Walks and Words of Jesus: A Paragraph Harmony of the Four Evangelists
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Date: 2011-03-24T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Bible. Gospels -- Harmonies; English

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Title: Walks and Words of Jesus: A Paragraph Harmony of the Four Evangelists

Compiler: M. N. Olmsted

Author of introduction, etc.: Randolph S. Foster

Release date: March 24, 2011 [eBook #35674]
Most recently updated: January 7, 2021

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35674

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WALKS AND WORDS OF JESUS: A PARAGRAPH HARMONY OF THE FOUR EVANGELISTS ***

Transcriber's Notes: Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been left as in the original. A few typographical errors have been corrected. A complete list as well as other notes follows the text.

The text mentions a "geographical and historical chart" that was intended to accompany this book. It is not a part of this text and is not included here.

The Adoring Shepherds.

"And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."--Page 13.

Walks and Words

of

Jesus;

A Paragraph Harmony of the Four Evangelists.

By Rev. M. N. Olmsted,

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY REV. BISHOP FOSTER, D.D.

FIFTH EDITION.

New York:
NELSON & PHILLIPS.

Cincinnati:
HITCHCOCK & WALDEN.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867,

By M. N. OLMSTED,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the
Southern District of New York.

CONTENTS.

I. | Jesus in Creation and Prophecy | 11
II. | The Childhood of Jesus | 14
III. | The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus | 16
IV. | Testimony of John—Call of the First Disciples | 18
V. | First Miracle—Temple cleansed—Visit of Nicodemus | 22
VI. | John Exalts Jesus—Woman at the Well—Visit to Samaria | 27
VII. | Nobleman of Capernaum—Preaches at Nazareth | 32
VIII. | Moves to Capernaum—Andrew and Peter Called | 36
IX. | Sermon on the Mount, near Capernaum | 39
X. | Sermon on the Mount Continued | 46
XI. | Sermon on the Mount Concluded | 52
XII. | Draught of Fishes—Heals a Leper—Matthew Called | 56
XIII. | Healing at the Pool—Resurrection Foretold | 62
XIV. | Disciples in the Cornfield—Withered Hand | 68
XV. | Apostles named—Woes and Blessings—Practical Lessons | 72
XVI. | Practical Lessons Continued—Heals Centurion's Servant | 75
XVII. | Widow of Nain—Messengers of John—Woes on Capernaum | 80
XVIII. | Woman Washes Jesus' feet—Two Debtors | 85
XIX. | Pharisees seek a Sign—Jesus Teaches by Parables | 91
XX. | Parables and Interpretations | 99
XXI. | The homeless Saviour—The Storm—The Demoniac | 105
XXII. | Child Healed—Touch of Faith—Two Blind Men—Eats with Publicans and Sinners | 109
XXIII. | Revisits Nazareth—Sends the Twelve with Instructions | 114
XXIV. | John the Baptist Beheaded by Order of Herod | 121
XXV. | Jesus Feeds Five Thousand with Five Loaves and two Fishes | 123
XXVI. | Walks on the Sea—Peter Sinking—Mountain Closet | 126
XXVII. | Jesus the Bread of Life for the World | 129
XXVIII. | Pharisees Murmur—Washings and Other Traditions | 135
XXIX. | Syrophenician Woman—Blind Men—Feeds Four Thousand | 139
XXX. | Pharisees ask a Sign—Reasons for Faith—Blind Men | 142
XXXI. | Jesus Foretells his Death and Resurrection | 145
XXXII. | Transfiguration—Cures a Demoniac | 149
XXXIII. | Death Foretold again—Pays Tribute—Caution Against Giving Offence | 153
XXXIV. | Lessons of Humility and Forgiveness | 157
XXXV. | Jesus at the Feast—Return of the officers of the Chief Priests | 163
XXXVI. | The Convicted Accusers—Jesus the Light of the World | 168
XXXVII. | A man born Blind, Healed, Examined and Excommunicated | 175
XXXVIII. | Parable of the Good Shepherd | 179
XXXIX. | Jesus Raises Lazarus—Jews Seek his Life | 184
XL. | Seventy Disciples sent out | 190
XLI. | Martha's Entertainment—Form of Prayer—Dumb Devil | 196
XLII. | Evil Generation seek a Sign—Practical Lessons | 200
XLIII. | Discourses on Various Topics—Ministerial Diligence | 205
XLIV. | Tokens of Coming Judgment—Eighteen Years Infirmity | 214
XLV. | Dropsy Cured—Parable of the Great Supper | 219
XLVI. | Parables of Lost Sheep, Lost Piece of Silver and Prodigal Son | 225
XLVII. | The Unjust Steward—The Rich Man and Lazarus | 230
XLVIII. | Of Giving Offence—Ten Lepers—Second Coming of Jesus | 235
XLIX. | Importunate Widow—Marriage—Children brought to Jesus | 240
L. | Young Ruler—Warning to the Rich—Parable of Laborers | 245
LI. | Zebedee's Children—Heals two Blind Men near Jericho | 251
LII. | Nobleman & Servants—Mary Anoints Jesus | 254
LIII. | Triumphant Entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem | 260
LIV. | Greeks Wish to see Jesus—Barren Fig Tree | 264
LV. | Pharisees Question his Authority—Parable of Vineyard | 269
LVI. | The Marriage Feast—Tribute to Cesar—Jewish Infidelity | 274
LVII. | Jesus Answers Sadducees and Pharisees—Widows Offering | 279
LVIII. | Woes Against Scribes, Pharisees and Hypocrites | 284
LIX. | Destruction of the Temple and Coming of the Son of Man Foretold | 290
LX. | Fearful Signs after the Great Tribulation | 296
LXI. | Parable of the Talents—Judgment of the Nations | 303
LXII. | Covenant with Judas—Passover—Jesus Washes his Disciples' Feet | 308
LXIII. | The Lord's Supper Instituted—Peter Forewarned | 313
LXIV. | Jesus Comforts his Disciples—Teaches Love to each Other | 318
LXV. | Jesus the True Vine—Hatred of the World | 324
LXVI. | Jesus Forewarns his Disciples | 328
LXVII. | Jesus Prays for his Disciples—Foretells Peter's Denial | 333
LXVIII. | The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane | 338
LXIX. | Betrayal of Jesus—Brought Before the High Priest | 342
LXX. | Jesus Examined by the Sanhedrim—Peter denies him | 345
LXXI. | Examination Continued—Judas Repents—Jesus Scourged | 348
LXXII. | Jesus Before Herod—Message to Pilate from his Wife—Pilate Washes his Hands | 352
LXXIII. | Jesus Crucified—He Prays for his Enemies | 356
LXXIV. | The two Thieves—Jesus Thirsts—He gives up the Ghost | 359
LXXV. | Jesus Taken down from the Cross—Buried—Tomb Sealed | 362
LXXVI. | The Resurrection of Jesus—Scenes and Incidents | 365
LXXVII. | Mary Magdalene and Others Visit the Sepulchre | 367
LXXVIII. | Journey to Emmaus—Incredulity of Thomas | 369
LXXIX. | Jesus Appears to the Eleven; then to Five Hundred Brethren at once | 374
LXXX. | The Ascension of Jesus—Incidents | 379
LXXXI. | Conclusion | 383

INTRODUCTION

The happy thought of this volume was suggested by the incidental reading of this fact, in the life of John Quincy Adams: He was one day engaged in his usual study of the New Testament, (a practice he kept up daily throughout life, even amid the most urgent State duties,) when being particularly impressed by some words of Jesus, he conceived the idea of abstracting all his words from the body of the sacred text, that he might see them in their unity and wholeness. He immediately procured a suitable blank book, and beginning with the first Gospel, wrote down every word of Christ, as given by each of the Evangelists. This most precious excerpta he continued to read and devoutly study with great profit and comfort.

If the publisher had done nothing else but carry out this idea, he would have performed a good service, for many devout students of the Word of God; but he has done much more and I doubt not, by a very simple method, will become the instrument of good to thousands.

The several things aimed at and accomplished, in the plan of the book, are these

First. A complete harmony of the several Evangelistic narratives, in a consecutive chronological order, thus presenting in one view a complete and perfect picture of our Saviour's life and ministry. Every word of each Gospel is given, (except that which is embraced in the two opening chapters,) but in continued and unbroken flow, and not in the fragmentary and disjointed order of chapter and verse, as found in the ordinary form.

Second. The words spoken by Jesus himself are raised out of the page, in relief, by means of larger type; so that if the reader is desirous, he can peruse at a single sitting all the words of the Master left on record, in the order of their utterance, and apart from the words of others, without the labor of selecting.

Third. While the main intent is to present the Gospels in a harmonious arrangement, and especially to give prominence to the divine speaker himself, the author has furnished two preliminary and a concluding chapter of real interest and value, in the first of which, by a judicious collocation of passages from the Old and New Testaments, he traces Christ as he appeared in Creation and Providence, as set forth by the Prophets and Apostles. In the second he sketches a brief account of his childhood with appropriate reflections, and in the concluding chapter ending the volume, he gives his words uttered after the ascension, as found in the Epistles and the book of Revelation.

Fourth. Accompanying the volume, is a geographical and historical chart, ingeniously contrived to illustrate the general idea of the book. This chart is entitled "The Walks of Jesus; a Pictorial Chart of the Antediluvian and Patriarchal Periods, and of the Holy Land; for Sunday Schools and Families." It is published in neat and attractive form, and of various sizes, and cannot fail to be a useful accompaniment of Bible study.

I am so pleased with the general plan of this work, and with the manner in which the publisher is executing his idea, that I take great pleasure in commending it as a helpful and convenient companion to all Bible lovers and students.

Among the many books which are appearing, concerning the Christ, this, after all, is the truest and best. It may be WELL to read them—it is INDISPENSABLE to read this. Whatever gives interest to the sacred page, and especially, whatsoever shall give prominence to the simple word and truth of Jesus, cannot fail to be fraught with blessings to the world.

The holy Evangelists were inspired men. All their words are the words of God, and not one of them to be lightly esteemed, or to be held as of questionable authority; and yet the precise sentences that fell from the lips of the Only Begotten rise in importance and dignity, and come to us with more direct authority and divinity. Let us remember the voice that dropped from the open heaven: "This is my beloved Son: hear ye him."

R. S. FOSTER.

Walks and Words of Jesus

CHAPTER I.

JESUS IN CREATION AND PROPHECY.

WHEN we open the Holy Bible, the very first sentence unfolds to us the creation of worlds by the Word and power of Jehovah: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

In the New Testament Jesus is presented as the "Creator of all things." The inspired writer opens the subject in these words: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made."

Paul, in one of his epistles, speaks of this same Jesus as the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature: "for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him; and he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

Again, John, in his vision of the future glory of the Church, saw the Eternal Throne, and Jesus the Mighty Conqueror seated upon it; and heard voices chanting in angelic strains, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

And four-and-twenty elders, clothed in white robes, with crowns of gold, fell prostrate before him, and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever, saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

When Adam had ruined himself and his posterity by eating the forbidden fruit, Jehovah, in his infinite love, gave him the promise of a Messiah, in the words addressed to the serpent: "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

As we trace along the stream of time, we see this faint promise oft renewed, brightening with every repetition.

When Jehovah had destroyed the world by a flood, on account of its wickedness, preserving only the family of Noah to repeople it, and had scattered the builders of Babel, confounding their language, he said to faithful Abram: "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

Bethlehem—Birthplace of Jesus.

Jacob, on his way to Padan-Aram, slept, and saw in the night-visions, a ladder, with its foot upon the earth, and its top reaching to heaven, and lo! angels were ascending and descending upon it. And he heard the voice of the Lord from the top of the ladder, saying unto him: "I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed."

Thus from time to time was the promise of a coming Saviour renewed, until, on the plains of Bethlehem, a glorious light burst upon the watching shepherds, and an angel appeared, saying; "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

And when the angels had departed, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.

Eight days after, at the circumcision of the child, he was called Jesus, which signifies Saviour, a name given before he was born: "for" said the angel, "He shall save his people from their sins."

CHAPTER II.

THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS.

THE Incarnation of the Son of God, presents us with an example of condescension and humiliation, only equalled by the exaltation of its subjects. He came to earth, that he might exalt us to heaven. His sufferings and death, clothe us, who are dead in sin, with immortality, and secure to us the bliss of an eternal Paradise. To trace the footsteps of Jesus, God Incarnate, and to present the words that dropped fresh from his wise and holy lips, while on his mission of mercy to this sin-stricken world, will be the object of these pages.

The child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. But his first word, on record, was uttered at the age of twelve years. A multitude had assembled at Jerusalem. The eight days' worship being ended, the crowds disperse and scatter to their homes in the distant countries round about. The parents, supposing "the child Jesus" to be among their relatives and acquaintances in the great throng, pass on a day's journey, when they seek him but find him not.

They return, anxious and sorrow stricken, to Jerusalem, where they find him still in the Temple, sitting with the Doctors of the law, and astonishing the multitude with his understanding and answers. His mother, though amazed at his wisdom, gently chides her son for his lack of filial fidelity, saying, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." And he said unto them,

How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Eighteen years now pass away without the record of another word. While he honored his earthly parents, and was diligent in his daily toil, he was doubtless ever busy in the work assigned him by his Father in heaven. Multitudes may have been charmed by his youthful eloquence, confounded by his wisdom, and melted under his sweet spirit of love. But to us it is one great blank. This brief sentence among the doctors in the temple, in answer to the question of the anxious mother, is like some blazing comet, which for a brief space lights the starry vault with its radiance, and then shoots off, in its eccentric course, to be seen no more for years to come. During these silent years, multitudes had passed to their reward. "Seed time and harvest, summer and winter, day and night," had succeeded each other, in regular order; while the "bow in the cloud" had constantly reminded the world of the gracious promise of God to Noah. But not a word is preserved from the lips of this wonderful child. Not a footprint marks his journeyings.

At the age of thirty he suddenly appears again on the page of history. Let us now follow his footsteps, and listen to his words.

CHAPTER III.

THE BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION OF JESUS.

AND it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, to Jordan, unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him,

Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.

Then he suffered him. Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and praying, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and there came a voice from heaven, saying, "Thou art my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts. And in those days he did eat nothing. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But Jesus answered and said,

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple. And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him,

It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me: and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt fall down and worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him,

Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. And, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

CHAPTER IV.

TESTIMONY OF JOHN—CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES.

THIS is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? He confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Again the next day after, John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them,

What seek ye?

They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them,

Come and see.

They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said,

Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is, by interpretation, A stone.

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him,

Follow me.

Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith unto him,

Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile!

Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him,

Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him,

Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

And he saith unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

CHAPTER V.

FIRST MIRACLE—TEMPLE CLEANSED—VISIT OF NICODEMUS.

AND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there. And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her,

Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them,

Fill the waterpots with water.

And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them,

Draw out now and bear unto the governor of the feast.

And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse; but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews' passover was at hand. And Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting. And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves,

Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Then answered the Jews and said unto him: What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them,

Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man, for he knew what was in man.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said, unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is [25]born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him,

Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things. And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

[26] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that [27]doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

CHAPTER VI.

JOHN EXALTS JESUS—WOMAN AT THE WELL—VISIT TO SAMARIA.

AFTER these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison.

Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him, John answered and said, a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria.

Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her,

Give me to drink.

(For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy meat.)

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, asketh drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her,

If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her,

Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her,

Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her,

Thou hast well said, I have no husband: for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

The woman said unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her,

Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her,

I that speak unto thee am he.

And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and said to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. In the meanwhile his disciples prayed him saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them,

I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them,

My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and [32]gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

CHAPTER VII.

NOBLEMAN OF CAPERNAUM—PREACHES AT NAZARETH.

NOW after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet hath no honor in his own country. Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilæans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him,

Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him,

Go thy way: thy son liveth.

And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them,

This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.

And all bear him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And he said unto them,

Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

And he said,

Verily, I say unto you, No [35]prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; but unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman, the Syrian.

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way.

CHAPTER VIII.

MOVES TO CAPERNAUM—ANDREW AND PETER CALLED.

NOW when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, a city of Galilee, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zebulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God, and to say,

Repent: the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them,

Follow me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on a little farther thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and straightway he called them: and they immediately left the ship and their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

And they went into Capernaum: and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying,

Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

And when the devil had torn him, had thrown him in the midst, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him, and hurt him not.

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him, and they come out. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region, into every place of the country round about Galilee.

And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and anon they tell him of her; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she arose, and ministered unto them.

And at even, when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and them that were possessed with devils: and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And all the city was gathered together at the door.

And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, and when it was day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. And he said unto them,

Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

And the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them,

I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people, and cast out devils. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.

CHAPTER IX.

SERMON ON THE MOUNT, NEAR CAPERNAUM.

AND seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven. [40]Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith [41]shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and [42]teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come [43]and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whilst thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily, I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of [44]thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your [45]communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of [46]your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

CHAPTER X.

SERMON ON THE MOUNT, CONTINUED.

TAKE heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as [47]the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for [48]their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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, for ever. Amen.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily [49]I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! [50]No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other, Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment. Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [51]Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith.

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

CHAPTER XI.

SERMON ON THE MOUNT, CONCLUDED.

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. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye.

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

[53] Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow [54]is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name [55]done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the Scribes. When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

CHAPTER XII.

GREAT DRAUGHT OF FISHES—HEALS A LEPER—MATTHEW CALLED.

AND it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon,

Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw it he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon,

Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold, there came a man full of leprosy to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, worshipped him, and fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him,

I will; be thou clean.

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straightly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; and saith unto him,

See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter. And great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. And they came to him from every quarter. And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy; which was borne of four. And they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in, nigh unto him, because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let him down through the tiling with his couch wherein the sick of the palsy lay, into the midst before Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy,

Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them,

Why reason ye these things? Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men; and were filled with fear, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. We have seen strange things to day.

And after these things he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, (a publican named Levi) the son of Alpheus, sitting at the receipt of custom, and he said unto him,

Follow me.

And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they murmured against his disciples, saying, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them,

They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, often, and make prayers, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them,

Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they [61]cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

And he spake also a parable unto them;

No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

CHAPTER XIII.

HEALING AT THE POOL—RESURRECTION FORETOLD.

AFTER this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him,

Wilt thou be made whole?

The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him,

Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It it the Sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterwards Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him,

Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them,

My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said unto them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for [64]what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raises up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son; that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice [65]of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

[66] Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honor [67]from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

CHAPTER XIV.

DISCIPLES IN THE CORN FIELD—WITHERED HAND.

AND it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that Jesus went through the corn fields; and his disciples were an hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them,

Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungered, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shew bread, and gave also to them that were with him, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests.

Or have ye not read in the law, [69]how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

And he said unto them,

The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

And it came to pass also on another sabbath, when he was departed thence, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day.

And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand,

Rise up and stand forth in the midst.

And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them,

I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

But they held their peace. And he said unto them,

What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man,

Stretch forth thine hand.

And he stretched it forth; and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness.

And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.

And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known:

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 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 shall the Gentiles trust.

CHAPTER XV.

APOSTLES NAMED—WOES AND BLESSINGS—PRACTICAL LESSONS.

AND it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples; whom he would: and they came unto him. And of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, (whom he also named Peter) and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew the publican; and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus: (The same with Judas the brother of James,) and Simon called Zelotes, (the Canaanite,) and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; and they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and he healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said,

Blessed be ye poor: for your's is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

[74] But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

[75] But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

CHAPTER XVI.

PRACTICAL LESSONS, CONTINUED—HEALS CENTURION'S SERVANT.

JUDGE not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same [76]measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

And he spake a parable unto them,

Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For [77]every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: he is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the [78]earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick and ready to die.

And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. And Jesus saith unto him,

I will come and heal him.

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him,

[79]Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

And Jesus said unto the centurion,

Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.

And his servant was healed in the self-same hour. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

CHAPTER XVII.

WIDOW OF NAIN—MESSENGERS OF JOHN—WOES ON CAPERNAUM.

AND it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain: and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her,

Weep not.

And he came and touched the bier, and they that bare him stood still. And he said,

Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumor of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about. And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them,

Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard: how that the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

And when the messengers of John were departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John,

What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing—they which are gorgeously [82]apparelled, and live delicately, are in king's courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written, Behold I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater prophet than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. And the Lord said,

Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? They are like unto children sitting in the market place, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a wine bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children.

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

Woe unto thee Chorasin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had [84]been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

At that time Jesus answered and said,

I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father, [85]and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

CHAPTER XVIII.

WOMAN WASHES JESUS' FEET—BLIND AND DUMB DEVIL—BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST.

AND one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and annointed them with the ointment.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him,

Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.

And he saith, Master, say on.

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him,

Thou hast rightly judged.

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon,

Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and [87]wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss; but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

And he said unto her,

Thy sins are forgiven.

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman,

Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him. And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils. And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. And they went into an house.

And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb; and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees and the scribes which came down from Jerusalem heard it, they said, He hath Beelzebub. This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables,

How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: and if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? He cannot stand, but hath an end. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. [89]But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

[90]Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

CHAPTER XIX.

PHARISEES SEEK A SIGN—JESUS TEACHES BY PARABLES.

THEN certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them,

An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for [92]she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

While he yet talked to the people, behold his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. And the multitude sat about him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him,

Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

And he looked round about on them which sat about him. And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said,

Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

The same day went Jesus out of the house. And he began again to teach by the seaside: and great multitudes were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city; so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow his seed: and it came to pass, as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way-side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air came and devoured them up.

Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away; because it lacked moisture.

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up, and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred.

And when he had said these things, he cried,

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them,

Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be [95]given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see and shall not perceive: for this people's heart is waxed gross and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye [96]see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying,

The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I [97]will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

And he said,

So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying,

Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than [98]all the seeds that be in the earth: but when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Another parable spake he unto them,

The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. And when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

CHAPTER XX.

PARABLES AND INTERPRETATIONS.

THEN Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said unto them,

Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done 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 he said unto them,

Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables. Hear ye therefore the parable of [100]the sower. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The sower soweth the word. Those by the way-side where the word is sown, are they that hear the word of the kingdom; but when they have heard, and understandeth it not, then Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts: lest they should believe and be saved. This is he which received seed by the way-side.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, in time of temptation, when affliction or persecution ariseth, for the word's sake, immediately they are offended, and fall away.

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have [101]heard the word, go forth, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and pleasures of this life, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience; some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

And he said unto them,

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bushel, or under a bed: but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, that shall not be known and come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And he said unto them,

Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

And his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them,

He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire: so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his [103]angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered [104]the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus saith unto them,

Have ye understood all these things?

They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them,

Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them,

[105]My mother and my brethren are those which hear the word of God and do it.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE HOMELESS SAVIOUR—THE STORM—DEMONIAC.

AND it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. And the same day, when the even was come, when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him,

The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him,

Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

And when they had sent away the multitude, and when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And he said unto them,

Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.

And there were also with him other little ships. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and, behold, there came down a great storm of wind, on the lake: and the waves beat into the ship, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: Master, master, carest thou not that we perish? And he saith unto them,

Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?

Then he arose and rebuked the winds, and the raging of the water: and said unto the sea,

Peace, be still.

And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them,

Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

But the men marvelled, and they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this? for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs; exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way: and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and fell down before him, and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him,

Come out of the man thou unclean spirit.

(For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) And Jesus asked him, saying,

What is thy name?

And he said Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

And there was a good way off from them, nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country: and told everything, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

And, behold, the whole city came out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed; and also concerning the swine. Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about, besought him that he would depart out of their coast: for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

And when he was come into the ship, the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him,

Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath [109]done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

And he departed and began to publish throughout the whole city (in Decapolis) how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned again by ship unto the other side, much people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. And he was nigh unto the sea.

CHAPTER XXII.

CHILD HEALED—TOUCH OF FAITH—TWO BLIND MEN—EATS WITH PUBLICANS, ETC.

AND it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them,

They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: [110]for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them,

Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

While he spake these things unto them, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him greatly, that he would come into his house; saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, neither could be healed of any, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched the hem of his garment: for she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said.

Who touched my clothes?

When all denied, Peter, and they that were with him, said, Master, Thou seest the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said,

Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue hath gone out of me.

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, and falling down before him, she declared unto him all the truth, before all the people, for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And when he saw her, he said unto her,

Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

And the woman was made whole from that hour.

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue,

Be not afraid, only believe, and she shall be made whole.

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And when Jesus came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, and them that wept and wailed greatly, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her. And when he was come in, he saith unto them,

Why make ye this ado, and weep? Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth.

And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the Father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entered in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her,

Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, Arise.

And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway, and walked: for she was of the age of twelve years. And her parents were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it: and commanded that something should be given her to eat. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them,

Believe ye that I am able to do this?

They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying,

According to your faith be it unto you.

And their eyes were opened: and Jesus straitly charged them, saying,

[114]See that no man know it.

But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

CHAPTER XXIII.

REVISITS NAZARETH—SENDS OUT THE TWELVE WITH INSTRUCTIONS.

AND he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when he was come into his own country, and when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? And what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter? (the carpenter's son?) Is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them,

[115]A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

Nazareth—Residence of Jesus in Youth.

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief.

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples,

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power and authority over all devils, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. And he sent them forth by two and two: to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. These twelve, Jesus sent forth, and commanded them saying,

[116]Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, 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.

And he said unto them,

Take nothing for your journey, save a staff only; provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, but be shod with sandals; for the workman is worthy of his meat.

And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever [117]shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh [118]in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

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 them of his household?

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and hid that shall not be [119]known. What I tell you in darkness that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the house-tops.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come [120]to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward: and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of [121]these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

CHAPTER XXIV.

JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHEADED BY ORDER OF HEROD.

AND it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, of all that was done by him: (for his name was spread abroad:) and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead: and of some that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And (he) said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him: and he desired to see him. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, it is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birth day made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; and when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

And she, being before instructed of her mother, came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

And the king was exceedingly sorry: yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought; and he went and beheaded him in the prison. And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb, and went and told Jesus.

CHAPTER XXV.

JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND WITH FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISHES.

AND the apostles, when they were returned, gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them,

Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile.

For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias, by ship privately, into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things; and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip,

Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. And when it was evening, his disciples, the twelve, came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: send them away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat: for we are here in a desert place. But Jesus said unto them,

They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them,

How many loaves have ye? go and see.

And when they knew, one of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? We have no more but five loaves and two fishes: except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. He said,

Bring them hither to me.

And he said to his disciples,

Make them sit down by fifties in a company upon the green grass.

Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties, in number about five thousand. And when Jesus had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, and when he had given thanks, looking up to heaven, he blessed them and brake the loaves, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude that were set down: and likewise the two fishes divided he among them all; as much as they would. And they did all eat, and were filled. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples,

Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, and of the fishes, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

CHAPTER XXVI.

WALKS ON THE SEA—MOUNTAIN CLOSET—PETER SINKING.

THEN those men when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, and when he had sent the multitudes away, he departed again into a mountain himself alone, to pray. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary: and he alone on the land.

And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. And he saw them toiling in rowing: for the wind was contrary unto them. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, and about the fourth watch of the night, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and would have passed by them. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear: for they all saw him, and were troubled. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying,

Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said,

Come.

And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him,

O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Then they willingly received him into the ship. And when they were come into the ship the wind ceased: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. And they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. And when they were come out of the ship, and when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country; and ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. The day following when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone: (howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias, nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks;) when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

CHAPTER XXVII.

JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE FOR THE WORLD.

AND when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them,

This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

They said therefore unto him, What sign showest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then said Jesus unto them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he that cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, [131]that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,

Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the [132]Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

The Jews therefore strove among themselves saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then said Jesus unto them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. [133]He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father, so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven; not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever.

These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them,

Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not.

For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said,

Therefore I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve,

Will ye also go away?

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them,

Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil.

He spake of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon; for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

PHARISEES MURMUR—WASHINGS AND OTHER TRADITIONS.

THEN came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them,

Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. [136]But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing [137]of pots and cups: and many other such things ye do.

And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them,

Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: there is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was entered into the house from the people, then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said,

Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Then answered Peter, and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said,

[138]Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, false witness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

CHAPTER XXIX.

SYROPHENICIAN WOMAN—BLIND MEN—FEEDS FOUR THOUSAND.

THEN Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord thou Son of David: my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away, for she crieth after us. But he answered and said,

I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

And (he) entered into an 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, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation: and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her,

Let the children first be filled; for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

And she answered and said unto him, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs under the table, eat of the children's crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her,

O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.

And he said unto her,

For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

And again Jesus departed from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee: through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him,

Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; and were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

And (Jesus) went up into a mountain, and sat down there. And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them; insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way.

For divers of them came from far. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them,

How many loaves have ye?

And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes; and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

CHAPTER XXX.

PHARISEES ASK A SIGN—REASONS FOR FAITH—BLIND MEN.

AND he sent away the multitude. And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came forth, and began to question with him, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them,

When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but [143]can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith,

Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side. And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. Then Jesus charged them, saying,

Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, and of the leaven of Herod.

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them,

O ye of little faith, Why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have [144]brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand? Perceive ye not yet, neither understand? Have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?

They say unto him, Twelve.

And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?

And they said, Seven. And he said unto them,

How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw aught. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying,

Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

CHAPTER XXXI.

JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION.

AND Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Cesarea Philippi: and it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them,

Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or, that one of the old prophets is risen again. He said unto them,

But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said unto him, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him,

Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he, the Son of man, must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly.

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter saying,

Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said to them all,

Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, what is a man advantaged, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or be cast away? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For [148]the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

And he said unto them,

Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

Mount Tabor.

CHAPTER XXXII.

TRANSFIGURATION—CURES A DEMONIAC.

AND after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves, to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and he was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light, and glistering, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

And, behold, there appeared unto them two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory, and they were talking with Jesus, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here. If thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And when the voice was past, Jesus came and touched them and said,

Arise, and be not afraid.

And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

And it came to pass, that on the next day, as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the son of man were risen from the dead. And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. And his disciples asked him, saying, why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them,

Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. When they were come down from the hill, much people met him. And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes,

What question ye with them?

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Master, I have brought unto thee my son: which hath a dumb spirit; I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and bruising him hardly departeth from him. And I brought him to thy disciples, that they should cast him out; and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said,

O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father,

[152]How long is it ago since this came unto him?

And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him,

If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him,

Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And the child was cured from that very hour. And (Jesus) delivered him again to his father. And when he was come into the house, then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them,

Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have [153]faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

DEATH FORETOLD AGAIN—PAYS TRIBUTE—CAUTION AGAINST GIVING OFFENCE.

AFTER these things Jesus departed thence, and passed through Galilee; for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. And he would not that any man should know it. And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill him; and after [154]that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

But they understood not that saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. And they were exceeding sorry.

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying,

What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him,

Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money; that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

And being in the house he asked them,

What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And Jesus perceiving the thought of their heart, sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them,

If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me, for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him,

[156]Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he 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 hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off; it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never [157]shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not 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 having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

LESSONS OF HUMILITY AND FORGIVENESS

AT the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said,

[158]Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

[159] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray. And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass [160]against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin, against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him,

I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But for as much as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: [162]and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me; shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your [163]hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

CHAPTER XXXV.

JESUS AT THE FEAST—RETURN OF THE OFFICERS OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS

NOW the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him. Then Jesus said unto them,

My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, where is he? And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them, and said,

My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? Jesus answered and said unto them,

[165]I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is, but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying,

Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. Then said Jesus unto them,

Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? In the last day that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying,

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

(But this spake he of the spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the Scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. And every man went unto his own house. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE CONVICTED ACCUSERS—JESUS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

AND early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them,

He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

And again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her,

[169]Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her,

Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them,

Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the [170]Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me, beareth witness of me.

Then said they unto him, Where is thy father? Jesus answered,

Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. Then said Jesus again unto them,

I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. And he said unto them,

Ye are from beneath: I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore [171]unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Then they said unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them,

Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them,

When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,

[172]If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said unto them,

If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man [173]that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your Father.

Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe [174]me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered,

I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and ye do dishonor me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets, and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered,

If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honoreth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him: but I know him: and if I [175]should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you; but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad.

Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

A MAN BORN BLIND, HEALED, EXAMINED AND EXCOMMUNICATED.

AND as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered,

Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of [176]God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said to him,

Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.)

He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.

They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: but by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess, that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age: ask him.

Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him,

Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him,

Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

And he said, Lord, I believe, And he worshipped him. And Jesus said,

For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not, might see; and that they which see, might be made blind.

And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them,

[179]If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

PARABLE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not [180]follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catches them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because [181]he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, these are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them,

I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them,

Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them,

Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, and went away again beyond Jordan into the place were John at first baptized; and there he abode. And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

JESUS RAISES LAZARUS—JEWS SEEK HIS LIFE.

NOW a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said,

This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples,

Let us go into Judea again.

His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered,

Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, [185]he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them,

Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death; but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly,

Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him; but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her,

Thy brother shall rise again.

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus saith unto her,

I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister, secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said,

Where have ye laid him?

They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold, how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said,

Take ye away the stone.

Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her,

Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid: And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said,

Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice,

Lazarus, come forth.

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them,

Loose him, and let him go.

Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said,

Ye know not what manner of spirits ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.

And they went to another village. And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord I will follow thee withersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him,

Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

And he said unto another,

Follow me.

But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him,

[190]Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him,

No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

CHAPTER XL.

SEVENTY DISCIPLES SENT OUT.

AFTER these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them,

The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry [191]neither purse nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom [192]of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them,

I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and [193]scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said,

I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately,

Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: for I tell you, [194]that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him,

What is written in the law? how readest thou?

And he answering, said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him,

Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? And Jesus answering, said,

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain [195]priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him,

Go, and do thou likewise.

CHAPTER XLI.

MARTHA'S ENTERTAINMENT—FORM OF PRAYER—DUMB DEVIL.

NOW it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her,

Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them,

When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be [197]thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

And he said unto them,

Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

And I say unto you, Ask, and it [198]shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them,

Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a [199]house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my [200]house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said,

Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

CHAPTER XLII.

EVIL GENERATION SEEK A SIGN—PRACTICAL LESSONS.

AND when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say,

This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the [201]prophet. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them; for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. [202]Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said unto him,

Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye [203]to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. And he said,

Woe unto you also ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. Therefore also said the Wisdom of God I will [204]send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

CHAPTER XLIII.

DISCOURSES ON VARIOUS TOPICS—MINISTERIAL DILIGENCE.

IN the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all,

Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed: neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn [206]you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: but he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how [207]or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him,

Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

And he said unto them,

Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

And he spake a parable unto them, saying,

The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits.

And he said, This will I do; I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits [208]and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.

And he said unto his disciples,

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which [209]is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags [210]which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he [211]would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also; for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? and the Lord said,

Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the men servants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at [212]an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

And that servant which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with: and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: for from henceforth there shall be five in [213]one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against the daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

And he said also to the people,

When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth: but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in [214]the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

CHAPTER XLIV.

TOKENS OF COMING JUDGMENT—EIGHTEEN YEARS INFIRMITY.

THERE were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them,

Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower [215]in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

He spake also this parable:

A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her.

Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said,

Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. Then said he,

Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into [217]his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree: and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

And again he said,

Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us: and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, [218]and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out and depart hence, for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them,

Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, [219]and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

CHAPTER XLV.

DROPSY CURED—PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER.

AND it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying,

Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; and answered them, saying,

Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

And they could not answer him again to these things.

And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the [221]lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Then said he also to him that bade him,

When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said he unto him,

[222]A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

So that servant came and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet [223]there is room. And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, [224]saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

CHAPTER XLVI.

PARABLES OF LOST SHEEP, LOST PIECE OF SILVER AND PRODIGAL SON.

THEN drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that [226]repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently, till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

And he said,

A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his [227]journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had [228]compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it: and let us eat and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and [229]sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out and entreated him.

And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid that I might make merry with my friends: but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

CHAPTER XLVII.

THE UNJUST STEWARD—THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS.

AND he said also unto his disciples,

There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the [231]first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much.

If therefore ye have not been faithful [232]in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them,

Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, [233]than one tittle of the law to fail. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that [234]he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto [235]them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

OF GIVING OFFENCE—TEN LEPERS—SECOND COMING OF JESUS.

THEN said he unto his disciples,

It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven [236]times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said,

If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, [237]say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them,

Go shew yourselves unto the priests.

And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw, that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said,

Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

And he said unto him,

Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea, by the farther side of Jordan: and great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there; and as he was wont, he taught them again. And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said,

The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

And he said unto the disciples,

The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of [239]man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away; and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife.

Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two [240]men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field: the one shall be taken, and the other left.

And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them,

Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

CHAPTER XLIX.

IMPORTUNATE WIDOW—MARRIAGE—CHILDREN BROUGHT TO JESUS.

AND he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying,

There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward [241]he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man: yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

And the Lord said,

Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth.

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I [242]fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them,

What did Moses command you?

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them,

For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. Have ye not read, that from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, [243]and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? he saith unto them,

Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. And he saith unto them,

Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband and [244]be married to another, she committeth adultery.

His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them,

All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them and pray: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them,

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God [245]as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them, and departed thence.

CHAPTER L.

YOUNG RULER—WARNING TO THE RICH—PARABLE OF LABOURERS.

AND when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And Jesus said unto him,

Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said,

Thou knowest the commandments. Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear [246]false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother, and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

The young man saith unto him, Master, all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him,

One thing thou lackest: if thou wilt be perfect, go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he looked round about, and saith unto his disciples,

Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven!

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them.

Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a [247]camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, and they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith,

With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee: what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them,

Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, and the gospel's, shall receive an hundredfold, now in this time, houses, and brethren, [248]and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come, eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place, and said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say [249]unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me [250]for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last; for many be called, but few chosen.

CHAPTER LI.

ZEBEDEE'S CHILDREN—HEALS TWO BLIND MEN NEAR JERICHO.

AND they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve disciples apart in the way, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, saying,

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. And the Son [251]of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: and they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, James and John, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them,

What would ye that I should do for you?

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. And Jesus answered and said,

Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

They say unto him, We are able. And Jesus said unto them,

Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren, James and John. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them,

Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever shall be great among you shall be your minister: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: and hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, saying,

What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?

And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him,

Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee?

And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee, And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him,

What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?

The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him,

Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.

And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

CHAPTER LII.

NOBLEMAN & SERVANTS—MARY ANOINTS JESUS.

AND, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him,

[255]Zaccheus, make haste, and come down: for to day I must abide at thy house.

And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

And Zaccheus stood and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said, unto him,

This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore,

A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens [256]hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin; for I feared thee, because thou art an [257]austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand; and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem, before the passover, to purify themselves.

Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him. Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper there they made him a supper; and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary an alabaster box of a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and she brake the box, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

But when his disciples saw it, then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them,

Why trouble ye the woman? Let her alone: why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: for in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

CHAPTER LIII.

TRIUMPHANT ENTRANCE OF JESUS INTO JERUSALEM.

ON the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto them,

Go into the village over against you, and straightway, as soon as ye enter into it, ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her, whereon yet never man sat; loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them hither.

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

And the disciples that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them, the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? And they said, The Lord hath need of him; even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

And they brought the ass and the colt to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

And as he went, a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the way.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them,

I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying,

If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side. And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone [263]upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus entered into Jerusalem and into the temple.

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, and said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them,

Yea; have ye never read; Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

And when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out.

CHAPTER LIV.

GREEKS WISH TO SEE JESUS—BARREN FIG TREE.

AND there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: the same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying,

The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. Now is [265]my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name.

Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An Angel spake to him.

Jesus answered and said,

This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever; and how sayest thou, The son of man must be lifted up? Who is this son of man? Then Jesus said unto them,

Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have [266]light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.

These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany, with the twelve; and lodged there.

And on the morrow, in the morning, when they were come from Bethany, as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it,

No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever.

And his disciples heard it. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them,

Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye [267]shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple of God, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves; and would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them,

Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

And the scribes and chief priests heard it. And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, and could not find what they might do: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine (and were very attentive to hear him.) And when even was come, he went out of the city.

And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them,

Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall [268]say unto 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 saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also, which is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

CHAPTER LV.

PHARISEES QUESTION HIS AUTHORITY—PARABLE OF THE HOUSEHOLDER AND HIS VINEYARD.

AND they come again to Jerusalem: and it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes, and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority to do these things?

And Jesus answered and said unto them,

I will also ask of you one question, which if ye tell me, I in likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? answer me.

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men: all the people will stone us: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them,

Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father?

They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them,

Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye [271]had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Hear another parable:

There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a wine-press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country, for a long time. And at the season when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And the husbandmen caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.

And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third: and him they killed, and cast him out. And [272]many others; beating some, and killing some.

Having yet therefore one son, his well beloved, then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: he sent him also last unto them, saying, It may be they will reverence him, when they see him. But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. When the Lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their season.

And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. And he beheld them, and said unto them,

[273]Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore I say unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought the same hour to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them; and they left him, and went their way.

CHAPTER LVI.

THE MARRIAGE FEAST—TRIBUTE TO CESAR—JEWISH INFIDELITY.

AND Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and [275]entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment; and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, [276]and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said,

Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money; bring me a penny, that I may see it.

And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them,

Whose is this image and superscription?

They say unto him, Cesar's. Then saith he unto them,

[277]Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

And they could not take hold of his words before the people. When they had heard these words, they marvelled at his answer and held their peace, and left him, and went their way.

The same day came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that 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 had married a wife, died, and having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: and the second took her to wife, and he died childless. And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them,

Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God? The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: but they which shall be [278]accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels of God in heaven; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, 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; for all live unto him. Ye therefore do greatly err.

And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

CHAPTER LVII.

JESUS ANSWERS SADDUCEES AND PHARISEES—WIDOWS OFFERING.

BUT when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. And one of the scribes which was a lawyer, came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Which is the First commandment of all?

And Jesus answered him,

The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two [280]commandments hang all the law and the prophets. There is none other commandment greater than these.

And the scribe said unto him, Well Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: and 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 his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him,

Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.

And no man after that durst ask him any question.

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying,

What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?

They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them,

How then doth David in spirit call him Lord?

And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple,

[281]How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? For David himself saith by the Holy Ghost, in the book of Psalms, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son?

And no man was able to answer him a word: and the common people heard him gladly: neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, in his doctrine,

Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market places, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

And Jesus sat over against the treasury. And he looked up, and saw the people casting their gifts into the treasury. And many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them,

Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance, unto the offerings of God: but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: that the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jesus cried and said,

[283]He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

CHAPTER LVIII.

WOES AGAINST SCRIBES, PHARISEES AND HYPOCRITES.

THEN spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, saying,

The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the border of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and [285]the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make [286]long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him two-fold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all [287]things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Woe unto you, scribes and [288]Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell.

Wherefore, behold, I send unto [289]you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

CHAPTER LIX.

DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE AND COMING OF THE SON OF MAN FORETOLD.

AND Jesus went out, and departed from the temple, and as he went out, his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answering said unto him,

Seest thou these great buildings? As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which, verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, saying, Master, tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world, when all these things shall be fulfilled? and Jesus answered and said unto them,

Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near; and shall deceive many; go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars, see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must first come to pass; but the end is not yet.

Then said he unto them,

Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. All these are the beginning of sorrows. But take heed to yourselves: before all these, they shall lay their hands [292]on you, and persecute you; for they shall deliver you up to councils: and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And (they) shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and [293]brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.

And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the [294]holy place, (whoso readeth let him understand:) and when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains: and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take anything out of his house and let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: for then shall be great [295]tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: for false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

[296] Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

CHAPTER LX.

FEARFUL SIGNS AFTER THE GREAT TRIBULATION—PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS.

IMMEDIATELY after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea [297]and the waves roaring: men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

And he spake to them a parable;

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; behold the fig tree and all the trees: when his branch is yet tender, [298]and putteth forth leaves, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. But of that day and that hour knoweth [299]no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but my Father only. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his [300]house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I [301]say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried they [302]all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

CHAPTER LXI.

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS—JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS.

FOR the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

After a long time the lord of those [304]servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents besides them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, [305]reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed: and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

When the Son of man shall come [306]in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When [307]saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or, naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

[308] Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread: and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

CHAPTER LXII.

COVENANT WITH JUDAS—JESUS WASHES HIS DISCIPLES' FEET.

THEN assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people: for they feared the people.

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them, and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity how he might conveniently betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple for to hear him.

Then came the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed; and he sent Peter and John, saying,

Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? And he said unto them,

Go ye into the city, and behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water, follow him into [310]the house where he entereth in. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith my time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. Where is the guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

And in the evening, when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them,

With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

And he took the cup and gave thanks, and said,

[311]Take this, and divide it, among yourselves: for I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments, and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him,

What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him.

If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith unto him,

[312]He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he,

Ye are not all clean.

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them,

Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord: neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

CHAPTER LXIII.

THE LORD'S SUPPER INSTITUTED—PETER FOREWARNED.

AND as they were eating, the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and gave thanks, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said,

Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come [314]to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me: and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

And as they sat and did eat, when Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, one by one, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said unto them,

It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish: the same shall betray me. The son of man goeth as it is written of him, but woe unto that man by whom the son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered,

He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.

And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him,

That thou doest, do quickly.

Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him,

Thou hast said.

He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said,

Now is the son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall [316]straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him,

Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now: but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him,

Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them,

The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

CHAPTER LXIV.

JESUS COMFORTS HIS DISCIPLES—TEACHES LOVE TO EACH OTHER.

AND the Lord said,

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said,

I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

And he said unto them,

When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything?

And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them,

But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me. And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them,

It is enough.

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,

Drink ye all of it.

And they all drank of it. And he said unto them

This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of [320]me. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way. Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him,

Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very work's sake.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do [322]it. If ye love me keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him,

If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye [324]would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

CHAPTER LXV.

JESUS THE TRUE VINE—HATRED OF THE WORLD.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth [325]fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: [326]continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father [327]in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

[328] If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law. They hated me without a cause.

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

CHAPTER LXVI.

JESUS FOREWARNS HIS DISCIPLES.

THESE things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the [329]synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because [330]they believed not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me; and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? We cannot tell what he saith.

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them,

Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

And in that day ye shall ask me [332]nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs; but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

His disciples saith unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them,

[333]Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

CHAPTER LXVII.

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS DISCIPLES—FORETELLS PETER'S DENIAL.

THESE words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that the Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou [334]hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me: and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

I pray for them: I pray not for [335]the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

I have given them my word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the [336]world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them: that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and [337]hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

Gorge of the Kidron.

O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

When Jesus had spoken these words, and when they had sung an hymn, he came out, and went as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him, over the brook Cedron. Then saith Jesus unto them,

All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered [338]abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. And Jesus saith unto him,

Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said all the disciples.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

THE AGONY OF JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE.

THEN cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, where was a garden, into the which he entered and his disciples. And when he was at the place, he said unto them,

Pray that ye enter not into temptation. Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them,

My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

And he went a little farther, and kneeled down, and fell on his face on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said,

Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee: O my Father, if it be possible, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter,

Simon, sleepest thou? What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

He went away the second time, and prayed, and spake the same words: saying,

O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. And he cometh the third time to his disciples, and saith unto them,

Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

And when he rose up from prayer and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them,

Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns, and torches and weapons.

And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders of the people.

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them,

Whom seek ye?

They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them,

I am he.

And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again,

Whom seek ye?

And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered,

I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way.

That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake. Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

CHAPTER LXIX.

BETRAYAL OF JESUS—BROUGHT BEFORE THE HIGH PRIEST.

NOW he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast, and lead him away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him: and saith, Hail, Master, Master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him,

Friend, wherefore art thou come? Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

When they, which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them that stood by (Simon Peter) with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. And Jesus answered and said,

Suffer ye thus far.

And he touched his ear and healed him. Then said Jesus unto Peter,

[343]Put up thy sword into the sheath: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

In that same hour, Jesus said unto the chief priests and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him,

Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves for to take me? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound him, and led him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, and brought him into the high priest's house.

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him,

I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort: and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him,

[345]If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. And with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among the servants, and warmed himself at the fire, to see the end.

CHAPTER LXX.

JESUS EXAMINED BY THE SANHEDRIM—PETER DENIES HIM.

NOW the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; but found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none: their witness agreed not together. At the last came two false witnesses, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I am able to destroy the temple of God, that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. But neither so did their witness agree together.

And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God, the Son of the Blessed? Jesus saith unto him,

Thou hast said: nevertheless say I unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and others smote him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: (the damsel that kept the door;) and when she saw Peter, as he sat by the fire, warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. Art thou not also one of this man's disciples?

But he denied before them all, saying, Woman, I know him not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals: for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. And after a little while, when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This is one of them, this fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

And about the space of an hour after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely, thou art one of them: for thou art a Galileean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And immediately the second time, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he went out, and wept bitterly.

CHAPTER LXXI.

EXAMINATION CONTINUED—JUDAS REPENTS—JESUS SCOURGED.

AND as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them,

If I tell you, ye will not believe: and if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them,

Ye say that I am.

And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

And straightway, when the morning was come, all the chief priests held a consultation with the elders of the people, and scribes, and the whole council, against Jesus, to put him to death: And when they had bound him, the whole multitude of them arose and led him away from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor: and it was early.

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potters field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value, and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

And they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and saith unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death; that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him,

Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered,

My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered,

Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; and went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered,

Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that [352]delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Cesar.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour.

CHAPTER LXXII.

JESUS BEFORE HEROD—MESSAGE TO PILATE FROM HIS WIFE.

AND Jesus stood before the governor: and they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. And Pilate the governor, asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus saith unto him,

Thou sayest.

And the chief priests accused him of many things: and when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. And they were the more fierce, saying, He stireth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galileean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cesar.

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod, for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ, the king of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them, and destroy Jesus. And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, saying, Crucify him; let him be crucified.

And the governor said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, gave sentence that it should be as they required.

And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to their will, to be crucified.

CHAPTER LXXIII.

JESUS CRUCIFIED—HE PRAYS FOR HIS ENEMIES.

THEN the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, called Pretorium; and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and began to salute him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus: him they compelled, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said,

Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the [357]days are coming, in the which they shall say, blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps that never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us: and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry.

And there were also two other malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And he bearing his cross went forth, and when they were come to a place called Golgotha, which is called Calvary, which is, being interpreted, the place of a skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

There they crucified him, and two malefactors with him, one on the right hand, and the other on the left, and Jesus in the midst. Then said Jesus,

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written.

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

And sitting down they watched him there, and set up over his head his accusation. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

CHAPTER LXXIV.

THE TWO THIEVES—JESUS THIRSTS—HE GIVES UP THE GHOST.

AND the people stood beholding. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, and the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, that we may see, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the King of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him,

Verily I say unto thee, to day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother,

Woman, behold thy son!

Then saith he to the disciple,

Behold thy mother!

And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,

Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?

which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth for Elias. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith,

I thirst.

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said,

It is finished.

And the vail of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said,

Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit!

And having said thus, he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

CHAPTER LXXV.

JESUS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS—BURIED—TOMB SEALED.

AND, behold, the vail of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him, stood afar off, beholding these things; among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome, the mother of Zebedee's children; (who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came thereout blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

And after this, when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, there came a rich man of Arimathea named Joseph, an honorable counsellor, and he was a good man, and a just: (the same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews. This man went in boldly into Pilate, and begged that he might take away the body of Jesus.

And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead; and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered unto Joseph. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. And when Joseph had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore in his own new tomb which he had hewn out in the rock: because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre and departed. And that day was the preparation and the sabbath drew on.

And the women also, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, the mother of Joses, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and sitting over against the sepulchre, beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

CHAPTER LXXVI.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS—SCENES, ETC.

AND when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and annoint him.

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre, at the rising of the sun. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said, Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way quickly, and tell his disciples, and Peter, that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he said unto you: lo, I have told you.

And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre, with fear and great joy; for they trembled and were amazed; and did run to bring his disciples word: neither said they anything to any man; for they were afraid.

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: and as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen; remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

CHAPTER LXXVII.

MARY MAGDALENE AND OTHERS VISIT THE SEPULCHRE.

THE first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith, unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre and we know not where they have laid him.

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Then the disciples went away again unto their own home, (Peter) wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, Why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

(Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.) And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her,

Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?

She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her,

[369]Mary.

She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni: which is to say, Master. Jesus said unto her,

Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

And she went and told the disciples that had been with him, as they mourned and wept, that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

CHAPTER LXXVIII.

JOURNEY TO EMMAUS—INCREDULITY OF THOMAS.

AFTER that he appeared in another form unto two of them, that same day, as they walked, and went into the country, to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them,

What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering, said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them,

What things?

And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not his body, they came saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. Then said he unto them,

[371]O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

And they drew nigh unto the village whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread: neither believed they them.

And as they thus spake, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them,

Peace be unto you.

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them,

Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands, and his feet, and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.

And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them.

Have ye here any meat?

And they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. Then said Jesus to them again,

Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them,

[373]Receive ye the holy Ghost. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Dydimus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But, he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, as they sat at meat, and said,

Peace be unto you;

and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. Then saith he to Thomas,

Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus said unto him,

[374]Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying,

All hail.

And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them,

Be not afraid; go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

CHAPTER LXXIX.

JESUS APPEARS TO THE ELEVEN; THEN TO FIVE HUNDRED BRETHREN AT ONCE.

THEN the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Sea of Galilee.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, [375]and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once.

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them,

Children, have ye any meat?

They answered him, No, And he said unto them,

Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.

They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, it is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them,

Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them,

Come and dine.

And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,

Feed my lambs.

He saith to him the second time,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,

Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him,

Feed my sheep.

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him,

Follow me.

Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him,

If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things: and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. After that he was seen of James.

CHAPTER LXXX.

THE ASCENSION OF JESUS—INCIDENTS.

AND (Jesus), being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. And he said unto them,

These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me.

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them,

Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name [380]among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them,

It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he said unto them,

[381]Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not 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 unto them, he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight; he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey; and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

CONCLUSION.

JESUS has now conquered death, and ascended, where "He ever liveth to make intercession for us." We no more mark his footsteps, or hear his voice amid the hills and valleys of the Promised Land; but in the groves of immortal bliss, he is worshipped by adoring angels, and by the "spirits of just men made perfect."

There, Moses and Elias, Peter, James and John, "walk with him in white," and in a more exalted sense than, when on the Mount of Transfiguration, exclaim, "Master, it is good for us to be here." And with these,

"The saints of all ages in harmony meet,
Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet;
While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll,
And the smile of our Jesus is the feast of the soul."

But while we linger on these mortal shores, other words, from the lips of Jesus, still fall upon our ears.

When Paul was on his way to the feast of the Passover at Jerusalem, he tarried for a brief space at Ephesus. Here he called together the elders of the church, and gave them an account of his labors, and exhorted them to diligence in the cause of their Master. And in that memorable farewell address, while urging upon the strong the duty of supporting the weak, he enforces his doctrine, by reminding them of the "words of the Lord Jesus," where he says,

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus. In a vision, he saw one like unto the Son of man, walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. His hair was like wool, white as snow; his eyes as a flame of fire; his feet like fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice like the sound of many waters.

In his right hand were seven stars: and out of his mouth went a two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shining in his strength. And when John saw him, he fell at his feet as one dead. But Jesus laid his right hand upon him saying:

Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and [385]the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

And these are the words which he commanded John to write to the angels, or ministers, of the seven churches.

To the church in Ephesus, write:

I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember, therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do thy first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out [386]of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

To the church of Smyrna, write:

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, but thou art rich; and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

To the church in Pergamos, write:

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was [387]my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

To the church at Thyatira, write:

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman, Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and [388]to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death: and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall [389]they be broken to shivers, even as I received of my Father; and I will give him the morning star.

To the church in Sardis, write:

I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

To the church in Philadelphia, write:

I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little [390]strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name.

To the church of the Laodiceans, write:

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and [392]will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

John in his vision saw also a new heaven and a new earth; and there was no more sea. For the former things were passed away. And Jesus who sat upon the throne, said:

Behold, I make all things new.

And he said to John:

Write: for these words are true and faithful. It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have [393]their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

And John saw the holy city, with its jasper walls, its golden streets, and gates of pearl; its crystal river, and tree of life, with its perpetual fruits and healing leaves; and the light of the city was the glory of the Lamb. And he spake to John and said,

I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things, in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

And the Spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

For I testify unto every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take [394]away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

He which testifieth these things saith,

Surely I come quickly: Amen.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

INDEX

MATTHEW.
CHAP. III.
VERSES. | PAGE.
13 to 16 | 16
CHAP. IV.
1 to 8 | 17
9 to 11 | 18
12 to 20 | 36
21, 22 | 37
23 to 25 | 39
CHAP. V.
1 to 3 | 39
4 to 13 | 40
14 to 19 | 41
20 to 24 | 42
25 to 30 | 43
31 to 36 | 44
37 to 45 | 45
46 to 48 | 46
CHAP. VI.
1, 2 | 46
3 to 7 | 47
8 to 16 | 48
17 to 23 | 49
24 to 29 | 50
30 to 34 | 51
CHAP. VII.
1 to 6 | 52
7 to 14 | 53
15 to 22 | 54
23 to 29 | 55
CHAP. VIII.
1 | 55
2 to 4 | 57
7 to 9 | 78
10 to 13 | 79
14 to 17 | 38
18 to 22 | 105
23 to 27 | 106
28, 29 | 107
30 to 34 | 108
CHAP. IX.
1, 10 to 13 | 109
2, 4, 8, 9 | 59
14 to 18 | 110
19, 20 | 111
22 to 24 | 112
26 to 30 | 113
31 to 34 | 114
35 to 38 | 115
CHAP. X.
1, 5 | 115
2 to 4 | 72
6 to 14 | 116
15 to 20 | 117
21 to 26 | 118
27 to 35 | 119
36 to 42 | 120
CHAP. XI.
1 | 121
2 | 80
5 to 8 | 81
9 to 15 | 82
16 to 21 | 83
22 to 27 | 84
28 to 30 | 85
CHAP. XII.
1, 2, 4 | 68
5, 6, 7, 9, 10 | 69
11 to 13 | 70
15, 17 to 21 | 71
22 to 27 | 88
28 to 32 | 89
33 to 37 | 90
38 to 42 | 91
43 to 48 | 92
49, 50 | 93
CHAP. XIII.
1, 2, 4, 5 | 93
5, 10, 11, 12 | 94
13 to 17 | 95
18 | 99
19 | 100
24 to 80 | 96
31 | 97
32, 33, 35 | 98
36 to 41 | 102
42 to 48 | 103
49 to 52 | 104
53 | 105
54 to 57 | 114
58 | 115
CHAP. XIV.
1, 2 | 121
2 to 4 | 135
5 to 9 | 136
7, 8 | 122
10 to 12 | 123
15, 16 | 124
27 to 33 | 127
35 | 128
CHAP. XV.
12 to 16 | 137
17 to 20 | 138
21 to 25 | 139
27 to 29 | 140
29 to 31, 33 to 36 | 141
37 to 39 | 142
CHAP. XVI.
1 to 3 | 142
4 to 9 | 143
10, 11 | 144
12 to 14 | 145
16 to 21 | 146
22, 23, 26 | 147
27 | 148
CHAP. XVII.
1 to 6 | 149
7, 9 to 12 | 150
13 to 17 | 151
18 to 20 | 152
21 to 23 | 153
24 to 27 | 154
CHAP. XVIII.
1 to 3 | 157
4 to 8 | 158
9 to 15 | 159
16 to 20 | 160
21 to 28 | 161
29 to 35 | 162
CHAP. XIX.
1 | 237
2 | 238
3 to 5 | 242
6 to 9 | 243
10 to 13 | 244
15 to 18 | 245
19 to 24 | 246
25, 27 to 29 | 247
CHAP. XX.
1 to 7 | 248
8 to 13 | 249
14 to 18 | 250
19, 20, 22 | 251
23, 24 | 252
CHAP. XXI.
1 to 3 | 260
4 to 8 | 261
9 | 262
10, 11, 14 to 16 | 263
17 to 22 | 266
12 | 267
23 to 25 | 269
28 to 32 | 270
33 to 35 | 271
40 to 42 | 272
43 to 46 | 273
CHAP. XXII.
1 to 6 | 274
7 to 13 | 275
14 to 21 | 276
22 to 25, 28 | 277
30, 33 | 278
34 to 36, 38 to 40 | 279
41 to 43 | 280
46 | 281
CHAP. XXIII.
1 to 6 | 284
7 to 14 | 285
15 to 20 | 286
21 to 27 | 287
28 to 34 | 288
35 to 39 | 289
CHAP. XXIV.
1 to 3 | 290
4 to 8 | 291
9, 10 | 292
11 to 15 | 293
20, 21 | 294
26 to 29 | 296
30 to 32 | 297
34, 35 | 298
36, 37 to 42 | 299
43 to 47 | 300
48 to 51 | 301
CHAP. XXV.
1 to 5 | 301
6 to 13 | 302
4 to 19 | 303
20 to 24 | 304
25 to 31 | 305
32 to 37 | 306
38 to 44 | 307
45, 46 | 308
CHAP. XXVI.
6 to 8 | 258
10, 12, 13 | 259
15 to 17 | 309
18, 19 | 310
26 | 313
22 to 24 | 314
25 | 315
27 to 28 | 319
29 | 320
31 | 337
32, 33, 35, 36 | 338
37 to 41 | 339
42, 44, 45, 46 | 340
47 | 341
48 to 51 | 342
52 to 56 | 343
57 | 344
58 to 61 | 345
63 to 68 | 346
70 to 72, 75 | 347
CHAP. XXVII.
1 | 348
2 to 9 | 349
11 to 13 | 352
14 | 353
15 to 17, 19 to 22 | 354
24 to 25 | 355
27 to 29, 32 | 356
33 to 34 | 357
35 to 37 | 358
40 to 44 | 359
46 | 360
48, 49 | 361
51 to 56 | 362
57, 58 | 363
59 to 66 | 364
CHAP. XXVIII.
1 to 6 | 365
7, 8, 11 to 15 | 366
9, 10, 16 to 19 | 374
20 | 375
MARK.
CHAP. I.
9, 11 | 16
13 | 17
14, 15, 17 | 36
19 to 22, 26 to 28 | 37
29 to 33, 35 to 38 | 38
39 | 39
40, 41, 45 | 57
45 | 58
CHAP. II.
1 to 5 | 58
6 to 13 | 59
14 to 18 | 60
19 to 21 | 61
25, 26 | 68
27, 28 | 69
CHAP. III.
1, 2 | 69
4, 6 | 70
7 to 12 | 71
13 to 15, 17, 19 | 72
24 to 26 | 88
28 to 30 | 89
32 | 92
34 | 93
CHAP. IV.
1 to 4 | 93
7 to 8 | 94
10 to 13 | 99
14 to 17 | 100
18 to 23 | 101
24 to 25 | 102
26 to 31 | 97
32 to 34 | 98
35 | 105
36 to 41 | 106
CHAP. V.
1, 3 to 7 | 107
11 to 16, 18, 19 | 108
20 to 21 | 109
22, 23 | 110
24, 26, 29 to 32 | 111
33 to 39 | 112
40 to 43 | 113
CHAP. VI.
1 to 2 | 114
4 to 7 | 115
8, 9 | 116
12 to 15 | 121
16 to 27 | 122
29 to 34 | 123
35 to 38 | 124
39 to 41, 43 | 125
45 to 48 | 126
50 to 52 | 127
53 to 56 | 128
CHAP. VII.
1 to 5, 9 | 135
11 to 13, 8 | 136
14 to 17 | 137
18 to 23 | 138
24 to 27 | 139
28 to 37 | 140
CHAP. VIII.
1 to 3 | 141
6, 7, 9, 10, 11 | 142
12 to 15 | 143
17 to 21 | 144
22 to 27 | 145
29 | 146
31 to 36 | 147
38 | 148
CHAP. IX.
1 | 148
2 to 4, 6 | 149
8 to 10, 12, 13 | 150
14 to 18, 20 | 151
21 to 28 | 152
29 to 31 | 153
32 | 154
33 to 38 | 155
39 to 45 | 156
46 to 50 | 157
CHAP. X.
1 | 237
3 to 6 | 242
10 to 12 | 243
13 to 15 | 244
16 to 19 | 245
20, 21, 23, 24 | 246
26, 27, 29, 30 | 247
31 | 248
32, 33 | 250
34 to 37 | 251
39 to 45 | 252
46 to 49 | 253
CHAP. XI.
2, 3 | 260
4, 6, 7 | 261
10 | 262
11 | 263
12 to 14 | 266
15 to 23 | 267
24 to 26 | 268
27, 28, 30 to 33 | 269
CHAP. XII.
2 to 5 | 271
6 | 272
12 | 273
13 to 15 | 276
19, 23, 24 | 277
26, 27 | 278
28 to 30 | 279
31 to 35 | 280
36 to 41 | 281
42 to 44 | 282
CHAP. XIII.
1 to 4 | 290
9 | 291
10 | 292
15 to 16 | 294
19 to 23 | 295
27, 28 | 297
29, 32 | 298
33, 34 | 299
35 to 37 | 300
CHAP. XIV.
1 | 308
3 to 5 | 258
6 to 9 | 259
11 to 13 | 309
14 to 17 | 310
18 to 20 | 314
23 | 319
26 | 337
30, 31 | 338
33, 35, 36, 37 | 339
39 to 41 | 340
43 | 341
44, 45, 47 | 342
51, 52 | 343
53, 54, 56 to 60 | 345
61, 64 to 67 | 346
68 to 72 | 347
CHAP. XV.
1 | 348
3, 4 | 352
6 to 11 | 354
12 to 15 | 355
16, 18 to 21 | 356
22 | 357
25 to 28 | 358
29, 30, 32 | 359
33 to 35 | 360
39 to 41 | 362
42 to 45 | 363
46, 47 | 364
CHAP. XVI.
1 to 6 | 365
7 to 8 | 366
9 | 368
10 to 12 | 369
13 | 371
14 | 373
15 | 380
16 to 19 | 381
20 | 382
LUKE.
CHAP. III.
21, 22 | 16
CHAP. IV.
1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9 to 12 | 17
6, 7 | 18
14 to 16 | 33
17 to 24 | 34
25 to 30 | 35
31 | 36
32 to 37 | 37
38 to 42 | 38
42, 43 | 39
CHAP. V.
1 to 8 | 56
9 to 12 | 57
15 to 19 | 58
21, 25, 26, 27 | 59
27 to 30, 33, 34 | 60
36 to 39 | 61
CHAP. VI.
1 to 4 | 68
6 to 8 | 69
9, 11 | 70
12 to 15, 17 to 19 | 72
20 to 26 | 73
27 to 34 | 74
35 to 38 | 75
39 to 43 | 76
44 to 49 | 77
CHAP. VII.
1 to 9 | 78
10 | 79
11 to 18 | 80
19 to 22, 24, 25 | 81
28, 29 | 82
30 to 35 | 83
36 to 38 | 85
39 to 44 | 86
45 to 50 | 87
CHAP. VIII.
1 to 3 | 87
4 to 5 | 93
6 to 8 | 94
11 to 13 | 100
14 to 17 | 101
18 | 102
19 to 21 | 104
22 to 25 | 106
26 to 31 | 107
34 to 38 | 108
39 to 40 | 109
42, 43, 45 to 47 | 111
48, 50 to 52 | 112
53, 55, 56 | 113
CHAP. IX.
1 to 2 | 115
3 | 116
6 to 9 | 121
10 | 123
11, 12 | 124
13, 14 | 125
18 | 145
19, 20 | 146
23, 25 | 147
26 | 148
28 to 35 | 149
36, 37 | 150
38, 41 | 151
42 | 152
43, 44 | 153
45, 46 | 154
47 to 50 | 155
51 to 60 | 189
61, 62 | 190
CHAP. X.
1 to 4 | 190
5 to 11 | 191
12 to 19 | 192
20 to 24 | 193
25 to 31 | 194
32 to 37 | 195
38 to 42 | 196
CHAP. XI.
1, 2 | 196
3 to 9 | 197
10 to 17 | 198
20 to 24 | 199
25 to 29 | 200
30 to 34 | 201
35 to 42 | 202
43 to 49 | 203
50 to 54 | 204
CHAP. XII.
1 to 5 | 205
6 to 11 | 206
12 to 18 | 207
19 to 26 | 208
27 to 33 | 209
34 to 39 | 210
40 to 46 | 211
47 to 52 | 212
53 to 58 | 213
59 | 214
CHAP. XIII.
1 to 4 | 214
5 to 12 | 215
13 to 19 | 216
20 to 26 | 217
27 to 33, 34, 35 | 218
CHAP. XIV.
1 | 219
2 to 10 | 220
11 to 16 | 221
17 to 22 | 222
23 to 29 | 223
30 to 35 | 224
CHAP. XV.
1 to 7 | 225
8 to 13 | 226
14 to 20 | 227
21 to 27 | 228
28 to 32 | 229
CHAP. XVI.
1 to 5 | 230
6 to 11 | 231
12 to 17 | 232
18 to 24 | 233
25 to 30 | 234
31 | 235
CHAP. XVII.
1 to 4 | 235
5 to 10 | 236
11 to 19 | 237
20 to 26 | 238
27 to 34 | 239
35 to 37 | 240
CHAP. XVIII.
1 to 4 | 240
5 to 11 | 241
12 to 14 | 242
15 | 244
31 | 250
34 | 251
35 to 43 | 253
CHAP. XIX.
1 | 253
2 to 5 | 254
6 to 14 | 255
15 to 21 | 256
22 to 27 | 257
28 | 258
29, 30 | 260
32 to 38 | 261
39 to 44 | 262
45, 47, 48 | 267
CHAP. XX.
1, 2, 6 | 268
9 to 12 | 271
13 to 17 | 272
19 | 273
20 | 276
26 to 35 | 277
36, 38, 39, 40 | 278
42 to 45 | 281
CHAP. XXI.
1 | 281
4 | 282
5 to 7 | 290
8 to 12 | 291
15 to 16 | 292
16 to 19 | 293
20 to 23 | 294
24 | 295
25 | 296
26, 28, 29 | 297
30 to 32, 34 to 36 | 298
37, 38 | 309
CHAP. XXII.
2 to 4, 6 to 10 | 309
14 to 17 | 310
19, 21, 22 | 313
23 | 314
24 to 30 | 317
31 to 35 | 318
36 to 38 | 319
39 | 337
40 | 338
41 to 44 | 339
45 | 340
47 to 49, 51 | 342
52, 53 | 343
54 | 344
55 | 345
56, 63 to 65 | 346
57 to 61 | 347
66 to 71 | 348
CHAP. XXIII.
1 | 348
2, 3 | 352
4 to 14 | 353
15 to 20 | 354
21 to 25 | 355
26 to 29 | 356
30 to 34 | 357
35 to 39 | 359
40 to 43, 45 | 360
48, 49 | 362
50 to 52 | 363
54 to 56 | 364
CHAP. XXIV.
1 to 6 | 366
7 to 11 | 367
12 | 368
13 | 369
15 to 25 | 370
26 to 36 | 371
37 to 43 | 372
44 to 47 | 379
48 to 50 | 380
51, 52 | 381
53 | 382
JOHN.
CHAP. I.
19 to 23 | 18
24 to 38 | 19
39 to 47 | 20
48 to 51 | 21
CHAP. II.
1 to 9 | 22
10 to 20 | 23
20 to 25 | 24
CHAP. III.
1 to 6 | 24
6 to 13 | 25
14 to 21 | 26
22 to 30 | 27
31 to 36 | 28
CHAP. IV.
1 to 9 | 28
10 to 16 | 29
17 to 24 | 30
25 to 36 | 31
37 to 45 | 32
46 to 54 | 33
CHAP. V.
1 to 9 | 62
10 to 19 | 63
20 to 24 | 64
25 to 32 | 65
33 to 41 | 66
42 to 45 | 67
CHAP. VI.
1, 2 | 123
3 to 7 | 124
8 to 13 | 125
14 to 19 | 126
21 | 127
22 to 24 | 128
25 to 30 | 129
40 to 46 | 131
47 to 55 | 132
56 to 64 | 133
65 to 71 | 134
CHAP. VII.
1 | 153
2 to 8 | 163
9 to 21 | 164
22 to 29 | 165
30 to 39 | 166
40 to 53 | 167
CHAP. VIII.
1 | 167
2 to 10 | 168
11 to 16 | 169
17 to 24 | 170
25 to 31 | 171
32 to 40 | 172
41 to 46 | 173
47 to 55 | 174
56 to 59 | 175
CHAP. IX.
1 to 3 | 175
4 to 16 | 176
17 to 29 | 177
30 to 41 | 178
CHAP. X.
1 to 5 | 179
6 to 13 | 180
14 to 24 | 181
25 to 32 | 182
33 to 42 | 183
CHAP. XI.
1 to 9 | 184
10 to 21 | 185
22 to 38 | 186
39 to 42 | 187
43 to 54 | 188
55 to 57 | 258
CHAP. XII.
1 to 6 | 258
7, 9 to 11 | 259
12, 13 | 260
14 to 18 | 261
19 | 263
20 to 27 | 264
28 to 36 | 265
37 to 50 | 282
CHAP. XIII.
1 to 10 | 311
11 to 17 | 312
18 to 19 | 313
20 to 22 | 314
23 to 32 | 315
33 to 38 | 316
CHAP. XIV.
1 to 7 | 320
8 to 14 | 321
15 to 22 | 322
23 to 28 | 323
29 to 31 | 324
CHAP. XV.
1, 2 | 324
3 to 9 | 325
10 to 16 | 326
17 to 23 | 327
24 to 27 | 328
CHAP. XVI.
1, 2 | 328
3 to 9 | 329
10 to 17 | 330
18 to 23 | 331
24 to 31 | 332
32, 33 | 333
CHAP. XVII.
1, 2 | 333
3 to 9 | 334
10 to 15 | 335
16 to 23 | 336
24 to 26 | 337
CHAP. XVIII.
1 | 337
2, 3 | 340
10, 11 | 342
12 to 16, 19 to 23 | 344
24 | 345
17 | 346
18, 25, 26 | 347
28 | 348
29 to 32 | 349
33 to 38 | 350
39, 40 | 351
CHAP. XIX.
1 to 11 | 351
12 to 14 | 352
15 | 353
16 | 355
17 to 21 | 358
25 to 27 | 360
28 to 30 | 361
31 | 362
32 to 39 | 363
40 to 42 | 364
CHAP. XX.
1 to 5 | 367
6 to 16 | 368
17 to 18 | 369
19 | 371
20 to 22 | 372
23 to 29 | 373
30 to 31 | 382
CHAP. XXI.
1 to 6 | 375
7 to 15 | 376
16 to 18 | 377
19 to 24 | 378
25 | 382
MISCELLANEOUS.
ACTS.
1: 4 | 379
1:5 to 8 | 280
1:9 to 11 | 381
1:12 | 382
20:35 | 384
1 COR.
11:23, 24 | 313
11:25 | 319
15:6 | 375
15:7 | 378
REV.
1:17 to 20 & 2:1 to 5 | 385
2:6 to 13 | 386
2:14 to 20 | 387
2:21 to 27 | 388
2:28, 29 & 3: 1 to 8 | 389
3:9 to 12 | 390
3:13 to 20 | 391
3:21, 22 & 2:5 to 8 | 392
22:16 to 19 | 393
22:20 | 394

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

Pages 6 and 10 are blank in the original.

The following corrections have been made to the text:

Page 5: LXXIV.[original has XXIV.] The two Thieves

Page 16: "Thou art my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."[quotation mark missing in original]

Page 30: Sir, I perceive[original has percieve] that thou art a prophet.

Page 123: JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND[original has extraneous hyphen]

Page 124: when it was evening, his disciples[original has diciples]

Page 165: know this man whence he is,[original has a period] but when

Page 165: no man knoweth whence he is.[original has a comma]

Page 185: in the grave four days already.[period missing in original]

Page 194: and fell among thieves[original has theives]

Page 267: Jesus answering[original has anwering] saith unto them

Page 344: took Jesus and bound him, and led[original has lead] him away

Page 349: Then said Pilate unto[original has uuto] them

Page 383: "[quotation mark missing in original]The saints of all ages

Page 399: CHAP. XVIII.[period missing in original]

Page 399: CHAP. XIX.[period missing in original]

Page 400: 7, 9[original has extraneous comma] to 11

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Table of Contents

Walks and Words of Jesus;

- A Paragraph Harmony of the Four Evangelists.

- FIFTH EDITION.

- New York: NELSON & PHILLIPS. Cincinnati: HITCHCOCK & WALDEN.

- CONTENTS.

- INTRODUCTION

Walks and Words of Jesus

CHAPTER I.

- JESUS IN CREATION AND PROPHECY.

CHAPTER II.

- THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS.

CHAPTER III.

- THE BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION OF JESUS.

CHAPTER IV.

- TESTIMONY OF JOHN—CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES.

CHAPTER V.

- FIRST MIRACLE—TEMPLE CLEANSED—VISIT OF NICODEMUS.

CHAPTER VI.

- JOHN EXALTS JESUS—WOMAN AT THE WELL—VISIT TO SAMARIA.

CHAPTER VII.

- NOBLEMAN OF CAPERNAUM—PREACHES AT NAZARETH.

CHAPTER VIII.

- MOVES TO CAPERNAUM—ANDREW AND PETER CALLED.

CHAPTER IX.

- SERMON ON THE MOUNT, NEAR CAPERNAUM.

CHAPTER X.

- SERMON ON THE MOUNT, CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XI.

- SERMON ON THE MOUNT, CONCLUDED.

CHAPTER XII.

- GREAT DRAUGHT OF FISHES—HEALS A LEPER—MATTHEW CALLED.

CHAPTER XIII.

- HEALING AT THE POOL—RESURRECTION FORETOLD.

CHAPTER XIV.

- DISCIPLES IN THE CORN FIELD—WITHERED HAND.

CHAPTER XV.

- APOSTLES NAMED—WOES AND BLESSINGS—PRACTICAL LESSONS.

CHAPTER XVI.

- PRACTICAL LESSONS, CONTINUED—HEALS CENTURION'S SERVANT.

CHAPTER XVII.

- WIDOW OF NAIN—MESSENGERS OF JOHN—WOES ON CAPERNAUM.

CHAPTER XVIII.

- WOMAN WASHES JESUS' FEET—BLIND AND DUMB DEVIL—BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST.

CHAPTER XIX.

- PHARISEES SEEK A SIGN—JESUS TEACHES BY PARABLES.

CHAPTER XX.

- PARABLES AND INTERPRETATIONS.

CHAPTER XXI.

- THE HOMELESS SAVIOUR—THE STORM—DEMONIAC.

CHAPTER XXII.

- CHILD HEALED—TOUCH OF FAITH—TWO BLIND MEN—EATS WITH PUBLICANS, ETC.

CHAPTER XXIII.

- REVISITS NAZARETH—SENDS OUT THE TWELVE WITH INSTRUCTIONS.

CHAPTER XXIV.

- JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHEADED BY ORDER OF HEROD.

CHAPTER XXV.

- JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND WITH FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISHES.

CHAPTER XXVI.

- WALKS ON THE SEA—MOUNTAIN CLOSET—PETER SINKING.

CHAPTER XXVII.

- JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE FOR THE WORLD.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

- PHARISEES MURMUR—WASHINGS AND OTHER TRADITIONS.

CHAPTER XXIX.

- SYROPHENICIAN WOMAN—BLIND MEN—FEEDS FOUR THOUSAND.

CHAPTER XXX.

- PHARISEES ASK A SIGN—REASONS FOR FAITH—BLIND MEN.

CHAPTER XXXI.

- JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION.

CHAPTER XXXII.

- TRANSFIGURATION—CURES A DEMONIAC.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

- DEATH FORETOLD AGAIN—PAYS TRIBUTE—CAUTION AGAINST GIVING OFFENCE.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

- LESSONS OF HUMILITY AND FORGIVENESS

CHAPTER XXXV.

- JESUS AT THE FEAST—RETURN OF THE OFFICERS OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS

CHAPTER XXXVI.

- THE CONVICTED ACCUSERS—JESUS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

- A MAN BORN BLIND, HEALED, EXAMINED AND EXCOMMUNICATED.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

- PARABLE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

- JESUS RAISES LAZARUS—JEWS SEEK HIS LIFE.

CHAPTER XL.

- SEVENTY DISCIPLES SENT OUT.

CHAPTER XLI.

- MARTHA'S ENTERTAINMENT—FORM OF PRAYER—DUMB DEVIL.

CHAPTER XLII.

- EVIL GENERATION SEEK A SIGN—PRACTICAL LESSONS.

CHAPTER XLIII.

- DISCOURSES ON VARIOUS TOPICS—MINISTERIAL DILIGENCE.

CHAPTER XLIV.

- TOKENS OF COMING JUDGMENT—EIGHTEEN YEARS INFIRMITY.

CHAPTER XLV.

- DROPSY CURED—PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER.

CHAPTER XLVI.

- PARABLES OF LOST SHEEP, LOST PIECE OF SILVER AND PRODIGAL SON.

CHAPTER XLVII.

- THE UNJUST STEWARD—THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

- OF GIVING OFFENCE—TEN LEPERS—SECOND COMING OF JESUS.

CHAPTER XLIX.

- IMPORTUNATE WIDOW—MARRIAGE—CHILDREN BROUGHT TO JESUS.

CHAPTER L.

- YOUNG RULER—WARNING TO THE RICH—PARABLE OF LABOURERS.

CHAPTER LI.

- ZEBEDEE'S CHILDREN—HEALS TWO BLIND MEN NEAR JERICHO.

CHAPTER LII.

- NOBLEMAN & SERVANTS—MARY ANOINTS JESUS.

CHAPTER LIII.

- TRIUMPHANT ENTRANCE OF JESUS INTO JERUSALEM.

CHAPTER LIV.

- GREEKS WISH TO SEE JESUS—BARREN FIG TREE.

CHAPTER LV.

- PHARISEES QUESTION HIS AUTHORITY—PARABLE OF THE HOUSEHOLDER AND HIS VINEYARD.

CHAPTER LVI.

- THE MARRIAGE FEAST—TRIBUTE TO CESAR—JEWISH INFIDELITY.

CHAPTER LVII.

- JESUS ANSWERS SADDUCEES AND PHARISEES—WIDOWS OFFERING.

CHAPTER LVIII.

- WOES AGAINST SCRIBES, PHARISEES AND HYPOCRITES.

CHAPTER LIX.

- DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE AND COMING OF THE SON OF MAN FORETOLD.

CHAPTER LX.

- FEARFUL SIGNS AFTER THE GREAT TRIBULATION—PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS.

CHAPTER LXI.

- PARABLE OF THE TALENTS—JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS.

CHAPTER LXII.

- COVENANT WITH JUDAS—JESUS WASHES HIS DISCIPLES' FEET.

CHAPTER LXIII.

- THE LORD'S SUPPER INSTITUTED—PETER FOREWARNED.

CHAPTER LXIV.

- JESUS COMFORTS HIS DISCIPLES—TEACHES LOVE TO EACH OTHER.

CHAPTER LXV.

- JESUS THE TRUE VINE—HATRED OF THE WORLD.

CHAPTER LXVI.

- JESUS FOREWARNS HIS DISCIPLES.

CHAPTER LXVII.

- JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS DISCIPLES—FORETELLS PETER'S DENIAL.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

- THE AGONY OF JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE.

CHAPTER LXIX.

- BETRAYAL OF JESUS—BROUGHT BEFORE THE HIGH PRIEST.

CHAPTER LXX.

- JESUS EXAMINED BY THE SANHEDRIM—PETER DENIES HIM.

CHAPTER LXXI.

- EXAMINATION CONTINUED—JUDAS REPENTS—JESUS SCOURGED.

CHAPTER LXXII.

- JESUS BEFORE HEROD—MESSAGE TO PILATE FROM HIS WIFE.

CHAPTER LXXIII.

- JESUS CRUCIFIED—HE PRAYS FOR HIS ENEMIES.

CHAPTER LXXIV.

- THE TWO THIEVES—JESUS THIRSTS—HE GIVES UP THE GHOST.

CHAPTER LXXV.

- JESUS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS—BURIED—TOMB SEALED.

CHAPTER LXXVI.

- THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS—SCENES, ETC.

CHAPTER LXXVII.

- MARY MAGDALENE AND OTHERS VISIT THE SEPULCHRE.

CHAPTER LXXVIII.

- JOURNEY TO EMMAUS—INCREDULITY OF THOMAS.

CHAPTER LXXIX.

- JESUS APPEARS TO THE ELEVEN; THEN TO FIVE HUNDRED BRETHREN AT ONCE.

CHAPTER LXXX.

- THE ASCENSION OF JESUS—INCIDENTS.

CONCLUSION.
INDEX
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
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