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From Textus Receptus

C H A P T E R 1

 1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.
 2 Abraham begot Isaac, and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brethren.
 3 And Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram.
 4 And Ram begot Amminadab, and Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon.
 5 And Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, and Obed begot Jesse,
 6 and Jesse begot David the king, and David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.
 7 And Solomon begot Rehoboam, and Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa.
 8 And Asa begot Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah,
 9 And Uzziah begot Jotham, and Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah.
 10 And Hezekiah begot Manasseh, and Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah.
  11 And Josiah begot Jechoniah and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon.
 12  And  after  they  were  brought  to 

Babylon, Jechoniah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel.

 13 And Zerubbabel begot Abiud, and Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor.
 14 And Azor begot Zadoc, and Zadoc begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud.
 15 And Eliud begot Eleazar, and Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob.
 16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the carrying away into Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations.
 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph before they came together, she was found with child from the Holy Spirit.
 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately.
 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not  be   afraid  to  take   to  yourself 

Mary your wife, because that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

 21 And she will bear a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, because He will save His people from their sins.”
 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
 23 “Behold, a virgin will be with child, and will bear a Son, and they will call His name Immanuel,” which being translated is, “God with us.”
 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took to him his wife,
 25 and  did  not  know  her  until  she

had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

C H A P T E R 2

 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? As we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ would be born.
 5 And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, because, thus it is written by the prophet:
 6 ‘And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; because out of you will come a Ruler that will rule My people Israel.’ ”
  7 Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, diligently inquired of them what time the star appeared.
 8 And  he  sent  them to  Bethlehem

and said, “Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

 9 After they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young Child was.
 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
 12 And being warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
 13 Now when they had departed, behold,    the    angel    of    the     Lord

appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee into Egypt, and wait there until I bring you word; because Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”

 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed into Egypt,
 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I have called My Son.”
 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked because of the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and killed all the children who were in Bethlehem and in all of its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are no more.”
  19 But when Herod was dead, behold,

an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

 20 saying, “Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel, because those who sought the young Child’s 

life are dead.”

 21 Then he arose, and took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
  22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in the position of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. However, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee.
 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, “He will be called a Nazarene.”

C H A P T E R 3

 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
 2 and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
 3 Because, this is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight.’ ”
 4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him
 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to 

his baptism, he said to them, “O generation of vipers! Who has warned you to escape from the wrath to come?

 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
 9 and do not think to say within yourselves, ‘we have Abraham as our father.’ Because, I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
 10 And even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
 11 I indeed baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than me, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the storehouse; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
 14 But John prevented Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, because it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
 16 And when He was baptized, Jesus 

came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him.

 17 And behold a voice from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

C H A P T E R 4

 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
 4 But He replied and said, “It is written, ‘Man will not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, and set Him on a pinnacle of the temple,
 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. Because it is written: ‘He will give His angels orders concerning You,’ and, ‘in their hands they will hold You up, lest at any time You strike Your foot against a stone.’ ”
 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ”
 8 Again, the devil took Him up onto a very high mountain, and showed Him  all  the  kingdoms of  the world 

and their glory.

 9 And he said to Him, “I will give You all these things, if You will fall down and worship me.”
 10 Then Jesus said to Him, “Leave Satan! Because it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only shall you serve.’ ”
 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
 12 Now when Jesus had heard that John had been thrown into prison, He departed to Galilee.
 13 And  leaving  Nazareth,  He  came

and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea coast, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,

 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying:
 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:
 16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great Light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”
 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; because they were fishermen.
 19 And He said to them, “Follow Me,

and I will make you fishers of men.”

 20 And they immediately left their nets, and followed Him.
 21 And going on from there, He saw two more brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them.
 22 And immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
 23 Then Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all types of sickness and every kind of disease among the people.
 24 And His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him every sick person who was afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were possessed with demons, those who were insane, and paralytics; and He healed them.
 25 And large crowds of people followed Him from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

C H A P T E R 5

 1 And seeing the crowds, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.
 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 4 Blessed   are   those   who   mourn, 

because they will be comforted.

 5 Blessed are the meek, because they will inherit the earth.
 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.
 7 Blessed are the merciful, because they will obtain mercy.
 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.
 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called the children of God.
 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 11 “Blessed are you, when men revile you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake.
 12 Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, because great is your reward in heaven, because they also persecuted the prophets who were before you.
 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be salted? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.
 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
 16 Let your light shine like this before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
 17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
 18 Because, truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law, until all is fulfilled.
 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of these least commandments, but teaches men so, he will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, they will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
 20 Because, I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven.
 21 “You have heard that it was said by those of old times, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’
 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. And whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of hell fire.
 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest at any time your adversary  deliver  you to the judge, 

and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

 26 Truly, I say to you, you will by no means come out of there until you have paid the last penny.
 27 “You have heard that it was said by those of old times, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
 28 But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
 29 And if your right eye offends you, pluck it out, and cast it from you; because, it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your entire body to be thrown into hell.
 30 And if your right hand offends you, cut it off and cast it from you; because, it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your entire body be thrown into hell.
 31 “It has been said, ‘whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’
 32 But I say to you, that whoever puts away his wife for any reason except sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
 33 “Again, you have heard that it has been said to those of old times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’
 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, because it is God’s throne;
 35 nor by the earth, because it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.
 36 Neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
 37 But let your communication be, ‘yes,’ ‘yes,’ or ‘no,’ ‘no.’ Because whatever goes beyond these is from evil.
 38 “You have heard that it has been said, ‘ An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
 39 But I tell you that you should not resist a wicked person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
 40 And if anyone wants to sue you at the law and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go two with him.
  42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
 43 “You have heard that it has been said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
 45 that you may be the children of your   Father   who   is   in   heaven; because, He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
 46 Because, if you love those who love you, what reward do you gain? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
 47 And if you only greet your brethren, what do you do more than others? Do not even tax collectors do so?
 48 Therefore be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

C H A P T E R 6

 1 “Beware that you do not do your charitable deeds in front of men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
 2 Therefore, when you do your charitable deeds, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward.
 3 But when you do charitable deeds,

do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

 4 that your charitable deeds may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
 5 “And  when   you   pray,   you   shall 

not be like the hypocrites are. Because, they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward.

 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
 7 But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the heathen do. Because, they think that they will be heard because of their many words.
 8 “Therefore do not be like them. Because, your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.
  11 Give  us  this  day  our daily bread.
  12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Because, Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
 14 “Because, if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
 15 But if you do not forgive men their  trespasses,  neither  will  your 

Father forgive your trespasses.

 16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be    like    the    hypocrites,   with   a 

sad countenance. Because, they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men to be fasting. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward.

 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face,
 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in that secret place; and your Father who sees in secret, will reward you openly.
 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupts, and where thieves break in and steal;
 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts, and where thieves do not break in nor steal.
 21 Because, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
 22 “The light of the body is the eye. Therefore if your eye is single, your entire body will be full of light.
 23 But if your eye is corrupt, your entire body will be filled with darkness. Therefore if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
 24 “No one can serve two masters; because, either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not be anxious  about  your  life,  what  you 

shall eat or what you shall drink; nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not this life more than food and the body more than clothing?

 26 Look at the birds of the air, because, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of much more value than them?
 27 Which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his stature?
 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
 30 Now if God clothes the grass of the field like that, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or, ‘What shall we drink?’ or, ‘What shall we wear?’
 32 (Because, the Gentiles seek after all these things.) Because your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. 
  33 But you, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will be concerned for the issues of itself. Sufficient for the day is its own evil.

C H A P T E R 7

 1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
 2 Because,  with  the  judgment  you

judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

 3 And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank that is in your own eye?
 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and behold, a plank is in your own eye?
 5 You hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
 6 “Do not give that which is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and attack you.
 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
 8 Because, everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him that knocks it will be opened.
 9 Or what man is there among you, who if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who  is  in  heaven  give  good things 

to those who ask Him?

 12 Therefore, everything you would like men to do to you, so likewise you do to them, because this is the Law and the Prophets.
 13 “Enter in through the narrow gate; because, the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in through it.
 14 Because, the gate is narrow and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonderful works in Your name?’  
 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I

never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice iniquity!’

 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock:
 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it did not fall, because it was founded on a rock.
 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be likened to a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
28 And so it happened, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His doctrine,
 29 because, He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

C H A P T E R 8

 1 When He had come down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.
 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.”
 3 And Jesus put out His hand, and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
 5 Now when Jesus had entered into Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,
 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, afflicted terribly.
 7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
 8 The centurion replied and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.
 9 Because, 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.”
 10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, no, not even in Israel!
 11 And I say to you, that many will come from the east and west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
 12 But the children of the kingdom will be thrown out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
 13 And  Jesus  said  to  the  centurion, 

“Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

 14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying down, and sick with a fever.
 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose, and ministered to them.
 16 When the evening had come, they brought to Him many who were possessed with demons. And He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick,  
 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He Himself took our weaknesses, and bore our sicknesses.”
 18 Now when Jesus saw large crowds around Him, He gave orders to depart to the other side.
 19 Then a certain scribe came and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”
 20 And Jesus said to Him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
 21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, firstly permit me to go and bury my father.”
 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me; and let the dead bury their dead.
 23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.
 24 And behold, a large tempest arose on the sea, so much so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
 25 Then his disciples came to Him, and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing.”
 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
 27 So the men marveled, saying, “What type of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
 28 And when He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass through that way.
 29 And behold they shouted out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?
 30 Now a long distance away from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.
 31 So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”
 32And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And, behold the entire herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the waters.
 33 Then those who kept them fled, and  they  went  away  into  the  city 

and told everything, including what had happened to the demon possessed men.

 34 And, behold, the entire city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him that He would depart from their region.

C H A P T E R 9

 1 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came into His own city.
 2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
 3 And, immediately some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”
 4 But Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
 5 Because which is easiest to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk?’
 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” then He said to the paralytic, “Rise up, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
 7 And he rose up, and departed to his house.
 8 Now when the crowds saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
 9 And as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he rose up, and followed Him.
 10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.
 11 And  when  the  Pharisees  saw  it,

they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

 12 But when Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ Because, I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
 14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
 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 away from them, and then they will fast.
  16 No man puts a piece of new cloth on old clothing, because, that which is put in to patch it rips away from the clothing, and the tear is made worse.
 17 Neither do they put new grape juice into old containers, or else the containers break, and the grape juice spills out, and the containers perish. But they put new grape juice into new containers, and both 

are preserved.”

 18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a certain ruler came, and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand upon her, and she will live.”
 19 So   Jesus   rose   up,   and  followed him, and so did His disciples.
 20 And, suddenly a woman, who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, came from behind Him, and touched the edge of His clothes.
 21 Because she said within herself, “If only I may touch His clothes, I will be made well.”
 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, “Be cheerful daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the musicians and the people making a noise,
 24 He said to them, “Make room, because the girl is not dead, but is sleeping.” And they laughed and mocked at Him.
 25 But when the people were put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
 26 And the fame of this went out into all that land.
 27 And when Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, shouting, and saying, “You, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
 28 And when He had come 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.”

 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”
 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus firmly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.”
 31 But when they had departed, they spread the fame about Him in all that country.
 32 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a mute man possessed with a demon.
 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “It has never been seen like this in Israel!”
 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”
 35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
 36 But when He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were exhausted, and scattered everywhere, like sheep having no shepherd.
 37 Then He said to His disciples, “Truly the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 
 38 Therefore  pray   the  Lord  of  the

harvest that He will send out laborers into His harvest.”

C H A P T E R 10

 1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Himself, He gave them authority against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of sickness and every kind of disease.
 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
 5 These twelve Jesus sent out, and commanded them, saying, “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans.
 6 But rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts,
 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two coats, neither sandals, nor staffs; because  a  worker  is  worthy  of  his 

food.

 11 “Now whatever city or town you go into, inquire who is worthy in it, 

and abide there until you go from it.

 12 And when you go into a household, greet it.
 13 And if the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
 14 And   whoever   shall   not   receive 

you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
 17 But beware of men, because, they will deliver you up to councils and they will scourge you in their synagogues.
 18 And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you shall speak. Because, it will be given to you in that same hour what you shall speak;
 20 because it is not you who is speaking, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
 21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his 

child; and the children will rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death.

 22 And you will be hated by all people for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
 23 But when they persecute you in one city, flee to another. Because, truly, I say to you, you will not have gone  through  the  cities  of  Israel, before the Son of Man comes.
 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant above his master.
 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant as his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!
 26 Therefore do not fear them. Because, there is nothing covered, that will not be revealed, and hidden, that will not be known.
 27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, that speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, that preach on the housetops.
 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather reverence Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.
 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
 35 Because, I have come to ‘divide a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter in law against her mother in law,’
 36 and ‘a man’s enemies shall be those of his own household.’
 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
 38 And he who does not take up his cross, and follow after Me, is not worthy of Me.
 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
 40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

C H A P T E R 11

 1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
 2 Now when John had heard in the prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
 3 And said to Him, “Are You He who should come, or do we look for another?”
 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and show John again those things which you hear and see:
 5 The blind receive their sight and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
 6 And blessed is he, who is not offended because of Me.”
 7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in fine clothing? Behold, those who wear fine clothing are in kings’ houses.
 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
 10 Because, this is he, of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’
 11 “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than him.
 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
 13 Because, all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
 14 And if you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah who was to come beforehand.
 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
 16 But to what shall I liken this generation? It is likened to children sitting in the marketplaces, and calling to their friends,
 17 and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we have mourned to you, and you did not lament.’
 18 Because, John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold a gluttonous man, and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
 20 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:
 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! Because, if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the 

day of judgment than for you.

 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to hell; because, if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
 24 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
 25 At that time Jesus responded and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes.
 26 Even so Father, because in this manner it seemed good in Your sight.
 27 All things are delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son, except for the Father. Neither does anyone know the Father, except for the Son, and to the one whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and have a heavy burden, and I will give you rest.
 29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, because, I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
 30 Because, My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

C H A P T E R 12

 1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath day.  And  His  disciples  were hungry, and  began  to   pluck   the  heads  of 

grain and to eat.

 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples   are   doing   what   is   not lawful to do on the Sabbath day!”
 3 But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:
 4 how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?
 5 Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?
 6 But I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple.
 7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.
 8 Because the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day”
 9 Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue.
 10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days?” That they might accuse Him.
 11 And He said to them, “What man would there be among you, who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?
 12 How much better then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath days.”
 13 Then He said to the man,

“Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.

 14 Then the Pharisees went out and held a council against Him, how they might destroy Him.
 15 But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew Himself from there. And large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all.
 16 And commanded them that they should not make Him known,
 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying:
 18 “Behold! My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will show justice to the Gentiles.
 19 He will not strive, nor shout, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
 20 A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, until He sends forth justice to victory;
 21 And in His name shall the Gentiles trust.”
 22 Then one was brought to Him who was possessed with a demon, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute both spoke and saw.
 23 And all the people were amazed and   said,  “Is  not  this  the  Son   of 

David?”

 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This one does not cast out  demons,  except  by  Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
 25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
 29 Or else how can one enter a strong man’s house, and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he shall plunder his house.
 30 He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
 31 “Therefore I say to you, every type of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven men.
 32 And whosoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in the age to come.
 33 “Either  make  the  tree  good, and 

its fruit good, or else make the tree bad, and its fruit bad: because the tree is known by its fruit.

 34 O  generation  of  vipers,  how  can
you being evil, speak good things? Since out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks!
 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
 36 But I say to you that every idle word that men will speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
 37 Because, by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees responded, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
 39 But He replied and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
 40 Because, as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
 41 The men of Nineveh will rise in judgment with this generation and will condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.
 42 The queen of the south will rise 

up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, because, she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

 43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.
 44 Then he says, ‘I shall return to my house from which I came out.’ And when he has come, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.
 45 Then he goes, and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so will it be to this wicked generation.”
 46 While He was still talking to the people, behold, His mother and His brethren stood outside, wanting to speak with Him.
 47 Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brethren are standing outside, wanting to speak with You.”
 48 But He replied and said to him who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brethren?
 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples, and said, “Behold, My mother and My brethren!
 50 Because, whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, that one is My brother and sister and mother.”

C H A P T E R 13

 1 That same day Jesus went out of the house, and sat beside the sea.  
 2 And  large  crowds  were  gathered

about Him, so that He got into a boat, and sat; and the entire crowd stood on the shore.

 3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.
 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side; and the birds came and devoured them.
 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.
 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.
 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up and choked them.
 8 But others fell into good ground and bore fruit: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
 10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
 11 He answered and said to them, “Because, it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
 12 Because whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance;  but  whoever  does  not 

have, even what he has will be

taken away from him.

 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because, seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘By hearing you will hear, and will not understand, and seeing you will see, and will not perceive;
 15 because the hearts of this people have grown dull, their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their hearts and would be converted, so that I should heal them.’
 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear;
 17 because truly, I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and did not see it, and hear those things which you hear, and did not hear it.
 18 “Therefore all of you, hear the parable of the sower:
 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one which received seed by the wayside.
 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. Because when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the worries of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who also bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
 24 He put before them another parable, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
 26 So when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
 27 So the servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’
 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’
 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.  

30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”

 31 He put before them another parable, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, that a man took and sowed in his field,
 32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
 33 He spoke another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid inside three measures of flour until it was all leavened.”
 34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables; and He did not speak to them without a parable,
 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet,

saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret since the foundation of the world.”

 36 Then Jesus sent the crowd away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”
 37 He replied and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
 38 The field is the world, the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one.
 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.
  40 Therefore     as     the     tares     are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.
 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that cause offense, and those who practice iniquity,
 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
 44 “Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which when a man finds, he hides; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
 45 “Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant man seeking choice pearls,
 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind,
 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.
 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just,
 50 and will throw them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
 51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
 52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe which is instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
 53 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.
 54 And when He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?
 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?”
 57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.”
  58 So He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

C H A P T E R 14

 1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus,
 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works display themselves in him.”
 3 Because, Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
 4 Because, John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
 5 And when he wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowds, because, they considered him to be a prophet.
 6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.
 7 So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
 8 So she being instructed beforehand by her mother said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”
 9 And the king was grieved: nevertheless because of the oath’s sake and those who sat with him at the table, he commanded it to be given to her.
 10 So he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
 11 And his head was brought on a platter, and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
 12 Then his disciples came, and took away the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
 13 When Jesus heard this, He departed from there by boat into a deserted place by Himself. But when the crowds heard of it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.
 14 And Jesus went out and saw a large crowd; and was moved with compassion for them and He healed their sick.
 15 Now when it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a desert place, and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy sustenance for themselves.”
 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to leave. You give them something to eat.”
 17 And they said to Him, “We have only five loaves, and two fish with us.”
 18 He said, “Bring them here to Me.”
 19 Then He commanded the crowds to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke, and gave the loaves to His disciples; and the disciples to the crowds.
  20 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.
  21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
 22 And immediately Jesus made His disciples to get into a boat and go before  Him  to the  other side, while 

He sent the crowds away.

 23 And when He had sent the crowds away, He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was there alone.
 24 But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, tossed by the waves, because the wind was contrary.
 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a spirit!” And they shouted out through fear.
 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be cheerful! It is Me; do not be afraid.”
 28 And Peter replied to Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, tell me to come to You on the water.”
 29 And He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
 30 But when he saw the wind was strong, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he shouted out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand, and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
 34 And when they had crossed over, 

they came into the land of Gennesaret.

 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, and brought to Him all who were sick,
 36 and begged Him that they might only touch the edge of His clothes. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

C H A P T E R 15

 1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus saying,
 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? Because they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
 3 But He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
 4 Because, God commanded, saying, Honor your father and mother; and, He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.
 5 But you say, ‘Whosoever says to his father or his mother, “Whatever profit you may have received from me has become a gift,”
 6 and does not honor his father or his mother, because he will be exempt.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah correctly prophesied about you, saying:
 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
 9 But in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
 10 Then He called the crowds and said to them, “Hear and understand:
 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
 14 Leave them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
 15 Then Peter replied and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
 16 And Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding?
 17 Do you still not understand that whatever enters into the mouth goes into the stomach, and is cast out into the drain?
 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
 19 Because, out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
 21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region, and shouted to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, You Son of David! My daughter is severely tormented with a demon.”
 23 But He did not reply one word to her. And His disciples came and asked Him, saying, “Send her away; because, she shouts out to us.”
 24 But He replied and said, “I am not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
 26 But He replied and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread, and throw it to dogs.”
 27 And she said, “True, Lord, yet the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
 28 Then Jesus replied and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
 29 Then Jesus left there, and came near to the sea of Galilee, and went up on a mountain, and sat down there.
 30 And large crowds came to Him, having with them those who were lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet; and He healed them.
 31 So  the  crowds   marveled   when 

they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

 32 Then Jesus called His disciples to

Himself and said, “I have compassion on the crowd, because, they have continued with Me for three days now and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away fasting, lest they faint on the way.”

 33 And His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a large crowd?”
 34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”
 35 And He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground.
 36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, then broke them and gave to His disciples; and the disciples to the crowd.
 37 So they all ate, and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left.
 38 Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
 39 And He sent the crowd away, got into a boat, and came into the region of Magdala.

C H A P T E R 16

 1 The    Pharisees    also    with    the 

Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.

  2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, because the sky is red’;
 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, because the sky is red and overcast.’ O you hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times?
 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there will be no sign given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them, and departed.
  5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
 6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”
 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have not taken bread.”
 8 Which when Jesus perceived it He said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?
 9 Do you still not understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up?
 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand   and    how    many   huge 

baskets you took up?

 11 How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak this to you concerning bread, but that you should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?”
 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
 13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I the Son of Man, am?”
 14 So they said, “Some  say  that  You

are John the Baptist, some, Elijah, and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
 17 And Jesus replied and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you will bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you will loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
 20 Then      He       commanded      His 

disciples that they should not tell anyone that He was Jesus the Christ.

 21 From that time forward Jesus began to show to His disciples how that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
 22 Then Peter took Him aside, and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Let this be far from You Lord; this will not happen to You!”
 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me Satan! You are an offense to Me, because, you are not thinking things that are of God, but those that are of man.”
 24 Then said Jesus to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
 25 Because, whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever desires to lose his life for My sake will find it.
 26 Because, what does a man profit if he gains the entire world, and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
 27 Because, the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward everyone according to his works.
 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death, until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.

C H A P T E R 17

 1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
 2 and He was transfigured before them, so His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them there, talking with Him.
 4 Then Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you want to, let us make three tabernacles here; one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
 5 While he still spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”
 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus only.
 9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen again from the dead.”
 10 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
 11 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly Elijah is coming first, and will restore all things.
 12 But I say to you, that Elijah has come already and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they desired. Likewise the Son of Man will suffer by them also.”
 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them about John the Baptist.
 14 And when they came to the crowd, a certain man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying,
 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, because, he is crazy, and suffers greatly; because he often falls into the fire and often into the water.
 16 And I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”
 17 Then Jesus responded and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”
 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and he came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.
 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast him out?”
 20 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; because, truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
 21 However this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
 22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men,
 23 and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised again.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.
 24 And when they had come to Capernaum, those who received tax money came to Peter, and said, “Does your Teacher not pay tax?”
 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus came before him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their own children, or from strangers?”
 26 Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are free.
 27 Nevertheless, lest we should offend them, go to the sea, and cast in a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that, and give it to them for Me and you.”

C H A P T E R 18

 1 At the same time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
 2 And Jesus called a little child to Himself, and set him in the midst of them,
 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you are converted, and become as little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child, they are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
 5 And whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
 6 But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! Because, offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
 8 So if your hand or your foot offends you, cut them off and throw them away from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be thrown into everlasting fire.
 9 And if your eye offends you, pluck it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be thrown into hell fire.
 10 Beware that you do not despise one of these little ones, because, I say to you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of My Father who is in heaven.
 11 Because the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
 12 “What  do  you  think?  If   a   man

has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that has gone astray?

 13 And if he happens to find it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety nine that did not go astray.
 14 Likewise it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
 15 “Also if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
 16 But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to listen to the church, let him be to you as a heathen and a tax collector.
 18 “Truly, I say to you, whatever you will bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you will loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
 19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.  
 20 Because,  where  two  or  three are

gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

 21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?”
 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, until seven times, but until seventy times seven.
 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
 25 But since he had no means to pay, his master commanded him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he owned, and that payment be made.
 26 So the servant fell down and worshiped him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will repay everything to you.’
 27 Then the Master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
 28 “But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him a hundred denarii: and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay everything to you.’  

30 And he would not, but went and put him into prison until he should pay the debt.

 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that was done.
 32 Then his master, after he had summoned him, said to him, ‘O you wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
 35 “So likewise will My heavenly Father also do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother their trespasses.”

C H A P T E R 19

 1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.
 2 And large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.
 3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for just any reason?”
 4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them in the beginning ‘made them male and female,’
 5 And said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will be one flesh?’
 6 Therefore they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
 7 They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to separate from her?”
 8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
 9 And I say to you, whoever puts away his wife, except it be for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is put away commits adultery.”
 10 His disciples said to Him, “If this is the situation of the man with his wife, it is not good to marry.”
 11 But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this saying, except those to whom it is given:
 12 Because, there are some eunuchs who were born so from their mother’s womb, and there are some eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”
 13 Then little children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
 14 But Jesus said, “Permit little children to come to Me and do not forbid them; because, of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
 16 And, behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing should I do that I may have eternal life?”
 17 And He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
 18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’
 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “
 20 The young man said to Him, “I have kept all these things from my youth. What do I still lack?”
 21 Jesus said to Him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come and follow Me.”
 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, because he had many possessions.
 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly, I say to you, that it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly amazed, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
 27 Then Peter replied and said to Him, “Look, we have left everything, and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”
 28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, that in the regeneration when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit everlasting life.
 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

C H A P T E R 20

 1 “Because, the kingdom of heaven is likened to a man who is a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way.
 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’
 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right that you will receive.’
 8 So when evening had come, the master of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.’
 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, everyone received a denarius each.
 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received a denarius each.
 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the good householder,
 12 saying, ‘These last have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have endured the burden and heat of the day.’
 13 But he responded to one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?  
 14 Take  what  is  yours,  and  go  your

way. I desire to give to the last, the same as you.

 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with my own things? Is your eye corrupt because I am good?’
 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. Because many are called, but few are chosen”
 17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road, and said to them,
 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death,
 19 and will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
 20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s children came to Him with her sons, worshiping Him, and asking something from Him.
 2 1 And He said to her, “What do you desire?” She said to Him, “Permit that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
 22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink of the cup that I will drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”
 23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right 

hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it will be given to those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation with the two brethren.
 25 But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
 26 But it will not be so among you; but whoever wants to be great among you, let him be your servant.
 27 And whoever wants to be first among you, let him be your servant,
 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” 
 29 Now as they departed from Jericho, a large crowd followed Him.
 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, shouted out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, You Son of David!”
 31 And the crowd rebuked them, that they should keep silent; but they shouted all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O  Lord, You Son of David!”
  32 Then Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
 33 They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”
 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes. And immediately   their   eyes   received 

sight, and they followed Him.

C H A P T E R 21

 1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem,	and came to Bethphage, at the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent out two disciples,     
 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them, and bring them to Me.
 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and he will immediately send them.”
 4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying:
 5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, humble, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
 6 Then the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, put their clothes on them, and they set Him on them.
 8 And a very large crowd spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
 9 And the crowds who went before and those who followed shouted out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!”
 10 And when He came into Jerusalem, the entire city was moved saying, “Who is this?”
 11 Then the crowd said, “This is Jesus the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and turned over the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of those who sold doves,
 13 and said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called the house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”
 14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.	
 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children shouting in the temple, and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were very annoyed.
 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what they are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”
 17 Then He left them, and went out of the city to Bethany; and He stayed there.
 18 Now in the morning as He returned to the city, He was hungry.
 19 And when He saw a fig tree beside the road, He came to it, and found nothing on it but only leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” And immediately the fig tree withered away.
 20 So when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so suddenly!”
 21 Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you will say to this mountain, ‘Be removed, and be thrown into the sea’ it will be done.
 22 And anything, whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
 23 Now when He came to the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”
 24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
 25 The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven, or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we shall say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
 26 But if we shall say, ‘From men,’ we fear the crowds, because everyone counts John as a prophet.”
 27 So they answered Jesus, and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
 28 “But    what    do    you    think?   A 

certain man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’

 29 He replied and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he repented, and went.
 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he replied and said, ‘I will go, sir,’ but he did not go.
 31 Which of those two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, that tax collectors and prostitutes enter the kingdom of God before you.
 32 Because, John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes believed him; and you, when you saw it, did not afterward repent that you might believe him.
 33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain householder who planted a vineyard and made a hedge around it, dug a grape juice press in it and built a tower. And leased it out to farmers, and went into a country far away.
 34 Now when the time of harvest drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers, that they might receive its fruit.
 35 But the farmers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.
 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first, and they did the same to them.   
 37 Then  last of  all he sent his son to

them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

 38 But when the farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.’
 39 So they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
 40 Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what shall he do to those farmers?
 41 They said to Him, “He will viciously destroy those wicked men, and will lease out his vine­ yard to other farmers who will present to him the fruits in their seasons.”
 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’S doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
 43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
 44And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”
 45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard His parables, they perceived that He spoke about them.
 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the crowds, because, they counted Him as a prophet.

C H A P T E R 22

 1 And Jesus responded and spoke to them again by parables and said:  
 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,
 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they would not come.
 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatted cattle are slaughtered, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage.”‘
 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his business.
 6 And the rest took his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.
 7 But when the king heard about it, he was very angry. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.
 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you can find, invite to the marriage.’
 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together everyone they could find, both bad and good. And the wedding was filled with guests.
 11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have a wedding garment on.
 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.
 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
 14 “Because, many are called, but few are chosen.”
 15 Then the Pharisees went, and plotted how they might entangle Him in His speech.
 16 And they sent out to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You gratify anyone, because You do not regard the person of men.
 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?
 19 Show Me the tax money.” So they gave a denarius to Him.
 20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
 21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
 22 When they had heard these words, they  marveled,   and   left  Him  and 

went their way.

 23 The same day the Sadducees who say that there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,
 24 saying: “Teacher, Moses said, that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up offspring for his brother.
 25 Now there were with us seven brothers. So the first died after he had married a wife, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother.
 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, until the seventh.
 27 Then last of all the woman died also.
 28 Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven shall she be, because they all had her?”
 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
 30 Because, in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
 31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying,
 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ ? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
 33 And when the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine.  
 34 But when the Pharisees heard

that He had silenced the Sadducees, they were gathered together.

 35 Then one of them, who was a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
 38 This is the first and great commandment.
 39 And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
 41 while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
 42 saying, “What do you think of Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.”
 43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying:
 44 “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘sit

at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool? ‘“

 45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?”
 46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone ask Him any more questions from that day on.

C H A P T E R 23

 1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowd and to His disciples,
 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.
 3 Everything then, whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; because they preach, and do not practice.
 4 Because, they bind heavy burdens, hard to carry, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
 5 But they do their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the edges of their garments.
 6 They love the best places at feasts, the first seats in the synagogues,
 7 greetings in the markets, and to

be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’;

because, One is your Teacher, that is, Christ, and you are all brethren.

 9 And do not call anyone on earth

your father; because One is your Father, who is in heaven.

 10 Nor be called teachers; because

One is your Teacher, that is, Christ.

 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because, you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; because you neither go in yourselves, nor do you permit those who are entering to go in.
 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because, you devour widows’ houses, and for a show make long prayers. Therefore you will receive the greater damnation.
 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because, you travel land and sea to make one proselyte, and when he is converted, you make him twice as much the child of hell as yourselves.
 16 “Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated!’
 17 You fools and blind! Because which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
 18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated.’
 19 You fools and blind! Because which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
 20 Therefore whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it.
 21 And whoever swears by the temple, swears by it, and by Him who dwells in it.
 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.
 23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because, you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. You should have done these, without leaving the others undone.
 24 You blind guides, who strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel!
 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because, you clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and excess.
 26 You blind Pharisee, first cleanse that which is inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because, you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.
 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 
 29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because, you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous,
 30 and say, ‘If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’
 31 “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are the children of those who killed the prophets.
 32 Fill up then the measure of your fathers.
 33 You serpents, you generation of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell?
 34 Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes: and some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city,
 35 that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
 36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
 37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets, and stone those who are sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
 38 Behold! Your house is left to you desolate;
 39 because, I say to you, You will see Me no more until you shall say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD.’ “

C H A P T E R 24

 1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came to Him to show Him the buildings of the temple.
 2 And Jesus said to them: “Do you not see all these things? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when shall these things happen? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
 4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Beware that no one deceives you.
 5 Because, many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am Christ,’ and will deceive many.
 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; because, all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
 7 Because, nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
 9 Then they will deliver you up to be afflicted, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and will deceive many.
 12 And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will go cold.
 13 But he who endures to the end, they will be saved.
 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.
 15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place,” (whoever reads, let him understand),
 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house,
 18 nor let him who is in the field return back to take his clothes.
 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babes in those days!
 20 And pray that your flight may not be in the winter nor on the Sabbath day.
 21 Because, then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever will be.
 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
 23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is Christ,’ or ‘There!’ Do not believe it.
 24 Because, false christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders; so much so that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the elect.
 25 Behold, I have told you in advance.
 26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the secret chambers!’ Do not believe it.
 27 Because, as the lightning comes out of the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
 28 Because, wherever the corpse is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
 31 And He will send His angels with a large sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
 32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch is still tender and grows out leaves, you know that summer is near.
 33 So you likewise, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors!
 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away, until all these things are fulfilled.
 35 Heaven and earth will pass away,

but My words will not pass away.

 36 But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
 38 Because, as in the days that were

before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,

 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
 40 Then two will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.
 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
 42 Therefore watch, because, you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
 44 Therefore you likewise be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
 45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to provide them with food in the appropriate season?
 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his master, when he comes, will find doing that.
 47 Truly, I say to you, that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’
 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,
 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,
 51 and will cut him in two, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

C H A P T E R 25

 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
 3 Those who were foolish took their

lamps and took no oil with them,

 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
 5 while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
 6 “And at midnight a shout was made, ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because, our lamps have gone out.’
 9 But the wise replied, saying, ‘No, lest there shall not be enough for us and you; but rather go to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
 11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’
 12 But he replied and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
 13 “Watch therefore, because, you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
 14 “Because, the kingdom of heaven is like a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants and distributed his goods to them.
 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made those into another five talents.
 17 And likewise he who had received two, he gained two more also.
 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
 20 “And so he who had received five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you distributed to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.
 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you distributed to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
 26 “His lord replied and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
 27 Therefore you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and then at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
 29 ‘Because, to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
 31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit upon the throne of His glory.
 32 And all the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, like a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
 35 because, I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me a drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
 37 “Then the righteous will reply to Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and gave You a drink?’
 38 When did we see You a foreigner and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
 41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
 42 because, I was hungry and you did not give Me food; I was thirsty and you did not give Me a drink;
 43 I was a foreigner and you did not take Me in, naked, and you did not clothe Me, sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’
 44 “Then they also will reply to Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a foreigner or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to You?’
 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
 46 And these will depart into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.”

C H A P T E R 26

 1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, He said to His disciples,
 2 “You know that after two days is the Feast of the Passover, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to be crucified.”
 3 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled together to the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
 4 and plotted how they might seize Jesus by deception and kill Him.
 5 But they said, “Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
 6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
 7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head as He was sitting at the table.
 8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “For what purpose is this waste?
 9 As this ointment might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”
 10 When Jesus knew this, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? Since she has performed a good work towards Me.”
 11 Because, you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.
 12 Because, in pouring this ointment on My body, she did it for My burial.
 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the entire world, there also will this, what this woman has done, be told as a memorial to her.”
 14 Then one of the twelve called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
 15 and said to them, “What will you give me, and I will deliver Him to you?” And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
 16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
 17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
 18 And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” ’ ”

19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they made preparations for the Passover.

 20 Now when the evening had come, He sat down with the twelve.
 21 And as they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you, that one of you will betray me.”
 22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, am I the one?”
 23 And He answered and said, “He who dips his hand with Me in the

dish, he will betray Me.

 24 The Son of Man goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”
 25 Then Judas, who betrayed Him, replied and said, “Rabbi, am I the one?” He said to him, “You have said it.”
 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”
 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it all of you.
 28 Because, this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
 30 And when they had sung a song, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
 31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, because, it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
 32 But after I am raised up again, I will go before you to Galilee.”
 33 Peter replied and said to Him, “Even if all men are made to stumble because of You, yet I will never be made to stumble.”
 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
 35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, yet I will not deny You!” And all the disciples said likewise.
 36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here, while I go and pray over there.”
 37 And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be sorrowful and deeply troubled.
 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
 39 And He went a little further, fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless not as I will, but as You will.”
 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?
 41 Watch and pray, that you do not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
 42 He went away again the second time and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
 43 And He came and found them asleep again, because their eyes were heavy.
 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
 45 Then He came to His disciples, and said to them, “Sleep on now and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
 47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
 48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.”
 49 And immediately he went up to Jesus, and said, “Greetings Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
 51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, because all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
 54 But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?”
 55 In that same hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a thief with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat with you daily, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.
 56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him, and fled.
 57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard and went in and sat with the servants to see the end.
 59 Now the chief priests, elders, and all the council, sought false testimony against Jesus, to put Him to death,
 60 but found none. Yes, although many false witnesses came forward, yet they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
 61 and said, “This Man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ “
 62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it that these wit­ ness against You?”
 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest responded and said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
 64 Jesus said to Him, “You have said it, nevertheless I say to you all, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!
 66 what do you think?” They answered and said, “He is worthy of death.”
 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,
 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, You Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”
 69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, You were also with Jesus of Galilee.
 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”
 71And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him, and said to those who were there, “This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth.”
 72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man.”
 73 And after a while those who stood by came up to him and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, because your speech exposes you.”
 74 Then he began to curse and to swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.
 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.

C H A P T E R 27

 1 When the morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death.
 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
 3 Then Judas, who had betrayed Him, observing that He was condemned, was remorseful and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders,
 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying the innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”
 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hung himself.
 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it is the payment for blood.”
 7 And they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
 8 Therefore that field has been called, the Field of Blood, to this day.
 9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him that was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced,
 10 and gave them for the potter’s field, as the LORD directed me.”
 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”
 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not reply.
 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”
 14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
 15 Now at that feast the governor was accustomed to release to the people a prisoner, whoever they desired.
 16 And at that time they had an infamous prisoner called Barabbas.
 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
 18 Because, he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
 19 while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, because, I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”
 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
 21 The governor responded and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”
 2 2 Pilate said to them, “What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
 23 And the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
 24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that an uproar occurred, he took water, and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
 25 Then all the people replied and said, “His blood be upon us, and upon our children.”
 26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall and gathered the entire garrison of soldiers around Him.
 28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
 29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
 30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.
 31 And after they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.
 32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled him to carry His cross.
 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,
 34 they gave Him vinegar to drink mixed with gall. But when He had tasted of it, He would not drink.
 35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His clothes, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”
 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.
 37 And they put over His head the charge written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
 38 Then two thieves were crucified with Him, one on the right, and another on the left.
 39 And those who passed by reviled Him, shaking their heads
 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
  41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking Him with the scribes and elders, said,
 42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself! If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.
 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him; since He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ “
 44 The thieves also, who were crucified with Him, reviled Him with the same thing.
 45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was dark­ ness over all the land.
 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus shouted out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is to say, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
 47 Some of those who stood there when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah.”
 48 And immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, they put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.
 49 The rest said, “Leave Him alone; let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.”
 50 Jesus shouted out again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.
 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to the bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks split open,
 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who were asleep were raised up,
  53 and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many.
  54 So when the centurion and those with Him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that occurred, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
 55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to Him, were there watching from afar,
 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
 57 Now when the evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple.
  58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given.
 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
 60 and laid it in his own new tomb which he had cut out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
 62 On the next day, which followed the Day of the Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,
 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He is risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”
 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you can.”
 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

C H A P T E R 28

 1 At the end of the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
 2 And behold, there was a large earthquake; because, the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
 5 But the angel responded and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, because I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
 6 He is not here; because He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.
 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Greetings.” And they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.
 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
 11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.
 12 When they had assembled with the elders and took counsel, they gave a large amount of money to the soldiers,
 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’
 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and protect you.”
 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
  16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to a mountain where Jesus had appointed for them.
  17 And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
 19 “Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.