THE

NEW TESTAMENT,

TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL GREEK, WITH CHRONOLOGICAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE SACRED BOOKS, AND IMPROVED DIVISIONS OF CHAPTERS AND VERSES

BY LEICESTER AMBROSE SAWYER.

BOSTON: JOHN P. JEWETT AND COMPANY. CLEVELAND, OHIO: HENRY P. B. JEWETT. LONDON: SAMPSON LOW, SON AND COMPANY. 1858.

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1858, by JOHN P. JEWETT AND COMPANY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

LITHOTYPED BY COWLES AND COMPANY, 17 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON. Press of Allen and Farnham.

PREFACE.

THIS is not a work of compromises, or of conjectural interpretations of the sacred Scriptures, neither is it a paraphrase, but a strict literal rendering. It neither adds nor takes away; but aims to express the original with the utmost clearness, and force, and with the utmost precision. It adopts, however, except in the prayers, a thoroughly modern style, and makes freely whatever changes are necessary for this purpose.

Besides being a contribution to Biblical science, it is designed to be a still more important contribution to practical religion, for which the Bible in its original languages and in all its translations is chiefly valuable. The translation depends mainly on its superior adaptation to this end, under the blessing of God, for its success and usefulness. If it shall be found on trial to be a superior instrument of piety and virtue, it will doubtless meet with favor and do good. The ascendency of practical religion is not so general or complete, that any additional help for its promotion can be deemed unnecessary.

New translations of the Scriptures are generally introduced with apologies and received with caution and distrust. In many cases men have resisted them as dangerous innovations, and attempted to exterminate them with fire and sword. This was the case with the translations of Wickliffe and of Tindal. But truth and the kind providence of God were too mighty for their enemies, and these translations lived to see their persecutors in the dust, and to laugh them to scorn. Wickliffe's translation was published in 1380, in a dark age. Many good men anticipated from it the greatest calamities, and resisted it with the most intemperate zeal, and every species of denunciation was used against it. It was made from the Vulgate, and not from the Greek and Hebrew, and was imperfect; but it was a great improvement on what existed before, and it proved a great blessing.

Tindal was contemporary with Luther, and undertook to give a new translation of the Bible to England, as Luther did to Germany. He completed his New Testament against the greatest opposition, and published it in 1526, and was engaged on the Old Testament, when he was arrested, imprisoned a year, and then brought to the stake and strangled and burnt, at the age of fifty-nine, A.D. 1536. He was the morning star of the Reformation in England, and became by his translation of the New Testament and a part of the Old, and by the interest he excited in the subject of improved translations in England, one of the great benefactors of his race. He was a man of great gentleness, kindness, simplicity of character, and benevolence, and his life is without a stain. Coverdale translated the whole Bible, and published it in 1535 while Tindal was in prison waiting for his crown of martyrdom. Several other translations followed, and that of King James last of all, in 1611.

King James's translation was made by forty-seven translators, divided into six companies, and laboring on their work three years. The Douay Bible was first translated and published complete in 1609, almost simultaneously with the Bible of King James. It has the disadvantage of having been made from the Latin Vulgate, and not directly from the original Greek and Hebrew, but is a valuable version, and like the Bible of King James, is one of the great monuments of the times which produced it, as well as of the church which has adhered to it. It is good but not perfect; and it is hoped that its friends will not be unwilling to accept an improvement.

From the publication of Wickliffe's Bible in 1380, to that of Tindal's New Testament in 1526, was one hundred and forty-six years. From the publication of Tindal's New Testament in 1526, to that of King James's Bible in 1611, was eighty-five years. There was considerable progress made in knowledge, and the English language was considerably changed, in the interval of one hundred and forty-six years between the publication of Wickliffe's Bible and Tindal's New Testament. There was also considerable progress in knowledge, and some changes were made in the English language, in the interval of eighty-five years between the publication of Tindal's New Testament and King James's Bible.

The period that has elapsed between the publication of King James's Bible in 1611 and the present time (1858) is two hundred and forty-seven years, sixteen years more than the entire period from the publication of Wickliffe's Bible in 1380 to that of King James's in 1611. Besides, this has been a period of unparalleled activity in the investigation of Biblical subjects, and the prosecution of Biblical studies. Two hundred and forty-seven years, reckoning, thirty-three years to a generation, are seven generations and a half; and these seven generations and a half have been engaged in Biblical studies with unprecedented diligence and success, making great improvements in the text, detecting numerous interpolations and errors, making great improvements in the rendering, and detecting numerous errors in it; but the almost exclusive Bible of common life, of the family, the school, the church, and of private and devotional reading and study, with English Protestants, is still the Bible of King James, with its errors uncorrected, its interpolations unremoved, and its defects unsupplied.

Several new translations have been made since King James's time, but none of them have as yet been received with any considerable favor. King James's Bible, though extravagantly eulogized, was an excellent version for the times that produced it; yet it made much less improvement on the Bishop's Bible, the Geneva Bible, and Tindal's, Coverdale's, and others which it superseded, than Tindal's and Coverdale's did on Wickliffe's. Tindal, in the face of constant persecution, and cut off from many of the advantages and facilities which in more auspicious times he might have enjoyed, did more for the English Bible than all King James's translators. So did Luther for the Bible in Germany.

It is an unfortunate result of King James's translation of the Bible by an imposing council of learned men, that it has tended to discourage individual effort in respect to a labor of this kind, and to create a prejudice against it as necessarily incompetent and untrustworthy. Societies and councils have their spheres in which they are useful; yet they often transcend them and intrude on those of individuals. But there are great works which individuals can perform better than multitudes or councils. Councils did not make the Bible at first. It was made by individuals, each man acting for himself, and giving utterance to the mighty thoughts that God had given him. A council did not make Paradise Lost, and could not; nor has a council ever produced any immortal work of genius or learning, unless it is the English Bible of King James. With this exception, these are all the works of individuals. As individuals, therefore, have generally been the prosecutors of literary enterprises, in the department of Bible translation no less than in other departments, and as individuals have been eminently successful and useful in this department of labor heretofore, both in England and other countries, let it be hoped that they may be again.

There is a vast accumulation of knowledge to be made available by some one, or in some way, for the production of an improved English Bible, that shall bear the same relation to the advanced knowledge of these times, which Tindal's, Coverdale's, and that of King James did to theirs. More study has been expended on the sacred text and its interpretation, and more progress made in Biblical knowledge in the last seven generations, than in all time before. This knowledge is treasured up in critical editions of the original Scriptures, critical commentaries on them in Latin and other languages, in Greek and Hebrew Lexicons, and in other works in the various departments of Biblical learning, embracing commentaries on the English Scriptures, several of which are extensive and valuable. No man can gainsay them, no man can disparage them. They are monuments of the most precious and valuable learning of their times. Scholars with ample means and ample time for critical research, and those whose tastes and professions and convictions of duty incline them in that direction, may in a long series of years become masters of much of this learning, and receive the benefit of it. A few are masters of it, but how few! But how are the people to obtain it? When are they to find the time to obtain it? Where are they to find the means? The clergy are the instructors of the people on sacred subjects. Biblical learning is a part of their profession. They study it by day and by night, from youth to old age; but how are the great mass of clergymen even, amidst their parish cares and homiletical labors, and with their limited means and restricted libraries, to obtain much of this knowledge? Some of it they may obtain, but much of it they will not, and cannot.

The only way in which the vast stores of Biblical learning accumulated during the last two hundred and forty-seven years, by the labors of seven and a half generations toiling in succession, each generation beginning where that which preceded it left off, and each adding something to the stock which it received, can become available for the general benefit of the people, is by an improved text and translation of the Bible, into which, as far as possible, they shall all be brought, and to the perfection of which they shall contribute. This is the task which has been undertaken in the present work, and with what degree of success, the public will judge. The text which has been followed in this translation, is that of Tischendorf, published at Leipsic in 1850. It is not only a great improvement on the received text, but on the critical texts that are in general use in this country. Tischendorf follows Griesbach, Lachman and others, and availing himself of their labors, together with his own accurate collations of manuscripts extending to nearly all the most ancient manuscripts in the world, and following in the steps of Lachman by editing solely from ancient authority, has brought the text of the New Testament to a degree of perfection not anticipated or even hoped for in past ages. It is a high recommendation of this translation, and will command for it an additional respect from all competent judges, that it follows this highly improved text. Readers will be able by this to see what is the Bible and what is not. It is not claimed for the text of Tischendorf that it is perfect; no text can be; but it is claimed for it, that it retains no known interpolation in the sacred books, and omits nothing known to belong to them. Future laborers will doubtless make some improvements on the text of Tischendorf, as he has done on that of Lachman; but they cannot be expected to change it essentially.

I have deviated from Tischendorf in omitting Jesus as the proper name of Barabbas in two instances in Matt. xxv. 4, and occasionally in punctuation, and have retained two important interpolations in the text, duly noted as such, Mark, xvii. and John, x. 8.

The recent work of Trench on the English Bible came to hand after considerable progress had been made in stereotyping this volume. The translator was highly gratified to find that nearly all the improvements and corrections suggested by that eminent scholar were already made in this work, together with many others.

The arrangement of the books and divisions of the chapters and verses in this Translation are believed to be great improvements on those in common use. As such they are commended to the attention of translators and editors in different languages, and it is hoped will be found satisfactory.

The chronology of the New Testament is involved in great obscurity. The Christian Era was first proposed by Dionysius Exiguus, about A.D. 550, and was gradually adopted in the seventh and eighth centuries. By a mistake of Dionysius it was made to commence from four to six years too late. The birth of Christ was from 4 to 6 B.C.; his baptism, in the fifteenth year of Tiberius, A.D. 24; his death, probably, A.D. 28; and the events recorded in the first part of Acts prior to the death of Herod, A.D. 44, occurred considerably earlier than the dates usually assigned to them.

Matthew and Luke probably wrote their gospels A.D. 62 or 63; Mark and John, theirs A.D. 65-68. Acts was written A.D. 63. All the books of the New Testament were probably written before the destruction of Jerusalem, in the interval of seventeen years from A.D. 53 to 70.

The author of Revelation bears the same name as one of the Evangelists. But this does not prove that he was the same person, neither is the church tradition on the subject entitled to undoubted confidence. The author of Revelation does not claim to be an apostle; and by not making that claim in a book so extraordinary, virtually teaches that he is not such. His style also presents points of diversity from that of the Evangelist, that seem to be incompatible with the supposition that the same author wrote both works.

With these few explanations I commend this volume to the acceptance and blessing of our kind Father in heaven, and send it forth, accompanied with many prayers, to call men from sin to holiness, and from death and sorrow to the only true life and joy.

BOSTON, Mass., October, 1858.



CONTENTS.

THE HISTORICAL BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.

1. The Gospel of Matthew 2. The Gospel of Mark 3. The Gospel of Luke 4. The Gospel of John 5. Acts of the Apostles

THE EPISTLES OF PAUL.

1. First Epistle to the Thessalonians 2. Second Epistle to the Thessalonians 3. The Epistle to the Galatians 4. First Epistle to the Corinthians 5. Second Epistle to the Corinthians 6. The Epistle to the Romans 7. The Epistle to Philemon 8. The Epistle to the Colossians 9. The Epistle to the Ephesians [Laodiceans] 10. The Epistle to the Philippians 11. The Epistle to Titus 12. First Epistle to Timothy 13. Second Epistle to Timothy

THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES.

1. The Epistle of James 2. First Epistle of Peter 3. Second Epistle of Peter 4. The Epistle of Judas 5. First Epistle of John 6. Second Epistle of John 7. Third Epistle of John 8. The Epistle to the Hebrews

1. REVELATION



THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW.

CHAPTER I.

THE GENEALOGY AND BIRTH OF CHRIST.

1 [1:1]AN account of the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. [1:2]Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Judah and his brothers; [1:3]and Judah begat Pharez and Zarah by Thamar; and Pharez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Ram, [1:4]and Ram begat Aminadab, and Aminadab begat Nashon, and Nashon begat Salmon, [1:5]and Salmon begat Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz begat Obed by Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse, [1:6]and Jesse begat David the king.

2 And David begat Solomon by the wife of Uriah, [1:7]and Solomon begat Rehoboam, and Rehoboam begat Abijah, and Abijah begat Asa, [1:8]and Asa begat Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat begat Jehoram, and Jehoram begat Uzziah, [1:9]and Uzziah begat Jotham, and Jotham begat Ahaz, and Ahaz begat Hezekiah, [1:10]and Hezekiah begat Manassah, and Manassah begat Amon, and Amon begat Josiah, [1:11] and Josiah begat Jechoniah and his brothers at the Babylonian exile.

3 [1:12]After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah begat Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begat Zerubabel, [1:13]and Zerubabel begat Abiud, and Abiud begat Eliakim, and Eliakim begat Azar, [1:14]and Azar begat Zadoc, and Zadoc begat Achim, and Achim begat Eliud, [1:15]and Eliud begat Eleazar, and Eleazar begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Jacob, [1:16]and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, called Christ. [1:17]All the generations therefore, from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations; and from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; and from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

4 [1:18]The birth of Christ was thus. His mother Mary having been espoused to Joseph, before they came together, was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. [1:19]But Joseph her husband being a righteous man, and not wishing to make her an example, was designing to put her away privately. [1:20]But while he was thinking of these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit, [1:21]and she shall bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.

5 [1:22]But all this was done, that the word of the Lord might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying; [1:23]Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel; which is interpreted, God is with us. [1:24]And when Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took his wife, [1:25]and knew her not till she bore a son, and he called his name Jesus.



CHAPTER II.

THE INFANCY OF CHRIST.

1 [2:1]AND Jesus being born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold Magi came from the East to Jerusalem, saying, [2:2]Where is the king of the Jews born? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him. [2:3]And Herod the king hearing this was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [2:4]and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ is born. [2:5]And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet; [2:6]And you Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the governors of Judah, for out of you shall come a governor who shall rule my people Israel.

2 [2:7]Then Herod, calling the Magi secretly, asked them the precise time when the star appeared; [2:8]and sending them to Bethlehem, said, Go and inquire diligently for the young child, and when you have found him, tell me, that I also may come and worship him. [2:9]And hearing the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they saw in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. [2:10]And seeing the star they rejoiced with great joy; [2:11]and coming into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they presented him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. [2:12] And being divinely instructed in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their country another way.

3 [2:13]And when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy it. [2:14]And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and fled into Egypt, [2:15]and was there till the death of Herod; that the word might be fulfilled, which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying; Out of Egypt have I called my son.

4 [2:16]Then Herod seeing that he was despised by the Magi, was exceedingly angry, and sent and destroyed all the children in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years old and under, according to the precise time which he had learned of the Magi. [2:17]Thus was fulfilled the word spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying; [2:18]A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted because they were not.

5 [2:19]And when Herod had died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, in Egypt, saying, [2:20]Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead that sought the young child's life. [2:21]And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and went into the land of Israel. [2:22]But hearing that Archelaus reigned over Judea in the place of Herod his father, he was afraid to go there; but being divinely instructed in a dream, he departed into the parts of Galilee, [2:23] and went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that the word spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazoraean.



CHAPTER III.

CHRIST'S BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION.

1 [3:1]AND in those days came John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, [3:2]Change your minds, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. [3:3]For this is he that was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying; A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. [3:4]And this John had his clothes of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey. [3:5]Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region about the Jordan, [3:6] and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

2 [3:7]And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come for the baptism, he said to them; Offspring of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [3:8]Bear fruit, therefore, worthy of a change of mind; [3:9]and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for a father; for I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham; [3:10]and already the axe lies at the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, which bears not good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. [3:11]I indeed baptize you with water to a change of mind; but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not fit to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and fire; [3:12]whose winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean his threshing floor, and gather his wheat into the storehouse; but the chaff he will burn with an inextinguishable fire.

3 [3:13]Then came Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. [3:14]But, he refused him, saying, I have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? [3:15]But Jesus answered and said to him, Suffer me now; for thus, it becomes us to complete all righteousness. Then he suffered him; [3:16] and Jesus being baptized went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and come upon him. [3:17]And behold, a voice from the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.

4 [4:1]Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil. [4:2]And having fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards hungry. [4:3]And the tempter came and said to him, If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread. [4:4]And he answered and said; It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God. [4:5]Then the devil took him into the holy city, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, [4:6]and said to him, If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down; for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning you, and they shall take you up on their hands, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone. [4:7]Jesus said to him, Again it is written, You shall not try the Lord your God. [4:8]Again the devil took him away on a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory, [4:9]and said to him, All these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me. [4:10]Then Jesus said to him, Get behind me Satan; for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve. [4:11]Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and waited on him.



CHAPTER IV.

CHRIST COMMENCING HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY.

1 [4:12]AND when he heard that John was delivered up, he departed to Galilee; [4:13]and leaving Nazareth he came and lived at Capernaum on the lake, in the bounds of Zebulon and Naphtali, [4:14]that the word might be fulfilled, spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying; [4:15]Land of Zebulon and Naphtali, by the way of the lake, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations, [4:16]the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shade of death has light arisen. [4:17]From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Change your minds; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

2 [4:18]And walking by the lake of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. [4:19]And he said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishermen of men. [4:20]And they left their nets, immediately, and followed him. [4:21]And going forward thence, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. [4:22]And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

3 [4:23]And he went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. [4:24]And his fame went out into all Syria; and they brought him all that were ill, afflicted with various diseases and torments, and demoniacs, and lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them; [4:25] and great multitudes followed him from Galilee, and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judea, and beyond the Jordan.



CHAPTER V.

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT.

1 [5:1]AND seeing the multitudes, he went on the mountain and sat down; and his disciples came to him. [5:2]And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying; [5:3]Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [5:5] Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [5:4]Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted. [5:6]Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. [5:7]Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [5:8]Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. [5:9]Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called children of God. [5:10]Blessed are the persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [5:11]Blessed are you when they shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say every evil against you, falsely, for my sake. [5:12] Rejoice and exult, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.

2 [5:13]You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its strength, with what shall it be seasoned? It is good for nothing more, except being cast out to be trodden upon by men. [5:14]You are the light of the world. A city situated on a mountain cannot be hid. [5:15]Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a modius [1.916 gallon measure], but on a candlestick, and it shines to all in the house. [5:16]Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your father in heaven. [5:17]Think not that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets; I have not come to destroy but to complete. [5:18]For I tell you truly, that till heaven and earth pass away, one iota or one point shall by no means pass away from the law till all things are accomplished. [5:19]Whoever therefore shall break one of the least of these commandments, and teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [5:20]For I tell you, that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven.

3 [5:21]You have heard that it was said by the ancients, You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be subject to the judgment. [5:22]But I tell you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be subject to the judgment; and whoever says to his brother, Worthless fellow, shall be subject to the Sanhedrim; and whoever says, You fool, shall be subject to the hell of fire. [5:23]If, therefore, you offer your gift on the altar, and there remember that your brother has any thing against you, [5:24]leave there your gift before the altar, and go and first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. [5:25]Agree with your accuser quickly, while you are with him in the way, lest the accuser deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. [5:26]I tell you truly, you shall not go out thence till you have paid the last quadrans [4 mills].

4 [5:27]You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery; [5:28] but I tell you, that every one who looks on a woman to desire her inordinately, has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [5:29]But if your right eye offends you, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is better for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell. [5:30]And if your right hand offends you, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is better for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should go into hell. [5:31]And it was said, Whoever would put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorcement. [5:32] But I tell you, that whoever puts away his wife, except for adultery, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries her that is put away, commits adultery. [5:33]Again, you have heard that it was said by the ancients, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths. [5:34]But I tell you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; [5:35]nor by the earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King; [5:36]nor swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. [5:37]But let your speech be, yes, yes, and no, no; for any thing more than this is evil.

5 [5:38]You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. [5:39]But I tell you not to resist the evil man; but whoever shall strike you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; [5:40]and if a man wishes to have a law suit with you, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also; [5:41]and whoever shall compel you to go one mile, go two miles with him. [5:42]Give to him that asks, and from him that would borrow of you turn not away. [5:43]You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. [5:44]But I tell you, Love your enemies, and pray for those that persecute you; [5:45]that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and rains on the just and unjust. [5:46]For if you love those that love you, what reward have you? Do not the publicans the same? [5:47]And if you salute your brothers only, what do you do more than [others]? Do not the gentiles also do the same? [5:48]Be therefore perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

6 [6:1]But take heed not to perform your righteousness before men, to be seen by them; otherwise indeed, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. [6:2] When, therefore, you give in charity, sound not a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be glorified by men. I tell you truly, they have their reward. [6:3]But when you give in charity let not your left hand know what your right hand does, [6:4]that your charity may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you.

7 [6:5]And when you pray, be not like the hypocrites; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and at the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. I tell you truly, they have their reward. [6:6]But when you pray enter into your private room, and having shut your door pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you. [6:7]And when you pray use not vain repetitions, as the gentiles do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. [6:8]Be not, therefore, like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. [6:9]Pray, therefore, thus; Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name; [6:10]thy kingdom come; thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth; [6:11]give us to-day our essential bread, [6:12]and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; [6:13]and bring us not into trial, but deliver us from evil. [6:14]For if you forgive men their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you; [6:15]but if you forgive not men, neither will your Father forgive your offenses.

8 [6:16]And when you fast, be not like the hypocrites, of a sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to fast. I tell you truly, they have their reward. [6:17]But when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face, [6:18]that you may not appear to men to fast, but to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you.

9 [6:19]Lay not up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where a moth and corrosion destroy, and where thieves dig through and steal. [6:20]But lay up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither a moth nor corrosion destroys, and where thieves dig not through nor steal; [6:21]for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

10 [6:22]The light of the body is the eye. If, therefore, your eye is sound, your whole body will be light; [6:23]but if your eye is evil, your whole body will be dark. If, therefore, the light which is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! [6:24]No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the first, and love the other, or he will adhere to the first, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and riches. [6:25]On this account I tell you, be not anxious for your soul, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, what you shall put on, is not the soul more than food, and the body more than clothing? [6:26]Look at the birds of heaven; they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into store-houses; but your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they? [6:27]Which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his stature? [6:28]And why are you anxious concerning clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they perform no hard labor, neither do they spin; [6:29]but I tell you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [6:30]And if God so clothes the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, men of little faith? [6:31]Be not anxious, therefore, saying, What shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or with what shall we be clothed? [6:32]For after all these things the gentiles seek; and your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. [6:33]But seek first righteousness and his kingdom, and all these things shall be added to you. [6:34]Be not anxious, therefore, for to-morrow, for to-morrow will be anxious for its; sufficient for the day is its evil.

11 [7:1]Judge not, that you be not judged; [7:2]for with what judgment you judge you shall be judged; and with what measure you measure it shall be measured to you. [7:3]And why do you see a speck in your brother's eye, and not consider a beam in your own eye? [7:4]or how will you say to your brother, Let me cast out the speck from your eye, and behold a beam in your own eye? [7:5] Hypocrite, cast out first the beam from your eye, and then will you see clearly to cast out the speck from your brother's eye. [7:6]Give not a holy thing to dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they tread them down with their feet, and turn and rend you. [7:7]Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. [7:8]For every one that asks, receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. [7:9]Or is there any man of you, who, if his son asks bread of him, will give him a stone? [7:10]or if he asks a fish, will give him a serpent? [7:11]If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to them that ask him. [7:12]All things, therefore, which you wish men to do to you, do also thus to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

12 [7:13]Enter in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate; and spacious the way which leads to destruction, and many are they that enter in by it; [7:14]for narrow is the gate, and compressed the way which leads to life, and few are those who find it. [7:15]But beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but within they are rapacious wolves. [7:16]You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns? or figs from thistles? [7:17]So every good tree bears good fruits, but a bad tree bears bad fruits; [7:18]a good tree cannot bear bad fruits, nor a bad tree good fruits. [7:19] Every tree which bears not good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. [7:20] By their fruits, therefore, you shall know them.

13 [7:21]Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father in heaven. [7:22]Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name performed many mighty works? [7:23]and then will I confess to them, I never knew you; depart from me you that commit wickedness.

14 [7:24]Every one, therefore, that hears these words of mine and performs them, I will liken to a wise man who built his house on the rock; [7:25]and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on the rock. [7:26]And every one who hears these words of mine and performs them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, who built his house on the sand; [7:27]and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell; and its fall was great. [7:28]And when Jesus had finished these words the multitudes were astonished at his teaching; [7:29]for he taught them as having authority, and not as their scribes.



CHAPTER VI.

CHRIST'S MIRACLES, PREVIOUS TO THE APPOINTMENT OF HIS TWELVE APOSTLES.

1 [8:1]AND when he went down from the mountain great multitudes followed him; [8:2]and behold, a leper came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if you will, you can cleanse me. [8:3]And stretching out his hand, he touched him, saying, I will; be cleansed; and his leprosy was immediately cleansed. [8:4]And Jesus said to him, See that you tell no man, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded for a testimony to them.

2 [8:5]And when he entered into Capernaum a centurion came to him, beseeching him, [8:6]and saying; Lord, my servant lies sick in my house with paralysis, exceedingly distressed. [8:7]He said to him, I will come and cure him. [8:8] And the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not fit that you should come under my roof; but only say the word and my servant will be cured. [8:9]For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this man, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. [8:10]Jesus hearing wondered and said to those that followed him, I tell you truly, I have not found so great a faith with any one in Israel; [8:11]and I tell you that many shall come from the East and from the West, and shall recline with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, [8:12]but the children of the kingdom shall be cast into the darkness outside; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [8:13]And Jesus said to the centurion, Go; as you have believed be it to you; and the servant was cured at that hour.

3 [8:14]And Jesus coming into the house of Peter, saw his wife's mother lying and sick with a fever. [8:15]And he touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she arose and waited on them. [8:16]And when it was evening they brought him many demoniacs, and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all that were sick, [8:17]that the word might be fulfilled spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying; He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.

4 [8:18]And Jesus seeing great multitudes around him commanded them to go away to the other side. [8:19]And a certain scribe came and said to him, Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go. [8:20]And Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of heaven have places of shelter, but the Son of man has not where to lay his head. [8:21]Another of the disciples said to him, Lord, permit me first to go away and bury my father. [8:22]But Jesus said to him, Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead. [8:23]And he entered into a ship, and his disciples followed him. [8:24]And behold there was a great tempest on the lake, so that the ship was covered with the waves; but he was asleep. [8:25] And they came and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us; we perish. [8:26]And he said to them, Why are you afraid, men of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the lake, and there was a great calm. [8:27]And the men wondered, saying, What kind of a man is this, that the winds and the lake obey him?

5 [8:28]And when he had come to the other side, into the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no man could pass that way. [8:29]And behold they cried, saying, What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come hither before the time to torment us? [8:30]And there was far off from them a herd of many swine feeding. [8:31]And, the demons besought him, saying, If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine. [8:32]And he said to them, Go. And going out, they went away into the herd of swine, and, behold, the whole herd rushed down a precipice into the lake, and died in the waters; [8:33]and those who fed them fled, and going away into the city reported all things, and the events relating to the demoniacs. [8:34]And behold all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him they besought him to depart from their bounds.

6 [9:1]And entering a ship, he crossed over, and came to his own city; [9:2] and behold they brought him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, Son, be of good courage; your sins are forgiven. [9:3]And behold some of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemes. [9:4]And Jesus observing their thoughts, said, Why do you think evil in your hearts? [9:5]For in what respect is it easier to say, Your sins are forgiven, than to say, Arise and walk? [9:6]But that you may know that the Son of man has power on the earth to forgive sins, then he said to the paralytic, Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house. [9:7]And he arose and departed to his house. [9:8]And when the multitudes saw it they were afraid, and glorified God who had given such power to men.

7 [9:9]And Jesus departing thence saw a man sitting at the custom-house, called Matthew; and he said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. [9:10] And he was reclining in the house, and behold, many publicans and sinners came and reclined with Jesus and his disciples. [9:11]And when the Pharisees saw them they said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with publicans and sinners? [9:12]And hearing it he said, The well need not a physician, but the sick. [9:13]Go and learn what this means: I wish for mercy and not a sacrifice; for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

8 [9:14]Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples fast not? [9:15]And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they shalt fast. [9:16]But no one puts a piece of unfilled cloth on an old garment; for it takes away its fullness from the garment, and the rent is made worse. [9:17]Neither do they put new wine into old bottles; otherwise the bottles break, and the wine is poured out and the bottles destroyed; but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

9 [9:18]While he was saying these words to them, behold a ruler came and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is now dead, but come and put your hand on her and she shall live. [9:19]And Jesus arose and followed him, and his disciples. [9:20]And behold a woman having a hemorrhage of twelve years approached him from behind, and touched the fringe of his garment; [9:21]for she said within herself, If I can only touch his garment I shall be cured. [9:22]And Jesus turning around and seeing her, said, Daughter, be of good courage, your faith has cured you. And the woman was cured from that hour.

10 [9:23]And Jesus coming into the house of the ruler, and seeing the musicians and the multitude making a tumultuous noise, [9:24]said, Go away; for the girl is not dead, but asleep. And they derided him. [9:25]But when the multitude were removed he went in and took her hand, and the girl arose. [9:26]And the report went out into all that land.

11 [9:27]And as Jesus was departing thence two blind men followed him, crying and saying, Have mercy on us, Son of David! [9:28]And when he had gone into the house the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to him, Yes, Lord. [9:29]Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it to you; [9:30]and their eyes were opened. And Jesus charged them strictly, saying, See that no one knows it. [9:31]But they went out and made him known in all that land.

12 [9:32]And when they had gone away, behold, the people brought to him a man, a dumb demoniac. [9:33]And the demon being cast out, the dumb spoke; and the multitudes wondered, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. [9:34]But the Pharisees said, He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.

13 [9:35]And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease, and every infirmity. [9:36]And seeing the multitudes he had compassion on them because they were faint and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. [9:37]Then he said to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers few. [9:38]Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to thrust laborers into his harvest.



CHAPTER VII.

THE APPOINTMENT OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES.

1 [10:1]AND calling his twelve disciples, he gave them power over impure spirits to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every infirmity. [10:2] And the names of the twelve apostles are these; First, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; [10:3]Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James, the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, called Thaddeus; [10:4]Simon, the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. [10:5]These twelve Jesus sent out and charged them, saying; Go not into a way of gentiles, and enter not into a city of Samaritans, [10:6]but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel; [10:7]and as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand. [10:8] Cure the sick, cleanse lepers, cast out demons; you have received gratuitously, gratuitously give. [10:9]Take not gold, nor silver, nor copper for your purses, [10:10]nor a provision sack for the way, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor staves; for the laborer is worthy of his support; [10:11]and into whatever city or village you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there remain till you leave. [10:12]And when you go into a house, salute it; [10:13]and if the house is worthy, your blessing shall come upon it; but if the house is not worthy, your blessing shall return to you. [10:14]And if any one does not receive you, nor hear your words, when you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet. [10:15]I tell you truly, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in a day of judgment, than for that city.

2 [10:16]Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves. [10:17]But beware of men; for they will deliver you to Sanhedrims, and scourge you in their synagogues, [10:18]and you shall be brought before governors, and kings, for my sake, for a testimony to them and the nations. [10:19]But when they have delivered you up be not anxious how you shall speak, or what you shall say, for it shall be given you in that hour what to say; [10:20]for it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaks in you. [10:21]And a brother shall deliver a brother to death, and a father a son; and children shall rise up against their parents and put them to death; [10:22]and you shall be hated by all men for my sake. But he that endures to the end shall be saved. [10:23]And when they persecute you in one city, flee to another. For I tell you truly, that you will not finish the cities of Israel till the Son of man shall come.

3 [10:24]A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. [10:25]It is sufficient for the disciple to be as his teacher, and the servant as his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they call the members of his family by that name. [10:26]Fear them not, therefore, for there is nothing concealed that shall not be revealed, nor hid that shall not be known. [10:27]What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light, and what you hear in the ear, preach on the house-tops. [10:28]And fear not those who kill the body and are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

4 [10:29]Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion [1.5 mills]? and one of them cannot fall to the ground without your Father. [10:30]Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. [10:31]Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows. [10:32]Every one, therefore, who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father in heaven; [10:33]and whoever denies me before men, him will I also deny before my Father in heaven.

5 [10:34]Think not that I have come to send peace on the earth. I have not come to send peace, but a sword. [10:35]I have come to set a man at variance against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a bride against her mother-in-law; [10:36]and a man's enemies shall be those of his own house. [10:37]He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; [10:38]and he that does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. [10:39]He that finds his life shall lose it, and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it. [10:40]He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me. [10:41]He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. [10:42]And whoever shall give one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, I tell you truly, he shall by no means lose his reward. [11:1]And when Jesus had finished his charge to his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities.



CHAPTER VIII.

JOHN THE BAPTIST QUESTIONING CHRIST'S MESSIAHSHIP.

1 [11:2]AND John hearing in the prison of the works of Christ, sending by his disciples, [11:3]said to him, Are you he that was coming, or look we for another? [11:4]And Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John what you see and hear; [11:5]the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news preached to them; [11:6]and blessed is he that is not offended with me.

2 [11:7]And when they had gone, Jesus began to say to the multitudes, concerning John, What went you out to the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? [11:8]But what went you out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Behold, they that wear fine clothes are in the houses of kings. [11:9]But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [11:10]For this is he of whom it is written; Behold, I send my messenger before your face, to prepare your way before you. [11:11]I tell you truly, there has not arisen among those born of woman a greater than John the Baptist; but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [11:12]And from the days of John the Baptist till now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. [11:13]For all the prophets and the law prophesied till John. [11:14]And if you will receive it, this is Elijah, who was to come.

3 [11:15]He that has ears, let him hear. [11:16]To what shall I liken this generation? It is like little children sitting in the markets, who call to their companions, [11:17]and say, We have played on pipes for you, and you have not danced; we have mourned, and you have not lamented. [11:18]For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon; [11:19]the Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a glutton, and a wine drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified by her children.

4 [11:20]Then he began to rebuke those cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they changed not their minds. [11:21]Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works which have been done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed their minds long ago in sackcloth and ashes. [11:22]But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in a day of judgment than for you. [11:23]And you, Capernaum, which are exalted even to heaven, shall go down even to hades; for if the mighty works which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. [11:24]But I tell you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in a day of judgment, than for you.

5 [11:25]At that time Jesus answering said, I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and intelligent, and hast revealed them to babes. [11:26]Yes, Father, for so it has seemed good in thy sight. [11:27]All things are given me by my Father; and no one knows the Son but the Father; and no one knows the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. [11:28]Come to me all you that labor hard and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [11:29]Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls; [11:30]for my yoke is easy, and my burden light.



CHAPTER IX.

CHRIST'S DOCTRINE OF THE SABBATH.

1 [12:1]AT that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the sabbath; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pick the heads and eat. [12:2]And the Pharisees seeing it, said to him, Behold, your disciples do what it is not lawful to do on the sabbath. [12:3]But he said to them, Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him? [12:4]how he entered into the house of God and eat the show bread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those with him, but only for the priests? [12:5]Or have you not read in the law, that the priests profane the sabbath in the temple, and are blameless? [12:6]But I tell you that here is an object greater than the temple. [12:7]But if you had known what, I wish for mercy and not a sacrifice, means, you would not have condemned the innocent; [12:8]for the Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath.

2 [12:9]And departing thence he went into their synagogue, [12:10]and behold a man having a withered hand [was there]. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath? that they might accuse him. [12:11]And he said to them, What man is there of you having one sheep, who if this falls into a pit on the sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? [12:12]How much then is a man better than a sheep! So that it is lawful to do good on the sabbath. [12:13] Then he said to the man, Stretch out your hand; and he stretched it out, and it was restored as sound as the other; [12:14]and the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him to destroy him.

3 [12:15]But Jesus knowing it departed thence, and great multitudes followed him; and he cured them all, [12:16]and charged them not to make him known; [12:17]that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying; [12:18]Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased; I will put my spirit on him, and he shall declare judgment to the nations. [12:19]He shall not strive nor cry aloud, nor shall any one hear his voice in the streets. [12:20]A bruised reed shall he not break, and a smoking flax shall he not extinguish, till he sends forth judgment to victory. [12:21]And in his name shall nations hope.



CHAPTER X.

CHRIST'S MIRACLES ATTRIBUTED TO DEMONS. HIS RELATIONS.

1 [12:22]THEN a blind and dumb demoniac was brought to him, and he cured him, so that the blind and dumb spoke and saw. [12:23]And all the multitudes wondered and said, Is this the Son of David? [12:24]But the Pharisees hearing it, said, This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, a ruler of the demons. [12:25]But knowing their thoughts, he said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed; and no city or house divided against itself can stand. [12:26]If Satan casts out Satan he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? [12:27]And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. [12:28] But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. [12:29]Or how can one enter into the house of a strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

2 [12:30]He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathers not with me scatters. [12:31]Therefore, I tell you, every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but the blasphemy of the Spirit shall not be forgiven men. [12:32] And if one speaks a word against the Son of man it shall be forgiven him; but if one speaks against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven him either in this life or in that to come. [12:33]Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. [12:34]Offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. [12:35]The good man, out of his good treasury, casts forth good things; and the evil man, out of his evil treasury, casts forth evil things. [12:36]But I tell you, that for every idle word which men speak they shall render an account in a day of judgment; [12:37] for by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.

3 [12:38]Then answered some of the scribes and Pharisees, saying, Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you. [12:39]But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, and no sign shall be given it but the sign of the prophet Jonah. [12:40]For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [12:41]The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they changed their minds at the preaching of Jonah; and behold a greater than Jonah is here. [12:42]The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold a greater than Solomon is here. [12:43]But when the impure spirit has gone out of a man, it goes through dry places seeking a rest, and finds none. [12:44]Then it says, I will return to my house from which I went out; and coming, it finds it empty, swept, and adorned. [12:45]Then it goes and takes with itself seven other spirits worse than itself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it be also with this evil generation.

4 [12:46]And while he was speaking to the multitudes, behold his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak to him. [12:47]And some one said to him, Behold your mother and your brothers stand without, desiring to speak to you. [12:48]And he answered and said to him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brothers? [12:49]and stretching out his hand to his disciples, he said, Behold my mother, and my brothers! [12:50]For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.



CHAPTER XI.

CHRIST'S PARABLES ON THE LAKE OF GALILEE.

1 [13:1]AND on that day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. [13:2] And great multitudes came together to him; and he went into the ship and sat down; and all the multitude stood on the shore. [13:3]And he spoke to them many things in parables, saying; Behold, a sower went out to sow; [13:4]and as he sowed, some fell by the way, and the birds came and devoured it. [13:5]And some fell on rocky places, where it had not much earth, and it came up immediately, because it had no depth of earth; [13:6]and when the sun arose it was scorched, and because it had no root it was dried up. [13:7]And some fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it. [13:8]But some fell on good ground, and bore fruit; some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty-fold. [13:9]He that has ears let him hear.

2 [13:10]And his disciples came and said to him, Why do you speak to them in parables? [13:11]And he answered and said to them, Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given; [13:12]for whoever has, to him shall be also given, and he shall abound; but whoever has not, from him shall be taken away even what he has. [13:13]For this reason I speak to them in parables; because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor understand. [13:14]And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which says; Hearing you shall hear and not understand, and seeing you shall see and not perceive; [13:15]for the hearts of this people have become hard, and they hear imperfectly with their ears, and their eyes have they closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I should heal them. [13:16]But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. [13:17]For I tell you truly, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see what you see and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear and have not heard it.

3 [13:18]Hear, therefore, the parable of the sower. [13:19]When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and takes away the seed sown in his heart. This is he that received seed by the way. [13:20]He that received seed on the rocky places is he that hears the word and immediately receives it with joy [13:21]but has no root in himself, but is only a temporary [disciple]; and when affliction or persecution arises on account of the word, he is immediately offended. [13:22]And he that received seed among thorns is he that hears the word, and the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. [13:23]But he that received the seed in the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it, who also bears fruit, and produces some one hundred, and some sixty, and some thirty-fold.

4 [13:24]And he delivered them another parable, saying; The kingdom of heaven is like a man sowing good seed in his field; [13:25]and while the men slept, his enemy came and sowed poisonous darnel in the midst of the wheat, and went away. [13:26]But when the stalk grew up and bore fruit, then the poisonous darnel appeared. [13:27]And the servants of the householder came and said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Whence then has it poisonous darnel? [13:28]And he said to them, An enemy has done this. And they said to him, Do you wish us to go and take them out? [13:29]And he said, No; lest in taking out the poisonous darnel, you pull up the wheat with it; [13:30]let both grow together till the harvest, and at the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers, Collect first the poisonous darnel, and bind it in bundles to be burnt; but collect the wheat in my storehouse.

5 [13:31]He delivered them another parable, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field, [13:32]which is the least of all seeds, but when it is grown is the greatest of plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of heaven come and lodge on its branches. [13:33]He spoke another parable to them; The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three sata [33 quarts] of flour, till the whole was leavened. [13:34]All these things spoke Jesus to the multitudes in parables; and without a parable spoke he not to them; [13:35]that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will declare things which have been concealed from the foundation of the world.

6 [13:36]Then leaving the multitudes; he went into the house, and his disciples came to him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the poisonous darnel of the field. [13:37]And he answered and said to them, He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; [13:38]the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the poisonous darnel are the children of the wicked one; [13:39] the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the consummation of the world; and the reapers are angels. [13:40]As, therefore, poisonous darnel is collected and burned with fire, so shall it be at the consummation of the world. [13:41]The Son of man will send his angels, and they shall collect out of his kingdom all offenses, and all that commit wickedness, [13:42]and cast them into a furnace of fire; and there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [13:43] Then the righteous shall shine out like the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears, let him hear.

7 [13:44]The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field, which a man found, and concealed, and went away with joy, and sold all that he had and bought that field. [13:45]Again; the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, [13:46]who, finding one very costly, went and sold all that he had and bought it. [13:47]Again; the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea, and collecting [fish] of every kind, [13:48]which, when it was full, men drew to the shore, and sifting down put up the good in vessels and cast the bad away. [13:49]So shall it be at the consummation of the world. The angels shall come forth and separate the evil from the midst of the good, [13:50]and cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [13:51]Have you understood all these thing? They said to him, Yes, Lord. [13:52]And he said to them, Every scribe therefore that is instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like a householder who casts out of his treasury things new and old.

8 [13:53]And when Jesus had finished these parables he departed thence, [13:54] and coming to his native country he taught them in their synagogues, so that they were astonished and said, Whence has this man this wisdom and these mighty works? [13:55]Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? [13:56]And are not his sisters all with us? Whence then has this man all these things? [13:57]And they were offended with him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, except in his native country, and in his own house; [13:58] and he did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.



CHAPTER XII.

THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.—CHRIST FEEDING FIVE THOUSAND, AND WALKING ON THE LAKE.

1 [14:1]AT that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, [14:2]and said to his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is raised from the dead; and on that account the mighty works are performed by him. [14:3]For Herod having seized John, had bound him, and put him in prison, on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. [14:4]For John had said to him, It is not lawful for you to have her. [14:5]And he wished to kill him; but feared the people, because they regarded him as a prophet. [14:6]And Herod's birthday being kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, [14:7]on account of which he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask; [14:8]and she, having been put forward by her mother, said, Give me here on a plate the head of John the Baptist.

2 [14:9]And the king was sorry; but on account of the oath, and those reclining with him, he commanded it to be given. [14:10]And he sent and beheaded John in the prison; [14:11]and his head was brought on a plate and given to the girl, and she carried it to her mother. [14:12]And his disciples went and took up the body and buried it, and came and told Jesus.

3 [14:13]And when Jesus heard of it he departed thence in a ship to a solitary place by himself. And the multitudes hearing of it followed him on foot from the cities.

4 [14:14]And going out he saw a great multitude, and had compassion on them, and cured their sick. [14:15]And when it was evening his disciples came to him, saying, The place is solitary, and the hour is already past; dismiss the multitudes that they may go to the villages and buy themselves food. [14:16]But Jesus said to them, They need not go away; give them food to eat. [14:17]And they said to him, We have here only five loaves and two fishes. [14:18]And he said, Bring them here to me. [14:19]And commanding the multitudes to sit down on the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and, looking up to heaven, blessed them, and having broken them gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. [14:20]And they all eat and were filled; and they took up the fragments which remained over, twelve travelling-baskets full; [14:21]and those that eat were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

5 [14:22]And he immediately constrained the disciples to go into a ship and go before him to the other side, till he should dismiss the multitudes. [14:23]And having dismissed the multitudes, he went on a mountain by himself to pray. And when it was evening he was there alone. [14:24]But the ship was now in the midst of the lake tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. [14:25]And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them walking on the lake. [14:26]And when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were troubled and said, It is an apparition; and they cried out for fear. [14:27]But Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, Be of good courage; it is I; be not afraid. [14:28]And Peter answered and said to him, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters. [14:29]And he said, Come. And Peter going down from the ship walked on the waters to go to Jesus. [14:30]But seeing the wind strong he was afraid; and beginning to sink, cried, saying, Lord save me! [14:31]and Jesus immediately stretching out his hand, took hold of him and said, Man of little faith, why did you doubt? [14:32]And when they entered into the ship, the wind ceased; [14:33]and those in the ship came and worshipped him; saying, Truly you are the Son of God.

6 [14:34]And having crossed over, they came to Gennesaret. [14:35]And when the men of that place knew him, they sent to all the country around, and brought to him all that were sick, [14:36]and requested of him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were entirely cured.



CHAPTER XIII.

CHRIST'S DOCTRINE OF JEWISH TRADITIONS, ETC.

1 [15:1]THEN came the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem, saying, [15:2]Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders, for they wash not their hands when they eat bread? [15:3]And he answered and said to them, Why do you transgress the command of God by your tradition? [15:4]For God said, Honor your father and mother; and he that reviles father or mother, let him surely die. [15:5]But you say, Whoever says to his father or mother what you might be profited with by me is a gift, [15:6]then he shall not honor his father or his mother; and you have made the law of God of no effect by your tradition. [15:7] Hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophecy of you, saying; [15:8]This people honors me with the lips, but their heart is far from me. [15:9]But in vain do they worship me, teaching teachings and commandments of men.

2 [15:10]And having called the multitude, he said, Hear and understand. [15:11] Not that which enters into the mouth, defiles the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth that defiles the man. [15:12]Then the disciples came to him, and said to him, Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this word? [15:13]And he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up. [15:14]Let them go; they are blind guides of the blind. But if the blind lead the blind, they will both fall into the pit. [15:15]And Peter answered and said to him, Explain the parable to us. [15:16]And he said, Are you so entirely without understanding? [15:17]Do you not understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is cast out on the earth? [15:18]But the things which proceed from the mouth come from the heart, and these defile the man. [15:19]For from the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies: [15:20]these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.

3 [15:21]And Jesus going out thence departed to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. [15:22]And behold, a woman of Canaan from those regions came out and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is badly affected with a demon. [15:23]But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and asked him, saying, Dismiss her, for she cries after us. [15:24]But he answered and said, I am not sent, except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [15:25]And she came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me! [15:26]But he answered and said, It is not right to take the children's bread and cast to the dogs. [15:27]But she said, Yes, Lord; for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters. [15:28]Then Jesus answered and said to her, O woman, great is your faith! Be it to you as you wish; and her daughter was cured from that hour.

4 [15:29]And returning thence Jesus came to the lake of Galilee, and going up on the mountain sat down there. [15:30]And great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the dumb, the crippled, and many others; and they cast them at Jesus' feet, and he cured them; [15:31]so that the multitude wondered, seeing the dumb talk, the crippled sound, the lame walk, and the blind see; and they glorified the God of Israel.

5 [15:32]And Jesus calling his disciples, said, I pity the multitude, for it is now three days that they have continued with me, and they have nothing to eat; I will not dismiss them fasting lest they faint by the way. [15:33]But his disciples said to him, Whence shall we obtain so much bread in the wilderness as to fill so great a multitude? [15:34]And Jesus said to them, How many loaves have you? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes. [15:35]And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground, [15:36]and taking the seven loaves and the fishes, and giving thanks, he broke, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. [15:37]And they all eat and were filled; and they took up the fragments that remained, seven store-baskets full. [15:38]And those who eat were four thousand men, besides women and children. [15:39]And dismissing the multitude he went into the ship, and came into the bounds of Magadan.



CHAPTER XIV.

CHRIST REPLYING TO THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES, ETC.

1 [16:1]AND the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to Jesus to try him desired him to show them a sign from heaven. [16:2]But he answered and said to them, When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather for the sky is red; [16:3]and in the morning, It will rain to-day for the sky is red and lowering. You know how to distinguish the face of the sky, but you cannot distinguish the signs of the times. [16:4]An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign; and no sign shall be given it except the sign of Jonah. And he left them and departed.

2 [16:5]And when his disciples came to the other side they forgot to take bread. [16:6]And Jesus said to them, Observe and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. [16:7]But they reasoned within themselves, saying, It is because we have not taken bread. [16:8]But Jesus knowing it, said, Why do you reason within yourselves, men of little faith, because you have not taken bread? [16:9]Do you not yet understand nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many travelling-baskets you took up? [16:10]nor the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many store-baskets you took up? [16:11]Why do you not understand that I spoke to you not of bread, to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees? [16:12]Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

3 [16:13]And Jesus coming into the parts of Cesarea Philippi, asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is? [16:14]And they said, Some, John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. [16:15]And he said to them, Who say you that I am? [16:16]And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. [16:17] And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonas, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. [16:18] And I tell you that you are Peter [a rock], and upon this rock will I build my assembly, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it. [16:19]And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on the earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you unbind on the earth shall be unbound in heaven. [16:20]Then he charged his disciples to tell no man that he was the Christ.

4 [16:21]From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and raised on the third day. [16:22]And Peter taking hold of him said, rebuking him, Far be it from you, Lord! This shall not be to you. [16:23]But he turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense to me! For you regard not the things of God, but those of men.

5 [16:24]Then Jesus said to his disciples, If any one will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. [16:25]For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake, shall find it. [16:26]For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his life? Or what will a man give as an exchange for his life? [16:27]For the Son of man is about to come in the glory of his Father, with his angels, and then shall he render to every one according to his doing. [16:28]I tell you truly, that some of those standing here shall not taste death till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.



CHAPTER XV.

CHRIST TRANSFIGURED.—CURING A DEMONIAC, AND PAYING THE SACRED TRIBUTE.

1 [17:1]AND after six days Jesus took Peter, and James, and John, his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. [17:2]And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments were white as the light. [17:3]And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elijah conversing with him. [17:4]And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you please, we will make here three tabernacles, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. [17:5]While he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold a voice from the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; hear him. [17:6]And when they heard this the disciples fell on their faces, and were greatly afraid. [17:7]And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. [17:8]And lifting up their eyes they saw no man, except Jesus alone.

2 [17:9]And when they went down from the mountain Jesus charged them, saying, Tell no man the vision till the Son of man is raised from the dead. [17:10]And the disciples asked him, saying, Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must first come? [17:11]And he answered and said, Elijah indeed comes, and shall restore all things. [17:12]But I tell you Elijah has come already, and they knew him not, but did to him what they pleased. In like manner, also, the Son of man is about to suffer from them. [17:13]Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptist.

3 [17:14]And when they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling to him and saying, [17:15]Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic, and suffers greatly. For he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. [17:16]And I brought him to your disciples and they could not cure him. [17:17] Jesus answered and said, O unbelieving and perverse generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him here to me. [17:18]And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon went out of him, and the child was cured from that hour. [17:19]Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, Why could we not cast it out? [17:20]And Jesus said to them, On account of your unbelief. For I tell you truly, if you have a faith like a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Be removed thence to that place, and it shall be removed; and nothing shall be impossible to you. [17:21]But this kind goes not out, except by prayer and fasting.

4 [17:22]And as they were returning in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, [17:23]and they will kill him, and on the third day he shall be raised; and they were grieved exceedingly.

5 [17:24]And when they came to Capernaum, those who received the didrachma [28 cents], came to Peter, and said, Does not your teacher pay the didrachma? [17:25]He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive taxes, or a tribute? From their children, or from strangers? [17:26]He said to him, From strangers. Jesus said to him; Then are the children free; [17:27]but that we may not offend them, go to the lake, and cast in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and opening its mouth you will find a stater [56 cents]. Take that and give it to them, for me and you.



CHAPTER XVI.

CHRIST'S DOCTRINE OF GREATNESS.—OFFENSES AND THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.

1 [18:1]AT that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? [18:2]And calling a little child, he set it in the midst of them, [18:3]and said, I tell you truly, that if you do not turn and become like little children, you can by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven. [18:4]Whoever humbles himself like this little child, shall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven; [18:5]and whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me; [18:6]but whoever offends one of these little ones that believe in me, it would be better for him that a millstone should be hung to his neck, and that he should be plunged into the depths of the sea.

2 [18:7]Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must necessarily come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! [18:8]If your hand or foot offends you, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame, or crippled, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. [18:9]And if your eye offends you, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life having one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.

3 [18:10]See that you despise not one of these little ones; for I tell you that their angels always behold the face of my Father in heaven. [18:12]What think you? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them is lost, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain, and go and seek for the lost one? [18:13]And if he finds it, I tell you truly that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which were not lost. [18:14]So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

4 [18:15]But if your brother sins against you, go and reprove him between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. [18:16]But if he does not hear you, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established; [18:17]and if he will not hear them, tell the assembly; and if he will not hear the assembly, let him be to you as a gentile and a publican. [18:18]I tell you truly, that whatever you bind on the earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you unbind on the earth shall be unbound in heaven. [18:19]Again, I tell you, that if two of you shall agree on the earth concerning any thing for which they shall ask, they shall have it from my Father in heaven; [18:20]for where two or three are assembled together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

5 [18:21]Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Till seven times? [18:22]Jesus said to him, I say not to you till seven times, but till seventy times seven. [18:23]On this account, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wished to settle with his servants. [18:24]And beginning to settle, a debtor of ten thousand talents [$10,000,000] was brought to him. [18:25]And he having nothing to pay, the lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. [18:26]Then the servant fell down and worshipped him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay all. [18:27]And the lord of that servant having compassion on him released him, and forgave him the debt.

6 [18:28]But that servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants who owed him one hundred denarii [$14], and seizing him, he choked him, saying, Pay what you owe me. [18:29]Then his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me and I will pay you. [18:30]But he would not; but went and cast him into prison till he should pay the debt. [18:31]Then his fellow-servants seeing what was done, were greatly displeased, and went and related to their lord all things that were done. [18:32]Then his lord called him, and said to him, Evil servant; I forgave you all that debt because you besought me [to do it]. [18:33]Ought you not also to pity your fellow-servant, as I pitied you? [18:34]And his lord was displeased, and delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay all the debt. [18:35]So also will my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not each one his brother from your hearts.



CHAPTER XVII.

CHRIST'S DOCTRINE OF MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, ETC.

1 [19:1]AND when Jesus had finished these words he departed from Galilee, and came into the bounds of Judea beyond the Jordan; [19:2]and great multitudes followed him, and he cured them there. [19:3]And the Pharisees came to him to try him, and said, Is it lawful [for a man] to put away his wife for every cause? [19:4]And he answered and said, Have you not read that the Creator at the beginning made them male and female? [19:5]and he said, On this account shall a man leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. [19:6]So that they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has yoked together, let not man separate.

2 [19:7]They said to him, Why then did Moses command us to give a bill of divorcement, and put her away? [19:8]He said to them, Moses, on account of your hardness of heart, allowed you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so. [19:9]And I tell you, that whoever puts away his wife, except for adultery, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her that is put away, commits adultery.

3 [19:10]The disciples said to him, If the case of a man is thus with his wife, it is not expedient to marry. [19:11]And he said to them, All do not receive this word, but those to whom it is given. [19:12]For there are eunuchs from birth, who were born so from their mother; and there are eunuchs who are made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He that is able to receive [this doctrine] let him receive it.

4 [19:13]Then little children were brought to him that he should put his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. [19:14]But Jesus said, Suffer the little children to come to me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. [19:15]And he put his hands on them and departed thence.

5 [19:16]And behold one came and said to him, Teacher, what good [work] shall I do that I may have eternal life? [19:17]And he said to him, Why do you ask me of the good? one is the good. But if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments. [19:18]He said to him, What? And Jesus said, this; You shall not kill; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not testify falsely; [19:19]Honor your father and mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. [19:20]The young man said to him, All these have I kept; what do I lack yet? [19:21]Jesus said to him, If you will be perfect, go and sell your property, and give to the poor, and you shall have a treasure in heaven; and come and follow me. [19:22]And when the young man heard [this] he went away sad, for he had great possessions.