AFV2020 - Luke

Chapter 1

1:1  Since many have taken in hand to compile a written narration of the matters which have been fully believed among us,

1:2  As they delivered them to us, those who from the beginning had been eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word,

1:3  It seemed good to me also, having accurately understood everything from the very first, to write these things in an orderly sequence to you, most excellent Theophilus,

1:4  So that you might know the absolute certainty of the things in which you have been instructed.

1:5  There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest of the course of Abijah, Zacharias by name; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

1:6  Now they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.

1:7  But they did not have a child, as Elizabeth was barren; and both were well advanced in age.

1:8  And it came to pass that in fulfilling his priestly service before God in the order of his course,

1:9  According to the custom of the priestly service, it fell to him by lot to burn incense when he entered into the temple of the Lord.

1:10  And all the multitude of the people outside were praying at the hour of the burning of incense.

1:11  Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

1:12  And when he saw the angel, Zacharias was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

1:13  But the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zacharias, because your supplication has been heard; and your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son to you, and you shall call his name John.

1:14  And he shall be a joy and exultation to you; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

1:15  For he shall be great before the Lord. And he shall never drink wine or strong drink in any form, but he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb.

1:16  And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

1:17  And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

1:18  Then Zacharias said to the angel, "By what means shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

1:19  And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to announce this good news to you.

1:20  But behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day in which these things shall take place, because you did not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their time."

1:21  Now the people were expecting Zacharias, and they were wondering why he was taking such a long time in the temple.

1:22  But when he came out, he was not able to speak to them. Then they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he was making signs to them, but he remained mute.

1:23  Now it came to pass that when the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.

1:24  And after those days, Elizabeth his wife conceived, but hid herself for five months, saying,

1:25  "The Lord has intervened for me in this, at the time in which He looked upon me to take away my reproach among men."

1:26  And in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

1:27  To a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the lineage of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary.

1:28  And after coming to her, the angel said, "Hail, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you; blessed are you among women."

1:29  But when she saw him, she was greatly perplexed at his message, and was considering what kind of salutation this might be.

1:30  Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found grace with God;

1:31  And behold, you shall conceive in your womb and give birth to a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus.

1:32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give Him the throne of David, His forefather;

1:33  And He shall reign over the house of Jacob into the ages, and of His kingdom there shall be no end."

1:34  But Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?"

1:35  And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you; and for this reason, the Holy One being begotten in you shall be called the Son of God.

1:36  Now behold, Elizabeth your kinswoman has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren.

1:37  For with God nothing shall be impossible."

1:38  And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

1:39  And Mary rose up in those days and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah,

1:40  And entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

1:41  Now it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,

1:42  And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

1:43  But why is this happening to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

1:44  For behold, as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the babe in my womb leaped in exultation.

1:45  And blessed is she who has believed, for there shall be a fulfillment of the things spoken to her from the Lord."

1:46  Then Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,

1:47  And my spirit has exulted in God my Savior;

1:48  For He has looked upon the humble estate of His handmaid; for behold, from this time forward all generations shall count me blessed,

1:49  Because the Mighty One has done great things to me, and holy is His name;

1:50  And His mercy is toward those who fear Him, from generation to generation.

1:51  He has worked strength with His arm; He has scattered the haughty in the imagination of their hearts.

1:52  He has put down rulers from thrones, and has exalted the lowly.

1:53  He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.

1:54  He has helped His servant Israel, in remembering His mercy,

1:55  Exactly as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever."

1:56  And Mary dwelt with her about three months, and returned to her house.

1:57  Now Elizabeth's time was fulfilled that she should give birth, and she bore a son.

1:58  And her neighbors and kinfolk heard that the Lord had magnified His mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.

1:59  And it came to pass on the eighth day that they came to circumcise the little child; and they were calling him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

1:60  Then his mother answered and said, "No! But he shall be named John."

1:61  And they said to her, "There is no one among your kinfolk who is called by this name."

1:62  Then they made signs to his father as to what he desired him to be named.

1:63  And after signaling for a writing tablet, he wrote, saying, "John is his name." And they were all amazed.

1:64  Then his mouth was immediately opened, and his tongue was loosed; and he spoke, praising God.

1:65  And fear came upon all those who dwelt around them; and in the entire hill country of Judea, all these things were being talked about.

1:66  And all who heard these things laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this little child be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him.

1:67  And Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,

1:68  "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and has worked redemption for His people,

1:69  And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David;

1:70  Exactly as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets since the world began;

1:71  Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all those who hate us;

1:72  To fulfill the promise of mercy made to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant,

1:73  The oath that He swore to Abraham our father; to grant us that,

1:74  Being saved from the hand of our enemies, we might serve Him without fear,

1:75  Walking in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.

1:76  And you, little child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest; for you shall go before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways;

1:77  To give the knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins,

1:78  Through the deep inner compassions of our God; in which the dayspring from on high has visited us,

1:79  To shine upon those who are sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."

1:80  And the little child grew and was strengthened in spirit; and he was in the wilderness until the day of his appearing to Israel.

Chapter 2

2:1  Now it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

2:2  (This registration first occurred when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

2:3  Then all went to be registered, each to his own city.

2:4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and lineage of David

2:5  To register himself along with Mary, who was betrothed to him as wife, and was great with child.

2:6  And it came to pass that during the time they were there, the days were fulfilled for her to give birth.

2:7  And she gave birth to her Son, the firstborn, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

2:8  Now there were shepherds in the same country, who were dwelling in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night;

2:9  And suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shined round about them; and they were seized with great fear.

2:10  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I am announcing to you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people;

2:11  For today, in the city of David, a Savior was born to you, Who is Christ the Lord.

2:12  Now this is the sign for you: you shall find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

2:13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

2:14  "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth among men of goodwill."

2:15  And it came to pass, as the angels were departing from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now as far as Bethlehem, and let us see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."

2:16  And they made haste, and came and found both Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger.

2:17  Now after seeing Him, they made known everywhere the proclamation that they had been told concerning this little Child.

2:18  And all those who heard were filled with wonder by the things that were spoken to them by the shepherds.

2:19  But Mary stored up all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.

2:20  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was said to them.

2:21  Now when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising the little Child, His name was called Jesus, which He was named by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

2:22  And when the days were fulfilled for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord;

2:23  As it is written in the law of the Lord that every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;

2:24  And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

2:25  And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and reverent, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

2:26  Now it had been divinely communicated to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

2:27  And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the little Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,

2:28  He also received Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

2:29  "Now You may let your servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Your word;

2:30  For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

2:31  Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples;

2:32  A light for the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel."

2:33  And Joseph and His mother wondered at the things that were being spoken concerning Him.

2:34  Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, His mother, "Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising up of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be spoken against,

2:35  (And you also, a sword shall go through your own soul)in order that the imaginations of many hearts may be revealed."

2:36  Now there was Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

2:37  And she was a widow of about eighty -four years, who did not depart from the temple, serving day and night with fastings and supplications.

2:38  And at the same time she came up, giving praise to the Lord; and she spoke concerning Him to all those in Jerusalem who were waiting for redemption.

2:39  Now when they had completed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

2:40  And the little Child grew and became strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

2:41  Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.

2:42  And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.

2:43  But when they departed after completing the days, the Child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and His mother did not know it;

2:44  But supposing Him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and looked for Him among the relatives and among the acquaintances.

2:45  And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

2:46  Now it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them.

2:47  And all those who were listening to Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

2:48  But when they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have you dealt with us in this manner? Look, Your father and I have been very distressed while searching for You."

2:49  And He said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Don't you realize that I must be about My Father's business?"

2:50  But they did not understand the words that He spoke to them.

2:51  Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He was subject to them. But His mother kept all these things in her heart.

2:52  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Chapter 3

3:1  Now in the fifteenth year of the government of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother was tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,

3:2  In the time of the priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

3:3  And he went into all the country around the Jordan, proclaiming the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

3:4  As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight His paths.'

3:5  Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked places shall be made into straight paths, and the rough places into smooth ways;

3:6  And all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

3:7  For this reason, he said to the multitudes who were coming out to be baptized by him, "You offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath?

3:8  Therefore, bring forth fruits worthy of repentance; and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' because I tell you that God has the power to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

3:9  But the axe is already being laid to the roots of the trees. Therefore, every tree that is not producing good fruit is cut down and is cast into the fire."

3:10  And the multitudes asked him, saying, "What then shall we do?"

3:11  And he answered and said to them, "The one who has two coats, let him give to the one who has none; and the one who has food, let him do the same."

3:12  Now the tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Master, what shall we do?"

3:13  And he said to them, "Exact nothing beyond that which is appointed to you."

3:14  Then those who were soldiers also asked him, saying, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not oppress or falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages."

3:15  But as the people were filled with expectation, and they were all reasoning in their hearts about John, whether or not he might be the Christ,

3:16  John answered all of them, saying, "I indeed baptize you with water; but He is coming Who is mightier than I, of Whom I am not fit to loose the thong of His sandals. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire;

3:17  Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and will gather the wheat into His granary; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire."

3:18  And with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.

3:19  But Herod the tetrarch, after being reproved by him for marrying Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother, and for all the evils that Herod had done,

3:20  Added this to all that: he locked up John in prison.

3:21  Now it came to pass after all the people were baptized, and Jesus was baptized and was praying, that the heaven was opened,

3:22  And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in a bodily form like a dove; and there came a voice from heaven, saying, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."

3:23  And Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years old, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son-in-law of Eli,

3:24  The son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph,

3:25  The son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Naoum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

3:26  The son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Juda,

3:27  The son of Joannes, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zorobabel, the son of Salathiel, the son of Neri,

3:28  The son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,

3:29  The son of Joses, the son of Eliezer, the son of Joreim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

3:30  The son of Simeon, the son of Juda, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,

3:31  The son of Meleas, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

3:32  The son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Naasson,

3:33  The son of Aminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Esrom, the son of Phares, the son of Juda,

3:34  The son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nachor,

3:35  The son of Saruch, the son of Ragau, the son of Phalek, the son of Eber, the son of Sala,

3:36  The son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noe, the son of Lamech,

3:37  The son of Methusalah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalelel, the son of Cainan,

3:38  The son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Chapter 4

4:1  And Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness

4:2  For forty days to be tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing in those days; and after they had come to an end, He hungered.

4:3  Then the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that this stone become bread."

4:4  But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' "

4:5  Then the devil led Him up into a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

4:6  And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this authority, and the glory of them all; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I desire.

4:7  Therefore, if You will worship me in my presence, all things shall be Yours."

4:8  But Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan; for it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.' "

4:9  Then he led Him to Jerusalem and set Him upon the edge of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, cast Yourself down from here;

4:10  For it is written, 'He shall give His angels charge concerning You to keep You;

4:11  And in their hands they shall bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone.' "

4:12  But Jesus answered and said to him, "It is clearly stated, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' "

4:13  Now when the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from Him for a time.

4:14  Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee; and word about Him went out into the entire country around.

4:15  And He taught in their synagogues, and was glorified by all.

4:16  And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and according to His custom, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read.

4:17  And there was given Him the book of the prophet Isaiah; and when He had unrolled the scroll, He found the place where it was written,

4:18  "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; for this reason, He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal those who are brokenhearted, to proclaim pardon to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth in deliverance those who have been crushed,

4:19  To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

4:20  And after rolling up the scroll and delivering it to the attendant, He sat down; and the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

4:21  Then He began to say to them, "Today, this scripture is being fulfilled in your ears."

4:22  And all bore witness to Him and were amazed at the words of grace that were coming out of His mouth; and they said, "Is not this the son of Joseph?"

4:23  And He said to them, "Surely, you will say this parable to Me: 'Physician, heal Yourself! Whatever we have heard being done in Capernaum, do also here in Your own country.' "

4:24  But He said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country.

4:25  For in truth, I say to you, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up for three years and six months, and there was great famine upon all the land;

4:26  And Elijah was not sent to any of them, but only to a widow in Sarepta, a city of Sidonia.

4:27  There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them were cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."

4:28  Now all in the synagogue who heard these things were filled with indignation.

4:29  And they rose up and cast Him out of the city, and led Him to the edge of the mountain on which their city was built, in order to throw Him down headlong;

4:30  But He passed safely through their midst and departed.

4:31  Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the Sabbaths.

4:32  And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority.

4:33  Now a man who had an unclean spirit was in the synagogue; and he cried out with a loud voice,

4:34  Saying, "Ah! What have we to do with You, Jesus the Nazarean? Have You come to destroy us? I know Who You are, the Holy One of God."

4:35  And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him." And after throwing him into the midst, the demon came out of him and did not hurt him in any way.

4:36  Then astonishment came upon everyone, and they spoke to one another, saying, "What message is this, that with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out?"

4:37  And news of His powerful deeds spread through every place in the surrounding country.

4:38  Now after going out of the synagogue, He went into Simon's house. And Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a great fever; and they asked Him to intervene for her.

4:39  Then He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.

4:40  Now as the sun was going down, all those who had sick persons with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on each one of them and healed them.

4:41  And demons went out from many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God." But He rebuked them and did not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ.

4:42  Now when day came, He departed and went into a desert place; but the multitudes searched for Him, and came to Him and were detaining Him, that He might not leave them.

4:43  Then He said to them, "It is necessary for me to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God to the other cities; for this is the reason that I have been sent."

4:44  And He went about preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

Chapter 5

5:1  Now it came to pass that while the multitude was pressing on Him to hear the Word of God, He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret;

5:2  And He saw two ships standing by the shore of the lake, but the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.

5:3  And after going into one of the ships, which was Simon's, He asked him to put out from the shore a little; and He sat down and taught the multitudes from the ship.

5:4  Now when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep, and let your nets down for a haul."

5:5  Then Simon answered and said, "Master, we have labored through the entire night, and we have taken nothing; but at Your word, I will let the net down."

5:6  And when they did this, they enclosed a great school of fish; and their net was breaking.

5:7  Then they signaled to their partners, those in the other ship, that they should come and help them; and they came and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

5:8  And when he saw this, Simon Peter fell at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord."

5:9  For great astonishment came upon him and all those with him, on account of the miraculous haul of fish that they had taken;

5:10  And in like manner also upon James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Fear not; from this time forth you shall be catching men."

5:11  And after bringing the ships to land, they forsook everything and followed Him.

5:12  Now it came to pass that as He was in one of the cities, a man full of leprosy saw Jesus and immediately fell on his face, beseeching Him and saying, "Lord, if You will, You have the power to cleanse me."

5:13  And after stretching out His hand, He touched him, saying, "I will. Be cleansed!" And the leprosy instantly left him.

5:14  Then He charged him to tell no one, and said, "Go and show yourself to the priest, and bring an offering for your cleansing as Moses commanded, for a witness to them."

5:15  But reports of His miracles were spread abroad even more; and great multitudes came to hear Him and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.

5:16  Then He withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

5:17  Now it came to pass that on one of the days when He was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come out of every village from Galilee and from Judea, including the villages around Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was there for healing the sick.

5:18  And behold, men came, carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; and they sought to bring him in and place him before Him.

5:19  But when they could not find a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went up on the rooftop and lowered him with the stretcher through the tiles into the midst, directly in front of Jesus.

5:20  And seeing their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins have been forgiven you."

5:21  Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this Who speaks blasphemies? Who has the power to forgive sins, except God alone?"

5:22  But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered and said to them, "Why do you reason in your hearts?

5:23  Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you'? Or to say, 'Arise and walk'?

5:24  But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on the earth to forgive sins," He said to the one who was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise and take up your stretcher, and go to your house."

5:25  And he immediately stood up in front of them; and after taking up the stretcher on which he had been lying, he went to his house, glorifying God.

5:26  And amazement seized everyone, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today."

5:27  Now after these things, He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, "Follow Me."

5:28  Then he arose, leaving everything, and followed Him.

5:29  And Levi made a great feast for Him in his house, and there were a large number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them.

5:30  But the scribes and the Pharisees complained to His disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"

5:31  Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are in good health do not need a physician, but those who are sick.

5:32  I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

5:33  Then they said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John fast often and make supplications, and those of the Pharisees do the same, but Your disciples are eating and drinking?"

5:34  And He said to them, "Can you make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

5:35  But the time will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and in those days they shall fast."

5:36  Then He also spoke a parable to them: "No one puts a piece of new cloth on an old garment, or the new cloth will make a tear; for the piece that is from the new cloth is not compatible with the old piece.

5:37  And no one puts new wine into old skins, or the new wine will burst the skins and will spill out, and the skins will be destroyed;

5:38  But new wine must be put into new skins, and both will be preserved together.

5:39  And no one after drinking the old wine immediately desires the new; for he says, 'The old is better.' "

Chapter 6

6:1  Now it came to pass on the second Sabbath of the first rank that He was walking through the grain fields; and His disciples were plucking the ears and were eating, after rubbing them in their hands.

6:2  But some of the Pharisees said to them, "Why are you doing that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbaths?"

6:3  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you not read even this, that which David did when he himself hungered, and those who were with him?

6:4  How he went into the house of God and took the loaves of showbread, and he ate of them, and also gave some to those with him, which it is not lawful to eat except for the priests only?"

6:5  And He said to them, "The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

6:6  Now it also came to pass on another Sabbath that He went into the synagogue and taught; and a man was there whose right hand was withered.

6:7  And the scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against Him.

6:8  But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, "Arise and stand in the midst." And he arose and stood in their midst.

6:9  Then Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful to do good or to do evil on the Sabbaths? to save life or to destroy it?"

6:10  And after looking around on them all, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored as sound as the other.

6:11  But they were filled with rage, and consulted with one another as to what they should do with Jesus.

6:12  Now it came to pass in those days that He went up into the mountain to pray, and He spent the entire night in prayer to God.

6:13  And when it was day, He called His disciples to Him and chose from them twelve, whom He also named apostles:

6:14  Simon, whom He also named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;

6:15  Matthew and Thomas; James, the son of Alpheus, and Simon who was called Zealot;

6:16  Judas, brother of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became the betrayer.

6:17  And after descending with them, He stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples; and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases;

6:18  And those who were tormented by unclean spirits also came; and they were healed.

6:19  And all the crowd sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed all.

6:20  And He lifted up His eyes upon His disciples and said, "Blessed are you, the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

6:21  Blessed are those who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are those who weep now, for you shall laugh.

6:22  Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall cut you off, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as wicked, for the Son of man's sake.

6:23  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy; for behold, great is your reward in heaven; for their fathers did these same things to the prophets.

6:24  But woe to you, the rich, for you are receiving your consolation!

6:25  Woe to you who have been filled, for you shall hunger! Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep!

6:26  Woe to you when all men shall speak well of you! For their fathers did these same things to the false prophets.

6:27  But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, and do good to those who hate you.

6:28  Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you.

6:29  If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other cheek also; and if anyone takes your cloak, do not forbid your coat also.

6:30  Give to everyone who asks you; and if anyone takes what is yours, do not ask for it back.

6:31  And exactly as you would have men do to you, you do the same to them also.

6:32  But if you love only those who love you, what praise is it to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

6:33  And if you do good only to those who are doing good to you, what praise is it to you? For even sinners do the same.

6:34  And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what praise is it to you? For even sinners lend to sinners, that they may receive as much again.

6:35  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest; for He is good to the unthankful and the wicked.

6:36  Therefore, you also be compassionate, even as your Father is compassionate.

6:37  And do not judge others, so that you yourself will not be judged in any way. Do not condemn others, so that you will not be condemned in any way. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.

6:38  Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete out, it shall be measured again to you."

6:39  Then He spoke a parable to them, saying, "Is a blind man able to lead a blind man? Will not both fall into the ditch?

6:40  A disciple is not above his teacher; but everyone who is perfected shall be like his teacher.

6:41  And why do you look at the sliver that is in your brother's eye, but you do not perceive the beam that is in your own eye?

6:42  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, allow me to cast out the sliver that is in your eye,' but you do not see the beam that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First cast out the beam from your own eye, and then shall you see clearly to cast out the sliver that is in your brother's eye.

6:43  For there is not a good tree that is producing corrupt fruit; nor is there a corrupt tree that is producing good fruit.

6:44  For every tree is known by its own fruit; for they do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather a bunch of grapes from a bramble.

6:45  The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and the wicked man out of the wicked treasure of his heart brings forth that which is wicked; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

6:46  And why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' but you do not practice what I say?

6:47  Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and practices them, I will show you what he is like:

6:48  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock; and a flood came, and the torrent beat against that house, but could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.

6:49  But the one who has heard My words and has not practiced them is like a man who built a house on top of the ground, without a foundation; and when the torrent beat against it, it fell at once, and the ruin of that house was great."

Chapter 7

7:1  And when He had finished all His sayings in the ears of the people, He went into Capernaum.

7:2  Now a certain centurion's servant, who was cherished by him, was ill and about to die.

7:3  And after hearing about Jesus, he sent the elders of the Jews to beseech Him to come and heal his servant.

7:4  And after coming to Jesus, they besought Him earnestly, saying that he was worthy to whom He should grant this.

7:5  "For he loves our nation," they said, "and he built the synagogue for us."

7:6  Then Jesus went with them; but when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should come under my roof;

7:7  Therefore, neither did I count myself worthy to come to You; but say the word, and my servant shall be healed.

7:8  For I also am a man appointed 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."

7:9  And when He heard these things, Jesus was amazed at him; and turning to the multitude following Him, He said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith."

7:10  And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the sick servant in good health.

7:11  Now it came to pass on the next day that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a great multitude.

7:12  And as He drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who had died was being carried out, an only son to his mother, and she was a widow; and a considerable crowd from the city was with her.

7:13  And when the Lord saw her, He was moved with compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep."

7:14  And He came up to the bier and touched it, and those who were bearing it stopped. Then He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise!"

7:15  And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and He gave him to his mother.

7:16  Then fear seized everyone, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us," and, "God has visited His people."

7:17  And this report about Him went out into all Judea and all the country around.

7:18  Then John's disciples brought word to him about all these things.

7:19  And after calling two certain disciples, John sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You He Who was to come, or are we to look for another?

7:20  And when the men came to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You He Who was to come, or are we to look for another?' "

7:21  Now in the same hour, He healed many of diseases and scourges and evil spirits, and He granted sight to many who were blind.

7:22  And Jesus answered and said to them, "When you have gone, relate to John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor.

7:23  And blessed is everyone who shall not be offended in Me."

7:24  Now after the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to gaze at? A reed shaken by the wind?

7:25  But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who dress in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in the palaces.

7:26  But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one more excellent than a prophet.

7:27  This is he concerning whom it is written, 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who shall prepare Your way before You.'

7:28  For I tell you, among those who have been born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

7:29  Now all the people and the tax collectors who heard this justified God because they had been baptized with the baptism of John.

7:30  But the Pharisees and the doctors of the law had set aside the counsel of God concerning themselves, and had not been baptized by him.

7:31  And the Lord said, "To what then shall I compare the men of this generation? And what are they like?

7:32  They are like little children sitting and calling to one another in the marketplace, and saying, 'We have piped to you, but you did not dance; we have mourned to you, but you did not weep.'

7:33  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you said, 'He has a demon.'

7:34  The Son of man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners’;

7:35  But wisdom is justified by all her children."

7:36  Now one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. And after going into the Pharisee’s house, He sat down at the table.

7:37  And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that He was sitting in the Pharisee’s house, took an alabaster flask of ointment;

7:38  And she stood weeping behind Him, and knelt at His feet, and began to wash His feet with her tears and to wipe them with the hairs of her head; and she was ardently kissing His feet and anointing them with the ointment.

7:39  But when he saw this, the Pharisee who had invited Him spoke within himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would have known who and what the woman is who is touching Him because she is a sinner."

7:40  Then Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he said, "Teacher, say on."

7:41  "There were two debtors of a certain creditor; one owed five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty.

7:42  But when they did not have anything with which to pay him, he forgave them both. Tell Me then, which of them will love him most?"

7:43  And Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave the most." And He said to him, "You have judged rightly."

7:44  And after turning to the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house, and you did not provide any water to wash My feet; but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

7:45  You did not give Me a kiss; but she, from the time I came in, has not ceased to ardently kiss My feet.

7:46  You did not anoint My head with oil; but she has anointed My feet with ointment.

7:47  For this cause, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven because she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, he loves little."

7:48  And He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."

7:49  Then those who were sitting with Him began to say within themselves, "Who is this, Who even forgives sins?"

7:50  But He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

Chapter 8

8:1  Now it came to pass afterwards that He traveled through all the land, city by city and village by village, preaching and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God; and the twelve were with Him,

8:2  And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who is called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;

8:3  And Joanna, wife of Chuza, a steward of Herod; and Susanna, and many others who were ministering to Him from their own substance.

8:4  And as a great multitude was assembling, and those who were coming to Him from every city, He spoke a parable:

8:5  "The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some seed fell by the road; and it was trampled upon, and the birds of heaven devoured it.

8:6  And other seed fell upon the rock; and after it had sprung up it withered because it did not have any moisture.

8:7  And other seed fell among the thorns; and after springing up together, the thorns choked it.

8:8  And other seed fell upon the good ground, and after springing up produced fruit a hundredfold." And when He had said these things, He cried aloud, saying, "The one who has ears to hear, let him hear."

8:9  Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What might this parable be?"

8:10  And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but to the rest it is given in parables, so that in seeing they may not see, and in hearing they may not understand.

8:11  Now this is the parable: The seed is the Word of God;

8:12  And those that fell by the road are the ones who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the Word from their heart, lest they should believe and be saved.

8:13  And those that fell upon the rock are the ones who, when they hear, receive the Word with joy; but these do not have any root, who believe only for a while, and in time of trial fall away.

8:14  And those that fell into the thorns are the ones who have heard, but are choked while pursuing the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and do not bring any fruit to maturity.

8:15  And those that fell on the good ground are the ones who, in a right and good heart, hear the Word and keep it, and bring forth fruit with endurance.

8:16  Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a couch, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who are entering may see the light.

8:17  For there is nothing hidden that shall not be made manifest, nor any secret that shall not be known and come to light.

8:18  Therefore, take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him shall be given; but whoever does not have, even what he seems to have shall be taken from him."

8:19  Then His mother and His brothers came to Him, but were not able to get to Him because of the multitude.

8:20  And it was told Him, saying, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You."

8:21  But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are those who are hearing the Word of God and are doing it."

8:22  Now it came to pass on one of those days that He and His disciples went into a ship; and He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." And they put off from the shore.

8:23  And as they sailed, He fell asleep; and a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were being filled with water, and were in danger.

8:24  Then they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water; and they ceased, and there was a calm.

8:25  And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" But they were afraid, and wondered, saying to one another, "Who then is this that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?"

8:26  Then they sailed down to the country of the Gadarenes, which is across from Galilee.

8:27  And when He went out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had been possessed by demons for a long time; and he was not wearing any clothes, and did not dwell in a house, but in the tombs.

8:28  Now when he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down in front of Him, and said with a loud voice, "What do You have to do with me, Jesus, Son of God the Most High? I beseech You, do not torment me."

8:29  For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had seized him, and each time he was restrained, being bound with chains and fetters; but after breaking the bonds, he was driven by the demon into the desert.

8:30  And Jesus asked it, saying, "What is your name?" And it said, "Legion," because many demons had entered into him.

8:31  Then it begged Him that He would not command them to go away into the abyss.

8:32  Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain, and they begged Him that He would allow them to enter into the swine; and He gave them permission.

8:33  And the demons went out of the man and entered into the swine, and the whole herd rushed headlong down the steep slope into the lake and were drowned.

8:34  Now when those who were feeding the swine saw what had taken place, they fled; and they went and reported it to the city and to the country.

8:35  And those who heard went out to see what had taken place; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, clothed and of a sound mind, seated at Jesus' feet. And they were afraid.

8:36  And those who had seen it related to them how the one who had been possessed by demons was healed.

8:37  Then all the multitude of the Gadarenes from the country around asked Him to depart from them; for they were filled with great fear. And He went into the ship to return.

8:38  And the man from whom the demons had gone out begged to be taken with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying,

8:39  "Return to your own house and declare all that God has done for you." And he went throughout the whole city, proclaiming all that Jesus had done for him.

8:40  Now it came to pass that when Jesus returned, the multitude gladly received Him; for they had all been looking for Him.

8:41  And behold, a man came whose name was Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue; and after falling at Jesus' feet, he begged Him to come to his house,

8:42  Because his only daughter, about twelve years old, was dying. And as He went, the multitudes were thronging Him.

8:43  And a woman who had been afflicted with a flow of blood for twelve years, and had spent her whole living on physicians, but could not be cured by anyone,

8:44  Came behind Him and touched the border of His garment; and immediately the flow of her blood stopped.

8:45  And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" And as everyone began to deny it, Peter and those with Him said, "Master, the multitudes are thronging and pressing You, and You ask, 'Who touched Me?' "

8:46  But Jesus said, "Someone touched Me, because I know that power went out from Me."

8:47  Then the woman, seeing that her act was not concealed, came trembling; and after falling down in front of Him before all the people, she declared for what cause she had touched Him, and how she had immediately been healed.

8:48  And He said to her, "Be of good courage, daughter; your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

8:49  While He was yet speaking, one came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter has died. Do not trouble the Master."

8:50  But hearing this, Jesus answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid. Only believe, and she shall be restored."

8:51  And when He went into the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter and James and John, and the father and the mother of the child.

8:52  And they were all weeping and bewailing her. But He said, "Do not weep. She is not dead, but is sleeping."

8:53  Then they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead.

8:54  But after putting everyone outside, He took hold of her hand and called out, saying, "Child, arise."

8:55  And her spirit returned, and she immediately arose; and He directed that something to eat should be given to her.

8:56  And her parents were amazed, but He charged them not to tell anyone what had happened.

Chapter 9

9:1  Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases;

9:2  And He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to heal those who were sick.

9:3  And He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey—neither staffs, nor provision bag, nor bread, nor money, nor two coats apiece.

9:4  And whatever house you may enter, lodge there and go forth from there.

9:5  But whoever will not receive you, as you are departing from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them."

9:6  Then they went out and passed through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

9:7  Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all the things that were being done by Him; and he was perplexed because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,

9:8  And by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen.

9:9  And Herod said, "I beheaded John, but Who is this about Whom I hear such things?" And he desired to see Him.

9:10  Now when they returned, the apostles related to Him everything they had done. Then He took them and withdrew privately into a desert place of a city called Bethsaida.

9:11  And when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and He healed those who had need of healing.

9:12  But when the day began to decline, the twelve came to Him and said, "Dismiss the multitude, so that they may go into the villages and the country round about, and may find lodging and provisions; for we are here in a desert place."

9:13  Then He said to them, "You give them something to eat." But they said, "There is nothing more than five loaves and two fish with us, unless we go and buy food for all the people."

9:14  For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, "Make them sit in companies by fifties."

9:15  And they did so, and made everyone sit down.

9:16  Then He took the five loaves and the two fish; and looking up into heaven, He blessed them and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude.

9:17  And they ate, and everyone was satisfied; and that which was left by them was taken up, twelve baskets full.

9:18  Now it came to pass as He was praying alone, and the twelve disciples were with Him, that He questioned them, saying, "Who do the multitudes declare Me to be?"

9:19  And they answered and said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and others, that some prophet from ancient times has risen from the dead."

9:20  Then He said to them, "But Who do you declare Me to be?" And Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God."

9:21  And He charged them, strictly forbidding them to tell this to anyone,

9:22  Saying, "It is necessary for the Son of man to suffer many things, and to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised the third day."

9:23  Then He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and let him take up his cross daily, and let him follow Me;

9:24  For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it; but whoever will lose his life for My sake shall save it.

9:25  For what is a man profited by gaining the whole world, if he himself is lost or destroyed?

9:26  For whoever shall be ashamed of Me and My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

9:27  But I tell you in truth, there are some of those standing here who shall not taste of death until they have seen the kingdom of God."

9:28  Now it came to pass about eight days after these words, that He took Peter and John and James and went up into the mountain to pray.

9:29  And it came to pass that as He prayed, the appearance of His face was changed, and His clothing became radiantly white.

9:30  And suddenly two men appeared, talking with Him; they were Moses and Elijah,

9:31  Who appeared in glory and spoke of His departure, which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

9:32  But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory, and the two men who were standing with Him.

9:33  And it came to pass that, as these were departing from Him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; now let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah"— not realizing what he was saying.

9:34  But as he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they feared as those three entered into the cloud.

9:35  Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, the Beloved. Listen to Him!"

9:36  And as the voice ended, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and told no one in those days of anything that they had seen.

9:37  Now it came to pass that on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great multitude met Him.

9:38  And a man in the crowd immediately cried out, saying, "Master, I beseech You, look upon my son, because he is my only child;

9:39  And a spirit takes him, and he suddenly cries out; and it throws him into convulsions with foaming, and then departs from him with difficulty, leaving him bruised.

9:40  And I besought Your disciples, that they might cast it out; but they were not able."

9:41  Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? Bring your son here."

9:42  And as he was approaching, the demon flung him down and threw him into convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and gave him back to his father.

9:43  And all were astonished at the majesty of God. And while everyone was wondering about all the things that Jesus had done, He said to His disciples.

9:44  "Let these words sink deep into your ears, for the Son of man is about to be delivered into the hands of men."

9:45  But they did not understand this saying; for it was concealed from them, so that they would not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

9:46  Then an argument arose among them which was this: who would be the greatest among them.

9:47  And when Jesus perceived the thoughts of their hearts, He took hold of a little child and set it by Him,

9:48  And said to them, "Whoever shall receive this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever shall receive Me receives Him Who sent Me. For the one who is least among you all shall be great."

9:49  Then John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbad him because he does not follow with us."

9:50  But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, because everyone who is not against us is for us."

9:51  Now it came to pass, when the days were being fulfilled that He should be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.

9:52  And He sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they came to a village of Samaritans to prepare for Him;

9:53  But they did not receive Him, because His face was as if He were going to Jerusalem.

9:54  And seeing this, His disciples James and John said, "Lord, will You have us call fire to come down from heaven and consume them, as Elijah did?"

9:55  But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not understand of what spirit you are.

9:56  For the Son of man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." And they went to another village.

9:57  Now it came to pass that as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You may go, Lord."

9:58  But Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of heaven have nests; but the Son of man does not have any place to lay His head."

9:59  Then He said to another, "Follow Me." And he said, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."

9:60  But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."

9:61  And another also said, "I will follow You, Lord, but allow me first to bid farewell to those who are at my house."

9:62  But Jesus said to him, "No one who sets his hand to the plow, and looks back at the things behind, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Chapter 10

10:1  Now after these things, the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them two by two before His face, into every city and place where He Himself was about to come.

10:2  And so He said to them, "The harvest is indeed great, but the workmen are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest that He may send out workmen into His harvest.

10:3  Go forth! Behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

10:4  Carry no purse, nor provision bag, nor sandals, and do not salute anyone on the way.

10:5  But whatever house you may enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house.'

10:6  And if indeed a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; but if, on the other hand, it be not so, your peace shall return to you.

10:7  And lodge in the same house, eating and drinking that which is supplied by them; for the workman is worthy of his hire. Do not move from house to house.

10:8  And whatever city you may enter, and they receive you, eat the things set before you,

10:9  And heal the sick in it, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.'

10:10  But whatever city you may enter, and they do not receive you, go into the streets and say,

10:11  'Even the dust of your city, which clings to us, we wipe off against you; yet know this, that the kingdom of God has drawn near to you.'

10:12  For I tell you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in that day than for that city.

10:13  Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which have been taking place in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

10:14  But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.

10:15  And you, Capernaum, who have been lifted up to heaven, shall be brought down to the grave.

10:16  The one who hears you hears Me; and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and the one who rejects Me rejects Him Who sent Me."

10:17  Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us through Your name."

10:18  And He said to them, "I was watching when Satan fell from heaven like lightning.

10:19  Behold, I give you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you in any way.

10:20  Yet do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

10:21  In the same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit, and said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You did hide these things from the wise and intelligent, and did reveal them to babes. Yes, Father, for it was well pleasing in Your sight to do so."

10:22  Then He turned to the disciples and said, "All things were delivered to Me by My Father; and no one knows Who the Son is, except the Father; and Who the Father is, except the Son, and the one to whom the Son personally chooses to reveal Him."

10:23  And He turned to His disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that have seen the things that you see.

10:24  For I tell you, many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them."

10:25  Now a certain doctor of the law suddenly stood up, tempting Him and saying, "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

10:26  And He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?"

10:27  Then he answered and said, "You shall 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."

10:28  And He said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this, and you shall live."

10:29  But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

10:30  And taking it up, Jesus said, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and was encircled by thieves; and after they had stripped him of his goods and inflicted him with wounds, they went away, leaving him half dead.

10:31  Now by coincidence, a certain priest went down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

10:32  And in like manner also, a Levite, when he was at the place, came and saw him, and passed by on the opposite side.

10:33  But a certain Samaritan, as he was journeying, came to him; and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion.

10:34  And he went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he put him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

10:35  And when he left on the next day, he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him, and whatever you may expend above this, I will repay you when I come back.'

10:36  Therefore, which of these three seems to you to have been a neighbor of him who fell among the thieves?"

10:37  And he said, "The one who showed compassion toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "You go and do likewise."

10:38  Now it came to pass as they were going that He came into a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.

10:39  And she had a sister called Mary, who sat down at Jesus' feet and was listening to His message.

10:40  But Martha was distracted because of much serving; and she came to Jesus and said, "Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Now then, speak to her, so that she will help me."

10:41  Then Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are full of care and troubled about many things;

10:42  But there is one need above all else; and Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from her."

Chapter 11

11:1  Now it came to pass that as He was praying in a certain place, when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us how to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

11:2  And He said to them, "When you pray, say, 'Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name; Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so also upon the earth.

11:3  Give us our bread as needed day by day;

11:4  And forgive us our sins, as we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.' "

11:5  Then He said to them, "Who among you has a friend that he shall go to at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;

11:6  For a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I do not have anything to set before him';

11:7  And from within he shall answer, saying, 'Do not disturb me. The door has already been shut, and my children are in bed with me. I cannot get up to give to you.'

11:8  I say to you, even if he will not rise to give to him on account of being his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as much as he needs.

11:9  And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.

11:10  For everyone who asks receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, it shall be opened.

11:11  But which of you who is a father, if a son shall ask for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent instead of a fish?

11:12  Or if he shall ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

11:13  Therefore if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father Who is in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

11:14  Now He was casting out a demon, and it was dumb; but it came to pass that when the demon had gone out, the one who had been dumb spoke. And the multitudes were amazed.

11:15  But some of them said, "He is casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, prince of the demons."

11:16  And others, tempting Him, were seeking a sign from heaven.

11:17  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.

11:18  And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? Consider now, because you are saying that I cast out demons by Beelzebub.

11:19  And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Because of this, they shall be your judges.

11:20  But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

11:21  When a strong man who is armed guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe.

11:22  But when a stronger man than he comes upon him, he overcomes him, and takes away his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoil.

11:23  The one who is not with Me is against Me, and the one who does not gather with Me scatters.

11:24  When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it goes through waterless places, seeking rest; and when it does not find any, it says, 'I will return to the house from which I came out.'

11:25  And when it comes, it finds it swept and adorned.

11:26  Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first."

11:27  And it came to pass that as He spoke these things, a certain woman lifted up her voice from the multitude and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts that You sucked."

11:28  And He said, "Yes, rather, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it."

11:29  Now when the multitudes had crowded around even more, He began to say, "This is an evil generation, seeking after a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.

11:30  For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, in the same way also shall the Son of man be a sign to this generation.

11:31  The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall 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.

11:32  The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, because they repented at Jonah's proclamation; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

11:33  Now no one who lights a lamp sets it in a secret place or under a bushelbasket, but on a lampstand, so that those who are entering may see the light.

11:34  The light of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is without guile, your whole body is light; but when your eye is evil, your body also is dark.

11:35  Therefore, beware that the light that is in you is not darkness.

11:36  Now then, if your whole body is light, not having any part dark, it shall be full of light, as when a lamp shining brightly gives you light."

11:37  Now while He was speaking, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him; and He went in and sat down.

11:38  But the Pharisee, seeing this, wondered why He had not first washed before dinner.

11:39  Then the Lord said to him, "Now, you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are full of greediness and wickedness.

11:40  Fools, did not He Who made the outside also make the inside?

11:41  Rather, give alms from the things that are within; and behold, all things are clean to you.

11:42  But woe to you, Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint and rue and every herb, but you pass over the judgment and the love of God. It is obligatory for you to do these things, and not to set aside those lesser things.

11:43  Woe to you, Pharisees! For you love the chief seat in the synagogues and the salutations in the marketplaces.

11:44  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are as unseen tombs, and men who walk over them do not know it."

11:45  And one of the doctors of the law answered and said to Him, "Teacher, by saying these things You are also insulting us."

11:46  And He said, "Woe to you also, doctors of the law! For you weigh men down with burdens heavy to bear, but you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.

11:47  Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, whom your fathers killed.

11:48  Therefore, you are bearing witness and consenting to the works of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs.

11:49  Because of this, the wisdom of God also said, 'I will send prophets and apostles to them; and some of them they shall kill, and others they shall drive out

11:50  So that the blood of all the prophets, poured out from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation

11:51  From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zacharias, who perished between the altar and the house of God.' Yes, I tell you, it shall be required of this generation.

11:52  Woe to you, doctors of the law! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you prevented those who were entering."

11:53  And as He was saying these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began vehemently to press and provoke Him to speak about many things,

11:54  While they kept a close watch on Him, seeking to catch something out of His mouth so that they might accuse Him.

Chapter 12

12:1  During this time, an innumerable multitude was gathering, crowding so close together that they were stepping on one another. First of all He began to speak to His disciples, saying, "Guard yourselves from the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy;

12:2  For there is nothing covered that shall not be uncovered, nor hidden that shall not be known.

12:3  Therefore, whatever you have spoken in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what you have spoken in the ear in closed rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

12:4  But I tell you, My friends, you should not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that are not able to do anything more.

12:5  But I will show you Whom you should fear. Fear Him Who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into the fire of Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!

12:6  Are not five sparrows sold for two coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

12:7  But even the hairs of your head have all been numbered. Therefore, do not be afraid; you are of greater value than many sparrows.

12:8  And I tell you, everyone who shall confess Me before men shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God;

12:9  But the one who has denied Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

12:10  And everyone who shall say a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but the one who has blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven.

12:11  But when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how or what you should reply in defense, or what you should say;

12:12  For the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that same hour what needs to be said."

12:13  Then one from the multitude said to Him, "Master, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

12:14  But He said to him, "Man, who has appointed Me a judge or a divider over you?"

12:15  And He said to them, "Watch out, and keep yourselves from covetousness, for no one's life is in the abundance of the things that he possesses."

12:16  Then He spoke a parable to them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly.

12:17  And he was reasoning within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to lay up my fruit?'

12:18  And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my granaries and build greater ones, and there will I lay up all my produce and my good things.

12:19  Then I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many good things laid up for many years; take your rest, eat, drink, and be merry." '

12:20  But God said to him, 'Fool, this night your soul shall be required of you; and to whom will you leave what you have prepared for yourself?'

12:21  So shall it be to the one who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

12:22  And He said to His disciples, "Because of this, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat; nor about your body, what you shall put on.

12:23  The life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

12:24  Consider the ravens; for they do not sow, nor reap; neither have they a storehouse or granary; but God feeds them. Of how much greater value are you than the birds?

12:25  And which one of you, by taking careful thought, has the power to add one cubit to his stature?

12:26  Therefore, if you do not have the power to do even the least, why are you anxious about the rest?

12:27  Consider the lilies, how they grow; they do not labor, nor do they spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

12:28  But if God so adorns the grass that today is in the field, and tomorrow is cast into an oven, how much more shall He clothe you, O you of little faith?

12:29  Then do not be seeking what you shall eat or what you shall drink, and do not be anxious.

12:30  For all the nations of the world seek after these things; and your Father knows that you have need of these things.

12:31  But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

12:32  Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father delights in giving you the kingdom.

12:33  Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make for yourselves purses that do not grow old, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief can come near, and no moth can destroy.

12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

12:35  Let your loins be girded about and your lamps burning,

12:36  And you yourselves be like men who are waiting for their lord, whenever he shall return from the wedding feast; so that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.

12:37  Blessed are those servants whom the lord, when he comes, shall find watching. Truly I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them sit down, and will come and serve them.

12:38  And if he comes in the second watch, or comes in the third watch, and finds them watching, blessed are those servants.

12:39  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

12:40  Now you, therefore, be ready; for the Son of man is coming in an hour that you do not think."

12:41  Then Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You speaking this parable to us only, or also to all?"

12:42  And the Lord said, "Who then is the wise and faithful steward, whom the lord shall put in charge of his household, to give to each one the portion of food in season?

12:43  Blessed is that servant whom the lord, when he comes, shall find so doing.

12:44  Of a truth, I tell you, he will set him over all his possessions.

12:45  But if that servant shall say in his heart, 'My lord delays his coming,' and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to be gluttonous and become drunk,

12:46  The lord of that servant will come in a day that he does not expect, and in an hour that he does not know, and will cut him asunder, and will appoint his portion with the unbelievers.

12:47  And that servant who knew the will of his lord, but did not prepare, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;

12:48  But the one who did not know, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For to whomever much has been given, from him shall much be required; and to whom much has been committed, from him they will demand the more.

12:49  I came to cast fire into the earth, and what will I, if it already be kindled?

12:50  For I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how burdened I am until it be accomplished!

12:51  Do you think that I came to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division;

12:52  Because from this time forward there shall be five in one house divided, three against two and two against three.

12:53  Father shall be divided against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-inlaw, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

12:54  Then He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising up from the west, immediately you say, 'A rainstorm is coming.' And so it happens.

12:55  And when a south wind is blowing, you say, 'It will be hot.' And it happens.

12:56  Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the earth and the sky; how then do you not discern this time?

12:57  And why even among yourselves do you not judge what is right?

12:58  For as you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, be diligent to settle with him while you are on the way; lest he drag you off to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer cast you into prison.

12:59  I tell you, there is no way that you shall come out of there until you have paid the very last coin."

Chapter 13

13:1  Now at the same time, there were present some who were telling Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

13:2  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were sinners above all Galileans, because they suffered such things?

13:3  No, I tell you; but if you do not repent, you shall all likewise perish.

13:4  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, do you suppose that these were debtors above all men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

13:5  No, I tell you; but if you do not repent, you shall all likewise perish."

13:6  And He spoke this parable: "A certain man had planted a fig tree in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it, but he did not find any.

13:7  Then he said to the vinedresser, 'Look here! For three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and have not found any. Cut it down. Why should it continue to waste space in the ground?'

13:8  But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it and put in manure,

13:9  And see if in fact it will bear fruit; but if not, after that you shall cut it down.' "

13:10  Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on one of the Sabbaths;

13:11  And lo, there was a woman who had been afflicted with a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, and she was bent over and unable to straighten herself up.

13:12  And when He saw her, Jesus called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you have been loosed from your infirmity."

13:13  Then He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.

13:14  But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, and said to the people, "There are six days in which men are obligated to work; therefore, during those days come and be healed, but not on the Sabbath day."

13:15  Therefore, the Lord answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to drink?

13:16  And is it not just as necessary for this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, eighteen years, to be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?"

13:17  And after He said these things, all those who opposed Him were ashamed; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were being done by Him.

13:18  Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

13:19  It is like a tiny mustard seed, which a man took and cast into his garden; and it grew and developed into a great tree, and the birds of heaven roosted in its branches."

13:20  And again He said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

13:21  It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour until all was leavened."

13:22  Now He was going through the cities and villages teaching, while making progress toward Jerusalem.

13:23  And one said to Him, "Lord, are those who are being saved few?" Then He said to them,

13:24  "Strive with your whole being to enter in through the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, but shall not be able.

13:25  Once the Master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside the door and knock, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us'; then shall He answer and say to you, 'I do not know you or where you are from.'

13:26  And you shall begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You have taught in our streets.'

13:27  And He shall say, 'I tell you, I do not know you or where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of unrighteousness.'

13:28  There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are cast out.

13:29  Then they shall come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

13:30  And behold, there are the last who shall be first, and the first who shall be last."

13:31  On the same day certain Pharisees came to Him, saying, "Go out and depart from this place because Herod desires to kill You."

13:32  And He said to them, "Go and say to that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and complete healings today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected;

13:33  But it is necessary for Me to proceed today and tomorrow and the following day; because it is not possible for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem.'

13:34  Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who have been sent to you; how often would I have gathered your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you refused!

13:35  Behold, your house is left to you desolate. And truly I say to you, you shall not see Me at all until the time comes that you say, 'Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.' "

Chapter 14

14:1  Now it came to pass, when He went into a house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, that they were watching Him.

14:2  And behold, there was a certain man who had dropsy standing in front of Him.

14:3  Then Jesus answered and spoke to the doctors of the law and to the Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

14:4  But they were silent. And after taking hold of him, He healed him and then let him go.

14:5  And He answered and said to them, "Who among you shall have a donkey or an ox fall into a pit, and will not immediately pull it out on the Sabbath day?"

14:6  But again, they were not able to answer Him concerning these things.

14:7  Then, observing how those who were invited were choosing out the chief places, He spoke a parable to them, saying,

14:8  "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit in the chief place, lest someone more honorable than you has been invited by him.

14:9  For the one who invited you and him shall come to you and say, 'Give place to this one,' and then shall you begin with shame to take the last place.

14:10  But when you are invited, go and sit down in the last place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, come up higher.' Then shall you have honor in the presence of those who are sitting at the table with you.

14:11  For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and the one who humbles himself shall be exalted."

14:12  And He also said to him who had invited Him, "When you make a dinner or supper, do not call your friends, nor your brethren, nor your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and a recompense be made to you.

14:13  But when you make a feast, call the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind;

14:14  And you shall be blessed, for they do not have the means to repay you. But you shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."

14:15  Then one of those who sat at the table with Him, after hearing these things, said to Him, "Blessed is the one who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God."

14:16  But He said to him, "A certain man made a great supper, and invited many.

14:17  And he sent his servants at supper time to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'

14:18  But everyone with one consent began to excuse himself. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I need to go out to see it; I beg you to have me excused.'

14:19  And another said, 'I have bought five pairs of oxen, and I am going to try them out; I beg you to have me excused.'

14:20  And another said, 'I have married a wife, and because of this I am unable to come.'

14:21  And that servant came and reported these things to his lord. Then the master of the house was angry; and he said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.'

14:22  And the servant said, 'Sir, it has been done as you commanded, and there is still room.'

14:23  Then the lord said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.

14:24  For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited shall taste of my supper.' "

14:25  And great multitudes were going with Him; and He turned and said to them,

14:26  "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers and sisters, and, in addition, his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

14:27  And whoever does not carry his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple;

14:28  For which one of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has sufficient for its completion;

14:29  Lest perhaps, after he has laid its foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,

14:30  Saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish'?

14:31  Or what king, when he goes out to engage another king in war, does not first sit down and take counsel, whether he will be able with ten thousand to meet him who is coming against him with twenty thousand?

14:32  But if not, while his enemy is still far off, he sends ambassadors and desires the terms for peace.

14:33  In the same way also, each one of you who does not forsake all that he possesses cannot be My disciple.

14:34  Salt is good; but if the salt becomes tasteless, with what shall it be seasoned?

14:35  It is fit neither for the land, nor for the manure; but they cast it out. The one who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Chapter 15

15:1  Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were drawing near to hear Him;

15:2  And the Pharisees and the scribes criticized Him, saying, "This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

15:3  Then He spoke this parable to them, saying,

15:4  "Which man of you who has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost, searching until he finds it?

15:5  And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing;

15:6  And after coming to his house, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.'

15:7  I tell you that likewise, there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance.

15:8  Or what woman who has ten coins, if she should lose one, does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search diligently until she finds it?

15:9  And after finding it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I lost.'

15:10  I tell you that in like manner, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

15:11  Then He said, "A certain man had two sons;

15:12  And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me that portion of the property which falls to me.' And he divided to them his living.

15:13  And not many days after, the younger son gathered everything together and departed into a distant country. And there he wasted all his substance, living in debauchery.

15:14  But after he had spent everything, there arose a severe famine throughout that country, and he began to be in need.

15:15  Then he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

15:16  And he was longing to fill his stomach with the husks that the swine were eating, but no one gave anything to him.

15:17  And when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have an abundance of bread, and I am dying of hunger?

15:18  I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;

15:19  And I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired servants." '

15:20  And he arose and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and embraced him, and ardently kissed him.

15:21  And his son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

15:22  But the father said to his servant, 'Bring out a robe, the best robe, and clothe him, and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet;

15:23  And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.

15:24  For this my son was dead, but is alive again; and he was lost, but is found.' And they began to be merry.

15:25  But his elder son was in a field; and when he was coming back, and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.

15:26  And after calling one of the servants nearby, he inquired what these things might be.

15:27  And he said to him, 'Your brother has come home, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him safe and well.'

15:28  Then he was angry and would not go in. As a result, his father came out and pleaded with him.

15:29  But he answered and said to his father, 'Behold, I have served you so many years, and never did I transgress your commandment; yet you never gave me a kid, so that I might make merry with my friends;

15:30  But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed the fattened calf for him.'

15:31  Then he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

15:32  But it was fitting to make merry and rejoice because your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, but is found.' "

Chapter 16

16:1  And He also said to His disciples, "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and he was accused of wasting his master's goods.

16:2  And after calling him, he said to him, 'What is this I hear concerning you? Render an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.'

16:3  Now the steward said within himself, 'What shall I do, for my lord is taking away the stewardship from me? I am not able to dig; I am ashamed to beg.

16:4  I know what I will do, that, when I have been removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.'

16:5  And after calling each one of his lord's debtors to him, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my lord?'

16:6  And he said, 'A hundred baths of oil.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down immediately and write fifty.'

16:7  Then to another he said, 'And how much do you owe?' And he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill and write eighty.'

16:8  And the lord praised the unrighteous steward, because he had acted prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in their own generation than the children of light.

16:9  And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; so that, when you fail, they may receive you into the age-lasting dwellings.

16:10  The one who is faithful in the things that are least is also faithful in much; and the one who is unrighteous in the things that are least is also unrighteous in much.

16:11  Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches?

16:12  And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give to you your own?

16:13  No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and he will love the other; or he will hold to the one and will despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

16:14  Now the Pharisees who were also covetous, heard all these things; and they ridiculed Him.

16:15  And He said to them, "You are those who justify themselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination before God.

16:16  The Law and the Prophets were until John; from that time the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone zealously strives to enter it.

16:17  But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

16:18  Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and everyone who marries a woman who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

16:19  Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, and daily indulged himself in luxury.

16:20  And there was a certain poor man named Lazarus, who was laid at his porch, full of sores.

16:21  And he longed to be nourished with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; and the dogs even came and licked his sores.

16:22  Now it came to pass that the poor man died, and he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died and was buried.

16:23  And in the grave he lifted up his eyes and was in torment, for he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

16:24  And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have compassion on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am suffering because of this flame.'

16:25  Then Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you received good things to the full, and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now he is comforted, and you are suffering.

16:26  And besides all these things, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed; so that those who desire to pass from here to you are not able, nor can those from there pass to us.'

16:27  And he said, 'I beseech you then, father, that you would send him to my father's house,

16:28  For I have five brothers; so that he may earnestly testify to them, in order that they also may not come to this place of torment.'

16:29  Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear them.'

16:30  But he said, 'No, Father Abraham, but if one from the dead would go to them, they would repent.'

16:31  And he said to him, 'If they will not hear Moses and the prophets, they would not be persuaded even if one rose from the dead.' "

Chapter 17

17:1  Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses will come, but woe to the one by whom they come!

17:2  It is better for him that a millstone be put around his neck and he be cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to offend.

17:3  Watch yourselves; and if your brother commits a sin against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

17:4  And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

17:5  Then the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."

17:6  But the Lord said, "If you had faith as a tiny mustard seed, you might say to this sycamine tree, 'Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

17:7  But which of you having a servant plowing or shepherding will immediately say to him when he comes in from the field, 'Come and sit down and eat'?

17:8  Rather, will he not say to him, 'Prepare what I may eat, and gird yourself, and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterwards you may eat and drink'?

17:9  Is he thankful to that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.

17:10  Likewise you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, 'We are unprofitable servants, because we have done that which we were obligated to do'.

17:11  Now it came to pass that as He was going up to Jerusalem, He passed through the middle of Samaria and Galilee.

17:12  And as He went into a certain village, He was met by ten leprous men, who stood at a distance.

17:13  And they lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

17:14  And when He saw them, He said to them, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And it came to pass that while they were going, they were cleansed.

17:15  Then one of them, seeing that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice;

17:16  And he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him; and he was a Samaritan.

17:17  And answering, Jesus said, "Were not ten cleansed? But where are the other nine?

17:18  Are not any found returning to give glory to God except this stranger?"

17:19  Then He said to him, "Arise and go. Your faith has healed you."

17:20  Now when the Pharisees demanded of Him when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation;

17:21  Neither shall they say, 'Behold, it is here!' Or, 'Behold, it is there!' For behold, the kingdom of God is standing in the midst of you."

17:22  Then He said to the disciples, "The days will come when you shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and shall not see it.

17:23  And they shall say to you, 'Look here,' or, 'Look there.' Do not go, neither follow them.

17:24  For as the light of day, whose light shines from one end under heaven to the other end under heaven, so also shall the Son of man be in His day.

17:25  But first it is necessary for Him to suffer many things and to be rejected by this generation.

17:26  Now as it was in the days of Noah, so also shall it be in the days of the Son of man.

17:27  They were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah went into the ark, and the Flood came and destroyed them all.

17:28  And it was the same way in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building;

17:29  But on the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed them all.

17:30  This is how it shall be in the day that the Son of man is revealed.

17:31  In that day, let not the one who is on the housetop, and his goods in the house, come down to take them away; and likewise, let not the one who is in the field return to the things behind.

17:32  Remember Lot's wife.

17:33  Whoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

17:34  I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

17:35  Two women shall be grinding together; one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

17:36  Two men shall be in the field; one shall be taken, and the other shall be left."

17:37  And they answered, saying to Him, "Where, Lord?" And He said to them, "Where the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together."

Chapter 18

18:1  And He also spoke a parable to them to show that it is necessary to pray always, and not to give up,

18:2  Saying, "There was in a certain city a certain judge who neither feared God nor respected man.

18:3  And there was a widow in that city; and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Avenge me of my adversary.'

18:4  Now for a time he would not; but afterwards he said within himself, 'Although I do not fear God and do not respect man,

18:5  Yet because this widow is causing me trouble, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming.' "

18:6  Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

18:7  And shall not God execute vengeance for His elect, who cry out to Him day and night, and patiently watch over them?

18:8  I tell you that He will execute vengeance for them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, shall He find the true faith on the earth?"

18:9  And to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others, He also spoke this parable:

18:10  "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

18:11  The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself in this manner: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men— extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers—or even as this tax collector.

18:12  I fast twice in the week, and I give a tithe of everything that I gain.'

18:13  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat himself on the chest, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.'

18:14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled; and the one who humbles himself shall be exalted."

18:15  Then they brought to Him infants also, so that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

18:16  But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Permit the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

18:17  Truly I say to you, whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God like a little child shall in no way enter into it."

18:18  And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

18:19  Then Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One—God.

18:20  You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery. You shall not commit murder. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and your mother.' "

18:21  And he said, "I have kept all these commandments from my youth."

18:22  And after hearing these things, Jesus said to him, "You still lack one thing; sell everything that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come and follow Me."

18:23  But when he heard these things, he became very sorrowful; for he was quite rich.

18:24  Now when Jesus saw him become so sorrowful, He said, "How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

18:25  For it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

18:26  And those who heard this said, "Who then is able to be saved?"

18:27  But He said, "The things that are impossible with men are possible with God."

18:28  Then Peter said, "Behold, we have left everything and have followed You."

18:29  And He said to them, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,

18:30  Who shall not receive manifold more in this time, and in the age that is coming— eternal life."

18:31  And after taking the twelve aside to Himself, He said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that have been written about the Son of man by the prophets shall be fulfilled.

18:32  For He shall be delivered up to the Gentiles, and shall be mocked and insulted and spit upon.

18:33  And after scourging Him, they shall kill Him; but on the third day, He shall rise again."

18:34  But they understood none of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what was said.

18:35  Now it came to pass that as He drew near to Jericho, there was a certain blind man who sat begging beside the road.

18:36  And hearing a multitude passing by him, he asked what this might be.

18:37  And they told him, "Jesus the Nazarean is passing by."

18:38  Then he called out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me."

18:39  And those who were going in front rebuked him, so that he would be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me."

18:40  Then Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he came near, He asked him,

18:41  Saying, "What do you desire to have Me do for you?" And he said, "Lord, that I may receive sight."

18:42  Then Jesus said to him, "Receive sight. Your faith has healed you."

18:43  And immediately he received sight; and he followed Him, glorifying God. Now after seeing this, all the people gave praise to God.

Chapter 19

19:1  Then Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.

19:2  And behold, a man named Zaccheus was there. Now he was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.

19:3  And he was seeking to see Jesus, Who He was; but he was not able because of the multitude, for he was a man of small stature.

19:4  But after running ahead, in front of the multitude, he climbed up into a sycamore tree so that he might see Him; for He was about to pass that way.

19:5  And when He came to the place, Jesus looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zaccheus, make haste to come down, for today it is necessary for Me to stay at your house."

19:6  And he came down in haste and received Him joyfully.

19:7  But after seeing this, everyone began to criticize, saying, "He has gone in to lodge with a sinful man."

19:8  Then Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, the half of my possessions, Lord, I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I return fourfold."

19:9  And Jesus said to him, "Today, salvation has come to this house, inasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

19:10  For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which is lost."

19:11  Now as they were listening to these things, He went on to speak a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.

19:12  Therefore, He said, "A certain nobleman set out to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and to return.

19:13  And after calling ten of his servants, he gave to them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Trade until I come back.'

19:14  But his citizens hated him and sent an ambassador after him, saying, 'We are not willing to have this man reign over us.'

19:15  And it came to pass that when he returned after receiving the kingdom, he directed that those servants to whom he had given the money be called to him, in order that he might know what each one had gained by trading.

19:16  And the first one came up, saying, 'Lord, your pound has produced ten pounds.'

19:17  Then he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.'

19:18  And the second one came, saying, 'Lord, your pound has made five pounds.'

19:19  Then he also said to this one, 'And you be over five cities.'

19:20  But another came, saying, 'Lord, behold your pound, which I kept laid up in a handkerchief.

19:21  For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You take up what you did not lay down, and you reap what you did not sow.'

19:22  Then he said to him, 'Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am a harsh man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow.

19:23  Then why didn't you deposit my money in the bank, so that at my coming I might have received it with interest?'

19:24  And he said to those who were standing by, 'Take the pound from him, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.'

19:25  And they said to him, 'Lord, he has ten pounds.')

19:26  For I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given; but the one who does not have, even what he has shall be taken from him.

19:27  Moreover, bring my enemies, those who were not willing for me to reign over them, and slay them here before me.' "

19:28  And after saying these things, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

19:29  Now it came to pass that as He approached Bethphage and Bethany, toward the mountain called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples,

19:30  Saying, "Go into the village across from you. Upon entering it, you shall find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat; loose it, and bring it to Me.

19:31  And if anyone asks you why you are loosing it, this is what you shall say to him: 'Because the Lord has need of it.' "

19:32  And those who had been sent went and found it exactly as He had said to them.

19:33  And as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, "Why are you loosing the colt?"

19:34  Then they said, "The Lord has need of it."

19:35  And they led it to Jesus; and after laying their garments on the colt, they put Jesus on it.

19:36  Now as He went along, they spread their garments in the road.

19:37  And as He drew near to the city, already being at the descent of the Mount of Olives, all the multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and to praise God with a loud voice for all the works of power that they had seen,

19:38  Saying, "Blessed be the King, Who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

19:39  And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to Him, "Master, rebuke Your disciples."

19:40  But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out."

19:41  And when He came near and saw the city, He wept over it,

19:42  Saying, "If you had known, even you, at least in this your day, the things for your peace; but now they are hidden from your eyes.

19:43  For the days shall come upon you that your enemies shall cast a rampart about you, and shall enclose you around and keep you in on every side,

19:44  And shall level you to the ground, and your children within you; and they shall not leave in you a stone upon a stone, because you did not know the season of your visitation."

19:45  Then He went into the temple and began to cast out those who were selling and those who were buying in it,

19:46  Saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers."

19:47  Now He was teaching day by day in the temple; and the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people were seeking to destroy Him,

19:48  But could not find what they might do; for all the people were listening intently, hanging on His every word.

Chapter 20

20:1  Now it came to pass on one of those days, as He was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes came up with the elders,

20:2  And spoke to Him, saying, "Tell us by what authority You do these things, and who gave You this authority?"

20:3  And He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and you tell Me:

20:4  The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men?"

20:5  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

20:6  But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."

20:7  And they replied that they did not know where it was from.

20:8  Then Jesus said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."

20:9  And He began to speak this parable to the people: "A certain man planted a vineyard, and leased it out to husbandmen, and left the country for a long time.

20:10  And in the harvest season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, so that they might give him some of the fruit from the vineyard; but the husbandmen beat him and sent him away empty.

20:11  And after that he sent another servant; but they also beat him and scorned him and sent him away empty.

20:12  And after that he sent a third servant; but they also wounded him and cast him out.

20:13  Then the lord of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps when they see him, they will respect him.'

20:14  But when they saw him, the husbandmen reasoned among themselves, saying, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.'

20:15  And they cast him outside the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, what will the lord of the vineyard do to them?

20:16  He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others." Now after hearing this, they said, "MAY IT NEVER BE!"

20:17  But He looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written: 'The Stone that the builders rejected, this one has become the head of the corner?

20:18  Everyone who falls on that Stone shall be broken; but on whomever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.' "

20:19  And the chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on Him in that hour, because they knew that He had spoken this parable against them; but they feared the people.

20:20  And they kept Him under surveillance, and sent out secret agents who pretended that they were righteous, so that they might catch Him in His words, in order to deliver Him up to the power and authority of the governor.

20:21  And they questioned Him, saying, "Master, we realize that You speak and teach rightly, and do not accept any man's person, but teach the way of God in truth.

20:22  Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"

20:23  But perceiving their craftiness, He said to them, "Why do you tempt Me?

20:24  Show Me a silver coin. Whose image and inscription does it have?" And they answered and said, "Caesar's."

20:25  Then He said to them, "Render therefore the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God."

20:26  And they were not able to catch Him in His speech in the presence of the people. But being filled with amazement by His answer, they were silent.

20:27  Then some of the Sadducees, who do not believe there is a resurrection, came and questioned Him,

20:28  Saying, "Master, Moses wrote to us that if anyone's brother who had a wife should die, and he should die childless, his brother should take his dead brother's wife and raise up seed for his brother.

20:29  Therefore, there were seven brothers; and the first one, after taking a wife, died childless;

20:30  And the second one took the woman, and he died childless;

20:31  And the third one took her, and likewise the rest of the seven, and died, and did not leave children;

20:32  And last of all, the woman died also.

20:33  Therefore, in the resurrection, of which of them shall she be wife? For all seven had her as wife."

20:34  And Jesus answered and said to them, "The children of this age marry and are given in marriage;

20:35  But those who are accounted worthy to obtain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;

20:36  And neither can they die any more, for they are as the angels, and are the children of God, being children of the resurrection.

20:37  But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed by his words at the burning bush, when he called the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;

20:38  For He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live unto Him."

20:39  And some of the scribes answered and said, "Master, You have spoken well."

20:40  And after that they did not dare to ask Him any more questions.

20:41  Then He said to them, "Why do they say that the Christ is the Son of David?

20:42  Even David himself says in the book of Psalms, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand

20:43  Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." '

20:44  Therefore, since David calls Him Lord, how is He his Son?"

20:45  And as all the people were listening, He said to His disciples,

20:46  "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in robes, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the chief places at the suppers;

20:47  Who devour the houses of widows, and as a pretext pray at great length. These shall receive the greater judgment."

Chapter 21

21:1  When He looked up, He saw the rich men casting their offerings into the treasury.

21:2  Then He also saw a certain poor widow drop in two small coins.

21:3  And He said, "Of a truth, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them;

21:4  For all these have from their abundance cast into the offerings to God; but she, out of her poverty, did put in all the livelihood that she had."

21:5  And while some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts, He said,

21:6  "As for these things that you now see, the days will come in which there shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down."

21:7  And they asked Him, saying, "Master, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign that these things are about to take place?"

21:8  And He said, "Beware that you be not deceived; for many shall come in My name, saying, 'I am Christ'; and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore, do not go after them.

21:9  And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified; for it is necessary that these things take place first, but the end will not come immediately."

21:10  Then He said to them, "Nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;

21:11  There shall also be great earthquakes in different places, and famines and pestilences; and there shall be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

21:12  But before all these things, they shall lay their hands on you and shall persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, and bringing you before kings and governors, for My name's sake.

21:13  But it shall turn to you for a testimony.

21:14  Settle therefore in your hearts not to premeditate what you shall answer.

21:15  For I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all those who are opposing you shall not be able to reply to nor resist.

21:16  But you shall be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they shall put some of you to death;

21:17  And you shall be hated by all because of My name.

21:18  But not a hair of your head shall by any means perish.

21:19  By your patient endurance you shall gain your lives.

21:20  But when you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, then know that her desolation has drawn near.

21:21  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those within her go out, and let not those in the countries come into her;

21:22  For these are the days of vengeance, so that all things that have been written may be accomplished.

21:23  But woe to those who are with child and those who are giving suck in those days! For there shall be great distress upon the land and wrath upon this people.

21:24  And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

21:25  And there shall be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress and anxiety among the nations, the seas roaring with rolling surges;

21:26  Men dying of heart attacks from fear and dread of the things that are coming on the whole world; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with great power and glory.

21:28  But when these things begin to take place, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

21:29  Then He spoke a parable to them: "Observe the fig tree, and all the trees.

21:30  When they have already begun to bud, and you look at them, you yourselves know that summer is near.

21:31  In the same way also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that the kingdom of God is near.

21:32  Truly I say to you, there is no way that this generation shall pass away until all these things have taken place.

21:33  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall never pass away.

21:34  Watch yourselves, lest your hearts be preoccupied with high living and drinking and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly.

21:35  For as a snare it shall come upon all those who dwell on the face of the earth.

21:36  Watch therefore, and pray at all times that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

21:37  And during the day He was in the temple teaching, and at night He went out and lodged on the mountain called the Mount of Olives.

21:38  And all the people came to Him in the temple early in the morning to hear Him.

Chapter 22

22:1  Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called Passover, was approaching;

22:2  And the chief priests and the scribes were speculating as to how they might put Him to death, for they feared the people.

22:3  Then Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

22:4  And he went away, and spoke with the chief priests and the captains about a way by which he might betray Him to them.

22:5  And they rejoiced, and agreed to give him money.

22:6  And he promised, and sought an opportunity to betray Him to them away from the multitude.

22:7  Then came the day of the unleaveneds in which it was obligatory to kill the Passover lambs.

22:8  And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us that we may eat."

22:9  But they said to Him, "Where do You desire that we prepare it?"

22:10  And He said to them, "Watch, and when you come into the city, you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters;

22:11  And you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest chamber, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" '

22:12  And he shall show you a large upper room furnished; there prepare."

22:13  Then they went and found everything exactly as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.

22:14  Now when the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.

22:15  And He said to them, "With earnest desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

22:16  For I tell you that I will not eat of it again until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

22:17  And He took a cup; and after giving thanks, He said, "Take this, and divide it among yourselves.

22:18  For I say to you, I will not drink at all of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God has come."

22:19  And He took bread; and after giving thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body, which is given for you. This do in the remembrance of Me."

22:20  In like manner also, He took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.

22:21  Behold, even now the hand of him who is betraying Me is with Me at the table;

22:22  And the Son of man indeed goes, according as it has been appointed, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"

22:23  Then they began to question this among themselves, which of them it might be who was about to do this.

22:24  And there was also an argument among them, even this: which of them should be considered the greatest.

22:25  And He said to them, "The kings of the nations lord over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors.

22:26  But it shall not be this way among you; rather, let the one who is greatest among you be as the younger, and the one who is leading as the one who is serving.

22:27  For who is greater, the one who is sitting at the table, or the one who is serving? Is not the one who sits at the table? But I am among you as One Who is serving.

22:28  Now you are the ones who have continued with Me in My temptations.

22:29  And I appoint to you, as My Father has appointed to Me, a kingdom;

22:30  So that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and may sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

22:31  Then the Lord said, "Simon, Simon, listen well. Satan has demanded to have all of you, to sift as wheat.

22:32  But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren."

22:33  And he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death."

22:34  But He said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock shall in no wise crow today before you have denied knowing Me three times."

22:35  And He said to them, "When I sent you without purse and provision bag and sandals, did you lack anything?" And they said, "Nothing."

22:36  Then He said to them, "Now, however, let the one who has a purse take it, and likewise his provision bag; and let the one who does not have a sword sell his garment and buy one.

22:37  For I say to you, that which has been written must yet be accomplished in Me: 'And He was reckoned with the lawless'; for the things concerning Me have a fulfillment."

22:38  And they said, "Lord, see, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."

22:39  Then He left the house and went, as He was accustomed, to the Mount of Olives; and His disciples also followed Him.

22:40  And when He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you do not enter into temptation."

22:41  And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw; and falling to His knees, He prayed,

22:42  Saying, "Father, if You are willing to take away this cup from Me—; nevertheless, not My will, but Your will be done."

22:43  Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.

22:44  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat became as great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

22:45  And after rising up from prayer, He came to His disciples and found them sleeping for grief.

22:46  Then He said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Arise and pray, so that you do not enter into temptation."

22:47  And while He was still speaking, a crowd suddenly appeared, with the one who was called Judas, one of the twelve, going in front of them; and he came near to Jesus to kiss Him.

22:48  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of man with a kiss?"

22:49  And when those who were with Him saw what was about to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"

22:50  Then a certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

22:51  But Jesus answered and said, "That is enough!" Then He touched his ear and healed him.

22:52  And Jesus said to those who had come out against Him, the chief priests and captains of the temple and elders, "Have you come out, as against a thief, with swords and clubs?

22:53  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not stretch out your hands against Me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

22:54  And after arresting Him, they led Him away and brought Him into the house of the high priest. Now Peter was following at a distance.

22:55  And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat among them.

22:56  And a certain maid saw him sitting by the light; and after looking at him intently, she said, "Now this one was with Him."

22:57  But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."

22:58  And after a little while, another saw him and said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not."

22:59  Now after about an hour had passed, a certain other man strongly affirmed, saying, "In truth, this one also was with Him, for he is indeed a Galilean."

22:60  And Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was yet speaking, the cock crowed.

22:61  Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the cock crows, you shall deny Me three times."

22:62  And Peter went outside and wept bitterly.

22:63  Then the men who were holding Jesus mocked Him and beat Him.

22:64  And after covering His head, they repeatedly struck His face and asked Him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck You?"

22:65  And many other things they blasphemously said against Him.

22:66  Now as soon as it was day, the elders of the people assembled together, with both the chief priests and the scribes, and they led Him into their Sanhedrin, saying,

22:67  "If You are the Christ, tell us." And He said to them, "If I should tell you, you would not believe Me at all;

22:68  And if I should also ask you, you would not answer Me at all, nor let Me go.

22:69  Hereafter shall the Son of man be sitting at the right hand of the power of God."

22:70  And they all said, "Then You are the Son of God?" And He said to them, "I am that One, as you say."

22:71  Then they said, "What need do we have of any other witness? For we ourselves have heard from His own mouth."

Chapter 23

23:1  And when the entire assembly of them arose, they led Him to Pilate.

23:2  And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this man subverting the nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, claiming that He Himself is Christ, a King."

23:3  But Pilate questioned Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And He answered and said, "It is as you say."

23:4  Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find nothing blameworthy in this man."

23:5  But they were insistent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all of Judea, beginning from Galilee even to here."

23:6  And when he heard Galilee named, Pilate asked whether the Man were a Galilean;

23:7  And after determining that He was from Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, since he also was in Jerusalem in those days.

23:8  And when Herod saw Jesus, he rejoiced greatly; for he had long been desiring to see Him because he had heard many things about Him, and he was hoping to see a miracle done by Him.

23:9  And he questioned Him with many words; but He answered him nothing.

23:10  All the while, the chief priests and the scribes stood vehemently accusing Him.

23:11  Then Herod and his soldiers treated Him with contempt; and after mocking Him, he put a splendid robe on Him and sent Him back to Pilate.

23:12  And on that same day, Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, because before there was enmity between them.

23:13  And when Pilate had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

23:14  He said to them, "You brought this Man to me as one who was turning away the people; and behold, I have examined Him in your presence and have found nothing blameworthy in this Man concerning the accusation which you bring against Him;

23:15  Nor even has Herod; for I sent you to him, and observe, nothing worthy of death was done by Him.

23:16  Therefore, after I chastise Him, I will release Him."

23:17  Now of necessity, he had to release one to them at the feast.

23:18  But they all cried out at once, saying, "Away with this Man, and release Barabbas to us."

23:19  He was the one who had been cast into prison on account of making a certain insurrection in the city and committing murder.

23:20  Therefore, Pilate again called to them, wishing to release Jesus.

23:21  But they kept crying out, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!"

23:22  And a third time he said to them, "But what evil did this Man commit? I have not found any cause worthy of death in Him. Therefore, after chastising Him, I will release Him."

23:23  But they were urgent with loud voices, asking for Him to be crucified. And their voices, and those of the chief priests, prevailed.

23:24  Then Pilate decreed that their request be granted.

23:25  And he released to them the one whom they had asked for, who on account of insurrection and murder had been cast into prison, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.

23:26  And as they led Him away, they laid hold on a certain Cyrenian named Simon, who was coming from a field; and they put the cross on him, that he might carry it behind Jesus.

23:27  And following Him was a great multitude of people with many women, who also were bewailing and lamenting Him.

23:28  But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

23:29  For behold, the days are coming in which they shall say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that did not bear, and the breasts that did not give suck.'

23:30  Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us'; and to the hills, 'Cover us.'

23:31  For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall take place in the dry?"

23:32  And two other malefactors were also led away with Him to be put to death.

23:33  And when they came to the place called Place of a Skull, there they crucified Him and the malefactors, one on the right and one on the left.

23:34  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And as they divided His garments, they cast lots.

23:35  Now the people stood by observing, and the rulers among them were also deriding Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself, if this is the Christ, the chosen of God."

23:36  And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming near and offering Him vinegar,

23:37  And saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."

23:38  And there also was an inscription over Him written in Greek and Latin and Hebrew: "This is the King of the Jews."

23:39  Then one of the malefactors who was hanging there railed at Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."

23:40  But the other one answered and rebuked him, saying, "Do not even you fear God, you who are under the same condemnation?

23:41  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving due payment for what we did;

23:42  Then he said to Jesus, "Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your kingdom."

23:43  And Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you today, you shall be with Me in paradise."

23:44  Now it was about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.

23:45  And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was split down the middle.

23:46  And after crying out with a loud voice, Jesus said, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." And when He had said these things, He expired.

23:47  Now after seeing the things that took place, the centurion glorified God, saying, "Truly, this Man was righteous."

23:48  And all the people who had gathered together to this sight, after seeing the things that took place, returned beating their breasts.

23:49  But all those who knew Him stood off at a distance observing these things, the women also who had accompanied Him from Galilee.

23:50  And behold, there came a man named Joseph, a member of the council, a good and righteous man,

23:51  (He did not consent to the council and their deed)from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, and who was also himself waiting for the kingdom of God.

23:52  He, after going to Pilate, begged for the body of Jesus.

23:53  And after taking it down, he wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb hewn in a rock, in which no one had ever been laid.

23:54  Now it was a preparation day, and a Sabbath was coming on.

23:55  And the women also, who had come with Him from Galilee, followed and saw the tomb, and how His body was laid.

23:56  And they returned to the city, and prepared spices and ointments, and then rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Chapter 24

24:1  Now on the first day of the weeks, they came to the tomb at early dawn, bringing the spices that they had prepared; and certain others came with them.

24:2  But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb;

24:3  And when they entered it, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

24:4  And it came to pass that while they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in shining garments stood by them.

24:5  And as they bowed their faces to the ground, being filled with fear, they said to them, "Why are you seeking the living among the dead?

24:6  He is not here, but has risen: remember when He spoke to you while He was yet in Galilee,

24:7  Saying, 'It is necessary for the Son of man to be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and to be crucified, and to arise the third day'? "

24:8  Then they remembered His words;

24:9  And after returning from the tomb, they related these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

24:10  Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary, the mother of James, and the others with them, who told these things to the apostles.

24:11  But their words appeared to them as idle talk, and they did not believe them.

24:12  Then Peter rose up and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen clothes lying alone; and he went home wondering about the things that had come to pass.

24:13  And behold, on the same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, which was about sixty furlongs from Jerusalem.

24:14  And they were talking with one another about all the things that had taken place.

24:15  And it came to pass, as they were talking and reasoning, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them;

24:16  But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

24:17  And He said to them, "What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you walk, and why are you downcast in countenance?"

24:18  Then the one named Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You only traveling through Jerusalem, and have not known of the things that have happened in these days?"

24:19  And He said to them, "What things?" And they said to Him, "The things con-cerning Jesus the Nazarean, a Man Who was a prophet, Who was mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;

24:20  And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him up to the judgment of death, and crucified Him.

24:21  And we were hoping that He was the One Who would redeem Israel. But besides all these things, as of today, the third day has already passed since these things took place.

24:22  And also, certain women from among us astonished us, after they went to the tomb early;

24:23  For when they did not find His body, they came to us, declaring that they had indeed seen a vision of angels, who said, 'He is living.'

24:24  And some of those with us went to the tomb and found it exactly as the women had said, but they did not see Him."

24:25  Then He said to them, "O foolish and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

24:26  Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into His glory?"

24:27  And beginning with Moses, and from all the prophets, He interpreted to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

24:28  And as they approached the village where they were going, He appeared to be going on farther.

24:29  But they constrained Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is declining." And He entered in as if to stay with them.

24:30  And it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it; and after breaking it, He gave it to them.

24:31  Then their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; and He disappeared from them.

24:32  And they said to one another, "Did not our hearts burn within us as He was speaking to us on the road, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?"

24:33  And they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and those with them assembled together,

24:34  Saying, "In truth, the Lord has risen! And He has appeared to Simon."

24:35  Then they related the things that had happened to them on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

24:36  Now as they were telling these things, Jesus Himself stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be to you."

24:37  But they were terrified and filled with fear, thinking that they beheld a spirit apparition.

24:38  Then He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts come up in your hearts?

24:39  See My hands and My feet, that it is I. Touch Me and see for yourselves; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see Me having."

24:40  And after saying this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

24:41  But while they were still disbelieving and wondering for joy, He said to them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"

24:42  Then they gave Him part of a broiled fish and a piece of honeycomb.

24:43  And He took these and ate in their presence.

24:44  And He said to them, "These are the words that I spoke to you when I was yet with you, that all the things which were written concerning Me in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled."

24:45  Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

24:46  And said to them, "According as it is written, it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.

24:47  And in His name, repentance and remission of sins should be preached to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

24:48  For you are witnesses of these things.

24:49  And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but remain in the city of Jerusalem until you have been clothed with power from on high."

24:50  Then He led them out as far as Bethany; and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.

24:51  And it came to pass that as He was blessing them, He was separated from them and was carried up into heaven.

24:52  And after worshiping Him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

24:53  And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen