach them, and said:

5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for to them belongs the Kingdom of

the Heavens.

5:4 “Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted.

5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they as heirs shall obtain possession of

the earth.

5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they

shall be completely satisfied.

5:7 “Blessed are the compassionate, for they shall receive compassion.

5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for it is they who will be recognized

as sons of God.

5:10 “Blessed are those who have borne persecution in the cause of

Righteousness, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens.

5:11 “Blessed are you when they have insulted and persecuted you, and

have said every cruel thing about you falsely for my sake.

5:12 Be joyful and triumphant, because your reward is great in the

Heavens; for so were the Prophets before you persecuted.

5:13 “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.

5:14 You are the light of the world; a town cannot be hid if built on a

hill-top.

5:15 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.

5:16 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.

5:17 “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.

5:18 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.

5:19 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.

5:20 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.

5:21 “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.

5:22 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.

5:23 If therefore when you are offering your gift upon the altar, you

remember that your brother has a grievance against you,

5:24 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.

5:25 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

judgment from the magistrate against you, and the magistrate

should give you in custody to the officer and you be thrown into

prison.

5:26 I solemnly tell you that you will certainly not be released till you

have paid the very last farthing.

5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT

ADULTERY.’

5:28 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.

5:29 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.

5:30 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.

5:31 “It was also said, ‘IF ANY MAN PUTS AWAY HIS WIFE, LET HIM GIVE

HER A WRITTEN NOTICE OF DIVORCE.’

5:32 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.

5:33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘THOU

SHALT NOT SWEAR FALSELY, BUT SHALT PERFORM THY VOWS TO

THE LORD.’

5:34 But I tell you not to swear at all; neither by Heaven, for it is

God’s throne;

5:35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool under His feet; nor by

Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King.

5:36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair

white or black.

5:37 But let your language be, ‘Yes, yes,’ or ‘No, no.’ Anything in

excess of this comes from the Evil one.

5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘EYE FOR EYE, TOOTH FOR

TOOTH.’

5:39 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.

5:40 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.

5:41 And whoever shall compel you to convey his goods one mile, go

with him two.

5:42 To him who asks, give: from him who would borrow, turn not

away.

5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘THOU SHALT LOVE THY

NEIGHBOR and hate thine enemy.’

5:44 But I command you all, love your enemies, and pray for your

persecutors;

5:45 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.

5:46 For if you love only those who love you, what reward have you

earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that?

5:47 And if you salute only your near relatives, what praise is due to

you? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

5:48 You however are to be complete in goodness, as your Heavenly

Father is complete.

CHAPTER 6

6:1 “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.

6:2 ‘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.

6:3 But when you are giving in charity, let not your left hand perceive

what your right hand is doing,

6:4 that your charities may be in secret; and then your Father — He

who sees in secret — will recompense you.

6:5 “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.

6:6 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.

6:7 “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.

6:8 Do not, however, imitate them; for your Father knows what

things you need before ever you ask Him.

6:9 “In this manner therefore pray: ‘Our Father who art in Heaven, may

Thy name be kept holy;

6:10 let Thy kingdom come; let Thy will be done, as in Heaven so on

earth;

6:11 give us to-day our bread for the day;

6:12 and forgive us our shortcomings, as we also have forgiven those

who have failed in their duty towards us;

6:13 and bring us not into temptation, but rescue us from the Evil one.’

6:14 “For if you forgive others their offenses, your Heavenly Father will

forgive you also;

6:15 but if you do not forgive others their offenses, neither will your

Father forgive yours.

6:16 “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.

6:17 But, whenever you fast, pour perfume on your hair and wash your

face,

6:18 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.

6:19 “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.

6:20 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.

6:21 For where your wealth is, there also will your heart be.

6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eyesight is good,

your whole body will be well lighted;

6:23 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!

6:24 “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.

6:25 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?

6:26 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?

6:27 Which of you by being over-anxious can add a single foot to his

height?

6:28

And why be anxious about clothing? Learn a lesson from the wild

lilies. Watch their growth. They neither toil nor spin,

6:29

and yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his magnificence

could array himself like one of these.

6:30

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?

6:31 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking ‘What shall we eat?’ or

‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

6:32 For all these are questions that Gentiles are always asking; but

your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things — all of

them.

6:33 But make His Kingdom and righteousness your chief aim, and

then these things shall all be given you in addition.

6:34 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, about to-morrow, for tomorrow

will bring its own cares. Enough for each day are its own

troubles.

CHAPTER 7

7:1 “Judge not, that you may not be judged;

7:2 for your own judgment will be dealt — and your own measure

meted — to yourselves.

7:3 And why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye, and not

notice the beam which is in your own eye?

7:4 Or how say to your brother, ‘Allow me to take the splinter out of

your eye,’ while the beam is in your own eye?

7:5 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.

7:6 “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.

7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock,

and the door will be opened to you.

7:8 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.

7:9 What man is there among you, who if his son shall ask him for

bread will offer him a stone?

7:10 Or if the son shall ask him for a fish will offer him a snake?

7:11 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!

7:12 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.

7:13 “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;

7:14 because narrow is the gate and contracted the road which leads to

Life, and few are those who find it.

7:15 “Beware of the false teachers — men who come to you in sheep’s

fleeces, but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves.

7:16 By their fruits you will easily recognize them. Are grapes gathered

from thorns or figs from brambles?

7:17 Just so every good tree produces good fruit, but a poisonous tree

produces bad fruit.

7:18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a poisonous tree good

fruit.

7:19 Every tree which does not yield good fruit is cut down and

thrown aside for burning.

7:20 So by their fruits at any rate, you will easily recognize them.

7:21 “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.

7:22 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?’

7:23 “And then I will tell them plainly, “‘I never knew you: begone from

me, you doers of wickedness.’

7:24 “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;

7:25 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.

7:26 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.

7:27 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.”

7:28 When Jesus had concluded this discourse, the crowds were filled

with amazement at His teaching,

7:29 for He had been teaching them as one who had authority, and not

as their Scribes taught.

CHAPTER 8

8:1 Upon descending from the hill country He was followed by

immense crowds.

8:2 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.”

8:3 So Jesus put out His hand and touched him, and said, “I am

willing: be cleansed.” Instantly he was cleansed from his leprosy;

8:4 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.”

8:5 After His entry into Capernaum a Captain came to Him, and

entreated Him.

8:6 “Sir,” he said, “my servant at home is lying ill with paralysis, and is

suffering great pain.”

8:7 “I will come and cure him,” said Jesus.

8:8 “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.

8:9 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.”

8:10 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.

8:11 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,

8:12 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.”

8:13 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.

8:14 After this Jesus went to the house of Peter, whose mother-in-law

he found ill in bed with fever.

8:15 He touched her hand and the fever left her: and then she rose and

waited upon Him.

8:16 In the evening many demoniacs were brought to Him, and with a

word He expelled the demons; and He cured all the sick,

8:17 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.”

8:18 Seeing great crowds about Him Jesus had given directions to

cross to the other side of the Lake,

8:19 when a Scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you

wherever you go.”

8:20 “Foxes have holes,” replied Jesus, “and birds have nests; but the

Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

8:21 Another of the disciples said to Him, “Sir, allow me first to go and

bury my father.”

8:22 “Follow me,” said Jesus, “and leave the dead to bury their own

dead.”

8:23 Then He went on board a fishing-boat, and His disciples followed

Him.

8:24 But suddenly there arose a great storm on the Lake, so that the

waves threatened to engulf the boat; but He was asleep.

8:25 So they came and woke Him, crying, “Master, save us, we are

drowning!”

8:26 “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;

8:27 and the men, filled with amazement, exclaimed, “What kind of

man is this? for the very winds and waves obey him!”

8:28 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.

8:29 They cried aloud, “What hast Thou to do with us, Thou Son of

God? Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?”

8:30 Now at some distance from them a vast herd of swine were

feeding.

8:31 So the demons entreated Him. “If Thou drivest us out,” they said,

“send us into the herd of swine.”

8:32 “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.

8:33 The swineherds fled, and went and told the whole story in the

town, including what had happened to the demoniacs.

8:34 So at once the whole population came out to meet Jesus; and

when they saw Him, they besought Him to leave their country.

CHAPTER 9

9:1 Accordingly He went on board, and crossing over came to His

own town.

9:2 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.”

9:3 “Such language is impious,” said some of the Scribes among

themselves.

9:4 Knowing their thoughts Jesus said, “Why are you cherishing evil

thoughts in your hearts?

9:5 Why, which is easier? — to say, ‘Your sins are pardoned,’ or to

say ‘Rise up and walk’?

9:6 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.”

9:7 And he got up, and went off home.

9:8 And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and ascribed

the glory to God who had entrusted such power to a man.

9:9 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.

9:10 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.

9:11 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples,

“Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious

sinners?”

9:12 He heard the question and replied, “It is not men in good health

who require a doctor, but the sick.

9:13 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.”

9:14 At that time John’s disciples came and asked Jesus, “Why do we

and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?”

9:15 “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.

9:16 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.

9:17 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.”

9:18 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.”

9:19 And Jesus rose and followed him, as did also His disciples.

9:20 But a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with

hemorrhage came behind Him and touched the tassel of His cloak;

9:21 for she said to herself, “If I but touch His cloak, I shall be cured.”

9:22 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.

9:23 Entering the Ruler’s house, Jesus saw the flute-players and the

crowd loudly wailing,

9:24 and He said, “Go out of the room; the little girl is not dead, but

asleep.” And they laughed at Him.

9:25 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.

9:26 And the report of this spread throughout all that district.

9:27 As Jesus passed on, two blind men followed Him, shouting and

saying, “Pity us, Son of David.”

9:28 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.

9:29 So He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it

be to you.”

9:30 Then their eyes were opened. And assuming a stern tone Jesus

said to them, “Be careful to let no one know.”

9:31 But they went out and published His fame in all that district.

9:32 And as they were leaving His presence a dumb demoniac was

brought to Him.

9:33 When the demon was expelled, the dumb man could speak. And

the crowds exclaimed in astonishment, “Never was such a thing

seen in Israel.”

9:34 But the Pharisees maintained, “It is by the power of the Prince of

the demons that he drives out the demons.”

9:35 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.

9:36 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.

9:37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the

reapers are few;

9:38 therefore entreat the Owner of the Harvest to send out reapers

into His fields.”

CHAPTER 10

10:1 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.

10:2 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;

10:3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax-gatherer,

James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

10:4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas the Iscariot, who also betrayed

Him.

10:5 These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving them their

instructions: “Go not,” He said, “among the Gentiles, and enter no

Samaritan town;

10:6 but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel’s race.

10:7 And as you go, preach and say, ‘The Kingdom of the Heavens is

close at hand.’

10:8 Cure the sick, raise the dead to life, cleanse lepers, drive out

demons: you have received without payment, give without

payment.

10:9 “Provide no gold, nor even silver nor copper to carry in your

pockets;

10:10 no bag for your journey, nor change of linen, nor shoes, nor stick;

for the laborer deserves his food.

10:11 “Whatever town or village you enter, inquire for some good man;

and make his house your home till you leave the place.

10:12 When you enter the house, salute it;

10:13 and if the house deserves it, the peace you invoke shall come upon

it. If not, your peace shall return to you.

10:14 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.

10:15 I solemnly tell you that it will be more endurable for the land of

Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of Judgment than for that town.

10:16 “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.

10:17 But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to appear before

Sanhedrins, and will flog you in their synagogues;

10:18 and you will even be put on trial before governors and kings for

my sake, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles.

10:19 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;

10:20 for it is not you who will speak: it will be the Spirit of your

Father speaking through you.

10:21 Brother will betray brother to death, and father, child; and

children will rise against their own parents and will put them to

death.

10:22 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.

10:23 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.

10:24 “The learner is never superior to his teacher, and the servant is

never superior to his master.

10:25 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?

10:26 Fear them not, however; there is nothing veiled which will not be

uncovered, nor secret which will not become known.

10:27 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.

10:28 “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.

10:29 Do not two sparrows sell for a halfpenny? Yet not one of them

will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave.

10:30 But as for you, the very hairs on your heads are all numbered.

10:31 Away then with fear; you are more precious than a multitude of

sparrows.

10:32 “Every man who acknowledges me before men I also will

acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven.

10:33 But whoever disowns me before men I also will disown before my

Father who is in Heaven.

10:34 “Do not suppose that I came to bring peace to the earth: I did not

come to bring peace but a sword.

10:35 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;

10:36 AND A MAN’S OWN FAMILY WILL BE HIS FOES.

10:37 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;

10:38 and any one who does not take up his cross and follow where I

lead is not worthy of me.

10:39 To save your life is to lose it, and to lose your life for my sake is

to save it.

10:40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me

receives Him who sent me.

10:41 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.

10:42 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.”

CHAPTER 11

11:1 When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve

disciples, He left in order to teach and to proclaim His Message in

the neighboring towns.

11:2 Now John had heard in prison about the Christ’s doings, and he

sent some of his disciples to inquire:

11:3 “Are you the Coming One, or is it a different person that we are to

expect?”

11:4 “Go and report to John what you see and hear,” replied Jesus;

11:5 “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;

11:6 and blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because of

my claims.”

11:7 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?

11:8 But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed?

Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings’

palaces.

11:9 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and

far more than a prophet.

11:10 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.’

11:11 “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.

11:12 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.

11:13 For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John.

11:14 And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah who was to

come.

11:15 Listen, every one who has ears!

11:16 “But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like

children sitting in the open places, who call to their playmates.

11:17 “‘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.’

11:18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a

demon.’

11:19 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.”

11:20 Then began He to upbraid the towns where most of His mighty

works had been done — because they had not repented.

11:21 “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.

11:22 Only I tell you that it will be more endurable for Tyre and Sidon

on the day of Judgement than for you.

11:23 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.

11:24 Only I tell you all, that it will be more endurable for the land of

Sodom on the day of Judgment than for thee.”

11:25 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.

11:26 Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will.

11:27 “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.

11:28 “Come to me, all you toiling and burdened ones, and I will give you

rest.

11:29 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.

11:30 For it is good to bear my yoke, and my burden is light.”

CHAPTER 12

12:1 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.

12:2 But the Pharisees saw it and said to Him, “Look! your disciples

are doing what the Law forbids them to do on the Sabbath.”

12:3 “Have you never read,” He replied, “what David did when he and

his men were hungry?

12:4 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?

12:5 And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests

in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt?

12:6 But I tell you that there is here that which is greater than the

Temple.

12:7 And if you knew what this means, ‘IT IS MERCY I DESIRE, NOT

SACRIFICE’, you would not have condemned those who are

without guilt.

12:8 For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath.”

12:9 Departing thence He went to their synagogue,

12:10 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.

12:11 “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?

12:12 Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is

right to do good on the Sabbath.”

12:13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your arm.” And he

stretched it out, and it was restored quite sound like the other.

12:14 But the Pharisees after leaving the synagogue consulted together

against Him, how they might destroy Him.

12:15 Aware of this, Jesus departed elsewhere; and a great number of

people followed Him, all of whom He cured.

12:16 But He gave them strict injunctions not to blaze abroad His

doings,

12:17 that those words of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled,

12:18 “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.

12:19 He will not wrangle or raise His voice, nor will His voice be heard

in the broadways.

12:20 A crushed reed He will not utterly break, nor will He quench the

still smouldering wick, until He has led on Justice to victory.

12:21 AND ON HIS NAME SHALL THE NATIONS REST THEIR HOPES.”

12:22 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.

12:23 And the crowds of people were all filled with amazement and

said, “Can this be the Son of David?”

12:24 The Pharisees heard it and said, “This man only expels demons by

the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of demons.”

12:25 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. 12:26

And if Satan is expelling Satan, he has begun to make war on

himself: how therefore shall his kingdom last?

12:27 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.

12:28 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.

12:29 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.

12:30 “The man who is not with me is against me, and he who is not

gathering with me is scattering abroad.

12:31 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.

12:32 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.”

12:33 “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. 12:34

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.

12:35 A good man from his good store produces good things, and a bad

man from his bad store produces bad things.

12:36 But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak

they will be held accountable on the day of Judgment.

12:37 For each of you by his words shall be justified, or by his words

shall be condemned.”

12:38 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.”

12:39 “Wicked and faithless generation!” He replied, “they clamor for a

sign, but none shall be given to them except the sign of the

Prophet Jonah.

12:40 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.

12:41 There will stand up men of Nineveh at the Judgment 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.

12:42 The Queen of the south will awake at the Judgment 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.

12:43 “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.

12:44 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.

12:45 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.”

12:46 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.

12:47 So some one told Him, “Your mother and your brothers are

standing outside, and desire to speak to you.”

12:48 “Who is my mother?” He said to the man; “and who are my

brothers?”

12:49 And pointing to His disciples He added, “See here are my mother

and my brothers.

12:50 To obey my Father who is in Heaven — that is to be my brother

and my sister and my mother.”

CHAPTER 13

13:1 That same day Jesus had left the house and was sitting on the

shore of the Lake,

13:2 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.

13:3 He then spoke many things to them in figurative language. “The

sower goes out,” He said, “to sow.

13:4 As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds

come and peck it up.

13:5 Some falls on rocky ground, where it has but scanty soil. It

quickly shows itself above ground, because it has no depth of

earth;

13:6 but when the sun is risen, it is scorched by the heat, and through

having no root it withers up.

13:7 Some falls among the thorns; but the thorns spring up and stifle it.

13:8 But a portion falls upon good ground, and gives a return, some a

hundred for one, some sixty, some thirty.

13:9 Listen, every one who has ears!”

13:10 (And His disciples came and asked Him, “Why do you speak to

them in figurative language?”

13:11 “Because,” He replied, “while to you it is granted to know the

secrets of the Kingdom of the Heavens, to them it is not.

13:12 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.

13:13 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.

13:14 And in regard to them the prophecy of Isaiah is receiving signal

fulfillment: “‘You will hear and hear and by no means understand,

and you will look and look and by no means see.

13:15 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.’

13:16 “But as for you, blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears,

for they hear.

13:17 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.

13:18 “To you then I will explain the parable of the Sower.

13:19 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.

13:20 He who has received the seed on the rocky ground is the man

who hears the Message and immediately receives it with joy.

13:21 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.

13:22 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.

13:23 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.”)

13:24 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,

13:25 but during the night his enemy comes, and over the first seed he

sows darnel among the wheat, and goes away.

13:26 But when the blade shoots up and the grain is formed, then

appears the darnel also.

13:27 “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?’

13:28 “‘Some enemy has done this,’ he said. “‘Shall we go, and collect

it?’ the men inquire.

13:29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘for fear that while collecting the darnel you

should at the same time root up the wheat with it.

13:30 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.’”

13:31 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.

13:32 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.”

13:33 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.”

13:34 All this Jesus spoke to the people in figurative language, and

except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them,

13:35 in fulfillment 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.”

13:36 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.”

13:37 “The sower of the good seed,” He replied, “is the Son of Man;

13:38 the field is the world; the good seed — these are the sons of the

Kingdom; the darnel, the sons of the Evil one.

13:39 The enemy who sows the darnel is the Devil; the harvest is the

Close of the Age; the reapers are the angels.

13:40 As then the darnel is collected together and burnt up with fire, so

will it be at the Close of the Age.

13:41 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;

13:42 and these they will throw into the fiery furnace. There will be the

weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth.

13:43 Then will the righteous shine out like the sun in their Father’s

Kingdom. Listen, every one who has ears!

13:44 “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.

13:45 “Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a jewel merchant who is

in quest of choice pearls.

13:46

He finds one most costly pearl; he goes away; and though it costs

all he has, he buys it.

13:47 “Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a draw-net let down

into the sea, which encloses fish of all sorts.

13:48 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.

13:49 So will it be at the Close of the Age. The angels will go forth and

separate the wicked from among the righteous,

13:50 and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the

weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth.”

13:51 “Have you understood all this?” He asked. “Yes,” they said.

13:52 “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.”

13:53 Jesus concluded this series of parables and then departed.

13:54 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?

13:55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary?

And are not his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judah?

13:56 And his sisters — are they not all living here among us? Where

then did he get all this?”

13:57 So they turned angrily away from Him. But Jesus said to them,

“There is no prophet left without honor except in his own country

and among his own family.”

13:58 And He performed but few mighty deeds there because of their

want of faith.

CHAPTER 14

14:1 About that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

14:2 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.”

14:3 For Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and

imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip’s wife,

14:4 because John had persistently said to him, “It is not lawful for you

to have her.”

14:5 And he would have liked to put him to death, but was afraid of

the people, because they regarded John as a Prophet.

14:6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias

danced before all the company, and so pleased Herod

14:7 that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she asked.

14:8 So she, instigated by her mother, said, “Give me here on a dish

the head of John the Baptist.”

14:9 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,

14:10 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

14:11 The head was brought on a dish and given to the young girl, and

she took it to her mother.

14:12 Then John’s disciples went and removed the body and buried it,

and came and informed Jesus.

14:13 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.

14:14 So Jesus went out and saw an immense multitude, and felt

compassion for them, and cured those of them who were out of

health.

14:15 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.”

14:16 “They need not go away,” replied Jesus; “you yourselves must give

them something to eat.”

14:17 “We have nothing here,” they said, “but five loaves and a couple of

fish.”

14:18 “Bring them here to me,” He said,

14:19 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.

14:20 So all ate, and were fully satisfied. The broken portions that

remained over they gathered up, filling twelve baskets.

14:21 Those who had eaten were about 5,000 adult men, without

reckoning women and children.

14:22 Immediately afterwards He made the disciples go on board the

boat and cross to the opposite shore, leaving Him to dismiss the

people.

14:23 When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in solitude.

Night came on, and he was there alone.

14:24 Meanwhile the boat was far out on the Lake, buffeted and tossed

by the waves, the wind being adverse.

14:25 But towards daybreak He went to them, walking over the waves.

14:26 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.

14:27 But instantly Jesus spoke to them, and said, “There is no danger;

it is I; do not be afraid.”

14:28 “Master,” answered Peter, “if it is you, bid me come to you upon

the water.”

14:29 “Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter climbed down from the boat and

walked upon the water to go to Him.

14:30 But when he felt the wind he grew frightened, and beginning to

sink he cried out, “Master, save me.”

14:31 Instantly Jesus stretched out His hand and caught hold of him,

saying to him, “O little faith, why did you doubt?”

14:32 So they climbed into the boat, and the wind lulled;

14:33 and the men on board fell down before him and said, “You are

indeed God’s Son.”

14:34 When they had quite crossed over, they put ashore at Gennesaret;

14:35 and the men of the place, recognizing Him, sent word into all the

country round. So they brought all the sick to Him,

14:36 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.

CHAPTER 15

15:1 Then there came to Jesus a party of Pharisees and Scribes from

Jerusalem, who inquired,

15:2 “Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders by not

washing their hands before meals?”

15:3 “Why do you, too,” He retorted, “transgress God’s commands for

the sake of your tradition?

15:4 For God said, ‘HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER’; and ‘LET

HIM WHO REVILES FATHER OR MOTHER BE CERTAINLY PUT TO

DEATH’;

15:5 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 —

15:6 he shall be absolved from honoring his father’; and so you have

abrogated God’s Word for the sake of your tradition.

15:7 Hypocrites! well did Isaiah prophesy of you,

15:8 “‘This is a People who honor Me with their lips, while their heart is

far away from Me;

15:9 BUT IT IS IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, WHILE THEY LAY DOWN

PRECEPTS WHICH ARE MERE HUMAN RULES.’”

15:10 Then, when He had called the people to Him, Jesus said, “Hear

and understand.

15:11 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.”

15:12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do you know that the

Pharisees were greatly shocked when they heard those words?”

15:13 “Every plant,” He replied, “which my Heavenly Father has not

planted will be rooted up.

15:14 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.”

15:15 “Explain to us this figurative language,” said Peter.

15:16 “Are even you,” He answered, “still without intelligence?

15:17 Do you not understand that whatever enters the mouth passes into

the stomach and is afterwards ejected from the body?

15:18 But the things that come out of the mouth proceed from the heart,

and it is these that defile the man.

15:19 For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery,

fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech.

15:20 These are the things which defile the man; but eating with

unwashed hands does not defile.”

15:21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew into the vicinity of Tyre and

Sidon.

15:22 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.”

15:23 But He answered her not a word. Then the disciples interposed,

and begged Him, saying, “Send her away because she keeps

crying behind us.”

15:24 “I have only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” He

replied.

15:25 Then she came and threw herself at His feet and entreated Him.

“O Sir, help me,” she said.

15:26 “It is not right,” He said, “to take the children’s bread and throw it

to the dogs.”

15:27 “Be it so, Sir,” she said, “for even the dogs eat the scraps which fall

from their masters’ tables.”

15:28 “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.

15:29 Again, moving thence, Jesus went along by the Lake of Galilee;

and ascending the hill, He sat down there.

15:30 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,

15:31

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.

15:32 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.”

15:33 “Where can we,” asked the disciples, “get bread enough in this

remote place to satisfy so vast a multitude?”

15:34 “How many loaves have you?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they said,

“and a few small fish.”

15:35 So He bade all the people sit down on the ground,

15:36 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.

15:37 And they all ate and were satisfied. The broken portions that

remained over they took up — seven full hampers.

15:38 Those who ate were 4,000 adult men, without reckoning women

and children.

15:39 He then dismissed the people, went on board the boat, and came

into the district of Magadan.

CHAPTER 16

16:1 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.

16:2 He replied, “In the evening you say, ‘It will be fine weather, for

the sky is red;’

16:3 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.

16:4 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.

16:5 When the disciples arrived at the other side of the Lake, they

found that they had forgotten to bring any bread;

16:6 and when Jesus said to them, “See to it: beware of the yeast of the

Pharisees and Sadducees,”

16:7 they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have

not brought any bread.”

16:8 Jesus perceived this and said, “Why are you reasoning among

yourselves, you men of little faith, because you have no bread?

16:9 Do you not yet understand? nor even remember the 5,000 and the

five loaves, and how many basketfuls you carried away,

16:10 nor the 4,000 and the seven loaves, and how many hampers you

carried away?

16:11 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.”

16:12 Then they perceived that He had not warned them against bread-

yeast, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

16:13 When He arrived in the neighborhood of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus

questioned His disciples. “Who do people say that the Son of Man

is?” He asked.

16:14 “Some say John the Baptist,” they replied; “others Elijah; others

Jeremiah or one of the Prophets.”

16:15 “But you, who do you say that I am?” He asked again.

16:16 “You,” replied Simon Peter, “are the Christ, the Son of the ever-

living God.”

16:17 “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jonah,” said Jesus; “for mere human

nature has not revealed this to you, but my Father in Heaven.

16:18 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.

16:19 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.”

16:20 Then He urged His disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ.

16:21 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.

16:22 Then Peter took Him aside and began taking Him to task.

“Master,” he said, “God forbid; this will not be your lot.”

16:23 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.”

16:24 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.

16:25 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever

loses his life for my sake shall find it.

16:26 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?

16:27 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.

16:28 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.”

CHAPTER 17

17:1 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.

17:2 There in their presence His form underwent a change; His face

shone like the sun, and His raiment became as white as the light.

17:3 And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them conversing with

Him.

17:4 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.”

17:5 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.”

17:6 On hearing this voice, the disciples fell on their faces and were

filled with terror.

17:7 But Jesus came and touched them, and said, “Rouse yourselves

and have no fear.”

17:8 So they looked up, and saw no one but Jesus.

17:9 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.”

17:10 “Why then,” asked the disciples, “do the Scribes say that Elijah

must first come?”

17:11 “Elijah was indeed to come,” He replied, “and would reform

everything.

17:12 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.”

17:13 Then it dawned upon the disciples that it was John the Baptist

about whom He had spoken to them.

17:14 When they had returned to the people, there came to Him a man

who fell on his knees before Him and besought Him.

17:15 “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.

17:16 I have brought him to your disciples, and they have not been able

to cure him.”

17:17 “O unbelieving and perverse generation!” replied Jesus; “how long

shall I be with you? how long shall I endure you? Bring him to

me.”

17:18 Then Jesus reprimanded the demon, and it came out and left him;

and the boy was cured from that moment.

17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked Him, “Why

could not we expel the demon?”

17:20 “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.

17:21 But an evil spirit of this kind is only driven out by prayer and

fasting.”

17:22 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;

17:23 they will put Him to death, but on the third day He will be raised

to life again.” And they were exceedingly distressed.

17:24 After their arrival at Capernaum the collectors of the half-shekel

came and asked Peter, “Does not your Teacher pay the half-

shekel?”

17:25 “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?”

17:26 “From others,” he replied. “Then the children go free,” said Jesus.

17:27 “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.”

CHAPTER 18

18:1 Just then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who ranks

higher than others in the Kingdom of the Heavens?”

18:2 So He called a young child to Him, and, bidding him stand in the

midst of them,

18:3 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.

18:4 Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this young child, he it

is who is superior to others in the Kingdom of the Heavens.

18:5 And whoever for my sake receives one young child such as this,

receives me.

18:6 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.

18:7 “Alas for the world because of causes of falling! They cannot but

come, but alas for each man through whom they come!

18:8 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.

18:9 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.

18:10 “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.

18:11 []

18:12 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?

18:13 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.

18:14 Just so it is not the will of your Father in Heaven that one of these

little ones should be lost.

18:15 “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.

18:16 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.

18:17 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.

18:18 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.

18:19 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.

18:20 For where there are two or three assembled in my name, there am

I in the midst of them.”

18:21 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?”

18:22 “I do not say seven times,” answered Jesus, “but seventy times

seven times.

18:23 “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.

18:24 But as soon as he began the settlement, one was brought before

him who owed 10,000 talents,

18:25 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.

18:26 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.’

18:27 “Whereupon his master, touched with compassion, set him free and

forgave him the debt.

18:28 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.’

18:29 “His fellow servant therefore fell at his feet and entreated him,

“‘Only give me time,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you.’

18:30 “He would not, however, but went and threw him into prison until

he should pay what was due.

18:31 His fellow servants, therefore, seeing what had happened, were

exceedingly angry; and they came and told their master without

reserve all that had happened.

18:32 At once his master called him and said, “‘Wicked servant, I

forgave you all that debt, because you entreated me:

18:33 ought not you also to have had pity on your fellow servant, just as

I had pity on you?’

18:34 “So his master, greatly incensed, handed him over to the jailers until

he should pay all he owed him.

18:35 “In the same way my Heavenly Father will deal with you, if you do

not all of you forgive one another from your hearts.”

CHAPTER 19

19:1 When Jesus had finished these discourses, He removed from

Galilee and came into that part of Judaea which lay beyond the

Jordan.

19:2 And a vast multitude followed him, and He cured them there.

19:3 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?”

19:4 “Have you not read,” He replied, “that He who made them ‘MADE

THEM’ from the beginning ‘male and female,

19:5 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’?

19:6 Thus they are no longer two, but ‘one’! What therefore God has

joined together, let not man separate.”

19:7 “Why then,” said they, “did Moses command the husband to give

her ‘a written notice of divorce,’ and so put her away?”

19:8 “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.

19:9 And I tell you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason

except her unfaithfulness, and marries another woman, commits

adultery.”

19:10 “If this is the case with a man in relation to his wife,” said the

disciples to Him, “it is better not to marry.”

19:11 “It is not every man,” He replied, “who can receive this teaching,

but only those on whom the grace has been bestowed.

19:12 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.”

19:13 Then young children were brought to Him for Him to put His

hands on them and pray; but the disciples interfered.

19:14 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.”

19:15 So He laid His hands upon them and went away.

19:16 “Teacher,” said one man, coming up to Him, “what that is good

shall I do in order to win the Life of the Ages?”

19:17 “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.”

19:18 “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;’

19:19 ‘HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER’; AND ‘THOU SHALT LOVE

THY FELLOW MAN AS MUCH AS THYSELF.’”

19:20 “All of these,” said the young man, “I have carefully kept. What do

I still lack?”

19:21 “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.”

19:22 On hearing those words the young man went away much cast

down; for he had much property.

19:23 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.

19:24 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.”

19:25 These words utterly amazed the disciples, and they asked, “Who

then can be saved?”

19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but

with God everything is possible.”

19:27 Then Peter said to Jesus, “See, we have forsaken everything and

followed you; what then will be our reward?”

19:28 “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.

19:29 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.

19:30 “But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now

last will be first.

CHAPTER 20

20:1 “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,

20:2 and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a day, sent

them into his vineyard.

20:3 About nine o’clock he went out and saw others loitering in the

market-place.

20:4 To these also he said, “‘You also, go into the vineyard, and

whatever is right I will give you.’

20:5 “So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o’clock, he

went out and did the same.

20:6 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?’

20:7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they replied. “‘You also, go into

the vineyard,’ he said.

20:8 “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.’

20:9 “When those came who had begun at five o’clock, they received a

shilling apiece;

20:10 and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they also

each got the shilling.

20:11 So when they had received it, they grumbled against the

employer, saying,

20:12 “‘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.’

20:13 “‘My friend,’ he answered to one of them, ‘I am doing you no

injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling?

20:14 Take your money and go. I choose to give this last comer just as

much as I give you.

20:15 Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own property? Or

are you envious because I am generous?’

20:16 “So the last shall be first, and the first last.”

20:17 Jesus was now going up to Jerusalem, and He took the twelve

disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them,

20:18 “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,

20:19 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.”

20:20 Then the mother of the sons of Zabdi came to Him with her sons,

and knelt before Him to make a request of Him.

20:21 “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.”

20:22 “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.

20:23 “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.”

20:24 The other ten heard of this, and their indignation was aroused

against the two brothers.

20:25 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.

20:26 Not so shall it be among you; but whoever desires to be great

among you shall be your servant,

20:27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your

bondservant;

20:28 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.”

20:29 As they were leaving Jericho, an immense crowd following Him,

20:30 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.”

20:31 The people angrily tried to silence them, but they cried all the

louder. “O Sir, Son of David, pity us,” they said.

20:32 So Jesus stood still and called to them. “What shall I do for you?”

He asked.

20:33 “Sir, let our eyes be opened,” they replied.

20:34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and

immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

CHAPTER 21

21:1 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,

21:2 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.

21:3 And if any one says anything to you, say, ‘The Master needs

them,’ and he will at once send them.”

21:4 This took place in order that the Prophet’s prediction might be

fulfilled:

21:5 “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.’”

21:6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them:

21:7 they brought the she-ass and the foal, and threw their outer

garments on them. So He sat on them;

21:8 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,

21:9 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!”

21:10 When He thus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was thrown into

commotion, every one inquiring, “Who is this?”

21:11 “This is Jesus, the Prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee,” replied the

crowds.

21:12 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.

21:13 “It is written,” He said, “‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED THE HOUSE

OF PRAYER’, but you are making it A ROBBERS’ CAVE.”

21:14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the Temple, and He

cured them.

21:15 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.

21:16 “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’?”

21:17 So He left them and went out of the city to Bethany and passed

the night there.

21:18 Early in the morning as He was on His way to return to the city

He was hungry,

21:19 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.

21:20 When the disciples saw it they exclaimed in astonishment, “How

instantaneously the fig-tree has withered away!”

21:21 “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;

21:22 and everything, whatever it be, that you ask for in your prayers, if

you have faith, you shall obtain.”

21:23 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?”

21:24 “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.

21:25 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?’

21:26 and if we say ‘a human origin’ we have the people to fear, for

they all hold John to have been a Prophet.”

21:27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” “Nor do I tell you,”

He replied, “by what authority I do these things.”

21:28 “But give me your judgment. 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.’

21:29 “‘I will not,’ he replied. “But afterwards he was sorry, and went.

21:30 He came to the second and spoke in the same manner. His answer

was, “‘I will go, Sir.’ “But he did not go.

21:31 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.

21:32 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.

21:33 “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.

21:34 When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-

dressers to receive his share of the grapes;

21:35 but the vine-dressers seized the servants, and one they cruelly

beat, one they killed, one they pelted with stones.

21:36 Again he sent another party of servants more numerous than the

first; and these they treated in the same manner.

21:37 Later still he sent to them his son, saying, “‘They will respect my

son.’

21:38 “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.’

21:39 “So they seized him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and killed

him.

21:40 When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to

those vine-dressers?”

21:41 “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.”

21:42 “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’?

21:43 “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.

21:44 He who falls on this stone will be severely hurt; but he on whom it

falls will be utterly crushed.”

21:45 After listening to His parables the High Priests and the Pharisees

perceived that He was speaking about them;

21:46 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.

CHAPTER 22

22:1 Again Jesus spoke to them in figurative language.

22:2 “The Kingdom of the Heavens,” He said, “may be compared to a

king who celebrated the marriage of his son,

22:3 and sent his servants to call the invited guests to the wedding, but

they were unwilling to come.

22:4 “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.’

22:5 “They however gave no heed, but went, one to his home in the

country, another to his business;

22:6 and the rest seized the king’s servants, maltreated them, and

murdered them.

22:7 So the king’s anger was stirred, and he sent his troops and

destroyed those murderers and burnt their city.

22:8 Then he said to his servants, “‘The wedding banquet is ready, but

those who were invited were unworthy of it.

22:9 Go out therefore to the crossroads, and everybody you meet

invite to the wedding.’

22:10 “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.

22:11 “Now the king came in to see the guests; and among them he

discovered one who was not wearing a wedding-robe.

22:12 “‘My friend,’ he said, ‘how is it that you came in here without a

wedding robe?’

22:13 “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.’

22:14 “For there are many called, but few chosen.”

22:15 Then the Pharisees went and consulted together how they might

entrap Him in His conversation.

22:16 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.

22:17 Give us your judgment therefore: is it allowable for us to pay a

poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”

22:18 Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, “Why are you

hypocrites trying to ensnare me?

22:19 Show me the tribute coin.” And they brought Him a shilling.

22:20 “Whose likeness and inscription,” He asked, “is this?”

22:21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Pay therefore,” He rejoined, “what is

Caesar’s to Caesar; and what is God’s to God.”

22:22 They heard this, and were astonished; then left Him, and went

their way.

22:23 On the same day a party of Sadducees came to Him, contending

that there is no resurrection. And they put this case to Him.

22:24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses enjoined, ‘IF A MAN DIE CHILDLESS,

HIS BROTHER SHALL MARRY HIS WIDOW, AND RAISE UP A FAMILY

FOR HIM.’

22:25 Now we had among us seven brothers. The eldest of them

married, but died childless, leaving his wife to his brother.

22:26 So also did the second and the third, down to the seventh,

22:27 till the woman also died, after surviving them all.

22:28 At the Resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she

be? for they all married her.”

22:29 The reply of Jesus was, “You are in error, through ignorance of

the Scriptures and of the power of God.

22:30 For in the Resurrection, men neither marry nor are women given

in marriage, but they are like angels in Heaven.

22:31 But as to the Resurrection of the dead, have you never read what

God says to you,

22:32 ‘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.”

22:33 All the crowd heard this, and were filled with amazement at His

teaching.

22:34 Now the Pharisees came up when they heard that He had silenced

the Sadducees,

22:35 and one of them, an expounder of the Law, asked Him as a test

question,

22:36 “Teacher, which is the greatest Commandment in the Law?”

22:37

“‘THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD,’” He answered, “‘WITH

THY WHOLE HEART, THY WHOLE SOUL, THY WHOLE MIND.’

22:38 This is the greatest and foremost Commandment.

22:39 And the second is similar to it: ‘Thou shalt love thy fellow man as

much as thyself.’

22:40 The whole of the Law and the Prophets is summed up in these

two Commandments.”

22:41 While the Pharisees were still assembled there, Jesus put a

question to them.

22:42 “What think you about the Christ,” He said, “whose son is He?”

“David’s,” they replied.

22:43 “How then,” He asked, “does David, taught by the Spirit, call Him

Lord, when he says,

22:44

“‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND UNTIL I

HAVE PUT THY FOES BENEATH THY FEET’?

22:45 “If therefore David calls Him Lord, how can He be his son?”

22:46 No one could say a word in reply, nor from that day did any one

venture again to put a question to Him.

CHAPTER 23

23:1 Then Jesus addressed the crowds and His disciples.

23:2 “The Scribes,” He said, “and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses.

23:3 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.

23:4 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.

23:5 And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by

men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large,

23:6 and love the best seats at a dinner party or in the synagogues,

23:7 and like to be bowed to in places of public resort, and to be

addressed by men as ‘Rabbi.’

23:8 “As for you, do not accept the title of ‘Rabbi,’ for one alone is your

Teacher, and you are all brothers.

23:9 And call no one on earth your Father, for One alone is your

Father — the Heavenly Father.

23:10 And do not accept the name of ‘leader,’ for your Leader is one

alone — the Christ.

23:11 He who is the greatest among you shall be your servant;

23:12 and one who exalts himself shall be abased, while one who abases

himself shall be exalted.

23:13 “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.

23:14 []

23:15 “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.

23:16 “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.’

23:17 “Blind fools! Why, which is greater? — the gold, or the Sanctuary

which has made the gold holy?

23:18 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.’

23:19 “You are blind! Why, which is greater? — the offering, or the altar

which makes the offering holy?

23:20 He who swears by the altar swears both by it and by everything on

it;

23:21 he who swears by the Sanctuary swears both by it and by Him

who dwells in it;

23:22 and he who swears by Heaven swears both by the throne of God

and by Him who sits upon it.

23:23 “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 judgment, mercy, and

faithful dealing. These things you ought to have done, and yet you

ought not to have left the others undone.

23:24 You blind guides, straining out the gnat while you gulp down the

camel!

23:25 “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.

23:26 Blind Pharisee, first wash clean the inside of the cup or dish, and

then the outside will be clean also.

23:27 “Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are just

like whitewashed sepulchers, the outside of which pleases the eye,

though inside they are full of dead men’s bones and of all that is

unclean.

23:28 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.

23:29 “Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you repair the

sepulchers of the Prophets and keep in order the tombs of the

righteous,

23:30 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.’

23:31 “So that you bear witness against yourselves that you are

descendants of those who murdered the Prophets.

23:32 Fill up the measure of your forefathers’ guilt.

23:33 O serpents, O vipers’ brood, how are you to escape condemnation

to Gehenna?

23:34“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;

23:35 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.

23:36 I tell you in solemn truth that all these things will come upon the

present generation.

23:37 “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!

23:38 See, your house will now be left to you desolate!

23:39 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.’”

CHAPTER 24

24:1 Jesus had left the Temple and was going on His way, when His

disciples came and called His attention to the Temple buildings.

24:2 “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.”

24:3 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?”

24:4 “Take care that no one misleads you,” answered Jesus;

24:5 “for many will come assuming my name and saying ‘I am the

Christ;’ and they will mislead many.

24:6 And before long you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Do

not be alarmed, for such things must be; but the End is not yet.

24:7 FOR NATION WILL RISE IN ARMS AGAINST NATION, KINGDOM

AGAINST KINGDOM, and there will be famines and earthquakes in

various places;

24:8 but all these miseries are but like the early pains of childbirth.

24:9 “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.

24:10 Then WILL MANY STUMBLE AND FALL, and they will betray one

another and hate one another.

24:11 Many false prophets will rise up and lead multitudes astray;

24:12 and because of the prevalent disregard of God’s law the love of

the great majority will grow cold;

24:13 but those who stand firm to the End shall be saved.

24:14 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.

24:15 “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 —

24:16 “then let those who are in Judaea escape to the hills;

24:17 let him who is on the roof not go down to fetch what is in his

house;

24:18 nor let him who is outside the city stay to pick up his outer

garment.

24:19 And alas for the women who at that time are with child or have

infants!

24:20 “But pray that your flight may not be in winter, nor on the Sabbath;

24:21 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.

24:22 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.

24:23 “If at that time any one should say to you, ‘See, here is the Christ!’

or ‘Here!’ give no credence to it.

24:24 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.

24:25 Remember, I have forewarned you.

24:26 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.

24:27 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.

24:28 Wherever the dead body is, there will the vultures flock together.

24:29 “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.

24:30 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.

24:31 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.

24:32 “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.

24:33 So you also, when you see all these signs, may be sure that He is

near — at your very door.

24:34 I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly

not pass away without all these things having first taken place.

24:35 Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my words will

not pass away.

24:36 “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.

24:37 ‘For as it was in the time of Noah, so it will be at the Coming of the

Son of Man.

24:38 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,

24:39 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.

24:40 Then will two men be in the open country: one will be taken

away, and one left behind.

24:41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken away,

and one left behind.

24:42 Be on the alert therefore, for you do not know the day on which

your Lord is coming.

24:43 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.

24:44 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.

24:45 “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?

24:46 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes shall find

so doing!

24:47 In solemn truth I tell you that he will give him the management of

all his wealth.

24:48 But if the man, being a bad servant, should say in his heart, ‘My

master is a long time in coming,’

24:49 and should begin to beat his fellow servants, while he eats and

drinks with drunkards;

24:50 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;

24:51 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.

CHAPTER 25

25:1 “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.

25:2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

25:3 For the foolish, when they took their torches, did not provide

themselves with oil;

25:4 but the wise, besides their torches, took oil in their flasks.

25:5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, so that meanwhile

they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

25:6 But at midnight there is a loud cry, “‘The bridegroom! Go out and

meet him!’

25:7 “Then all those bridesmaids roused themselves and trimmed their

torches.

25:8 “‘Give us some of your oil,’ said the foolish ones to the wise, ‘for

our torches are going out.’

25:9 “‘But perhaps,’ replied the wise, ‘there will not be enough for all of

us. Go to the shops rather, and buy some for yourselves.’

25:10 “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.

25:11 “Afterwards the other bridesmaids came and cried, “‘Sir, Sir, open

the door to us.’

25:12 “‘In solemn truth I tell you,’ he replied, ‘I do not know you.’

25:13 “Keep awake therefore; for you know neither the day nor the hour.

25:14 “Why, it is like a man who, when going on his travels, called his

bondservants and entrusted his property to their care.

25:15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one — to

each according to his individual capacity; and then started from

home.

25:16 Without delay the one who had received the five talents went and

employed them in business, and gained five more.

25:17 In the same way he who had the two gained two more.

25:18 But the man who had received the one went and dug a hole and

buried his master’s money.

25:19 “After a long lapse of time the master of those servants returned,

and had a reckoning with them.

25:20 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.’

25:21 “‘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.’

25:22 “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.’

25:23 “‘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.’

25:24 “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.

25:25 So being afraid I went and buried your talent in the ground: there

you have what belongs to you.’

25:26 “‘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?

25:27 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.

25:28 So take away the talent from him, and give it to the man who has

the ten.’

25:29 (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.)

25:30 ‘But as for this worthless servant, put him out into the darkness

outside: there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.’

25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with

Him, then will He sit upon His glorious throne,

25:32 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;

25:33 and will make the sheep stand at His right hand, and the goats at

His left.

25:34 “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.

25:35 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;

25:36 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.’

25:37 “‘When, Lord,’ the righteous will reply, ‘did we see Thee hungry,

and feed Thee; or thirsty, and give Thee drink?

25:38 When did we see Thee homeless, and give Thee a welcome? or ill-

clad, and clothe Thee?

25:39 When did we see Thee sick or in prison, and come to see Thee?’

25:40 “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.’

25:41 “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.

25:42 For when I was hungry, you gave me nothing to eat; when thirsty,

you gave me nothing to drink;

25:43 when homeless, you gave me no welcome; ill-clad, you clothed

me not; sick or in prison, you visited me not.’

25:44 “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?’

25:45 “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.’

25:46 “And these shall go away into the Punishment of the Ages, but the

righteous into the Life of the Ages.”

CHAPTER 26

26:1 When Jesus had ended all these discourses, He said to His

disciples,

26:2 “You know that in two days’ time the Passover comes. And the

Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

26:3 Then the High Priests and Elders of the People assembled in the

court of the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas,

26:4 and consulted how to get Jesus into their power by stratagem and

put Him to death.

26:5 But they said, “Not during the Festival, lest there be a riot among

the people.”

26:6 Now when Jesus was come to Bethany and was at the house of

Simon the Leper,

26:7 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.

26:8 “Why such waste?” indignantly exclaimed the disciples;

26:9 “for this might have been sold for a considerable sum, and the

money given to the poor.”

26:10 But Jesus heard it, and said to them, “Why are you vexing her?

For she has done a most gracious act towards me.

26:11 The poor you always have with you, but me you have not always.

26:12 In pouring this ointment over me, her object was to prepare me

for burial.

26:13 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.”

26:14 At that time one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot,

went to the High Priests

26:15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I betray him to

you?” So they weighed out to him thirty shekels,

26:16 and from that moment he was on the look out for an opportunity

to betray Him.

26:17 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?”

26:18 “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.’”

26:19 The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and got the Passover

ready.

26:20 When evening came, He was at table with the twelve disciples,

26:21 and the meal was proceeding, when Jesus said, “In solemn truth I

tell you that one of you will betray me.”

26:22 Intensely grieved they began one after another to ask Him, “Can it

be I, Master?”

26:23 “The one who has dipped his fingers in the bowl with me,” He

answered, “is the man who will betray me.

26:24 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.”

26:25 Then Judas, the disciple who was betraying Him, asked, “Can it

be I, Rabbi?” “It is you,” He replied.

26:26 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.”

26:27 And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying,

“Drink from it, all of you;

26:28 for this is my blood which is to be poured out for many for the

remission of sins — the blood which ratifies the Covenant.

26:29 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.”

26:30 So they sang the hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

26:31 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.’

26:32 But after I have risen to life again I will go before you into

Galilee.”

26:33 “All may stumble and fail,” said Peter, “but I never will.”

26:34 “In solemn truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “that this very night,

before the cock crows, you will three times disown me.”

26:35 “Even if I must die with you,” declared Peter, “I will never disown

you.” In like manner protested all the disciples.

26:36 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.”

26:37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zabdi. Then He

began to be full of anguish and distress,

26:38 and He said to them, “My soul is crushed with anguish to the very

point of death; wait here, and keep awake with me.”

26:39 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.”

26:40 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!

26:41 Keep awake, and pray that you may not enter into temptation: the

spirit is right willing, but the body is frail.”

26:42 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.”

26:43 He came and again found them asleep, for they were very tired.

26:44 So He left them, and went away once more and prayed a third

time, again using the same words.

26:45 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.

26:46 Rouse yourselves. Let us be going. My betrayer is close at hand.”

26:47 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.

26:48 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.”

26:49 So he went straight to Jesus and said, “Peace to you, Rabbi!” And

he kissed Him eagerly.

26:50 “Friend,” said Jesus, “carry out your intention.” Then they came

and laid their hands on Jesus and seized Him firmly.

26:51 But one of those with Jesus drew his sword and struck the High

Priest’s servant, cutting off his ear.

26:52 “Put back your sword again,” said Jesus, “for all who draw the

sword shall perish by the sword.

26:53 Or do you suppose I cannot entreat my Father and He would

instantly send to my help more than twelve legions of angels?

26:54 In that case how are the Scriptures to be fulfilled which declare

that thus it must be?”

26:55 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.

26:56 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.

26:57 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.

26:58 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.

26:59 Meanwhile the High Priests and the whole Sanhedrin were

seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death;

26:60 but they could find none, although many false witnesses came

forward. At length there came two

26:61 who testified, “This man said, ‘I am able to pull down the

Sanctuary of God and three days afterwards to build a new one.’”

26:62 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?”

26:63 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.”

26:64 “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.”

26:65 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.

26:66 What is your verdict?” “He deserves to die,” they replied.

26:67 Then they spat in His face, and struck Him — some with the fist,

some with the open hand —

26:68 while they taunted Him, saying, “Christ, prove yourself a Prophet

by telling us who it was that struck you.”

26:69 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.”

26:70 He denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you

mean.”

26:71 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.”

26:72 Again he denied it with an oath. “I do not know the man,” he said.

26:73 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.”

26:74 Then with curses and oaths he declared, “I do not know the man.”

Immediately a cock crowed,

26:75 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.

CHAPTER 27

27:1 When morning came all the High Priests and the Elders of the

people consulted together against Jesus to put Him to death;

27:2 and binding Him they led Him away and handed Him over to

Pilate the Governor.

27:3 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

27:4 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.”

27:5 Flinging the shekels into the Sanctuary he left the place, and went

and hanged himself.

27:6 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.”

27:7 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;

27:8 for which reason that piece of ground received the name, which it

still bears, of ‘the Field of Blood.’

27:9 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,

27:10 AND GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED

ME.”

27:11 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.

27:12 When however the High Priests and the Elders kept bringing their

charges against Him, He said not a word in reply.

27:13 “Do you not hear,” asked Pilate, “what a mass of evidence they are

bringing against you?”

27:14 But He made no reply to a single accusation, so that the Governor

was greatly astonished.

27:15 “Now it was the Governor’s custom at the Festival to release some

one prisoner, whomsoever the populace desired;

27:16 and at this time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

27:17 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?”

27:18 For he knew that it was from envious hatred that Jesus had been

brought before him.

27:19 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.”

27:20 The High Priests, however, and the Elders urged the crowd to ask

for Barabbas and to demand the death of Jesus.

27:21 So when the Governor a second time asked them, “Which of the

two shall I release to you?” — they cried, “Barabbas!”

27:22 “What then,” said Pilate, “shall I do with Jesus, the so-called

Christ?” With one voice they shouted, “Let him be crucified!”

27:23 “Why, what crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they kept

on furiously shouting, “Let him be crucified!”

27:24 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.”

27:25 “His blood,” replied all the people, “be on us and on our children!”

27:26 Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he ordered to be

scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified.

27:27 Then the Governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and

called together the whole battalion to make sport of Him.

27:28 Stripping off His garments, they put on Him a general’s short

crimson cloak.

27:29 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!”

27:30 Then they spat upon Him, and taking the cane they repeatedly

struck Him on the head with it.

27:31 At last, having finished their sport, they took off the cloak,

clothed Him again in His own garments, and led Him away for

crucifixion.

27:32 Going out they met a Cyrenaean named Simon; whom they

compelled to carry His cross,

27:33 and so they came to a place called Golgotha, which means ‘Skullground.’

27:34 Here they gave Him a mixture of wine and gall to drink, but

having tasted it He refused to drink it.

27:35 After crucifying Him, they divided His garments among them by

lot,

27:36 and sat down there on guard.

27:37 Over His head they placed a written statement of the charge

against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

27:38 At the same time two robbers were crucified with Him, one at His

right hand and the other at His left.

27:39 And the passers-by reviled Him. They shook their heads at Him

27:40 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.”

27:41 In like manner the High Priests also, together with the Scribes and

the Elders, taunted Him.

27:42 “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.

27:43 His trust is in God: let God deliver him now, if He will have him;

for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’”

27:44 Insults of the same kind were heaped on Him even by the robbers

who were being crucified with Him.

27:45 Now from noon until three o’clock in the afternoon there was

darkness over the whole land;

27:46 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?”

27:47 “The man is calling for Elijah,” said some of the bystanders.

27:48 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;

27:49 while the rest said, “Let us see whether Elijah is coming to deliver

him.”

27:50 But Jesus uttered another loud cry and then yielded up His spirit.

27:51 Immediately the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top

to bottom: the earth quaked; the rocks split;

27:52 the tombs opened; and many of God’s people who were asleep in

death awoke.

27:53 And coming out of their tombs after Christ’s resurrection they

entered the holy city and showed themselves to many.

27:54 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.”

27:55 And there were a number of women there looking on from a

distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to His

necessities;

27:56 among them being Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James

and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zabdi.

27:57 Towards sunset there came a wealthy inhabitant of Arimathaea,

named Joseph, who himself also had become a disciple of Jesus.

27:58 He went to Pilate and begged to have the body of Jesus, and

Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

27:59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean sheet of fine

linen.

27:60 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.

27:61 Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were both present there,

sitting opposite to the sepulcher.

27:62 On the next day, the day after the Preparation, the High Priests

and the Pharisees came in a body to Pilate.

27:63 “Sir,” they said, “we recollect that during his lifetime that impostor

pretended that after two days he was to rise to life again.

27:64 So give orders for the sepulcher 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.”

27:65 “You can have a guard,” said Pilate: “go and make all safe, as best

you can.”

27:66 So they went and made the sepulcher secure, sealing the stone

besides setting the guard.

CHAPTER 28

28:1 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 sepulcher.

28:2 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.

28:3 His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

28:4 For fear of him the guards trembled violently, and became like

dead men.

28:5 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.

28:6 He is not here: He has come back to life, as He foretold. Come

and see the place where He lay.

28:7 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.”

28:8 They quickly left the tomb and ran, still terrified but full of

unspeakable joy, to carry the news to His disciples.

28:9 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.

28:10 Then He said, “Dismiss all fear! Go and take word to my brethren

to go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.”

28:11 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.

28:12 So the latter held a conference with the Elders, and after

consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers,

28:13 telling them to say, “His disciples came during the night and stole

his body while we were asleep.”

28:14 “And if this,” they added, “is reported to the Governor, we will

satisfy him and screen you from punishment.”

28:15 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.

28:16 As for the eleven disciples, they proceeded into Galilee, to the hill

where Jesus had arranged to meet them.

28:17 There they saw Him and prostrated themselves before Him. Yet

some doubted.

28:18 Jesus however came near and said to them, “All power in Heaven

and over the earth has been given to me.

28:19 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;

28:20 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.”

THE GOOD NEWS

AS RECORDED BY

MARK

This Gospel is at once the briefest and earliest of the four. Modern research

confirms the ancient tradition that the author was Barnabas’s cousin,

“John, whose other name was Mark,” who during Paul’s first missionary

tour “departed from them” at Pamphylia, “and returned to Jerusalem” (see

Acts 12:12,25; 15:37,39; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24;

1 Peter 5:13). His defection appeared to Paul sufficiently serious to

warrant an emphatic refusal to take him with him on a second tour, but in

after years the breach was healed and we find Mark with Paul again when

he writes to Colossae, and he is also mentioned approvingly in the second

Letter to Timothy.

Scholars are now almost unanimous in fixing the date of this Gospel

between 63 and 70, A. D. There is no valid reason for questioning the

usual view that it was written in Rome. Clement, Eusebius, Jerome and

Epiphanius, all assert that this was so. That the book was mainly intended

for Gentiles, and especially Romans, seems probable from internal

evidence. Latin forms not occurring in other Gospels, together with

explanations of Jewish terms and customs, and the omission of all reference

to the Jewish Law, point in this direction. Its vividness of narration and

pictorial minuteness of observation bespeak the testimony of an eyewitness,

and the assertion of Papias, quoted by Eusebius, that Mark was

“the interpreter of Peter” is borne out by the Gospel itself no less than by

what we otherwise know of Mark and Peter.

In a real though not mechanical sense, this is “the Gospel of Peter,” and its

admitted priority to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke affords substantial

reason for the assumption that it is to some extent the source whence they

derive their narratives, although Papias distinctly affirms that Mark made

no attempt at giving a carefully arranged history such as that at which Luke

confessedly aimed.

In spite of the witness of most uncial MSS. and the valiant pleading of

Dean Burgon and others, modern scholars are well nigh unanimous in

asserting that the last twelve verses of this Gospel are an appendix. Yet less

cannot honestly be said than that they “must have been of very early date,”

and that they embody “a true apostolic tradition which may have been

written by some companion or successor of the original author.” In one

Armenian MS. they are attributed to Aristion.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

1:2 As it is written in Isaiah the Prophet, “See, I am sending My

messenger before Thee, Who will prepare Thy way”;

1:3 “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING ALOUD: ‘IN THE DESERT PREPARE A

ROAD FOR THE LORD: MAKE HIS HIGHWAYS STRAIGHT.’”

1:4 So John the Baptizer came, and was in the Desert proclaiming a

baptism of the penitent for forgiveness of sins.

1:5 There went out to him people of all classes from Judaea, and the

inhabitants of Jerusalem of all ranks, and were baptized by him in

the river Jordan, making open confession of their sins.

1:6 As for John, his garment was of camel’s hair, and he wore a

loincloth of leather; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

1:7 His announcement was, “There is One coming after me mightier

than I — One whose sandal-strap I am unworthy to stoop down

and unfasten.

1:8 I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the

Holy Spirit.”

1:9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was

baptized by John in the Jordan;

1:10 and immediately on His coming up out of the water He saw an

opening in the sky, and the Spirit like a dove coming down to

Him;

1:11

and a voice came from the sky, saying, “Thou art My Son dearly

loved: in Thee is My delight.”

1:12

At once the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the Desert,

1:13

where He remained for forty days, tempted by Satan; and He was

among the wild beasts, but the angels waited upon Him.

1:14

Then, after John had been thrown into prison, Jesus came into

Galilee proclaiming God’s Good News.

1:15

“The time has fully come,” He said, “and the Kingdom of God is

close at hand: repent, and believe this Good News.

1:16

One day, passing along the shore of the Lake of Galilee, He saw

Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, throwing their nets in the

Lake; for they were fisherman.

1:17

“Come and follow me,” said Jesus, “and I will make you fishers for

men.”

1:18

At once they left their nets and followed Him.

1:19

Going on a little further He saw James the son of Zabdi and his

brother John: they also were in the boat mending the nets, and He

immediately called them.

1:20

They therefore left their father Zabdi in the boat with the hired

men, and went and followed Him.

1:21

So they came to Capernaum, and on the next Sabbath He went to

the synagogue and began to teach.

1:22

The people listened with amazement to His teaching — for there

was authority about it: it was very different from that of the

Scribes —

1:23

when all at once, there in their synagogue, a man under the power

of a foul spirit screamed out:

1:24

“What have you to do with us, Jesus the Nazarene? Have you come

to destroy us? I know who you are — God’s Holy One.”

1:25

But Jesus reprimanded him, saying, “Silence! come out of him.”

1:26

So the foul spirit, after throwing the man into convulsions, came

out of him with a loud cry.

1:27

And all were amazed and awe-struck, so they began to ask one

another, “What does this mean? Here is a new sort of teaching —

and a tone of authority! And even to foul spirits he issues orders

and they obey him!”

1:28

And His fame spread at once everywhere in all that part of

Galilee.

1:29

Then on leaving the synagogue they came at once, with James and

John, to the house of Simon and Andrew.

1:30

Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill in bed with a fever, and

without delay they informed Him about her.

1:31

So He went to her, and taking her hand He raised her to her feet:

the fever left her, and she began to wait upon them.

1:32

When it was evening, after sunset people came bringing Him all

who were sick and the demoniacs;

1:33

and the whole town was assembled at the door.

1:34

Then He cured numbers of people who were ill with various

diseases, and He drove out many demons; not allowing the

demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

1:35

In the morning He rose early, while it was still quite dark, and

leaving the house He went away to a solitary place and there

prayed.

1:36

And Simon and the others searched everywhere for Him.

1:37

When they found Him they said, “Every one is looking for you.”

1:38

“Let us go elsewhere, to the neighboring country towns,” He

replied, “that I may proclaim my Message there also; because for

that purpose I came from God.”

1:39

And He went through all Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and

expelling the demons.

1:40

One day there came a leper to Jesus entreating Him, and pleading

on his knees. “If you are willing,” he said, “you are able to cleanse

me.”

1:41

Moved with pity Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. “I

am willing,” He said; “be cleansed.”

1:42

The leprosy at once left him, and he was cleansed.

1:43

Jesus at once sent him away, strictly charging him,

1:44

and saying, “Be careful not to tell any one, but go and show

yourself to the Priest, and for your purification present the

offerings that Moses appointed as evidence for them.”

1:45

But the man, when he went out, began to tell every one and to

publish the matter abroad, so that it was no longer possible for

Jesus to go openly into any town; but He had to remain outside in

unfrequented places, where people came to Him from all parts.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

After some days He entered Capernaum again, and it soon

became known that He was at home;

2:2

and such numbers of people came together that there was no

longer room for them even round the door. He was speaking His

Message to them,

2:3

when there came a party of people bringing a paralytic — four

men carrying him.

2:4

Finding themselves unable, however, to bring him to Jesus

because of the crowd, they untiled the roof just over His head,

and after clearing an opening they lowered the mat on which the

paralytic was lying.

2:5

Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins

are pardoned.”

2:6

Now there were some of the Scribes sitting there, and reasoning

in their hearts.

2:7

“Why does this man use such words?” they said; “he is

blaspheming. Who can pardon sins but One — that is, God?”

2:8

At once perceiving by His spirit that they were reasoning within

themselves, Jesus asked them, “Why do you thus argue in your

minds?

2:9

Which is easier? — to say to this paralytic, ‘Your sins are

pardoned,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your mat, and walk?’

2:10

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on

earth to pardon sins” — He turned to the paralytic, and said,

2:11 “To you I say, ‘Rise, take up your mat and go home.’”

2:12

The man rose, and immediately under the eyes of all took up his

mat and went out, so that they were all filled with astonishment,

gave the glory to God, and said, “We never saw anything like

this.”

2:13

Again He went out to the shore of the Lake, and the whole

multitude kept coming to Him, and He taught them.

2:14

And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at

the Toll Office, and said to him, “Follow me.” So he rose and

followed Him.

2:15

When He was sitting at table in Levi’s house, a large number of

tax-gatherers and notorious sinners were at table with Jesus and

His disciples; for there were many such who habitually followed

Him.

2:16

But when the Scribes of the Pharisee sect saw Him eating with the

sinners and the tax-gatherers, they said to His disciples, “He is

eating and drinking with the tax-gatherers and sinners!”

2:17

Jesus heard the words, and He said, “It is not the healthy who

require a doctor, but the sick: I did not come to appeal to the

righteous, but to sinners.”

2:18

(Now John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees were keeping a

fast.) And they came and asked Him, “How is it that John’s

disciples and those of the Pharisees are fasting, and yours are

not?”

2:19

“Can a wedding party fast while the bridegroom is among them?”

replied Jesus. “So long as they have the bridegroom with them,

fasting is impossible.

2:20

But a time will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away

from them; then they will fast.

2:21

No one mends an old garment with a piece of unshrunk cloth.

Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away from it — the new

from the old — and a worse hole would be made.

2:22

And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the

wine would burst the skins, and both wine and skins would be

lost. New wine needs fresh skins!”

2:23

One Sabbath He was walking through the wheatfields when His

disciples began to pluck the ears of wheat as they went.

2:24

So the Pharisees said to Him, “Look! why are they doing what on

the Sabbath is unlawful?”

2:25

“Have you never read,” Jesus replied, “what David did when the

necessity arose and he and his men were hungry:

2:26

how he entered the house of God in the High-priesthood of

Abiathar, and ate the Presented Loaves — which none but the

priests are allowed to eat — and gave some to his men also?”

2:27

And Jesus said to them: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man

for the Sabbath;

2:28

so that the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

CHAPTER 3

3:1

At another time, when He went to the synagogue, there was a

man there with one arm shriveled up.

3:2

They closely watched Him to see whether He would cure him on

the Sabbath — so as to have a charge to bring against Him.

3:3 “Come forward,” said He to the man with the shriveled arm.

3:4

Then He asked them, “Are we allowed to do good on the

Sabbath, or to do evil? to save a life, or to destroy one?” They

remained silent.

3:5

Grieved and indignant at the hardening of their hearts, He looked

round on them with anger, and said to the man, “Stretch out your

arm.” He stretched it out, and the arm was completely restored.

3:6

But no sooner had the Pharisees left the synagogue than they held

a consultation with the Herodians against Jesus, to devise some

means of destroying Him.

3:7

Accordingly Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the Lake, and a

vast crowd of people from Galilee followed Him;

3:8

and from Judaea and Jerusalem and Idumaea and from beyond the

Jordan and from the district of Tyre and Sidon there came to Him

a vast crowd, hearing of all that He was doing.

3:9

So He gave directions to His disciples to keep a small boat in

constant attendance on Him because of the throng — to prevent

their crushing Him.

3:10

For He had cured many of the people, so that all who had any

ailments pressed upon Him, to touch Him.

3:11

And the foul spirits, whenever they saw Him, threw themselves

down at His feet, screaming out: “You are the Son of God.”

3:12

But He many a time checked them, forbidding them to say who

He was.

3:13

Then He went up the hill; and those whom He Himself chose He

called, and they came to Him.

3:14

He appointed twelve of them, that they might be with Him, and

that He might also send them to proclaim His Message,

3:15

with authority to expel the demons.

3:16

These twelve were Simon (to whom He gave the surname of

Peter),

3:17

James the son of Zabdi and John the brother of James (these two

He surnamed Boanerges, that is ‘Sons of Thunder’),

3:18

Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son

of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananaean,

3:19

and Judas Iscariot, the man who also betrayed Him.

3:20

And He went into a house. But again the crowd assembled, so

that there was no opportunity for them even to snatch a meal.

3:21

Hearing of this, His relatives came to seize Him by force, for they

said, “He is out of his mind.”

3:22

The Scribes, too, who had come down from Jerusalem said, “He

has Baal-zebul in him; and it is by the power of the Prince of the

demons that he expels the demons.”

3:23

So He called them to Him, and using figurative language He

appealed to them, saying, “How is it possible for Satan to expel

Satan?

3:24

For if civil war breaks out in a kingdom, nothing can make that

kingdom last;

3:25

and if a family splits into parties, that family cannot continue.

3:26

So if Satan has risen in arms and has made war upon himself,

stand he cannot, but meets his end.

3:27

Nay, no one can go into a strong man’s house and carry off his

property, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will

plunder his house.

3:28

In solemn truth I tell you that all their sins may be pardoned to the

sons of men, and all their blasphemies, however they may have

blasphemed;

3:29

but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, he remains for

ever unabsolved: he is guilty of a sin of the Ages.”

3:30

This was because they said, “He is possessed by a foul spirit.”

3:31

By this time His mother and His brothers arrive, and standing

outside they send a message to Him to call Him.

3:32

Now a crowd was sitting round Him; so they tell Him, “Your

mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, inquiring for

you.”

3:33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He replied.

3:34

And, fixing His eyes on the people who were sitting round Him in

a circle, He said,

3:35

“Here are my mother and my brothers. For wherever there is one

who has been obedient to God, there is my brother — my sister

— and my mother.”

CHAPTER 4

4:1

Once more He began to teach by the side of the Lake, and a vast

multitude of people came together to listen to Him. He therefore

went on board the boat and sat there, a little way from the land;

and all the people were on the shore close to the water.

4:2

Then He proceeded to teach them many lessons in figurative

language; and in His teaching He said,

4:3 “Listen: the sower goes out to sow.

4:4

As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds

come and peck it up.

4:5

Some falls on the rocky ground where it finds but little earth, and

it shoots up quickly because it has no depth of soil;

4:6

but when the sun is risen, it is scorched, and through having no

root it withers away.

4:7

Some, again, falls among the thorns; and the thorns spring up and

stifle it, so that it yields no crop.

4:8

But some of the seed falls into good ground, and gives a return: it

comes up and increases, and yields thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.”

4:9 “Listen,” He added, “every one who has ears to listen with!”

4:10

When He was alone, the Twelve and the others who were about

Him requested Him to explain His figurative language.

4:11

“To you,” He replied, “has been entrusted the secret truth

concerning the Kingdom of God; but to those others outside your

number all this is spoken in figurative language;

4:12

that “‘THEY MAY LOOK AND LOOK BUT NOT SEE, AND LISTEN AND

LISTEN BUT NOT UNDERSTAND, LEST PERCHANCE THEY SHOULD

RETURN AND BE PARDONED.’”

4:13

“Do you all miss the meaning of this parable?” He added; “how

then will you understand the rest of my parables?”

4:14 “What the sower sows is the Message.

4:15

Those who receive the seed by the way-side are those in whom

the Message is sown, but, when they have heard it, Satan comes

at once and carries away the Message sown in them.

4:16

In the same way those who receive the seed on the rocky places

are those who, when they have heard the Message, at once accept

it joyfully,

4:17

but they have no root within them. They last for a time; then,

when suffering or persecution comes because of the Message,

they are immediately overthrown.

4:18

Others there are who receive the seed among the thorns: these are

they who have heard the Message,

4:19

but worldly cares and the deceitfulness of wealth and the

excessive pursuit of other objects come in and stifle the Message,

and it becomes unfruitful.

4:20

Those, on the other hand, who have received the seed on the

good ground, are all who hear the Message and welcome it, and

yield a return of thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold.”

4:21

He went on to say, “Is the lamp brought in in order to be put

under the bushel or under the bed? Is it not rather in order that it

may be placed on the lampstand?

4:22

Why, there is nothing hidden except with a view to its being

ultimately disclosed, nor has anything been made a secret but that

it may at last come to light.

4:23

Listen, every one who has ears to listen with!”

4:24

He also said to them, “Take care what you hear. With what

measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and that with

interest.

4:25

For those who have will have more given them; and from those

who have not, even what they have will be taken away.”

4:26

Another saying of His was this: “The Kingdom of God is as if a

man scattered seed over the ground:

4:27

he spends days and nights, now awake, now asleep, while the seed

sprouts and grows tall, he knows not how.

4:28

Of itself the land produces the crop — first the blade, then the ear;

afterwards the perfect grain is seen in the ear.

4:29

But no sooner is the crop ripe, than he sends the reapers, because

the time of harvest has come.”

4:30 Another saying of His was this: “How are we to picture the

Kingdom of God? or by what figure of speech shall we represent

it?

4:31 It is like a mustard-seed, which, when sown in the earth, is the

smallest of all the seeds in the world;

4:32 yet when sown it springs up and becomes larger than all the herbs,

and throws out great branches, so that the birds build under its

shadow.”

4:33 With many such parables He used to speak the Message to them

according to their capacity for receiving it.

4:34 But except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them; while

to His own disciples He expounded everything, in private.

4:35 The same day, in the evening, He said to them, “Let us cross to

the other side.”

4:36 So they got away from the crowd, and took Him — as He was —

in the boat; and other boats accompanied Him.

4:37 But a heavy squall came on, and the waves were now dashing into

the boat, so that it was fast filling.

4:38 But He Himself was in the stern asleep, with His head on the

cushion: so they woke Him. “Rabbi,” they cried, “is it nothing to

you that we are drowning?”

4:39 So He roused Himself and rebuked the wind, and said to the

waves, “Silence! Be still!” The wind sank, and a perfect calm set

in.

4:40 “Why are you so timid?” He asked; “have you still no faith?”

4:41 Then they were filled with terror, and began to say to one

another, “Who is this, then? For even wind and sea obey Him.”

CHAPTER 5

5:1 So they arrived at the opposite shore of the Lake, in the country

of the Gerasenes.

5:2 At once, on His landing, there came from the tombs to meet Him

a man possessed by a foul spirit.

5:3

This man lived among the tombs, nor could any one now secure

him even with a chain;

5:4

for many a time he had been left securely bound in fetters and

chains, but afterwards the chains lay torn link from link, and the

fetters in fragments, and there was no one strong enough to

master him.

5:5

And constantly, day and night, he remained among the tombs or

on the hills, shrieking, and mangling himself with sharp stones.

5:6

And when he saw Jesus in the distance, he ran and threw himself

at His feet,

5:7

crying out in a loud voice, “What hast Thou to do with me, Jesus,

Son of God Most High? In God’s name I implore Thee not to

torment me.”

5:8

For He had said to him, “Foul spirit, come out of the man.”

5:9

Jesus also questioned him. “What is your name?” He said.

“Legion,” he replied, “for there are a host of us.”

5:10

And he earnestly entreated Him not to send them away out of the

country.

5:11

Feeding there, on the mountain slope, was a great herd of swine.

5:12

So they besought Jesus. “Send us to the swine,” they said, “so

that we may enter into them.”

5:13

He gave them leave; and the foul spirits came out and entered into

the swine, and the herd — about 2,000 in number — rushed

headlong down the cliff into the Lake and were drowned in the

Lake.

5:14

The swineherds fled, and spread the news in town and country. So

the people came to see what it was that had happened;

5:15

and when they came to Jesus, they beheld the demoniac quietly

seated, clothed and of sane mind — the man who had had the

legion; and they were awe-stricken.

5:16

And those who had seen it told them the particulars of what had

happened to the demoniac, and all about the swine.

5:17

Then they began entreating Him to depart from their district.

5:18

As He was embarking, the man who had been possessed asked

permission to accompany Him.

5:19

But He would not allow it. “Go home to your family,” He said,

“and report to them all that the Lord has done for you, and the

mercy He has shown you.”

5:20

So the man departed, and related publicly everywhere in the Ten

Towns all that Jesus had done for him; and all were astonished.

5:21

When Jesus had re-crossed in the boat to the other side, a vast

multitude came crowding to Him; and He was on the shore of the

Lake,

5:22

when there came one of the Wardens of the Synagogue — he was

called Jair — who, on beholding Him, threw himself at His feet,

5:23

and besought Him with many entreaties. “My little daughter,” he

said, “is at the point of death: I pray you come and lay your hands

upon her, that she may recover and live.”

5:24

And Jesus went with him. And a dense crowd followed Him, and

thronged Him on all sides.

5:25

Now a woman who for twelve years had suffered from

haemorrhage,

5:26

and had undergone many different treatments under a number of

doctors and had spent all she had without receiving benefit but on

the contrary growing worse,

5:27

heard of Jesus. And she came in the crowd behind Him and

touched His cloak;

5:28

for she said, “If I but touch His clothes, I shall be cured.”

5:29

In a moment the flow of her blood ceased, and she felt in herself

that her complaint was cured.

5:30

Immediately Jesus, well knowing that healing power had gone

from within Him, turned round in the crowd and asked, “Who

touched my clothes?”

5:31

“You see the multitude pressing you on all sides,” His disciples

exclaimed, “and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

5:32

But He continued looking about to see the person who had done

this,

5:33

until the woman, frightened and trembling, knowing what had

happened to her, came and threw herself at His feet, and told Him

all the truth.

5:34

“Daughter,” He said, “your faith has cured you: go in peace, and be

free from your complaint.”

5:35

While He is yet speaking, men come from the house to the

Warden, and say, “Your daughter is dead: why trouble the Rabbi

further?”

5:36

But Jesus, overhearing the words, said to the Warden, “Do not be

afraid; only have faith.”

5:37

And He allowed no one to accompany Him except Peter and the

brothers James and John.

5:38

So they come to the Warden’s house. Here He gazes on a scene

of uproar, with people weeping aloud and wailing.

5:39

He goes in. “Why all this outcry and loud weeping?” He asks;

“the child is asleep, not dead.”

5:40

To this their reply is a scornful laugh. He, however, puts them all

out, takes the child’s father and mother and those He has brought

with Him, and enters the room where the child lies.

5:41

Then, taking her by the hand, He says to her, “Talitha, koum;”

that is to say, “Little girl, I command you to wake!”

5:42

Instantly the little girl rises to her feet and begins to walk (for she

was twelve years old). They were at once beside themselves with

utter astonishment;

5:43

but He gave strict injunctions that the matter should not be made

known, and directed them to give her something to eat.

CHAPTER 6

6:1

Leaving that place He came into His own country, accompanied

by His disciples.

6:2

On the Sabbath He proceeded to teach in the synagogue; and

many, as they heard Him, were astonished. “Where did he acquire

all this?” they asked. “What is this wisdom that has been given to

him? And what are these marvelous miracles which his hands

perform?

6:3

Is not this the carpenter, Mary’s son, the brother of James and

Joses, Jude and Simon? And do not his sisters live here among

us?” So they turned angrily away.

6:4

But Jesus said to them, “There is no Prophet without honor

except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his

own home.”

6:5

And He could not do any miracle there, except that He laid His

hands on a few who were out of health and cured them; and

6:6

He wondered at their unbelief. So He went round the adjacent

villages, teaching.

6:7

Then summoning the Twelve to Him, He proceeded to send them

out by twos, and gave them authority over the foul spirits.

6:8

He charged them to take nothing for the journey except a stick;

no bread, no bag, and not a penny in their pockets,

6:9

but to go wearing sandals. “And do not,” He said, “put on an

extra under garment.

6:10

Wherever you enter a house, make it your home till you leave that

place.

6:11

But wherever they will not receive you or listen to you, when you

leave shake off the very dust from under your feet to bear witness

concerning them.”

6:12

So they set out, and preached in order that men might repent.

6:13

Many demons they expelled, and many invalids they anointed with

oil and cured.

6:14

King Herod heard of all this (for the name of Jesus had become

widely known), and he kept saying, “John the Baptizer has come

back to life, and that is why these miraculous Powers are working

in him.”

6:15

Others asserted that He was Elijah. Others again said, “He is a

Prophet, like one of the great Prophets.”

6:16

But when Herod heard of Him, he said, “The John, whom I

beheaded, has come back to life.”

6:17

For Herod himself had sent and had had John arrested and had

kept him in prison in chains, for the sake of Herodias, his brother

Philip’s wife; because he had married her.

6:18

For John had repeatedly told Herod, “You have no right to be

living with your brother’s wife.”

6:19

Therefore Herodias hated him and wished to take his life, but

could not;

6:20

for Herod stood in awe of John, knowing him to be an upright

and holy man, and he protected him. After listening to him he was

in great perplexity, and yet he found a pleasure in listening.

6:21

At length Herodias found her opportunity. Herod on his birthday

gave a banquet to the nobles of his court and to the tribunes and

the principal people in Galilee,

6:22

at which Herodias’s own daughter came in and danced, and so

charmed Herod and his guests that he said to her, “Ask me for

anything you please, and I will give it to you.”

6:23

He even swore to her, “Whatever you ask me for I will give you,

up to half my kingdom.”

6:24

She at once went out and said to her mother: “What shall I ask

for?” “The head of John the Baptizer,” she replied.

6:25

The girl immediately came in, in haste, to the King and made her

request. “My desire is,” she said, “that you will give me, here and

now, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist.”

6:26

Then the King, though intensely sorry, yet for the sake of his

oaths, and of his guests, would not break faith with her.

6:27

He at once sent a soldier of his guard with orders to bring John’s

head. So he went and beheaded him in the prison,

6:28

and brought his head on a dish and gave it to the young girl, who

gave it to her mother.

6:29

When John’s disciples heard of it, they came and took away his

body and laid it in a tomb.

6:30

When the Apostles had re-assembled round Jesus, they reported

to Him all they had done and all they had taught.

6:31

Then He said to them, “Come away, all of you, to a quiet place,

and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, so that

they had no time even for meals.

6:32

Accordingly they sailed away in the boat to a solitary place apart.

6:33

But the people saw them going, and many knew them; and

coming by land they ran together there from all the neighboring

towns, and arrived before them.

6:34

So when Jesus landed, He saw a vast multitude; and His heart was

moved with pity for them, because they were like sheep which

have no shepherd, and He proceeded to teach them many things.

6:35

By this time it was late; so His disciples came to Him, and said,

“This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late:

6:36

send them away that they may go to the farms and villages near

here and buy themselves something to eat.”

6:37

“Give them food yourselves,” He replied. “Are we,” they asked, “to

go and buy two hundred shillings’ worth of bread and give them

food?”

6:38

“How many loaves have you?” He inquired; “go and see.” So they

found out, and said, “Five; and a couple of fish.”

6:39

So He directed them to make all sit down in companies on the

green grass.

6:40

And they sat down in rows of hundreds and of fifties.

6:41

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and lifting His eyes

to Heaven He blessed the food. Then He broke the loaves into

portions which He went on handing to the disciples to distribute;

giving pieces also of the two fish to them all.

6:42

All ate and were fully satisfied.

6:43

And they carried away broken portions enough to fill twelve

baskets, besides pieces of the fish.

6:44

Those who ate the bread were 5,000 adult men.

6:45 Immediately afterwards He made His disciples go on board the

boat and cross over to Bethsaida, leaving Him behind to dismiss

the crowd.

6:46 He then bade the people farewell, and went away up the hill to

pray.

6:47 When evening was come, the boat was half way across the Lake,

while he Himself was on shore alone.

6:48 But when He saw them distressed with rowing (for the wind was

against them), towards morning He came towards them walking

on the Lake, as if intending to pass them.

6:49 They saw Him walking on the water, and thinking that it was a

spirit they cried out;

6:50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. He, however, immediately

spoke to them. “There is no danger,” He said; “it is I; be not

alarmed.”

6:51 Then He went up to them on board the boat, and the wind lulled;

and they were beside themselves with silent amazement.

6:52 For they had not learned the lesson taught by the loaves, but their

minds were dull.

6:53 Having crossed over they drew to land in Gennesaret and came to

anchor.

6:54 But no sooner had they gone ashore than the people immediately

recognized Him.

6:55 Then they scoured the whole district, and began to bring Him the

sick on their mats wherever they heard He was.

6:56 And enter wherever He might — village or town or hamlet —

they laid their sick in the open places, and entreated Him to let

them touch were it but the tassel of His robe; and all, whoever

touched Him, were restored to health.

CHAPTER 7

7:1 Then the Pharisees, with certain Scribes who had come from

Jerusalem, came to Him in a body.

7:2

They had noticed that some of His disciples were eating their food

with ‘unclean’ (that is to say, unwashed) hands.

7:3

(For the Pharisees and all the Jews — being, as they are, zealous

for the traditions of the Elders — never eat without first carefully

washing their hands,

7:4

and when they come from market they will not eat without

bathing first; and they have a good many other customs which

they have received traditionally and cling to, such as the rinsing of

cups and pots and of bronze utensils, and the washing of beds.)

7:5

So the Pharisees and Scribes put the question to Him: “Why do

your disciples transgress the traditions of the Elders, and eat their

food with unclean hands?”

7:6

“Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites,” He replied; “as it is

written, “‘This People honor Me with their lips, while their hearts

are far away from Me:

7:7

BUT IDLE IS THEIR DEVOTION WHILE THEY LAY DOWN PRECEPTS

WHICH ARE MERE HUMAN RULES.’

7:8

“You neglect God’s Commandment: you hold fast to men’s

traditions.”

7:9

“Praiseworthy indeed!” He added, “to set at nought God’s

Commandment in order to observe your own traditions!

7:10

For Moses said, ‘HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER’ and

again, ‘HE WHO CURSES FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM DIE THE

DEATH.’

7:11

But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, It is a Korban

(that is, a thing devoted to God), whatever it is, which otherwise

you would have received from me — ‘

7:12

And so you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or

mother,

7:13

thus nullifying God’s precept by your tradition which you have

handed down. And many things of that kind you do.”

7:14

Then Jesus called the people to Him again. “Listen to me, all of

you,” He said, “and understand.

7:15

There is nothing outside a man which entering him can make him

unclean; but it is the things which come out of a man that make

him unclean.”

7:16

[]

7:17

After He had left the crowd and gone indoors, His disciples began

to ask Him about this figure of speech.

7:18

“Have you also so little understanding?” He replied; “do you not

understand that anything whatever that enters a man from outside

cannot make him unclean,

7:19

because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and

passes away ejected from him?” By these words Jesus pronounced

all kinds of food clean.

7:20

“What comes out of a man,” He added, “that it is which makes him

unclean.

7:21

For from within, out of men’s hearts, their evil purposes proceed

— fornication, theft, murder, adultery,

7:22

covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, reviling,

pride, reckless folly:

7:23

all these wicked things come out from within and make a man

unclean.”

7:24

Then He rose and left that place and went into the neighborhood

of Tyre and Sidon. Here He entered a house and wished no one to

know it, but He could not escape observation.

7:25

Forthwith a woman whose little daughter was possessed by a foul

spirit heard of Him, and came and flung herself at His feet.

7:26

She was a Gentile woman, a Syro-phoenician by nation: and again

and again she begged Him to expel the demon from her daughter.

7:27

“Let the children first eat all they want,” He said; “it is not right to

take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

7:28

“True, Sir,” she replied, “and yet the dogs under the table eat the

children’s scraps.”

7:29

“For those words of yours, go home,” He replied; “the demon has

gone out of your daughter.”

7:30

So she went home, and found the child lying on the bed, and the

demon gone.

7:31

Returning from the neighborhood of Tyre, He came by way of

Sidon to the Lake of Galilee, passing through the district of the

Ten Towns.

7:32

Here they brought to Him a deaf man that stammered, on whom

they begged Him to lay His hands.

7:33

So Jesus taking him aside, apart from the crowd, put His fingers

into his ears, and spat, and moistened his tongue;

7:34

and looking up to Heaven He sighed, and said to him,

“Ephphatha!” (that is, “Open!”)

7:35

And the man’s ears were opened, and his tongue became untied,

and he began to speak perfectly.

7:36

Then Jesus charged them to tell no one; but the more He charged

them, all the more did they spread the news far and wide.

7:37

The amazement was extreme. “He succeeds in everything he

attempts,” they exclaimed; “he even makes deaf men hear and

dumb men speak!”

CHAPTER 8

8:1

About that time there was again an immense crowd, and they

found themselves with nothing to eat. So He called His disciples

to Him.

8:2

“My heart yearns over the people,” He said; “for this is now the

third day they have remained with me, and they have nothing to

eat.

8:3

If I were to send them home hungry, they would faint on the way,

some of them having come a great distance.”

8:4

“Where can we possibly get bread here in this remote place to

satisfy such a crowd?” answered His disciples.

8:5 “How many loaves have you?” He asked. “Seven,” they said.

8:6

So He passed the word to the people to sit down on the ground.

Then taking the seven loaves He blessed them, and broke them

into portions and proceeded to give them to His disciples for them

to distribute, and they distributed them to the people.

8:7

They had also a few small fish. He blessed them, and He told His

disciples to distribute these also.

8:8

So the people ate an abundant meal; and what remained over they

picked up and carried away — seven hampers of broken pieces.

8:9

The number fed were about 4,000. Then He sent them away,

8:10

and at once going on board with His disciples He came into the

district of Dalmanutha.

8:11

The Pharisees followed Him and began to dispute with Him,

asking Him for a sign in the sky, to make trial of Him.

8:12

Heaving a deep and troubled sigh, He said, “Why do the men of

to-day ask for a sign? In solemn truth I tell you that no sign will

be given to the men of to-day.”

8:13

So He left them, went on board again, and came away to the other

side.

8:14

Now they had forgotten to take bread, nor had they more than a

single loaf with them in the boat;

8:15

and when He admonished them, “See to it, be on your guard

against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod,”

8:16

they explained His words to one another by saying, “We have no

bread!”

8:17

He perceived what they were saying, and He said to them, “What

is this discussion of yours about having no bread? Do you not yet

see and understand? Are your minds so dull of comprehension?

8:18

YOU HAVE EYES! CAN YOU NOT SEE? YOU HAVE EARS! CAN YOU

NOT HEAR? and have you no memory?

8:19

When I broke up the five loaves for the 5,000 men, how many

baskets did you carry away full of broken portions?” “Twelve,”

they said.

8:20

“And when the seven for the 4,000, how many hampers full of

portions did you take away?” “Seven,” they answered.

8:21 “Do you not yet understand?” He said.

8:22

And they came to Bethsaida. And a blind man was brought to

Jesus and they entreated Him to touch him.

8:23

So He took the blind man by the arm and brought him out of the

village, and spitting into his eyes He put His hands on him and

asked him, “Can you see anything?”

8:24

He looked up and said, “I can see the people: I see them like trees

— only walking.”

8:25

Then for the second time He put His hands on the man’s eyes, and

the man, looking steadily, recovered his sight and saw everything

distinctly.

8:26

So He sent him home, and added, “Do not even go into the

village.”

8:27

From that place Jesus and His disciples went to the villages

belonging to Caesarea Philippi. On the way He began to ask His

disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

8:28

“John the Baptist,” they replied, “but others say Elijah, and others,

that it is one of the Prophets.”

8:29

Then He asked them pointedly, “But you yourselves, who do you

say that I am?” “You are the Christ,” answered Peter.

8:30

And He strictly forbad them to tell this about Him to any one.

8:31

And now for the first time He told them, “The Son of Man must

endure much suffering, and be rejected by the Elders and the High

Priests and the Scribes, and be put to death, and after two days

rise to life.”

8:32

This He told them plainly; whereupon Peter took Him and began

to remonstrate with Him.

8:33

But turning round and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter.

“Get behind me, Adversary,” He said, “for your thoughts are not

God’s thoughts, but men’s.”

8:34

Then calling to Him the crowd and also His disciples, He said to

them, “If any one is desirous of following me, let him ignore self

and take up his cross, and so be my follower.

8:35

For whoever is bent on securing his life will lose it, but he who

loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, will

secure it.

8:36

Why, what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world and

forfeit his life?

8:37

For what could a man give to buy back his life?

8:38

Every one, however, who has been ashamed of me and of my

teachings in this faithless and sinful age, of him the Son of Man

also will be ashamed when He comes in His Father’s glory with

the holy angels.”

CHAPTER 9

9:1

He went on to say, “In solemn truth I tell you that some of those

who are standing here will certainly not taste death till they have

seen the Kingdom of God already come in power.”

9:2

Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and

brought them alone, apart from the rest, up a high mountain; and

in their presence His appearance underwent a change.

9:3

His garments also became dazzling with brilliant whiteness —

such whiteness as no bleaching on earth could give.

9:4

Moreover there appeared to them Elijah accompanied by Moses;

and the two were conversing with Jesus,

9:5

when Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we are thankful to you that we

are here. Let us put up three tents — one for you, one for Moses,

and one for Elijah.”

9:6

For he knew not what to say: they were filled with such awe.

9:7

Then there came a cloud spreading over them, and a voice issued

from the cloud, “This is my Son, dearly loved: listen to Him.”

9:8

Instantly they looked round, and now they could no longer see

any one, but themselves and Jesus.

9:9

As they were coming down from the mountain, He very strictly

forbad them to tell any one what they had seen “until after the Son

of Man has risen from among the dead.”

9:10

So they kept the matter to themselves, although frequently asking

one another what was meant by the rising from the dead.

9:11

They also asked Him, “How is it that the Scribes say that Elijah

must first come?”

9:12

“Elijah,” He replied, “does indeed come first and reforms

everything; but how is it that it is written of the Son of Man that

He will endure much suffering and be held in contempt?

9:13

Yet I tell you that not only has Elijah come, but they have also

done to him whatever they chose, as the Scriptures say about

him.”

9:14

As they came to rejoin the disciples, they saw an immense crowd

surrounding them and a party of Scribes disputing with them.

9:15

Immediately the whole multitude on beholding Him were

astonished and awe-struck, and yet they ran forward and greeted

Him.

9:16 “What is the subject you are discussing?” He asked them.

9:17

“Rabbi,” answered one of the crowd, “I have brought you my son.

He has a dumb spirit in him;

9:18

and wherever it comes upon him, it dashes him to the ground, and

he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth, and he is pining away.

I begged your disciples to expel it, but they had not the power.”

9:19

“O unbelieving generation!” replied Jesus; “how long must I be

with you? how long must I have patience with you? Bring the boy

to me.”

9:20

So they brought him to Jesus. And the spirit, when he saw Jesus,

immediately threw the youth into convulsions, so that he fell on

the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.

9:21

Then Jesus asked the father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From early childhood,” he said;

9:22

“and often it has thrown him into the fire or into pools of water to

destroy him. But, if you possibly can, have pity on us and help

us.”

9:23

“‘If I possibly can!’” replied Jesus; “why, everything is possible to

him who believes.”

9:24

Immediately the father cried out, “I do believe: strengthen my

weak faith.”

9:25

Then Jesus, seeing that an increasing crowd was running towards

Him, rebuked the foul spirit, and said to it, “Dumb and deaf spirit,

I command you, come out of him and never enter into him again.”

9:26

So with a loud cry he threw the boy into fit after fit, and came

out. The boy looked as if he were dead, so that most of them said

he was dead;

9:27

but Jesus took his hand and raised him up, and he stood on his

feet.

9:28

After the return of Jesus to the house His disciples asked Him

privately, “How is it that we could not expel the spirit?”

9:29

“An evil spirit of this kind,” He answered, “can only be driven out

by prayer.”

9:30

Departing thence they passed through Galilee, and He was

unwilling that any one should know it;

9:31

for He was teaching His disciples, and telling them, “The Son of

Man is to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will put

Him to death; and after being put to death, in three days He will

rise to life again.”

9:32

They, however, did not understand what He meant, and were

afraid to question Him.

9:33

So they came to Capernaum; and when in the house He asked

them, “What were you arguing about on the way?”

9:34

But they remained silent; for on the way they had debated with

one another who was the chief of them.

9:35

Then sitting down He called the Twelve, and said to them, “If any

one wishes to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

9:36

And taking a young child He made him stand in their midst, then

threw His arms round him and said,

9:37 “Whoever for my sake receives one such young child as this,

receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not so much me

as Him who sent me.”

9:38 “Rabbi,” said John to Him, “we saw a man making use of your

name to expel demons, and we tried to hinder him, on the ground

that he did not follow us.”

9:39 “You should not have tried to hinder him,” replied Jesus, “for there

is no one who will use my name to perform a miracle and be able

the next minute to speak evil of me.

9:40 He who is not against us is for us;

9:41 and whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you

belong to Christ, I solemnly tell you that he will certainly not lose

his reward.

9:42 “And whoever shall occasion the fall of one of these little ones who

believe, he would be better off if, with a millstone round his neck,

he were lying at the bottom of the sea.

9:43 If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off: it would be better

for you to enter into Life maimed, than remain in possession of

both your hands and go away into Gehenna, into the fire which

cannot be put out.

9:44 []

9:45 Or if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off: it would be

better for you to enter into Life crippled, than remain in

possession of both your feet and be thrown into Gehenna.

9:46 []

9:47 Or if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out. It would be

better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God half-blind than

remain in possession of two eyes and be thrown into Gehenna,

9:48 where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE AND THE FIRE DOES NOT GO

OUT.

9:49 Every one, however, will be salted with fire.

9:50

Salt is a good thing, but if the salt should become tasteless, what

will you use to give it saltness? Have salt within you and live at

peace with one another.”

CHAPTER 10

10:1

Soon on His feet once more, He enters the district of Judaea and

crosses the Jordan: again the people flock to Him, and ere long, as

was usual with Him, He was teaching them once more.

10:2

Presently a party of Pharisees come to Him with the question —

seeking to entrap Him, “May a man divorce his wife?”

10:3 “What rule did Moses lay down for you?” He answered.

10:4

“Moses,” they said, “permitted a man to draw up a written notice

of divorce, and to send his wife away.”

10:5

“It was in consideration of your stubborn hearts,” said Jesus, “that

Moses enacted this law for you;

10:6

but from the beginning of the creation the rule was, ‘Male and

female did God make them.

10:7

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and

shall cling to his wife,

10:8

AND THE TWO SHALL BE ONE’; so that they are two no longer, but

‘ONE.’

10:9

What, therefore, God has joined together let not man separate.”

10:10

Indoors the disciples began questioning Jesus again on the same

subject.

10:11

He replied, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another

woman, commits adultery against the first wife;

10:12

and if a woman puts away her husband and marries another man,

she commits adultery.”

10:13

One day people were bringing young children to Jesus for Him to

touch them, but the disciples interfered.

10:14

Jesus, however, on seeing this, was moved to indignation, and

said to them, “Let the little children come to me: do not hinder

them; for to those who are childlike the Kingdom of God belongs.

10:15

In solemn truth I tell you that no one who does not receive the

Kingdom of God like a little child will by any possibility enter it.”

10:16

Then He took them in His arms and blessed them lovingly, one by

one, laying His hands upon them.

10:17

As He went out to resume His journey, there came a man running

up to Him, who knelt at His feet and asked, “Good Rabbi, what

am I to do in order to inherit the Life of the Ages?”

10:18

“Why do you call me good?” asked Jesus in reply; “there is no one

truly good except One — that is, God.

10:19

You know the Commandments — ‘DO NOT MURDER;’ ‘DO NOT

COMMIT ADULTERY;’ ‘DO NOT STEAL;’ ‘DO NOT LIE IN GIVING

EVIDENCE;’ ‘DO NOT DEFRAUD;’ ‘HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY

MOTHER.’”

10:20

“Rabbi,” he replied, “all these Commandments I have carefully

obeyed from my youth.”

10:21

Then Jesus looked at him and loved him, and said, “One thing is

lacking in you: go, sell all you possess and give the proceeds to

the poor, and you shall have riches in Heaven; and come and be a

follower of mine.”

10:22

At these words his brow darkened, and he went away sad; for he

was possessed of great wealth.

10:23

Then looking round on His disciples Jesus said, “With how hard a

struggle will the possessors of riches enter the Kingdom of God!”

10:24

The disciples were amazed at His words. Jesus, however, said

again, “Children, how hard a struggle is it for those who trust in

riches to enter the Kingdom of God!

10:25

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.”

10:26

They were astonished beyond measure, and said to one another,

“Who then can be saved?”

10:27

Jesus looking on them said, “With men it is impossible, but not

with God; for everything is possible with God.”

10:28

“Remember,” said Peter to Him, “that we forsook everything and

have become your followers.”

10:29

“In solemn truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “that there is no one who

has forsaken house or brothers or sisters, or mother or father, or

children or lands, for my sake and for the sake of the Good News,

10:30

but will receive a hundred times as much now in this present life

— houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, lands — and

persecution with them — and in the coming age the Life of the

Ages.

10:31

But many who are now first will be last, and the last, first.”

10:32

They were still on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was

walking ahead of them; they were full of wonder, and some,

though they followed, did so with fear. Then, once more calling to

Him the Twelve, He began to tell them what was about to happen

to Him.

10:33

“See,” He said, “we are going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of

Man will be betrayed to the High Priests and the Scribes. They

will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the

Gentiles;

10:34

they will insult Him in cruel sport, spit on Him, scourge Him, and

put Him to death; but on the third day He will rise to life again.”

10:35

Then James and John, the sons of Zabdi, came up to Him and

said, “Rabbi, we wish you would grant us whatever request we

make of you.”

10:36 “What would you have me do for you?” He asked.

10:37

“Allow us,” they replied, “to sit one at your right hand and the

other at your left hand, in your glory.”

10:38

“You know not,” said He, “what you are asking. Are you able to

drink out of the cup from which I am to drink, or to be baptized

with the baptism with which I am to be baptized?”

10:39

“We are able,” they replied. “Out of the cup,” said Jesus, “from

which I am to drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with

which I am to be baptized you shall be baptized;

10:40

but as to sitting at my right hand or at my left, that is not mine to

give: it will be for those for whom it is reserved.”

10:41

The other ten, hearing of it, were at first highly indignant with

James and John.

10:42

Jesus, however, called them to Him and said to them, “You are

aware how those who are deemed rulers among the Gentiles lord

it over them, and their great men make them feel their authority;

10:43

but it is not to be so among you. No, whoever desires to be great

among you must be your servant;

10:44

and whoever desires to be first among you must be the

bondservant of all.

10:45

For the Son of Man also did not come to be waited upon, but to

wait on others, and to give His life as the redemption-price for a

multitude of people.”

10:46

They came to Jericho; and as He was leaving that town —

Himself and His disciples and a great crowd — Bartimaeus (the

son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the way-side.

10:47

Hearing that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, “Son

of David, Jesus, have pity on me.”

10:48

Many angrily told him to leave off shouting; but he only cried out

all the louder, “Son of David, have pity on me.”

10:49

Then Jesus stood still. “Call him,” He said. So they called the

blind man. “Cheer up,” they said; “rise, he is calling you.”

10:50

The man flung away his outer garment, sprang to his feet, and

came to Jesus.

10:51

“What shall I do for you?” said Jesus. “Rabboni,” replied the blind

man, “let me recover my sight.”

10:52

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has cured you.” Instantly he regained

his sight, and followed Him along the road.

CHAPTER 11

11:1

When they were getting near Jerusalem and had arrived at

Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two

of his disciples on in front, with these instructions.

11:2

“Go,” He said, “to the village facing you, and immediately on

entering it you will find an ass’s foal tied up which no one has

ever yet ridden: untie him and bring him here.

11:3

And if any one asks you, ‘Why are you doing that?’ say, ‘The

Master needs it, and will send it back here without delay.’”

11:4

So they went and found a young ass tied up at the front door of a

house. They were untying it,

11:5

when some of the bystanders called out, “What are you doing,

untying the foal?”

11:6

But on their giving the answer that Jesus had bidden them give,

they let them take it.

11:7

So they brought the foal to Jesus, and threw their outer garments

over him; and Jesus mounted.

11:8

Then many spread their outer garments to carpet the road, and

others leafy branches which they had cut down in the fields;

11:9

while those who led the way and those who followed kept

shouting “GOD SAVE HIM!” BLESSED BE HE WHO COMES IN THE

LORD’S NAME.

11:10

Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our forefather David! GOD

IN THE HIGHEST HEAVENS SAVE HIM!”

11:11

So He came into Jerusalem and into the Temple; and after looking

round upon everything there, the hour being now late He went

out to Bethany with the Twelve.

11:12

The next day, after they had left Bethany, He was hungry.

11:13

But in the distance He saw a fig-tree in full leaf, and went to see

whether perhaps He could find some figs on it. When however He

came to it, He found nothing but leaves (for it was not fig time);

11:14

and He said to the tree, “Let no one ever again eat fruit from

thee!” And His disciples heard this.

11:15

They reached Jerusalem, and entering the Temple He began to

drive out the buyers and sellers, and upset the money-changers’

tables and the stools of the pigeon-dealers,

11:16

and would not allow any one to carry anything through the

Temple.

11:17

And He remonstrated with them. “Is it not written,” He said,

“‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED THE HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL

THE NATIONS?’ But you have made it what it now is — A

ROBBERS’ CAVE.”

11:18

This the High Priests and Scribes heard, and they began to devise

means to destroy Him. For they were afraid of Him, because of

the deep impression produced on all the people by His teaching.

11:19

When evening came on, Jesus and His disciples used to leave the

city.

11:20

In the early morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig-tree

withered to the roots;

11:21

and Peter, recollecting, said to Him, “Look, Rabbi, the fig-tree

which you cursed is withered up.”

11:22

Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God.

11:23

In solemn truth I tell you that if any one shall say to this mountain,

‘Remove, and hurl thyself into the sea,’ and has no doubt about it

in his heart, but stedfastly believes that what he says will happen,

it shall be granted him.

11:24

That is why I tell you, as to whatever you pray and make request

for, if you believe that you have received it it shall be yours.

11:25

But whenever you stand praying, if you have a grievance against

any one, forgive it, so that your Father in Heaven may also forgive

you your offenses.”

11:26

[]

11:27

They came again to Jerusalem; and as He was walking in the

Temple, the High Priests, Scribes and Elders came to Him

11:28

and asked, “By what authority are you doing these things? and

who gave you authority to do them?”

11:29

“And I will put a question to you,” replied Jesus; “answer me, and

then I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

11:30

John’s Baptism — was it of Heavenly or of human origin?

Answer me.”

11:31

So they debated the matter with one another. “Suppose we say,

‘Heavenly,’” they argued, “he will ask, ‘Why then did you not

believe him?’

11:32

Or should we say, ‘human?’” They were afraid of the people; for

all agreed in holding John to have been really a Prophet.

11:33

So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” “Nor do I tell you,”

said Jesus, “by what authority I do these things.”

CHAPTER 12

12:1

Then He began to speak to them in figurative language. “There

was once a man,” He said, “who planted a vineyard, fenced it

round, dug a pit for the wine-tank, and built a strong lodge. Then

he let the place to vine-dressers and went abroad.

12:2

At vintage-time he sent one of his servants to receive from the

vine-dressers a share of the grapes.

12:3

But they seized him, beat him cruelly and sent him away empty-

handed.

12:4

Again he sent to them another servant: and as for him, they

wounded him in the head and treated him shamefully.

12:5

Yet a third he sent, and him they killed. And he sent many besides,

and them also they ill-treated, beating some and killing others.

12:6

He had still one left whom he could send, a dearly-loved son: him

last of all he sent, saying, “‘They will treat my son with respect.’

12:7

“But those men — the vine-dressers — said to one another, “‘Here

is the heir: come, let us kill him, and then the property will one

day be ours.’

12:8

“So they took him and killed him, and flung his body outside the

vineyard.

12:9

What, therefore, will the owner of the vineyard do?” “He will

come and put the vine-dressers to death,” they said; “and will give

the vineyard to others.”

12:10 “Have you not read even this passage,” He added, “‘The stone

which the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone:

12:11 THIS CORNERSTONE CAME FROM THE LORD, AND IS WONDERFUL

IN OUR ESTEEM?’”

12:12 And they kept looking out for an opportunity to seize Him, but

were afraid of the people; for they saw that in this parable He had

referred to them. So they left Him and went away.

12:13 Their next step was to send to Him some of the Pharisees and of

Herod’s partisans to entrap Him in conversation.

12:14 So they came to Him. “Rabbi,” they said, “we know that you are a

truthful man and you do not fear any one; for you do not

recognize human distinctions, but teach God’s way truly. Is it

allowable to pay poll-tax to Caesar, or not?

12:15 Shall we pay, or shall we refuse to pay?” But He, knowing their

hypocrisy, replied, “Why try to ensnare me? Bring me a shilling

for me to look at.”

12:16 They brought one; and He asked them, “Whose is this likeness

and this inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied.

12:17 “What is Caesar’s,” replied Jesus, “pay to Caesar — and what is

God’s, pay to God.” And they wondered exceedingly at Him.

12:18 Then came to Him a party of Sadducees, a sect which denies that

there is any Resurrection; and they proceeded to question Him.

12:19 “Rabbi,” they said, “Moses made it a law for us: ‘IF A MAN’S

BROTHER SHOULD DIE AND LEAVE A WIFE, BUT NO CHILD, THE

MAN SHALL MARRY THE WIDOW AND RAISE UP A FAMILY FOR HIS

BROTHER.’

12:20 There were once seven brothers, the eldest of whom married a

wife, but at his death left no family.

12:21 The second married her, and died, leaving no family; and the third

did the same.

12:22 And so did the rest of the seven, all dying childless. Finally the

woman also died.

12:23

At the Resurrection whose wife will she be? For they all seven

married her.”

12:24

“Is not this the cause of your error,” replied Jesus — “your

ignorance alike of the Scriptures and of the power of God?

12:25

For when they have risen from among the dead, men do not marry

and women are not given in marriage, but they are as angels are in

Heaven.

12:26

But as to the dead, that they rise to life, have you never read in

the Book of Moses, in the passage about the Bush, how God said

to him, ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND

THE GOD OF JACOB?’

12:27

He is not the God of dead, but of living men. You are in grave

error.”

12:28

Then one of the Scribes, who had heard them disputing and well

knew that Jesus had given them an answer to the point, and a

forcible one, came forward and asked Him, “Which is the chief of

all the Commandments?”

12:29

“The chief Commandment,” replied Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel!

The Lord our God is one Lord;

12:30

AND THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH THY WHOLE

HEART, THY WHOLE SOUL, THY WHOLE MIND, AND THY WHOLE

STRENGTH.’

12:31

“The second is this: ‘THOU SHALT LOVE THY FELLOW MAN AS THOU

LOVEST THYSELF.’ “Other Commandment greater than these there

is none.”

12:32

So the Scribe said to Him, “Rightly, in very truth, Rabbi, have you

said that HE STANDS ALONE, AND THERE IS NONE BUT HE;

12:33

and TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL ONE’S HEART, WITH ALL ONE’S

UNDERSTANDING, AND WITH ALL ONE’S STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE

ONE’S FELLOW MAN NO LESS THAN ONESELF, is far better than all

our WHOLE BURNT-OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES.”

12:34

Perceiving that the Scribe had answered wisely Jesus said to him,

“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” No one from that

time forward ventured to put any question to Him.

12:35

But, while teaching in the Temple, Jesus asked, “How is it the

Scribes say that the Christ is a son of David?

12:36

David himself said, taught by the Holy Spirit, “‘THE LORD SAID TO

MY LORD, SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I HAVE MADE THY FOES

A FOOTSTOOL UNDER THY FEET.’

12:37

“David himself calls Him ‘Lord:’ how then can He be his son?” And

the mass of people found pleasure in listening to Jesus.

12:38

Moreover in the course of His teaching He said, “Be on your

guard against the Scribes who like to walk about in long robes

and to be bowed to in places of public resort,

12:39

and to occupy the best seats in the synagogues and at dinner

parties,

12:40

and who swallow up the property of widows and then mask their

wickedness by making long prayers: these men will receive far

heavier punishment.”

12:41

Having taken a seat opposite the Treasury, He observed how the

people were dropping money into the Treasury, and that many of

the wealthy threw in large sums.

12:42

But there came one poor widow and dropped in two farthings,

equal in value to a halfpenny.

12:43

So He called His disciples to Him and said, “In solemn truth I tell

you that this widow, poor as she is, has thrown in more than all

the other contributors to the Treasury;

12:44

for they have all contributed out of what they could well spare,

but she out of her need has thrown in all she possessed — all she

had to live on.”

CHAPTER 13

13:1

As He was leaving the Temple, one of His disciples exclaimed,

“Look, Rabbi, what wonderful stones! what wonderful buildings!”

13:2

“You see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied; “not one stone

will be left here upon another — not thrown down.”

13:3

He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite to the Temple,

when Peter, James, John, and Andrew, apart from the others

asked Him,

13:4

“Tell us, When will these things be? and what will be the sign when

all these predictions are on the point of being fulfilled?”

13:5

So Jesus began to say to them: “Take care that no one misleads

you.

13:6

Many will come assuming my name and saying, ‘I am He;’ and

they will mislead many.

13:7

But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be

alarmed: come they must, but the End is not yet.

13:8

For NATION WILL RISE IN ARMS AGAINST NATION, AND KINGDOM

AGAINST KINGDOM. There will be earthquakes in various places;

there will be famines. These miseries are but like the early pains of

childbirth.

13:9

“You yourselves must be on your guard. They will deliver you up

to Sanhedrins; you will be brought into synagogues and cruelly

beaten; and you will stand before governors and kings for my

sake, to be witnesses to them for me.

13:10

But the proclamation of the Good News must be carried to all the

Gentiles before the End comes.

13:11

When however they are marching you along under arrest, do not

be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but speak what

is given you when the time comes; for it will not be you who

speak, but the Holy Spirit.

13:12

“Brother will betray brother to be killed, and fathers will betray

children; and CHILDREN WILL RISE AGAINST THEIR PARENTS and

have them put to death.

13:13

You will be objects of universal hatred because you are called by

my name, but those who stand firm to the End will be saved.

13:14

“As soon, however, as you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

standing where he ought not” — let the reader observe these

words — “then let those in Judaea escape to the hills;

13:15 let him who is on the roof not come down and enter the house to

fetch anything out of it;

13:16 and let not him who is in the field turn back to pick up his outer

garment.

13:17 And alas for the women who at that time are with child or have

infants!

13:18 “But pray that it may not come in the winter.

13:19 For those will be times of SUFFERING THE LIKE OF WHICH HAS

NEVER BEEN FROM THE FIRST CREATION OF GOD’S WORLD UNTIL

NOW, and assuredly never will be again;

13:20 and but for the fact that the Lord has cut short those days, no one

would escape; but for the sake of His own People whom He has

chosen for Himself He has cut short the days.

13:21 “At that time if any one says to you, ‘See, here is the Christ!’ or

‘See, He is there!’ do not believe it.

13:22 For THERE WILL RISE UP false Christs and false PROPHETS,

DISPLAYING SIGNS AND PRODIGIES with a view to lead astray — if

indeed that were possible — even God’s own People.

13:23 But as for yourselves, be on your guard: I have forewarned you of

everything.

13:24 “AT THAT TIME, however, after that distress, the sun will be

darkened and the moon will not shed her light;

13:25 THE STARS WILL BE SEEN FALLING FROM THE FIRMAMENT, AND THE

FORCES WHICH ARE IN THE HEAVENS WILL BE DISORDERED AND

DISTURBED.

13:26 And then will they see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with

great power and glory.

13:27 Then He will send forth the angels and gather together His chosen

People from north, south, east and west, from the remotest parts

of the earth and the sky.

13:28 “Learn from the fig-tree the lesson it teaches. As soon as its branch

has become soft and it is bursting into leaf, you know that summer

is near.

13:29

So also do you, when you see these things happening, be sure that

He is near, at your very door.

13:30

I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly

not pass away without all these things having first taken place.

13:31

Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my words will

not pass away.

13:32

“But as to that day or the exact time no one knows — not even the

angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

13:33

Take care, be on the alert, and pray; for you do not know when it

will happen.

13:34

It is like a man living abroad who has left his house, and given the

management to his servants — to each one his special duty — and

has ordered the porter to keep awake.

13:35

Be wakeful therefore, for you know not when the master of the

house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at cock-crow, or

at dawn.

13:36

Beware lest He should arrive unexpectedly and find you asleep.

13:37

Moreover, what I say to you I say to all — Be wakeful!”

CHAPTER 14

14:1

It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of

Unleavened Bread, and the High Priests and Scribes were bent on

finding how to seize Him by stratagem and put Him to death.

14:2

But they said, “Not on the Festival-day, for fear there should be a

riot among the people.”

14:3

Now when He was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the Leper,

while He was at table, there came a woman with a jar of pure,

sweet-scented ointment very costly: she broke the jar and poured

the ointment over His head.

14:4

But there were some who said indignantly among themselves,

“Why has the ointment been thus wasted?

14:5

For that ointment might have been sold for fifteen pounds or

more, and the money have been given to the poor.” And they

were exceedingly angry with her.

14:6

But Jesus said, “Leave her alone: why are you troubling her? She

has done a most gracious act towards me.

14:7

For you always have the poor among you, and whenever you

choose you can do acts of kindness to them; but me you have not

always.

14:8

What she could she did: she has perfumed my body in preparation

for my burial.

14:9

And I solemnly tell you that wherever in the whole world the

Good News shall be proclaimed, this which she has done shall

also be told in remembrance of her.”

14:10

But Judas Iscariot, already mentioned as one of the Twelve, went

to the High Priests to betray Jesus to them.

14:11

They gladly listened to his proposal, and promised to give him a

sum of money. So he looked out for an opportunity to betray

Him.

14:12

On the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread — the day for

killing the Passover lamb — His disciples asked Him, “Where

shall we go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

14:13

So He sent two of His disciples with instructions, saying, “Go into

the city, and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water:

follow him,

14:14

and whatever house he enters, tell the master of the house, ‘The

Rabbi asks, Where is my room where I can eat the Passover with

my disciples?’

14:15

Then he will himself show you a large room upstairs, ready

furnished: there make preparation for us.”

14:16

So the disciples went out and came to the city, and found

everything just as He had told them; and they got the Passover

ready.

14:17

When it was evening, He came with the Twelve.

14:18

And while they were at table Jesus said, “I solemnly tell you that

one of you will betray me — one who is eating with me.”

14:19

They were filled with sorrow, and began asking Him, one by one,

“Not I, is it?”

14:20

“It is one of the Twelve,” He replied; “he who is dipping his fingers

in the dish with me.

14:21

For the Son of Man is going His way as it is written about Him;

but alas for the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had

been a happy thing for that man, had he never been born.”

14:22

Also during the meal He took a Passover biscuit, blessed it, and

broke it. He then gave it to them, saying, “Take this, it is my

body.”

14:23

Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and handed it to them, and

they all of them drank from it.

14:24

“This is my blood,” He said, “which is to be poured out on behalf

of many — the blood which makes the Covenant sure.

14:25

I solemnly tell you that never again will I taste the produce of the

vine till I shall drink the new wine in the Kingdom of God.”

14:26

After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

14:27

Then said Jesus to them, “All of you are about to stumble and fall,

for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE

SHEEP WILL BE SCATTERED IN ALL DIRECTIONS.’

14:28

But after I have risen to life again I will go before you into

Galilee.”

14:29 “All may stumble and fall,” said Peter, “yet I never will.”

14:30

“I solemnly tell you,” replied Jesus, “that to-day — this night —

before the cock crows twice, you yourself will three times disown

me.”

14:31

“Even if I must die with you,” declared Peter again and again, “I

will never disown you.” In like manner protested also all the

disciples.

14:32

So they came to a place called Gethsemane. There He said to His

disciples, “Sit down here till I have prayed.”

14:33

Then He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to

be full of terror and distress,

14:34

and He said to them, “My heart is oppressed with anguish to the

very point of death: wait here and keep awake.”

14:35

Going forward a short distance He threw Himself upon His face

and prayed repeatedly that, if it was possible, He might be spared

that time of agony;

14:36

and He said, “Abba! my Father! all things are possible for Thee:

take this cup of suffering away from me: and yet not what I

desire, but what Thou desirest.”

14:37

Then He came and found them asleep, and He said to Peter,

“Simon, are you asleep? Had you not strength to keep awake a

single hour?

14:38

Be wakeful, all of you, and keep on praying, that you may not

come into temptation: the spirit is right willing, but the body is

frail.”

14:39

He again went away and prayed, using the very same words.

14:40

When He returned He again found them asleep, for they were

very tired; and they knew not how to answer Him.

14:41

A third time He came, and then He said, “Sleep on and rest.

Enough! the hour has come. Even now they are betraying the Son

of Man into the hands of sinful men.

14:42

Rouse yourselves, let us be going: my betrayer is close at hand.”

14:43

Immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the

Twelve, came and with him a crowd of men armed with swords

and cudgels, sent by the High Priests and Scribes and Elders.

14:44

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them. “The one I

kiss,” he said, “is the man: lay hold of him, and take him safely

away.”

14:45

So he came, and going straight to Jesus he said, “Rabbi!” and

kissed Him with seeming affection;

14:46

whereupon they laid hands on Him and held Him firmly.

14:47

But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck a blow

at the High Priest’s servant, cutting off his ear.

14:48

“Have you come out,” said Jesus, “with swords and cudgels to

arrest me, as if you had to fight with a robber?

14:49

Day after day I used to be among you in the Temple teaching, and

you never seized me. But this is happening in order that the

Scriptures may be fulfilled.’

14:50

Then His friends all forsook Him and fled.

14:51

One youth indeed did follow Him, wearing only a linen cloth

round his bare body. Of him they laid hold,

14:52

but he left the linen cloth in their hands and fled without it.

14:53

So they led Jesus away to the High Priest, and with him there

assembled all the High Priests, Elders, and Scribes.

14:54

Peter followed Jesus at a distance, as far as the outer court of the

High Priest’s palace. But there he remained sitting among the

officers, and warming himself by the fire.

14:55

Meanwhile the High Priests and the entire Sanhedrin were

endeavoring to get evidence against Jesus in order to put Him to

death, but could find none;

14:56

for though many gave false testimony against Him, their

statements did not tally.

14:57

Then some came forward as witnesses and falsely declared,

14:58

“We have heard him say, ‘I will pull down this Sanctuary built by

human hands, and three days afterwards I will erect another built

without hands.’”

14:59

But not even in this shape was their testimony consistent.

14:60

At last the High Priest stood up, and advancing into the midst of

them all, asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is the

meaning of all this that these witnesses allege against you?”

14:61

But He remained silent, and gave no reply. A second time the

High Priest questioned Him. “Are you the Christ, the Son of the

Blessed One?” he said.

14:62

“I am,” replied Jesus, “and you and others will see the Son of Man

sitting at the right hand of the divine Power, and coming amid the

clouds of the sky.”

14:63

Rending his garments the High Priest exclaimed, “What need have

we of witnesses after that?

14:64

You all heard his impious words. What is your judgment?” Then

with one voice they condemned Him as deserving of death.

14:65

Thereupon some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him,

while striking Him with their fists and crying, “Prove that you are

a prophet.” The officers too struck Him with open hands as they

took Him in charge.

14:66

Now while Peter was below in the quadrangle, one of the High

Priest’s maidservants came,

14:67

and seeing Peter warming himself she looked at him and said,

“You also were with Jesus, the Nazarene.”

14:68

But he denied it, and said, “I don’t know — I don’t understand —

What do you mean?” And then he went out into the outer court.

Just then a cock crowed.

14:69

Again the maidservant saw him, and again began to say to the

people standing by, “He is one of them.”

14:70

A second time he repeatedly denied it. Soon afterwards the

bystanders again accused Peter, saying, “You are surely one of

them, for you too are a Galilaean.”

14:71

But he broke out into curses and oaths, declaring, “I know

nothing of the man you are talking about.”

14:72

No sooner had he spoken than a cock crowed for the second time,

and Peter recollected the words of Jesus, “Before the cock crows

twice, you will three times disown me.” And as he thought of it,

he wept aloud.

CHAPTER 15

15:1

At earliest dawn, after the High Priests had held a consultation

with the Elders and Scribes, they and the entire Sanhedrin bound

Jesus and took Him away and handed Him over to Pilate.

15:2

So Pilate questioned Him. “Are you the King of the Jews?” he

asked. “I am,” replied Jesus.

15:3

Then, as the High Priests went on heaping accusations on Him,

15:4

Pilate again and again asked Him, “Do you make no reply? Listen

to the many charges they are bringing against you.”

15:5

But Jesus made no further answer: so that Pilate wondered.

15:6

Now at the Festival it was customary for Pilate to release to the

Jews any one prisoner whom they might beg off from punishment;

15:7

and at this time a man named Barabbas was in prison among the

insurgents — persons who in the insurrection had committed

murder.

15:8

So the people came crowding up, asking Pilate to grant them the

usual favor.

15:9 “Shall I release for you the King of the Jews?” answered Pilate.

15:10

For he could see that it was out of sheer spite that the High

Priests had handed Him over.

15:11

But the High Priests urged on the crowd to obtain Barabbas’s

release in preference;

15:12

and when Pilate again asked them, “What then shall I do to the

man you call King of the Jews?”

15:13

they once more shouted out, “Crucify Him!”

15:14

“Why, what crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they

vehemently shouted, “Crucify Him!”

15:15

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the mob, released Barabbas for them,

and after scourging Jesus handed Him over for crucifixion.

15:16

Then the soldiers led Him away into the court of the Palace (the

Praetorium), and calling together the whole battalion

15:17

they arrayed Him in crimson, placed on His head a wreath of

thorny twigs which they had twisted,

15:18

and went on to salute Him with shouts of “Long live the King of

the Jews.”

15:19

Then they began to beat Him on the head with a cane, to spit on

Him, and to do Him homage on bended knees.

15:20

At last, having finished their sport, they took the robe off Him,

put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

15:21

One Simon, a Cyrenaean, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was

passing along, coming from the country: him they compelled to

carry His cross.

15:22

So they brought Him to the place called Golgotha, which, being

translated, means ‘Skull-ground.’

15:23

Here they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He refused it.

15:24

Then they crucified Him. This done, they divided His garments

among them, drawing lots to decide what each should take.

15:25

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified Him.

15:26

Over His head was the notice in writing of the charge against

Him: THE KING OF THE JEWS.

15:27

And together with Jesus they crucified two robbers, one at His

right hand and one at His left.

15:28

[]

15:29

And all the passers-by reviled Him. They shook their heads at Him

and said, “Ah! you who were for destroying the Sanctuary and

building a new one in three days,

15:30

come down from the cross and save yourself.”

15:31

In the same way the High Priests also, as well as the Scribes, kept

on scoffing at Him, saying to one another, “He has saved others:

himself he cannot save!

15:32

This Christ, the King of Israel, let him come down now from the

cross, that we may see and believe.” Even the men who were

being crucified with Him heaped insults on Him.

15:33

At noon there came a darkness over the whole land, lasting till

three o’clock in the afternoon.

15:34

But at three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “ELOHI,

ELOHI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” which means, “My God, My God,

WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?”

15:35

Some of the bystanders, hearing Him, said, “Listen, he is calling

for Elijah!”

15:36

Then a man ran to fill a sponge with sour wine, and he put it on

the end of a cane and placed it to His lips, saying at the same time,

“Wait! let us see whether Elijah will come and take him down.”

15:37

But Jesus uttered a loud cry and yielded up His spirit.

15:38

And the curtain in the Sanctuary was torn in two, from top to

bottom.

15:39

And when the Centurion who stood in front of the cross saw that

He was dead, he exclaimed, “This man was indeed God’s Son.”

15:40

There were also a party of women looking on from a distance;

among them being both Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of

James the Little and of Joses, and Salome —

15:41

all of whom in the Galilaean days had habitually been with Him

and cared for Him, as well as many other women who had come

up to Jerusalem with Him.

15:42

Towards sunset, as it was the Preparation — that is, the day

preceding the Sabbath —

15:43

Joseph of Arimathaea came, a highly respected member of the

Council, who himself also was living in expectation of the

Kingdom of God. He summoned up courage to go in to see Pilate

and beg for the body of Jesus.

15:44

But Pilate could hardly believe that He was already dead. He

called, however, for the Centurion and inquired whether He had

been long dead;

15:45

and having ascertained the fact he granted the body to Joseph.

15:46

He, having bought a sheet of linen, took Him down, wrapped Him

in the sheet and laid Him in a tomb hewn in the rock; after which

he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.

15:47

Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on

to see where He was put.

CHAPTER 16

16:1

When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother

of James, and Salome, bought spices, in order to come and anoint

His body.

16:2 So, very soon after sunrise on the first day of the week, they came

to the tomb;

16:3 and they were saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the

stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”

16:4 But then, looking up, they saw that the stone was already rolled

back: for it was of immense size.

16:5 Upon entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at their

right hand, clothed in a long white robe. They were astonished

and terrified.

16:6 But he said to them, “Do not be terrified. It is Jesus you are

looking for — the Nazarene who has been crucified. He has come

back to life: He is not here: this is the place where they laid Him.

16:7 But go and tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you

into Galilee: and that there you will see Him, as He told you.”

16:8 So they came out, and fled from the tomb, for they were greatly

agitated and surprised; and they said not a word to any one, for

they were afraid.

16:9 But He rose to life early on the first day of the week, and

appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom He had expelled

seven demons.

16:10 She went and brought the tidings to those who had been with

Him, as they were mourning and weeping.

16:11 But they, when they were told that He was alive and that she had

seen Him, could not believe it.

16:12 Afterwards He showed Himself in another form to two of them as

they were walking, on their way into the country.

16:13 These, again, went and told the news to the rest; but not even

them did they believe.

16:14 Later still He showed Himself to the Eleven themselves whilst

they were at table, and He upbraided them with their unbelief and

obstinacy in not having believed those who had seen Him alive.

16:15 Then He said to them, “Go the whole world over, and proclaim

the Good News to all mankind.

16:16

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who

disbelieves will be condemned.

16:17

And signs shall attend those who believe, even such as these. By

making use of my name they shall expel demons. They shall speak

new languages.

16:18

They shall take up venomous snakes, and if they drink any deadly

poison it shall do them no harm whatever. They shall lay their

hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover.”

16:19

So the Lord Jesus after having thus spoken to them was taken up

into Heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

16:20

But they went out and made proclamation everywhere, the Lord

working with them and confirming their Message by the signs

which accompanied it.

THE GOOD NEWS

AS RECORDED BY

LUKE

Modern research has abundantly confirmed the ancient tradition that the

anonymous author of the third Gospel is none other than “Luke the

beloved physician” and the narrator of the “Acts of the Apostles” (see.

Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24). Even Renan

acknowledges this, and the objections of a few extremists appear to have

been sufficiently answered.

The date is not easy to settle. The main problem is whether the book was

written before or after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70, A.D. Not a few

scholars whose views merit great respect still think that it preceded that

event, but the majority of critics believe otherwise. Three principal dates

have been suggested, 63, A.D., 80, A.D., 100, A.D. If we accept 80, A. D.,

we shall be in substantial accord with Harnack, McGiffert, and Plummer,

who fairly represent the best consensus of scholarly opinion.

There is no evidence as to where this Gospel was composed, although its

general style suggests the influence of some Hellenic center. Its special

characteristics are plain. It is written in purer Greek than the other Gospels,

and is manifestly the most historic and artistic. It has also the widest

outlook, having obviously been compiled for Gentiles, and, especially, for

Greeks. The Author was evidently an educated man and probably a

physician, and was also a close observer.

Eighteen of the parables and six of the miracles found here are not

recorded elsewhere. Those “portions of the Gospel narrative which Luke

alone has preserved for us, are among the most beautiful treasures which

we possess, and we owe them in a great measure to his desire to make his

collection as full as possible.” Luke’s object was rather to write history

than construct an “apology” and for this reason his order is generally

chronological.

141

This Gospel is often termed, and not without reason, “the Gospel of Paul.”

Luke’s close association with the great Apostle — an association to which

the record in the Acts and also the Pauline Letters bear testimony — at

once warrants and explains the ancient assumption that we have here a

writing as truly colored by the influence of Paul as that of Mark was by

Peter. This is especially the Gospel of gratuitous and universal salvation.

Its integrity has recently been placed beyond dispute. Marcion’s edition of

it in 140, A.D., was a mutilation of the original!

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Seeing that many have attempted to draw up a narrative of the

facts which are received with full assurance among us

1:2 on the authority of those who were from the beginning eyewitnesses

and were devoted to the service of the divine Message,

1:3 it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the

facts from their commencement, to write for you, most noble

Theophilus, a connected account,

1:4 that you may fully know the truth of the things which you have

been taught by word of mouth.

1:5 There was in the time of Herod, the king of Judaea, a priest of the

name of Zechariah, belonging to the class of Abijah. He had a

wife who was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was

Elizabeth.

1:6 They were both of them upright before God, blamelessly obeying

all the Lord’s precepts and ordinances.

1:7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren; and both of

them were far advanced in life.

1:8 Now while he was doing priestly duty before God in the

prescribed course of his class,

1:9 it fell to his lot — according to the custom of the priesthood — to

go into the Sanctuary of the Lord and burn the incense;

1:10 and the whole multitude of the people were outside praying, at the

hour of incense.

1:11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the

right side of the altar of incense;

1:12

and Zechariah on seeing him was agitated and terrified.

1:13

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your

petition has been heard: and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a

son, and you are to call his name John.

1:14

Gladness and exultant joy shall be yours, and many will rejoice

over his birth.

1:15

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; no wine or fermented

drink shall he ever drink; but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit

from the very hour of his birth.

1:16

Many of the descendants of Israel will he turn to the Lord their

God;

1:17

and he will be His forerunner in the spirit and power of Elijah, to

turn fathers’ hearts to the children, and cause the rebellious to

walk in the wisdom of the upright, to make a people perfectly

ready for the lord.”

1:18

“By what proof,” asked Zechariah, “shall I know this? For I am an

old man, and my wife is far advanced in years.”

1:19

“I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God,” answered the

angel, “and I have been sent to talk with you and tell you this

good news.

1:20

And now you will be dumb and unable to speak until the day

when this has taken place; because you did not believe my words

— words which will be fulfilled at their appointed time.”

1:21

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were

surprised that he stayed so long in the Sanctuary.

1:22

When, however, he came out, he was unable to speak to them;

and they knew that he must have seen a vision in the Sanctuary;

but he kept making signs to them and continued dumb.

1:23

When his days of service were at an end, he went to his home;

1:24

and in course of time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and kept

herself secluded five months.

1:25

“Thus has the Lord dealt with me,” she said, “now that He has

graciously taken away my reproach among men.”

1:26

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a

town in Galilee called Nazareth,

1:27

to a maiden betrothed to a man of the name of Joseph, a

descendant of David. The maiden’s name was Mary.

1:28

So Gabriel went into the house and said to her, “Joy be to you,

favored one! the Lord is with you.”

1:29

She was greatly agitated at his words, and wondered what such a

greeting meant.

1:30

But the angel said, “Do not be frightened, Mary, for you have

found favor with God.

1:31

You will conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you are to

call His name JESUS.

1:32

He will be great and He will be called ‘Son of the Most High.’

And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His forefather

David;

1:33

and He will be King over the House of Jacob for the Ages, and of

His Kingdom there will be no end.”

1:34 “How can this be,” Mary replied, “seeing that I have no husband?”

1:35

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and

the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for this

reason your holy offspring will be called ‘the Son of God.’

1:36

And see, your relative Elizabeth — she also has conceived a son

in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called

barren.

1:37

For no promise from God will be impossible of fulfillment.”

1:38

“I am the Lord’s maidservant,” Mary replied; “may it be with me in

accordance with your words!” And then the angel left her.

1:39

Not long after this, Mary rose up and went in haste into the hill

country to a town in Judah.

1:40

Here she came to the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth;

1:41

and as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the babe leapt

within her. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,

1:42 and uttered a loud cry of joy. “Blest among women are you,” she

said, “and the offspring of your body is blest!

1:43 But why is this honor done me, that the mother of my Lord

should come to me?

1:44 For, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the babe within

me leapt for joy.

1:45 And blessed is she who has believed, for the word spoken to her

from the Lord shall be fulfilled.”

1:46 Then Mary said: “My soul extols the Lord,

1:47 And my spirit triumphs in God my Savior;

1:48 Because He has not turned from His maidservant in her lowly

position; For from this time forward all generations will account

me happy,

1:49 Because the mighty One has done great things for me — Holy is

His name! —

1:50 And His compassion is, generation after generation, Upon those

who fear Him.

1:51 He has manifested His supreme strength. He has scattered those

who were haughty in the thoughts of their hearts.

1:52 He has cast monarchs down from their thrones, And exalted men

of low estate.

1:53 The hungry He has satisfied with choice gifts, But the rich He has

sent empty-handed away.

1:54 His servant Israel He has helped, Remembering His compassion

—

1:55 In fulfillment of His promises to our forefathers — For Abraham

and his posterity for ever.”

1:56 So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then

returned home.

1:57 Now when Elizabeth’s full time was come, she gave birth to a

son;

1:58 and her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had had great

compassion on her; and they rejoiced with her.

1:59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and were

going to call him Zechariah, after his father.

1:60 His mother, however, said, “No, he is to be called John.”

1:61 “There is not one of your family,” they said, “who has that name.”

1:62 They asked his father by signs what he wished him to be called.

1:63 So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.”

And they all wondered.

1:64 Instantly his mouth and his tongue were set free, and he began to

speak and bless God.

1:65 And all who lived round about them were filled with awe, and

throughout the hill country of Judaea reports of all these things

were spread abroad.

1:66 All who heard the story treasured it in their memories. “What then

will this child be?” they said. For the lord’s hand was indeed with

him.

1:67 And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and

spoke in a rapture of praise.

1:68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,” he said, “Because He has

not forgotten His people but has effected redemption for them,

1:69 And has raised up a mighty Deliverer for us In the house of David

His servant —

1:70 As He has spoken from all time by the lips of His holy Prophets

—

1:71 To deliver us from our foes and from the power of all who hate

us.

1:72 He dealt pitifully with our forefathers, And remembered His holy

covenant,

1:73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our forefather,

1:74 To grant us to be rescued from the power of our foes And so

render worship to Him free from fear,

1:75

In piety and uprightness before Him all our days.

1:76

And you moreover, O child, shall be called Prophet of the Most

High; For you shall go on in front before the Lord to prepare the

way for Him,

1:77

To give to His People a knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness

of their sins,

1:78

Through the tender compassion of our God, Through which the

daybreak from on high will come to us,

1:79

Dawning on those who now dwell in the darkness and shadow of

death — To direct our feet into the path of peace.”

1:80

And the child grew and became strong in character, and lived in

the Desert till the time came for him to appear publicly to Israel.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

Just at this time an edict was issued by Caesar Augustus for the

registration of the whole Empire.

2:2

It was the first registration made during the governorship of

Quirinius in Syria;

2:3

and all went to be registered — every one to the town to which he

belonged.

2:4

So Joseph went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to

Judaea, to David’s town of Bethlehem, because he was of the

house and lineage of David,

2:5

to have himself registered together with Mary, who was betrothed

to him and was with child.

2:6

But while they were there, her full time came,

2:7

and she gave birth to her first-born son, and wrapped Him round,

and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in

the inn.

2:8

Now there were shepherds in the same part of the country,

keeping watch over their sheep by night in the open fields,

2:9

when suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory

of the Lord shone round them; and they were filled with terror.

2:10 But the angel said to them, “Put away all fear; for I am bringing

you good news of great joy — joy for all the People.

2:11 For a Savior who is the Anointed Lord is born to you to-day, in

the town of David.

2:12 And this is the token for you: you will find a babe wrapped in

swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

2:13 And immediately there was with the angel a multitude of the army

of Heaven praising God and saying,

2:14 “Glory be to God in the highest Heavens, And on earth peace

among men who please Him!”

2:15 Then, as soon as the angels had left them and returned to Heaven,

the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go over as far as

Bethlehem and see this that has happened, which the Lord has

made known to us.”

2:16 So they made haste and came and found Mary and Joseph, with

the babe lying in the manger.

2:17 And when they saw the child, they told what had been said to

them about Him;

2:18 and all who listened were astonished at what the shepherds told

them.

2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things, often dwelling on them in

her mind.

2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all

that they had heard and seen in accordance with the

announcement made to them.

2:21 When eight days had passed and the time for circumcising Him

had come, He was called JESUS, the name given Him by the

angel before His conception in the womb.

2:22 And when the days for their purification appointed by the Law of

Moses had passed, they took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him

to the Lord —

2:23 as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “EVERY FIRST-BORN MALE

SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD.”

2:24

And they also offered a sacrifice as commanded in the Law of the

Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLE DOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”

2:25

Now there was a man in Jerusalem of the name of Symeon, an

upright and God-fearing man, who was waiting for the

consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

2:26

To him it had been revealed by the Holy Spirit that he should not

see death until he had seen the Lord’s Anointed One.

2:27

Led by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents

brought in the child Jesus to do with regard to Him according to

the custom of the Law,

2:28

he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

2:29

“Now, O Sovereign Lord, Thou dost send Thy servant away in

peace, in fulfillment of Thy word,

2:30

Because mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,

2:31

Which Thou hast made ready in the sight of all nations —

2:32

A light to shine upon the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people

Israel.”

2:33

And while the child’s father and mother were wondering at the

words of Symeon concerning Him,

2:34

Symeon blessed them and said to Mary the mother, “This child is

appointed for the falling and the uprising of many in Israel and for

a token to be spoken against;

2:35

and a sword will pierce through your own soul also; that the

reasonings in many hearts may be revealed.”

2:36

There was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel,

belonging to the tribe of Asher. She was of a very great age,

having had after her maidenhood seven years of married life,

2:37

and then being a widow of eighty-four years. She was never

absent from the Temple, but worshipped, by day and by night,

with fasting and prayer.

2:38

And coming up just at that moment, she gave thanks to God, and

spoke about the child to all who were expecting the deliverance of

Jerusalem.

2:39

Then, as soon as they had accomplished all that the Law required,

they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

2:40

And the child grew and became strong and full of wisdom, and the

favor of God rested upon Him.

2:41

Now His parents used to go up year by year to Jerusalem at the

Feast of the Passover.

2:42

And when He was twelve years old they went up as was

customary at the time of the Feast, and,

2:43

after staying the full number of days, when they started back home

the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not

discover this,

2:44

but supposing Him to be in the traveling company, they proceeded

a day’s journey. Then they searched up and down for Him among

their relatives and acquaintances;

2:45

but being unable to find Him they returned to Jerusalem, making

anxious inquiry for Him.

2:46

On the third day they found Him in the Temple sitting among the

Rabbis, both listening to them and asking them questions,

2:47

while all who heard Him were astonished at His intelligence and at

the answers He gave.

2:48

When they saw Him, they were smitten with amazement, and His

mother said to Him, “My child, why have you behaved thus to us?

Your father and I have been searching for you in anguish.”

2:49

“Why is it that you have been searching for me?” He replied; “did

you not know that it is my duty to be engaged upon my Father’s

business?”

2:50

But they did not understand the significance of these words.

2:51

Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was

always obedient to them; but His mother carefully treasured up all

these incidents in her memory.

2:52

And as Jesus grew older He gained in both wisdom and stature,

and in favor with God and man.

CHAPTER 3

3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius

Pilate being Governor of Judaea, Herod Tetrarch of Galilee, his

brother Philip Tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias

Tetrarch of Abilene,

3:2 during the High-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, a message

from God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the Desert.

3:3 John went into all the district about the Jordan proclaiming a

baptism of the penitent for the forgiveness of sins;

3:4 as it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of

one crying aloud! ‘In the Desert prepare ye a road for the Lord:

make His highway straight.

3:5 Every ravine shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill leveled

down, the crooked places shall be turned into straight roads, and

the rugged ways into smooth;

3:6 AND THEN SHALL ALL MANKIND SEE GOD’S SALVATION.’”

3:7 Accordingly John used to say to the crowds who came out to be

baptized by him, “O vipers’ brood, who has warned you to flee

from the coming wrath?

3:8 Live lives which shall prove your change of heart; and do not

begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our forefather,’

for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from

these stones.

3:9 And even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that

every tree which fails to yield good fruit will quickly be hewn

down and thrown into the fire.”

3:10 The crowds repeatedly asked him, “What then are we to do?”

3:11 “Let the man who has two coats,” he answered, “give one to the

man who has none; and let the man who has food share it with

others.”

3:12 There came also a party of tax-gatherers to be baptized, and they

asked him, “Rabbi, what are we to do?”

3:13 “Do not exact more than the legal amount,” he replied.

3:14

The soldiers also once and again inquired of him, “And we, what

are we to do?” His answer was, “Neither intimidate any one nor

lay false charges; and be content with your pay.”

3:15

And while the people were in suspense and all were debating in

their minds whether John might possibly be the Anointed One,

3:16

he answered the question by saying to them all, “As for me, I am

baptizing you with water, but One mightier than I is coming,

whose very sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten: He will

baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire.

3:17

His winnowing-shovel is in His hand to clear out His threshing-

floor, and to gather the wheat into His storehouse; but the chaff

He will burn up in fire unquenchable.”

3:18

With many exhortations besides these he declared the Good News

to the people.

3:19

But Herod the Tetrarch, being repeatedly rebuked by him about

Herodias his brother’s wife, and about all the wicked deeds that

he had done,

3:20

now added this to crown all the rest, that he threw John into

prison.

3:21

Now when all the people had been baptized, and Jesus also had

been baptized and was praying, the sky opened,

3:22

and the Holy Spirit came down in bodily shape, like a dove, upon

Him, and a voice came from Heaven, which said, “Thou art My

Son, dearly loved: in Thee is My delight.”

3:23

And He — Jesus — when He began His ministry, was about thirty

years old. He was the son (it was supposed) of Joseph, son of

Heli,

3:24

son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of

Joseph,

3:25

son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of

Naggai,

3:26

son of Mahath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech,

son of Joda,

3:27 son of Johanan, son of Resa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel,

son of Neri,

3:28 son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son

of Er,

3:29 son of Joshua, son of Eliezar, son of Jorim, son of Maththat, son

of Levi,

3:30 son of Symeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of

Eliakim, son of

3:31 Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of

David,

3:32 son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Salmon, son of

Nahshon,

3:33 son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron,

son of Perez, son of Judah,

3:34 son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of

Nahor,

3:35 son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of

Shelah,

3:36 son of Cainan, son of Arpachshad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son

of Lamech,

3:37 son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalalel,

son of Kenan,

3:38 son of Enosh, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

CHAPTER 4

4:1 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and

was led about by the Spirit in the Desert for forty days,

4:2 tempted all the while by the Devil. During those days He ate

nothing, and at the close of them He suffered from hunger.

4:3 Then the Devil said to Him, “If you are God’s Son, tell this stone

to become bread.”

4:4 “It is written,” replied Jesus, “‘IT IS NOT ON BREAD ALONE THAT A

MAN SHALL LIVE.’”

4:5 The Devil next led Him up and caused Him to see at a glance all

the kingdoms of the world.

4:6 And the Devil said to Him, “To you will I give all this authority

and this splendour; for it has been handed over to me, and on

whomsoever I will I bestow it.

4:7 If therefore you do homage to me, it shall all be yours.’

4:8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘TO THE LORD THY GOD THOU

SHALT DO HOMAGE, AND TO HIM ALONE SHALT THOU RENDER

WORSHIP.’”

4:9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem and caused Him to stand on

the roof of the Temple, and said to Him, “If you are God’s Son,

throw yourself down from here; for it is written,

4:10 ‘HE WILL GIVE ORDERS TO HIS ANGELS CONCERNING THEE, TO

GUARD THEE SAFELY;’

4:11 and ‘ON THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP, LEST AT ANY

MOMENT THOU SHOULDST STRIKE THY FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”

4:12 The reply of Jesus was, “It is said, ‘THOU SHALT NOT PUT THE

LORD THEY GOD TO THE PROOF.’”

4:13 So the Devil, having fully tried every kind of temptation on Him,

left Him for a time.

4:14 Then Jesus returned in the Spirit’s power to Galilee; and His fame

spread through all the adjacent districts.

4:15 And He proceeded to teach in their synagogues, winning praise

from all.

4:16 He came to Nazareth also, where He had been brought up; and, as

was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, and

stood up to read.

4:17 And there was handed to Him the book of the Prophet Isaiah,

and, opening the book, He found the place where it was written,

4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to

proclaim Good News to the poor; He has sent me to announce

release to the prisoners of war and recovery of sight to the blind:

to send away free those whom tyranny has crushed,

4:19

TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF ACCEPTANCE WITH THE LORD.”

4:20

And rolling up the book, He returned it to the attendant, and sat

down — to speak. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed

on Him.

4:21

Then He proceeded to say to them, “To-day is this Scripture

fulfilled in your hearing.”

4:22

And they all spoke well of Him, wondering at the sweet words of

kindness which fell from His lips, while they asked one another,

“Is not this Joseph’s son?”

4:23

“Doubtless,” said He, “you will quote to me the proverb,

‘Physician, cure yourself: all that we hear that you have done at

Capernaum, do here also in your native place.’”

4:24

“I tell you in solemn truth,” He added, “that no Prophet is

welcomed among his own people.

4:25

But I tell you in truth that there was many a widow in Israel in the

time of Elijah, when there was no rain for three years and six

months and there came a severe famine over all the land;

4:26

and yet to not one of them was Elijah sent: he was only sent to a

widow at Zarephath in the Sidonian country.

4:27

And there was also many a leper in Israel in the time of the

Prophet Elisha, and yet not one of them was cleansed, but

Naaman the Syrian was.”

4:28

Then all in the synagogue, while listening to these words, were

filled with fury.

4:29

They rose, hurried Him outside the town, and brought Him to the

brow of the hill on which their town was built, to throw Him

down the cliff;

4:30

but He passed through the midst of them and went His way.

4:31

So He came down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, where He

frequently taught the people on the Sabbath days.

4:32

And they were greatly impressed by His teaching, because He

spoke with the language of authority.

4:33

But in the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of a

foul demon. In a loud voice he cried out,

4:34

“Ha! Jesus the Nazarene, what have you to do with us? I know

who you are — God’s Holy One!”

4:35

But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Silence!” He exclaimed; “come

out of him.” Upon this, the demon hurled the man into the midst

of them, and came out of him without doing him any harm.

4:36

All were astonished and awe-struck; and they asked one another,

“What sort of language is this? For with authority and real power

He gives orders to the foul spirits and they come out.”

4:37

And the talk about Him spread into every part of the neighboring

country.

4:38

Now when He rose and left the synagogue He went to Simon’s

house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from an acute attack

of fever; and they consulted Him about her.

4:39

Then standing over her He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and

she at once rose and waited on them.

4:40

At sunset all who had friends suffering from any illness brought

them to Him, and He laid His hands on them all, one by one, and

cured them.

4:41

Demons also came out of many, loudly calling out, “You are the

Son of God.” But He rebuked them and forbad them to speak,

because they knew Him to be the Christ.

4:42

Next morning, at daybreak, He left the town and went away to a

solitary place; but the people flocked out to find Him, and,

coming to the place where He was, they endeavored to detain

Him that He might not leave them.

4:43

But He said to them, “I have to tell the Good News of the

Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because for this purpose

I was sent.”

4:44

And for some time He preached in the synagogues in Galilee.

CHAPTER 5

5:1 On one occasion the crowd was pressing on Him and listening to

God’s Message, while He was standing by the Lake of

Gennesaret.

5:2 He, however, saw two fishing-boats drawn up on the beach (for

the men had gone away from them and were washing the nets),

5:3 and going on board one of them, which was Simon’s He asked

him to push out a little from land. Then He sat down and taught

the crowd of people from the boat.

5:4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Push out into

deep water, and let down your nets for a haul.”

5:5 “Rabbi,” replied Peter, “all night long we have worked hard and

caught nothing; but at your command I will let down the nets.”

5:6 This they did, and enclosed a vast number of fish; and their nets

began to break.

5:7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and

help them; they came, and they filled both the boats so that they

almost sank.

5:8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at the knees of Jesus,

and exclaimed, “Master, leave my boat, for I am a sinful man.”

5:9 (For he was astonished and terrified — he and all his companions

— at the haul of fish which they had taken;

5:10 and so were Simon’s partners James and John, the sons of Zabdi.)

But Jesus replied to Simon, “Fear not: from this time you shall be

a catcher of men.”

5:11 Then, after bringing their boats to land, they left everything and

followed Him.

5:12 On another occasion, when He was in one of the towns, there was

a man there covered with leprosy, who, seeing Jesus, threw

himself at His feet and implored Him, saying, “Sir, if only you are

willing, you are able to make me clean.”

5:13 Reaching out His hand and touching him, Jesus said, “I am

willing; be cleansed!” And instantly the leprosy left him.

5:14

He ordered him to tell no one. “But go,” He said, “show yourself

to the Priest, and make the offering for your purification which

Moses appointed, as evidence for them.”

5:15

But all the more the report about Him spread abroad, and great

multitudes crowded to hear Him and to be cured of their diseases;

5:16

but Jesus Himself constantly withdrew into the Desert and there

prayed.

5:17

One day He was teaching, and there were Pharisees and teachers

of the Law sitting there who had come from every village in

Galilee and Judaea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the

Lord was present for Him to cure people.

5:18

And a party of men came carrying a palsied man on a bed, and

they endeavored to bring him in and lay him before Jesus.

5:19

But when they could find no way of doing so because of the

crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the

tiling — bed and all — into the midst, in front of Jesus.

5:20

He saw their faith and said to him, “Friend, your sins are

forgiven.”

5:21

Then the Scribes and Pharisees began to cavil, asking, “Who is

this, uttering blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?”

5:22

Well aware of their reasonings, Jesus answered their questions by

asking in turn, “What is this that you are debating in your hearts?

5:23

Which is easier? — to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say,

‘Rise and walk’?

5:24

But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to

forgive sins” — Turning to the paralytic He said, “I bid you, Rise,

take up your bed, and go home.”

5:25

Instantly he stood up in their presence, took up the mattress on

which he had been lying, and went away to his home, giving glory

to God.

5:26

Amazement seized them all. “Glory to God!” was the abiding

feeling. Yet fear flashed through their minds and they said, “We

have seen strange things to-day.”

5:27

After this He went out and noticed a tax-gatherer, Levi by name,

sitting at the Toll office; and He said to him, “Follow me.”

5:28

He rose, left everything, and followed Him.

5:29

Levi also gave a great entertainment at his house in honor of

Jesus, and there was a large party of tax-gatherers and others at

table with them.

5:30

This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate

with His disciples and ask, “Why are you eating and drinking with

these tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?”

5:31

But Jesus replied to them, “It is not men in good health who

require a physician, but the sick.

5:32

I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.”

5:33

Again they said to Him, “John’s disciples fast often and pray, as

do also those of the Pharisees; but yours eat and drink.”

5:34

“Can you compel the bridal party to fast,” replied Jesus, “so long as

they have the bridegroom among them?

5:35

But a time for this will come, when the Bridegroom has been

taken away from them: then, at that time, they will fast.”

5:36

He also spoke in figurative language to them. “No one,” He said,

“tears a piece from a new garment to mend an old one. Otherwise

he would not only spoil the new, but the patch from the new

would not match the old.

5:37

Nor does any one pour new wine into old wine-skins. Otherwise

the new wine would burst the skins, the wine itself would be spilt,

and the skins be destroyed.

5:38

But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.

5:39

Nor does any one after drinking old wine wish for new; for he

says, ‘The old is better.’”

CHAPTER 6

6:1

Now on the second-first Sabbath while He was passing through

the wheatfields, His disciples were plucking the ears and rubbing

them with their hands to eat the grain.

6:2 And some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what the

Law forbids on the Sabbath?”

6:3 “Have you never read so much as this,” answered Jesus — “what

David did when he and his followers were hungry;

6:4 how he entered the house of God and took and ate the Presented

Loaves and gave some to his followers — loaves which none but

the Priests are allowed to eat?”

6:5 “The Son of Man,” He added, “is Lord of the Sabbath also.”

6:6 On another Sabbath He had gone to the synagogue and was

teaching there; and in the congregation was a man whose right

arm was withered.

6:7 The Scribes and the Pharisees were on the watch to see whether

He would cure him on the Sabbath that they might be able to

bring an accusation against Him.

6:8 He knew their thoughts, and said to the man with the withered

arm, “Rise, and stand there in the middle.” And he rose and stood

there.

6:9 Then Jesus said to them, “I put it to you all whether we are

allowed to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil; to save a life, or

to destroy it.”

6:10 And looking round upon them all He said to the man, “Stretch out

your arm.” He did so, and the arm was restored.

6:11 But they were filled with madness, and began to discuss with one

another what they should do to Jesus.

6:12 About that time He went out on one occasion into the hill country

to pray; and He remained all night in prayer to God.

6:13 When it was day, He called His disciples; and He selected from

among them twelve, whom He also named Apostles.

6:14 These were Simon, to whom also He had given the name of Peter,

and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and

Bartholomew;

6:15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon

called the Zealot;

6:16

James’s relative Judas, and Judas Iscariot who proved to be a

traitor.

6:17

With these He came down till He reached a level place, where

there was a great crowd of His disciples, and a multitude of

people from every part of Judaea, from Jerusalem, and from the

sea-side district of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and to

be cured of their diseases;

6:18

and those who were tormented by foul spirits were cured.

6:19

The whole crowd were eager to touch Him, because power went

forth from him and cured every one.

6:20

Then fixing His eyes upon His disciples, Jesus said to them,

“Blessed are you poor, because the Kingdom of God is yours.

6:21

“Blessed are you who hunger now, because your hunger shall be

satisfied. “Blessed are you who now weep aloud, because you

shall laugh.

6:22

“Blessed are you when men shall hate you and exclude you from

their society and insult you, and spurn your very names as evil

things, for the Son of Man’s sake.

6:23

“Be glad at such a time, and dance for joy; for your reward is great

in Heaven; for that is just the way their forefathers behaved to the

Prophets!

6:24

“But alas for you rich men, because you already have your

consolation!

6:25

“Alas for you who now have plenty to eat, because you will be

hungry! “Alas for you who laugh now, because you will mourn

and weep aloud!

6:26

“Alas for you when men shall all have spoken well of you; for that

is just the way their forefathers behaved to the false Prophets!

6:27

“But to you who are listening to me I say, Love your enemies; seek

the welfare of those who hate you;

6:28

bless those who curse you; pray for those who revile you.

6:29

To him who gives you a blow on one side of the face offer the

other side also; and to him who is robbing you of your outer

garment refuse not the under one also.

6:30

To every one who asks, give; and from him who takes away your

property, do not demand it back.

6:31

And behave to your fellow men just as you would have them

behave to you.

6:32

“If you love those who love you, what credit is it to you? Why,

even bad men love those who love them.

6:33

And if you are kind to those who are kind to you, what credit is it

to you? Even bad men act thus.

6:34

And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what

credit is it to you? Even bad men lend to their fellows so as to

receive back an equal amount.

6:35

Nevertheless love your enemies, be beneficent; and lend without

hoping for any repayment. Then your recompense shall be great,

and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the

ungrateful and wicked.

6:36

Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.

6:37

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged; condemn not, and you

shall not be condemned; pardon, and you shall be pardoned;

6:38

give, and gifts shall be bestowed on you. Full measure, pressed,

shaken down, and running over, shall they pour into your laps; for

with the same measure that you use they shall measure to you in

return.”

6:39

He also spoke to them in figurative language. “Can a blind man

lead a blind man?” He asked; “would not both fall into the ditch?

6:40

There is no disciple who is superior to his teacher; but every one

whose instruction is complete will be like his teacher.

6:41

“And why look at the splinter in your brother’s eye instead of

giving careful attention to the beam in your own?

6:42

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take that

splinter out of your eye,’ when all the while you yourself do not

see the beam in your own eye? Vain pretender! take the beam out

of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly to take the

splinter out of your brother’s eye.

6:43

“There is no good tree that yields unsound fruit, nor again any

unsound tree that yields good fruit.

6:44

Every tree is known by its own fruit. It is not from thorns that

men gather figs, nor from the bramble that they can get a bunch of

grapes.

6:45

A good man from the good stored up in his heart brings out what

is good; and an evil man from the evil stored up brings out what is

evil; for from the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

6:46

“And why do you all call me ‘Master, Master’ and yet not do what

I tell you?

6:47

Every one who comes to me and listens to my words and puts

them in practice, I will show you whom he is like.

6:48

He is like a man building a house, who digs and goes deep, and

lays the foundation on the rock; and when a flood comes, the

torrent bursts upon that house, but is unable to shake it, because it

is securely built.

6:49

But he who has heard and not practiced is like a man who has

built a house upon the soft soil without a foundation, against

which the torrent bursts, and immediately it collapses, and terrible

is the wreck and ruin of that house.”

CHAPTER 7

7:1

After He had finished teaching all these things in the hearing of

the people, He went into Capernaum.

7:2

Here the servant of a certain Captain, a man dear to his master,

was ill and at the point of death;

7:3

and the Captain, hearing about Jesus, sent to Him some of the

Jewish Elders, begging Him to come and restore his servant to

health.

7:4

And they, when they came to Jesus, earnestly entreated Him,

pleading, “He deserves to have this favor granted him,

7:5

for he loves our nation, and at his own expense he built our

synagogue for us.”

7:6

Then Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the

house, the Captain sent friends to Him with the message: “Sir, do

not trouble to come. I am not worthy of having you come under

my roof;

7:7

and therefore I did not deem myself worthy to come to you. Only

speak the word, and let my young man be cured.

7:8

For I too am a man obedient to authority, and have soldiers under

me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; to another, ‘Come,’ and

he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this or that,’ and he does it.”

7:9

Jesus listened to the Captain’s message and was astonished at

him, and He turned and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I

tell you that not even in Israel have I found faith like that.”

7:10

And the friends who had been sent, on returning to the house,

found the servant in perfect health.

7:11

Shortly afterwards He went to a town called Nain, attended by

His disciples and a great crowd of people.

7:12

And just as He reached the gate of the town, they happened to be

bringing out for burial a dead man who was his mother’s only son;

and she was a widow; and a great number of the townspeople

were with her.

7:13

The Lord saw her, was moved with pity for her, and said to her,

“Do not weep.”

7:14

Then He went close and touched the bier, and the bearers halted.

“Young man,” He said, “I command you, wake!”

7:15

The dead man sat up and began to speak; and He restored him to

his mother.

7:16

All were awe-struck, and they gave glory to God — some saying,

“A Prophet, a great Prophet, has risen up among us.” Others said,

“God has not forgotten His People.”

7:17

And the report of what Jesus had done spread through the whole

of Judaea and in all the surrounding districts.

7:18

John’s disciples brought him an account of all these things;

7:19

so John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord.

“Are you the Coming One?” he asked, “or is there another that

we are to expect?”

7:20

The men came to Jesus and said, “John the Baptist has sent us to

you with this question: ‘Are you the Coming One, or is there

another that we are to expect?’”

7:21

He immediately cured many of diseases, severe pain, and evil

spirits, and to many who were blind He gave the gift of sight.

7:22

Then He answered the messengers, “Go and report to John what

you have seen and heard. Blind men receive sight, the lame walk,

lepers are purified, deaf persons hear, the dead are raised to life,

the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them.

7:23

And blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because

of my claims.”

7:24

When John’s messengers were gone, He 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?

7:25

But what did you go out to see? A man wearing luxurious

clothes? People who are gorgeously dressed and live in luxury are

found in palaces.

7:26

But what did you go out to see? A Prophet? Aye, I tell you, and

far more than a Prophet.

7:27

John is the man about whom it is written, ‘SEE, I AM SENDING MY

MESSENGER BEFORE THY FACE, AND HE SHALL MAKE READY THY

WAY BEFORE THEE.’

7:28

“I tell you that among all of women born there is not one greater

than John. Yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of God is

greater than he.

7:29

And all the people, including the tax-gatherers, when they listened

to him upheld the righteousness of God, by being baptized with

John’s baptism.

7:30

But the Pharisees and expounders of the Law have frustrated

God’s purpose as to their own lives, by refusing to be baptized.

7:31

“To what then shall I compare the men of the present generation,

and what do they resemble?

7:32

They are like children sitting in the public square and calling out

to one another, ‘We have played the flute to you, and you have

not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not shown

sorrow.’

7:33

For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no

wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’

7:34

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say,

‘Look, there is a man who is overfond of eating and drinking —

he is a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!’

7:35

But wisdom is justified by all who are truly wise.”

7:36

Now one of the Pharisees repeatedly invited Him to a meal at his

house; so He entered the house and reclined at the table.

7:37

And there was a woman in the town who was a notorious sinner.

Having learnt that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee’s house she

brought a flask of perfume,

7:38

and, standing behind close to His feet, weeping, began to wet His

feet with her tears; and with her hair she wiped the tears away

again, while she lovingly kissed His feet and poured the perfume

over them.

7:39

Noticing this, the Pharisee, His host, said to himself, “This man, if

he were really a Prophet, would know who and what sort of

person this woman is who is touching him — and would know

that she is an immoral woman.”

7:40

In answer to his thoughts Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have a

word to say to you.” “Rabbi, say on,” he replied.

7:41

“There were once two men in debt to one money-lender,” said

Jesus; “one owed him five hundred shillings and the other fifty.

7:42

But neither of them could pay anything; so he freely forgave them

both. Tell me, then, which of them will love him most?”

7:43

“I suppose,” replied Simon, “the one to whom he forgave most.”

“You have judged rightly,” Jesus rejoined.

7:44

Then turning towards the woman He said to Simon, “Do you see

this woman? I came into your house: you gave me no water for

my feet; but she has made my feet wet with her tears, and then

wiped the tears away with her hair.

7:45

No kiss did you give me; but she from the moment I came in has

not left off tenderly kissing my feet.

7:46

No oil did you pour even on my head; but she has poured perfume

upon my feet.

7:47

This is the reason why I tell you that her sins, her many sins, are

forgiven — because she has loved much; but he who is forgiven

little, loves little.”

7:48

And He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

7:49

Then the other guests began to say to themselves, “Who can this

man be who even forgives sins?”

7:50

But He said to the woman, “Your faith has cured you: go, and be

at peace.”

CHAPTER 8

8:1

Shortly after this He visited town after town, and village after

village, proclaiming His Message and telling the Good News of

the Kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him,

8:2

and certain women whom He had delivered from evil spirits and

various diseases — Mary of Magdala, out of whom seven demons

had come,

8:3

and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and

many other women, all of whom contributed to the support of

Jesus and His Apostles.

8:4

And when a great crowd was assembling, and was receiving

additions from one town after another, He spoke a parable to

them.

8:5

“The sower,” He said, “goes out to sow his seed; and as he sows,

some of the seed falls by the way-side, and is trodden upon, or the

birds of the air come and peck it up.

8:6

Another part drops upon the rock, and after growing up it withers

away for want of moisture.

8:7

Another part falls among the thorns, and the thorns grow up with

it and stifle it.

8:8

But some of the seed falls into good ground, and grows up and

yields a return of a hundred for one.” While thus speaking, He

cried aloud and said, “Listen, every one who has ears to listen

with!”

8:9

The disciples proceeded to ask Him what this parable meant.

8:10

“To you,” He replied, “it is granted to know the secrets of the

Kingdom of God; but all others are taught by parables, in order

that they may see and yet not see, and may hear and yet not

understand.

8:11

The meaning of the parable is as follows. The seed is God’s

Message.

8:12

Those by the way-side are those who have heard, and then the

Devil comes and carries away the Message from their hearts, lest

they should believe and be saved.

8:13

Those on the rock are the people who on hearing the Message

receive it joyfully; but they have no root: for a time they believe,

but when trial comes they fall away.

8:14

That which fell among the thorns means those who have heard,

but as they go on their way, the Message is stifled by the

anxieties, wealth and gaieties of time, and they yield nothing in

perfection.

8:15

But as for that in the good ground, it means those who, having

listened to the Message with open minds and in a right spirit, hold

it fast, and patiently yield a return.

8:16

“When any one lights a lamp, he does not cover it with a vessel or

hide it under a couch; he puts it on a lampstand, that people who

enter the room may see the light.

8:17

There is nothing hidden, which shall not be openly seen; nor

anything secret, which shall not be known and come into the light

of day.

8:18

Be careful, therefore, how you hear; for whoever has anything, to

him more shall be given, and whoever has nothing, even that

which he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

8:19

Then came to Him His mother and His brothers, but could not get

near Him for the crowd.

8:20

But He was told, “Your mother and brothers are standing on the

edge of the crowd, and want to see you.”

8:21

“My mother and my brothers,” He replied, “are these who hear

God’s Message and obey it.”

8:22

One day He went on board a boat — both He and his disciples;

and He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the

Lake.” So they set sail.

2:23

During the passage He fell asleep, and there came down a squall

of wind on the Lake, so that the boat began to fill and they were

in deadly peril.

8:24

So they came and woke Him, crying, “Rabbi, Rabbi, we are

drowning.” Then He roused Himself and rebuked the wind and

the surging of the water, and they ceased and there was a calm.

8:25

“Where is your faith?” He asked them. But they were filled with

terror and amazement, and said to one another, “Who then is this?

for He gives orders both to wind and waves, and they obey Him.”

8:26

Then they put in to shore in the country of the Gerasenes, which

lies opposite to Galilee.

8:27

Here, on landing, He was met by one of the townsmen who was

possessed by demons — for a long time he had not put on any

garment, nor did he live in a house, but in the tombs.

8:28

When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, and

said in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of

God Most High? Do not torture me, I beseech you.”

8:29

For already He had been commanding the foul spirit to come out

of the man. For many a time it had seized and held him, and they

had repeatedly put him in chains and fetters and kept guard over

him, but he used to break the chains to pieces, and, impelled by

the demon, to escape into the Desert.

8:30 “What is your name?” Jesus asked him. “Legion,” he replied —

because a great number of demons had entered into him;

8:31 and they besought Him not to command them to be gone into the

Bottomless Pit.

8:32 Now there was a great herd of swine there feeding on the hillside;

and the demons begged Him to give them leave to go into

them, and He gave them leave.

8:33 The demons came out of the man and left him, and entered into

the swine; and the herd rushed violently over the cliff into the

Lake and were drowned.

8:34 The swineherds, seeing what had happened, fled and reported it

both in town and country;

8:35 whereupon the people came out to see what had happened. They

came to Jesus, and they found the man from whom the demons

had gone out sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right

mind; and they were terrified.

8:36 And those who had seen it told them how the demoniac was

cured.

8:37 Then the whole population of the Gerasenes and of the adjacent

districts begged Him to depart from them; for their terror was

great. So He went on board and returned.

8:38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out earnestly asked

permission to go with Him; but He sent him away.

8:39 “Return home,” He said, “and tell there all that God has done for

you.” So he went and published through the whole town all that

Jesus had done for him.

8:40 Now when Jesus was returning, the people gave Him a warm

welcome; for they had all been looking out for Him.

8:41 Just then there came a man named Jair, a Warden of the

Synagogue, who threw himself at the feet of Jesus, and entreated

Him to come to his house;

8:42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was

dying. And as He went, the dense throng crowded on Him.

8:43

And a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with

haemorrhage — and had spent on doctors all she had, but none of

them had been able to cure her —

8:44

came close behind Him and touched the tassel of His robe; and

instantly her flow of blood stopped.

8:45

“Who is it touched me?” Jesus asked. And when all denied having

done so, Peter and the rest said, “Rabbi, the crowds are hemming

you in and pressing on you.”

8:46

“Some one has touched me,” Jesus replied, “for I feel that power

has gone out from me.”

8:47

Then the woman, perceiving that she had not escaped notice,

came trembling, and throwing herself down at His feet she stated

before all the people the reason why she had touched Him and

how she was instantly cured.

8:48

“Daughter,” said He, “your faith has cured you; go, and be at

peace.”

8:49

While He was still speaking, some one came to the Warden of the

Synagogue from his house and said, “Your daughter is dead;

trouble the Rabbi no further.”

8:50

Jesus heard the words and said to him, “Have no fear. Only

believe, and she shall be restored to life.”

8:51

So He came to the house, but allowed no one to go in with Him

but Peter and John and James and the girl’s father and mother.

8:52

The people were all weeping aloud and beating their breasts for

her; but He said, “Leave off wailing; for she is not dead, but

asleep.”

8:53

And they jeered at Him, knowing that she was dead.

8:54

He, however, took her by the hand and called aloud, “Child,

awake!”

8:55

And her spirit returned, and instantly she stood up; and He

directed them to give her some food.

8:56

Her parents were astounded; but He forbad them to mention the

matter to any one.

CHAPTER 9

9:1 Then calling the Twelve together He conferred on them power

and authority over all the demons and to cure diseases;

9:2 and sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to cure

the sick.

9:3 And He commanded them, “Take nothing for your journey;

neither stick nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have an

extra under garment.

9:4 Whatever house you enter, make that your home, and from it start

afresh.

9:5 Wherever they refuse to receive you, as you leave that town shake

off the very dust from your feet as a protest against them.”

9:6 So they departed and visited village after village, spreading the

Good News and performing cures everywhere.

9:7 Now Herod the Tetrarch heard of all that was going on; and he

was bewildered because of its being said by some that John had

come back to life,

9:8 by others that Elijah had appeared, and by others that some one of

the ancient Prophets had come back to life.

9:9 And Herod said, “John I have beheaded; but who is this, of whom

I hear such reports?” And he sought for an opportunity of seeing

Jesus.

9:10 The Apostles, on their return, related to Jesus all they had done.

Then He took them and withdrew to a quiet retreat, to a town

called Bethsaida.

9:11 But the immense crowd, aware of this, followed Him; and

receiving them kindly He proceeded to speak to them of the

Kingdom of God, and those who needed to be restored to health,

He cured.

9:12 Now when the day began to decline, the Twelve came to Him and

said, “Send the people away, that they may go to the villages and

farms round about and find lodging and a supply of food; because

here we are in an uninhabited district.”

9:13

“You yourselves,” He said, “must give them food.” “We have

nothing,” they replied, “but five loaves and a couple of fish, unless

indeed we were to go and buy provisions for all this host of

people.”

9:14

(For there were about 5,000 adult men.) But He said to His

disciples, “Make them sit down in parties of about fifty each.”

9:15

They did so, making them all, without exception, sit down.

9:16

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to

Heaven He blessed them and broke them into portions which He

gave to the disciples to distribute to the people.

9:17

So they ate and were fully satisfied, all of them; and what they had

remaining over was gathered up, twelve baskets of fragments.

9:18

One day when He was praying by Himself the disciples were

present; and He asked them, “Who do the people say that I am?”

9:19

“John the Baptist,” they replied; “but others say Elijah; and others

that some one of the ancient Prophets has come back to life.”

9:20

“But you,” He asked, “who do you say that I am?” “God’s

Anointed One,” replied Peter.

9:21

And Jesus strictly forbad them to tell this to any one;

9:22

and He said, “The Son of Man must suffer much cruelty, be

rejected by the Elders and High Priests and Scribes, and be put to

death, and on the third day be raised to life again.”

9:23

And He said to all, “If any one is desirous of following me, let him

ignore self and take up his cross day by day, and so be my

follower.

9:24

For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever

loses his life for my sake shall save it.

9:25

Why, what benefit is it to a man to have gained the whole world,

but to have lost or forfeited his own self.

9:26

For whoever shall have been ashamed of me and my teachings, of

him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own

and the Father’s glory and in that of the holy angels.

9:27

I tell you truly that there are some of those who stand here who

will certainly not taste death till they have seen the Kingdom of

God.”

9:28

It was about eight days after this that Jesus, taking with Him

Peter, John, and James, went up the mountain to pray.

9:29

And while He was praying the appearance of His face underwent

a change, and His clothing became white and radiant.

9:30

And suddenly there were two men conversing with Him, who

were Moses and Elijah.

9:31

They came in glory, and kept speaking about His death, which He

was so soon to undergo in Jerusalem.

9:32

Now Peter and the others were weighed down with sleep; but,

keeping themselves awake all through, they saw His glory, and

the two men standing with Him.

9:33

And when they were preparing to depart from Him, Peter said to

Jesus, “Rabbi, we are thankful to you that we are here. Let us put

up three tents — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

He did not know what he was saying.

9:34

But while he was thus speaking, there came a cloud which spread

over them; and they were awe-struck when they had entered into

the cloud.

9:35

Then there came a voice from within the cloud: “This is My Son,

My Chosen One: listen to Him.”

9:36

After this voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They kept it

to themselves, and said not a word to any one at that time about

what they had seen.

9:37

On the following day, when they were come down from the

mountain, a great crowd came to meet Him;

9:38

and a man from the crowd called out, “Rabbi, I beg you to pity

my son, for he is my only child.

9:39

At times a spirit seizes him and he suddenly cries out. It convulses

him, and makes him foam at the mouth, and does not leave him till

it has well-nigh covered him with bruises.

9:40

I entreated your disciples to expel the spirit, but they could not.”

9:41

“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” replied Jesus; “how long

shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here to

me.”

9:42

Now while the youth was coming, the spirit dashed him to the

ground and cruelly convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the foul

spirit, and cured the youth and gave him back to his father.

9:43

And all were awe-struck at the mighty power of God. And while

every one was expressing wonder at all that He was doing, He

said to his disciples,

9:44

“As for you, store these my sayings in your memory; for, before

long, the Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men.”

9:45

But they did not understand His meaning: it was veiled from them

that they might not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask Him

about it.

9:46

Now there arose a dispute among them, which of them was to be

the greatest.

9:47

And Jesus, knowing the reasoning that was in their hearts, took a

young child and made him stand by His side

9:48

and said to them, “Whoever for my sake receives this little child,

receives me; and whoever receives me, receives Him who sent

me. For the lowliest among you all — he is the greatest.”

9:49

“Rabbi,” replied John, “we have seen a man making use of your

name to expel demons; and we forbad him, because he does not

come with us.”

9:50

“Do not forbid him,” said Jesus, “for he who is not against you is

on your side.”

9:51

Now when the time drew near for Him to be received up again

into Heaven, He proceeded with fixed purpose towards

Jerusalem, and sent messengers before Him.

9:52

They went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready

for Him.

9:53

But the people there would not receive Him, because He was

evidently going to Jerusalem.

9:54

When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Master,

do you wish us to order fire to come down from Heaven and

consume them?”

9:55

But He turned and rebuked them.

9:56

And they went to another village.

9:57

And, as they proceeded on their way, a man came to Him and

said, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

9:58

“The foxes have holes,” said Jesus, “and the birds of the air have

nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

9:59

“Follow me,” He said to another. “Master,” the man replied, “allow

me first to go and bury my father.”

9:60

“Leave the dead,” Jesus rejoined, “to bury their own dead; but you

must go and announce far and wide the coming of the Kingdom of

God.”

9:61

“Master,” said yet another, “I will follow you; but allow me first to

go and say good-bye to my friends at home.”

9:62

Jesus answered him, “No one who has put his hand to the plough,

and then looks behind him, is fit for the Kingdom of God.

CHAPTER 10

10:1

After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them

before Him, by twos, to go to every town or place which He

Himself intended to visit.

10:2

And He addressed them thus: “The harvest is abundant, but the

reapers are few: therefore entreat the Owner of the harvest to

send out more reapers into His fields. And now go.

10:3

Remember that I am sending you out as lambs into the midst of

wolves.

10:4

Carry no purse, bag, nor change of shoes; and salute no one on

your way.”

10:5 “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’

10:6

And if there is a lover of peace there, your peace shall rest upon

it; otherwise come back upon you.

10:7

And in that same house stay, eating and drinking at their table; for

the laborer deserves his wages. Do not move from one house to

another.

10:8

“And whatever town you come to and they receive you, eat what

they put before you.

10:9

Cure the sick in that town, and tell them, “‘The Kingdom of God

is now at your door.’

10:10

“But whatever town you come to and they will not receive you, go

out into the broader streets and say,

10:11

“‘The very dust of your town that hangs about us we wipe off as a

protest. Only be sure of this, that the Kingdom of God is close at

hand.’

10:12

“I tell you that it will be more endurable for Sodom on the great

day than for that town.

10:13

“Alas for thee, Chorazin! Alas for thee, Bethsaida! For had the

miracles been performed in Tyre and Sidon which have been

performed in you, long ere now they would have repented, sitting

in sackcloth and ashes.

10:14

However, for Tyre and Sidon it will be more endurable at the

Judgement than for you.

10:15

And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be lifted high as Heaven? Thou

shalt be driven down as low as Hades.

10:16

“He who listens to you listens to me; and he who disregards you

disregards me, and he who disregards me disregards Him who

sent me.”

10:17

When the Seventy returned, they exclaimed joyfully, “Master,

even the demons submit to us when we utter your name.”

10:18 “I saw Satan fall like a lightning-flash out of Heaven,” He replied.

10:19

“I have given you power to tread serpents and scorpions underfoot,

and to trample on all the power of the Enemy; and in no case shall

anything do you harm.

10:20

Nevertheless rejoice not at this, that the spirits submit to you; but

rejoice that your names are registered in Heaven.”

10:21

On that same occasion Jesus was filled by the Holy Spirit with

rapturous joy. “I give Thee fervent thanks,” He exclaimed, “O

Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou hast hidden these

things from sages and men of understanding, and hast revealed

them to babes. Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will.

10:22

All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows

who the Son is but the Father, nor who the Father is but the Son,

and he to whom the Son may choose to reveal Him.”

10:23

And He turned towards His disciples and said to them apart,

“Blessed are the eyes which see what you see!

10:24

For I tell you that many Prophets and kings have desired to see

the things you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things

you hear, and have not heard them.”

10:25

Then an expounder of the Law stood up to test Him with a

question. “Rabbi,” he asked, “what shall I do to inherit the Life of

the Ages?”

10:26

“Go to the Law,” said Jesus; “what is written there? how does it

read?”

10:27

“‘THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD,’” he replied, “‘WITH THY

WHOLE HEART, THY WHOLE SOUL, THY WHOLE STRENGTH, AND

THY WHOLE MIND; AND THY FELLOW MAN AS MUCH AS THYSELF.’”

10:28 “A right answer,” said Jesus; “do that, and you shall live.”

10:29

But he, desiring to justify himself, said, “But what is meant by my

‘fellow man’?”

10:30

Jesus replied, “A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem

to Jericho when he fell among robbers, who after both stripping

and beating him went away, leaving him half dead.

10:31

Now a priest happened to be going down that way, and on seeing

him passed by on the other side.

10:32

In like manner a Levite also came to the place, and seeing him

passed by on the other side.

10:33

But a certain Samaritan, being on a journey, came where he lay,

and seeing him was moved with pity.

10:34

He went to him, and dressed his wounds with oil and wine and

bound them up. Then placing him on his own mule he brought

him to an inn, where he bestowed every care on him.

10:35

The next day he took out two shillings and gave them to the

innkeeper. “‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and whatever further

expense you are put to, I will repay it you at my next visit.’

10:36

“Which of those three seems to you to have acted like a fellow man

to him who fell among the robbers?”

10:37

“The one who showed him pity,” he replied. “Go,” said Jesus, “and

act in the same way.”

10:38

As they pursued their journey He came to a certain village, where

a woman named Martha welcomed Him to her house.

10:39

She had a sister called Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet

and listened to His teaching.

10:40

Martha meanwhile was busy and distracted in waiting at table, and

she came and said, “Master, do you not care that my sister is

leaving me to do all the waiting? Tell her to assist me.”

10:41

“Martha, Martha,” replied Jesus, “you are anxious and worried

about a multitude of things;

10:42

and yet only one thing is really necessary. Mary has chosen the

good portion and she shall not be deprived of it.”

CHAPTER 11

11:1

At one place where He was praying, when He rose from His

knees one of His disciples said to Him, “Master, teach us to pray,

just as John taught his disciples.”

11:2

So He said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Father may Thy name

be kept holy; let Thy Kingdom come;

11:3

give us day after day our bread for the day;

11:4

and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive every one

who fails in his duty to us; and bring us not into temptation.’”

11:5

And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend and shall

go to him in the middle of the night and say, “‘Friend, lend me

three loaves of bread;

11:6

for a friend of mine has just come to my house from a distance,

and I have nothing for him to eat’?

11:7

“And he from indoors shall answer, “‘Do not pester me. The door

is now barred, and I am here in bed with my children. I cannot get

up and give you bread.’

11:8

“I tell you that even if he will not rise and give him the loaves

because he is his friend, at any rate because of his persistency he

will rouse himself and give him as many as he requires.

11:9

“So I say to you, ‘Ask, and what you ask for shall be given to you;

seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to

you.’

11:10

For every one who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to

him who knocks, the door shall be opened.

11:11

And what father is there among you, who, if his son asks for a

slice of bread, will offer him a stone? or if he asks for a fish, will

instead of a fish offer him a snake?

11:12

or if he asks for an egg, will offer him a scorpion?

11:13

If you then, with all your human frailty, know how to give your

children gifts that are good for them, how much more certainly

will your Father who is in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those

who ask Him!”

11:14

On once occasion He was expelling a dumb demon; and when the

demon was gone out the dumb man could speak, and the people

were astonished.

11:15

But some among them said, “It is by the power of Baal-zebul, the

Prince of the demons, that he expels the demons.”

11:16

Others, to put Him to the test, asked Him for a sign in the sky.

11:17

And, knowing their thoughts, He said to them, “Every kingdom in

which civil war rages goes to ruin: family attacks family and is

overthrown.

11:18

And if Satan really has engaged in fierce conflict with himself,

how shall his kingdom stand? — because you say that I expel

demons by the power of Baal-zebul.

11:19

And if it is by the power of Baal-zebul that I expel the demons, by

whom do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall be your

judges.

11:20

But if it is by the power of God that I drive out the demons, it is

evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

11:21

“Whenever a strong man, fully armed and equipped, is guarding his

own castle, he enjoys peaceful possession of his property;

11:22

but as soon as another stronger than he attacks him and

overcomes him, he takes away that complete armor of his in

which he trusted, and distributes the plunder he has collected.

11:23

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever is not

gathering with me is scattering abroad.

11:24

“When a foul spirit has left a man, it roams about in the Desert,

seeking a resting-place; but, unable to find any, it says, ‘I will

return to the house I have left;”

11:25

and when it comes, it finds the house swept clean and in good

order.

11:26

Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more malignant

than itself, and they enter and dwell there; and in the end that

man’s condition becomes worse than it was at first.

11:27

As He thus spoke a woman in the crowd called out in a loud

voice, “Blessed is the mother who carried you, and the breasts

that you have sucked.”

11:28

“Nay rather,” He replied, “they are blessed who hear God’s

Message and carefully keep it.”

11:29

Now when the crowds came thronging upon Him, He proceeded

to say, “The present generation is a wicked generation: it requires

some sign, but no sign shall be given to it except that of Jonah.

11:30

For just as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so the Son

of Man will be a token to the present generation.

11:31

The Queen of the South will awake at the Judgment together with

the men of the present generation, and will condemn them;

because she came from the extremity of the earth to hear the

wisdom of Solomon; but mark! One greater than Solomon is here.

11:32

There will stand up men of Nineveh at the Judgment together with

the present generation, and will condemn it; because they

repented at the preaching of Jonah; and mark! One greater than

Jonah is here.

11:33

“When any one lights a lamp, he never puts it in the cellar or under

the bushel, but on the lampstand, that people who come in may

see the light.

11:34

The lamp of the body is the eye. When your eyesight is good,

your whole body also is lighted up; but when it is defective, your

body is darkened.

11:35

Consider therefore whether the light that is in you is anything but

mere darkness.

11:36

If, however, your whole body is penetrated with light, and has no

part dark, it will be so lighted, all of it, as when the lamp with its

bright shining gives you light.”

11:37

When He had thus spoken, a Pharisee invited Him to breakfast at

his house; so He entered and took His place at table.

11:38

Now the Pharisee saw to his surprise that He did not wash His

hands before breakfasting.

11:39

The Master however said to him, “Here we see how you

Pharisees clean the outside of the cup or plate, while your secret

hearts are full of greed and selfishness.

11:40

Foolish men! Did not He who made the outside make the inside

also?

11:41

But as to what is within, give alms, and instantly all is clean in

you.

11:42

“But alas for you Pharisees! for you pay tithes on your mint and rue

and every kind of garden vegetable, and are indifferent to justice

and the love of God. These are the things you ought to have

attended to, while not neglecting the others.

11:43

Alas for you Pharisees! for you love the best seats in the

synagogues, and you like to be bowed to in places of public

resort.

11:44

Alas for you! for you are like the tombs which lie hidden, and the

people who walk over them are not aware of their existence.”

11:45

Hereupon one of the expounders of the Law exclaimed, “Rabbi, in

saying such things you reproach us also.”

11:46

“Alas too for you expounders of the Law!” replied Jesus, “for you

load men with cumbrous burdens which you yourselves will not

touch with one of your fingers.

11:47

Alas for you! for you repair the tombs of the Prophets, whom

your forefathers killed.

11:48

It follows that you bear testimony to the actions of your

forefathers and that you fully approve thereof. They slew, you

build.

11:49

“For this reason also the Wisdom of God has said, ‘I will send

Prophets and Apostles to them, of whom they will kill some and

persecute others,’

11:50

so that the blood of all the Prophets, that is being shed from the

creation of the world onwards, may be required from the present

generation.

11:51

Yes, I tell you that, from the blood of Abel down to the blood of

Zechariah who perished between the altar and the House, it shall

all be required from the present generation.

11:52

“Alas for you expounders of the Law! for you have taken away the

key of knowledge: you yourselves have not entered, and those

who wanted to enter you have hindered.”

11:53

After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced

a vehement attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand

answers on numerous points,

11:54

lying in wait to catch some unguarded expression from His lips.

CHAPTER 12

12:1

Meanwhile the people had come streaming towards Him by tens

of thousands, so that they were trampling one another under foot.

And now He proceeded to say to His disciples first, “Beware of

the yeast of the Pharisees, that is to say, beware of hypocrisy.

12:2

There is nothing that is covered up which will not be uncovered,

nor hidden which will not become known.

12:3

Whatever therefore you have said in the dark, will be heard in the

light; and what you have whispered within closed doors will be

proclaimed from the house-tops.

12:4

“But to you who are my friends I say, “‘Be not afraid of those who

kill the body and after that can do nothing further.

12:5

I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who after killing has

power to throw into Gehenna: yes, I say to you, fear him.

12:6

Are not five sparrows sold for a penny? and yet not one of them is

a thing forgotten in God’s sight.

12:7

But the very hairs on your heads are all counted. Away with fear:

you are more precious than a multitude of sparrows.’

12:8

“And I tell you that every man who shall have acknowledged me

before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the

angels of God.

12:9

But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the

angels of God.

12:10

“Moreover every one who shall speak against the Son of Man, may

obtain forgiveness; but he who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will

never obtain forgiveness.

12:11

And when they are bringing you before synagogues and

magistrates and governors, do not anxiously ponder the manner or

matter of your defense, nor what you are to say;

12:12

for the Holy Spirit shall teach you at that very moment what you

must say.”

12:13

Just then a man in the crowd appealed to Him. “Rabbi,” he said,

“tell my brother to give me a share of the inheritance.”

12:14

“Man,” He replied, “who has constituted me a judge or arbitrator

over you?”

12:15

And to the people He said, “Take care, be on your guard against

all covetousness, for no one’s life consists in the superabundance

of his possessions.”

12:16

And He spoke a parable to them. “A certain rich man’s lands,” He

said, “yielded abundant crops,

12:17

and he debated within himself, saying, “‘What am I to do? for I

have no place in which to store my crops.’

12:18

“And he said to himself, “‘This is what I will do: I will pull down

my barns and build larger ones, and in them I will store up all my

harvest and my wealth;

12:19

and I will say to my life, “‘Life, you have ample possessions laid

up for many years to come: take your ease, eat, drink, enjoy

yourself.’

12:20

“But God said to him, “‘Foolish man, this night your life is

demanded from you; and these preparations — for whom shall

they be?’

12:21

“So is it with him who amasses treasure for himself, but has no

riches in God.”

12:22

Then turning to His disciples He said, “For this reason I say to

you, ‘Dismiss all anxious care for your lives, inquiring what you

are to eat, and for your bodies, what you are to put on.’

12:23

For life is a greater gift than food, and the body is a greater gift

than clothing.

12:24

Observe the ravens. They neither sow nor reap, and have neither

store-chamber nor barn. And yet God feeds them. How far more

precious are you than the birds!

12:25

And which of you is able by anxious thought to add a moment to

his life?

12:26

If then you are unable to do even a very little thing, why be overanxious

about other matters?

12:27

Observe the lilies, how they grow. They neither labor nor spin.

And yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was as

beautifully dressed as one of these.

12:28

But if God so clothes the vegetation in the fields, that blooms today

and to-morrow will be thrown into the oven, how much more

certainly will He clothe you, you men of feeble faith!

12:29

“Therefore, do not be asking what you are to eat nor what you are

to drink; and do not waver between hope and fear.

12:30

For though the nations of the world pursue these things, as for

you, your Father knows that you need them.

12:31

But make His Kingdom the object of your pursuit, and these

things shall be given you in addition.

12:32

“Dismiss your fears, little flock: your Father finds a pleasure in

giving you the Kingdom.

12:33

Sell your possessions and give alms. Provide yourselves with

purses that will never wear out, a treasure inexhaustible in

Heaven, where no thief can come nor moth consume.

12:34

For where your wealth is stored, there also will your heart be.

12:35 “Have your girdles on, and let your lamps be alight;

12:36

and be yourselves like men waiting for their master — on the

look-out till he shall return from the wedding feast — that, when

he comes and knocks, they may open the door instantly.

12:37

Blessed are those servants, whom their Master when He comes

shall find on the watch. I tell you in solemn truth, that He will tie

an apron round Him, and will bid them recline at table while He

comes and waits on them.

12:38

And whether it be in the second watch or in the third that He

comes and finds them so, blessed are they.

12:39

Of this be sure, that if the master of the house had known what

time the robber was coming, he would have kept awake and not

have allowed his house to be broken into.

12:40

Be you also ready, for at an hour when you are not expecting Him

the Son of Man will come.”

12:41

“Master,” said Peter, “are you addressing this parable to us, or to

all alike?”

12:42

“Who, then,” replied the Lord, “is the faithful and intelligent

steward whom his Master will put in charge of His household to

serve out their rations at the proper times?

12:43

Blessed is that servant whom his Master when He comes shall find

so doing.

12:44

I tell you truly that He will put him in authority over all His

possessions.

12:45

But if that servant should say in his heart, ‘My Master is a long

time in coming,’ and should begin to beat the menservants and the

maids, and to eat and drink, drinking even to excess;

12:46

that servant’s Master will come on a day when he is not expecting

Him and at an hour that he knows not of, and will punish him

severely, and make him share the lot of the unfaithful.

12:47

And that servant who has been told his Master’s will and yet made

no preparation and did not obey His will, will receive many lashes.

12:48

But he who had not been told it and yet did what deserved the

scourge, will receive but few lashes. To whomsoever much has

been given, from him much will be required; and to whom much

has been entrusted, of him a larger amount will be demanded.

12:49

“I came to throw fire upon the earth, and what is my desire? Oh

that it were even now kindled!

12:50

But I have a baptism to undergo; and how am I pent up till it is

accomplished!

12:51

Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? No, I tell you

that I came to bring dissension.

12:52

For from this time there will be in one house five persons split into

parties. Three will form a party against two and two will form a

party against three;

12:53

father against son and son against father; mother attacking

daughter and daughter her mother, mother-in-law her daughter-inlaw,

and daughter-in-law her mother-in-law.”

12:54

Then He said to the people also, “When you see a cloud rising in

the west, you immediately say, ‘There is to be a shower;’ and it

comes to pass.

12:55

And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be

burning hot;’ and it comes to pass.

12:56

Vain pretenders! You know how to read the aspect of earth and

sky. How is it you cannot read this present time?

12:57 “Why, too, do you not of yourselves arrive at just conclusions?

12:58

For when, with your opponent, you are going before the

magistrate, on the way take pains to get out of his power; for fear

that, if he should drag you before the judge, the judge may hand

you over to the officer of the court, and the officer lodge you in

prison.

12:59

Never, I tell you, will you get free till you have paid the last

farthing.”

CHAPTER 13

13:1

Just at that time people came to tell Him about the Galilaeans

whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

13:2

“Do you suppose,” He asked in reply, “that those Galilaeans were

worse sinners than the mass of the Galilaeans, because this

happened to them?

13:3

I tell you, certainly not. On the contrary, if you are not penitent

you will all perish as they did.

13:4

Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell, do you

suppose they had failed in their duty more than all the rest of the

people who live in Jerusalem?

13:5

I tell you, certainly not. On the contrary, if you do not repent you

will all perish just as they did.”

13:6

And He gave them the following parable. “A man,” He said, “who

had a fig-tree growing in his garden came to look for fruit on it

and could find none.

13:7

So he said to the gardener, “‘See, this is the third year I have

come to look for fruit on this fig-tree and cannot find any. Cut it

down. Why should so much ground be actually wasted?’

13:8

“But the gardener pleaded, “‘Leave it, Sir, this year also, till I have

dug round it and manured it.

13:9

If after that it bears fruit, well and good; if it does not, then you

shall cut it down.’”

13:10

Once He was teaching on the Sabbath in one of the synagogues

13:11

where a woman was present who for eighteen years had been a

confirmed invalid: she was bent double, and was unable to lift

herself to her full height.

13:12

But Jesus saw her, and calling to her, He said to her, “Woman,

you are free from your weakness.”

13:13

And He put His hands on her, and she immediately stood upright

and began to give glory to God.

13:14

Then the Warden of the Synagogue, indignant that Jesus had

cured her on a Sabbath, said to the crowd, “There are six days in

the week on which people ought to work. On those days therefore

come and get yourselves cured, and not on the Sabbath day.”

13:15

But the Lord’s reply to him was, “Hypocrites, does not each of

you on the Sabbath untie his bullock or his ass from the stall and

lead him to water?

13:16

And this woman, daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan had

bound for no less than eighteen years, was she not to be loosed

from this chain because it is the Sabbath day?”

13:17

When He had said this, all His opponents were ashamed, while the

whole multitude was delighted at the many glorious things

continually done by Him.

13:18

This prompted Him to say, “What is the Kingdom of God like?

and to what shall I compare it?

13:19

It is like a mustard seed which a man drops into the soil in his

garden, and it grows and becomes a tree in whose branches the

birds roost.”

13:20

And again He said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of

God?

13:21

It is like yeast which a woman takes and buries in a bushel of

flour, to work there till the whole is leavened.”

13:22

He was passing through town after town and village after village,

steadily proceeding towards Jerusalem,

13:23

when some one asked Him, “Sir, are there but few who are to be

saved?”

13:24

“Strain every nerve to force your way in through the narrow gate,”

He answered; “for multitudes, I tell you, will endeavor to find a

way in and will not succeed.

13:25

As soon as the Master of the house shall have risen and shut the

door, and you have begun to stand outside and knock at the door

and say, “‘Sir, open the door for us’ — “‘I do not know you,’ He

answers; ‘you are no friends of mine.’

13:26

“Then you will plead, “‘We have eaten and drunk in your company

and you have taught in our streets.’

13:27

“But He will reply, “‘I tell you that you are no friends of mine.

Begone from me, all of you, wrongdoers that you are.’

13:28

“There will be the weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see

Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom

of God, and yourselves being driven far away.

13:29

They will come from east and west, from north and south, and

will sit down at the banquet in the Kingdom of God.

13:30

And I tell you that some now last will then be first, and some now

first will then be last.”

13:31

Just at that time there came some Pharisees who warned Him,

saying, “Leave this place and continue your journey; Herod means

to kill you.”

13:32

“Go,” He replied, “and take this message to that fox: “‘See, to-day

and to-morrow I am driving out demons and effecting cures, and

on the third day I finish my course.’

13:33

“Yet I must continue my journey to-day and to-morrow and the day

following; for it is not conceivable that a Prophet should perish

outside of Jerusalem.

13:34

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 just as a hen gathers her brood

under her wings, and you would not come!

13:35

See, your house is left to you. But I tell you that you will never

see me again until you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE

NAME OF THE LORD!’”

CHAPTER 14

14:1

One day — it was a Sabbath — He was taking a meal at the

house of one of the Rulers of the Pharisee party, while they were

closely watching Him.

14:2

In front of Him was a man suffering from dropsy.

14:3

This led Jesus to ask the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it allowable to

cure people on the Sabbath?”

14:4

They gave Him no answer; so He took hold of the man, cured

him, and sent him away.

14:5

Then He turned to them and said, “Which of you shall have a

child or an ox fall into a well on the Sabbath day, and will not

immediately lift him out?”

14:6

To this they could make no reply.

14:7

Then, when He noticed that the invited guests chose the best

seats, He used this as an illustration and said to them,

14:8

“When any one invites you to a wedding banquet, do not take the

best seat, lest perhaps some more honored guest than you may

have been asked,

14:9

and the man who invited you both will come and will say to you,

‘Make room for this guest,’ and then you, ashamed, will move to

the lowest place.

14:10

On the contrary, when you are invited go and take the lowest

place, that when your host comes round he may say to you, ‘My

friend, come up higher.’ This will be doing you honor in the

presence of all the other guests.

14:11

For whoever uplifts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles

himself will be uplifted.

14:12

Also to His host, who had invited Him, He said, “When you give

a breakfast or a dinner, do not invite your friends or brothers or

relatives or rich neighbors, lest perhaps they should invite you in

return and a requital be made you.

14:13

But when you entertain, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame,

and the blind;

14:14

and you will be blessed, because they have no means of requiting

you, but there will be requital for you at the Resurrection of the

righteous.”

14:15

After listening to this teaching, one of His fellow guests said to

Him, “Blessed is he who shall feast in God’s Kingdom.”

14:16

“A man once gave a great dinner,” replied Jesus, “to which he

invited a large number of guests.

14:17

At dinner-time he sent his servant to announce to those who had

been invited, “‘Come, for things are now ready.’

14:18

“But they all without exception began to excuse themselves. The

first told him, “‘I have purchased a piece of land, and must of

necessity go and look at it. Pray hold me excused.’

14:19

“A second pleaded, “‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and am on

my way to try them. Pray hold me excused.’

14:20 “Another said, “‘I am just married. It is impossible for me to come.’

14:21

“So the servant came and brought these answers to his master, and

they stirred his anger. “‘Go out quickly,’ he said, ‘into the streets

of the city — the wide ones and the narrow. You will see poor

men, and crippled, blind, lame: fetch them all in here.’

14:22

“Soon the servant reported the result, saying, “‘Sir, what you

ordered is done, and there is room still.’

14:23

“‘Go out,’ replied the master, ‘to the high roads and hedge-rows,

and compel the people to come in, so that my house may be filled.

14:24

For I tell you that not one of those who were invited shall taste

my dinner.’”

14:25

On His journey vast crowds attended Him, towards whom He

turned and said,

14:26

“If any one is coming to me who does not hate his father and

mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes and his own

life also, he cannot be a disciple of mine.

14:27

No one who does not carry his own cross and come after me can

be a disciple of mine.

14:28

“Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not sit down first

and calculate the cost, asking if he has the means to finish it? —

14:29

lest perhaps, when he has laid the foundation and is unable to

finish, all who see it shall begin to jeer at him,

14:30

saying, ‘This man began to build, but could not finish.’

14:31

Or what king, marching to encounter another king in war, does

not first sit down and deliberate whether he is able with ten

thousand men to meet the one who is advancing against him with

twenty thousand?

14:32

If not, while the other is still a long way off, he sends messengers

and sues for peace.

14:33

Just as no one of you who does not detach himself from all that

belongs to him can be a disciple of mine.

14:34

“Salt is good: but if even the salt has become tasteless, what will

you use to season it?

14:35

Neither for land nor dunghill is it of any use; they throw it away.

Listen, every one who has ears to listen with!”

CHAPTER 15

15:1

Now the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners were everywhere

in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him;

15:2

and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain,

saying, “He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them

at their meals!”

15:3 So in figurative language He asked them,

15:4 “Which of you men, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of

them, does not leave the ninety-nine in their pasture and go in

search of the lost one till he finds it?

15:5 And when he has found it, he lifts it on his shoulder, glad at heart.

15:6 Then coming home he calls his friends and neighbors together,

and says, ‘Congratulate me, for I have found my sheep — the one

I had lost.’

15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be rejoicing in Heaven

over one repentant sinner — more rejoicing than over ninety-nine

blameless persons who have no need of repentance.

15:8 “Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one of them,

does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully till

she finds it?

15:9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and

neighbors, and says, “‘Congratulate me, for I have found the coin

which I had lost.’

15:10 “I tell you that in the same way there is rejoicing in the presence of

the angels of God over one repentant sinner.”

15:11 He went on to say, “There was a man who had two sons.

15:12 The younger of them said to his father, “‘Father, give me the

share of the property that comes to me.’ “So he divided his wealth

between them.

15:13 No long time afterwards the younger son got all together and

traveled to a distant country, where he wasted his money in

debauchery and excess.

15:14 At last, when he had spent everything, there came a terrible

famine throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch of

want.

15:15 So he went and hired himself to one of the inhabitants of that

country, who sent him on to his farm to tend swine;

15:16 and he longed to make a hearty meal of the pods the swine were

eating, but no one gave him any.

15:17

“But on coming to himself he said, “‘How many of my father’s

hired men have more bread than they want, while I here am dying

of hunger!

15:18

I will rise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have

sinned against Heaven and before you:

15:19

I no longer deserve to be called a son of yours: treat me as one of

your hired men.’

15:20

“So he rose and came to his father. But while he was still a long

way off, his father saw him and pitied him, and ran and threw his

arms round his neck and kissed him tenderly.

15:21

“‘Father,’ cried the son, ‘I have sinned against Heaven and before

you: no longer do I deserve to be called a son of yours.’

15:22

“But the father said to his servants, “‘Fetch a good coat quickly —

the best one — and put it on him; and bring a ring for his finger

and shoes for his feet.

15:23

Fetch the fat calf and kill it, and let us feast and enjoy ourselves;

15:24

for my son here was dead and has come to life again: he was lost

and has been found.’ “And they began to be merry.

15:25

“Now his elder son was out on the farm; and when he returned and

came near home, he heard music and dancing.

15:26

Then he called one of the lads to him and asked what all this

meant.

15:27

“‘Your brother has come,’ he replied; ‘and your father has had the

fat calf killed, because he has got him home safe and sound.’

15:28

“Then he was angry and would not go in. But his father came out

and entreated him.

15:29

“‘All these years,’ replied the son, ‘I have been slaving for you, and

I have never at any time disobeyed any of your orders, and yet

you have never given me so much as a kid, for me to enjoy myself

with my friends;

15:30

but now that this son of yours is come who has eaten up your

property among his bad women, you have killed the fat calf for

him.’

15:31

“‘You my dear son,’ said the father, ‘are always with me, and all

that is mine is also yours.

15:32

We are bound to make merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours

was dead and has come back to life, he was lost and has been

found.’”

CHAPTER 16

16:1

He said also to His disciples: “There was a rich man who had a

steward, about whom a report was brought to him, that he was

wasting his property.

16:2

He called him and said, “‘What is this I hear about you? Render

an account of your stewardship, for I cannot let you hold it any

longer.’

16:3

“Then the steward said within himself, “‘What am I to do? For my

master is taking away the stewardship from me. I am not strong

enough for field labor: to beg, I should be ashamed.

16:4

I see what to do, in order that when I am discharged from the

stewardship they may give me a home in their own houses.’

16:5

“So he called all his master’s debtors, one by one, and asked the

first, ‘How much are you in debt to my master?’

16:6

“‘A hundred firkins of oil,’ he replied. “‘Here is your account,’ said

the steward: ‘sit down quickly and change it into fifty firkins.’

16:7

“To a second he said, “‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A hundred

quarters of wheat,’ was the answer. “‘Here is your account,’ said

he: ‘change it into eighty quarters.’

16:8

“And the master praised the dishonest steward for his shrewdness;

for, in relation to their own contemporaries, the men of this age

are shrewder than the sons of Light.

16:9

“But I charge you, so to use the wealth which is ever tempting to

dishonesty as to win friends who, when it fails, shall welcome you

to the tents that never perish.

16:10

The man who is honest in a very small matter is honest in a great

one also; and he who is dishonest in a very small matter is

dishonest in a great one also.

16:11

If therefore you have not proved yourselves faithful in dealing

with the wealth that is tainted with fraud, who will entrust to you

the true good?

16:12

And if you have not been faithful in dealing with that which is not

your own, who will give you that which is your own?

16:13

“No servant can be in bondage to two masters. For either he will

hate one and love the other, or else he will cling fast to one and

scorn the other. You cannot be bondservants both of God and of

gold.”

16:14

To all this the Pharisees listened, bitterly jeering at Him; for they

were lovers of money.

16:15

“You are they,” He said to them, “who boast of their own goodness

before men, but God sees your hearts; for that which holds a

proud position among men is detestable in God’s sight.

16:16

The Law and the Prophets continued until John came: from that

time the Good News of the Kingdom of God has been spreading,

and all classes have been forcing their way into it.

16:17

But it is easier for earth and sky to pass away than for one

smallest detail of the Law to fall to the ground.

16:18

Every man who divorces his wife and marries another commits

adultery; and he who marries her when so divorced from her

husband commits adultery.

16:19

“There was once a rich man who habitually arrayed himself in

purple and fine linen, and enjoyed a splendid banquet every day,

16:20

while at his outer door there lay a beggar, Lazarus by name,

16:21

covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off the scraps

flung on the floor from the rich man’s table. Nay, the dogs, too,

used to come and lick his sores.

16:22

“But in course of time the beggar died; and he was carried by the

angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and had a

funeral.

16:23

And in Hades, being in torment, he looked and saw Abraham in

the far distance, and Lazarus resting in his arms.

16:24

So he cried aloud, and said, “‘Father Abraham, take pity on me

and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my

tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’

16:25

“‘Remember, my child,’ said Abraham, ‘that you had all your good

things during your lifetime, and that Lazarus in like manner had

his bad things. But, now and here, he is receiving consolation and

you are in agony.

16:26

And, besides all this, a vast chasm is immovably fixed between us

and you, put there in order that those who desire to cross from

this side to you may not be able, nor any be able to cross over

from your side to us.’

16:27

“‘I entreat you then, father,’ said he, ‘to send him to my father’s

house.

16:28

For I have five brothers. Let him earnestly warn them, lest they

also come to this place of torment.’

16:29

“‘They have Moses and the Prophets,’ replied Abraham; ‘let them

hear them.’

16:30

“‘No, father Abraham,’ he pleaded; ‘but if some one goes to them

from the dead, they will repent.’

16:31

“‘If they are deaf to Moses and the Prophets,’ replied Abraham,

‘they would not be led to believe even if some one should rise

from the dead.’”

CHAPTER 17

17:1

Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that causes of

stumbling should come; but alas for him through whom they

come!

17:2

It would be well for him if, with a millstone round his neck, he

were lying at the bottom of the sea, rather than that he should

cause even one of these little ones to fall.

17:3

Be on your guard. “If your brother acts wrongly, reprove him;

and if he is sorry, forgive him;

17:4

and if seven times in a day he acts wrongly towards you, and

seven times turns again to you and says, ‘I am sorry,’ you must

forgive him.”

17:5

And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Give us faith.”

17:6

“If your faith,” replied the Lord, “is like a mustard seed, you might

command this black-mulberry-tree, ‘Tear up your roots and plant

yourself in the sea,’ and instantly it would obey you.

17:7

But which of you who has a servant ploughing, or tending sheep,

will say to him when he comes in from the farm, ‘Come at once

and take your place at table,’

17:8

and will not rather say to him, ‘Get my dinner ready, make

yourself tidy, and wait upon me till I have finished my dinner, and

then you shall have yours’?

17:9

Does he thank the servant for obeying his orders?

17:10

So you also, when you have obeyed all the orders given you, must

say, “‘There is no merit in our service: what we have done is only

what we were in duty bound to do.’”

17:11

As they pursued their journey to Jerusalem, He passed through

Samaria and Galilee.

17:12

And as He entered a certain village, ten men met Him who were

lepers and stood at a distance.

17:13

In loud voices they cried out, “Jesus, Rabbi, take pity on us.”

17:14

Perceiving this, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the

Priests.” And while on their way to do this they were made clean.

17:15

One of them, seeing that he was cured, came back, adoring and

praising God in a loud voice,

17:16

and he threw himself at the feet of Jesus, thanking Him. He was a

Samaritan.

17:17

“Were not all ten made clean?” Jesus asked; “but where are the

nine?

17:18

Have none been found to come back and give glory to God

except this foreigner?”

17:19

And He said to him, “Rise and go: your faith has cured you.”

17:20

Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God was

coming, He answered, “The Kingdom of God does not so come

that you can stealthily watch for it.

17:21

Nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ — for the Kingdom

of God is within you.”

17:22

Then, turning to His disciples, He said, “There will come a time

when you will wish you could see a single one of the days of the

Son of Man, but will not see one.

17:23

And they will say to you, ‘See there!’ ‘See here!’ Do not start off

and go in pursuit.

17:24

For just as the lightning, when it flashes, shines from one part of

the horizon to the opposite part, so will the Son of Man be on His

day.

17:25

But first He must endure much suffering, and be rejected by the

present generation.

17:26

“And as it was in the time of Noah, so will it also be in the time of

the Son of Man.

17:27

Men were eating and drinking, taking wives and giving wives, up

to the very day on which Noah entered the Ark, and the Deluge

came and destroyed them all.

17:28

The same was true in the time of Lot: they were eating and

drinking, buying and selling, planting and building;

17:29

but on the day that Lot left Sodom, God rained fire and brimstone

from the sky and destroyed them all.

17:30

Exactly so will it be on the day that the veil is lifted from the Son

of Man.

17:31

“On that day, if a man is on the roof and his property indoors, let

him not go down to fetch it; and, in the same way, he who is in

the field, let him not turn back.

17:32

Remember Lot’s wife.

17:33

Any man who makes it his object to keep his own life safe, will

lose it; but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

17:34

On that night, I tell you, there will be two men in one bed: one

will be taken away and the other left behind.

17:35

There will be two women turning the mill together: one will be

taken away and the other left behind.”

17:36

[]

17:37

“Where, Master?” they inquired. “Where the dead body is,” He

replied, “there also will the vultures flock together.”

CHAPTER 18

18:1

He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and

never lose heart.

18:2

“In a certain town,” He said, “there was a judge who had no fear of

God and no respect for man.

18:3

And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and

entreated him, saying, “‘Give me justice and stop my oppressor.’

18:4

“For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself,

“‘Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,

18:5

yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent her

from constantly coming to pester me.’”

18:6

And the Lord said, “Hear those words of the unjust judge.

18:7

And will not God avenge the wrongs of His own People who cry

aloud to Him day and night, although He seems slow in taking

action on their behalf?

18:8

Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son of

Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

18:9

And to some who relied on themselves as being righteous men,

and looked down upon all others, He addressed this parable.

18:10

“Two men went up to the Temple to pray,” He said; “one being a

Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.

18:11

The Pharisee, standing erect, prayed as follows by himself: “‘O

God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people — I am not a

thief nor a cheat nor an adulterer, nor do I even resemble this tax-

gatherer.

18:12

I fast twice a week. I pay the tithe on all my gains.’

18:13

“But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift

his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, “‘O

God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.’

18:14

“I tell you that this man went home more thoroughly absolved from

guilt than the other; for every one who uplifts himself will be

humbled, but he who humbles himself will be uplifted.”

18:15

On one occasion people also brought with them their infants, for

Him to touch them; but the disciples, noticing this, proceeded to

find fault with them.

18:16

Jesus however called the infants to Him. “Let the little children

come to me,” He said; “do not hinder them; for it is to those who

are childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs.

18:17

I tell you in solemn truth that, whoever does not receive the

Kingdom of God like a little child will certainly not enter it.”

18:18

The question was put to Him by a Ruler: “Good Rabbi, what shall

I do to inherit the Life of the Ages?”

18:19

“Why do you call me good?” replied Jesus; “there is no one good

but One, namely God.

18:20

You know the Commandments: ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY;’

‘DO NOT MURDER;’ ‘DO NOT STEAL;’ ‘DO NOT LIE IN GIVING

EVIDENCE;’ ‘HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER.’”

18:21 “All of those,” he replied, “I have kept from my youth.”

18:22

On receiving this answer Jesus said to him, “There is still one

thing wanting in you. Sell everything you possess and give the

money to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and then

come, follow me.”

18:23

But on hearing these words he was deeply sorrowful, for he was

exceedingly rich.

18:24

Jesus saw his sorrow, and said, “With how hard a struggle do the

possessors of riches ever enter the Kingdom of God!

18:25

Why, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for

a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”

18:26 “Who then can be saved?” exclaimed the hearers.

18:27 “Things impossible with man,” He replied, “are possible with God.”

18:28

Then Peter said, “See, we have given up our homes and have

followed you.”

18:29

“I solemnly tell you,” replied Jesus, “that there is no one who has

left house or wife, or brothers or parents or children, for the sake

of God’s Kingdom,

18:30

who shall not certainly receive many times as much in this life, and

in the age that is coming the Life of the Ages.”

18:31

Then He drew the Twelve to Him and said, “See, we are going up

to Jerusalem, and everything written in the Prophets which refers

to the Son of Man will be fulfilled.

18:32

For He will be given up to the Gentiles, and be mocked, outraged

and spit upon.

18:33

They will scourge Him and put Him to death, and on the third day

He will rise to life again.”

18:34

Nothing of this did they understand. The words were a mystery to

them, nor could they see what He meant.

18:35

As Jesus came near to Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by

the way-side begging.

18:36

He heard a crowd of people going past, and inquired what it all

meant.

18:37 “Jesus the Nazarene is passing by,” they told him.

18:38

Then, at the top of his voice, he cried out, “Jesus, son of David,

take pity on me.”

18:39

Those in front reproved him and tried to silence him; but he

continued shouting, louder than ever, “Son of David, take pity on

me.”

18:40

At length Jesus stopped and desired them to bring the man to

Him; and when he had come close to Him He asked him,

18:41

“What shall I do for you?” “Sir,” he replied, “let me recover my

sight.”

18:42 “Recover your sight,” said Jesus: “your faith has cured you.”

18:43

No sooner were the words spoken than the man regained his sight

and followed Jesus, giving glory to God; and all the people, seeing

it, gave praise to God.

CHAPTER 19

19:1

So He entered Jericho and was passing through the town.

19:2

There was a man there called Zacchaeus, who was the local

surveyor of taxes, and was wealthy.

19:3

He was anxious to see what sort of man Jesus was; but he could

not because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.

19:4

So he ran on in front and climbed up a mulberry tree to see Him;

for He was about to pass that way.

19:5

As soon as Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him,

“Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for I must stay at your house today.”

19:6

So he came down in haste, and welcomed Him joyfully.

19:7

When they all saw this, they began to complain with indignation.

“He has gone in to be the guest of a notorious sinner!” they said.

19:8

Zacchaeus however stood up, and addressing the Lord said,

“Here and now, Master, I give half my property to the poor, and

if I have unjustly exacted money from any man, I pledge myself to

repay to him four times the amount.”

19:9

Turning towards him, Jesus replied, “To-day salvation has come

to this house, seeing that he too is a son of Abraham.

19:10

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was

lost.”

19:11

As they were listening to His words, He went on to teach them by

a parable, because He was near to Jerusalem and they supposed

that the Kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.

19:12

So He said to them, “A man of noble family traveled to a distant

country to obtain the rank of king, and to return.

19:13

And he called ten of his servants and gave each of them a pound,

instructing them to trade with the money during his absence.

19:14

“Now his countrymen hated him, and sent a deputation after him to

say, ‘We are not willing that he should become our king.’

19:15

And upon his return, after he had obtained the sovereignty, he

ordered those servants to whom he had given the money to be

summoned before him, that he might learn their success in trading.

19:16

“So the first came and said, “‘Sir, your pound has produced ten

pounds more.’

19:17

“‘Well done, good servant,’ he replied; ‘because you have been

faithful in a very small matter, be in authority over ten towns.’

19:18

“The second came, and said, “‘Your pound, Sir, has produced five

pounds.’

19:19

“So he said to this one also, “‘And you, be the governor of five

towns.’

19:20

“The next came. “‘Sir,’ he said, ‘here is your pound, which I have

kept wrapt up in a cloth.

19:21

For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man: you take

up what you did not lay down, and you reap what you did not

sow.’

19:22

“‘By your own words,’ he replied, ‘I will judge you, you bad

servant. You knew me to be a severe man, taking up what I did

not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow:

19:23

why then did you not put my money into a bank, that when I came

I might have received it back with interest?

19:24

“And he said to those who stood by, “‘Take the pound from him

and give it to him who has the ten pounds.’

19:25

(“They said to him, “‘Sir, he already has ten pounds.’)

19:26

“‘I tell you that to every one who has anything, more shall be given;

and from him who has not anything, even what he has shall be

taken away.

19:27

But as for those enemies of mine who were unwilling that I should

become their king, bring them here, and cut them to pieces in my

presence.’”

19:28

After thus speaking, He journeyed onward, proceeding up to

Jerusalem.

19:29

And when he was come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the

Mount called the Oliveyard, He sent two of the disciples on in

front,

19:30

saying to them, “Go into the village facing you. On entering it you

will find an ass’s foal tied up which no one has ever yet ridden:

untie it, and bring it here.

19:31

And if any one asks you, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ simply

say, ‘The Master needs it.’”

19:32

So those who were sent went and found things as He had told

them.

19:33

And while they were untying the colt the owners called out, “Why

are you untying the colt?”

19:34

and they replied, “The Master needs it.”

19:35

Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their outer

garments on the colt they placed Jesus on it.

19:36

So He rode on, while they carpeted the road with their garments.

19:37

And when He was now getting near Jerusalem, and descending

the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began in

their joy to praise God in loud voices for all the mighty deeds they

had witnessed.

19:38

“BLESSED IS the King,” they cried, “WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF

THE LORD: in Heaven peace, and glory in the highest realms.”

19:39

Thereupon some of the Pharisees in the crowd appealed to Him,

saying, “Rabbi, reprove your disciples.”

19:40

“I tell you,” He replied, “that if they became silent, the very stones

would cry out.”

19:41

When He came into full view of the city, He wept aloud over it,

and exclaimed,

19:42

“O that at this time thou hadst known — yes even thou — what

makes peace possible! But now it is hid from thine eyes.

19:43

For the time is coming upon thee when thy foes will throw up

around thee earthworks and a wall, investing thee and hemming

thee in on every side.

19:44

And they will dash thee to the ground and thy children within

thee, and will not leave one stone upon another within thee;

because thou hast not recognized the time of thy visitation.”

19:45

Then Jesus entered the Temple and proceeded to drive out the

dealers.

19:46

“It is written,” He said, “‘AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE THE HOUSE OF

PRAYER,’ but you have made it A ROBBERS’ CAVE.”

19:47

And day after day He taught in the Temple, while the High Priests

and the Scribes were devising some means of destroying Him, as

were also the leading men of the people.

19:48

But they could not find any way of doing it, for the people all

hung upon His lips.

CHAPTER 20

20:1

On one of those days while He was teaching the people in the

Temple and proclaiming the Good News, the High Priests came

upon Him, and the Scribes,

20:2

together with the Elders, and they asked Him, “Tell us, By what

authority are you doing these things? And who is it that gave you

this authority?”

20:3 “I also will put a question to you, “He said;

20:4 “was John’s baptism of Heavenly or of human origin?”

20:5

So they debated the matter with one another. “If we say

‘Heavenly,’” they argued, “he will say, ‘Why did you not believe

him?’

20:6

And if we say, ‘human,’ the people will all stone us; for they are

thoroughly convinced that John was a Prophet.”

20:7

And they answered that they did not know the origin of it.

20:8

“Nor will I tell you,” said Jesus, “by what authority I do these

things.”

20:9

Then He proceeded to speak a parable to the people. “There was

a man,” He said, “who planted a vineyard, let it out to vine-

dressers, and went abroad for a considerable time.

20:10

At vintage-time he sent a servant to the vine-dressers, for them to

give him a share of the crop; but the vine-dressers beat him cruelly

and sent him away empty-handed.

20:11

Then he sent a second servant; and him too they beat and ill

treated and sent away empty-handed.

20:12

Then again he sent a third; and this one also they wounded and

drove away.

20:13

Then the owner of the vineyard said, “‘What am I to do? I will

send my son — my dearly-loved son: they will probably respect

him.’

20:14

“But when the vine-dressers saw him, they discussed the matter

with one another, and said, “‘This is the heir: let us kill him, that

the inheritance may be ours.’

20:15

“So they turned him out of the vineyard and murdered him. What

then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?

20:16

He will come and put these vine-dressers to death, and give the

vineyard to others.” “God forbid!” exclaimed the hearers.

20:17

He looked at them and said, “What then does that mean which is

written, “‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BEEN

MADE THE CORNERSTONE’?

20:18

Every one who falls on that stone will be severely hurt, but on

whomsoever it falls, he will be utterly crushed.”

20:19

At this the Scribes and the High Priests wanted to lay hands on

Him, then and there; only they were afraid of the people. For they

saw that in this parable He had referred to them.

20:20

So, after impatiently watching their opportunity, they sent spies

who were to act the part of good and honest men, that they might

fasten on some expression of His, so as to hand Him over to the

ruling power and the Governor’s authority.

20:21

So they put a question to Him. “Rabbi,” they said, “we know that

you say and teach what is right and that you make no distinctions

between one man and another, but teach God’s way truly.

20:22

Is it allowable to pay a tax to Caesar, or not?”

20:23

But He saw through their knavery and replied,

20:24

“Show me a shilling; whose likeness and inscription does it bear?”

“Caesar’s,” they said.

20:25

“Pay therefore,” He replied, “what is Caesar’s to Caesar — and

what is God’s to God.”

20:26

There was nothing here that they could lay hold of before the

people, and marvelling at His answer they said no more.