Jesus: The New Testament

Prophets of God: Book One

www.veraverba.com

Copyright, 2007 by Paul A. Rosenberg All rights reserved ISBN 978-0-9796-0112-5 First Edition Published by Vera Verba, Inc. www.veraverba.com

ii

CONTENTS
FORWARD: THE STORY OF JESUS.................................................................. 1 MATTHEW................................................................................................................ 3 MARK ...................................................................................................................... 49 JOHN ....................................................................................................................... 79 LUKE ..................................................................................................................... 117 THE ACTS (LUKE, PART 2) ............................................................................. 165 GENERAL LETTER TO THE HEBREWS ....................................................... 213 PETER TO THE DISPERSION, #1 ................................................................... 227 PETER TO THE DISPERSION, #2 ................................................................... 232 GENERAL LETTER OF JOHN ......................................................................... 236 PAUL TO THE GALATIANS ............................................................................. 242 PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS.............................................................................. 248 PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS............................................................................ 254 PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS .......................................................................... 260 PAUL TO THE ROMANS ................................................................................... 264 PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS, #1 .................................................................. 283 PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS, #2 .................................................................. 301 PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS, #1 ............................................................ 313 PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS, #2 ............................................................ 317 PAUL TO TIMOTHY, #1 ..................................................................................... 321 PAUL TO TIMOTHY, #2 ..................................................................................... 327 PAUL TO TITUS .................................................................................................. 331 JAMES TO THE DISPERSION ......................................................................... 333 GENERAL LETTER OF JUDE.......................................................................... 339 JOHN TO THE LADY.......................................................................................... 341 JOHN TO GAIUS................................................................................................. 343 PAUL TO PHILEMON......................................................................................... 345 THE REVELATION ............................................................................................. 347 AFTERWARD: HOW THIS BOOK WAS PREPARED.................................. 373 iii

A Note Concerning Digital Copying

At Vera Verba, we do not believe in standing in the way of progress. We are happy to see new technology that allows words and ideas to move faster and farther than ever before. However, if you have obtained a copy of one of our books for free, we do provide a way for you to make a suggested donation. This sort of patronage was the business model for all art, music, and literature before copyright law existed, and hopefully will continue to be a decent model for rewarding content creation long after governments are finally forced to give up on the idea that they can change reality by passing legislation that will somehow make some bits harder to copy than others. To find out how to contribute, please visit: www.veraverba.com/donations.html

iv

Forward: The Story of Jesus

Jesus may be, (arguably, of course) the greatest example of human character in all of history. Yet, most modern people dont know him as anything more than the icon for a set of religious systems. Jesus was a man, and quite possibly the best of us ever to walk the planet. Furthermore, his story is one the greatest of all time. The problem with the story of Jesus, of course, is that we generally feel like one religion or another is being forced upon us when we read it. This is a great loss to all of us, whether we ever become believers or not. I have done my best in this book to strip the New Testament down to its essence and to keep religion far from it. You will find no chapter numbers, no verse numbers, no fancy titles. The original documents had none of these things; they were written in paragraph form, much the same as we write letters and books today. And while numbers are convenient for identifying specific passages, I think that the paragraph layout is better for actual communication. I have given each book a purely descriptive title. The writers are referred to by their actual names, and not by religious titles. I also changed the order of the books. In other words, I edited the text as I would any other book. I did not treat it as a mystical, untouchable whole. At the same time, I did not remove any of the text, save for a very few and very minor edits. All of the New Testament is here, and the original Greek text was treated respectfully. (For those of you who are interested in the scholarly aspects of preparing this version of the New Testament, I explain those in the Appendix.) This is a great story. It does not need a religious cloak it does just fine on its own. In fact, it is much more enjoyable when released from religion. And if you have never really encountered the man Jesus before, I am most pleased to make him accessible to you. This is his story; told by his friends, and commented upon by his followers. Paul Rosenberg

Matthew
This is the book of the genesis of Jesus the messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. ******* Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brothers. Judah begat Perez and Zerah by Tamar; and Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron begat Ram; and Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat Salmon; and Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab. Boaz begat Obed by Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king. David begat Solomon of she that had been the wife of Uriah; and Solomon begat Rehoboam; and Rehoboam begat Abijah; and Abijah begat Asa; and Asa begat Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Uzziah; and Uzziah begat Jotham; and Jotham begat Ahaz; and Ahaz begat Hezekiah; and Hezekiah begat Manasseh; and Manasseh begat Amon; and Amon begat Josiah; and Josiah begat Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the carrying away to Babylon. After the carrying away to Babylon, Jechoniah begat Shealtiel; and Shealtiel begat Zerubbabel; and Zerubbabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called The messiah. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations; and from David to the carrying away to Babylon were fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the messiah were fourteen generations. ******* The birth of Jesus the messiah happened in this way: When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child, by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife: for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. And she will bear a son; and you will call his name Jesus; for he will save his people from their sins.
3

All of this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, Behold, the virgin will be with child, and will bring forth a son, and they will call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. Then Joseph awoke and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took Mary as his wife and had no intimate relations with her until she had delivered a son, and he called his name Jesus. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea (during in the days of Herod the king), wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where has the King of the Jews been born? We saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all of Jerusalem with him. So, Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the messiah would be born. And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for it is written by the prophet, and you Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: For out of you will come a governor, who will be shepherd of my people Israel. Then Herod privately called the wise men, and learned of them exactly when the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and verify the facts regarding this child; and when you have found him, bring me word, so I can come and worship him also. And, having heard the king, they left; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went before them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced greatly. Then they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they went into their country by another way. When they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you: Herod will seek the young child, to destroy him. So, Joseph arose and took the young child and his mother, by night, and went into Egypt; and they remained there until the death of Herod, so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was ignored by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent orders to have all the male children of Bethlehem murdered, and in all the nearby area, from two years old and under, which was time that he had learned from the wise men. This fulfilled what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, A voice
4

was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; and she would not be comforted, because they are not. Later, when Herod had died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph, who was still in Egypt, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: They that wished to kill the child are dead. Then he awoke and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when Joseph heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being again warned by God in a dream, he withdrew into the area of Galilee, and came and settled in a city called Nazareth; so it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene. ******* In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, Repent; for the kingdom of the heavens is near. This is the man that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. This Johns clothing was made of camels hair, and he wore a leather girdle around his loins. Johns food was locusts and wild honey. Then all the people of Jerusalem went to him, and all the people of Judea, and people from all the region near the Jordan; and they were immersed by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: You children of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath that is to come? Produce fruit worthy of repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, Abraham is our father: for I say to you, that God is able to raise up children of Abraham from these stones. And even now the axe lies at the root of the trees: every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire. I indeed immerse you in water to repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. His fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan river, to be immersed by John. But John stopped him, saying, I need to be immersed by you, and you come to me? But Jesus answering said to him, Allow it now: for it suits us to fulfill all righteousness. Then John allowed him. And Jesus, when he had been immersed, went up immediately from the water: and the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and resting upon him; and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
5

******* Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the accuser. And after he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he became hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. But Jesus answered and said, It is written, Man will not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Then the accuser took him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down: for it is written, He will give his angels charge concerning you, and, On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him, Again it is written, You will not test the Lord your God. And, once again, the devil took him, to an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and all their glory; and he said to him, I will give you all these things, if you will fall down and worship me. Then Jesus said to him, Get away, Satan: for it is written, You will worship the Lord your God, and him only will you serve. Then the accuser left him; and angels came and ministered to him. When Jesus heard that John was captured, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, he stayed at Capernaum, which is by the sea, at the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people that sat in darkness saw a great light, and to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, light sprang up. From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of the heavens is near. While walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. And he said to them, Come you after me, and I will make you fishers of men. And immediately, they left their nets and followed him. And moving on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him. And Jesus went through all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness among the people. And news about him went into all of Syria: and they brought to him all that were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, and epileptic, and palsied; and he healed them. And there followed him
6

great crowds from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came to him: and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are they that mourn: for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they will obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are you when men will reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for this is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost its flavor, how will it be restored? It is good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under a basket, but on a stand; so that it shines to all that are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think not that I came to destroy the law or the writings of the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. For, truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or tittle will in any way pass away from the law, till all things are accomplished. Therefore, whosoever will break one of these least commandments, and will teach men so, will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens: but whosoever will do and teach them, he will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens. For I say to you, that except your righteousness will exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will in no wise enter into the kingdom of the heavens. You have heard that it was said to them of old time, You will not kill; and whosoever will kill will be in danger of the judgment: but I say to you, that every one who is angry with his brother will be in danger of the judgment; and whoever will call his brother worthless will be in danger of the council; and whoever will call him a fool will be in danger of the hell of fire. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go be reconciled to your brother. Then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on
7

the path with him; or else, perhaps, your adversary may deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you will be cast into prison. Truly I say to you, you will by no means come out, till you have paid the last cent. You have heard that it was said, You will not commit adultery, but I say to you, that every one that looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you: it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not your whole body be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you: it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not your whole body go into hell. It was also said, Whosoever will put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement, but I say to you that every one that puts away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, makes her an adulteress: and whosoever will marry her when she is put away commits adultery. Again, you have heard that it was said to them of old time, You will not forswear yourself, but will perform to the Lord your oaths: but I say to you, swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God, nor by the earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither will you swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your Yes mean Yes, and your No mean No. Anything more than this comes from evil. You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, but I say to you, resist not him that is evil, but whosoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man would sue you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him that asks you, and do not turn away from him that would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, You will love your neighbor, and hate your enemy, but I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on both the evil and the good, and sends rain on both the just and the unjust. If you love those that love you only, what reward do you have? Dont even the tax collectors do that? And if you salute your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore will be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Be careful not to do your righteous acts before men, so that you will be seen by them, or else you will have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. When you show mercy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the actors do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they can have praise from men. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you show mercy, dont let your left hand know what your right hand
8

is doing, so that your righteous acts may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. And when you pray, do not be as the actors, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into an inner room and shut the door, then pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they will be heard because of their much speaking. Dont be like them, for your Father knows what you need, before you ask him. Pray in this way: Our Father who are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, dont be like the actors, with a sad appearance. They disfigure their faces, so that men will see that they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; so that it wont be men that see you fast, but your Father who is in secret, then He will repay you. Do not store up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves do not break through and steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore your vision is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your vision be corrupted, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is the darkness! No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and covetousness. Therefore I tell you not to be preoccupied with your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor for your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than the clothing? Look at the birds in the air; they dont plant, they dont harvest, neither do they gather food into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Arent you much more valuable than they are? And which of you by being anxious can add one foot to his height? And why are you worried concerning clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they dont work, they dont make fabric, but I tell you that even
9

Solomon, in all his glory, was not clothed as well as one of these. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not be troubled, saying, What will we eat? or, What will we drink? or, With what will we be clothed? The Gentiles seek after all of these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you have need of them. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow: let tomorrow be anxious for itself. Each days evil is enough. Condemn not, so that you will not be condemned. Because the judgment you dispense will be the judgment by which you are judged: and whatever you measure out, will be measured out to you. And why do you see the particle that is in your brothers eye, but cant see the beam that is in your own? How will you say to your brother, Let me pull the particle out of your eye, when you have a beam in your own? You actor, first cast the beam out of your own eye; then you will see clearly to cast out the particle out of your brothers. Do not give that which is holy to dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, or perhaps they will trample them under their feet, then turn and injure you. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you: for every one that asks, receives, and he that seeks, finds, and to him that knocks, it will be opened. What man is there of you, who, if his son will ask him for bread, will instead give him a stone; or if he will ask for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those that ask him? Therefore, whatever you wish for men to do to you, you do those things to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Come in through the narrow entry, because wide is the entrance, and broad is the path that leads to destruction, and there are many that go though it. But narrow is the entrance and difficult is the path that leads to life, and there are few that find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? In like manner, every good tree produces good fruit; but a corrupt tree produces corrupt fruit. A good tree cannot produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be hewn down, and cast into the fire. So, by their fruits you will know them. Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of the heavens; only he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy through
10

your name, and by your name cast out demons, and by your name do many mighty works? And then will I tell them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that produce transgressions. Every one that hears these words of mine, and does them, will be like a wise man who built his house upon rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if did not fall: for it was founded upon rock. And every one that hears these words of mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man, who 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 thereof. When Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as one having authority, and not like their scribes. ******* And when he was come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. Then a leper came to him and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. Then Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched the man, saying, I will; be made clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, See you tell no man, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as evidence for them to see. And when he entered into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, begging him, saying, Lord, my servant lies in my house sick with the palsy, suffering horribly. Jesus said to the centurian, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my house. Merely speak the word and my servant will be healed. I am a man under authority, having soldiers under myself: and I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. When Jesus heard this, he wondered, and said to them that followed, Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith in Israel. And I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of the heavens: but the sons of the kingdom will be cast into outer darkness, and there will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. Then Jesus said to the centurion, Go your way; as you have believed, so be it done to you. And the servant was healed at that hour.
11

Then Jesus came into Peters house and saw his wifes mother, lying sick with a fever. Then he touched her hand and the fever left her, and she arose, and served him. And when the evening had come, they brought to him many people who were possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were sick: so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, He himself took our infirmities, and carried our diseases. When Jesus saw that great multitudes had come to him, he prepared to go to the other side of the sea. As he did, a scribe came to him, and said, Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go. Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head. Another of the disciples said to him, Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said to him, Follow me; and leave the dead to bury their own dead. Then he entered into a boat, and his disciples followed him. And there arose a great storm in the sea, so much so that the boat was covered with waves; but Jesus was asleep. And the disciples came to him and woke him, saying, Save us, Lord; we are perishing. And he said to them, Why are you fearful, you of little faith? Then he arose, and reproved the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men wondered, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him? And when he had come to the other side, into the country of the Gadarenes, two men possessed with demons met him, coming out of the tombs. They were exceedingly fierce, so that no man could pass that way. And they cried out, saying, What have we to do with you, you Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time? There was a large herd of swine feeding a long way off from them. The demons begged him, saying, If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine. And he said to them, Go. Then the demons came out and went into the swine and the whole herd rushed over a cliff, into the sea, and died in the waters. And the feeders went into the city and told everything, and what had happened to the men who had been possessed with demons. And all the city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their area. So, he went into a boat, crossed over, and went to his own city. Then they brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the sick man, Son, have courage; your sins are forgiven. Then, some of the scribes who were present said within themselves, This man is speaking slander.
12

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why do you think you evil in your hearts? Which is easier? To say, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Arise, and walk? But, so that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins He then said to the paralyzed man, Arise, and pick up your bed, and go up to your house. The man arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they were afraid, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. And as Jesus passed away from that place, he saw a man named Matthew, sitting at a tax-collection station, and he said to him, Follow me. Then Matthew arose, and followed him. And as Jesus sat eating in the house, many tax officers and sinners came and sat down with him and his students. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? But when Jesus heard this, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. At this time, the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples fast not at all? And Jesus said to them, Can the sons of the bridal room mourn, while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. And no man sews a piece of new (unshrunken) cloth into an old garment, because that new cloth will pull away from the garment, and the tear will be made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old wine-skins, or else the skins will burst, the wine will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Men put new wine into new wine-skins, and both are preserved. While he spoke these things to them, a ruler came to him and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay your hand upon her, and she will live. Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his students. And behold, a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him and touched the hem of his garment: for she said within herself, If I can only touch his clothes, I will be cured. But Jesus, turning and seeing her, said, Daughter, have courage, your faith has cured you. And the woman was indeed made whole from that hour. When Jesus came into the rulers house, he saw flute-players, and the crowd making a commotion. He said, Move back; the girl is not dead, but is sleeping. And they laughed him. But when the crowd was moved out,
13

he entered and took her by the hand; and the girl arose. And the report of this incident went into all the region. As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, crying out, and saying, Have mercy on us, you son of David. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to him, Yes, Lord. Then he touched their eyes and said, According to your faith, be it done to you. And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus charged them strictly, saying, See to it that no man knows about this. But they went out, and spread his fame in all that land. And as Jesus and his pupils went from that place, there was brought to him a man possessed with a demon, who could not speak. And when the demon was cast out, the man spoke: and the multitudes were astonished, saying, nothing like this was ever seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, By the prince of the demons he casts out demons. ******* Then Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing all types of diseases and every bodily weakness. But when he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd. Then said he to his disciples, The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest, to send workers into his harvest. And Jesus called his twelve disciples to himself, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all types of diseases and all kinds of bodily weakness. These are the names of the twelve that were sent: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bareholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, and he commanded them, saying, Do not go into any place belonging to the Gentiles, and do not enter into any city of the Samaritans: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of the heavens is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely you received, freely give. Take with you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; no wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. And into whatever city or village you enter, determine who in it is worthy; and stay there until
14

you leave. And as you enter into the house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off of your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. But beware of men. They will deliver you up to councils, and they will scourge you in their assemblies; you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for evidence to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, dont be anxious how or what you will speak; what to speak will be given to you at that hour. For it will not be you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking in you. And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all men for my names sake: but he that endures to the end, he will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee into the next: for truly I say to you, You will not have gone through the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. It is enough for the student that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household? Therefore, do not fear them, for there is nothing covered, that will not be revealed; and hidden, that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear in the ear, proclaim upon the house-tops. And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So, do not fear: you are of more value than many sparrows. Therefore, everyone who confesses me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever will deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to send peace on the earth: I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law: and a mans foes will be they of his own household. He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that does not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. He that finds his life will lose it, and he that loses his life for my sake, will find it.
15

He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me. He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophets reward: and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous mans reward. And whosoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little, in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he will in no way lose his reward. And when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve pupils, he left to teach and preach in their cities. ******* Now when John, then in prison, heard the works of the messiah, he sent his own students. They asked Jesus, Are you he that is to come, or should we look for another? Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them. And blessed is he, who finds in me no reason to stumble. And as these men went on their way, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in fine clothing? Behold, they that wear fine clothing are in kings houses. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. Truly I say to you, among those that are born of women, there has never risen any greater than John the Baptist. Yet, he that is little in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist, until now, the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence, and men of violence seize it. For all the prophets and the law have foretold up until John. And if you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that was to come. He that has ears to hear, let him hear. To what will I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their fellows and say, We piped to you, and you did not dance; we cried, but you did not mourn. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom was justified by her children. Then began he to reprove the cities where most of his mighty works were done, because they did not repent. Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have changed long ago, in sackcloth
16

and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who has been exalted to heaven? You will go down to the grave. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you. At that time, Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to babes. Yes, Father, for this was pleasing in your sight. All things have been given to me by my Father: and no one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does any know the Father, except the Son, and to whomever the Son reveals him. Come to me, all of you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ******* At that season Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath day, and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck grain and to eat. But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, Look, your disciples are doing things that are unlawful on the Sabbath! But he said to them, Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those that were with him; how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for them that were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple transgress the Sabbath, and are guiltless? But I say to you, that someone greater than the temple is here. If you had known what this means: I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is lord of the Sabbath. And he left that place and went into a synagogue, where there was a man having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day? so that they might accuse him. And he said to them, What man of you, if he has a sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, will not lift it out? Of how much more value, then, is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. Then said he to the man, Stretch out your hand. And the man stretched it out; and it was restored whole, as the other. But the Pharisees went out, and took counsel as to how they might destroy him. And Jesus, perceiving this, withdrew from that place, and many followed him. And he healed them all, and warned them not to make him
17

publicly known. This was done so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah 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 will declare judgment to the Gentiles. He will not strive, nor cry aloud; neither will any one hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed will he not break, a smoking flax will he not quench, till he send out judgment to victory. And in his name will the Gentiles hope. Then a demonized man was brought to him, blind and dumb, and he healed him, so that the dumb man both spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed, and said, Can this be the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man casts out demons, by Beelzebub the prince of the demons. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself will not stand: and if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore will they be your judges. But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. How can a man enter into the house of a strong man, and steal his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathers not with me scatters. Therefore I say to you, Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven to men, but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven. And whosoever will speak a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him; but whosoever speaks against the holy spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come. Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit. You children of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? From the surplus of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure produces good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil things. And I say to you, that men will give account for every idle word that they speak in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you. But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will no sign be given to it, except but the sign of Jonah the prophet: for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and
18

behold, a greater one than Jonah is here. The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and condemn it: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The unclean spirit, when he is gone out of a man, passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, I will return into my house, where I came from. And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and garnished. Then he goes, and brings seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be to this evil generation. While he was out speaking to the multitudes, Jesus mother and his brothers stood, wishing to speak to him. And someone said to him, Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wishing to speak to you. But Jesus answered, and said to him that told him, Who is my mother? And who are my brothers? Then he stretched out his hand towards his students, and said, Behold, my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father who is in the heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother. ******* On that day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and the crowd stood on the beach. Then he spoke many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went out to sow; and as he planted, some seeds fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured them; others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth: and immediately they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth, but when the sun was risen, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered away. And other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Yet others fell upon good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He that has ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said to him, Why do you speak to them in parables? He answered and said to them, To you it is given to know the secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to them it is not given. For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have surplus: but whoever has not, from him will be taken away even that which he has. Because of this, I speak to them in parables; because seeing, they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them the fore-telling of
19

Isaiah is fulfilled, which said, By hearing you will hear, and not understand, and seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive. For this peoples heart has grown heavy, and their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, or else, perhaps, they would see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn again, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. Truly I tell you, that many prophets and righteous men wished to see the things which you see, and they did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them. Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was planted in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side. And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; but has he no root in himself, and is temporary. When tribulation or persecution arise because of the word, immediately he is offended. And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that hears the word, but the care of this life, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that hears the word, and understands it; who does bear fruit, and produces: some one hundred, some sixty, some thirty. He put another parable to them, saying, The kingdom of the heavens is like a man that planted good seed in his field: but while he slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, and went away. So, when the blade sprang up and the plants produced fruit, the weeds appeared also. Then the servants of the householder came and said, Sir, didnt you plant good seed in your field? Why then does it have weeds? And he said to them, An enemy has done this. And the servants said to him, Will we go and gather them up? But he said, No; when you gather up the weeds, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will tell the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and tie them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn. He set yet another parable he set before them, saying, The kingdom of the heavens is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and planted in his field. This is the smallest of seeds, but when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches. Another parable he spoke to them: The kingdom of the heavens is like yeast, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.
20

Jesus spoke all of these things to the crowds in parables, and he spoke nothing to them without a parable. Thus was fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. Then he left the crowds and went into the house: and his disciples came to him and said, Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field. And he answered, saying He that plants the good seed is the Son of man, and the field is the world. The good seeds, these are the sons of the kingdom, and the weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy that sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are angels. As the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; this is what will happen at the end of this age. The Son of man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that cause offences, and the lawless, and will cast them into a furnace of fire: there will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears to hear, let him hear. The kingdom of the heavens is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. And in his joy he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a man that is a merchant, seeking fine pearls: and having found one very precious pearl, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind. When it was filled, they drew it up on the beach, sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but the bad they cast away. So will it be at the end of this age: the angels will come out, and separate the wicked from the righteous, and will cast them into the furnace of fire: there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They said Yes, and he said to them, Therefore, every scribe who has become a student of the kingdom of the heavens is like a man that is a householder, who brings out of his treasure things both old and new. And when Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place. Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Isnt this the carpenters son? Isnt his mother called Mary? And his brothers, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, arent they all here with us? Where did he get all these things? They stumbled over him.
21

But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house. And he didnt perform many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. ******* At that season Herod the tetrarch heard a report concerning Jesus, and said to his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and because of that, these powers work in him. Herod had arrested John, and bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philips wife; because John said to him, It is not lawful for you to have her. Herod wished to put John to death, but he feared the multitude, because they considered John a prophet. But when Herods birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked for. And she, being urged on by her mother, said, Give me here, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist. The king was grieved; but because of his oaths and those that were at dinner with him, he ordered it to be given to her. He had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter, and given to the girl. She brought it to her mother. Johns students came, took his corpse, and buried him. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard this, he left in a boat, and went to a solitary place. But when the multitudes heard of this, they followed him on foot from the cities. He came out to see a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. And when evening had come, his disciples came to him and said, This place is deserted and it is late; dismiss the crowds, so that they can go to the villages and buy themselves food. But Jesus said to them, They dont need to go away; you give them food to eat. They said to him, We have here only five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them here to me. Then he commanded the crowds to sit down on the grass and picked up the five loaves and two fishes, and looked up to heaven. Then he blessed them, and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. And they all ate, and were filled: and they gathered what remained of the broken pieces of bread, twelve baskets full. The people that ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

22

And he immediately compelled the disciples to enter the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side, until he had dismissed the crowds. And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went alone up a mountain to pray. When the night came, Jesus was on the mountain alone, and the boat was in the midst of the sea, tossed by the waves; because the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking upon the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost, and they cried out for fear. But Jesus spoke to them immediately, saying Have courage; it is I; dont be afraid. Then Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is really you, call me come to you on the water. And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the water to come to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they had come into the boat, the wind stopped. And they that were in the boat worshipped him, saying, Truly, you are the Son of God. And when they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place knew him, they sent into all that region, and brought to him all that were sick, and they begged him that they might only touch the border of his garment: and as many as touched were made whole. ******* At this time, Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat. And he said to them, Why do you transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God said, Honor your father and your mother, and, He that speaks evil of his father or mother, let him die the death. But you say that a man giving a gift to his parents is actually offering it to God. That means that he is not really honoring his father. And so, you voided the commandment of God because of your tradition. You actors, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching the doctrines of men. Then he called the multitude to himself, and said, Hear, and understand: It is not that which goes into the mouth that defiles the man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles the man. Then his students came to him and said, Do you know that the Pharisees were offended by that saying?
23

But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit. Peter answered and said to him, Explain this parable to us. Jesus said, Are you still without understanding? Dont you see that whatever goes into the mouth passes through the belly, and is eliminated as waste? But the things which come out of the mouth come from the core; and they defile the man. For out of the core come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, evil speaking: these are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man. Then Jesus left, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. And a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, you son of David; my daughter is miserably possessed by a demon. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and said, Send her away; she is crying after us. He answered and said, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But she came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. He answered and said, It is not fitting to take the childrens bread and cast it to the dogs. But she said, Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters table. Then Jesus said to her, O woman, great is your faith: it will be done to you as you wish. And her daughter was healed from that hour. And Jesus departed there, and came near to the sea of Galilee. Then he proceeded up into a mountain, and sat there. And great multitudes came to him, bringing with them the lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and they laid them down at this feet; and he healed them, so much so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed whole, and lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel. Then Jesus called his students to him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have been with me now for days, and they have nothing to eat. I dont want send them away unfed; some of them might faint along the way. The disciples said to him, How can we get enough bread in this deserted place to fill so great a multitude? Jesus said to them, How many loaves do you have?

24

They said, Seven, and a few small fishes. And Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fishes; he gave thanks and broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. And they all ate, and were filled: and they collected the bread that remained, seven baskets full. And the people that ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. Then Jesus he sent away the multitudes, and entered into the boat, and came into the borders of Magadan. And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, testing him and asking him to show them a sign from heaven. But he answered and said to them, When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning you say it will be foul weather, because the sky is red and lowering. You know how to discern the face of the heaven; but you cannot discern the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will no sign be given to it, but the sign of Jonah. And he left them, and departed. When the disciples came to the other side, they had forgotten to bring bread. And Jesus said to them, Take care, and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, We took no bread. And Jesus, perceiving it, said, O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves that you have no bread? Do you not yet understand? Dont you remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? How is it that you cannot understand that I was not speaking to you about bread, but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees? Then understood they that he meant for them to beware, not of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is? And they said, Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the messiah, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said to him, You are blessed, Simon, son of Jonas, because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you, that you are Peter. And upon this rock I will build my assembly; and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens: and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; and whatever
25

you free on earth will be freed in heaven. Then he commanded his students to tell no man that he was the messiah. ******* From that time Jesus began to tell to his disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem; to suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. And Peter took him, and began to reprove him, saying, God be gracious, Lord: this will happen to you. But Jesus turned, and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan: you are a stumbling-block to me: for you do not care about the things of God, but the things of men. Then Jesus said to his disciples, If any man wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it. And whoever will lose his life for my sake, will find it. What profit is there, if a man gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? What can a man give in exchange for his life? For the Son of man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and he will repay every man according to his deeds. Truly I say to you, there are some of them that stand here, who will in no way taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. ******* And after six days Jesus took Peter, and James, and John his brother, and brought them into a mountain, high and remote. And he was transfigured before them; his face shined as the sun, and his garments became as white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, who were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. And a voice out of the cloud spoke, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid. Jesus came and touched them and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, but Jesus only. And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead. And his disciples asked him, Why do the scribes say that Elijah must first come?
26

He answered and said, Elijah does come, to restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him according to their desires. The Son of man will suffer of them similarly. Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptist. And when they had returned come to the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffers horribly. Often he falls into the fire, and sometimes into the water. I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him. Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him hear to me. And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour. Then the disciples to Jesus separately, and said, Why couldnt we cast it out? And he said, Because of your little faith. Truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to a distant place, it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind only goes out by prayer and fasting. And while they stayed in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up. And they were exceeding sorry. And when they had come to Capernaum, they that received the halfshekel tax came to Peter, and said, Doesnt your teacher pay the halfshekel? He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke first to him, saying, What do you think, Simon? The kings of the earth, from whom do they receive taxes and tributes? From their own children, or from strangers? And when Peter had said, From strangers, Jesus said to him, Then the sons are free. But, so that we dont cause them to stumble, go to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes. When you open his mouth, you will find a shekel in it. Take it, and give to them for me and you. At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is greatest in the kingdom of the heavens? Then Jesus called a little child, set him in the middle, and said, Truly I say to you, Except you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the kingdom of the heavens. So, whoever will humble himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of the heavens.
27

Whoever will receive one such little child in my name receives me: But whoever causes one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! It is inevitable that offenses will come, but woe to that man by whom they come! And if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you: It is good for you to enter into life maimed or lame, rather than having two hands or two feet, and to be cast into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you: It is good for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, and to be cast into the hell of fire. See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I say to you, that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. For the Son of man came to save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesnt he not leave the ninety nine, and go to the mountains, and seek the lost one? And if he finds it find it; truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety nine which had not gone astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. And if your brother sins against you, go to him privately and show him his fault. If he listens to you, you have regained your brother. But, if he will not listen to you, take one or two more, so that every word will be confirmed by two or three witnesses. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the whole assembly. And if he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever things you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever things you free on earth will be freed in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of you will agree on earth regarding anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them. Then Peter came and said to him, Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times? Jesus said to him, I tell you, not until seven times; but, until seventy times seven. The kingdom of the heavens is like a certain king, who audited his servants. And when he began his review, one of them was found, who owed him ten thousand talents. When the king saw that the man could not pay, he ordered him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant then fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay
28

you everything. And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that same servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings. And he seized him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what you owe. So his fellow-servant fell down and pleaded to him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you. But he refused, and had him cast into prison, until he was paid. When his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were deeply grieved, and came and told to their lord all that was done. Then his lord called the first servant, and said to him, You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you pleaded with me. Shouldnt you have had mercy on your fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on you? And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he paid all that was due. So will also my heavenly Father do to you, if you, from your very core, do not forgive your brother. And when Jesus had finished these words, he left Galilee, and went to Judea, beyond the Jordan. Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there. And there came to him Pharisees, testing him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for any cause? He answered, saying, Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning, made them male and female, and said, For this cause will a man leave his father and mother, and will cleave to his wife; and the two will become one flesh? So that they are no more two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man should not take apart. They said to him, Why then did Moses allow us to make a bill of divorcement, and to put her away? He said to them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, Whoever puts away his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. The disciples said to him, If this is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry. But he said to them, Few men are compatible with that idea: Only those to whom it is given. There are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who were made so by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves so for the sake of the kingdom of the heavens. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Then were there brought to him little children, that he should lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuffed them. But Jesus said, Allow the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them: for the
29

kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. And he laid his hands on them, then left that place. And one man came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing should I do, that I may have eternal life? Jesus said to him, Why are you asking me what is good? There is only one who is good, and if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments. The man said to him, Which? Jesus said, You will not kill, You will not commit adultery, You will not steal, You will not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother; and, You will love your neighbor as yourself. The young man said to him, I have observed all these things: what do I still lack? Jesus said to him, If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me. But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, Truly I say to you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of the heavens. And again I say to you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When the disciples heard this, they were astonished, saying, Who then can be saved? Jesus looked at them said, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then Peter said, We have left all, and followed you; what then will we have? Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my names sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many will be last that are first; and first that are last. The kingdom of the heavens is like a man that was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out at the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace, and to them he said, Go also into the
30

vineyard, and whatever is right I will pay you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same. And at the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing; and he said to them, Why stand you here idle all day? They said to him, Because no man has hired us. He said to them, Go you also into the vineyard. And when the evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first. And when those that were hired about the eleventh hour came, every man was paid a shilling. And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; but they, likewise, were paid one shilling each. And when they received it, they murmured against the householder, saying, These last have spent but one hour, and you paid them the same as us, who have worked all day in scorching heat. But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do you no wrong: didnt you agree with me for a shilling? Take that which is yours, and go your way. I wish to pay the last ones the same as I paid you. Dont I have the right to do as I wish with my own property? Do you see evil in reaction to my being good? So the last will be first, and the first last. ******* As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and said to them, We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes; and they will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged, and to be crucified: and the third day he will be raised up. Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him, with her sons. She worshiped him and asked a certain thing of him. And he said to her, What do you want? She said, Order that my two sons may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, You know not what you ask Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? The sons answered him, We are able. He said to them, My cup indeed you will drink: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give, but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him, and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones control them. It will not be this way among you, but whoever wishes to be great among you will be your minister; and whosoever wants to be
31

first among you will be your servant, just as the Son of man came, not to be ministered unto, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And there were two blind men sitting by the way side. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, son of David. And the multitude rebuffed them, telling them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David. Then Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What do you want me to do to you? They said to him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. And Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately they received their sight, and followed him. ******* When they came near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and the mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, Go into the village that is over across from you, and you will find a donkey tied-up, and a colt with her: untie them, and bring them to me. And if any one says anything to you, say, The Lord has need of them, and he will send them with no delay. This happened so that the saying of the prophet would be fulfilled: Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King comes to you, meek, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and as Jesus had told them, and brought the donkey, and the colt, and placed their garments upon the animals. Then Jesus sat upon them. And many of the people spread their garments in the path, and others cut branches from the trees, and spread them on the way. And the multitudes that went before him, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when Jesus was inside Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, Who is this? And the multitudes said, This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out everyone that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold the doves. And he said to them, It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer: but you make it a den of robbers. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the son of David, they were moved with indignation, and said to him, Dont you hear what they are saying?
32

And Jesus said to them, Didnt you ever read, Out of the mouth of babes and infants you have perfected praise? And he left them, and went out from Jerusalem to Bethany, and lodged there. In the morning as he returned to the city, he became hungry, and seeing a fig tree by the way side, he came to it, and found no fruit on it, but leaves only. And he said to it, Let there be no fruit from you, forever. And immediately the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they were astonished, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away? And Jesus answered and said to them, Truly I tell you, If you have faith, and doubt not, you will not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if you will say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. And all things that you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. When he had returned to the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him, in the middle of his teaching, and said, By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority? And Jesus said to them, I also will ask you one question, and if you answer me, I will, likewise, tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men? Then they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we will say, From heaven; he will say to us, Why then did you not believe him? But if we will say, From men we fear the multitude; for they all consider John to be a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We do not know. Then Jesus said to them, Then neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. But, what do you think? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in the vineyard. And he answered and said, I will not: but afterward he changed his mind and went. Then he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir, but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said, The first. Then Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, that the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believed him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him: and you, when you saw it, did not even turn your minds afterward, that you might believe him. Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and built a hedge about it, and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to farmers, and went into another country. And when the harvest approached, he sent his servants to the farmers, to receive his share of the fruit. And the farmers seized his servants, beating one, killing another, and stoning another.
33

Again, he sent servants, more than at the first, and the farmers treated them in the same manner. Finally he sent them his son, saying, They will respect my son. But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance. And they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. So, when the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers? They said to him, He will miserably destroy those evil men, and will lease the vineyard to other farmers, who will give him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus said to them, Did you never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes? So I tell you, The kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation producing the fruits thereof. And he that falls on this stone will be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust. And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they understood that he was speaking of them. And they wanted to seize him, but they feared the multitudes, because they considered him a prophet. And Jesus again spoke in parables to them, saying, The kingdom of the heavens is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast: and they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and everything is ready: come to the marriage feast. But the invited guests all ignored the servants, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise; and the rest seized his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them. Then the king was angry, and he sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then said he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go to the highways, and bring as many as you can find the marriage feast. And those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was filled with guests. But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man with no wedding-garment, and he said to him, Friend, how did you get here without a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, Tie his hands and feet, and cast him into the outer darkness; there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few chosen. Then the Pharisees discussed how they might ensnare Jesus in his words. And they sent their students to him, along with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God in
34

truth, and that you dont care for any one: because you dont regard not the persons of men. Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? But Jesus understood their wickedness, and said, Why are you testing me, you actors? Show me the tribute money. And they brought to him a coin. And he said to them, Whose image and superscription is this? They said to him, Caesars. Then he said to them, So give to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods. And when they heard it, they wondered, and left him, and went away. On that same day there came to him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection: and they asked him, saying, Teacher, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother should marry his wife, and raise up seed to his brother. Now, there were with us seven brothers: and the first was married, then died, and having no child, left his wife to his brother; in, like manner, the same happened with the second and the third, through the seventh. And after them all, the woman died. So, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? All seven had had her as wife. But Jesus answered and said to them, You err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, havent you read what was spoken to you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the crowds heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, gathered themselves together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question, to test him: Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? And he said to him, You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You will love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments the whole law hang, and the prophets. And while the Pharisees were still gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, What think you of the messiah? Whose son is he? They said to him, The son of David. Jesus replied, saying, Then why does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, till I put your enemies underneath your feet? If David calls him Lord, how is he also his son? And no one was able to answer him a word, and no one dared to ask him questions after that time.
35

******* Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses seat. Therefore, whatever they tell you to do, observe these things. But do follow their works; for they say, but do not. They create heavy and difficult burdens, and lay them on mens shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. They do all their works so that they will be seen by men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, Rabbi. Dont be called Rabbi: for only one is your teacher, and all of you are brothers. And call no man your father on the earth: for only one is your Father; he who is in the heavens. Neither be called masters: for one is your master, even the messiah. But he that is greatest among you will be your servant. And whosoever will exalt himself will be humbled; and whoever will humble himself will be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, actors! Because you shut the kingdom of the heavens against men. You do not enter yourselves, and you hinder those that are entering. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, actors! For you devour widows estates, even for a pretence you make long prayers: therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, actors! For you travel sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, you make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves. Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever will swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor. You fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that has sanctified the gold? And, Whosoever will swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever will swear by the gift that is upon it, he is a debtor. You blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? He who swears by the altar, swears by it, and by all things on it. And he that swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him that dwells in it. And he that swears by the heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him that sits upon it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, actors! For you tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, and mercy, and faith: but these you should have done, and not to have left the other undone. You blind guides, that strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, actors! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess. You blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside may become clean also.
36

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, actors! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead mens bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, actors! For you build the sepulchers of the prophets, and garnish the tombs of the righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we should not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. You are witnesses against yourselves, that you are sons of them that killed the prophets. Fill up then the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of hell? Therefore, behold, I send you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: some of them will you kill and crucify; and some of them will you scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city: that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom you slew between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones them that are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is left to you desolate. For I say to you: You will not see me again, till you will say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. ******* Jesus left the temple, and as he was on his way, his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. But he answered and said to them, Do you see all these things? Truly I say to you, There will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down. And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world? Jesus answered and said to them, Be careful that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, I am the messiah, and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not troubled: these things must happen; but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are just the beginning of troubles. Then they will put great pressure upon you, and will kill you: and you will be hated by all the nations for my names sake. And then will many
37

stumble, and will betray one another, and will hate one another. And many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray. And because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold. But he that endures to the end, he will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come. When you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea should flee to the mountains: and he that is on the housetop should not go down to take out things that are in his house: and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak. But woe to those that are with child and to them that nurse children in those days! And pray you that your escape will not be in the winter, nor on a Sabbath: for then will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the chosens sake, those days will be shortened. Then, if any man says to you, Lo, here is the messiah, or, Here. Do not believe it. For there will arise false messiahs and false prophets, and will show great signs and wonders; leading astray, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you beforehand. If therefore they will say to you, Behold, he is in the wilderness, do not go: Behold, he is in the inner chambers, do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east, and is seen even to the west; so will the coming of the Son of man be. And wherever the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together. But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken: and then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then will all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now, learn a parable from the fig tree: when her branch is now become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near. So, you also, when you see all these things, know you that he is near, even at the doors. Truly I say to you, This generation will not pass away, till all these things be accomplished. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day and hour knows no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only. And as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. As in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they did not know until the flood came, and took them all
38

away; so will the coming of the Son of man be. Then will two men be in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left: two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Watch therefore: for you do not know on what day your Lord comes. But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what time the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken through. Therefore be ready; for in an hour that you dont expect, the Son of man comes. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord, when he comes, will find so doing. Truly I say to you, that he will set him over all that he has. But if that evil servant will say in his heart, My lord delays, and will begin to beat his fellowservants, and will eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant will come in a day when he does not expect him, and in an hour that he does not know, and will cut him into pieces, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites: and there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. The kingdom of the heavens is like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying, There might not be enough for both us and you: go to the merchants and buy some for yourselves. And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you. Watch therefore, for you know not the day nor the hour. It is as a man, when going into another country, called his servants, and gave them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his individual ability; then he went on his journey. Immediately, he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. In like manner he also that received the two gained other two. But he that received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lords money. After a long time the lord of those servants returned to make an accounting with them. The man that received the five talents came and brought the other five talents, saying, Lord, you gave me five talents: Here, I have gained five talents more. His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will
39

set you over many things; enter into the joy of your lord. Then he that received the two talents came and said, Lord, you gave me two talents: lo, I have gained two talents more. His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your lord. And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you didnt plant, and gathering where you didnt scatter seed; and I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, here you have your own. But his lord answered and said to him, You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I didnt plant, and gather where I did not scatter; you should have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received it back with interest! Take away the talent from him, and give it to him that has the ten talents. For to every one that has will be given, and he will have an abundance: but from him that has not, even that which he has will be taken away. And cast you out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. But when the Son of man will come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then will he sit on the throne of his glory: and before him will be gathered all the nations: and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and he will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then will the King say to those on his right hand, Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, and fed you? Or thirsty, and gave you to drink? And when did we see you a stranger, and took you in? Or naked, and clothed you? And when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came to you? And the King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of these my brothers, even these least, you did it to me. Then will he say also to them on the left hand, Leave me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry, and you did not give me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and you did not take me in; naked, and you did not clothed me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me. Then will they also answer, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you? Then will he answer them, saying, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of these least, you did it not to me. And these will go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life. *******
40

And when Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples, You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of man will be given up to be crucified. Then the chief priests, and the elders of the people all gathered at the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas; and they took counsel together to take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him. But they said, Not during the feast, lest a tumult arise among the people. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him, having an alabaster flask of very precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat eating. But when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, What is the purpose of this waste? This ointment could have been sold for much money, and given to the poor. But Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good work upon me. The poor you have with you always, but me you do not. In that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I say to you, Wherever this gospel will be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman has done will be spoken of for a memorial of her. Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, and said, What are you willing to give me, if I deliver him to you? And they weighed to him thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him to them. Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where do you want us to make ready for the Passover? And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say to him, The Teacher said, My time is near; I keep the Passover at your house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus told them; and they got ready for the Passover. When evening was come, he was sitting at dinner with the twelve disciples; and as they were eating, he said, Truly I say to you, that one of you will betray me. And they were very sad, and all began to say to him, Is it I, Lord? And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me. The Son of man goes, even as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would be good for that man if he had not been born. And Judas, who betrayed him, said, Is it I, Rabbi? Jesus said to him, You have said. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it; and he gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink all of it; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink again of this fruit of the
41

vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives. Then said Jesus to them, All you will be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered abroad. But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said to him, If all will be offended in you, I will never be offended. Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me thrice. Peter said to him, Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you. And all of the disciples said likewise. Then Jesus took them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, Sit here, while I go and pray. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and deeply troubled. Then he said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death: stay here, and watch with me. And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. And he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, What, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, your will be done. And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And he left them again, and went away, and prayed a third time, saying again the same words. Then he returned to the disciples, and said to them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is near, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Arise, let us be going: behold, he is near that betrays me. And while he yet spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priest and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomever I will kiss, that is he: take him. And immediately he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Rabbi. and kissed him. And Jesus said to him, Friend, do that for which you are come. Then they came and laid their hands on Jesus, and took him. And behold, one of them that were with Jesus drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then said Jesus to him, Put your sword into its place: for all they that take the sword will perish with the sword. Dont you think that I could ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? How then would the scriptures be fulfilled that it must be this way?
42

At that time Jesus said to the multitudes, Have you come out as against a robber with swords and sticks to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didnt seize me. But all this has happened, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled. And they led Jesus away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter followed him afar off, to the court of the high priest, entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; and they found none, though many false witnesses came. But afterward came two, and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest stood up, and said to Jesus, Do you answer nothing? What is it which these witness against you? But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the messiah, the Son of God. Jesus said to him, You have said: nevertheless I say to you, Afterward you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest ripped his garments, saying, He has spoken blasphemy: what further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the slander: what do you think? They answered and said, He is worthy of death. Then they spit in his face and struck him: and some hit him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy to us, messiah: who is it that struck you? Now Peter was sitting in the court: and a maid came to him, saying, You were with Jesus the Galilaean. But he denied it in front of them all, saying, I dont know what you are talking about. And when he had gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said to the people who were there, This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a little while, those that stood by came and said to Peter, It is true, you are one of them; your speech makes you known. Then he began to curse and to swear, I do not know the man. And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the rooster crows, you will deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. ******* Now when morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pilate the governor. Then Judas, who had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver
43

to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? You see to it. And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought a potters field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field was called, The Field of Blood, even to this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was priced, whom certain of the children of Israel did price; and they gave them for the potters field, as the Lord appointed me. Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, Are you the King of the Jews? And Jesus said to him, You say it. And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then Pilate said to him, Do you hear how many things they witness against you? And Jesus gave him no answer, not even one word: so that the governor wondered greatly. At the feast the governor would release to the multitude one prisoner, whomever they wished. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, Who would you like me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the messiah? For he knew that they had delivered him up out of envy. And while Pilate was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent to him, saying, Have nothing to do with that righteous man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. The chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and to destroy Jesus. But the governor answered and said to them, Which of the two shall I release to you? And they said, Barabbas. Pilate said to them, What then shall I do to Jesus who is called the messiah? They all said, Let him be crucified. And he said, Why, what evil has he done? But they cried out all the more, saying, Let him be crucified. So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; you see to it. And all the people answered and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then he released Barabbas; but he scourged Jesus and delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium, and they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And they made a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they
44

kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spat upon him, and took the reed and hit him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the robe, and put on him his garments, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They forced him to go with them and to bear Jesus cross. And they came to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, The place of a skull. Then, they gave him wine to drink, mingled with gall: and when he had tasted it, he would not drink. And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments among themselves, casting lots; and they sat and watched him there. And they set up over his head his accusation: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were, crucified with him, two robbers, one on the right hand and one on the left. And they that passed by insulted him, wagging their heads, and saying, You, who would destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself: if you are the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise, chief priests mocked him, with the scribes and elders, saying, He saved others; but he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him. He trusted on God; let God save him now, if he wants him: for he said, I am the Son of God. And the robbers also that were crucified with him cast upon him the same reproach. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And some of those who stood there, when they heard it, said, This man is calling for Elijah. And immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. And the rest said, Let him alone; let us see whether Elijah comes to save him. And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were split; and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, were exceedingly afraid, saying, Truly, this was the Son of God. And there were many women, watching from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. And when evening was come, there came a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who was also one of Jesus students. This man went to
45

Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded it to be given. And Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and left. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting across from the sepulcher. Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together to see Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was still alive, After three days I rise again. So, order that the tomb is made secure until the third day, so that his disciples dont come and steal him away, and say to the people, He is risen from the dead, and the last error will be worse than the first. Pilate said to them, You have a guard: go, make it as sure as you can. So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them. ******* Late on the Sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was as lightning, and his garments were as white as snow: and for fear of him the watchers shook and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said to the women, Do not fear, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, even as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples, He is risen from the dead; and lo, he goes before you into Galilee; there will you see him: lo, I have told you. And they left quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus to them, Fear not: go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there will they see me. Now while they were going, some of the guard came into the city, and told the chief priests everything that had happened. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of money to the soldiers, saying, Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this comes to the governors ears, we will persuade him, and keep you out of trouble. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying was spread among the Jews, and continues until this day. Then the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain that Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him;
46

although some doubted. And Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Therefore, you go, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe everything that I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

47

48

Mark
This is the beginning of the good tidings about Jesus the messiah, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, I send my angel before you, who will prepare your way. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance to remission of sins. And people from all the area of Judea came out to him, and all they of Jerusalem; and he baptized them in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. John was clothed with camels hair, had a leather girdle about his loins, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, One comes after me that is mightier than I, the laces of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. I immerse you in water; but he will immerse you in the Holy Spirit. In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately upon coming out of the water, he saw the heavens torn open, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came out of the heavens: You are my beloved Son, in you I am well pleased. And immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by the accuser. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John was sent to prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good tidings of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near: repent, and believe in the gospel. And passing by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. And Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you into fishers of men. And immediately they left the nets, and followed him. And going on a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in their boat mending their nets. And immediately he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him. And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his teaching: For he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes. And in the synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, What have we to do with you, Jesus you Nazarene? Are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of
49

God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold your peace, and come out of him. And the unclean spirit, tearing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? A new teaching? With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. And the report of him went out immediately into all the region of Galilee round about. And when they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simons wifes mother lay sick of a fever; and immediately they told him about her: and he came and took her by the hand, and raised her up; and the fever left her, and she served them. And at evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all that were sick, and all that were possessed with demons. The entire city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew him. And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up and went out, and went into an isolated place, and prayed. Then Simon and they that were with him followed, searching for him. And when they found him, they said, Everyone is seeking you. But Jesus said, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for this is why I came out. And he went into synagogues all through Galilee, preaching and casting out demons. And there came him a leper, begging him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him, If you will, you can make me clean. And being moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, I will; be made clean. And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus strictly charged him, and immediately sent him out, and said to him, See you say nothing to any man: but go show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, as evidence to them. But the man went out, and began to publish it much, and to spread the story, so that Jesus could not enter into a city openly, but remained in the wilderness. Yet they came to him from every quarter. ******* And after he had been in Capernaum for some days, people discovered that he was in the house. And many people gathered together, so that there was no room for them, not even around the door: and he spoke the word to them. Then four men came, carrying a man who was sick with the palsy. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they opened the
50

roof above Jesus, and when they had opened it, they lowered the bed with the sick man upon it. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the sick man, Son, your sins are forgiven. But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why does this man speak slander this way? Who can forgive sins but one, even God? And immediately, Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they had reasoned this within themselves, said to them, Why do you consider these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Arise, and take up your bed, and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins (he said to the sick of the palsy), I say to you, Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house. And he arose, and immediately took up the bed, and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We have never seen anything like this. And he went again to the sea side; and all the multitude came to him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax station, and he said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And as Jesus was eating in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat down with him and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, How is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners? And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, They that are healthy have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Now Johns disciples and the Pharisees fasted, and they came and said to Jesus, Why do Johns disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your students dont fast? And Jesus said to them, Can the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then will they fast. No man sews a piece of new (unshrunken) cloth into an old garment, because that new cloth will pull away from the garment, and the tear will be made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old wine-skins, or else the skins will burst, the wine will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Men put new wine into new wine-skins, and both are preserved. And as he was going through the grain fields on a Sabbath day, his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the grain. And the Pharisees said to him, Why are they doing that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?

51

And he said to them, Have you never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he, and they that were with him? How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those that were with him? And he said to them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: so that the Son of man is lord even of the Sabbath. ******* And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there who had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, Stand forward. And he said to them, Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill? But they did not answer. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, Stretch out your hand. And he stretched it out. And his hand was restored. And the Pharisees went out, and immediately took counsel against him with the Herodians, as to how they might destroy him. And Jesus, with his disciples, withdrew to the sea, and a great crowd from Galilee followed; and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and beyond the Jordan, and about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude came to him, hearing about the things he did. And he instructed his disciples that a little boat should wait for him, because of the crowd, so that they couldnt throng him: for he had healed many; so that as many as had plagues crowded around him, trying to touch him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, You are the Son of God. And he commanded them often, that they should not make him known. Then he went up into the mountain, and called people to him; and they went to him. And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons: Simon, whom he surnamed Peter; James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder. And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Then Jesus went into a house, and the crowd came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard it, they went out to seize him: for they said, He is beside himself. And the scribes that came down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons.
52

And he called them to him, and said to them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter into the house of a strong man, and spoil his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Truly I say to you, All sins will be forgiven to the sons of men, and the slanders they speak: but whosoever will defame the Holy Spirit has no forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin. He said this because they had said, He has an unclean spirit. Then his mother and his brothers came, standing outside the pace where he was, and they sent to him, calling him, for there was a multitude sitting around him. And they said to him, Behold, your mother and your brothers seek you. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother and my brothers? And looking at those that sat around him, he said, Behold, my mother and my brothers! For whosoever will do the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. ******* And again he began to teach by the sea side. And a very great multitude came to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things in parables, and said to them in his teaching, Listen: A sower went out to plant: as he planted, some seed fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured it. And other seeds fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it produced no fruit. And others fell into good ground, and produced fruit, growing up and increasing; and produced thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. And he said, Who has ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, those that were around him, with the twelve, asked about him the parables. And he said to them, To you is given the secret of the kingdom of God, but to those who are without, all these things are in parables: that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; or else they might turn again, and it should be forgiven them. And he said to them, Dont you understand this parable? Then how will you know all the parables?
53

The sower plants the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately comes Satan, and takes away the word which has been sown in them. And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy; but they have no root in themselves, but are temporary; then, when tribulation or persecution arise because of the word, immediately they stumble. And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word, and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and produce fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. And he said to them, Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not to be put on a stand? For there is nothing hidden that shall not be made known; neither is anything made secret, but that it will come to light. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. And he said to them, Pay attention to what you hear: with what measure you measure out, it will be measured back to you; and more will be given to you. For he that has, to him will be given: and he that has not, from him will be taken away even that which he has. And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed upon the earth; and should sleep and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knows not how. The earth produces fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts in his sickle, because the harvest is come. And he said, To what will we compare the kingdom of God? Or in what parable will we put it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth, yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the air can lodge under its shadow. And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; and without a parable he spoke nothing to them: but privately to his own students he explained all things. And on that day, when evening was come, he said to them, Let us go over to the other side. And leaving the multitude, they took him with them, just as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with them. And there rose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was filling. And he himself was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. And they woke him, and said to him, Teacher, dont you care that we will perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the
54

sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said to them, Why are you fearful? Have you no faith? And they feared greatly, and said one to another, Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? And they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had come out of the boat, immediately a man with an unclean spirit came out of the tombs to meet them. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could control him, not even with chains; had been often bound with chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him, and the shackles broken into pieces, and no man had the strength to tame him. And always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped him; and crying out with a loud voice, he said, What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me. For Jesus had said to him, Come out of the man, you unclean spirit. And Jesus asked him, What is your name? And he said to him, My name is Legion; for we are many. And he begged him much that he would not send them out of the country. Now there was there on the mountain side a large herd of swine feeding. And they begged him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the precipice into the sea, about two thousand of them, and they were drowned in the sea. And the feeders fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus, and found the man who had been possessed with the demons sitting, clothed and in his right mind; that is, the man who had the legion: and they were afraid. And the people who had seen it told what had happened to the man that was possessed with demons, and concerning the swine. And they began to beg him to leave their area. And as he was entering into the boat, the man that had been possessed with demons asked to remain with him. Jesus did not allow him, but said to him, Go to your house and to your friends, and tell them how great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you. And the man went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him: and all men marveled. And when Jesus had again crossed over in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came to him. And when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, and begged him much, saying, My little daughter is at the point of death: I pray you, come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made whole, and live. And Jesus went with him; and a great multitude followed him, and they thronged him. And a
55

woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, having heard the things concerning Jesus, came in the crowd behind him, and touched his garment. For she said, If I but touch his garments, I will be made whole. And immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her plague. And immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, turned around to the crowd, and said, Who touched my garments? And his pupils said to him, You see the multitude thronging you, yet you say, Who touched me? And he looked around to see who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace, and be whole of your plague. And while he yet spoke, some came from the ruler of the synagogues house saying, Your daughter is dead: why trouble the Teacher any further? But Jesus, after he heard them, said to the ruler of the synagogue, Fear not, only believe. And he allowed no one to follow with him, except Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he saw a tumult, and many people weeping and wailing greatly. And having entered, he said to them, Why do you make you a tumult, and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping. And they laughed at him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child and her mother and those that were with him, and went into where the child was. And taking the child by the hand, he said to her, Talitha cumi, which is, being interpreted, Girl, I say to you, Arise. And immediately the girl rose up, and walked; for she was twelve years old. And they were greatly amazed. And he strictly commanded them that no man should know about this incident: he also ordered that she should be given something to eat. ******* Then Jesus left that place and returned to his own country; and his students followed him. And when the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many that heard him were astonished, saying, From where did this man get these things? And, What is the wisdom that is given to this man, and what is the meaning of such mighty works being done by his hands? Isnt this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? Arent his sisters here with us? And they were offended by him. And Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could not do any mighty works
56

there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people, and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching. And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out, by two and two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits; and he commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except only a staff; no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse; but to go wearing sandals: and not with two coats. And he said to them, Wherever you enter into a house, remain until you depart. And whatever place will not receive you, and will not hear you, as you go out, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony to them. And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed many that were sick with oil, and healed them. And king Herod heard of this; for Jesus name had become known: and he said, John the Baptizer is risen from the dead, and therefore do these powers work in him. But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, even as one of the Prophets. But Herod, when he heard of this, said, John, whom I beheaded, is risen. For Herod himself had arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philips wife; whom he had married. For John said to Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brothers wife. So, Herodias had set herself against John, and wanted to kill him. But, she could not, because Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when Herod listened to John, he did many things, and listened gladly. When a convenient day was come when Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those that sat at supper with him. And the king said to the girl, Ask me whatever you wish, and I will give it to you. And he swore to her, Whatever you ask of me, I will give it you, up to half of my kingdom. And she went out, and said to her mother, What should I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptizer. And she came in immediately to the king, and asked, saying, I want you to give me, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist. And the king was deeply grieved, but for the sake of his oaths, and of those that sat at supper, he would not reject her. And immediately the king sent a soldier from his guard, and commanded to bring Johns head. And the soldier went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. And when Johns disciples heard of this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

57

Then the sent ones returned to Jesus, and they told him all the things they had done, and what they had taught. And he said to them, Come away into a remote place, and rest a while. For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure, even enough as to eat. And they went away in the boat to a remote area. But the people saw them going, and many recognized them, and they ran ahead of them, on foot. And Jesus came out of the boat and saw a great multitude, he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when it was late, his disciples came to him, and said, This place is remote and it is late; send them away, so they can go into the villages round about, and buy themselves some food. But he answered and said to them, You give them food to eat. And they said to him, Should we go and buy two hundred shillings worth of bread, and give that to them? And he said to them, How many loaves of bread do you have? Go and see. And when they knew, they said, Five, and two fishes. Then Jesus commanded them to sit down by companies upon the grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves; and he gave them to the disciples to set before them; and he divided the two fishes among them all. And they all ate, and were filled. And they took up broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and also of the fishes. And they that ate the loaves were five thousand men. Then, immediately he made his disciples enter the boat, and to go before him to Bethsaida on the other side, while he sent the multitude away. And after he had left them, he went up to the mountain to pray. And when night had come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. And seeing them having difficulty in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking upon the sea. And he would have passed them by, but they saw him walking on the sea, and supposed that it was a ghost. And they cried out; for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke to them, and said to them, Have courage: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up to them into the boat; and the wind stopped: and they were amazed; for they didnt understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. And when they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret, and moored at the shore. And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, and ran through the whole region, and began to carry
58

sick people on beds, to the place where they heard he was. And in whichever villages or cities he entered, or in the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch just the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. ******* The Pharisees and certain of the scribes from Jerusalem came to him, and had noticed that some of his disciples ate their bread with defiled, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands diligently, will not eat, holding to the tradition of their elders; and when they come from the market-place, except they bathe themselves, they will eat not. And there are many other traditions that they hold, such as the washings of cups, and pots, and brass vessels.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, Why dont your students hold to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with defiled hands? And he said to them, Isaiah prophesied well of you actors, as it is written, This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines, the precepts of men. You leave the commandment of God, and hold to the tradition of men. And he said to them, Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and, He that speaks evil of father or mother, let him die the death. But you say that a man giving a gift to his parents is actually offering it to God. That means that he is not really honoring his father. And so, you voided the commandment of God because of your tradition. And you do many such things. And he called to him the multitude again, and said to them, Hear me all of you - and understand: There is nothing from without the man, that, going into him, can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. And when he had left the crowds and entered into the house, his pupils asked him about the parable. And he said to them, Are you without understanding also? Dont you see that whatever from without goes into the man, it cannot defile him; because it goes not into his heart, but into his belly, and goes out as waste? This he said, making all foods clean. And he said, That which comes out of the man, this defiles the man. For from within, out of the core of men, come evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, covetous desires, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness: all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man.
59

******* From there he went away to the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered into a house, and tried to keep it secret, but he could not remain hidden. And a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet. This woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by race. And she begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, Let the children first be filled: it is not right to take the childrens bread and throw it to the dogs. But she answered and said to him, Yes, Lord; but even the dogs under the table eat the childrens crumbs. And he said to her, For this saying go your way; the demon is gone out of your daughter. And she went away to her house, and found the child laying on the bed, and the demon gone out. And again he left the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the sea of Galilee, passing through Decapolis. And they brought a deaf man to him, who also had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand upon him. And Jesus took the man away from the crowd, put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, Ephphasa, that is, Be opened. And the mans ears were opened, and his tongue was freed, and he spoke plainly. And he commanded them that they should not tell anyone. But the more he charged them, the more they published it widely. And the people were astonished beyond measure, saying, He has done all things well; he makes even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. ******* In those days, when there was again a great crowd, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples, and said to them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me for three days now, and have nothing to eat. If I send them away with no food, they will faint along the way; and some of them have come far. And his disciples answered him, How can we feed all these men with bread here in a remote place? And he asked them, How many loaves of bread do you have? And they said, Seven. Then Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them, and gave them to his pupils, and they set them before the multitude. They also had a few small fishes: and having blessed them, Jesus commanded these to be set before them also. And the people ate, and were filled: and they collected seven baskets of broken pieces when they
60

were finished eating. There had been about four thousand people: Then Jesus sent them away. And immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came to Dalmanutha. And the Pharisees came out, and began to question with him, seeking a sign from heaven, testing him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say to you, There will no sign be given to this generation. And he left them, and again entering into the boat, went back to the other side. The disciples had forgotten to take bread, and had no more with tem than one loaf. Then Jesus warned them, saying, Take care, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. And they discussed, one with another, saying, We have no bread. And Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, Why are you thinking about having no bread? Dont you see and understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes, dont you see? And having ears, dont you hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect? They said to him, Twelve. And the seven loaves among the four thousand, how many baskets of broken pieces did you collect? And they say to him, Seven. And he said to them, Do you not yet understand? And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought to him a blind man, and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. And when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Do you see anything? The man looked up, and said, I see men, like trees, walking. Again Jesus laid his hands on his eyes; and made him look up. And the man was restored, and saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, Do not even enter the village. And Jesus went with his disciples into the villages of Caesarea Philippi: and on the way he asked his disciples, Who do men say that I am? And they told him, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but others, One of the prophets. And he asked them, But who do you say that I am? Peter answered and said to him, You are the messiah. And Jesus commanded them that they should tell no man about him. And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many
61

things, and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spoke the saying openly. Then Peter took him, and began to reprove him. But Jesus turned, saw his students, and rebuked Peter, saying, Get behind me, Satan; for you do not care for the things of God, but the things of men. And he called to him the multitude, with his disciples, and said to them, If any man wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the gospels will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in exchange for his life? For whosoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. And he said to them, Truly I say to you, Some of those standing here will not in any way taste of death till they see the kingdom of God come with power. Six days later, Jesus took Peter, and James, and John to a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; and his clothing shined, exceedingly white, as no bleach on earth can whiten them. Then Elijah with Moses appeared, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke and said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Peter didnt know what to say, because they were all deeply afraid. And a cloud came and overshadowed them: and there came a voice out of the cloud: This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, looking around, they saw no one, only Jesus with themselves. And as they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, except after the Son of man was risen from the dead. And they remembered these words, asking themselves what rising again from the dead meant. Then they asked him, Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first? And he said to them, Elijah does come first, to restore all things. But I say to you, that Elijah has come, and they have done to him as they wished, even as it is written of him. And when they had returned to the other disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and the scribes questioning them. And when the
62

people saw him, they ran to him and greeted him. And he asked them, What are you discussing with my students? And one of the crowd answered, Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a dumb spirit; and it seizes him, throwing him: and his mouth foams, and he grinds his teeth, and he is withering away. I asked your students to cast it out, but they could not. He answered and said, O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him to me. And they brought the son to him: and when he saw him, immediately the spirit threw him into convulsions. Jesus asked the father, How long has this been happening? And he said, Since he was a child. It has often cast him into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if you canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. And Jesus said to him, If you can! All things are possible to him that believes. Immediately the father cried out, and said, I believe; help my unbelief. And when Jesus saw that the crown was running toward them, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying, You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and enter into him no more. And having cried out and convulsed, he came out: and the boy became motionless; so that most of them nearby said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose. When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why couldnt we cast it out? And he said to them, This kind does not come out, except by prayer. Then they left that place, and passed through Galilee; though he didnt want anyone to know about it. And he taught his disciples, saying, The Son of man will be given into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise again. But they didnt understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. Then they went to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, What were you discussing along the way? But they were silent, since they had been disputing about which one of them was the greatest. And he sat down, called the twelve; and said to them, If any man wishes to be first, he will be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a little child, and set between them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, Whoever receives one such child in my name, receives me: and whosoever receives me, receives not me, but him that sent me. John said to him, Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he didnt follow us.
63

But Jesus said, Do not forbid him, for no man who does a mighty work in my name will quickly be able to speak evil of me. He that is not against us is for us. For whomever will give you a cup of water to drink, because you are the messiahs, truly I say to you, he will in no way lose his reward. And whoever will cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off: it is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than, having two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire; where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off: it is good for you to enter into life lame, rather than having two feet to be cast into hell where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. And if your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out: it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. For every one will be salted with fire. Salt is good: but if the salt has lost its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another. ******* And he arose and left that place, coming to the Judea and the regions beyond the Jordan. And the crowds gathered again, and, again, he taught them. And there came to him Pharisees, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? This he asked, testing him. And Jesus said to them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses allowed us to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. But Jesus said to them, For your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you, but from the beginning of the creation he made them male and female. For this cause will a man leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife; and the two will become one flesh: so that they are no more two, but one flesh. So, what God has joined together, do not let not man put apart. And in the house the disciples asked him again about this. And he said to them, Whosoever puts away his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her: and if she is put away by her husband, and maries another, she commits adultery. Then they brought little children to him, so that he might touch them: and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was angry, and said to them, Allow the little children to come to me; do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, Whosoever will not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he
64

will in no way enter it. And he took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them. And as he was on the road, leaving, a man ran to him and kneeled to him, and asked, Good Teacher, what must I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? There is but one who is good, God. You know the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother. And the man said to him, Teacher, I have observed all of these things from my youth up. And Jesus, looking upon him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. But the mans face fell at the saying, and he went away sad: for he that had great possessions. Then Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, How hard is it for those with riches to enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished, saying to him, Then who can be saved? Jesus looked at them and said, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for all things are possible with God. Then Peter began to say to him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed you. Jesus said, Truly I say to you, There is no man that has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospels sake, that will not receive a hundred times as much now in this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come, eternal life. But many that are first will be last; and the last first. ******* And they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them. And they were both amazed and afraid. And he took the twelve again, and began to tell them what would happen to him, saying, Behold, we are going to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles: and they will mock him, and will spit upon him, and will scourge him, and will kill him; and after three days he will rise again.
65

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said, Teacher, we want you to do whatever we ask of you. And he said to them, What is it that you want me to do? And they said to him, Grant to us that we may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left, in your glory. But Jesus said to them, You know not what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink? Or to be baptized with my baptism? And they said to him, We are able. Then Jesus said to them, The cup that I drink you will drink; and you will be baptism with my baptism, but to sit on my right hand or on my left is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it has been prepared. And when the ten heard it, they were angry with James and John. And Jesus called them to him, and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great ones control them. But it is not to be that way among you. Whoever wishes to become great among you, will be your minister; and whoever wants to be first among you, will be the servant of all. For the Son of man came, not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. And they came to Jericho: and as he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, a blind beggar, Bareimaeus the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the way side. And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me. And many chastised him, and told him to be quiet. But he cried out all the more, You son of David, have mercy on me. Then Jesus stood still, and said, Call him. And they called the blind man, saying to him, Have courage: rise, he is calling you. And he tossed away his garment, jumped up, and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him him, What do you want me to do for you? And the blind man said to him, Rabbi, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said to him, Go your way; your faith has made you whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him in the way. And when they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, and said to them, Go into the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you will find a colt tied, untie him and bring him. And if any one says to you, Why do you this? Say, The Lord has need of him. And he will send him back here. And they went away, and found a colt tied in the open street; and they untied him. And some of them that stood there said, What are you doing,
66

untying the colt? And the two spoke to them as Jesus had instructed them, and they let them go. They brought the colt to Jesus, and threw their clothing upon him, and Jesus sat upon him. And many spread their garments on the path, and others branches, which they had cut from the fields. Both those that went in front and those behind cried, Hosanna; Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord: Blessed is the kingdom that comes, the kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest. And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, into the temple. And when he had looked around, it now being evening, he went back to Bethany with the twelve. The next morning, when they had left Bethany, Jesus was hungry. In the distance, he saw a fig tree, having leaves. So, he went to it, hoping to find fruit. But when he came, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the right season for figs. And he said to the tree, No man eat fruit from you, forever. And his disciples heard it. Then they went into Jerusalem, entered the temple, and he began to cast out those who bought and sold inside the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of those that sold doves. And he would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And he said, Is it not written, My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers. And when the chief priests and the scribes heard of this, and searched for some way to destroy him, because they feared him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching. And every evening he went out of the city. And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree, withered away from the roots. And Peter, remembering Jesus words, said, Rabbi, look, the fig tree that you cursed has withered away. And Jesus, answering, said, Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, Whoever will say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea; and will not doubt in his heart, but will believe that what he says will happen, he will have it. Therefore I say to you, Whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive you. And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he walked in the temple, the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders came to him; and they said, By what authority do you do these things? Or, Who gave you authority to do these things?

67

Jesus said to them, I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me. Then they reasoned among themselves: If we will say, From heaven, He will say, Why then didnt you believe him? But if we say, From men They feared the people: for they thought John was a prophet. So they answered Jesus and said, We dont know. And Jesus said to them, Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. And he began to speak to them in parables: A man planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around it, and dug a pit for the winepress, and built a tower, and leased it out to farmers, and went into another country. And at the proper season he sent a servant to the farmers, that he might collect the fruits of the vineyard from them. But the farmers took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. Again he sent to them another servant; and him they wounded in the head, and treated shamefully. And he sent another; and him they killed: and many others; beating some, and killing some. He had yet one more, a beloved son. He sent him to them, saying, They will respect my son. But the farmers said to themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. So, what will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others. Have you not read even this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes? And they tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude. They had understood that Jesus spoke the parable against them. So they left him, and went away. Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to him, that they might catch him in his words. And when they came, they said, Teacher, we know that you are true, and do not care for any one; for you do not regard any mans person, but teach the true way of God: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay, or shouldnt we? But he knew their hypocrisy and said to them, Why do you test me? Bring me a coin, so I can see it. And they brought it. And he asked, Whose image and superscription is this? And they said to him, Caesars. And Jesus said to them, Give Caesar the things that are Caesars, and God the things that are Gods. And they were astonished. Then the Sadducees came, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him, saying, Teacher, Moses wrote to us, If a mans brother die, and leave a wife behind him, and leave no child, that his brother
68

should take his wife, and raise up children for to his brother. There were seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and died, leaving no child; and the second took her, and died, leaving no child behind him; and the third likewise: and the seven left no offspring. Last of all, the woman died. So, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? All seven had her as wife. Jesus said to them, Is it not for this cause that you err, that you know not the scriptures, nor the power of God? For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as angels in heaven. And as touching the dead, that they are raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the place concerning the bush, how God spoke to 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 of the living: You do greatly err. And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and seeing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is most important? Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: and you will love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is, You will love your neighbor as yourself. There are no other commandments greater than these. And the scribe said to him, Truly, Teacher, you have spoken well, for there is no other but he: and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and for a man to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, he said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. After that, no one dared ask him any questions. And Jesus said, as he taught in the temple, How can the scribes say that the messiah is Davids son? David himself said in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, till I make your enemies the footstool of your feet. David himself calls him Lord; so how is he his son? And the common people heard him gladly. And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and to have salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts: they that devour widows houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation. And he sat down across the treasury, and watched as the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a
69

farthing. And he called his disciples, and said to them, Truly I say to you, This poor widow has put in more than all the others: for they all gave of their surplus; but she, from her want, put in all that she had, even all her living. ******* And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, Teacher, look at the stones and the buildings! And Jesus said to him, Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left one stone upon another; all will be thrown down. And when he had sat on the mount of Olives across from the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things approach? And Jesus began to say to them, Take care that no man leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, I am he, and will lead many astray. And when you will hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled: these things must happen; but the end is not yet. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in divers places; there will be famines: these things are the beginning of troubles. But take care for yourselves: for they will give you up to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues, and be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. And when they lead you to be judged, dont worry beforehand about what you should say: it will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you that speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child; and children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated of all men for my names sake: but he that endures to the end, the same will be saved. But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains: and let not him that is on the housetop go down or take anything out his house: and let not him that is in the field return back to take his cloak. But woe to those that are with child and to them that nurse children in those days! And pray you that it be not in the winter. For in those days will be troubles, such as not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. And except the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the elects sake, whom he chose, he shortened the days. And then if any man will say to you, Lo, here is the messiah, or, Lo, there, do not believe it: for there will arise false messiahs and false
70

prophets, and will show signs and wonders, so that they may lead astray, if possible, the chosen. But pay attention; I have told you everything beforehand. In those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send the angels, and will gather together his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. Now learn a parable from the fig tree: when her branch is tender, and puts out its leaves, you know that the summer is near. So, when you see these things, know that he is near, even at the doors. Truly I say to you, This generation will not pass away, until all these things are accomplished. Heaven and earth will pass away: but my words will not pass away. But no one knows the day and the hour, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only. Take care, watch and pray: because you dont know the time. It is like a man, who went to travel in another country. He left his house, and gave authority to his servants, to each one his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch therefore: because you dont know when the lord of the house will come, whether at evening, or at midnight, or at dawn, or in the morning; or he may come to find you sleeping. And what I say to you I say to all: Watch. ******* Two days later was the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes wanted to arrest him quietly and kill him, for they said, Not during the feast; there might be an uproar among the people. And as he sat eating at the house of Simon the leper in Bethany, there came a woman, having a very expensive alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, and she broke the flask, and poured the ointment on his head. But some became angry, saying, What was the purpose of this waste? This ointment could have been sold for over three hundred shillings, and given to the poor. And they murmured against her. But Jesus said, Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a good thing to me. The poor are with you always, and you can do good to them whenever you wish, but I will not always be here. She has done what she could; anointing my body beforehand for burying. And truly I say to you, Wherever the gospel will be preached, throughout the whole world, this also which she has done will be spoken, as a memorial of her.
71

And Judas Iscariot, he that was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, to betray Jesus to them. And they, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. Then he watched for a convenient way to provide Jesus to them. On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, Jesus students said to him, Where do you want us to get ready for the Passover? Then he sent two of his disciples, saying, Go into the city, where you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water: follow him; and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, The Teacher said, Where is my guest-chamber, where I will eat the Passover with my disciples? And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Prepare for us there. And the disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it as he had said to them: and they got ready for the Passover. That evening he came to the room with the twelve. And as they sat and were eating, Jesus said, Truly I say to you, One of you will betray me, even he that eats with me. Then they became very sad, and said to him, one by one, Is it I? And he said to them, It is one of the twelve, he that dips his food with me in the dish. The Son of man will go, even as it is written of him: but woe to the man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born. And as they were eating, he took bread, and when he had blessed and broken it, he gave it to them, and said, Take this, it is my body. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them: and they all drank of it. And he said to them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I say to you, I will drink no more fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, All you of will be offended: for it is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered abroad. But, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said to him, Although everyone else will be offended, I will not. Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, will deny me three times. But Peter spoke exceedingly vehemently, If I must die with you, I will not deny you. And likewise said they all. Then they came to a place called Gethsemane: and he said to his disciples, Sit here, while I pray. And he took Peter and James and John with him, and he became amazed, and deeply troubled. And he said to them, My soul is deeply sad, even to death: stay here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if
72

possible, the hour might pass away from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will, but what you will. And he returned to find them sleeping, and said to Peter, Simon, do you sleep? Couldnt you watch one hour? Watch and pray, that you do not enter into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they didnt know what to answer him. And he came third time, and said to them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough; the hour is come. Look, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Arise, let us be going: My betrayer is here. And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, and a crowd with him, having swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now this Judas had given them a sign, saying, Whoever I kiss, that is he; take him, and lead him away safely. And he came immediately to Jesus, and said, Rabbi, and he kissed him. Then the crowd seized him. But one of them that stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. And Jesus said to them, Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves to seize me? I was with you in the temple every day teaching, and you didnt arrest me: but this is done that the scriptures might be fulfilled. And they all left him, and fled. But a young man followed with him, having a linen cloth over his naked body: and they grabbed him; but he left the linen cloth, and he ran away naked. They led Jesus away to the high priest: and all the chief priests elders and scribes with him. Peter had followed at a distance, into the court of the high priest; and he sat with the officers, and warmed himself at their fire. The chief priests and the council wanted evidence against Jesus, to put him to death, but they did not find it. Many testified falsely against him, but their testimonies did not agree. Then certain men stood up and testified against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, made without hands. But even their testimony did not agree. And the high priest stood up, and asked Jesus, saying, Do you answer nothing? What is it that all of these testify against you? But he was silent, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, Are you the messiah, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. Then the
73

high priest ripped his clothes, and said, What further need is there for witnesses? You have heard the slander: what do you think? And they all condemned him to be worthy of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and hit him, saying, Prophesy. And the officers hit him with their hands. As Peter was sitting in the court, one of the maids of the high priest came; and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, You were with the Nazarene Jesus. But he it denied, saying, I dont know what you are talking about. Then he went out to the porch; and the rooster crowed. There the maid saw him again, and said to those who stood there, This is one of them. But he again denied it. And after a little while again, the men standing with Peter said, It is true, you are one of them; for you are a Galilaean. But he began to curse, and to swear, I dont know this man of whom you speak. And immediately, for the second time, the rooster crowed. And Peter called to mind the word, how that Jesus said to him, Before the cock crow twice, you will deny me thrice. And when he thought on this, he wept. ******* In the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a meeting. Then they tied Jesus and carried him away, delivering him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, Are you the King of the Jews? Answering, Jesus said, You say it. And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, saying, Wont you answer anything? Do you hear how many accusations they make? But Jesus did not answer, so that Pilate wondered. Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whomever they requested. And there was one prisoner called Barabbas, who, with others, had committed both insurrection and murder. And the crowd began to ask him to release one man, according to the tradition. And Pilate answered them, saying, Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? Pilate understood that the chief priests had sent Jesus to him because of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, to ask for Barabbas to be released. And Pilate asked them, What then will I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. And Pilate said to them, Why, what evil has he done? But they cried out the more, Crucify him. And Pilate, wishing to please the crowd, released Barabbas, and sent Jesus, after he had scourged him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led
74

him away and called together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and made a crown of thorns, which they put it on him; and they began to salute him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they struck his head with a reed, and spat upon him, and bowing their knees, worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took the purple off of him, and put on him his own garments. And they led him out to crucify him. And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them and to carry his cross. And they brought him to a place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they offered him wine mingled with myrrh: but he refused it. And they crucified him, and divided his garments among them, casting lots upon them, to see what each would take. And it was the third hour, when they crucified him. And the accusation written above him was, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucified two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which said, And he was reckoned with transgressors. And the passers-by insulted him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ha! You that destroys the temple, and builds it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross. Similarly, the chief priests and the scribes mocked him, saying, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let the messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, that we may see and believe. And the men that were crucified with him insulted him as well. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calls Elijah. And man one ran, and filling a sponge with vinegar, put it on a reed, and presented it to Jesus to drink, saying, Let us see whether Elijah comes to take him down. And Jesus uttered a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, who stood across from him, saw that he had given up his spirit, he said, Truly, this man was the Son of God. And there were also women watching from a distance: among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered to him; and many other women that came up with him to Jerusalem. And when the evening came, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable councilor, who was also looking for the kingdom of God; came and went
75

boldly in to Pilate, and asked for the body. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead: and calling to him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for any length of time. And when he had verified this with the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of a rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. ******* And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, to come and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun was rising. And they were saying among themselves, Who will roll the stone from the door of the tomb for us? And looking up, they saw that the stone was already rolled back: and it was very large. And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, Dont be amazed: you seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold, the place where they laid him! But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He goes before you into Galilee: there will you see him, as he said to you. And they went out, and ran from the tomb, trembling and shocked, and they said nothing to anyone, being afraid. When he was risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told his companions, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, did not believe it. After these things, he showed himself in another form to two of them, as they walked into the country. Then they went and told it to the others, who didnt believe them either. And afterward he showed himself to the eleven themselves as they sat eating, and he chastized them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he was risen. And he said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believes and is baptized will be saved; but he that does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany them that believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

76

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

77

78

John
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 has been made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shined in the darkness; and the darkness did not apprehend it. There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. This man came as a witness, that he might testify concerning the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify of the light, which was the true light, which shines upon every man who comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. But as many as did receive him, he gave them the right to become children of God, even to those that believe on his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and lived among us (and we saw his glory, the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. John testified of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that comes after me is become before me: for he was before me. And of his fullness we all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus the messiah. No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is with the Father, he has declared him. And this is the testimony of John: When the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem, they asked, Who are you? And John confessed he did not deny, but he confessed I am not the messiah. Then they asked, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not. Are you the prophet? And he answered, No. Then they said to him, Who are you? We need an answer to give to those who sent us. What do you say of yourself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet. These men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they asked him, Why then do you baptize, if you are neither the messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?
79

John answered them, saying, I baptize in water: but among you stands someone that you do not recognize he that comes after me, the laces of whose shoes I am not worthy to loosen. These events were in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next morning, John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man who is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I did not know him; but, I have come baptizing in water so that he would be shown to Israel. And John testified, saying, I saw the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it remained upon him. And I did not know him, but he that sent me to baptize in water said to me, Upon whomsoever you will see the Spirit descending, and remaining upon him, this is he that baptizes in the Holy Spirit. And I have seen, and have testified, that this is the Son of God. Again the next morning, John was standing with two of his disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, Behold, the Lamb of God! And the two students heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, What do you seek? And they said to him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), where are you staying? He said to them, Come, and you will see. So they came and saw where he was staying, and remained with him that day as it was about the tenth hour. One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peters brother. He went to find his brother Simon, and said to him, We have found the Messiah. (Which is, being interpreted, the Christ.) He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas. (Cephas is, by interpretation, Peter). The next morning, Jesus decided to go to Galilee, where he found Philip, And Jesus said to him, Follow me. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip then found Nathanael, and said to him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said to him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deception! Nathanael said to him, How do you know me?

80

Jesus answered and said to him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are King of Israel. Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to you, I saw you underneath the fig tree, you believe? You will see greater things than these. And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, You will see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. ******* And on the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his students. And when the wine ran out, Jesus mother said to him, They have no wine. And Jesus said to her, Woman, what have I to do with you? My hour is not yet come. His mother said to the servants, Whatever he says to you, do it. Now there were six stone water pots sitting there, according to the Jews manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus said to them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, Draw some out now, and take it to the overseer of the feast. And they took it. And when the master of the feast tasted the water that had now become wine, and didnt know where it had come from (but the servants that had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom, and said, People put the good wine out first, and then the worse wine after the guests have drunk freely; you kept the good wine until now. This beginning of signs Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and showed his glory; and his disciples believed on him. After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brothers, and his disciples; but they stayed there only a few days. ******* And the Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And he found people in the temple selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the changing money: and he made a scourge of cords, and drove them out of the temple, as well as the sheep and the oxen. And he poured out the changers money, and overthrew their tables; and said to the dove sellers, Take these things out of here; do not make my Fathers house a house of merchandise. Then his disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for your house will eat me up.
81

The Jews then said to him, What sign do you have for us, seeing that you do these things? Jesus answered, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then Jews said, It took forty six years to build this temple, and youll raise it up in three days? But he spoke of the temple of his body. When he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he spoke this, and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Now when he was in Jerusalem for the Passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, seeing the signs which he did. But Jesus did not trust himself to them, for because knew all men, and because he needed no one to testify to him concerning men; for he knew what was in man. ******* Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: He came to him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mothers womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God! That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Dont wonder that I said, You must be born again. The wind blows where it wills. You hear the sound it, but dont know where it comes from and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said to him, Are you a teacher of Israel, and dont understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, We speak that which we know, and bear witness of what we have seen; and you dont receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you believe not, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven, only he that descended from heaven, the Son of man, who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so the Son of man must be lifted up; that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world should be saved through him. He that believes on him is not condemned: he that believes not has
82

been condemned already, because he has not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and that men loved darkness rather than light; because their works were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, and avoids the light, or else his works would be reproved. But he that does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be shown, that they have been wrought in God. ******* After these things Jesus and his disciples came into Judea; and he remained there with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet in prison. There arose a disagreement between Johns disciples and a Jew about purifying. And they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, that man is baptizing, and all men are coming to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, unless it is given to him from heaven. You can testify that I said, I am not the messiah, but that I am sent before him. He that has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, standing and hearing him, rejoices because of the bridegrooms voice. So, my joy is full. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is of the earth, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is above all. What he has seen and heard, he testifies to; yet no man receives his testimony. He that has received his testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for he has not given the Spirit to him by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He that believes on the Son has eternal life; but he that does not obey not the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him. ******* At this time the Pharisees learned that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself didnt baptize, only his pupils did). When Jesus heard this, he left Judea, and went again to Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria on the way. So, he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph: and Jacobs well was there. Jesus, being wearied with his journey, sat by the well. It was about the sixth hour. Then a woman of Samaria came to draw water: Jesus said to her, Give me to drink. For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food.
83

The Samaritan woman said to him, How is it that you, being a Jew, ask a drink of me, a Samaritan woman? (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered and said to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, Give me to drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. The woman said to him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from where then do you have that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle? Jesus said to her, Every one that drinks of this water will thirst again: but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become, in him, a well of water springing up to eternal life. The woman said to him, Sir, give me this water, that I will never thirst, nor come all the way here to draw. Jesus said to her, Go, call your husband, and come here. The woman answered and said to him, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, You have well said, I have no husband; for you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband: this have you said truly. The woman said to him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. But our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father. You worship that which you know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. The woman said to him, I know that Messiah comes (he that is called The Christ): and when he is come, he will teach us all things. Jesus said to her, I that speak to you am he. And upon this his disciples came; and they marveled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, What do you seek? or, Why do you speak with her? So the woman left her water pot, and went away into the city, and said to the people, Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the messiah? Then they went out of the city, and came to him.
84

In the mean while, the disciples asked him to eat. But he said to them, I have food to eat that you dont know. The disciples therefore said one to another, Has anyone brought him something to eat? Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work. Dont you say, There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest? Look, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already to harvest. He that reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit to life eternal; that both he that plants and he that reaps may rejoice together. For herein is the saying true, One plants, and another reaps. I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor: others have labored, and you are entered into their labor. And many people in that city of the Samaritans believed on him because of the word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things that ever I did. So when the Samaritans came to him, they begged him to stay with them: and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word; and they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of your speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the savior of the world. And after the two days he went into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. So when he came into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast: for they had also been there. He came again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water into wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and begged him that he would come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. Jesus then said to him, Except you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. The nobleman said to him, Sir, come down before my child dies. Jesus said to him, Go your way; your son lives. And the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, saying, that his son lived. So he asked them the hour when he began to recover. They said to him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, Your son lives, and he believed, and his whole house. This is the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee. ******* After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is
85

called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a multitude of people that were sick, blind, lame, and withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water: whoever then was first to enter the water after it had been moved was made whole. And a certain man was there, who had been sick for thirty eight year. When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been a long time in that situation, he said to him, Will you be made whole? The sick 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 steps down before me. Jesus said to him, Arise, take up your bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked. Now this was the Sabbath day. So the Jews said to him that was cured, It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your bed. But he answered them, The man that cured me, he said, Take up your bed, and walk. They asked him, Who is the man that said to you, Take up your bed, and walk? But the man who was healed didnt know who it was; for Jesus had left, and there was a crowd in that place. Afterward Jesus found the man in the temple, and said to him, Behold, you are made whole: sin no more, or else a worse thing might happen to you. The man then went and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole. And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, My Father works even now, and I work. For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus therefore said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but only what he sees the Father doing: whatever he does, the Son does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows him everything that he does: and greater works than these will he show him, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he wishes. Neither does the Father judge any man, but he has given all judgment to the Son; that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor not the Father that sent him.

86

Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes him that sent me, has eternal life, and comes not into judgment, but has passed out of death and into life. Truly, truly, I say to you, The hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself: and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. Do not wonder at this: for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come out; they that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. I can myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not my own will, but the will of him that sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. It is another that bears witness of me; and I know that his testimony of me is true. You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. But the testimony which I receive is not from man: I say these things, that you may be saved. He was the lamp that burns and shines; and you were willing to rejoice for a season in his light. But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me. And the Father that sent me, he has also borne witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. And you have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him you do not believe. You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me; and you will not come to me, that you may have life. I receive not glory from men. But I know you, that you have not the love of God in yourselves. I am come in my Fathers name, and you do not receive me: if another will come in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive glory one of another, and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think not that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, on whom you have set your hopes. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you believe not his writings, how will you believe my words? ******* After these things Jesus went to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on the sick. And Jesus went up into the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. Jesus then looked at the crowd coming to
87

him, said to Philip, Where will we buy bread, so that these people can eat? And this he said to test him: for he knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred shillings worth of bread wouldnt be enough for all of them to have a little. One of his students, Andrew, Simon Peters brother, said to him, There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fishes: but what are these among so many? Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was a large amount of grass in the place, so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fishes. And when they were filled, he said to his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain, that nothing is lost. So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves. When the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is truly the prophet that comes into the world. Jesus, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew into the mountain alone. And when evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, and they entered into a boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. And the sea was rising because of a great wind that blew. When they had rowed three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and coming near the boat: and they were afraid. But he said to them, It is I; be not afraid. They then took him into the boat: and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. The next morning, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, save one, and that Jesus did not enter it with his disciples, but that his disciples went away alone (although there came boats from Tiberias near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks). When the multitude saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, Rabbi, when did you come here? Jesus answered them and said, Truly, truly, I say to you, You do not seek me because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled. Work not for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you: for him the Father, even God, has sealed. They said to him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.
88

Then they said to him, Then what sign will you give us, that we may see and believe? What works do you do? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat. Jesus therefore said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, It was not Moses that gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world. Then said to him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. Jesus said to them. I am the bread of life. He that comes to me will not hunger, and he that believes on me will never thirst. But I said to you, that you have seen me, and yet believe not. All who the Father gives me will come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no way cast out. For I am come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that every one that sees the Son, and believes on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. The Jews therefore murmured about him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, I am come down out of heaven? Jesus answered and said to them, Do not murmur among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they will all be taught of God. Every one that has heard from the Father, and has learned, comes to me. Not that any man has seen the Father, save he that is from God, he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, He that believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that a man may eat of it, and not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he will live for ever: and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world. The Jews disputed one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? So, Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have not life in yourselves. He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in
89

me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eats me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eats this bread will live for ever. He said these things in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many of his students, when they heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it? But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, Does this cause you to stumble? What then if you should behold the Son of man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life. But there are some of you that do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that would betray him. And he said, For this cause I have said to you, that no man can come to me, except it be given to him of the Father. Upon hearing this, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Jesus said therefore to the twelve, Will you also go away? Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we have believed and know that you are the Holy One of God. Jesus answered them, Didnt I choose you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He said this of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, because it was Judas that would betray him, being one of the twelve. ******* And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee, and he would not walk in Judea, because the Jews wanted to kill him. Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was near. So his brothers said to him, Go into Judea, that your students may see the works you do. For no man does anything in secret, yet seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world. Even his brothers did not believe in him. Jesus then said to them, My time has not yet come; but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you; but me it hates, because I testify of it, that its works are evil. You go up to the feast: Im not going to this feast now; my time is not yet fulfilled. And having said these things to them, he remained in Galilee. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly, but as it were in secret. The Jews therefore looked for him at the feast, and said, Where is he? And there was a great deal of murmuring among the people
90

concerning him. Some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leads the people astray. Yet no man spoke openly of him for fear of the rulers. But in the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. The Jews were amazed, saying, How does this man know letters, never having learned? Jesus answered them and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man wishes to do his will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself. He that speaks from himself seeks his own glory: but he that seeks the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Didnt Moses give you the law? And yet none of you does the law. Why seek you to kill me? The multitude answered, You have a demon: who seeks to kill you? Jesus answered them, I did one work, and you all marvel because of it. Moses has given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers); and on the Sabbath you circumcise a man. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are you angry with me, because I made a man entirely whole on the Sabbath? Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Therefore some of them in Jerusalem said, Isnt this the man they wish to kill? And lo, he speaks openly, and they say nothing to him. Can it be that the rulers know that this is the messiah? But we know where this man comes from, and when the messiah comes, no one will knows where he comes from. Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, You both know me, and from where I come; but I have not come of myself, and he that sent me is true, whom you know not. I know him; because I am from him, and he sent me. Then they attempted to seize him, but no man laid his hand on him, because his hour was not yet come. And of the crowds, many believed on him, and they said, When the messiah comes, will he show more signs than those which this man has? The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things about him; so the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him. Jesus therefore said, Yet a little while am I with you, then I go to him that sent me. You will seek me, and will not find me: and where I am, you cannot come. The Jews therefore said among themselves, Where will this man go that we will not find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? What does he mean, You will seek me, and will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come?
91

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water. But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified. Some of the multitude, when they heard these words, said, This is truly the prophet. Others said, This is the messiah. But some said, Does the messiah come out of Galilee? Hasnt the scripture said that the messiah is of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was? So there arose a division because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them, Why didnt you bring him? The officers answered, No man ever spoke, as this man. The Pharisees therefore answered them, Are you also led astray? Have any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees? But this multitude that knows not the law are accursed. Nicodemus said to them (he that came to him before, being one of them), Does our law judge a man, except it first hear from him, and verify what he does? They answered and said to him, Are you also from Galilee? Search, and see that out of Galilee arises no prophet. And they went every man to his own house, but Jesus went to the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery; and having set her in the midst, they said to him, Teacher, this woman has been taken in adultery, in the very act. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such: what then do you say? And this they said, testing him, that they might have something to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger. And when they continued asking him, he lifted himself up, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. And they, when they heard it, went out, one by one, beginning from the eldest, even to the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman, where she was. And Jesus lifted up himself, and said to her, Woman, where are they? Did no man condemn you? And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn you: go your way, and sin no more.
92

Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said to him, You bear witness of yourself; your testimony is not true. Jesus answered and said to them, Even if I bear witness of myself, my testimony is true; for I know where I came from and where I go; but you do not know how I came, or where I go. You judge after the flesh; I judge no man. Yet if I judge, my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. In your law it is written that the witness of two men is true. I am he that bears witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me. They said to him therefore, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You know neither me, nor my Father: if you knew me, you would know my Father also. These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple, and no man took him, because his hour was not yet come. He said again to them, I go away, and you will seek me, and will die in your sin: where I go, you cannot come. The Jews therefore said, Will he kill himself, that he said, Where I go, you cannot come? And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you, that you will die in your sins: for except you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. They said to him, Who are you? Jesus said, Even that which I have spoken to you from the beginning. I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you: but he that sent me is true; and the things which I hear from him, these I speak to the world. They did not understand that he spoke to them of the Father. Therefore he said, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then will you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me; he has not left me alone; for I do always the things that are pleasing to him. As he spoke these things, many believed on him. Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If you abide in my word, then are you truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. They answered to him, We are Abrahams seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how then do you say, You will be made free? Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I tell you, Every one that commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant does not remain in the house for
93

ever: the son remains for ever. If, therefore, the Son will make you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abrahams seed: yet you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you. I speak the things which I have seen with my Father: and you also do the things which you heard from your father. They answered and said to him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus said to them, If you were Abrahams children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I heard from God: this is not what Abraham did. You do the works of your father. They said to him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I came out and am come from God; neither have I come of myself, but he sent me. Why do you not understand my speech? Even because you cannot hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stands not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof. But because I say the truth, you believe me not. Which of you convinces me of sin? If I say truth, why do you not believe me? He that is of God hears the words of God: for this cause you hear them not, because you are not of God. The Jews answered and said to him, Dont we say the truth, that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon? Jesus answered, I have not a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. But I seek not my own glory: there is one that seeks and judges. Truly, truly, I say to you, If a man keep my word, he will never see death. The Jews said to him, Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keep my word, he will never taste of death. Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died: who do you make yourself to be? Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifies me; of whom you say, that he is your God; and you have not known him: but I know him; and if I should say, I know him not, I would be like you, a liar: but I know him, and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it, and was glad. The Jews therefore said to him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?

94

Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am. They took up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple. ******* And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind? Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be shown in him. We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work. When I am in the world, I am the light of the world. And when he had spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed the blind mans eyes with the clay, and said to him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam. (Which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The neighbors therefore, and they that knew him previously, that he was a beggar, said, Isnt this the man that sat and begged? Some said, It is he. Others said, No, but he is like him. But the man said, I am he. They said to him, How then were your eyes opened? He answered, The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, Go to Siloam, and wash. So I went away and washed, and I received sight. And they said to him, Where is he? He said, I dont know. They brought the man born blind to the Pharisees. Now, it was on the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. The Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. And he said to them, He put clay upon my eyes, and I washed, and I see. Some of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he doesnt keep the Sabbath. But others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such works? And there was division among them. Then they said to the blind man, What do you say of him, in that he opened your eyes? And he said, He is a prophet. The Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the mans parents, and asked them, saying, Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see? His parents answered and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: but how he now sees, we do not know; neither do we
95

know who opened his eyes. He is of age, ask him and he will speak for himself. The parents said these things because they feared the Jews: for they had agreed already, that if any man should confess him to be the messiah, he should be put out of the synagogue. So they called the man a second time, and said to him, Give glory to God: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered, Whether he is a sinner, I dont know: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. They said to him, What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes? He answered them, I told you, and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples? And they reviled him, and said, You are his disciple; but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses: but as for this man, we dont know where he comes from. The man answered and said to them, This is amazing, that you dont know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he hears. Since the world began it was never heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. They said to him, You were altogether born in sins, and will you teach us? And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and finding him, he said, Do you believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, And who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him? Jesus said to him, You have both seen him, and he it is that speaks with you. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. And Jesus said, For judgment came I into this world, that those who do not see may see; and that those who see may become blind. Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, Are we also blind? Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin: but now you say, We see: So your sin remains. Truly, truly, I say to you, He that enters not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep
96

by name, and leads them out. And when he has put out his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they do not know the voice of strangers. Jesus spoke this parable to them: but they did not understand it. So he said to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if any man enter in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. The thief does not come, except to steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches them, and scatters them: he flees because he is a hireling, and doesnt care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know my own, and my own know me, even as the Father knows me, and I know 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 will hear my voice: and they will become one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it away 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 I have received from my Father. The Jews were divided by these words. Many of them said, He has a demon, and is mad; why do you listen to him? Others said, These are not the sayings of a man possessed with a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind? ******* And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: it was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomons porch. Then the Jews came around him, and said to him, How long do you hold us in suspense? If you are the messiah, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believe not: the works that I do in my Fathers name, these testify of me. But you dont believe, because you are not of my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give them eternal life; and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Fathers hand. I and the Father are one.

97

The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works I have shown you from the Father; for which of those works do you stone me? The Jews answered him, We do not stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy; and because that you, being a man, make yourself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, you are gods? If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken), do say you of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, You blaspheme, because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not do the works of my Father, dont believe me. But if I do them, even though you dont believe not me, believe the works: that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father. They tried again to take him, but he went out of their hands. And he went away again, beyond the Jordan, to the place where John was baptizing at first; and there he remained. And many came to him there; and they said, John performed no miracle: but all the things that John spoke of this man were true. And many believed on him there. ******* Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha. And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, Lord, he whom you love is sick. But when Jesus heard it, he said, This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he heard that Lazarus was sick, he remained two days longer in the place where he was. Then, after this, he said to the disciples, Let us go into Judea again. The disciples said to him, Rabbi, the Jews were recently trying to stone you; will you go there again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him. After this he said to them, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, that I may wake him.

98

The disciples said to him, Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover. Jesus had spoken of his death: but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; nevertheless let us go to him. Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, Let us go also, that we may die with him. When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had been in the tomb four days already. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. And even now I know that, whatever you ask of God, God will give it you. Jesus said to her, Your brother will rise again. Martha said to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection, at the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life. He that believes on me, though he die, yet will he live; and whoever lives and believes on me will never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, Yes, Lord: I have believed that you are the messiah, the Son of God, he that comes into the world. And when she had said this, she went away, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Teacher is here, and calls for you. And she, when she heard it, arose quickly, and went to him. (Now Jesus was not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met him.) Then the Jews, who were with her in the house, and were consoling her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep. When Mary came to Jesus and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have you laid him? They said to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, Behold how he loved him! But some of them said, Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind, have prevented this man from dying?
99

Jesus, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him, Lord, by this time the body is decaying; for he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her, Did I not say to you, that if you believed, you would see the glory of God? So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank you that you heard me. And I know that you hear me always: but because of the crowd standing here I say this, that they may believe that you have sent me. And when he had said this, he cried with a loud voice: Lazarus, come out. And he that had been dead came out, bound hand and foot with graveclothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews, who came to Mary and saw that which he did, believed on him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done. The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What shall we do? For this man does many miracles. If we let him alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, You know nothing at all, nor do you take account that it is necessary for one man to die the people, so that the whole nation does not perish. He said this not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation; and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather the children of God that were scattered abroad. So, from that day they planned to put him to death. So Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went into the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there he waited with the disciples. ******* Now the Passover of the Jews was near: and many of them went up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus, and spoke one with another, as they stood in the temple, What do you think? Will he come to the feast? The chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders, that, if any man knew where Jesus was, he should show it, that they might arrest him. Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, and they made him a supper
100

there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat eating with him. And Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, that would betray him, said, Why wasnt this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor? This he said, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and held the bag and whatever was put into it. Jesus said, Let her alone. She has done this for my burial. You have the poor with you always; but I will not be with you always. The common people of the Jews learned that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests made plans that they might put Lazarus to death also; because many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus because of him. On the next morning, a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, Hosanna: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. And Jesus, having found a young ass, sat on it; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, your King comes, sitting on an asss colt. His disciples didnt understand these things at the first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things to him. Then the people who had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, testified. For this reason also the multitude went to see him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. Then the Pharisees said among themselves, See how you prevail nothing: lo, the world is gone after him. Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast: these men came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus. Then Philip came and told Andrew: Andrew came to Philip, and they told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it remains alone; but if it die, it produces much fruit. He that loves his life will lose it; and he that hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also: if any man serve me, him will the Father honor. Now is my soul troubled; and what will I say? Father, save me from this hour. But for this cause I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.
101

Then there came a voice out of heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The crowd that was standing by, and heard it, said that it had thundered. Others said, An angel has spoken to him. Jesus said, This voice has not come for my sake, but for yours. Now is the judgment of this world: now will the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. This he said, signifying his manner of death. The multitude answered him, We have heard out of the law that the messiah remains for ever: and what do you mean, The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man? Jesus said to them, Yet a little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness does not overtake you. He that walks in the darkness doesnt knows not where he goes. While you have the light, believe on the light, that you may become sons of light. Jesus said these things, then left and hid himself from them. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they did not believe on him: that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For this cause they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, He has blinded their eyes, and he hardened their heart; lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and should turn, and I should heal them. These things Isaiah said, because he saw his glory; and he spoke of him. Nevertheless even many of the rulers believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not admit it, so that they wouldnt be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the glory that is of men more than the glory of God. And Jesus cried and said, He that believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that sees me sees him that sent me. I am come as a light into the world, that whoever believes on me may not remain in darkness. And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I will not judge him: for I did not come into the world to judge it, but to save it. He that rejects me, and does not receive my sayings, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, that will judge him in the last day. For I speak not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he has given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life eternal. These things which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak. ******* Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that the hour was come, and that he would leave this world and go to his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them to the end.
102

And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simons son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and went to God, rose from supper, laid aside his garments; and he took a towel, and wrapped himself. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel he was wrapped in. And he came to Simon Peter, who said to him, Lord, will you wash my feet? Jesus said to him, You dont understand what I am doing now, but you will understand later. Peter said to him, You will never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, you have no part with me. Simon Peter then said to him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus said to him, He that is clean needs only to wash his feet: and you are clean, but not all. For he knew who would betray him; therefore said he, You are not all clean. So when he had washed their feet, and re-taken his garments, and sat down again, he said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, Teacher and Lord: and you say well; for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one anothers feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eats my bread lifted up his heel against me. I am telling you before it happens, so that, when it does happen, you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, he that receives whomever I, send receives me; and he that receives me receives him that sent me. When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in the spirit, and testified, and said, Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray me. The disciples looked at one another, wondering who he was speaking about. There was at the table, next to Jesus, one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore gestured to him, and said to him, Tell us who he is talking about. He leaning back, as he was, on Jesus breast, said to him, Lord, who is it?

103

Jesus said, I will dip this food, and give it him. So when he had dipped the food, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. And after the food, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, What you do, do quickly. No one at the table knew why Jesus had said this to Judas. Some thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus said to him, Buy the things we need for the feast, or, that he should give something to the poor. Judas, having received the food, went out immediately: and it was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him; and God will glorify him in himself, and will glorify him immediately. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me. And as I said to the Jews, Where I go, you cannot come; so I now say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another. Simon Peter said to him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus answered, Where I go, you cannot follow now; but you will follow afterwards. Peter said to him, Lord, why cant I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you. Jesus answered, Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, The rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times. Do not let your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. In my Fathers 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 to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go, you know the way. Thomas said to him, Lord, we dont know where you are going; how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also: so, from now on you know him, and have seen him. Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it will be enough for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long a time, Phillip, and you dont know me? He that has seen me has seen the Father; how do you say, Show us the Father? Dont you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak from
104

myself: but the Father in me does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works sake. Truly, truly, I say to you, he that believes on me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these will he do; because I go to the Father. And whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, that will I do. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it does not see him, nor know him: You know him; for he lives with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you alone: I come to you. Yet a little while, then the world will see me no more; but you see me: because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. He that has my commandments, and keeps them, it is he who loves me: and he that loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will show myself to him. Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, Lord, how will you show yourself to us, and not to the world? Jesus said to him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our abode with him. He that does not love me does not keep my words: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Fathers who sent me. These things have I spoken to you, while being with you. But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; I give my peace to you: not as the world gives, I give to you. Dont let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. You heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come to you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I go to the Father: and the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it happens, so that, when it does happen, you may believe. I will not speak much more with you, for the prince of the world comes: and he has 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. ******* I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit, he takes it away: and every branch that does produce fruit, he pares it, so it will produce more fruit.
105

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; neither can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: He that remains in me, and I in him, the same produces much fruit: for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you can ask whatever you wish, and it will be done to you. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so will you be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, I have loved you: abide you in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; even as I have kept my Fathers commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do the things which I command you. No longer do I call you servants; for the servant doesnt know what his lord does: but I have called you friends; because everything I have heard from my Father, Ive made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that you may love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for my names sake, because they do not know him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no other man did, they would not have had sin: but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this has happened, that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he will testify of me: and you also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. These things have I spoken to you, that you should not stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues: The hour comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. And they will do these things
106

because they have not known the Father, nor me. I have told you these things, that when they come, you may remember them, that I told you. I did not say these things at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go to him that sent me; and none of you asks me, Where are you going? Because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is necessary for you that I go away; for if I dont go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect to sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged. I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all the truth: for he will not speak from himself; but what things he hears, these he will speak: and he will tell you of things that are to come. He will glorify me: for he will take of mine, and will tell it to you. All things - whatever the Father has - are mine: therefore I said, that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you. A little while, and you see me no more; and again a little while, and you will see me. Some of his disciples said one to another, What does he mean, A little while, and you behold me not; and again a little while, and you will see me. And, Because I go to the Father? Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, Do you inquire among yourselves about this, that I said, A little while, and you behold me not, and again a little while, and you will see me? Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice: you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she delivers the child, she remembers none of the anguish, for the joy that a child is born into the world. You now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. And in that day you will ask me no questions. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you will ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. Thus far you have asked nothing in my name: ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. These things have I spoken to you in allegories: the hour comes, when I will speak no more to you in allegories, but will tell you plainly of the Father. In that day you will ask in my name: and I do not say that I will pray to the Father for you; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from the Father. I came out from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
107

His disciples said, Lo, now you speak plainly, and with no dark saying. Now we know that you know all things: by this we believe that you came from God. Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? Behold, the hour comes is come - that you will be scattered, every man to his own, and will leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things have I spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ******* After saying these things, Jesus lifted his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that the son may glorify you: even as you gave him authority over all flesh, that to all whom you have given him, he should give eternal life. And this is life eternal, that they should know you the only true God, and him whom you didst send, even Jesus the messiah. I glorified you on the earth, having accomplished the work which you have given me to do. And now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was. I showed your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world: they were yours, and you gave them to me; and they have kept your word. Now they know that all the things you have given me are from you: for I have given them the words you gave to me; and they received them, and knew that I came out from you, and they believed that you did send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom you have given me; for they are yours: and all things that are mine are yours, and your are mine: and I am glorified in them. And I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep them whom you have given me in your name, that they may be one, even as we are. While I was with them, I kept them in your name and I guarded them, and not one of them has perished, except the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to you; and I speak these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. I have given them your word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth: your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, even so I sent them. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they may also be sanctified in truth. And I do not pray for these only, but for those who believe on me through their word;
108

that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that you sent me. And the glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and have loved them, even as you loved me. Father, I wish for those whom you have given me to be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me; and I have made known your name to them, and will make it known; that the love wherewith you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. ******* When Jesus had spoken these words, he went with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he entered with his disciples. Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus often went there with his disciples. Judas, then, having received a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus, knowing everything that was coming upon him, went out, and said to them, Whom do you seek? They answered him: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am he. And Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. And when he said to them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. So, again he asked them, Whom do you seek? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am he; so if you seek me, let these go their way. This was so the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, Of those whom you have given me I lost not one. Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priests servant, and cut off his right ear. The servants name was Malchus. Then Jesus said to Peter, Put your sword into its sheath: The cup which the Father has given me, shouldnt I drink it? So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him, and led him first to Annas, who was father in law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas that
109

gave counsel to the Jews, that it was necessary for one man to die for the people. Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. That disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest; but Peter was standing at the door outside. So, the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the woman who kept the door, and brought Peter in. Then the maid that kept the door said to Peter, Are you also one of this mans disciples? He said, I am not. The servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals; for it was cold; and they were warming themselves: and Peter was with them, standing and warming himself. The high priest asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his teaching. Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask them that heard me. They know what I said. And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Do you answer the high priest this way? Jesus said, If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil: but if well, why do you strike me? Annas then sent him, bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. The people there said to him, Are you also one of his disciples? He denied, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off, said, Didnt I see you in the garden with him? Peter denied again: and immediately the rooster crowed. Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium: and it was early; and they themselves did not enter not into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, and could eat the Passover. Therefore Pilate went out to them, and said, What accusation do you bring against this man? They answered and said to him, If this man werent an evildoer, we wouldnt have brought him to you. Pilate said to them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.

110

The Jews said to him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. This was done so the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying his manner of death. Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and called Jesus, and said to him, Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus answered, Do you say this of yourself, or did others say this concerning me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me: what have you done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from here. Pilate said to him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice. Pilate said to him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I find no crime in him. But you have a custom, that I should release one prisoner to you at the Passover. Shall I release to you the King of the Jews? They cried out again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Barabbas was a robber. Then Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers made a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and clothed him in a purple garment; and they came to him, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! And they struck him with their hands. And Pilate went out again, and said to them, Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no crime in him. Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. And Pilate said to them, Behold, the man! When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him! Pilate said to them, Take him yourselves, and crucify him: for I find no crime in him. The Jews answered, We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid; and went back to the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, Where do you come from? But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate said to him, You wont speak to me? Dont
111

you know that I have power to release you, and that I have power to crucify you? Jesus answered him, You would have no power against me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivered me to you has the greater sin. Upon hearing this Pilate tried to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If you release this man, you are not Caesars friend: every one that makes himself a king speaks against Caesar. When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the Preparation of the Passover: it was about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, Behold, your King! They cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him! Pilate said to them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then he gave him to be crucified. They took Jesus, and he went out, bearing the cross for himself, to the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha: where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this title, as the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, and in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Dont write The King of the Jews, but, He said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written. The soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts divided between the soldiers, but also the coat. The coat, however, was without seam, woven from the top down. So they said to one another, Let us not tear it, but cast lots to see whose it will be. This was done so the scripture might be fulfilled, which said, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Jesus mother was standing by the cross, and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, he said to his mother, Woman, behold your son! Then he said to the disciple, Behold, your mother! And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now finished, and that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst. There was a vessel full of vinegar there: so they put a sponge full of the vinegar upon hyssop, and
112

brought it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished, and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit. The Jews, because it was the Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath (for the day of that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate to have their legs broken, that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him: but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they did not brake his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and immediately blood and water came out. And he that saw it has testified, and his testimony is true: and he knows that he has said truthfully, that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him will not be broken. And again another scripture says, They will look on him whom they pierced. And after these things Joseph of Arimathaea, a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore, and took away his body. And Nicodemus came also - he that first came to him by night - bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. So they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb wherein a man had never yet laid. There, because of the Jews Preparation (for the tomb was near near) they laid Jesus. ******* On the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene, while it was yet dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. Then she ran, and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter went out, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying; but he did not enter the tomb. Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin that was upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple entered also, who came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they didnt know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their own home.
113

But Mary was standing at the tomb weeping. As she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had laid. And they say to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I dont know where they have laid him. When she had said this, she turned around, and saw Jesus standing, but didnt know that it was him. Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for? She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, Sir, if you have taken him from here, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus said to her, Mary. He turned, and said in Hebrew, Rabboni, which is to say, Teacher. Jesus said to her, Do not touch me not; for I have not yet ascended to the Father: but go to my brothers, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God. So Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples, I have seen the Lord, and repeated the things he had said to her. When evening came on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them, and said to them, Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he showed to them his hands and his side. The disciples were glad, when they saw the Lord. Jesus again said to them, Peace be to you: as the Father has sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit: whoevers sins you forgive, they are forgiven to them; whoevers sins you retain, they are retained. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Except I see the print of the nails in his hands, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Again Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood among them, and said, Peace be to you. Then he said to Thomas, Reach here your finger, and see my hands; and reach here your hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God. Jesus said to him, Because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have yet believed.
114

There were many other signs that did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the messiah, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in his name. After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way: Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing. They said to him, Well come with you. So, they went, and entered into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. But as the day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach. But the disciples didnt know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, Children, have you anything to eat? They answered him, No. And he said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find fish. So they cast the net, and were unable to draw it, for the multitude of fishes. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his coat around him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off), dragging the net full of fishes. So when they got out, upon the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus said to them, Bring some of the fish which you have caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty three: and even though there were so many, the net did not break. Jesus said to them, Come and eat. And none of the disciples dared ask, Who are you? Knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came, and took the bread, and gave to them, and the fish likewise. This was now the third time that Jesus shown himself to the disciples, after he was risen from the dead. So, when they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love you me more than these? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Feed my lambs. He said to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love me?
115

He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Tend my sheep. He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do you love me? And he said to him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were young, you dressed yourself, and went where you wished: but when you will be old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you dont wish to go. Now this he spoke, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he said to him, Follow me. Peter, turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who leaned back on his breast at the supper, and said, Lord, who is he that will betray you? Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, Lord, what will this man do? Jesus said to him, If I want him to wait till I come, what is that to you? Follow me. This saying went out among the brothers, that the disciple should not die. But Jesus did not say that he should not die; but, If I want him to wait till I come, what is that to you? This is the disciple that testifies of these things, and who wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, and if they would be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

116

Luke
Since many have written narratives concerning the events which occurred among us, even as the eye witnesses and ministers of the word gave them to us, it seemed good to me also, having known the facts accurately from the first, to write to you, Theophilus; so that you might know the truth about the things you have heard. ******* There was in the days of Herod, king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: who he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now old. Now it happened that while he executed the priests office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priests office, Zacharias lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and to burn incense. And all the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zacharias: because your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elisabeth will bear you a son, and you will call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mothers womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make a people prepared for the Lord. Zacharias said to the angel, How will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel said to him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you these good tidings. And now, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will occur, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their season. And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they wondered while he delayed in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: and he
117

continued making signs to them, and remained without speech. And when the days of his ministry were finished, he went to his house. And after these days Elisabeth his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, So has the Lord done to me, when he looked to me and took away my reproach among men. In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgins name was Mary. And he came in to her, and said, Hail, you that are highly favored, the Lord is with you. But she was greatly troubled at this, and wondered what sort of greeting this could be. And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary: for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and will have a son, and will call his name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David: and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end. And Mary said to the angel, How can this be, seeing that I am not intimate with a man? And the angel and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you: and the holy thing which is born will be called the Son of God. And behold, Elisabeth your kinswoman, she also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month for her that was called barren. For no word from God will be void of power. And Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. And the angel left her. And Mary arose in these days and hurried to the hill country, into a city of Judah; and to the house of Zacharias, and she saluted Elisabeth. And when Elisabeth heard the Marys grreting, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit; and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed; for things which have been spoken to her from the Lord will happen. And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior. For he has looked upon the low place of his handmaid: For behold, all future generations will call me blessed. For he that is mighty has done to me great things, and holy is his name, and his mercy is to generations on those that fear him.

118

He has shown strength with his arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. He has pulled princes down from their thrones, and has exalted them of low degree. The hungry he has filled with good things; and the rich he has sent empty away. He has given help to Israel his servant, that he might remember mercy (as he spoke to our fathers) toward Abraham and his seed for ever. And Mary remained there about three months, then returned to her house. Now it was time for Elisabeth to give birth, and she delivered a son. And her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her; and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and would have named him Zacharias, after the name of the father. But his mother answered and said, No; he will be called John. And they said to her, You have no relatives with this name. And they made signs to his father, asking what he wanted to name the child. And Zacharias asked for a writing tablet, and he wrote, His name is John. And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. And everyone in the region was afraid, and these events were discussed all through the hill country of Judea. And all that heard them kept them up in their heart, saying, What kind of child will this be? For the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed for his people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old. Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us; to show mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he spoke to Abraham our father. To grant to us that we, being saved from the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, you will be called the prophet of the Most High: For you will go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways; To give knowledge of salvation to his people, the remission of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high will visit us, to shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, and was in the wilderness until the day he was shown to Israel.
119

******* In those days, there was a decree from Caesar Augustus, that every person in the known world should be registered. (This was the first registration, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And all the people went to be registered, every one to his own city. And Joseph also went, traveling from the city of Nazareth in Galilee, to Bethlehem, the city of David in Judea; because he was of the lineage of David. And he brought Mary with him, she being great with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to deliver. And she bore her first son; wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds in the same area, in the fields, watching their flocks through the night. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were deeply afraid. And the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy which for all people. There is born to you this day in the city of David a savior, who is the messiah, the Lord. And this is the sign to you: You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased. And when the angels arose to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, We should go to Bethlehem, and see the things that the Lord has shown us. So they went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they told many people about what was said to them about the child. And all who heard it wondered about the things the shepherds said. But Mary remembered all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned to their fields, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had seen and heard. And when the day of circumcision came, the eighth day, they named him Jesus, as was commanded by the angel, before he was conceived. And when the days of purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought the child up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb will be called holy to the Lord), and to offer the sacrifice that was specified in the law: A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, watching for the comforter of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death until he had seen the Lords
120

messiah. And he was led by the Spirit into the temple. When Jesus parents brought him, according to the law, Simeon took the child into his arms, and blessed God, and said, Now, Lord, according to your word, let your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. And his father and his mother wondered at the things which were said about him; and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, This child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against - and a sword will also pierce your soul - that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; having been first married for seven years, and then a widow for eighty four years. This Anna remained in the temple continually, worshipping with fasting and prayer both day and night. And arriving at that moment, she gave thanks to God, and spoke of Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had completed the requirements of the law, they returned into Nazareth in Galilee. And the child grew, and became strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. ******* Jesus parents went to Jerusalem each year for the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to the feast as usual. When the days were completed, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem; but his parents were unaware of this, supposing that he was with their group, returning to Galilee. But after a days journey, and being unable to find him among their relatives and friends, they went back to Jerusalem and searched for him. After three days they found him, in the temple, sitting in with the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when Joseph and Mary found him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you desperately. And he said to them, Why were you searching for me? Shouldnt I be at my fathers business? The parents didnt understand what he said to them, but he returned with them to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. And his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in both wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. *******
121

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, (Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas), the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. And John went through all the region round about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make you ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be brought low; and the crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth; And all flesh will see the salvation of God. He said to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Produce fruits worthy of repentance, and dont start to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father, for I say to you, that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the axe lies at the root of the trees: every tree that fails to produce good fruit will be cur down, and cast into the fire. And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do? And he said to them, He that has two coats, let him give to him that has none; and he that has food, let him do likewise. And there also came tax collectors, to be baptized, and they said to him, Teacher, what must we do? And he said to them, Extort no more than what is appointed to you. And soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? And he said to them, Extort from no man by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully; and be content with your wages. The people were in expectation, and they all wondered whether John might be the messiah. John said to them all, I baptize you with water; but there comes one who is mightier than I, the laces of whose shoes I am not worthy to loosen: he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire; whose fan is in his hand, to thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his barn; but to burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. And John preached the good tidings to them with many other exhortations, until Herod had John arrested and held in prison. (John had chastised him for marrying Herodias, his brothers wife, and for other evil things he had done.) But after John had baptized all the people that came to him, Jesus was baptized, and as he prayed, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit
122

descended upon in a bodily form, as a dove. Then a voice came out of heaven, You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased. ******* And Jesus, when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Jesus, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Symeon, the son of Judas, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. ******* And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led in the Spirit to the wilderness for forty days, being tempted of the devil. And he ate nothing during those days: and when they were completed, he was hungry. And the accuser said to him, If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread. And Jesus answered, It is written, Man will not live by bread alone. Then he led Jesus up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to him, To you will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it has been given to me; and to whomever I wish, I give it. If you will worship me, it will all be yours. And Jesus said to him, Get behind me, Satan. It is written, You will worship the Lord your God, and him only will you serve. And he led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here: for it is written, He will give his angels charge concerning you,
123

to guard you, and, On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. And Jesus to him, It is said, You will not test the Lord your God. And when the devil had completed every temptation, he left him for a season. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee: and a fame went out concerning 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 he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as his custom was, and stood up to read. And the book of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. And he opened the book at this passage: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Then he closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. Then he said to them, Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your ears. And all of them testified of the words of grace which he spoke. And they said, Isnt this Josephs son? And he said to them, You will certainly quote me the proverb, Physician, heal yourself. And Do here what we hear you did at Capernaum. Truly I say to you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. There were many widows in Israel, during the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land; and to none of them was Elijah sent, except to Zarephas, in the land of Sidon, to a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian. And everyone in the synagogue who heard these things was filled with anger; and they rose up, and threw him out of the city, and led him to the edge of the hill their city was built upon, that they might throw him down. But he, passing through them, went away. Then he came to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he taught them on the Sabbath day: and they were astonished at his teaching; for his word was with authority. And in the synagogue there was a man, that had an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, Ah! What have we to
124

do with you, Jesus you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be quiet, and come out of him. And when the demon had thrown him down, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And all the people were amazed, and they said, What is this teaching? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out. And rumors about him went through all the region. Then he left the synagogue, and went to the house of Simon. Now Simons wifes mother had a high fever; and they begged him to see her. So he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she rose up and ministered to them. And when the sun was setting, the people brought their friends and relatives who had any sickness or disease; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And demons came out of many, crying out, and saying, You are the Son of God. But Jesus did not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the messiah. The next day, crowds came looking for him, though he had already gone to the wilderness. But some of them found him, and asked him to stay. But he said to them, I must preach the good tidings of the kingdom of God to the other cities also: that is why I was I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. ******* When he was by the lake of Gennesaret, a great crowd surrounded him, to hear the word of God; and he saw two boats standing by the lake. The fishermen were not in the boats, but were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simons, and asked him to push out a little from the land. Then Jesus sat and taught the crowds from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, Go out in the lake and let down your nets for a catch. And Simon answered, saying, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at your word I will let down the nets. And when they had done this, they enclosed a great school of fish; and their nets were breaking; and they called their partners in the other boat, to come and help. They came, and filled both the boats with fish, so much that they began to sink. But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus knees and said, Leave me; I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was amazed, as were the others (James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon), at the numbers of fish they had taken.

125

And Jesus said to Simon, Dont be afraid; from now on you will catch men. And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all and followed him. And in one of the cities was a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and begged him, saying, Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean. And Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, I wish; be clean. And immediately the leprosy left him. And Jesus commanded him to tell no one: but, Go your way, and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them. But reports about Jesus continued to spread: and great multitudes came to hear, and to be healed of their infirmities. But Jesus withdrew in the wilderness and prayed. ******* One day, as he was teaching, Pharisees and doctors of the law came, from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord to heal was with him. And a group of men brought a bed with a palsied man upon it: and they tried to bring him in to where Jesus was, and to lay him before him. But finding no way to get to him, because of the crowds, they climbed up to the roof, and let him down through the tiles, and let him down in front of Jesus. And he, seeing their faith, said, Man, your sins are forgiven you. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaks slanders? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But Jesus perceiving their discussions, said to them, Why do you debate so in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven you; or to say, Arise and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins (he said to the palsied man), I say to you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go to your house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up his bed, and went to his house, glorifying God. And amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God; and they were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things today. ******* After these things, as he went out, he saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at a tax-collection station, and said to him, Follow me. And he left everything, and rose up and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there were many tax collectors and others eating with them. And the Pharisees and scribes
126

murmured against his students, saying, Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners? And Jesus answered, They that are healthy have no need of a physician; but they that are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. And they said to him, The disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, as do the disciples of the Pharisees; but yours eat and drink. Jesus said to them, Can you make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come; and when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, then they will fast. And he spoke also a parable to them: No man sews a piece of new cloth into an old garment, because that new cloth will pull away from the garment, and the tear will be made worse. And also, the piece from the new will not match the old. And no man puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the skins will burst, the wine will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. New wine must be put into fresh wine-skins. And no man, having drunk old wine, want the new; he says, The old is good. ******* On a Sabbath, Jesus and his students were passing through the grain fields; and his disciples plucked the grain and ate it, rubbing it in their hands. But some of the Pharisees said, You are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day. Jesus answered them, Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him? How he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, with those who were with him; which it is not lawful to eat except for the priests? And he said to them, The Son of man is lord of the Sabbath. And on another Sabbath, he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man there, with a withered right hand. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath; so they might find a reason to accuse him. But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man that had his hand withered, Rise up, and stand in the middle. The man rose and stood. And Jesus said to them, I ask you, Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do harm? To save a life, or to destroy it? And he looked round about on them all, and said to the man, Stretch out your hand. And as he did, his hand was restored. But the scribes and Pharisees were filled with anger, and discussed with each other what they would do to Jesus.
127

******* And in these days, Jesus went into a mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called his disciples; and he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles, that is, sent-ones: Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bareholomew, and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. And he came down with them to a flat place. And many of his students were there, and a great crowd of people from Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon. These all came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases. And the whole multitude tried to touch him; for power came out from him, and healed them all. Then Jesus lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed are you poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now: for you will be filled. Blessed are you that weep now: for you will laugh. Blessed are you, when men hate you, and when they separate from you, and defame you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of mans sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for your reward is great in heaven; their fathers did the same things to the prophets. But woe to you that are rich! for you have received your consolation. Woe to you, you that are full now! For you will hunger. Woe to you, you that laugh now! For you will mourn and weep. Woe to you, when all men will speak well of you! For their fathers did so to the false prophets. But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those that curse you, pray for them that falsely accuse you. Whoever strikes you on one cheek, turn the other to him also. And to him who takes your coat, give your coat also. Give to every one that asks you; and from the man who takes your goods, do not ask for them back. And you wish for men to do to you, do to them. If you love them that love you, what thanks do you have? Even sinners love those that love them. And if you do good to people that do good to you, what thanks do you have? Even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those you expect to receive from, what thanks do you have? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much back. But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, not expecting a return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged: do not condemn, and you will not be condemned: release, and you will be released: give, and it will be
128

given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will they give to you. For what you measure out will be measured to you in return. And he spoke also a parable to them: Can the blind guide the blind? Wont they both fall into a pit? The disciple is not above his teacher: but every student, when he is completed, will be as his teacher. And why do you see you the particle that is in your brothers eye, but not the beam that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Brother, let me cast out the particle in your eye, when you dont see the beam in your own? You hypocrite, first remove the beam from your own eye, and then will you see clearly to the particle from your brothers eye. There is no good tree that produces corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. Men do not gather figs from thorns, nor grapes from bramble bushes. The good man, from the good treasure of his heart, produces good things; and the evil man, from his evil treasure, produces evil: from the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks. And why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and dont do the things which I say? Every one that comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, he is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation upon the rock: and when a flood arose, the stream beat against that house, they could not shake it: because it had been well built. But he that hears, and does not do, is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation; against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. ******* After he had said this, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurions servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. And when he heard about Jesus, the centurion sent the elders of the Jews, asking Jesus to come and save his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, He is worthy for you to do this for him; he loves our nation, and himself built us our synagogue. And Jesus went with them. And as Jesus approached the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, Lord, trouble not yourself; for I am not worthy that you should come into my house, and I do not think I am worthy to come to you, but merely speak the word and my servant will be healed. For I am a man set under authority, having soldiers under myself: and I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. When Jesus heard these things, he wondered, and turned and said to the crowd that followed him, I tell you, I have not found such great faith,
129

no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole. And soon afterward he went to a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great crowd. When he drew near 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 many people from the city were with her. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, Weep not. And he came near and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, Young man, I say to you, Arise. And the man that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. And they were all afraid: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us. And, God has visited his people. And news of this went through the whole of Judea, and all the region round about. And the disciples of John told him of all these things. And John, calling two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, Are you he that comes, or should we look for another? And when the men came, they said, John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, Are you he that comes, or look we for another? Then Jesus cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and gave sight to many that were blind. And he said to them, Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them. And blessed is he, whoever will find no occasion of stumbling in me. When Johns messengers had left, he began to speak to the multitudes concerning John, What did you go to the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? People with soft clothing and living delicately are in kings courts. But what did you go you out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you , and much more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. I tell you that among those born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is little in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And when they heard this, all the people, and the tax collectors, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him. To what shall compare the men of this generation, and to what are they like? They are like children that sit in the marketplace, and call one to another; who say, We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep. For John the Baptist came, eating no bread nor drinking wine; and you say, He has a demon. The Son of man is come
130

eating and drinking; and you say, Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! But wisdom is justified by her children. And one of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him. So he entered into the Pharisees house, and sat down to eat. And there was a woman from the city, a sinner; when she knew that he was eating in the Pharisees house, she brought an alabaster flask of ointment. And weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now, when the Pharisee that had invited him saw it, he spoke within himself, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known what type of woman this is that touches him, that she is a sinner. And Jesus said to him, Simon, I have something to say to you. And he said, Say it, teacher. A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty. When neither had enough to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose it would be the one who was forgiven the most. And Jesus said, You have rightly judged. And turning to the woman, he said, Do you see this woman? Since I have entered your house, you have given me no water for my feet: but she has washed my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss: but she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. So, I say to you, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. And he said to her, Your sins are forgiven. And some that ate with them began to say within themselves, Who is this that even forgives sins? And he said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go in peace. ******* And soon afterwards, he went through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God, and with him the twelve. There were also certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herods steward, and Susanna, and many others, who attended to them from their own goods. *******
131

And when a great crowd came together, people from every city came to him, and he spoke to them by parable: The sower went out to sow his seed: and as he planted, some fell by the way side; and it was walked upon, and the birds of the air devoured it. Other seed fell on rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. Still others fell amidst thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it. And others fell into good ground, and grew, and produced fruit a hundredfold. As he said these things, he cried, He that has ears to hear, let him hear. And his pupils asked him what this parable meant. And he said, To you it is given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God: but to the rest, these things are in parables; that seeing, they may not see, and hearing, they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And those by the way side are they that have heard. Then comes the devil, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe temporarily, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and produce no fruit to perfection. And that in the good ground, these are such that, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with patience. No man, when he has lighted a lamp, covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a stand, that all may see the light. For nothing is hidden, that will not be shown; nor is anything secret, that will not come to light. So, be careful how you hear: whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever has not, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has. And his mother and brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And some told him, Your mother and your brothers are waiting outside, wishing to see you. But he said to them, My mother and my brothers are these that hear the word of God, and do it. ******* During these days, Jesus entered into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, Let us go to the other side of the lake. So, they went. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and a storm of wind came upon the lake; and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and woke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he
132

arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. Then he said to them, Where is your faith? And being afraid, they wondered, saying one to another, Who is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him? And they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is across from Galilee. And when he was came, a certain man from the city who had demons came to meet him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and did not live in a house, but in the tombs. And when he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me. For he was commanding the unclean spirit to come out from the man. For oftentimes it had seized him: and he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and shackles. And this man, breaking the chains asunder, was driven by the demon into the deserts. And Jesus asked him, What is your name? And he said, Legion, for many demons had entered into him. And they begged Jesus not command them to go into the abyss. Now there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and the demons begged him to allow them to enter into the swine. And he allowed them. Then the demons came out from the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed over a precipice and into the lake, and were drowned. And when the feeders of the swine saw what had happened, they ran, and told it in the city and in the country. And many went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man, from whom the demons had gone out, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus: and they were afraid. And the witnesses told them how the man possessed with demons was made whole. And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to leave them, for they were greatly afraid: and he went back to the boat, to return. But the man from whom the demons had gone out asked that he could remain with Jesus; but he sent him away, saying, Return to your house, and tell them what great things God has done for you. And the man went, publishing throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. And when Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him; for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus feet, and begged him to come to his house; for his only daughter, about twelve years old, was dying. As he went the crowds pressed against him. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians,
133

and could not be healed by any, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately the issue of her blood stopped. And Jesus said, Who touched me? And when they all denied it, Peter said, Master, multitudes press upon you. But Jesus said, Some one did touch me; for I perceive that power has gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace. While he yet spoke, there came a man from the ruler of the synagogues house, saying, Your daughter is dead; dont bother the Teacher. But Jesus, hearing this, said, Do not fear; only believe, and she will be made whole. And when he came to the house, he didnt allow anyone to enter in with him, except Peter, and John, and James, and the parents of the girl. And many people were weeping, and bewailing her: but he said, Dont weep; she is not dead, but asleep. And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he, taking her by the hand, said, Maiden, arise. And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately: and he commanded that something be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed: but he commanded them to tell no man what had been done. ******* And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. And he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said to them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. And into whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave. And if they do not receive you, when you leave that city, shake the dust from your feet as a testimony against them. And they went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere. Now Herod the Tetrarch heard of all these things: and he was confused, because some said that John was risen from the dead; and, by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, I have beheaded John: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he tried to see him. And the twelve, when they had returned, told him what they had done. And he took them away to a city called Bethsaida. But the multitudes
134

followed him: and he welcomed them, and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and healed the sick among them. As the day began to wear away, the twelve came, and said to him, Send the people away, so they can go into the villages and lodge, and get food: this is a desert place. But he said to them, Give them food to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; unless we can buy food for them. There were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down in groups, about fifty each. And they did so, and made them all sit down. And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and broke the bread; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they ate, and were all filled: and collected what remained of broken pieces, twelve baskets. ******* Jesus went away from the crowds to pray, and the disciples were with him: and he asked them, Who do the multitudes say that I am? And they said, John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen again. And he said to them, But who do you say that I am? And Peter answering said, The messiah of God. Then Jesus commanded them not to repeat this to anyone, and saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. And he said to them all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it. For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self? For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels. But I tell you of a truth, There are some of them that stand here, who will in no way taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. ******* And about eight days later, Jesus took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he was praying, his appearance was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. And two men talked with him, who were Moses and Elijah; who appeared in glory, and spoke of his death, which he was soon to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but when they
135

were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And as they were preparing to leave him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah, not knowing what he said. And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear him. And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And they said nothing, and told no man what they had seen. And the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. And a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beg you to look upon my son; for he is my only child: and behold, a spirit takes him, and he suddenly cries out; and it tears him, that he foams, and it remains and bruises him badly. And I begged your disciples to cast it out; and they could not. And Jesus said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you, and bear with you? Bring your son here. And as he was yet a coming, the demon threw him down, and he convulsed. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while the crowd was wondering about the things he did, he said to his disciples, Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men. But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, and they were afraid to ask him about it. And there arose a dispute among them, which of them was the greatest. But when Jesus perceived it, he took a little child, and set him by his side, and said to them, Whoever will receive this little child in my name receives me: and whoever will receive me receives him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great. And John said, Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he didnt follow us. But Jesus said to him, Do not forbid him: for he that is not against you is for you. And when the days drew near for him to be received up, he went toward Jerusalem, and sent angels before him. And they went to a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because he was headed to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven, and consume them? But he turned, and rebuked them, and they went to another village.
136

And as they went, a certain man said to him, I will follow you wherever you go. And Jesus said, Foxes have holes, and the birds have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head. And he said to another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go and publish the kingdom of God. And another said, I will follow you, Lord; but first allow me to say farewell to them at my house. But Jesus said to him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. ******* After these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two before him, to every city and place, where he was about to come. And he said to them, The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few: pray the Lord of the harvest, that he send out laborers into his harvest. Go your ways; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no wallet, no shoes; and salute no man on the way. And into whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him: but if not, it will turn to you again. And remain in that house, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his wage. Go not from house to house. And into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you, and heal the sick that are there, and say to them, The kingdom of God is come near to you. But if they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, Even the dust from your city, that sticks to our feet, we wipe off against you: nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near. I say to you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment, than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. He that hears you hears me; and he that rejects you rejects me; and he that rejects me rejects him that sent me.

137

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name. And he said to them, I saw Satan fall as lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing will in any way hurt you. Nevertheless dont rejoice that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to babes: for this was pleasing to you. All things have been given to me by my Father: and no one knows who the Son is, save the Father; and who the Father is, save the Son, and he to whomever the Son wishes to reveal him. And turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see: for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and did not see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them. And a certain lawyer stood up and tested of him, saying, Teacher, what will I do to inherit eternal life? And he said to him, What is written in the law? How do you read it? The man said, You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. Jesus said, You have answered right: this do, and you will live. But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? Jesus said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and left him half dead. And by chance a certain priest was passing that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion, and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And in the morning he took out two shillings, and gave them to the proprietor, and said, Take care of him; and if it costs more I will repay you when I return. Which of these three, do you think, was neighbor to him that fell among the robbers? And he said, He that showed mercy on him.
138

And Jesus said to him, Go, do likewise. ******* As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lords feet, and heard his word. But Martha was busy with serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me. But the Lord said to her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: for Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her. ******* And he was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, like John taught his disciples. And he said to them, When you pray, say, Father, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we ourselves also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you would go to your friend at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him, and he will say, Dont bother me: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give you? I say to you, that even if he will not rise because he is your friend, yet because of your insistence, he will arise and give you what you need. So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it will be opened. And of which of you that is a father, and if his son asks for bread will you give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will you give him a snake? Or if he will ask an egg, will you give him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? ******* And he was casting out a demon that was dumb. And when the demon was gone out, the dumb man spoke; and the multitudes marveled. But some of them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the demons he casts out demons. And others, testing him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
139

But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore will they be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own court, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he will come upon him, and overcome him, he takes all his armor and divides his spoils. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathers not with me scatters. When an unclean spirit leaves a man, he passes through waterless places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, I will go back to my house, where I came from. And when he comes, he finds it swept and appointed. Then he goes, and brings seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. And as he said these things, a certain woman in the crowd lifted up her voice, and said to him, Blessed is the womb that bare you, and the breasts which you sucked. But he said, Rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. And when the crowds were gathering to him, he began to say, This is an evil generation: it seeks after a sign; and there will no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah. For even as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and will condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here. No man, when he has lighted a lamp, puts it in a cellar, neither under the bushel, but on the stand, that they which enter in may see the light. The lamp of your body is your eye: when your eye is single, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness. Beware the light that is in you is not darkness. As he spoke, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to eat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that Jesus had not washed before dinner. And the Lord said to him, You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter; but your inward parts are full of extortion and wickedness. You foolish ones, did not he that made the outside make the inside also? But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean to you.
140

But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: these you should have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are as the tombs which do not appear, and the men that walk over them dont know it. And one of the lawyers answering said to him, Teacher, in saying this you reproach us also. And he said, Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with heavy loads, and you do not touch them with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. So you are witnesses and you consent to the works of your fathers: for they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill 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 to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary: Yes, I say to you, it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge: you entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in you hindered. And when left, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press upon him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things; wishing to catch something out of his mouth. In the mean time, when many thousands of people were gathered together, so that they stepped upon each other, he began to say to his disciples, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is acting. But there is nothing covered, that will not be revealed; and hid, that will not be known. What you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light; and what you have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers will be proclaimed upon the housetops. And I say to 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 warn you whom to fear: Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: you are of more value than many sparrows. Every one who will confess me before men, him will the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: but he that denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God. And
141

every one who will speak a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him: but to him that slanders the Holy Spirit it will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say: for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. And one out of the multitude said to him, Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. But he said, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said to them, Take care, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a mans life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. And he spoke a parable to them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought out plentifully: and he reasoned within himself: What will I do, because I have nowhere to put my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there I will place all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, You fool, this night is your soul required of you; and the things which you have prepared, whose will they be? So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. And he said to his disciples, Therefore I say to you, Be not anxious for your life, what you will eat; nor yet for your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body than clothing. Consider the ravens; that they neither sow nor reap; which have no storage chamber or barn; and God feeds them: of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a foot to his stature? If then you are not able to do even that which is least, why are you anxious concerning the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they dont toil, neither do they spin; yet I say to you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith? And seek not you what you will eat, and what you will drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek, and your Father knows that you need these things. Yet seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that which you have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that will not fail, where no thief approaches, nor moth corrupts. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; and be like to men looking for their lord, when he will return from the marriage feast;
142

that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching: Truly I say to you, that he will prepare himself, and make them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he will come in the second watch, or the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through. Be you also ready: for in an hour that you think not the Son of man comes. And Peter said, Lord, do you speak you this parable to us, or to all? And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord will find so doing. Truly I say to you, that he will set him over all that he has. But if that servant will say in his heart, My lord delays his coming, and will begin to beat the servants and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; the lord of that servant will come in a day when he does not expect him, and will cut him in pieces, and appoint him with the unfaithful. And that servant, who knew his lords will, and did not get ready, nor did according to his will, will be beaten with many stripes; but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him will much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more. I came to cast fire upon the earth; I wish it were already kindled. And I have a baptism to be baptized with; and I restrained until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: for there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her mother in law. And he said to the multitudes, When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, Rain comes, and so it comes. And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, There will be heat, and happens. You hypocrites, you know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven; but how is it that you dont know how to interpret this time? And why, even of yourselves, dont you judge what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, be reconciled, or else he may drag you to the judge, and the judge will deliver you to the officer, and the officer will cast you into prison. I say to you, You will by no means come out there, till you have paid the very last cent. *******
143

There were some present at that season who told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he said to them, Do you think that these Galilaeans were worse sinners than other Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things? I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you will all perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than the other men at Jerusalem? I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you will all likewise perish. And he spoke this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit, but found none. And he said to the vinedresser, These three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why should it occupy the ground? And the vinedresser said, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I dig around it, and fertilize it: and if it produces fruit, well; but if not, you can cut it down. And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. And there was a woman that had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and could not lift herself up. And when Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity. And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue, being angry because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, There are six days in which men ought to work: come then and be healed, but not on the Sabbath. But the Jesus answered him, You hypocrites, doesnt each of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to water? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound, lo, these eighteen years, to have been freed from this bond on the day of the Sabbath? And as he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame: and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that he did. So he said, What is the kingdom of God like? And to what will I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his own garden; and it grew, and became a tree; and the birds of the heaven lodged in its branches. And again he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened. And he went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and journeying on to Jerusalem. And one man said to him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said to them, Labor to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut to the door, and you begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to
144

us, and he will answer and say to you, I dont know where you come from, you will begin to say, We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets; and he will say, I tell you, I dont know where you are from; leave me, all you workers of iniquity. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when you will see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast out without. And they will come from the east and west, and from the north and south, and will sit down in the kingdom of God. And there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last. At that hour certain Pharisees said to him, Get out, for Herod wants to kill you. And he said to them, Go and say to that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I am complete. Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones them that are sent to her! How often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is left to you desolate: and you will see me no more until you say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. ******* On a Sabbath, Jesus ate in the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees, and they were watching him. Also present was a man that had the dropsy. And Jesus spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not? But they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go. And he said to them, Which of you will have an ass or an ox that has fallen into a well, and will not immediately draw him up on a Sabbath day? And they could not answer again to these things. And he spoke a parable to those that were invited, when he noticed how they chose out the chief seats; saying to them, When you are invited to a marriage feast, dont sit in the chief seat; lest a more honorable man than you is invited, and he that invited you will come and say to you, Give this man place, and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place; that when he that has invited you comes, he may say to you, Friend, go up higher. Then will you have glory in the presence of all that sit with you. For everyone that exalts himself will be humbled; and he that humbles himself will be exalted. And he said to the man that had invited him, When you make a dinner or a supper, dont call your friends or your brothers, nor your kinsmen,
145

nor rich neighbors; lest they also invite you to a dinner, and you will be repaid. But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and you will be blessed; because they have not nothing to repay you: for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. One of them that sat with him heard these things and said, Blessed is he that will eat bread in the kingdom of God. But Jesus said to him, A certain man made a great supper; and he invited many: and he sent out his servant at supper time to say to them that were invited, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, I have bought a field, and I must see it; please have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; please have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. And the servant came, and told 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 here the poor and maimed and blind and lame. And the servant said, Lord, what you commanded is done, and yet there is room. And the lord said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and constrain them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you, that none of those men that were invited will taste of my supper. ******* There went with him great multitudes: and he turned, and said to them, If any man comes to me, and hates not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesnt sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Or else, perhaps, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all that see will mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an emissary, and asks for conditions of peace. So, whoever of you that does not renounce all that he has, cannot be my disciple. Salt therefore is good: but if the salt has lost its flavor, how can it be seasoned? It is fit neither for the land, nor for the dunghill: men cast it out. He that has ears to hear, let him hear. *******

146

The tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners, and eats with them. And he spoke to them this parable: What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say to you, that even so there will be joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance. Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. Even so, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents. And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of your substance that falls to me. And he divided to them his living. And not many days after, the younger son gathered his share together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be hungry. And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave anything to him. But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my fathers have bread enough and to spare, and I am dying here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight: I am no longer worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight: I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, Bring out quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make 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 to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be. And he
147

said to him, Your brother is come; and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound. But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him. But he said to his father, These many years I have served you, and I never transgressed a commandment of yours; and yet you never gave me a calf that I might make merry with my friends: but when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed for him the fatted calf. And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But it was fitting to be glad: for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. And he said also to the disciples, There was a certain rich man, who had a steward; and the same was accused to him that he was wasting his goods. And he called him, and said, What is this that I hear of you? Make an account of your actions, you can no longer be steward. And the steward said within himself, What will I do, my lord has taken the stewardship from me? Im not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. So, calling his lords debtors, he said to the first, How much do you owe my lord? And he said, A hundred measures of oil. And he said to him, Take your bond, sit down quickly and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much do you owe? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. He said to him, Take your bond, and write eighty. And his lord commended the unrighteous steward because he had done wisely: for the sons of this world are, for their own generation, wiser than the sons of the light. And I say to you, Make friends by means of the wealth of unrighteousness; that, when it will fail, they may receive you into their eternal dwelling. He that is faithful in little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in little is unrighteous also in much. If you have not been faithful in unrighteous wealth, who will commit to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is anothers, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. And the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things; and they scoffed at him. And he said to them, You are they who justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. ******* The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man enters into it violently. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one tittle of
148

the law to fall. Every one that puts away his wife, and marries another, commits adultery: and he that marries one that is put away from a husband commits adultery. ******* There was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living luxuriously every day: and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and wishing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich mans table; the dogs even came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Abraham: and the rich man also died, and was buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus with him. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from here to you are not able, and that none may cross over from there to us. And he said, I pray you therefore, father, that you would send him to my fathers house; for I have five brothers; that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment. But Abraham said, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, No, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent. And Abraham said to him, If they will not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead. ******* And he said to his disciples, It is impossible but that occasions of stumbling should come; but woe to him, through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. Take care: if your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he sin against you seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to you, saying, I repent; you will forgive him. And the sent ones said to the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you would say to this tree, Be you rooted up and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.

149

But who is there of you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say to him, when he is come in from the field, Come immediately and sit down to eat, and will not rather say to him, Make ready for me to eat and serve me, then afterward you may eat and drink.? Does he thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded? Even so you also, when you will have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do. And as they were on their way to Jerusalem, they passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. And as Jesus entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said to them, Go and show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God; and he fell upon his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus said, Were not the ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Were there none found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger? And he said to him, Arise, and go your way: your faith has made you whole. And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God comes not with observation: neither will they say, Lo, here! Or, There! For the kingdom of God is within you. And he said to the disciples, The days will come, when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, Lo, there! Lo, here! Do not go not after them: for as the lightning, which comes from one part of the sky and shines even to the other, so will the Son of man be in his day. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected of this generation. And as the days of Noah, even so it will be in the days of the Son of man. They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was in the days of Lot; they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all: so will it be when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he that will be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away: and let him that is in the field likewise not return back. Remember Lots wife. Whoever will seek to gain his life will lose it: but whoever will lose his life will preserve it. I say to you, In that night there will be two men on one bed; the one will be taken, and the other will be left. There will be two women grinding together; the one will
150

be taken, and the other will be left. There will be two men in the field; the one will be taken, and the other will be left. And they asked him, Where, Lord? And he said to them, Where the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together. ******* And he spoke a parable to them to showing that they should always pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, who neither feared God nor regarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came to him often, saying, Avenge me of my adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming. And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge said. And will not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, as he is being patient with them? I say to you, that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on the earth? And he spoke also this parable to certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised all 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 you, that I am not as the rest of men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. But the publican, standing afar off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but hit his own breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself will be humbled; but he that humbles himself will be exalted. And they were bringing to him also their children, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, Allow the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them not: for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, Whoever will not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he will in no wise enter therein. And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Teacher, what will I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? None is good, save one, even God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother. And he said, All these things have I observed from my youth up.
151

And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, One thing you lack: sell all that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. But when he heard these things, he became exceeding sorrowful; for he was very rich. And Jesus seeing him said, How hard it is for those with riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to enter in through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Then who can be saved? But he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. And Peter said, We have left our own, and followed you. And he said to them, Truly I say to you, There is no man that has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the kingdom of Gods sake, who will not receive manifold more in this time, and in the world to come eternal life. And he took to him the twelve, and said to them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets will be done to the Son of man. He will be delivered up to the Gentiles, and will be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon: they will scourge him and kill him: and the third day he will rise again. And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hidden from them. And as he drew near to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth passed by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. And they that went before rebuked him, that he should be quiet: but he cried out the more a great deal, Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought to him: and when he was near, he asked him, What do you want me to do for you? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said to him, Receive your sight; your faith has made you whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. And he entered and was passing through Jericho. And there was a man called Zacchaeus; and he was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he tried to see Jesus, and could not, because of the crowd, because he was short. And he ran ahead, and climbed up a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry down; for today I must stay at your house.
152

And Zacchaeus hurried down, and received him joyfully. And when the people saw it, they all murmured, saying, He is gone in to lodge with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wrongfully taken anything from any man, I restore fourfold. And Jesus said, Today salvation has come to this house, for he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost. And as they heard these things, he added and spoke a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was immediately to appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called ten servants of his, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, Trade until I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent an emissary after him, saying, We will not that this man reign over us. And when he had come back again, having received the kingdom, he commanded that these servants, to whom he had given the money, should be brought to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. And the first came before him, saying, Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more. And he said to him, Well done, you good servant: because you were faithful in a very little, have you authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Your pound, Lord, has made five pounds. And he said to him also, Be over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is your pound, which I kept laid up in a napkin: for I feared you, because you are an austere man: you take up that which you didnt lay down, and reap that which you did not sow. He said to him, Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I am an austere man, taking up that which I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow; then why didnt you give my money to the bank, and I at my coming should have required it with interest? And he said to them that stood by, Take away from him the pound, and give it to him that has the ten pounds. And they said to him, Lord, he has ten pounds. I say to you, that to every one that has will be given; but from him that has not, even that which he has will be taken away from him. But these, my enemies, that would not that I should reign over them, bring here, and slay them before me. And when Jesus had spoken these things, he went up to Jerusalem. And when he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, Go to the village across from you, and you will find a colt tied, whereupon no man ever
153

sat: untie him, and bring him. And if any one asks you, Why do you loose him? say, The Lord has need of him. And they that were sent went away, and found it as he had said to them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners said to them, Why loose you the colt? And they said, The Lord has need of him. And they brought him to Jesus: and they threw their garments upon the colt, and set Jesus upon it. And as he went, they spread their garments in the way. And as he was at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen; saying, Blessed is the King that comes in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, Teacher, rebuke your disciples. And he said, I tell you that, if these will hold their peace, the stones will cry out. And when he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, If you had known this day, even you, the things which belong to peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will cast up a bank about you, and compass you round, and keep you in on every side, and will dash you to the ground, and your children within you; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another; because you knew not the time of your visitation. And he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold, saying to them, It is written, And my house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers. And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him: yet they could not find a way; for the people all hung upon him, listening. And during one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came to him; and they said, Tell us: By what authority do you do these things? Who is he that gave you this authority? And he said to them, I also will ask you a question; and tell me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we will say, From heaven; he will say, Why did you not believe him? But if we will say, From men, all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered that they didnt know. And Jesus said to them, Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. And he began to speak to the people this parable: A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country for a long time. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that
154

they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. And he sent yet another servant: and him also they beat, and handled him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And he sent yet a third: and him also they wounded, and cast him out. And the lord of the vineyard said, What will I do? I will send my beloved son; it may be they will reverence him. But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned one with another, saying, This is the heir; let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. And they threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the lord of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. But he looked upon them, and said, What then is this that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner? Every one that falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomsoever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust. And the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that time; but they feared the people: for they understood that he spoke this parable against them. And they watched him, and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous, that they might catch him in his words, to deliver him up to the rule and authority of the governor. And these asked him, saying, Teacher, we know that you say and teach rightly, and accept not the person of any, but of a truth teach the way of God: Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not? But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, Show me a coin. Whose image and superscription does it have? And they said, Caesars. And he said to them, Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods. And they were not able to take hold of the saying before the people: and they marveled at his answer, and held their peace. And there came to him certain of the Sadducees, they that say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Teacher, Moses wrote to us, that if a mans brother die, having a wife, and he be childless, his brother should take the wife, and raise up seed to his brother. There were seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and died childless; and the second: and the third took her; and likewise the seven also left no children, and died. Afterward the woman also died. In the resurrection therefore whose wife of them will she be? For all seven had her to wife. And Jesus said to them, The sons of this world marry, and are given in marriage: but they that are accounted worthy to attain to that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
155

for neither can they die any more: for they are equal to the angels; and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the place concerning the bush, when he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him. And certain of the scribes answering said, Teacher, you have well said. And they dared not ask any him any further question. And he said to them, How do they say that the messiah is Davids son? For David himself said in the book of Psalms, The Lord said to my Lord, sit you on my right hand, till I make your enemies the footstool of your feet. David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son? And in the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts; who devour widows estates, and for a pretence make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation. And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury. And he also saw a certain poor widow casting in there two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say to you, This poor widow cast in more than they all: for all these did of their surplus cast in gifts; but she of her want did cast in all the living that she had. And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said, As for these things which you behold, the days will come, in which there will not be left one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down. And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when will these things be? What will be the sign when these things are about to come to pass? And he said, Take heed that you are not led astray: for many will come in my name, saying, I am he, and, The time is near. Do not go after them. And when you will hear of wars and tumults, be not terrified: for these things must happen first; but the end is not immediate. Then he said to them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be great earthquakes, and famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you, and will persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my names sake. It will turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand how to answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to gainsay. But you will be delivered up even by parents, and brothers, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you will they cause to be put to death. And you will be hated
156

of all men for my names sake. And not a hair of your head will perish. In your patience you will win your souls. When you see Jerusalem surrounded with armies, then know that her desolation is near. Then let them that are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of her go out; and let not them that are in the country enter therein. For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Woe to them that are with child and to them that nurse in those days! For there will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations: and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows; men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then will they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draws near. And he spoke to them a parable: Behold the fig tree, and all the trees: when they shoot out, you see it and know of your own selves that the summer is near. Even so, when you see these things coming to pass, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, This generation will not pass away till all things be accomplished. Heaven and earth will pass away: but my words will not pass away. But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare: for so will it come upon all them that dwell on the face of the earth. But watch at every season, making supplication, that you may prevail to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. And every day he was teaching in the temple; and every night he went out, and lodged in the mount that is called Olivet. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him. ******* Now the feast of unleavened bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes sought to put him to death; but they feared the people. And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the twelve. And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver Jesus to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. And he consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.
157

And the day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed. And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make ready for us the Passover, that we may eat. And they said to him, Where shall we get ready? And he said to them, Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you; follow him into whatever house he enters. Then say to the master of the house, The Teacher said to you, Where is the guest chamber, where I will eat the Passover with my disciples? And he will show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said to them: and they made ready the Passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve with him. And he said to them, I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: for I say to you, I will not eat it again, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: for I say to you, I will not drink the fruit of the vine again, until the kingdom of God will come. And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you. But behold, the hand of him that betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of man indeed goes, as it has been determined: but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed! And they began to question among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest. And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors. But you will not be so: He that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that serves. For which is greater, he that sits eating, or he that serves? Is not he that sits? But I am in the midst of you as he that serves. But you are they that have continued with me in my temptations; and I appoint to you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed to me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: but I prayed for you, that your faith would not fail. And, once you have turned again, establish your brothers. And he said to him, Lord, with you I am ready to go both to prison and to death.
158

And he said, I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you will thrice deny that you know me. And he said to them, When I sent you out without purse, and wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything? And they said, Nothing. And he said to them, But now, he that has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. For I say to you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned with transgressors. For the things written of me must be fulfilled. And they said, Lord, here are two swords. And he said to them, It is enough. And he came out, and went, as his custom was, to the mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said to them, Pray that you dont enter into temptation. And he left them about a stones throw; and he kneeled down and prayed, saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And, being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. And when he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow, and said to them, Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, that you enter not into temptation. While he yet spoke, behold, a multitude, and Judas, one of the twelve, went before them; and he drew near to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss? And when they that were with him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we strike them with the sword? And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, Allow them. And he touched the mans ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, that were come against him, Are you come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, you didnt stretch out your hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. And they seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priests house. But Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them. And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking at him, said, This man also was with him. But Peter denied, saying, Woman, I dont know him.
159

And after a little while another saw him, and said, You are one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not. And after the space of about one hour another confidently affirmed, saying, It is true that this man was with him; for he is a Galilaean. But Peter said, Man, I dont know not what you are talking about. And immediately, while he yet spoke, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned, and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said to him, Before the rooster crows this day you will deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. And the men that held Jesus mocked him and beat him. And they blindfolded him, and asked him, saying, Prophesy: who is he that struck you? And many other things they spoke against him, reviling him. And as soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led him away into their council, saying, If you are the messiah, tell us. But he said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe: and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God. And they all said, Are you then the Son of God? And he said to them, You say that I am. And they said, What further need do we have of witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth. And the whole company of them rose up, and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the messiah a king. And Pilate asked him, saying, Are you the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, You say it. And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, I find no fault in this man. But they were the more urgent, saying, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, and beginning from Galilee even to this place. But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And when he knew that he was of Herods jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was at Jerusalem in those days. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad: for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him. And he questioned him with many words; but Jesus answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently
160

accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for before they were at odds between themselves. And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, You brought to me this man, as one that perverts the people: and I, having examined him before you, found no fault in this man touching your accusations, nor has Herod: for he sent him back to us; and behold, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him. Now Pilate was obliged to release one prisoner to them at the feast. But they cried out together, saying, Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas. (A man who was cast into prison for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder.) And Pilate spoke to them again, desiring to release Jesus; but they shouted, saying, Crucify, crucify him. And he said to them the third time, Why, what evil has this man done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him and release him. But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence as they wished. And he released Barabbas, whom they asked for; but he truned over Jesus to their will. And when they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold, the days are coming, in which they will say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the breasts that never gave suck. Then will they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry? And there were also two others, criminals, led with him to be put to death. And when they came to the place which is called The skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots. And the people stood watching. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the messiah of God, his chosen. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, offering him vinegar, and saying, If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.
161

And there was a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the criminals that were hanged insulted him, saying, Arent you the messiah? Save yourself and us. But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Do you not even fear God, seeing you are in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man has done nothing wrong. And he said, Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom. And he said to him, Truly I say to you, Today will you be with me in Paradise. And it was now about the sixth hour, and a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, the suns light failing. And the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. and having said this, he gave up his spirit. And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the multitudes that came together to this sight, when they saw the things that were done, and returned smiting their breasts. And all his acquaintances, and the women that followed with him from Galilee, stood at a distance, seeing these things. And a man named Joseph, who was a counselor, a good and righteous man (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), a man of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was looking for the kingdom of God: this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where no man had yet lain. And it was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And the women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. ******* But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. And they entered in, and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And while they were confused, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And they were frightened and bowed down their faces to the earth. And the men said to them, Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Remember how he spoke to you when he was yet in Galilee, saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again?
162

And they remembered his words, and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things to the apostles. And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them. But Peter arose, and ran to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went to his home, wondering at that which was done. And two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was seven or eight miles from Jerusalem. And they talked with each other of all these things which had happened. While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were prevented from knowing him. And he said to them, What communications are these that you have one with another, as you walk? And they stood still, looking sad. And one of them, named Cleopas, said to him, Dont you know the things which have happened there in these recent days? And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. And beside all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb; and didnt find his body. Then they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it as the women had said: but they didnt see him. And he said to them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Wasnt it necessary for the messiah to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory? Then, beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them from all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they approached the village where they were going; and he made as though he would go further. And they constrained him, saying, Stay with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in to abide with them. And when he had sat down with them to eat, he took the bread, blessed it , broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spoke to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and they that were with them, saying, The
163

Lord is truly risen, and has appeared to Simon. Then they rehearsed the things that happened in the way, and how he was known of them in the breaking of the bread. And as they spoke these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, Peace be to you. But they were terrified, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, Why are you troubled? And why do questionings arise in your heart? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you behold me having. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, Have you anything to eat here? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. And he took it, and ate before them. And he said to them, These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the scriptures; and he said to them, Thus it is written, that the messiah should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send out the promise of my Father upon you: but wait in the city, until you be clothed with power from on high. And he led them out until they were across from Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, blessing God.

164

The Acts (Luke, part 2)

My first account, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day when he gave commandments to those had had chosen and sent, by the Holy Spirit, and was received up. ******* Jesus also showed himself alive after his death and resurrection by many proofs, appearing to them over forty days, and speaking concerning the kingdom of God. And, being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, You heard of me: For John indeed baptized with water; but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now. They, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, do you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And he said to them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father has in His own authority. But you will receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the furthest part of the earth. And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were looking intently into heaven as he went, two men stood by them in white clothing, and they said, Galileans, why do you stand looking into the heavens? This Jesus, who was taken up into heaven will return in the same way you saw him going. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a short distance off. And when they came in, they went up to the upper room where they were all staying - Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bareholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. These all, with equal intensity, continued in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. ******* And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers, and said (and there were about a hundred and twenty persons), Brothers, it was necessary for the scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke by the mouth of David concerning Judas, for he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be made desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his office, let another take.
165

(Now this man, Judas, obtained a field with the reward of his sin; and falling down, his belly burst open, and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; so that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) Therefore, one of the men who have been with us from the baptism of John to the day that he was received up from us, must become a witness with us of his resurrection. And they nominated two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which of these two you have chosen, to take the place of Judas. They cast lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. ******* And when the day of Pentecost came, they were all of equal intensity in one place. And suddenly there came from a sound heaven, as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them divided tongues like fire; and they sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, uttering what the Spirit gave them. And there were devout men at Jerusalem, Jews from every nation. And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confused, because every man heard them speaking in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying, Arent all these Galilaeans? How is it that we each hear our own languages? Parehians and Medes and Elamites people from Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and Cyrene, and travelers from Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians we each hear them tell of the mighty works of God in our own languages. And they were all amazed and confused, saying one to another, What does this mean? But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, saying, You men of Judea, and all you that live in Jerusalem, listen to my words. These are not drunk as you suppose; its only the third hour of the day. This is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: And in the last days, said God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days will I pour out of my Spirit; and they will prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,
166

before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day. And it will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. You men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in your midst, as you well know; him, by the will of God, was taken by the hands of lawless men and crucified. Him, God raised up, having removed the pains of death: because it was not possible for him to be held by them. For David said concerning him, I saw the Lord always before my face; for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope: Because you will not leave my soul to Hades, Neither will you give your Holy One to see corruption. You made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of gladness with your countenance. Brothers, I say to you freely that David is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. But being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn that his offspring would sit upon his throne; he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the messiah - that he was not left in Hades, neither did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus, God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. And being by the right hand of God, exalted, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you see and hear. For David did not ascend to the heavens: but he said, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool. Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God has made Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and messiah. When they heard this, their hearts were pierced, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brothers, what should we do? And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus the messiah to the remission of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to him. And with many other words Peter testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. Then the people that received his word were baptized: and about three thousand souls were added to them on that day. And these continued intently in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according
167

as any man had need. And day by day, continuing with equal intensity in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved. ******* Now Peter and John went up into the temple at the hour of prayer, which was the ninth hour. And a certain man that was lame from his mothers womb was laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask for offerings of those that entered into the temple. This man, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked them also. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look at us. And he gave his attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, Silver and gold, I have none; but what I do have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the messiah, walk. And Peter took him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength. And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: and they recognized that this was the man that sat asking for money at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that what had happened to him. And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in Solomons porch, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he said to the people, You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten you your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus; whom you gave up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, asked for a murderer to be given to you, and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. It was his name that made this man strong, whom you behold and know. And faith through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brothers, I know that you did these things in ignorance, as did your rulers. But the things which God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets - that his messiah should suffer - were fulfilled.
168

Change your minds, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Moses said, The Lord God will raise up a prophet from among your brothers, like to me. To him will you listen. And it will be, that every soul that will not listen to that prophet, will be destroyed from among the people. And all the prophets from Samuel on, all who have spoken, told of these days. You are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, And in your seed will all the families of the earth be blessed. To you first, God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities. And as they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, being deeply troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they seized them, and put them in prison till the morning, as it was now evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; about five thousand men. And on the next morning, the rulers and the elders and the scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and the family of the high priest. And when they had brought Peter and John, they said, By what power, or in what name, have you done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, You rulers and elders, if we are examined concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, asking how he was made whole Then let be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus, the messiah from Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, that by him this man stands before you whole. He is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which was made the head of the corner. And there is salvation in no other name given to men. Now when the rulers saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they wondered; and they understood that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man that was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded Peter and John to leave the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, What will we do to these men? For a notable miracle has been done by them, and it is known throughout Jerusalem; we cannot deny it. But, so that it spreads no further, let us threaten them, that they speak no more in this name. And they called them, and charged them not to neither speak nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John said to them, Whether it is
169

right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you judge. We can do nothing beside speak of the things which we saw and heard. And when they had further threatened them, the rulers let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for what was done. For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was done. And being let go, Peter and John came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, you who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them: who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant, said, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? The kings of the earth set themselves in array, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed. Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together against your holy Servant Jesus, whom you anointed, as you had foreordained. And now, Lord, hear their threats: and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while your stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. And they who believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that any of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power the apostles witnessed to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. And there was none among them that lacked: for all that owned lands or houses sold them, and laid the proceeds at the apostles feet: and distribution was made to each according to their need. And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite from Cyprus, having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession of theirs, and kept back part of the price, his wife agreeing with him in this, and laid it at the apostles feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back pare of the price of the land? Wasnt this all within your own control? And after the sale, didnt it the money remain yours? How is it that you conceived this in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.
170

And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. And great fear came upon all that heard it. And the young men rose, and wrapped him, and they carried him out and buried him. And about three hours later his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter said to her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much. And she said, Yes, for so much. But Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? The feet of them that have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out. And she fell down immediately and died. And the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon the whole assembly, and upon all that heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people; and they were all with equal intensity at Solomons porch. But of the rest, no man dared to approach the twelve; the people magnified them. And believers were all the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women; so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might pass over some of them. And there came multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and those that were troubled by unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. But the high priest rose up, and all that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, and seized the apostles, and put them in prison. But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors at night, and brought them out, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people, all the words of this Life. And when they heard this, they entered into the temple at about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But the officers that came did not find them. They returned, and said, We found the prison shut safely, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened it, we found no one within. Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were confused, and worried about how far this would grow. Then a man came and told them, The men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people. Then the captain came with his officers, and brought them - but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And
171

when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest said, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this mans blood upon us. But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. God raised him up to be a prince and a savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to them that obey him. But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and intended to kill them. But a man stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, held in honor of all the people, and ordered to put the men out for a little while. And he said to them, Men of Israel, be careful dealing with these men. Previously a man named Theudas, rose, making himself out to be somebody; and about four hundred men joined him: He was slain; and all that obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. After this man Judas of Galilee arose, in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: He also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this work is of men, it will be overthrown: but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; and you may even be found to be fighting against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had recalled the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. They departed the council, rejoicing that they were worthy to suffer for the Name. And every day, in the temple and at home, they continued to teach and to preach Jesus as the messiah. ******* Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve called the many disciples to them, and said, It is not proper that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Find brothers from among yourselves, seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, that we may set them over this business. But we will continue constantly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word. And these words pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a
172

proselyte of Antioch. They set these men in front of the apostles. And when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. ******* And Stephen, full of grace and power, worked great wonders and signs among the people. But there arose some from the synagogue that was called the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia; and they disputed with Stephen. And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they produced men who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him, and brought him into the council, and set up false witnesses, who said, This man continually speaks against this holy place, and the law: for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us. And all those sat in the council, staring him, saw his face as it though it were the face of an angel. And the high priest said, Are these things so? Stephen said, Brothers and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, Get out of your land, and from your kindred, and come into the land which I will show you. Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and lived in Haran: and from there, when his father was dead, God removed him into this land, wherein you now live. But God gave him no inheritance in it. Then God promised that he would give it to Abrahams offspring, when as yet he had no child. And God spoke thusly: That his descendents would travel through a strange land, and that they would be enslaved, and treated badly for four hundred years. And God said I will judge the nation that enslaves them: and after that will they come out, and serve me in this place. And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Then there came a famine over Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. But when
173

Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers the first time. And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Josephs race became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph sent, and called to him Jacob his father, and all his family, seventy five souls. And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he died, himself and our fathers; and they were carried over to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought with silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. But as the time of Gods promise to Abraham drew near, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, till there arose another king over Egypt, who didnt know Joseph. This man dealt deceitfully with our race, and illtreated our fathers, that they should cast out their babes, so that they would die. Then Moses was born, and was exceedingly fair; and he was nourished three months in his fathers house. And when he was cast out, Pharaohs daughter took him, and nourished him as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and works. But when he was almost forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer a wrong, he defended him, and avenged him, striking the Egyptian that was oppressing the Israelite. And Moses supposed that his brothers understood that God was using him to save them, but they did not understand. And the next day, Moses came to them as they fought with themselves, and wished to reconcile them, saying, Sirs, you are brothers; why do you wrong one to another? But the man who was mistreating his brother pushed him away, saying, Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Will you kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday? And Moses fled at this saying, and became a pilgrim in the land of Midian, where he had two sons. And when forty years were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. And when Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he went to see, there came a voice: I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and dared not look. And the Lord said to him, Remove the shoes from your feet: for the place where you stand is holy ground. I have surely seen the affliction of my people in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them: and now come, I will send you into Egypt. This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made you a ruler and a judge? Him God sent to be both a ruler and a savior. This man led them out, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, and at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, God will raise a prophet to you from among your brothers, like to me. This is he that was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel that spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our
174

fathers: Who received living oracles to give to us: to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt, saying to Aaron, Make us gods that will go before us: for as for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. But God turned, and gave them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, Did you offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? And you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship them: And I will carry you away beyond Babylon. Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even God told Moses, that he should make it according to the pattern he had seen. And our fathers, in their turn, entered their possessions with Joshua. And God thrust out the previous inhabitants before the face of our fathers. Then David; who found favor in the sight of God, wished for a habitation for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him a house. But the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands; as said the prophet, The heaven is my throne, and the earth the footstool of my feet: What manner of house will you build me? Or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things? You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit: As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? And they killed them that told of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers. You, who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and have not kept it. Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they ground their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. But they cried out with a loud voice, and shut their ears, and rushed upon him together; and they threw him out of the city, and they stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen, who called upon the Lord, saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. ******* And Saul was consenting to his murder.
175

And that day began a great persecution against the assembly in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad through Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. And devout men buried Stephen, and made great mourning over him. But Saul laid ravaged the assembly, going house to house and dragging men and women to prison. They who were scattered went about preaching the word. And Philip (one of the seven) went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed the messiah to them. And the multitudes listened together to the things Philip spoke, and watched the signs which he did. Unclean spirits came out of many crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. And there was much joy in that city. But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who previously in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was a great one. And they all listened to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. He had amazed them with his sorceries for a long time. But the people believed Philips preaching of good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus the messiah, and they were baptized, both men and women. And Simon also believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and seeing signs and miracles, he was amazed. When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles hands, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. But Peter said to him, Your silver perish with you, because you intended to obtain the gift of God with money. You have no part in this matter: for your heart is not right before God. Repent of your wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of your heart will be forgiven. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. And Simon answered and said, Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken come upon me. Peter and John, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. (This is
176

desert.) And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, and who had come to Jerusalem to worship - he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, Go near, and join yourself to this chariot. And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? And he said, How can I, except some one will guide me? And he begged Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who will declare? For his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, Tell me, of whom does the prophet speak? Of himself, or of some other man? And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus. And as they went on the way, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, Behold, here is water; what prevents me from being baptized? And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus the anointed is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through, he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. ******* But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that if he found any that were of the Way (that is, disciples of Jesus), whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he approached Damascus: and suddenly there shined around about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? And he said, Who are you, Lord?
177

And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: but rise, and enter into the city, and it will be told you what you must do. And the men that traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and he didnt eat or drink. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man named Saul, a man from Tarsus: for he is praying; and he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight. But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem: and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon your name. But the Lord said to him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my names sake. And Ananias went, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to you as you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened. And Saul was some days with the disciples that were at Damascus. And immediately, in the synagogues, he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Isnt this the man that destroyed those that called on this name in Jerusalem? And he had come here for this reason, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests. But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that lived at Damascus, proving that this is the messiah. And after many days, the Jews took counsel to kill him: but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him: but the disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to
178

them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he disputed against the Grecian Jews; who sought to kill him. And when the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him out to Tarsus. So the assembly throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being build up; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied. ******* And as Peter went throughout all the area, he came down to the saints that lived at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been in bed eight years; for he was palsied. And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus the messiah heals you: arise and make your bed. And immediately he arose. And all that lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is Dorcas - a gazelle. This woman was full of good works and charitable acts. And in those days she fell sick and died. And when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. And as Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, entreating him, Come to us immediately. And Peter went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord. And Peter stayed in Joppa many days with one Simon a tanner. ******* Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave charity to the people, and prayed to God always. This man had an open vision, as it was about the ninth hour of the day, of an angel of God coming in to him, and saying, Cornelius. And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being afraid, said, What is it, Lord?
179

And he said to him, Your prayers and your good deeds have gone up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and fetch a man named Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. And when the angel that spoke to him had left, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier; and having rehearsed all things to them, he sent them to Joppa. On the next morning, as they approached the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray: and he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they prepared the food, he fell into a trance; and he saw the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: and in it were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. And a voice came to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean. And a voice came to him the second time, What God has cleansed, do not call unclean. And this was done three times: and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven. Now while Peter wondered within himself as to what the vision mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having asked for Simons house, stood at the gate, and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodging there. And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men seek you. But arise, and get you down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them. And Peter went down to the men, and said, I am he whom you seek: why have you come? And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that fears God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for you into his house, and to hear words from you. So he invited them in and lodged them. And on the next morning went out with them, and certain of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. And on the morning after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends. And when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I am also a man. And as he talked with him, Peter went in, and found many people gathered: and he said to them, You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself to one of another nation; and yet God
180

showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean: I came without protest, when I was sent for. So I ask you, why did you send for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and he said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your works are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call to you Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side. So, I sent for you immediately, and you have done well that you came. Now we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear everything that you have been commanded by the Lord. And Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is acceptable to him. The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus The messiah (He is Lord of all) -- which was published throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; even Jesus of Nazareth: How God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all the things which he did, both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. But God raised him up the third day, and he was seen alive; not by all the people, but by witnesses that were chosen by God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets bear witness to him, that through his name every one that believes will receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all of them that heard the word. And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then Peter said, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus the messiah. And they remained there for some days. ******* The apostles and the brothers that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter returned to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them.
181

But Peter began, and explained to them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me: And I saw four-footed beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven. And I heard also a voice saying to me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean has ever entered into my mouth. But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God has cleansed, do not call common. And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And behold, immediately three men stood in front of the house having been sent from Caesarea to me. And the Spirit commanded me to go with them, making no distinction. And these six brothers also accompanied me; and we entered into the mans house: and he told us how he had seen the angel in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; who will speak to you words, whereby you will be saved, you and all your house. And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. If then God gave to them the like gift as he did also to us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus, who was I, that I could withstand God? And when they heard these things, they were quiet, and glorified God, saying, Then God has also given the Gentiles repentance unto life. Those who were scattered abroad by the troubles when Stephen was stoned traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word only to Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they came to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. And news of this came to the assembly in Jerusalem: and they sent out Barnabas as far as Antioch: who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord: for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and many people were added to the Lord. And Barnabas went out to Tarsus to find Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for a whole year they gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people,. And it was at Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. In those days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which occurred in the days of
182

Claudius. And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers that lived in Judea, and they sent it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. ******* At about this time, Herod the king reached out to attack certain men of the assembly. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread. And Herod put Peter in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. And as Peter was kept in the prison, the assembly prayed earnestly to God for him. And when Herod was about to bring him out - the same night - Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and there were guards in front of the door. And an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he struck Peter on the side, and woke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, Clothe yourself, and tie on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Put your coat around you, and follow me. And he went out, and followed; and he didnt know that what was happening was real, but thought he was having a vision. And when they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that led to the city; which opened to them by itself: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and the angel vanished. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know that the Lord has sent his angel, and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the situation, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John (whose surname was Mark), where many people were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a young lady came to answer, named Rhoda. And when she recognized Peters voice, she was overjoyed, and did not open the gate, but ran in, and told them that Peter was standing outside. And they said to her, You are mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was true. Then they said, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they finally opened the gate, they saw him, and were amazed. But he gestured to them to be quiet and told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things to James, and to the brothers. And then he went to another place. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, as to what had become of Peter. And when Herod had asked for him, and could not find him, he interrogated the guards, and ordered them put
183

to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and remained there. Now Herod was highly displeased with the people of Tyre and Sidon: and they came to him, and, having made Blastus the kings chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed by the kings country. And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration to them. And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not glorify God: and he was eaten of worms, and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, after they had delivered the relief goods. And they took with them John whose surname was Mark. ******* Now there were prophets and teachers in the assembly at Antioch: Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate to me Barnabas and Saul, I have called them to work. Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John as their attendant. And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus; who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man called Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him, and said, O full of all guile and all villainy, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately a mist and a darkness came upon him; and he looked for someone to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John left them and returned to Jerusalem. But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent to
184

them, saying, Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. And Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and you that fear God, listen: The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted them when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them out of it. And for about the time of forty years he carried them as a father in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years: and after these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bore witness and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will. Of this mans seed has God according to promise brought a savior to Israel, Jesus. And before him, God sent John and the baptism of repentance to the people of Israel. And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, Who do you think I am? I am not he. But, there comes one after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose. Brothers, children of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent out. For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet they asked Pilate to slay him. And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead: and he was seen for many days by them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you good tidings of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled it to us, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, You are my Son, this day have I begotten you. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken on this wise, I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David. Because he said in another psalm, You will not give Your Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw corruption: but he whom God raised up saw no corruption. Know therefore, brothers, that through this man the remission of sins is proclaimed to you: and by him every one that believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
185

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets: Behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which you will in no wise believe, if one declare it to you. And as they went out, the people begged that these words might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. And when the assemblage broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and slandered him. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. But, seeing that you thrust it away from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we turn to the Gentiles. For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set you for a light of the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the uttermost pare of the earth. And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spread through all the region. But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit. ******* At Iconium they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spoke so that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. But the disobedient Jews stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and turned them against the brothers. They remained there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And then an assault was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews (with their rulers). These intended to stone Paul and Barnabas. But they became aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about: and there they preached the gospel. At Lystra there sat a certain man, without strength in his feet, a cripple from his mothers womb, who never had walked. This man heard Paul
186

speaking, who, fastening eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped up and walked. And when the crowd saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Jupiter, whose temple was at that city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and prepared to make a sacrifice to them. But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their garments, and jumped in front of the crowd, saying, Sirs, why do you do these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them: who in the generations past allowed the nations to walk in their own ways. And yet He left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings they barely restrained multitudes from doing sacrifice to them. But there were Jews that came from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed. And they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; and there they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the work which they had fulfilled. And when they had returned, and had gathered the assembly together, they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained a long time with the disciples. ******* And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, saying, Except you be circumcised after the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension
187

and questioning with them, the brothers appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. They therefore, being brought on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy to all the brothers. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter. And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said to them, Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did to us; and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Why question God, that you should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, as they do. And all the multitude kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul recount the signs and wonders that God had worked among the Gentiles through them. And after they had finished, James answered, saying, Brothers, listen to me: Simon has rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After these things I will return, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, said the Lord, who makes these things known from of old. Therefore my judgment is that we do not trouble the Gentiles that turn to God; but that we write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses, from generations of old, has people that preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath. Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers. And they sent this message with them: The apostles and the elders, brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: Forasmuch as we
188

have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment; it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus, the messiah. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Fare you well. So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle. And when they had read it, they rejoiced. And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brothers with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace and returned. But it seemed good to Silas to remain there. But Paul and Barnabas waited in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brothers in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare. And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark. But Paul thought it not good to take with them a man who withdrew from them from Pamphylia. And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus; but Paul choose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies. ******* And he came to Derbe and to Lystra: and a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek. The same was well reported of by the brothers that were at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek. And as they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees which had been given by the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem. So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
189

Then, having come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit forbade them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go out into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Setting sail from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city waiting for some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate by a river side, where we thought there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spoke to the women that had come together. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to listen to Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she begged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. And as we were going to the place of prayer, a certain woman having a spirit of divination met us, who had brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. This woman followed after us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation. And this she did for many days. But Paul, being troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus the messiah to come out of her. And it came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace and to the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, trouble our city, and bring customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates tore the garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, commanding the jailor to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet fast in stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every ones shackles were loosed. And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm: for we are all here. And he called for lights and sprang
190

in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your house. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, with all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God. But when it was day, the magistrates sent sergeants, saying, Let those men go. And the jailor reported the words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore come out, and go in peace. But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publicly and uncondemned men that are Romans - and have cast us into prison; and do they now let us out privately? No, let them come themselves and bring us out. And the sergeants reported these words to the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans; and they came and begged them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city. And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brothers, they comforted them, and departed. ******* Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, opening and alleging that it was necessary for the messiah to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim to you, is the messiah. And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took to them certain vile fellows of the base sort, and gathering a crowd, set the city into an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. And when they failed to find them there, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come here also; whom Jason has received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. And the brothers immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Beroea. And when they arrived there, they went into the synagogue of
191

the Jews. Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed; also many the Greek women of honorable estate, and men. But when the Jews of Thessalonica heard that the word of God was being proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there also, stirring up and troubling the multitudes. Immediately the brothers sent Paul to go to the sea, although Silas and Timothy remained there. But they that accompanied Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving orders for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day. And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What does this babbler say? Others, He seems to be setting out of strange gods, because he preached Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him to the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by you? For you bring certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (Now all the Athenians and the strangers traveling there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.) And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, You men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I set out to you. The God that made the world and all things therein, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made with hands; neither is he served by mens hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives life and breath to all, and has made the nations of men to dwell on the earth, having determined their seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, and perhaps may feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. God has overlooked the ages of ignorance, but now he commands men that they should repent: in that he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; and
192

he has given assurance of this man to us all by raising him from the dead. Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear you about this again. Paul went out from among them, but certain men stayed with him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. ******* After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them and both lived and worked with them, for by their trade they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the messiah. And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said to them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from now on I will go to the Gentiles. And he left that place, and went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house abutted the synagogue. And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and do not be quiet; for I am with you, and no man will set on you to harm you: for I have many people in this city. And he lived there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat, saying, This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If this were a matter of wrong or of wickedness, O you Jews, I would bear with you: but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters. And he drove them from the judgment-seat. And they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things. And Paul, having remained after this many days, left the brothers, and sailed for Syria, Priscilla and Aquila with him. (Paul shaved his head in Cenchreae; for he had a vow.)
193

And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Be entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And when they asked him to remain a longer time, he would not; but said, I will return again to you if God will. Then he set sail from Ephesus. And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and saluted the assembly, and went down to Antioch. And having spent some time there, he went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples. Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John: and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him to them, and expounded to him the way of God more accurately. And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace; for he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the messiah. ******* And while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples: and he said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? And they said to him, No, we have never heard that the Holy Spirit was given. And he said, Into what then were you baptized? And they said, Into Johns baptism. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus. And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. And they were, in all, about twelve men. And he entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he left them and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
194

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the evil spirits went out. But certain also of the wandering Jews, exorcists, took upon themselves to use the name of the Lord Jesus upon the evil spirits, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Many of them that believed came, confessing and declaring their deeds. Many of them that practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. After these things, Paul purposed in the spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. And having sent two of them into Macedonia, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. And about that time there was a large disturbance concerning the Way. There was a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, and brought much business to the craftsmen. He gathered these together, with workmen of similar occupations, and said, Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands. And not only is there danger that our trade will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana will be forsaken, and that she should be deposed from her magnificence; whom all Asia and the world worships. And when they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of Ephesus. And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed together into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Pauls companions in travel. Paul intended to enter in to the people, but the disciples would not permit him. And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to go into the theatre. In the theater, some cried one thing, and some another: for the whole assembly was in confusion; and most didnt know why they had come together. And the Jews brought Alexander out of the crowd, and put him forward. And Alexander beckoned with his hand, preparing to make a defense to the people. But when they understood that he was a Jew, they
195

all cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians, and continued for about two hours. And when the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesnt know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be argued, you ought to be quiet, and do nothing rash. For you have brought here these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly. For we are in danger to be accused concerning this days riot, there being no cause for it: and we will not be able to give account of this concourse. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. ******* And after the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples and exhorted them, then went to Macedonia. And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. And when he had spent three months there, as he was about to set sail for Syria, a plot was made against him by Jews. So, he determined to return through Macedonia. And he was accompanied as far as Asia by Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas. ******* And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them to Troas in five days, where we waited seven days. And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul conversed with them, intending to leave the next morning; and prolonged his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered. And a certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, being heavy with deep sleep; and as Paul spoke yet longer, he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Make no commotion; for his life is in him. And he went up, and broke the bread, and ate, and talked with them a long while, even till the break of day. Then he departed. And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted.
196

******* We then set sail for Assos, intending to take in Paul: for had he gone by land. And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And sailing from there, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hoping, if it were possible, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. ******* And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the assembly. And when they came to him, he said, You know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I behaved with you all the time, serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable; teaching you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus the messiah. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will befall me there: save that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me. But I hold not my life dear, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see my face no more. Wherefore I testify to you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I declared to you the whole counsel of God. Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the assembly of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore watch, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified. I coveted no mans silver, or gold, or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to them that were with me. I gave you an example, that laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
197

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. And they all wept bitterly, and fell on Pauls neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they brought him on his way to the ship. ******* And when we were parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara: and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail. And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload. And having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem. And then we went again on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell; and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again. And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brothers, and stayed with them one day. ******* And on the morrow we departed, and came to Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied. And as we stayed there some days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And coming to us, and taking Pauls girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus said the Holy Spirit, So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. And after these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem. And there went with us also certain of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders
198

were present. And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry. And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said to him, You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law: and they have been informed concerning you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs. Why is this? They will certainly hear that you are come. So, do as we advise: We have four men that have a vow on them; take them, and purify yourself with them, and pay for them, that they may shave their heads: and all will know that there is no truth in the things they heard about you; but that you walk orderly, keeping the law. But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself with them, he went into the temple, declaring the purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them. And when the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and seized him, crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teaches against the people, and the law, and this place; and he brought Greeks also into the temple, and has defiled this holy place. (For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and immediately the doors were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, the news reached the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion. And he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and the crowds, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, stopped beating Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and seized him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done. And some shouted one thing, some another, among the crowd: and when he could not know the facts because of the commotion, he commanded him to be brought into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; for a multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him. And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he said to the chief captain, May I say something to you?
199

And he said, Do you know Greek? Arent you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led four thousand men of the Assassins? But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech you, allow me to speak to the people. And when he had agreed, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand to the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying, Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense I make to you. And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he said, I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are this day: and I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest does bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and journeyed to Damascus to bring them to Jerusalem in chains to be punished. And as I made my journey, and approached Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? And I answered, Who are you, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute. And they that were with me saw the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me. And I said, What will I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it will be told you of all things you must do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that lived there, came to me, and said to me, Brother Saul, receive your sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him. And he said, The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name. And when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, and saw him saying to me, Hurry get quickly out of Jerusalem; because they will not receive your testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on you: and
200

when the blood of Stephen your witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him. And he said to me, Depart: for I will send you to the Gentiles. And they listened up to this point, then they lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. And as they cried out, and threw off their garments, and cast dust into the air, the chief captain commanded him be brought into the castle, that he should be interrogated by scourging, that he might know why they shouted against him. And when they had tied him up with thongs, Paul said to the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain and told him, saying, What are you about to do? This man is a Roman. And the chief captain came and said to him, Tell me, are you a Roman? And he said, Yes. And the chief captain answered, With a great sum I obtained this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am a Roman born. They who were about to examine him left immediately, and the chief captain was afraid when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. But in the morning, desiring to know why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them. And Paul, looking on the council, said, Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by to strike him on the mouth. Then said Paul to him, God will strike you, you whitewashed wall: Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be hit contrary to the law? And they that stood by said, Do you revile Gods high priest? And Paul said, I didnt know, brothers, that he was high priest: for it is written, You will not speak evil of a ruler of your people. But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
201

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees stood up, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel? And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force, and bring him into the castle. And the night following, the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as you have testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must you bear witness also at Rome. And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty men in this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. Now therefore, ask the chief captain to bring him down to you, as though you would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, we will ready to slay him. But Pauls sisters son heard of their ambush, and he came into the castle and told Paul. And Paul called to him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man to the chief captain; for he has something to tell him. So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me to him, and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to say to you. And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that you have to tell me? And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring down Paul tomorrow to the council, as though they would inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him. Do not yield to them: for there lie in wait for him more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and they are now ready, looking for the promise from you. So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that you have signified these things to me. And he called two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night. And he told them to provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safely to Felix the governor. And he wrote a letter after this form:
202

Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix, greeting. This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. And desiring to know why they accused him, I brought him down to their council: whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you, charging his accusers also to speak against him before you. So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: and when they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia, I will hear you fully, he said, when your accusers have also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herods palace. ******* And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that by your providence evils are corrected for this nation, we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But, that I be not further tedious to you, I entreat you to hear us of your clemency a few words. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: who also attempted to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: and we would have judged him according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come before you. You will be able, by examining this man yourself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him. Then the Jews joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so. And when the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, Since I know that you have been a judge to this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense: It is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem: and they found me neither disputing in the temple nor stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. They cannot prove the things of which they accuse me.
203

But this I confess to you, that after the Way which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection both of the just and unjust. Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always. Now, after some years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor with tumult. There were certain Jews from Asia who accused me, who ought to be here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council, except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day. But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain will come down, I will determine your matter. And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister to him. But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning faith in The messiah Jesus. And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go your way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call you to me. He hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, and so he sent for him often and communed with him. But when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound. ******* Festus, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they begged him, asking a favor of him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way. But Festus answered that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to go there. Let them therefore, said he, that are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him. And after he had stayed no more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many grievous charges which they could not prove; while Paul said
204

in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all. But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? But Paul said, I am standing before Caesars judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as you very well know. If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse not to die. But if none of those things is true whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, You have appealed to Caesar: to Caesar will you go. After some days, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and saluted Festus. As they remained there many days, Festus laid Pauls case before the King, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him. To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him. When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought. Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed; but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And I, not knowing how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters. But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Caesar. And Agrippa said to Festus, I wish to hear the man myself. Tomorrow, said he, you will hear him. So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and principal men of the city, and at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him. Of
205

whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. So I have brought him out before you, and specially before you, king Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have somewhat to write. For it seems unreasonable to me, in sending a prisoner, not to signify the charges against him. And Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense: I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day touching all the things I am accused of by the Jews: especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: So I beg you to hear me patiently. My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem, is known to all the Jews; having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God to our fathers; which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king! Why should you think it incredible for God to raise the dead? I thought with myself that I should to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this I also did in Jerusalem: and I shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. And punishing them often in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. And as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute you me? It is hard for you to kick the point of a spear. And I said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. But arise, and stand upon your feet: for to this end have I appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things wherein you have seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear to you; delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. Therefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: but declared to them of Damascus and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. For
206

this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me. Having obtained the help from God, I stand this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come; how that the messiah must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles. And as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are mad; your much learning is turning you mad. But Paul said, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak out words of truth and soberness. For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe you the prophets? I know that you believe. And Agrippa said to Paul, With but little persuasion you might make me a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not you only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds. And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: and when they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds. And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar. ******* And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band. And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. And the next day we touched at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go to his friends and refresh himself. And putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy; and he put us therein. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and were come with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not further suffering us, we sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone; and with difficulty coasting along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens; near the city of Lasea. *******
207

And when much time was spent, and the voyage was now dangerous, and because the fast was now already gone, Paul admonished them. He said, Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives. But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the owner of the ship, than to those things which were spoken by Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the majority advised to put to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there; which is a haven of Crete, looking north-east and south-east. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore. But there came a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo: and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven. And running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat: and when they had hoisted it up, they used helps, under-girding the ship; and, fearing lest they should be cast upon the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and so were driven. And as we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw the the freight overboard; and the third day they cast out with their own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars shone upon us for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was now taken away. And when they had been long without food, Paul stood out in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have taken this injury and loss. Now I exhort you to have courage; for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel the God whose I am, whom also I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Caesar: and lo, God has granted you all them that sail with you. Therefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it will be as it has been spoken to me. But we must be cast upon a certain island. But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven to and fro in the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some country: and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms. And fearing lest we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let out four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day. And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would lay out anchors from the fore-ship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these remain in the ship, you cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
208

And while the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing. Therefore I beg you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there will not a hair perish from the head of any of you. And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he broke it, and began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and took food. And we two hundred seventy six souls in the ship. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they saw a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it. And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. Lighting upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the fore-ship struck and remained unmovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves. And the soldiers counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land; and the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land. ******* And when we were escaped, then we found that the island was called Melita. And the barbarians showed us no common kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the rain, and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet justice has not suffered to live. But Paul shook off the creature into the fire, and suffered no harm. They expected that he would become swollen, or fall down dead suddenly: but when they waited a long time and nothing happened to Paul, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. Nearby were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and entertained us three days courteously. And the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, laying his hands on him, and healed him. And when this was done, the rest that had diseases in the island came, and were cured, and they honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.
209

After three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers. And touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. And from there we made a circuit, and arrived at Rhegium: and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli; where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them seven days: and so we came to Rome. And from there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. And when Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage. And when we entered into Rome, Paul was allowed to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him. And after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said to them, I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans: who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar; not that I had anything to accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. And they said to him, We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any harm of you. But we desire to hear of you what you think: for as concerning this sect, everywhere it is spoken against. And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. And they agreed not among themselves, and they departed after Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, Go you to this people, and say, by hearing you will hear, and will in no wise understand; And seeing you will see, and will in no wise perceive: For this peoples heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should turn again, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore to you, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles: they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves. And he remained two whole years in his
210

own hired dwelling, and received all that went in to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus the messiah with all boldness, none forbidding him.

211

212

General Letter to the Hebrews

God, having of old time spoken to the fathers in the prophets in various manners, has in these days spoken to us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds; who being the radiance of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; having become by so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels said he at any time, You are my Son, this day have I begotten you? And, I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son? And when he again brings in the firstborn into the world he said, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he said, Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame a fire. But of the Son he said, Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever; and the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. And: You, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of your hands: They will perish; but you continue: And they all will wax old as does a garment; and as a mantle will you roll them up, as a garment, and they will be changed: But you are the same, And your years will not fail. But of which of the angels has he said at any time, Sit on my right hand, till I make your enemies the footstool of your feet? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of them that will inherit salvation? ******* Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest we drift away from them. For if the word spoken through angels proved firm, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how will we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? Which, having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by them that heard; God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will. For did he not make the world to come subject to angels, but one has testified, saying: What is man, that you are mindful of him? Or the son of man, that you visit him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of your hands: You put all things in subjection under his feet.
213

For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him. But we behold him who has been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, for of the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man. It was becoming to him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifies and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, I will declare your name to my brothers, in the midst of the congregation will I sing your praise. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children whom God has given me. Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to naught him that had the power of death, that is, the accuser; and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For he does not save the angels, but the seed of Abraham. So it suited him to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Since he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to relieve them that are tempted. ******* So, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, even Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house. For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by so much as he that built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by some one; but he that built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken; but Christ as a son, over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm to the end. Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit said: Today if you will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, Like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tried me by proving me, And saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was displeased with this generation, And said, They do always err in their heart: But they did not know my ways; As I swore in my wrath, They will not enter into my rest. Take care, brothers, lest there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God: but exhort one another day by day, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin: for
214

we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end: as it is said, Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. And some, when they heard, did provoke, though not all that came out of Egypt. And with whom was he displeased forty years? Wasnt it with those that sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief. Let us fear therefore, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. For we have had good tidings preached to us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he has said, As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest. (Even though the works were finished from the foundation of the world.) For he has said somewhere of the seventh day, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works, and in this place again, They will not enter into my rest. Seeing that some should enter into the rest, and that those to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, he again defines a specific day, saying in David a long time afterward, Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. Let us be diligent to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature that is not shown in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do. ******* Having a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For this is not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that has been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need. For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and
215

sacrifices for sins: who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is familiar with infirmity; and must, for the people and for himself, to make offerings for sins. And no man takes the honor to himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron. So Christ also glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that spoke to him, You are my Son, This day have I begotten you: as he said also in another place, You are a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek. In the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, though he was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him; named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing that you are become dull of hearing. By reason of the time you ought now to be teachers, but you have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that partakes of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But solid food is for full grown men, who, by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. ******* So, leaving the first principles of Christ, let us press on to completion; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. As touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the land which has drunk the rain that comes upon it, and brings out herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God: but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near to a curse; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak: for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which you showed toward his name, in that you ministered to the saints, and still do minister. And we desire that
216

each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end: that you be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you. And so, having patiently endured, Abraham obtained the promise. For men swear by the greater: and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final confirmation. So God, being minded to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us: which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and firm and entering into that which is within the veil; where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth of all (being first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is King of peace; without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like to the Son of God), remains a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the chief spoils. And indeed the sons of Levi that receive the priests office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham: but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has taken tithes of Abraham, and has blessed him that has the promises. Now, without any dispute, the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes; for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him. Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there of another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no man has given attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. And what we say is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises
217

another priest, who has been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life: for it is witnessed of him, You are a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek. So there is an annulment of the previous commandment, because of its weakness and unprofitableness (for the law made nothing perfect), and the coming of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And inasmuch as it is not without the taking of an oath (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that said of him, The Lord swore and will not repent himself, You are a priest for ever); by so much also has Jesus become the surety of a better covenant. And those priests are many in number, because they are hindered from continuing by death: but he, because he remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. So also he is able to save those that draw near to God by him to the uttermost, seeing he always lives to make intercession for them. Such a high priest befits us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needs not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for he did this once for all, when he offered himself up. For the law appointed men having infirmity as high priests,; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointed a Son, perfected for evermore. ******* Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: so it is necessary that this high priest should have something to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, he said, See that you make all things according to the pattern that was showed you in the mount. But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, and is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place have been sought for a second. For finding fault with them, he said: Behold, the days come, said the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers In the day that I took them by the
218

hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, said the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and on their heart also will I write them: And I will be to them a God, And they will be to me a people: And they will not teach every man his fellow-citizen, And every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: For all will know me, From the least to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and their sins will I remember no more. In that he said, A new covenant, he has made the first old. And that which is grows old is close to vanishing away. ******* The first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and a sanctuary of this world. For there was a tabernacle (that is, a tent). In the first tabernacle was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy place. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aarons rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak precisely. These things having been prepared, the priests went into the first tabernacle continually, accomplishing the services; but into the second went the high priest only, once per year, and not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people. By this the Holy Spirit is signifying that the way into the holy place was not yet open while the first tabernacle was standing. This was a figure for that time. Both gifts and sacrifices were offered, which could not make the conscience of the worshipper perfect, as the offerings were only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation. But Christ, having come as a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, (that is to say, not of earthly construction), nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling can sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh: how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
219

And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where a testament (that is, a will) is, there must also be the death of him that made it. For a testament is of no force while he that made it lives. Even the first covenant was dedicated with blood. For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled the book itself and all the people, saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded to you. He also sprinkled the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. And according to the law, I may almost say, All things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission. So it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices. For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us: nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place year by year with blood not his own; else must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world. But now, once at the end of the ages, he has put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And inasmuch as it is appointed to men once to die, and after this the judgment; so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, to salvation. For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw near. Or else would they not have ceased to be offered? Because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. So, when he came into the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body didst you prepared for me; In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you had no pleasure: Then said I, Lo, I am come (in the roll of the book it is written of me) To do your will, O God. He says, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you would not, neither had pleasure therein (which are
220

offered according to the law), then he said, Lo, I am come to do your will. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second. So, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all. And every priest stands daily, ministering and offering, often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; waiting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for he has said: This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, said the Lord: I will put my laws on their heart, and upon their mind also will I write them. Then he said, And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Where there is remission, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having a great priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and having our body washed with pure water, let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised: and let us consider one another to provoke to love and good works; not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the day drawing near. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. A man that has defied Moses law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: of how much worse punishment do you think he be judged worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him that said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will repay. And again, The Lord will judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings; partly, being made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used. For you had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of
221

you possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one. Cast not away your boldness, which has great recompense of reward. For you have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. For yet a very little while, he that comes will come, and will not tarry. But my righteous one will live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of them that shrink back to perdition; but of them that have faith to the saving of the soul. ******* Faith is essence of things hoped for; proof of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which appear. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had obtained testimony that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it, he being dead yet speaks. By faith Enoch was transferred that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God transferred him: for he had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing to God: And without faith it is impossible to pleasing to him; for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him. By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised: so also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they
222

were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things make it clear that they are seeking after a country of their own. And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he has prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: So, he that had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; even he to whom it was said, In Isaac will your seed be called, concluding that God was able to raise up the dead; from whence he also - in a figure received him back. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the kings commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter; choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked to the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been surrounded for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perished with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace. And what will I say more? for time would fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. Women received their
223

dead restored to life. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of mocking and scourging, and bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. And all of these, having obtained a good report through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore let us, seeing that we are accompanied with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that has endured such contradiction of sinners, that you do not grow weary, fainting in your souls. You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin: and you have forgotten the exhortation which God address to you as sons: My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved of him; for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If you endure chastening then God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not chasten? If you are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: will we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields, to all exercised by it, the peaceable fruit of righteousness. So lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but is rather healed. Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord: looking carefully lest there be any man that falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled; lest there be any fornication, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright. For you know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind in his father, though he sought it diligently with tears.
224

For you have not come to a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard begged that no word more should be spoken to them; for they could not endure that which was commanded. So fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake. But you are come to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable armies of angels, to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel. See that you refuse not him that speaks. For if they did not escape when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more will we not escape who turn away from him that warns us from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but also the heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. So, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe: for our God is a consuming fire. ******* Let brotherly love continue, and do not forget to show love to strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are ill-treated, as being yourselves also in the body. Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Be free from the love of money; be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will in no wise fail you, neither will I in any wise forsake you. So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What will man do to me? Remember your leaders, men that have spoken to you the word of God; consider their life, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be established by grace; not by meats, wherein they that occupied themselves were not profited. We have an altar, where that serve the tabernacle they have no right to eat. For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned without the camp.
225

So, Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Let us therefore go out to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here we have no abiding city, but we seek the city which is to come. Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name. ******* But do not forget to do good and to communicate: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey your leaders and be submissive: for they watch on behalf of your souls, as they that will give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things. And I exhort you the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. But I exhort you, brothers, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. Know you that our brother Timothy has been set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen.

226

Peter to the Dispersion, #1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith to a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in many trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perishes though it is proved by fire, may be found to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: whom not having seen you love; on whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come to you: searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them pointed to, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them. To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced to you through them that preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into. So gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: but like as he who called you is holy, be you yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, You will be holy; for I am holy. And if you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each mans work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ: who was known before the foundation of the world, but was showed at the end of times for your sake, who through him are believers in God,
227

that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth to unfeigned love of the brothers, love one another from the heart fervently: having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and abides. For, All flesh is as grass, and all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls: But the word of the Lord abides for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached to you. ******* Putting away all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the spiritual milk which is without guile, that you may grow thereby to salvation; if you have tasted that the Lord is gracious: to whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect and precious. You also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Because it is contained in scripture: Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believes on him will not be put to shame. For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner. And, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. For they stumble at the word, being disobedient: to which they were appointed. But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for Gods own possession, that you may show the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beseech you as stranger and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul; having your behavior proper among the Gentiles; that, when they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation. Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake: whether to the king, as supreme; or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. For so is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
228

Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the crooked. It is acceptable, if, for conscience toward God, a man endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if you bear patiently bear a beating because of your sin? But if you suffer for doing well, and take this patiently, this is acceptable with God. For you were called to this: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously: who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died to sin, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were going astray like sheep; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. ******* In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives; beholding your chaste behavior coupled with fear. Let not your adorning be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner aforetime the holy women, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror. You husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered. Finally, be all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, humble-minded: not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for you were called to this, that you should inherit a blessing. For, He that would love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: And let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears to their supplication: But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if you be zealous for that which is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; but sanctify Christ in your hearts as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that
229

asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, when you are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God should be, that you suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison, that earlier were disobedient, when the endurance of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water: which also after a true likeness does now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the demand of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him. ******* Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm you yourselves also with the same mind; for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; that you no longer should live the rest of your time in flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past were enough to have worked the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, drunkenness, reveling, carousing, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that you run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: who will give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is near: be you therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covers a multitude of sins: using hospitality one to another without murmuring: according as each has received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; if any man speaks, speaking as it were oracles of God; is any man ministers, ministering as of the strength which God supplies: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. ******* Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened to you: but as you are partakers of Christs sufferings, rejoice; that at the
230

revelation of his glory also you may rejoice with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God rest upon you. For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other mens matters: but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what will be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear? So let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing to a faithful Creator. ******* The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for base gain, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd will appear, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise, you younger, be subject to the elder. All of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you. Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour, withstand him firmly in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brothers who are in the world. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after that you have suffered a little while, will himself perfect, establish, and strengthen you. To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. ******* By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I account him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand you fast therein. She that is in Babylon, elect together with you, salutes you; and so does Mark my son. Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all that are in Christ.

231

Peter to the Dispersion, #2

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and the savior Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; whereby he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust. ******* With all diligence, add virtue to your faith; and to virtue, add knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if these things abound in you, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. So, brothers, give the diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you will never stumble, and an abundant entrance will be supplied to you, into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I will be ready always to put you in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and are established in the truth which is with you. ******* And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to put you in remembrance; knowing that I will soon put off my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified to me. So, I will give continual diligence that you may be able, after my death, to call these things to remembrance. We did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was brought such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. We ourselves heard this voice out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount. And we have a more certain word of prophecy, and you do well to observe it, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. *******
232

Know this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit. But there arose false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers among, who will privately bring in destructive party choices, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. Many will follow their destructive ways; and because of these, the Way of truth will be evil spoken of. And in covetousness they will, with fraudulent words, turn you into merchandise: whose punishment does not linger, and their destruction does not slumber. For if God spared not angels when they sinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved to judgment; and spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, having made them an example to those that should live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was distressed by the evil life of the wicked. For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, tormented his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds. The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment to the day of judgment, but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to speak evil to dignities: whereas angels, though greater in might and power, bring not a railing judgment against them before the Lord. But these are as creatures without reason, mere animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters that they do not understand, and will surely be destroyed; men that count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, luxuriating in their deceits while they feast with you; having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; enticing unstable souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of cursing; forsaking the right way, going astray and following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrong-doing; but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spoke with mans voice and restrained the madness of the prophet. These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved. When they utter great swelling words of vanity, they entice through the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness. But those who are clean escape from those who live in error. And while they promise liberty, they themselves are slaves to corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also
233

brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is worse with them than the first. For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog turns to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to wallowing in the mire. ******* This is now the second epistle that I write to you, beloved; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance; that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of the Lord and savior through your apostles: Knowing this first, that in the last days, mockers will come, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? From the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willfully forget, that the heavens were created of old, and an earth in and out of water, by the word of God; by which the world that then was perished, being overflowed with water: but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count it; but is long-suffering toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Seeing that all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy living and godliness? Look for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God, when the heavens, being on fire, will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. But, according to his promise, we also look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent that you may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight. And account that the endurance of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, speaking of these things. In his letters are some things
234

which are difficult to understand, which the ignorant and variable twist, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own firmness. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.

235

General Letter of John

That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, which we saw, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life. And the life was shown, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was shown to us. That which we have seen and heard declare we to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us: And our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: and these things we write, that our joy may be made full. And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. ******* My little children, these things write I to you that you may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that says, I know him, and does not keep not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps his word, in him truly has the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: he that said he abides in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. Beloved, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which you heard. Again, a new commandment write I to you,
236

which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines. He that says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now. He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and knows not where he goes, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I write to you, my little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his names sake. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, little children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love not the world, nor the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever. ******* Little children, it is the last hour: and as you heard that antichrist comes, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that it might be clear that they are not of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all the things. I have not written to you because you know not the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he that denies that Jesus is Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father: he that confesses the Son has the Father also. As for you, let that which you heard from the beginning remain in you. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will abide in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. These things have I written to you concerning them that would lead you astray. As for you, the anointing which you received of him abides in you, and you need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teaches you
237

concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you abide in him. And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he will be revealed, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that every one also that does righteousness is born of him. ******* Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God. For this cause the world does not know us, because it didnt know him. Beloved, we are now children of God, but what we will be is not yet seen. But we know that, if he will be manifested, we will be like him; for we will see him even as he is. And every one that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. Every one that does sin does also lawlessness; for sin is lawlessness. And you know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin. Whoever abides in him does not sin: whoever sins has not seen him, neither knows him. My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous: he that does sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever is begotten of God does no sin, because his seed abides in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God. In this the children of God are show, and the children of the devil: whoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that does not love his brother. For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another: not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, and his brothers righteous. Marvel not, brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He that does not love abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But whoever has the worlds goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his compassion from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth. Hereby will we know that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before him: because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; and whatever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment. And he that keeps his
238

commandments abides in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he gave us. ******* Beloved, believe not every spirit, but examine the spirits, to learn whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. By this you will know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that does not confess that does not confess Jesus having come in the flesh is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard will comes; and it is in the world already. You are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that does not loves does not know God; for God is love. Herein was the love of God showed in us, that God has sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No man has seen God at any time, but if we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us: hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and bear witness that the Father sent the Son to be the savior of the world. Whoever will confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we know and have believed the love which God has in us. God is love; and he that abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love: but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment; and he that fears is not made perfect in love. We love, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God, whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God love his brother also. *******
239

Whoever believes that Jesus is Christ is begotten of God: and whoever loves him that begat also loves him that is begotten of him. Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. And who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for the witness of God is this, that he has borne witness concerning his Son. He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in him: he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he has not believed in the witness that God has borne concerning his Son. And the witness is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that has the Son has the life; he that has not the Son of God has not the life. I have written these things to you, that you may know that you have eternal life, even to you that believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us: and if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him. If any man see his brother sinning a sin not to death, he will ask, and God will give him life for them that sin not to death. There is a sin to death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not to death. We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he that was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him not. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one. And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. My little children, guard yourselves from idols.

240

241

Paul to the Galatians

Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), and all the brothers that are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might save us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father: to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. ******* I marvel that you are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel; which is not another gospel, but there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any gospel other than that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preaches to you any gospel other than that which you received, let him be accursed. Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Am I striving to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. For I make known to you, brothers, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. You have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and made havoc of it: and I advanced in the Jews religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mothers womb, and called me through his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither did I go to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles, save James the Lords brother. Now touching the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not. Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ: but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preaches the faith of which he once laid waste; and they glorified God in me.
242

Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. And there were false brothers, secretly brought in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. But from those who were reputed to be something (whatever they were, it makes no matter to me: God accepts no mans person) imparted nothing to me: but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the gospel of the circumcision (for he that wrought for Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for me also to the Gentiles); and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Peter and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision; only they would that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do. But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. Before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; so that even Barnabas was carried away with them. When I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all: If you, being a Jew, live as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as Jews? We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ; we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law will no flesh be justified. But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
243

******* O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set out crucified? This only would I learn from you: Did you received the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now perfected in the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain? (If it is indeed in vain.) He therefore that supplies to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, In you will all the nations be blessed. So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continues not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous will live by faith. The law is not of faith; but, He that does them will live in them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree, that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brothers, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a mans covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it. Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He said not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to your seed, which is Christ. Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, does not disannul, so as to make the promise of no effect. If the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God has granted it to Abraham by promise. What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise has been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, truly righteousness would have been of the law. But the scriptures shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed. So that the law is become our
244

tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now faith that is come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for you all are one man in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christs, then are you Abrahams seed, heirs according to promise. ******* But as long as the heir is a child, he differs nothing from a servant, even though he is lord of all; but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So you are no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God. But at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods: but now that you have known God, or rather are known by God, how do you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elements, that you desire to be in bondage over again? You observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain. I beseech you, brothers, become as I am, for I also am become as you are. You did me no wrong: but you know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel to you the first time: and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh you despised not, nor rejected; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where then is the blessedness you spoke of? For I bear testify for you, that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. So then am I become your enemy by telling you the truth? They zealously affect you in no good way. They desire to shut you out, so that you will seek them. It is always good to be zealous in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you, I wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I am perplexed about you. Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. The son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise. Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and compares to the Jerusalem that
245

is now: for she is in bondage with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. For it is written, Rejoice, you barren that bore not; Break out and cry, you who did not travail: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that has the husband. We, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But now, as then, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit. But what did the scripture say? Cast out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the freewoman. Therefore, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman. Stand fast therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say to you, that, if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. I testify again to every man that receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. You are severed from Christ, whoever wishes to be justified by the law; you are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. In Christ Jesus neither circumcision is of any use nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love. You were running well; who hindered you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion came not of him that calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence toward you in the Lord, that you will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubles you will bear his judgment, whomever he be. But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I would that they that unsettle you would cut themselves off. For you, brothers, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You will love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you are not consumed one of another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that you may not do the things that you would. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envying, drunkenness, revelling, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no
246

law. And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not desire vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. ******* Brothers, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself, lest you also be tempted. Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each man prove his own work, and then will he have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor. For each man will bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teaches in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man plants, that will he also reap. For he that sows to his own flesh will of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we will reap, if we faint not. So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith. ******* See with how large letters I write to you with my own hand. As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For they who receive circumcision do not keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as will walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From now on, let no man trouble me; for I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

247

Paul to the Ephesians

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: having foreordained us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, making known to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed, that in the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say, in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will; to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of Gods own possession, to the praise of his glory. ******* For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you show toward all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the assembly, which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.
248

And he made you alive, when you were dead through your trespasses and sins, wherein you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have you been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: for by grace have you been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God foreordained, that we should walk in them. Therefore remember, that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; That you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now, in Christ Jesus, you that once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in his flesh the opposition, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create of the two, one new man in himself, so making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having slain the opposition thereby: and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were near: for through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no more strangers and sojourners, but you are fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; in whom each building, fitly framed together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. ******* For this cause I Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles; if so be that you have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me toward you; how that by revelation the secret was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words (whereby, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the secret of Christ; which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it
249

has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit), that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. To me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the secret which for ages has been hid in God who created all things; to the intent that now to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known, through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. Therefore I ask that you may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever. Amen. ******* I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of your calling, with all lowliness and meekness, with endurance, forbearing one another in love; giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore he said, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men. (Now this: He ascended. What is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of ministering, to the building up of the body of Christ: till we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of
250

the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ; from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in due measure of each separate part, makes the increase of the body to the building up of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you did not so learn Christ; if so be that you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: that you put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, that after God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. So, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him that has need. Let no corrupt speech come out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed to the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: and be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. ******* Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becomes saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks. Know this surely, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and
251

of God. Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. Be not partakers with them; For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), proving what is well-pleasing to the Lord; and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; for it is a shame even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things, when they are reproved, are shown by the light: for everything that shows is light. Therefore he said, Awake, you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon you. Watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Be not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the assembly, being the savior of the body. But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the assembly to himself a glorious assembly, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loves his own wife loves himself: for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ also the assembly; because we are members of his body. For this cause will a man leave his father and mother, and will cleave to his wife; and the two will become one flesh. This secret is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the assembly. Nevertheless let love each one his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she reveres her husband. ******* Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. And, you fathers, do not provoke your children: but nurture them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.
252

Servants, be obedient to them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ; not in the way of eyes-service, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatever good thing each one does, the same will he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, you masters, do the same things to them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him. Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the accuser. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, and on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the secret of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. ******* But that you also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make known to you all things: whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ with an incorruptible love.

253

Paul to the Philippians

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the overseers and servers: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, always in every supplication on behalf of you all, making my supplication with joy, for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and void of offence to the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. ******* Now I would have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have ended in the progress of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are known throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest; and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one do it of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel; but the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds. In every way, then, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, and will rejoice. For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing will I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if to live in the flesh, this is the fruit from of work. But which I should choose, I do not know. For I am in a strait between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better: yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake. And having this confidence, I know that I will remain and
254

abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith; that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again. Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing being frightened by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God; because to you it has been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf: having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me. ******* If there is any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions, make full my joy, that you be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, did not think it robbery to be equal with God, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. And being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even to death, even to the death of the cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ******* So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and questionings: that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, holding out the word of life; that I may have reason to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain. And if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all: and in the same manner do you also joy, and rejoice with me.
255

But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care truly for your state. For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send without delay, as soon as I will see how it will go with me: but I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly. I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need; since he longed after you all, and was troubled, because you had heard that he was sick: for indeed he was sick, near death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. I have therefore sent him the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy; and hold such in honor: because for the work of Christ he came near to death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me. ******* Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision: for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh: though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks to have confidence in the flesh, I more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; as touching zeal, persecuting the assembly; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ, and I count all things to be loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death; if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold upon by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I could not myself yet to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching
256

forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything you are otherwise minded, this also will God reveal to you: only, what have attained, let us walk by that same rule. Brothers, be imitators together of me, and mark them that walk as we have. For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is perdition, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who will transform our base body, that it may be conformed to his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things to himself. ******* Therefore, my brothers beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand fast in the Lord, my beloved. I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. I beseech you also, true co-workers, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all men. The Lord is near. In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. The things which you both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace will be with you. But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; wherein you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therein to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. I can do all things in him that strengthens me. Nevertheless, you did well that you had fellowship with my affliction. And you yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly had
257

fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only; for even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. Not that I seek for a gift; but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, and odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers that are with me salute you. All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Caesars household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

258

259

Paul to the Colossians

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ that are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints, because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which is come to you; even as it is also in all the world, bearing fruit and increasing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to walk worthily of the Lord to all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, to all patience and endurance with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and to him; and he is before all things, and in him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the assembly: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fullness dwell; and through him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross. Through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens. And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind by evil works, yet now has he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and without reproof before him: if so be that you continue in the faith, grounded and firm, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his bodys sake,
260

which is the assembly; whereof I was made a minister, according to the distribution of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God, even the secret which has been hid for ages and generations: but now has it been showed to his saints, to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this secret among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; for which I labor also, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily. ******* I want you to know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the secret of God, even Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the firmness of your faith in Christ. As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him, and established in your faith, even as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Take care lest there will be any one that makes spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ: for in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power: in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with him in baptism, wherein you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses; having blotted out the document of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day: which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christs. Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has seen,
261

vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increasing with the increase of God. If you died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, Handle not, nor taste, nor touch (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men? These things have a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh. If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For you died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, will be revealed, then you will also be revealed in glory. Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things sake comes the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: as you also once walked, when you lived in these things; but now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: do not lie one to another; seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, that is being renewed to knowledge after the image of him that created him: where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as Gods elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, endurance; forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you: and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfections. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged. Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as to the Lord, and not
262

to men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the recompense of the inheritance: you serve the Lord Christ. For he that does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, render to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Continue in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; and praying for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the secret of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; that I may make it show, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. ******* Tychicus will explain all my affairs to you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord: whom I have sent you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts; together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things that are done here. Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom you received commandments; if he come to you, receive him), and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers to the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness, that he has much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you. Salute the brothers that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in their house. And when this epistle has been read among you, cause that it be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it. The salutation of me Paul with my own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.

263

Paul to the Romans

Paul, a servant of Jesus the messiah, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God, which he promised through his prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus the messiah, our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship, to obedience of faith among all the nations, for his names sake; among whom are you also called to be Jesus Christs: ******* To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established; that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the others faith, both yours and mine. And I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that oftentimes I planned to come to you (and was hindered), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles. I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from, faith to faith: as it is written, But the righteous will live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; because that which is known of God is show in them; for God showed it to them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping
264

things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up to vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working shamefully, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due. And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful: who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them. ******* So you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are that judges: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that do such things. And do you think, O man, who judges them that practice such things, and does the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But after your hardness and impenitent heart treasure up for yourself wrath, in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his works: to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: but to them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that works evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; but glory and honor and peace to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek: for there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law; for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law will be justified: For when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are the law to themselves; in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience
265

bearing witness, and their thoughts accusing or else excusing them; in the day when God will judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ. ******* But if you bear the name of a Jew, and rest upon the law, and glory in God, and know his will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth. You therefore that teach another, dont you teach yourself? You that preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You that say a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who glories in the law, through your transgression of the law do you dishonor you God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, even as it is written. For circumcision indeed profits, if you do the law: but if you be a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. And if the uncircumcision keeps the ordinances of the law, will not his uncircumcision be accounted circumcision? And will not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. ******* What advantage then has the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision? Much every way: first of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith make the faithfulness of God of no effect? God forbid: Let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment. But if our righteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who visits with wrath? (I speak after the manner of men.) God forbid: for then how will God judge the world? But if the truth of God, through my lie, abounds to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? And why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? Whose condemnation is just.
266

What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin; as it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none that understands, There is none that seeks after God; They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that does good, no, not, so much as one: Their throat is an open sepulcher; With their tongues they have used deceit: The poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God: because by the works of the law will no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. But now, apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been shown, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all them that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. We are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set out to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God. For the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that has faith in Jesus. Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? Of works? No: but by a law of faith. We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also: if so be that God is one, and he will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: We establish the law. ******* What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has a reason to glory; but not toward God. But what did the scripture say? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. Now to him that works, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also pronounces blessing upon the man, to whom God counts righteousness
267

apart from works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom, the Lord will not reckon sin. Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness. How then was it reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision: and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned to them; and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision. For the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, was not through the law was but through the righteousness of faith. For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect: for the law works wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression. For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made you) before him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were. Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So will your seed be. And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarahs womb; yet, looking to the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but became strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Therefore it was counted to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was counted to him; but for our sake also, to whom it will be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification. ******* Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
268

And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation works endurance; and endurance, experience; and experience, hope: and hope puts not to shame; because the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given to us. For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly. Scarcely for a righteous man would one die: perhaps for a good man some one would even dare to die. But God commends his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, will we be saved from the wrath of God through him. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, will we be saved by his life; and not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, for that all sinned: for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adams transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come. But not as the trespass, so is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. And not as through one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment came of one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification. For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more will they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ. So then, as through one trespass the judgment came to all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came to all men to justification of life. For as through the one mans disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one will many be made righteous. And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ******* What will we say then? Will we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. We who died to sin, how will we any longer live therein?
269

Or are you ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will be also in the likeness of his resurrection; knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; for he that has died is freed from sin. But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death no more has dominion over him. For the death that he died, he died to sin once: but the life that he lives, he lives to God. Even so judge yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, dont let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey the lusts thereof: neither present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin will not have dominion over you: for you are not under law, but under grace. What then? Will we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid. Know you not, that to whom you present yourselves as servants in obedience, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were servants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching that was delivered to you; and being made free from sin, you became servants of righteousness. (I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh.) For as you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity, resulting in iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. For when you were servants of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit then had you at that time in the things whereof you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, you have your fruit to sanctification, and in the end eternal life. For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ******* Or are you ignorant, brothers (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man for so long time as he lives? For the woman that has a husband is bound by law to the husband while he
270

lives; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband. So then if, while the husband lives, she be joined to another man, she will be called an adulteress: but if the husband die, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she be joined to another man. Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that you should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, worked in our members to bring out fruit to death. But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter. What will we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, You will not covet. But sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the law sin is dead. And I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; and the commandment, which was to life, this I found to be to death: for sin, finding occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me. So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. Did then that which is good become death to me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do, I know not: for not what I would, that do I practice; but what I hate, that I do. But if what I would not, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good. So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not. For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practice. But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death? I thank God
271

through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. ******* There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: because the mind of the flesh is opposed to God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: for if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if you put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you received not the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself bear witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, that is, the redemption of our body.
272

For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopes for that which he sees? But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. And in like manner the Spirit also helps our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered; and he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers: and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What then will we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things? Who will lay anything to the charge of Gods elect? It is God that justifies; who is he that condemns? It is Christ Jesus that died, rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ******* I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: neither, because they are Abrahams seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac will your seed be called. That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children
273

of the promise are reckoned for a seed. For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah will have a son. And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac-- for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calls, it was said to her, The elder will serve the younger. Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. What will we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that has mercy. For the scripture said to Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise you up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth. So then he has mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardens. You will say then to me, Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will? No, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why did you make me this way? Or has not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel to honor, and another to dishonor? What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared to glory, even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles? As he said also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; and her beloved, that was not beloved. And it will be, that in the place where it was said to them, You are not my people, there will they be called sons of the living God. And Isaiah cries concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved: for the Lord will execute his word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short. And, as Isaiah has said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had become as Sodom, and had been made like to Gomorrah. What will we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith: but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; even as it is written, Behold, I lay in
274

Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: And he that believes on him will not be put to shame. ******* Brothers, my hearts desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Being ignorant of Gods righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law to righteousness to every one that believes. For Moses writes that the man that does the righteousness which is of the law will live thereby. But the righteousness which is of faith said this: Say not in your heart, Who will ascend into heaven? (That is, to bring Christ down:) Or, Who will descend into the abyss? (That is, to bring Christ up from the dead.) But what did it say? The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart. That is, the word of faith, which we preach: because if you will confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and will believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved: for with the heart man believes to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. The scripture says, Whoever believes on him will not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all that call upon him: for, Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. But how will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach, except they be sent? Even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things! But they did not all listen to the glad tidings. For Isaiah said, Lord, who has believed our report? So, belief comes of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. But I say, Did they not hear? Yes, truly: Their sound went out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. But I say, Did Israel not know? First Moses said, I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, with a nation void of understanding will I anger you. And Isaiah is very bold, and says: I was found of them that sought me not; I became show to them that asked not of me. But as to Israel he said, All the day long did I spread out my hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people. *******
275

I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know you not what the scripture said of Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel: Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have dug down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what was the answer of God to him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. What then? What Israel seeks for, he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened: according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day. And David said, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompense to them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow you down their back always. I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy. Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness? But I speak to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I glorify my ministry; if by any means I may provoke to jealousy them that are my flesh, and may save some of them. For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world, what will the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? And if the first-fruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; glory not over the branches: but if you glory, it is not you that bears the root, but the root bears you. You will say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Yes, by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward you, Gods goodness, if you continue in his goodness: otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, will be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

276

For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, brothers, have you ignorant of this secret, lest you be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part has befallen Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in; and so all Israel will be saved: even as it is written, There will come out of Zion the Deliverer; He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob: And this is my covenant to them, when I will take away their sins. As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers sake. For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of. For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy. For God has shut up all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to him, and it will be recompensed to him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen. ******* I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, and you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to each man a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and separately members one of another. And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teaches, to his teaching; or he that exhorts, to his exhorting: he that gives, let him do it with liberality; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectioned one to
277

another; in honor preferring one another; in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer; communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lies in you, be at peace with all men. Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will recompense, says the Lord. But if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing you will heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. ******* Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. Therefore he that resists the power, withstands the ordinance of God: and they that withstand will receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And would you have no fear of the power? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same: for he is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that does evil. Therefore you must be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause you pay tribute also; for they are ministers of Gods service, attending continually upon this very thing. Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, You will not commit adultery, You will not kill, You will not steal, You will not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, You will love your neighbor as yourself. Love works no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. The night is far spent, and the day is near: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk
278

becomingly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. ******* He that is weak in faith, receive, yet not for divisive dialogs. One man has faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eats herbs. Let not him that eats set at naught him that eats not; and let not him that eats not judge him that eats: for God has received him. Who are you that judge the servant of another? to his own lord he stands or falls. He will be made to stand; for the Lord has power to make him stand. One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. He that regards the day, regards it to the Lord: and he that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. For whether we live, we live to the Lord; or whether we die, we die to the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lords. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you set at naught your brother? For we will all stand before the judgmentseat of God. For it is written, As I live, said the Lord, to me every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess to God. So then each one of us will give account of himself to God. Let us not judge one another any more: but judge you this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brothers way, or an occasion of falling. I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounts anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. If because of meat your brother is grieved, you no longer walk in love. Destroy not with your meat him for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he that herein serves Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men. So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. Do not overthrow, for meats sake, the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eats with offence. It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have you to yourself before God. Happy is he that judges not himself in that which he approves. But he that doubts is condemned if he eat, because he eats not of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin. *******
279

We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to edifying. For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached you fell upon me. For whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive you one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God. For I say that Christ has been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written: Therefore will I give praise to you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name. And again he said, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; and let all the peoples praise him. And again, Isaiah said, There will be the root of Jesse, and he that arises to rule over the Gentiles; On him will the Gentiles hope. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. But I write the more boldly to you in some measure, as putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace that was given me by God, that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. I have therefore my glorifying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God. For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even to Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ; making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another mans foundation; but, as it is written, They will see, to whom no tidings of him came, and they who have not heard will understand. Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you: but now, having no more any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you, whenever I go to Spain. (For I hope to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way there by
280

you, if first in some measure I will have been satisfied with your company.) But now, I go to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints. For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem. Yes, and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to minister to them in carnal things. When I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by you to Spain. And I know that, when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. Now I beseech you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judea, and that my ministration which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. ******* I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae: that you receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self. Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles: and salute the assembly that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia to Christ. Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you. Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me. Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbanus our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the household of Aristobulus. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord. Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers that are with them. Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them. Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the assemblies of Christ salute you. Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned:
281

and turn away from them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. For your obedience is come abroad to all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise to that which is good, and simple to that which is evil. And the God of peace will bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Timothy my fellow-worker salutes you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord. Gaius my host, and of the whole assembly, salutes you. Erastus the treasurer of the city salutes you, and Quareus the brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. ******* Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the secret which has been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is showed, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known to all the nations unto obedience of faith: to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.

282

Paul to the Corinthians, #1

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord and ours. ******* Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus; that in everything you were enriched in him, in all utterance and all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ; who will also confirm you to the end, that you be beyond reproof in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. ******* Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus, Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment. It has been signified to me concerning you, my brothers, by them that are of the household of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. By this I mean, that each one of you says, I am of Paul, and I am of Apollos, and I am of Cephas, and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, save Crispus and Gaius; lest any man should say that you were baptized in my name. (And I baptized also the household of Stephanas. Aside from those, I dont know if I baptized any others.) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void. For the word of the cross is, to those that perish, foolishness; but to us who are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning will I bring to naught. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hasnt God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For the world through its wisdom did not know not God. So it pleased God to save them who believe through the foolishness of the preaching.
283

The Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified; to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness. But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. Behold yourselves, brothers, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame those that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, God choose, and the things that are not, that he might bring to naught the things that are: so that no flesh should glory before God. But you are of God in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: that, as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord. ******* And I, brothers, when I came to you, came not with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. We speak wisdom, however, among them that are full grown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to naught: but we speak Gods wisdom in a secret, even the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds to our glory: which none of the rulers of this world has known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, and which entered not into the heart of man, whatever things God prepared for them that love him. But God revealed them to us through the Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the things of God no one knows, save the Spirit of God. But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God. Which things also we speak, not in words which mans wisdom teaches, but which the Spirit teaches; combining spiritual things with spiritual words.

284

Now the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. But he that is spiritual judges all things, and he himself is judged of no man. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. ******* And I, brothers, could not speak to you as spiritual, but as carnal, as babes in Christ. I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you were not yet able to bear it: nor are you able now; for you are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are you not carnal, and do you not walk after the manner of men? For when one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Ministers through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him. I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase. Now he that plants and he that waters are one: but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are Gods fellow-workers: you are Gods husbandry, Gods building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation; and another builds thereon. But let each man take heed how he builds. For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if any man builds on this foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; each mans work will be made show: for the day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will prove each mans work, of what sort it is. If any mans work will abide which he built thereon, he will receive a reward. If any mans work will be burned, he will suffer loss: but he himself will be saved; yet so as through fire. Dont you know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroy the temple of God, him will God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are you. Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that takes the wise in their craftiness, and again, The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise that it is vain. Therefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and you are Christs; and Christ is Gods.
285

******* Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Here, also, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of mans judgment: I judge not my own self. For I know nothing myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and show the counsels of the hearts; and then will each man have his praise from God. Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us you might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other. For who makes you to differ? And what have you that you didnt receive? But if you received it, why do you glory as if you had not received it? Already are you filled, already you are become rich, you have come to reign without us: I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think God has set out us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. We are fools for Christs sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you have glory, but we have dishonor. Even to this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now. I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel. I beseech you therefore, be you imitators of me. For this cause have I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly. Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of them that are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? ******* It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one of you has his
286

fathers wife. And you are puffed up, and did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I truly, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him that has so wrought this thing, as though I were present; In the name of our Lord Jesus, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Dont you know you that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For our Passover also has been sacrificed, even Christ: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators; not with all the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters - for then you would have to go out of the world: but as it is, I wrote to you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortionist; with such a one no, not to eat. For what have I to do with judging them without? Do not you judge them that are within? But them that are without God judges. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves. ******* Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Or know you not that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know you not that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly? I say this to move you to shame. What, cannot there be found among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brothers, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? Already it is altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you do wrong, and defraud, and that your brothers. Or know you not that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but you were
287

washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God will bring to naught both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body: and God both raised the Lord, and will raise up as through his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Will I then take away the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid. Do you know you that he that is joined to a harlot is one body? The twain, said he, will become one flesh. But he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body. Or know you not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? And you are not your own; for you were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body. ******* Now concerning the things whereof you wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to the wife her due: and likewise also the wife to the husband. The wife has not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband has not power over his own body, but the wife. Deprive not the other, except it be by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to prayer, and come together again, that Satan doesnt tempt you because of your incontinency. But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man has his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that. But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they have not continence, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. But to the married I give charge, yet not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband (but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife. But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. And the woman that has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband. For the unbelieving husband is
288

sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. Yet if the unbelieving departs, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us in peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the assemblies. Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called. Were you called being a bondservant? Care not for it: but if you canst become free, use it rather. For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lords freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christs bondservant. You were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men. Brothers, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God. Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy. I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she has not sinned. Yet such will have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you. But this I say, brothers, the time is shortened, that from now on both those that have wives may be as though they had none; and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not; and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passes away. But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction. But if any man thinks that he behaves himself badly toward his virgin, if she be past the flower of her age, and if necessary, let him do what he
289

will; he does not sin; let them marry. But he that stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power as touching in his own heart, to keep his own virgin, will do well. So then both he that gives his own virgin in marriage does well; and he that gives her not in marriage will do better. A wife is bound for so long time as her husband lives; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God. ******* Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds. If any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows not yet as he ought to know; but if any man loves God, the same is known by him. Concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many; yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we to him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him. Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. But take heed that this liberty of yours does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if a man see you who have knowledge sitting at meat in an idols temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he that is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh forever more, that I cause not my brother to stumble. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. My defense to them that examine me is this: Have we no right to eat and to drink? Have we no right to lead about a wife or sister, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working? What soldier ever serves at his own charges? who plants a vineyard, and does not eat the fruit thereof? Or who feeds a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock?

290

Do I speak these things after the manner of men? Or does the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, You will not muzzle the ox when he treads out the corn. Does God care for oxen, or did he say this for our sake? For our sake it was written: because he that plows ought to plow in hope, and he that threshes, to thresh in hope of partaking. If we sowed to you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we will reap your carnal things? If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. Do you know that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar? Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorifying void. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is to me, if I preach not the gospel. For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward: but if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel. For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. And I do all things for the gospels sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof. Know you not that they that run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? Even so run; that you may attain. And every man that competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore run, as not uncertainly; so I fight, as not beating the air: but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. ******* I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized to Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual food; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock
291

that followed them: and the rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day twenty three thousand. Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. Neither murmur, as some of them murmured, and perished. Now these things happened to them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come. Therefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ******* You will face no temptation but that which is common to men: God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ? Seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we are all partake of the one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: do not those who eat the sacrifices communion also serve at the altar? What do say I then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? I say this, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that you should have communion with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: you cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? All things are lawful; but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful; but not all things build up. Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbors good. Whatever is sold in the market, eat, asking no question for conscience sake, for the earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof. If one of them that believe not invites you to a feast, and you are disposed to go; whatever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say to you, This has been offered in sacrifice, dont eat, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: conscience, I say, not own, but the others; for why would my liberty judged by another
292

conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of? So, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no occasions of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God: even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved. Be you imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ. ******* Now I praise you that you remember me in all things, and hold firmly to the traditions, as I gave them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven. For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame to a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled. For a man indeed ought not to have his head veiled, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man: for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man: for this cause ought the woman to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, neither is the woman without the man, nor the man without the woman, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, so is the man also by the woman; but all things are of God. Judge yourselves: is it proper that a woman pray to God unveiled? Does not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do the assemblies of God. ******* But in giving you this charge, I praise you not, that you come together not for the better, but for the worse. First of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be shown among you. When you assemble yourselves together, it is not possible to eat the Lords supper: for in your eating each one takes beforehand his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken. Have you not houses
293

to eat and to drink in? Do you despise the assembly of God, and put them to shame that have not? What will I say to you? Will I praise you? In this I praise you not. I received of the Lord that which also I gave to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me. In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. As often as you eat this bread, and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lords death till he come. Whoever will eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. For he that eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he discern not the body. For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. But if we analyzed ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait one for another. If any man is hungry, let him eat at home; that your coming together be not to judgment. And the rest will I set in order when I come. ******* Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I would not have you ignorant. You know that when you were Gentiles you were led away to those dumb idols, however you might be led. So I make known to you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God said, Jesus is cursed; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit all. To one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another recognition of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these works the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one separately as he wishes. For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.
294

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot will say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. And if the ear will say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where is the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where is the smelling? But now has God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him. And if they were all one member, where is the body? But now they are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness; whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked; that there should be no separation in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof. And God has set some in the assembly, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way: If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long, and is kind; love does not envy not; love does not vaunt itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not provoked, takes not account of evil; rejoices not in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there be prophecies, they will be done away; if there be tongues, they will cease; if there be knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then will I know fully even as I am known.
295

Now abides faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. ******* Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy. For he that speaks in a tongue speaks not to men, but to God; for no man understands; but in the spirit he speaks secrets. But he that prophesies speaks edification, and exhortation, and consolation to men. He that speaks in a tongue builds himself; but he that prophesies builds the assembly. Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that you should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the assembly may receive edifying. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what will I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinct sound, how will it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who will prepare himself for war? So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how will it be known what is spoken? for you will be speaking into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no kind is without signification. If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I will be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks will be a barbarian to me. So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the edifying of the assembly. Let him that speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else if you bless with the spirit, how will he that that is unlearned say the Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesnt know what you say? For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank God I speak with tongues more than you all: howbeit in the assembly I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, be not children in your minds: In malice be you babes, but in your minds, be men. In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak to this people; and not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord. So tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe. If therefore the whole assembly be assembled together
296

and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned men or unbelieving, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all; the secrets of his heart are made show; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed. Why is it brothers, that when you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation? Let all things be done for building. If any man speaks in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the assembly; and let him speak to himself, and to God. And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern. But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence. For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints, let the women keep silence in the assemblies: for it is not permitted to them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also said the law. And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the assembly. What? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it only come to you? If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, my brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. But let all things be done decently and in order. ******* Now I make known to you brothers, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, wherein also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, except you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which also I received: That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he has been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas (Peter); then to the twelve; then he appeared to above five hundred brothers at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep; then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the
297

assembly of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Whether then it be I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. Now if Christ is preached that he has been raised from the dead, how do some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised: and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is vain. And we are also found to be false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised. If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised: and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins. Also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. But now has Christ been raised from the dead, the first fruits of them that are asleep. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ will all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits; then they that are Christs, at his coming. Then comes the end, when he will deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he said, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who put all things to him. And when all things have been subjected to him, then will the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things to him, that God may be all in all. Else what will they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour? I protest by that glorifying in you, brothers, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If, after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame. But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what manner of body do they come? You foolish man, the seed you plant has no life until it dies: and when you plant, you dont plant the body that will be, but a bare grain, it may
298

chance of wheat, or of some other kind; but God gives it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fishes. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a secret: We all will not sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not vain in the Lord. ******* Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the assemblies of Galatia, so also do you. Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. And when I arrive, whomsoever you will approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty to Jerusalem: and if it be fitting for me to go also, they will go with me. But I
299

will come to you, when I will have passed through Macedonia; for I pass through Macedonia; but I may abide, or even winter with you, that you may set me forward on my journey wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you now by the way; for I hope to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost; for a great door and effectual is opened to me, and there are many adversaries. Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he works the work of the Lord, as I also do: let no man therefore despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me: for I expect him with the brothers. But as touching Apollos the brother, I begged him much to come to you with the brothers: and it was not all his will to come now; but he will come when he will have opportunity. Watch you, stand fast in the faith, stand like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now I beseech you, brothers (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such, and to every one that helps in the work and labors. And I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours: acknowledge you therefore them that are such. The assemblies of Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca salute you much in the Lord, with the assembly that is in their house. All the brothers salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss. ******* The salutation of me Paul with my own hand. If any man loves not the Lord, let him be ashamed at the Lords coming. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

300

Paul to the Corinthians, #2

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ. But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which works in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: and our hope for you is firm; knowing that, as you are partakers of the sufferings, so are you also of the comfort. For we would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning our affliction which befell us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life: we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead: who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us; you also helping together on our behalf by your prayers; that, for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf. For our glorifying is the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you. For we write no other things to you, than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end: as also you did acknowledge us in part, that we are your glorying, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus. And in this confidence I was minded to come first to you, that you might have a second benefit; and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and of you to be set forward on my journey to Judea. When I was thus minded, did I show fickleness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea and nay? But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea. For all the promises of God are Yea and Amen in him, to the glory of God through us.
301

Now he that establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. ******* I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I delayed coming to Corinth. (Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for you stand by faith.) But I determined this, that I would not come again to you with sorrow. For if I make you sorry, who then is he that makes me glad, but he that is made sorry by me? And I wrote this very thing, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. Out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have more abundantly to you. But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I press not too heavily) to you all. Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many; so that contrariwise you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow. Therefore I beseech you to confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things. But to whom you forgive anything, I forgive also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes have I forgiven it in the presence of Christ; that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices. ******* Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord, I had no relief for my spirit, because I didnt find Titus my brother: so, leaving them, I went out into Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and makes show through us the savor of his knowledge in every place. For we are a sweet savor of Christ to God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; to the one a savor from death to death; to the other a savor from life to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ. Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or need we, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you? You are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men; showing that you are an
302

epistle of Christ, written by us, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh. And we have such confidence through Christ toward God: not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. But if the ministration of death, written, and engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away: wont the ministration of the spirit be with glory? For if the ministration of condemnation has glory, much rather does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For that which was made glorious is not glorious, as compared to the glory that surpasses it. For if that which passes away had glory, much more that which remains has in glory. Having such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, and are not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look on the end of that which was passing away: but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ. But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies upon their heart. But when it will turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. ******* Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we do not faint: but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by showing the truth, commending ourselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus sake. It is God that shined light out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. And we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; for we are pressed on every side, yet not restrained;
303

perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be shown in our body. For we who live are always given to death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus may be showed in our mortal flesh. So then death works in us, but life in you. But, having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak, we also believe, and therefore also we speak; knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not faint; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works in us an exceedingly eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary; but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. In this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we will not be found naked. For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life. He that made us for this very thing is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a deposit. Being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (for we walk by faith, not by sight); we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. We also make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are known to God; and I hope that we are known in your consciences also. We are not again commending ourselves to you, but giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that you may have something to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is to you. For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge, that if one died for all, then all died; and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.
304

So, we no longer know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; that is: That God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging their trespasses to them, and committing to us the word of reconciliation. We are ambassadors of Christ on your behalf, as though God were entreating you by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. And working together with him we plead that you receive not the grace of God in vain, as he said, At an acceptable time I hearkened to you, and in a day of salvation did I save you. Now is the acceptable time;, now is the day of salvation. We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; but in everything commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting; in pureness, in knowledge, in endurance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. Our mouth is open to you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged. You are not restrained in us, but you are restrained in your own affections. In return (I speak as to my children), be also enlarged. Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? What communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? What portion has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has a temple of God with idols? For we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore Come you out from among them, and be you separate, says the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And you will be to me sons and daughters, said the Lord Almighty. *******

305

Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Open your hearts to us: we have wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man. I say it not to condemn you: for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction. For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side; without was fighting, within were fears. Nevertheless he that comforts the lowly, even God, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but also by him being comforted in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced yet more. For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it: though I did regret it (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season), I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance; for you were made sorry after a godly sort, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, a repentance which brings no regret: but the sorrow of the world works death. For you were made sorry after a godly sort. What serious care it worked in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging! In everything you approved yourselves to be pure in the matter. So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made show to you in the sight of God. Therefore we have been comforted: And in our comfort we rejoiced more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. For if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth. And his affection is more abundant toward you, while he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you. ******* Also, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia; how that in much affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity. For according to their power, I bear witness, and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, beseeching us in regard to this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:
306

and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. We exhorted Titus, who made a start before, to complete in you this grace also. But as you abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also. I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich. And herein I give my judgment: for this is profitable for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will. But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man has, not according as he has not. I do not say this that others may be eased and you distressed; but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this time for their necessity, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality: as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack. But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. For he accepted our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord. And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the assemblies; and not only so, but who was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness: Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us: for we take care to do things honorably, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you. Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker toward you, or our brothers, they are the messengers of the assemblies, they are the glory of Christ. Show them in the face of the assemblies the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf. ******* For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past; and your zeal has stirred up very many of them. But I have sent the brothers, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, you may be prepared: lest by any means, if there
307

come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, you) should be put to shame in this confidence. I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers, that they would go before to you, and make up beforehand your promised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion. But this I say, He that plants sparingly will reap also sparingly; and he that plants bountifully will reap also bountifully. Let each man do according as he has purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you; that you, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work: as it is written, He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor; His righteousness abides for ever. And he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God. For the ministration of this service not only fills the wants of the saints, but abounds through many thanksgivings to God; seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all; while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. ******* Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of brave toward you: I beg you, so that when I am present I will not have to be bold against some, who count of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full. Do you look at the outward appearance of things? If any man trusts in himself that he is Christs, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christs, so also are we. For though I should boast concerning our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down), I will not be put to shame: that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. For, His letters, they say, are
308

weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account. Let such a one reckon this, that, what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present. For we do not join those that commend themselves: who, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. But we will not glory beyond our measure, but according to the measure that God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even to you. For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not to you: for we came even as far as to you in the gospel of Christ: not glorying beyond our measure, that is, in other mens labors; but having hope that, as your faith grows, we will be magnified in you to further abundance, so as to preach the gospel even to the parts beyond you, and not to boast in anothers goods supplied to our hand. But he that glories let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. ******* I wish you to bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different gospel, which you did not accept, you bore it well. For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chief apostles. But though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge; nay, in every way have we made this show to you in all things. Did I commit a sin in abasing myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for naught? I robbed other assemblies, taking wages of them that I might minister to you; and when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man; for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied my needs; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so will I keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man will stop me of this glorying in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I dont love you? God knows. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for even Satan fashions himself
309

into an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. I say again, let no man think me foolish; but if you do, yet as a fool receive me, that I also may boast a little. That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of glorying. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves. For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face. I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet if any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Three times was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the sea; in journeys often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brothers; in labor and travail, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. And beside those things that are without, there is that which presses upon me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I dont burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for evermore, knows that I do not lie. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to take me: and through a window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands. I must boast, though it is not profitable; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knows), who was caught up even to the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knows), how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. On behalf of such a one I will boast: but on my own behalf I will not, save in my weaknesses. For if I should desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth: but I refrain, lest any man should account of me above that which he sees me to be, or hears from me. And by reason of the greatness of
310

the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. Concerning this thing I begged the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christs sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. I am become foolish: you compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the chief apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works. For how were you inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong. This is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? Do you think I didnt burden you so that I could catch you with guile? Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent to you? I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? In the same steps? Do you think we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. For I fear that when I come, I will find you as I wish not, and should myself be found of you such as you would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbiting, whisperings, swellings, tumults; lest when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed. ******* This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three will every word established. I told before, and tell you now, as if present, that if I come again, I will not spare; seeing that you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you: for he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you.

311

Try your own selves, whether you are in the faith; examine your own selves. Do you not know that Jesus Christ is in you? (Unless indeed you be reprobate.) But I hope that you will know that we are not reprobate. Now we pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we rejoice, when we are weak, and you are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting. For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down. Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace will be with you. Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

312

Paul to the Thessalonians, #1

Paul, Silas, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father; knowing, brothers beloved of God, your election, how that our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as you know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake. And you became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit; so that you became an example to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you has sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith toward God is gone out; so that we need not to speak anything. For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had to you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who saved us from the wrath to come. ******* Brothers, you know our entering in to you, that it has not been found vain: but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we became bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: but even as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we used no words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness; nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherishes her own children: even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were become very dear to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holily and righteously and unblameably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe: as you know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying, to the end
313

that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. And we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you that believe. For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea: for you also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews; who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and pleased not God, and are contrary to all men; forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire: because we would have come to you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? For you are our glory and our joy. When we could no longer endure, I thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone; and sent Timothy, our brother and Gods minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that are appointed to this. For truly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass. For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain. But when Timothy came and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also to see you; for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith: for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy that we joy for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you: and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you; to the end he may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. *******

314

Finally then, brothers, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, even as you do walk, that you abound more and more. For you know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to possess himself in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. Therefore he that rejects, rejects not man, but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. But concerning love of the brothers you have no need that one write to you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another; for indeed you do it toward all the brothers that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more; and that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you; that you may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing. But we would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning them that fall asleep; that you sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ will rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, will together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so will we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. For you know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they will in no wise escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief: for you are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God appointed us not into wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also you do.
315

But we beseech you, brothers, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their works sake. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, show patience toward all. See that none render to any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesying; prove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calls you, who will also do it. Brothers, pray for us. Salute all the brothers with a holy kiss. I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

316

Paul to the Thessalonians, #2

Paul, Silas, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to give thanks to God always to you, brothers, even as fitting, for your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another abounds; so that we ourselves glory in you in the assemblies of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure; which is a show token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer: if so be that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you, and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: who will suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he will come to be glorified in his saints, and to be wondered at in all them that believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day. To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power; that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. ******* Now we beseech you, brothers, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him; to the end that you be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just near. Let no man deceive you: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: he that opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of God, setting himself out as God. Do you not remember that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And you know what restrains this, so he may be revealed in his own season. For the secret of lawlessness already works: only there is one that restrains it now, until he be taken out of the way. And then will the lawless one be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to naught at his appearance; even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and
317

with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judged, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brothers beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: to which he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. ******* Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, even as also it is with you; and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for all have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that you both do and will do the things which we command. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ. Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us. For you know how you ought to imitate us: for we did not behave disorderly among you; neither did we eat bread for free at any mans hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you: not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. Even when we were with you, we commanded you that if any man will not work, neither let him eat. For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But you, brothers, be not weary in well-doing. And if any man does not obey our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. And yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of me Paul with my own hand,
318

which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

319

320

Paul to Timothy, #1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and Christ Jesus our hope; unto Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. As I exhorted you to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that you might charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine, neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; so do I now. But the goal of the commandment is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned: from which things some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talking; desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully, as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for men-stealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine; according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service; though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief: howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me Jesus Christ might show all his longsuffering, for an example of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. ******* This charge I commit unto you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies concerning you, that by them thou may fight the good fight; holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith: of whom is Hymenaeus and
321

Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme. I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our savior; who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all; to be testified in its own times; whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing. In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with modesty and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becomes women professing godliness) through good works. Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. For Adam was first formed, then Eve; and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled has fallen into transgression: but she shall be saved through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety. ******* Faithful is the saying, If a man seeks the office of a overseer, he desires a good work. The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money; one that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (if a man does not know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the assembly of God?) not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil. In addition, he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the accuser. Servers in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy gain; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them be servers, if they be blameless. Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let servers be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have served well as
322

servers gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. These things write I unto you, hoping to come unto you shortly; but if I tarry long, that thou may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. But the Spirit says expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. If you put the brethren in mind of these things, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you hast followed: but refuse profane and old wives fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come. Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation. For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the savior of all men, especially of them that believe. These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be an example to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders. Be diligent in these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your progress may be manifest unto all. Take heed to yourself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this you will save both yourself and them that hear you. ******* Do not rebuke an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers: the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But
323

she that gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. These things also command, that they may be without reproach. But if any man does not provide not for his own, and specially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. Let none be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, well reported of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has used hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. But younger widows refuse: for when they have become wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. And they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling: for already some are turned aside after Satan. If any woman that believeth has widows, let her relieve them, and let not the assembly be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. Let the overseers that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. For the scripture says, Thou shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire. Do not receive an allegation against an elder, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. Them that sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. I charge you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other mens sins: keep thyself pure. Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomachs sake and your often infirmities. Some mens sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after. In like manner also there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid. ******* Let as many as are servants count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers; but let them serve them the rather, because they that partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. These things teach and exhort. If any man teaches a different doctrine, and does not consent to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine
324

which is according to godliness; he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, from which comes envy, strife, railings, evil speaking, arguments of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain that we carry nothing out; but having food and covering we shall be content. But they that desire to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. I charge you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession; that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in its own times shall show who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only has immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen. Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not high minded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed. O Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.

325

326

Paul to Timothy, #2
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of you in my supplications, night and day longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy; having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in you; which dwelled first in thy grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in you also. For which cause I put you in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God gave us not a spirit of cowardice; but of power and love and discretion. Be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but has now been manifested by the appearing of our savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, whereunto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher. For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day. Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Guard that good thing which was committed to you through the Holy Spirit which dwells in us. ******* Everyone in Asia has turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus: for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but, when he was in Rome, he searched diligently for me, and found me (the Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day); and in how many things he ministered at Ephesus, thou know very well. Therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And commit the things you heard from me to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. And if also a man competes in the games, he is not crowned, except he has competed by the rules. The
327

farmer who labors must be the first to partake of the fruits. Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give you understanding in all things. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel: wherein I suffer hardship and chains, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elects sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Faithful is the saying: If we died with him, we shall also live with him: if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us: if we are faithless, he remains faithful; for he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they do not fight about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear. Give diligence to present yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, and their word will eat as does a gangrene: of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus; men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrow the faith of some. Howbeit the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his: and, Let every one that names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. If a man will remove himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, fit for the masters use, prepared unto every good work. Flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strife. And the Lords servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if perhaps God will give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him for his will. ******* But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, evil speakers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of
328

God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away. For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be. But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, persecutions, sufferings; the persecutions I endured at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. And out of them all, the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors shall become worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But abide in the things you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you hast learned them. And that from a babe youve known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Every scripture inspired of God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work. I charge you in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables. But be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ******* I am ready to be offered. The time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing. Come soon to me: for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you; for he is useful to me for ministering. But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus. Bring The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, also the books, but especially the parchments.
329

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works: beware of him; for he greatly withstood our words. At my first defense no one took my part, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their account. But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick. Give diligence to come before winter. Eubulus saluteth you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

330

Paul to Titus
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of Gods elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time; but in his own seasons showed his word in the message, with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our savior; to Titus, my true child after a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior. ******* I left you in Crete to set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave you charge; if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. For the overseer must be blameless, as Gods steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of base gain; but given to hospitality, a lover of good, soberminded, just, holy, self-controlled; holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers. For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of base gain. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons. This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate. Speak the things which befit the sound doctrine: that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience: that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Exhort the younger men to be sober-minded: in all things showing yourself an ensample of good works; in your doctrine showing incorruptness, gravity, sound speech that cannot be condemned; so that he that is contrary may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.
331

Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be wellpleasing to them in all things; not gainsaying; not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our savior in all things. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you. ******* Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men. For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our savior and his love toward man, appeared, not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our savior; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and I desire that you affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men: but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, fighting about law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A factious man, after a first and second admonition, refuse; knowing that such a man is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned. After l send Areemas or Tychicus, come to Nicopolis: for I have determined to winter there. Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting to them. And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. All that are with me salute you. Salute them that love us in faith. Grace be with you all.

332

James to the Dispersion

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion, greeting. ******* Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations; knowing that the testing of your faith works patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and does not reproach; and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubts is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he will receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree glory in his high estate: and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with the scorching wind, and the grass withers: and the flower thereof falls, and its beauty perishes: so also will the rich man fade away in his goings. ******* Blessed is the man that endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no man: but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin: and the sin, when it is full grown, brings out death. Be not deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning. Of his own will he birthed us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. ******* You know this, my beloved brothers. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God. So, putting away all filthiness and wickedness, receive the implanted word with meekness, which is able to save your souls.
333

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man seeing his face in a mirror: for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what type of man he was. But he that looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and continues, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer, this man will be blessed in his doing. If any man thinks himself to be religious, but he does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this mans religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. ******* My brothers, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there also comes a poor man in vile clothing; and you have regard to him that wears the fine clothing, and say, Sit you here in a good place, and you say to the poor man, Stand there, or sit under my footstool, do you not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers; did not God choose them that are poor in the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and themselves drag you before the judgment-seats? Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called? If you fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture You will love your neighbor as yourself - you do well: but if you have respect of persons, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever will keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not kill. Now if you do not commit adultery, but you kill, you are a transgressor of the law. So speak, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to him that has showed no mercy: mercy boasts against judgment. ******* What does it profit, my brothers, if a man say he has faith, but has not works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you say to them, Go in peace, be you warmed and filled, and yet you dont give them the things they need; what does it profit? Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead in itself.
334

A man may say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; and you do well: but the demons also believe, and shudder. Will you know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? You see that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture was fulfilled which said, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. You see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. ******* Be not many teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. For in many things we offend all. If any man does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. We put the horses bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also. Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned by a very small rudder, wherever the captain wills. So the tongue also is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God: out of the same mouth comes out blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be. Does the fountain send out from the same opening sweet water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine, figs? Neither can salt water yield sweet. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and contention in your heart, do not boast or lie not against the truth. This wisdom is not a wisdom that comes from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where jealousy and contention are, there is confusion and every vile deed. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.
335

******* From where come wars and fighting among you? Are they not your lusts that war in your members? You lust, and have not: you kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: you fight and war; you have not, because you ask not. You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it in your pleasures. You adulterers, dont you know that the friendship of the world is hostility to God? Whoever therefore would be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Do you think that the scripture speaks in vain? Does the spirit which he made to dwell in desire to envy? He gives more grace. The scripture said, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Be subject to God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you. Speak not one against another, brothers. He that speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who are you that judge your neighbor? You say, Today or tomorrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain, yet you dont know not what will be tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes. You ought to say, If the Lord will, we will both live, and do this or that. But now you glory in your boasts: all such glorying is evil. To him that knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin. ******* Go, you rich man, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver are rusted; and their rust will be testimony against you, and will eat your flesh as fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, you have kept back by fraud, cries out: and the cries of them that reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived delicately on the earth, and taken your pleasure; you have nourished your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have killed the righteous one; he does not resist you.
336

Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain. Be also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is near. Murmur not, brothers, one against another, that you be not judged: behold, the judge stands before the doors. Take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord for an example, brothers. We call them blessed that endured: you have heard of the patience of Job, and you have seen the conclusion that was wrought by the Lord; that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful. But above all things, my brothers, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that you fall not under judgment. Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith will save him that is sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it will be forgiven him. Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with passions like our own, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought out her fruit. My brothers, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he who converts a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.

337

338

General Letter of Jude

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy to you; peace and love be multiplied. Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write to you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For there are certain men crept in privately, even they who were written of beforehand to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. I desire to put you in remembrance, though you know them, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness to the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having, like them, given themselves over to fornication and going after strange flesh, are set out as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. Likewise these, in their dreaming, defile the flesh, set dominion at naught, and rail at dignities. But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke you. But these speak evil of things that they do not know, like unreasoning animals, corrupt themselves. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah. These are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that feed themselves without fear; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever. And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have ungodly wrought, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are whisperers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaks great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage.

339

But you, beloved, remember you the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; That they said to you, In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts. These are they who make separations, sensual, having not the Spirit. But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And on some who are confused, have mercy; and save some, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now to him that is able to keep you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore. Amen.

340

John to the Lady

The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth; for the truths sake which abides in us, and it will be with us for ever: Grace, mercy, peace will be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. I rejoice greatly that I have found certain of your children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father. And now I beseech you, lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. Many deceivers are gone out into the world, that do not confess that Jesus Christ come sin the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Look to yourselves, that you do not lose the things which we have wrought, but that you receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses, and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, has not God: he that abides in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son. If any one comes to you, and does not bring this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: for he that gives him greeting partakes in his evil works. Having many things to write to you, I would not write them with paper and ink: but I hope to come to you, and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full. The children of your elect sister salute you.

341

342

John to Gaius
The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I wish that in all things you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and bare witness to your truth, even as you walk in truth. I have no greater joy than this, than to hear of my children walking in the truth. Beloved, you do well in all your help to the brothers and strangers; who testify of your love before the assembly: and you will do well to send them forward on their journey worthily of God: because that for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth. I wrote to the assembly: but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, dos not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works, prating against us with wicked words: and not content with that, neither does he receive the brothers, but those that would he forbids and casts them out of the assembly. Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God: he that does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has the testimony of all men, and of the truth itself: we also bear witness: and you know that our witness is true. I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write them to you with ink and pen: but I hope shortly to see you, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends salute you. Salute the friends by name.

343

344

Paul to Philemon
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker, and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the assembly in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; that the fellowship of your faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, to Christ. ******* I had much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. So, even though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is proper, yet for loves sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus. I beseech you for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to both you and to me: whom I have sent back to you in his own person, that is, my very heart: whom I would have kept with me, that in your behalf he might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel: but without your mind I would do nothing; that your goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will. Perhaps he was parted from you for a season, so that you would have him for ever; no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a beloved brother, specially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you count me a partner, receive him as myself. But if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to my account; I Paul write it with my own hand, I will repay it: that I say not to you that you owe me even your own self besides. Let me have joy of you in the Lord, brother: refresh my heart in Christ. Having confidence in your obedience I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say. But withal prepare a lodging for me: for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted to you. Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes you; and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

345

346

The Revelation
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John; who bares witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is near. ******* John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits that are before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him that loves us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood; and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he comes with the clouds; and every eye will see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen. ******* I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. I John, your brother and partaker with you in tribulation and kingdom and patience which are in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lords day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet saying, What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamum, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the candlesticks one like a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle. And his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shines in his strength.
347

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as a dead man. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last, and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Write therefore the things which you saw, and the things which are, and the things which will come to pass hereafter; the secret of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies: and the seven candlesticks are seven assemblies. To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus, write: These things says he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, he that walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: I know your works, and your toil and patience, and that you cannot bear evil men, and tried them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false; and you have patience and did bear for my names sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you left your first love. Remember therefore whence you are fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I will come to you, and will move your candlestick out of its place, except you repent. But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies: To him that overcomes, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. And to the angel of the assembly in Smyrna, write: These things says the first and the last, who was dead, and lived again: I know your tribulation, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Fear not the things which you are about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies: He that overcomes will not be hurt of the second death. And to the angel of the assembly in Pergamum, write: These things says he that has the sharp two-edged sword: I know where you dwell, even where Satans throne is; and you hold fast my name, and did not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness,
348

my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. You also have some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans which I hate. Repent; or else I come to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies: To him that overcomes, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he that receives it. And to the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like burnished brass: I know your works, and your love and faith and ministry and patience, and that your last works are more than the first. But I have this against you, that you allow the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess; and she teaches and seduces my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time that she should repent of her fornication; and she did not repent. Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. And I will kill her children with death; and all the assemblies will know that I am he that searches the reins and hearts: and I will give to each one of you according to your works. But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as they say; I cast upon you no other burden. Nevertheless that which you have, hold fast till I come. And he that overcomes, and he that keeps my works to the end, to him will I give authority over the nations: and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father: and I will give him the morning star. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: These things says he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and you are dead. Be watchful, and establish the things that remain, which are ready to die: for I have not found your works complete before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. If therefore you will not watch, I will come as a thief, and you will not know
349

what hour I will come upon you. But you have a few names even in Sardis that have not defiled their garments: and they will walk with me in white; for they are worthy. He that overcomes will thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. And to the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: These things says he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens and no one will shut, and that shuts and no one will open: I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept my word, and did not deny my name. Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. I come quickly: hold fast that which you have, that no one take your crown. He that overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out there no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God. And I will write upon him my new name. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. And to the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I wish you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are the wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked: I counsel you to buy of me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be made manifest; and eye-salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man
350

hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. He that overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. ******* After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you the things which must come to pass hereafter. Immediately I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne; and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon. And round about the throne were twenty four thrones: and upon the thrones I saw twenty four elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceed lightnings and voices and thunders. And there was seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne, as it were a sea of glass like crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. And the first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face as of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. and the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come. And when the living creatures will give glory and honor and thanks to him that sits on the throne, to him that lives for ever and ever, the twenty four elders will fall down before him that sits on the throne, and will worship him that lives for ever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy are you, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for you created all things, and because of your will they are, and were created. ******* And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
351

And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon. And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon: and one of the elders said to me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof. And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And he came, and he took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: For you were slain, and purchased us to God by your blood, Out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, And made us unto our God a kings and priests; And we shall reign upon earth. And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; thousands of thousands; saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that has been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might and honor, and glory, and blessing. And I heard every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things are in them, saying, To him that sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever. And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped. ******* And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come and see. And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given to him a crown: and he came out conquering, and to conquer.
352

And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come and see. And another horse came out, a red horse: and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another: and there was given to him a great sword. And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold, a black horse; and he that sat thereon had a balance in his hand. And I heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, A measure of wheat for a shilling, and three measures of barley for a shilling; and do not hurt the oil and the wine. And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold, a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was Death; and Hades followed with him. And there was given to them authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth. And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said to them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brothers, who should be killed even as they were, should be fulfilled. And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood; and the stars of the heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind. And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand? ******* After his I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow on the earth, or on the sea, or upon any tree. And I saw another angel ascend from the
353

rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a great voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we will have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel: Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand: Of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand; Of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand; Of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand; Of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand; Of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand; Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand; Of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand; Of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand; Of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand; Of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand; Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands; and they cry with a great voice, saying, Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. And all the angels were standing round about the throne, and about the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be to our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying to me, These that are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and from where did they come? And I say to him, My lord, you know. And he said to me, These are they that come of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them. They will hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither will the sun strike upon them, nor any heat: for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them, and will guide them to
354

fountains of waters of life: and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. ******* And when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels that stand before God; and there were given to them seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angels hand. And the angel took the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it upon the earth: and there followed thunders, and voices, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels that had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. And the first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; and there died the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, even they that had life; and the third part of the ships was destroyed. And the third angel sounded, and there fell from heaven a great star, burning as a torch, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of the waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; that the third part of them should be darkened, and the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night in like manner. And I saw, and I heard an angel, flying in mid-heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, who are yet to sound. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen to the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss. And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And out of the smoke came out locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth
355

have power. And it was said to them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only such men as have not the seal of God on their foreheads. And it was given them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a man. And in those days men will seek death, and will not find it; and they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. And the shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for battle; and upon their heads as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as mens faces. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as teeth of lions. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war. And they have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months. They have over them as king the angel of the abyss: his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek tongue he has the name Apollyon. The first Woe is past: behold, there come yet two Woes hereafter. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, one saying to the sixth angel that had one trumpet, Loose the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill the third part of men. And the number of the armies of the horsemen was twice ten thousand times ten thousand: I heard the number of them. And I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates as of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone: and the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceeded fire and smoke and brimstone. By these three plagues was the third part of men killed, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails are like unto serpents, and have heads; and with them they hurt. And the rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk: and they repented not of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire; and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth; and he cried with a great voice, as a lion roars: and when he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices.
356

And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them. And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created the heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein, that there will be delay no longer: but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the secret of God will be finished, according to the good tidings which he declared to his servants the prophets. And the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard it again speaking with me, and saying, Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel that stands upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went to the angel, saying to him that he should give me the little book. And he said to me, Take it, and eat it up, and it will make your belly bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angels hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and when I had eaten it, my belly was made bitter. And he said to me, You must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings. ******* And there was given me a reed like a rod: Saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. And the court which is without the temple leave without, and do not measure it; for it has been given to the nations: and the holy city will they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks, standing before the Lord of the earth. And if any man desires to hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies; and if any man will desire to hurt them, in this manner must he be killed. These have the power to shut the heaven, that it rain not during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they will desire. And when they will have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. And the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look upon their dead bodies three days and a half, and suffer not their dead bodies to be
357

laid in a tomb. And they that dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, and make merry; and they will send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth. And after the three days and a half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them, Come up here. And they went up into heaven in the cloud; and their enemies saw them. And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell; and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons: and the rest were frightened, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second Woe is past: behold, the third Woe comes quickly. And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he will reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshipped God, saying, We give you thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who was, and who is to come; because you have taken your great power, and didst reign. And the nations were angry , and your wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear your name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth. And the temple of God was opened in heaven; and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant; and there followed lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail. ******* And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was the child; and she cried out, travailing in birth, and in pain to be delivered. And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems. And his tail drags the third part of the stars of heaven, and he cast them to the earth: and the dragon stands before the woman that was about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child. And she was delivered of a male son, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up to God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared of
358

God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and sixty days. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going out to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him. And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying: Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brothers is cast down, who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even to death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast down to the earth, he persecuted the woman that brought out the man child. And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon grew angry with the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her seed, that keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus: ******* And I stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like to a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten to death; and his death-wound was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast; and they worshipped the dragon, who gave authority to the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like to the beast? And who is able to war with him? And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to act forty two months. And it opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in the heaven.
359

And it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. And all that dwell on the earth will worship him, every one whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that has been slain. If any man has an ear, let him hear. If any man leads into captivity, into captivity he goes: if any man will kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. And it exercises all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And it makes the earth and them dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose death-wound was healed. And it does great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men. And it deceives them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who has the wound of the sword and lived. And it was given to it to give breath to the image of the beast, even to the image to the breast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And it causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that they should be given a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead; and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that has the mark, or the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. He that has understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and its number is Six hundred and sixty and six. ******* And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having the name of his Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, even they that had been purchased out of the earth. These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were
360

purchased from among men, to be the first-fruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: they are without blemish. And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having eternal good tidings to proclaim to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and do homage to him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters. And another angel followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that has made all the nations to drink of the wine of the fury of her fornication. And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice: If any man worship the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead, or upon his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed undiluted in the cup of his indignation; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receives the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard the voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on: yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them. And I saw, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud I saw one sitting like to the son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the temple, crying with a great voice to him that sat on the cloud, Send out your sickle, and reap: for the hour to reap is come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud cast his sickle upon the earth; and the earth was reaped. Another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, he that has power over fire; and he called with a great voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Send out your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel cast his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vintage of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress are trodden without the city, and there came out blood from the winepress, even to the bridles of the horses, as far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs. *******
361

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having seven plagues, which are the last, for in them is finished the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and they that overcome the beast, and his image, and the number of his name, standing by the sea of glass, having harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, Almighty; Righteous and true are your ways, you King of saints. Who will not fear, you O Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before you; For your righteous acts were made manifest. And after these things I saw, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: and there came out from the temple the seven angels that had the seven plagues, arrayed with precious stone, pure and bright, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles. And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and none was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels should be finished. ******* And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth. And the first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a noisome and grievous sore upon the men that had the mark of the beast, and that worshipped his image. And the second poured out his bowl into the sea; and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea. And the third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of the waters; and it became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying, Righteous are you, who are and who was, you Holy One, because you didst thus judge: for they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, and blood have you given them to drink: they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar saying, Yea, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.

362

And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched men with great heat: and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues; and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom was darkened; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they repented not of their works. And the sixth poured out his bowl upon the great river, the river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way might by made ready for the kings from the rising of the sun. And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs: for they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walked naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew Har-magedon. And the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air; and there came out a great voice out of the temple, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men upon the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail, every stone about the weight of a talent, comes down out of heaven upon men: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof is exceeding great. ******* And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls, and spoke with me, saying, Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot that sits upon many waters; with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and they that dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her fornication. And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in
363

purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication, and upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder. And the angel said to me, Why did you wonder? I will tell you the secret of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth will wonder, they whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast which was, and is not, and yet is. Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits: and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he comes, he must continue a little while. And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes into perdition. And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour. These have one mind, and they give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also will overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful. And he said to me, The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw upon the beast, these will hate the harlot, and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh, and will burn her utterly with fire. For God did put in their hearts to do his mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished. And the woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth. ******* After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich by the power of her luxury.
364

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you have no fellowship with her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues: for her sins have reached even to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her even as she rendered, and double to her the double according to her works: in the cup which she mingled, mingle to her double. So much as she glorified herself, and lived luxuriously, so much torment and mourning give her for she says in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and will in no wise see mourning. Therefore in one day will her plagues come, death, and mourning, and famine; and she will be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judges her. And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her, will weep and wail over her, when they look upon the smoke of her burning, standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! for in one hour is your judgment come. And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, for no man buys their merchandise any more; merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stone, and pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet; and all thyine wood, and every vessel of ivory, and every vessel made of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble; and cinnamon, and spice, and incense, and ointment, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and cattle, and sheep; and merchandise of horses and chariots and slaves; and souls of men. And the fruits which your soul lusted after are gone from you, and all things that were dainty and sumptuous are perished from you, and men will find them no more at all. And the merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, will stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning; saying, Woe, woe, the great city, that was arrayed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearl! For in one hour such great wealth is made desolate. And every shipmaster, and all that sail in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried out as they looked upon the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like the great city? And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, wherein all that had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her costliness! For in one hour is she made desolate. Rejoice over her, you heaven, and you saints, and you apostles, and you prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her. And a strong angel took up a stone as it were a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city, be cast down, and will be found no more at all. And the voice of
365

harpers and minstrels and flute-players and trumpeters will be heard no more at all in you; and no craftsman, of whatever craft, will be found any more at all in you; and the voice of a mill will be heard no more at all in you; and the light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more at all in you: for your merchants were the great ones of the earth; for by your sorcery were all the nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all that have been slain upon the earth. ******* After these things I heard as it were a great voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah; Salvation, and glory, and power, belong to our God: for true and righteous are his judgments; for he has judged the great harlot, her that corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And a second time they say, Hallelujah. And her smoke goes up for ever and ever. And the twenty four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God that sits on the throne, saying, Amen; Hallelujah. And a voice came out from the throne, saying, Give praise to our God, all you his servants, you that fear him, the small and the great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready. And it was given to her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. And he said to me, Write, Blessed are they that are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are true words of God. And I fell down before his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See you do it not: I am a fellow-servant with you and with your brothers that hold the testimony of Jesus: worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. ******* And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sits thereon is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he does judge and make war. And his eyes were as a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he has a name written which no one knows but he himself.
366

And he was clothed in a garment dipped in blood: and his name is called, The Word of God. And the armies in heaven were following him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and pure. And out of his mouth proceeds a sharp sword, that with it he might smite the nations: and he will rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. And he has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KINGS OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven, Come and gather yourselves to the supper of the great God; that you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone: and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword came out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh. ******* And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: over these the second death has no power; but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him a thousand years.
367

And when the thousand years are finished, Satan will be loosed out of his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. ******* And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there is no more sea. And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them, and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor any more distress, for the former things are passed away. And he that sits on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said, Write: for these words are faithful and true. And he said to me, It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcomes will inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he will be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

368

And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spoke with me, saying, Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: her light was like a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal: having a wall great and high; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: on the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that spoke with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lies foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like pure glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the individual gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple thereof. And the city has no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb. And the nations will walk amidst the light thereof: and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it. And the gates thereof will in no wise be shut by day (for there will be no night there): and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it: and there will in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that makes an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lambs book of life. ******* And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street, and of the river, on this side and on that side, the tree of life, bearing twelve
369

manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there will be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be therein: and his servants will serve him; and they will see his face; and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no night there; and they have no need of a lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God gives them light: and they will reign for ever and ever. And he said to me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angels to show to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass. Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he that keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. And I, John, was he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that showed me these things. And he said to me, See you do it not: I am a fellowservant with you and with your brothers the prophets, and with them that keep the words of this book: worship God. And he said to me, Do not seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is near. He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. Behold, I am coming quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loves and makes a lie. I Jesus have sent my angel to testify to you these things for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that hears, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely. I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man will add to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book: and if any man will take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. *******
370

He who testifies these things says, Yes, I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with the saints. Amen.

371

372

Afterward: How This Book Was Prepared

This version of the New Testament began with the American Standard Version of 1901. I have edited that text to put it into understandable modern English. I used this version because it was reasonably modern, reasonably literal, and out of copyright. I further looked for critiques of the American Standard Version and corrected the complaints that seemed legitimate to me. I will add that by the time I completed this task (which required continual reference to the Greek), I was less a fan of the ASV than when I began. And I was more convinced than ever that the King James Version remains best of the English translations; at least for those of us who have spent years acclimating ourselves to the archaic English. If you have any concern over my fidelity to the text, feel free to check on me, but please refer to the Greek text, which is the true record. I recommend the Textus Receptus, rather than Codex Vaticanus (also known as Wescott & Hort). I have handled the text carefully. I am no Greek scholar, but I have used the original text for reference over many years. When I ran into a difficulty, I went to the Greek, not to other English translations. Publishing a translation of the Bible is a good way to make people angry at you. So, to any who think I am corrupting the Word of God, please bear in mind that I am NOT claiming that this book is the True Word of God. I am claiming only to transmit the story of Jesus. If you like some other version better, God Bless. SPECIFIC WORDS The vast majority of the edits I made were to change older word forms to modern forms, such as changing thee to you, wroth to angry, and so on. But, there were some more important changes. Most translators of the Greek text have failed to translate some important Greek words. Rather, they simply re-wrote them in English. In some cases, they just picked an existing religious word, and used it instead of the proper English term. I find this to be questionable, and sometimes cowardly. Certainly, most of these choices are not clearly black or white, but I am convinced that some were made to keep religious authorities happy. That is a very poor way to handle a text especially one that has been as important as this one. Here, in alphabetical order, are the words I was careful to translate properly:

373

Angels The word angelos actually means messenger, implying someone who takes a message to a group of people. Nothing about supernatural beings is implied by the word itself. And worse, the word angel implies many things to English speakers that have no foundation in the actual text. People think they know all about these messengers, even though their reasons are thin at best. Why is it that people think angels have wings? Not because of the text. At first I intended to use messenger in almost all cases; in the end, I used angel in almost all cases. I found that the text necessitated this. First of all, heavenly beings are implied very frequently, and, secondly, the more I worked with the Greek, the more I sensed that the authors assumed a heavenly being. Ah, well. Apostle Apostle was not originally a title. (And, the New Testament refers to far more than twelve of them.) Apostle means sent one. I began using it this way in the gospels, and changed over to apostle as I moved in to the latter portions of Acts and the epistles. It seemed to me (from the way the authors used it) that the meaning of the word was evolving in approximately this way. So, I followed the text. Baptize The word actually means immerse. A.S. Worrell translated this word properly in his New Testament, but his is the only version I am aware of that does so. Nevertheless, immerse is what the authors wrote. I first intended to use immerse universally, but the virtues of hyper-accuracy slowly vanished as I made my way through the text. It was not just that many cases seemed too odd (such as where John the Baptist becomes John the Immerser, but that Baptist is used as a proper noun a name. In the end, I used immerse where possible, but used Baptism for the majority of occurrences. Blaspheme To blaspheme means to speak injuriously. In other words, to blaspheme is to commit an act of defamation or slander. I have used the word in this way.
374

Interpreters and scholars have traditionally rendered the word differently, depending on whether the slander was against man or God, but I see no textual reason to do so. I used slander in most cases, but blaspheme in a few cases, and mostly toward the end of the text. Christ Christ is not Jesus name. It comes from the Greek word kristos, which means anointed. Jesus Christ is actually Jesus the anointed. Again, I intended to use anointed whenever I could, but it seemed to me that the authors meant messiah more than they did anointed. So, I used messiah most of the time, and Christ as we moved into the epistles. I was tempted to translate Jesus as Yeshua, but I am not confident that Yeshua is precisely correct. And, it may have been confusing to readers. The purpose of the book, after all, is to communicate, not to make purists happy. (And as long as there is more than one purist, this is impossible anyway.) Church The Greek word usually translated church is ecclesias, and it means assembly. This is important, because most modern people think of a church as a building, or as an organizational structure. This was absolutely not the original meaning. The first followers of Jesus met in fields, next to rivers or lakes, in houses, at empty schools, and so on. There were no church buildings for a long time. And there was no organizational structure either. A grouping (assembly) of believers is not something that should be confused with a building or a bureaucratic structure. Actually, I was tempted to use group, rather than assembly, but the act of assembling is implied in the Greek. So, I, like A.S. Worrell and a few others, have used assembly. Demon Again, this is a Greek word that was never translated. The precise meaning is divider of spoils. The actual use in the text, however, clearly implies some sort of intelligent life force inhabiting people and (once) animals. Therefore, I left the word as demon. That said, I would like the interested reader to note that these demons (whatever they may actually be) are best understood as the dividers of
375

spoils, and that these spoils appear to be humans, and, in one case, animals. Devil, Satan Both words actually mean accuser. But, especially for Satan, it is clear that reference is often made to a specific evil personality spoken of by the Hebrew prophets. I have often sometimes accuser instead of the devil, but always Satan for Satan. Heart The Greek word kardia is the one that is continually translated as heart. In actuality it means core, or center. It actually has no direct reference to emotions. True, heart and core can mean the same thing, but I have chosen to take heart out where I could. It makes many people think that emotion should be supreme, and that emotion makes something right. The writers of the New Testament intended nothing of the sort. But, again, my purist leanings (which have always been useful for fine analysis) proved unsuitable to the text and to effective communication. I ended up using heart in almost all cases. Hell I left hell in the traditional usage, but not without some concern. The Greek literally refers to the Valley of Himmon, which is at Jerusalem. There is too much evidence that this word was used symbolically for me to stay with a literal rendering. (Apparently this valley was used for the burning of garbage, though I have not verified that as fact.) There are just too many references to fire, damnation, and so on. I rendered the word hell. But I do want to note that it properly refers to a valley in Israel. As for the similar term, Hades, I left that as it was, save for one place where I translated it as grave. Heresy The Greek word heresis never meant evil doctrine, it meant choice of parties. It is used that way in this text.

376

Hypocrisy Our word hypocrisy is a transliteration of the Greek hupokrites, which has been merged into the English language over time. The word refers to stage actors. This is not a trivial difference, even though the concept of dishonesty exists in both cases. A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another, generally because of internal conflicts, weaknesses or corruption. Acting is something different. Actors play roles. They tailor their actions to an external theme. Acting pushes the self to the side and substitutes something else in its place. This is critical, because people become attached to the roles they play, and mistakenly identify these roles with their true selves. Then, when new ideas are presented to them, they judge them, not by their true merits, but by how they affect the masks they live behind. So, I have often used actor instead of hypocrite where I could, and acting rather than hypocrisy. I think the difference is significant. UPDATES I know all too well how intractable textual debates can be, and I have no time for them. If, however, a reader wishes to send me a clear explanation of a passage that he or she thinks I have mistranslated, I will consider changing it. I am under no illusions that I am incapable of error. But, make it short and to the point. Give me the Greek and give me a sound argument. Otherwise I will not consider a change. If you convince me that you are right, I will make the change to future editions. And if you still dont like what Ive done, you really should think about producing your own. It would probably be an excellent use of your time. It was for me. -- PR

377

This and other great titles are available at:

www.veraverba.com

378