Book 40 Matthew 001:001 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 001:002 Abraham was the father of Isaac; Isaac of Jacob; Jacob of Judah and his brothers. 001:003 Judah was the father (by Tamar) of Perez and Zerah; Perez of Hezron; Hezron of Ram; 001:004 Ram of Amminadab; Amminadab of Nahshon; Nahshon of Salmon; 001:005 Salmon (by Rahab) of Boaz; Boaz (by Ruth) of Obed; Obed of Jesse; 001:006 Jesse of David—the King. David (by Uriah's widow) was the father of Solomon; 001:007 Solomon of Rehoboam; Rehoboam of Abijah; Abijah of Asa; 001:008 Asa of Jehoshaphat; Jehoshaphat of Jehoram; Jehoram of Uzziah; 001:009 Uzziah of Jotham; Jotham of Ahaz; Ahaz of Hezekiah; 001:010 Hezekiah of Manasseh; Manasseh of Amon; Amon of Josiah; 001:011 Josiah of Jeconiah and his brothers at the period of the Removal to Babylon. 001:012 After the Removal to Babylon Jeconiah had a son Shealtiel; Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel; 001:013 Zerubbabel of Abiud; Abiud of Eliakim; Eliakim of Azor; 001:014 Azor of Zadok; Zadok of Achim; Achim of Eliud; 001:015 Eliud of Eleazar; Eleazar of Matthan; Matthan of Jacob; 001:016 and Jacob of Joseph the husband of Mary, who was the mother of JESUS who is called CHRIST. 001:017 There are therefore, in all, fourteen generations from Abraham to David; fourteen from David to the Removal to Babylon; and fourteen from the Removal to Babylon to the Christ. 001:018 The circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ were these. After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they were united in marriage, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 001:019 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling publicly to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal. 001:020 But while he was contemplating this step, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to bring home your wife Mary, for she is with child through the Holy Spirit. 001:021 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to call His name JESUS for He it is who will save His People from their sins." 001:022 All this took place in fulfilment of what the Lord had spoken through the Prophet, 001:023 "Mark! The maiden will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call His name Immanuel"—a word which signifies 'God with us'. 001:024 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded, and brought home his wife, 001:025 but did not live with her until she had given birth to a son. The child's name he called JESUS. 002:001 Now after the birth of Jesus, which took place at Bethlehem in Judaea in the reign of King Herod, excitement was produced in Jerusalem by the arrival of certain Magi from the east, 002:002 inquiring, "Where is the newly born king of the Jews? For we have seen his Star in the east, and have come here to do him homage." 002:003 Reports of this soon reached the king, and greatly agitated not only him but all the people of Jerusalem. 002:004 So he assembled all the High Priests and Scribes of the people, and anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born. 002:005 "At Bethlehem in Judaea," they replied; "for so it stands written in the words of the Prophet, 002:006 "'And thou, Bethlehem in the land of Judah, by no means the least honorable art thou among princely places in Judah! For from thee shall come a prince—one who shall be the Shepherd of My People Israel.'" 002:007 Thereupon Herod sent privately for the Magi and ascertained from them the exact time of the star's appearing. 002:008 He then directed them to go to Bethlehem, adding, "Go and make careful inquiry about the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and do him homage." 002:009 After hearing what the king said, they went to Bethlehem, while, strange to say, the star they had seen in the east led them on until it came and stood over the place where the babe was. 002:010 When they saw the star, the sight filled them with intense joy. 002:011 So they entered the house; and when they saw the babe with His mother Mary, they prostrated themselves and did Him homage, and opening their treasure-chests offered gifts to Him— gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 002:012 But being forbidden by God in a dream to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by a different route. 002:013 When they were gone, and angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise: take the babe and His mother and escape to Egypt, and remain there till I bring you word. For Herod is about to make search for the child in order to destroy Him." 002:014 So Joseph roused himself and took the babe and His mother by night and departed into Egypt. 002:015 There he remained till Herod's death, that what the Lord had said through the Prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called My Son." 002:016 Then Herod, finding that the Magi had trifled with him, was furious, and sent and massacred all the boys under two years of age, in Bethlehem and all its neighbourhood, according to the date he had so carefully ascertained from the Magi. 002:017 Then were these words, spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah, fulfilled, 002:018 "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and bitter lamentation: It was Rachel bewailing her children, and she refused to be comforted because there were no more." 002:019 But after Herod's death an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said to him, 002:020 "Rise from sleep, and take the child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." 002:021 So he roused himself and took the child and His mother and came into the land of Israel. 002:022 But hearing that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod on the throne of Judaea, he was afraid to go there; and being instructed by God in a dream he withdrew into Galilee, 002:023 and went and settled in a town called Nazareth, in order that these words spoken through the Prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene." 003:001 About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching in the Desert of Judaea. 003:002 "Repent," he said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand." 003:003 He it is who was spoken of through the Prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying aloud, 'In the desert prepare ye a road for the Lord: make His highway straight.'" 003:004 This man John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a loincloth of leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey. 003:005 Then large numbers of people went out to him—people from Jerusalem and from all Judaea, and from the whole of the Jordan valley— 003:006 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of their sins. 003:007 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he exclaimed, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 003:008 Therefore let your lives prove your change of heart; 003:009 and do not imagine that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. 003:010 And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which does not produce good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire. 003:011 I indeed am baptizing you in water on a profession of repentance; but He who is coming after me is mightier than I: His sandals I am not worthy to carry for a moment; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. 003:012 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thorough clearance of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but burning up the chaff in unquenchable fire." 003:013 Just at that time Jesus, coming from Galilee to the Jordan, presents Himself to John to be baptized by him. 003:014 John protested. "It is I," he said, "who have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 003:015 "Let it be so on this occasion," Jesus replied; "for so we ought to fulfil every religious duty." Then he consented; 003:016 and Jesus was baptized, and immediately went up from the water. At that moment the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him, 003:017 while a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This is My Son, the dearly loved, in whom is My delight." 004:001 At that time Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the Desert in order to be tempted by the Devil. 004:002 There He fasted for forty days and nights; and after that He suffered from hunger. 004:003 So the Tempter came and said, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to turn into loaves." 004:004 "It is written," replied Jesus, "'It is not on bread alone that a man shall live, but on whatsoever God shall appoint.'" 004:005 Then the Devil took Him to the Holy City and caused Him to stand on the roof of the Temple, 004:006 and said, "If you are God's Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, "'To His angels He will give orders concerning thee, and on their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any moment thou shouldst strike thy foot against a stone.'" 004:007 "Again it is written," replied Jesus, "'Thou shalt not put the Lord thy God to the proof.'" 004:008 Then the Devil took Him to the top of an exceedingly lofty mountain, from which he caused Him to see all the Kingdoms of the world and their splendour, 004:009 and said to Him, "All this I will give you, if you will kneel down and do me homage." 004:010 "Begone, Satan!" Jesus replied; "for it is written, 'To the Lord thy God thou shalt do homage, and to Him alone shalt thou render worship.'" 004:011 Thereupon the Devil left Him, and angels at once came and ministered to Him. 004:012 Now when Jesus heard that John was thrown into prison, He withdrew into Galilee, 004:013 and leaving Nazareth He went and settled at Capernaum, a town by the Lake on the frontiers of Zebulun and Naphtali, 004:014 in order that these words, spoken through the Prophet Isaiah, might be fulfilled, 004:015 "Zebulun's land and Naphtali's land; the road by the Lake; the country beyond the Jordan; Galilee of the Nations! 004:016 The people who were dwelling in darkness have seen a brilliant light; and on those who were dwelling in the region of the shadow of death, on them light has dawned." 004:017 From that time Jesus began to preach. "Repent," He said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand." 004:018 And walking along the shore of the Lake of Galilee He saw two brothers—Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew— throwing a drag-net into the Lake; for they were fishers. 004:019 And He said to them, "Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 004:020 So they immediately left their nets and followed Him. As He went further on, 004:021 He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zabdi and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zabdi mending their nets; and He called them. 004:022 And they at once left the boat and their father, and followed Him. 004:023 Then Jesus travelled through all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and infirmity among the people. 004:024 Thus His fame spread through all Syria; and they brought all the sick to Him, the people who were suffering from various diseases and pains—demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He cured them. 004:025 And great crowds followed Him, coming from Galilee, from the Ten Towns, from Jerusalem, and from beyond the district on the other side of the Jordan. 005:001 Seeing the multitude of people, Jesus went up the Hill. There He seated Himself, and when His disciples came to Him, 005:002 He proceeded to teach them, and said: 005:003 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens. 005:004 "Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted. 005:005 "Blessed are the meek, for they as heirs shall obtain possession of the earth. 005:006 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be completely satisfied. 005:007 "Blessed are the compassionate, for they shall receive compassion. 005:008 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 005:009 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for it is they who will be recognized as sons of God. 005:010 "Blessed are those who have borne persecution in the cause of Righteousness, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens. 005:011 "Blessed are you when they have insulted and persecuted you, and have said every cruel thing about you falsely for my sake. 005:012 Be joyful and triumphant, because your reward is great in the Heavens; for so were the Prophets before you persecuted. 005:013 "*You* are the salt of the earth; but if salt has become tasteless, in what way can it regain its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown away and trodden on by the passers by. 005:014 *You* are the light of the world; a town cannot be hid if built on a hill-top. 005:015 Nor is a lamp lighted to be put under a bushel, but on the lampstand; and then it gives light to all in the house. 005:016 Just so let your light shine before all men, in order that they may see your holy lives and may give glory to your Father who is in Heaven. 005:017 "Do not for a moment suppose that I have come to abrogate the Law or the Prophets: I have not come to abrogate them but to give them their completion. 005:018 Solemnly I tell you that until Heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or smallest detail will pass away from the Law until all has taken place. 005:019 Whoever therefore breaks one of these least commandments and teaches others to break them, will be called the least in the Kingdom of the Heavens; but whoever practises them and teaches them, he will be acknowledged as great in the Kingdom of the Heavens. 005:020 For I assure you that unless your righteousness greatly surpasses that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will certainly not find entrance into the Kingdom of the Heavens. 005:021 "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Thou shalt not commit murder', and whoever commits murder will be answerable to the magistrate. 005:022 But I say to you that every one who becomes angry with his brother shall be answerable to the magistrate; that whoever says to his brother 'Raca,' shall be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and that whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the Gehenna of Fire. 005:023 If therefore when you are offering your gift upon the altar, you remember that your brother has a grievance against you, 005:024 leave your gift there before the altar, and go and make friends with your brother first, and then return and proceed to offer your gift. 005:025 Come to terms without delay with your opponent while you are yet with him on the way to the court; for fear he should obtain judgement from the magistrate against you, and the magistrate should give you in custody to the officer and you be thrown into prison. 005:026 I solemnly tell you that you will certainly not be released till you have paid the very last farthing. 005:027 "You have heard that it was said, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery.' 005:028 But I tell you that whoever looks at a woman and cherishes lustful thoughts has already in his heart become guilty with regard to her. 005:029 If therefore your eye, even the right eye, is a snare to you, tear it out and away with it; it is better for you that one member should be destroyed rather than that your whole body should be thrown into Gehenna. 005:030 And if your right hand is a snare to you, cut it off and away with it; it is better for you that one member should be destroyed rather than that your whole body should go into Gehenna. 005:031 "It was also said, 'If any man puts away his wife, let him give her a written notice of divorce.' 005:032 But I tell you that every man who puts away his wife except on the ground of unfaithfulness causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries her when so divorced commits adultery. 005:033 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Thou shalt not swear falsely, but shalt perform thy vows to the Lord.' 005:034 But I tell you not to swear at all; neither by Heaven, for it is God's throne; 005:035 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool under His feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King. 005:036 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 005:037 But let your language be, 'Yes, yes,' or 'No, no.' Anything in excess of this comes from the Evil one. 005:038 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' 005:039 But I tell you not to resist a wicked man, but if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 005:040 If any one wishes to go to law with you and to deprive you of your under garment, let him take your outer one also. 005:041 And whoever shall compel you to convey his goods one mile, go with him two. 005:042 To him who asks, give: from him who would borrow, turn not away. 005:043 "You have heard that it was said, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy.' 005:044 But I command you all, love your enemies, and pray for your persecutors; 005:045 that so you may become true sons of your Father in Heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the wicked as well as the good, and sends rain upon those who do right and those who do wrong. 005:046 For if you love only those who love you, what reward have you earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that? 005:047 And if you salute only your near relatives, what praise is due to you? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 005:048 You however are to be complete in goodness, as your Heavenly Father is complete. 006:001 "But beware of doing your good actions in the sight of men, in order to attract their gaze; if you do, there is no reward for you with your Father who is in Heaven. 006:002 'When you give in charity, never blow a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets in order that their praises may be sung by men. I solemnly tell you that they already have their reward. 006:003 But when you are giving in charity, let not your left hand perceive what your right hand is doing, 006:004 that your charities may be in secret; and then your Father—He who sees in secret—will recompense you. 006:005 "And when praying, you must not be like the hypocrites. They are fond of standing and praying in the synagogues or at the corners of the wider streets, in order that men may see them. I solemnly tell you that they already have their reward. 006:006 But you, whenever you pray, go into your own room and shut the door: then pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father—He who sees in secret—will recompense you. 006:007 "And when praying, do not use needless repetitions as the Gentiles do, for they expect to be listened to because of their multitude of words. 006:008 Do not, however, imitate them; for your Father knows what things you need before ever you ask Him. 006:009 "In this manner therefore pray: 'Our Father who art in Heaven, may Thy name be kept holy; 006:010 let Thy kingdom come; let Thy will be done, as in Heaven so on earth; 006:011 give us to-day our bread for the day; 006:012 and forgive us our shortcomings, as we also have forgiven those who have failed in their duty towards us; 006:013 and bring us not into temptation, but rescue us from the Evil one.' 006:014 "For if you forgive others their offences, your Heavenly Father will forgive you also; 006:015 but if you do not forgive others their offences, neither will your Father forgive yours. 006:016 "When any of you fast, never assume gloomy looks as the hypocrites do; for they disfigure their faces in order that it may be evident to men that they are fasting. I solemnly tell you that they already have their reward. 006:017 But, whenever you fast, pour perfume on your hair and wash your face, 006:018 that it may not be apparent to men that you are fasting, but to your Father who is in secret; and your Father—He who sees in secret—will recompense you. 006:019 "Do not lay up stores of wealth for yourselves on earth, where the moth and wear-and-tear destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 006:020 But amass wealth for yourselves in Heaven, where neither the moth nor wear-and-tear destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 006:021 For where your wealth is, there also will your heart be. 006:022 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eyesight is good, your whole body will be well lighted; 006:023 but if your eyesight is bad, your whole body will be dark. If however the very light within you is darkness, how dense must the darkness be! 006:024 "No man can be the bondservant of two masters; for either he will dislike one and like the other, or he will attach himself to one and think slightingly of the other. You cannot be the bondservants both of God and of gold. 006:025 For this reason I charge you not to be over-anxious about your lives, inquiring what you are to eat or what you are to drink, nor yet about your bodies, inquiring what clothes you are to put on. Is not the life more precious than its food, and the body than its clothing? 006:026 Look at the birds which fly in the air: they do not sow or reap or store up in barns, but your Heavenly Father feeds them: are not you of much greater value than they? 006:027 Which of you by being over-anxious can add a single foot to his height? 006:028 And why be anxious about clothing? Learn a lesson from the wild lilies. Watch their growth. They neither toil nor spin, 006:029 and yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his magnificence could array himself like one of these. 006:030 And if God so clothes the wild herbage which to-day flourishes and to-morrow is thrown into the oven, is it not much more certain that He will clothe you, you men of little faith? 006:031 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 006:032 For all these are questions that Gentiles are always asking; but your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things— all of them. 006:033 But make His Kingdom and righteousness your chief aim, and then these things shall all be given you in addition. 006:034 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, about to-morrow, for to-morrow will bring its own cares. Enough for each day are its own troubles. 007:001 "Judge not, that you may not be judged; 007:002 for your own judgement will be dealt—and your own measure meted—to yourselves. 007:003 And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, and not notice the beam which is in your own eye? 007:004 Or how say to your brother, 'Allow me to take the splinter out of your eye,' while the beam is in your own eye? 007:005 Hypocrite, first take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to remove the splinter from your brother's eye. 007:006 "Give not that which is holy to the dogs, nor throw your pearls to the swine; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and then turn and attack you. 007:007 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 007:008 For it is always he who asks that receives, he who seeks that finds, and he who knocks that has the door opened to him. 007:009 What man is there among you, who if his son shall ask him for bread will offer him a stone? 007:010 Or if the son shall ask him for a fish will offer him a snake? 007:011 If you then, imperfect as you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 007:012 Everything, therefore, be it what it may, that you would have men do to you, do you also the same to them; for in this the Law and the Prophets are summed up. 007:013 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad the road which leads to ruin, and many there are who enter by it; 007:014 because narrow is the gate and contracted the road which leads to Life, and few are those who find it. 007:015 "Beware of the false teachers—men who come to you in sheep's fleeces, but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves. 007:016 By their fruits you will easily recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from brambles? 007:017 Just so every good tree produces good fruit, but a poisonous tree produces bad fruit. 007:018 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a poisonous tree good fruit. 007:019 Every tree which does not yield good fruit is cut down and thrown aside for burning. 007:020 So by their fruits at any rate, you will easily recognize them. 007:021 "Not every one who says to me, 'Master, Master,' will enter the Kingdom of the Heavens, but only those who are obedient to my Father who is in Heaven. 007:022 Many will say to me on that day, "'Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Thy name, and in Thy name expelled demons, and in Thy name performed many mighty works?' 007:023 "And then I will tell them plainly, "'I never knew you: begone from me, you doers of wickedness.' 007:024 "Every one who hears these my teachings and acts upon them will be found to resemble a wise man who builds his house upon rock; 007:025 and the heavy rain falls, the swollen torrents come, and the winds blow and beat against the house; yet it does not fall, for its foundation is on rock. 007:026 And every one who hears these my teachings and does not act upon them will be found to resemble a fool who builds his house upon sand. 007:027 The heavy rain descends, the swollen torrents come, and the winds blow and burst upon the house, and it falls; and disastrous is the fall." 007:028 When Jesus had concluded this discourse, the crowds were filled with amazement at His teaching, 007:029 for He had been teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their Scribes taught. 008:001 Upon descending from the hill country He was followed by immense crowds. 008:002 And a leper came to Him, and throwing himself at His feet, said, "Sir, if only you are willing you are able to cleanse me." 008:003 So Jesus put out His hand and touched him, and said, "I am willing: be cleansed." Instantly he was cleansed from his leprosy; 008:004 and Jesus said to him, "Be careful to tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses appointed as evidence for them." 008:005 After His entry into Capernaum a Captain came to Him, and entreated Him. 008:006 "Sir," he said, "my servant at home is lying ill with paralysis, and is suffering great pain." 008:007 "I will come and cure him," said Jesus. 008:008 "Sir," replied the Captain, "I am not a fit person to receive you under my roof: merely say the word, and my servant will be cured. 008:009 For I myself am also under authority, and have soldiers under me. To one I say 'Go,' and he goes, to another 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave 'Do this or that,' and he does it." 008:010 Jesus listened to this reply, and was astonished, and said to the people following Him, "I solemnly tell you that in no Israelite have I found faith as great as this. 008:011 And I tell you that many will come from the east and from the west and will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of the Heavens, 008:012 while the natural heirs of the Kingdom will be driven out into the darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth." 008:013 And Jesus said to the Captain, "Go, and just as you have believed, so be it for you." And the servant recovered precisely at that time. 008:014 After this Jesus went to the house of Peter, whose mother-in-law he found ill in bed with fever. 008:015 He touched her hand and the fever left her: and then she rose and waited upon Him. 008:016 In the evening many demoniacs were brought to Him, and with a word He expelled the demons; and He cured all the sick, 008:017 in order that this prediction of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, "He took on Him our weaknesses, and bore the burden of our diseases." 008:018 Seeing great crowds about Him Jesus had given directions to cross to the other side of the Lake, 008:019 when a Scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 008:020 "Foxes have holes," replied Jesus, "and birds have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 008:021 Another of the disciples said to Him, "Sir, allow me first to go and bury my father." 008:022 "Follow me," said Jesus, "and leave the dead to bury their own dead." 008:023 Then He went on board a fishing-boat, and His disciples followed Him. 008:024 But suddenly there arose a great storm on the Lake, so that the waves threatened to engulf the boat; but He was asleep. 008:025 So they came and woke Him, crying, "Master, save us, we are drowning!" 008:026 "Why are you so easily frightened," He replied, "you men of little faith?" Then He rose and reproved the winds and the waves, and there was a perfect calm; 008:027 and the men, filled with amazement, exclaimed, "What kind of man is this? for the very winds and waves obey him!" 008:028 On His arrival at the other side, in the country of the Gadarenes, there met Him two men possessed by demons, coming from among the tombs: they were so dangerously fierce that no one was able to pass that way. 008:029 They cried aloud, "What hast Thou to do with us, Thou Son of God? Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?" 008:030 Now at some distance from them a vast herd of swine were feeding. 008:031 So the demons entreated Him. "If Thou drivest us out," they said, "send us into the herd of swine." 008:032 "Go," He replied. Then they came out from the men and went into the swine, whereupon the entire herd instantly rushed down the cliff into the Lake and perished in the water. 008:033 The swineherds fled, and went and told the whole story in the town, including what had happened to the demoniacs. 008:034 So at once the whole population came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they besought Him to leave their country. 009:001 Accordingly He went on board, and crossing over came to His own town. 009:002 Here they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, my child; your sins are pardoned." 009:003 "Such language is impious," said some of the Scribes among themselves. 009:004 Knowing their thoughts Jesus said, "Why are you cherishing evil thoughts in your hearts? 009:005 Why, which is easier?—to say, 'Your sins are pardoned,' or to say 'Rise up and walk'? 009:006 But, to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to pardon sins"—He then says to the paralytic, "Rise, and take up your bed and go home." 009:007 And he got up, and went off home. 009:008 And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and ascribed the glory to God who had entrusted such power to a man. 009:009 Passing on thence Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the Toll Office, and said to him, "Follow me." And he arose, and followed Him. 009:010 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of tax-gathers and notorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His disciples. 009:011 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?" 009:012 He heard the question and replied, "It is not men in good health who require a doctor, but the sick. 009:013 But go and learn what this means, 'It is mercy that I desire, not sacrifice'; for I did not come to appeal to the righteous, but to sinners." 009:014 At that time John's disciples came and asked Jesus, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?" 009:015 "Can the bridegroom's party mourn," He replied, "as long as the bridegroom is with them? But other days will come (when the Bridegroom has been taken from them) and then they will fast. 009:016 No one ever mends an old cloak with a patch of newly woven cloth. Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away some of the old, and a worse hole would be made. 009:017 Nor do people pour new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins would split, the wine would escape, and the skins be destroyed. But they put new wine into fresh skins, and both are saved." 009:018 While He was thus speaking, a Ruler came up and profoundly bowing said, "My daughter is just dead; but come and put your hand upon her and she will return to life." 009:019 And Jesus rose and followed him, as did also His disciples. 009:020 But a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with haemorrhage came behind Him and touched the tassel of His cloak; 009:021 for she said to herself, "If I but touch His cloak, I shall be cured." 009:022 And Jesus turned and saw her, and said, "Take courage, daughter; your faith has cured you." And the woman was restored to health from that moment. 009:023 Entering the Ruler's house, Jesus saw the flute-players and the crowd loudly wailing, 009:024 and He said, "Go out of the room; the little girl is not dead, but asleep." And they laughed at Him. 009:025 When however the place was cleared of the crowd, Jesus went in, and on His taking the little girl by the hand, she rose up. 009:026 And the report of this spread throughout all that district. 009:027 As Jesus passed on, two blind men followed Him, shouting and saying, "Pity us, Son of David." 009:028 And when He had gone indoors, they came to Him. "Do you believe that I can do this?" He asked them. "Yes, Sir," they replied. 009:029 So He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be to you." 009:030 Then their eyes were opened. And assuming a stern tone Jesus said to them, "Be careful to let no one know." 009:031 But they went out and published His fame in all that district. 009:032 And as they were leaving His presence a dumb demoniac was brought to Him. 009:033 When the demon was expelled, the dumb man could speak. And the crowds exclaimed in astonishment, "Never was such a thing seen in Israel." 009:034 But the Pharisees maintained, "It is by the power of the Prince of the demons that he drives out the demons." 009:035 And Jesus continued His circuits through all the towns and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and infirmity. 009:036 And when He saw the crowds He was touched with pity for them, because they were distressed and were fainting on the ground like sheep which have no shepherd. 009:037 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant, but the reapers are few; 009:038 therefore entreat the Owner of the Harvest to send out reapers into His fields." 010:001 Then He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over foul spirits, to drive them out; and to cure every kind of disease and infirmity. 010:002 Now the names of the twelve Apostles were these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zabdi, and his brother John; 010:003 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax-gatherer, James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 010:004 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas the Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. 010:005 These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving them their instructions: "Go not," He said, "among the Gentiles, and enter no Samaritan town; 010:006 but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel's race. 010:007 And as you go, preach and say, 'The Kingdom of the Heavens is close at hand.' 010:008 Cure the sick, raise the dead to life, cleanse lepers, drive out demons: you have received without payment, give without payment. 010:009 "Provide no gold, nor even silver nor copper to carry in your pockets; 010:010 no bag for your journey, nor change of linen, nor shoes, nor stick; for the labourer deserves his food. 010:011 "Whatever town or village you enter, inquire for some good man; and make his house your home till you leave the place. 010:012 When you enter the house, salute it; 010:013 and if the house deserves it, the peace you invoke shall come upon it. If not, your peace shall return to you. 010:014 And whoever refuses to receive you or even to listen to your Message, as you leave that house or town, shake off the very dust from your feet. 010:015 I solemnly tell you that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of Judgement than for that town. 010:016 "Remember it is I who am sending you out, as sheep into the midst of wolves; prove yourselves as sagacious as serpents, and as innocent as doves. 010:017 But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to appear before Sanhedrins, and will flog you in their synagogues; 010:018 and you will even be put on trial before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles. 010:019 But when they have delivered you up, have no anxiety as to how you shall speak or what you shall say; for at that very time it shall be given you what to say; 010:020 for it is not you who will speak: it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 010:021 Brother will betray brother to death, and father, child; and children will rise against their own parents and will put them to death. 010:022 And you will be objects of universal hatred because you are called by my name; but he who holds out to the End— he will be saved. 010:023 Whenever they persecute you in one town, escape to the next; for I solemnly tell you that you will not have gone the round of all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 010:024 "The learner is never superior to his teacher, and the servant is never superior to his master. 010:025 Enough for the learner to be on a level with his teacher, and for the servant to be on a level with his master. If they have called the master of the house Baal-zebul, how much more will they slander his servants? 010:026 Fear them not, however; there is nothing veiled which will not be uncovered, nor secret which will not become known. 010:027 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what is whispered into your ear, proclaim upon the roofs of the houses. 010:028 "And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 010:029 Do not two sparrows sell for a halfpenny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's leave. 010:030 But as for you, the very hairs on your heads are all numbered. 010:031 Away then with fear; you are more precious than a multitude of sparrows. 010:032 "Every man who acknowledges me before men I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven. 010:033 But whoever disowns me before men I also will disown before my Father who is in Heaven. 010:034 "Do not suppose that I came to bring peace to the earth: I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 010:035 For I came to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 010:036 and a man's own family will be his foes. 010:037 Any one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and any one who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 010:038 and any one who does not take up his cross and follow where I lead is not worthy of me. 010:039 To save your life is to lose it, and to lose your life for my sake is to save it. 010:040 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives Him who sent me. 010:041 Every one who receives a prophet, because he is a prophet, will receive a prophet's reward, and every one who receives a righteous man, because he is a righteous man, will receive a righteous man's reward. 010:042 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink because he is a disciple, I solemnly tell you that he will not lose his reward." 011:001 When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve disciples, He left in order to teach and to proclaim His Message in the neighbouring towns. 011:002 Now John had heard in prison about the Christ's doings, and he sent some of his disciples to inquire: 011:003 "Are you the Coming One, or is it a different person that we are to expect?" 011:004 "Go and report to John what you see and hear," replied Jesus; 011:005 "blind eyes receive sight, and cripples walk; lepers are cleansed, and deaf ears hear; the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them; 011:006 and blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because of my claims." 011:007 When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind? 011:008 But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed? Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings' palaces. 011:009 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 011:010 This is he of whom it is written, "'See I am sending My messenger before Thy face, and he will make Thy road ready before Thee.' 011:011 "I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no greater has ever been raised up than John the Baptist; yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he. 011:012 But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force. 011:013 For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John. 011:014 And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah who was to come. 011:015 Listen, every one who has ears! 011:016 "But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like children sitting in the open places, who call to their playmates. 011:017 "'We have played the flute to you,' they say, 'and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten your breasts.' 011:018 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 011:019 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they exclaim, 'See this man!—given to gluttony and tippling, and a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!' And yet Wisdom is vindicated by her actions." 011:020 Then began He to upbraid the towns where most of His mighty works had been done—because they had not repented. 011:021 "Alas for thee, Chorazin!" He cried. "Alas for thee, Bethsaida! For had the mighty works been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in both of you, they would long ere now have repented, covered with sackcloth and ashes. 011:022 Only I tell you that it will be more endurable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of Judgement than for you. 011:023 And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted even to Heaven? Even to Hades shalt thou descend. For had the mighty works been done in Sodom which have been done in thee, it would have remained until now. 011:024 Only I tell you all, that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom on the day of Judgement than for thee." 011:025 About that time Jesus exclaimed, "I heartily praise Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from sages and men of discernment, and hast unveiled them to babes. 011:026 Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will. 011:027 "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one fully knows the Son except the Father, nor does any one fully know the Father except the Son and all to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. 011:028 "Come to me, all you toiling and burdened ones, and *I* will give you rest. 011:029 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 011:030 For it is good to bear my yoke, and my burden is light." 012:001 About that time Jesus passed on the Sabbath through the wheatfields; and His disciples became hungry, and began to gather ears of wheat and eat them. 012:002 But the Pharisees saw it and said to Him, "Look! your disciples are doing what the Law forbids them to do on the Sabbath." 012:003 "Have you never read," He replied, "what David did when he and his men were hungry? 012:004 how he entered the House of God and ate the Presented Loaves, which it was not lawful for him or his men to eat, nor for any except the priests? 012:005 And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt? 012:006 But I tell you that there is here that which is greater than the Temple. 012:007 And if you knew what this means, 'It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned those who are without guilt. 012:008 For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath." 012:009 Departing thence He went to their synagogue, 012:010 where there was a man with a shrivelled arm. And they questioned Him, "Is it right to cure people on the Sabbath?" Their intention was to bring a charge against Him. 012:011 "Which of you is there," He replied, "who, if he has but a single sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 012:012 Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is right to do good on the Sabbath." 012:013 Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your arm." And he stretched it out, and it was restored quite sound like the other. 012:014 But the Pharisees after leaving the synagogue consulted together against Him, how they might destroy Him. 012:015 Aware of this, Jesus departed elsewhere; and a great number of people followed Him, all of whom He cured. 012:016 But He gave them strict injunctions not to blaze abroad His doings, 012:017 that those words of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, 012:018 "This is My servant whom I have chosen, My dearly loved One in whom My soul takes pleasure. I will put My spirit upon Him, and He will announce justice to the nations. 012:019 He will not wrangle or raise His voice, nor will His voice be heard in the broadways. 012:020 A crushed reed He will not utterly break, nor will He quench the still smouldering wick, until He has led on Justice to victory. 012:021 And on His name shall the nations rest their hopes." 012:022 At that time a demoniac was brought to Him, blind and dumb; and He cured him, so that the dumb man could speak and see. 012:023 And the crowds of people were all filled with amazement and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" 012:024 The Pharisees heard it and said, "This man only expels demons by the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of demons." 012:025 Knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Every kingdom in which civil war has raged suffers desolation; and every city or house in which there is internal strife will be brought low. 012:026 And if Satan is expelling Satan, he has begun to make war on himself: how therefore shall his kingdom last? 012:027 And if it is by Baal-zebul's power that I expel the demons, by whose power do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall be your judges. 012:028 But if it is by the power of the Spirit of God that I expel the demons, it is evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 012:029 Again, how can any one enter the house of a strong man and carry off his goods, unless first of all he masters and secures the strong man: then he will ransack his house. 012:030 "The man who is not with me is against me, and he who is not gathering with me is scattering abroad. 012:031 This is why I tell you that men may find forgiveness for every other sin and impious word, but that for impious speaking against the Holy Spirit they shall find no forgiveness. 012:032 And whoever shall speak against the Son of Man may obtain forgiveness; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, neither in this nor in the coming age shall he obtain forgiveness." 012:033 "Either grant the tree to be wholesome and its fruit wholesome, or the tree poisonous and its fruit poisonous; for the tree is known by its fruit. 012:034 O vipers' brood, how can you speak what is good when you are evil? For it is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth speaks. 012:035 A good man from his good store produces good things, and a bad man from his bad store produces bad things. 012:036 But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak they will be held accountable on the day of Judgement. 012:037 For each of you by his words shall be justified, or by his words shall be condemned." 012:038 Then He was accosted by some of the Scribes and of the Pharisees who said, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign given by you." 012:039 "Wicked and faithless generation!" He replied, "they clamour for a sign, but none shall be given to them except the sign of the Prophet Jonah. 012:040 For just as Jonah was three days in the sea-monster's belly, so will the Son of Man be three days in the heart of the earth. 012:041 There will stand up men of Nineveh at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and mark! there is One greater than Jonah here. 012:042 The Queen of the south will awake at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and mark! there is One greater than Solomon here. 012:043 "No sooner however has the foul spirit gone out of the man, then he roams about in places where there is no water, seeking rest but finding none. 012:044 Then he says, 'I will return to my house that I left;' and he comes and finds it unoccupied, swept clean, and in good order. 012:045 Then he goes and brings back with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they come in and dwell there; and in the end that man's condition becomes worse than it was at first. So will it be also with the present wicked generation." 012:046 While He was still addressing the people His mother and His brothers were standing on the edge of the crowd desiring to speak to Him. 012:047 So some one told Him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and desire to speak to you." 012:048 "Who is my mother?" He said to the man; "and who are my brothers?" 012:049 And pointing to His disciples He added, "See here are my mother and my brothers. 012:050 To obey my Father who is in Heaven—that is to be my brother and my sister and my mother." 013:001 That same day Jesus had left the house and was sitting on the shore of the Lake, 013:002 when a vast multitude of people crowded round Him. He therefore went on board a boat and sat there, while all the people stood on the shore. 013:003 He then spoke many things to them in figurative language. "The sower goes out," He said, "to sow. 013:004 As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. 013:005 Some falls on rocky ground, where it has but scanty soil. It quickly shows itself above ground, because it has no depth of earth; 013:006 but when the sun is risen, it is scorched by the heat, and through having no root it withers up. 013:007 Some falls among the thorns; but the thorns spring up and stifle it. 013:008 But a portion falls upon good ground, and gives a return, some a hundred for one, some sixty, some thirty. 013:009 Listen, every one who has ears!" 013:010 (And His disciples came and asked Him, "Why do you speak to them in figurative language?" 013:011 "Because," He replied, "while to you it is granted to know the secrets of the Kingdom of the Heavens, to them it is not. 013:012 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away. 013:013 I speak to them in figurative language for this reason, that while looking they do not see, and while hearing they neither hear nor understand. 013:014 And in regard to them the prophecy of Isaiah is receiving signal fulfilment: "'You will hear and hear and by no means understand, and you will look and look and by no means see. 013:015 For this people's mind is stupefied, their hearing has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears, or understanding with their minds, and turning back, so that I might heal them.' 013:016 "But as for you, blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 013:017 For I solemnly tell you that many Prophets and holy men have longed to see the sights you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the words you hear, and have not heard them. 013:018 "To you then I will explain the parable of the Sower. 013:019 When a man hears the Message concerning the Kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil one comes and catches away what has been sown in his heart. This is he who has received the seed by the road-side. 013:020 He who has received the seed on the rocky ground is the man who hears the Message and immediately receives it with joy. 013:021 It has struck no root, however, within him. He continues for a time, but when suffering comes, or persecution, because of the Message, he at once stumbles and falls. 013:022 He who has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears the Message, but the cares of the present age and the delusions of riches quite stifle the Message, and it becomes unfruitful. 013:023 But he who has received the seed on good ground is he who hears and understands. Such hearers give a return, and yield one a hundred for one, another sixty, another thirty.") 013:024 Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "may be compared to a man who has sown good seed in his field, 013:025 but during the night his enemy comes, and over the first seed he sows darnel among the wheat, and goes away. 013:026 But when the blade shoots up and the grain is formed, then appears the darnel also. 013:027 "So the farmer's men come and ask him, "'Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed on your land? Where then does the darnel come from?' 013:028 "'Some enemy has done this,' he said. "'Shall we go, and collect it?' the men inquire. 013:029 "'No,' he replied, 'for fear that while collecting the darnel you should at the same time root up the wheat with it. 013:030 Leave both to grow together until the harvest, and at harvest-time I will direct the reapers, Collect the darnel first, and make it up into bundles to burn it, but bring all the wheat into my barn.'" 013:031 Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "is like a mustard-seed, which a man takes and sows in his ground. 013:032 It is the smallest of all seeds, and yet when full-grown it is larger than any herb and forms a tree, so that the birds come and build in its branches." 013:033 Another parable He spoke to them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "is like yeast which a woman takes and buries in a bushel of flour, for it to work there till the whole mass has risen." 013:034 All this Jesus spoke to the people in figurative language, and except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them, 013:035 in fulfilment of the saying of the Prophet, "I will open my mouth in figurative language, I will utter things kept hidden since the creation of all things." 013:036 When He had dismissed the people and had returned to the house, His disciples came to Him with the request, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel sown in the field." 013:037 "The sower of the good seed," He replied, "is the Son of Man; 013:038 the field is the world; the good seed—these are the sons of the Kingdom; the darnel, the sons of the Evil one. 013:039 The enemy who sows the darnel is *the Devil*; the harvest is the Close of the Age; the reapers are the angels. 013:040 As then the darnel is collected together and burnt up with fire, so will it be at the Close of the Age. 013:041 The Son of Man will commission His angels, and they will gather out of His Kingdom all causes of sin and all who violate His laws; 013:042 and these they will throw into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth. 013:043 Then will the righteous shine out like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Listen, every one who has ears! 013:044 "The Kingdom of the Heavens is like treasure buried in the open country, which a man finds, but buries again, and, in his joy about it, goes and sells all he has and buys that piece of ground. 013:045 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a jewel merchant who is in quest of choice pearls. 013:046 He finds one most costly pearl; he goes away; and though it costs all he has, he buys it. 013:047 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a draw-net let down into the sea, which encloses fish of all sorts. 013:048 When full, they haul it up on the beach, and sit down and collect the good fish in baskets, while the worthless they throw away. 013:049 So will it be at the Close of the Age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 013:050 and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth." 013:051 "Have you understood all this?" He asked. "Yes," they said. 013:052 "Therefore," He said, "remember that every Scribe well trained for the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a householder who brings out of his storehouse new things and old." 013:053 Jesus concluded this series of parables and then departed. 013:054 And He came into His own country and proceeded to teach in their synagogue, so that they were filled with astonishment and exclaimed, "Where did he obtain such wisdom, and these wondrous powers? 013:055 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judah? 013:056 And his sisters—are they not all living here among us? Where then did he get all this?" 013:057 So they turned angrily away from Him. But Jesus said to them, "There is no prophet left without honour except in his own country and among his own family." 013:058 And He performed but few mighty deeds there because of their want of faith. 014:001 About that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 014:002 and he said to his courtiers, "This is John the Baptist: he has come back to life—and that is why these miraculous Powers are working in him." 014:003 For Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip's wife, 014:004 because John had persistently said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 014:005 And he would have liked to put him to death, but was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a Prophet. 014:006 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before all the company, and so pleased Herod 014:007 that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she asked. 014:008 So she, instigated by her mother, said, "Give me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist." 014:009 The king was deeply vexed, yet because of his repeated oath and of the guests at his table he ordered it to be given her, 014:010 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. 014:011 The head was brought on a dish and given to the young girl, and she took it to her mother. 014:012 Then John's disciples went and removed the body and buried it, and came and informed Jesus. 014:013 Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat to an uninhabited and secluded district; but the people heard of it and followed Him in crowds from the towns by land. 014:014 So Jesus went out and saw an immense multitude, and felt compassion for them, and cured those of them who were out of health. 014:015 But when evening was come, the disciples came to Him and said, "This is an uninhabited place, and the best of the day is now gone; send the people away to go into the villages and buy something to eat." 014:016 "They need not go away," replied Jesus; "you yourselves must give them something to eat." 014:017 "We have nothing here," they said, "but five loaves and a couple of fish." 014:018 "Bring them here to me," He said, 014:019 and He told all the people to sit down on the grass. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and after looking up to heaven and blessing them, He broke up the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples distributed them to the people. 014:020 So all ate, and were fully satisfied. The broken portions that remained over they gathered up, filling twelve baskets. 014:021 Those who had eaten were about 5,000 adult men, without reckoning women and children. 014:022 Immediately afterwards He made the disciples go on board the boat and cross to the opposite shore, leaving Him to dismiss the people. 014:023 When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in solitude. Night came on, and he was there alone. 014:024 Meanwhile the boat was far out on the Lake, buffeted and tossed by the waves, the wind being adverse. 014:025 But towards daybreak He went to them, walking over the waves. 014:026 When the disciples saw Him walking on the waves, they were greatly alarmed. "It is a spirit," they exclaimed, and they cried out with terror. 014:027 But instantly Jesus spoke to them, and said, "There is no danger; it is I; do not be afraid." 014:028 "Master," answered Peter, "if it is you, bid me come to you upon the water." 014:029 "Come," said Jesus. Then Peter climbed down from the boat and walked upon the water to go to Him. 014:030 But when he felt the wind he grew frightened, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Master, save me." 014:031 Instantly Jesus stretched out His hand and caught hold of him, saying to him, "O little faith, why did you doubt?" 014:032 So they climbed into the boat, and the wind lulled; 014:033 and the men on board fell down before him and said, "You are indeed God's Son." 014:034 When they had quite crossed over, they put ashore at Gennesaret; 014:035 and the men of the place, recognizing Him, sent word into all the country round. So they brought all the sick to Him, 014:036 and they entreated Him that they might but touch the tassel of His outer garment; and all who did so were restored to perfect health. 015:001 Then there came to Jesus a party of Pharisees and Scribes from Jerusalem, who inquired, 015:002 "Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders by not washing their hands before meals?" 015:003 "Why do you, too," He retorted, "transgress God's commands for the sake of your tradition? 015:004 For God said, 'Honour thy father and thy mother'; and 'Let him who reviles father or mother be certainly put to death'; 015:005 but you—this is what you say: 'If a man says to his father or mother, That is consecrated, whatever it is, which otherwise you should have received from me— 015:006 he shall be absolved from honouring his father'; and so you have abrogated God's Word for the sake of your tradition. 015:007 Hypocrites! well did Isaiah prophesy of you, 015:008 "'This is a People who honour Me with their lips, while their heart is far away from Me; 015:009 but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'" 015:010 Then, when He had called the people to Him, Jesus said, "Hear and understand. 015:011 It is not what goes into a man's mouth that defiles him; but it is what comes out of his mouth—that* defiles a man." 015:012 Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were greatly shocked when they heard those words?" 015:013 "Every plant," He replied, "which my Heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 015:014 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind; and if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into some pit." 015:015 "Explain to us this figurative language," said Peter. 015:016 "Are even you," He answered, "still without intellingence? 015:017 Do you not understand that whatever enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is afterwards ejected from the body? 015:018 But the things that come out of the mouth proceed from the heart, and it is these that defile the man. 015:019 For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech. 015:020 These are the things which defile the man; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile." 015:021 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew into the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon. 015:022 Here a Canaanitish woman of the district came out and persistently cried out, "Sir, Son of David, pity me; my daughter is cruelly harassed by a demon." 015:023 But He answered her not a word. Then the disciples interposed, and begged Him, saying, "Send her away because she keeps crying behind us." 015:024 "I have only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel," He replied. 015:025 Then she came and threw herself at His feet and entreated Him. "O Sir, help me," she said. 015:026 "It is not right," He said, "to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 015:027 "Be it so, Sir," she said, "for even the dogs eat the scraps which fall from their masters' tables." 015:028 "O woman," replied Jesus, "great is your faith: be it done to you as you desire." And from that moment her daughter was restored to health. 015:029 Again, moving thence, Jesus went along by the Lake of Galilee; and ascending the hill, He sat down there. 015:030 Soon great crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were crippled in feet or hands, blind or dumb, and many besides, and they hastened to lay them at His feet. And He cured them, 015:031 so that the people were amazed to see the dumb speaking, the maimed with their hands perfect, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they gave the glory to the God of Israel. 015:032 But Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "My heart yearns over this mass of people, for it is now the third day that they have been with me and they have nothing to eat. I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they should faint on the road." 015:033 "Where can we," asked the disciples, "get bread enough in this remote place to satisfy so vast a multitude?" 015:034 "How many loaves have you?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they said, "and a few small fish." 015:035 So He bade all the people sit down on the ground, 015:036 and He took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks He broke them up and then distributed them to the disciples, and they to the people. 015:037 And they all ate and were satisfied. The broken portions that remained over they took up—seven full hampers. 015:038 Those who ate were 4,000 adult men, without reckoning women and children. 015:039 He then dismissed the people, went on board the boat, and came into the district of Magadan. 016:001 Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him; and, to make trial of Him, they asked Him to show them a sign in the sky. 016:002 He replied, "In the evening you say, 'It will be fine weather, for the sky is red;' 016:003 and in the morning, 'It will be rough weather to-day, for the sky is red and murky.' You learn how to distinguish the aspect of the heavens, but the signs of the times you cannot. 016:004 A wicked and faithless generation are eager for a sign; but none shall be given to them except the sign of Jonah." and He left them and went away. 016:005 When the disciples arrived at the other side of the Lake, they found that they had forgotten to bring any bread; 016:006 and when Jesus said to them, "See to it: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees," 016:007 they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have not brought any bread." 016:008 Jesus perceived this and said, "Why are you reasoning among yourselves, you men of little faith, because you have no bread? 016:009 Do you not yet understand? nor even remember the 5,000 and the five loaves, and how many basketfuls you carried away, 016:010 nor the 4,000 and the seven loaves, and how many hampers you carried away? 016:011 How is it you do not understand that it was not about bread that I spoke to you? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 016:012 Then they perceived that He had not warned them against bread-yeast, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 016:013 When He arrived in the neighbourhood of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus questioned His disciples. "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" He asked. 016:014 "Some say John the Baptist," they replied; "others Elijah; others Jeremiah or one of the Prophets." 016:015 "But you, who do you say that I am?" He asked again. 016:016 "You," replied Simon Peter, "are the Christ, the Son of the ever-living God." 016:017 "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jonah," said Jesus; "for mere human nature has not revealed this to you, but my Father in Heaven. 016:018 And I declare to you that you are Peter, and that upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the might of Hades shall not triumph over it. 016:019 I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of the Heavens; and whatever you bind on earth shall remain bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall remain loosed in Heaven." 016:020 Then He urged His disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ. 016:021 From this time Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer much cruelty from the Elders and the High Priests and the Scribes, and be put to death, and on the third day be raised to life again. 016:022 Then Peter took Him aside and began taking Him to task. "Master," he said, "God forbid; this will not be your lot." 016:023 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Adversary; you are a hindrance to me, because your thoughts are not God's thoughts, but men's." 016:024 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If any one desires to follow me, let him renounce self and take up his cross, and so be my follower. 016:025 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it. 016:026 Why, what benefit will it be to a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give to buy back his life? 016:027 For the Son of Man is soon to come in the glory of the Father with His angels, and then will He requite every man according to his actions. 016:028 I solemnly tell you that some of those who are standing here will certainly not taste death till they have seen the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom." 017:001 Six day later, Jesus took with Him Peter and the brothers James and John, and brought them up a high mountain to a solitary place. 017:002 There in their presence His form underwent a change; His face shone like the sun, and His raiment became as white as the light. 017:003 And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them conversing with Him. 017:004 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Master, we are thankful to you that we are here. If you approve, I will put up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 017:005 He was still speaking when a luminous cloud spread over them; and a voice was heard from within the cloud, which said, "This is My Son dearly beloved, in whom is My delight. Listen to Him." 017:006 On hearing this voice, the disciples fell on their faces and were filled with terror. 017:007 But Jesus came and touched them, and said, "Rouse yourselves and have no fear." 017:008 So they looked up, and saw no one but Jesus. 017:009 As they were descending the mountain, Jesus laid a command upon them. "Tell no one," He said, "of the sight you have seen till the Son of Man has risen from among the dead." 017:010 "Why then," asked the disciples, "do the Scribes say that Elijah must first come?" 017:011 "Elijah was indeed to come," He replied, "and would reform everything. 017:012 But I tell you that he has already come, and they did not recognize him, but dealt with him as they chose. And before long the Son of Man will be treated by them in a similar way." 017:013 Then it dawned upon the disciples that it was John the Baptist about whom He had spoken to them. 017:014 When they had returned to the people, there came to Him a man who fell on his knees before Him and besought Him. 017:015 "Sir," he said, "have pity on my son, for he is an epileptic and is very ill. Often he falls into the fire and often into the water. 017:016 I have brought him to your disciples, and they have not been able to cure him." 017:017 "O unbelieving and perverse generation!" replied Jesus; "how long shall I be with you? how long shall I endure you? Bring him to me." 017:018 Then Jesus reprimanded the demon, and it came out and left him; and the boy was cured from that moment. 017:019 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked Him, "Why could not we expel the demon?" 017:020 "Because your faith is so small," He replied; "for I solemnly declare to you that if you have faith like a mustard-seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Remove from this place to that,' and it will remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you. 017:021 But an evil spirit of this kind is only driven out by prayer and fasting." 017:022 As they were travelling about in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men; 017:023 they will put Him to death, but on the third day He will be raised to life again." And they were exceedingly distressed. 017:024 After their arrival at Capernaum the collectors of the half-shekel came and asked Peter, "Does not your Teacher pay the half-shekel?" 017:025 "Yes," he replied, and then went into the house. But before he spoke a word Jesus said, "What think you, Simon? From whom do this world's kings receive customs or capitation tax? from their own children, or from others?" 017:026 "From others," he replied. "Then the children go free," said Jesus. 017:027 "However, lest we cause them to sin, go and throw a hook into the Lake, and take the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth, you will find a shekel in it: bring that coin and give it to them for yourself and me." 018:001 Just then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who ranks higher than others in the Kingdom of the Heavens?" 018:002 So He called a young child to Him, and, bidding him stand in the midst of them, 018:003 said, "In solemn truth I tell you that unless you turn and become like little children, you will in no case be admitted into the Kingdom of the Heavens. 018:004 Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this young child, he it is who is superior to others in the Kingdom of the Heavens. 018:005 And whoever for my sake receives one young child such as this, receives me. 018:006 But whoever shall occasion the fall of one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung round his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 018:007 "Alas for the world because of causes of falling! They cannot but come, but alas for each man through whom they come! 018:008 If your hand or your foot is causing you to fall into sin, cut it off and away with it. It is better for you to enter into Life crippled in hand or foot than to remain in possession of two sound hands or feet but be thrown into the fire of the Ages. 018:009 And if your eye is causing you to fall into sin, tear it out and away with it; it is better for you to enter into Life with only one eye, than to remain in possession of two eyes but be thrown into the Gehenna of fire. 018:010 "Beware of ever despising one of these little ones, for I tell you that in Heaven their angels have continual access to my Father who is in Heaven. 018:011 [] 018:012 What do you yourselves think? Suppose a man gets a hundred sheep and one of them strays away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go and look for the one that is straying? 018:013 And if he succeeds in finding it, in solemn truth I tell you that he rejoices over it more than he does over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. 018:014 Just so it is not the will of your Father in Heaven that one of these little ones should be lost. 018:015 "If your brother acts wrongly towards you, go and point out his fault to him when only you and he are there. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 018:016 But if he will not listen to you, go again, and ask one or two to go with you, that every word spoken may be attested by two or three witnesses. 018:017 If he refuses to hear them, appeal to the Church; and if he refuses to hear even the Church, regard him just as you regard a Gentile or a tax-gatherer. 018:018 I solemnly tell you that whatever you as a Church bind on earth will in Heaven be held as bound, and whatever you loose on earth will in Heaven be held to be loosed. 018:019 I also solemnly tell you that if two of you here on earth agree together concerning anything whatever that they shall ask, the boon will come to them from my Father who is in Heaven. 018:020 For where there are two or three assembled in my name, there am I in the midst of them." 018:021 At this point Peter came to Him with the question, "Master, how often shall my brother act wrongly towards me and I forgive him? seven times?" 018:022 "I do not say seven times," answered Jesus, "but seventy times seven times. 018:023 "For this reason the Kingdom of the Heavens may be compared to a king who determined to have a settlement of accounts with his servants. 018:024 But as soon as he began the settlement, one was brought before him who owed 10,000 talents, 018:025 and was unable to pay. So his master ordered that he and his wife and children and everything that he had should be sold, and payment be made. 018:026 The servant therefore falling down, prostrated himself at his feet and entreated him. "'Only give me time,' he said, 'and I will pay you the whole.' 018:027 "Whereupon his master, touched with compassion, set him free and forgave him the debt. 018:028 But no sooner had that servant gone out, than he met with one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 shillings; and seizing him by the throat and nearly strangling him he exclaimed, "'Pay me all you owe.' 018:029 "His fellow servant therefore fell at his feet and entreated him, "'Only give me time,' he said, 'and I will pay you.' 018:030 "He would not, however, but went and threw him into prison until he should pay what was due. 018:031 His fellow servants, therefore, seeing what had happened, were exceedingly angry; and they came and told their master without reserve all that had happened. 018:032 At once his master called him and said, "'Wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you entreated me: 018:033 ought not you also to have had pity on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 018:034 "So his master, greatly incensed, handed him over to the jailers until he should pay all he owed him. 018:035 "In the same way my Heavenly Father will deal with you, if you do not all of you forgive one another from your hearts." 019:001 When Jesus had finished these discourses, He removed from Galilee and came into that part of Judaea which lay beyond the Jordan. 019:002 And a vast multitude followed him, and He cured them there. 019:003 Then came some of the Pharisees to Him to put Him to the proof by the question, "Has a man a right to divorce his wife whenever he chooses?" 019:004 "Have you not read," He replied, "that He who made them 'made them' from the beginning 'male and female, 019:005 and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall be one'? 019:006 Thus they are no longer two, but 'one'! What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." 019:007 "Why then," said they, "did Moses command the husband to give her 'a written notice of divorce,' and so put her away?" 019:008 "Moses," He replied, "in consideration of the hardness of your nature permitted you to put away your wives, but it has not been so from the beginning. 019:009 And I tell you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except her unfaithfulness, and marries another woman, commits adultery." 019:010 "If this is the case with a man in relation to his wife," said the disciples to Him, "it is better not to marry." 019:011 "It is not every man," He replied, "who can receive this teaching, but only those on whom the grace has been bestowed. 019:012 There are men who from their birth have been disabled from marriage, others who have been so disabled by men, and others who have disabled themselves for the sake of the Kingdom of the Heavens. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it." 019:013 Then young children were brought to Him for Him to put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples interfered. 019:014 Jesus however said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike that the Kingdom of the Heavens belongs." 019:015 So He laid His hands upon them and went away. 019:016 "Teacher," said one man, coming up to Him, "what that is good shall I do in order to win the Life of the Ages?" 019:017 "Why do you ask me," He replied, "about what is good? There is only One who is truly good. But if you desire to enter into Life, keep the Commandments." 019:018 "Which Commandments?" he asked. Jesus answered, "'Thou shalt not kill;' 'Thou shalt not commit adultery;' 'Thou shalt not steal;' 'Thou shalt not lie in giving evidence;' 019:019 'Honour thy father and thy mother'; and 'Thou shalt love thy fellow man as much as thyself.'" 019:020 "All of these," said the young man, "I have carefully kept. What do I still lack?" 019:021 "If you desire to be perfect," replied Jesus, "go and sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and come, follow me." 019:022 On hearing those words the young man went away much cast down; for he had much property. 019:023 So Jesus said to His disciples, "I solemnly tell you that it is with difficulty that a rich man will enter the Kingdom of the Heavens. 019:024 Yes, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." 019:025 These words utterly amazed the disciples, and they asked, "Who then can be saved?" 019:026 Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God everything is possible." 019:027 Then Peter said to Jesus, "See, *we* have forsaken everything and followed you; what then will be *our* reward?" 019:028 "I solemnly tell you," replied Jesus, "that in the New Creation, when the Son of Man has taken His seat on His glorious throne, all of you who have followed me shall also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 019:029 And whoever has forsaken houses, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children or lands, for my sake, shall receive many times as much and shall have as his inheritance the Life of the Ages. 019:030 "But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first. 020:001 "For the Kingdom of the Heavens is like an employer who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard, 020:002 and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a day, sent them into his vineyard. 020:003 About nine o'clock he went out and saw others loitering in the market-place. 020:004 To these also he said, "'You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' 020:005 "So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o'clock, he went out and did the same. 020:006 And going out about five o'clock he found others loitering, and he asked them, "'Why have you been standing here all day long, doing nothing?' 020:007 "'Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "'You also, go into the vineyard,' he said. 020:008 "When evening came, the master said to his steward, "'Call the men and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and finish with the first.' 020:009 "When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they received a shilling apiece; 020:010 and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they also each got the shilling. 020:011 So when they had received it, they grumbled against the employer, saying, 020:012 "'These who came last have done only one hour's work, and you have put them on a level with us who have worked the whole day and have borne the scorching heat.' 020:013 "'My friend,' he answered to one of them, 'I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling? 020:014 Take your money and go. I choose to give this last comer just as much as I give you. 020:015 Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own property? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 020:016 "So the last shall be first, and the first last." 020:017 Jesus was now going up to Jerusalem, and He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, 020:018 "We are going up to Jerusalem, and there the Son of Man will be betrayed to the High Priests and Scribes. They will condemn Him to death, 020:019 and hand Him over to the Gentiles to be made sport of and scourged and crucified; and on the third day He will be raised to life." 020:020 Then the mother of the sons of Zabdi came to Him with her sons, and knelt before Him to make a request of Him. 020:021 "What is it you desire?" He asked. "Command," she replied, "that these my two sons may sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your Kingdom." 020:022 "None of you know what you are asking for," said Jesus; "can you drink out of the cup from which I am about to drink?" "We can," they replied. 020:023 "You shall drink out of my cup," He said, "but a seat at my right hand or at my left it is not for me to allot, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 020:024 The other ten heard of this, and their indignation was aroused against the two brothers. 020:025 But Jesus called them to Him, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 020:026 Not so shall it be among you; but whoever desires to be great among you shall be your servant, 020:027 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant; 020:028 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as the redemption-price for many." 020:029 As they were leaving Jericho, an immense crowd following Him, 020:030 two blind men sitting by the roadside heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, and cried aloud, "Sir, Son of David, pity us." 020:031 The people angrily tried to silence them, but they cried all the louder. "O Sir, Son of David, pity us," they said. 020:032 So Jesus stood still and called to them. "What shall I do for you?" He asked. 020:033 "Sir, let our eyes be opened," they replied. 020:034 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him. 021:001 When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front, 021:002 saying to them, "Go to the village you see facing you, and as you enter it you will find a she-ass tied up and a foal with her. Untie her and bring them to me. 021:003 And if any one says anything to you, say, 'The Master needs them,' and he will at once send them." 021:004 This took place in order that the Prophet's prediction might be fulfilled: 021:005 "Tell the Daughter of Zion, 'See, thy King is coming to thee, gentle, and yet mounted on an ass, even on a colt the foal of a beast of burden.'" 021:006 So the disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them: 021:007 they brought the she-ass and the foal, and threw their outer garments on them. So He sat on them; 021:008 and most of the crowd kept spreading their garments along the road, while others cut branches from the trees and carpeted the road with them, 021:009 and the multitudes—some of the people preceding Him and some following—sang aloud, "God save the Son of David! Blessings on Him who comes in the Lord's name! God in the highest Heavens save Him!" 021:010 When He thus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was thrown into commotion, every one inquiring, "Who is this?" 021:011 "This is Jesus, the Prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee," replied the crowds. 021:012 Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were buying and selling there, and overturned the money-changers' tables and the seats of the pigeon-dealers. 021:013 "It is written," He said, "'My House shall be called the House of Prayer', but you are making it a robbers' cave." 021:014 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the Temple, and He cured them. 021:015 But when the High Priests and the Scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done and the children who were crying aloud in the Temple, "God save the Son of David," they were filled with indignation. 021:016 "Do you hear," they asked Him, "what these children are saying?" "Yes," He replied; "have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of infants and of babes at the breast Thou hast brought forth the praise which is due'?" 021:017 So He left them and went out of the city to Bethany and passed the night there. 021:018 Early in the morning as He was on His way to return to the city He was hungry, 021:019 and seeing a fig-tree on the road-side He went up to it, but found nothing on it but leaves. "On you," He said, "no fruit shall ever again grow." And immediately the fig-tree withered away. 021:020 When the disciples saw it they exclaimed in astonishment, "How instantaneously the fig-tree has withered away!" 021:021 "I solemnly tell you," said Jesus, "that if you have an unwavering faith, you shall not only perform such a miracle as this of the fig-tree, but that even if you say to this mountain, 'Be thou lifted up and hurled into the sea,' it shall be done; 021:022 and everything, whatever it be, that you ask for in your prayers, if you have faith, you shall obtain." 021:023 He entered the Temple; and while He was teaching, the High Priests and the Elders of the people came to Him and asked Him, "By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you this authority?" 021:024 "And I also have a question to ask *you*," replied Jesus, "and if you answer me, I in turn will tell you by what authority I do these things. 021:025 John's Baptism, whence was it?—had it a heavenly or a human origin?" So they debated the matter among themselves. "If we say 'a heavenly origin,'" they argued, "he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 021:026 and if we say 'a human origin' we have the people to fear, for they all hold John to have been a Prophet." 021:027 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," He replied, "by what authority I do these things." 021:028 "But give me your judgement. There was a man who had two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "'My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.' 021:029 "'I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry, and went. 021:030 He came to the second and spoke in the same manner. His answer was, "'I will go, Sir.' "But he did not go. 021:031 Which of the two did as his father desired?" "The first," they said. "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you. 021:032 For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example