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All Four Gospels for Readers

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Title: All Four Gospels for Readers

Editor: Lightheart


        
Release date: September 1, 2004 [eBook #6531]
                Most recently updated: August 21, 2012

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6531


*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ALL FOUR GOSPELS FOR READERS ***














Copyright (C) 2002 by Lightheart.

THE GOSPEL

www.PracticeGodsPresence.com/gospel/


THE GOSPEL
The Complete Text of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
edited by Lightheart
online at www.PracticeGodsPresence.com/gospel/



The Gospel of Matthew

1.        The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David,
the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac; Isaac became the father of Jacob;
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers; Judah the father of Perez
and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar; and Perez became the father of
Hezron; Hezron became the father of Ram; Ram became the father of
Amminadab; and Amminadab the father of Nahshon; and Nahshon the father
of Salmon; Salmon became the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab;
and Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth; Obed the
father of Jesse; Jesse the father of David the king; David the king
became the father of Solomon whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.

Solomon became the father of Rehoboam; and Rehoboam the father of Abia;
and Abia the father of Asa; Asa became the father of Jehosaphat; and
Jehosaphat the father of Joram; and Joram the father of Ozias; And
Ozias became the father of Joatham; and Joatham the father of Achaz;
and Achaz the father of Hezekiah; And Hezekiah became the father of
Manasseh; and Manasseh the father of Amos; and Amos the father of
Josiah; And Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time
they were exiled to Babylon.

After they were in Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel;
and Shealtiel the father of Zorobabel; And Zorobabel became the father
of Abiud; and Abiud the father of Eliakim; and Eliakim the father of
Azor; And Azor became the father of Zadoc; Zadoc the father of Achim;
and Achim the father of Eliud; And Eliud became the father of Eleazar;
and Eleazar the father of Matthan; and Matthan the father of Jacob; And
Jacob became the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born
Jesus, the Christ.

The generations from Abraham to David are fourteen, from David until
the exile to Babylon are fourteen; and from the exile to Babylon until
the birth of Christ are fourteen generations.

The birth of Jesus Christ was thus: When Mary, His mother, was espoused
to Joseph, and before they came together, she was found with child of
the Holy Spirit. Joseph, a just man, not willing to make her a public
example, decided to put her away privately. But while he thought about
these things an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
Joseph, thou son of David, do not fear to take Mary as thy wife. The
one who is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She shall bring
forth a son and thou shall call Him Jesus. He will save His people from
their sins.

All this was done so that what was spoken of the Lord by the prophet
might be fulfilled: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall
bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us.
Then Joseph awoke and did as the angel of the Lord told him and took
unto him his wife. He knew her not until she brought forth her
firstborn son, Jesus.

2.        When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of
King Herod, wise men, magi, from the east went to Jerusalem. They said,
One is born King of the Jews. We have seen His star in the east and we
are going to worship Him. When Herod heard this, he was troubled as was
all Jerusalem. Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes
together and demanded to know where Christ would be born. They said, In
Bethlehem of Judaea. It is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem,
in the land of Juda, the least among the princes of Juda, yet out of
thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people.

Herod called the magi to find out the time the star would appear. He
sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the young
child. When you have found Him, bring word to me so I may also go to
worship Him. After they met with the king they departed; and, lo, the
star that they saw in the east went before them until it stood over the
young child.

When they saw the star they rejoiced. The magi went to the place and
saw the young child with Mary, His mother. They bowed down and
worshipped Him. They presented Him with gifts of gold, and
frankincense, and myrrh. Since they were warned by God in a dream that
they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country
by another way.

After they departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in
a dream and said, Arise and take the young child and His mother and
flee into Egypt. Stay there until I bring thee word, for Herod will
seek the young child to destroy Him. Joseph took the young child and
His mother, by night, and departed into Egypt. They remained there
until the death of Herod. This was so it might be fulfilled what was
spoken of the Lord by the prophet: Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Herod realized he was deceived by the magi and became exceedingly
wrathful. He ordered that all the children in Bethlehem and the
surrounding coasts who were aged two years old and under be slayed.
This was based on the timing he was given by the magi. Then the saying
of Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: In Ramah there was heard the
sound of lamentation, weeping, and great mourning. Rachel was weeping
for her children and would not be comforted because they are no longer.

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in
Egypt. The angel said, Arise and take the young child and His mother
and go into the land of Israel. They are now dead who sought the young
child's life. Joseph took the young child and His mother and started
toward Israel. Along the way Joseph heard that Archelaus reigned in
Judaea in the place of his father, Herod. Joseph was afraid to go
there. Despite being warned by God in a dream, he turned toward
Galilee. He came to dwell in a city called Nazareth that it might be
fulfilled what was spoken by the prophets: He shall be called a
Nazarene.

3.        In those days John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of
Judaea. His message was, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
John is the one that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah: The voice of
one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make His
paths straight.

The same John wore camel's hair and a leathern girdle around his loins.
His food was locusts and wild honey. He went out to Jerusalem. all
Judaea, and all the region round Jordan. Many people were baptized by
him and confessed their sins.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his
baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to
flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth fruits fit for repentance. Do
not say, We have Abraham for our father, because I say to you, God is
able to raise up children to Abraham with these stones. The axe is now
laid to the root of the trees. Every tree which does not bring forth
good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.

I baptize you with water for repentance but He who comes after me is
mightier than I. His shoes I am not worthy to carry. He shall baptize
you with the Holy Spirit and with the fire whose fan is in His hand. He
will throughly purge His floor and gather His wheat into the garner. He
will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

When Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by him, John
forbad Him. He said, Why come to me? I should be baptized by thee.
Jesus answered, For now, suffer it to be so because it becomes us to
fulfill all righteousness.

When Jesus was baptized He came up out of the water and the heavens
opened to Him. John saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and light
upon Him. A voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am
well pleased.

4.        Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by the devil. After He fasted forty days and forty nights He
was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, If thou be the Son of
God, command that these stones be made bread. Jesus answered, It is
written, Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that
proceeds out of the mouth of God. The devil then took Him up into the
holy city and sat Him on a pinnacle of the temple. He said, If thou be
the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give His
angels charge concerning thee and in their hands they shall bear thee
up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus countered
Him saying, It is also written, Thou shalt not test the Lord thy God.

Next, the devil took Him up into an exceedingly high mountain. He
showed Him the kingdoms of the world in all their glory. He said, All
these things I will give thee if thou will bow down and worship me.
Then Jesus said, Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil
left Him. And, behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

When Jesus heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into
Galilee. And, leaving Nazareth, He dwelt in Capernaum on the sea coast,
in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim. This He did so that what was
spoken by Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: In the land of
Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim by the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee
of the Gentiles, the people which sat in darkness saw great light. And
to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up.
From this time forward Jesus began His teaching of repentance because
the kingdom of God is at hand.

As Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon, called Peter, and
Andrew, his brother. They were fishers and were casting a net into the
sea. He said to them, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.
They left their nets and followed Him.

Going on from there, Jesus saw two other brethren, James, the son of
Zebedee, and John. They were in a boat, mending their nets, with
Zebedee, their father. Jesus called them and they immediately left the
boat and their father and followed Him. Then Jesus went all about
Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the
kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the
people.

His fame spread throughout all Syria. They brought to Him sick people
who were taken with diverse diseases, torments, and those who were
possessed with devils. They brought those who were lunatic, and those
who had palsy. He healed them. Great multitudes of people from Galilee,
and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from
beyond Jordan followed Him.

5.        Seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain and sat.
His disciples came and He taught them: Blessed are the poor in spirit
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for
they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit
the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness
for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the
pure of heart for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers for
they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are those who are
persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men revile and persecute you, and say all manner
of evil against you for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad. Great
is your reward in heaven. And, likewise, they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.

Ye are the salt of the earth. If the salt loses its savour it is good
for nothing except to be cast out and walked on. Ye are the light of
the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. A candle is
not lighted to be put under a bushel, but on a candlestick. This way it
gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine that others
see your good works reflecting only your Father in heaven.

Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the words of the
prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For verily I say,
Until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter or one word shall pass
from the law until all is fulfilled. Whoever breaks one of these least
commandments, and teaches others to do likewise shall be called the
least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever shall keep these least
commandments and teach them shall be called great in the kingdom of
heaven. Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the
scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you shall enter the kingdom of
heaven.

Ye have heard it was said of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whoever
shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you,
Whoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment.
Whoever shows contempt toward his brother shall be in danger of the
council. But whosoever curses his brother is in danger of hell fire.

So, if thou bring a gift to the altar and then remember that thy
brother has something against thee, leave the gift before the altar. Be
reconciled to thy brother first. Then come back and offer thy gift.
Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art with him; lest, at
any time, thy adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge
deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say
unto thee, Thou shalt not come out then until all is paid.

Ye have heard it said by them of old, Thou shalt not commit adultery.
But I say, Whoever looks on a woman in lust has already committed
adultery in his heart. If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and
cast it away. It is more profitable for thee that one of thy members
should perish rather than thy whole body be cast into hell. And if thy
right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee. It is more
profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish rather than
thy whole body be cast into hell.

It has been said, Whoever puts away his wife shall give her a writing
of divorcement. But I say, Whoever puts away his wife, except for
reason of fornication, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever
marries her that is divorced commits adultery.

Also, ye have heard it said by them of old, Thou shalt not forswear
thyself but perform your oaths unto the Lord. But I say, take no oaths
at all. Do not swear by heaven because it is God's throne. Do not swear
by the earth because it is His footstool. Do not swear by Jerusalem for
it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by thy self because you
are incapable of making even one hair white or black. Let your
statement be only Yea, yes; Nay, no: for anything more than this comes
to evil.

Ye have heard it said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I
say, Do not resist evil. Whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn
the other to him also. And, if any one lawfully sues you and takes away
thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. Whoever compels you to go a
mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you. From him who would
borrow from you, do not turn away.

Ye have heard it said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine
enemy. But I say, Love your enemy. Bless those who curse you. Do good
to those who hate you. Pray for those who spitefully use and persecute
you.

Do this that ye may be the children of your Father in heaven. He makes
His sun rise on the evil and on the good. He sends rain on the just and
on the unjust. If ye love only those who love you, what reward have ye?
Do not even the publicans do this? And if ye greet your friends only,
what do ye do more than others? Do not even the publicans do this?
Instead be ye as perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.

6.        Take heed that ye do not do your almsgiving to be seen by
others. If so, ye have no reward from your Father in heaven. When you
give, do not sound a trumpet in the synagogues and in the streets as do
the hypocrites. They seek the glory of men. Verily, I say unto you,
They have their reward.

When you give alms, do not let thy left hand know what thy right does.
Give alms in secret and thy Father, who sees in secret, shall reward
thee openly.

When thou pray, thou shalt not be like the hypocrites. They love to
pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets so
they may be seen. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward.

When you pray, enter into your closet. When you shut the door, pray to
thy Father in secret. Thy Father, who sees in secret, shall reward you
openly.

When ye pray, do not use vain repetitions like the heathen. They think
that they shall be heard for their long speaking. Be not like them.
Your Father knows what things ye need even before ye ask Him.

Pray like this: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us
this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For
Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

If ye forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if ye do not forgive others their trespasses, neither
will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover, when ye fast, be
not as the hypocrites. They disfigure their faces and look sad so they
may appear to others to fast. Verily, I say unto you, They have their
reward.

However, when thou fast, anoint thy head and wash thy face so you do
not appear to fast. Keep secret except unto thy Father, who is in
secret, and thy Father shall reward thee openly.

Do not lay up treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupts, and
where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, lay up treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts, nor thieves can break in
and steal. For, where your treasure is, there, also, will be your heart.

The light of the body is the eye. If your eye is clear, your whole body
is full of light. But, if your eye is clouded with evil, your whole
body is full of darkness. And, if that light in you grows dark, how
much greater will that darkness be!

No one can serve two masters. He will either hate the one and love the
other, or he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot
serve God and mammon. Therefore, I say unto you, Take no concern for
your life: what ye shall eat, what ye shall drink; nor for your body:
what ye shall put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than
raiment? Behold the fowls of the air. They sow not, and neither do they
reap nor gather into barns. Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Are
ye not worth as much as they are? And, who of you, by worrying, can add
one cubit to his stature? So why take thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. They toil not and
neither do they spin. Even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed
like one of them. So, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which
today is here and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not clothe
you even more, O ye of little faith?

So, take no concern by saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we
drink? or, How shall we be clothed? Your heavenly Father knows that ye
need all these things. Instead, seek ye first the kingdom of God and
His righteousness. Then all these things shall be added unto you. Take
no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take care of itself.
The cares of today are sufficient for today.

7.        Judge not that ye be not judged, for with what judgment ye
judge, ye shall be judged. And with what measure ye mete, it shall be
measured to you again.

Why behold the mote in thy brother's eye, but not consider the beam in
thine own eye? How can you say to thy brother, Let me pull the mote out
of thine eye when, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite.
First, cast out the beam from thine own eye, then thou shall see
clearly enough to cast the mote from thy brother's eye.

Do not give that which is holy to dogs. And do not cast your pearls
before swine lest they trample them under their feet and turn around
and rend you.

Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it
shall be opened to you. Who of you is there who, if his son asks for
bread, will give him a stone? Or, if he asks for a fish, will give him
a serpent? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more shall your Father in heaven give good things to
those who ask Him? Therefore, all things ye would have others do to
you, do so to them. This is the law and the meaning of the prophets.

Enter in at the narrow gate. Wide is the gate and broad is the way that
leads to destruction. Many go that way. Because the gate and the way
that leads to life is narrow, few find it.

Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but are
inwardly ravenous wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men
gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? No, every good tree
brings forth good fruit. A corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good
tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. A corrupt tree cannot bring forth
good fruit. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn
down and cast into the fire. So, by their fruits ye shall know them.

Now, not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven. Only he who does the will of my Father in heaven
shall enter. Many will say to me, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in
thy name? In thy name have we not cast out devils? And, in thy name,
have we not done many wonderful works? Then will I say to them, I never
knew you. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Whoever hears these sayings and does them, I liken to a wise man who
built his house upon a rock. When the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew and beat upon the house, it did not fall
because it was founded upon a rock.

Whoever hears these sayings and does not do them I liken to a foolish
man who built his house upon the sand. When the rain descended, and the
floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, it fell. And
a great fall it was.

When Jesus finished these sayings, people were astonished at His
teaching because He spoke as one having authority different from the
scribes.

8.        When He came down from the mountain, great multitudes
followed Him. And, behold, there came a leper who worshipped Him,
saying, Lord, if Thou will, Thou can make me clean. Jesus put out His
hand, touched him, and said, Be thou clean. Immediately his leprosy was
cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, See that thou tell no man. Go thy
way, show thyself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded
for a testimony.

Then, when Jesus was in Capernaum, a centurion beseeched Him saying,
Lord, my servant lies at home sick with palsy and grievously tormented.
Jesus said to him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered,
Lord, I am not worthy that thou should come under my roof, but only
give the word and my servant shall be healed. I am a man of authority,
understand commands, and have soldiers under me. I command this man,
Go, and he goes. To another I say, Come, and he comes. I direct my
servant to do this, and he does it.

When Jesus heard this, He marvelled and said to those who followed,
Verily, I say unto you, I have not found such great faith anywhere, no,
not even in Israel. And I say to you, Many shall come from the east and
west and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the
kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out
into darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said
to the centurion, Go thy way. As thou has believed, so be it done unto
thee. And the servant was healed that same hour.

When Jesus went to Peter's house, He saw Peter's wife's mother laid
sick with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her. She
arose and ministered to them. That evening they brought to Him many who
were possessed with devils and He cast out the spirits with His word.
He healed all who were sick so that the words of Isaiah the prophet
were fulfilled: He took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.

Jesus saw great multitudes gathering. He decided they should depart to
the other side of the water. A scribe approached Him and said, Master,
I will follow wherever thou go. Jesus only replied, The foxes have
holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has no
place to lay His head. Another came to Him and said, Lord, let me first
go and bury my father. But Jesus replied, Follow me and let the dead
bury their dead. Then they got in a boat and started for the other side.

Behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea. It was so great that
the boat was covered with the waves. Jesus was asleep. His disciples
woke Him and said, Lord, save us. We will perish. Jesus replied, Why
are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He got up and rebuked the
winds and the sea. There was a great calm. The disciples marvelled and
said, What kind of man is this who even the winds and the sea obey!

On the other side they came into the country of the Gadarenes. There He
met two men coming out of the tombs who were possessed with devils so
fierce that no man dared pass them. They cried out, What have we to do
with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come here to torment us
before the time?

At a distance from them was a herd of swine. The devils said to Him, If
thou cast us out, suffer us to go into the herd of swine. Jesus said to
them, Go. When they came out of the men, they went into the herd of
swine. Behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place
into the sea and perished in the waters. The herders who kept them fled
into the city and told people what happened to those possessed by the
devils. Then the whole city went to see Jesus and, when they saw Him,
they besought Him to depart from their coasts.

9.        He took a boat to His own city. There they brought to Him a
man with palsy who was lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said
to the sick man; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee.

Behold, certain of the scribes said, This man blasphemes. And, Jesus
knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? Is
it easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee or Arise and walk? So ye
may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (then
He said to the sick man) Arise, take up thy bed and go to thy house.
The man did get up and went to his house. When the multitude saw it,
they marvelled and glorified God who had given such power.

When Jesus left there He saw a man sitting at the receipt of custom. He
said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed Him. As Jesus sat at
dinner, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His
disciples. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, Why
does your master eat with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard this,
He said, Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are
sick do. Go and learn what that means. I will have mercy and not
revenge because I have not come to call the righteous, but to call
sinners to repentance.

Then John's disciples came to Him and asked, Why do we and the
Pharisees often fast, but thy disciples do not fast? Jesus said to
them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn as long as the
bridegroom is with them? The day will come when the bridegroom will be
taken from them and then they will fast.

No one uses a piece of new cloth to patch an old garment for the piece
that is put in to cover the space takes from the garment and the rent
is worse than before. Nor does anyone put new wine into old bottles:
else the bottles break, the wine runs out and the bottles perish. They
put new wine into new bottles and both are preserved. While He spoke
these things there came a certain ruler who worshipped Him and said, My
daughter is almost now dead, but come and lay thy hand upon her and she
shall live. Jesus arose and followed him, and His disciples came along
also.

On the way, a woman who was diseased with an issue of blood for twelve
years came up behind Him. She touched the hem of His garment because
she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment I shall be
healed. Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, Daughter, be
of good comfort; thy faith has made thee whole. The woman was healed
from that hour.

Finally, when Jesus arrived at the ruler's house, He saw many mourners.
He said to them, Stand aside. The maid is not dead but sleeps. They
laughed Him to scorn. But when the people moved aside, He went in, took
her by the hand, and she arose. This news spread abroad into all that
land.

When Jesus left there, two blind men followed Him. They cried, Thou son
of David, have mercy on us. When He entered a house, the blind men came
to Him. Jesus said to them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They
said to Him, Yea, Lord. Then He touched their eyes and said, According
to your faith be it done unto you. Their eyes were opened. Then Jesus
charged them to make sure that no man knew of this. But, after they
departed, they spread His fame all around that country.

As they were leaving that place a mute man possessed with a devil was
brought to Jesus. When the devil was cast out, the man could then
speak. The multitude marvelled and said nothing like it was ever seen
before in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casts out devils through
the prince of the devils.

Jesus went to all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. He healed every kind of
sickness and disease among the people. But when He saw the crowds, He
was moved with compassion on them because they fainted and were
scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples,
The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray to the
Lord so He will send forth laborers to His harvest.

10.        Jesus called together His twelve disciples and gave them
power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal all manner of sickness
and disease. The names of the twelve apostles are these; Simon, who is
called Peter, Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee, John his
brother; Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; the publican; James the son of
Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite;
and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them: Go not into the way
of the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the
lost sheep of the house of Israel. As ye go, preach that the kingdom of
heaven is at hand. Heal the sick. Cleanse the lepers. Raise the dead.
Cast out devils. Freely ye have received, freely give.

Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses. Take no scrip
for your journey. Neither take two coats, nor shoes, nor staves because
the workman is worthy of his food. Into whatever city or town ye enter,
enquire who in it is worthy. Abide there until ye go on. When ye come
into a house, salute it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come
upon it. If it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. Whoever
shall not receive you or hear your words, when ye leave that house or
city, shake the dust from your feet. Verily, it shall be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment than for that
city.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be wise as
serpents and harmless as doves. Beware of men. They will deliver you up
to the councils. They will scourge you in their synagogues. Ye shall be
brought before governors and kings for a testimony against them and the
Gentiles because of me. But when they deliver you up, do not worry how
or what ye shall speak. It will be given you at the time ye speak
because it is not ye that will speak, but the Spirit of your Father
which speaks through you.

Also be aware that a brother shall deliver up a brother to death, and a
father the child. Children shall rise up against their parents and
cause them to be put to death. Ye shall be hated by all for my name's
sake. But those who endure to the end will be saved. When they
persecute you in one city, flee to another.

Truly, I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone to all the cities of
Israel before the Son comes. The disciple is not above his master, nor
the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as
his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master
of the house, Beelzebub, how much more shall they call those of God's
household?

Fear them not. There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and
nothing hidden that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness,
speak it in light. And what ye hear in the ear, preach it from the
housetops. Fear not those who kill the body but are not able to kill
the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and
body in hell.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? Yet not one of them falls to
the ground without your Father knowing. The very hairs on your head are
all numbered by Him. Fear not because ye are of more value than many
sparrows. Whoever confesses me before all, I will confess him before my
Father in heaven. Whoever denies me before all, I will deny him before
my Father in heaven.

Do not think that I came to earth to bring peace. I came not to bring
peace, but a sword. My coming will set a man against his father, and a
daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her
mother-in-law. One's foes shall be those of his own household.

Anyone who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.
Anyone who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
And anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy
of me.

He who finds his life will lose it. He who loses his life for my sake
will find it. Whoever accepts you accepts me, and whoever accepts me
accepts the one who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a
prophet will receive a prophet's reward. He who receives a righteous
man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's
reward. And whoever gives a cup of cold water to one of the little ones
in the name of a disciple, will never lose his reward.

11.        When Jesus finished instructing His twelve disciples, He
departed to teach and preach in their cities. When John, who was in
prison, heard of the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples.
They asked Jesus, Art thou the one who is to come or do we look for
another? Jesus answered, Go and show John what you hear and see. The
blind receive their sight. The lame walk. The lepers are cleansed. The
deaf hear. The dead are raised up. And the poor have the gospel
preached to them. Blessed is he who is not be offended by me.

As they departed, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. He said, What
went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
What went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they
that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What went ye out to see?
A prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is
written: Behold, I send my messenger who shall prepare the way before
thee.

Truly, I tell you, of all those born of woman, there is none greater
than John the Baptist, who would make himself least in the kingdom of
heaven. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of
heaven suffered violence and the violent took it by force. All the
prophets and the law prophesied of John. If ye will receive it, this is
Elias, who was to come. He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

But how shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in
the markets and calling unto their fellows saying, We have piped to you
and ye have not danced. We have mourned you and ye have not lamented.
John came neither eating nor drinking and they said he had a devil. The
Son of man came eating and drinking and they say he is a glutton, a
winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom will be
justified by her children.

Then He began to upbraid the cities where most of His mighty works were
done because they did not repent. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto
thee, Bethsaida! If the mighty works that were done in you had been
done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth
and ashes. But I say to you, It will be more tolerable for Tyre and
Sidon at the day of judgment than for you.

And Capernaum, praised to heaven, will be brought down to hell. If the
mighty works that were done in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, it
would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, it will be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.

Then Jesus prayed aloud: I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent
and revealed them to babes. It is so, Father, for it seemed good in thy
sight.

All things are delivered to me by my Father. No man knows the Son but
the Father. Neither knows any man the Father except the Son. He is
revealed to whomever the Son will reveal Him.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Take up my yoke and learn from me. I am meek and lowly in heart. You
will find rest for your souls because my yoke is easy and my burden is
light.

12.        It was a sabbath day when Jesus and His disciples passed
through a cornfield. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears
of corn to eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to Jesus, Behold,
thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath day. But
Jesus answered them, Have ye not read what David did when he was
hungry? He and those who were with him entered into the house of God
and ate the showbread. This was not lawful for him to eat, nor for
those with him because the bread was only for the priests.

And, have ye not read in the law how, on the sabbath days, the priests
in the temple profane the sabbath and are blameless? But, here is one
greater than the temple. If you knew what this meant, you would not
condemn the guiltless because the Son of man is Lord even of the
sabbath.

When Jesus went into the synagogue He was met by a man who had a
withered hand. So that they might accuse Jesus, the Pharisees asked
Him, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? Jesus replied, What man
is there among you who has one sheep and, if it falls into a pit on the
sabbath day, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? How much more is
a man worth than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the
sabbath day. Jesus turned to the man and said, Stretch out your hand.
The man stretched his hand and it was restored, whole and like his
other hand.

Then the Pharisees left and held a council about how they might destroy
Jesus. But when Jesus knew this, He departed from there. Great
multitudes followed Him and He healed them all. He charged them that
they should not make Him known. This was done to fulfill what was
spoken by Isaiah the prophet: Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my
beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my spirit upon Him
and He shall show judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor
cry; neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets. A bruised
reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench till He
send forth judgment unto victory. And in His name the Gentiles shall
trust.

Then a blind and mute man, who was possessed with a devil, was brought
to Him. Jesus healed him, and, to such an extent, that he both spoke
and saw. All the people were amazed and said, Is not this the son of
David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This one casts out
devils by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils.

Jesus knew their thoughts and said, Every kingdom divided against
itself is brought to desolation. Every city or house divided against
itself shall not stand. If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against
himself. How, then, shall his kingdom stand?

If I, by Beelzebub, cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them
out? Therefore, they shall be your judges. But, if I cast out devils by
the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. And, if
not, then how can someone enter into a strong man's house and spoil his
goods unless he first bind the strong man? Only then is he able to
spoil his house.

The one who is not with me is against me. He who does not gather around
me, scatters abroad. So, I say to you, all kinds of sin and blasphemy
against men will be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.

Whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, will be forgiven. But
whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, will not be forgiven; not in
this world and not in the world to come. Either make the tree good and
its fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt;
for the tree is known by its fruit.

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? Out
of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. A good man, out of the
good treasure of the heart, brings forth good things. An evil man, out
of the evil of the heart, brings forth evil things.

For every idle word that you speak, you will account for it in the day
of judgment. By your words you shall be justified; and by your words
you shall be condemned.

Then, some of the scribes and Pharisees said, Master, we want to see a
sign from thee. But Jesus answered, An evil and adulterous generation
seeks after a sign. There shall be no sign given except the sign of the
prophet Jonah. Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the
whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights
in the heart of the earth.

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment of this generation and shall
condemn it. This is so because they repented at the preaching of Jonah.
Behold, one greater than Jonah is right here. The queen of the south
shall rise up in the judgment of this generation and shall condemn it.
She came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of
Solomon and, behold, one greater than Solomon is right here.

When an unclean spirit has left a man, he wanders through dry places,
seeking rest, and finds none. Then the unclean spirit says, I will
return to the house from which I came. When he comes, he finds it
empty, swept, and garnished. Then he returns with seven other spirits
more wicked than himself. They go back into the man and dwell there.
Then the last state of that man is worse than the first. This is how it
shall be with this wicked generation.

While Jesus continued to talk to the people, His mother and His
brothers stood outside and requested to speak with Him. Someone
reported this to Him saying, Behold, thy mother and brethren are
outside and desire to speak with thee. But Jesus addressed the one who
told Him by saying, Who is my mother and who are my brothers? Then He
stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, Behold, my mother
and my brethren! Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my
brother, and sister, and mother.

13.        That same day Jesus sat by the sea. Great multitudes
gathered. He had to get into a boat and sit while the whole multitude
stood on the shore. Then He taught them in parables.

Jesus said, Behold, a sower went forth to sow seed. When he sowed, some
seeds fell by the wayside and the birds came and devoured them. Some
fell upon stony places where there was not much earth. They sprang up
but they had no deep roots. So, when the sun was up, they were scorched
and withered away. Also, some of the seeds fell among thorns. The
thorns sprang up and choked them. Yet other seeds fell on good ground.
These brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some
thirtyfold. Who has ears to hear, let him hear.

The disciples asked Jesus, Why do you speak to them in parables? He
answered, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the
kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whoever has
understanding, more shall be given him and he shall have abundance. But
whoever does not have understanding, what little he has shall be taken
away from him. Therefore, I speak to them in parables because, not
seeing and not hearing, they do not understand.

Also, in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: By hearing ye shall
hear and shall not understand. And by seeing ye shall see and shall not
perceive. For the people's hearts are hardened. Their ears are dull of
hearing. They have closed their eyes. They do not see or hear for fear
they will be converted and have to change their hearts.

But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.
Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things you see
and they have not seen them. They have desired to hear the things you
hear, and have not heard them. So, again, listen to the parable of the
sower.

When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it,
the wicked one snatches away all that was sown in his heart. This is
the one who received seed by the wayside. Now he who received the seed
in the stony places, received the word with joy. But he has no deep
root and endures only for a while. When tribulation or persecution
arises he is uprooted. Now the one who received seed among the thorns
hears the word but is too much ensnared by things of this world and the
deceitfulness of riches. The understanding of the word is choked out
and he becomes unfruitful. Finally, the one who received seed in the
good ground is he who hears the word, understands it, and bears fruit.
He brings forth a hundredfold or sixty or thirty.

He spoke another parable saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man
who sowed good seed in his field. But, during the night, his enemy came
and sowed weeds among the wheat then slipped away. When the blades
sprang up and brought forth fruit, weeds appeared also. The
householder's servants came to him and asked, Sir, did you not sow good
seed in the field? Where did the tares come from? The householder
answered, An enemy has done this. The servants then asked, Shall we go
and pull them up? But he said, No; if you gather up the tares, you will
uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.
Then, at harvest time, I will tell the reapers to gather the weeds,
bind them in bundles, and burn them first. Then the wheat goes into the
shelter.

Jesus told another parable, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of
mustard seed. A man sowed it in his field. Now this, indeed, is the
least of all seeds. However, when it is grown, it is the largest among
all the herbs. It grows like a tree so the birds of the air can come
and lodge in its branches.

Another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven. A woman took a
little, hid it in three measures of meal and, at last, all was
leavened. All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitude.
Thus it might be fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet: I will open
my mouth in parables. I will utter things which have been kept secret
from the foundation of the world.

Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went inside. His disciples came
in and asked Him to explain the parable of the tares in the field.
Jesus said, He who sows the good seed is the Son of man. The field is
the world. The good seed are the children of the kingdom. The weeds are
the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil.
The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are the angels. As the
tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so it will be at the end of
this world. The Son of man will send forth His angels. They will clear
His kingdom of all that offends and does iniquity. They will cast it
into a furnace. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the
righteous will shine as bright as the sun in the kingdom of their
Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a
man discovers it, he buries it again. Then, joyfully, he goes and sells
all he has in order to buy that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is
like a merchant in search of good pearls. When he finds even one pearl
of great price, he gladly sells all he has to buy it.

And the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea to
gather every kind of fish. When it was full, they drew the net to
shore. The good they gathered into vessels. But they cast the bad away.
So it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and sever
the wicked from the just and cast them into the furnace.

Jesus asked, Have you understood all these things? They said, Yes,
Lord. Then He said, Therefore, every scribe who is instructed about the
kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings forth, out of his
treasure, things both new and old.

Jesus went into His own country. He taught in the synagogue. The people
were astonished and said, Whence has He this wisdom and these mighty
works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is His mother not called Mary
and His brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Are His
sisters not here with us? Where did this man get all this?

They were offended by Him. Jesus told them that a prophet is not
without honor except in His own country and in His own house. He did
not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

14        At that time Herod heard of the fame of Jesus. He said to his
servants, This is John the Baptist. He is risen from the dead and
mighty works show forth in him.

Herod had imprisoned John for the sake of Herodia, his brother Philip's
wife. He did this because John told Herod that it was not lawful for
Herod to have her. He would have immediately put John to death but
Herod feared the multitude, who counted John as a prophet.

But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, Herodias' daughter danced and
greatly pleased Herod. He promised, with an oath, to give her whatever
she asked. Having previously been instructed by her mother, she said,
Give me John the Baptist's head on a charger. Herod was sorry. However,
for the oath's sake and because of those at his dinner, he commanded it
be given her. He had John beheaded in prison. Then his head was brought
on a charger, presented to her, and she took it to her mother. Then
John's disciples came, took up the body, buried it, and reported it to
Jesus.

When Jesus heard, He departed from there by boat to a desert place.
When the people heard this, they followed Him on foot out of the
cities. As Jesus went along, He saw a great multitude. He was moved
with compassion for them and He healed their sick. When it was evening,
His disciples came to Him and said, This is a desert place and it is
late. Send the multitude away so they may go into the villages and buy
food. But Jesus said, They need not depart. Give them food to eat. They
said, We have only five loaves and two fish. Jesus said, Bring them to
me.

He told the multitude to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves
and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He blessed it. Then He
broke and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples gave them
to the multitude. They all ate and were full. Afterwards, they took up
the fragments that remained, twelve baskets full. Those who had eaten
numbered about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.

Immediately, Jesus instructed His disciples to get into a boat and go
ahead of Him to the other side. After He sent the multitude away, He
went up into a mountain to pray. When evening came He was there alone.
But the boat was now in the midst of the sea and tossed with waves by
the strong wind. In the fourth watch of the night, the disciples saw
Jesus walking toward them on the sea. They were afraid and said, It is
a spirit. They cried out for fear. But Jesus said, Be of good cheer. It
is I. Be not afraid.

Peter answered and said, Lord, if it is you, bid me to come to you on
the water. Jesus said, Come. Peter got out of the boat and walked on
the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he became afraid and
immediately began to sink. He cried, Lord, save me. Jesus stretched out
His hand, caught Peter, and said, O thou of little faith. Why did you
doubt?

When they got into the boat the wind ceased. Then those who were in the
boat came and worshipped Jesus. They said, Surely thou art the Son of
God. Then they reached the land of Gennesaret. When the people heard,
they sent word all around the country. They brought to Jesus all who
were diseased. They besought Him that they might only touch the hem of
His garment. And all who touched His garment were made perfectly whole.

15        Then scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus. They
asked, Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?
They do not wash their hands when they eat bread. Jesus answered, Why
do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? God
commanded: Honor thy father and mother. Let him be put to death who
curses father or mother. But ye say that whoever says to his father or
mother that it is a gift by whatever thou might profit by me,
dishonoring the father or mother, shall be free. Your tradition has
made the commandment of God useless.

Ye hypocrites. Well did Isaiah prophesy: This people draw nigh unto me
with their mouth, and honor me with their lips. But their hearts are
far from me. In vain do they worship me. They teach the commandments of
men as doctrines.

Jesus then called the multitude and said, Hear and understand. Nothing
that goes into the mouth defiles a man. But that which comes out of the
mouth defiles a man. His disciples approached him and said, Do you know
that the Pharisees were offended by your words? Jesus said, Every plant
that was not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted. Ignore
them. They are blind leaders of the blind. If the blind lead the blind,
both will fall into the ditch.

Next, Peter approached Him and said, Explain the parable to us. Jesus
replied, Are ye still without understanding? Do ye not yet understand
that whatever goes in at the mouth goes into the belly and is expelled.
But those things which come out of the mouth come from the heart. They
defile the man because out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders,
adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. These
are the things that defile a man. To eat with unwashed hands does not
defile a man.

Then Jesus went into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. A woman of Canaan
came to Him and said, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David. My
daughter is grievously tormented with a devil. Jesus said not a word to
her. Finally, His disciples came and said, Send her away for she cries
after us. Jesus replied, I am not here for the lost sheep of the house
of Israel only.

She came forward and worshipped Him. She said, Lord, help me. He
answered, It is not fit to take the children's bread and cast it to
dogs. She answered, True, Lord. Yet dogs eat the crumbs that fall from
their masters' table. Jesus said to her, O woman, great is thy faith.
Be it done unto thee as thou wilt. So her daughter was made whole from
that very hour.

Jesus left and went to rest in the mountains near the sea of Galilee.
Soon, great multitudes came to Him. They brought those who were lame,
blind, dumb, maimed, and many others. They placed them at Jesus' feet
and He healed them. The multitude wondered when they saw the dumb
speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind
seeing. They glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus called His disciples aside and said, I have compassion on the
multitude because they have been with me three days and have nothing to
eat. I will not send them away hungry lest they faint on the way. His
disciples said, Where should we find enough bread in the wilderness to
fill so great a multitude? Jesus asked them, How many loaves have ye?
They said, Seven and a few little fish.

Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. He took the
seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks. He broke them and gave them
to His disciples and the disciples gave them to the multitude. They all
ate and were full. They took up the food that was left, seven baskets
full. Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
Then Jesus sent away the multitude and took a boat to the coasts of
Magdala.

16       The Pharisees and the Sadducees came and, testing Jesus, asked
Him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said, When it is
evening, ye say it will be fair weather because the sky is red. In the
morning, ye say it will be foul weather because the sky is red.

O ye hypocrites. Ye can discern the face of the sky but cannot discern
the signs of the times! It is a wicked and adulterous generation that
seeks a sign. There shall be no sign given except the sign of the
prophet, Jonah. Then He left them, and departed to the other side.

Jesus uttered, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and
of the Sadducees. The disciples thought He referred to their not
remembering to bring bread along with them. When Jesus perceived this,
He said, O ye of little faith, why do you concern yourselves because ye
have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand or remember the five
loaves for the five thousand and how many baskets of leftovers ye took
up? Do ye not remember the seven loaves for the four thousand and how
many baskets of leftovers ye took up?

How is it that ye do not understand that I spoke not about the leaven
of bread but that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and
of the Sadducees? Then they understood that the leaven was the doctrine
and teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

When Jesus came to the coast of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His
disciples, Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am? They answered,
Some say that thou art John the Baptist. Some say Elias. Others say
Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

Then Jesus asked them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter spoke
up, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and
said, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood has not
revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.

I say also unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build
my church. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give
thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatsoever thou shalt bind on
earth, shall be bound in heaven. Whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth,
shall be loosed in heaven. Then He charged His disciples to tell no one
that He was Jesus the Christ.

From that time, Jesus instructed His disciples about how He must go
into Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief
priests, and scribes. He told them He would be killed and be raised
again on the third day. Peter began to rebuke Him and said, Far be it
from thee, Lord. This shall not be. Jesus turned quickly, stopped
Peter, and said, Get thee behind me, Satan. Thou art an offence to me.
Thou savor not the things of God, but those of men.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, If any man will come after me, let
him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. Whoever saves his
life shall lose it. Whoever loses his life, for my sake, shall find it.

What is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses his own
soul? What can a man give in exchange for his soul? The Son of man
shall come in the glory of His Father, with His angels and shall reward
every man according to his works. I tell you, there are some standing
here who will not taste death until they see the Son of man coming in
His kingdom.

17        After six days Jesus took Peter, James and his brother, John
up into a high mountain. Here Jesus was transfigured before them. His
face shone as bright as the sun. His raiment was as white as pure
light. And, behold, Moses and Elias appeared and talked with Him.

Peter then said, Lord, it is good for us to be here. If thou wilt, let
us make three tabernacles; one for thee, one for Moses, and one for
Elias. But, as he was speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them. From
the cloud, a voice said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well
pleased. Hear ye Him.

When the disciples heard, they fell on their faces and were afraid.
Then Jesus came, touched them, and said, Arise. Be not afraid. When
they looked up they saw no one but Jesus. As they came down from the
mountain, Jesus charged them to tell no one what they witnessed until
the Son of man had risen from the dead.

His disciples asked Him, Why, then, do the scribes say that Elias must
come first? Jesus answered, Elias comes first and restores all things.
But I tell you that Elias has already come. They knew him not and
caused him to suffer at their hands. Likewise, the Son of man shall
also suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that Jesus meant
John the Baptist.

As they approached the multitude, a man came up to Jesus. Kneeling
down, the man said, Lord, have mercy on my son. He is lunatic and
greatly vexed. He often falls into the fire and into the water. I
brought my son to thy disciples but they could not cure him.

Jesus said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be
with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring the boy here to me. When
Jesus rebuked the devil, he left the child and the boy was cured from
that very hour.

The disciples took Jesus aside and asked, Why could we not cast the
devil out? Jesus answered, Because of your unbelief. Verily, I say to
you, if ye have the faith of a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say to
this mountain, Move yonder and it shall move. Nothing shall be
impossible. This kind of devil goes out only after much strengthening
of faith by prayer and fasting.

During their time in Galilee, Jesus told all His disciples, The Son of
man shall be betrayed into the hands of men. They shall kill Him and,
on the third day, He shall be raised again. The disciples felt great
sorrow.

When they arrived at Capernaum, those who collected tribute money came
to Peter and asked, Does your master pay tribute? Peter said, Yes.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus stopped him and said, What do you
think, Simon? Should the kings of the earth take custom or tribute from
their own children or from strangers? Peter replied, From strangers.
Jesus said, So then, the children are free.

Then Jesus added, Nonetheless, so we do not offend them, go to the sea,
cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. In his mouth you
will find a coin. Take that and give it to those who collect the
tribute money for me and thee.

18        Later, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus called a little child to Him,
set him in the midst of them, and said, I tell you, Unless you are
converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the
kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this little child, is
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Whoever receives a little child in my name receives me. But whoever
offends one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better
for him that a millstone were hung around his neck and he drown in the
deep of the sea.

Woe unto the world because of offences! It must needs be that offences
come; but woe to the one by whom the offence comes! Therefore, if thy
hand or foot offends thee, cut it off and cast it away. It is better to
enter eternal life halt or maimed, than have two hands or two feet to
be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offends thee, pluck it
out and cast it away. It is better to enter into life with one eye,
than have two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Be careful not to despise
one of these little ones; for I tell you, in heaven, their angels
always look upon the face of my Father.

The Son of man is here to save what was lost. Consider this. If a man
has a hundred sheep, and one of them strays, does he not leave the
ninety-nine and go into the mountains in search of the one gone astray?
And, if he finds it, he rejoices more over that sheep than of the
ninety-nine that did not stray. So, it is not the will of your Father
in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

If your brother trespasses against you, go and tell him his fault
between you and him alone. If he hears, you have gained your brother.
But if he will not hear you, then take another with you, that in the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he
ignores them, tell it to the church. But if he ignores the church, let
him be treated as a heathen and a publican.

Whatever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. Whatever ye
shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. If two of you agree
regarding a thing that you will ask, it shall be done by my Father in
heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them.

Then Peter asked Him, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me
and I forgive him? Until seven times? Jesus replied, I say unto thee,
not until seven times but until seventy times seven.

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who took an account of his
servants. When he began to reckon, one was brought to him who owed him
ten thousand talents. But since he was unable to pay, his lord
commanded him to be sold, along with his wife, and children, and all
that he had, and payment to be made. The servant fell down and
worshipped him saying, Lord, have patience with me and I will pay it
all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, loosed
him, and forgave him the debt.

This same servant left and met one of his fellowservants who owed him a
small sum. He laid hands on him and took him by the throat saying, Pay
me what thou owe. The fellowservant fell down at his feet and besought
him saying, have patience with me and I will pay it all. But he would
not. He cast him into prison until the debt was paid. When the rest of
the servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and went to their
lord and told him everything.

Then the servant's lord called him and said, O, thou wicked servant! I
forgave thee all that debt because thou desired it of me. Should not
thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant as I had pity on
thee? His lord was angry and delivered him to the tormentors until he
paid all that was due. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you if ye
do not forgive other's trespasses.

19        After this, Jesus left Galilee and went to the coasts of
Judaea beyond Jordan. Great multitudes followed Him and He healed many
there. The Pharisees came to test Him. They asked Him, Is it lawful for
a man to divorce his wife for every cause?

Jesus answered, Have ye not read: He who made them at the beginning,
male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and
mother and shall cleave to his wife. The two shall be one? Therefore,
they are no longer two but one flesh. What God has joined together, let
no one put asunder.

They said, Why, then, did Moses allow a writing of divorcement? Jesus
said, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to
divorce your wives. But, from the beginning, it was not so. I say to
you, Whoever divorces his wife, except for fornication, and marries
another, commits adultery. Whoever marries a divorced woman also
commits adultery.

His disciples said, If this is the case with man and wife, it is not
good to marry. Jesus said, All men cannot accept this, only those to
whom God gives it. There are some who were born eunuchs. There are some
who were made that way by men. And there are some who do not marry for
the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him
accept it.

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on
them and pray. When the disciples rebuked them Jesus said, Allow these
little children and do not forbid them to come to me; for of such is
the kingdom of heaven. Jesus laid His hands on them, and then departed.

Behold, a young man came to Him and asked, Good Master, what must I do
to gain eternal life? Jesus answered, If you will enter into life, keep
the commandments. The young man asked, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt
not murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou
shalt not bear false witness. Honor thy father and thy mother. Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

The young man said, I have kept all these from my youth up. What do I
yet lack? Jesus answered, If thou will be perfect, go and sell what you
have and give to the poor. Thou shalt have treasure in heaven. Then
come and follow me. But when the young man heard that answer, he went
away filled with sorrow, because he had many possessions.

Then said Jesus to His disciples, Hardly a rich man shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye
of a needle, than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. When His
disciples heard this they were greatly amazed. They asked, Who, then,
can be saved? Jesus beheld them and said, With men, it is impossible;
but with God, all things are possible!

Peter asked, Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee. What shall
we have? Jesus said, Verily, at the regeneration, when the Son of man
shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye who have followed me shall
also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Everyone who has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father,
or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall
receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many
that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

20        The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out
early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. When he had
agreed with the laborers for a coin a day, he sent them into his
vineyard. Then, about the third hour he went out and saw others
standing idle in the marketplace. He said to them, Go ye also into my
vineyard and whatever is right I will give you.

He went out again about the sixth and the ninth hour and did the same.
About the eleventh hour he went out, found others standing idle, and
said, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They answered, Because no man
has hired us. He then replied, Go ye also into the vineyard and
whatever is right you shall receive.

When evening came, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, Call
the laborers and give them their pay, beginning from the last unto the
first. When those who were hired about the eleventh hour came, every
man received a coin. But when the first came, supposing they should
receive more, they each also received a coin. When they received it,
they murmured against the good man of the house and said, These last
have worked only an hour and you have made them equal to those of us
who have borne the burden and heat of the day.

He answered one of them and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong. Did thou
not agree with me for a coin? Take what is thine and go thy way. I will
give to the last the same as I give to thee. Is it not lawful for me to
do what I will with my own coins? Must you see evil in my goodness? So,
the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but
few are chosen.

Then Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and said, We are now going
to Jerusalem where the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests
and scribes. They will condemn Him to death. They will deliver Him to
the Gentiles to mock, scourge, and crucify Him. And on the third day He
will rise again.

The mother of the sons of Zebedee and her sons, James and John,
approached Jesus. She praised Him, desiring something of Him. He said
to her, What wilt thou? She replied, Grant that my two sons may sit,
one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom. But
Jesus answered, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the
cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I
am baptized with?

They said to Him, We are able. And Jesus said, Ye shall drink indeed of
my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but
to sit on my right hand or on my left is not mine to give. It shall be
given to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.

When the remaining ten heard this they were moved with indignation
against the two brethren. But Jesus called them to Him and said, Ye
know that the princes of worldliness and ambition influence them. But
it shall not be so among you. Whoever will be great among you, let him
be your minister. Whoever will be chief among you, let him be your
servant. Likewise, the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to
minister, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

As they were leaving Jericho a great multitude followed. When they
heard that Jesus was passing by, two blind men, who were sitting by the
wayside, cried out, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. The
multitude told them to keep quiet. But they cried more, saying, Have
mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

Jesus stood still and said to them, What shall I do for you? They
answered, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Jesus had compassion and
touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and they
followed Him.

21        As they drew close to Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage by
the mount of Olives. Jesus sent two disciples ahead and said, Go into
the village and ye shall find tied there an ass with her colt. Untie
them and bring them to me. If a man says anything to you, say, The Lord
has need of them and, straightway, he will send them. All this was done
so this saying of the prophet might be fulfilled: Tell ye the daughter
of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon a
colt, the foal of an ass.

The disciples did as Jesus directed. They brought the ass and the colt
and set Jesus thereupon. A multitude spread out their garments and
others cut down tree branches and lined the way. They cried out,
Hosanna to the son of David. Blessed is He that comes in the name of
the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. When Jesus came into Jerusalem, all
the city was stirred. They asked, Who is this? The multitude said, This
is Jesus the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.

Jesus went into the temple and cast out all who bought and sold. He
overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who
sold doves. He said to them, it is written: My house shall be called a
house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple and He healed them.
When the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things Jesus did
and heard the children crying out in the temple, Hosanna to the son of
David; they were greatly displeased. They said to Him, Hear thou what
they are saying? Jesus answered, Yea. Have ye never read, Out of the
mouth of babes comes perfect praise? Then He left them and went into
Bethany where He lodged that night.

In the morning Jesus, being very hungry, started out to return to the
city. On His way He saw a fig tree. As He came to it He found nothing
on it but leaves. He said, Let no fruit ever grow on thee. The fig tree
withered away.

When the disciples saw this, they marvelled and said, How quickly the
fig tree withered away! Jesus answered, If ye have faith, and doubt
not, ye shall not only do this that was done to the fig tree, but also,
if ye shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed and cast into the
sea; it shall be done. Those things you ask in prayer, believing, you
will receive.

Then He went into the temple. The chief priests and the elders of the
people came up to Him as He was teaching and asked, By what authority
do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?

Jesus replied, I, in turn, will ask you one thing, which, if ye can
tell me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the
baptism of John come from heaven or from man?

They reasoned among themselves and said, If we say, From heaven; He
will ask us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we say, From man;
we fear the people for they hold John as a prophet.

Finally they said to Jesus, We cannot tell. Jesus responded, Neither,
then, do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Hear this. A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, Son,
today go to work in my vineyard. The son answered, I will not. But,
afterward he repented and went to work. Then the man went to the second
son and said the same thing. The second son said, I will go, sir; but
he did not go. Which of these two did the will of his father? They
answered, The first son.

Jesus said, Verily I say, The publicans and the harlots enter the
kingdom of God before you. John came to you in the way of righteousness
and ye believed him not. But the publicans and the harlots believed
him. And yet, even after you had seen, you did not repent that you
believed him.

Hear another parable: There was a householder who planted a vineyard.
He hedged it all around, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then
he rented it out to husbandsmen and went abroad. When the time of the
harvest drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandsmen to receive
the fruits of it. The husbandsmen took his servants, beat one, stoned
one, and killed another. Next, he sent more servants than the first
time. They did to them the same thing.

Finally, he sent his son, saying, They will respect my son. But when
the husbandsmen saw the son, they said, This is the heir. Let us kill
him and seize his inheritance. So they caught him, cast him out of the
vineyard, and slew him. When, therefore, the lord of the vineyard
comes, what will he do to these husbandsmen?

They said to Jesus, He will destroy these miserable and wicked men and
he will rent out his vineyard to others who will render him the fruits
in their seasons.

Jesus said, Did ye never read in the scriptures: The stone which the
builders rejected is the same that has become the cornerstone; this is
the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes?

I tell you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a
nation that brings forth its fruits. Whoever falls on this stone shall
be broken. On whomever this stone falls, he will be ground into powder.

When the chief priests and Pharisees heard these parables, they saw
that Jesus spoke about them. But when they thought of laying hands on
Him, they feared the multitude because they took Jesus for a prophet.

22        Jesus related more parables. He said, The kingdom of heaven
is like a king who arranged a marriage feast for his son. He sent his
servants forth to call those who were invited to the wedding but they
did not come. He sent other servants to say, Dinner is prepared. The
king's oxen and fatlings are killed. Everything is ready. Come to the
marriage. Those who were invited made light of it and went their ways.
One went out to his farm. Another attended to his merchandise. The
others took the king's servants, treated them spitefully, and then slew
them.

When the king heard this he was outraged. He sent out his armies to
destroy the murderers and burn their city. Then he said to his
servants, The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not
worthy. Go into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, invite them
to the marriage feast. These servants went out and gathered together
all those they found, both bad and good, and the wedding was furnished
with guests.

Then, the king came in to greet the guests. He spotted a man who did
not wear the wedding garment that was provided. The king said to him,
Friend, why did you come in here without the wedding garment? The man
made no answer. So the king told his servants, Bind him hand and foot.
Then take him away and cast him into outer darkness. There will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth, for many are invited, but few are chosen.

Then the Pharisees met to discuss how they might trap Jesus in His
words. They sent some of their people along with the Herodians to
question Jesus. They said, Master, we know that thou art true and teach
the way of God in truth. Tell us, therefore, what thou think. Is it
lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?

Jesus, perceiving their wicked motive, said, Why test me, ye
hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. They brought a coin to Him.
Jesus asked, Whose image and superscription is this? They said,
Caesar's. Jesus said, Render, therefore, unto Caesar the things that
are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's. When they heard
these words, they marvelled, and left Him to go their way.

The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to
Him and asked, Master, Moses said if a man dies and has no children,
his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed unto his brother.
Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he married a
wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother.
Likewise, the second also, and the third, up to the seventh brother.
Then, finally the woman died also. Now, according to the resurrection,
whose wife shall she be of the seven since they all had her?

Jesus said, Ye err. You do not know the scriptures nor the power of
God. In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage,
but are as the angels of God in heaven. Concerning the resurrection of
the dead, have ye not read: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the
living.

When the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.
But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus put the Sadducees to silence,
they gathered together. One of them, a lawyer, tested Jesus with this
question, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus
answered, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest
commandment. The second is, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments rests all the law and the prophets.

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, What do
you think of Christ? Whose son is He? They said, The son of David.
Jesus then asked, How, then, does David, in spirit, call him Lord,
saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand till I
make thine enemies thy footstool? If David calls him Lord, how is he
his son? No man was able to answer a word, nor did anyone dare ask
Jesus any more questions from that day forth.

23        Jesus then addressed the crowd and His followers. He said,
The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' place. Whatever they bid
you to observe and do, ye shall observe and do. But do not follow after
their works because what they say, they do not do themselves. They bind
heavy burdens, grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders.
But they, themselves, will not even lay so much as a finger on one of
them. All their works they do for show to other men. They love the
uppermost rooms at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues. They
like greetings in the markets and to be called out to, Rabbi, Rabbi.

But be ye not called Rabbi. Only one is your teacher, even Christ; and
ye are all brethren. Call no one on earth your father, for only one is
your Father, who is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters, for only
one is your Master, even Christ. Also, he that is greatest among you
shall be your servant. Whosoever exalts himself will be abased; and he
who is humble will be exalted.

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye shut men out of
the kingdom of heaven. Yet, you do not enter in yourselves, and you do
not allow others to attempt to enter. Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye devour widows' houses and, for a pretence,
make long prayers. Therefore, you will receive the greater damnation.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! You venture over land
and sea for one proselyte. Then, when you have him, you make him two
times more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind
guides who say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, is worth nothing;
but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, makes a good
pledge! Ye fools and blind men. What is greater, the gold or the temple
that sanctifies the gold?

And ye say, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, is worth nothing; but
whosoever swears by the gift that is upon it, is worthy of praise. Ye
fools and blind men. What is greater, the gift, or the altar that
sanctifies the gift? The one who, therefore, swears by the altar,
swears by it and by all things upon it. And the one who swears by the
temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells therein. And He who swears
by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits thereon.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye pay tithe of mint
and anise and cummin, but ye have ignored the weightier matters of the
law; judgment, mercy, and faith. Ye blind guides who strain from your
drink a gnat and swallow a camel.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye make the outside of
the cup and platter clean, but inside they are full of extortion and
excess. Thou blind Pharisee. First clean the inside of the cup and
platter, so the outside may be clean also.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye are like whited
sepulchres, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full
of dead men's bones and uncleanness. Even if, on the outside, you
appear righteous to others, inside you are full of hypocrisy and
iniquity.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye build the tombs for
the prophets and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous. Ye say, If we
had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have been
partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Be witnesses unto
yourselves. Ye are the children of those who killed the prophets and ye
fill up what your fathers measured out.

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation
of hell? I send prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them ye shall
kill and crucify. Some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues and
persecute them from city to city. On your hands shall be the blood of
all the righteous shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel
to the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the
temple and the altar. All these things shall come upon this generation.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killed the prophets, and stoned those
sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together,
even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not
have it! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Ye shall not see
me again until ye shall say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the
Lord.

24        Jesus went outside and His disciples came to show Him the
buildings of the temple. Jesus said, Take note of all this. There will
not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.
On the mount of Olives, the disciples said, Tell us, when will this
happen? What is the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?

Jesus answered, Take heed that no one deceives you. Many will come in
my name, saying, I am Christ. They will deceive many. You will hear of
wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled. All these
things must come to pass; but the end is not come yet. Nation shall
rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There shall be
famines, pestilence, and earthquakes in divers places. All these are
the beginning of sorrows.

They will deliver you up to be afflicted. They will kill you. You will
be hated by all nations for my name's sake. Many will be offended and
will betray and hate one another. False prophets will arise and
deceive. And, because iniquity will abound, the love of many will wax
cold. But those who endure until the end will be saved.

This gospel of the kingdom will be preached all around the world as a
witness to all nations. Then, the end will come. When ye see the
abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet, Daniel, stand in
the holy place; understand the prophecy.

Let those who are in Judaea flee into the mountains. Let the one who is
on the housetop stay there and not come down to take anything out of
his house. Neither let the one who is in the field return to get his
clothing.

Woe unto the women who are with child, and those who are nursing. Pray
that your flight is not in the winter or on the sabbath day. There will
be great tribulation, such as has not been seen since the beginning of
the world until now and will never be seen again. Unless those days are
numbered, no flesh will be saved. But, for the elect's sake, those days
will be numbered.

Thus, if anyone says to you, Lo, here is Christ, or there He is; do not
believe it. There will arise false Christs and false prophets. They
will show great signs and wonders; so much that, if at all possible,
they will deceive the very elect.

I am telling you all this beforehand, so, if they say to you, Behold,
He is in the desert, do not go forth. Or, behold, He is in the secret
chambers, do not believe it. For, just as the lightning comes out of
the east and shines over unto the west, so, also, will be the coming of
the Son of man.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be
darkened. The moon will not reflect light. The stars will fall from
heaven. The powers of the heavens will be shaken. All the people on
earth will mourn.

Then the sign of the Son of man will appear. They will see Him coming
in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will send His
angels with a great sound of a trumpet. His angels will gather together
His elect from the four winds and from one end of heaven to the other.

Now learn a parable about the fig tree. When its branch is yet tender
and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So, likewise, when
you see all these things, know what is near.

This generation shall not pass away until all these things are
fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not
pass away. But, of the day and the hour no man knows, no, not the
angels of heaven, but only my Father.

The coming of the Son of man shall be like in the days of Noah. Before
the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark. They knew nothing
until the flood came and took them all away. So, also, will be the
coming of the Son of man.

At that time, two shall be in the field. One shall be taken and the
other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill. One shall be taken
and the other left. Watch, for ye know not what hour your Lord comes.

Know this, If the good man of the house had known in what watch the
thief would come, he would have stood guard and not have suffered his
house to be broken into. Therefore, be ready. At an hour that ye think
the Son of man will not come, then He will come.

It is a faithful and wise servant who, his lord having given him charge
over the household, prepares the foods in due season. Blessed is that
servant who, when his lord arrives, shall find him doing so. He shall
make the servant ruler over all his goods.

It is an evil servant who says, My lord delays his coming so I shall
take advantage. He smites his fellowservants and eats and drinks until
drunken. The lord of that servant shall come in a day when the servant
does not expect him. At a time when the servant is unaware, he shall be
cut asunder and thrown out with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.

25        The kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten virgins who took
their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise.
Five were foolish. The foolish took their lamps but no extra oil with
them. The wise took oil in their vessels along with their lamps. While
the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered. At midnight there was a
cry, Behold, the bridegroom is coming. Go out to meet Him.

All the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the
wise, Give us some of your oil for our lamps are gone out. But the wise
answered, No, there will be not enough for us and you. Go to them that
sell oil and buy some.

While they went to buy the oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were
ready went in with him to the marriage and the door was shut. Much
later, the other virgins arrived and called, Lord, Lord, open the door
to us. But He answered and said, I do not know you. Watch, therefore,
for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes.

The kingdom of heaven is like a man who travels into a far country.
Before he leaves, he calls his servants and turns his goods over to
them. To one he gives five talents. To another he gives two talents. To
another he gives one. He gives to every man according to his ability.

The servant who received the five talents traded and made another five
talents. He who received two, gained another two. But the servant that
received one, dug a hole in the earth and hid his lord's money.

After a long time, the lord returned from his journey and reckoned with
his servants. He who received five talents came and brought another
five talents. He said, Lord, thou delivered five talents to me. Behold,
I have gained five more talents besides them. His lord said, Well done.
Thou has been faithful over a few things so I will make thee ruler over
many things. Enter into the joy of thy lord!

He who received two talents came and said, Lord, thou delivered to me
two talents. Behold, I have gained two more talents beside them. His
lord said, Well done. Thou has been faithful over a few things. I will
make thee ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of thy lord!

Then the servant who received the one talent came and said, Lord, I
know that thou art a hard man who reaps where he has not sown and
gathers where he has not toiled. I was afraid, so I hid thy talent in
the earth. Here, now thou has what is thine.

His lord cried, Thou wicked and slothful servant. Thou knew that I reap
where I sow not and gather where I do not toil. Thou ought to have, at
least, put my money out to the exchangers so, upon my return, I should
have received my own money with interest. Take the talent and give it
to the one who has ten talents.

To the one who uses his talent wisely, more shall be given, and he
shall have abundance. But to the one who does not, any talent he has
shall be taken away. The unprofitable servant shall be cast into outer
darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

When the Son of man comes with His holy angels, He shall sit upon the
throne of His glory. Before Him shall be gathered all nations. He shall
separate them one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from his
goats. He shall set the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on the
left.

Then the King shall say to those on His right, Come, ye blessed of my
Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the
world. For I was hungry and ye gave me food. I was thirsty and ye gave
me a drink. I was a stranger and ye took me in. I was naked and ye
clothed me. I was sick and ye visited me. I was in prison and ye came
to me.

Then the righteous shall ask Him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry and
feed thee? Or thirsty and gave thee drink? When did we see thee a
stranger and take thee in? Or naked and clothe thee? When did we see
thee sick, or in prison and come to thee? The King shall answer,
Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least
of my brethren, ye have done it to me.

Then He shall say to those on the left, Depart from me into the
everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry
and ye gave me no food. I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink. I was a
stranger and ye did not take me in. I was naked and ye did not clothe
me. I was sick and in prison and ye did not visit me.

Then they shall also ask Him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry or
thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and not
minister unto thee? He shall answer them, Inasmuch as ye did not do
these things to one of the least of my brethren, ye did not do it to
me. These shall go to everlasting punishment. And the righteous shall
have life eternal.

26       It came to pass, when Jesus finished instructing His
disciples, He said, The feast of the passover is in two days. The Son
of man will be betrayed and crucified.

The chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people held a meeting in
the palace of the high priest, Caiaphas. They discussed how they might
take Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they said, It cannot happen on
the feast day lest there be an uproar among the people.

Jesus was now in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. There He was
approached by a woman carrying an alabaster box containing very
precious ointment. She annointed His head as He sat at dinner. When His
disciples saw it they were indignant and said, To what purpose is this
waste? This ointment could have been sold for much and the money given
to the poor.

When Jesus overheard them He said, Why bother this woman? She has
wrought a good work upon me. The poor you have always to care for; but
you will not always have me. In annointing me, she prepared me for my
burial. Anywhere in the world this gospel is preached it will also be
told what this woman has done.

Then, one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests. He
asked, What will you give me if I will deliver Jesus to you? They
agreed on thirty pieces of silver and, from that time, Judas looked for
an opportunity to betray Him.

On the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to
Jesus and asked, Where shall we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
Jesus told them to go into the city to a certain man and tell him that
the Master says His time is at hand and that He will keep the passover
there with His disciples. Then the disciples did as Jesus told them and
they prepared the passover.

When it was evening, Jesus sat down with the twelve. While they ate, He
said, Verily, I say unto you, one of you will betray me. The disciples
heard this with great sorrow. They uttered, Lord, is it me? Jesus only
said, He who dips his hand in the dish with me will betray me.

It is written: Woe unto the one by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It
had been better for him if he had not been born. Then Judas, who
betrayed Him, asked, Master, is it me? Jesus turned to him and quietly
said, Thou has said right.

While they ate, Jesus took up the bread and blessed it. He then broke
it and gave it to the disciples saying, Take this and eat for this is
my body. Then He took the cup and gave thanks. He passed it to them
saying, Drink ye all from this for this is my blood of the new
testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins. I say unto
you, I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day
when I drink it with you in my Father's kingdom. Following the meal,
they sang hymns and went out into the mount of Olives.

Jesus said to the disciples, Ye shall all be offended this night
because of me for it is written: I will smite the shepherd, and the
sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But, after I am risen
again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Peter said to Him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, I
will never be offended. Jesus answered Peter, This night, before the
cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter replied, Though I should
die with thee, I will not deny thee. Then all the disciples said the
same.

Jesus took them into a place called Gethsemane and said, Sit here while
I go yonder to pray. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with
Him. He said to these three, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful and heavy
unto death. Stay here and watch with me.

He went off a little farther and fell on His face. Jesus prayed,
saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.
Nevertheless, be it not as I will, but as Thou wilt.

Then He went to the three disciples and found them asleep. He said to
Peter, Could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray so ye do not
give in to this temptation again because, while the spirit may be
willing, the flesh is weak.

He went away a second time and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup
may not pass away from me unless I drink it, then Thy will be done.
Returning to the three, He, again, found that they had been asleep for
their eyes were heavy. He left them and went to pray a third time,
saying the same words.

When Jesus went back to all the disciples He said, Behold, the hour is
at hand. The Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. The one
who betrays me is at hand.

While He spoke, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came with a great
multitude. They were armed with swords and staves from the chief
priests and elders of the people. Judas had agreed on a sign saying,
Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He. Hold Him fast. Judas
approached Jesus, greeted Him; then kissed Him. Jesus said to him,
Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then they came and took hold of Jesus.

Behold, one who was with Jesus drew his sword, and, striking out at one
of the high priest's servants, smote off his ear. Jesus said to him,
Put thy sword back into its place. All who take to the sword shall
perish by the sword. Think thou that I cannot pray to my Father and He
shall give me more than twelve legions of angels? But, then, how shall
the scriptures be fulfilled that this is the way it must be?

Jesus said to this multitude, Do ye come at me as against a thief with
swords and staves to take me? Daily I sat with you teaching in the
temple and ye did not lay hold of me. This was done so the scriptures
of the prophets might be fulfilled.

When they took hold of Jesus, all the disciples left Him and fled. They
led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest where the scribes and elders
were assembled. But Peter followed far behind to the high priest's
palace. He went in and sat with the servants.

The chief priests, elders, and all the council sought false witness
against Jesus in order to put Him to death. At last, two false
witnesses came and said, This one said He was able to destroy the
temple of God and build it up again in three days.

The high priest arose and said to Jesus, Answerest thou nothing? What
is it that they witness against thee? But Jesus said nothing. Then the
high priest said to Him, I adjure thee, by the living God, tell us
whether thou are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus replied, Thou has
said so. I say unto you, hereafter, ye shall see the Son of man sitting
on the right hand of power and appearing in the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest cried, He has spoken blasphemy. What further need
have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy. What
think ye? They answered, He is guilty of death. Then they spit in His
face. Others struck Him with the palms of their hands and said,
Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that struck thee?

During this, Peter sat outside the palace. A damsel came up to him and
said, Thou also was with Jesus of Galilee. But Peter denied this and he
went out on the porch. Another maid saw him and said to the others
standing there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. Peter
denied this with an oath and said, I do not know the man.

Later, one of the bystanders came up to Peter and said, Surely, by thy
voice I know thou art one of them. Peter began to curse and swear and
said, I know not the man. Then the cock crowed. Peter remembered the
words of Jesus to him: Before the cock crows, thou shall deny me
thrice. He went out and wept bitterly.

27        The next morning all the chief priests and elders met
concerning Jesus. They agreed to put Him to death. They bound Him, led
Him away, and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

When Judas realized that Jesus was condemned, he repented. He took the
thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests and elders. He said,
I have sinned. I have betrayed the innocent. They retorted, What is
that to us? So Judas cast down the pieces of silver in the temple.
Immediately he went out and hung himself.

At the same time, the chief priests took up the silver pieces and said,
It is not lawful to put this into the treasury because it is blood
money. After they took counsel, they bought the potter's field for the
burial of strangers, which became known as The Field of Blood. The
prophecy of Jeremy was fulfilled: They took the thirty pieces of
silver, the price for Him that was valued of the children of Israel,
and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed.

Jesus now stood before Pilate, the governor. Pilate asked Him, Art thou
the King of the Jews? Jesus replied, Thou sayest so. When Jesus was
accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then
Pilate asked Him, Hearest thou the things they witness against thee?
Jesus said never a word. At this the governor marvelled greatly.

The custom at the passover feast was for the governor to release a
prisoner of the people's choosing. A notable prisoner named Barabbas
was in the prison. Therefore, when the people were gathered together,
Pilate said, Whom will ye that I release, Barabbas or Jesus, who is
called Christ?

While he was seated on the judgment seat, Pilate's wife sent a message
to him that said, Have nothing to do with that just man. Today I have
suffered many things in a dream because of Him. But the chief priests
and elders persuaded the multitude to choose Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

When Pilate, the governor, asked which of the two they chose they said,
Barabbas. Pilate asked, What shall I do then with Jesus who is called
Christ? They all said, Let Him be crucified.

The governor asked, Why, what evil has He done? But they cried out the
more and shouted, Let Him be crucified. Pilate realized he could not
prevail without making a tumult among the people. So he took water,
washed his hands before the multitude, and said, I am innocent of the
blood of this just person. See ye to it. The people said, His blood be
on us, and on our children. Then Pilate released Barabbas. He had Jesus
scourged and delivered Him to be crucified.

Pilate's soldiers took Jesus into the common hall where the whole band
of soldiers gathered around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet
robe on Him. They platted a crown of thorns and put it on His head.
Then they put a reed in His right hand. Bowing down, they mocked Him
saying, Hail, King of the Jews! They spit on Him, took the reed, and
struck Him on the head. As they were leading Him away to be crucified,
they found a man from Cyrene, Simon by name, and compelled him to carry
the cross for Jesus.

They took Him to a place called Golgotha, or the place of a skull.
There they gave Him vinegar to drink mixed with gall. When Jesus tasted
it, He would not drink it. They crucified Him and parted out His
garments by casting lots. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled: They parted
my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Then
the soldiers placed a written accusation over His head. It read: This
Is Jesus, The King Of The Jews.

Two thieves were crucified alongside Jesus, one on His right hand and
the other on His left. As people passed by they reviled Him and called
out: Thou that destroys the temple and builds it again in three days,
save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

The chief priests, along with the scribes and elders, mocked Him. They
said, He saved others but He cannot save Himself. If He is the King of
Israel, let Him come down from the cross and we will believe Him. He
trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now, if God will have Him, for He
said, I am the Son of God.

From the sixth until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the
land. At about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli,
lama sabachthani? My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

When some of those standing by heard this, they said, This man calls
for Elias. Presently, one of them ran to get a sponge. He filled it
with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to Jesus to drink. The rest
said, Leave it alone. Let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.
Then Jesus cried again in a loud voice and yielded Himself up.

Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The
earth shook and the rocks split apart. Graves were opened. The bodies
of many saints who slept rose up and, after His resurrection, went into
the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurions who were
watching Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that were done, they
became afraid and said, Truly this was the Son of God.

Many of the women who followed Jesus of Galilee and ministered to Him
were there looking on. Among them was Mary Magdalene; another Mary; and
the mother of Zebedee's children. When evening came, a rich man of
Arimathaea, named Joseph, who was also Jesus' disciple arrived. He went
to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth
and laid it in his own new tomb which was hewn out of rock. He rolled a
great stone across the door of the sepulchre and departed. Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary sat alongside the sepulchre.

The next day following the day of the preparation, the chief priests
and Pharisees went to Pilate and said, Sir, that deceiver, while he was
yet alive, said that, in three days, He would rise up again. Command
that the sepulchre be made secure until the third day lest His
disciples come by night, steal Him away, and tell the people that He is
risen from the dead. Then the last error will be worse than the first.

Pilate said to them, Ye have a watch. Go your way. Make it as secure as
ye can. The chief priests and the Pharisees went and made the sepulchre
secure by sealing the stone and setting guards to watch.

28        After the sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre. Behold, there
was a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven,
came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His
countenance was like lightning with raiment white as snow. The guards
shook with fear of Him and became as dead men.

The angel said to the women, Fear not for I know that ye seek Jesus who
was crucified. He is not here for, as He said, He is risen. Come, see
the place where the Lord lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples
that He is risen from the dead. Behold, He goes before you into
Galilee. There ye shall see Him. Lo, I have told you.

The women quickly left the sepulchre filled with both fear and great
joy. They ran to bring word to Jesus' disciples. As they went along
Jesus met them and greeted them. They went to Him, held Him by the
feet, and worshipped Him. Then Jesus said to them, Be not afraid. Go
and tell my brethren to go into Galilee and there they shall see me.

Some of the guards on watch went into the city and told the chief
priests the things that were done. After an assembly of the elders the
soldiers were offered a large amount of money to say that Jesus'
disciples came by night and stole Him away while they slept. The
soldiers were assured they would be protected if this came to the
governor's ears. They took the money and did as they were told. This
report is common among the Jews until this day.

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain appointed by
Jesus. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. Jesus came to them and
said, All power is given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and teach all
nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit. Teach them to observe all the things I have commanded
you.

I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Amen.

---------

The Gospel of Mark


1.        The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger who shall
prepare the way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. John did baptize
in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the
remission of sins. After confessing their sins many from the land of
Judaea and from Jerusalem were baptized by him in the river of Jordan.

John was clothed with camel's hair and wore animal hides around his
loins and he ate locusts and wild honey. He preached, saying, There
comes one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy
to stoop down and unloose. I have baptized you with water but He shall
baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of
Galilee and was baptized by John in the river of Jordan. Immediately,
upon His coming up out of the water, John saw the heavens open and the
Spirit, like a dove, descend upon Him. And there came a voice from
heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.

The spirit drove Him into the wilderness. There, among wild beasts, He
was tempted by Satan for forty days. Then the angels ministered to Him.
Now, after that, John was put in prison and Jesus came into Galilee. He
began preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying, The time
is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the
gospel.

He walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, his brother,
casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to
them, Come ye after me and I will make you fishers of men. Immediately
they left their nets and followed Him.

When He had gone on a little farther, He saw James, the son of Zebedee,
and John, his brother, in a boat mending their nets. Jesus called them.
They immediately left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired
servants and went after Him.

They went into Capernaum. On the sabbath day He entered the synagogue
and taught. And they were astonished at His doctrine for He taught them
as one with authority and not as the scribes. And in their synagogue
there was a man with an unclean spirit. He cried out and said, Let us
alone. What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come
to destroy us? I know who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus
rebuked him and said, Hold thy peace and come out of him. And when the
unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out
of him.

The people were amazed, so much so that they questioned among
themselves, saying, What is this? What new doctrine is this? He even
commands with authority the unclean spirits and they obey Him.
Immediately His fame spread throughout the region around Galilee.

After they left the synagogue, they went to the house of Simon and
Andrew. Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and presently they
told Jesus about her. He came and took her by the hand. Then He lifted
her up and, immediately, the fever left her. And she, then, ministered
to them.

That evening around sunset, many people were brought to Him who were
diseased and some who were possessed with devils. And all the city
gathered together at the door. Jesus healed many that were sick of
divers diseases. He cast out many devils and did not allow the devils
to speak because they knew Him.

The next morning, rising before dawn, He went to a solitary place to
pray. Simon and those who were with him followed. When they found Him,
they said, All men seek for thee. And Jesus said to them, Let us go on
to the next towns that I may preach there also: for therefore came I
forth.

And Jesus preached in the synagogues throughout Galilee, and cast out
devils. There came to Him a leper. Kneeling down and beseeching Him,
the leper said, If thou wilt, thou can make me clean. Jesus was moved
with compassion. He put out His hand, touched him, and said, I will. Be
thou clean.

And, as soon as He had spoken, the leprosy departed and the man was
cleansed. Jesus directly charged him to say nothing to any man. Jesus
said, Go thy way. Show thyself to the priest and offer for thy
cleansing those things which Moses commanded for a testimony to them.

But he went out and began to broadcast the matter. He said so much that
Jesus could no more openly enter the city but had to stay out in desert
places. And they came to Him from every quarter.

2        After some days Jesus entered Capernaum again and His arrival
was widely announced. The people knew that He returned to the house.
And, immediately, many gathered, so much that there was no room to
receive them, no, not so much as outside the door. Jesus preached the
word to them.

There came to Him one sick with palsy who was carried by four others.
When they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they uncovered
the roof above where Jesus stood. Having broken through, they lowered
down the bed wherein the sick man lay. When Jesus saw their faith, He
said to the sick man, Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.

There were certain of the scribes sitting there. They wondered, Why
does this man speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?
When Jesus realized that they so reasoned, He said to them, Why reason
ye these things in your hearts? Whether it is easier to say to the sick
man, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or, Arise. Take up thy bed and walk?

So that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive
sins, (Jesus turned to the sick man and said,) I say to thee, Arise.
Take up thy bed and go thy way to thine own house. At that moment, he
arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all. They were
amazed. They glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this.

Jesus went to the seaside again and the multitude gathered around Him,
and He taught them. Later, He saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at
the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. And he arose and
followed Him.

And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at supper in Levi's house, many
publicans and sinners also joined together with Jesus and His
disciples. There now were many who followed Him. And when the scribes
and Pharisees saw Him eating with publicans and sinners, they asked His
disciples, How is it that He eats and drinks with publicans and
sinners? When Jesus heard this, He said to them, Those who are whole
have no need of a physician, only those who are sick. I came not to
call the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance.

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees came to Jesus and asked, Why
do the disciples of John and the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples do
not? And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast
while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom
with them, they cannot fast. But the day will come, when the bridegroom
shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast.

No man sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece
that filled it up takes away from the old and the rent is made worse.
And no man puts new wine into old bottles: else the new wine bursts the
bottles, the wine is spilled, and the bottles are marred. New wine must
be put into new bottles.

And it came to pass, that He went through the corn fields on the
sabbath day; and His disciples began to pluck the ears of corn as they
went along. The Pharisees said to Him, Behold, why do they do that
which is not lawful on the sabbath day? And Jesus responded, Have ye
never read what David, and they that were with him, did when they had
need and were hungry? How he went into the house of God in the days of
Abiathar, the high priest, and ate the showbread? How this was only
lawful for the priests to eat? And how David also gave it to those who
were with him? Then Jesus said to them, The sabbath was made for man,
and not man for the sabbath; therefore, the Son of man is Lord of the
sabbath also.

3        Then Jesus entered the synagogue again. Inside was a man with
a withered hand. They watched to see if Jesus would heal him on the
sabbath day so they might accuse Him. And Jesus said to the man with
the withered hand, Step Forward. Then Jesus said to them, Is it lawful
to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to
kill? But they remained silent.

Jesus looked at them with anger and was grieved for the hardness of
their hearts. He said to the man, Stretch forth thy hand. As the man
stretched it out, his hand was restored as whole as his other hand.

The Pharisees left and immediately took counsel with the Herodians
about how they might get rid of Him. But Jesus withdrew with His
disciples to the sea. A great multitude from Galilee, Judaea,
Jerusalem, Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan, and those around Tyre and
Sidon came to Him when they heard all the things He did.

Jesus told His disciples He needed to get out into a small boat lest
the multitude should throng Him. For He had healed many and many who
had plagues now pressed upon Him just to touch Him. Unclean spirits,
when they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried, Thou art the Son of
God. Jesus directly charged them that they should not make Him known.

Then Jesus went up into a mountain. He called to whom He would and they
came to Him. Here He ordained twelve to be with Him, and that He might
send forth to preach, to heal sickness, and to cast out devils. Then He
took these twelve into a house: Simon surnamed Peter; James, the son of
Zebedee, John, the brother of James (He named them Boanerges, which is,
The sons of thunder); Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas;
James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite; and Judas
Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

Then the multitude came again so that they could not eat bread
undisturbed. When His friends heard about this, they lay hold of Him
and said, This is too much. And the scribes who came down from
Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and, by the prince of the devils, He
casts out devils.

Jesus called them to Him and said, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if
a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if
a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if
Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand and is
finished. Nor can a man enter into a strong man's house and spoil his
goods unless he first binds up the strong man so he can then spoil his
house.

Verily I say to you, All sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and
blasphemies also, however they blaspheme. But he that blasphemes
against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is in danger
of eternal damnation. He said this because they said, He has an unclean
spirit.

His brethren and His mother came and, standing outside, they called for
Him. The multitude that sat around Him said, Behold, thy mother and thy
brethren are outside and seek for thee. Jesus answered, Who is my
mother, or my brethren? Then He looked around on those who sat about
Him and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren! Whosoever shall do the
will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

4        Later, as Jesus was again by the seaside, there gathered a
great multitude. He entered into a boat and began to address the large
crowd on shore. He taught them many things by parables. Jesus began,
Hearken. Behold, there went out a sower of seeds. It came to pass, as
he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside. The fowls of the air came and
devoured it. Some seed fell on stony ground where there was no good
soil. It sprang up quickly. But, because it had no roots, it was
scorched by the sunlight and withered away.

Some seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked it, and it
yielded no fruit. Other seed fell on good ground. This did yield fruit
that sprang up and increased; and brought forth some thirty, some
sixty, and some a hundredfold. And Jesus finished by saying, He that
has ears to hear, let him hear.

After this, when the twelve were alone with Jesus, they asked Him about
the parable and why He told the people a parable. Jesus said to them,
To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But, to
those who are without, the teachings are in parables: That seeing they
may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not
understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins
should be forgiven them.

And Jesus said to them, Know ye not this parable? The sower sows the
word. And these are the people by the wayside, where the word is sown.
When they have heard, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word
that was sown in their hearts.

And these are likewise those who are sown on stony ground. When they
have heard the word, they receive it with gladness. But they have no
root and endure only for a while. When affliction or persecution arises
for the word's sake, they are offended.

And these are also the seed sown among the thorns of the cares of this
world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things. All
these thorns enter in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And,
finally, are those who are sown on good ground. In hearing the word,
they receive it and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and
some a hundredfold.

Then Jesus said, Is a candle lighted to be put under a bushel, or under
a bed instead of set on a candlestick? You see, if there is nothing
hidden which shall not be manifested, then there is nothing kept
secret, which shall not be uncovered. If any man has ears to hear, let
him hear.

And He said to them, Take heed what ye hear. With what measure ye mete,
it shall be measured to you. And to you that hear, more shall be given.
For he that has, to him shall be given. He that has not, from him shall
be taken away even that which he has.

Then Jesus said, Such is the kingdom of God like a man who casts seed
into the ground. He passes nights and days, and the seed springs up and
grows, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself;
first the blade, then the ear, and, after that, the full ear of corn.
When the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts the sickle to it because
the harvest is come.

And He said, Whereto shall we liken the kingdom of God? With what shall
we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is
sown in the earth, it is less than all the seeds on earth. But when it
is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all. It shoots out
branches so great that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow
of it. To those without, Jesus spoke in parables. He explained all
these things to His disciples when they were alone.

That evening, Jesus told His disciples that they should cross over to
the other side. And when they sent away the multitude, they took Him
even as He was in the boat. There were also other little ships. And
there arose a great storm. Wind and waves beat into the boat and it was
now full of water. Jesus was in the back part of the boat, asleep on a
pillow. They woke Him and said, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Then Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be
still.

The wind ceased and there was a great calm. Jesus said to them, Why are
ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? Then those nearby said
one to another, What kind of man is this that even the wind and the sea
obey?

5        They arrived on the other side of the sea, into the country of
the Gadarenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, He was immediately met
by a man who came out of his dwelling place in the tombs. The man had
an unclean spirit and no man could bind him. Whenever he had been bound
with fetters and chains, he plucked the chains asunder and broke the
fetters in pieces. No one could tame him and night and day he was in
the mountains or in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

Yet, when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped Him. The man
cried with a loud voice, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son
of the most high God? I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not.
Jesus turned to the man saying, Come out of the man, thou unclean
spirit. Then Jesus asked, What is thy name? The man answered, My name
is Legion: for we are many. And he besought Jesus that he not send them
away out of the country.

Nearby, in the mountains, there was a great herd of swine feeding. The
devils, in one voice, said, Send us to those swine that we may enter
into them. Right away, Jesus gave them leave. The unclean spirits left
the man and entered into the swine. The herd ran violently down a steep
slope into the sea and drowned (there were about two thousand).

The swine tenders fled and told it in the city and in the country. The
people went out to see what was done. When they approached Jesus, they
saw the man that was possessed with the devil and had the legion,
sitting, clothed, and in his right mind. The people became fearful.
Those who saw it told the others how it befell the man who was
possessed, and also told about the swine. The people then begged Jesus
to leave their coasts.

When He returned to the boat, the man who had been possessed prayed
Jesus to let him stay with Him. Howbeit, Jesus suffered him not but
said, Go home to thy friends. Tell them the great things the Lord has
done for thee, and tell them He has had compassion on thee. Then the
man departed and began to tell all in Decapolis the great things Jesus
had done for him. Then all men did marvel.

After Jesus crossed again by boat to the other side, many people
gathered to Him. And, behold, there came one of the rulers of the
synagogue, Jairus by name. When he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet and
besought Him saying, My little daughter is at the point of death. I
pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her that she may be healed and
shall live. Jesus went with him and the people followed and thronged
Him.

In the crowd was a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years.
She had been to many physicians, spent all that she had, and nothing
was bettered, but, instead, grew worse. She had heard of Jesus and,
pressing through the crowd, she came up behind Him and touched His
garment. She said, If I may but touch His clothes, I shall be whole.
After she did this the fountain of her blood was dried up and she felt
in her body that she was healed.

Presently, Jesus, knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him,
turned about and said, Who touched my clothes? His disciples said, Thou
seest the multitude thronging thee and ask Who touched me? Then Jesus
spotted her who had done this thing. The woman, in fear and trembling,
but knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him and
spoke the truth. He said to her, Daughter, thy faith has made thee
whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

While He yet spoke, messengers came from the ruler of the synagogue's
house and announced, Thy daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any
further? As soon as Jesus heard the message, He said to the ruler of
the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. Jesus allowed no one to
follow Him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When
they got to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, Jesus saw the
tumult and many weeping and wailing.

Inside the house Jesus said to them, Why make this commotion and weep?
The damsel is not dead, but sleeps. They laughed Him to scorn. But when
He had put them all out, He took the father and mother of the damsel
and those who were with Him and entered where she was lying. Then Jesus
took her by the hand and said, Talitha cumi; Damsel, I say to thee,
arise.

Immediately the damsel, who was twelve years old, arose and walked.
They were astonished and Jesus charged them directly that they should
tell no one. Then He said that she should be given something to eat.

6        And He went, followed by His disciples, into His own country.
On the sabbath day, He began to teach in the synagogue. Many local
people heard the sayings of Jesus and were astonished. They asked, From
whence has this man learned these things? What wisdom is this that is
given to Him that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands? Is
this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James,
Joses, Juda, and Simon? Are His sisters not right here among us? Thus,
they were offended at Him. And Jesus said, A prophet is without honour
in his own country, among his own kin, and in his own house.

Jesus went there to do mighty works. He marvelled at their unbelief
and, because of this, could do little but lay His hands upon and heal a
few of the sick and teach in the villages around the area.

In a little while, Jesus called to Him the twelve to begin to go forth
by two and two. He gave them power over unclean spirits. He told them
that they should take nothing for their journey except a staff; no
scrip, no bread, no money in their purse. He instructed them to be shod
with only sandals; and not put on two coats.

He said to them, In what place soever ye enter into a house, abide
there until ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive
you, nor hear you, when ye leave there, shake off the dust from your
feet as a testimony against them. Verily I say to you, It shall be more
tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment than for that
place. The disciples went out and preached that men should repent. They
cast out many devils, anointed many sick people with oil, and healed
many of them.

King Herod heard of Him (for His name was spread abroad) and said that
John the Baptist was risen from the dead and, therefore, mighty works
were shown forth in him. Others said, It is Elias. And others said, It
is one of the prophets. But when Herod heard all this he said, It is
John whom I beheaded. He is risen from the dead.

Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold of John. He had him bound
and imprisoned for Herodias, his brother Philip's wife's sake whom
Herod had married. John told Herod that it was not lawful for him to
have his brother's wife. Herodias, therefore, held this against John
and wanted him killed. Herod, however, feared John and knew he was a
just and holy man. Herod saw and heard John many times and heard him
gladly.

Then Herod, on his birthday, made a supper for his lords, high
captains, and chief estates of Galilee. The daughter of Herodias came
and danced. Herod and those who sat with him were pleased. The king
said to the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt and I will give it
thee. He swore to her that whatever she should ask of him, he would
give her even up to half of his kingdom. She went to her mother,
Herodias, and said, What shall I ask? Her mother said, The head of John
the Baptist. Then she hurried back to the king and said, I will that
thou give me the head of John the Baptist on a charger.

The king was exceedingly sorry. Yet for his oath's sake, and for the
sake of those who sat with him, he would not reject her. The king sent
for an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. The
executioner went and beheaded John in the prison. He brought his head
on a charger and gave it to the damsel. Then the damsel gave it to her
mother. When his disciples heard of this, they came and took up his
corpse and laid it in a tomb.

The apostles gathered together, went to Jesus, and told him all things,
what they had done and what they had taught. Then Jesus said to them,
Come ye away into a desert place and rest a while. They had been coming
and going and had no time even to eat. Thus they departed into a desert
place, going privately by boat. But the people saw them departing,
outran them, and came together to Him.

Jesus saw the multitude that had gathered and was moved with compassion
toward them because they were as sheep without a shepherd. He began to
teach them. And when the day was far spent, His disciples came to Him
and said, This is a desert place and it is very late. Send them away so
they may go into the country and into the villages to buy themselves
bread for they have nothing to eat.

Jesus answered, Give ye them to eat. And they said, Shall we go and buy
two hundred pennyworth of bread and give it to them to eat? He asked
them, How many loaves have ye? Go and see. They came back and told Him,
Five, and two fish.

Jesus commanded them to make all the people sit down in groups upon the
green grass. They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. Then,
when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to
heaven and blessed it. He broke the loaves and gave them to His
disciples to set before them all. And He divided the two fish among
them. They all ate and were filled. After, they took up twelve baskets
full of the fragments of bread and fish. Those who ate of the loaves
were about five thousand men.

And immediately He instructed His disciples to get into the boat and go
to the other side to Bethsaida while He sent the people away and He
departed into a mountain to pray. At evening time the boat was in the
midst of the sea. Jesus was alone on the land.

He looked out and saw them rowing with great difficulty for the wind
was contrary to them. At about the fourth watch of the night He came to
them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But, when
they saw Him walking upon the sea, they supposed it was a spirit. They
cried out and were troubled.

Immediately Jesus talked with them and said, Be of good cheer. It is I.
Be not afraid. And He went up to them in the boat. Then the wind ceased
and they were amazed beyond measure. They wondered and did not even
remember the miracle of the loaves for their hearts were hardened.

They reached the other shore and came into the land of Gennesaret. As
they drew into shore and got out of the boat, the people immediately
recognized Jesus. After they ran to all the area around the region,
many arrived carrying in beds those that were sick. And wheresoever He
entered into villages or cities or country, they laid the sick in the
streets and besought Him to allow the sick to touch but the border of
His garment. And as many as touched Him, He made them whole.

7        Pharisees and some scribes from Jerusalem observed that some
of His disciples ate bread with unwashed hands. They found fault with
this defilement for the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless
they wash their hands, holding the tradition of the elders along with
the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the
Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Why do thy disciples not walk
according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed
hands?

Jesus answered, Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites. It is
written, This people honor me with their lips but their heart is far
from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men. In laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold
the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups and many other
things that ye do. And He said to them, Full well ye reject the
commandment of God in order to keep your own tradition.

Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother and, whoso curses father
or mother, let him die. But ye say, If a man says to his father or
mother, It is Corban, a gift, by whatsoever thou might be gained by me;
he shall be free. Ye allow him to do nothing for his father or mother
and make the word of God worthless through your tradition and many
other things like this.

Then He called all the people to Him and said, Hearken to me every one
of you. Understand that there is nothing from outside a man that,
entering into him, can defile him; but the things which come out of him
are those that defile the man. If any man has ears to hear, let him
hear.

After He went into the house, His disciples asked Him about the
parable. Jesus replied, Are ye without understanding also? Do ye not
perceive that whatsoever thing from without enters into the man it
cannot defile him because it enters not into his heart, but into the
belly and goes out into the draught, purging all meats? But that which
comes out of the man is what defiles him. It is from inside, out of the
heart of men, that proceed: evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications,
murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an
evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come
from within and defile the man.

From there He arose and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He
entered into a house and would have no man know it. But He could not be
hid for a certain woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit had
heard of Him. She found Him and came and fell at His feet. The woman
was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought Him to cast
forth the devil from her daughter.

But Jesus said to her, Let the children first be filled. It is not fit
to take the child's bread and cast it to the dogs. She answered, Yes,
Lord. Yet the dogs under the table eat the child's crumbs. Jesus then
said to her, For saying this, go thy way. The devil is gone from thy
daughter. When she returned home she found her daughter at rest upon
the bed and the devils cast out.

Upon leaving the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, He came to the sea of
Galilee through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. Here they brought
a man that was deaf and had a speech impediment. They besought Him to
put His hand upon him. Jesus took the man apart from the multitude and
put His fingers into the man's ears. Looking up to heaven, He sighed
and said, Ephphatha, Be opened.

Immediately the man's ears were opened. His tongue was loosed and he
spoke plain. Then Jesus charged those present to tell no man. However,
the more He charged them, the more they published it saying, He has
done all things well. He makes the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

8        Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, I have compassion
on the multitude because they have been with me three days and they
have nothing to eat. If I send them away to their own houses fasting,
they will faint by the way. Many of them came from afar. His disciples
answered Him, How can these men be supplied with bread here in the
wilderness? Jesus asked them, How many loaves have ye? They answered,
Seven.

Then Jesus told the people to sit down on the ground. He took the seven
loaves and gave thanks. He broke the loaves and gave them to His
disciples. Then His disciples set them before the people. They also had
a few small fish which Jesus blessed and told the disciples to set them
also before the people. So they did eat and were filled. After this the
disciples took up the broken fragments and filled seven baskets. The
number of those who had eaten was about four thousand.

After Jesus sent the multitude on their way, He immediately got into a
boat with His disciples and came into Dalmanutha. Here the Pharisees
came forth and began to question Him, seeking of Him a sign from
heaven, and testing Him. To this Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and
said, Why does this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say to you,
There shall be no sign given to this generation. Then He left them and
departed again by boat to the other side.

Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread. They had no more
than one loaf in the boat with them. Jesus uttered, Take heed. Beware
of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. The disciples
reasoned among themselves and said, It is because we have no bread.

When Jesus realized their misunderstanding, He said to them, Why reason
ye because ye have no bread? Perceive ye not or understand? Have ye
still hardened hearts? Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears, hear
ye not? And do ye not remember when I broke the five loaves among five
thousand and how many baskets full of fragments ye took up? And do ye
not remember the seven loaves among four thousand and how many baskets
full of fragments ye took up? After they recalled the numbers and told
Him, Jesus said, Then how can it be that ye do not understand?

At Bethsaida some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and besought Him
to touch the man. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of
the town. When He had spit on the man's eyes and put His hands upon
him, Jesus asked the man if he saw anything. The man looked up and
said, I see men as trees, walking. After that Jesus put His hands again
upon his eyes then made him look up. Now he was restored and saw every
man clearly. Jesus sent him away to his house saying, Neither go into
the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

Jesus and His disciples went out into the towns of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way He asked His disciples, Who do men say that I am? They
answered, Some say John the Baptist, but some say Elias, and others say
one of the prophets. Then Jesus said to them, But who do you say that I
am? Peter answered, Thou art the Christ. Jesus charged them to tell no
man of Him. Then He began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer
many things; that He must be rejected by the elders, the chief priests,
and scribes; and that He must be killed and, after three days, rise
again.

Jesus said all this very openly to His disciples. Then Peter took Him
aside and began to rebuke Him. But Jesus turned around, looked at His
disciples, and rebuked Peter saying, Get behind me, Satan. Thou savor
not the things of God, but the things of men.

Now, along with His disciples, He called the people to Him also and
said, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up
his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose
it. Whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the
same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain
the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in
exchange for his soul?

Whosoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this
adulterous and sinful generation; the Son of man shall be ashamed of
him also when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.
Verily I say to you, There are some who stand here who shall not taste
of death until they have seen the kingdom of God come into power.

9       After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John up into a high
mountain and there He was transfigured before them. His raiment became
shining and, exceeding the white of snow, such as nothing on earth
could be more white. And there appeared Elias and Moses. They were
talking with Jesus. Peter said, Master, it is good for us to be here.
Let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, one for Moses, and one for
Elias.

Peter did not know what else to say because they were afraid. But,
quickly, a cloud overshadowed them and a voice came out of the cloud
saying, This is my beloved Son. Hear Him.

Then, suddenly, when they looked around, they saw only Jesus. Coming
down from the mountain Jesus instructed them to tell no man what things
they had seen until the Son of man had risen from the dead.

Among themselves they questioned eachother about what the rising from
the dead could mean. Then they asked Him if it was not so what the
scribes said that Elias must come first?

Jesus answered them, Verily, Elias comes first and restores all things.
And it is also written that the Son of man must suffer many things and
be set at nought. However, I say to you, Elias is indeed come and they
have done to him exactly what was written.

As He approached the disciples, He saw a great multitude gathered about
them. And He saw that there were scribes questioning them. Then, when
they beheld Him, all the people were greatly amazed and immediately ran
to salute Him.

Jesus asked the scribes, Why question them? And one of the multitude
answered, Master, I have brought my son who has a dumb spirit. Wherever
he takes him he tears him. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth,
and wastes away. I spoke to thy disciples and they could not cast him
out. Jesus stepped forward and cried, O faithless generation, how long
shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him to me.

As soon as Jesus looked at him, the spirit immediately tore forth. The
boy fell on the ground wallowing in foam. Jesus asked the father when
this came upon the son. The man answered, As a child. Often it has cast
him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if thou can do
anything, have compassion on us and help us.

Jesus said to the man, If thou can believe, all things are possible to
him that believes. Immediately, with tears flowing, the father of the
child cried out, Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief.

Then Jesus rebuked the foul spirit and said, Thou dumb and deaf spirit,
I charge thee, come out of him. Enter into him no more. The spirit
cried, lashed out, and then came out of him. The boy lay so still that
many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, lifted him up
and he arose. After Jesus went inside, His disciples asked Him
privately, Why could we not cast him out? He said to them, This kind
can only come forth by prayer and fasting.

Then they departed and passed through Galilee without notice for He
taught His disciples and said, The Son of man is delivered into the
hands of men. They shall kill Him. After He is killed, He shall arise
on the third day.

They did not understand these words but were afraid to ask Him. Once
they got safely inside the house at Capernaum, Jesus asked them, What
was it that ye disputed among yourselves along the way?

They were silent because, on the way back, they had disputed who among
themselves should be the greatest. Jesus then sat down, called the
twelve, and said to them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall
be last of all and servant of all. Then He took a child and set him in
the midst of them. As He took the child in His arms, He said to them,
Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receives me.
And whosoever shall receive me, receives not me, but Him that sent me.

Then John said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, but
he does not follow us so we forbad him because he does not follow us.
But Jesus said, Forbid him not. There is no man who shall do a miracle
in my name that can lightly speak evil of me. He that is not against us
is on our part. Whosoever shall give to drink a cup of water in my
name, because ye belong to Christ, shall not lose his reward. And
whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it
is better for him that a millstone were hung around his neck, and he
were cast into the sea.

If thy hand offend thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter
into life maimed than to have two hands and go into hell where the worm
does not die and the fire is never quenched. And if thy foot offend
thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter halt into life than to
have two feet to be cast into hell where the worm does not die and the
fire is never quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out. It
is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than
to have two eyes to be cast into hell fire. For every one shall be
salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt
is good. But if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will ye season
it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

10        From there Jesus went into the coasts of Judaea by way of the
far side of Jordan. He was met by a large crowd who wanted to hear Him
speak and He taught them again.

The Pharisees came to Him, and, testing Him, asked, Is it lawful for a
man to put away his wife? In return, Jesus asked, What did Moses
command you?

They said, Moses suffered the writing of a bill of divorcement to put
her away. Jesus answered, Moses wrote this precept on account of the
hardness of your heart. But, from the beginning of the creation, God
made them male and female. For this cause a man shall leave his father
and mother, and cleave to his wife. The two shall be one flesh: so then
they are no more two, but one flesh. What, therefore, God has joined
together, let no man put asunder.

Later, in the house, His disciples asked Him again about this matter.
He said, Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another commits
adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband and be
married to another she commits adultery.

The people brought young children that He should touch them but His
disciples rebuked the people who brought them. Jesus was greatly
displeased and said to the disciples, Suffer the little children to
come to me. Forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as
a little child, shall not enter in. Jesus took them up in His arms, put
His hands upon them, and blessed them.

Along the road, a young man ran up to Jesus, knelt before Him and
asked, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus
said, Why call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. Thou
knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not
steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and
mother.

The young man replied, Master, all these I have observed from my youth.
Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, You lack one
thing: Go and sell whatever thou has and give the proceeds to the poor.
Thou shall have treasure in heaven. Then come, take up the cross, and
follow me. Upon hearing this the young man was sad and went away
grieving because he had many possessions.

Then Jesus turned to His disciples and said, How hard it shall be for
those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God! The disciples
were astonished at His words. Jesus said to them, Children, how hard is
it for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It
is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a
rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

The disciples were astonished beyond measure, saying among themselves,
Who, then, can be saved? Jesus, looking upon them, said, With men it is
impossible, but not with God. With God all things are possible.

Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. Jesus
answered, Anyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the
gospel's, shall receive a hundredfold now and in eternal life. But many
that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Jesus led them to Jerusalem and, along the way, began to tell them the
things that would happen to Him. He said, In Jerusalem the Son of man
shall be delivered to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn
Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles. They will mock Him
and scourge Him. They will spit on Him. And they will kill him. On the
third day He shall rise again.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him and said, Master, we
have a desire to tell you about. Jesus said to them, What should I do
for you? They said, Grant that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and
the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. Jesus answered, Ye know not
what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? Can ye be
baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to Him, We
can.

Jesus said, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of. Ye shall
be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. But to sit on my
right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give. It shall be given
to them for whom it is prepared.

When the other ten disciples heard this, they became greatly displeased
with James and John. Jesus called them and said, Ye know that those who
are appointed to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them and
their great ones heavily influence them. But it shall not be like this
among you. Whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister.
Whosoever will be your master shall be servant to all. Even the Son of
man came not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give His life
as a ransom for many.

They came to Jericho. As Jesus passed through Jericho with His
disciples, many, including blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat
begging by the side of the highway. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of
Nazareth was going by, he began to cry out, Jesus, thou son of David,
have mercy on me. Many told him to be silent, but he cried the more,
Thou son of David, have mercy on me. Jesus stood still. Then He called
the blind man to Him and said, Be of good comfort. Rise. I call thee.

Casting away his garment, he rose up and went to Jesus. He said to the
man, What shall I do for thee? The blind man said, Lord, that I might
receive my sight. Jesus said to him, Go thy way. Thy faith has made
thee whole. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus.

11        They came near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany. At the
mount of Olives, He beckoned to two of His disciples and said, Go into
the village opposite here. As soon as ye enter it, ye shall find tied a
colt that has never been sat upon. Loose him and bring him here. If a
man asks why ye do this, say that the Lord has need of him; and
immediately he will send him.

They went to the village and found the colt tied outside the door in a
place where two ways met. As they untied him, a man said to them, What
are ye doing, loosing the colt? They said to him what Jesus commanded
and he let them go.

They brought the colt, cast their garments on him, and Jesus sat upon
him. Many people spread their garments in the way. Others cut branches
off the trees, and strewed them in the way. Those who went before, and
those that followed, cried, Hosanna. Blessed is He that comes in the
name of the Lord. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that
comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Jesus came into Jerusalem and went to the temple. When He had looked
around and upon all things, it drew on to the evening. He went out to
Bethany with the twelve. The next morning, coming back from Bethany,
Jesus was hungry. From a distance, He spotted a fig tree that might
offer something to eat. When He got to it, He found nothing but leaves
for it was not yet the time for figs. Jesus said to it, No man shall
eat the fruit of thee ever again. The disciples heard this.

They came to Jerusalem and Jesus went into the temple. He cast out
those who sold and bought in the temple. He overthrew the tables of the
moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. He would not allow
any man to carry any vessel through the temple. Jesus said to them all,
It is written: My house shall be called, by all nations, the house of
prayer but ye have made it a den of thieves.

The scribes and chief priests heard this and considered how they might
destroy Him. They feared Him because all the people were astonished at
His doctrine. When evening came, He went out of the city. The following
morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the
roots. Peter called to Jesus, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou
cursed. It is withered away. Jesus answered, Have faith in God.
Whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast
into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that
those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever
he says.

Whatever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,
and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have
anything against anyone, so that your Father which is in heaven may
also forgive you your trespasses. If ye do not forgive, neither will
your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

In Jerusalem, as He was walking in the temple, there came to Him the
chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. They questioned Him and
said, By what authority do thou do these things? Who gave thee this
authority to do these things?

Jesus answered, I will also ask you a question. If you answer me, I
will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of
John from heaven or of men? They discussed this among themselves and
said, If we say, From heaven; He will say, Why then did ye not believe
him? But if we shall say, Of men; we must face the people who
considered John a prophet. Finally, they answered and said to Jesus, We
cannot tell. Jesus then said, Neither do I tell you by what authority I
do these things.

12       He began to speak to them by parables. A man planted a
vineyard. He set a hedge around it. He dug a place for the winevat and
built a tower. The man let it out to husbandmen and went into a far
country. At the end of the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen
to collect the fruit of the vineyard.

The husbandmen caught and beat up the servant. They sent him away
empty. The man sent another servant. They cast stones and wounded this
servant in the head. They shamefully handled him and sent him away. The
man sent another and they killed him as well as many others; beating
some, and killing some. Finally, the man sent his only son whom he
loved very much. He reasoned, They will respect my son. But the
husbandmen said, This is the heir; come, let us kill him and the
inheritance shall be ours. They took the son, killed him, and cast him
out of the vineyard. What, then, shall the lord of the vineyard do? He
will come and destroy the husbandmen and let out the vineyard to others.

Have ye not read this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone of the whole foundation. This was the Lord's
doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

The chief priests and elders sought to lay hold of Jesus, but they
feared the people. They knew that He had spoken this parable about
them. When they left, they sent certain of the Pharisees and Herodians
to try to catch Jesus in His words. They asked, Master, we know that
thou art true, and regard not the person of men, but teach the way of
God. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or
shall we not give?

Jesus, knowing their hypocrisy, answered, Why test me? Whose image and
superscription is on a coin? They said, Caesar's. Jesus replied, Then
render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things
that are God's. They marvelled at Him.

Then came the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection. They asked,
Master, Moses wrote to us, If a man's brother dies and leaves his wife
behind him, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife
and raise up seed to his brother. Now there were seven brethren. The
first took a wife and, dying, left no seed. The second took her and,
dying, left no seed. The third brother likewise and this through all
seven brothers. The seven had her, and left no seed. Last of all the
woman died also. In the resurrection. when they shall rise, whose wife
shall she be since all the seven had her as wife.

Jesus answered, Ye err because ye know not the scriptures or the power
of God. When they rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given
in marriage. They are as the angels who are in heaven. And, as touching
on the dead and that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses,
how God spoke to him in the bush and said, I am the God of Abraham, and
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead,
but the God of the living. Ye, therefore, do greatly err.

One of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and
perceiving that Jesus had answered them well, asked, Which is the first
commandment of all?

Jesus answered, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel.
The Lord our God is one Lord. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy
strength. This is the first commandment. The second is, Thou shalt love
thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than
these.

The scribe said, Well, Master, thou has said the truth, for there is
one God, and there is no other but Him. To love Him with all the heart,
and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the
strength, and to love thy neighbour as thyself is worth more than all
of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus saw that he answered
discreetly. He said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.

After this no man dared ask Him any more questions. While He taught in
the temple, Jesus said, How can the scribes say that Christ is the son
of David? David himself said: The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my
right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. If David calls
him Lord; how is he, then, his son?

The common people heard Him gladly. He said to them in His teaching,
Beware of the scribes, who love to go in flowing robes, and love
salutations in the marketplace, and the best seats in the synagogues,
and the uppermost rooms at feasts. These same devour widows' houses,
and, for a pretence, make long prayers. They shall receive greater
damnation.

Jesus sat over against the treasury and watched how the people cast
money into it. Many that were rich cast in large amounts. Then a poor
widow walked up and put in two small coins. Jesus called His disciples
to Him and said, This poor widow has cast more in than all the rest
have cast into the treasury. They gave out of their abundance; but she
cast in what she had to live upon.

13        As He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said,
Master, see these stones and what buildings are here! Jesus answered,
See these great buildings? There shall not be one stone left upon
another and not one that shall not be thrown down.

Jesus sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple. Peter,
James, John, and Andrew went over to Him and asked, When shall these
things happen? What sign will there be when all these things will be
fulfilled? Jesus cautioned them and said, Take heed lest any man
deceive you. Many shall come in my name saying, I am Christ; and shall
deceive many.

When ye hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled, for such
things must needs be. But the end shall not be yet. First, nation shall
rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There shall be
earthquakes in divers places, and famines and crises. These are the
beginnings of sorrows.

But, take heed. They shall deliver you up to councils. In the
synagogues ye shall be beaten. Ye shall be brought before rulers and
kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. The gospel must first
be published among all nations.

When they lead you away and deliver you up, take no thought or plan
beforehand what ye shall speak. Whatever ye need to say shall be given
you in that hour, for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit.

In that time, brother shall betray brother even unto death; father
shall betray his son; and children shall rise up against their parents
and cause them to be put to death. Ye shall be hated by all men for my
name's sake. But he that shall endure to the end shall be saved.

When ye see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the
prophet, standing where it ought not (let him who reads understand),
then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains. Let him that is
on the housetop not go down into the house to take anything out of his
house. Let him that is in the field not turn back again to get his
garment. And woe to those who are with child. And pray that your flight
be not in the winter. Unless the Lord shortened those days, no flesh
would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He
has shortened the days. For in those days shall be affliction such as
was not seen from the beginning of God's creation to this time.

In the days after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, the moon
shall not give her light, the stars shall fall, and the powers in the
heavens shall be shaken. Then the Son of man will appear in the clouds
with great power and in glory. He shall send His angels, and shall
gather together His elect from the four winds and from the uttermost
part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

So if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, He is
there; do not believe him. False Christs and false prophets shall rise
and show signs and wonders to seduce, if it be possible, even the
elect. But take heed. I have warned you of these things.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and
puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is near. In the same way, when
ye see these things come to pass, know that it is near, as close as at
the door.

This generation shall not pass until all these things are done. Heaven
and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But, of
the day and the hour, no man knows, no, not the angels in heaven or the
Son, but the Father only knows. Take heed. Watch and pray. Ye know not
when the time is.

For the Son of Man is like a man taking a distant journey, who left his
house, and gave authority to his servants, assigned each his work, and
left the porter to watch. Therefore, ye watch also for ye know not when
the master of the house will come - during evening, or at midnight, or
at the break of dawn, or in daylight. Therefore, be alert lest, in His
coming suddenly, He find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all,
Watch.

14        The feast of the passover and of unleavened bread was in two
days. The chief priests and the scribes considered how they might take
Him by craft and put Him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day,
lest there be an uproar among the people.

Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. As He sat at
dinner, a woman came to Him carrying an alabaster box of very precious
ointment of spikenard. She broke the container and anointed Jesus' head
with the oil.

Some of the others at the table became indignant and said, Why was this
waste of the ointment made? It might have been sold for a great price
and the money given to the poor. And they murmured against her. But
Jesus said, Let her alone. Why trouble her? She has done a good work.
Ye have the poor with you always, and, whenever ye will, ye may do them
good; but me ye have not always. She has done what she could. She has
come beforehand to anoint my body for burying. Wheresoever this gospel
shall be preached throughout the world, this that she has done shall
also be told.

Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to arrange
to betray Jesus to them. They were glad to hear of his offer and
promised to give him money. Then Judas schemed about how he might
conveniently betray Him.

On the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover
lamb, His disciples said to Jesus, Where shall we go to prepare that
thou may eat the passover? He sent two of His disciples into the city.
He told them, There you shall meet a man bearing a pitcher of water.
Follow him. Wherever he shall go in, say to the good man of the house,
The Master wants to know where the guestchamber is where He shall eat
the passover with His disciples. This man will show you a large upper
room that is furnished and prepared. Make ready for us there.

The two disciples went into the city and found all as Jesus had said to
them. They made ready the passover. In the evening Jesus came with the
disciples. As they sat and ate, Jesus said, One of you who eats with me
shall betray me. They began to be sorrowful, and, one by one, ask Him,
Is it I? Is it I?

Jesus answered, It is one of the twelve that dips with me in the dish.
The Son of man indeed goes as it is written of Him: But woe to that man
by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Better were it for that man if he
had never been born.

As they ate, Jesus took bread and blessed it. He broke it and gave it
to them. He said, Take and eat. This is my body. Then He took the cup
and, when He had given thanks, He gave it to them. They all drank from
it. And He said to them, This is my blood of the new testament, which
is shed for many. I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine until
that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.

After they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Jesus said, Ye shall all be offended because of me this night for it is
written: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
But, after that, I am risen and I will go before you into Galilee.

Peter said, Although all shall be offended, I will not. Jesus said to
him, This day, even this night, before the cock crows twice, thou shall
deny me thrice. But Peter spoke the more vehemently, I will not deny
you in any way, even if it means I should die. Likewise, they all said
the same.

They came to a place named Gethsemane. Jesus said to His disciples, Sit
here while I go to pray. He took Peter and James and John with Him. He
said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful and heavy unto death.
Wait here and watch. Jesus went forward a little, and fell on the
ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from
Him. He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; take away
this cup from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt.

He came back and found them sleeping. Jesus said to Peter, Simon, why
do you sleep? Could you not watch one hour with me? Watch ye and pray
so you do not give in to temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the
flesh is weak.

Then Jesus went away a second time and prayed with the same words. When
He returned, He found them asleep again (for their eyes were heavy)
They did not know what to say to Him.

The third time, when He returned to them, Jesus said, It is enough. The
hour has come. The Son of man is now betrayed into the hands of
sinners. Rise up, let us go. The one who betrays me is at hand.

Immediately, while He yet spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. He
was with a great multitude who were armed with swords and staves, sent
from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. He that betrayed Jesus had
given them a signal, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He.
Take Him and lead Him away swiftly. Judas immediately went to Him and
said, Master, master; then kissed Him.

They laid their hands on Him, and took Him. One of them that stood by
drew a sword, smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Jesus said to them, Have ye come to take me with swords and staves as
against a thief? I was with you daily, teaching in the temple, and ye
did not take me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled. Then they all
left Him and fled. There followed Him a young man who had a linen cloth
cast about his naked body. When they grabbed him and laid hold of him,
he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

They led Jesus to the high priest. All the chief priests and the elders
and the scribes were assembled there. Peter, following from afar, went
to the palace of the high priest and sat with the servants who warmed
themselves at a fire.

The chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus
to put Him to death; but they found none. Many bore false witness
against Him, but their witness did not agree. Then there arose a
certain false witness who said, We heard Him say, I will destroy this
temple that is made with hands, and within three days, I will build
another made without hands. But this witness still did not agree with
the rest.

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, Answer thou nothing?
What is it that these witness against thee? Jesus held His peace and
answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, Art thou the Christ,
the Son of the Blessed? Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of
man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of
heaven.

Then the high priest called out, What need we of any further witnesses?
Ye have heard the blasphemy. What think ye? They all condemned Him to
be guilty of death. And some began to spit on Him, and to cover His
face, and to buffet Him, and to say to Him, Prophesy; and the servants
struck Him with the palms of their hands.

As Peter was outside, one of the maids of the high priest saw him
warming himself and said, Thou also was with Jesus of Nazareth. But he
denied and said, I do not know nor understand what you say. He went to
the porch; and the cock crowed. A maid saw him again, and began to say
to those who stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again.

Then, a little after, those who stood by said again to Peter, Surely
thou art one of them. Thou art a Galilaean by thy speech. Peter began
to curse and swear and said, I do not know this man of whom ye speak.
The cock crowed a second time. And Peter called to mind the word that
Jesus said to him: Before the cock crows twice, thou shalt deny me
three times. When Peter remembered this he wept.

15        First thing the next morning the chief priests held a
consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and
bound Jesus, and carried Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. And
Pilate asked Him, Art thou the King of the Jews? He answered, Thou say
it. The chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered
nothing. Pilate said to Him, Answer thou nothing? Do you behold how
many things they witness against thee? But Jesus still answered nothing
and Pilate marvelled.

Now at that feast he released to them one prisoner, whoever the people
chose. And there was one named Barabbas, who lay bound with those
involved in insurrection with him and who had committed murder in the
insurrection. The multitude began to cry aloud their desire for Pilate
to do as he had done before. Pilate said to the multitude, Will ye that
I release to you the King of the Jews? But the chief priests told the
people that Pilate would rather release Barabbas to them.

Pilate asked, What do you want me to do to Him whom ye call the King of
the Jews? They cried out, Crucify Him. Then Pilate said to them, Why,
what evil has He done? And they cried out the more, Crucify Him.

And so Pilate, to content the people, released Barabbas to them. After
he had Jesus scourged, he delivered Him to be crucified. The soldiers
led Him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they called together
the whole troop. They clothed Him with purple, platted a crown of
thorns, and put it around His head. They saluted Him, Hail, King of the
Jews! They smote Him on the head with a reed, spit on Him, and bowing
their knees, worshipped Him.

After they mocked Him, they took off the purple cloth and put His own
clothes on Him, and led Him out to be crucified. They compelled a man
named Simon, a Cyrenian and the father of Alexander and Rufus, who was
passing by on his way out of the country, to bear His cross.

They took Him to the place called Golgotha, the place of a skull. They
gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink but He received it not. When
they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots for what
every man should take.

It was the third hour when they crucified Him. The superscription of
His accusation was written and hung over Him: The King of the Jews.
Along with Him they crucified two thieves; one on His right hand, and
the other on His left. The scripture was fulfilled: And He was numbered
with the transgressors.

Those who passed by railed at Him. They said, Ah, thou that destroys
the temple and builds it up again in three days, save thyself and come
down from the cross. The chief priests along with the scribes said
among themselves, He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ
the King of Israel descend now from the cross that we may see and
believe. Those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. And, when the
sixth hour came, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth
hour.

At the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama
sabachthani? My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me? Some of those
who stood by, when they heard this, said, Behold, He calls Elias. And
one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, gave it
to Him to drink. They said, Let Him alone. Let us see whether Elias
will come to take Him down. Then Jesus cried with a loud voice and took
His last breath.

The veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to bottom. And,
when the centurion who stood near Him saw this, he said, Truly this man
was the Son of God.

There were also women looking on from afar; among whom was Mary
Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and Joses, and Salome
(who also, when He was in Galilee, followed Him and ministered to Him),
and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

When evening came, because it was the preparation day before the
sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counsellor, who also waited
for the kingdom of God, went to Pilate to request the body of Jesus.
Pilate marvelled that He was already dead. He called the centurion to
him to find out how long He had been dead. When he learned it from the
centurion, he released the body. Joseph brought fine linen, took Him
down, and wrapped Him in the linen. He laid Him in a sepulchre hewn out
of rock, and rolled a stone across the entrance. Mary Magdalene and
Mary the mother of Joses watched where He was laid.

16        When the sabbath was past, very early in the morning the
first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and
Salome, went to the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. With them they
brought sweet spices that they might anoint Him. They said among
themselves, Who shall roll the stone away from the door of the
sepulchre for us? Then, when they looked, they saw that the large stone
was rolled away.

Entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right
side, clothed in a long white garment. They were frightened. But he
said, Be not afraid. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He
is risen. He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go
your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goes before you into
Galilee. There ye shall see Him, just as He told you. They went out
quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were
amazed. They said nothing to any one because they were afraid.

Then Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven
devils. She went and told those who had been with Him as they mourned
and wept. When they had heard that He was alive and had been seen by
her, they did not believe it.

Then He appeared, in another form, to two of them as they walked in the
country. These two went and told it to the rest, but they did not
believe them either.

Afterward He appeared to the eleven as they sat at supper. He upbraided
them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not
believe those who had seen Him after He was risen.

Then He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to
every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he
that does not believe shall be damned. And these signs shall follow
them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils. They shall
speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents. And, if they drink
any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover.

So then after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into
heaven and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth and
preached everywhere; the Lord working with them and confirming the word
with these signs.

Amen.

-----

The Gospel of Luke


1.       Forasmuch as many eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have
set forth and delivered to us a declaration of those things which are
most surely believed among us, it seemed good to me also, having had
perfect understanding of these things from the very beginning, to write
to you, most excellent Theophilus, in order that thou might know the
certainty of the things thou has been instructed.

In the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, there was a priest named
Zacharias, of the course of Abia. His wife was of the daughters of
Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. They were both righteous before God,
walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
They had no child because Elisabeth was barren. They were both well up
in years.

According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot, while he
executed his duty before God, was to burn incense when he went into the
temple of the Lord. The multitude gathered outside to pray during the
time of incense.

There appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side
of the altar of incense. When Zacharias saw him, he was troubled and
fell down in fear. But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zacharias: for
thy prayer is heard. Thy wife, Elisabeth, shall bear thee a son and
thou shall name him John. You shall have joy and gladness and many will
rejoice at his birth. He shall be great in the sight of the Lord. He
shall not drink wine or strong drink; and he shall be filled with the
Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

He shall turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God. He
shall go in the spirit and power of Elias to turn the hearts of the
fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just;
to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Zacharias said to the angel, How shall I know this? I am an old man,
and my wife an old woman. The angel said to him, I am Gabriel, who
stands in the presence of God; and am sent to speak to thee, and to
show thee these glad tidings. Behold, thou shall be dumb and unable to
speak until the day these things are performed because thou believe not
my words which shall be fulfilled in their season.

The people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long
in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They
perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple for he beckoned to
them and remained speechless.

It came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his official duties were
accomplished, he went home. His wife, Elisabeth, conceived, and hid
herself for five months. She said, Thus has the Lord now done for me
that which takes away my reproach among others.

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of
Galilee, named Nazareth. The angel appeared to a virgin named Mary and
espoused to Joseph, of the house of David. He said to her, Hail, thou
that art highly favored. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among
women. When she saw him, she was troubled by his words.

Then the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary, for thou has found favor
with God. Thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and
shall call His name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the
Son of the Highest. The Lord God shall give Him the throne of His
father David. He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever. And, of
His kingdom there shall be no end.

Then Mary said to the angel, How shall this be since I know not a man?
The angel answered, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power
of the Highest shall overshadow thee so the holiness that is born of
thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold, thy cousin, Elisabeth,
has conceived a son in her old age. It is the sixth month with her who
was once thought barren. With God nothing is impossible. Mary said,
Behold, the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done according to thy word.
Then the angel departed from her.

Mary arose with haste and went to a city of Juda in the hill country.
Here she entered the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. When
Elisabeth heard this salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb
and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She spoke out with a
loud voice, Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of
thy womb. How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As
soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped
in my womb for joy. Blessed is she that believed for there shall be a
demonstration of those things which were told her by the Lord.

Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in
God my Savior. He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden and,
henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed. He that is mighty
has done great things to me. Holy is His name. His mercy is on them
that fear Him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the
imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their
thrones, and exalted those of low degree. He has filled the hungry with
good things; and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His
servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as He spoke to our
fathers, to Abraham, and to His seed forever.

Mary stayed with her cousin, Elisabeth about three months, then
returned to her own house. Elisabeth's time came that she should be
delivered; and she brought forth a son. Her neighbors and her cousins
heard how the Lord had showed great mercy on her; and they rejoiced
with her.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. They called him
Zacharias after the name of his father. But his mother said, No. He
shall be called John. And they said to her, There is none of thy
kindred that is called by this name. Then they made signs to his father
asking how he would have him called. He asked for a writing table, and
wrote, His name is John. Then Zacharias' mouth was opened immediately,
his tongue loosed, and he spoke and praised God.

This news was carried throughout all the hill country of Judaea. All
who heard were filled with wonder at what kind of child this would be!
And the hand of the Lord was with him.

His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,
Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel; for He has visited and redeemed His
people, He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His
servant, David; as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, which
have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our
enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy
promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath
which He swore to our father, Abraham, that He would grant us, being
delivered out of the hand of our enemies, to serve Him without fear, in
holiness and righteousness, all the days of our life.

And thou, child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest, for thou
shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give
knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins,
through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high
has visited us to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the
shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.

The child grew and became strong in spirit. He was in the desert until
the day of his showing to Israel.

2        A decree went out from Caesar Augustus. According to the
decree every man was to go to his own city to be taxed. Because he was
of the house and lineage of David, Joseph went up from Nazareth in
Galilee, to the city of Bethlehem in Judaea to be taxed. With him was
Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child. While they were
there, the time came for her to be delivered. She brought forth her
firstborn son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a
manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same country shepherds were in the field keeping watch over
their flock by night. Lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the
glory of the Lord shone about them. They became afraid. And the angel
said to them, Fear not. Behold, I bring you good tidings which shall be
great joy to all people. A Savior, Christ the Lord, is born this day in
the city of David. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger. Then there also appeared a heavenly host praising
God. They said, Glory to God in the highest and, on earth, peace and
good will toward men.

The shepherds said, Let us go to Bethlehem and see what has come to
pass which the Lord has made known to us. They went with haste and
found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

When they saw, they made it known abroad what was told them concerning
this child. Those who heard, wondered at what they were told. But Mary
kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had
heard and seen, as it was told to them.

When eight days were completed for the circumcising of the child, His
name was called Jesus, which was so named by the angel before He was
conceived in the womb. When the days of the purification according to
the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Jesus to Jerusalem to
present Him to the Lord, as it is written in the law: Every male that
opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And, also according to
law of the Lord, they offered the sacrifice: a pair of turtledoves, or
two young pigeons.

There was a man in Jerusalem, named Simeon. He was a just and devout
man, waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon
him and revealed to him that he should not see death before he had seen
the Lord's Christ.

He came by the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the
child Jesus, Simeon took Him up in his arms, blessed God, and said,
Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for
my eyes have seen thy salvation which thou has prepared before the face
of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy
people, Israel.

Joseph and Mary marvelled at the things which were spoken of Him.
Simeon blessed them, and said to His mother, Mary, Behold, this child
is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign
which will be spoken against. A sword shall pierce thy soul that the
thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Then a prophetess also spoke of Him. Anna was the daughter of Phanuel,
of the tribe of Aser. She was an aged widow who, for fourscore and four
years, did not leave the temple and served God with fasting and prayer
night and day. She gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to those
in Jerusalem who awaited redemption.

When they had performed all that was required according to the law of
the Lord, they returned to their own city of Nazareth in Galilee. The
child grew, became strong in spirit, and was filled with wisdom and the
grace of God.

Every year His parents went to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.
When He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the
custom of the feast. When they had fulfilled the days, they returned,
but the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and His mother
did not know of it. Supposing Him to have been in the caravan, at the
end of the first day's journey, they sought Him among their kinsfolk
and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they turned back toward
Jerusalem to find Him.

After three days, they found Him in the temple. He was sitting in the
midst of the doctors, listening to them and asking them questions.
Those who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

When His parents saw Him, they were amazed. His mother said to Him,
Son, why has thou done this to us? Thy father and I have been very
worried. He said, How is it that ye sought me? Do you not know that I
must be about my Father's business? But they did not understand what He
said to them. Then He went with them to Nazareth and was obedient to
them; but His mother kept all this in her heart. Jesus increased in
wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man.

3       It was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar.
Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea; Herod was tetrarch of Galilee;
and his brother, Philip, was tetrarch of Ituraea and the region of
Trachonitis; and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas
were the high priests.

The word of God came to John the son of Zacharias when he was in the
wilderness. He went into all the country around Jordan, preaching the
baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. This was according to
what is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet: The voice of one
crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths
straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill
shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the
rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation
of God.

John said to the multitude that came to be baptized by him, O
generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. Stop saying to
yourselves, We have our father, Abraham: for I tell you, God is able to
raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Now the axe is laid to
the root of the trees. Every tree which does not bring forth good fruit
is hewn down and cast into the fire.

The people asked him, What shall we do? He answered, He that has two
coats, let him give it to him that has none. He that has food, let him
do likewise. The publicans who came to him to be baptized also asked,
Master, what shall we do? He said to them, Exact no more than that
which is appointed you. The soldiers, likewise, asked, What shall we
do? He said, Do violence to no man, do not accuse anyone falsely; and
be content with your wages.

People lived in expectation and wondered whether he was the Christ.
John answered by saying to them all, I baptize you with water; but one
mightier than I comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to
unloose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with a fire
whose fan is in His hand. He will thoroughly purge His floor. He will
gather the wheat into His garner; but He will burn the chaff with fire
unquenchable.

Herod, the tetrarch, had been reproved by John on account of Herodias,
his brother Philip's wife and for all the evils which Herod had done.
Herod held this against him. Then, when Herod heard what John was
saying, he had John imprisoned.

When Jesus, also being baptized, was praying, the heaven opened and the
Holy Spirit, in a bodily shape like a dove, descended upon Him. A voice
came from heaven which said, Thou art my beloved Son. In thee I am well
pleased.

Jesus was about thirty years of age, the son of Joseph, which was the
son of Heli, the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was
the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, which was the son of Joseph, son
of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of
Esli, which was the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, which was the son
of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda.

Joda was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the

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