## Aionian Bible ## File Name: Holy-Bible---English---Weymouth-NT---Source-Edition.UNBOUND.txt ## File Usage: Holy-Bible---English---Weymouth-NT ## File Created: 04/03/2021 16:11:54 ## File Purpose: Supporting resource for the Aionian Bible project ## File Location: http://resources.AionianBible.org ## Publisher Name: Nainoia Inc ## Publisher Contact: http://www.AionianBible.org/Publisher ## Publisher Mission: http://www.AionianBible.org/Preface ## Publisher Website: http://NAINOIA-INC.signedon.net ## Publisher Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/AionianBible ## Source URL: ./aion_source/Holy-Bible---English---Weymouth-NT.unbound.zip ## Source Date: 02/07/2021 08:11:40 ## Source Text: unaltered below ## #THE UNBOUND BIBLE (www.unboundbible.org) #name English: Weymouth NT #filetype Unmapped-BCVS #copyright #abbreviation #language eng #note #columns orig_book_index orig_chapter orig_verse orig_subverse order_by text 40N 1 1 10 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 40N 1 2 20 Abraham was the father of Isaac; Isaac of Jacob; Jacob of Judah and his brothers. 40N 1 3 30 Judah was the father (by Tamar) of Perez and Zerah; Perez of Hezron; Hezron of Ram; 40N 1 4 40 Ram of Amminadab; Amminadab of Nahshon; Nahshon of Salmon; 40N 1 5 50 Salmon (by Rahab) of Boaz; Boaz (by Ruth) of Obed; Obed of Jesse; 40N 1 6 60 Jesse of David--the King. David (by Uriah's widow) was the father of Solomon; 40N 1 7 70 Solomon of Rehoboam; Rehoboam of Abijah; Abijah of Asa; 40N 1 8 80 Asa of Jehoshaphat; Jehoshaphat of Jehoram; Jehoram of Uzziah; 40N 1 9 90 Uzziah of Jotham; Jotham of Ahaz; Ahaz of Hezekiah; 40N 1 10 100 Hezekiah of Manasseh; Manasseh of Amon; Amon of Josiah; 40N 1 11 110 Josiah of Jeconiah and his brothers at the period of the Removal to Babylon. 40N 1 12 120 After the Removal to Babylon Jeconiah had a son Shealtiel; Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel; 40N 1 13 130 Zerubbabel of Abiud; Abiud of Eliakim; Eliakim of Azor; 40N 1 14 140 Azor of Zadok; Zadok of Achim; Achim of Eliud; 40N 1 15 150 Eliud of Eleazar; Eleazar of Matthan; Matthan of Jacob; 40N 1 16 160 and Jacob of Joseph the husband of Mary, who was the mother of JESUS who is called CHRIST. 40N 1 17 170 There are therefore, in all, fourteen generations from Abraham to David; fourteen from David to the Removal to Babylon; and fourteen from the Removal to Babylon to the Christ. 40N 1 18 180 The circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ were these. After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they were united in marriage, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 40N 1 19 190 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling publicly to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal. 40N 1 20 200 But while he was contemplating this step, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to bring home your wife Mary, for she is with child through the Holy Spirit. 40N 1 21 210 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to call His name JESUS for He it is who will save His People from their sins." 40N 1 22 220 All this took place in fulfilment of what the Lord had spoken through the Prophet, 40N 1 23 230 <"Mark! The maiden will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call His name Immanuel"> --a word which signifies <`God with us'>. 40N 1 24 240 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded, and brought home his wife, 40N 1 25 250 but did not live with her until she had given birth to a son. The child's name he called JESUS. 40N 2 1 260 Now after the birth of Jesus, which took place at Bethlehem in Judaea in the reign of King Herod, excitement was produced in Jerusalem by the arrival of certain Magi from the east, 40N 2 2 270 inquiring, "Where is the newly born king of the Jews? For we have seen his Star in the east, and have come here to do him homage." 40N 2 3 280 Reports of this soon reached the king, and greatly agitated not only him but all the people of Jerusalem. 40N 2 4 290 So he assembled all the High Priests and Scribes of the people, and anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born. 40N 2 5 300 "At Bethlehem in Judaea," they replied; "for so it stands written in the words of the Prophet, 40N 2 6 310 <"`And thou, Bethlehem in the land of Judah, by no means the least honorable art thou among princely places in Judah! For from thee shall come a prince--one who shall be the Shepherd of My People Israel.'"> 40N 2 7 320 Thereupon Herod sent privately for the Magi and ascertained from them the exact time of the star's appearing. 40N 2 8 330 He then directed them to go to Bethlehem, adding, "Go and make careful inquiry about the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and do him homage." 40N 2 9 340 After hearing what the king said, they went to Bethlehem, while, strange to say, the star they had seen in the east led them on until it came and stood over the place where the babe was. 40N 2 10 350 When they saw the star, the sight filled them with intense joy. 40N 2 11 360 So they entered the house; and when they saw the babe with His mother Mary, they prostrated themselves and did Him homage, and opening their treasure-chests offered gifts to Him--gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 40N 2 12 370 But being forbidden by God in a dream to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by a different route. 40N 2 13 380 When they were gone, and angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise: take the babe and His mother and escape to Egypt, and remain there till I bring you word. For Herod is about to make search for the child in order to destroy Him." 40N 2 14 390 So Joseph roused himself and took the babe and His mother by night and departed into Egypt. 40N 2 15 400 There he remained till Herod's death, that what the Lord had said through the Prophet might be fulfilled, <"Out of Egypt I called My Son."> 40N 2 16 410 Then Herod, finding that the Magi had trifled with him, was furious, and sent and massacred all the boys under two years of age, in Bethlehem and all its neighbourhood, according to the date he had so carefully ascertained from the Magi. 40N 2 17 420 Then were these words, spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah, fulfilled, 40N 2 18 430 <"A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and bitter lamentation: It was Rachel bewailing her children, and she refused to be comforted because there were no more."> 40N 2 19 440 But after Herod's death an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said to him, 40N 2 20 450 "Rise from sleep, and take the child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." 40N 2 21 460 So he roused himself and took the child and His mother and came into the land of Israel. 40N 2 22 470 But hearing that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod on the throne of Judaea, he was afraid to go there; and being instructed by God in a dream he withdrew into Galilee, 40N 2 23 480 and went and settled in a town called Nazareth, in order that these words spoken through the Prophets might be fulfilled, <"He shall be called a Nazarene."> 40N 3 1 490 About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching in the Desert of Judaea. 40N 3 2 500 "Repent," he said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand." 40N 3 3 510 He it is who was spoken of through the Prophet Isaiah when he said, <"The voice of one crying aloud, `In the desert prepare ye a road for the Lord: make His highway straight.'"> 40N 3 4 520 This man John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a loincloth of leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey. 40N 3 5 530 Then large numbers of people went out to him--people from Jerusalem and from all Judaea, and from the whole of the Jordan valley-- 40N 3 6 540 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of their sins. 40N 3 7 550 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he exclaimed, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 40N 3 8 560 Therefore let your lives prove your change of heart; 40N 3 9 570 and do not imagine that you can say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. 40N 3 10 580 And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which does not produce good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire. 40N 3 11 590 I indeed am baptizing you in water on a profession of repentance; but He who is coming after me is mightier than I: His sandals I am not worthy to carry for a moment; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. 40N 3 12 600 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thorough clearance of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but burning up the chaff in unquenchable fire." 40N 3 13 610 Just at that time Jesus, coming from Galilee to the Jordan, presents Himself to John to be baptized by him. 40N 3 14 620 John protested. "It is I," he said, "who have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 40N 3 15 630 "Let it be so on this occasion," Jesus replied; "for so we ought to fulfil every religious duty." Then he consented; 40N 3 16 640 and Jesus was baptized, and immediately went up from the water. At that moment the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him, 40N 3 17 650 while a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This is My Son, the dearly loved, in whom is My delight." 40N 4 1 660 At that time Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the Desert in order to be tempted by the Devil. 40N 4 2 670 There He fasted for forty days and nights; and after that He suffered from hunger. 40N 4 3 680 So the Tempter came and said, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to turn into loaves." 40N 4 4 690 "It is written," replied Jesus, <"`It is not on bread alone that a man shall live, but on whatsoever God shall appoint.'"> 40N 4 5 700 Then the Devil took Him to the Holy City and caused Him to stand on the roof of the Temple, 40N 4 6 710 and said, "If you are God's Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, <"`To His angels He will give orders concerning thee, and on their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any moment thou shouldst strike thy foot against a stone.'"> 40N 4 7 720 "Again it is written," replied Jesus, <"`Thou shalt not put the Lord thy God to the proof.'"> 40N 4 8 730 Then the Devil took Him to the top of an exceedingly lofty mountain, from which he caused Him to see all the Kingdoms of the world and their splendour, 40N 4 9 740 and said to Him, "All this I will give you, if you will kneel down and do me homage." 40N 4 10 750 "Begone, Satan!" Jesus replied; "for it is written, <`To the Lord thy God thou shalt do homage, and to Him alone shalt thou render worship.'"> 40N 4 11 760 Thereupon the Devil left Him, and angels at once came and ministered to Him. 40N 4 12 770 Now when Jesus heard that John was thrown into prison, He withdrew into Galilee, 40N 4 13 780 and leaving Nazareth He went and settled at Capernaum, a town by the Lake on the frontiers of Zebulun and Naphtali, 40N 4 14 790 in order that these words, spoken through the Prophet Isaiah, might be fulfilled, 40N 4 15 800 <"Zebulun's land and Naphtali's land; the road by the Lake; the country beyond the Jordan; Galilee of the Nations! 40N 4 16 810 The people who were dwelling in darkness have seen a brilliant light; and on those who were dwelling in the region of the shadow of death, on them light has dawned."> 40N 4 17 820 From that time Jesus began to preach. "Repent," He said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand." 40N 4 18 830 And walking along the shore of the Lake of Galilee He saw two brothers--Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew--throwing a drag-net into the Lake; for they were fishers. 40N 4 19 840 And He said to them, "Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 40N 4 20 850 So they immediately left their nets and followed Him. As He went further on, 40N 4 21 860 He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zabdi and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zabdi mending their nets; and He called them. 40N 4 22 870 And they at once left the boat and their father, and followed Him. 40N 4 23 880 Then Jesus travelled through all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and infirmity among the people. 40N 4 24 890 Thus His fame spread through all Syria; and they brought all the sick to Him, the people who were suffering from various diseases and pains--demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He cured them. 40N 4 25 900 And great crowds followed Him, coming from Galilee, from the Ten Towns, from Jerusalem, and from beyond the district on the other side of the Jordan. 40N 5 1 910 Seeing the multitude of people, Jesus went up the Hill. There He seated Himself, and when His disciples came to Him, 40N 5 2 920 He proceeded to teach them, and said: 40N 5 3 930 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens. 40N 5 4 940 "Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted. 40N 5 5 950 "Blessed are the meek, for they as heirs shall obtain possession of the earth. 40N 5 6 960 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be completely satisfied. 40N 5 7 970 "Blessed are the compassionate, for they shall receive compassion. 40N 5 8 980 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 40N 5 9 990 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for it is they who will be recognized as sons of God. 40N 5 10 1000 "Blessed are those who have borne persecution in the cause of Righteousness, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens. 40N 5 11 1010 "Blessed are you when they have insulted and persecuted you, and have said every cruel thing about you falsely for my sake. 40N 5 12 1020 Be joyful and triumphant, because your reward is great in the Heavens; for so were the Prophets before you persecuted. 40N 5 13 1030 "*You* are the salt of the earth; but if salt has become tasteless, in what way can it regain its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown away and trodden on by the passers by. 40N 5 14 1040 *You* are the light of the world; a town cannot be hid if built on a hill-top. 40N 5 15 1050 Nor is a lamp lighted to be put under a bushel, but on the lampstand; and then it gives light to all in the house. 40N 5 16 1060 Just so let your light shine before all men, in order that they may see your holy lives and may give glory to your Father who is in Heaven. 40N 5 17 1070 "Do not for a moment suppose that I have come to abrogate the Law or the Prophets: I have not come to abrogate them but to give them their completion. 40N 5 18 1080 Solemnly I tell you that until Heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or smallest detail will pass away from the Law until all has taken place. 40N 5 19 1090 Whoever therefore breaks one of these least commandments and teaches others to break them, will be called the least in the Kingdom of the Heavens; but whoever practises them and teaches them, he will be acknowledged as great in the Kingdom of the Heavens. 40N 5 20 1100 For I assure you that unless your righteousness greatly surpasses that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will certainly not find entrance into the Kingdom of the Heavens. 40N 5 21 1110 "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, <`Thou shalt not commit murder',> and whoever commits murder will be answerable to the magistrate. 40N 5 22 1120 But I say to you that every one who becomes angry with his brother shall be answerable to the magistrate; that whoever says to his brother `Raca,' shall be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and that whoever says, `You fool!' shall be liable to the Gehenna of Fire. 40N 5 23 1130 If therefore when you are offering your gift upon the altar, you remember that your brother has a grievance against you, 40N 5 24 1140 leave your gift there before the altar, and go and make friends with your brother first, and then return and proceed to offer your gift. 40N 5 25 1150 Come to terms without delay with your opponent while you are yet with him on the way to the court; for fear he should obtain judgement from the magistrate against you, and the magistrate should give you in custody to the officer and you be thrown into prison. 40N 5 26 1160 I solemnly tell you that you will certainly not be released till you have paid the very last farthing. 40N 5 27 1170 "You have heard that it was said, <`Thou shalt not commit adultery.'> 40N 5 28 1180 But I tell you that whoever looks at a woman and cherishes lustful thoughts has already in his heart become guilty with regard to her. 40N 5 29 1190 If therefore your eye, even the right eye, is a snare to you, tear it out and away with it; it is better for you that one member should be destroyed rather than that your whole body should be thrown into Gehenna. 40N 5 30 1200 And if your right hand is a snare to you, cut it off and away with it; it is better for you that one member should be destroyed rather than that your whole body should go into Gehenna. 40N 5 31 1210 "It was also said, <`If any man puts away his wife, let him give her a written notice of divorce.'> 40N 5 32 1220 But I tell you that every man who puts away his wife except on the ground of unfaithfulness causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries her when so divorced commits adultery. 40N 5 33 1230 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, <`Thou shalt not swear falsely, but shalt perform thy vows to the Lord.'> 40N 5 34 1240 But I tell you not to swear at all; neither by Heaven, for it is God's throne; 40N 5 35 1250 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool under His feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King. 40N 5 36 1260 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 40N 5 37 1270 But let your language be, `Yes, yes,' or `No, no.' Anything in excess of this comes from the Evil one. 40N 5 38 1280 "You have heard that it was said, <`Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.'> 40N 5 39 1290 But I tell you not to resist a wicked man, but if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 40N 5 40 1300 If any one wishes to go to law with you and to deprive you of your under garment, let him take your outer one also. 40N 5 41 1310 And whoever shall compel you to convey his goods one mile, go with him two. 40N 5 42 1320 To him who asks, give: from him who would borrow, turn not away. 40N 5 43 1330 "You have heard that it was said, <`Thou shalt love thy neighbour> and hate thine enemy.' 40N 5 44 1340 But I command you all, love your enemies, and pray for your persecutors; 40N 5 45 1350 that so you may become true sons of your Father in Heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the wicked as well as the good, and sends rain upon those who do right and those who do wrong. 40N 5 46 1360 For if you love only those who love you, what reward have you earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that? 40N 5 47 1370 And if you salute only your near relatives, what praise is due to you? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 40N 5 48 1380 You however are to be complete in goodness, as your Heavenly Father is complete. 40N 6 1 1390 "But beware of doing your good actions in the sight of men, in order to attract their gaze; if you do, there is no reward for you with your Father who is in Heaven. 40N 6 2 1400 `When you give in charity, never blow a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets in order that their praises may be sung by men. I solemnly tell you that they already have their reward. 40N 6 3 1410 But when you are giving in charity, let not your left hand perceive what your right hand is doing, 40N 6 4 1420 that your charities may be in secret; and then your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you. 40N 6 5 1430 "And when praying, you must not be like the hypocrites. They are fond of standing and praying in the synagogues or at the corners of the wider streets, in order that men may see them. I solemnly tell you that they already have their reward. 40N 6 6 1440 But you, whenever you pray, go into your own room and shut the door: then pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you. 40N 6 7 1450 "And when praying, do not use needless repetitions as the Gentiles do, for they expect to be listened to because of their multitude of words. 40N 6 8 1460 Do not, however, imitate them; for your Father knows what things you need before ever you ask Him. 40N 6 9 1470 "In this manner therefore pray: `Our Father who art in Heaven, may Thy name be kept holy; 40N 6 10 1480 let Thy kingdom come; let Thy will be done, as in Heaven so on earth; 40N 6 11 1490 give us to-day our bread for the day; 40N 6 12 1500 and forgive us our shortcomings, as we also have forgiven those who have failed in their duty towards us; 40N 6 13 1510 and bring us not into temptation, but rescue us from the Evil one.' 40N 6 14 1520 "For if you forgive others their offences, your Heavenly Father will forgive you also; 40N 6 15 1530 but if you do not forgive others their offences, neither will your Father forgive yours. 40N 6 16 1540 "When any of you fast, never assume gloomy looks as the hypocrites do; for they disfigure their faces in order that it may be evident to men that they are fasting. I solemnly tell you that they already have their reward. 40N 6 17 1550 But, whenever you fast, pour perfume on your hair and wash your face, 40N 6 18 1560 that it may not be apparent to men that you are fasting, but to your Father who is in secret; and your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you. 40N 6 19 1570 "Do not lay up stores of wealth for yourselves on earth, where the moth and wear-and-tear destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 40N 6 20 1580 But amass wealth for yourselves in Heaven, where neither the moth nor wear-and-tear destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 40N 6 21 1590 For where your wealth is, there also will your heart be. 40N 6 22 1600 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eyesight is good, your whole body will be well lighted; 40N 6 23 1610 but if your eyesight is bad, your whole body will be dark. If however the very light within you is darkness, how dense must the darkness be! 40N 6 24 1620 "No man can be the bondservant of two masters; for either he will dislike one and like the other, or he will attach himself to one and think slightingly of the other. You cannot be the bondservants both of God and of gold. 40N 6 25 1630 For this reason I charge you not to be over-anxious about your lives, inquiring what you are to eat or what you are to drink, nor yet about your bodies, inquiring what clothes you are to put on. Is not the life more precious than its food, and the body than its clothing? 40N 6 26 1640 Look at the birds which fly in the air: they do not sow or reap or store up in barns, but your Heavenly Father feeds them: are not you of much greater value than they? 40N 6 27 1650 Which of you by being over-anxious can add a single foot to his height? 40N 6 28 1660 And why be anxious about clothing? Learn a lesson from the wild lilies. Watch their growth. They neither toil nor spin, 40N 6 29 1670 and yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his magnificence could array himself like one of these. 40N 6 30 1680 And if God so clothes the wild herbage which to-day flourishes and to-morrow is thrown into the oven, is it not much more certain that He will clothe you, you men of little faith? 40N 6 31 1690 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 40N 6 32 1700 For all these are questions that Gentiles are always asking; but your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things--all of them. 40N 6 33 1710 But make His Kingdom and righteousness your chief aim, and then these things shall all be given you in addition. 40N 6 34 1720 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, about to-morrow, for to-morrow will bring its own cares. Enough for each day are its own troubles. 40N 7 1 1730 "Judge not, that you may not be judged; 40N 7 2 1740 for your own judgement will be dealt--and your own measure meted--to yourselves. 40N 7 3 1750 And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, and not notice the beam which is in your own eye? 40N 7 4 1760 Or how say to your brother, `Allow me to take the splinter out of your eye,' while the beam is in your own eye? 40N 7 5 1770 Hypocrite, first take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to remove the splinter from your brother's eye. 40N 7 6 1780 "Give not that which is holy to the dogs, nor throw your pearls to the swine; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and then turn and attack you. 40N 7 7 1790 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 40N 7 8 1800 For it is always he who asks that receives, he who seeks that finds, and he who knocks that has the door opened to him. 40N 7 9 1810 What man is there among you, who if his son shall ask him for bread will offer him a stone? 40N 7 10 1820 Or if the son shall ask him for a fish will offer him a snake? 40N 7 11 1830 If you then, imperfect as you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 40N 7 12 1840 Everything, therefore, be it what it may, that you would have men do to you, do you also the same to them; for in this the Law and the Prophets are summed up. 40N 7 13 1850 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad the road which leads to ruin, and many there are who enter by it; 40N 7 14 1860 because narrow is the gate and contracted the road which leads to Life, and few are those who find it. 40N 7 15 1870 "Beware of the false teachers--men who come to you in sheep's fleeces, but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves. 40N 7 16 1880 By their fruits you will easily recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from brambles? 40N 7 17 1890 Just so every good tree produces good fruit, but a poisonous tree produces bad fruit. 40N 7 18 1900 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a poisonous tree good fruit. 40N 7 19 1910 Every tree which does not yield good fruit is cut down and thrown aside for burning. 40N 7 20 1920 So by their fruits at any rate, you will easily recognize them. 40N 7 21 1930 "Not every one who says to me, `Master, Master,' will enter the Kingdom of the Heavens, but only those who are obedient to my Father who is in Heaven. 40N 7 22 1940 Many will say to me on that day, "`Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Thy name, and in Thy name expelled demons, and in Thy name performed many mighty works?' 40N 7 23 1950 "And then I will tell them plainly, "`I never knew you: begone from me, you doers of wickedness.' 40N 7 24 1960 "Every one who hears these my teachings and acts upon them will be found to resemble a wise man who builds his house upon rock; 40N 7 25 1970 and the heavy rain falls, the swollen torrents come, and the winds blow and beat against the house; yet it does not fall, for its foundation is on rock. 40N 7 26 1980 And every one who hears these my teachings and does not act upon them will be found to resemble a fool who builds his house upon sand. 40N 7 27 1990 The heavy rain descends, the swollen torrents come, and the winds blow and burst upon the house, and it falls; and disastrous is the fall." 40N 7 28 2000 When Jesus had concluded this discourse, the crowds were filled with amazement at His teaching, 40N 7 29 2010 for He had been teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their Scribes taught. 40N 8 1 2020 Upon descending from the hill country He was followed by immense crowds. 40N 8 2 2030 And a leper came to Him, and throwing himself at His feet, said, "Sir, if only you are willing you are able to cleanse me." 40N 8 3 2040 So Jesus put out His hand and touched him, and said, "I am willing: be cleansed." Instantly he was cleansed from his leprosy; 40N 8 4 2050 and Jesus said to him, "Be careful to tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses appointed as evidence for them." 40N 8 5 2060 After His entry into Capernaum a Captain came to Him, and entreated Him. 40N 8 6 2070 "Sir," he said, "my servant at home is lying ill with paralysis, and is suffering great pain." 40N 8 7 2080 "I will come and cure him," said Jesus. 40N 8 8 2090 "Sir," replied the Captain, "I am not a fit person to receive you under my roof: merely say the word, and my servant will be cured. 40N 8 9 2100 For I myself am also under authority, and have soldiers under me. To one I say `Go,' and he goes, to another `Come,' and he comes, and to my slave `Do this or that,' and he does it." 40N 8 10 2110 Jesus listened to this reply, and was astonished, and said to the people following Him, "I solemnly tell you that in no Israelite have I found faith as great as this. 40N 8 11 2120 And I tell you that many will come from the east and from the west and will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of the Heavens, 40N 8 12 2130 while the natural heirs of the Kingdom will be driven out into the darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth." 40N 8 13 2140 And Jesus said to the Captain, "Go, and just as you have believed, so be it for you." And the servant recovered precisely at that time. 40N 8 14 2150 After this Jesus went to the house of Peter, whose mother-in-law he found ill in bed with fever. 40N 8 15 2160 He touched her hand and the fever left her: and then she rose and waited upon Him. 40N 8 16 2170 In the evening many demoniacs were brought to Him, and with a word He expelled the demons; and He cured all the sick, 40N 8 17 2180 in order that this prediction of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, <"He took on Him our weaknesses, and bore the burden of our diseases."> 40N 8 18 2190 Seeing great crowds about Him Jesus had given directions to cross to the other side of the Lake, 40N 8 19 2200 when a Scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 40N 8 20 2210 "Foxes have holes," replied Jesus, "and birds have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 40N 8 21 2220 Another of the disciples said to Him, "Sir, allow me first to go and bury my father." 40N 8 22 2230 "Follow me," said Jesus, "and leave the dead to bury their own dead." 40N 8 23 2240 Then He went on board a fishing-boat, and His disciples followed Him. 40N 8 24 2250 But suddenly there arose a great storm on the Lake, so that the waves threatened to engulf the boat; but He was asleep. 40N 8 25 2260 So they came and woke Him, crying, "Master, save us, we are drowning!" 40N 8 26 2270 "Why are you so easily frightened," He replied, "you men of little faith?" Then He rose and reproved the winds and the waves, and there was a perfect calm; 40N 8 27 2280 and the men, filled with amazement, exclaimed, "What kind of man is this? for the very winds and waves obey him!" 40N 8 28 2290 On His arrival at the other side, in the country of the Gadarenes, there met Him two men possessed by demons, coming from among the tombs: they were so dangerously fierce that no one was able to pass that way. 40N 8 29 2300 They cried aloud, "What hast Thou to do with us, Thou Son of God? Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?" 40N 8 30 2310 Now at some distance from them a vast herd of swine were feeding. 40N 8 31 2320 So the demons entreated Him. "If Thou drivest us out," they said, "send us into the herd of swine." 40N 8 32 2330 "Go," He replied. Then they came out from the men and went into the swine, whereupon the entire herd instantly rushed down the cliff into the Lake and perished in the water. 40N 8 33 2340 The swineherds fled, and went and told the whole story in the town, including what had happened to the demoniacs. 40N 8 34 2350 So at once the whole population came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they besought Him to leave their country. 40N 9 1 2360 Accordingly He went on board, and crossing over came to His own town. 40N 9 2 2370 Here they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, my child; your sins are pardoned." 40N 9 3 2380 "Such language is impious," said some of the Scribes among themselves. 40N 9 4 2390 Knowing their thoughts Jesus said, "Why are you cherishing evil thoughts in your hearts? 40N 9 5 2400 Why, which is easier? --to say, `Your sins are pardoned,' or to say `Rise up and walk'? 40N 9 6 2410 But, to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to pardon sins" --He then says to the paralytic, "Rise, and take up your bed and go home." 40N 9 7 2420 And he got up, and went off home. 40N 9 8 2430 And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and ascribed the glory to God who had entrusted such power to a man. 40N 9 9 2440 Passing on thence Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the Toll Office, and said to him, "Follow me." And he arose, and followed Him. 40N 9 10 2450 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of tax-gathers and notorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His disciples. 40N 9 11 2460 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?" 40N 9 12 2470 He heard the question and replied, "It is not men in good health who require a doctor, but the sick. 40N 9 13 2480 But go and learn what this means, <`It is mercy that I desire, not sacrifice';> for I did not come to appeal to the righteous, but to sinners." 40N 9 14 2490 At that time John's disciples came and asked Jesus, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?" 40N 9 15 2500 "Can the bridegroom's party mourn," He replied, "as long as the bridegroom is with them? But other days will come (when the Bridegroom has been taken from them) and then they will fast. 40N 9 16 2510 No one ever mends an old cloak with a patch of newly woven cloth. Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away some of the old, and a worse hole would be made. 40N 9 17 2520 Nor do people pour new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins would split, the wine would escape, and the skins be destroyed. But they put new wine into fresh skins, and both are saved." 40N 9 18 2530 While He was thus speaking, a Ruler came up and profoundly bowing said, "My daughter is just dead; but come and put your hand upon her and she will return to life." 40N 9 19 2540 And Jesus rose and followed him, as did also His disciples. 40N 9 20 2550 But a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with haemorrhage came behind Him and touched the tassel of His cloak; 40N 9 21 2560 for she said to herself, "If I but touch His cloak, I shall be cured." 40N 9 22 2570 And Jesus turned and saw her, and said, "Take courage, daughter; your faith has cured you." And the woman was restored to health from that moment. 40N 9 23 2580 Entering the Ruler's house, Jesus saw the flute-players and the crowd loudly wailing, 40N 9 24 2590 and He said, "Go out of the room; the little girl is not dead, but asleep." And they laughed at Him. 40N 9 25 2600 When however the place was cleared of the crowd, Jesus went in, and on His taking the little girl by the hand, she rose up. 40N 9 26 2610 And the report of this spread throughout all that district. 40N 9 27 2620 As Jesus passed on, two blind men followed Him, shouting and saying, "Pity us, Son of David." 40N 9 28 2630 And when He had gone indoors, they came to Him. "Do you believe that I can do this?" He asked them. "Yes, Sir," they replied. 40N 9 29 2640 So He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be to you." 40N 9 30 2650 Then their eyes were opened. And assuming a stern tone Jesus said to them, "Be careful to let no one know." 40N 9 31 2660 But they went out and published His fame in all that district. 40N 9 32 2670 And as they were leaving His presence a dumb demoniac was brought to Him. 40N 9 33 2680 When the demon was expelled, the dumb man could speak. And the crowds exclaimed in astonishment, "Never was such a thing seen in Israel." 40N 9 34 2690 But the Pharisees maintained, "It is by the power of the Prince of the demons that he drives out the demons." 40N 9 35 2700 And Jesus continued His circuits through all the towns and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and infirmity. 40N 9 36 2710 And when He saw the crowds He was touched with pity for them, because they were distressed and were fainting on the ground like sheep which have no shepherd. 40N 9 37 2720 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant, but the reapers are few; 40N 9 38 2730 therefore entreat the Owner of the Harvest to send out reapers into His fields." 40N 10 1 2740 Then He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over foul spirits, to drive them out; and to cure every kind of disease and infirmity. 40N 10 2 2750 Now the names of the twelve Apostles were these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zabdi, and his brother John; 40N 10 3 2760 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax-gatherer, James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 40N 10 4 2770 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas the Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. 40N 10 5 2780 These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving them their instructions: "Go not," He said, "among the Gentiles, and enter no Samaritan town; 40N 10 6 2790 but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel's race. 40N 10 7 2800 And as you go, preach and say, `The Kingdom of the Heavens is close at hand.' 40N 10 8 2810 Cure the sick, raise the dead to life, cleanse lepers, drive out demons: you have received without payment, give without payment. 40N 10 9 2820 "Provide no gold, nor even silver nor copper to carry in your pockets; 40N 10 10 2830 no bag for your journey, nor change of linen, nor shoes, nor stick; for the labourer deserves his food. 40N 10 11 2840 "Whatever town or village you enter, inquire for some good man; and make his house your home till you leave the place. 40N 10 12 2850 When you enter the house, salute it; 40N 10 13 2860 and if the house deserves it, the peace you invoke shall come upon it. If not, your peace shall return to you. 40N 10 14 2870 And whoever refuses to receive you or even to listen to your Message, as you leave that house or town, shake off the very dust from your feet. 40N 10 15 2880 I solemnly tell you that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of Judgement than for that town. 40N 10 16 2890 "Remember it is I who am sending you out, as sheep into the midst of wolves; prove yourselves as sagacious as serpents, and as innocent as doves. 40N 10 17 2900 But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to appear before Sanhedrins, and will flog you in their synagogues; 40N 10 18 2910 and you will even be put on trial before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles. 40N 10 19 2920 But when they have delivered you up, have no anxiety as to how you shall speak or what you shall say; for at that very time it shall be given you what to say; 40N 10 20 2930 for it is not you who will speak: it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 40N 10 21 2940 Brother will betray brother to death, and father, child; and children will rise against their own parents and will put them to death. 40N 10 22 2950 And you will be objects of universal hatred because you are called by my name; but he who holds out to the End--he will be saved. 40N 10 23 2960 Whenever they persecute you in one town, escape to the next; for I solemnly tell you that you will not have gone the round of all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 40N 10 24 2970 "The learner is never superior to his teacher, and the servant is never superior to his master. 40N 10 25 2980 Enough for the learner to be on a level with his teacher, and for the servant to be on a level with his master. If they have called the master of the house Baal-zebul, how much more will they slander his servants? 40N 10 26 2990 Fear them not, however; there is nothing veiled which will not be uncovered, nor secret which will not become known. 40N 10 27 3000 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what is whispered into your ear, proclaim upon the roofs of the houses. 40N 10 28 3010 "And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 40N 10 29 3020 Do not two sparrows sell for a halfpenny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's leave. 40N 10 30 3030 But as for you, the very hairs on your heads are all numbered. 40N 10 31 3040 Away then with fear; you are more precious than a multitude of sparrows. 40N 10 32 3050 "Every man who acknowledges me before men I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven. 40N 10 33 3060 But whoever disowns me before men I also will disown before my Father who is in Heaven. 40N 10 34 3070 "Do not suppose that I came to bring peace to the earth: I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 40N 10 35 3080 For I came to set a man against his father, <a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 40N 10 36 3090 and a man's own family will be his foes.> 40N 10 37 3100 Any one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and any one who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 40N 10 38 3110 and any one who does not take up his cross and follow where I lead is not worthy of me. 40N 10 39 3120 To save your life is to lose it, and to lose your life for my sake is to save it. 40N 10 40 3130 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives Him who sent me. 40N 10 41 3140 Every one who receives a prophet, because he is a prophet, will receive a prophet's reward, and every one who receives a righteous man, because he is a righteous man, will receive a righteous man's reward. 40N 10 42 3150 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink because he is a disciple, I solemnly tell you that he will not lose his reward." 40N 11 1 3160 When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve disciples, He left in order to teach and to proclaim His Message in the neighbouring towns. 40N 11 2 3170 Now John had heard in prison about the Christ's doings, and he sent some of his disciples to inquire: 40N 11 3 3180 "Are you the Coming One, or is it a different person that we are to expect?" 40N 11 4 3190 "Go and report to John what you see and hear," replied Jesus; 40N 11 5 3200 "blind eyes receive sight, and cripples walk; lepers are cleansed, and deaf ears hear; the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them; 40N 11 6 3210 and blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because of my claims." 40N 11 7 3220 When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind? 40N 11 8 3230 But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed? Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings' palaces. 40N 11 9 3240 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 40N 11 10 3250 This is he of whom it is written, <"`See I am sending My messenger before Thy face, and he will make Thy road ready before Thee.'> 40N 11 11 3260 "I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no greater has ever been raised up than John the Baptist; yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he. 40N 11 12 3270 But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force. 40N 11 13 3280 For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John. 40N 11 14 3290 And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah who was to come. 40N 11 15 3300 Listen, every one who has ears! 40N 11 16 3310 "But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like children sitting in the open places, who call to their playmates. 40N 11 17 3320 "`We have played the flute to you,' they say, `and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten your breasts.' 40N 11 18 3330 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon.' 40N 11 19 3340 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they exclaim, `See this man! --given to gluttony and tippling, and a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!' And yet Wisdom is vindicated by her actions." 40N 11 20 3350 Then began He to upbraid the towns where most of His mighty works had been done--because they had not repented. 40N 11 21 3360 "Alas for thee, Chorazin!" He cried. "Alas for thee, Bethsaida! For had the mighty works been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in both of you, they would long ere now have repented, covered with sackcloth and ashes. 40N 11 22 3370 Only I tell you that it will be more endurable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of Judgement than for you. 40N 11 23 3380 And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted even to Heaven? Even to Hades shalt thou descend. For had the mighty works been done in Sodom which have been done in thee, it would have remained until now. 40N 11 24 3390 Only I tell you all, that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom on the day of Judgement than for thee." 40N 11 25 3400 About that time Jesus exclaimed, "I heartily praise Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from sages and men of discernment, and hast unveiled them to babes. 40N 11 26 3410 Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will. 40N 11 27 3420 "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one fully knows the Son except the Father, nor does any one fully know the Father except the Son and all to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. 40N 11 28 3430 "Come to me, all you toiling and burdened ones, and *I* will give you rest. 40N 11 29 3440 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 40N 11 30 3450 For it is good to bear my yoke, and my burden is light." 40N 12 1 3460 About that time Jesus passed on the Sabbath through the wheatfields; and His disciples became hungry, and began to gather ears of wheat and eat them. 40N 12 2 3470 But the Pharisees saw it and said to Him, "Look! your disciples are doing what the Law forbids them to do on the Sabbath." 40N 12 3 3480 "Have you never read," He replied, "what David did when he and his men were hungry? 40N 12 4 3490 how he entered the House of God and ate the Presented Loaves, which it was not lawful for him or his men to eat, nor for any except the priests? 40N 12 5 3500 And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt? 40N 12 6 3510 But I tell you that there is here that which is greater than the Temple. 40N 12 7 3520 And if you knew what this means, <`It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice'>, you would not have condemned those who are without guilt. 40N 12 8 3530 For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath." 40N 12 9 3540 Departing thence He went to their synagogue, 40N 12 10 3550 where there was a man with a shrivelled arm. And they questioned Him, "Is it right to cure people on the Sabbath?" Their intention was to bring a charge against Him. 40N 12 11 3560 "Which of you is there," He replied, "who, if he has but a single sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 40N 12 12 3570 Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is right to do good on the Sabbath." 40N 12 13 3580 Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your arm." And he stretched it out, and it was restored quite sound like the other. 40N 12 14 3590 But the Pharisees after leaving the synagogue consulted together against Him, how they might destroy Him. 40N 12 15 3600 Aware of this, Jesus departed elsewhere; and a great number of people followed Him, all of whom He cured. 40N 12 16 3610 But He gave them strict injunctions not to blaze abroad His doings, 40N 12 17 3620 that those words of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, 40N 12 18 3630 <"This is My servant whom I have chosen, My dearly loved One in whom My soul takes pleasure. I will put My spirit upon Him, and He will announce justice to the nations. 40N 12 19 3640 He will not wrangle or raise His voice, nor will His voice be heard in the broadways. 40N 12 20 3650 A crushed reed He will not utterly break, nor will He quench the still smouldering wick, until He has led on Justice to victory. 40N 12 21 3660 And on His name shall the nations rest their hopes."> 40N 12 22 3670 At that time a demoniac was brought to Him, blind and dumb; and He cured him, so that the dumb man could speak and see. 40N 12 23 3680 And the crowds of people were all filled with amazement and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" 40N 12 24 3690 The Pharisees heard it and said, "This man only expels demons by the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of demons." 40N 12 25 3700 Knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Every kingdom in which civil war has raged suffers desolation; and every city or house in which there is internal strife will be brought low. 40N 12 26 3710 And if Satan is expelling Satan, he has begun to make war on himself: how therefore shall his kingdom last? 40N 12 27 3720 And if it is by Baal-zebul's power that I expel the demons, by whose power do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall be your judges. 40N 12 28 3730 But if it is by the power of the Spirit of God that I expel the demons, it is evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 40N 12 29 3740 Again, how can any one enter the house of a strong man and carry off his goods, unless first of all he masters and secures the strong man: then he will ransack his house. 40N 12 30 3750 "The man who is not with me is against me, and he who is not gathering with me is scattering abroad. 40N 12 31 3760 This is why I tell you that men may find forgiveness for every other sin and impious word, but that for impious speaking against the Holy Spirit they shall find no forgiveness. 40N 12 32 3770 And whoever shall speak against the Son of Man may obtain forgiveness; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, neither in this nor in the coming age shall he obtain forgiveness." 40N 12 33 3780 "Either grant the tree to be wholesome and its fruit wholesome, or the tree poisonous and its fruit poisonous; for the tree is known by its fruit. 40N 12 34 3790 O vipers' brood, how can you speak what is good when you are evil? For it is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth speaks. 40N 12 35 3800 A good man from his good store produces good things, and a bad man from his bad store produces bad things. 40N 12 36 3810 But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak they will be held accountable on the day of Judgement. 40N 12 37 3820 For each of you by his words shall be justified, or by his words shall be condemned." 40N 12 38 3830 Then He was accosted by some of the Scribes and of the Pharisees who said, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign given by you." 40N 12 39 3840 "Wicked and faithless generation!" He replied, "they clamour for a sign, but none shall be given to them except the sign of the Prophet Jonah. 40N 12 40 3850 For just as <Jonah was three days in the sea-monster's belly,> so will the Son of Man be three days in the heart of the earth. 40N 12 41 3860 There will stand up men of Nineveh at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and mark! there is One greater than Jonah here. 40N 12 42 3870 The Queen of the south will awake at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and mark! there is One greater than Solomon here. 40N 12 43 3880 "No sooner however has the foul spirit gone out of the man, then he roams about in places where there is no water, seeking rest but finding none. 40N 12 44 3890 Then he says, `I will return to my house that I left;' and he comes and finds it unoccupied, swept clean, and in good order. 40N 12 45 3900 Then he goes and brings back with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they come in and dwell there; and in the end that man's condition becomes worse than it was at first. So will it be also with the present wicked generation." 40N 12 46 3910 While He was still addressing the people His mother and His brothers were standing on the edge of the crowd desiring to speak to Him. 40N 12 47 3920 So some one told Him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and desire to speak to you." 40N 12 48 3930 "Who is my mother?" He said to the man; "and who are my brothers?" 40N 12 49 3940 And pointing to His disciples He added, "See here are my mother and my brothers. 40N 12 50 3950 To obey my Father who is in Heaven--that is to be my brother and my sister and my mother." 40N 13 1 3960 That same day Jesus had left the house and was sitting on the shore of the Lake, 40N 13 2 3970 when a vast multitude of people crowded round Him. He therefore went on board a boat and sat there, while all the people stood on the shore. 40N 13 3 3980 He then spoke many things to them in figurative language. "The sower goes out," He said, "to sow. 40N 13 4 3990 As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. 40N 13 5 4000 Some falls on rocky ground, where it has but scanty soil. It quickly shows itself above ground, because it has no depth of earth; 40N 13 6 4010 but when the sun is risen, it is scorched by the heat, and through having no root it withers up. 40N 13 7 4020 Some falls among the thorns; but the thorns spring up and stifle it. 40N 13 8 4030 But a portion falls upon good ground, and gives a return, some a hundred for one, some sixty, some thirty. 40N 13 9 4040 Listen, every one who has ears!" 40N 13 10 4050 (And His disciples came and asked Him, "Why do you speak to them in figurative language?" 40N 13 11 4060 "Because," He replied, "while to you it is granted to know the secrets of the Kingdom of the Heavens, to them it is not. 40N 13 12 4070 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away. 40N 13 13 4080 I speak to them in figurative language for this reason, that while looking they do not see, and while hearing they neither hear nor understand. 40N 13 14 4090 And in regard to them the prophecy of Isaiah is receiving signal fulfilment: <"`You will hear and hear and by no means understand, and you will look and look and by no means see. 40N 13 15 4100 For this people's mind is stupefied, their hearing has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears, or understanding with their minds, and turning back, so that I might heal them.'> 40N 13 16 4110 "But as for you, blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 40N 13 17 4120 For I solemnly tell you that many Prophets and holy men have longed to see the sights you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the words you hear, and have not heard them. 40N 13 18 4130 "To you then I will explain the parable of the Sower. 40N 13 19 4140 When a man hears the Message concerning the Kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil one comes and catches away what has been sown in his heart. This is he who has received the seed by the road-side. 40N 13 20 4150 He who has received the seed on the rocky ground is the man who hears the Message and immediately receives it with joy. 40N 13 21 4160 It has struck no root, however, within him. He continues for a time, but when suffering comes, or persecution, because of the Message, he at once stumbles and falls. 40N 13 22 4170 He who has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears the Message, but the cares of the present age and the delusions of riches quite stifle the Message, and it becomes unfruitful. 40N 13 23 4180 But he who has received the seed on good ground is he who hears and understands. Such hearers give a return, and yield one a hundred for one, another sixty, another thirty.") 40N 13 24 4190 Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "may be compared to a man who has sown good seed in his field, 40N 13 25 4200 but during the night his enemy comes, and over the first seed he sows darnel among the wheat, and goes away. 40N 13 26 4210 But when the blade shoots up and the grain is formed, then appears the darnel also. 40N 13 27 4220 "So the farmer's men come and ask him, "`Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed on your land? Where then does the darnel come from?' 40N 13 28 4230 "`Some enemy has done this,' he said. "`Shall we go, and collect it?' the men inquire. 40N 13 29 4240 "`No,' he replied, `for fear that while collecting the darnel you should at the same time root up the wheat with it. 40N 13 30 4250 Leave both to grow together until the harvest, and at harvest-time I will direct the reapers, Collect the darnel first, and make it up into bundles to burn it, but bring all the wheat into my barn.'" 40N 13 31 4260 Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "is like a mustard-seed, which a man takes and sows in his ground. 40N 13 32 4270 It is the smallest of all seeds, and yet when full-grown it is larger than any herb and forms a tree, so that the birds come and build in its branches." 40N 13 33 4280 Another parable He spoke to them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "is like yeast which a woman takes and buries in a bushel of flour, for it to work there till the whole mass has risen." 40N 13 34 4290 All this Jesus spoke to the people in figurative language, and except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them, 40N 13 35 4300 in fulfilment of the saying of the Prophet, <"I will open my mouth in figurative language, I will utter things kept hidden since the creation of all things."> 40N 13 36 4310 When He had dismissed the people and had returned to the house, His disciples came to Him with the request, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel sown in the field." 40N 13 37 4320 "The sower of the good seed," He replied, "is the Son of Man; 40N 13 38 4330 the field is the world; the good seed--these are the sons of the Kingdom; the darnel, the sons of the Evil one. 40N 13 39 4340 The enemy who sows the darnel is *the Devil*; the harvest is the Close of the Age; the reapers are the angels. 40N 13 40 4350 As then the darnel is collected together and burnt up with fire, so will it be at the Close of the Age. 40N 13 41 4360 The Son of Man will commission His angels, and they will gather out of His Kingdom all causes of sin and all who violate His laws; 40N 13 42 4370 and these they will throw into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth. 40N 13 43 4380 Then will the righteous shine out like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Listen, every one who has ears! 40N 13 44 4390 "The Kingdom of the Heavens is like treasure buried in the open country, which a man finds, but buries again, and, in his joy about it, goes and sells all he has and buys that piece of ground. 40N 13 45 4400 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a jewel merchant who is in quest of choice pearls. 40N 13 46 4410 He finds one most costly pearl; he goes away; and though it costs all he has, he buys it. 40N 13 47 4420 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a draw-net let down into the sea, which encloses fish of all sorts. 40N 13 48 4430 When full, they haul it up on the beach, and sit down and collect the good fish in baskets, while the worthless they throw away. 40N 13 49 4440 So will it be at the Close of the Age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 40N 13 50 4450 and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth." 40N 13 51 4460 "Have you understood all this?" He asked. "Yes," they said. 40N 13 52 4470 "Therefore," He said, "remember that every Scribe well trained for the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a householder who brings out of his storehouse new things and old." 40N 13 53 4480 Jesus concluded this series of parables and then departed. 40N 13 54 4490 And He came into His own country and proceeded to teach in their synagogue, so that they were filled with astonishment and exclaimed, "Where did he obtain such wisdom, and these wondrous powers? 40N 13 55 4500 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judah? 40N 13 56 4510 And his sisters--are they not all living here among us? Where then did he get all this?" 40N 13 57 4520 So they turned angrily away from Him. But Jesus said to them, "There is no prophet left without honour except in his own country and among his own family." 40N 13 58 4530 And He performed but few mighty deeds there because of their want of faith. 40N 14 1 4540 About that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 40N 14 2 4550 and he said to his courtiers, "This is John the Baptist: he has come back to life--and that is why these miraculous Powers are working in him." 40N 14 3 4560 For Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip's wife, 40N 14 4 4570 because John had persistently said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 40N 14 5 4580 And he would have liked to put him to death, but was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a Prophet. 40N 14 6 4590 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before all the company, and so pleased Herod 40N 14 7 4600 that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she asked. 40N 14 8 4610 So she, instigated by her mother, said, "Give me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist." 40N 14 9 4620 The king was deeply vexed, yet because of his repeated oath and of the guests at his table he ordered it to be given her, 40N 14 10 4630 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. 40N 14 11 4640 The head was brought on a dish and given to the young girl, and she took it to her mother. 40N 14 12 4650 Then John's disciples went and removed the body and buried it, and came and informed Jesus. 40N 14 13 4660 Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat to an uninhabited and secluded district; but the people heard of it and followed Him in crowds from the towns by land. 40N 14 14 4670 So Jesus went out and saw an immense multitude, and felt compassion for them, and cured those of them who were out of health. 40N 14 15 4680 But when evening was come, the disciples came to Him and said, "This is an uninhabited place, and the best of the day is now gone; send the people away to go into the villages and buy something to eat." 40N 14 16 4690 "They need not go away," replied Jesus; "you yourselves must give them something to eat." 40N 14 17 4700 "We have nothing here," they said, "but five loaves and a couple of fish." 40N 14 18 4710 "Bring them here to me," He said, 40N 14 19 4720 and He told all the people to sit down on the grass. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and after looking up to heaven and blessing them, He broke up the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples distributed them to the people. 40N 14 20 4730 So all ate, and were fully satisfied. The broken portions that remained over they gathered up, filling twelve baskets. 40N 14 21 4740 Those who had eaten were about 5,000 adult men, without reckoning women and children. 40N 14 22 4750 Immediately afterwards He made the disciples go on board the boat and cross to the opposite shore, leaving Him to dismiss the people. 40N 14 23 4760 When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in solitude. Night came on, and he was there alone. 40N 14 24 4770 Meanwhile the boat was far out on the Lake, buffeted and tossed by the waves, the wind being adverse. 40N 14 25 4780 But towards daybreak He went to them, walking over the waves. 40N 14 26 4790 When the disciples saw Him walking on the waves, they were greatly alarmed. "It is a spirit," they exclaimed, and they cried out with terror. 40N 14 27 4800 But instantly Jesus spoke to them, and said, "There is no danger; it is I; do not be afraid." 40N 14 28 4810 "Master," answered Peter, "if it is you, bid me come to you upon the water." 40N 14 29 4820 "Come," said Jesus. Then Peter climbed down from the boat and walked upon the water to go to Him. 40N 14 30 4830 But when he felt the wind he grew frightened, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Master, save me." 40N 14 31 4840 Instantly Jesus stretched out His hand and caught hold of him, saying to him, "O little faith, why did you doubt?" 40N 14 32 4850 So they climbed into the boat, and the wind lulled; 40N 14 33 4860 and the men on board fell down before him and said, "You are indeed God's Son." 40N 14 34 4870 When they had quite crossed over, they put ashore at Gennesaret; 40N 14 35 4880 and the men of the place, recognizing Him, sent word into all the country round. So they brought all the sick to Him, 40N 14 36 4890 and they entreated Him that they might but touch the tassel of His outer garment; and all who did so were restored to perfect health. 40N 15 1 4900 Then there came to Jesus a party of Pharisees and Scribes from Jerusalem, who inquired, 40N 15 2 4910 "Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders by not washing their hands before meals?" 40N 15 3 4920 "Why do you, too," He retorted, "transgress God's commands for the sake of your tradition? 40N 15 4 4930 For God said, <`Honour thy father and thy mother';> and <`Let him who reviles father or mother be certainly put to death';> 40N 15 5 4940 but you--this is what you say: `If a man says to his father or mother, That is consecrated, whatever it is, which otherwise you should have received from me-- 40N 15 6 4950 he shall be absolved from honouring his father'; and so you have abrogated God's Word for the sake of your tradition. 40N 15 7 4960 Hypocrites! well did Isaiah prophesy of you, 40N 15 8 4970 <"`This is a People who honour Me with their lips, while their heart is far away from Me; 40N 15 9 4980 but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'"> 40N 15 10 4990 Then, when He had called the people to Him, Jesus said, "Hear and understand. 40N 15 11 5000 It is not what goes into a man's mouth that defiles him; but it is what comes out of his mouth--*that* defiles a man." 40N 15 12 5010 Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were greatly shocked when they heard those words?" 40N 15 13 5020 "Every plant," He replied, "which my Heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 40N 15 14 5030 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind; and if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into some pit." 40N 15 15 5040 "Explain to us this figurative language," said Peter. 40N 15 16 5050 "Are even you," He answered, "still without intellingence? 40N 15 17 5060 Do you not understand that whatever enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is afterwards ejected from the body? 40N 15 18 5070 But the things that come out of the mouth proceed from the heart, and it is these that defile the man. 40N 15 19 5080 For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech. 40N 15 20 5090 These are the things which defile the man; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile." 40N 15 21 5100 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew into the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon. 40N 15 22 5110 Here a Canaanitish woman of the district came out and persistently cried out, "Sir, Son of David, pity me; my daughter is cruelly harassed by a demon." 40N 15 23 5120 But He answered her not a word. Then the disciples interposed, and begged Him, saying, "Send her away because she keeps crying behind us." 40N 15 24 5130 "I have only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel," He replied. 40N 15 25 5140 Then she came and threw herself at His feet and entreated Him. "O Sir, help me," she said. 40N 15 26 5150 "It is not right," He said, "to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 40N 15 27 5160 "Be it so, Sir," she said, "for even the dogs eat the scraps which fall from their masters' tables." 40N 15 28 5170 "O woman," replied Jesus, "great is your faith: be it done to you as you desire." And from that moment her daughter was restored to health. 40N 15 29 5180 Again, moving thence, Jesus went along by the Lake of Galilee; and ascending the hill, He sat down there. 40N 15 30 5190 Soon great crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were crippled in feet or hands, blind or dumb, and many besides, and they hastened to lay them at His feet. And He cured them, 40N 15 31 5200 so that the people were amazed to see the dumb speaking, the maimed with their hands perfect, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they gave the glory to the God of Israel. 40N 15 32 5210 But Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "My heart yearns over this mass of people, for it is now the third day that they have been with me and they have nothing to eat. I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they should faint on the road." 40N 15 33 5220 "Where can we," asked the disciples, "get bread enough in this remote place to satisfy so vast a multitude?" 40N 15 34 5230 "How many loaves have you?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they said, "and a few small fish." 40N 15 35 5240 So He bade all the people sit down on the ground, 40N 15 36 5250 and He took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks He broke them up and then distributed them to the disciples, and they to the people. 40N 15 37 5260 And they all ate and were satisfied. The broken portions that remained over they took up--seven full hampers. 40N 15 38 5270 Those who ate were 4,000 adult men, without reckoning women and children. 40N 15 39 5280 He then dismissed the people, went on board the boat, and came into the district of Magadan. 40N 16 1 5290 Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him; and, to make trial of Him, they asked Him to show them a sign in the sky. 40N 16 2 5300 He replied, "In the evening you say, `It will be fine weather, for the sky is red;' 40N 16 3 5310 and in the morning, `It will be rough weather to-day, for the sky is red and murky.' You learn how to distinguish the aspect of the heavens, but the signs of the times you cannot. 40N 16 4 5320 A wicked and faithless generation are eager for a sign; but none shall be given to them except the sign of Jonah." and He left them and went away. 40N 16 5 5330 When the disciples arrived at the other side of the Lake, they found that they had forgotten to bring any bread; 40N 16 6 5340 and when Jesus said to them, "See to it: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees," 40N 16 7 5350 they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have not brought any bread." 40N 16 8 5360 Jesus perceived this and said, "Why are you reasoning among yourselves, you men of little faith, because you have no bread? 40N 16 9 5370 Do you not yet understand? nor even remember the 5,000 and the five loaves, and how many basketfuls you carried away, 40N 16 10 5380 nor the 4,000 and the seven loaves, and how many hampers you carried away? 40N 16 11 5390 How is it you do not understand that it was not about bread that I spoke to you? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 40N 16 12 5400 Then they perceived that He had not warned them against bread-yeast, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 40N 16 13 5410 When He arrived in the neighbourhood of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus questioned His disciples. "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" He asked. 40N 16 14 5420 "Some say John the Baptist," they replied; "others Elijah; others Jeremiah or one of the Prophets." 40N 16 15 5430 "But you, who do you say that I am?" He asked again. 40N 16 16 5440 "You," replied Simon Peter, "are the Christ, the Son of the ever-living God." 40N 16 17 5450 "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jonah," said Jesus; "for mere human nature has not revealed this to you, but my Father in Heaven. 40N 16 18 5460 And I declare to you that you are Peter, and that upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the might of Hades shall not triumph over it. 40N 16 19 5470 I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of the Heavens; and whatever you bind on earth shall remain bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall remain loosed in Heaven." 40N 16 20 5480 Then He urged His disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ. 40N 16 21 5490 From this time Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer much cruelty from the Elders and the High Priests and the Scribes, and be put to death, and on the third day be raised to life again. 40N 16 22 5500 Then Peter took Him aside and began taking Him to task. "Master," he said, "God forbid; this will not be your lot." 40N 16 23 5510 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Adversary; you are a hindrance to me, because your thoughts are not God's thoughts, but men's." 40N 16 24 5520 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If any one desires to follow me, let him renounce self and take up his cross, and so be my follower. 40N 16 25 5530 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it. 40N 16 26 5540 Why, what benefit will it be to a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give to buy back his life? 40N 16 27 5550 For the Son of Man is soon to come in the glory of the Father with His angels, and then will He requite every man according to his actions. 40N 16 28 5560 I solemnly tell you that some of those who are standing here will certainly not taste death till they have seen the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom." 40N 17 1 5570 Six day later, Jesus took with Him Peter and the brothers James and John, and brought them up a high mountain to a solitary place. 40N 17 2 5580 There in their presence His form underwent a change; His face shone like the sun, and His raiment became as white as the light. 40N 17 3 5590 And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them conversing with Him. 40N 17 4 5600 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Master, we are thankful to you that we are here. If you approve, I will put up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 40N 17 5 5610 He was still speaking when a luminous cloud spread over them; and a voice was heard from within the cloud, which said, "This is My Son dearly beloved, in whom is My delight. Listen to Him." 40N 17 6 5620 On hearing this voice, the disciples fell on their faces and were filled with terror. 40N 17 7 5630 But Jesus came and touched them, and said, "Rouse yourselves and have no fear." 40N 17 8 5640 So they looked up, and saw no one but Jesus. 40N 17 9 5650 As they were descending the mountain, Jesus laid a command upon them. "Tell no one," He said, "of the sight you have seen till the Son of Man has risen from among the dead." 40N 17 10 5660 "Why then," asked the disciples, "do the Scribes say that Elijah must first come?" 40N 17 11 5670 "Elijah was indeed to come," He replied, "and would reform everything. 40N 17 12 5680 But I tell you that he has already come, and they did not recognize him, but dealt with him as they chose. And before long the Son of Man will be treated by them in a similar way." 40N 17 13 5690 Then it dawned upon the disciples that it was John the Baptist about whom He had spoken to them. 40N 17 14 5700 When they had returned to the people, there came to Him a man who fell on his knees before Him and besought Him. 40N 17 15 5710 "Sir," he said, "have pity on my son, for he is an epileptic and is very ill. Often he falls into the fire and often into the water. 40N 17 16 5720 I have brought him to your disciples, and they have not been able to cure him." 40N 17 17 5730 "O unbelieving and perverse generation!" replied Jesus; "how long shall I be with you? how long shall I endure you? Bring him to me." 40N 17 18 5740 Then Jesus reprimanded the demon, and it came out and left him; and the boy was cured from that moment. 40N 17 19 5750 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked Him, "Why could not we expel the demon?" 40N 17 20 5760 "Because your faith is so small," He replied; "for I solemnly declare to you that if you have faith like a mustard-seed, you shall say to this mountain, `Remove from this place to that,' and it will remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you. 40N 17 21 5770 But an evil spirit of this kind is only driven out by prayer and fasting." 40N 17 22 5780 As they were travelling about in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men; 40N 17 23 5790 they will put Him to death, but on the third day He will be raised to life again." And they were exceedingly distressed. 40N 17 24 5800 After their arrival at Capernaum the collectors of the half-shekel came and asked Peter, "Does not your Teacher pay the half-shekel?" 40N 17 25 5810 "Yes," he replied, and then went into the house. But before he spoke a word Jesus said, "What think you, Simon? From whom do this world's kings receive customs or capitation tax? from their own children, or from others?" 40N 17 26 5820 "From others," he replied. "Then the children go free," said Jesus. 40N 17 27 5830 "However, lest we cause them to sin, go and throw a hook into the Lake, and take the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth, you will find a shekel in it: bring that coin and give it to them for yourself and me." 40N 18 1 5840 Just then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who ranks higher than others in the Kingdom of the Heavens?" 40N 18 2 5850 So He called a young child to Him, and, bidding him stand in the midst of them, 40N 18 3 5860 said, "In solemn truth I tell you that unless you turn and become like little children, you will in no case be admitted into the Kingdom of the Heavens. 40N 18 4 5870 Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this young child, he it is who is superior to others in the Kingdom of the Heavens. 40N 18 5 5880 And whoever for my sake receives one young child such as this, receives me. 40N 18 6 5890 But whoever shall occasion the fall of one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung round his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 40N 18 7 5900 "Alas for the world because of causes of falling! They cannot but come, but alas for each man through whom they come! 40N 18 8 5910 If your hand or your foot is causing you to fall into sin, cut it off and away with it. It is better for you to enter into Life crippled in hand or foot than to remain in possession of two sound hands or feet but be thrown into the fire of the Ages. 40N 18 9 5920 And if your eye is causing you to fall into sin, tear it out and away with it; it is better for you to enter into Life with only one eye, than to remain in possession of two eyes but be thrown into the Gehenna of fire. 40N 18 10 5930 "Beware of ever despising one of these little ones, for I tell you that in Heaven their angels have continual access to my Father who is in Heaven. 40N 18 11 5940 [] 40N 18 12 5950 What do you yourselves think? Suppose a man gets a hundred sheep and one of them strays away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go and look for the one that is straying? 40N 18 13 5960 And if he succeeds in finding it, in solemn truth I tell you that he rejoices over it more than he does over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. 40N 18 14 5970 Just so it is not the will of your Father in Heaven that one of these little ones should be lost. 40N 18 15 5980 "If your brother acts wrongly towards you, go and point out his fault to him when only you and he are there. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 40N 18 16 5990 But if he will not listen to you, go again, and ask one or two to go with you, that every word spoken may be attested by two or three witnesses. 40N 18 17 6000 If he refuses to hear them, appeal to the Church; and if he refuses to hear even the Church, regard him just as you regard a Gentile or a tax-gatherer. 40N 18 18 6010 I solemnly tell you that whatever you as a Church bind on earth will in Heaven be held as bound, and whatever you loose on earth will in Heaven be held to be loosed. 40N 18 19 6020 I also solemnly tell you that if two of you here on earth agree together concerning anything whatever that they shall ask, the boon will come to them from my Father who is in Heaven. 40N 18 20 6030 For where there are two or three assembled in my name, there am I in the midst of them." 40N 18 21 6040 At this point Peter came to Him with the question, "Master, how often shall my brother act wrongly towards me and I forgive him? seven times?" 40N 18 22 6050 "I do not say seven times," answered Jesus, "but seventy times seven times. 40N 18 23 6060 "For this reason the Kingdom of the Heavens may be compared to a king who determined to have a settlement of accounts with his servants. 40N 18 24 6070 But as soon as he began the settlement, one was brought before him who owed 10,000 talents, 40N 18 25 6080 and was unable to pay. So his master ordered that he and his wife and children and everything that he had should be sold, and payment be made. 40N 18 26 6090 The servant therefore falling down, prostrated himself at his feet and entreated him. "`Only give me time,' he said, `and I will pay you the whole.' 40N 18 27 6100 "Whereupon his master, touched with compassion, set him free and forgave him the debt. 40N 18 28 6110 But no sooner had that servant gone out, than he met with one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 shillings; and seizing him by the throat and nearly strangling him he exclaimed, "`Pay me all you owe.' 40N 18 29 6120 "His fellow servant therefore fell at his feet and entreated him, "`Only give me time,' he said, `and I will pay you.' 40N 18 30 6130 "He would not, however, but went and threw him into prison until he should pay what was due. 40N 18 31 6140 His fellow servants, therefore, seeing what had happened, were exceedingly angry; and they came and told their master without reserve all that had happened. 40N 18 32 6150 At once his master called him and said, "`Wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you entreated me: 40N 18 33 6160 ought not you also to have had pity on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 40N 18 34 6170 "So his master, greatly incensed, handed him over to the jailers until he should pay all he owed him. 40N 18 35 6180 "In the same way my Heavenly Father will deal with you, if you do not all of you forgive one another from your hearts." 40N 19 1 6190 When Jesus had finished these discourses, He removed from Galilee and came into that part of Judaea which lay beyond the Jordan. 40N 19 2 6200 And a vast multitude followed him, and He cured them there. 40N 19 3 6210 Then came some of the Pharisees to Him to put Him to the proof by the question, "Has a man a right to divorce his wife whenever he chooses?" 40N 19 4 6220 "Have you not read," He replied, "that He who made them <`made them'> from the beginning <`male and female, 40N 19 5 6230 and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall be one'?> 40N 19 6 6240 Thus they are no longer two, but `one'! What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." 40N 19 7 6250 "Why then," said they, "did Moses command the husband to give her `a written notice of divorce,' and so put her away?" 40N 19 8 6260 "Moses," He replied, "in consideration of the hardness of your nature permitted you to put away your wives, but it has not been so from the beginning. 40N 19 9 6270 And I tell you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except her unfaithfulness, and marries another woman, commits adultery." 40N 19 10 6280 "If this is the case with a man in relation to his wife," said the disciples to Him, "it is better not to marry." 40N 19 11 6290 "It is not every man," He replied, "who can receive this teaching, but only those on whom the grace has been bestowed. 40N 19 12 6300 There are men who from their birth have been disabled from marriage, others who have been so disabled by men, and others who have disabled themselves for the sake of the Kingdom of the Heavens. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it." 40N 19 13 6310 Then young children were brought to Him for Him to put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples interfered. 40N 19 14 6320 Jesus however said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike that the Kingdom of the Heavens belongs." 40N 19 15 6330 So He laid His hands upon them and went away. 40N 19 16 6340 "Teacher," said one man, coming up to Him, "what that is good shall I do in order to win the Life of the Ages?" 40N 19 17 6350 "Why do you ask me," He replied, "about what is good? There is only One who is truly good. But if you desire to enter into Life, keep the Commandments." 40N 19 18 6360 "Which Commandments?" he asked. Jesus answered, <"`Thou shalt not kill;' `Thou shalt not commit adultery;' `Thou shalt not steal;' `Thou shalt not lie in giving evidence;' 40N 19 19 6370 `Honour thy father and thy mother'; and `Thou shalt love thy fellow man as much as thyself.'"> 40N 19 20 6380 "All of these," said the young man, "I have carefully kept. What do I still lack?" 40N 19 21 6390 "If you desire to be perfect," replied Jesus, "go and sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and come, follow me." 40N 19 22 6400 On hearing those words the young man went away much cast down; for he had much property. 40N 19 23 6410 So Jesus said to His disciples, "I solemnly tell you that it is with difficulty that a rich man will enter the Kingdom of the Heavens. 40N 19 24 6420 Yes, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." 40N 19 25 6430 These words utterly amazed the disciples, and they asked, "Who then can be saved?" 40N 19 26 6440 Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God everything is possible." 40N 19 27 6450 Then Peter said to Jesus, "See, *we* have forsaken everything and followed you; what then will be *our* reward?" 40N 19 28 6460 "I solemnly tell you," replied Jesus, "that in the New Creation, when the Son of Man has taken His seat on His glorious throne, all of you who have followed me shall also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 40N 19 29 6470 And whoever has forsaken houses, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children or lands, for my sake, shall receive many times as much and shall have as his inheritance the Life of the Ages. 40N 19 30 6480 "But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first. 40N 20 1 6490 "For the Kingdom of the Heavens is like an employer who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard, 40N 20 2 6500 and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a day, sent them into his vineyard. 40N 20 3 6510 About nine o'clock he went out and saw others loitering in the market-place. 40N 20 4 6520 To these also he said, "`You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' 40N 20 5 6530 "So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o'clock, he went out and did the same. 40N 20 6 6540 And going out about five o'clock he found others loitering, and he asked them, "`Why have you been standing here all day long, doing nothing?' 40N 20 7 6550 "`Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "`You also, go into the vineyard,' he said. 40N 20 8 6560 "When evening came, the master said to his steward, "`Call the men and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and finish with the first.' 40N 20 9 6570 "When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they received a shilling apiece; 40N 20 10 6580 and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they also each got the shilling. 40N 20 11 6590 So when they had received it, they grumbled against the employer, saying, 40N 20 12 6600 "`These who came last have done only one hour's work, and you have put them on a level with us who have worked the whole day and have borne the scorching heat.' 40N 20 13 6610 "`My friend,' he answered to one of them, `I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling? 40N 20 14 6620 Take your money and go. I choose to give this last comer just as much as I give you. 40N 20 15 6630 Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own property? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 40N 20 16 6640 "So the last shall be first, and the first last." 40N 20 17 6650 Jesus was now going up to Jerusalem, and He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, 40N 20 18 6660 "We are going up to Jerusalem, and there the Son of Man will be betrayed to the High Priests and Scribes. They will condemn Him to death, 40N 20 19 6670 and hand Him over to the Gentiles to be made sport of and scourged and crucified; and on the third day He will be raised to life." 40N 20 20 6680 Then the mother of the sons of Zabdi came to Him with her sons, and knelt before Him to make a request of Him. 40N 20 21 6690 "What is it you desire?" He asked. "Command," she replied, "that these my two sons may sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your Kingdom." 40N 20 22 6700 "None of you know what you are asking for," said Jesus; "can you drink out of the cup from which I am about to drink?" "We can," they replied. 40N 20 23 6710 "You shall drink out of my cup," He said, "but a seat at my right hand or at my left it is not for me to allot, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 40N 20 24 6720 The other ten heard of this, and their indignation was aroused against the two brothers. 40N 20 25 6730 But Jesus called them to Him, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 40N 20 26 6740 Not so shall it be among you; but whoever desires to be great among you shall be your servant, 40N 20 27 6750 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant; 40N 20 28 6760 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as the redemption-price for many." 40N 20 29 6770 As they were leaving Jericho, an immense crowd following Him, 40N 20 30 6780 two blind men sitting by the roadside heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, and cried aloud, "Sir, Son of David, pity us." 40N 20 31 6790 The people angrily tried to silence them, but they cried all the louder. "O Sir, Son of David, pity us," they said. 40N 20 32 6800 So Jesus stood still and called to them. "What shall I do for you?" He asked. 40N 20 33 6810 "Sir, let our eyes be opened," they replied. 40N 20 34 6820 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him. 40N 21 1 6830 When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front, 40N 21 2 6840 saying to them, "Go to the village you see facing you, and as you enter it you will find a she-ass tied up and a foal with her. Untie her and bring them to me. 40N 21 3 6850 And if any one says anything to you, say, `The Master needs them,' and he will at once send them." 40N 21 4 6860 This took place in order that the Prophet's prediction might be fulfilled: 40N 21 5 6870 <"Tell the Daughter of Zion, `See, thy King is coming to thee, gentle, and yet mounted on an ass, even on a colt the foal of a beast of burden.'"> 40N 21 6 6880 So the disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them: 40N 21 7 6890 they brought the she-ass and the foal, and threw their outer garments on them. So He sat on them; 40N 21 8 6900 and most of the crowd kept spreading their garments along the road, while others cut branches from the trees and carpeted the road with them, 40N 21 9 6910 and the multitudes--some of the people preceding Him and some following--sang aloud, <"God save the Son of David! Blessings on Him who comes in the Lord's name! God in the highest Heavens save Him!"> 40N 21 10 6920 When He thus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was thrown into commotion, every one inquiring, "Who is this?" 40N 21 11 6930 "This is Jesus, the Prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee," replied the crowds. 40N 21 12 6940 Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were buying and selling there, and overturned the money-changers' tables and the seats of the pigeon-dealers. 40N 21 13 6950 "It is written," He said, <"`My House shall be called the House of Prayer',> but you are making it <a robbers' cave."> 40N 21 14 6960 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the Temple, and He cured them. 40N 21 15 6970 But when the High Priests and the Scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done and the children who were crying aloud in the Temple, <"God save the Son of David,"> they were filled with indignation. 40N 21 16 6980 "Do you hear," they asked Him, "what these children are saying?" "Yes," He replied; "have you never read, <`Out of the mouths of infants and of babes at the breast Thou hast brought forth the praise which is due'?"> 40N 21 17 6990 So He left them and went out of the city to Bethany and passed the night there. 40N 21 18 7000 Early in the morning as He was on His way to return to the city He was hungry, 40N 21 19 7010 and seeing a fig-tree on the road-side He went up to it, but found nothing on it but leaves. "On you," He said, "no fruit shall ever again grow." And immediately the fig-tree withered away. 40N 21 20 7020 When the disciples saw it they exclaimed in astonishment, "How instantaneously the fig-tree has withered away!" 40N 21 21 7030 "I solemnly tell you," said Jesus, "that if you have an unwavering faith, you shall not only perform such a miracle as this of the fig-tree, but that even if you say to this mountain, `Be thou lifted up and hurled into the sea,' it shall be done; 40N 21 22 7040 and everything, whatever it be, that you ask for in your prayers, if you have faith, you shall obtain." 40N 21 23 7050 He entered the Temple; and while He was teaching, the High Priests and the Elders of the people came to Him and asked Him, "By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you this authority?" 40N 21 24 7060 "And I also have a question to ask *you*," replied Jesus, "and if you answer me, I in turn will tell you by what authority I do these things. 40N 21 25 7070 John's Baptism, whence was it? --had it a heavenly or a human origin?" So they debated the matter among themselves. "If we say `a heavenly origin,'" they argued, "he will say, `Why then did you not believe him?' 40N 21 26 7080 and if we say `a human origin' we have the people to fear, for they all hold John to have been a Prophet." 40N 21 27 7090 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," He replied, "by what authority I do these things." 40N 21 28 7100 "But give me your judgement. There was a man who had two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "`My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.' 40N 21 29 7110 "`I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry, and went. 40N 21 30 7120 He came to the second and spoke in the same manner. His answer was, "`I will go, Sir.' "But he did not go. 40N 21 31 7130 Which of the two did as his father desired?" "The first," they said. "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you. 40N 21 32 7140 For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him. 40N 21 33 7150 "Listen to another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, made a fence round it, dug a wine-tank in it, and built a strong lodge; then let the place to vine-dressers, and went abroad. 40N 21 34 7160 When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes; 40N 21 35 7170 but the vine-dressers seized the servants, and one they cruelly beat, one they killed, one they pelted with stones. 40N 21 36 7180 Again he sent another party of servants more numerous than the first; and these they treated in the same manner. 40N 21 37 7190 Later still he sent to them his son, saying, "`They will respect my son.' 40N 21 38 7200 "But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one another, "`Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' 40N 21 39 7210 "So they seized him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40N 21 40 7220 When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?" 40N 21 41 7230 "He will put the wretches to a wretched death," was the reply, "and will entrust the vineyard to other vine-dressers who will render the produce to him at the vintage season." 40N 21 42 7240 "Have you never read in the Scriptures," said Jesus, <"`The Stone which the builders rejected has been made the Cornerstone: this Cornerstone came from the Lord, and is wonderful in our eyes'?> 40N 21 43 7250 "That, I tell you, is the reason why the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and given to a nation that will exhibit the power of it. 40N 21 44 7260 He who falls on this stone will be severely hurt; but he on whom it falls will be utterly crushed." 40N 21 45 7270 After listening to His parables the High Priests and the Pharisees perceived that He was speaking about them; 40N 21 46 7280 but though they were eager to lay hands upon Him, they were afraid of the people, for by them He was regarded as a Prophet. 40N 22 1 7290 Again Jesus spoke to them in figurative language. 40N 22 2 7300 "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "may be compared to a king who celebrated the marriage of his son, 40N 22 3 7310 and sent his servants to call the invited guests to the wedding, but they were unwilling to come. 40N 22 4 7320 "Again he sent other servants with a message to those who were invited. "`My breakfast is now ready," he said, `my bullocks and fat cattle are killed, and every preparation is made: come to the wedding.' 40N 22 5 7330 "They however gave no heed, but went, one to his home in the country, another to his business; 40N 22 6 7340 and the rest seized the king's servants, maltreated them, and murdered them. 40N 22 7 7350 So the king's anger was stirred, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burnt their city. 40N 22 8 7360 Then he said to his servants, "`The wedding banquet is ready, but those who were invited were unworthy of it. 40N 22 9 7370 Go out therefore to the crossroads, and everybody you meet invite to the wedding.' 40N 22 10 7380 "So they went out into the roads and gathered together all they could find, both bad and good, and the banqueting hall was filled with guests. 40N 22 11 7390 "Now the king came in to see the guests; and among them he discovered one who was not wearing a wedding-robe. 40N 22 12 7400 "`My friend,' he said, `how is it that you came in here without a wedding robe?' 40N 22 13 7410 "The man stood speechless. Then the king said to the servants, "`Bind him hand and foot and fling him into the darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth.' 40N 22 14 7420 "For there are many called, but few chosen." 40N 22 15 7430 Then the Pharisees went and consulted together how they might entrap Him in His conversation. 40N 22 16 7440 So they sent to Him their disciples together with the Herodians; who said, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and that you faithfully teach God's truth; and that no fear of man misleads you, for you are not biased by men's wealth or rank. 40N 22 17 7450 Give us your judgement therefore: is it allowable for us to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" 40N 22 18 7460 Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, "Why are you hypocrites trying to ensnare me? 40N 22 19 7470 Show me the tribute coin." And they brought Him a shilling. 40N 22 20 7480 "Whose likeness and inscription," He asked, "is this?" 40N 22 21 7490 "Caesar's," they replied. "Pay therefore," He rejoined, "what is Caesar's to Caesar; and what is God's to God." 40N 22 22 7500 They heard this, and were astonished; then left Him, and went their way. 40N 22 23 7510 On the same day a party of Sadducees came to Him, contending that there is no resurrection. And they put this case to Him. 40N 22 24 7520 "Teacher," they said, "Moses enjoined, <`If a man die childless, his brother shall marry his widow, and raise up a family for him.'> 40N 22 25 7530 Now we had among us seven brothers. The eldest of them married, but died childless, leaving his wife to his brother. 40N 22 26 7540 So also did the second and the third, down to the seventh, 40N 22 27 7550 till the woman also died, after surviving them all. 40N 22 28 7560 At the Resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? for they all married her." 40N 22 29 7570 The reply of Jesus was, "You are in error, through ignorance of the Scriptures and of the power of God. 40N 22 30 7580 For in the Resurrection, men neither marry nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in Heaven. 40N 22 31 7590 But as to the Resurrection of the dead, have you never read what God says to you, 40N 22 32 7600 <`I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?> He is not the God of dead, but of living men." 40N 22 33 7610 All the crowd heard this, and were filled with amazement at His teaching. 40N 22 34 7620 Now the Pharisees came up when they heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, 40N 22 35 7630 and one of them, an expounder of the Law, asked Him as a test question, 40N 22 36 7640 "Teacher, which is the greatest Commandment in the Law?" 40N 22 37 7650 <"`Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,'"> He answered, <"`with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, thy whole mind.'> 40N 22 38 7660 This is the greatest and foremost Commandment. 40N 22 39 7670 And the second is similar to it: <`Thou shalt love thy fellow man as much as thyself.' 40N 22 40 7680 The whole of the Law and the Prophets is summed up in these two Commandments." 40N 22 41 7690 While the Pharisees were still assembled there, Jesus put a question to them. 40N 22 42 7700 "What think you about the Christ," He said, "whose son is He?" "David's," they replied. 40N 22 43 7710 "How then," He asked, "does David, taught by the Spirit, call Him Lord, when he says, 40N 22 44 7720 <"`The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand until I have put thy foes beneath thy feet'?> 40N 22 45 7730 "If therefore David calls Him Lord, how can He be his son?" 40N 22 46 7740 No one could say a word in reply, nor from that day did any one venture again to put a question to Him. 40N 23 1 7750 Then Jesus addressed the crowds and His disciples. 40N 23 2 7760 "The Scribes," He said, "and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses. 40N 23 3 7770 Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do, they do not do it themselves. 40N 23 4 7780 Heavy and cumbrous burdens they bind together and load men's shoulders with them, while as for themselves, not with one finger do they choose to lift them. 40N 23 5 7790 And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large, 40N 23 6 7800 and love the best seats at a dinner party or in the synagogues, 40N 23 7 7810 and like to be bowed to in places of public resort, and to be addressed by men as `Rabbi.' 40N 23 8 7820 "As for you, do not accept the title of `Rabbi,' for one alone is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 40N 23 9 7830 And call no one on earth your Father, for One alone is your Father--the Heavenly Father. 40N 23 10 7840 And do not accept the name of `leader,' for your Leader is one alone--the Christ. 40N 23 11 7850 He who is the greatest among you shall be your servant; 40N 23 12 7860 and one who exalts himself shall be abased, while one who abases himself shall be exalted. 40N 23 13 7870 "But alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you lock the door of the Kingdom of the Heavens against men; you yourselves do not enter, nor do you allow those to enter who are seeking to do so. 40N 23 14 7880 [] 40N 23 15 7890 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you scour sea and land in order to win one convert--and when he is gained, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves. 40N 23 16 7900 "Alas for you, you blind guides, who say, "`Whoever swears by the Sanctuary it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the Sanctuary, is bound by the oath.' 40N 23 17 7910 "Blind fools! Why, which is greater? --the gold, or the Sanctuary which has made the gold holy? 40N 23 18 7920 And you say, "`Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the offering lying on it is bound by the oath.' 40N 23 19 7930 "You are blind! Why, which is greater? --the offering, or the altar which makes the offering holy? 40N 23 20 7940 He who swears by the altar swears both by it and by everything on it; 40N 23 21 7950 he who swears by the Sanctuary swears both by it and by Him who dwells in it; 40N 23 22 7960 and he who swears by Heaven swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it. 40N 23 23 7970 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you pay the tithe on mint, dill, and cumin, while you have neglected the weightier requirements of the Law--just judgement, mercy, and faithful dealing. These things you ought to have done, and yet you ought not to have left the others undone. 40N 23 24 7980 You blind guides, straining out the gnat while you gulp down the camel! 40N 23 25 7990 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you wash clean the outside of the cup or dish, while within they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 40N 23 26 8000 Blind Pharisee, first wash clean the inside of the cup or dish, and then the outside will be clean also. 40N 23 27 8010 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are just like whitewashed sepulchres, the outside of which pleases the eye, though inside they are full of dead men's bones and of all that is unclean. 40N 23 28 8020 The same is true of you: outwardly you seem to the human eye to be good and honest men, but, within, you are full of insincerity and disregard of God's Law. 40N 23 29 8030 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you repair the sepulchres of the Prophets and keep in order the tombs of the righteous, 40N 23 30 8040 and your boast is, "`If we had lived in the time of our forefathers, we should not have been implicated with them in the murder of the Prophets.' 40N 23 31 8050 "So that you bear witness against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the Prophets. 40N 23 32 8060 Fill up the measure of your forefathers' guilt. 40N 23 33 8070 O serpents, O vipers' brood, how are you to escape condemnation to Gehenna? 40N 23 34 8080 "For this reason I am sending to you Prophets and wise men and Scribes. Some of them you will put to death--nay, crucify; some of them you will flog in your synagogues and chase from town to town; 40N 23 35 8090 that all the innocent blood shed upon earth may come on you, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Berechiah whom you murdered between the Sanctuary and the altar. 40N 23 36 8100 I tell you in solemn truth that all these things will come upon the present generation. 40N 23 37 8110 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! thou who murderest the Prophets and stonest those who have been sent to thee! how often have I desired to gather thy children to me, just as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not come! 40N 23 38 8120 See, your house will now be left to you desolate! 40N 23 39 8130 For I tell you that you will never see me again until you say, <`Blessed be He who comes in the name of the Lord.'"> 40N 24 1 8140 Jesus had left the Temple and was going on His way, when His disciples came and called His attention to the Temple buildings. 40N 24 2 8150 "You see all these?" He replied; "in solemn truth I tell you that there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be pulled down." 40N 24 3 8160 Afterwards He was on the Mount of Olives and was seated there when the disciples came to Him, apart from the others, and said, "Tell us when this will be; and what will be the sign of your Coming and of the Close of the Age?" 40N 24 4 8170 "Take care that no one misleads you," answered Jesus; 40N 24 5 8180 "for many will come assuming my name and saying `I am the Christ;' and they will mislead many. 40N 24 6 8190 And before long you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. Do not be alarmed, for such things must be; but the End is not yet. 40N 24 7 8200 <For nation will rise in arms against nation, kingdom against kingdom,> and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places; 40N 24 8 8210 but all these miseries are but like the early pains of childbirth. 40N 24 9 8220 "At that time they will deliver you up to punishment and will put you to death; and you will be objects of hatred to all the nations because you are called by my name. 40N 24 10 8230 Then <will many stumble and fall,> and they will betray one another and hate one another. 40N 24 11 8240 Many false prophets will rise up and lead multitudes astray; 40N 24 12 8250 and because of the prevalent disregard of God's law the love of the great majority will grow cold; 40N 24 13 8260 but those who stand firm to the End shall be saved. 40N 24 14 8270 And this Good News of the Kingdom shall be proclaimed throughout the whole world to set the evidence before all the Gentiles; and then the End will come. 40N 24 15 8280 "When you have seen (to use the language of the Prophet Daniel) the <`Abomination of Desolation',> standing in the Holy Place" --let the reader observe those words-- 40N 24 16 8290 "then let those who are in Judaea escape to the hills; 40N 24 17 8300 let him who is on the roof not go down to fetch what is in his house; 40N 24 18 8310 nor let him who is outside the city stay to pick up his outer garment. 40N 24 19 8320 And alas for the women who at that time are with child or have infants! 40N 24 20 8330 "But pray that your flight may not be in winter, nor on the Sabbath; 40N 24 21 8340 for it <will be> a time of great <suffering, such as never has been from the beginning of the world till now,> and assuredly never will be again. 40N 24 22 8350 And if those days had not been cut short, no one would escape; but for the sake of God's own People those days will be cut short. 40N 24 23 8360 "If at that time any one should say to you, `See, here is the Christ!' or `Here!' give no credence to it. 40N 24 24 8370 For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets, displaying wonderful signs and prodigies, so as to deceive, were it possible, even God's own People. 40N 24 25 8380 Remember, I have forewarned you. 40N 24 26 8390 If therefore they should say to you, `See, He is in the Desert!' do not go out there: or `See, He is indoors in the room!' do not believe it. 40N 24 27 8400 For just as the lightning flashes in the east and is seen to the very west, so will be the Coming of the Son of Man. 40N 24 28 8410 Wherever the dead body is, there will the vultures flock together. 40N 24 29 8420 "But immediately after those times of distress <the sun will be darkened, the moon will not shed her light, the stars will fall from the firmament, and the forces which control the heavens will be disordered and disturbed.> 40N 24 30 8430 Then will appear the Sign of the Son of Man in the sky; and <then will all the nations of the earth lament,> when they see the Son of Man <coming on the clouds of the sky> with great power and glory. 40N 24 31 8440 And He will send out His angels <with a loud trumpet-blast,> and <they will bring together His own People to Him from north, south, east and west--from one extremity of the world to the other.> 40N 24 32 8450 "Now learn from the fig-tree the lesson it teaches. As soon as its branches have now become soft and it is bursting into leaf, you all know that summer is near. 40N 24 33 8460 So you also, when you see all these signs, may be sure that He is near--at your very door. 40N 24 34 8470 I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly not pass away without all these things having first taken place. 40N 24 35 8480 Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my words will not pass away. 40N 24 36 8490 "But as to that day and the exact time no one knows--not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 40N 24 37 8500 `For as it was in the time of Noah, so it will be at the Coming of the Son of Man. 40N 24 38 8510 At that time, before the Deluge, men were busy eating and drinking, taking wives or giving them, up to the very day when Noah entered the Ark, 40N 24 39 8520 nor did they realise any danger till the Deluge came and swept them all away; so will it be at the Coming of the Son of Man. 40N 24 40 8530 Then will two men be in the open country: one will be taken away, and one left behind. 40N 24 41 8540 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken away, and one left behind. 40N 24 42 8550 Be on the alert therefore, for you do not know the day on which your Lord is coming. 40N 24 43 8560 But of this be assured, that if the master of the house had known the hour at which the robber was coming, he would have kept awake, and not have allowed his house to be broken into. 40N 24 44 8570 Therefore you also must be ready; for it is at a time when you do not expect Him that the Son of Man will come. 40N 24 45 8580 "Who therefore is the loyal and intelligent servant to whom his master has entrusted the control of his household to give them their rations at the appointed time? 40N 24 46 8590 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes shall find so doing! 40N 24 47 8600 In solemn truth I tell you that he will give him the management of all his wealth. 40N 24 48 8610 But if the man, being a bad servant, should say in his heart, `My master is a long time in coming,' 40N 24 49 8620 and should begin to beat his fellow servants, while he eats and drinks with drunkards; 40N 24 50 8630 the master of that servant will arrive on a day when he is not expecting him and at an hour of which he has not been informed; 40N 24 51 8640 he will treat him with the utmost severity and assign him a place among the hypocrites: there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 40N 25 1 8650 "Then will the Kingdom of the Heavens be found to be like ten bridesmaids who took their torches and went out to meet the bridegroom. 40N 25 2 8660 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 40N 25 3 8670 For the foolish, when they took their torches, did not provide themselves with oil; 40N 25 4 8680 but the wise, besides their torches, took oil in their flasks. 40N 25 5 8690 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, so that meanwhile they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 40N 25 6 8700 But at midnight there is a loud cry, "`The bridegroom! Go out and meet him!' 40N 25 7 8710 "Then all those bridesmaids roused themselves and trimmed their torches. 40N 25 8 8720 "`Give us some of your oil,' said the foolish ones to the wise, `for our torches are going out.' 40N 25 9 8730 "`But perhaps,' replied the wise, `there will not be enough for all of us. Go to the shops rather, and buy some for yourselves.' 40N 25 10 8740 "So they went to buy. But meanwhile the bridegroom came; those bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 40N 25 11 8750 "Afterwards the other bridesmaids came and cried, "`Sir, Sir, open the door to us.' 40N 25 12 8760 "`In solemn truth I tell you,' he replied, `I do not know you.' 40N 25 13 8770 "Keep awake therefore; for you know neither the day nor the hour. 40N 25 14 8780 "Why, it is like a man who, when going on his travels, called his bondservants and entrusted his property to their care. 40N 25 15 8790 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one--to each according to his individual capacity; and then started from home. 40N 25 16 8800 Without delay the one who had received the five talents went and employed them in business, and gained five more. 40N 25 17 8810 In the same way he who had the two gained two more. 40N 25 18 8820 But the man who had received the one went and dug a hole and buried his master's money. 40N 25 19 8830 "After a long lapse of time the master of those servants returned, and had a reckoning with them. 40N 25 20 8840 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, and said, "`Sir, it was five talents that you entrusted to me: see, I have gained five more.' 40N 25 21 8850 "`You have done well, good and trustworthy servant,' replied his master; `you have been trustworthy in the management of a little, I will put you in charge of much: share your master's joy.' 40N 25 22 8860 "The second, who had received the two talents, came and said, "`Sir, it was two talents you entrusted to me: see, I have gained two more.' 40N 25 23 8870 "`Good and trustworthy servant, you have done well,' his master replied; `you have been trustworthy in the management of a little, I will put you in charge of much: share your master's joy.' 40N 25 24 8880 "But, next, the man who had the one talent in his keeping came and said, "`Sir, I knew you to be a severe man, reaping where you had not sown and garnering what you had not winnowed. 40N 25 25 8890 So being afraid I went and buried your talent in the ground: there you have what belongs to you.' 40N 25 26 8900 "`You wicked and slothful servant,' replied his master, `did you know that I reap where I have not sown, and garner what I have not winnowed? 40N 25 27 8910 Your duty then was to deposit my money in some bank, and so when I came I should have got back my property with interest. 40N 25 28 8920 So take away the talent from him, and give it to the man who has the ten.' 40N 25 29 8930 (For to every one who has, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him who has nothing, even what he has shall be taken away.) 40N 25 30 8940 `But as for this worthless servant, put him out into the darkness outside: *there* will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.' 40N 25 31 8950 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then will He sit upon His glorious throne, 40N 25 32 8960 and all the nations will be gathered into His presence. And He will separate them from one another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 40N 25 33 8970 and will make the sheep stand at His right hand, and the goats at His left. 40N 25 34 8980 "Then the King will say to those at His right, "`Come, my Father's blessed ones, receive your inheritance of the Kingdom which has been divinely intended for you ever since the creation of the world. 40N 25 35 8990 For when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was homeless, you gave me a welcome; 40N 25 36 9000 when I was ill-clad, you clothed me; when I was sick, you visited me; when I was in prison, you came to see me.' 40N 25 37 9010 "`When, Lord,' the righteous will reply, `did we see Thee hungry, and feed Thee; or thirsty, and give Thee drink? 40N 25 38 9020 When did we see Thee homeless, and give Thee a welcome? or ill-clad, and clothe Thee? 40N 25 39 9030 When did we see Thee sick or in prison, and come to see Thee?' 40N 25 40 9040 "But the King will answer them, "`In solemn truth I tell you that in so far as you rendered such services to one of the humblest of these my brethren, you rendered them to myself.' 40N 25 41 9050 "Then will He say to those at His left, "`Begone from me, with the curse resting upon you, into the Fire of the Ages, which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels. 40N 25 42 9060 For when I was hungry, you gave me nothing to eat; when thirsty, you gave me nothing to drink; 40N 25 43 9070 when homeless, you gave me no welcome; ill-clad, you clothed me not; sick or in prison, you visited me not.' 40N 25 44 9080 "Then will they also answer, "`Lord, when did we see Thee hungry or thirsty or homeless or ill-clad or sick or in prison, and not come to serve Thee?' 40N 25 45 9090 "But he will reply, "`In solemn truth I tell you that in so far as you withheld such services from one of the humblest of these, you withheld them from me.' 40N 25 46 9100 "And these shall go away into the Punishment of the Ages, but the righteous into the Life of the Ages." 40N 26 1 9110 When Jesus had ended all these discourses, He said to His disciples, 40N 26 2 9120 "You know that in two days' time the Passover comes. And the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." 40N 26 3 9130 Then the High Priests and Elders of the People assembled in the court of the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas, 40N 26 4 9140 and consulted how to get Jesus into their power by stratagem and put Him to death. 40N 26 5 9150 But they said, "Not during the Festival, lest there be a riot among the people." 40N 26 6 9160 Now when Jesus was come to Bethany and was at the house of Simon the Leper, 40N 26 7 9170 a woman came to Him with a jar of very costly, sweet-scented ointment, which she poured over His head as He reclined at table. 40N 26 8 9180 "Why such waste?" indignantly exclaimed the disciples; 40N 26 9 9190 "for this might have been sold for a considerable sum, and the money given to the poor." 40N 26 10 9200 But Jesus heard it, and said to them, "Why are you vexing her? For she has done a most gracious act towards me. 40N 26 11 9210 The poor you always have with you, but me you have not always. 40N 26 12 9220 In pouring this ointment over me, her object was to prepare me for burial. 40N 26 13 9230 In solemn truth I tell you that wherever in the whole world this Good News shall be proclaimed, this deed of hers shall be spoken of in memory of her." 40N 26 14 9240 At that time one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the High Priests 40N 26 15 9250 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I betray him to you?" So they weighed out to him thirty shekels, 40N 26 16 9260 and from that moment he was on the look out for an opportunity to betray Him. 40N 26 17 9270 On the first day of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus with the question, "Where shall we make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 40N 26 18 9280 "Go into the city," He replied, "to a certain man, and tell him, `The Teacher says, My time is close at hand. It is at your house that I shall keep the Passover with my disciples.'" 40N 26 19 9290 The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and got the Passover ready. 40N 26 20 9300 When evening came, He was at table with the twelve disciples, 40N 26 21 9310 and the meal was proceeding, when Jesus said, "In solemn truth I tell you that one of you will betray me." 40N 26 22 9320 Intensely grieved they began one after another to ask Him, "Can it be I, Master?" 40N 26 23 9330 "The one who has dipped his fingers in the bowl with me," He answered, "is the man who will betray me. 40N 26 24 9340 The Son of Man is indeed going as is written concerning Him; but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had been a happy thing for that man if he had never been born." 40N 26 25 9350 Then Judas, the disciple who was betraying Him, asked, "Can it be I, Rabbi?" "It is you," He replied. 40N 26 26 9360 During the meal Jesus took a Passover biscuit, blessed it and broke it. He then gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it: it is my body." 40N 26 27 9370 And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you; 40N 26 28 9380 for this is my blood which is to be poured out for many for the remission of sins--the blood which ratifies the Covenant. 40N 26 29 9390 I tell you that I will never again take the produce of the vine till that day when I shall drink the new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom." 40N 26 30 9400 So they sang the hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. 40N 26 31 9410 Then said Jesus, "This night all of you will stumble and fail in your fidelity to me; for it is written, <`I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered in all directions.'> 40N 26 32 9420 But after I have risen to life again I will go before you into Galilee." 40N 26 33 9430 "All may stumble and fail," said Peter, "but I never will." 40N 26 34 9440 "In solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that this very night, before the cock crows, you will three times disown me." 40N 26 35 9450 "Even if I must die with you," declared Peter, "I will never disown you." In like manner protested all the disciples. 40N 26 36 9460 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane. And He said to the disciples, "Sit down here, whilst I go yonder and there pray." 40N 26 37 9470 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zabdi. Then He began to be full of anguish and distress, 40N 26 38 9480 and He said to them, "My soul is crushed with anguish to the very point of death; wait here, and keep awake with me." 40N 26 39 9490 Going forward a short distance He fell on His face and prayed. "My Father," He said, "if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou willest." 40N 26 40 9500 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and He said to Peter, "Alas, none of you could keep awake with me for even a single hour! 40N 26 41 9510 Keep awake, and pray that you may not enter into temptation: the spirit is right willing, but the body is frail." 40N 26 42 9520 Again a second time He went away and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is impossible for this cup to pass without my drinking it, Thy will be done." 40N 26 43 9530 He came and again found them asleep, for they were very tired. 40N 26 44 9540 So He left them, and went away once more and prayed a third time, again using the same words. 40N 26 45 9550 Then He came to the disciples and said, "Sleep on and rest. See, the moment is close at hand when the Son of Man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinful men. 40N 26 46 9560 Rouse yourselves. Let us be going. My betrayer is close at hand." 40N 26 47 9570 He had scarcely finished speaking when Judas came--one of the Twelve--accompanied by a great crowd of men armed with swords and bludgeons, sent by the High Priests and Elders of the People. 40N 26 48 9580 Now the betrayer had agreed upon a sign with them, to direct them. He had said, "The one whom I kiss is the man: lay hold of him." 40N 26 49 9590 So he went straight to Jesus and said, "Peace to you, Rabbi!" And he kissed Him eagerly. 40N 26 50 9600 "Friend," said Jesus, "carry out your intention." Then they came and laid their hands on Jesus and seized Him firmly. 40N 26 51 9610 But one of those with Jesus drew his sword and struck the High Priest's servant, cutting off his ear. 40N 26 52 9620 "Put back your sword again," said Jesus, "for all who draw the sword shall perish by the sword. 40N 26 53 9630 Or do you suppose I cannot entreat my Father and He would instantly send to my help more than twelve legions of angels? 40N 26 54 9640 In that case how are the Scriptures to be fulfilled which declare that thus it must be?" 40N 26 55 9650 Then said Jesus to the crowds, "Have you come out as if to fight with a robber, with swords and bludgeons to apprehend me? Day after day I have been sitting teaching in the Temple, and you did not arrest me. 40N 26 56 9660 But all this has taken place in order that the writings of the Prophets may be fulfilled." At this point the disciples all left Him and fled. 40N 26 57 9670 But the officers who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the High Priest, at whose house the Scribes and the Elders had assembled. 40N 26 58 9680 And Peter kept following Him at a distance, till he came even to the court of the High Priest's palace, where he entered and sat down among the officers to see the issue. 40N 26 59 9690 Meanwhile the High Priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death; 40N 26 60 9700 but they could find none, although many false witnesses came forward. At length there came two 40N 26 61 9710 who testified, "This man said, `I am able to pull down the Sanctuary of God and three days afterwards to build a new one.'" 40N 26 62 9720 Then the High Priest stood up and asked Him, "Have you no answer to make? What is it these men are saying in evidence against you?" 40N 26 63 9730 Jesus however remained silent. Again the High Priest addressed Him. "In the name of the ever-living God," he said, "I now put you on your oath. Tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God." 40N 26 64 9740 "I am He," replied Jesus. "But I tell you that, later on, you will see <the Son of Man sitting at the right hand> of Omnipotence, <and coming on the clouds of the sky."> 40N 26 65 9750 Then the High Priest tore his robes and exclaimed, "Impious language! What further need have we of witnesses! See, you have now heard the impiety. 40N 26 66 9760 What is your verdict?" "He deserves to die," they replied. 40N 26 67 9770 Then they spat in His face, and struck Him--some with the fist, some with the open hand-- 40N 26 68 9780 while they taunted Him, saying, "Christ, prove yourself a Prophet by telling us who it was that struck you." 40N 26 69 9790 Peter meanwhile was sitting outside in the court of the palace, when one of the maidservants came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilaean." 40N 26 70 9800 He denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean." 40N 26 71 9810 Soon afterwards he went out and stood in the gateway, when another girl saw him, and said, addressing the people there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene." 40N 26 72 9820 Again he denied it with an oath. "I do not know the man," he said. 40N 26 73 9830 A short time afterwards the people standing there came and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your brogue shows it." 40N 26 74 9840 Then with curses and oaths he declared, "I do not know the man." Immediately a cock crowed, 40N 26 75 9850 and Peter recollected the words of Jesus, how He had said, "Before the cock crows you will three times disown me." And he went out and wept aloud, bitterly. 40N 27 1 9860 When morning came all the High Priests and the Elders of the people consulted together against Jesus to put Him to death; 40N 27 2 9870 and binding Him they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the Governor. 40N 27 3 9880 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He was condemned, smitten with remorse he brought back the thirty shekels to the High Priests and Elders 40N 27 4 9890 and said, "I have sinned, in betraying to death one who is innocent." "What does that matter to us?" they replied; it is your business." 40N 27 5 9900 Flinging the shekels into the Sanctuary he left the place, and went and hanged himself. 40N 27 6 9910 When the High Priests had gathered up the money they said, "It is illegal to put it into the Treasury, because it is the price of blood." 40N 27 7 9920 So after consulting together they spent the money in the purchase of the Potter's Field as a burial place for people not belonging to the city; 40N 27 8 9930 for which reason that piece of ground received the name, which it still bears, of `the Field of Blood.' 40N 27 9 9940 Then were fulfilled the words spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah, <"And I took the thirty shekels, the price of the prized one on whom Israelites had set a price, 40N 27 10 9950 and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me."> 40N 27 11 9960 Meanwhile Jesus was brought before the Governor, and the latter put the question, "Are you the King of the Jews?" "I am their King," He answered. 40N 27 12 9970 When however the High Priests and the Elders kept bringing their charges against Him, He said not a word in reply. 40N 27 13 9980 "Do you not hear," asked Pilate, "what a mass of evidence they are bringing against you?" 40N 27 14 9990 But He made no reply to a single accusation, so that the Governor was greatly astonished. 40N 27 15 10000 "Now it was the Governor's custom at the Festival to release some one prisoner, whomsoever the populace desired; 40N 27 16 10010 and at this time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 40N 27 17 10020 So when they were now assembled Pilate appealed to them. "Whom shall I release to you," he said, "Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?" 40N 27 18 10030 For he knew that it was from envious hatred that Jesus had been brought before him. 40N 27 19 10040 While he was sitting on the tribunal a message came to him from his wife. "Have nothing to do with that innocent man," she said, "for during the night I have suffered terribly in a dream through him." 40N 27 20 10050 The High Priests, however, and the Elders urged the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to demand the death of Jesus. 40N 27 21 10060 So when the Governor a second time asked them, "Which of the two shall I release to you?" --they cried, "Barabbas!" 40N 27 22 10070 "What then," said Pilate, "shall I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?" With one voice they shouted, "Let him be crucified!" 40N 27 23 10080 "Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they kept on furiously shouting, "Let him be crucified!" 40N 27 24 10090 So when he saw that he could gain nothing, but that on the contrary there was a riot threatening, he called for water and washed his hands in sight of them all, saying, "I am not responsible for this murder: you must answer for it." 40N 27 25 10100 "His blood," replied all the people, "be on us and on our children!" 40N 27 26 10110 Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he ordered to be scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified. 40N 27 27 10120 Then the Governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and called together the whole battalion to make sport of Him. 40N 27 28 10130 Stripping off His garments, they put on Him a general's short crimson cloak. 40N 27 29 10140 They twisted a wreath of thorny twigs and put it on His head, and they put a sceptre of cane in His right hand, and kneeling to Him they shouted in mockery, "Long live the King of the Jews!" 40N 27 30 10150 Then they spat upon Him, and taking the cane they repeatedly struck Him on the head with it. 40N 27 31 10160 At last, having finished their sport, they took off the cloak, clothed Him again in His own garments, and led Him away for crucifixion. 40N 27 32 10170 Going out they met a Cyrenaean named Simon; whom they compelled to carry His cross, 40N 27 33 10180 and so they came to a place called Golgotha, which means `Skull-ground.' 40N 27 34 10190 Here they gave Him a mixture of wine and gall to drink, but having tasted it He refused to drink it. 40N 27 35 10200 After crucifying Him, they divided His garments among them by lot, 40N 27 36 10210 and sat down there on guard. 40N 27 37 10220 Over His head they placed a written statement of the charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 40N 27 38 10230 At the same time two robbers were crucified with Him, one at His right hand and the other at His left. 40N 27 39 10240 And the passers-by reviled Him. They shook their heads at Him 40N 27 40 10250 and said, "You who would pull down the Sanctuary and build a new one within three days, save yourself. If you are God's Son, come down from the cross." 40N 27 41 10260 In like manner the High Priests also, together with the Scribes and the Elders, taunted Him. 40N 27 42 10270 "He saved others," they said, "himself he cannot save! He is the King of Israel! Let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in him. 40N 27 43 10280 His trust is in God: let God deliver him now, if He will have him; for he said, `I am God's Son.'" 40N 27 44 10290 Insults of the same kind were heaped on Him even by the robbers who were being crucified with Him. 40N 27 45 10300 Now from noon until three o'clock in the afternoon there was darkness over the whole land; 40N 27 46 10310 but about three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, <"Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?"> that is to say, <"My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"> 40N 27 47 10320 "The man is calling for Elijah," said some of the bystanders. 40N 27 48 10330 One of them ran forthwith, and filling a sponge with sour wine put it on the end of a cane and offered it Him to drink; 40N 27 49 10340 while the rest said, "Let us see whether Elijah is coming to deliver him." 40N 27 50 10350 But Jesus uttered another loud cry and then yielded up His spirit. 40N 27 51 10360 Immediately the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom: the earth quaked; the rocks split; 40N 27 52 10370 the tombs opened; and many of God's people who were asleep in death awoke. 40N 27 53 10380 And coming out of their tombs after Christ's resurrection they entered the holy city and showed themselves to many. 40N 27 54 10390 As for the Captain and the soldiers who were with Him keeping guard over Jesus, when they witnessed the earthquake and the other occurrences they were filled with terror, and exclaimed, "Assuredly he was God's Son." 40N 27 55 10400 And there were a number of women there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to His necessities; 40N 27 56 10410 among them being Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zabdi. 40N 27 57 10420 Towards sunset there came a wealthy inhabitant of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself also had become a disciple of Jesus. 40N 27 58 10430 He went to Pilate and begged to have the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 40N 27 59 10440 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean sheet of fine linen. 40N 27 60 10450 He then laid it in his own new tomb which he had hewn in the solid rock, and after rolling a great stone against the door of the tomb he went home. 40N 27 61 10460 Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were both present there, sitting opposite to the sepulchre. 40N 27 62 10470 On the next day, the day after the Preparation, the High Priests and the Pharisees came in a body to Pilate. 40N 27 63 10480 "Sir," they said, "we recollect that during his lifetime that impostor pretended that after two days he was to rise to life again. 40N 27 64 10490 So give orders for the sepulchre to be securely guarded till the third day, for fear his disciples should come by night and steal the body, and then tell the people that he has come back to life; and so the last imposture will be more serious than the first." 40N 27 65 10500 "You can have a guard," said Pilate: "go and make all safe, as best you can." 40N 27 66 10510 So they went and made the sepulchre secure, sealing the stone besides setting the guard. 40N 28 1 10520 After the Sabbath, in the early dawn of the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary came to see the sepulchre. 40N 28 2 10530 But to their amazement there had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord had descended from Heaven, and had come and rolled back the stone, and was sitting upon it. 40N 28 3 10540 His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. 40N 28 4 10550 For fear of him the guards trembled violently, and became like dead men. 40N 28 5 10560 But the angel said to the women, "As for you, dismiss your fears. I know that it is Jesus that you are looking for--the crucified One. 40N 28 6 10570 He is not here: He has come back to life, as He foretold. Come and see the place where He lay. 40N 28 7 10580 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead and is going before you into Galilee: there you shall see Him. Remember, I have told you." 40N 28 8 10590 They quickly left the tomb and ran, still terrified but full of unspeakable joy, to carry the news to His disciples. 40N 28 9 10600 And then suddenly they saw Jesus coming to meet them. "Peace be to you," He said. And they came and clasped His feet, bowing to the ground before Him. 40N 28 10 10610 Then He said, "Dismiss all fear! Go and take word to my brethren to go into Galilee, and there they shall see me." 40N 28 11 10620 While they went on this errand, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the High Priests every detail of what had happened. 40N 28 12 10630 So the latter held a conference with the Elders, and after consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers, 40N 28 13 10640 telling them to say, "His disciples came during the night and stole his body while we were asleep." 40N 28 14 10650 "And if this," they added, "is reported to the Governor, we will satisfy him and screen you from punishment." 40N 28 15 10660 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this story was noised about among the Jews, and is current to this day. 40N 28 16 10670 As for the eleven disciples, they proceeded into Galilee, to the hill where Jesus had arranged to meet them. 40N 28 17 10680 There they saw Him and prostrated themselves before Him. Yet some doubted. 40N 28 18 10690 Jesus however came near and said to them, "All power in Heaven and over the earth has been given to me. 40N 28 19 10700 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations; baptize them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; 40N 28 20 10710 and teach them to obey every command which I have given you. And remember, I am with you always, day by day, until the Close of the Age." 41N 1 1 10720 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ the Son of God. 41N 1 2 10730 As it is written in Isaiah the Prophet, <"See, I am sending My messenger before Thee, Who will prepare Thy way"; 41N 1 3 10740 "The voice of one crying aloud: `In the Desert prepare a road for the Lord: Make His highways straight.'"> 41N 1 4 10750 So John the Baptizer came, and was in the Desert proclaiming a baptism of the penitent for forgiveness of sins. 41N 1 5 10760 There went out to him people of all classes from Judaea, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem of all ranks, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, making open confession of their sins. 41N 1 6 10770 As for John, his garment was of camel's hair, and he wore a loincloth of leather; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 41N 1 7 10780 His announcement was, "There is One coming after me mightier than I--One whose sandal-strap I am unworthy to stoop down and unfasten. 41N 1 8 10790 I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 41N 1 9 10800 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan; 41N 1 10 10810 and immediately on His coming up out of the water He saw an opening in the sky, and the Spirit like a dove coming down to Him; 41N 1 11 10820 and a voice came from the sky, saying, "Thou art My Son dearly loved: in Thee is My delight." 41N 1 12 10830 At once the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the Desert, 41N 1 13 10840 where He remained for forty days, tempted by Satan; and He was among the wild beasts, but the angels waited upon Him. 41N 1 14 10850 Then, after John had been thrown into prison, Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming God's Good News. 41N 1 15 10860 "The time has fully come," He said, "and the Kingdom of God is close at hand: repent, and believe this Good News. 41N 1 16 10870 One day, passing along the shore of the Lake of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, throwing their nets in the Lake; for they were fisherman. 41N 1 17 10880 "Come and follow me," said Jesus, "and I will make you fishers for men." 41N 1 18 10890 At once they left their nets and followed Him. 41N 1 19 10900 Going on a little further He saw James the son of Zabdi and his brother John: they also were in the boat mending the nets, and He immediately called them. 41N 1 20 10910 They therefore left their father Zabdi in the boat with the hired men, and went and followed Him. 41N 1 21 10920 So they came to Capernaum, and on the next Sabbath He went to the synagogue and began to teach. 41N 1 22 10930 The people listened with amazement to His teaching--for there was authority about it: it was very different from that of the Scribes-- 41N 1 23 10940 when all at once, there in their synagogue, a man under the power of a foul spirit screamed out: 41N 1 24 10950 "What have you to do with us, Jesus the Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--God's Holy One." 41N 1 25 10960 But Jesus reprimanded him, saying, "Silence! come out of him." 41N 1 26 10970 So the foul spirit, after throwing the man into convulsions, came out of him with a loud cry. 41N 1 27 10980 And all were amazed and awe-struck, so they began to ask one another, "What does this mean? Here is a new sort of teaching--and a tone of authority! And even to foul spirits he issues orders and they obey him!" 41N 1 28 10990 And His fame spread at once everywhere in all that part of Galilee. 41N 1 29 11000 Then on leaving the synagogue they came at once, with James and John, to the house of Simon and Andrew. 41N 1 30 11010 Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill in bed with a fever, and without delay they informed Him about her. 41N 1 31 11020 So He went to her, and taking her hand He raised her to her feet: the fever left her, and she began to wait upon them. 41N 1 32 11030 When it was evening, after sunset people came bringing Him all who were sick and the demoniacs; 41N 1 33 11040 and the whole town was assembled at the door. 41N 1 34 11050 Then He cured numbers of people who were ill with various diseases, and He drove out many demons; not allowing the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. 41N 1 35 11060 In the morning He rose early, while it was still quite dark, and leaving the house He went away to a solitary place and there prayed. 41N 1 36 11070 And Simon and the others searched everywhere for Him. 41N 1 37 11080 When they found Him they said, "Every one is looking for you." 41N 1 38 11090 "Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns," He replied, "that I may proclaim my Message there also; because for that purpose I came from God." 41N 1 39 11100 And He went through all Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and expelling the demons. 41N 1 40 11110 One day there came a leper to Jesus entreating Him, and pleading on his knees. "If you are willing," he said, "you are able to cleanse me." 41N 1 41 11120 Moved with pity Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. "I am willing," He said; "be cleansed." 41N 1 42 11130 The leprosy at once left him, and he was cleansed. 41N 1 43 11140 Jesus at once sent him away, strictly charging him, 41N 1 44 11150 and saying, "Be careful not to tell any one, but go and show yourself to the Priest, and for your purification present the offerings that Moses appointed as evidence for them." 41N 1 45 11160 But the man, when he went out, began to tell every one and to publish the matter abroad, so that it was no longer possible for Jesus to go openly into any town; but He had to remain outside in unfrequented places, where people came to Him from all parts. 41N 2 1 11170 After some days He entered Capernaum again, and it soon became known that He was at home; 41N 2 2 11180 and such numbers of people came together that there was no longer room for them even round the door. He was speaking His Message to them, 41N 2 3 11190 when there came a party of people bringing a paralytic--four men carrying him. 41N 2 4 11200 Finding themselves unable, however, to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they untiled the roof just over His head, and after clearing an opening they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. 41N 2 5 11210 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are pardoned." 41N 2 6 11220 Now there were some of the Scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts. 41N 2 7 11230 "Why does this man use such words?" they said; "he is blaspheming. Who can pardon sins but One--that is, God?" 41N 2 8 11240 At once perceiving by His spirit that they were reasoning within themselves, Jesus asked them, "Why do you thus argue in your minds? 41N 2 9 11250 Which is easier?--to say to this paralytic, `Your sins are pardoned,' or to say, `Rise, take up your mat, and walk?' 41N 2 10 11260 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to pardon sins" --He turned to the paralytic, and said, 41N 2 11 11270 "To you I say, `Rise, take up your mat and go home.'" 41N 2 12 11280 The man rose, and immediately under the eyes of all took up his mat and went out, so that they were all filled with astonishment, gave the glory to God, and said, "We never saw anything like this." 41N 2 13 11290 Again He went out to the shore of the Lake, and the whole multitude kept coming to Him, and He taught them. 41N 2 14 11300 And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the Toll Office, and said to him, "Follow me." So he rose and followed Him. 41N 2 15 11310 When He was sitting at table in Levi's house, a large number of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners were at table with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many such who habitually followed Him. 41N 2 16 11320 But when the Scribes of the Pharisee sect saw Him eating with the sinners and the tax-gatherers, they said to His disciples, "He is eating and drinking with the tax-gatherers and sinners!" 41N 2 17 11330 Jesus heard the words, and He said, "It is not the healthy who require a doctor, but the sick: I did not come to appeal to the righteous, but to sinners." 41N 2 18 11340 (Now John's disciples and those of the Pharisees were keeping a fast.) And they came and asked Him, "How is it that John's disciples and those of the Pharisees are fasting, and yours are not?" 41N 2 19 11350 "Can a wedding party fast while the bridegroom is among them?" replied Jesus. "So long as they have the bridegroom with them, fasting is impossible. 41N 2 20 11360 But a time will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast. 41N 2 21 11370 No one mends an old garment with a piece of unshrunk cloth. Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away from it--the new from the old--and a worse hole would be made. 41N 2 22 11380 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the wine would burst the skins, and both wine and skins would be lost. New wine needs fresh skins!" 41N 2 23 11390 One Sabbath He was walking through the wheatfields when His disciples began to pluck the ears of wheat as they went. 41N 2 24 11400 So the Pharisees said to Him, "Look! why are they doing what on the Sabbath is unlawful?" 41N 2 25 11410 "Have you never read," Jesus replied, "what David did when the necessity arose and he and his men were hungry: 41N 2 26 11420 how he entered the house of God in the High-priesthood of Abiathar, and ate the Presented Loaves--which none but the priests are allowed to eat--and gave some to his men also?" 41N 2 27 11430 And Jesus said to them: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath; 41N 2 28 11440 so that the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." 41N 3 1 11450 At another time, when He went to the synagogue, there was a man there with one arm shrivelled up. 41N 3 2 11460 They closely watched Him to see whether He would cure him on the Sabbath--so as to have a charge to bring against Him. 41N 3 3 11470 "Come forward," said He to the man with the shrivelled arm. 41N 3 4 11480 Then He asked them, "Are we allowed to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil? to save a life, or to destroy one?" They remained silent. 41N 3 5 11490 Grieved and indignant at the hardening of their hearts, He looked round on them with anger, and said to the man, "Stretch out your arm." He stretched it out, and the arm was completely restored. 41N 3 6 11500 But no sooner had the Pharisees left the synagogue than they held a consultation with the Herodians against Jesus, to devise some means of destroying Him. 41N 3 7 11510 Accordingly Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the Lake, and a vast crowd of people from Galilee followed Him; 41N 3 8 11520 and from Judaea and Jerusalem and Idumaea and from beyond the Jordan and from the district of Tyre and Sidon there came to Him a vast crowd, hearing of all that He was doing. 41N 3 9 11530 So He gave directions to His disciples to keep a small boat in constant attendance on Him because of the throng--to prevent their crushing Him. 41N 3 10 11540 For He had cured many of the people, so that all who had any ailments pressed upon Him, to touch Him. 41N 3 11 11550 And the foul spirits, whenever they saw Him, threw themselves down at His feet, screaming out: "You are the Son of God." 41N 3 12 11560 But He many a time checked them, forbidding them to say who He was. 41N 3 13 11570 Then He went up the hill; and those whom He Himself chose He called, and they came to Him. 41N 3 14 11580 He appointed twelve of them, that they might be with Him, and that He might also send them to proclaim His Message, 41N 3 15 11590 with authority to expel the demons. 41N 3 16 11600 These twelve were Simon (to whom He gave the surname of Peter), 41N 3 17 11610 James the son of Zabdi and John the brother of James (these two He surnamed Boanerges, that is `Sons of Thunder'), 41N 3 18 11620 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananaean, 41N 3 19 11630 and Judas Iscariot, the man who also betrayed Him. 41N 3 20 11640 And He went into a house. But again the crowd assembled, so that there was no opportunity for them even to snatch a meal. 41N 3 21 11650 Hearing of this, His relatives came to seize Him by force, for they said, "He is out of his mind." 41N 3 22 11660 The Scribes, too, who had come down from Jerusalem said, "He has Baal-zebul in him; and it is by the power of the Prince of the demons that he expels the demons." 41N 3 23 11670 So He called them to Him, and using figurative language He appealed to them, saying, "How is it possible for Satan to expel Satan? 41N 3 24 11680 For if civil war breaks out in a kingdom, nothing can make that kingdom last; 41N 3 25 11690 and if a family splits into parties, that family cannot continue. 41N 3 26 11700 So if Satan has risen in arms and has made war upon himself, stand he cannot, but meets his end. 41N 3 27 11710 Nay, no one can go into a strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. 41N 3 28 11720 In solemn truth I tell you that all their sins may be pardoned to the sons of men, and all their blasphemies, however they may have blasphemed; 41N 3 29 11730 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, he remains for ever unabsolved: he is guilty of a sin of the Ages." 41N 3 30 11740 This was because they said, "He is possessed by a foul spirit." 41N 3 31 11750 By this time His mother and His brothers arrive, and standing outside they send a message to Him to call Him. 41N 3 32 11760 Now a crowd was sitting round Him; so they tell Him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, inquiring for you." 41N 3 33 11770 "Who are my mother and my brothers?" He replied. 41N 3 34 11780 And, fixing His eyes on the people who were sitting round Him in a circle, He said, 41N 3 35 11790 "Here are my mother and my brothers. For wherever there is one who has been obedient to God, there is my brother--my sister--and my mother." 41N 4 1 11800 Once more He began to teach by the side of the Lake, and a vast multitude of people came together to listen to Him. He therefore went on board the boat and sat there, a little way from the land; and all the people were on the shore close to the water. 41N 4 2 11810 Then He proceeded to teach them many lessons in figurative language; and in His teaching He said, 41N 4 3 11820 "Listen: the sower goes out to sow. 41N 4 4 11830 As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. 41N 4 5 11840 Some falls on the rocky ground where it finds but little earth, and it shoots up quickly because it has no depth of soil; 41N 4 6 11850 but when the sun is risen, it is scorched, and through having no root it withers away. 41N 4 7 11860 Some, again, falls among the thorns; and the thorns spring up and stifle it, so that it yields no crop. 41N 4 8 11870 But some of the seed falls into good ground, and gives a return: it comes up and increases, and yields thirty, sixty, or a hundred-fold." 41N 4 9 11880 "Listen," He added, "every one who has ears to listen with!" 41N 4 10 11890 When He was alone, the Twelve and the others who were about Him requested Him to explain His figurative language. 41N 4 11 11900 "To you," He replied, "has been entrusted the secret truth concerning the Kingdom of God; but to those others outside your number all this is spoken in figurative language; 41N 4 12 11910 that <"`They may look and look but not see, and listen and listen but not understand, lest perchance they should return and be pardoned.'"> 41N 4 13 11920 "Do you all miss the meaning of this parable?" He added; "how then will you understand the rest of my parables?" 41N 4 14 11930 "What the sower sows is the Message. 41N 4 15 11940 Those who receive the seed by the way-side are those in whom the Message is sown, but, when they have heard it, Satan comes at once and carries away the Message sown in them. 41N 4 16 11950 In the same way those who receive the seed on the rocky places are those who, when they have heard the Message, at once accept it joyfully, 41N 4 17 11960 but they have no root within them. They last for a time; then, when suffering or persecution comes because of the Message, they are immediately overthrown. 41N 4 18 11970 Others there are who receive the seed among the thorns: these are they who have heard the Message, 41N 4 19 11980 but worldly cares and the deceitfulness of wealth and the excessive pursuit of other objects come in and stifle the Message, and it becomes unfruitful. 41N 4 20 11990 Those, on the other hand, who have received the seed on the good ground, are all who hear the Message and welcome it, and yield a return of thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold." 41N 4 21 12000 He went on to say, "Is the lamp brought in in order to be put under the bushel or under the bed? Is it not rather in order that it may be placed on the lampstand? 41N 4 22 12010 Why, there is nothing hidden except with a view to its being ultimately disclosed, nor has anything been made a secret but that it may at last come to light. 41N 4 23 12020 Listen, every one who has ears to listen with!" 41N 4 24 12030 He also said to them, "Take care what you hear. With what measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and that with interest. 41N 4 25 12040 For those who have will have more given them; and from those who have not, even what they have will be taken away." 41N 4 26 12050 Another saying of His was this: "The Kingdom of God is as if a man scattered seed over the ground: 41N 4 27 12060 he spends days and nights, now awake, now asleep, while the seed sprouts and grows tall, he knows not how. 41N 4 28 12070 Of itself the land produces the crop-- first the blade, then the ear; afterwards the perfect grain is seen in the ear. 41N 4 29 12080 But no sooner is the crop ripe, than he sends the reapers, because the time of harvest has come." 41N 4 30 12090 Another saying of His was this: "How are we to picture the Kingdom of God? or by what figure of speech shall we represent it? 41N 4 31 12100 It is like a mustard-seed, which, when sown in the earth, is the smallest of all the seeds in the world; 41N 4 32 12110 yet when sown it springs up and becomes larger than all the herbs, and throws out great branches, so that the birds build under its shadow." 41N 4 33 12120 With many such parables He used to speak the Message to them according to their capacity for receiving it. 41N 4 34 12130 But except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them; while to His own disciples He expounded everything, in private. 41N 4 35 12140 The same day, in the evening, He said to them, "Let us cross to the other side." 41N 4 36 12150 So they got away from the crowd, and took Him--as He was--in the boat; and other boats accompanied Him. 41N 4 37 12160 But a heavy squall came on, and the waves were now dashing into the boat, so that it was fast filling. 41N 4 38 12170 But He Himself was in the stern asleep, with His head on the cushion: so they woke Him. "Rabbi," they cried, "is it nothing to you that we are drowning?" 41N 4 39 12180 So He roused Himself and rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" The wind sank, and a perfect calm set in. 41N 4 40 12190 "Why are you so timid?" He asked; "have you still no faith?" 41N 4 41 12200 Then they were filled with terror, and began to say to one another, "Who is this, then? For even wind and sea obey Him." 41N 5 1 12210 So they arrived at the opposite shore of the Lake, in the country of the Gerasenes. 41N 5 2 12220 At once, on His landing, there came from the tombs to meet Him a man possessed by a foul spirit. 41N 5 3 12230 This man lived among the tombs, nor could any one now secure him even with a chain; 41N 5 4 12240 for many a time he had been left securely bound in fetters and chains, but afterwards the chains lay torn link from link, and the fetters in fragments, and there was no one strong enough to master him. 41N 5 5 12250 And constantly, day and night, he remained among the tombs or on the hills, shrieking, and mangling himself with sharp stones. 41N 5 6 12260 And when he saw Jesus in the distance, he ran and threw himself at His feet, 41N 5 7 12270 crying out in a loud voice, "What hast Thou to do with me, Jesus, Son of God Most High? In God's name I implore Thee not to torment me." 41N 5 8 12280 For He had said to him, "Foul spirit, come out of the man." 41N 5 9 12290 Jesus also questioned him. "What is your name?" He said. "Legion," he replied, "for there are a host of us." 41N 5 10 12300 And he earnestly entreated Him not to send them away out of the country. 41N 5 11 12310 Feeding there, on the mountain slope, was a great herd of swine. 41N 5 12 12320 So they besought Jesus. "Send us to the swine," they said, "so that we may enter into them." 41N 5 13 12330 He gave them leave; and the foul spirits came out and entered into the swine, and the herd--about 2,000 in number--rushed headlong down the cliff into the Lake and were drowned in the Lake. 41N 5 14 12340 The swineherds fled, and spread the news in town and country. So the people came to see what it was that had happened; 41N 5 15 12350 and when they came to Jesus, they beheld the demoniac quietly seated, clothed and of sane mind--the man who had had the legion; and they were awe-stricken. 41N 5 16 12360 And those who had seen it told them the particulars of what had happened to the demoniac, and all about the swine. 41N 5 17 12370 Then they began entreating Him to depart from their district. 41N 5 18 12380 As He was embarking, the man who had been possessed asked permission to accompany Him. 41N 5 19 12390 But He would not allow it. "Go home to your family," He said, "and report to them all that the Lord has done for you, and the mercy He has shown you." 41N 5 20 12400 So the man departed, and related publicly everywhere in the Ten Towns all that Jesus had done for him; and all were astonished. 41N 5 21 12410 When Jesus had re-crossed in the boat to the other side, a vast multitude came crowding to Him; and He was on the shore of the Lake, 41N 5 22 12420 when there came one of the Wardens of the Synagogue--he was called Jair--who, on beholding Him, threw himself at His feet, 41N 5 23 12430 and besought Him with many entreaties. "My little daughter," he said, "is at the point of death: I pray you come and lay your hands upon her, that she may recover and live." 41N 5 24 12440 And Jesus went with him. And a dense crowd followed Him, and thronged Him on all sides. 41N 5 25 12450 Now a woman who for twelve years had suffered from haemorrhage, 41N 5 26 12460 and had undergone many different treatments under a number of doctors and had spent all she had without receiving benefit but on the contrary growing worse, 41N 5 27 12470 heard of Jesus. And she came in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak; 41N 5 28 12480 for she said, "If I but touch His clothes, I shall be cured." 41N 5 29 12490 In a moment the flow of her blood ceased, and she felt in herself that her complaint was cured. 41N 5 30 12500 Immediately Jesus, well knowing that healing power had gone from within Him, turned round in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" 41N 5 31 12510 "You see the multitude pressing you on all sides," His disciples exclaimed, "and yet you ask, `Who touched me?'" 41N 5 32 12520 But He continued looking about to see the person who had done this, 41N 5 33 12530 until the woman, frightened and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and threw herself at His feet, and told Him all the truth. 41N 5 34 12540 "Daughter," He said, "your faith has cured you: go in peace, and be free from your complaint." 41N 5 35 12550 While He is yet speaking, men come from the house to the Warden, and say, "Your daughter is dead: why trouble the Rabbi further?" 41N 5 36 12560 But Jesus, overhearing the words, said to the Warden, "Do not be afraid; only have faith." 41N 5 37 12570 And He allowed no one to accompany Him except Peter and the brothers James and John. 41N 5 38 12580 So they come to the Warden's house. Here He gazes on a scene of uproar, with people weeping aloud and wailing. 41N 5 39 12590 He goes in. "Why all this outcry and loud weeping?" He asks; "the child is asleep, not dead." 41N 5 40 12600 To this their reply is a scornful laugh. He, however, puts them all out, takes the child's father and mother and those He has brought with Him, and enters the room where the child lies. 41N 5 41 12610 Then, taking her by the hand, He says to her, "Talitha, koum;" that is to say, "Little girl, I command you to wake!" 41N 5 42 12620 Instantly the little girl rises to her feet and begins to walk (for she was twelve years old). They were at once beside themselves with utter astonishment; 41N 5 43 12630 but He gave strict injunctions that the matter should not be made known, and directed them to give her something to eat. 41N 6 1 12640 Leaving that place He came into His own country, accompanied by His disciples. 41N 6 2 12650 On the Sabbath He proceeded to teach in the synagogue; and many, as they heard Him, were astonished. "Where did he acquire all this?" they asked. "What is this wisdom that has been given to him? And what are these marvellous miracles which his hands perform? 41N 6 3 12660 Is not this the carpenter, Mary's son, the brother of James and Joses, Jude and Simon? And do not his sisters live here among us?" So they turned angrily away. 41N 6 4 12670 But Jesus said to them, "There is no Prophet without honour except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own home." 41N 6 5 12680 And He could not do any miracle there, except that He laid His hands on a few who were out of health and cured them; and 41N 6 6 12690 He wondered at their unbelief. So He went round the adjacent villages, teaching. 41N 6 7 12700 Then summoning the Twelve to Him, He proceeded to send them out by twos, and gave them authority over the foul spirits. 41N 6 8 12710 He charged them to take nothing for the journey except a stick; no bread, no bag, and not a penny in their pockets, 41N 6 9 12720 but to go wearing sandals. "And do not," He said, "put on an extra under garment. 41N 6 10 12730 Wherever you enter a house, make it your home till you leave that place. 41N 6 11 12740 But wherever they will not receive you or listen to you, when you leave shake off the very dust from under your feet to bear witness concerning them." 41N 6 12 12750 So they set out, and preached in order that men might repent. 41N 6 13 12760 Many demons they expelled, and many invalids they anointed with oil and cured. 41N 6 14 12770 King Herod heard of all this (for the name of Jesus had become widely known), and he kept saying, "John the Baptizer has come back to life, and that is why these miraculous Powers are working in him." 41N 6 15 12780 Others asserted that He was Elijah. Others again said, "He is a Prophet, like one of the great Prophets." 41N 6 16 12790 But when Herod heard of Him, he said, "The John, whom I beheaded, has come back to life." 41N 6 17 12800 For Herod himself had sent and had had John arrested and had kept him in prison in chains, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. 41N 6 18 12810 For John had repeatedly told Herod, "You have no right to be living with your brother's wife." 41N 6 19 12820 Therefore Herodias hated him and wished to take his life, but could not; 41N 6 20 12830 for Herod stood in awe of John, knowing him to be an upright and holy man, and he protected him. After listening to him he was in great perplexity, and yet he found a pleasure in listening. 41N 6 21 12840 At length Herodias found her opportunity. Herod on his birthday gave a banquet to the nobles of his court and to the tribunes and the principal people in Galilee, 41N 6 22 12850 at which Herodias's own daughter came in and danced, and so charmed Herod and his guests that he said to her, "Ask me for anything you please, and I will give it to you." 41N 6 23 12860 He even swore to her, "Whatever you ask me for I will give you, up to half my kingdom." 41N 6 24 12870 She at once went out and said to her mother: "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptizer," she replied. 41N 6 25 12880 The girl immediately came in, in haste, to the King and made her request. "My desire is," she said, "that you will give me, here and now, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist." 41N 6 26 12890 Then the King, though intensely sorry, yet for the sake of his oaths, and of his guests, would not break faith with her. 41N 6 27 12900 He at once sent a soldier of his guard with orders to bring John's head. So he went and beheaded him in the prison, 41N 6 28 12910 and brought his head on a dish and gave it to the young girl, who gave it to her mother. 41N 6 29 12920 When John's disciples heard of it, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb. 41N 6 30 12930 When the Apostles had re-assembled round Jesus, they reported to Him all they had done and all they had taught. 41N 6 31 12940 Then He said to them, "Come away, all of you, to a quiet place, and rest awhile." For there were many coming and going, so that they had no time even for meals. 41N 6 32 12950 Accordingly they sailed away in the boat to a solitary place apart. 41N 6 33 12960 But the people saw them going, and many knew them; and coming by land they ran together there from all the neighbouring towns, and arrived before them. 41N 6 34 12970 So when Jesus landed, He saw a vast multitude; and His heart was moved with pity for them, because they were like sheep which have no shepherd, and He proceeded to teach them many things. 41N 6 35 12980 By this time it was late; so His disciples came to Him, and said, "This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late: 41N 6 36 12990 send them away that they may go to the farms and villages near here and buy themselves something to eat." 41N 6 37 13000 "Give them food yourselves," He replied. "Are we," they asked, "to go and buy two hundred shillings' worth of bread and give them food?" 41N 6 38 13010 "How many loaves have you?" He inquired; "go and see." So they found out, and said, "Five; and a couple of fish." 41N 6 39 13020 So He directed them to make all sit down in companies on the green grass. 41N 6 40 13030 And they sat down in rows of hundreds and of fifties. 41N 6 41 13040 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and lifting His eyes to Heaven He blessed the food. Then He broke the loaves into portions which He went on handing to the disciples to distribute; giving pieces also of the two fish to them all. 41N 6 42 13050 All ate and were fully satisfied. 41N 6 43 13060 And they carried away broken portions enough to fill twelve baskets, besides pieces of the fish. 41N 6 44 13070 Those who ate the bread were 5,000 adult men. 41N 6 45 13080 Immediately afterwards He made His disciples go on board the boat and cross over to Bethsaida, leaving Him behind to dismiss the crowd. 41N 6 46 13090 He then bade the people farewell, and went away up the hill to pray. 41N 6 47 13100 When evening was come, the boat was half way across the Lake, while he Himself was on shore alone. 41N 6 48 13110 But when He saw them distressed with rowing (for the wind was against them), towards morning He came towards them walking on the Lake, as if intending to pass them. 41N 6 49 13120 They saw Him walking on the water, and thinking that it was a spirit they cried out; 41N 6 50 13130 for they all saw Him and were terrified. He, however, immediately spoke to them. "There is no danger," He said; "it is I; be not alarmed." 41N 6 51 13140 Then He went up to them on board the boat, and the wind lulled; and they were beside themselves with silent amazement. 41N 6 52 13150 For they had not learned the lesson taught by the loaves, but their minds were dull. 41N 6 53 13160 Having crossed over they drew to land in Gennesaret and came to anchor. 41N 6 54 13170 But no sooner had they gone ashore than the people immediately recognized Him. 41N 6 55 13180 Then they scoured the whole district, and began to bring Him the sick on their mats wherever they heard He was. 41N 6 56 13190 And enter wherever He might--village or town or hamlet--they laid their sick in the open places, and entreated Him to let them touch were it but the tassel of His robe; and all, whoever touched Him, were restored to health. 41N 7 1 13200 Then the Pharisees, with certain Scribes who had come from Jerusalem, came to Him in a body. 41N 7 2 13210 They had noticed that some of His disciples were eating their food with `unclean' (that is to say, unwashed) hands. 41N 7 3 13220 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews--being, as they are, zealous for the traditions of the Elders--never eat without first carefully washing their hands, 41N 7 4 13230 and when they come from market they will not eat without bathing first; and they have a good many other customs which they have received traditionally and cling to, such as the rinsing of cups and pots and of bronze utensils, and the washing of beds.) 41N 7 5 13240 So the Pharisees and Scribes put the question to Him: "Why do your disciples transgress the traditions of the Elders, and eat their food with unclean hands?" 41N 7 6 13250 "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites," He replied; "as it is written, <"`This People honour Me with their lips, while their hearts are far away from Me: 41N 7 7 13260 But idle is their devotion while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'> 41N 7 8 13270 "You neglect God's Commandment: you hold fast to men's traditions." 41N 7 9 13280 "Praiseworthy indeed!" He added, "to set at nought God's Commandment in order to observe your own traditions! 41N 7 10 13290 For Moses said, <`Honour thy father and thy mother'> and again, <`He who curses father or mother, let him die the death.'> 41N 7 11 13300 But *you* say, `If a man says to his father or mother, It is a Korban (that is, a thing devoted to God), whatever it is, which otherwise you would have received from me--' 41N 7 12 13310 And so you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or mother, 41N 7 13 13320 thus nullifying God's precept by your tradition which you have handed down. And many things of that kind you do." 41N 7 14 13330 Then Jesus called the people to Him again. "Listen to me, all of you," He said, "and understand. 41N 7 15 13340 There is nothing outside a man which entering him can make him unclean; but it is the things which come out of a man that make him unclean." 41N 7 16 13350 [] 41N 7 17 13360 After He had left the crowd and gone indoors, His disciples began to ask Him about this figure of speech. 41N 7 18 13370 "Have *you* also so little understanding?" He replied; "do you not understand that anything whatever that enters a man from outside cannot make him unclean, 41N 7 19 13380 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and passes away ejected from him?" By these words Jesus pronounced all kinds of food clean. 41N 7 20 13390 "What comes out of a man," He added, "that it is which makes him unclean. 41N 7 21 13400 For from within, out of men's hearts, their evil purposes proceed--fornication, theft, murder, adultery, 41N 7 22 13410 covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, reviling, pride, reckless folly: 41N 7 23 13420 all these wicked things come out from within and make a man unclean." 41N 7 24 13430 Then He rose and left that place and went into the neighbourhood of Tyre and Sidon. Here He entered a house and wished no one to know it, but He could not escape observation. 41N 7 25 13440 Forthwith a woman whose little daughter was possessed by a foul spirit heard of Him, and came and flung herself at His feet. 41N 7 26 13450 She was a Gentile woman, a Syro-phoenician by nation: and again and again she begged Him to expel the demon from her daughter. 41N 7 27 13460 "Let the children first eat all they want," He said; "it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 41N 7 28 13470 "True, Sir," she replied, "and yet the dogs under the table eat the children's scraps." 41N 7 29 13480 "For those words of yours, go home," He replied; "the demon has gone out of your daughter." 41N 7 30 13490 So she went home, and found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. 41N 7 31 13500 Returning from the neighbourhood of Tyre, He came by way of Sidon to the Lake of Galilee, passing through the district of the Ten Towns. 41N 7 32 13510 Here they brought to Him a deaf man that stammered, on whom they begged Him to lay His hands. 41N 7 33 13520 So Jesus taking him aside, apart from the crowd, put His fingers into his ears, and spat, and moistened his tongue; 41N 7 34 13530 and looking up to Heaven He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" (that is, "Open!") 41N 7 35 13540 And the man's ears were opened, and his tongue became untied, and he began to speak perfectly. 41N 7 36 13550 Then Jesus charged them to tell no one; but the more He charged them, all the more did they spread the news far and wide. 41N 7 37 13560 The amazement was extreme. "He succeeds in everything he attempts," they exclaimed; "he even makes deaf men hear and dumb men speak!" 41N 8 1 13570 About that time there was again an immense crowd, and they found themselves with nothing to eat. So He called His disciples to Him. 41N 8 2 13580 "My heart yearns over the people," He said; "for this is now the third day they have remained with me, and they have nothing to eat. 41N 8 3 13590 If I were to send them home hungry, they would faint on the way, some of them having come a great distance." 41N 8 4 13600 "Where can we possibly get bread here in this remote place to satisfy such a crowd?" answered His disciples. 41N 8 5 13610 "How many loaves have you?" He asked. "Seven," they said. 41N 8 6 13620 So He passed the word to the people to sit down on the ground. Then taking the seven loaves He blessed them, and broke them into portions and proceeded to give them to His disciples for them to distribute, and they distributed them to the people. 41N 8 7 13630 They had also a few small fish. He blessed them, and He told His disciples to distribute these also. 41N 8 8 13640 So the people ate an abundant meal; and what remained over they picked up and carried away--seven hampers of broken pieces. 41N 8 9 13650 The number fed were about 4,000. Then He sent them away, 41N 8 10 13660 and at once going on board with His disciples He came into the district of Dalmanutha. 41N 8 11 13670 The Pharisees followed Him and began to dispute with Him, asking Him for a sign in the sky, to make trial of Him. 41N 8 12 13680 Heaving a deep and troubled sigh, He said, "Why do the men of to-day ask for a sign? In solemn truth I tell you that no sign will be given to the men of to-day." 41N 8 13 13690 So He left them, went on board again, and came away to the other side. 41N 8 14 13700 Now they had forgotten to take bread, nor had they more than a single loaf with them in the boat; 41N 8 15 13710 and when He admonished them, "See to it, be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod," 41N 8 16 13720 they explained His words to one another by saying, "We have no bread!" 41N 8 17 13730 He perceived what they were saying, and He said to them, "What is this discussion of yours about having no bread? Do you not yet see and understand? Are your minds so dull of comprehension? 41N 8 18 13740 <You have eyes! can you not see? You have ears! can you not hear?> and have you no memory? 41N 8 19 13750 When I broke up the five loaves for the 5,000 men, how many baskets did you carry away full of broken portions?" "Twelve," they said. 41N 8 20 13760 "And when the seven for the 4,000, how many hampers full of portions did you take away?" "Seven," they answered. 41N 8 21 13770 "Do you not yet understand?" He said. 41N 8 22 13780 And they came to Bethsaida. And a blind man was brought to Jesus and they entreated Him to touch him. 41N 8 23 13790 So He took the blind man by the arm and brought him out of the village, and spitting into his eyes He put His hands on him and asked him, "Can you see anything?" 41N 8 24 13800 He looked up and said, "I can see the people: I see them like trees--only walking." 41N 8 25 13810 Then for the second time He put His hands on the man's eyes, and the man, looking steadily, recovered his sight and saw everything distinctly. 41N 8 26 13820 So He sent him home, and added, "Do not even go into the village." 41N 8 27 13830 From that place Jesus and His disciples went to the villages belonging to Caesarea Philippi. On the way He began to ask His disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" 41N 8 28 13840 "John the Baptist," they replied, "but others say Elijah, and others, that it is one of the Prophets." 41N 8 29 13850 Then He asked them pointedly, "But you yourselves, who do you say that I am?" "You are the Christ," answered Peter. 41N 8 30 13860 And He strictly forbad them to tell this about Him to any one. 41N 8 31 13870 And now for the first time He told them, "The Son of Man must endure much suffering, and be rejected by the Elders and the High Priests and the Scribes, and be put to death, and after two days rise to life." 41N 8 32 13880 This He told them plainly; whereupon Peter took Him and began to remonstrate with Him. 41N 8 33 13890 But turning round and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Adversary," He said, "for your thoughts are not God's thoughts, but men's." 41N 8 34 13900 Then calling to Him the crowd and also His disciples, He said to them, "If any one is desirous of following me, let him ignore self and take up his cross, and so be my follower. 41N 8 35 13910 For whoever is bent on securing his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, will secure it. 41N 8 36 13920 Why, what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 41N 8 37 13930 For what could a man give to buy back his life? 41N 8 38 13940 Every one, however, who has been ashamed of me and of my teachings in this faithless and sinful age, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in His Father's glory with the holy angels." 41N 9 1 13950 He went on to say, "In solemn truth I tell you that some of those who are standing here will certainly not taste death till they have seen the Kingdom of God already come in power." 41N 9 2 13960 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and brought them alone, apart from the rest, up a high mountain; and in their presence His appearance underwent a change. 41N 9 3 13970 His garments also became dazzling with brilliant whiteness--such whiteness as no bleaching on earth could give. 41N 9 4 13980 Moreover there appeared to them Elijah accompanied by Moses; and the two were conversing with Jesus, 41N 9 5 13990 when Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, we are thankful to you that we are here. Let us put up three tents--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 41N 9 6 14000 For he knew not what to say: they were filled with such awe. 41N 9 7 14010 Then there came a cloud spreading over them, and a voice issued from the cloud, "This is my Son, dearly loved: listen to Him." 41N 9 8 14020 Instantly they looked round, and now they could no longer see any one, but themselves and Jesus. 41N 9 9 14030 As they were coming down from the mountain, He very strictly forbad them to tell any one what they had seen "until after the Son of Man has risen from among the dead." 41N 9 10 14040 So they kept the matter to themselves, although frequently asking one another what was meant by the rising from the dead. 41N 9 11 14050 They also asked Him, "How is it that the Scribes say that Elijah must first come?" 41N 9 12 14060 "Elijah," He replied, "does indeed come first and reforms everything; but how is it that it is written of the Son of Man that He will endure much suffering and be held in contempt? 41N 9 13 14070 Yet I tell you that not only has Elijah come, but they have also done to him whatever they chose, as the Scriptures say about him." 41N 9 14 14080 As they came to rejoin the disciples, they saw an immense crowd surrounding them and a party of Scribes disputing with them. 41N 9 15 14090 Immediately the whole multitude on beholding Him were astonished and awe-struck, and yet they ran forward and greeted Him. 41N 9 16 14100 "What is the subject you are discussing?" He asked them. 41N 9 17 14110 "Rabbi," answered one of the crowd, "I have brought you my son. He has a dumb spirit in him; 41N 9 18 14120 and wherever it comes upon him, it dashes him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth, and he is pining away. I begged your disciples to expel it, but they had not the power." 41N 9 19 14130 "O unbelieving generation!" replied Jesus; "how long must I be with you? how long must I have patience with you? Bring the boy to me." 41N 9 20 14140 So they brought him to Jesus. And the spirit, when he saw Jesus, immediately threw the youth into convulsions, so that he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 41N 9 21 14150 Then Jesus asked the father, "How long has he been like this?" "From early childhood," he said; 41N 9 22 14160 "and often it has thrown him into the fire or into pools of water to destroy him. But, if you possibly can, have pity on us and help us." 41N 9 23 14170 "`If I possibly can!'" replied Jesus; "why, everything is possible to him who believes." 41N 9 24 14180 Immediately the father cried out, "I do believe: strengthen my weak faith." 41N 9 25 14190 Then Jesus, seeing that an increasing crowd was running towards Him, rebuked the foul spirit, and said to it, "Dumb and deaf spirit, *I* command you, come out of him and never enter into him again." 41N 9 26 14200 So with a loud cry he threw the boy into fit after fit, and came out. The boy looked as if he were dead, so that most of them said he was dead; 41N 9 27 14210 but Jesus took his hand and raised him up, and he stood on his feet. 41N 9 28 14220 After the return of Jesus to the house His disciples asked Him privately, "How is it that we could not expel the spirit?" 41N 9 29 14230 "An evil spirit of this kind," He answered, "can only be driven out by prayer." 41N 9 30 14240 Departing thence they passed through Galilee, and He was unwilling that any one should know it; 41N 9 31 14250 for He was teaching His disciples, and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will put Him to death; and after being put to death, in three days He will rise to life again." 41N 9 32 14260 They, however, did not understand what He meant, and were afraid to question Him. 41N 9 33 14270 So they came to Capernaum; and when in the house He asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" 41N 9 34 14280 But they remained silent; for on the way they had debated with one another who was the chief of them. 41N 9 35 14290 Then sitting down He called the Twelve, and said to them, "If any one wishes to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." 41N 9 36 14300 And taking a young child He made him stand in their midst, then threw His arms round him and said, 41N 9 37 14310 "Whoever for my sake receives one such young child as this, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not so much me as Him who sent me." 41N 9 38 14320 "Rabbi," said John to Him, "we saw a man making use of your name to expel demons, and we tried to hinder him, on the ground that he did not follow us." 41N 9 39 14330 "You should not have tried to hinder him," replied Jesus, "for there is no one who will use my name to perform a miracle and be able the next minute to speak evil of me. 41N 9 40 14340 He who is not against us is for us; 41N 9 41 14350 and whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, I solemnly tell you that he will certainly not lose his reward. 41N 9 42 14360 "And whoever shall occasion the fall of one of these little ones who believe, he would be better off if, with a millstone round his neck, he were lying at the bottom of the sea. 41N 9 43 14370 If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off: it would be better for you to enter into Life maimed, than remain in possession of both your hands and go away into Gehenna, into the fire which cannot be put out. 41N 9 44 14380 [] 41N 9 45 14390 Or if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off: it would be better for you to enter into Life crippled, than remain in possession of both your feet and be thrown into Gehenna. 41N 9 46 14400 [] 41N 9 47 14410 Or if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out. It would be better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God half-blind than remain in possession of two eyes and be thrown into Gehenna, 41N 9 48 14420 where <their worm does not die and the fire does not go out.> 41N 9 49 14430 Every one, however, will be salted with fire. 41N 9 50 14440 Salt is a good thing, but if the salt should become tasteless, what will you use to give it saltness? Have salt within you and live at peace with one another." 41N 10 1 14450 Soon on His feet once more, He enters the district of Judaea and crosses the Jordan: again the people flock to Him, and ere long, as was usual with Him, He was teaching them once more. 41N 10 2 14460 Presently a party of Pharisees come to Him with the question--seeking to entrap Him, "May a man divorce his wife?" 41N 10 3 14470 "What rule did Moses lay down for you?" He answered. 41N 10 4 14480 "Moses," they said, "permitted a man to draw up a written notice of divorce, and to send his wife away." 41N 10 5 14490 "It was in consideration of your stubborn hearts," said Jesus, "that Moses enacted this law for you; 41N 10 6 14500 but from the beginning of the creation the rule was, <`Male and female did God make them. 41N 10 7 14510 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cling to his wife, 41N 10 8 14520 and the two shall be one';> so that they are two no longer, but <`one.'> 41N 10 9 14530 What, therefore, God has joined together let not man separate." 41N 10 10 14540 Indoors the disciples began questioning Jesus again on the same subject. 41N 10 11 14550 He replied, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman, commits adultery against the first wife; 41N 10 12 14560 and if a woman puts away her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." 41N 10 13 14570 One day people were bringing young children to Jesus for Him to touch them, but the disciples interfered. 41N 10 14 14580 Jesus, however, on seeing this, was moved to indignation, and said to them, "Let the little children come to me: do not hinder them; for to those who are childlike the Kingdom of God belongs. 41N 10 15 14590 In solemn truth I tell you that no one who does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will by any possibility enter it." 41N 10 16 14600 Then He took them in His arms and blessed them lovingly, one by one, laying His hands upon them. 41N 10 17 14610 As He went out to resume His journey, there came a man running up to Him, who knelt at His feet and asked, "Good Rabbi, what am I to do in order to inherit the Life of the Ages?" 41N 10 18 14620 "Why do you call me good?" asked Jesus in reply; "there is no one truly good except One--that is, God. 41N 10 19 14630 You know the Commandments--<`Do not murder;' `Do not commit adultery;' `Do not steal;' `Do not lie in giving evidence;' `Do not defraud;' `Honour thy father and thy mother.'"> 41N 10 20 14640 "Rabbi," he replied, "all these Commandments I have carefully obeyed from my youth." 41N 10 21 14650 Then Jesus looked at him and loved him, and said, "One thing is lacking in you: go, sell all you possess and give the proceeds to the poor, and you shall have riches in Heaven; and come and be a follower of mine." 41N 10 22 14660 At these words his brow darkened, and he went away sad; for he was possessed of great wealth. 41N 10 23 14670 Then looking round on His disciples Jesus said, "With how hard a struggle will the possessors of riches enter the Kingdom of God!" 41N 10 24 14680 The disciples were amazed at His words. Jesus, however, said again, "Children, how hard a struggle is it for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God! 41N 10 25 14690 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." 41N 10 26 14700 They were astonished beyond measure, and said to one another, "Who then *can* be saved?" 41N 10 27 14710 Jesus looking on them said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for everything is possible with God." 41N 10 28 14720 "Remember," said Peter to Him, "that we forsook everything and have become your followers." 41N 10 29 14730 "In solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that there is no one who has forsaken house or brothers or sisters, or mother or father, or children or lands, for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, 41N 10 30 14740 but will receive a hundred times as much now in this present life--houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, lands--and persecution with them--and in the coming age the Life of the Ages. 41N 10 31 14750 But many who are now first will be last, and the last, first." 41N 10 32 14760 They were still on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were full of wonder, and some, though they followed, did so with fear. Then, once more calling to Him the Twelve, He began to tell them what was about to happen to Him. 41N 10 33 14770 "See," He said, "we are going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the High Priests and the Scribes. They will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles; 41N 10 34 14780 they will insult Him in cruel sport, spit on Him, scourge Him, and put Him to death; but on the third day He will rise to life again." 41N 10 35 14790 Then James and John, the sons of Zabdi, came up to Him and said, "Rabbi, we wish you would grant us whatever request we make of you." 41N 10 36 14800 "What would you have me do for you?" He asked. 41N 10 37 14810 "Allow us," they replied, "to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left hand, in your glory." 41N 10 38 14820 "You know not," said He, "what you are asking. Are you able to drink out of the cup from which I am to drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am to be baptized?" 41N 10 39 14830 "We are able," they replied. "Out of the cup," said Jesus, "from which I am to drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I am to be baptized you shall be baptized; 41N 10 40 14840 but as to sitting at my right hand or at my left, that is not mine to give: it will be for those for whom it is reserved." 41N 10 41 14850 The other ten, hearing of it, were at first highly indignant with James and John. 41N 10 42 14860 Jesus, however, called them to Him and said to them, "You are aware how those who are deemed rulers among the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men make them feel their authority; 41N 10 43 14870 but it is not to be so among you. No, whoever desires to be great among you must be your servant; 41N 10 44 14880 and whoever desires to be first among you must be the bondservant of all. 41N 10 45 14890 For the Son of Man also did not come to be waited upon, but to wait on others, and to give His life as the redemption-price for a multitude of people." 41N 10 46 14900 They came to Jericho; and as He was leaving that town--Himself and His disciples and a great crowd--Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the way-side. 41N 10 47 14910 Hearing that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, "Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me." 41N 10 48 14920 Many angrily told him to leave off shouting; but he only cried out all the louder, "Son of David, have pity on me." 41N 10 49 14930 Then Jesus stood still. "Call him," He said. So they called the blind man. "Cheer up," they said; "rise, he is calling you." 41N 10 50 14940 The man flung away his outer garment, sprang to his feet, and came to Jesus. 41N 10 51 14950 "What shall I do for you?" said Jesus. "Rabboni," replied the blind man, "let me recover my sight." 41N 10 52 14960 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has cured you." Instantly he regained his sight, and followed Him along the road. 41N 11 1 14970 When they were getting near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples on in front, with these instructions. 41N 11 2 14980 "Go," He said, "to the village facing you, and immediately on entering it you will find an ass's foal tied up which no one has ever yet ridden: untie him and bring him here. 41N 11 3 14990 And if any one asks you, `Why are you doing that?' say, `The Master needs it, and will send it back here without delay.'" 41N 11 4 15000 So they went and found a young ass tied up at the front door of a house. They were untying it, 41N 11 5 15010 when some of the bystanders called out, "What are you doing, untying the foal?" 41N 11 6 15020 But on their giving the answer that Jesus had bidden them give, they let them take it. 41N 11 7 15030 So they brought the foal to Jesus, and threw their outer garments over him; and Jesus mounted. 41N 11 8 15040 Then many spread their outer garments to carpet the road, and others leafy branches which they had cut down in the fields; 41N 11 9 15050 while those who led the way and those who followed kept shouting <"God save Him!" Blessed be He who comes in the Lord's name.> 41N 11 10 15060 Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our forefather David! <God in the highest Heavens save Him!"> 41N 11 11 15070 So He came into Jerusalem and into the Temple; and after looking round upon everything there, the hour being now late He went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 41N 11 12 15080 The next day, after they had left Bethany, He was hungry. 41N 11 13 15090 But in the distance He saw a fig-tree in full leaf, and went to see whether perhaps He could find some figs on it. When however He came to it, He found nothing but leaves (for it was not fig time); 41N 11 14 15100 and He said to the tree, "Let no one ever again eat fruit from thee!" And His disciples heard this. 41N 11 15 15110 They reached Jerusalem, and entering the Temple He began to drive out the buyers and sellers, and upset the money-changers' tables and the stools of the pigeon-dealers, 41N 11 16 15120 and would not allow any one to carry anything through the Temple. 41N 11 17 15130 And He remonstrated with them. "Is it not written," He said, <"`My House shall be called The House of Prayer for all the nations?'> But you have made it what it now is--<a robbers' cave."> 41N 11 18 15140 This the High Priests and Scribes heard, and they began to devise means to destroy Him. For they were afraid of Him, because of the deep impression produced on all the people by His teaching. 41N 11 19 15150 When evening came on, Jesus and His disciples used to leave the city. 41N 11 20 15160 In the early morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig-tree withered to the roots; 41N 11 21 15170 and Peter, recollecting, said to Him, "Look, Rabbi, the fig-tree which you cursed is withered up." 41N 11 22 15180 Jesus said to them, "Have faith in God. 41N 11 23 15190 In solemn truth I tell you that if any one shall say to this mountain, `Remove, and hurl thyself into the sea,' and has no doubt about it in his heart, but stedfastly believes that what he says will happen, it shall be granted him. 41N 11 24 15200 That is why I tell you, as to whatever you pray and make request for, if you believe that you have received it it shall be yours. 41N 11 25 15210 But whenever you stand praying, if you have a grievance against any one, forgive it, so that your Father in Heaven may also forgive you your offences." 41N 11 26 15220 [] 41N 11 27 15230 They came again to Jerusalem; and as He was walking in the Temple, the High Priests, Scribes and Elders came to Him 41N 11 28 15240 and asked, "By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you authority to do them?" 41N 11 29 15250 "And I will put a question to you," replied Jesus; "answer me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 41N 11 30 15260 John's Baptism--was it of Heavenly or of human origin? Answer me." 41N 11 31 15270 So they debated the matter with one another. "Suppose we say, `Heavenly,'" they argued, "he will ask, `Why then did you not believe him?' 41N 11 32 15280 Or should we say, `human?'" They were afraid of the people; for all agreed in holding John to have been really a Prophet. 41N 11 33 15290 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," said Jesus, "by what authority I do these things." 41N 12 1 15300 Then He began to speak to them in figurative language. "There was once a man," He said, "who planted a vineyard, fenced it round, dug a pit for the wine-tank, and built a strong lodge. Then he let the place to vine-dressers and went abroad. 41N 12 2 15310 At vintage-time he sent one of his servants to receive from the vine-dressers a share of the grapes. 41N 12 3 15320 But they seized him, beat him cruelly and sent him away empty-handed. 41N 12 4 15330 Again he sent to them another servant: and as for him, they wounded him in the head and treated him shamefully. 41N 12 5 15340 Yet a third he sent, and him they killed. And he sent many besides, and them also they ill-treated, beating some and killing others. 41N 12 6 15350 He had still one left whom he could send, a dearly-loved son: him last of all he sent, saying, "`They will treat my son with respect.' 41N 12 7 15360 "But those men--the vine-dressers--said to one another, "`Here is the heir: come, let us kill him, and then the property will one day be ours.' 41N 12 8 15370 "So they took him and killed him, and flung his body outside the vineyard. 41N 12 9 15380 What, therefore, will the owner of the vineyard do?" "He will come and put the vine-dressers to death," they said; "and will give the vineyard to others." 41N 12 10 15390 "Have you not read even this passage," He added, <"`The stone which the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone: 41N 12 11 15400 this Cornerstone came from the Lord, and is wonderful in our esteem?'"> 41N 12 12 15410 And they kept looking out for an opportunity to seize Him, but were afraid of the people; for they saw that in this parable He had referred to *them*. So they left Him and went away. 41N 12 13 15420 Their next step was to send to Him some of the Pharisees and of Herod's partisans to entrap Him in conversation. 41N 12 14 15430 So they came to Him. "Rabbi," they said, "we know that you are a truthful man and you do not fear any one; for you do not recognize human distinctions, but teach God's way truly. Is it allowable to pay poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 41N 12 15 15440 Shall we pay, or shall we refuse to pay?" But He, knowing their hypocrisy, replied, "Why try to ensnare me? Bring me a shilling for me to look at." 41N 12 16 15450 They brought one; and He asked them, "Whose is this likeness and this inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. 41N 12 17 15460 "What is Caesar's," replied Jesus, "pay to Caesar--and what is God's, pay to God." And they wondered exceedingly at Him. 41N 12 18 15470 Then came to Him a party of Sadducees, a sect which denies that there is any Resurrection; and they proceeded to question Him. 41N 12 19 15480 "Rabbi," they said, "Moses made it a law for us: <`If a man's brother should die and leave a wife, but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up a family for his brother.'> 41N 12 20 15490 There were once seven brothers, the eldest of whom married a wife, but at his death left no family. 41N 12 21 15500 The second married her, and died, leaving no family; and the third did the same. 41N 12 22 15510 And so did the rest of the seven, all dying childless. Finally the woman also died. 41N 12 23 15520 At the Resurrection whose wife will she be? For they all seven married her." 41N 12 24 15530 "Is not this the cause of your error," replied Jesus--"your ignorance alike of the Scriptures and of the power of God? 41N 12 25 15540 For when they have risen from among the dead, men do not marry and women are not given in marriage, but they are as angels are in Heaven. 41N 12 26 15550 But as to the dead, that they rise to life, have you never read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the Bush, how God said to him, <`I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?'> 41N 12 27 15560 He is not the God of dead, but of living men. You are in grave error." 41N 12 28 15570 Then one of the Scribes, who had heard them disputing and well knew that Jesus had given them an answer to the point, and a forcible one, came forward and asked Him, "Which is the chief of all the Commandments?" 41N 12 29 15580 "The chief Commandment," replied Jesus, "is this: <`Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; 41N 12 30 15590 and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, thy whole mind, and thy whole strength.'> 41N 12 31 15600 "The second is this: <`Thou shalt love thy fellow man as thou lovest thyself.'> "Other Commandment greater than these there is none." 41N 12 32 15610 So the Scribe said to Him, "Rightly, in very truth, Rabbi, have you said that <He stands alone, and there is none but He;> 41N 12 33 15620 and <To love Him with all one's heart, with all one's understanding, and with all one's strength, and to love one's fellow man no less than oneself,> is far better than all our <whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices."> 41N 12 34 15630 Perceiving that the Scribe had answered wisely Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." No one from that time forward ventured to put any question to Him. 41N 12 35 15640 But, while teaching in the Temple, Jesus asked, "How is it the Scribes say that the Christ is a son of David? 41N 12 36 15650 David himself said, taught by the Holy Spirit, <"`The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I have made thy foes a footstool under thy feet.'> 41N 12 37 15660 "David himself calls Him `Lord:' how then can He be his son?" And the mass of people found pleasure in listening to Jesus. 41N 12 38 15670 Moreover in the course of His teaching He said, "Be on your guard against the Scribes who like to walk about in long robes and to be bowed to in places of public resort, 41N 12 39 15680 and to occupy the best seats in the synagogues and at dinner parties, 41N 12 40 15690 and who swallow up the property of widows and then mask their wickedness by making long prayers: these men will receive far heavier punishment." 41N 12 41 15700 Having taken a seat opposite the Treasury, He observed how the people were dropping money into the Treasury, and that many of the wealthy threw in large sums. 41N 12 42 15710 But there came one poor widow and dropped in two farthings, equal in value to a halfpenny. 41N 12 43 15720 So He called His disciples to Him and said, "In solemn truth I tell you that this widow, poor as she is, has thrown in more than all the other contributors to the Treasury; 41N 12 44 15730 for they have all contributed out of what they could well spare, but she out of her need has thrown in all she possessed--all she had to live on." 41N 13 1 15740 As He was leaving the Temple, one of His disciples exclaimed, "Look, Rabbi, what wonderful stones! what wonderful buildings!" 41N 13 2 15750 "You see all these great buildings?" Jesus replied; "not one stone will be left here upon another--not thrown down." 41N 13 3 15760 He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite to the Temple, when Peter, James, John, and Andrew, apart from the others asked Him, 41N 13 4 15770 "Tell us, When will these things be? and what will be the sign when all these predictions are on the point of being fulfilled?" 41N 13 5 15780 So Jesus began to say to them: "Take care that no one misleads you. 41N 13 6 15790 Many will come assuming my name and saying, `I am He;' and they will mislead many. 41N 13 7 15800 But when you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed: come they must, but the End is not yet. 41N 13 8 15810 For <nation will rise in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.> There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These miseries are but like the early pains of childbirth. 41N 13 9 15820 "You yourselves must be on your guard. They will deliver you up to Sanhedrins; you will be brought into synagogues and cruelly beaten; and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to be witnesses to them for me. 41N 13 10 15830 But the proclamation of the Good News must be carried to all the Gentiles before the End comes. 41N 13 11 15840 When however they are marching you along under arrest, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but speak what is given you when the time comes; for it will not be you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 41N 13 12 15850 "Brother will betray brother to be killed, and fathers will betray children; and <children will rise against their parents> and have them put to death. 41N 13 13 15860 You will be objects of universal hatred because you are called by my name, but those who stand firm to the End will be saved. 41N 13 14 15870 "As soon, however, as you see the <Abomination of Desolation> standing where he ought not" --let the reader observe these words--"then let those in Judaea escape to the hills; 41N 13 15 15880 let him who is on the roof not come down and enter the house to fetch anything out of it; 41N 13 16 15890 and let not him who is in the field turn back to pick up his outer garment. 41N 13 17 15900 And alas for the women who at that time are with child or have infants! 41N 13 18 15910 "But pray that it may not come in the winter. 41N 13 19 15920 For those will be times of <suffering the like of which has never been from the first creation of God's world until now,> and assuredly never will be again; 41N 13 20 15930 and but for the fact that the Lord has cut short those days, no one would escape; but for the sake of His own People whom He has chosen for Himself He has cut short the days. 41N 13 21 15940 "At that time if any one says to you, `See, here is the Christ!' or `See, He is there!' do not believe it. 41N 13 22 15950 For <there will rise up> false Christs and false <prophets, displaying signs and prodigies> with a view to lead astray--if indeed that were possible--even God's own People. 41N 13 23 15960 But as for yourselves, be on your guard: I have forewarned you of everything. 41N 13 24 15970 <"At that time,> however, after that <distress, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not shed her light; 41N 13 25 15980 the stars will be seen falling from the firmament, and the forces which are in the heavens will be disordered and disturbed.> 41N 13 26 15990 And then will they see <the Son of Man coming in clouds> with great power and glory. 41N 13 27 16000 Then He will send forth the angels and gather together His chosen People from north, south, east and west, from the remotest parts of the earth and the sky. 41N 13 28 16010 "Learn from the fig-tree the lesson it teaches. As soon as its branch has become soft and it is bursting into leaf, you know that summer is near. 41N 13 29 16020 So also do you, when you see these things happening, be sure that He is near, at your very door. 41N 13 30 16030 I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly not pass away without all these things having first taken place. 41N 13 31 16040 Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my words will not pass away. 41N 13 32 16050 "But as to that day or the exact time no one knows--not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 41N 13 33 16060 Take care, be on the alert, and pray; for you do not know when it will happen. 41N 13 34 16070 It is like a man living abroad who has left his house, and given the management to his servants--to each one his special duty--and has ordered the porter to keep awake. 41N 13 35 16080 Be wakeful therefore, for you know not when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at cock-crow, or at dawn. 41N 13 36 16090 Beware lest He should arrive unexpectedly and find you asleep. 41N 13 37 16100 Moreover, what I say to you I say to all--Be wakeful!" 41N 14 1 16110 It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread, and the High Priests and Scribes were bent on finding how to seize Him by stratagem and put Him to death. 41N 14 2 16120 But they said, "Not on the Festival-day, for fear there should be a riot among the people." 41N 14 3 16130 Now when He was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the Leper, while He was at table, there came a woman with a jar of pure, sweet-scented ointment very costly: she broke the jar and poured the ointment over His head. 41N 14 4 16140 But there were some who said indignantly among themselves, "Why has the ointment been thus wasted? 41N 14 5 16150 For that ointment might have been sold for fifteen pounds or more, and the money have been given to the poor." And they were exceedingly angry with her. 41N 14 6 16160 But Jesus said, "Leave her alone: why are you troubling her? She has done a most gracious act towards me. 41N 14 7 16170 For you always have the poor among you, and whenever you choose you can do acts of kindness to them; but me you have not always. 41N 14 8 16180 What she could she did: she has perfumed my body in preparation for my burial. 41N 14 9 16190 And I solemnly tell you that wherever in the whole world the Good News shall be proclaimed, this which she has done shall also be told in remembrance of her." 41N 14 10 16200 But Judas Iscariot, already mentioned as one of the Twelve, went to the High Priests to betray Jesus to them. 41N 14 11 16210 They gladly listened to his proposal, and promised to give him a sum of money. So he looked out for an opportunity to betray Him. 41N 14 12 16220 On the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread--the day for killing the Passover lamb--His disciples asked Him, "Where shall we go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 41N 14 13 16230 So He sent two of His disciples with instructions, saying, "Go into the city, and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water: follow him, 41N 14 14 16240 and whatever house he enters, tell the master of the house, `The Rabbi asks, Where is my room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?' 41N 14 15 16250 Then he will himself show you a large room upstairs, ready furnished: there make preparation for us." 41N 14 16 16260 So the disciples went out and came to the city, and found everything just as He had told them; and they got the Passover ready. 41N 14 17 16270 When it was evening, He came with the Twelve. 41N 14 18 16280 And while they were at table Jesus said, "I solemnly tell you that one of you will betray me--one who is eating with me." 41N 14 19 16290 They were filled with sorrow, and began asking Him, one by one, "Not I, is it?" 41N 14 20 16300 "It is one of the Twelve," He replied; "he who is dipping his fingers in the dish with me. 41N 14 21 16310 For the Son of Man is going His way as it is written about Him; but alas for the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had been a happy thing for that man, had he never been born." 41N 14 22 16320 Also during the meal He took a Passover biscuit, blessed it, and broke it. He then gave it to them, saying, "Take this, it is my body." 41N 14 23 16330 Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and handed it to them, and they all of them drank from it. 41N 14 24 16340 "This is my blood," He said, "which is to be poured out on behalf of many--the blood which makes the Covenant sure. 41N 14 25 16350 I solemnly tell you that never again will I taste the produce of the vine till I shall drink the new wine in the Kingdom of God." 41N 14 26 16360 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 41N 14 27 16370 Then said Jesus to them, "All of you are about to stumble and fall, for it is written, <`I will strike down the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered in all directions.'> 41N 14 28 16380 But after I have risen to life again I will go before you into Galilee." 41N 14 29 16390 "All may stumble and fall," said Peter, "yet I never will." 41N 14 30 16400 "I solemnly tell you," replied Jesus, "that to-day--this night--before the cock crows twice, you yourself will three times disown me." 41N 14 31 16410 "Even if I must die with you," declared Peter again and again, "I will never disown you." In like manner protested also all the disciples. 41N 14 32 16420 So they came to a place called Gethsemane. There He said to His disciples, "Sit down here till I have prayed." 41N 14 33 16430 Then He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be full of terror and distress, 41N 14 34 16440 and He said to them, "My heart is oppressed with anguish to the very point of death: wait here and keep awake." 41N 14 35 16450 Going forward a short distance He threw Himself upon His face and prayed repeatedly that, if it was possible, He might be spared that time of agony; 41N 14 36 16460 and He said, "Abba! my Father! all things are possible for Thee: take this cup of suffering away from me: and yet not what I desire, but what Thou desirest." 41N 14 37 16470 Then He came and found them asleep, and He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Had you not strength to keep awake a single hour? 41N 14 38 16480 Be wakeful, all of you, and keep on praying, that you may not come into temptation: the spirit is right willing, but the body is frail." 41N 14 39 16490 He again went away and prayed, using the very same words. 41N 14 40 16500 When He returned He again found them asleep, for they were very tired; and they knew not how to answer Him. 41N 14 41 16510 A third time He came, and then He said, "Sleep on and rest. Enough! the hour has come. Even now they are betraying the Son of Man into the hands of sinful men. 41N 14 42 16520 Rouse yourselves, let us be going: my betrayer is close at hand." 41N 14 43 16530 Immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came and with him a crowd of men armed with swords and cudgels, sent by the High Priests and Scribes and Elders. 41N 14 44 16540 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them. "The one I kiss," he said, "is the man: lay hold of him, and take him safely away." 41N 14 45 16550 So he came, and going straight to Jesus he said, "Rabbi!" and kissed Him with seeming affection; 41N 14 46 16560 whereupon they laid hands on Him and held Him firmly. 41N 14 47 16570 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck a blow at the High Priest's servant, cutting off his ear. 41N 14 48 16580 "Have you come out," said Jesus, "with swords and cudgels to arrest me, as if you had to fight with a robber? 41N 14 49 16590 Day after day I used to be among you in the Temple teaching, and you never seized me. But this is happening in order that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.' 41N 14 50 16600 Then His friends all forsook Him and fled. 41N 14 51 16610 One youth indeed did follow Him, wearing only a linen cloth round his bare body. Of him they laid hold, 41N 14 52 16620 but he left the linen cloth in their hands and fled without it. 41N 14 53 16630 So they led Jesus away to the High Priest, and with him there assembled all the High Priests, Elders, and Scribes. 41N 14 54 16640 Peter followed Jesus at a distance, as far as the outer court of the High Priest's palace. But there he remained sitting among the officers, and warming himself by the fire. 41N 14 55 16650 Meanwhile the High Priests and the entire Sanhedrin were endeavouring to get evidence against Jesus in order to put Him to death, but could find none; 41N 14 56 16660 for though many gave false testimony against Him, their statements did not tally. 41N 14 57 16670 Then some came forward as witnesses and falsely declared, 41N 14 58 16680 "We have heard him say, `I will pull down this Sanctuary built by human hands, and three days afterwards I will erect another built without hands.'" 41N 14 59 16690 But not even in this shape was their testimony consistent. 41N 14 60 16700 At last the High Priest stood up, and advancing into the midst of them all, asked Jesus, "Have you no answer to make? What is the meaning of all this that these witnesses allege against you?" 41N 14 61 16710 But He remained silent, and gave no reply. A second time the High Priest questioned Him. "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" he said. 41N 14 62 16720 "I am," replied Jesus, "and you and others will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the divine Power, and coming amid the clouds of the sky." 41N 14 63 16730 Rending his garments the High Priest exclaimed, "What need have we of witnesses after that? 41N 14 64 16740 You all heard his impious words. What is your judgement?" Then with one voice they condemned Him as deserving of death. 41N 14 65 16750 Thereupon some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, while striking Him with their fists and crying, "Prove that you are a prophet." The officers too struck Him with open hands as they took Him in charge. 41N 14 66 16760 Now while Peter was below in the quadrangle, one of the High Priest's maidservants came, 41N 14 67 16770 and seeing Peter warming himself she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the Nazarene." 41N 14 68 16780 But he denied it, and said, "I don't know--I don't understand--What do you mean?" And then he went out into the outer court. Just then a cock crowed. 41N 14 69 16790 Again the maidservant saw him, and again began to say to the people standing by, "He is one of them." 41N 14 70 16800 A second time he repeatedly denied it. Soon afterwards the bystanders again accused Peter, saying, "You are surely one of them, for you too are a Galilaean." 41N 14 71 16810 But he broke out into curses and oaths, declaring, "I know nothing of the man you are talking about." 41N 14 72 16820 No sooner had he spoken than a cock crowed for the second time, and Peter recollected the words of Jesus, "Before the cock crows twice, you will three times disown me." And as he thought of it, he wept aloud. 41N 15 1 16830 At earliest dawn, after the High Priests had held a consultation with the Elders and Scribes, they and the entire Sanhedrin bound Jesus and took Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. 41N 15 2 16840 So Pilate questioned Him. "Are *you* the King of the Jews?" he asked. "I am," replied Jesus. 41N 15 3 16850 Then, as the High Priests went on heaping accusations on Him, 41N 15 4 16860 Pilate again and again asked Him, "Do you make no reply? Listen to the many charges they are bringing against you." 41N 15 5 16870 But Jesus made no further answer: so that Pilate wondered. 41N 15 6 16880 Now at the Festival it was customary for Pilate to release to the Jews any one prisoner whom they might beg off from punishment; 41N 15 7 16890 and at this time a man named Barabbas was in prison among the insurgents--persons who in the insurrection had committed murder. 41N 15 8 16900 So the people came crowding up, asking Pilate to grant them the usual favour. 41N 15 9 16910 "Shall I release for you the King of the Jews?" answered Pilate. 41N 15 10 16920 For he could see that it was out of sheer spite that the High Priests had handed Him over. 41N 15 11 16930 But the High Priests urged on the crowd to obtain Barabbas's release in preference; 41N 15 12 16940 and when Pilate again asked them, "What then shall I do to the man you call King of the Jews?" 41N 15 13 16950 they once more shouted out, "Crucify Him!" 41N 15 14 16960 "Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they vehemently shouted, "Crucify Him!" 41N 15 15 16970 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the mob, released Barabbas for them, and after scourging Jesus handed Him over for crucifixion. 41N 15 16 16980 Then the soldiers led Him away into the court of the Palace (the Praetorium), and calling together the whole battalion 41N 15 17 16990 they arrayed Him in crimson, placed on His head a wreath of thorny twigs which they had twisted, 41N 15 18 17000 and went on to salute Him with shouts of "Long live the King of the Jews." 41N 15 19 17010 Then they began to beat Him on the head with a cane, to spit on Him, and to do Him homage on bended knees. 41N 15 20 17020 At last, having finished their sport, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. 41N 15 21 17030 One Simon, a Cyrenaean, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing along, coming from the country: him they compelled to carry His cross. 41N 15 22 17040 So they brought Him to the place called Golgotha, which, being translated, means `Skull-ground.' 41N 15 23 17050 Here they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He refused it. 41N 15 24 17060 Then they crucified Him. This done, they divided His garments among them, drawing lots to decide what each should take. 41N 15 25 17070 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified Him. 41N 15 26 17080 Over His head was the notice in writing of the charge against Him: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 41N 15 27 17090 And together with Jesus they crucified two robbers, one at His right hand and one at His left. 41N 15 28 17100 [] 41N 15 29 17110 And all the passers-by reviled Him. They shook their heads at Him and said, "Ah! you who were for destroying the Sanctuary and building a new one in three days, 41N 15 30 17120 come down from the cross and save yourself." 41N 15 31 17130 In the same way the High Priests also, as well as the Scribes, kept on scoffing at Him, saying to one another, "He has saved others: himself he cannot save! 41N 15 32 17140 This Christ, the King of Israel, let him come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even the men who were being crucified with Him heaped insults on Him. 41N 15 33 17150 At noon there came a darkness over the whole land, lasting till three o'clock in the afternoon. 41N 15 34 17160 But at three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, <"Elohi, Elohi, lama sabachthani?"> which means, "My God, My God, <why hast Thou forsaken me?"> 41N 15 35 17170 Some of the bystanders, hearing Him, said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah!" 41N 15 36 17180 Then a man ran to fill a sponge with sour wine, and he put it on the end of a cane and placed it to His lips, saying at the same time, "Wait! let us see whether Elijah will come and take him down." 41N 15 37 17190 But Jesus uttered a loud cry and yielded up His spirit. 41N 15 38 17200 And the curtain in the Sanctuary was torn in two, from top to bottom. 41N 15 39 17210 And when the Centurion who stood in front of the cross saw that He was dead, he exclaimed, "This man was indeed God's Son." 41N 15 40 17220 There were also a party of women looking on from a distance; among them being both Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of James the Little and of Joses, and Salome-- 41N 15 41 17230 all of whom in the Galilaean days had habitually been with Him and cared for Him, as well as many other women who had come up to Jerusalem with Him. 41N 15 42 17240 Towards sunset, as it was the Preparation--that is, the day preceding the Sabbath-- 41N 15 43 17250 Joseph of Arimathaea came, a highly respected member of the Council, who himself also was living in expectation of the Kingdom of God. He summoned up courage to go in to see Pilate and beg for the body of Jesus. 41N 15 44 17260 But Pilate could hardly believe that He was already dead. He called, however, for the Centurion and inquired whether He had been long dead; 41N 15 45 17270 and having ascertained the fact he granted the body to Joseph. 41N 15 46 17280 He, having bought a sheet of linen, took Him down, wrapped Him in the sheet and laid Him in a tomb hewn in the rock; after which he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. 41N 15 47 17290 Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on to see where He was put. 41N 16 1 17300 When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, in order to come and anoint His body. 41N 16 2 17310 So, very soon after sunrise on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb; 41N 16 3 17320 and they were saying to one another, `Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" 41N 16 4 17330 But then, looking up, they saw that the stone was already rolled back: for it was of immense size. 41N 16 5 17340 Upon entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at their right hand, clothed in a long white robe. They were astonished and terrified. 41N 16 6 17350 But he said to them, "Do not be terrified. It is Jesus you are looking for--the Nazarene who has been crucified. He has come back to life: He is not here: this is the place where they laid Him. 41N 16 7 17360 But go and tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you into Galilee: and that there you will see Him, as He told you." 41N 16 8 17370 So they came out, and fled from the tomb, for they were greatly agitated and surprised; and they said not a word to any one, for they were afraid. 41N 16 9 17380 [But He rose to life early on the first day of the week, and appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom He had expelled seven demons. 41N 16 10 17390 She went and brought the tidings to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping. 41N 16 11 17400 But they, when they were told that He was alive and that she had seen Him, could not believe it. 41N 16 12 17410 Afterwards He showed Himself in another form to two of them as they were walking, on their way into the country. 41N 16 13 17420 These, again, went and told the news to the rest; but not even them did they believe. 41N 16 14 17430 Later still He showed Himself to the Eleven themselves whilst they were at table, and He upbraided them with their unbelief and obstinacy in not having believed those who had seen Him alive. 41N 16 15 17440 Then He said to them, "Go the whole world over, and proclaim the Good News to all mankind. 41N 16 16 17450 He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who disbelieves will be condemned. 41N 16 17 17460 And signs shall attend those who believe, even such as these. By making use of my name they shall expel demons. They shall speak new languages. 41N 16 18 17470 They shall take up venomous snakes, and if they drink any deadly poison it shall do them no harm whatever. They shall lay their hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover." 41N 16 19 17480 So the Lord Jesus after having thus spoken to them was taken up into Heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 41N 16 20 17490 But they went out and made proclamation everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming their Message by the signs which accompanied it.] 42N 1 1 17500 Seeing that many have attempted to draw up a narrative of the facts which are received with full assurance among us 42N 1 2 17510 on the authority of those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses and were devoted to the service of the divine Message, 42N 1 3 17520 it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts from their commencement, to write for you, most noble Theophilus, a connected account, 42N 1 4 17530 that you may fully know the truth of the things which you have been taught by word of mouth. 42N 1 5 17540 There was in the time of Herod, the king of Judaea, a priest of the name of Zechariah, belonging to the class of Abijah. He had a wife who was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 42N 1 6 17550 They were both of them upright before God, blamelessly obeying all the Lord's precepts and ordinances. 42N 1 7 17560 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren; and both of them were far advanced in life. 42N 1 8 17570 Now while he was doing priestly duty before God in the prescribed course of his class, 42N 1 9 17580 it fell to his lot--according to the custom of the priesthood--to go into the Sanctuary of the Lord and burn the incense; 42N 1 10 17590 and the whole multitude of the people were outside praying, at the hour of incense. 42N 1 11 17600 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense; 42N 1 12 17610 and Zechariah on seeing him was agitated and terrified. 42N 1 13 17620 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your petition has been heard: and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call his name John. 42N 1 14 17630 Gladness and exultant joy shall be yours, and many will rejoice over his birth. 42N 1 15 17640 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; no wine or fermented drink shall he ever drink; but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth. 42N 1 16 17650 Many of the descendants of Israel will he turn to the Lord their God; 42N 1 17 17660 and he will be His forerunner in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn fathers' hearts to the children, and cause the rebellious to walk in the wisdom of the upright, to make a people perfectly ready for the lord." 42N 1 18 17670 "By what proof," asked Zechariah, "shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced in years." 42N 1 19 17680 "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God," answered the angel, "and I have been sent to talk with you and tell you this good news. 42N 1 20 17690 And now you will be dumb and unable to speak until the day when this has taken place; because you did not believe my words--words which will be fulfilled at their appointed time." 42N 1 21 17700 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were surprised that he stayed so long in the Sanctuary. 42N 1 22 17710 When, however, he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they knew that he must have seen a vision in the Sanctuary; but he kept making signs to them and continued dumb. 42N 1 23 17720 When his days of service were at an end, he went to his home; 42N 1 24 17730 and in course of time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and kept herself secluded five months. 42N 1 25 17740 "Thus has the Lord dealt with me," she said, "now that He has graciously taken away my reproach among men." 42N 1 26 17750 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 42N 1 27 17760 to a maiden betrothed to a man of the name of Joseph, a descendant of David. The maiden's name was Mary. 42N 1 28 17770 So Gabriel went into the house and said to her, "Joy be to you, favoured one! the Lord is with you." 42N 1 29 17780 She was greatly agitated at his words, and wondered what such a greeting meant. 42N 1 30 17790 But the angel said, "Do not be frightened, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 42N 1 31 17800 You will conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you are to call His name JESUS. 42N 1 32 17810 He will be great and He will be called `Son of the Most High.' And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His forefather David; 42N 1 33 17820 and He will be King over the House of Jacob for the Ages, and of His Kingdom there will be no end." 42N 1 34 17830 "How can this be," Mary replied, "seeing that I have no husband?" 42N 1 35 17840 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for this reason your holy offspring will be called `the Son of God.' 42N 1 36 17850 And see, your relative Elizabeth--she also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 42N 1 37 17860 For no promise from God will be impossible of fulfilment." 42N 1 38 17870 "I am the Lord's maidservant," Mary replied; "may it be with me in accordance with your words!" And then the angel left her. 42N 1 39 17880 Not long after this, Mary rose up and went in haste into the hill country to a town in Judah. 42N 1 40 17890 Here she came to the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth; 42N 1 41 17900 and as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leapt within her. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42N 1 42 17910 and uttered a loud cry of joy. "Blest among women are you," she said, "and the offspring of your body is blest! 42N 1 43 17920 But why is this honour done me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 42N 1 44 17930 For, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the babe within me leapt for joy. 42N 1 45 17940 And blessed is she who has believed, for the word spoken to her from the Lord shall be fulfilled." 42N 1 46 17950 Then Mary said: "My soul extols the Lord, 42N 1 47 17960 And my spirit triumphs in God my Saviour; 42N 1 48 17970 Because He has not turned from His maidservant in her lowly position; For from this time forward all generations will account me happy, 42N 1 49 17980 Because the mighty One has done great things for me--Holy is His name!-- 42N 1 50 17990 And His compassion is, generation after generation, Upon those who fear Him. 42N 1 51 18000 He has manifested His supreme strength. He has scattered those who were haughty in the thoughts of their hearts. 42N 1 52 18010 He has cast monarchs down from their thrones, And exalted men of low estate. 42N 1 53 18020 The hungry He has satisfied with choice gifts, But the rich He has sent empty-handed away. 42N 1 54 18030 His servant Israel He has helped, Remembering His compassion-- 42N 1 55 18040 In fulfillment of His promises to our forefathers--For Abraham and his posterity for ever." 42N 1 56 18050 So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned home. 42N 1 57 18060 Now when Elizabeth's full time was come, she gave birth to a son; 42N 1 58 18070 and her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had had great compassion on her; and they rejoiced with her. 42N 1 59 18080 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and were going to call him Zechariah, after his father. 42N 1 60 18090 His mother, however, said, "No, he is to be called John." 42N 1 61 18100 "There is not one of your family," they said, "who has that name." 42N 1 62 18110 They asked his father by signs what he wished him to be called. 42N 1 63 18120 So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. 42N 1 64 18130 Instantly his mouth and his tongue were set free, and he began to speak and bless God. 42N 1 65 18140 And all who lived round about them were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judaea reports of all these things were spread abroad. 42N 1 66 18150 All who heard the story treasured it in their memories. "What then will this child be?" they said. For the lord's hand was indeed with him. 42N 1 67 18160 And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in a rapture of praise. 42N 1 68 18170 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel," he said, "Because He has not forgotten His people but has effected redemption for them, 42N 1 69 18180 And has raised up a mighty Deliverer for us In the house of David His servant-- 42N 1 70 18190 As He has spoken from all time by the lips of His holy Prophets-- 42N 1 71 18200 To deliver us from our foes and from the power of all who hate us. 42N 1 72 18210 He dealt pitifully with our forefathers, And remembered His holy covenant, 42N 1 73 18220 The oath which He swore to Abraham our forefather, 42N 1 74 18230 To grant us to be rescued from the power of our foes And so render worship to Him free from fear, 42N 1 75 18240 In piety and uprightness before Him all our days. 42N 1 76 18250 And you moreover, O child, shall be called Prophet of the Most High; For you shall go on in front before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, 42N 1 77 18260 To give to His People a knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins, 42N 1 78 18270 Through the tender compassion of our God, Through which the daybreak from on high will come to us, 42N 1 79 18280 Dawning on those who now dwell in the darkness and shadow of death--To direct our feet into the path of peace." 42N 1 80 18290 And the child grew and became strong in character, and lived in the Desert till the time came for him to appear publicly to Israel. 42N 2 1 18300 Just at this time an edict was issued by Caesar Augustus for the registration of the whole Empire. 42N 2 2 18310 It was the first registration made during the governorship of Quirinius in Syria; 42N 2 3 18320 and all went to be registered--every one to the town to which he belonged. 42N 2 4 18330 So Joseph went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judaea, to David's town of Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 42N 2 5 18340 to have himself registered together with Mary, who was betrothed to him and was with child. 42N 2 6 18350 But while they were there, her full time came, 42N 2 7 18360 and she gave birth to her first-born son, and wrapped Him round, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 42N 2 8 18370 Now there were shepherds in the same part of the country, keeping watch over their sheep by night in the open fields, 42N 2 9 18380 when suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them; and they were filled with terror. 42N 2 10 18390 But the angel said to them, "Put away all fear; for I am bringing you good news of great joy--joy for all the People. 42N 2 11 18400 For a Saviour who is the Anointed Lord is born to you to-day, in the town of David. 42N 2 12 18410 And this is the token for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." 42N 2 13 18420 And immediately there was with the angel a multitude of the army of Heaven praising God and saying, 42N 2 14 18430 "Glory be to God in the highest Heavens, And on earth peace among men who please Him!" 42N 2 15 18440 Then, as soon as the angels had left them and returned to Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go over as far as Bethlehem and see this that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 42N 2 16 18450 So they made haste and came and found Mary and Joseph, with the babe lying in the manger. 42N 2 17 18460 And when they saw the child, they told what had been said to them about Him; 42N 2 18 18470 and all who listened were astonished at what the shepherds told them. 42N 2 19 18480 But Mary treasured up all these things, often dwelling on them in her mind. 42N 2 20 18490 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen in accordance with the announcement made to them. 42N 2 21 18500 When eight days had passed and the time for circumcising Him had come, He was called JESUS, the name given Him by the angel before His conception in the womb. 42N 2 22 18510 And when the days for their purification appointed by the Law of Moses had passed, they took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord-- 42N 2 23 18520 as it is written in the Law of the Lord: <"Every first-born male shall be called holy to the Lord."> 42N 2 24 18530 And they also offered a sacrifice as commanded in the Law of the Lord, <"a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons."> 42N 2 25 18540 Now there was a man in Jerusalem of the name of Symeon, an upright and God-fearing man, who was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 42N 2 26 18550 To him it had been revealed by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death until he had seen the Lord's Anointed One. 42N 2 27 18560 Led by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do with regard to Him according to the custom of the Law, 42N 2 28 18570 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 42N 2 29 18580 "Now, O Sovereign Lord, Thou dost send Thy servant away in peace, in fulfilment of Thy word, 42N 2 30 18590 Because mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, 42N 2 31 18600 Which Thou hast made ready in the sight of all nations-- 42N 2 32 18610 A light to shine upon the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people Israel." 42N 2 33 18620 And while the child's father and mother were wondering at the words of Symeon concerning Him, 42N 2 34 18630 Symeon blessed them and said to Mary the mother, "This child is appointed for the falling and the uprising of many in Israel and for a token to be spoken against; 42N 2 35 18640 and a sword will pierce through your own soul also; that the reasonings in many hearts may be revealed." 42N 2 36 18650 There was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, belonging to the tribe of Asher. She was of a very great age, having had after her maidenhood seven years of married life, 42N 2 37 18660 and then being a widow of eighty-four years. She was never absent from the Temple, but worshipped, by day and by night, with fasting and prayer. 42N 2 38 18670 And coming up just at that moment, she gave thanks to God, and spoke about the child to all who were expecting the deliverance of Jerusalem. 42N 2 39 18680 Then, as soon as they had accomplished all that the Law required, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 42N 2 40 18690 And the child grew and became strong and full of wisdom, and the favour of God rested upon Him. 42N 2 41 18700 Now His parents used to go up year by year to Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover. 42N 2 42 18710 And when He was twelve years old they went up as was customary at the time of the Feast, and, 42N 2 43 18720 after staying the full number of days, when they started back home the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not discover this, 42N 2 44 18730 but supposing Him to be in the travelling company, they proceeded a day's journey. Then they searched up and down for Him among their relatives and acquaintances; 42N 2 45 18740 but being unable to find Him they returned to Jerusalem, making anxious inquiry for Him. 42N 2 46 18750 On the third day they found Him in the Temple sitting among the Rabbis, both listening to them and asking them questions, 42N 2 47 18760 while all who heard Him were astonished at His intelligence and at the answers He gave. 42N 2 48 18770 When they saw Him, they were smitten with amazement, and His mother said to Him, "My child, why have you behaved thus to us? Your father and I have been searching for you in anguish." 42N 2 49 18780 "Why is it that you have been searching for me?" He replied; "did you not know that it is my duty to be engaged upon my Father's business?" 42N 2 50 18790 But they did not understand the significance of these words. 42N 2 51 18800 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was always obedient to them; but His mother carefully treasured up all these incidents in her memory. 42N 2 52 18810 And as Jesus grew older He gained in both wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. 42N 3 1 18820 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being Governor of Judaea, Herod Tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip Tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias Tetrarch of Abilene, 42N 3 2 18830 during the High-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, a message from God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the Desert. 42N 3 3 18840 John went into all the district about the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of the penitent for the forgiveness of sins; 42N 3 4 18850 as it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah, <"The voice of one crying aloud! `In the Desert prepare ye a road for the Lord: make His highway straight. 42N 3 5 18860 Every ravine shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill levelled down, the crooked places shall be turned into straight roads, and the rugged ways into smooth; 42N 3 6 18870 and then shall all mankind see God's salvation.'"> 42N 3 7 18880 Accordingly John used to say to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 42N 3 8 18890 Live lives which shall prove your change of heart; and do not begin to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. 42N 3 9 18900 And even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which fails to yield good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire." 42N 3 10 18910 The crowds repeatedly asked him, "What then are we to do?" 42N 3 11 18920 "Let the man who has two coats," he answered, "give one to the man who has none; and let the man who has food share it with others." 42N 3 12 18930 There came also a party of tax-gatherers to be baptized, and they asked him, "Rabbi, what are we to do?" 42N 3 13 18940 "Do not exact more than the legal amount," he replied. 42N 3 14 18950 The soldiers also once and again inquired of him, "And we, what are we to do?" His answer was, "Neither intimidate any one nor lay false charges; and be content with your pay." 42N 3 15 18960 And while the people were in suspense and all were debating in their minds whether John might possibly be the Anointed One, 42N 3 16 18970 he answered the question by saying to them all, "As for me, I am baptizing you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose very sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten: He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire. 42N 3 17 18980 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand to clear out His threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into His storehouse; but the chaff He will burn up in fire unquenchable." 42N 3 18 18990 With many exhortations besides these he declared the Good News to the people. 42N 3 19 19000 But Herod the Tetrarch, being repeatedly rebuked by him about Herodias his brother's wife, and about all the wicked deeds that he had done, 42N 3 20 19010 now added this to crown all the rest, that he threw John into prison. 42N 3 21 19020 Now when all the people had been baptized, and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the sky opened, 42N 3 22 19030 and the Holy Spirit came down in bodily shape, like a dove, upon Him, and a voice came from Heaven, which said, "Thou art My Son, dearly loved: in Thee is My delight." 42N 3 23 19040 And He--Jesus--when He began His ministry, was about thirty years old. He was the son (it was supposed) of Joseph, son of Heli, 42N 3 24 19050 son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, 42N 3 25 19060 son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, 42N 3 26 19070 son of Mahath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, 42N 3 27 19080 son of Johanan, son of Resa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri, 42N 3 28 19090 son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, 42N 3 29 19100 son of Joshua, son of Eliezar, son of Jorim, son of Maththat, son of Levi, 42N 3 30 19110 son of Symeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, son of 42N 3 31 19120 Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, 42N 3 32 19130 son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Salmon, son of Nahshon, 42N 3 33 19140 son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, 42N 3 34 19150 son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, 42N 3 35 19160 son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, 42N 3 36 19170 son of Cainan, son of Arpachshad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, 42N 3 37 19180 son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalalel, son of Kenan, 42N 3 38 19190 son of Enosh, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God. 42N 4 1 19200 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led about by the Spirit in the Desert for forty days, 42N 4 2 19210 tempted all the while by the Devil. During those days He ate nothing, and at the close of them He suffered from hunger. 42N 4 3 19220 Then the Devil said to Him, "If you are God's Son, tell this stone to become bread." 42N 4 4 19230 "It is written," replied Jesus, <"`It is not on bread alone that a man shall live.'"> 42N 4 5 19240 The Devil next led Him up and caused Him to see at a glance all the kingdoms of the world. 42N 4 6 19250 And the Devil said to Him, "To you will I give all this authority and this splendour; for it has been handed over to me, and on whomsoever I will I bestow it. 42N 4 7 19260 If therefore you do homage to me, it shall all be yours.' 42N 4 8 19270 Jesus answered him, "It is written, <`To the Lord thy God thou shalt do homage, and to Him alone shalt thou render worship.'"> 42N 4 9 19280 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem and caused Him to stand on the roof of the Temple, and said to Him, "If you are God's Son, throw yourself down from here; for it is written, 42N 4 10 19290 <`He will give orders to His angels concerning thee, to guard thee safely;'> 42N 4 11 19300 and <`On their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest at any moment thou shouldst strike thy foot against a stone.'"> 42N 4 12 19310 The reply of Jesus was, "It is said, <`Thou shalt not put the Lord they God to the proof.'"> 42N 4 13 19320 So the Devil, having fully tried every kind of temptation on Him, left Him for a time. 42N 4 14 19330 Then Jesus returned in the Spirit's power to Galilee; and His fame spread through all the adjacent districts. 42N 4 15 19340 And He proceeded to teach in their synagogues, winning praise from all. 42N 4 16 19350 He came to Nazareth also, where He had been brought up; and, as was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 42N 4 17 19360 And there was handed to Him the book of the Prophet Isaiah, and, opening the book, He found the place where it was written, 42N 4 18 19370 <"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor; He has sent me to announce release to the prisoners of war and recovery of sight to the blind: to send away free those whom tyranny has crushed, 42N 4 19 19380 to proclaim the year of acceptance with the Lord."> 42N 4 20 19390 And rolling up the book, He returned it to the attendant, and sat down--to speak. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 42N 4 21 19400 Then He proceeded to say to them, "To-day is this Scripture fulfilled in your hearing." 42N 4 22 19410 And they all spoke well of Him, wondering at the sweet words of kindness which fell from His lips, while they asked one another, "Is not this Joseph's son?" 42N 4 23 19420 "Doubtless," said He, "you will quote to me the proverb, `Physician, cure yourself: all that we hear that you have done at Capernaum, do here also in your native place.'" 42N 4 24 19430 "I tell you in solemn truth," He added, "that no Prophet is welcomed among his own people. 42N 4 25 19440 But I tell you in truth that there was many a widow in Israel in the time of Elijah, when there was no rain for three years and six months and there came a severe famine over all the land; 42N 4 26 19450 and yet to not one of them was Elijah sent: he was only sent to a widow at Zarephath in the Sidonian country. 42N 4 27 19460 And there was also many a leper in Israel in the time of the Prophet Elisha, and yet not one of them was cleansed, but Naaman the Syrian was." 42N 4 28 19470 Then all in the synagogue, while listening to these words, were filled with fury. 42N 4 29 19480 They rose, hurried Him outside the town, and brought Him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, to throw Him down the cliff; 42N 4 30 19490 but He passed through the midst of them and went His way. 42N 4 31 19500 So He came down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, where He frequently taught the people on the Sabbath days. 42N 4 32 19510 And they were greatly impressed by His teaching, because He spoke with the language of authority. 42N 4 33 19520 But in the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of a foul demon. In a loud voice he cried out, 42N 4 34 19530 "Ha! Jesus the Nazarene, what have you to do with us? I know who you are--God's Holy One!" 42N 4 35 19540 But Jesus rebuked the demon. "Silence!" He exclaimed; "come out of him." Upon this, the demon hurled the man into the midst of them, and came out of him without doing him any harm. 42N 4 36 19550 All were astonished and awe-struck; and they asked one another, "What sort of language is this? For with authority and real power He gives orders to the foul spirits and they come out." 42N 4 37 19560 And the talk about Him spread into every part of the neighbouring country. 42N 4 38 19570 Now when He rose and left the synagogue He went to Simon's house. Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from an acute attack of fever; and they consulted Him about her. 42N 4 39 19580 Then standing over her He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she at once rose and waited on them. 42N 4 40 19590 At sunset all who had friends suffering from any illness brought them to Him, and He laid His hands on them all, one by one, and cured them. 42N 4 41 19600 Demons also came out of many, loudly calling out, "You are the Son of God." But He rebuked them and forbad them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ. 42N 4 42 19610 Next morning, at daybreak, He left the town and went away to a solitary place; but the people flocked out to find Him, and, coming to the place where He was, they endeavoured to detain Him that He might not leave them. 42N 4 43 19620 But He said to them, "I have to tell the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because for this purpose I was sent." 42N 4 44 19630 And for some time He preached in the synagogues in Galilee. 42N 5 1 19640 On one occasion the crowd was pressing on Him and listening to God's Message, while He was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 42N 5 2 19650 He, however, saw two fishing-boats drawn up on the beach (for the men had gone away from them and were washing the nets), 42N 5 3 19660 and going on board one of them, which was Simon's He asked him to push out a little from land. Then He sat down and taught the crowd of people from the boat. 42N 5 4 19670 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Push out into deep water, and let down your nets for a haul." 42N 5 5 19680 "Rabbi," replied Peter, "all night long we have worked hard and caught nothing; but at your command I will let down the nets." 42N 5 6 19690 This they did, and enclosed a vast number of fish; and their nets began to break. 42N 5 7 19700 So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came, and they filled both the boats so that they almost sank. 42N 5 8 19710 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at the knees of Jesus, and exclaimed, "Master, leave my boat, for I am a sinful man." 42N 5 9 19720 (For he was astonished and terrified--he and all his companions--at the haul of fish which they had taken; 42N 5 10 19730 and so were Simon's partners James and John, the sons of Zabdi.) But Jesus replied to Simon, "Fear not: from this time you shall be a catcher of men." 42N 5 11 19740 Then, after bringing their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. 42N 5 12 19750 On another occasion, when He was in one of the towns, there was a man there covered with leprosy, who, seeing Jesus, threw himself at His feet and implored Him, saying, "Sir, if only you are willing, you are able to make me clean." 42N 5 13 19760 Reaching out His hand and touching him, Jesus said, "I am willing; be cleansed!" And instantly the leprosy left him. 42N 5 14 19770 He ordered him to tell no one. "But go," He said, "show yourself to the Priest, and make the offering for your purification which Moses appointed, as evidence for them." 42N 5 15 19780 But all the more the report about Him spread abroad, and great multitudes crowded to hear Him and to be cured of their diseases; 42N 5 16 19790 but Jesus Himself constantly withdrew into the Desert and there prayed. 42N 5 17 19800 One day He was teaching, and there were Pharisees and teachers of the Law sitting there who had come from every village in Galilee and Judaea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present for Him to cure people. 42N 5 18 19810 And a party of men came carrying a palsied man on a bed, and they endeavoured to bring him in and lay him before Jesus. 42N 5 19 19820 But when they could find no way of doing so because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiling--bed and all--into the midst, in front of Jesus. 42N 5 20 19830 He saw their faith and said to him, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." 42N 5 21 19840 Then the Scribes and Pharisees began to cavil, asking, "Who is this, uttering blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?" 42N 5 22 19850 Well aware of their reasonings, Jesus answered their questions by asking in turn, "What is this that you are debating in your hearts? 42N 5 23 19860 Which is easier? --to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Rise and walk'? 42N 5 24 19870 But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" --Turning to the paralytic He said, "I bid you, Rise, take up your bed, and go home." 42N 5 25 19880 Instantly he stood up in their presence, took up the mattress on which he had been lying, and went away to his home, giving glory to God. 42N 5 26 19890 Amazement seized them all. "Glory to God!" was the abiding feeling. Yet fear flashed through their minds and they said, "We have seen strange things to-day." 42N 5 27 19900 After this He went out and noticed a tax-gatherer, Levi by name, sitting at the Toll office; and He said to him, "Follow me." 42N 5 28 19910 He rose, left everything, and followed Him. 42N 5 29 19920 Levi also gave a great entertainment at his house in honour of Jesus, and there was a large party of tax-gatherers and others at table with them. 42N 5 30 19930 This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate with His disciples and ask, "Why are you eating and drinking with these tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?" 42N 5 31 19940 But Jesus replied to them, "It is not men in good health who require a physician, but the sick. 42N 5 32 19950 I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners." 42N 5 33 19960 Again they said to Him, "John's disciples fast often and pray, as do also those of the pharisees; but yours eat and drink." 42N 5 34 19970 "Can you compel the bridal party to fast," replied Jesus, "so long as they have the bridegroom among them? 42N 5 35 19980 But a time for this will come, when the Bridegroom has been taken away from them: then, at that time, they will fast." 42N 5 36 19990 He also spoke in figurative language to them. "No one," He said, "tears a piece from a new garment to mend an old one. Otherwise he would not only spoil the new, but the patch from the new would not match the old. 42N 5 37 20000 Nor does any one pour new wine into old wine-skins. Otherwise the new wine would burst the skins, the wine itself would be spilt, and the skins be destroyed. 42N 5 38 20010 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 42N 5 39 20020 Nor does any one after drinking old wine wish for new; for he says, `The old is better.'" 42N 6 1 20030 Now on the second-first Sabbath while He was passing through the wheatfields, His disciples were plucking the ears and rubbing them with their hands to eat the grain. 42N 6 2 20040 And some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what the Law forbids on the Sabbath?" 42N 6 3 20050 "Have you never read so much as this," answered Jesus--"what David did when he and his followers were hungry; 42N 6 4 20060 how he entered the house of God and took and ate the Presented Loaves and gave some to his followers--loaves which none but the Priests are allowed to eat?" 42N 6 5 20070 "The Son of Man," He added, "is Lord of the Sabbath also." 42N 6 6 20080 On another Sabbath He had gone to the synagogue and was teaching there; and in the congregation was a man whose right arm was withered. 42N 6 7 20090 The Scribes and the Pharisees were on the watch to see whether He would cure him on the Sabbath that they might be able to bring an accusation against Him. 42N 6 8 20100 He knew their thoughts, and said to the man with the withered arm, "Rise, and stand there in the middle." And he rose and stood there. 42N 6 9 20110 Then Jesus said to them, "I put it to you all whether we are allowed to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil; to save a life, or to destroy it." 42N 6 10 20120 And looking round upon them all He said to the man, "Stretch out your arm." He did so, and the arm was restored. 42N 6 11 20130 But they were filled with madness, and began to discuss with one another what they should do to Jesus. 42N 6 12 20140 About that time He went out on one occasion into the hill country to pray; and He remained all night in prayer to God. 42N 6 13 20150 When it was day, He called His disciples; and He selected from among them twelve, whom He also named Apostles. 42N 6 14 20160 These were Simon, to whom also He had given the name of Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 42N 6 15 20170 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot; 42N 6 16 20180 James's relative Judas, and Judas Iscariot who proved to be a traitor. 42N 6 17 20190 With these He came down till He reached a level place, where there was a great crowd of His disciples, and a multitude of people from every part of Judaea, from Jerusalem, and from the sea-side district of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and to be cured of their diseases; 42N 6 18 20200 and those who were tormented by foul spirits were cured. 42N 6 19 20210 The whole crowd were eager to touch Him, because power went forth from him and cured every one. 42N 6 20 20220 Then fixing His eyes upon His disciples, Jesus said to them, "Blessed are you poor, because the Kingdom of God is yours. 42N 6 21 20230 "Blessed are you who hunger now, because your hunger shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who now weep aloud, because you shall laugh. 42N 6 22 20240 "Blessed are you when men shall hate you and exclude you from their society and insult you, and spurn your very names as evil things, for the Son of Man's sake. 42N 6 23 20250 "Be glad at such a time, and dance for joy; for your reward is great in Heaven; for that is just the way their forefathers behaved to the Prophets! 42N 6 24 20260 "But alas for you rich men, because you already have your consolation! 42N 6 25 20270 "Alas for you who now have plenty to eat, because you will be hungry! "Alas for you who laugh now, because you will mourn and weep aloud! 42N 6 26 20280 "Alas for you when men shall all have spoken well of you; for that is just the way their forefathers behaved to the false Prophets! 42N 6 27 20290 "But to you who are listening to me I say, Love your enemies; seek the welfare of those who hate you; 42N 6 28 20300 bless those who curse you; pray for those who revile you. 42N 6 29 20310 To him who gives you a blow on one side of the face offer the other side also; and to him who is robbing you of your outer garment refuse not the under one also. 42N 6 30 20320 To every one who asks, give; and from him who takes away your property, do not demand it back. 42N 6 31 20330 And behave to your fellow men just as you would have them behave to you. 42N 6 32 20340 "If you love those who love you, what credit is it to you? Why, even bad men love those who love them. 42N 6 33 20350 And if you are kind to those who are kind to you, what credit is it to you? Even bad men act thus. 42N 6 34 20360 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is it to you? Even bad men lend to their fellows so as to receive back an equal amount. 42N 6 35 20370 Nevertheless love your enemies, be beneficent; and lend without hoping for any repayment. Then your recompense shall be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 42N 6 36 20380 Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate. 42N 6 37 20390 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged; condemn not, and you shall not be condemned; pardon, and you shall be pardoned; 42N 6 38 20400 give, and gifts shall be bestowed on you. Full measure, pressed, shaken down, and running over, shall they pour into your laps; for with the same measure that you use they shall measure to you in return." 42N 6 39 20410 He also spoke to them in figurative language. "Can a blind man lead a blind man?" He asked; "would not both fall into the ditch? 42N 6 40 20420 There is no disciple who is superior to his teacher; but every one whose instruction is complete will be like his teacher. 42N 6 41 20430 "And why look at the splinter in your brother's eye instead of giving careful attention to the beam in your own? 42N 6 42 20440 How can you say to your brother, `Brother, let me take that splinter out of your eye,' when all the while you yourself do not see the beam in your own eye? Vain pretender! take the beam out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother's eye. 42N 6 43 20450 "There is no good tree that yields unsound fruit, nor again any unsound tree that yields good fruit. 42N 6 44 20460 Every tree is known by its own fruit. It is not from thorns that men gather figs, nor from the bramble that they can get a bunch of grapes. 42N 6 45 20470 A good man from the good stored up in his heart brings out what is good; and an evil man from the evil stored up brings out what is evil; for from the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. 42N 6 46 20480 "And why do you all call me `Master, Master' and yet not do what I tell you? 42N 6 47 20490 Every one who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them in practice, I will show you whom he is like. 42N 6 48 20500 He is like a man building a house, who digs and goes deep, and lays the foundation on the rock; and when a flood comes, the torrent bursts upon that house, but is unable to shake it, because it is securely built. 42N 6 49 20510 But he who has heard and not practised is like a man who has built a house upon the soft soil without a foundation, against which the torrent bursts, and immediately it collapses, and terrible is the wreck and ruin of that house." 42N 7 1 20520 After He had finished teaching all these things in the hearing of the people, He went into Capernaum. 42N 7 2 20530 Here the servant of a certain Captain, a man dear to his master, was ill and at the point of death; 42N 7 3 20540 and the Captain, hearing about Jesus, sent to Him some of the Jewish Elders, begging Him to come and restore his servant to health. 42N 7 4 20550 And they, when they came to Jesus, earnestly entreated Him, pleading, "He deserves to have this favour granted him, 42N 7 5 20560 for he loves our nation, and at his own expense he built our synagogue for us." 42N 7 6 20570 Then Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the Captain sent friends to Him with the message: "Sir, do not trouble to come. I am not worthy of having you come under my roof; 42N 7 7 20580 and therefore I did not deem myself worthy to come to you. Only speak the word, and let my young man be cured. 42N 7 8 20590 For I too am a man obedient to authority, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one, `Go,' and he goes; to another, `Come,' and he comes; and to my slave, `Do this or that,' and he does it." 42N 7 9 20600 Jesus listened to the Captain's message and was astonished at him, and He turned and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I tell you that not even in Israel have I found faith like that." 42N 7 10 20610 And the friends who had been sent, on returning to the house, found the servant in perfect health. 42N 7 11 20620 Shortly afterwards He went to a town called Nain, attended by His disciples and a great crowd of people. 42N 7 12 20630 And just as He reached the gate of the town, they happened to be bringing out for burial a dead man who was his mother's only son; and she was a widow; and a great number of the townspeople were with her. 42N 7 13 20640 The Lord saw her, was moved with pity for her, and said to her, "Do not weep." 42N 7 14 20650 Then He went close and touched the bier, and the bearers halted. "Young man," He said, "I command you, wake!" 42N 7 15 20660 The dead man sat up and began to speak; and He restored him to his mother. 42N 7 16 20670 All were awe-struck, and they gave glory to God--some saying, "A Prophet, a great Prophet, has risen up among us." Others said, "God has not forgotten His People." 42N 7 17 20680 And the report of what Jesus had done spread through the whole of Judaea and in all the surrounding districts. 42N 7 18 20690 John's disciples brought him an account of all these things; 42N 7 19 20700 so John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord. "Are you the Coming One?" he asked, "or is there another that we are to expect?" 42N 7 20 20710 The men came to Jesus and said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you with this question: `Are you the Coming One, or is there another that we are to expect?'" 42N 7 21 20720 He immediately cured many of diseases, severe pain, and evil spirits, and to many who were blind He gave the gift of sight. 42N 7 22 20730 Then He answered the messengers, "Go and report to John what you have seen and heard. Blind men receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are purified, deaf persons hear, the dead are raised to life, the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them. 42N 7 23 20740 And blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because of my claims." 42N 7 24 20750 When John's messengers were gone, He proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind? 42N 7 25 20760 But what did you go out to see? A man wearing luxurious clothes? People who are gorgeously dressed and live in luxury are found in palaces. 42N 7 26 20770 But what did you go out to see? A Prophet? Aye, I tell you, and far more than a Prophet. 42N 7 27 20780 John is the man about whom it is written, <`See, I am sending My messenger before thy face, and he shall make ready thy way before thee.'> 42N 7 28 20790 "I tell you that among all of women born there is not one greater than John. Yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of God is greater than he. 42N 7 29 20800 And all the people, including the tax-gatherers, when they listened to him upheld the righteousness of God, by being baptized with John's baptism. 42N 7 30 20810 But the Pharisees and expounders of the Law have frustrated God's purpose as to their own lives, by refusing to be baptized. 42N 7 31 20820 "To what then shall I compare the men of the present generation, and what do they resemble? 42N 7 32 20830 They are like children sitting in the public square and calling out to one another, `We have played the flute to you, and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not shown sorrow.' 42N 7 33 20840 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, `He has a demon!' 42N 7 34 20850 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, `Look, there is a man who is overfond of eating and drinking--he is a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!' 42N 7 35 20860 But wisdom is justified by all who are truly wise." 42N 7 36 20870 Now one of the Pharisees repeatedly invited Him to a meal at his house; so He entered the house and reclined at the table. 42N 7 37 20880 And there was a woman in the town who was a notorious sinner. Having learnt that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house she brought a flask of perfume, 42N 7 38 20890 and, standing behind close to His feet, weeping, began to wet His feet with her tears; and with her hair she wiped the tears away again, while she lovingly kissed His feet and poured the perfume over them. 42N 7 39 20900 Noticing this, the Pharisee, His host, said to himself, "This man, if he were really a Prophet, would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching him--and would know that she is an immoral woman." 42N 7 40 20910 In answer to his thoughts Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have a word to say to you." "Rabbi, say on," he replied. 42N 7 41 20920 "There were once two men in debt to one money-lender," said Jesus; "one owed him five hundred shillings and the other fifty. 42N 7 42 20930 But neither of them could pay anything; so he freely forgave them both. Tell me, then, which of them will love him most?" 42N 7 43 20940 "I suppose," replied Simon, "the one to whom he forgave most." "You have judged rightly," Jesus rejoined. 42N 7 44 20950 Then turning towards the woman He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house: you gave me no water for my feet; but she has made my feet wet with her tears, and then wiped the tears away with her hair. 42N 7 45 20960 No kiss did you give me; but she from the moment I came in has not left off tenderly kissing my feet. 42N 7 46 20970 No oil did you pour even on my head; but she has poured perfume upon my feet. 42N 7 47 20980 This is the reason why I tell you that her sins, her many sins, are forgiven--because she has loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." 42N 7 48 20990 And He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 42N 7 49 21000 Then the other guests began to say to themselves, "Who can this man be who even forgives sins?" 42N 7 50 21010 But He said to the woman, "Your faith has cured you: go, and be at peace." 42N 8 1 21020 Shortly after this He visited town after town, and village after village, proclaiming His Message and telling the Good News of the Kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, 42N 8 2 21030 and certain women whom He had delivered from evil spirits and various diseases--Mary of Magdala, out of whom seven demons had come, 42N 8 3 21040 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many other women, all of whom contributed to the support of Jesus and His Apostles. 42N 8 4 21050 And when a great crowd was assembling, and was receiving additions from one town after another, He spoke a parable to them. 42N 8 5 21060 "The sower," He said, "goes out to sow his seed; and as he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and is trodden upon, or the birds of the air come and peck it up. 42N 8 6 21070 Another part drops upon the rock, and after growing up it withers away for want of moisture. 42N 8 7 21080 Another part falls among the thorns, and the thorns grow up with it and stifle it. 42N 8 8 21090 But some of the seed falls into good ground, and grows up and yields a return of a hundred for one." While thus speaking, He cried aloud and said, "Listen, every one who has ears to listen with!" 42N 8 9 21100 The disciples proceeded to ask Him what this parable meant. 42N 8 10 21110 "To you," He replied, "it is granted to know the secrets of the Kingdom of God; but all others are taught by parables, in order that they may see and yet not see, and may hear and yet not understand. 42N 8 11 21120 The meaning of the parable is as follows. The seed is God's Message. 42N 8 12 21130 Those by the way-side are those who have heard, and then the Devil comes and carries away the Message from their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 42N 8 13 21140 Those on the rock are the people who on hearing the Message receive it joyfully; but they have no root: for a time they believe, but when trial comes they fall away. 42N 8 14 21150 That which fell among the thorns means those who have heard, but as they go on their way, the Message is stifled by the anxieties, wealth and gaieties of time, and they yield nothing in perfection. 42N 8 15 21160 But as for that in the good ground, it means those who, having listened to the Message with open minds and in a right spirit, hold it fast, and patiently yield a return. 42N 8 16 21170 "When any one lights a lamp, he does not cover it with a vessel or hide it under a couch; he puts it on a lampstand, that people who enter the room may see the light. 42N 8 17 21180 There is nothing hidden, which shall not be openly seen; nor anything secret, which shall not be known and come into the light of day. 42N 8 18 21190 Be careful, therefore, how you hear; for whoever has anything, to him more shall be given, and whoever has nothing, even that which he thinks he has shall be taken away from him." 42N 8 19 21200 Then came to Him His mother and His brothers, but could not get near Him for the crowd. 42N 8 20 21210 But He was told, "Your mother and brothers are standing on the edge of the crowd, and want to see you." 42N 8 21 21220 "My mother and my brothers," He replied, "are these who hear God's Message and obey it." 42N 8 22 21230 One day He went on board a boat--both He and his disciples; and He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the Lake." So they set sail. 42N 8 23 21240 During the passage He fell asleep, and there came down a squall of wind on the Lake, so that the boat began to fill and they were in deadly peril. 42N 8 24 21250 So they came and woke Him, crying, "Rabbi, Rabbi, we are drowning." Then He roused Himself and rebuked the wind and the surging of the water, and they ceased and there was a calm. 42N 8 25 21260 "Where is your faith?" He asked them. But they were filled with terror and amazement, and said to one another, "Who then is this? for He gives orders both to wind and waves, and they obey Him." 42N 8 26 21270 Then they put in to shore in the country of the Gerasenes, which lies opposite to Galilee. 42N 8 27 21280 Here, on landing, He was met by one of the townsmen who was possessed by demons--for a long time he had not put on any garment, nor did he live in a house, but in the tombs. 42N 8 28 21290 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, and said in a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of God Most High? Do not torture me, I beseech you." 42N 8 29 21300 For already He had been commanding the foul spirit to come out of the man. For many a time it had seized and held him, and they had repeatedly put him in chains and fetters and kept guard over him, but he used to break the chains to pieces, and, impelled by the demon, to escape into the Desert. 42N 8 30 21310 "What is your name?" Jesus asked him. "Legion," he replied--because a great number of demons had entered into him; 42N 8 31 21320 and they besought Him not to command them to be gone into the Bottomless Pit. 42N 8 32 21330 Now there was a great herd of swine there feeding on the hill-side; and the demons begged Him to give them leave to go into them, and He gave them leave. 42N 8 33 21340 The demons came out of the man and left him, and entered into the swine; and the herd rushed violently over the cliff into the Lake and were drowned. 42N 8 34 21350 The swineherds, seeing what had happened, fled and reported it both in town and country; 42N 8 35 21360 whereupon the people came out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus, and they found the man from whom the demons had gone out sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were terrified. 42N 8 36 21370 And those who had seen it told them how the demoniac was cured. 42N 8 37 21380 Then the whole population of the Gerasenes and of the adjacent districts begged Him to depart from them; for their terror was great. So He went on board and returned. 42N 8 38 21390 But the man from whom the demons had gone out earnestly asked permission to go with Him; but He sent him away. 42N 8 39 21400 "Return home," He said, "and tell there all that God has done for you." So he went and published through the whole town all that Jesus had done for him. 42N 8 40 21410 Now when Jesus was returning, the people gave Him a warm welcome; for they had all been looking out for Him. 42N 8 41 21420 Just then there came a man named Jair, a Warden of the Synagogue, who threw himself at the feet of Jesus, and entreated Him to come to his house; 42N 8 42 21430 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. And as He went, the dense throng crowded on Him. 42N 8 43 21440 And a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with haemorrhage--and had spent on doctors all she had, but none of them had been able to cure her-- 42N 8 44 21450 came close behind Him and touched the tassel of His robe; and instantly her flow of blood stopped. 42N 8 45 21460 "Who is it touched me?" Jesus asked. And when all denied having done so, Peter and the rest said, "Rabbi, the crowds are hemming you in and pressing on you." 42N 8 46 21470 "Some one has touched me," Jesus replied, "for I feel that power has gone out from me." 42N 8 47 21480 Then the woman, perceiving that she had not escaped notice, came trembling, and throwing herself down at His feet she stated before all the people the reason why she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured. 42N 8 48 21490 "Daughter," said He, "your faith has cured you; go, and be at peace." 42N 8 49 21500 While He was still speaking, some one came to the Warden of the Synagogue from his house and said, "Your daughter is dead; trouble the Rabbi no further." 42N 8 50 21510 Jesus heard the words and said to him, "Have no fear. Only believe, and she shall be restored to life." 42N 8 51 21520 So He came to the house, but allowed no one to go in with Him but Peter and John and James and the girl's father and mother. 42N 8 52 21530 The people were all weeping aloud and beating their breasts for her; but He said, "Leave off wailing; for she is not dead, but asleep." 42N 8 53 21540 And they jeered at Him, knowing that she was dead. 42N 8 54 21550 He, however, took her by the hand and called aloud, "Child, awake!" 42N 8 55 21560 And her spirit returned, and instantly she stood up; and He directed them to give her some food. 42N 8 56 21570 Her parents were astounded; but He forbad them to mention the matter to any one. 42N 9 1 21580 Then calling the Twelve together He conferred on them power and authority over all the demons and to cure diseases; 42N 9 2 21590 and sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to cure the sick. 42N 9 3 21600 And He commanded them, "Take nothing for your journey; neither stick nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have an extra under garment. 42N 9 4 21610 Whatever house you enter, make that your home, and from it start afresh. 42N 9 5 21620 Wherever they refuse to receive you, as you leave that town shake off the very dust from your feet as a protest against them." 42N 9 6 21630 So they departed and visited village after village, spreading the Good News and performing cures everywhere. 42N 9 7 21640 Now Herod the Tetrarch heard of all that was going on; and he was bewildered because of its being said by some that John had come back to life, 42N 9 8 21650 by others that Elijah had appeared, and by others that some one of the ancient Prophets had come back to life. 42N 9 9 21660 And Herod said, "John I have beheaded; but who is this, of whom I hear such reports?" And he sought for an opportunity of seeing Jesus. 42N 9 10 21670 The Apostles, on their return, related to Jesus all they had done. Then He took them and withdrew to a quiet retreat, to a town called Bethsaida. 42N 9 11 21680 But the immense crowd, aware of this, followed Him; and receiving them kindly He proceeded to speak to them of the Kingdom of God, and those who needed to be restored to health, He cured. 42N 9 12 21690 Now when the day began to decline, the Twelve came to Him and said, "Send the people away, that they may go to the villages and farms round about and find lodging and a supply of food; because here we are in an uninhabited district." 42N 9 13 21700 "You yourselves," He said, "must give them food." "We have nothing," they replied, "but five loaves and a couple of fish, unless indeed we were to go and buy provisions for all this host of people." 42N 9 14 21710 (For there were about 5,000 adult men.) But He said to His disciples, "Make them sit down in parties of about fifty each." 42N 9 15 21720 They did so, making them all, without exception, sit down. 42N 9 16 21730 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to Heaven He blessed them and broke them into portions which He gave to the disciples to distribute to the people. 42N 9 17 21740 So they ate and were fully satisfied, all of them; and what they had remaining over was gathered up, twelve baskets of fragments. 42N 9 18 21750 One day when He was praying by Himself the disciples were present; and He asked them, "Who do the people say that I am?" 42N 9 19 21760 "John the Baptist," they replied; "but others say Elijah; and others that some one of the ancient Prophets has come back to life." 42N 9 20 21770 "But you," He asked, "who do you say that I am?" "God's Anointed One," replied Peter. 42N 9 21 21780 And Jesus strictly forbad them to tell this to any one; 42N 9 22 21790 and He said, "The Son of Man must suffer much cruelty, be rejected by the Elders and High Priests and Scribes, and be put to death, and on the third day be raised to life again." 42N 9 23 21800 And He said to all, "If any one is desirous of following me, let him ignore self and take up his cross day by day, and so be my follower. 42N 9 24 21810 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake shall save it. 42N 9 25 21820 Why, what benefit is it to a man to have gained the whole world, but to have lost or forfeited his own self. 42N 9 26 21830 For whoever shall have been ashamed of me and my teachings, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own and the Father's glory and in that of the holy angels. 42N 9 27 21840 I tell you truly that there are some of those who stand here who will certainly not taste death till they have seen the Kingdom of God." 42N 9 28 21850 It was about eight days after this that Jesus, taking with Him Peter, John, and James, went up the mountain to pray. 42N 9 29 21860 And while He was praying the appearance of His face underwent a change, and His clothing became white and radiant. 42N 9 30 21870 And suddenly there were two men conversing with Him, who were Moses and Elijah. 42N 9 31 21880 They came in glory, and kept speaking about His death, which He was so soon to undergo in Jerusalem. 42N 9 32 21890 Now Peter and the others were weighed down with sleep; but, keeping themselves awake all through, they saw His glory, and the two men standing with Him. 42N 9 33 21900 And when they were preparing to depart from Him, Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, we are thankful to you that we are here. Let us put up three tents--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what he was saying. 42N 9 34 21910 But while he was thus speaking, there came a cloud which spread over them; and they were awe-struck when they had entered into the cloud. 42N 9 35 21920 Then there came a voice from within the cloud: "This is My Son, My Chosen One: listen to Him." 42N 9 36 21930 After this voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They kept it to themselves, and said not a word to any one at that time about what they had seen. 42N 9 37 21940 On the following day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great crowd came to meet Him; 42N 9 38 21950 and a man from the crowd called out, "Rabbi, I beg you to pity my son, for he is my only child. 42N 9 39 21960 At times a spirit seizes him and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him, and makes him foam at the mouth, and does not leave him till it has well-nigh covered him with bruises. 42N 9 40 21970 I entreated your disciples to expel the spirit, but they could not." 42N 9 41 21980 "O unbelieving and perverse generation!" replied Jesus; "how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here to me." 42N 9 42 21990 Now while the youth was coming, the spirit dashed him to the ground and cruelly convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, and cured the youth and gave him back to his father. 42N 9 43 22000 And all were awe-struck at the mighty power of God. And while every one was expressing wonder at all that He was doing, He said to his disciples, 42N 9 44 22010 "As for you, store these my sayings in your memory; for, before long, the Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men." 42N 9 45 22020 But they did not understand His meaning: it was veiled from them that they might not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it. 42N 9 46 22030 Now there arose a dispute among them, which of them was to be the greatest. 42N 9 47 22040 And Jesus, knowing the reasoning that was in their hearts, took a young child and made him stand by His side 42N 9 48 22050 and said to them, "Whoever for my sake receives this little child, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives Him who sent me. For the lowliest among you all--he is the greatest." 42N 9 49 22060 "Rabbi," replied John, "we have seen a man making use of your name to expel demons; and we forbad him, because he does not come with us." 42N 9 50 22070 "Do not forbid him," said Jesus, "for he who is not against you is on your side." 42N 9 51 22080 Now when the time drew near for Him to be received up again into Heaven, He proceeded with fixed purpose towards Jerusalem, and sent messengers before Him. 42N 9 52 22090 They went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for Him. 42N 9 53 22100 But the people there would not receive Him, because He was evidently going to Jerusalem. 42N 9 54 22110 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Master, do you wish us to order fire to come down from Heaven and consume them?" 42N 9 55 22120 But He turned and rebuked them. 42N 9 56 22130 And they went to another village. 42N 9 57 22140 And, as they proceeded on their way, a man came to Him and said, "I will follow you wherever you go." 42N 9 58 22150 "The foxes have holes," said Jesus, "and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 42N 9 59 22160 "Follow me," He said to another. "Master," the man replied, "allow me first to go and bury my father." 42N 9 60 22170 "Leave the dead," Jesus rejoined, "to bury their own dead; but you must go and announce far and wide the coming of the Kingdom of God." 42N 9 61 22180 "Master," said yet another, "I will follow you; but allow me first to go and say good-bye to my friends at home." 42N 9 62 22190 Jesus answered him, "No one who has put his hand to the plough, and then looks behind him, is fit for the Kingdom of God. 42N 10 1 22200 After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them before Him, by twos, to go to every town or place which He Himself intended to visit. 42N 10 2 22210 And He addressed them thus: "The harvest is abundant, but the reapers are few: therefore entreat the Owner of the harvest to send out more reapers into His fields. And now go. 42N 10 3 22220 Remember that I am sending you out as lambs into the midst of wolves. 42N 10 4 22230 Carry no purse, bag, nor change of shoes; and salute no one on your way." 42N 10 5 22240 "Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!' 42N 10 6 22250 And if there is a lover of peace there, your peace shall rest upon it; otherwise come back upon you. 42N 10 7 22260 And in that same house stay, eating and drinking at their table; for the labourer deserves his wages. Do not move from one house to another. 42N 10 8 22270 "And whatever town you come to and they receive you, eat what they put before you. 42N 10 9 22280 Cure the sick in that town, and tell them, "`The Kingdom of God is now at your door.' 42N 10 10 22290 "But whatever town you come to and they will not receive you, go out into the broader streets and say, 42N 10 11 22300 "`The very dust of your town that hangs about us we wipe off as a protest. Only be sure of this, that the Kingdom of God is close at hand.' 42N 10 12 22310 "I tell you that it will be more endurable for Sodom on the great day than for that town. 42N 10 13 22320 "Alas for thee, Chorazin! Alas for thee, Bethsaida! For had the miracles been performed in Tyre and Sidon which have been performed in you, long ere now they would have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 42N 10 14 22330 However, for Tyre and Sidon it will be more endurable at the Judgement than for you. 42N 10 15 22340 And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be lifted high as Heaven? Thou shalt be driven down as low as Hades. 42N 10 16 22350 "He who listens to you listens to me; and he who disregards you disregards me, and he who disregards me disregards Him who sent me." 42N 10 17 22360 When the Seventy returned, they exclaimed joyfully, "Master, even the demons submit to us when we utter your name." 42N 10 18 22370 "I saw Satan fall like a lightning-flash out of Heaven," He replied. 42N 10 19 22380 "I have given you power to tread serpents and scorpions underfoot, and to trample on all the power of the Enemy; and in no case shall anything do you harm. 42N 10 20 22390 Nevertheless rejoice not at this, that the spirits submit to you; but rejoice that your names are registered in Heaven." 42N 10 21 22400 On that same occasion Jesus was filled by the Holy Spirit with rapturous joy. "I give Thee fervent thanks," He exclaimed, "O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from sages and men of understanding, and hast revealed them to babes. Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will. 42N 10 22 22410 All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is but the Father, nor who the Father is but the Son, and he to whom the Son may choose to reveal Him." 42N 10 23 22420 And He turned towards His disciples and said to them apart, "Blessed are the eyes which see what you see! 42N 10 24 22430 For I tell you that many Prophets and kings have desired to see the things you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things you hear, and have not heard them." 42N 10 25 22440 Then an expounder of the Law stood up to test Him with a question. "Rabbi," he asked, "what shall I do to inherit the Life of the Ages?" 42N 10 26 22450 "Go to the Law," said Jesus; "what is written there? how does it read?" 42N 10 27 22460 <"`Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,'"> he replied, <"`with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, thy whole strength, and thy whole mind; and thy fellow man as much as thyself.'"> 42N 10 28 22470 "A right answer," said Jesus; "do that, and you shall live." 42N 10 29 22480 But he, desiring to justify himself, said, "But what is meant by my `fellow man'?" 42N 10 30 22490 Jesus replied, "A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell among robbers, who after both stripping and beating him went away, leaving him half dead. 42N 10 31 22500 Now a priest happened to be going down that way, and on seeing him passed by on the other side. 42N 10 32 22510 In like manner a Levite also came to the place, and seeing him passed by on the other side. 42N 10 33 22520 But a certain Samaritan, being on a journey, came where he lay, and seeing him was moved with pity. 42N 10 34 22530 He went to him, and dressed his wounds with oil and wine and bound them up. Then placing him on his own mule he brought him to an inn, where he bestowed every care on him. 42N 10 35 22540 The next day he took out two shillings and gave them to the innkeeper. "`Take care of him,' he said, `and whatever further expense you are put to, I will repay it you at my next visit.' 42N 10 36 22550 "Which of those three seems to you to have acted like a fellow man to him who fell among the robbers?" 42N 10 37 22560 "The one who showed him pity," he replied. "Go," said Jesus, "and act in the same way." 42N 10 38 22570 As they pursued their journey He came to a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed Him to her house. 42N 10 39 22580 She had a sister called Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching. 42N 10 40 22590 Martha meanwhile was busy and distracted in waiting at table, and she came and said, "Master, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do all the waiting? Tell her to assist me." 42N 10 41 22600 "Martha, Martha," replied Jesus, "you are anxious and worried about a multitude of things; 42N 10 42 22610 and yet only one thing is really necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion and she shall not be deprived of it." 42N 11 1 22620 At one place where He was praying, when He rose from His knees one of His disciples said to Him, "Master, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." 42N 11 2 22630 So He said to them, "When you pray, say, `Father may Thy name be kept holy; let Thy Kingdom come; 42N 11 3 22640 give us day after day our bread for the day; 42N 11 4 22650 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive every one who fails in his duty to us; and bring us not into temptation.'" 42N 11 5 22660 And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend and shall go to him in the middle of the night and say, "`Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 42N 11 6 22670 for a friend of mine has just come to my house from a distance, and I have nothing for him to eat'? 42N 11 7 22680 "And he from indoors shall answer, "`Do not pester me. The door is now barred, and I am here in bed with my children. I cannot get up and give you bread.' 42N 11 8 22690 "I tell you that even if he will not rise and give him the loaves because he is his friend, at any rate because of his persistency he will rouse himself and give him as many as he requires. 42N 11 9 22700 "So I say to you, `Ask, and what you ask for shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you.' 42N 11 10 22710 For every one who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door shall be opened. 42N 11 11 22720 And what father is there among you, who, if his son asks for a slice of bread, will offer him a stone? or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish offer him a snake? 42N 11 12 22730 or if he asks for an egg, will offer him a scorpion? 42N 11 13 22740 If you then, with all your human frailty, know how to give your children gifts that are good for them, how much more certainly will your Father who is in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" 42N 11 14 22750 On once occasion He was expelling a dumb demon; and when the demon was gone out the dumb man could speak, and the people were astonished. 42N 11 15 22760 But some among them said, "It is by the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of the demons, that he expels the demons." 42N 11 16 22770 Others, to put Him to the test, asked Him for a sign in the sky. 42N 11 17 22780 And, knowing their thoughts, He said to them, "Every kingdom in which civil war rages goes to ruin: family attacks family and is overthrown. 42N 11 18 22790 And if Satan really has engaged in fierce conflict with himself, how shall his kingdom stand?--because you say that I expel demons by the power of Baal-zebul. 42N 11 19 22800 And if it is by the power of Baal-zebul that I expel the demons, by whom do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall be your judges. 42N 11 20 22810 But if it is by the power of God that I drive out the demons, it is evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 42N 11 21 22820 "Whenever a strong man, fully armed and equipped, is guarding his own castle, he enjoys peaceful possession of his property; 42N 11 22 22830 but as soon as another stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away that complete armour of his in which he trusted, and distributes the plunder he has collected. 42N 11 23 22840 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever is not gathering with me is scattering abroad. 42N 11 24 22850 "When a foul spirit has left a man, it roams about in the Desert, seeking a resting-place; but, unable to find any, it says, `I will return to the house I have left;" 42N 11 25 22860 and when it comes, it finds the house swept clean and in good order. 42N 11 26 22870 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more malignant than itself, and they enter and dwell there; and in the end that man's condition becomes worse than it was at first. 42N 11 27 22880 As He thus spoke a woman in the crowd called out in a loud voice, "Blessed is the mother who carried you, and the breasts that you have sucked." 42N 11 28 22890 "Nay rather," He replied, "they are blessed who hear God's Message and carefully keep it." 42N 11 29 22900 Now when the crowds came thronging upon Him, He proceeded to say, "The present generation is a wicked generation: it requires some sign, but no sign shall be given to it except that of Jonah. 42N 11 30 22910 For just as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be a token to the present generation. 42N 11 31 22920 The Queen of the South will awake at the Judgement together with the men of the present generation, and will condemn them; because she came from the extremity of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; but mark! One greater than Solomon is here. 42N 11 32 22930 There will stand up men of Nineveh at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and mark! One greater than Jonah is here. 42N 11 33 22940 "When any one lights a lamp, he never puts it in the cellar or under the bushel, but on the lampstand, that people who come in may see the light. 42N 11 34 22950 The lamp of the body is the eye. When your eyesight is good, your whole body also is lighted up; but when it is defective, your body is darkened. 42N 11 35 22960 Consider therefore whether the light that is in you is anything but mere darkness. 42N 11 36 22970 If, however, your whole body is penetrated with light, and has no part dark, it will be so lighted, all of it, as when the lamp with its bright shining gives you light." 42N 11 37 22980 When He had thus spoken, a Pharisee invited Him to breakfast at his house; so He entered and took His place at table. 42N 11 38 22990 Now the Pharisee saw to his surprise that He did not wash His hands before breakfasting. 42N 11 39 23000 The Master however said to him, "Here we see how you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup or plate, while your secret hearts are full of greed and selfishness. 42N 11 40 23010 Foolish men! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 42N 11 41 23020 But as to what is within, give alms, and instantly all is clean in you. 42N 11 42 23030 "But alas for you Pharisees! for you pay tithes on your mint and rue and every kind of garden vegetable, and are indifferent to justice and the love of God. These are the things you ought to have attended to, while not neglecting the others. 42N 11 43 23040 Alas for you Pharisees! for you love the best seats in the synagogues, and you like to be bowed to in places of public resort. 42N 11 44 23050 Alas for you! for you are like the tombs which lie hidden, and the people who walk over them are not aware of their existence." 42N 11 45 23060 Hereupon one of the expounders of the Law exclaimed, "Rabbi, in saying such things you reproach us also." 42N 11 46 23070 "Alas too for you expounders of the Law!" replied Jesus, "for you load men with cumbrous burdens which you yourselves will not touch with one of your fingers. 42N 11 47 23080 Alas for you! for you repair the tombs of the Prophets, whom your forefathers killed. 42N 11 48 23090 It follows that you bear testimony to the actions of your forefathers and that you fully approve thereof. They slew, you build. 42N 11 49 23100 "For this reason also the Wisdom of God has said, `I will send Prophets and Apostles to them, of whom they will kill some and persecute others,' 42N 11 50 23110 so that the blood of all the Prophets, that is being shed from the creation of the world onwards, may be required from the present generation. 42N 11 51 23120 Yes, I tell you that, from the blood of Abel down to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the House, it shall all be required from the present generation. 42N 11 52 23130 "Alas for you expounders of the Law! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you yourselves have not entered, and those who wanted to enter you have hindered." 42N 11 53 23140 After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced a vehement attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand answers on numerous points, 42N 11 54 23150 lying in wait to catch some unguarded expression from His lips. 42N 12 1 23160 Meanwhile the people had come streaming towards Him by tens of thousands, so that they were trampling one another under foot. And now He proceeded to say to His disciples first, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is to say, beware of hypocrisy. 42N 12 2 23170 There is nothing that is covered up which will not be uncovered, nor hidden which will not become known. 42N 12 3 23180 Whatever therefore you have said in the dark, will be heard in the light; and what you have whispered within closed doors will be proclaimed from the house-tops. 42N 12 4 23190 "But to you who are my friends I say, "`Be not afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do nothing further. 42N 12 5 23200 I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who after killing has power to throw into Gehenna: yes, I say to you, fear him. 42N 12 6 23210 Are not five sparrows sold for a penny? and yet not one of them is a thing forgotten in God's sight. 42N 12 7 23220 But the very hairs on your heads are all counted. Away with fear: you are more precious than a multitude of sparrows.' 42N 12 8 23230 "And I tell you that every man who shall have acknowledged me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 42N 12 9 23240 But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. 42N 12 10 23250 "Moreover every one who shall speak against the Son of Man, may obtain forgiveness; but he who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never obtain forgiveness. 42N 12 11 23260 And when they are bringing you before synagogues and magistrates and governors, do not anxiously ponder the manner or matter of your defence, nor what you are to say; 42N 12 12 23270 for the Holy Spirit shall teach you at that very moment what you must say." 42N 12 13 23280 Just then a man in the crowd appealed to Him. "Rabbi," he said, "tell my brother to give me a share of the inheritance." 42N 12 14 23290 "Man," He replied, "who has constituted me a judge or arbitrator over you?" 42N 12 15 23300 And to the people He said, "Take care, be on your guard against all covetousness, for no one's life consists in the superabundance of his possessions." 42N 12 16 23310 And He spoke a parable to them. "A certain rich man's lands," He said, "yielded abundant crops, 42N 12 17 23320 and he debated within himself, saying, "`What am I to do? for I have no place in which to store my crops.' 42N 12 18 23330 "And he said to himself, "`This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and in them I will store up all my harvest and my wealth; 42N 12 19 23340 and I will say to my life, "`Life, you have ample possessions laid up for many years to come: take your ease, eat, drink, enjoy yourself.' 42N 12 20 23350 "But God said to him, "`Foolish man, this night your life is demanded from you; and these preparations--for whom shall they be?' 42N 12 21 23360 "So is it with him who amasses treasure for himself, but has no riches in God." 42N 12 22 23370 Then turning to His disciples He said, "For this reason I say to you, `Dismiss all anxious care for your lives, inquiring what you are to eat, and for your bodies, what you are to put on.' 42N 12 23 23380 For life is a greater gift than food, and the body is a greater gift than clothing. 42N 12 24 23390 Observe the ravens. They neither sow nor reap, and have neither store-chamber nor barn. And yet God feeds them. How far more precious are you than the birds! 42N 12 25 23400 And which of you is able by anxious thought to add a moment to his life? 42N 12 26 23410 If then you are unable to do even a very little thing, why be over-anxious about other matters? 42N 12 27 23420 Observe the lilies, how they grow. They neither labour nor spin. And yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was as beautifully dressed as one of these. 42N 12 28 23430 But if God so clothes the vegetation in the fields, that blooms to-day and to-morrow will be thrown into the oven, how much more certainly will He clothe you, you men of feeble faith! 42N 12 29 23440 "Therefore, do not be asking what you are to eat nor what you are to drink; and do not waver between hope and fear. 42N 12 30 23450 For though the nations of the world pursue these things, as for you, your Father knows that you need them. 42N 12 31 23460 But make His Kingdom the object of your pursuit, and these things shall be given you in addition. 42N 12 32 23470 "Dismiss your fears, little flock: your Father finds a pleasure in giving you the Kingdom. 42N 12 33 23480 Sell your possessions and give alms. Provide yourselves with purses that will never wear out, a treasure inexhaustible in Heaven, where no thief can come nor moth consume. 42N 12 34 23490 For where your wealth is stored, there also will your heart be. 42N 12 35 23500 "Have your girdles on, and let your lamps be alight; 42N 12 36 23510 and be yourselves like men waiting for their master--on the look-out till he shall return from the wedding feast--that, when he comes and knocks, they may open the door instantly. 42N 12 37 23520 Blessed are those servants, whom their Master when He comes shall find on the watch. I tell you in solemn truth, that He will tie an apron round Him, and will bid them recline at table while He comes and waits on them. 42N 12 38 23530 And whether it be in the second watch or in the third that He comes and finds them so, blessed are they. 42N 12 39 23540 Of this be sure, that if the master of the house had known what time the robber was coming, he would have kept awake and not have allowed his house to be broken into. 42N 12 40 23550 Be you also ready, for at an hour when you are not expecting Him the Son of Man will come." 42N 12 41 23560 "Master," said Peter, "are you addressing this parable to us, or to all alike?" 42N 12 42 23570 "Who, then," replied the Lord, "is the faithful and intelligent steward whom his Master will put in charge of His household to serve out their rations at the proper times? 42N 12 43 23580 Blessed is that servant whom his Master when He comes shall find so doing. 42N 12 44 23590 I tell you truly that He will put him in authority over all His possessions. 42N 12 45 23600 But if that servant should say in his heart, `My Master is a long time in coming,' and should begin to beat the menservants and the maids, and to eat and drink, drinking even to excess; 42N 12 46 23610 that servant's Master will come on a day when he is not expecting Him and at an hour that he knows not of, and will punish him severely, and make him share the lot of the unfaithful. 42N 12 47 23620 And that servant who has been told his Master's will and yet made no preparation and did not obey His will, will receive many lashes. 42N 12 48 23630 But he who had not been told it and yet did what deserved the scourge, will receive but few lashes. To whomsoever much has been given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been entrusted, of him a larger amount will be demanded. 42N 12 49 23640 "I came to throw fire upon the earth, and what is my desire? Oh that it were even now kindled! 42N 12 50 23650 But I have a baptism to undergo; and how am I pent up till it is accomplished! 42N 12 51 23660 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? No, I tell you that I came to bring dissension. 42N 12 52 23670 For from this time there will be in one house five persons split into parties. Three will form a party against two and two will form a party against three; 42N 12 53 23680 father against son and son against father; mother attacking daughter and daughter her mother, mother-in-law her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law her mother-in-law." 42N 12 54 23690 Then He said to the people also, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, `There is to be a shower;' and it comes to pass. 42N 12 55 23700 And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, `It will be burning hot;' and it comes to pass. 42N 12 56 23710 Vain pretenders! You know how to read the aspect of earth and sky. How is it you cannot read this present time? 42N 12 57 23720 "Why, too, do you not of yourselves arrive at just conclusions? 42N 12 58 23730 For when, with your opponent, you are going before the magistrate, on the way take pains to get out of his power; for fear that, if he should drag you before the judge, the judge may hand you over to the officer of the court, and the officer lodge you in prison. 42N 12 59 23740 Never, I tell you, will you get free till you have paid the last farthing." 42N 13 1 23750 Just at that time people came to tell Him about the Galilaeans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 42N 13 2 23760 "Do you suppose," He asked in reply, "that those Galilaeans were worse sinners than the mass of the Galilaeans, because this happened to them? 42N 13 3 23770 I tell you, certainly not. On the contrary, if you are not penitent you will all perish as they did. 42N 13 4 23780 Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell, do you suppose they had failed in their duty more than all the rest of the people who live in Jerusalem? 42N 13 5 23790 I tell you, certainly not. On the contrary, if you do not repent you will all perish just as they did." 42N 13 6 23800 And He gave them the following parable. "A man," He said, "who had a fig-tree growing in his garden came to look for fruit on it and could find none. 42N 13 7 23810 So he said to the gardener, "`See, this is the third year I have come to look for fruit on this fig-tree and cannot find any. Cut it down. Why should so much ground be actually wasted?' 42N 13 8 23820 "But the gardener pleaded, "`Leave it, Sir, this year also, till I have dug round it and manured it. 42N 13 9 23830 If after that it bears fruit, well and good; if it does not, then you shall cut it down.'" 42N 13 10 23840 Once He was teaching on the Sabbath in one of the synagogues 42N 13 11 23850 where a woman was present who for eighteen years had been a confirmed invalid: she was bent double, and was unable to lift herself to her full height. 42N 13 12 23860 But Jesus saw her, and calling to her, He said to her, "Woman, you are free from your weakness." 42N 13 13 23870 And He put His hands on her, and she immediately stood upright and began to give glory to God. 42N 13 14 23880 Then the Warden of the Synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured her on a Sabbath, said to the crowd, "There are six days in the week on which people ought to work. On those days therefore come and get yourselves cured, and not on the Sabbath day." 42N 13 15 23890 But the Lord's reply to him was, "Hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his bullock or his ass from the stall and lead him to water? 42N 13 16 23900 And this woman, daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan had bound for no less than eighteen years, was she not to be loosed from this chain because it is the Sabbath day?" 42N 13 17 23910 When He had said this, all His opponents were ashamed, while the whole multitude was delighted at the many glorious things continually done by Him. 42N 13 18 23920 This prompted Him to say, "What is the Kingdom of God like? and to what shall I compare it? 42N 13 19 23930 It is like a mustard seed which a man drops into the soil in his garden, and it grows and becomes a tree in whose branches the birds roost." 42N 13 20 23940 And again He said, "To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? 42N 13 21 23950 It is like yeast which a woman takes and buries in a bushel of flour, to work there till the whole is leavened." 42N 13 22 23960 He was passing through town after town and village after village, steadily proceeding towards Jerusalem, 42N 13 23 23970 when some one asked Him, "Sir, are there but few who are to be saved?" 42N 13 24 23980 "Strain every nerve to force your way in through the narrow gate," He answered; "for multitudes, I tell you, will endeavour to find a way in and will not succeed. 42N 13 25 23990 As soon as the Master of the house shall have risen and shut the door, and you have begun to stand outside and knock at the door and say, "`Sir, open the door for us' --"`I do not know you,' He answers; `you are no friends of mine.' 42N 13 26 24000 "Then you will plead, "`We have eaten and drunk in your company and you have taught in our streets.' 42N 13 27 24010 "But He will reply, "`I tell you that you are no friends of mine. Begone from me, all of you, wrongdoers that you are.' 42N 13 28 24020 "There will be the weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, and yourselves being driven far away. 42N 13 29 24030 They will come from east and west, from north and south, and will sit down at the banquet in the Kingdom of God. 42N 13 30 24040 And I tell you that some now last will then be first, and some now first will then be last." 42N 13 31 24050 Just at that time there came some Pharisees who warned Him, saying, "Leave this place and continue your journey; Herod means to kill you." 42N 13 32 24060 "Go," He replied, "and take this message to that fox: "`See, to-day and to-morrow I am driving out demons and effecting cures, and on the third day I finish my course.' 42N 13 33 24070 "Yet I must continue my journey to-day and to-morrow and the day following; for it is not conceivable that a Prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem. 42N 13 34 24080 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou who murderest the Prophets and stonest those who have been sent to thee, how often have I desired to gather thy children just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not come! 42N 13 35 24090 See, your house is left to you. But I tell you that you will never see me again until you say, <`Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'"> 42N 14 1 24100 One day--it was a Sabbath--He was taking a meal at the house of one of the Rulers of the Pharisee party, while they were closely watching Him. 42N 14 2 24110 In front of Him was a man suffering from dropsy. 42N 14 3 24120 This led Jesus to ask the lawyers and Pharisees, "Is it allowable to cure people on the Sabbath?" 42N 14 4 24130 They gave Him no answer; so He took hold of the man, cured him, and sent him away. 42N 14 5 24140 Then He turned to them and said, "Which of you shall have a child or an ox fall into a well on the Sabbath day, and will not immediately lift him out?" 42N 14 6 24150 To this they could make no reply. 42N 14 7 24160 Then, when He noticed that the invited guests chose the best seats, He used this as an illustration and said to them, 42N 14 8 24170 "When any one invites you to a wedding banquet, do not take the best seat, lest perhaps some more honoured guest than you may have been asked, 42N 14 9 24180 and the man who invited you both will come and will say to you, `Make room for this guest,' and then you, ashamed, will move to the lowest place. 42N 14 10 24190 On the contrary, when you are invited go and take the lowest place, that when your host comes round he may say to you, `My friend, come up higher.' This will be doing you honour in the presence of all the other guests. 42N 14 11 24200 For whoever uplifts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be uplifted. 42N 14 12 24210 Also to His host, who had invited Him, He said, "When you give a breakfast or a dinner, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbours, lest perhaps they should invite you in return and a requital be made you. 42N 14 13 24220 But when you entertain, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind; 42N 14 14 24230 and you will be blessed, because they have no means of requiting you, but there will be requital for you at the Resurrection of the righteous." 42N 14 15 24240 After listening to this teaching, one of His fellow guests said to Him, "Blessed is he who shall feast in God's Kingdom." 42N 14 16 24250 "A man once gave a great dinner," replied Jesus, "to which he invited a large number of guests. 42N 14 17 24260 At dinner-time he sent his servant to announce to those who had been invited, "`Come, for things are now ready.' 42N 14 18 24270 "But they all without exception began to excuse themselves. The first told him, "`I have purchased a piece of land, and must of necessity go and look at it. Pray hold me excused.' 42N 14 19 24280 "A second pleaded, "`I have bought five yoke of oxen, and am on my way to try them. Pray hold me excused.' 42N 14 20 24290 "Another said, "`I am just married. It is impossible for me to come.' 42N 14 21 24300 "So the servant came and brought these answers to his master, and they stirred his anger. "`Go out quickly,' he said, `into the streets of the city--the wide ones and the narrow. You will see poor men, and crippled, blind, lame: fetch them all in here.' 42N 14 22 24310 "Soon the servant reported the result, saying, "`Sir, what you ordered is done, and there is room still.' 42N 14 23 24320 "`Go out,' replied the master, `to the high roads and hedge-rows, and compel the people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 42N 14 24 24330 For I tell you that not one of those who were invited shall taste my dinner.'" 42N 14 25 24340 On His journey vast crowds attended Him, towards whom He turned and said, 42N 14 26 24350 "If any one is coming to me who does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes and his own life also, he cannot be a disciple of mine. 42N 14 27 24360 No one who does not carry his own cross and come after me can be a disciple of mine. 42N 14 28 24370 "Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not sit down first and calculate the cost, asking if he has the means to finish it? -- 42N 14 29 24380 lest perhaps, when he has laid the foundation and is unable to finish, all who see it shall begin to jeer at him, 42N 14 30 24390 saying, `This man began to build, but could not finish.' 42N 14 31 24400 Or what king, marching to encounter another king in war, does not first sit down and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand men to meet the one who is advancing against him with twenty thousand? 42N 14 32 24410 If not, while the other is still a long way off, he sends messengers and sues for peace. 42N 14 33 24420 Just as no one of you who does not detach himself from all that belongs to him can be a disciple of mine. 42N 14 34 24430 "Salt is good: but if even the salt has become tasteless, what will you use to season it? 42N 14 35 24440 Neither for land nor dunghill is it of any use; they throw it away. Listen, every one who has ears to listen with!" 42N 15 1 24450 Now the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners were everywhere in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him; 42N 15 2 24460 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying, "He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals!" 42N 15 3 24470 So in figurative language He asked them, 42N 15 4 24480 "Which of you men, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in their pasture and go in search of the lost one till he finds it? 42N 15 5 24490 And when he has found it, he lifts it on his shoulder, glad at heart. 42N 15 6 24500 Then coming home he calls his friends and neighbours together, and says, `Congratulate me, for I have found my sheep--the one I had lost.' 42N 15 7 24510 I tell you that in the same way there will be rejoicing in Heaven over one repentant sinner--more rejoicing than over ninety-nine blameless persons who have no need of repentance. 42N 15 8 24520 "Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully till she finds it? 42N 15 9 24530 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, and says, "`Congratulate me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' 42N 15 10 24540 "I tell you that in the same way there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one repentant sinner." 42N 15 11 24550 He went on to say, "There was a man who had two sons. 42N 15 12 24560 The younger of them said to his father, "`Father, give me the share of the property that comes to me.' "So he divided his wealth between them. 42N 15 13 24570 No long time afterwards the younger son got all together and travelled to a distant country, where he wasted his money in debauchery and excess. 42N 15 14 24580 At last, when he had spent everything, there came a terrible famine throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch of want. 42N 15 15 24590 So he went and hired himself to one of the inhabitants of that country, who sent him on to his farm to tend swine; 42N 15 16 24600 and he longed to make a hearty meal of the pods the swine were eating, but no one gave him any. 42N 15 17 24610 "But on coming to himself he said, "`How many of my father's hired men have more bread than they want, while I here am dying of hunger! 42N 15 18 24620 I will rise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you: 42N 15 19 24630 I no longer deserve to be called a son of yours: treat me as one of your hired men.' 42N 15 20 24640 "So he rose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and pitied him, and ran and threw his arms round his neck and kissed him tenderly. 42N 15 21 24650 "`Father,' cried the son, `I have sinned against Heaven and before you: no longer do I deserve to be called a son of yours.' 42N 15 22 24660 "But the father said to his servants, "`Fetch a good coat quickly--the best one--and put it on him; and bring a ring for his finger and shoes for his feet. 42N 15 23 24670 Fetch the fat calf and kill it, and let us feast and enjoy ourselves; 42N 15 24 24680 for my son here was dead and has come to life again: he was lost and has been found.' "And they began to be merry. 42N 15 25 24690 "Now his elder son was out on the farm; and when he returned and came near home, he heard music and dancing. 42N 15 26 24700 Then he called one of the lads to him and asked what all this meant. 42N 15 27 24710 "`Your brother has come,' he replied; `and your father has had the fat calf killed, because he has got him home safe and sound.' 42N 15 28 24720 "Then he was angry and would not go in. But his father came out and entreated him. 42N 15 29 24730 "`All these years,' replied the son, `I have been slaving for you, and I have never at any time disobeyed any of your orders, and yet you have never given me so much as a kid, for me to enjoy myself with my friends; 42N 15 30 24740 but now that this son of yours is come who has eaten up your property among his bad women, you have killed the fat calf for him.' 42N 15 31 24750 "`You my dear son,' said the father, `are always with me, and all that is mine is also yours. 42N 15 32 24760 We are bound to make merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has come back to life, he was lost and has been found.'" 42N 16 1 24770 He said also to His disciples: "There was a rich man who had a steward, about whom a report was brought to him, that he was wasting his property. 42N 16 2 24780 He called him and said, "`What is this I hear about you? Render an account of your stewardship, for I cannot let you hold it any longer.' 42N 16 3 24790 "Then the steward said within himself, "`What am I to do? For my master is taking away the stewardship from me. I am not strong enough for field labour: to beg, I should be ashamed. 42N 16 4 24800 I see what to do, in order that when I am discharged from the stewardship they may give me a home in their own houses.' 42N 16 5 24810 "So he called all his master's debtors, one by one, and asked the first, `How much are you in debt to my master?' 42N 16 6 24820 "`A hundred firkins of oil,' he replied. "`Here is your account,' said the steward: `sit down quickly and change it into fifty firkins.' 42N 16 7 24830 "To a second he said, "`And how much do you owe?' "`A hundred quarters of wheat,' was the answer. "`Here is your account,' said he: `change it into eighty quarters.' 42N 16 8 24840 "And the master praised the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for, in relation to their own contemporaries, the men of this age are shrewder than the sons of Light. 42N 16 9 24850 "But I charge you, so to use the wealth which is ever tempting to dishonesty as to win friends who, when it fails, shall welcome you to the tents that never perish. 42N 16 10 24860 The man who is honest in a very small matter is honest in a great one also; and he who is dishonest in a very small matter is dishonest in a great one also. 42N 16 11 24870 If therefore you have not proved yourselves faithful in dealing with the wealth that is tainted with fraud, who will entrust to you the true good? 42N 16 12 24880 And if you have not been faithful in dealing with that which is not your own, who will give you that which is your own? 42N 16 13 24890 "No servant can be in bondage to two masters. For either he will hate one and love the other, or else he will cling fast to one and scorn the other. You cannot be bondservants both of God and of gold." 42N 16 14 24900 To all this the Pharisees listened, bitterly jeering at Him; for they were lovers of money. 42N 16 15 24910 "You are they," He said to them, "who boast of their own goodness before men, but God sees your hearts; for that which holds a proud position among men is detestable in God's sight. 42N 16 16 24920 The Law and the Prophets continued until John came: from that time the Good News of the Kingdom of God has been spreading, and all classes have been forcing their way into it. 42N 16 17 24930 But it is easier for earth and sky to pass away than for one smallest detail of the Law to fall to the ground. 42N 16 18 24940 Every man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and he who marries her when so divorced from her husband commits adultery. 42N 16 19 24950 "There was once a rich man who habitually arrayed himself in purple and fine linen, and enjoyed a splendid banquet every day, 42N 16 20 24960 while at his outer door there lay a beggar, Lazarus by name, 42N 16 21 24970 covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. Nay, the dogs, too, used to come and lick his sores. 42N 16 22 24980 "But in course of time the beggar died; and he was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and had a funeral. 42N 16 23 24990 And in Hades, being in torment, he looked and saw Abraham in the far distance, and Lazarus resting in his arms. 42N 16 24 25000 So he cried aloud, and said, "`Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.' 42N 16 25 25010 "`Remember, my child,' said Abraham, `that you had all your good things during your lifetime, and that Lazarus in like manner had his bad things. But, now and here, he is receiving consolation and you are in agony. 42N 16 26 25020 And, besides all this, a vast chasm is immovably fixed between us and you, put there in order that those who desire to cross from this side to you may not be able, nor any be able to cross over from your side to us.' 42N 16 27 25030 "`I entreat you then, father,' said he, `to send him to my father's house. 42N 16 28 25040 For I have five brothers. Let him earnestly warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' 42N 16 29 25050 "`They have Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham; `let them hear them.' 42N 16 30 25060 "`No, father Abraham,' he pleaded; `but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 42N 16 31 25070 "`If they are deaf to Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham, `they would not be led to believe even if some one should rise from the dead.'" 42N 17 1 25080 Jesus said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that causes of stumbling should come; but alas for him through whom they come! 42N 17 2 25090 It would be well for him if, with a millstone round his neck, he were lying at the bottom of the sea, rather than that he should cause even one of these little ones to fall. 42N 17 3 25100 Be on your guard. "If your brother acts wrongly, reprove him; and if he is sorry, forgive him; 42N 17 4 25110 and if seven times in a day he acts wrongly towards you, and seven times turns again to you and says, `I am sorry,' you must forgive him." 42N 17 5 25120 And the Apostles said to the Lord, "Give us faith." 42N 17 6 25130 "If your faith," replied the Lord, "is like a mustard seed, you might command this black-mulberry-tree, `Tear up your roots and plant yourself in the sea,' and instantly it would obey you. 42N 17 7 25140 But which of you who has a servant ploughing, or tending sheep, will say to him when he comes in from the farm, `Come at once and take your place at table,' 42N 17 8 25150 and will not rather say to him, `Get my dinner ready, make yourself tidy, and wait upon me till I have finished my dinner, and then you shall have yours'? 42N 17 9 25160 Does he thank the servant for obeying his orders? 42N 17 10 25170 So you also, when you have obeyed all the orders given you, must say, "`There is no merit in our service: what we have done is only what we were in duty bound to do.'" 42N 17 11 25180 As they pursued their journey to Jerusalem, He passed through Samaria and Galilee. 42N 17 12 25190 And as He entered a certain village, ten men met Him who were lepers and stood at a distance. 42N 17 13 25200 In loud voices they cried out, "Jesus, Rabbi, take pity on us." 42N 17 14 25210 Perceiving this, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the Priests." And while on their way to do this they were made clean. 42N 17 15 25220 One of them, seeing that he was cured, came back, adoring and praising God in a loud voice, 42N 17 16 25230 and he threw himself at the feet of Jesus, thanking Him. He was a Samaritan. 42N 17 17 25240 "Were not all ten made clean?" Jesus asked; "but where are the nine? 42N 17 18 25250 Have none been found to come back and give glory to God except this foreigner?" 42N 17 19 25260 And He said to him, "Rise and go: your faith has cured you." 42N 17 20 25270 Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God was coming, He answered, "The Kingdom of God does not so come that you can stealthily watch for it. 42N 17 21 25280 Nor will they say, `See here!' or `See there!' --for the Kingdom of God is within you." 42N 17 22 25290 Then, turning to His disciples, He said, "There will come a time when you will wish you could see a single one of the days of the Son of Man, but will not see one. 42N 17 23 25300 And they will say to you, `See there!' `See here!' Do not start off and go in pursuit. 42N 17 24 25310 For just as the lightning, when it flashes, shines from one part of the horizon to the opposite part, so will the Son of Man be on His day. 42N 17 25 25320 But first He must endure much suffering, and be rejected by the present generation. 42N 17 26 25330 "And as it was in the time of Noah, so will it also be in the time of the Son of Man. 42N 17 27 25340 Men were eating and drinking, taking wives and giving wives, up to the very day on which Noah entered the Ark, and the Deluge came and destroyed them all. 42N 17 28 25350 The same was true in the time of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building; 42N 17 29 25360 but on the day that Lot left Sodom, God rained fire and brimstone from the sky and destroyed them all. 42N 17 30 25370 Exactly so will it be on the day that the veil is lifted from the Son of Man. 42N 17 31 25380 "On that day, if a man is on the roof and his property indoors, let him not go down to fetch it; and, in the same way, he who is in the field, let him not turn back. 42N 17 32 25390 Remember Lot's wife. 42N 17 33 25400 Any man who makes it his object to keep his own life safe, will lose it; but whoever loses his life will preserve it. 42N 17 34 25410 On that night, I tell you, there will be two men in one bed: one will be taken away and the other left behind. 42N 17 35 25420 There will be two women turning the mill together: one will be taken away and the other left behind." 42N 17 36 25430 [] 42N 17 37 25440 "Where, Master?" they inquired. "Where the dead body is," He replied, "there also will the vultures flock together." 42N 18 1 25450 He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart. 42N 18 2 25460 "In a certain town," He said, "there was a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for man. 42N 18 3 25470 And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, "`Give me justice and stop my oppressor.' 42N 18 4 25480 "For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself, "`Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man, 42N 18 5 25490 yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent her from constantly coming to pester me.'" 42N 18 6 25500 And the Lord said, "Hear those words of the unjust judge. 42N 18 7 25510 And will not God avenge the wrongs of His own People who cry aloud to Him day and night, although He seems slow in taking action on their behalf? 42N 18 8 25520 Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" 42N 18 9 25530 And to some who relied on themselves as being righteous men, and looked down upon all others, He addressed this parable. 42N 18 10 25540 "Two men went up to the Temple to pray," He said; "one being a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer. 42N 18 11 25550 The Pharisee, standing erect, prayed as follows by himself: "`O God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people--I am not a thief nor a cheat nor an adulterer, nor do I even resemble this tax-gatherer. 42N 18 12 25560 I fast twice a week. I pay the tithe on all my gains.' 42N 18 13 25570 "But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, "`O God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.' 42N 18 14 25580 "I tell you that this man went home more thoroughly absolved from guilt than the other; for every one who uplifts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be uplifted." 42N 18 15 25590 On one occasion people also brought with them their infants, for Him to touch them; but the disciples, noticing this, proceeded to find fault with them. 42N 18 16 25600 Jesus however called the infants to Him. "Let the little children come to me," He said; "do not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs. 42N 18 17 25610 I tell you in solemn truth that, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will certainly not enter it." 42N 18 18 25620 The question was put to Him by a Ruler: "Good Rabbi, what shall I do to inherit the Life of the Ages?" 42N 18 19 25630 "Why do you call me good?" replied Jesus; "there is no one good but One, namely God. 42N 18 20 25640 You know the Commandments: <`Do not commit adultery;' `Do not murder;' `Do not steal;' `Do not lie in giving evidence;' `Honour thy father and thy mother.'"> 42N 18 21 25650 "All of those," he replied, "I have kept from my youth." 42N 18 22 25660 On receiving this answer Jesus said to him, "There is still one thing wanting in you. Sell everything you possess and give the money to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and then come, follow me." 42N 18 23 25670 But on hearing these words he was deeply sorrowful, for he was exceedingly rich. 42N 18 24 25680 Jesus saw his sorrow, and said, "With how hard a struggle do the possessors of riches ever enter the Kingdom of God! 42N 18 25 25690 Why, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." 42N 18 26 25700 "Who then can be saved?" exclaimed the hearers. 42N 18 27 25710 "Things impossible with man," He replied, "are possible with God." 42N 18 28 25720 Then Peter said, "See, we have given up our homes and have followed you." 42N 18 29 25730 "I solemnly tell you," replied Jesus, "that there is no one who has left house or wife, or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of God's Kingdom, 42N 18 30 25740 who shall not certainly receive many times as much in this life, and in the age that is coming the Life of the Ages." 42N 18 31 25750 Then He drew the Twelve to Him and said, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written in the Prophets which refers to the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 42N 18 32 25760 For He will be given up to the Gentiles, and be mocked, outraged and spit upon. 42N 18 33 25770 They will scourge Him and put Him to death, and on the third day He will rise to life again." 42N 18 34 25780 Nothing of this did they understand. The words were a mystery to them, nor could they see what He meant. 42N 18 35 25790 As Jesus came near to Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the way-side begging. 42N 18 36 25800 He heard a crowd of people going past, and inquired what it all meant. 42N 18 37 25810 "Jesus the Nazarene is passing by," they told him. 42N 18 38 25820 Then, at the top of his voice, he cried out, "Jesus, son of David, take pity on me." 42N 18 39 25830 Those in front reproved him and tried to silence him; but he continued shouting, louder than ever, "Son of David, take pity on me." 42N 18 40 25840 At length Jesus stopped and desired them to bring the man to Him; and when he had come close to Him He asked him, 42N 18 41 25850 "What shall I do for you?" "Sir," he replied, "let me recover my sight." 42N 18 42 25860 "Recover your sight," said Jesus: "your faith has cured you." 42N 18 43 25870 No sooner were the words spoken than the man regained his sight and followed Jesus, giving glory to God; and all the people, seeing it, gave praise to God. 42N 19 1 25880 So He entered Jericho and was passing through the town. 42N 19 2 25890 There was a man there called Zacchaeus, who was the local surveyor of taxes, and was wealthy. 42N 19 3 25900 He was anxious to see what sort of man Jesus was; but he could not because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. 42N 19 4 25910 So he ran on in front and climbed up a mulberry tree to see Him; for He was about to pass that way. 42N 19 5 25920 As soon as Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for I must stay at your house to-day." 42N 19 6 25930 So he came down in haste, and welcomed Him joyfully. 42N 19 7 25940 When they all saw this, they began to complain with indignation. "He has gone in to be the guest of a notorious sinner!" they said. 42N 19 8 25950 Zacchaeus however stood up, and addressing the Lord said, "Here and now, Master, I give half my property to the poor, and if I have unjustly exacted money from any man, I pledge myself to repay to him four times the amount." 42N 19 9 25960 Turning towards him, Jesus replied, "To-day salvation has come to this house, seeing that he too is a son of Abraham. 42N 19 10 25970 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." 42N 19 11 25980 As they were listening to His words, He went on to teach them by a parable, because He was near to Jerusalem and they supposed that the Kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. 42N 19 12 25990 So He said to them, "A man of noble family travelled to a distant country to obtain the rank of king, and to return. 42N 19 13 26000 And he called ten of his servants and gave each of them a pound, instructing them to trade with the money during his absence. 42N 19 14 26010 "Now his countrymen hated him, and sent a deputation after him to say, `We are not willing that he should become our king.' 42N 19 15 26020 And upon his return, after he had obtained the sovereignty, he ordered those servants to whom he had given the money to be summoned before him, that he might learn their success in trading. 42N 19 16 26030 "So the first came and said, "`Sir, your pound has produced ten pounds more.' 42N 19 17 26040 "`Well done, good servant,' he replied; `because you have been faithful in a very small matter, be in authority over ten towns.' 42N 19 18 26050 "The second came, and said, "`Your pound, Sir, has produced five pounds.' 42N 19 19 26060 "So he said to this one also, "`And you, be the governor of five towns.' 42N 19 20 26070 "The next came. "`Sir,' he said, `here is your pound, which I have kept wrapt up in a cloth. 42N 19 21 26080 For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man: you take up what you did not lay down, and you reap what you did not sow.' 42N 19 22 26090 "`By your own words,' he replied, `I will judge you, you bad servant. You knew me to be a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow: 42N 19 23 26100 why then did you not put my money into a bank, that when I came I might have received it back with interest? 42N 19 24 26110 "And he said to those who stood by, "`Take the pound from him and give it to him who has the ten pounds.' 42N 19 25 26120 ("They said to him, "`Sir, he already has ten pounds.') 42N 19 26 26130 "`I tell you that to every one who has anything, more shall be given; and from him who has not anything, even what he has shall be taken away. 42N 19 27 26140 But as for those enemies of mine who were unwilling that I should become their king, bring them here, and cut them to pieces in my presence.'" 42N 19 28 26150 After thus speaking, He journeyed onward, proceeding up to Jerusalem. 42N 19 29 26160 And when he was come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount called the Oliveyard, He sent two of the disciples on in front, 42N 19 30 26170 saying to them, "Go into the village facing you. On entering it you will find an ass's foal tied up which no one has ever yet ridden: untie it, and bring it here. 42N 19 31 26180 And if any one asks you, `Why are you untying the colt?' simply say, `The Master needs it.'" 42N 19 32 26190 So those who were sent went and found things as He had told them. 42N 19 33 26200 And while they were untying the colt the owners called out, "Why are you untying the colt?" 42N 19 34 26210 and they replied, "The Master needs it." 42N 19 35 26220 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their outer garments on the colt they placed Jesus on it. 42N 19 36 26230 So He rode on, while they carpeted the road with their garments. 42N 19 37 26240 And when He was now getting near Jerusalem, and descending the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began in their joy to praise God in loud voices for all the mighty deeds they had witnessed. 42N 19 38 26250 <"Blessed is> the King," they cried, <"who comes in the name of the Lord:> in Heaven peace, and glory in the highest realms." 42N 19 39 26260 Thereupon some of the Pharisees in the crowd appealed to Him, saying, "Rabbi, reprove your disciples." 42N 19 40 26270 "I tell you," He replied, "that if *they* became silent, the very stones would cry out." 42N 19 41 26280 When He came into full view of the city, He wept aloud over it, and exclaimed, 42N 19 42 26290 "O that at this time thou hadst known--yes even thou--what makes peace possible! But now it is hid from thine eyes. 42N 19 43 26300 For the time is coming upon thee when thy foes will throw up around thee earthworks and a wall, investing thee and hemming thee in on every side. 42N 19 44 26310 And they will dash thee to the ground and thy children within thee, and will not leave one stone upon another within thee; because thou hast not recognized the time of thy visitation." 42N 19 45 26320 Then Jesus entered the Temple and proceeded to drive out the dealers. 42N 19 46 26330 "It is written," He said, <"`And My house shall be the House of Prayer,'> but you have made it <a robbers' cave."> 42N 19 47 26340 And day after day He taught in the Temple, while the High Priests and the Scribes were devising some means of destroying Him, as were also the leading men of the people. 42N 19 48 26350 But they could not find any way of doing it, for the people all hung upon His lips. 42N 20 1 26360 On one of those days while He was teaching the people in the Temple and proclaiming the Good News, the High Priests came upon Him, and the Scribes, 42N 20 2 26370 together with the Elders, and they asked Him, "Tell us, By what authority are you doing these things? And who is it that gave you this authority?" 42N 20 3 26380 "I also will put a question to you, "He said; 42N 20 4 26390 "was John's baptism of Heavenly or of human origin?" 42N 20 5 26400 So they debated the matter with one another. "If we say `Heavenly,'" they argued, "he will say, `Why did you not believe him?' 42N 20 6 26410 And if we say, `human,' the people will all stone us; for they are thoroughly convinced that John was a Prophet." 42N 20 7 26420 And they answered that they did not know the origin of it. 42N 20 8 26430 "Nor will I tell you," said Jesus, "by what authority I do these things." 42N 20 9 26440 Then He proceeded to speak a parable to the people. "There was a man," He said, "who planted a vineyard, let it out to vine-dressers, and went abroad for a considerable time. 42N 20 10 26450 At vintage-time he sent a servant to the vine-dressers, for them to give him a share of the crop; but the vine-dressers beat him cruelly and sent him away empty-handed. 42N 20 11 26460 Then he sent a second servant; and him too they beat and ill treated and sent away empty-handed. 42N 20 12 26470 Then again he sent a third; and this one also they wounded and drove away. 42N 20 13 26480 Then the owner of the vineyard said, "`What am I to do? I will send my son--my dearly-loved son: they will probably respect him.' 42N 20 14 26490 "But when the vine-dressers saw him, they discussed the matter with one another, and said, "`This is the heir: let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.' 42N 20 15 26500 "So they turned him out of the vineyard and murdered him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 42N 20 16 26510 He will come and put these vine-dressers to death, and give the vineyard to others." "God forbid!" exclaimed the hearers. 42N 20 17 26520 He looked at them and said, "What then does that mean which is written, <"`The Stone which the builders rejected has been made the cornerstone'?> 42N 20 18 26530 Every one who falls on that stone will be severely hurt, but on whomsoever it falls, he will be utterly crushed." 42N 20 19 26540 At this the Scribes and the High Priests wanted to lay hands on Him, then and there; only they were afraid of the people. For they saw that in this parable He had referred to them. 42N 20 20 26550 So, after impatiently watching their opportunity, they sent spies who were to act the part of good and honest men, that they might fasten on some expression of His, so as to hand Him over to the ruling power and the Governor's authority. 42N 20 21 26560 So they put a question to Him. "Rabbi," they said, "we know that you say and teach what is right and that you make no distinctions between one man and another, but teach God's way truly. 42N 20 22 26570 Is it allowable to pay a tax to Caesar, or not?" 42N 20 23 26580 But He saw through their knavery and replied, 42N 20 24 26590 "Show me a shilling; whose likeness and inscription does it bear?" "Caesar's," they said. 42N 20 25 26600 "Pay therefore," He replied, "what is Caesar's to Caesar--and what is God's to God." 42N 20 26 26610 There was nothing here that they could lay hold of before the people, and marvelling at His answer they said no more. 42N 20 27 26620 Next some of the Sadducees came forward (who deny that there is a Resurrection), and they asked Him, 42N 20 28 26630 "Rabbi, Moses made it a law for us that if a man's brother should die, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up a family for his brother. 42N 20 29 26640 Now there were seven brothers. The first of them took a wife and died childless. 42N 20 30 26650 The second and the third also took her; 42N 20 31 26660 and all seven, having done the same, left no children when they died. 42N 20 32 26670 Finally the woman also died. 42N 20 33 26680 The woman, then--at the Resurrection--whose wife shall she be? for they all seven married her." 42N 20 34 26690 "The men of this age," replied Jesus, "marry, and the women are given in marriage. 42N 20 35 26700 But as for those who shall have been deemed worthy to find a place in that other age and in the Resurrection from among the dead, the men do not marry and the women are not given in marriage. 42N 20 36 26710 For indeed they cannot die again; they are like angels, and are sons of God through being sons of the Resurrection. 42N 20 37 26720 But that the dead rise to life even Moses clearly implies in the passage about the Bush, where he calls the Lord <`The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'> 42N 20 38 26730 He is not a God of dead, but of living men, for to Him are all living." 42N 20 39 26740 Then some of the Scribes replied, "Rabbi, you have spoken well." 42N 20 40 26750 From that time, however, no one ventured to challenge Him with a single question. 42N 20 41 26760 But He asked them, "How is it they say that the Christ is a son of David? 42N 20 42 26770 Why, David himself says in the Book of Psalms, <"`The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand 42N 20 43 26780 Until I have made thy foes a footstool under they feet.'> 42N 20 44 26790 "David himself therefore calls Him Lord, and how can He be his son?" 42N 20 45 26800 Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to the disciples, 42N 20 46 26810 "Beware of the Scribes, who like to walk about in long robes, and love to be bowed to in places of public resort and to occupy the best seats in the synagogues or at a dinner party; 42N 20 47 26820 who swallow up the property of widows and mask their wickedness by making long prayers. They will be punished far more severely than others." 42N 21 1 26830 Looking up He saw the people throwing their gifts into the Treasury--the rich people. 42N 21 2 26840 He also saw a poor widow dropping in two farthings, 42N 21 3 26850 and He said, "In truth I tell you that this widow, so poor, has thrown in more than any of them. 42N 21 4 26860 For from what they could well spare they have all of them contributed to the offerings, but she in her need has thrown in all she had to live on." 42N 21 5 26870 When some were remarking about the Temple, how it was embellished with beautiful stones and dedicated gifts, He said, 42N 21 6 26880 "As to these things which you now admire, the time is coming when there will not be one stone left here upon another which will not be pulled down." 42N 21 7 26890 "Rabbi, when will this be?" they asked Him, "and what will be the token given when these things are about to take place?" 42N 21 8 26900 "See to it," He replied, "that you are not misled; for many will come assuming my name and professing, `I am He,' or saying, `The time is close at hand.' Do not go and follow them. 42N 21 9 26910 But when you hear of wars and turmoils, be not afraid; for these things must happen first, but the end does not come immediately." 42N 21 10 26920 Then He said to them, <"Nation will rise in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.> 42N 21 11 26930 And there will be great earthquakes, and in places famines and pestilence; and there will be terrible sights and wonderful tokens from Heaven. 42N 21 12 26940 "But before all these things happen they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you up to synagogues and to prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my sake. 42N 21 13 26950 In the end all this will be evidence of your fidelity. 42N 21 14 26960 "Make up your minds, however, not to prepare a defence beforehand, 42N 21 15 26970 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to withstand or reply to. 42N 21 16 26980 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, friends; and some of you they will put to death. 42N 21 17 26990 You will be the objects of universal hatred because you are called by my name; 42N 21 18 27000 and yet not a hair of your heads shall perish. 42N 21 19 27010 By your patient endurance you will purchase your lives. 42N 21 20 27020 "But when you see Jerusalem with armies encamping round her on every side, then be certain that her overthrow is close at hand. 42N 21 21 27030 Then let those who shall be in Judaea escape to the hills; let those who are in the city leave it, and those who are in the country not enter in. 42N 21 22 27040 For those are the <days of vengeance> and of fulfilling all that is written. 42N 21 23 27050 "Alas for the women who at that time are with child or who have infants; for there will be great distress in the land, and anger towards this People. 42N 21 24 27060 They will fall by the sword, or be carried off into slavery among all the Gentiles. And Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles, till the appointed times of the Gentiles have expired. 42N 21 25 27070 "There will be signs in sun, moon, and stars; and on earth anguish among the nations in their bewilderment at the roaring of the sea and its billows; 42N 21 26 27080 while men's hearts are fainting for fear, and for anxious expectation of what is coming on the world. For <the forces which control the heavens will be disordered and disturbed.> 42N 21 27 27090 And then will they see the <Son of Man coming in a cloud> with great power and glory. 42N 21 28 27100 But when all this is beginning to take place, grieve no longer. Lift up your heads, because your deliverance is drawing near." 42N 21 29 27110 And He spoke a parable to them. "See," He said, "the fig-tree and all the trees. 42N 21 30 27120 As soon as they have shot out their leaves, you know at a glance that summer is now near. 42N 21 31 27130 So also, when you see these things happening, you may be sure that the Kingdom of God is near. 42N 21 32 27140 I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly not pass away without all these things having first taken place. 42N 21 33 27150 Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my words will not pass away. 42N 21 34 27160 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your souls be weighed down with self-indulgence and drunkenness or the anxieties of this life, and that day come upon you, suddenly, like a falling trap; 42N 21 35 27170 for it will come on all dwellers on the face of the whole earth. 42N 21 36 27180 But beware of slumbering; and every moment pray that you may be fully strengthened to escape from all these coming evils, and to take your stand in the presence of the Son of Man." 42N 21 37 27190 His habit at this time was to teach in the Temple by day, but to go out and spend the night on the Mount called the Oliveyard. 42N 21 38 27200 And all the people came to Him in the Temple, early in the morning, to listen to Him. 42N 22 1 27210 Meanwhile the Festival of the Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 42N 22 2 27220 and the High Priests and the Scribes were contriving how to destroy Him. But they feared the people. 42N 22 3 27230 Satan, however, entered into Judas (the man called Iscariot) who was one of the Twelve. 42N 22 4 27240 He went and conferred with the High Priests and Commanders as to how he should deliver Him up to them. 42N 22 5 27250 This gave them great pleasure, and they agreed to pay him. 42N 22 6 27260 He accepted their offer, and then looked out for an opportunity to betray Him when the people were not there. 42N 22 7 27270 When the day of the Unleavened Bread came--the day for the Passover lamb to be sacrificed-- 42N 22 8 27280 Jesus sent Peter and John with instructions. "Go," He said, "and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it." 42N 22 9 27290 "Where shall we prepare it?" they asked. 42N 22 10 27300 "You will no sooner have entered the city," He replied, "than you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him into the house to which he goes, 42N 22 11 27310 and say to the master of the house, "`The Rabbi asks you, Where is the room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?' 42N 22 12 27320 "And he will show you a large furnished room upstairs. There make your preparations." 42N 22 13 27330 So they went and found all as He had told them; and they got the Passover ready. 42N 22 14 27340 When the time was come, and He had taken His place at table, and the Apostles with Him, 42N 22 15 27350 He said to them, "Earnestly have I longed to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 42N 22 16 27360 for I tell you that I certainly shall not eat one again till its full meaning has been brought out in the Kingdom of God." 42N 22 17 27370 Then, having received the cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; 42N 22 18 27380 for I tell you that from this time I will never drink the produce of the vine till the Kingdom of God has come." 42N 22 19 27390 Then, taking a Passover biscuit, He gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is being given on your behalf: this do in remembrance of me." 42N 22 20 27400 He gave them the cup in like manner, when the meal was over. "This cup," He said, "is the new Covenant ratified by my blood which is to be poured out on your behalf. 42N 22 21 27410 Yet the hand of him who is betraying me is at the table with me. 42N 22 22 27420 For indeed the Son of Man goes on His way--His pre-destined way; yet alas for that man who is betraying Him!" 42N 22 23 27430 Thereupon they began to discuss with one another which of them it could possibly be who was about to do this. 42N 22 24 27440 There arose also a dispute among them which of them should be regarded as greatest. 42N 22 25 27450 But He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles are their masters, and those who exercise authority over them are called Benefactors. 42N 22 26 27460 With you it is not so; but let the greatest among you be as the younger, and the leader be like him who serves. 42N 22 27 27470 For which is the greater--he who sits at table, or he who waits on him? Is it not he who sits at table? But my position among you is that of one who waits on others. 42N 22 28 27480 You however have remained with me amid my trials; 42N 22 29 27490 and I covenant to give you, as my Father has covenanted to give me, a Kingdom-- 42N 22 30 27500 so that you shall eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom, and sit on thrones as judges over the twelve tribes of Israel. 42N 22 31 27510 "Simon, Simon, I tell you that Satan has obtained permission to have all of you to sift as wheat is sifted. 42N 22 32 27520 But *I* have prayed for *you* that your faith may not fail, and you, when at last you have come back to your true self, must strengthen your brethren." 42N 22 33 27530 "Master," replied Peter, "with you I am ready to go both to prison and to death." 42N 22 34 27540 "I tell you, Peter," said Jesus, "that the cock will not crow to-day till you have three times denied that you know me." 42N 22 35 27550 Then He asked them, "When I sent you out without purse or bag or shoes, was there anything you needed?" "No, nothing," they replied. 42N 22 36 27560 "But now," said He, "let the one who has a purse take it, and he who has a bag must do the same. And let him who has no sword sell his outer garment and buy one. 42N 22 37 27570 For I tell you that those words of Scripture must yet find their fulfilment in me: <`And He was reckoned among the lawless';> for indeed that saying about me has its accomplishment." 42N 22 38 27580 "Master, here are two swords," they exclaimed. "That is enough," He replied. 42N 22 39 27590 On going out, He proceeded as usual to the Mount of Olives, and His disciples followed Him. 42N 22 40 27600 But when He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not come into temptation." 42N 22 41 27610 But He Himself withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed repeatedly, saying, 42N 22 42 27620 "Father, if it be Thy will, take this cup away from me; yet not my will but Thine be done!" 42N 22 43 27630 And there appeared to Him an angel from Heaven, strengthening Him; 42N 22 44 27640 while He--an agony of distress having come upon Him--prayed all the more with intense earnestness, and His sweat became like clots of blood dropping on the ground. 42N 22 45 27650 When He rose from his prayer and came to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow. 42N 22 46 27660 "Why are you sleeping?" He said; "stand up; and pray that you may not come into temptation." 42N 22 47 27670 While He was still speaking there came a crowd with Judas, already mentioned as one of the Twelve, at their head. He went up to Jesus to kiss Him. 42N 22 48 27680 "Judas," said Jesus, "are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" 42N 22 49 27690 Those who were about Him, seeing what was likely to happen, asked Him, "Master, shall we strike with the sword?" 42N 22 50 27700 And one of them struck a blow at the High Priest's servant and cut off his right ear. 42N 22 51 27710 "Permit me thus far," said Jesus. And He touched the ear and healed it. 42N 22 52 27720 Then Jesus said to the High Priests and Commanders of the Temple and Elders, who had come to arrest Him, "Have you come out as if to fight with a robber, with swords and cudgels? 42N 22 53 27730 While day after day I was with you in the Temple, you did not lay hands upon me; but to you belongs this hour--and the power of darkness." 42N 22 54 27740 And they arrested Him and led Him away, and brought Him to the High Priest's house, while Peter followed a good way behind. 42N 22 55 27750 And when they had lighted a fire in the middle of the court and had seated themselves in a group round it, Peter was sitting among them, 42N 22 56 27760 when a maidservant saw him sitting by the fire, and, looking fixedly at him, she said, "This man also was with him." 42N 22 57 27770 But he denied it, and declared, "Woman, I do not know him." 42N 22 58 27780 Shortly afterwards a man saw him and said, "You, too, are one of them." "No, man, I am not," said Peter. 42N 22 59 27790 After an interval of about an hour some one else stoutly maintained: "Certainly this fellow also was with him, for in fact he is a Galilaean." 42N 22 60 27800 "Man, I don't know what you mean," replied Peter. No sooner had he spoken than a cock crowed. 42N 22 61 27810 The Master turned and looked on Peter; and Peter recollected the Master's words, how He had said to him, "This very day, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times." 42N 22 62 27820 And he went out and wept aloud bitterly. 42N 22 63 27830 Meanwhile the men who held Jesus in custody repeatedly beat Him in cruel sport, 42N 22 64 27840 or blindfolded Him, and then challenged Him. "Prove to us," they said, "that you are a prophet, by telling us who it was that struck you." 42N 22 65 27850 And they said many other insulting things to Him. 42N 22 66 27860 As soon as it was day, the whole body of the Elders, both High Priests and Scribes, assembled. Then He was brought into their Sanhedrin, and they asked Him, 42N 22 67 27870 "Are you the Christ? Tell us." "If I tell you," He replied, "you will certainly not believe; 42N 22 68 27880 and if I ask you questions, you will certainly not answer. 42N 22 69 27890 But from this time forward the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of God's omnipotence." 42N 22 70 27900 Thereupon they cried out with one voice, "You, then, are the Son of God?" "It is as you say," He answered; "I am He." 42N 22 71 27910 "What need have we of further evidence?" they said; "for we ourselves have heard it from his own lips." 42N 23 1 27920 Then the whole assembly rose and brought Him to Pilate, and began to accuse Him. 42N 23 2 27930 "We have found this man," they said, "an agitator among our nation, forbidding the payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be himself an anointed king." 42N 23 3 27940 Then Pilate asked Him, "You, then, are the King of the Jews?" "It is as you say," He replied. 42N 23 4 27950 Pilate said to the High Priests and to the crowd, "I can find no crime in this man." 42N 23 5 27960 But they violently insisted. "He stirs up the people," they said, "throughout all Judaea with His teaching--even from Galilee (where He first started) to this city." 42N 23 6 27970 On hearing this, Pilate inquired, "Is this man a Galilaean?" 42N 23 7 27980 And learning that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction he sent Him to Herod, for he too was in Jerusalem at that time. 42N 23 8 27990 To Herod the sight of Jesus was a great gratification, for, for a long time, he had been wanting to see Him, because he had heard so much about Him. He hoped also to see some miracle performed by Him. 42N 23 9 28000 So he put a number of questions to Him, but Jesus gave him no reply. 42N 23 10 28010 Meanwhile the High Priests and the Scribes were standing there and vehemently accusing Him. 42N 23 11 28020 Then, laughing to scorn the claims of Jesus, Herod (and his soldiers with him) made sport of Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous costume, and sent Him back to Pilate. 42N 23 12 28030 And on that very day Herod and Pilate became friends again, for they had been for some time at enmity. 42N 23 13 28040 Then calling together the High Priests and the Rulers and the people, Pilate said, 42N 23 14 28050 "You have brought this man to me on a charge of corrupting the loyalty of the people. But, you see, I have examined him in your presence and have discovered in the man no ground for the accusations which you bring against him. 42N 23 15 28060 No, nor does Herod; for he has sent him back to us; and, you see, there is nothing he has done that deserves death. 42N 23 16 28070 I will therefore give him a light punishment and release him." 42N 23 17 28080 [] 42N 23 18 28090 Then the whole multitude burst out into a shout. "Away with this man," they said, "and release Barabbas to us" 42N 23 19 28100 --Barabbas! who had been lodged in jail for some time in connexion with a riot which had occurred in the city, and for murder. 42N 23 20 28110 But Pilate once more addressed them, wishing to set Jesus free. 42N 23 21 28120 They, however, persistently shouted, "Crucify, crucify him!" 42N 23 22 28130 A third time he appealed to them: "Why, what crime has the man committed? I have discovered in him nothing that deserves death. I will therefore give him a light punishment and release him." 42N 23 23 28140 But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic outcries that He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. 42N 23 24 28150 So Pilate gave judgement, yielding to their demand. 42N 23 25 28160 The man who was lying in prison charged with riot and murder and for whom they clamoured he set free, but Jesus he gave up to be dealt with as they desired. 42N 23 26 28170 As soon as they led Him away, they laid hold on one Simon, a Cyrenaean, who was coming in from the country, and on his shoulders they put the cross, for him to carry it behind Jesus. 42N 23 27 28180 A vast crowd of the people also followed Him, and of women who were beating their breasts and wailing for Him. 42N 23 28 28190 But Jesus turned towards them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 42N 23 29 28200 For a time is coming when they will say, `Blessed are the women who never bore children, and the breasts which have never given nourishment.' 42N 23 30 28210 Then will they begin to say to the mountains, `Fall on us;' and to the hills, `Cover us.' 42N 23 31 28220 For if they are doing these things in the case of the green tree, what will be done in that of the dry?" 42N 23 32 28230 They brought also two others, criminals, to put them to death with Him. 42N 23 33 28240 When they reached the place called `The Skull,' there they nailed Him to the cross, and the criminals also, one at His right hand and one at His left. 42N 23 34 28250 Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing." And they divided His garments among them, drawing lots for them; 42N 23 35 28260 and the people stood looking on. The Rulers, too, repeatedly uttered their bitter taunts. "This fellow," they said, "saved others: let him save himself, if he is God's Anointed, the Chosen One." 42N 23 36 28270 And the soldiers also made sport of Him, coming and offering Him sour wine and saying, 42N 23 37 28280 "Are *you* the King of the Jews? Save yourself, then!" 42N 23 38 28290 There was moreover a writing over His head: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 42N 23 39 28300 Now one of the criminals who had been crucified insulted Him, saying, "Are not you the Christ? Save yourself and us." 42N 23 40 28310 But the other, answering, reproved him. "Do you also not fear God," he said, "when you are actually suffering the same punishment? 42N 23 41 28320 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving due requital for what we have done. But He has done nothing amiss." 42N 23 42 28330 And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your Kingdom." 42N 23 43 28340 "I tell you in solemn truth," replied Jesus, "that this very day you shall be with me in Paradise." 42N 23 44 28350 It was now about noon, and a darkness came over the whole country till three o'clock in the afternoon. 42N 23 45 28360 The sun was darkened, and the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn down the middle, 42N 23 46 28370 and Jesus cried out in a loud voice, and said, "Father, to Thy hands I entrust my spirit." And after uttering these words He yielded up His spirit. 42N 23 47 28380 The Captain, seeing what had happened, gave glory to God, saying, "Beyond question this man was innocent." 42N 23 48 28390 And all the crowds that had come together to this sight, after seeing all that had occurred, returned to the city beating their breasts. 42N 23 49 28400 But all His acquaintances, and the women who had been His followers after leaving Galilee, continued standing at a distance and looking on. 42N 23 50 28410 There was a member of the Council of the name of Joseph, a kind-hearted and upright man, 42N 23 51 28420 who came from the Jewish town of Arimathaea and was awaiting the coming of the Kingdom of God. He had not concurred in the design or action of the Council, 42N 23 52 28430 and now he went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 42N 23 53 28440 Then, taking it down, he wrapped it in a linen sheet and laid it in a tomb in the rock, where no one else had yet been put. 42N 23 54 28450 It was the Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was near at hand. 42N 23 55 28460 The women--those who had come with Jesus from Galilee--followed close behind, and saw the tomb and how His body was placed. 42N 23 56 28470 Then they returned, and prepared spices and perfumes. On the Sabbath they rested in obedience to the Commandment. 42N 24 1 28480 And, on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices they had prepared. 42N 24 2 28490 But they found the stone rolled back from the tomb, 42N 24 3 28500 and on entering they found that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there. 42N 24 4 28510 At this they were in great perplexity, when suddenly there stood by them two men whose raiment flashed like lightning. 42N 24 5 28520 The women were terrified; but, as they stood with their faces bowed to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you search among the dead for Him who is living? 42N 24 6 28530 He is not here. He has come back to life. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 42N 24 7 28540 when He told you that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." 42N 24 8 28550 Then they remembered His words, 42N 24 9 28560 and returning from the tomb they reported all this to the Eleven and to all the rest. 42N 24 10 28570 The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; and they and the rest of the women related all this to the Apostles. 42N 24 11 28580 But the whole story seemed to them an idle tale; they could not believe the women. 42N 24 12 28590 Peter, however, rose and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw nothing but the linen cloths: so he went away to his own home, wondering at what had happened. 42N 24 13 28600 On that same day two of the disciples were walking to Emmaus, a village seven or eight miles from Jerusalem, 42N 24 14 28610 and were conversing about all these recent events; 42N 24 15 28620 and, in the midst of their conversation and discussion, Jesus Himself came and joined them, 42N 24 16 28630 though they were prevented from recognizing Him. 42N 24 17 28640 "What is the subject," He asked them, "on which you are talking so earnestly, as you walk?" And they stood still, looking full of sorrow. 42N 24 18 28650 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered, "Are you a stranger lodging alone in Jerusalem, that you have known nothing of the things that have lately happened in the city?" 42N 24 19 28660 "What things?" He asked. "The things about Jesus the Nazarene," they said, "who was a Prophet powerful in work and word before God and all the people; 42N 24 20 28670 and how our High Priests and Rulers delivered Him up to be sentenced to death, and crucified Him. 42N 24 21 28680 But we were hoping that it was He who was about to ransom Israel. Yes, and moreover it was the day before yesterday that these things happened. 42N 24 22 28690 And, besides, some of the women of our company have amazed us. They went to the tomb at daybreak, 42N 24 23 28700 and, finding that His body was not there, they came and declared to us that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. 42N 24 24 28710 Thereupon some of our party went to the tomb and found things just as the women had said; but Jesus Himself they did not see." 42N 24 25 28720 "O dull-witted men," He replied, "with minds so slow to believe all that the Prophets have spoken! 42N 24 26 28730 Was there not a necessity for the Christ thus to suffer, and then enter into His glory?" 42N 24 27 28740 And, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them the passages in Scripture which refer to Himself. 42N 24 28 28750 When they had come near the village to which they were going, He appeared to be going further. 42N 24 29 28760 But they pressed Him to remain with them. "Because," said they, "it is getting towards evening, and the day is nearly over." So He went in to stay with them. 42N 24 30 28770 But as soon as He had sat down with them, and had taken the bread and had blessed and broken it, and was handing it to them, 42N 24 31 28780 their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. But He vanished from them. 42N 24 32 28790 "Were not our hearts," they said to one another, "burning within us while He talked to us on the way and explained the Scriptures to us?" 42N 24 33 28800 So they rose and without an hour's delay returned to Jerusalem, and found the Eleven and the rest met together, who said to them, 42N 24 34 28810 "Yes, it is true: the Master has come back to life. He has been seen by Simon." 42N 24 35 28820 Then they related what had happened on the way, and how He had been recognized by them in the breaking of the bread. 42N 24 36 28830 While they were thus talking, He Himself stood in their midst and said, "Peace be to you!" 42N 24 37 28840 Startled, and in the utmost alarm, they thought they were looking at a spirit; 42N 24 38 28850 but He said to them, "Why such alarm? And why are there such questionings in your minds? 42N 24 39 28860 See my hands and my feet--it is my very self. Feel me and see, for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see I have." 42N 24 40 28870 And then He showed them His hands and His feet. 42N 24 41 28880 But, while they still could not believe it for joy and were full of astonishment, He asked them, "Have you any food here?" 42N 24 42 28890 And they gave Him a piece of roasted fish, 42N 24 43 28900 and He took it and ate it in their presence. 42N 24 44 28910 And He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you--that everything must be fulfilled that is written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and the Psalms concerning me." 42N 24 45 28920 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 42N 24 46 28930 and He said, "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise again from among the dead; 42N 24 47 28940 and that proclamation would be made, in His name, of repentance and forgiveness of sins to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem. 42N 24 48 28950 You are witnesses as to these things. 42N 24 49 28960 And remember that I am about to send out my Father's promised gift to rest upon you. But, as for you, wait patiently in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." 42N 24 50 28970 And He brought them out to within view of Bethany, and then lifted up His hands and blessed them. 42N 24 51 28980 And while He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into Heaven. 42N 24 52 28990 They worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 42N 24 53 29000 Afterwards they were continually in attendance at the Temple, blessing God. 43N 1 1 29010 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 43N 1 2 29020 He was in the beginning with God. 43N 1 3 29030 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing that exists came into being. 43N 1 4 29040 In Him was Life, and that Life was the Light of men. 43N 1 5 29050 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it. 43N 1 6 29060 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 43N 1 7 29070 He came as a witness, in order that he might give testimony concerning the Light--so that all might believe through him. 43N 1 8 29080 He was not the Light, but he existed that he might give testimony concerning the Light. 43N 1 9 29090 The true Light was that which illumines every man by its coming into the world. 43N 1 10 29100 He was in the world, and the world came into existence through Him, and the world did not recognize Him. 43N 1 11 29110 He came to the things that were His own, and His own people gave Him no welcome. 43N 1 12 29120 But all who have received Him, to them--that is, to those who trust in His name--He has given the privilege of becoming children of God; 43N 1 13 29130 who were begotten as such not by human descent, nor through an impulse of their own nature, nor through the will of a human father, but from God. 43N 1 14 29140 And the Word came in the flesh, and lived for a time in our midst, so that we saw His glory--the glory as of the Father's only Son, sent from His presence. He was full of grace and truth. 43N 1 15 29150 John gave testimony concerning Him and cried aloud, saying, "This is He of whom I said, `He who is coming after me has been put before me,' for He was before me." 43N 1 16 29160 For He it is from whose fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 43N 1 17 29170 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 43N 1 18 29180 No human eye has ever seen God: the only Son, who is in the Father's bosom--He has made Him known. 43N 1 19 29190 This also is John's testimony, when the Jews sent to him a deputation of Priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him who he was. 43N 1 20 29200 He avowed--he did not conceal the truth, but avowed, "I am not the Christ." 43N 1 21 29210 "What then?" they inquired; "are you Elijah?" "I am not," he said. "Are you the Prophet?" "No," he answered. 43N 1 22 29220 So they pressed the question. "Who are you?" they said--"that we may take an answer to those who sent us. What account do you give of yourself?" 43N 1 23 29230 "I am <the voice,"> he replied, <"of one crying aloud, `Make straight the Lord's way in the Desert,'> fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah." 43N 1 24 29240 They were Pharisees who had been sent. 43N 1 25 29250 Again they questioned him. "Why then do you baptize," they said, "if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the Prophet?" 43N 1 26 29260 "I baptize in water only," John answered, "but in your midst stands One whom you do not know-- 43N 1 27 29270 He who is to come after me, and whose sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten." 43N 1 28 29280 This conversation took place at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 43N 1 29 29290 The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and exclaimed, "Look, that is the Lamb of God who is to take away the sin of the world! 43N 1 30 29300 This is He about whom I said, `After me is to come One who has been put before me, because He was before me.' 43N 1 31 29310 I did not yet know Him; but that He may be openly shown to Israel is the reason why I have come baptizing in water." 43N 1 32 29320 John also gave testimony by stating: "I have seen the Spirit coming down like a dove out of Heaven; and it remained upon Him. 43N 1 33 29330 I did not yet know Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, "`The One on whom you see the Spirit coming down, and remaining, He it is who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.' 43N 1 34 29340 "This I have seen, and I have become a witness that He is the Son of God." 43N 1 35 29350 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 43N 1 36 29360 when he saw Jesus passing by, and said, "Look! that is the Lamb of God!" 43N 1 37 29370 The two disciples heard his exclamation, and they followed Jesus. 43N 1 38 29380 Then Jesus turned round, and seeing them following He asked them, "What is your wish?" "Rabbi," they replied--`Rabbi' means `Teacher' --"where are you staying?" 43N 1 39 29390 "Come and you shall see," He said. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they remained and spent that day with Him. It was then about ten o'clock in the morning. 43N 1 40 29400 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John's exclamation and followed Jesus. 43N 1 41 29410 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah!" --that is to say, the Anointed One. 43N 1 42 29420 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon, son of John: you shall be called Cephas" --that is to say, Peter (or `Rock'). 43N 1 43 29430 The next day, having decided to leave Bethany and go into Galilee, Jesus found Philip, and invited him to follow Him. 43N 1 44 29440 (Now Philip came from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter.) 43N 1 45 29450 Then Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the Law wrote, as well as the Prophets--Jesus, the son of Joseph, a man of Nazareth." 43N 1 46 29460 "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" replied Nathanael. "Come and see," said Philip. 43N 1 47 29470 Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, and said of him, "Look! here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceitfulness!" 43N 1 48 29480 "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. "Before Philip called you," said Jesus, "when you were under the fig-tree I saw you." 43N 1 49 29490 "Rabbi," cried Nathanael, "you are the Son of God, you are Israel's King!" 43N 1 50 29500 "Because I said to you, `I saw you under the fig-tree,'" replied Jesus, "do you believe? You shall see greater things than that." 43N 1 51 29510 "I tell you all in most solemn truth," He added, "that you shall see Heaven opened wide, and God's angels going up, and coming down to the Son of Man." 43N 2 1 29520 Two days later there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there, 43N 2 2 29530 and Jesus also was invited and His disciples. 43N 2 3 29540 Now the wine ran short; whereupon the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." 43N 2 4 29550 "Leave the matter in my hands," He replied; "the time for me to act has not yet come." 43N 2 5 29560 His mother said to the attendants, "Whatever he tells you to do, do it." 43N 2 6 29570 Now there were six stone jars standing there (in accordance with the Jewish regulations for purification), each large enough to hold twenty gallons or more. 43N 2 7 29580 Jesus said to the attendants, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them to the brim. 43N 2 8 29590 Then He said, "Now, take some out, and carry it to the President of the feast." 43N 2 9 29600 So they carried some to him. And no sooner had the President tasted the water now turned into wine, than--not knowing where it came from, though the attendants who had drawn the water knew--he called to the bridegroom 43N 2 10 29610 and said to him, "It is usual to put on the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then that which is inferior. But you have kept the good wine till now." 43N 2 11 29620 This, the first of His miracles, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee, and thus displayed His glorious power; and His disciples believed in Him. 43N 2 12 29630 Afterwards He went down to Capernaum--He, and His mother, and His brothers, and His disciples; and they made a short stay there. 43N 2 13 29640 But the Jewish Passover was approaching, and for this Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 43N 2 14 29650 And He found in the Temple the dealers in cattle and sheep and in pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 43N 2 15 29660 So He plaited a whip of rushes, and drove all--both sheep and bullocks--out of the Temple. The small coin of the brokers He upset on the ground and overturned their tables. 43N 2 16 29670 And to the pigeon-dealers He said, "Take these things away. Do not turn my Father's house into a market." 43N 2 17 29680 This recalled to His disciples the words of Scripture, <"My zeal for Thy House will consume me."> 43N 2 18 29690 So the Jews asked Him, "What proof of your authority do you exhibit to us, seeing that you do these things?" 43N 2 19 29700 "Demolish this Sanctuary," said Jesus, "and in three days I will rebuild it." 43N 2 20 29710 "It has taken forty-six years," replied the Jews, "to build this Sanctuary, and will you rebuild it in three days?" 43N 2 21 29720 But He was speaking of the Sanctuary of His body. 43N 2 22 29730 When however He had risen from among the dead, His disciples recollected that He had said this; and they believed the Scripture and the teaching which Jesus had given them. 43N 2 23 29740 Now when He was in Jerusalem, at the Festival of the Passover, many became believers in Him through watching the miracles He performed. 43N 2 24 29750 But for His part, Jesus did not trust Himself to them, because He knew them all, 43N 2 25 29760 and did not need any one's testimony concerning a man, for He of Himself knew what was in the man. 43N 3 1 29770 Now there was one of the Pharisees whose name was Nicodemus--a ruler among the Jews. 43N 3 2 29780 He came to Jesus by night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher from God; for no one can do these miracles which you are doing, unless God is with him. 43N 3 3 29790 "In most solemn truth I tell you," answered Jesus, "that unless a man is born anew he cannot see the Kingdom of God." 43N 3 4 29800 "How is it possible," Nicodemus asked, "for a man to be born when he is old? Can he a second time enter his mother's womb and be born?" 43N 3 5 29810 "In most solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. 43N 3 6 29820 Whatever has been born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever has been born of the Spirit is spirit. 43N 3 7 29830 Do not be astonished at my telling you, `You must all be born anew.' 43N 3 8 29840 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So is it with every one who has been born of the Spirit." 43N 3 9 29850 "How is all this possible?" asked Nicodemus. 43N 3 10 29860 "Are you," replied Jesus, "`the Teacher of Israel,' and yet do you not understand these things? 43N 3 11 29870 In most solemn truth I tell you that we speak what we know, and give testimony of that of which we were eye-witnesses, and yet you all reject our testimony. 43N 3 12 29880 If I have told you earthly things and none of you believe me, how will you believe me if I tell you of things in Heaven? 43N 3 13 29890 There is no one who has gone up to Heaven, but there is One who has come down from Heaven, namely the Son of Man whose home is in Heaven. 43N 3 14 29900 And just as Moses lifted high the serpent in the Desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 43N 3 15 29910 in order that every one who trusts in Him may have the Life of the Ages." 43N 3 16 29920 For so greatly did God love the world that He gave His only Son, that every one who trusts in Him may not perish but may have the Life of Ages. 43N 3 17 29930 For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 43N 3 18 29940 He who trusts in Him does not come up for judgement. He who does not trust has already received sentence, because he has not his trust resting on the name of God's only Son. 43N 3 19 29950 And this is the test by which men are judged--the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness more than they loved the Light, because their deeds were wicked. 43N 3 20 29960 For every wrongdoer hates the light, and does not come to the light, for fear his actions should be exposed and condemned. 43N 3 21 29970 But he who does what is honest and right comes to the light, in order that his actions may be plainly shown to have been done in God. 43N 3 22 29980 After this Jesus and His disciples went into Judaea; and there He made a stay in company with them and baptized. 43N 3 23 29990 And John too was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there were many pools of water there; and people came and received baptism. 43N 3 24 30000 (For John was not yet in prison.) 43N 3 25 30010 As the result, a discussion having arisen on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purification, 43N 3 26 30020 they came to John and reported to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you on the other side of the Jordan and to whom you bore testimony is now baptizing, and great numbers of people are resorting to him." 43N 3 27 30030 "A man cannot obtain anything," replied John, "unless it has been granted to him from Heaven. 43N 3 28 30040 You yourselves can bear witness to my having said, `I am not the Christ,' but `I am His appointed forerunner.' 43N 3 29 30050 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; and the bridegroom's friend who stands by his side and listens to him, rejoices heartily on account of the bridegroom's happiness. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 43N 3 30 30060 He must grow greater, but I must grow less. 43N 3 31 30070 He who comes from above is above all. He whose origin is from the earth is not only himself from the earth, his teaching also is from the earth. He who comes from Heaven is above all. 43N 3 32 30080 What He has seen and heard, to that He bears witness; but His testimony no one receives. 43N 3 33 30090 Any man who has received His testimony has solemnly declared that God is true. 43N 3 34 30100 For He whom God has sent speaks God's words; for God does not give the Spirit with limitations." 43N 3 35 30110 The Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything to His hands. 43N 3 36 30120 He who believes in the Son has the Life of the Ages; he who disobeys the Son will not enter into Life, but God's anger remains upon him. 43N 4 1 30130 Now as soon as the Master was aware that the Pharisees had heard it said, "Jesus is gaining and baptizing more disciples than John"-- 43N 4 2 30140 though Jesus Himself did not baptize them, but His disciples did-- 43N 4 3 30150 He left Judaea and returned to Galilee. 43N 4 4 30160 His road lay through Samaria, 43N 4 5 30170 and so He came to Sychar, a town in Samaria near the piece of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 43N 4 6 30180 Jacob's Well was there: and accordingly Jesus, tired out with His journey, sat down by the well to rest. It was about six o'clock in the evening. 43N 4 7 30190 Presently there came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus asked her to give Him some water; 43N 4 8 30200 for His disciples were gone to the town to buy provisions. 43N 4 9 30210 "How is it," replied the woman, "that a Jew like you asks me, who am a woman and a Samaritan, for water?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 43N 4 10 30220 "If you had known God's free gift," replied Jesus, "and who it is that said to you, `Give me some water,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." 43N 4 11 30230 "Sir," she said, "you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; so where can you get the living water from? 43N 4 12 30240 Are you greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us the well, and himself drank from it, as did also his sons and his cattle?" 43N 4 13 30250 "Every one," replied Jesus, "who drinks any of this water will be thirsty again; 43N 4 14 30260 but whoever drinks any of the water that I shall give him will never, never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become a fountain within him of water springing up for the Life of the Ages." 43N 4 15 30270 "Sir," said the woman, "give me that water, that I may never be thirsty, nor continually come all the way here to draw from the well." 43N 4 16 30280 "Go and call your husband," said Jesus; "and come back." 43N 4 17 30290 "I have no husband," she replied. "You rightly say that you have no husband," said Jesus; 43N 4 18 30300 "for you have had five husbands, and the man you have at present is not your husband. You have spoken the truth in saying that." 43N 4 19 30310 "Sir," replied the woman, "I see that you are a Prophet. 43N 4 20 30320 Our forefathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." 43N 4 21 30330 "Believe me," said Jesus, "the time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 43N 4 22 30340 You worship One of whom you know nothing. We worship One whom we know; for salvation comes from the Jews. 43N 4 23 30350 But a time is coming--nay, has already come--when the true worshippers will worship the Father with true spiritual worship; for indeed the Father desires such worshippers. 43N 4 24 30360 God is Spirit; and those who worship Him must bring Him true spiritual worship." 43N 4 25 30370 "I know," replied the woman, "that Messiah is coming--`the Christ,' as He is called. When He has come, He will tell us everything." 43N 4 26 30380 "I am He," said Jesus--"I who am now talking to you." 43N 4 27 30390 Just then His disciples came, and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. Yet not one of them asked Him, "What is your wish?" or "Why are you talking with her?" 43N 4 28 30400 The woman however, leaving her pitcher, went away to the town, and called the people. 43N 4 29 30410 "Come," she said, "and see a man who has told me everything I have ever done. Can this be the Christ, do you think?" 43N 4 30 30420 They left the town and set out to go to Him. 43N 4 31 30430 Meanwhile the disciples were urging Jesus. "Rabbi," they said, "eat something." 43N 4 32 30440 "I have food to eat," He replied, "of which you do not know." 43N 4 33 30450 So the disciples began questioning one another. "Can it be," they said, "that some one has brought Him something to eat?" 43N 4 34 30460 "My food," said Jesus, "is to be obedient to Him who sent me, and fully to accomplish His work. 43N 4 35 30470 Do you not say, `It wants four months yet to the harvest'? But look round, I tell you, and observe these plains-- they are already ripe for the sickle. 43N 4 36 30480 The reaper gets pay and gathers in a crop in preparation for the Life of the Ages, that so the sower and the reapers may rejoice together. 43N 4 37 30490 For it is in this that you see the real meaning of the saying, `The sower is one person, and the reaper is another.' 43N 4 38 30500 I sent you to reap a harvest which is not the result of your own labours. Others have laboured, and you are getting benefit from their labours." 43N 4 39 30510 Of the Samaritan population of that town a good many believed in Him because of the woman's statement when she declared, "He has told me all that I have ever done." 43N 4 40 30520 When however the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him on all sides to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 43N 4 41 30530 Then a far larger number of people believed because of His own words, 43N 4 42 30540 and they said to the woman, "We no longer believe in Him simply because of your statements; for we have now heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world." 43N 4 43 30550 After the two days He departed, and went into Galilee; 43N 4 44 30560 though Jesus Himself declared that a Prophet has no honour in his own country. 43N 4 45 30570 When however He reached Galilee, the Galilaeans welcomed Him eagerly, having been eye-witnesses of all that He had done in Jerusalem at the Festival; for they also had been to the Festival. 43N 4 46 30580 So He came once more to Cana in Galilee, where He had made the water into wine. Now there was a certain officer of the King's court whose son was ill at Capernaum. 43N 4 47 30590 Having heard that Jesus had come from Judaea to Galilee, he came to Him and begged Him to go down and cure his son; for he was at the point of death. 43N 4 48 30600 "Unless you and others see miracles and marvels," said Jesus, "nothing will induce you to believe." 43N 4 49 30610 "Sir," pleaded the officer, "come down before my child dies." 43N 4 50 30620 "You may return home," replied Jesus; "your son has recovered." He believed the words of Jesus, and started back home; 43N 4 51 30630 and he was already on his way down when his servants met him and told him that his son was alive and well. 43N 4 52 30640 So he inquired of them at what hour he had shown improvement. "Yesterday, about seven o'clock," they replied, "the fever left him." 43N 4 53 30650 Then the father recollected that that was the time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son has recovered," and he and his whole household became believers. 43N 4 54 30660 This is the second miracle that Jesus performed, after coming from Judaea into Galilee. 43N 5 1 30670 After this there was a Festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 43N 5 2 30680 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, called in Hebrew `Bethesda.' It has five arcades. 43N 5 3 30690 In these there used to lie a great number of sick persons, and of people who were blind or lame or paralyzed. 43N 5 4 30700 [] 43N 5 5 30710 And there was one man there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 43N 5 6 30720 Jesus saw him lying there, and knowing that he had been a long time in that condition, He asked him, "Do you wish to have health and strength?" 43N 5 7 30730 "Sir," replied the sufferer, "I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is moved; but while I am coming some one else steps down before me." 43N 5 8 30740 "Rise," said Jesus, "take up your mat and walk." 43N 5 9 30750 Instantly the man was restored to perfect health, and he took up his mat and began to walk. 43N 5 10 30760 That day was a Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, "It is the Sabbath: you must not carry your mat." 43N 5 11 30770 "He who cured me," he replied, "said to me, `Take up your mat and walk.'" 43N 5 12 30780 "Who is it," they asked, "that said to you, `Take up your mat and walk'?" 43N 5 13 30790 But the man who had been cured did not know who it was; for Jesus had passed out unnoticed, there being a crowd in the place. 43N 5 14 30800 Afterwards Jesus found him in the Temple and said to him, "You are now restored to health. Do not sin any more, or a worse thing may befall you." 43N 5 15 30810 The man went and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had restored him to health; 43N 5 16 30820 and on this account the Jews began to persecute Jesus--because He did these things on the Sabbath. 43N 5 17 30830 His reply to their accusation was, "My Father works unceasingly, and so do I." 43N 5 18 30840 On this account then the Jews were all the more eager to put Him to death--because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also spoke of God as being in a special sense His Father, thus putting Himself on a level with God. 43N 5 19 30850 "In most solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that the Son can do nothing of Himself--He can only do what He sees the Father doing; for whatever He does, that the Son does in like manner. 43N 5 20 30860 For the Father loves the Son and reveals to Him all that He Himself is doing. And greater deeds than these will He reveal to Him, in order that you may wonder. 43N 5 21 30870 For just as the Father awakens the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom He wills. 43N 5 22 30880 The Father indeed does not judge any one, but He has entrusted all judgement to the Son, 43N 5 23 30890 that all may honour the Son even as they honour the Father. The man who withholds honour from the Son withholds honour from the Father who sent Him. 43N 5 24 30900 "In most solemn truth I tell you that he who listens to my teaching and believes Him who sent me, has the Life of the Ages, and does not come under judgement, but has passed over out of death into Life. 43N 5 25 30910 "In most solemn truth I tell you that a time is coming--nay, has already come--when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will live. 43N 5 26 30920 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He has also given to the Son to have life in Himself. 43N 5 27 30930 And He has conferred on Him authority to act as Judge, because He is the Son of Man. 43N 5 28 30940 Wonder not at this. For a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and will come forth-- 43N 5 29 30950 they who have done what is right to the resurrection of Life, and they whose actions have been evil to the resurrection of judgement. 43N 5 30 30960 "I can of my own self do nothing. As I am bidden, so I judge; and mine is a just judgement, because it is not my own will that guides me, but the will of Him who sent me. 43N 5 31 30970 "If I give testimony concerning myself, my testimony cannot be accepted. 43N 5 32 30980 There is Another who gives testimony concerning me, and I know that the testimony is true which He offers concerning me. 43N 5 33 30990 "You sent to John, and he both was and still is a witness to the truth. 43N 5 34 31000 But the testimony on my behalf which I accept is not from man; though I say all this in order that you may be saved. 43N 5 35 31010 He was the lamp that burned and shone, and for a time you were willing to be gladdened by his light. 43N 5 36 31020 "But the testimony which I have is weightier than that of John; for the work the Father has assigned to me for me to bring it to completion--the very work which I am doing--affords testimony concerning me that the Father has sent me. 43N 5 37 31030 And the Father who sent me, *He* has given testimony concerning me. None of you have ever either heard His voice or seen what He is like. 43N 5 38 31040 Nor have you His word dwelling within you, for you refuse to believe Him whom *He* has sent. 43N 5 39 31050 "You search the Scriptures, because you suppose that in them you will find the Life of the Ages; and it is those Scriptures that yield testimony concerning me; 43N 5 40 31060 and yet you are unwilling to come to me that you may have Life. 43N 5 41 31070 "I do not accept glory from man, 43N 5 42 31080 but I know you well, and I know that in your hearts you do not really love God. 43N 5 43 31090 I have come as my Father's representative, and you do not receive me. If some one else comes representing only himself, him you will receive. 43N 5 44 31100 How is it possible for you to believe, while you receive glory from one another and have no desire for the glory that comes from the only God? 43N 5 45 31110 "Do not suppose that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, namely Moses, on whom your hope rests. 43N 5 46 31120 For if you believe Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote about me. 43N 5 47 31130 But if you disbelieve his writings, how are you to believe my words?" 43N 6 1 31140 After this Jesus went away across the Lake of Galilee (that is, the Lake of Tiberias). 43N 6 2 31150 A vast multitude followed Him, because they witnessed the miracles on the sick which He was constantly performing. 43N 6 3 31160 Then Jesus went up the hill, and sat there with His disciples. 43N 6 4 31170 The Jewish Festival, the Passover, was at hand. 43N 6 5 31180 And when He looked round and saw an immense crowd coming towards Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for all these people to eat?" 43N 6 6 31190 He said this to put Philip to the test, for He Himself knew what He was going to do. 43N 6 7 31200 "Seven pounds' worth of bread," replied Philip, "is not enough for them all to get even a scanty meal." 43N 6 8 31210 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, 43N 6 9 31220 "There is a boy here with five barley loaves and a couple of fish: but what is that among so many?" 43N 6 10 31230 "Make the people sit down," said Jesus. The ground was covered with thick grass; so they sat down, the adult men numbering about 5,000. 43N 6 11 31240 Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were resting on the ground; and also the fish in like manner--as much as they desired. 43N 6 12 31250 When all were fully satisfied, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the broken portions that remain over, so that nothing be lost." 43N 6 13 31260 Accordingly they gathered them up; and with the fragments of the five barley loaves--the broken portions that remained over after they had done eating--they filled twelve baskets. 43N 6 14 31270 Thereupon the people, having seen the miracle He had performed, said, "This is indeed the Prophet who was to come into the world." 43N 6 15 31280 Perceiving, however, that they were about to come and carry Him off by force to make Him a king, Jesus withdrew again up the hill alone by Himself. 43N 6 16 31290 When evening came on, His disciples went down to the Lake. 43N 6 17 31300 There they got on board a boat, and pushed off to cross the Lake to Capernaum. By this time it had become dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 43N 6 18 31310 The Lake also was getting rough, because a strong wind was blowing. 43N 6 19 31320 When, however, they had rowed three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the water and coming near the boat. 43N 6 20 31330 They were terrified; but He called to them. "It is I," He said, "do not be afraid." 43N 6 21 31340 Then they were willing to take Him on board; and in a moment the boat reached the shore at the point to which they were going. 43N 6 22 31350 Next morning the crowd who were still standing about on the other side of the Lake found that there had been but one small boat there, and they had seen that Jesus did not go on board with His disciples, but that His disciples went away without Him. 43N 6 23 31360 Yet a number of small boats came from Tiberias to the neighbourhood of the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 43N 6 24 31370 When however the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they themselves also took boats and came to Capernaum to look for Jesus. 43N 6 25 31380 So when they had crossed the Lake and had found Him, they asked Him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 43N 6 26 31390 "In most solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that you are searching for me not because you have seen miracles, but because you ate the loaves and had a hearty meal. 43N 6 27 31400 Bestow your pains not on the food which perishes, but on the food that remains unto the Life of the Ages--that food which will be the Son of Man's gift to you; for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal." 43N 6 28 31410 "What are we to do," they asked, "in order to carry out the things that God requires?" 43N 6 29 31420 "This," replied Jesus, "is above all the thing that God requires--that you should be believers in Him whom He has sent." 43N 6 30 31430 "What miracle then," they asked, "do you perform for us to see and become believers in you? What do you *do*? 43N 6 31 31440 Our forefathers ate the manna in the Desert, as it is written, <`He gave them bread out of Heaven to eat'."> 43N 6 32 31450 "In most solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that Moses did not give you the bread out of Heaven, but my Father is giving you the bread--the true bread--out of Heaven. 43N 6 33 31460 For God's bread is that which comes down out of Heaven and gives Life to the world." 43N 6 34 31470 "Sir," they said, "always give us that bread." 43N 6 35 31480 "I am the bread of Life," replied Jesus; "he who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never, never thirst. 43N 6 36 31490 But it is as I have said to you: you have seen me and yet you do not believe. 43N 6 37 31500 Every one whom the Father gives me will come to me, and him who comes to me I will never on any account drive away. 43N 6 38 31510 For I have left Heaven and have come down to earth not to seek my own pleasure, but to do the will of Him who sent me. 43N 6 39 31520 And this is the will of Him who sent me, that of all that He has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it to life on the last day. 43N 6 40 31530 For this is my Father's will, that every one who fixes his gaze on the Son of God and believes in Him should have the Life of the Ages, and I will raise him to life on the last day." 43N 6 41 31540 Now the Jews began to find fault about Him because of His claiming to be the bread which came down out of Heaven. 43N 6 42 31550 They kept asking, "Is not this man Joseph's son? Is he not Jesus, whose father and mother we know? What does he mean by now saying, `I have come down out of Heaven'?" 43N 6 43 31560 "Do not thus find fault among yourselves," replied Jesus; 43N 6 44 31570 "no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; then I will raise him to life on the last day. 43N 6 45 31580 It stands written in the Prophets, <`And they shall all of them be taught by God'.> Every one who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to me. 43N 6 46 31590 No one has ever seen the Father--except Him who is from God. He has seen the Father. 43N 6 47 31600 "In most solemn truth I tell you that he who believes has the Life of the Ages. 43N 6 48 31610 I am the bread of Life. 43N 6 49 31620 Your forefathers ate the manna in the Desert, and they died. 43N 6 50 31630 Here is the bread that comes down out of Heaven that a man may eat it and not die. 43N 6 51 31640 I am the living bread come down out of Heaven. If a man eats this bread, he shall live for ever. Moreover the bread which I will give is my flesh given for the life of the world." 43N 6 52 31650 This led to an angry debate among the Jews. "How can this man," they argued, "give us his flesh to eat?" 43N 6 53 31660 "In most solemn truth I tell you," said Jesus, "that unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no Life in you. 43N 6 54 31670 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has the Life of the Ages, and I will raise him up on the last day. 43N 6 55 31680 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 43N 6 56 31690 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in union with me, and I remain in union with him. 43N 6 57 31700 As the ever-living Father has sent me, and I live because of the Father, so also he who eats me will live because of me. 43N 6 58 31710 This is the bread which came down out of Heaven; it is unlike that which your forefathers ate--for they ate and yet died. He who eats this bread shall live for ever." 43N 6 59 31720 Jesus said all this in the synagogue while teaching at Capernaum. 43N 6 60 31730 Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is hard to accept. Who can listen to such teaching?" 43N 6 61 31740 But, knowing in Himself that His disciples were dissatisfied about it, Jesus asked them, 43N 6 62 31750 "Does this seem incredible to you? What then if you were to see the Son of Man ascending again where He was before? 43N 6 63 31760 It is the spirit which gives Life. The flesh confers no benefit whatever. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and are Life. 43N 6 64 31770 But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 43N 6 65 31780 So He added, "That is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it be granted him by the Father." 43N 6 66 31790 Thereupon many of His disciples left Him and went away, and no longer associated with Him. 43N 6 67 31800 Jesus therefore appealed to the Twelve. "Will you go also?" He asked. 43N 6 68 31810 "Master," replied Simon Peter, "to whom shall we go? Your teachings tell us of the Life of the Ages. 43N 6 69 31820 And we have come to believe and know that *you* are indeed the Holy One of God." 43N 6 70 31830 "Did not I choose you--the Twelve?" said Jesus, "and even of you one is a devil." 43N 6 71 31840 He alluded to Judas, the son of Simon the Iscariot. For he it was who, though one of the Twelve, was afterwards to betray Him. 43N 7 1 31850 After this Jesus moved from place to place in Galilee. He would not go about in Judaea, because the Jews were seeking an opportunity to kill Him. 43N 7 2 31860 But the Jewish Festival of the Tent-Pitching was approaching. 43N 7 3 31870 So His brothers said to Him, "Leave these parts and go into Judaea, that not only we but your disciples also may witness the miracles which you perform. 43N 7 4 31880 For no one acts in secret, desiring all the while to be himself known publicly. Since you are doing these things, show yourself openly to the world." 43N 7 5 31890 For even His brothers were not believers in Him. 43N 7 6 31900 "My time," replied Jesus, "has not yet come, but for you any time is suitable. 43N 7 7 31910 It is impossible for the world to hate you; but me it does hate, because I give testimony concerning it that its conduct is evil. 43N 7 8 31920 As for you, go up to the Festival. I do not now go up to this Festival, because my time is not yet fully come." 43N 7 9 31930 Such was His answer, and He remained in Galilee. 43N 7 10 31940 When however His brothers had gone up to the Festival, then He also went up, not openly, but as it were privately. 43N 7 11 31950 Meanwhile the Jews at the Festival were looking for Him and were inquiring, "Where is he?" 43N 7 12 31960 Among the mass of the people there was much muttered debate about Him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others said, "Not so: he is imposing on the people." 43N 7 13 31970 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke out boldly about Him. 43N 7 14 31980 But when the Festival was already half over, Jesus went up to the Temple and commenced teaching. 43N 7 15 31990 The Jews were astonished. "How does this man know anything of books," they said, "although he has never been at any of the schools?" 43N 7 16 32000 Jesus answered their question by saying, "My teaching does not belong to me, but comes from Him who sent me. 43N 7 17 32010 If any one is willing to do His will, he shall know about the teaching, whether it is from God or originates with me. 43N 7 18 32020 The man whose teaching originates with himself aims at his own glory. He who aims at the glory of Him who sent him teaches the truth, and there is no deception in him. 43N 7 19 32030 Did not Moses give you the Law? And yet not a man of you obeys the Law. Why do you want to kill me?" 43N 7 20 32040 "You are possessed by a demon," replied the crowd; "no one wants to kill you." 43N 7 21 32050 "One deed I have done," replied Jesus, "and you are all full of wonder. 43N 7 22 32060 Consider therefore. Moses gave you the rite of circumcision (not that it began with Moses, but with your earlier forefathers), and even on a Sabbath day you circumcise a child. 43N 7 23 32070 If a child is circumcised even on a Sabbath day, are you bitter against me because I have restored a man to perfect health on a Sabbath day? 43N 7 24 32080 Do not form superficial judgements, but form the judgements that are just." 43N 7 25 32090 Some however of the people of Jerusalem said, "Is not this the man they are wanting to kill? 43N 7 26 32100 But here he is, speaking openly and boldly, and they say nothing to him! Can the Rulers really have ascertained that this man is the Christ? 43N 7 27 32110 And yet we know this man, and we know where he is from; but as for the Christ, when He comes, no one can tell where He is from." 43N 7 28 32120 Jesus therefore, while teaching in the Temple, cried aloud, and said, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. And yet I have not come of my own accord; but there is One who has sent me, an Authority indeed, of whom you have no knowledge. 43N 7 29 32130 I know Him, because I came from Him, and He sent me." 43N 7 30 32140 On hearing this they wanted to arrest Him; yet not a hand was laid on Him, because His time had not yet come. 43N 7 31 32150 But from among the crowd a large number believed in Him. "When the Christ comes," they said, "will He perform more miracles than this teacher has performed?" 43N 7 32 32160 The Pharisees heard the people thus expressing their various doubts about Him, and the High Priests and the Pharisees sent some officers to apprehend Him. 43N 7 33 32170 So Jesus said, "Still for a short time I am with you, and then I go my way to Him who sent me. 43N 7 34 32180 You will look for me and will not find me, and where I am you cannot come." 43N 7 35 32190 The Jews therefore said to one another, "Where is he about to betake himself, so that we shall not find him? Will he betake himself to the Dispersion among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? 43N 7 36 32200 What do those words of his mean, `You will look for me, but will not find me, and where I am you cannot come'?" 43N 7 37 32210 On the last day of the Festival--the great day--Jesus stood up and cried aloud. "Whoever is thirsty," He said, "let him come to me and drink. 43N 7 38 32220 He who believes in me, from within him--as the Scripture has said--rivers of living water shall flow." 43N 7 39 32230 He referred to the Spirit which those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not bestowed as yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. 43N 7 40 32240 After listening to these discourses, some of the crowd began to say, "This is beyond doubt the Prophet." 43N 7 41 32250 Others said, "He is the Christ." But others again, "Not so, for is the Christ to come from Galilee? 43N 7 42 32260 Has not the Scripture declared that the Christ is to come of the family of David and from Bethlehem, David's village?" 43N 7 43 32270 So there was a violent dissension among the people on His account. 43N 7 44 32280 Some of them wanted at once to arrest Him, but no one laid hands upon Him. 43N 7 45 32290 Meanwhile the officers returned to the High Priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why have you not brought him?" 43N 7 46 32300 "No mere man has ever spoken as this man speaks," said the officers. 43N 7 47 32310 "Are *you* deluded too?" replied the Pharisees; 43N 7 48 32320 "has any one of the Rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 43N 7 49 32330 But this rabble who understand nothing about the Law are accursed!" 43N 7 50 32340 Nicodemus interposed--he who had formerly gone to Jesus, being himself one of them. 43N 7 51 32350 "Does our Law," he asked, "judge a man without first hearing what he has to say and ascertaining what his conduct is?" 43N 7 52 32360 "Do you also come from Galilee?" they asked in reply. "Search and see for yourself that no Prophet is of Galilaean origin." 43N 7 53 32370 [So they went away to their several homes; 43N 8 1 32380 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 43N 8 2 32390 At break of day however He returned to the Temple, and there the people came to Him in crowds. He seated Himself; 43N 8 3 32400 and was teaching them when the Scribes and the Pharisees brought to Him a woman who had been found committing adultery. They made her stand in the centre of the court, and they put the case to Him. 43N 8 4 32410 "Rabbi," they said, "this woman has been found in the very act of committing adultery. 43N 8 5 32420 Now, in the Law, Moses has ordered us to stone such women to death. But what do you say?" 43N 8 6 32430 They asked this in order to put Him to the test, so that they might have some charge to bring against Him. But Jesus leant forward and began to write with His finger on the ground. 43N 8 7 32440 When however they persisted with their question, He raised His head and said to them, "Let the sinless man among you be the first to throw a stone at her." 43N 8 8 32450 Then He leant forward again, and again began to write on the ground. 43N 8 9 32460 They listened to Him, and then, beginning with the eldest, took their departure, one by one, till all were gone. And Jesus was left behind alone--and the woman in the centre of the court. 43N 8 10 32470 Then, raising His head, Jesus said to her, "Where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 43N 8 11 32480 "No one, Sir," she replied. "And *I* do not condemn you either," said Jesus; "go, and from this time do not sin any more."] 43N 8 12 32490 Once more Jesus addressed them. "I am the Light of the world," He said; "the man who follows me shall certainly not walk in the dark, but shall have the light of Life." 43N 8 13 32500 "You are giving testimony about yourself," said the Pharisees; "your testimony is not true." 43N 8 14 32510 "Even if I am giving testimony about myself," replied Jesus, "my testimony is true; for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you know neither of these two things. 43N 8 15 32520 You judge according to appearances: I am judging no one. 43N 8 16 32530 And even if I do judge, my judgement is just; for I am not alone, but the Father who sent me is with me. 43N 8 17 32540 In your own Law, too, it is written that <the testimony of two men is true.> 43N 8 18 32550 I am one giving testimony about myself, and the Father who sent me gives testimony about me." 43N 8 19 32560 "Where is your Father?" they asked. "You know my Father as little as you know me." He replied; "if you knew me, you would know my Father also." 43N 8 20 32570 These sayings He uttered in the Treasury, while teaching in the Temple; yet no one arrested Him, because His time had not yet come. 43N 8 21 32580 Again He said to them, "I am going away. Then you will try to find me, but you will die in your sins. Where I am going, it is impossible for you to come." 43N 8 22 32590 The Jews began to ask one another, "Is he going to kill himself, do you think, that he says, `Where I am going, it is impossible for you to come'?" 43N 8 23 32600 "You," He continued, "are from below, I am from above: you are of this present world, I am not of this present world. 43N 8 24 32610 That is why I told you that you will die in your sins; for, unless you believe that I am He, that is what will happen." 43N 8 25 32620 "You--who are you?" they asked. "How is it that I am speaking to you at all?" replied Jesus. 43N 8 26 32630 "Many things I have to speak and to judge concerning you. But He who sent me is true, and the things which I have heard from Him are those which I have come into the world to speak." 43N 8 27 32640 They did not perceive that He was speaking to them of the Father. 43N 8 28 32650 So Jesus added, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He. Of myself I do nothing; but as the Father has taught me, so I speak. 43N 8 29 32660 And He who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone: for I do always what is pleasing to Him." 43N 8 30 32670 As He thus spoke, many became believers in Him. 43N 8 31 32680 Jesus therefore said to those of the Jews who had now believed in Him, "As for you, if you hold fast to my teaching, then you are truly my disciples; 43N 8 32 32690 and you shall know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free." 43N 8 33 32700 "We are descendants of Abraham," they answered, "and have never at any time been in slavery to any one. What do those words of yours mean, `You shall become free'?" 43N 8 34 32710 "In most solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that every one who commits sin is the slave of sin. 43N 8 35 32720 Now a slave does not remain permanently in his master's house, but a son does. 43N 8 36 32730 If then the Son shall make you free, you will be free indeed. 43N 8 37 32740 You are descendants of Abraham, I know; but you want to kill me, because my teaching gains no ground within you. 43N 8 38 32750 The words I speak are those I have learnt in the presence of the Father. Therefore you also should do what you have heard from your father." 43N 8 39 32760 "Our father is Abraham," they said. "If you were Abraham's children," replied Jesus, "it is Abraham's deeds that you would be doing. 43N 8 40 32770 But, in fact, you are longing to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth which I have heard from God. Abraham did not do that. 43N 8 41 32780 You are doing the deeds of your father." "We," they replied, "are not illegitimate children. We have one Father, namely God." 43N 8 42 32790 "If God were your Father," said Jesus, "you would love me; for it is from God that I came and I am now here. I have not come of myself, but *He* sent me. 43N 8 43 32800 How is it you do not understand me when I speak? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my words. 43N 8 44 32810 The father whose sons you are is the Devil; and you desire to do what gives him pleasure. *He* was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand firm in the truth--for there is no truth in him. Whenever he utters his lie, he utters it out of his own store; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. 43N 8 45 32820 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe me. 43N 8 46 32830 Which of *you* convicts me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? 43N 8 47 32840 He who is a child of God listens to God's words. You do not listen to them: and why? It is because you are not God's children." 43N 8 48 32850 "Are we not right," answered the Jews, "in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed by a demon?" 43N 8 49 32860 "I am not possessed by a demon," replied Jesus. "On the contrary I honour my Father, and you dishonour me. 43N 8 50 32870 I, however, am not aiming at glory for myself: there is One who aims at glory for me--and who judges. 43N 8 51 32880 In most solemn truth I tell you that if any one shall have obeyed my teaching he shall in no case ever see death." 43N 8 52 32890 "Now," exclaimed the Jews, "we know that you are possessed by a demon. Abraham died, and so did the Prophets, and yet *you* say, `If any one shall have obeyed my teaching, he shall in no case ever taste death.' 43N 8 53 32900 Are you really greater than our forefather Abraham? For he died. And the prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?" 43N 8 54 32910 "Were I to glorify myself," answered Jesus, "I should have no real glory. There is One who glorifies me--namely my Father, who you say is your God. 43N 8 55 32920 You do not know Him, but I know Him perfectly; and were I to deny my knowledge of Him, I should resemble you, and be a liar. On the contrary I do know Him, and I obey His commands. 43N 8 56 32930 Abraham your forefather exulted in the hope of seeing my day: and he saw it, and was glad." 43N 8 57 32940 "You are not yet fifty years old," cried the Jews, "and have you seen Abraham?" 43N 8 58 32950 "In most solemn truth," answered Jesus, "I tell you that before Abraham came into existence, I am." 43N 8 59 32960 Thereupon they took up stones with which to stone Him, but He hid Himself and went away out of the Temple. 43N 9 1 32970 As He passed by, He saw a man who had been blind from his birth. 43N 9 2 32980 So His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned--this man or his parents--that he was born blind?" 43N 9 3 32990 "Neither he nor his parents sinned," answered Jesus, "but he was born blind in order that God's mercy might be openly shown in him. 43N 9 4 33000 We must do the works of Him who sent me while there is daylight. Night is coming on, when no one can work. 43N 9 5 33010 When I am in the world, I am the Light of the world." 43N 9 6 33020 After thus speaking, He spat on the ground, and then, kneading the dust and spittle into clay, He smeared the clay over the man's eyes and said to him, 43N 9 7 33030 "Go and wash in the pool of Siloam" --the name means `Sent.' So he went and washed his eyes, and returned able to see. 43N 9 8 33040 His neighbours, therefore, and the other people to whom he had been a familiar object because he was a beggar, began asking, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" 43N 9 9 33050 "Yes it is," replied some of them. "No it is not," said others, "but he is like him." His own statement was, "I am the man." 43N 9 10 33060 "How then were your eyes opened?" they asked. 43N 9 11 33070 "He whose name is Jesus," he answered, "made clay and smeared my eyes with it, and then told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed and obtained sight." 43N 9 12 33080 "Where is he?" they inquired, but the man did not know. 43N 9 13 33090 They brought him to the Pharisees--the man who had been blind. 43N 9 14 33100 Now the day on which Jesus made the clay and opened the man's eyes was the Sabbath. 43N 9 15 33110 So the Pharisees renewed their questioning as to how he had obtained his sight. "He put clay on my eyes," he replied, "and I washed, and now I can see." 43N 9 16 33120 This led some of the Pharisees to say, "That man has not come from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." "How is it possible for a bad man to do such miracles?" argued others. 43N 9 17 33130 And there was a division among them. So again they asked the once blind man, "What is your account of him? --for he opened your eyes." "He is a Prophet," he replied. 43N 9 18 33140 The Jews, however, did not believe the statement concerning him--that he had been blind and had obtained his sight--until they called his parents and asked them, 43N 9 19 33150 "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How is it then that he can now see?" 43N 9 20 33160 "We know," replied the parents, "that this is our son and that he was born blind; 43N 9 21 33170 but how it is that he can now see or who has opened his eyes we do not know. Ask him himself; he is of full age; he himself will give his own account of it." 43N 9 22 33180 Such was their answer, because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already settled among themselves that if any one should acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, he should be excluded from the synagogue. 43N 9 23 33190 That was why his parents said, "He is of full age: ask him himself." 43N 9 24 33200 A second time therefore they called the man who had been blind, and said, "Give God the praise: we know that that man is a sinner." 43N 9 25 33210 "Whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know," he replied; "one thing I know--that I was once blind and that now I can see." 43N 9 26 33220 "What did he do to you?" they asked; "how did he open your eyes?" 43N 9 27 33230 "I have told you already," he replied, "and you did not listen to me. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also mean to be disciples of his?" 43N 9 28 33240 Then they railed at him, and said, "You are that man's disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 43N 9 29 33250 We know that God spoke to Moses; but as for this fellow we do not know where he comes from." 43N 9 30 33260 "Why, this is marvellous!" the man replied; "you do not know where he comes from, and yet he has opened my eyes! 43N 9 31 33270 We know that God does not listen to bad people, but that if any one is a God-fearing man and obeys Him, to him He listens. 43N 9 32 33280 From the beginning of the world such a thing was never heard of as that any one should open the eyes of a man blind from his birth. 43N 9 33 33290 Had that man not come from God, he could have done nothing." 43N 9 34 33300 "You," they replied, "were wholly begotten and born in sin, and do *you* teach *us*?" And they put him out of the synagogue. 43N 9 35 33310 Jesus heard that they had done this. So having found him, He asked him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" 43N 9 36 33320 "Who is He, Sir?" replied the man. "Tell me, so that I may believe in Him." 43N 9 37 33330 "You have seen Him," said Jesus; "and not only so: He is now speaking to you." 43N 9 38 33340 "I believe, Sir," he said. And he threw himself at His feet. 43N 9 39 33350 "I came into this world," said Jesus, "to judge men, that those who do not see may see, and that those who do see may become blind." 43N 9 40 33360 These words were heard by those of the Pharisees who were present, and they asked Him, "Are *we* also blind?" 43N 9 41 33370 "If you were blind," answered Jesus, "you would have no sin; but as a matter of fact you boast that you see. So your sin remains!" 43N 10 1 33380 "In most solemn truth I tell you that the man who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs over some other way, is a thief and a robber. 43N 10 2 33390 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 43N 10 3 33400 To him the porter opens the door, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by their names and leads them out. 43N 10 4 33410 When he has brought out his own sheep--all of them--he walks at the head of them; and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. 43N 10 5 33420 But a stranger they will by no means follow, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." 43N 10 6 33430 Jesus spoke to them in this figurative language, but they did not understand what He meant. 43N 10 7 33440 Again therefore Jesus said to them, "In most solemn truth I tell you that I am the Door of the sheep. 43N 10 8 33450 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep would not listen to them. 43N 10 9 33460 I am the Door. If any one enters by me, he will find safety, and will go in and out and find pasture. 43N 10 10 33470 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come that they may have Life, and may have it in abundance. 43N 10 11 33480 "I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his very life for the sheep. 43N 10 12 33490 The hired servant--one who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep--no sooner sees the wolf coming than he leaves the sheep and runs away; and the wolf worries and scatters them. 43N 10 13 33500 For he is only a hired servant and cares nothing for the sheep. 43N 10 14 33510 "I am the Good Shepherd. And I know my sheep and my sheep know me, 43N 10 15 33520 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I am laying down my life for the sheep. 43N 10 16 33530 I have also other sheep--which do not belong to this fold. Those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice; and they shall become one flock under one Shepherd. 43N 10 17 33540 For this reason my Father loves me, because I am laying down my life in order to receive it back again. 43N 10 18 33550 No one is taking it away from me, but I myself am laying it down. I am authorized to lay it down, and I am authorized to receive it back again. This is the command I received from my Father." 43N 10 19 33560 Again there arose a division among the Jews because of these words. 43N 10 20 33570 Many of them said, "He is possessed by a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to him?" 43N 10 21 33580 Others argued, "That is not the language of a demoniac: and can a demon open blind men's eyes?" 43N 10 22 33590 The Dedication Festival came on in Jerusalem. It was winter, 43N 10 23 33600 and Jesus was walking in the Temple in Solomon's Portico, 43N 10 24 33610 when the Jews gathered round Him and kept asking Him, "How long do you mean to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us so plainly." 43N 10 25 33620 "I have told you," answered Jesus, "and you do not believe. The deeds that I do in my Father's name--they give testimony about me. 43N 10 26 33630 But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. 43N 10 27 33640 My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 43N 10 28 33650 I give them the Life of the Ages, and they shall never, never perish, nor shall any one wrest them from my hand. 43N 10 29 33660 What my Father has given me is more precious than all besides; and no one is able to wrest anything from my Father's hand. 43N 10 30 33670 I and the Father are one." 43N 10 31 33680 Again the Jews brought stones with which to stone Him. 43N 10 32 33690 Jesus remonstrated with them. "Many good deeds," He said, "have I shown you as coming from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?" 43N 10 33 33700 "For no good deed," the Jews replied, "are we going to stone you, but for blasphemy, and because you, who are only a man, are making yourself out to be God." 43N 10 34 33710 "Does it not stand written in your Law," replied Jesus, <"`I said, you are gods'?> 43N 10 35 33720 If those to whom God's word was addressed are called gods (and the Scripture cannot be annulled), 43N 10 36 33730 how is it that you say to one whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, `You are blaspheming,' because I said, `I am God's Son'? 43N 10 37 33740 If the deeds I do are not my Father's deeds, do not believe me. 43N 10 38 33750 But if they are, then even if you do not believe me, at least believe the deeds, that you may know and see clearly that the Father is in me, and that I am in the Father." 43N 10 39 33760 This made them once more try to arrest Him, but He withdrew out of their power. 43N 10 40 33770 Then He went away again to the other side of the Jordan, to the place where John had been baptizing at first; and there He stayed. 43N 10 41 33780 Large numbers of people also came to Him. Their report was, "John did not work any miracle, but all that John said about this Teacher was true." 43N 10 42 33790 And many became believers in Him there. 43N 11 1 33800 Now a certain man, named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill-- Bethany being the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 43N 11 2 33810 (It was the Mary who poured the perfume over the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.) 43N 11 3 33820 So the sisters sent to Him to say, "Master, he whom you hold dear is ill." 43N 11 4 33830 Jesus received the message and said, "This illness is not to end in death, but is to promote the glory of God, in order that the Son of God may be glorified by it." 43N 11 5 33840 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 43N 11 6 33850 When, however, He heard that Lazarus was ill, He still remained two days in that same place. 43N 11 7 33860 Then, after that, He said to the disciples, "Let us return to Judaea." 43N 11 8 33870 "Rabbi," exclaimed the disciples, "the Jews have just been trying to stone you, and do you think of going back there again?" 43N 11 9 33880 "Are there not twelve hours in the day?" replied Jesus. "If any one walks in the daytime, he does not stumble--because he sees the light of this world. 43N 11 10 33890 But if a man walks by night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him." 43N 11 11 33900 He said this, and afterwards He added, "Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, but I will go and wake him." 43N 11 12 33910 "Master," said the disciples, "if he is asleep he will recover." 43N 11 13 33920 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought He referred to the rest taken in ordinary sleep. 43N 11 14 33930 So then He told them plainly, 43N 11 15 33940 "Lazarus is dead; and for your sakes I am glad I was not there, in order that you may believe. But let us go to him." 43N 11 16 33950 "Let us go also," Thomas, the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "that we may die with him." 43N 11 17 33960 On His arrival Jesus found that Lazarus had already been three days in the tomb. 43N 11 18 33970 Bethany was near Jerusalem, the distance being a little less than two miles; 43N 11 19 33980 and a considerable number of the Jews were with Martha and Mary, having come to express sympathy with them on the death of their brother. 43N 11 20 33990 Martha, however, as soon as she heard the tidings, "Jesus is coming," went to meet Him; but Mary remained sitting in the house. 43N 11 21 34000 So Martha came and spoke to Jesus. "Master, if you had been here," she said, "my brother would not have died. 43N 11 22 34010 And even now I know that whatever you ask God for, God will give you." 43N 11 23 34020 "Your brother shall rise again," replied Jesus. 43N 11 24 34030 "I know," said Martha, "that he will rise again at the resurrection, on the last day." 43N 11 25 34040 "I am the Resurrection and the Life," said Jesus; "he who believes in me, even if he has died, he shall live; 43N 11 26 34050 and every one who is living and is a believer in me shall never, never die. Do you believe this?" 43N 11 27 34060 "Yes, Master," she replied; "I thoroughly believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." 43N 11 28 34070 After saying this, she went and called her sister Mary privately, telling her, "The Rabbi is here and is asking for you." 43N 11 29 34080 So she, on hearing that, rose up quickly to go to Him. 43N 11 30 34090 Now Jesus was not yet come into the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met Him. 43N 11 31 34100 So the Jews who were with Mary in the house sympathizing with her, when they saw that she had risen hastily and had gone out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep aloud there. 43N 11 32 34110 Mary then, when she came to Jesus and saw Him, fell at His feet and exclaimed, "Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 43N 11 33 34120 Seeing her weeping aloud, and the Jews in like manner weeping who had come with her, Jesus, curbing the strong emotion of His spirit, 43N 11 34 34130 though deeply troubled, asked them, "Where have you laid him?" "Master, come and see," was their reply. 43N 11 35 34140 Jesus wept. 43N 11 36 34150 "See how dear he held him," said the Jews. 43N 11 37 34160 But others of them asked, "Was this man who opened the blind man's eyes unable to prevent this man from dying?" 43N 11 38 34170 Jesus, however, again restraining His strong feeling, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone had been laid against the mouth of it. 43N 11 39 34180 "Take away the stone," said Jesus. Martha, the sister of the dead man, exclaimed, "Master, by this time there is a foul smell; for it is three days since he died." 43N 11 40 34190 "Did I not promise you," replied Jesus, "that if you believe, you shall see the glory of God?" 43N 11 41 34200 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard me. 43N 11 42 34210 I know that Thou always hearest me; but for the sake of the crowd standing round I have said this--that they may believe that Thou didst send me." 43N 11 43 34220 After speaking thus, He called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." 43N 11 44 34230 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped in cloths, and his face wrapped round with a towel. "Untie him," said Jesus, "and let him go free." 43N 11 45 34240 Thereupon a considerable number of the Jews--namely those who had come to Mary and had witnessed His deeds--became believers in Him; 43N 11 46 34250 though some of them went off to the Pharisees and told them what He had done. 43N 11 47 34260 Therefore the High Priests and the Pharisees held a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What steps are we taking?" they asked one another; "for this man is performing a great number of miracles. 43N 11 48 34270 If we leave him alone in this way, everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and blot out both our city and our nation." 43N 11 49 34280 But one of them, named Caiaphas, being High Priest that year, said, "You know nothing about it. 43N 11 50 34290 You do not reflect that it is to your interest that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish." 43N 11 51 34300 It was not as a mere man that he thus spoke. But being High Priest that year he was inspired to declare that Jesus was to die for the nation, 43N 11 52 34310 and not for the nation only, but in order to unite into one body all the far-scattered children of God. 43N 11 53 34320 So from that day forward they planned and schemed in order to put Him to death. 43N 11 54 34330 Therefore Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but He left that neighbourhood and went into the district near the Desert, to a town called Ephraim, and remained there with the disciples. 43N 11 55 34340 The Jewish Passover was coming near, and many from that district went up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 43N 11 56 34350 They therefore looked out for Jesus, and asked one another as they stood in the Temple, "What do you think? --will he come to the Festival at all?" 43N 11 57 34360 Now the High Priests and the Pharisees had issued orders that if any one knew where He was, he should give information, so that they might arrest Him. 43N 12 1 34370 Jesus, however, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was whom He had raised from the dead. 43N 12 2 34380 So they gave a dinner there in honour of Jesus, at which Martha waited at table, but Lazarus was one of the guests who were with Him. 43N 12 3 34390 Availing herself of the opportunity, Mary took a pound weight of pure spikenard, very costly, and poured it over His feet, and wiped His feet with her hair, so that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 43N 12 4 34400 Then said Judas (the Iscariot, one of the Twelve--the one who afterwards betrayed Jesus), 43N 12 5 34410 "Why was not that perfume sold for 300 shillings and the money given to the poor?" 43N 12 6 34420 The reason he said this was not that he cared for the poor, but that he was a thief, and that being in charge of the money-box, he used to steal what was put into it. 43N 12 7 34430 But Jesus interposed. "Do not blame her," He said, "allow her to have kept it for the time of my preparation for burial. 43N 12 8 34440 For the poor you always have with you, but you have not me always." 43N 12 9 34450 Now it became widely known among the Jews that Jesus was there; but they came not only on His account, but also in order to see Lazarus whom He had brought back to life. 43N 12 10 34460 The High Priests, however, consulted together to put Lazarus also to death, 43N 12 11 34470 for because of him many of the Jews left them and became believers in Jesus. 43N 12 12 34480 The next day a great crowd of those who had come to the Festival, hearing that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 43N 12 13 34490 took branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, shouting as they went, "God save him! <Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord>--even on the King of Israel!" 43N 12 14 34500 And Jesus, having procured a young ass, sat upon it, just as the Scripture says, 43N 12 15 34510 <"Fear not, Daughter of Zion! See, thy King is coming riding on an ass's colt."> 43N 12 16 34520 The meaning of this His disciples did not understand at the time; but after Jesus was glorified they recollected that this was written about Him, and that they had done this to Him. 43N 12 17 34530 The large number of people, however, who had been present when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and brought him back to life, related what they had witnessed. 43N 12 18 34540 This was also why the crowd came to meet Him, because they had heard of His having performed that miracle. 43N 12 19 34550 The result was that the Pharisees said among themselves, "Observe how idle all your efforts are! The world is gone after him!" 43N 12 20 34560 Now some of those who used to come up to worship at the Festival were Greeks. 43N 12 21 34570 They came to Philip, of Bethsaida in Galilee, with the request, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." 43N 12 22 34580 Philip came and told Andrew: Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 43N 12 23 34590 His answer was, "The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 43N 12 24 34600 In most solemn truth I tell you that unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains what it was--a single grain; but that if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. 43N 12 25 34610 He who holds his life dear, is destroying it; and he who makes his life of no account in this world shall keep it to the Life of the Ages. 43N 12 26 34620 If a man wishes to be my servant, let him follow me; and where I am, there too shall my servant be. If a man wishes to be my servant, the Father will honour him. 43N 12 27 34630 Now is my soul full of trouble; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 43N 12 28 34640 Father, glorify Thy name." Thereupon there came a voice from the sky, "I have glorified it and will also glorify it again." 43N 12 29 34650 The crowd that stood by and heard it, said that there had been thunder. Others said, "An angel spoke to him." 43N 12 30 34660 "It is not for my sake," said Jesus, "that that voice came, but for your sakes. 43N 12 31 34670 Now is a judgement of this world: now will the Prince of this world be driven out. 43N 12 32 34680 And I-- if I am lifted up from the earth--will draw all men to me." 43N 12 33 34690 He said this to indicate the kind of death He would die. 43N 12 34 34700 The crowd answered Him, "We have heard out of the Law that the Christ remains for ever. In what sense do you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is that Son of Man?" 43N 12 35 34710 "Yet a little while," He replied, "the light is among you. Be faithful to the light that you have, for fear darkness should overtake you; for a man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 43N 12 36 34720 In the degree that you have light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light." Jesus said this, and went away and hid Himself from them. 43N 12 37 34730 But though He had performed such great miracles in their presence, they did not believe in Him-- 43N 12 38 34740 in order that the words of Isaiah the Prophet might be fulfilled, <"Lord, who has believed our preaching? And the arm of the Lord--to whom has it been unveiled?"> 43N 12 39 34750 For this reason they were unable to believe--because Isaiah said again, 43N 12 40 34760 <"He has blinded their eyes and made their minds callous, lest they should see with their eyes and perceive with their minds, and should turn, and I should heal them."> 43N 12 41 34770 Isaiah uttered these words because he saw His glory; and he spoke of Him. 43N 12 42 34780 Nevertheless even from among the Rulers many believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not avow their belief, for fear they should be shut out from the synagogue. 43N 12 43 34790 For they loved the glory that comes from men rather than the glory that comes from God. 43N 12 44 34800 But Jesus cried aloud, "He who believes in me, believes not so much in me, as in Him who sent me; 43N 12 45 34810 and he who sees me sees Him who sent me. 43N 12 46 34820 I have come like light into the world, in order that no one who believes in me may remain in the dark. 43N 12 47 34830 And if any one hears my teachings and regards them not, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 43N 12 48 34840 He who sets me at naught and does not receive my teachings is not left without a judge: the Message which I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 43N 12 49 34850 Because I have not spoken on my own authority; but the Father who sent me, Himself gave me a command what to say and in what words to speak. 43N 12 50 34860 And I know that His command is the Life of the Ages. What therefore I speak, I speak just as the Father has bidden me." 43N 13 1 34870 Now just before the Feast of the Passover this incident took place. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father; and having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 43N 13 2 34880 While supper was proceeding, the Devil having by this time suggested to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, the thought of betraying Him, Jesus, 43N 13 3 34890 although He knew that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was now going to God, 43N 13 4 34900 rose from the table, threw off His upper garments, and took a towel and tied it round Him. 43N 13 5 34910 Then He poured water into a basin, and proceeded to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel which He had put round Him. 43N 13 6 34920 When He came to Simon Peter, Peter objected. "Master," he said, "are *you* going to wash my feet?" 43N 13 7 34930 "What I am doing," answered Jesus, "for the present you do not know, but afterwards you shall know." 43N 13 8 34940 "Never, while the world lasts," said Peter, "shall you wash my feet." "If I do not wash you," replied Jesus, "you have no share with me." 43N 13 9 34950 "Master," said Peter, "wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." 43N 13 10 34960 "Any one who has lately bathed," said Jesus, "does not need to wash more than his feet, but is clean all over. And you my disciples are clean, and yet this is not true of all of you." 43N 13 11 34970 For He knew who was betraying Him, and that was why He said, "You are not all of you clean." 43N 13 12 34980 So after He had washed their feet, put on His garments again, and returned to the table, He said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? 43N 13 13 34990 You call me `The Rabbi' and `The Master,' and rightly so, for such I am. 43N 13 14 35000 If I then, your Master and Rabbi, have washed your feet, it is also your duty to wash one another's feet. 43N 13 15 35010 For I have set you an example in order that you may do what I have done to you. 43N 13 16 35020 In most solemn truth I tell you that a servant is not superior to his master, nor is a messenger superior to him who sent him. 43N 13 17 35030 If you know all this, blessed are you if you act accordingly. 43N 13 18 35040 I am not speaking of all of you. I know whom I have chosen, but things are as they are in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled, which says, <`He who eats my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'> 43N 13 19 35050 From this time forward I tell you things before they happen, in order that when they do happen you may believe that I am He. 43N 13 20 35060 In most solemn truth I tell you that he who receives whoever I send receives me, and that he who receives me receives Him who sent me." 43N 13 21 35070 After speaking thus Jesus was troubled in spirit and said with deep earnestness, "In most solemn truth I tell you that one of you will betray me." 43N 13 22 35080 The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know to which of them He was referring. 43N 13 23 35090 There was at table one of His disciples--the one Jesus loved-- reclining with his head on Jesus's bosom. 43N 13 24 35100 Making a sign therefore to him, Simon Peter said, "Tell us to whom he is referring." 43N 13 25 35110 So he, having his head on Jesus's bosom, leaned back and asked, "Master, who is it?" 43N 13 26 35120 "It is the one," answered Jesus, "for whom I shall dip this piece of bread and to whom I shall give it." Accordingly He dipped the piece of bread, and took it and gave it to Judas, the son of the Iscariot Simon. 43N 13 27 35130 Then, after Judas had received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. "Lose no time about it," said Jesus to him. 43N 13 28 35140 But why He said this no one else at the table understood. 43N 13 29 35150 Some, however, supposed that because Judas had the money-box Jesus meant, "Buy what we require for the Festival," or that he should give something to the poor. 43N 13 30 35160 So Judas took the piece of bread and immediately went out. And it was night. 43N 13 31 35170 So when he was gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 43N 13 32 35180 Moreover God will glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him without delay. 43N 13 33 35190 Dear children, I am still with you a little longer. You will seek me, but, as I said to the Jews, `Where I am going you cannot come,' so for the present I say to you. 43N 13 34 35200 A new commandment I give you, to love one another; that as I have loved you, you also may love one another. 43N 13 35 35210 It is by this that every one will know that you are my disciples--if you love one another." 43N 13 36 35220 "Master," inquired Simon Peter, "where are you going?" "Where I am going," replied Jesus, "you cannot be my follower now, but you shall be later." 43N 13 37 35230 "Master," asked Peter again, "why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life on your behalf. 43N 13 38 35240 "You say you will lay down your life on my behalf!" said Jesus; "in most solemn truth I tell you that the cock will not crow before you have three times disowned me." 43N 14 1 35250 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God: trust in me also. 43N 14 2 35260 In my Father's house there are many resting-places. Were it otherwise, I would have told you; for I am going to make ready a place for you. 43N 14 3 35270 And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me, that where I am you also may be. 43N 14 4 35280 And where I am going, you all know the way." 43N 14 5 35290 "Master," said Thomas, "we do not know where you are going. In what sense do we know the way?" 43N 14 6 35300 "I am the Way," replied Jesus, "and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 43N 14 7 35310 If you--all of you--knew me, you would fully know my Father also. From this time forward you know Him and have seen Him." 43N 14 8 35320 "Master," said Philip, "cause us to see the Father: that is all we need." 43N 14 9 35330 "Have I been so long among you," Jesus answered, "and yet you, Philip, do not know me? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How can *you* ask me, `Cause us to see the Father'? 43N 14 10 35340 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? The things that I tell you all I do not speak on my own authority: but the Father dwelling within me carries on His own work. 43N 14 11 35350 Believe me, all of you, that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me; or at any rate, believe me because of what I do. 43N 14 12 35360 In most solemn truth I tell you that he who trusts in me--the things which I do he shall do also; and greater things than these he shall do, because I am going to the Father. 43N 14 13 35370 And whatever any of you ask in my name, I will do, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 43N 14 14 35380 If you make any request of me in my name, I will do it. 43N 14 15 35390 "If you love me, you will obey my commandments. 43N 14 16 35400 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be for ever with you--the Spirit of truth. 43N 14 17 35410 That Spirit the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him. You know Him, because He remains by your side and is in you. 43N 14 18 35420 I will not leave you bereaved: I am coming to you. 43N 14 19 35430 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me: because I live, you also shall live. 43N 14 20 35440 At that time you will know that I am in my Father, and that you are in me, and that I am in you. 43N 14 21 35450 He who has my commandments and obeys them--he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will clearly reveal myself to him." 43N 14 22 35460 Judas (not the Iscariot) asked, "Master, how is it that you will reveal yourself clearly to us and not to the world?" 43N 14 23 35470 "If any one loves me," replied Jesus, "he will obey my teaching; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 43N 14 24 35480 He who has no love for me does not obey my teaching; and yet the teaching to which you are listening is not mine, but is the teaching of the Father who sent me. 43N 14 25 35490 "All this I have spoken to you while still with you. 43N 14 26 35500 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will teach you everything, and will bring to your memories all that I have said to you. 43N 14 27 35510 Peace I leave with you: my own peace I give to you. It is not as the world gives its greetings that I give you peace. Let not your hearts be troubled or dismayed. 43N 14 28 35520 "You heard me say to you, `I am going away, and yet I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced because I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I am. 43N 14 29 35530 I have now told you before it comes to pass, that when it has come to pass you may believe. 43N 14 30 35540 In future I shall not talk much with you, for the Prince of this world is coming. And yet in me he has nothing; 43N 14 31 35550 but it is in order that the world may know that I love the Father, and that it is in obedience to the command which the Father gave me that I thus act. Rise, let us be going." 43N 15 1 35560 "I am the Vine--the True Vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. 43N 15 2 35570 Every branch in me--if it bears no fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 43N 15 3 35580 Already you are cleansed--through the teaching which I have given you. 43N 15 4 35590 Continue in me, and let me continue in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself--that is, if it does not continue in the vine--so neither can you if you do not continue in me. 43N 15 5 35600 I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who continues in me and in whom I continue bears abundant fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 43N 15 6 35610 If any one does not continue in me, he is like the unfruitful branch which is at once thrown away and then withers up. Such branches they gather up and throw into the fire and they are burned. 43N 15 7 35620 "If you continue in me and my sayings continue in you, ask what you will and it shall be done for you. 43N 15 8 35630 By this is God glorified--by your bearing abundant fruit and thus being true disciples of mine. 43N 15 9 35640 As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you: continue in my love. 43N 15 10 35650 If you obey my commands, you will continue in my love, as I have obeyed my Father's commands and continue in His love. 43N 15 11 35660 "These things I have spoken to you in order that I may have joy in you, and that your joy may become perfect. 43N 15 12 35670 This is my commandment to you, to love one another as I have loved you. 43N 15 13 35680 No one has greater love than this--a man laying down his life for his friends. 43N 15 14 35690 You are my friends, if you do what I command you. 43N 15 15 35700 No longer do I call you servants, because a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all that I have heard from the Father I have made known to you. 43N 15 16 35710 It is not you who chose me, but it is I who chose you and appointed you that you might go and be fruitful and that your fruit might remain; so that whatever petition you present to the Father in my name He may give you. 43N 15 17 35720 "Thus I command you to love one another. 43N 15 18 35730 If the world hates you, remember that it has first had me as the fixed object of its hatred. 43N 15 19 35740 If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own property. But because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world--for that reason the world hates you. 43N 15 20 35750 Bear in mind what I said to you, `A servant is not superior to his master.' If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 43N 15 21 35760 But they will inflict all this suffering upon you on account of your bearing my name--because they do not know Him who sent me. 43N 15 22 35770 "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have had no sin; but as the case stands they are without excuse for their sin. 43N 15 23 35780 He who hates me hates my Father also. 43N 15 24 35790 If I had not done among them, as I have, such miracles as no one else ever did, they would have had no sin; but they have in fact seen and also hated both me and my Father. 43N 15 25 35800 But this has been so, in order that the saying may be fulfilled which stands written in their Law, <`They have hated me without any reason.'> 43N 15 26 35810 "When the Advocate is come whom I will send to you from the Father's presence--the Spirit of Truth who comes forth from the Father's presence--He will be a witness concerning me. 43N 15 27 35820 And you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the first. 43N 16 1 35830 "These things I have spoken to you in order to clear stumbling-blocks out of your path. 43N 16 2 35840 You will be excluded from the synagogues; nay more, the time is coming when any one who has murdered one of you will suppose he is offering service to God. 43N 16 3 35850 And they will do these things because they have failed to recognize the Father and to discover who I am. 43N 16 4 35860 But I have spoken these things to you in order that when the time for their accomplishment comes you may remember them, and may recollect that I told you. I did not, however, tell you all this at first, because I was still with you. 43N 16 5 35870 But now I an returning to Him who sent me; and not one of you asks me where I am going. 43N 16 6 35880 But grief has filled your hearts because I have said all this to you. 43N 16 7 35890 "Yet it is the truth that I am telling you--it is to your advantage that I go away. For unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 43N 16 8 35900 And He, when He comes, will convict the world in respect of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement; -- 43N 16 9 35910 of sin, because they do not believe in me; 43N 16 10 35920 of righteousness, because I am going to the Father, and you will no longer see me; 43N 16 11 35930 of judgement, because the Prince of this world is under sentence. 43N 16 12 35940 "I have much more to say to you, but you are unable at present to bear the burden of it. 43N 16 13 35950 But when He has come--the Spirit of Truth--He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak as Himself originating what He says, but all that He hears He will speak, and He will make known the future to you. 43N 16 14 35960 He will glorify me, because He will take of what is mine and will make it known to you. 43N 16 15 35970 Everything that the Father has is mine; that is why I said that the Spirit of Truth takes of what is mine and will make it known to you. 43N 16 16 35980 "A little while and you see me no more, and again a little while and you shall see me." 43N 16 17 35990 Some of His disciples therefore said to one another, "What does this mean which He is telling us, `A little while and you do not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me,' and `Because I am going to the Father'?" 43N 16 18 36000 So they asked one another repeatedly, "What can that `little while' mean which He speaks of? We do not understand His words." 43N 16 19 36010 Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask Him, and He said, "Is this what you are questioning one another about--my saying, `A little while and you do not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me'? 43N 16 20 36020 In most solemn truth I tell you that you will weep aloud and lament, but the world will be glad. You will mourn, but your grief will be turned into gladness. 43N 16 21 36030 A woman, when she is in labour, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has given birth to the babe, she no longer remembers the pain, because of her joy at a child being born into the world. 43N 16 22 36040 So you also now have sorrow; but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be glad, and your gladness no one will take away from you. 43N 16 23 36050 You will put no questions to me then. "In most solemn truth I tell you that whatever you ask the Father for in my name He will give you. 43N 16 24 36060 As yet you have not asked for anything in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your hearts may be filled with gladness. 43N 16 25 36070 "All this I have spoken to you in veiled language. The time is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in veiled language, but will tell you about the Father in plain words. 43N 16 26 36080 At that time you will make your requests in my name; and I do not promise to ask the Father on your behalf, 43N 16 27 36090 for the Father Himself holds you dear, because you have held me dear and have believed that I came from the Father's presence. 43N 16 28 36100 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again I am leaving the world and am going to the Father." 43N 16 29 36110 "Ah, now you are using plain language," said His disciples, "and are uttering no figure of speech! 43N 16 30 36120 Now we know that you have all knowledge, and do not need to be pressed with questions. Through this we believe that you came from God." 43N 16 31 36130 "Do you at last believe?" replied Jesus. 43N 16 32 36140 "Remember that the time is coming, nay, has already come, for you all to be dispersed each to his own home and to leave me alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 43N 16 33 36150 "I have spoken all this to you in order that in me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction. But keep up your courage: *I* have won the victory over the world." 43N 17 1 36160 When Jesus had thus spoken, He raised his eyes towards Heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Thy Son that the Son may glorify Thee; 43N 17 2 36170 even as Thou hast given Him authority over all mankind, so that on all whom Thou hast given Him He may bestow the Life of the Ages. 43N 17 3 36180 And in this consists the Life of the Ages--in knowing Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. 43N 17 4 36190 I have glorified Thee on earth, having done perfectly the work which by Thine appointment has been mine to do. 43N 17 5 36200 And now, Father, do Thou glorify me in Thine own presence, with the glory that I had in Thy presence before the world existed. 43N 17 6 36210 "I have revealed Thy perfections to the men whom Thou gavest me out of the world. Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to me, and they have obeyed Thy message. 43N 17 7 36220 Now they know that whatever Thou hast given me is from Thee. 43N 17 8 36230 For the truths which Thou didst teach me I have taught them. And they have received them, and have known for certain that I came out from Thy presence, and have believed that Thou didst send me. 43N 17 9 36240 "I am making request for them: for the world I do not make any request, but for those whom Thou hast given me. Because they are Thine, 43N 17 10 36250 and everything that is mine is Thine, and everything that is Thine is mine; and I am crowned with glory in them. 43N 17 11 36260 I am now no longer in the world, but they are in the world and I am coming to Thee. "Holy Father, keep them true to Thy name--the name which Thou hast given me to bear--that they may be one, even as we are. 43N 17 12 36270 While I was with them, I kept them true to Thy name--the name Thou hast given me to bear--and I kept watch over them, and not one of them is lost but only he who is doomed to destruction--that the Scripture may be fulfilled. 43N 17 13 36280 "But now I am coming to Thee, and I speak these words while I am in the world, in order that they may have my gladness within them filling their hearts. 43N 17 14 36290 I have given them Thy Message, and the world has hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 43N 17 15 36300 I do not ask that Thou wilt remove them out of the world, but that Thou wilt protect them from the Evil one. 43N 17 16 36310 They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 43N 17 17 36320 Make them holy in the truth: Thy Message is truth. 43N 17 18 36330 Just as Thou didst send me into the world, I also have sent them; 43N 17 19 36340 and on their behalf I consecrate myself, in order that they may become perfectly consecrated in truth. 43N 17 20 36350 "Nor is it for them alone that I make request. It is also for those who trust in me through their teaching; 43N 17 21 36360 that they may all be one, even as Thou art in me, O Father, and I am in Thee; that they also may be in us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send me. 43N 17 22 36370 And the glory which Thou hast given me I have given them, that they may be one, just as we are one: 43N 17 23 36380 I in them and Thou in me; that they may stand perfected in one; that the world may come to understand that Thou didst send me and hast loved them with the same love as that with which Thou hast loved me. 43N 17 24 36390 "Father, those whom Thou hast given me--I desire that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see the glory--my glory--my gift from Thee, which Thou hast given me because Thou didst love me before the creation of the world. 43N 17 25 36400 And, righteous Father, though the world has failed to recognize Thee, I have known Thee, and these have perceived that Thou didst send me. 43N 17 26 36410 And I have made known Thy name to them and will make it known, that the love with which Thou hast loved me may be in them, and that I may be in them." 43N 18 1 36420 After offering this prayer Jesus went out with His disciples to a place on the further side of the Ravine of the Cedars, where there was a garden which He entered--Himself and His disciples. 43N 18 2 36430 Now Judas also, who at that very time was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often resorted there with His disciples. 43N 18 3 36440 So Judas, followed by the battalion and by a detachment of the Temple police sent by the High Priests and Pharisees, came there with torches and lamps and weapons. 43N 18 4 36450 Jesus therefore, knowing all that was about to befall Him, went out to meet them. "Who are you looking for?" He asked them. 43N 18 5 36460 "For Jesus the Nazarene," was the answer. "I am he," He replied. (Now Judas who was betraying Him was also standing with them.) 43N 18 6 36470 As soon then as He said to them, "I am he," they went backwards and fell to the ground. 43N 18 7 36480 Again therefore He asked them, "Who are you looking for?" "For Jesus the Nazarene," they said. 43N 18 8 36490 "I have told you," replied Jesus, "that I am he. If therefore you are looking for me, let these my disciples go their way." 43N 18 9 36500 He made this request in order that the words He had spoken might be fulfilled, "As for those whom Thou hast given me, I have not lost one." 43N 18 10 36510 Simon Peter, however, having a sword, drew it, and, aiming at the High Priest's servant, cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 43N 18 11 36520 Jesus therefore said to Peter, "Put back your sword. Shall I refuse to drink the cup of sorrow which the Father has given me to drink?" 43N 18 12 36530 So the battalion and their tribune and the Jewish police closed in, and took Jesus and bound Him. 43N 18 13 36540 They then brought Him to Annas first; for Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was High Priest that year. 43N 18 14 36550 (It was this Caiaphas who had advised the Jews, saying, "It is to your interest that one man should die for the People.") 43N 18 15 36560 Meanwhile Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so also was another disciple. The latter was known to the High Priest, and went in with Jesus into the court of the High Priest's palace. 43N 18 16 36570 But Peter remained standing outside the door, till the disciple who was acquainted with the High Priest came out and induced the portress to let Peter in. 43N 18 17 36580 This led the girl, the portress, to ask Peter, "Are you also one of this man's disciples?" "No, I am not," he replied. 43N 18 18 36590 Now because it was cold the servants and the police had lighted a charcoal fire, and were standing and warming themselves; and Peter too remained with them, standing and warming himself. 43N 18 19 36600 So the High Priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. 43N 18 20 36610 "As for me," replied Jesus, "I have spoken openly to the world. I have continually taught in some synagogue or in the Temple where all the Jews are wont to assemble, and I have said nothing in secret. 43N 18 21 36620 Why do you question me? Question those who heard what it was I said to them: these witnesses here know what I said." 43N 18 22 36630 Upon His saying this, one of the officers standing by struck Him with his open hand, asking Him as he did so, "Is that the way you answer the High Priest?" 43N 18 23 36640 "If I have spoken wrongly," replied Jesus, "bear witness to it as wrong; but if rightly, why that blow?" 43N 18 24 36650 So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the High Priest. 43N 18 25 36660 But Simon Peter remained standing and warming himself, and this led to their asking him, "Are you also one of his disciples?" He denied it, and said, "No, I am not." 43N 18 26 36670 One of the High Priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" 43N 18 27 36680 Once more Peter denied it, and immediately a cock crowed. 43N 18 28 36690 So they brought Jesus from Caiaphas's house to the Praetorium. It was the early morning, and they would not enter the Praetorium themselves for fear of defilement, and in order that they might be able to eat the Passover. 43N 18 29 36700 Accordingly Pilate came out to them and inquired, "What accusation have you to bring against this man?" 43N 18 30 36710 "If the man were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you." 43N 18 31 36720 "Take him yourselves," said Pilate, "and judge him by your Law." "We have no power," replied the Jews, "to put any man to death." 43N 18 32 36730 They said this that the words might be fulfilled in which Jesus predicted the kind of death He was to die. 43N 18 33 36740 Re-entering the Praetorium, therefore, Pilate called Jesus and asked Him, "Are *you* the King of the Jews?" 43N 18 34 36750 "Do you say this of yourself, or have others told it you about me?" replied Jesus. 43N 18 35 36760 "Am I a Jew?" exclaimed Pilate; "it is your own nation and the High Priests who have handed you over to me. What have you done?" 43N 18 36 36770 "My kingdom," replied Jesus, "does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my subjects would have resolutely fought to save me from being delivered up to the Jews. But, as a matter of fact, my kingdom has not this origin." 43N 18 37 36780 "So then *you* are a king!" rejoined Pilate. "Yes," said Jesus, "you say truly that I am a king. For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world--to give testimony for the truth. Every one who is a friend of the truth listens to my voice." 43N 18 38 36790 "What is truth?" said Pilate. But no sooner had he spoken the words than he went out again to the Jews and told them, "I find no crime in him. 43N 18 39 36800 But you have a custom that I should release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So shall I release to you the King of the Jews?" 43N 18 40 36810 With a roar of voices they again cried out, saying, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber. 43N 19 1 36820 Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. 43N 19 2 36830 And the soldiers, twisting twigs of thorn into a wreath, put it on His head, and threw round Him a crimson cloak. 43N 19 3 36840 Then they began to march up to Him, saying in a mocking voice, "Hail King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with the palms of their hands. 43N 19 4 36850 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "See, I am bringing him out to you to let you clearly understand that I find no crime in him." 43N 19 5 36860 So Jesus came out, wearing the wreath of thorns and the crimson cloak. And Pilate said to them, "See, there is the man." 43N 19 6 36870 As soon then as the High Priests and the officers saw Him, they shouted "To the cross! To the cross!" "Take him yourselves and crucify him," said Pilate; "for I, at any rate, find no crime in him." 43N 19 7 36880 "We," replied the Jews, "have a Law, and in accordance with that Law he ought to die, for having claimed to be the Son of God." 43N 19 8 36890 More alarmed than ever, Pilate no sooner heard these words than he re-entered the Praetorium and began to question Jesus. 43N 19 9 36900 "What is your origin?" he asked. But Jesus gave him no answer. 43N 19 10 36910 "Do you refuse to speak even to me?" asked Pilate; "do you not know that I have it in my power either to release you or to crucify you?" 43N 19 11 36920 "You would have had no power whatever over me," replied Jesus, "had it not been granted you from above. On that account he who has delivered me up to you is more guilty than you are." 43N 19 12 36930 Upon receiving this answer, Pilate was for releasing Him. But the Jews kept shouting, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar's. Every one who sets himself up as king declares himself a rebel against Caesar." 43N 19 13 36940 On hearing this, Pilate brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judge's seat in a place called the Pavement--or in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 43N 19 14 36950 It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about six o'clock in the morning. Then he said to the Jews, "There is your king!" 43N 19 15 36960 This caused a storm of outcries, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" "Am I to crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king, except Caesar," answered the High Priests. 43N 19 16 36970 Then Pilate gave Him up to them to be crucified. Accordingly they took Jesus; 43N 19 17 36980 and He went out carrying His own cross, to the place called Skull-place--or, in Hebrew, Golgotha-- 43N 19 18 36990 where they nailed Him to a cross, and two others at the same time, one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 43N 19 19 37000 And Pilate wrote a notice and had it fastened to the top of the cross. It ran thus: JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 43N 19 20 37010 Many of the Jews read this notice, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the notice was in three languages--Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 43N 19 21 37020 This led the Jewish High Priests to remonstrate with Pilate. "You should not write `The King of the Jews,'" they said, "but that he claimed to be King of the Jews." 43N 19 22 37030 "What I have written I have written," was Pilate's answer. 43N 19 23 37040 So the soldiers, as soon as they had crucified Jesus, took His garments, including His tunic, and divided them into four parts--one part for each soldier. The tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 43N 19 24 37050 So they said to one another, "Do not let us tear it. Let us draw lots for it." This happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says, <"They shared my garments among them, and drew lots for my clothing."> That was just what the soldiers did. 43N 19 25 37060 Now standing close to the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. 43N 19 26 37070 So Jesus, seeing His mother, and seeing the disciple whom He loved standing near, said to His mother, "Behold, your son!" 43N 19 27 37080 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that time the disciple received her into his own home. 43N 19 28 37090 After this, Jesus, knowing that everything was now brought to an end, said--that the Scripture might be fulfilled, "I am thirsty." 43N 19 29 37100 There was a jar of wine standing there. With this wine they filled a sponge, put it on the end of a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth. 43N 19 30 37110 As soon as Jesus had taken the wine, He said, "It is finished." And then, bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit. 43N 19 31 37120 Meanwhile the Jews, because it was the day of Preparation for the Passover, and in order that the bodies might not remain on the crosses during the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was one of special solemnity), requested Pilate to have the legs of the dying men broken, and the bodies removed. 43N 19 32 37130 Accordingly the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and also of the other who had been crucified with Jesus. 43N 19 33 37140 Then they came to Jesus Himself: but when they saw that He was already dead, they refrained from breaking His legs. 43N 19 34 37150 One of the soldiers, however, made a thrust at His side with a lance, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 43N 19 35 37160 This statement is the testimony of an eye-witness, and it is true. He knows that he is telling the truth--in order that you also may believe. 43N 19 36 37170 For all this took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled which declares, <"Not one of His bones shall be broken."> 43N 19 37 37180 And again another Scripture says, <"They shall look on Him whom they have pierced."> 43N 19 38 37190 After this, Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but for fear of the Jews a secret disciple, asked Pilate's permission to carry away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and removed the body. 43N 19 39 37200 Nicodemus too--he who at first had visited Jesus by night--came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, in weight about seventy or eighty pounds. 43N 19 40 37210 Taking down the body they wrapped it in linen cloths along with the spices, in accordance with the Jewish mode of preparing for burial. 43N 19 41 37220 There was a garden at the place where Jesus had been crucified, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. 43N 19 42 37230 Therefore, because it was the day of Preparation for the Jewish Passover, and the tomb was close at hand, they put Jesus there. 43N 20 1 37240 On the first day of the week, very early, while it was still dark, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from it. 43N 20 2 37250 So she ran, as fast as she could, to find Simon Peter and the other disciple--the one who was dear to Jesus--and to tell them, "They have taken the Master out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have put Him." 43N 20 3 37260 Peter and the other disciple started at once to go to the tomb, both of them running, 43N 20 4 37270 but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached it before he did. 43N 20 5 37280 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there on the ground, but he did not go in. 43N 20 6 37290 Simon Peter, however, also came, following him, and entered the tomb. There on the ground he saw the cloths; 43N 20 7 37300 and the towel, which had been placed over the face of Jesus, not lying with the cloths, but folded up and put by itself. 43N 20 8 37310 Then the other disciple, who had been the first to come to the tomb, also went in and saw and was convinced. 43N 20 9 37320 For until now they had not understood the inspired teaching, that He must rise again from among the dead. 43N 20 10 37330 Then they went away and returned home. 43N 20 11 37340 Meanwhile Mary remained standing near the tomb, weeping aloud. She did not enter the tomb, but as she wept she stooped and looked in, 43N 20 12 37350 and saw two angels clothed in white raiment, sitting one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. 43N 20 13 37360 They spoke to her. "Why are you weeping?" they asked. "Because," she replied, "they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put him." 43N 20 14 37370 While she was speaking, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but did not recognize Him. 43N 20 15 37380 "Why are you weeping?" He asked; "who are you looking for?" She, supposing that He was the gardener, replied, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will remove him." 43N 20 16 37390 "Mary!" said Jesus. She turned to Him. "Rabboni!" she cried in Hebrew: the word means `Teacher!' 43N 20 17 37400 "Do not cling to me," said Jesus, "for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But take this message to my brethren: `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" 43N 20 18 37410 Mary of Magdala came and brought word to the disciples. "I have seen the Master," she said. And she told them that He had said these things to her. 43N 20 19 37420 On that same first day of the week, when it was evening and, for fear of the Jews, the doors of the house where the disciples were, were locked, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, "Peace be to you!" 43N 20 20 37430 Having said this He showed them His hands and also His side; and the disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Master. 43N 20 21 37440 A second time, therefore, He said to them, "Peace be to you! As the Father sent me, I also now send you." 43N 20 22 37450 Having said this He breathed upon them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 43N 20 23 37460 If you remit the sins of any persons, they remain remitted to them. If you bind fast the sins of any, they remain bound." 43N 20 24 37470 Thomas, one of the twelve--surnamed `the Twin' --was not among them when Jesus came. 43N 20 25 37480 So the rest of the disciples told him, "We have seen the Master!" His reply was, "Unless I see in his hands the wound made by the nails and put my finger into the wound, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe it." 43N 20 26 37490 A week later the disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them, when Jesus came--though the doors were locked--and stood in their midst, and said, "Peace be to you." 43N 20 27 37500 Then He said to Thomas, "Bring your finger here and feel my hands; bring you hand and put it into my side; and do not be ready to disbelieve but to believe." 43N 20 28 37510 "My Lord and my God!" replied Thomas. 43N 20 29 37520 "Because you have seen me," replied Jesus, "you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 43N 20 30 37530 There were also a great number of other signs which Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 43N 20 31 37540 But these have been recorded in order that you may believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God, and that, through believing, you may have Life through His name. 43N 21 1 37550 After this, Jesus again showed Himself to the disciples. It was at the Lake of Tiberias. The circumstances were as follows. 43N 21 2 37560 Simon Peter was with Thomas, called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zabdi, and two others of the Master's disciples. 43N 21 3 37570 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." "We will go too," said they. So they set out and went on board their boat; but they caught nothing that night. 43N 21 4 37580 When, however, day was now dawning, Jesus stood on the beach, though the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 43N 21 5 37590 He called to them. "Children," He said, "have you any food there?" "No," they answered. 43N 21 6 37600 "Throw the net in on the right hand side," He said, "and you will find fish." So they threw the net in, and now they could scarcely drag it along for the quantity of fish. 43N 21 7 37610 This made the disciple whom Jesus loved say to Peter, "It is the Master." Simon Peter therefore, when he heard the words, "It is the Master," drew on his fisherman's shirt--for he had not been wearing it--put on his girdle, and sprang into the water. 43N 21 8 37620 But the rest of the disciples came in the small boat (for they were not far from land--only about a hundred yards off), dragging the net full of fish. 43N 21 9 37630 As soon as they landed, they saw a charcoal fire burning there, with fish broiling on it, and bread close by. 43N 21 10 37640 Jesus told them to fetch some of the fish which they had just caught. 43N 21 11 37650 So Simon Peter went on board the boat and drew the net ashore full of large fish, 153 in number; and yet, although there were so many, the net had not broken. 43N 21 12 37660 "Come this way and have breakfast," said Jesus. But not one of the disciples ventured to question Him as to who He was, for they felt sure that it was the Master. 43N 21 13 37670 Then Jesus came and took the bread and gave them some, and the fish in the same way. 43N 21 14 37680 This was now the third occasion on which Jesus showed Himself to the disciples after He had risen from among the dead. 43N 21 15 37690 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Master," was his answer; "you know that you are dear to me." "Then feed my lambs," replied Jesus. 43N 21 16 37700 Again a second time He asked him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Master," he said, "you know that you are dear to me." "Then be a shepherd to my sheep," He said. 43N 21 17 37710 A third time Jesus put the question: "Simon, son of John, am I dear to you?" It grieved Peter that Jesus asked him the third time, "Am I dear to you?" "Master," he replied, "you know everything, you can see that you are dear to me." "Then feed my much-loved sheep," said Jesus. 43N 21 18 37720 "In most solemn truth I tell you that whereas, when you were young, you used to put on your girdle and walk whichever way you chose, when you have grown old you will stretch out your arms and some one else will put a girdle round you and carry you where you have no wish to go." 43N 21 19 37730 This He said to indicate the kind of death by which that disciple would bring glory to God; and after speaking thus He said to him, "Follow me." 43N 21 20 37740 Peter turned round and noticed the disciple whom Jesus loved following--the one who at the supper had leaned back on His breast and had asked, "Master, who is it that is betraying you?" 43N 21 21 37750 On seeing him, Peter asked Jesus, "And, Master, what about him?" 43N 21 22 37760 "If I desire him to remain till I come," replied Jesus, "what concern is that of yours? You, yourself, must follow me." 43N 21 23 37770 Hence the report spread among the brethren that that disciple would never die. Yet Jesus did not say, "He is not to die," but, "If I desire him to remain till I come, what concern is that of yours?" 43N 21 24 37780 That is the disciple who gives his testimony as to these matters, and has written this history; and we know that his testimony is true. 43N 21 25 37790 But there are also many other things which Jesus did--so vast a number indeed that if they were all described in detail, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would have to be written. 44N 1 1 37800 My former narrative, Theophilus, dealt with all that Jesus did and taught as a beginning, down to the day on which, 44N 1 2 37810 after giving instruction through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles whom He had chosen, He was taken up to Heaven. 44N 1 3 37820 He had also, after He suffered, shown Himself alive to them with many sure proofs, appearing to them at intervals during forty days, and speaking of the Kingdom of God. 44N 1 4 37830 And while in their company He charged them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father's promised gift. "This you have heard of," He said, "from me. 44N 1 5 37840 For John indeed baptized with water, but before many days have passed you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 44N 1 6 37850 Once when they were with Him, they asked Him, "Master, is this the time at which you are about to restore the kingdom of Israel?" 44N 1 7 37860 "It is not for you," He replied, "to know times or epochs which the Father has reserved within His own authority; 44N 1 8 37870 and yet you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judaea and Samaria and to the remotest parts of the earth." 44N 1 9 37880 When He had said this, and while they were looking at Him, He was carried up, and a cloud closing beneath Him hid Him from their sight. 44N 1 10 37890 But, while they stood intently gazing into the sky as He went, suddenly there were two men in white garments standing by them, 44N 1 11 37900 who said, "Galilaeans, why stand looking into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into Heaven will come in just the same way as you have seen Him going into Heaven." 44N 1 12 37910 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Oliveyard, which is near Jerusalem, about a mile off. 44N 1 13 37920 They entered the city, and they went up to the upper room which was now their fixed place for meeting. Their names were Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the brother of James. 44N 1 14 37930 All of these with one mind continued earnest in prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers. 44N 1 15 37940 It was on one of these days that Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren--the entire number of persons present being about 120--and said, 44N 1 16 37950 "Brethren, it was necessary that the Scripture should be fulfilled--the prediction, I mean, which the Holy Spirit uttered by the lips of David, about Judas, who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus. 44N 1 17 37960 For Judas was reckoned as one of our number, and a share in this ministry was allotted to him." 44N 1 18 37970 (Now having bought a piece of ground with the money paid for his wickedness he fell there with his face downwards, and, his body bursting open, he became disembowelled. 44N 1 19 37980 This fact became widely known to the people of Jerusalem, so that the place received the name, in their language, of Achel-damach, which means `The Field of Blood.') 44N 1 20 37990 "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, <"`Let his encampment be desolate: let there be no one to dwell there';> and <"`His work let another take up.'> 44N 1 21 38000 "It is necessary, therefore, that of the men who have been with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us-- 44N 1 22 38010 beginning from His baptism by John down to the day on which He was taken up again from us into Heaven--one should be appointed to become a witness with us as to His resurrection." 44N 1 23 38020 So two names were proposed, Joseph called Bar-sabbas--and surnamed Justus--and Matthias. 44N 1 24 38030 And the brethren prayed, saying, "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all, show clearly which of these two Thou hast chosen 44N 1 25 38040 to occupy the place in this ministry and Apostleship from which Judas through transgression fell, in order to go to his own place." 44N 1 26 38050 Then they drew lots between them. The lot fell on Matthias, and a place among the eleven Apostles was voted to him. 44N 2 1 38060 At length, on the day of the Harvest Festival, they had all met in one place; 44N 2 2 38070 when suddenly there came from the sky a sound as of a strong rushing blast of wind. This filled the whole house where they were sitting; 44N 2 3 38080 and they saw tongues of what looked like fire distributing themselves over the assembly, and on the head of each person a tongue alighted. 44N 2 4 38090 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in foreign languages according as the Spirit gave them words to utter. 44N 2 5 38100 Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every part of the world. 44N 2 6 38110 So when this noise was heard, they came crowding together, and were amazed because everyone heard his own language spoken. 44N 2 7 38120 They were beside themselves with wonder, and exclaimed, "Are not all these speakers Galilaeans? 44N 2 8 38130 How then does each of us hear his own native language spoken by them? 44N 2 9 38140 Some of us are Parthians, Medes, Elamites. Some are inhabitants of Mesopotamia, of Judaea or Cappadocia, of Pontus or the Asian Province, of Phrygia or Pamphylia, 44N 2 10 38150 of Egypt or of the parts of Africa towards Cyrene. Others are visitors from Rome--being either Jews or converts from heathenism--and others are Cretans or Arabians. 44N 2 11 38160 Yet we all alike hear these Galilaeans speaking in our own language about the wonderful things which God has done." 44N 2 12 38170 They were all astounded and bewildered, and asked one another, "What can this mean?" 44N 2 13 38180 But others, scornfully jeering, said, "They are brim-full of sweet wine." 44N 2 14 38190 Peter however, together with the Eleven, stood up and addressed them in a loud voice. "Men of Judaea, and all you inhabitants of Jerusalem," he said, "be in no uncertainty about this matter but pay attention to what I say. 44N 2 15 38200 For this is not intoxication, as you suppose, it being only the third hour of the day. 44N 2 16 38210 But that which was predicted through the Prophet Joel has happened: 44N 2 17 38220 <"And it shall come to pass in the last days, God says, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall have dreams; 44N 2 18 38230 and even upon My bondservants, both men and women, at that time, I will pour out My Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 44N 2 19 38240 I will display marvels in the sky above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke. 44N 2 20 38250 The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, to usher in the day of the Lord-- that great and illustrious day; 44N 2 21 38260 and every one who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'> 44N 2 22 38270 "Listen, Israelites, to what I say. Jesus, the Nazarene, a man accredited to you from God by miracles and marvels and signs which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know, Him-- 44N 2 23 38280 delivered up through God's settled purpose and foreknowledge--you by the hands of Gentiles have nailed to a cross and have put to death. 44N 2 24 38290 But God has raised Him to life, having terminated the throes of death, for in fact it was not possible for Him to be held fast by death. 44N 2 25 38300 For David says in reference to Him, <"`I constantly fixed my eyes upon the Lord, because He is at my right hand in order that I may continue unshaken. 44N 2 26 38310 For this reason my heart is glad and my tongue exults. My body also shall rest in hope. 44N 2 27 38320 For Thou wilt not leave me in the Unseen World forsaken, nor give up Thy holy One to undergo decay. 44N 2 28 38330 Thou hast made known to me the ways of Life: Thou wilt fill me with gladness in Thy presence.'> 44N 2 29 38340 "As to the patriarch David, I need hardly remind you, brethren, that he died and was buried, and that we still have his tomb among us. 44N 2 30 38350 Being a Prophet, however, and knowing that God had solemnly sworn to him to seat a descendant of his upon his throne, 44N 2 31 38360 with prophetic foresight he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, to the effect that He was not left forsaken in the Unseen World, nor did His body undergo decay. 44N 2 32 38370 This Jesus, God has raised to life-- a fact to which all of us testify. 44N 2 33 38380 "Being therefore lifted high by the mighty hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out this which you see and hear. 44N 2 34 38390 For David did not ascend into Heaven, but he says himself, <"`The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand 44N 2 35 38400 until I make thy foes a footstool under thy feet.'> 44N 2 36 38410 "Therefore let the whole House of Israel know beyond all doubt that God has made Him both LORD and CHRIST--this Jesus whom you crucified." 44N 2 37 38420 Stung to the heart by these words, they said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, "Brethren, what are we to do?" 44N 2 38 38430 "Repent," replied Peter, "and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, with a view to the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 44N 2 39 38440 For to you belongs the promise, and to your children, and to all who are far off, whoever the Lord our God may call." 44N 2 40 38450 And with many more appeals he solemnly warned and entreated them, saying, "Escape from this crooked generation." 44N 2 41 38460 Those, therefore, who joyfully welcomed his Message were baptized; and on that one day about three thousand persons were added to them; 44N 2 42 38470 and they were constant in listening to the teaching of the Apostles and in their attendance at the Communion, that is, the Breaking of the Bread, and at prayer. 44N 2 43 38480 Fear came upon every one, and many marvels and signs were done by the Apostles. 44N 2 44 38490 And all the believers kept together, and had everything in common. 44N 2 45 38500 They sold their lands and other property, and distributed the proceeds among all, according to every one's necessities. 44N 2 46 38510 And, day by day, attending constantly in the Temple with one accord, and breaking bread in private houses, they took their meals with great happiness and single-heartedness, 44N 2 47 38520 praising God and being regarded with favour by all the people. Also, day by day, the Lord added to their number those whom He was saving. 44N 3 1 38530 One day Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the hour of prayer--the ninth hour--and, just then, 44N 3 2 38540 some men were carrying there one who had been lame from birth, whom they were wont to place every day close to the Beautiful Gate (as it was called) of the Temple, for him to beg from the people as they went in. 44N 3 3 38550 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the Temple, he asked them for alms. 44N 3 4 38560 Peter fixing his eyes on him, as John did also, said, "Look at us." 44N 3 5 38570 So he looked and waited, expecting to receive something from them. 44N 3 6 38580 "I have no silver or gold," Peter said, "but what I have, I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene-- walk!" 44N 3 7 38590 Then taking his hand Peter lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened. 44N 3 8 38600 Leaping up, he stood upright and began to walk, and went into the Temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God. 44N 3 9 38610 All the people saw him walking and praising God; 44N 3 10 38620 and recognizing him as the man who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple asking for alms, they were filled with awe and amazement at what had happened to him. 44N 3 11 38630 While he still clung to Peter and John, the people, awe-struck, ran up crowding round them in what was known as Solomon's Portico. 44N 3 12 38640 Peter, seeing this, spoke to the people. "Israelites," he said, "why do you wonder at this man? Or why gaze at us, as though by any power or piety of our own we had enabled him to walk? 44N 3 13 38650 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has conferred this honour on His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to let Him go. 44N 3 14 38660 Yes, you disowned the holy and righteous One, and asked as a favour the release of a murderer. 44N 3 15 38670 The Prince of Life you put to death; but God has raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses as to that. 44N 3 16 38680 It is His name-- faith in that name being the condition--which has strengthened this man whom you behold and know; and the faith which He has given has made this man sound and strong again, as you can all see. 44N 3 17 38690 "And now, brethren, I know that it was in ignorance that you did it, as was the case with your rulers also. 44N 3 18 38700 But in this way God has fulfilled the declarations He made through all the Prophets, that His Christ would suffer. 44N 3 19 38710 Repent, therefore, and reform your lives, so that the record of your sins may be cancelled, and that there may come seasons of revival from the Lord, 44N 3 20 38720 and that He may send the Christ appointed beforehand for you--even Jesus. 44N 3 21 38730 Heaven must receive Him until those times of which God has spoken from the earliest ages through the lips of His holy Prophets--the times of the reconstitution of all things. 44N 3 22 38740 Moses declared, <"`The Lord your God will raise up a Prophet for you from among your brethren as He has raised me. In all that He says to you, you must listen to Him. 44N 3 23 38750 And every one, without exception, who refuses to listen to that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the People.'> 44N 3 24 38760 Yes, and all the Prophets, from Samuel onwards--all who have spoken--have also announced the coming of this present time. 44N 3 25 38770 "You are the heirs of the Prophets, and of the Covenant which God made with your forefathers when He said to Abraham, <`And through your posterity all the families of the world shall be blessed.'> 44N 3 26 38780 It is to you first that God, after raising His Servant from the grave, has sent Him to bless you, by causing every one of you to turn from your wickedness." 44N 4 1 38790 While they were saying this to the people, the Priests, the Commander of the Temple Guard, and the Sadducees came upon them, 44N 4 2 38800 highly incensed at their teaching the people and proclaiming in the case of Jesus the Resurrection from among the dead. 44N 4 3 38810 They arrested the two Apostles and lodged them in custody till the next day; for it was already evening. 44N 4 4 38820 But many of those who had listened to their preaching believed; and the number of the adult men had now grown to be about 5,000. 44N 4 5 38830 The next day a meeting was held in Jerusalem of their Rulers, Elders, and Scribes, 44N 4 6 38840 with Annas the High Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the other members of the high-priestly family. 44N 4 7 38850 So they made the Apostles stand in the centre, and demanded of them, "By what power or in what name have you done this?" 44N 4 8 38860 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he replied, "Rulers and Elders of the people, 44N 4 9 38870 if we to-day are under examination concerning the benefit conferred on a man helplessly lame, as to how this man has been cured; 44N 4 10 38880 be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that through the name of Jesus the Anointed, the Nazarene, whom *you* crucified, but whom *God* has raised from among the dead-- through that name this man stands here before you in perfect health. 44N 4 11 38890 This Jesus is <the Stone treated with contempt by you the builders, but it has been made the Cornerstone.> 44N 4 12 38900 And in no other is the great salvation to be found; for, in fact, there is no second name under Heaven that has been given among men through which we are to be saved." 44N 4 13 38910 As they looked on Peter and John so fearlessly outspoken--and also discovered that they were illiterate persons, untrained in the schools--they were surprised; and now they recognized them as having been with Jesus. 44N 4 14 38920 And seeing the man standing with them--the man who had been cured--they had no reply to make. 44N 4 15 38930 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin while they conferred among themselves. 44N 4 16 38940 "What are we to do with these men?" they asked one another; for the fact that a remarkable miracle has been performed by them is well known to every one in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 44N 4 17 38950 But to prevent the matter spreading any further among the people, let us stop them by threats from speaking in the future in this name to any one whatever." 44N 4 18 38960 So they recalled the Apostles, and ordered them altogether to give up speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus. 44N 4 19 38970 But Peter and John replied, "Judge whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you instead of listening to God. 44N 4 20 38980 As for us, what we have seen and heard we cannot help speaking about." 44N 4 21 38990 The Court added further threats and then let them go, being quite unable to find any way of punishing them on account of the people, because all gave God the glory for the thing that had happened. 44N 4 22 39000 For the man was over forty years of age on whom this miracle of restoration to health had been performed. 44N 4 23 39010 After their release the two Apostles went to their friends, and told them all that the High Priests and Elders had said. 44N 4 24 39020 And they, upon hearing the story, all lifted up their voices to God and said, "O Sovereign Lord, it is Thou who didst make Heaven and earth and sea, and all that is in them, 44N 4 25 39030 and didst say through the Holy Spirit by the lips of our forefather David Thy servant, <"`Why have the nations stamped and raged, and the peoples formed futile plans? 44N 4 26 39040 The kings of the earth came near, and the rulers assembled together against the Lord and against His Anointed.'"> 44N 4 27 39050 "They did indeed assemble in this city in hostility to Thy holy Servant Jesus whom Thou hadst anointed--Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and also the tribes of Israel-- 44N 4 28 39060 to do all that Thy power and Thy will had predetermined should be done. 44N 4 29 39070 And now, Lord, listen to their threats, and enable Thy servants to proclaim Thy Message with fearless courage, 44N 4 30 39080 whilst Thou stretchest out Thine arm to cure men, and to give signs and marvels through the name of Thy holy Servant Jesus." 44N 4 31 39090 When they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled shook, and they were, one and all, filled with the Holy Spirit, and proceeded to tell God's Message with boldness. 44N 4 32 39100 Among all those who had embraced the faith there was but one heart and soul, so that none of them claimed any of his possessions as his own, but everything they had was common property; 44N 4 33 39110 while the Apostles with great force of conviction delivered their testimony as to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all. 44N 4 34 39120 And, in fact, there was not a needy man among them, for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the money which they realised, 44N 4 35 39130 and gave it to the Apostles, and distribution was made to every one according to his wants. 44N 4 36 39140 In this way Joseph, whom the Apostles gave the name of Bar-nabas--signifying `Son of Encouragement' --a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 44N 4 37 39150 sold a farm which he had, and brought the money and gave it to the Apostles. 44N 5 1 39160 There was a man of the name of Ananias who, with his wife Sapphira, sold some property but, 44N 5 2 39170 with her full knowledge and consent, dishonestly kept back part of the price which he received for it, though he brought the rest and gave it to the Apostles. 44N 5 3 39180 "Ananias," said Peter, "why has Satan taken possession of your heart, that you should try to deceive the Holy Spirit and dishonestly keep back part of the price paid you for this land? 44N 5 4 39190 While it remained unsold, was not the land your own? And when sold, was it not at your own disposal? How is it that you have cherished this design in your heart? It is not to men you have told this lie, but to God." 44N 5 5 39200 Upon hearing these words Ananias fell down dead, and all who heard the words were awe-struck. 44N 5 6 39210 The younger men, however, rose, and wrapping the body up, carried it out and buried it. 44N 5 7 39220 About three hours had passed, when his wife came in, knowing nothing of what had happened. 44N 5 8 39230 Peter at once questioned her. "Tell me," he said, "whether you sold the land for so much." "Yes," she replied, "for so much." 44N 5 9 39240 "How was it," replied Peter, "that you two agreed to try an experiment upon the Spirit of the Lord? The men who have buried your husband are already at the door, and they will carry you out." 44N 5 10 39250 Instantly she fell down dead at his feet, and the young men came in and found her dead. So they carried her out and buried her by her husband's side. 44N 5 11 39260 This incident struck terror into the whole Church, and into the hearts of all who heard of it. 44N 5 12 39270 Many signs and marvels continued to be done among the people by the Apostles; and by common consent they all met in Solomon's Portico. 44N 5 13 39280 But none of the others dared to attach themselves to them. Yet the people held them in high honour-- 44N 5 14 39290 and more and more believers in the Lord joined them, including great numbers both of men and women-- 44N 5 15 39300 so that they would even bring out their sick friends into the streets and lay them on light couches or mats, in order that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or other of them. 44N 5 16 39310 The inhabitants, too, of the towns in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem came in crowds, bringing sick persons and some who were harassed by foul spirits, and they were cured, one and all. 44N 5 17 39320 This roused the High Priest. He and all his party--the sect of the Sadducees--were filled with angry jealousy 44N 5 18 39330 and laid hands upon the Apostles, and put them into the public jail. 44N 5 19 39340 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 44N 5 20 39350 "Go and stand in the Temple, and go on proclaiming to the people all this Message of Life." 44N 5 21 39360 Having received that command they went into the Temple, just before daybreak, and began to teach: So when the High Priest and his party came, and had called together the Sanhedrin as well as all the Elders of the descendants of Israel, they sent to the jail to fetch the Apostles. 44N 5 22 39370 But the officers went and could not find them in the prison. So they came back and brought word, 44N 5 23 39380 saying, "The jail we found quite safely locked, and the warders were on guard at the doors, but upon going in we found no one there." 44N 5 24 39390 When the Commander of the Temple Guards and the High Priests heard this statement, they were utterly at a loss with regard to it, wondering what would happen next. 44N 5 25 39400 And some one came and brought them word, saying, "The men you put in prison are actually in the Temple, standing there, teaching the people." 44N 5 26 39410 Upon this the Commander went with the officers, and brought the Apostles; but without using violence; for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 44N 5 27 39420 So they brought them and made them stand in front of the Sanhedrin. And then the High Priest questioned them. 44N 5 28 39430 "We strictly forbad you to teach in that name--did we not?" he said. "And see, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and are trying to make us responsible for that man's death!" 44N 5 29 39440 Peter and the other Apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than man. 44N 5 30 39450 The God of our forefathers has raised Jesus to life, whom you crucified and put to death. 44N 5 31 39460 God has exalted Him to His right hand as Chief Leader and as Saviour, to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. 44N 5 32 39470 And we--and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him--are witnesses as to these things." 44N 5 33 39480 Infuriated at getting this answer, they were disposed to kill the Apostles. 44N 5 34 39490 But a Pharisee of the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, held in honour by all the people, rose from his seat and requested that they should be sent outside the court for a few minutes. 44N 5 35 39500 "Israelites," he said, "be careful what you are about to do in dealing with these men. 44N 5 36 39510 Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance, and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and annihilated. 44N 5 37 39520 After him, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean, and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered. 44N 5 38 39530 And now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave them alone--for if this scheme or work is of human origin, it will come to nothing. 44N 5 39 39540 But if it is really from God, you will be powerless to put them down--lest perhaps you find yourselves to be actually fighting against God." 44N 5 40 39550 His advice carried conviction. So they called the Apostles in, and--after flogging them--ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then let them go. 44N 5 41 39560 They, therefore, left the Sanhedrin and went their way, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace on behalf of the NAME. 44N 5 42 39570 But they did not desist from teaching every day, in the Temple or in private houses, and telling the Good News about Jesus, the Christ. 44N 6 1 39580 About this time, as the number of disciples was increasing, complaints were made by the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were habitually overlooked in the daily ministration. 44N 6 2 39590 So the Twelve called together the general body of the disciples and said, "It does not seem fitting that we Apostles should neglect the delivery of God's Message and minister at tables. 44N 6 3 39600 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among yourselves seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, and we will appoint them to undertake this duty. 44N 6 4 39610 But, as for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the delivery of the Message." 44N 6 5 39620 The suggestion met with general approval, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. 44N 6 6 39630 These men they brought to the Apostles, and, after prayer, they laid their hands upon them. 44N 6 7 39640 Meanwhile God's Message continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem very greatly increased, and very many priests obeyed the faith. 44N 6 8 39650 And Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great marvels and signs among the people. 44N 6 9 39660 But some members of the so-called `Synagogue of the Freed-men,' together with some Cyrenaeans, Alexandrians, Cilicians and men from Roman Asia, were roused to encounter Stephen in debate. 44N 6 10 39670 They were quite unable, however, to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. 44N 6 11 39680 Then they privately put forward men who declared, "We have heard him speak blasphemous things against Moses and against God." 44N 6 12 39690 In this way they excited the people, the Elders, and the Scribes. At length they came upon him, seized him with violence, and took him before the Sanhedrin. 44N 6 13 39700 Here they brought forward false witnesses who declared, "This fellow is incessantly speaking against the Holy Place and the Law. 44N 6 14 39710 For we have heard him say that Jesus, the Nazarene, will pull this place down to the ground and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us." 44N 6 15 39720 At once the eyes of all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin were fastened on him, and they saw his face looking just like the face of an angel. 44N 7 1 39730 Then the High Priest asked him, "Are these statements true?" 44N 7 2 39740 The reply of Stephen was, "Sirs--brethren and fathers--listen to me. God Most Glorious appeared to our forefather Abraham when he was living in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran, 44N 7 3 39750 and said to him, "`Leave your country and your relatives, and go into whatever land I point out to you.' 44N 7 4 39760 "Thereupon he left Chaldaea and settled in Haran till after the death of his father, when God caused him to remove into this country where you now live. 44N 7 5 39770 But he gave him no inheritance in it, no, not a single square yard of ground. And yet He promised to bestow the land as a permanent possession on him and his posterity after him--and promised this at a time when Abraham was childless. 44N 7 6 39780 And God declared that Abraham's posterity should for four hundred years make their home in a country not their own, and be reduced to slavery and be oppressed. 44N 7 7 39790 "`And the nation, whichever it is, that enslaves them, I will judge,' said God; `and afterwards they shall come out, and they shall worship Me in this place.' 44N 7 8 39800 "Then He gave him the Covenant of circumcision, and under this Covenant he became the father of Isaac--whom he circumcised on the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve Patriarchs. 44N 7 9 39810 "The Patriarchs were jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery in Egypt. But God was with him 44N 7 10 39820 and delivered him from all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who appointed him governor over Egypt and all the royal household. 44N 7 11 39830 But there came a famine throughout the whole of Egypt and Canaan--and great distress--so that our forefathers could find no food. 44N 7 12 39840 When, however, Jacob heard that there was wheat to be had, he sent our forefathers into Egypt; that was the first time. 44N 7 13 39850 On their second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Pharaoh was informed of Joseph's parentage. 44N 7 14 39860 Then Joseph sent and invited his father Jacob and all his family, numbering seventy-five persons, to come to him, 44N 7 15 39870 and Jacob went down into Egypt. There he died, and so did our forefathers, 44N 7 16 39880 and they were taken to Shechem and were laid in the tomb which Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a sum of money paid in silver. 44N 7 17 39890 "But as the time drew near for the fulfilment of the promise which God had made to Abraham, the people became many times more numerous in Egypt, 44N 7 18 39900 until there arose a foreign king over Egypt who knew nothing of Joseph. 44N 7 19 39910 He adopted a crafty policy towards our race, and oppressed our forefathers, making them cast out their infants so that they might not be permitted to live. 44N 7 20 39920 At this time Moses was born--a wonderfully beautiful child; and for three months he was cared for in his father's house. 44N 7 21 39930 At length he was cast out, but Pharaoh's daughter adopted him, and brought him up as her own son. 44N 7 22 39940 So Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and possessed great influence through his eloquence and his achievements. 44N 7 23 39950 "And when he was just forty years old, it occurred to him to visit his brethren the descendants of Israel. 44N 7 24 39960 Seeing one of them wrongfully treated he took his part, and secured justice for the ill-treated man by striking down the Egyptian. 44N 7 25 39970 He supposed his brethren to be aware that by him God was sending them deliverance; this, however, they did not understand. 44N 7 26 39980 The next day, also, he came and found two of them fighting, and he endeavoured to make peace between them. "`Sirs,' he said, `you are brothers. Why are you wronging one another?' 44N 7 27 39990 "But the man who was doing the wrong resented his interference, and asked, "`Who appointed you magistrate and judge over us? 44N 7 28 40000 Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' 44N 7 29 40010 "Alarmed at this question, Moses fled from the country and went to live in the land of Midian. There he became the father of two sons. 44N 7 30 40020 "But at the end of forty years there appeared to him in the Desert of Mount Sinai an angel in the middle of a flame of fire in a bush. 44N 7 31 40030 When Moses saw this he wondered at the sight; but on his going up to look further, the voice of the Lord was heard, saying, 44N 7 32 40040 "`I am the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.' "Quaking with fear Moses did not dare gaze. 44N 7 33 40050 "`Take off your shoes,' said the Lord, `for the spot on which you are standing is holy ground. 44N 7 34 40060 I have seen, yes, I have seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt and have heard their groans, and I have come down to deliver them. And now I will send you to Egypt.' 44N 7 35 40070 "The Moses whom they rejected, asking him, `Who appointed you magistrate and judge?' --that same Moses we find God sending as a magistrate and a deliverer by the help of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 44N 7 36 40080 This was he who brought them out, after performing marvels and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea, and in the Desert for forty years. 44N 7 37 40090 This is the Moses who said to the descendants of Israel, <"`God will raise up a Prophet for you, from among your brethren, just as He raised me up.'> 44N 7 38 40100 `This is he who was among the Congregation in the Desert, together with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and with our forefathers, who received ever-living utterances to hand on to us. 44N 7 39 40110 "Our forefathers, however, would not submit to him, but spurned his authority and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. 44N 7 40 40120 They said to Aaron, "`Make gods for us, to march in front of us; for as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.' 44N 7 41 40130 "Moreover they made a calf at that time, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and kept rejoicing in the gods which their own hands had made. 44N 7 42 40140 So God turned from them and gave them up to the worship of the Host of Heaven, as it is written in the Book of the Prophets, <"'Were they victims and sacrifices which you offered Me, forty years in the Desert, O House of Israel? 44N 7 43 40150 Yes, you lifted up Moloch's tent and the Star of the God Rephan--the images which you made in order to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.'> 44N 7 44 40160 "Our forefathers had the Tent of the Testimony in the Desert, built as He who spoke to Moses had instructed him to make it in imitation of the model which he had seen. 44N 7 45 40170 That Tent was bequeathed to the next generation of our forefathers. Under Joshua they brought it with them when they were taking possession of the land of the Gentile nations, whom God drove out before them. So it continued till David's time. 44N 7 46 40180 David obtained favour with God, and asked leave to provide a dwelling-place for the God of Jacob. 44N 7 47 40190 But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. 44N 7 48 40200 Yet the Most High does not dwell in buildings erected by men's hands. But, as the Prophet declares, 44N 7 49 40210 <"`The sky is My throne, and earth is the footstool for My feet. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what resting place shall I have? 44N 7 50 40220 Did not My hand form this universe.'> 44N 7 51 40230 "O stiff-necked men, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you also are continually at strife with the Holy Spirit--just as your forefathers were. 44N 7 52 40240 Which of the Prophets did not your forefathers persecute? Yes, they killed those who announced beforehand the advent of the righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become-- 44N 7 53 40250 you who received the Law given through angels, and yet have not obeyed it." 44N 7 54 40260 As they listened to these words, they became infuriated and gnashed their teeth at him. 44N 7 55 40270 But, full of the Holy Spirit and looking up to Heaven, Stephen saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand. 44N 7 56 40280 "I can see Heaven wide open," he said, "and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand." 44N 7 57 40290 Upon this, with a loud outcry they stopped their ears, rushed upon Stephen in a body, 44N 7 58 40300 dragged him out of the city, and stoned him, the witnesses throwing off their outer garments and giving them into the care of a young man called Saul. 44N 7 59 40310 So they stoned Stephen, while he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 44N 7 60 40320 Then, rising on his knees, he cried aloud, "Lord, do not reckon this sin against them." And with these words he fell asleep. 44N 8 1 40330 And Saul fully approved of his murder. At this time a great persecution broke out against the Church in Jerusalem, and all except the Apostles were scattered throughout Judaea and Samaria. 44N 8 2 40340 A party of devout men, however, buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 44N 8 3 40350 But Saul cruelly harassed the Church. He went into house after house, and, dragging off both men and women, threw them into prison. 44N 8 4 40360 Those, however, who were scattered abroad went from place to place spreading the Good News of God's Message; 44N 8 5 40370 while Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ there. 44N 8 6 40380 Crowds of people, with one accord, gave attention to what they heard from him, listening, and witnessing the signs which he did. 44N 8 7 40390 For, with a loud cry, foul spirits came out of many possessed by them, and many paralytics and lame persons were restored to health. 44N 8 8 40400 And there was great joy in that city. 44N 8 9 40410 Now for some time past there had been a man named Simon living there, who had been practising magic and astonishing the Samaritans, pretending that he was more than human. 44N 8 10 40420 To him people of all classes paid attention, declaring, "This man is the Power of God, known as the great Power." 44N 8 11 40430 His influence over them arose from their having been, for a long time, bewildered by his sorceries. 44N 8 12 40440 But when Philip began to tell the Good News about the Kingdom of God and about the Name of Jesus Christ, and they embraced the faith, they were baptized, men and women alike. 44N 8 13 40450 Simon himself also believed, and after being baptized remained in close attendance on Philip, and was full of amazement at seeing such signs and such great miracles performed. 44N 8 14 40460 When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had accepted God's Message, they sent Peter and John to visit them. 44N 8 15 40470 They, when they came down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit: 44N 8 16 40480 for He had not as yet fallen upon any of them. They had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 44N 8 17 40490 Then the Apostles placed their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 44N 8 18 40500 When, however, Simon saw that it was through the laying on of the Apostles' hands that the Spirit was bestowed, he offered them money. 44N 8 19 40510 "Give me too," he said, "that power, so that every one on whom I place my hands will receive the Holy Spirit." 44N 8 20 40520 "Perish your money and yourself," replied Peter, "because you have imagined that you can obtain God's free gift with money! 44N 8 21 40530 No part or lot have you in this matter, for your heart is not right in God's sight. 44N 8 22 40540 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord, in the hope that the purpose which is in your heart may perhaps be forgiven you. 44N 8 23 40550 For I perceive that you have fallen into the bitterest bondage of unrighteousness." 44N 8 24 40560 "Pray, both of you, to the Lord for me," answered Simon, "that nothing of what you have said may come upon me." 44N 8 25 40570 So the Apostles, after giving a solemn charge and delivering the Lord's Message, travelled back to Jerusalem, making known the Good News also in many of the Samaritan villages. 44N 8 26 40580 And an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and proceed south to the road that runs down from Jerusalem to Gaza, crossing the Desert." 44N 8 27 40590 Upon this he rose and went. Now, as it happened, an Ethiopian eunuch who was in a position of high authority with Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, as her treasurer, had visited Jerusalem to worship there, 44N 8 28 40600 and was now on his way home; and as he sat in his chariot he was reading the Prophet Isaiah. 44N 8 29 40610 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go and enter that chariot." 44N 8 30 40620 So Philip ran up and heard the eunuch reading the Prophet Isaiah. "Do you understand what you are reading?" he asked. 44N 8 31 40630 "Why, how can I," replied the eunuch, "unless some one explains it to me?" And he earnestly invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 44N 8 32 40640 The passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: <"Like a sheep He was led to slaughter, and just as a lamb before its shearer is dumb so He opened not His mouth. 44N 8 33 40650 In His humiliation justice was denied Him. Who will make known His posterity? For He is destroyed from among men."> 44N 8 34 40660 "Pray, of whom is the Prophet speaking?" inquired the eunuch; "of himself or of some one else?" 44N 8 35 40670 Then Philip began to speak, and, commencing with that same portion of Scripture, told him the Good News about Jesus. 44N 8 36 40680 So they proceeded on their way till they came to some water; and the eunuch exclaimed, "See, here is water; what is there to prevent my being baptized?" 44N 8 37 40690 [] 44N 8 38 40700 So he stopped the chariot; and both of them--Philip and the eunuch--went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 44N 8 39 40710 But no sooner had they come up out of the water than the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again. With a glad heart he resumed his journey; 44N 8 40 40720 but Philip found himself at Ashdod. Then visiting town after town he everywhere made known the Good News until he reached Caesarea. 44N 9 1 40730 Now Saul, whose every breath was a threat of destruction for the disciples of the Lord, 44N 9 2 40740 went to the High Priest and begged from him letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, in order that if he found any believers there, either men or women, he might bring them in chains to Jerusalem. 44N 9 3 40750 But on the journey, as he was getting near Damascus, suddenly there flashed round him a light from Heaven; 44N 9 4 40760 and falling to the ground he heard a voice which said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" 44N 9 5 40770 "Who art thou, Lord?" he asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," was the reply. 44N 9 6 40780 "But rise and go to the city, and you will be told what you are to do. 44N 9 7 40790 Meanwhile the men who travelled with Saul were standing dumb with amazement, hearing a sound, but seeing no one. 44N 9 8 40800 Then he rose from the ground, but when he had opened his eyes, he could not see, and they led him by the arm and brought him to Damascus. 44N 9 9 40810 And for two days he remained without sight, and did not eat or drink anything. 44N 9 10 40820 Now in Damascus there was a disciple of the name of Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, saying, "Ananias!" "I am here, Lord," he answered. 44N 9 11 40830 "Rise," said the Lord, "and go to Straight Street, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man called Saul, from Tarsus, for he is actually praying. 44N 9 12 40840 He has seen a man called Ananias come and lay his hands upon him so that he may recover his sight." 44N 9 13 40850 "Lord," answered Ananias, "I have heard about that man from many, and I have heard of the great mischief he has done to Thy people in Jerusalem; 44N 9 14 40860 and here he is authorized by the High Priests to arrest all who call upon Thy name." 44N 9 15 40870 "Go," replied the Lord; "he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name to the Gentiles and to kings and to the descendants of Israel. 44N 9 16 40880 For I will let him know the great sufferings which he must pass through for My sake." 44N 9 17 40890 So Ananias went and entered the house; and, laying his two hands upon Saul, said, "Saul, brother, the Lord--even Jesus who appeared to you on your journey--has sent me, that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 44N 9 18 40900 Instantly there dropped from his eyes what seemed to be scales, and he could see once more. Upon this he rose and received baptism; 44N 9 19 40910 after which he took food and regained his strength. Then he remained some little time with the disciples in Damascus. 44N 9 20 40920 And in the synagogues he began at once to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God; 44N 9 21 40930 and his hearers were all amazed, and began to ask one another, "Is not this the man who in Jerusalem tried to exterminate those who called upon that Name, and came here on purpose to carry them off in chains to the High Priests?" 44N 9 22 40940 Saul, however, gained more and more influence, and as for the Jews living in Damascus, he bewildered them with his proofs that Jesus is the Christ. 44N 9 23 40950 At length the Jews plotted to kill Saul; 44N 9 24 40960 but information of their intention was given to him. They even watched the gates, day and night, in order to murder him; 44N 9 25 40970 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a hamper. 44N 9 26 40980 So he came to Jerusalem and made several attempts to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, being in doubt as to whether he himself was a disciple. 44N 9 27 40990 Barnabas, however, came to his assistance. He brought Saul to the Apostles, and related to them how, on his journey, he had seen the Lord, and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had fearlessly taught in the name of Jesus. 44N 9 28 41000 Henceforth Saul was one of them, going in and out of the city, 44N 9 29 41010 and speaking fearlessly in the name of the Lord. And he often talked with the Hellenists and had discussions with them. 44N 9 30 41020 But they kept trying to take his life. On learning this, the brethren brought him down to Caesarea, and then sent him by sea to Tarsus. 44N 9 31 41030 The Church, however, throughout the whole of Judaea, Galilee and Samaria, had peace and was spiritually built up; and grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and receiving encouragement from the Holy Spirit. 44N 9 32 41040 Now Peter, as he went to town after town, came down also to God's people at Lud. 44N 9 33 41050 There he found a man of the name of Aeneas, who for eight years had kept his bed, through being paralysed. 44N 9 34 41060 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you. Rise and make your own bed." He at once rose to his feet. 44N 9 35 41070 And all the people of Lud and Sharon saw him; and they turned to the Lord. 44N 9 36 41080 Among the disciples at Jaffa was a woman called Tabitha, or, as the name may be translated, `Dorcas.' Her life was wholly devoted to the good and charitable actions which she was constantly doing. 44N 9 37 41090 But, as it happened, just at that time she was taken ill and died. After washing her body they laid it out in a room upstairs. 44N 9 38 41100 Lud, however, being near Jaffa, the disciples, who had heard that Peter was at Lud, sent two men to him with an urgent request that he would come across to them without delay. 44N 9 39 41110 So Peter rose and went with them. On his arrival they took him upstairs, and the widow women all came and stood by his side, weeping and showing him the underclothing and cloaks and garments of all kinds which Dorcas used to make while she was still with them. 44N 9 40 41120 Peter, however, putting every one out of the room, knelt down and prayed, and then turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, rise." Dorcas at once opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, sat up. 44N 9 41 41130 Then, giving her his hand, he raised her to her feet and, calling to him God's people and the widows, he gave her back to them alive. 44N 9 42 41140 This incident became known throughout Jaffa, and many believed in the Lord; 44N 9 43 41150 and Peter remained for a considerable time at Jaffa, staying at the house of a man called Simon, a tanner. 44N 10 1 41160 Now a Captain of the Italian Regiment, named Cornelius, was quartered at Caesarea. 44N 10 2 41170 He was religious and God-fearing--and so was every member of his household. He was also liberal in his charities to the people, and continually offered prayer to God. 44N 10 3 41180 About three o'clock one afternoon he had a vision, and distinctly saw an angel of God enter his house, who called him by name, saying, "Cornelius!" 44N 10 4 41190 Looking steadily at him, and being much alarmed, he said, "What do you want, Sir?" "Your prayers and charities," he replied, "have gone up and have been recorded before God. 44N 10 5 41200 And now send to Jaffa and fetch Simon, surnamed Peter. 44N 10 6 41210 He is staying as a guest with Simon, a tanner, who has a house close to the sea." 44N 10 7 41220 So when the angel who had been speaking to him was gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a God-fearing soldier who was in constant attendance on him, 44N 10 8 41230 and, after telling them everything, he sent them to Jaffa. 44N 10 9 41240 The next day, while they were still on their journey and were getting near the town, about noon Peter went up on the house-top to pray. 44N 10 10 41250 He had become unusually hungry and wished for food; but, while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance. 44N 10 11 41260 The sky had opened to his view, and what seemed to be an enormous sail was descending, being let down to the earth by ropes at the four corners. 44N 10 12 41270 In it were all kinds of quadrupeds, reptiles and birds, 44N 10 13 41280 and a voice came to him which said, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat." 44N 10 14 41290 "On no account, Lord," he replied; "for I have never yet eaten anything unholy and impure." 44N 10 15 41300 Again a second time a voice was heard which said, "What God has purified, you must not regard as unholy." 44N 10 16 41310 This was said three times, and immediately the sail was drawn up out of sight. 44N 10 17 41320 While Peter was greatly perplexed as to the meaning of the vision which he had seen, just then the men sent by Cornelius, having by inquiry found out Simon's house, 44N 10 18 41330 had come to the door and had called the servant, and were asking, "Is Simon, surnamed Peter, staying here?" 44N 10 19 41340 And Peter was still earnestly thinking over the vision, when the Spirit said to him, "Three men are now inquiring for you. 44N 10 20 41350 Rise, go down, and go with them without any misgivings; for it is I who have sent them to you." 44N 10 21 41360 So Peter went down and said to the men, "I am the Simon you are inquiring for. What is the reason of your coming?" 44N 10 22 41370 Their reply was, "Cornelius, a Captain, an upright and God-fearing man, of whom the whole Jewish nation speaks well, has been divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and listen to what you have to say." 44N 10 23 41380 Upon hearing this, Peter invited them in, and gave them a lodging. The next day he set out with them, some of the brethren from Jaffa going with him, 44N 10 24 41390 and the day after that they reached Caesarea. There Cornelius was awaiting their arrival, and had invited all his relatives and intimate friends to be present. 44N 10 25 41400 When Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him, and threw himself at his feet to do him homage. 44N 10 26 41410 But Peter lifted him up. "Stand up," he said; "I myself also am but a man." 44N 10 27 41420 So Peter went in and conversed with him, and found a large company assembled. 44N 10 28 41430 He said to them, "You know better than most that a Jew is strictly forbidden to associate with a Gentile or visit him; but God has taught me to call no one unholy or unclean. 44N 10 29 41440 So for this reason, when sent for, I came without raising any objection. I therefore ask why you sent for me." 44N 10 30 41450 "Just at this hour, three days ago," replied Cornelius, "I was offering afternoon prayer in my house, when suddenly a man in shining raiment stood in front of me, 44N 10 31 41460 who said, "`Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your charities have been put on record before God. 44N 10 32 41470 Send therefore to Jaffa, and invite Simon, surnamed Peter, to come here. He is staying as a guest in the house of Simon, a tanner, close to the sea.' 44N 10 33 41480 "Immediately, therefore, I sent to you, and I thank you heartily for having come. That is why all of us are now assembled here in God's presence, to listen to what the Lord has commanded you to say." 44N 10 34 41490 Then Peter began to speak. "I clearly see," he said, "that God makes no distinctions between one man and another; 44N 10 35 41500 but that in every nation those who fear Him and live good lives are acceptable to Him. 44N 10 36 41510 The Message which He sent to the descendants of Israel, when He announced the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all--that Message you cannot but know; 44N 10 37 41520 the story, I mean, which has spread through the length and breadth of Judaea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism which John proclaimed. 44N 10 38 41530 It tells how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, so that He went about everywhere doing acts of kindness, and curing all who were being continually oppressed by the Devil--for God was with Jesus. 44N 10 39 41540 "And we are witnesses as to all that He did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. But they even put Him to death, by crucifixion. 44N 10 40 41550 That same Jesus God raised to life on the third day, and permitted Him to appear unmistakably, 44N 10 41 41560 not to all the people, but to witnesses--men previously chosen by God--namely, to us, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. 44N 10 42 41570 And He has commanded us to preach to the people and solemnly declare that this is He who has been appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. 44N 10 43 41580 To Him all the Prophets bear witness, and testify that through His name all who believe in Him receive the forgiveness of their sins." 44N 10 44 41590 While Peter was speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the Message. 44N 10 45 41600 And all the Jewish believers who had come with Peter were astonished that on the Gentiles also the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out. 44N 10 46 41610 For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling the majesty of God. Then Peter said, 44N 10 47 41620 "Can any one forbid the use of water, and object to these persons being baptized--men who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" 44N 10 48 41630 And he directed that they should be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for a time. 44N 11 1 41640 Now the Apostles, and the brethren in various parts of Judaea, heard that the Gentiles also had received God's Message; 44N 11 2 41650 and, when Peter returned to Jerusalem, the champions of circumcision found fault with him. 44N 11 3 41660 "You went into the houses of men who are not Jews," they said, "and you ate with them." 44N 11 4 41670 Peter, however, explained the whole matter to them from the beginning. 44N 11 5 41680 "While I was in the town of Jaffa, offering prayer," he said, "in a trance I saw a vision. There descended what seemed to be an enormous sail, being let down from the sky by ropes at the four corners, and it came close to me. 44N 11 6 41690 Fixing my eyes on it, I examined it closely, and saw various kinds of quadrupeds, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 44N 11 7 41700 I also heard a voice saying to me, "`Rise, Peter, kill and eat.' 44N 11 8 41710 "`On no account, Lord,' I replied, `for nothing unholy or impure has ever gone into my mouth.' 44N 11 9 41720 "But a voice answered, speaking a second time from the sky, "`What God has purified, you must not regard as unholy.' 44N 11 10 41730 "This was said three times, and then everything was drawn up again out of sight. 44N 11 11 41740 "Now at that very moment three men came to the house where we were, having been sent from Caesarea to find me. 44N 11 12 41750 And the Spirit told me to accompany them without any misgivings. There also went with me these six brethren who are now present, and we reached the Centurion's house. 44N 11 13 41760 Then he described to us how he had seen the angel come and enter his house and say, "`Send to Jaffa and fetch Simon, surnamed Peter. 44N 11 14 41770 He will teach you truths by which you and all your family will be saved.'" 44N 11 15 41780 "And," said Peter, "no sooner had I begun to speak than the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He fell upon us at the first. 44N 11 16 41790 Then I remembered the Lord's words, how He used to say, "`John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.' 44N 11 17 41800 "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we first believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, why, who was I to be able to thwart God?" 44N 11 18 41810 This statement of Peter's silenced his opponents. They extolled the goodness of God, and said, "So, then, to the Gentiles also God has given the repentance which leads to Life." 44N 11 19 41820 Those, however, who had been driven in various directions by the persecution which broke out on account of Stephen made their way to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, delivering the Message to none but Jews. 44N 11 20 41830 But some of them were Cyprians and Cyrenaeans, who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks also and told them the Good News concerning the Lord Jesus. 44N 11 21 41840 The power of the Lord was with them, and there were a vast number who believed and turned to the Lord. 44N 11 22 41850 When tidings of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch. 44N 11 23 41860 On getting there he was delighted to see the grace which God had bestowed; and he encouraged them all to remain, with fixed resolve, faithful to the Lord. 44N 11 24 41870 For he was a good man, and was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith; and the number of believers in the Lord greatly increased. 44N 11 25 41880 Then Barnabas paid a visit to Tarsus to try to find Saul. 44N 11 26 41890 He succeeded, and brought him to Antioch; and for a whole year they attended the meetings of the Church, and taught a large number of people. And it was in Antioch that the disciples first received the name of `Christians.' 44N 11 27 41900 At that time certain Prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, 44N 11 28 41910 one of whom, named Agabus, being instructed by the Spirit, publicly predicted the speedy coming of a great famine throughout the world. (It came in the reign of Claudius.) 44N 11 29 41920 So the disciples decided to send relief, every one in proportion to his means, to the brethren living in Judaea. 44N 11 30 41930 This they did, forwarding their contributions to the Elders by Barnabas and Saul. 44N 12 1 41940 Now, about that time, King Herod arrested certain members of the Church, in order to ill-treat them; 44N 12 2 41950 and James, John's brother, he beheaded. 44N 12 3 41960 Finding that this gratified the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also; these being the days of Unleavened Bread. 44N 12 4 41970 He had him arrested and lodged in jail, handing him over to the care of sixteen soldiers; and intended after the Passover to bring him out again to the people. 44N 12 5 41980 So Peter was kept in prison; but long and fervent prayer was offered to God by the Church on his behalf. 44N 12 6 41990 Now when Herod was on the point of taking him out of prison, that very night Peter was asleep between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards were on duty outside the door. 44N 12 7 42000 Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell; and, striking Peter on the side, he woke him and said, "Rise quickly." Instantly the chains dropped off his wrists. 44N 12 8 42010 "Fasten your girdle," said the angel, "and tie on your sandals." He did so. Then the angel said, "Throw your cloak round you, and follow me." 44N 12 9 42020 So Peter went out, following him, yet could not believe that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he saw a vision. 44N 12 10 42030 And passing through the first ward and the second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. This opened to them of itself; and, going out, they passed on through one of the streets, and then suddenly the angel left him. 44N 12 11 42040 Peter coming to himself said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and has rescued me from the power of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were anticipating." 44N 12 12 42050 So, after thinking things over, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John surnamed Mark, where a large number of people were assembled, praying. 44N 12 13 42060 When he knocked at the wicket in the door, a maidservant named Rhoda came to answer the knock; 44N 12 14 42070 and recognizing Peter's voice, for very joy she did not open the door, but ran in and told them that Peter was standing there. 44N 12 15 42080 "You are mad," they said. But she strenuously maintained that it was true. "It is his guardian angel," they said. 44N 12 16 42090 Meanwhile Peter went on knocking, until at last they opened the door and saw that it was really he, and were filled with amazement. 44N 12 17 42100 But he motioned with his hand for silence, and then described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. "Tell all this to James and the brethren," he added. Then he left them, and went to another place. 44N 12 18 42110 When morning came, there was no little commotion among the soldiers, as to what could possibly have become of Peter. 44N 12 19 42120 And when Herod had had him searched for and could not find him, after sharply questioning the guards he ordered them away to execution. He then went down from Judaea to Caesarea and remained there. 44N 12 20 42130 Now the people of Tyre and Sidon had incurred Herod's violent displeasure. So they sent a large deputation to wait on him; and having secured the good will of Blastus, his treasurer, they begged the king to be friendly with them again, because their country was dependent on his for its food supply. 44N 12 21 42140 So, on an appointed day, Herod, having arrayed himself in royal robes, took his seat on the tribunal, and was haranguing them; 44N 12 22 42150 and the assembled people kept shouting, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man!" 44N 12 23 42160 Instantly an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the glory to God, and being eaten up by worms, he died. 44N 12 24 42170 But God's Message prospered, and converts were multiplied. 44N 12 25 42180 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having discharged their mission, and they brought with them John, surnamed Mark. 44N 13 1 42190 Now there were in Antioch, in the Church there--as Prophets and teachers--barnabas, Symeon surnamed `the black,' Lucius the Cyrenaean, Manaen (who was Herod the Tetrarch's foster-brother), and Saul. 44N 13 2 42200 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me, now at once, Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them." 44N 13 3 42210 So, after fasting and prayer and the laying on of hands, they let them go. 44N 13 4 42220 They therefore, being thus sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleuceia, and from there sailed to Cyprus. 44N 13 5 42230 Having reached Salamis, they began to announce God's Message in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John as their assistant. 44N 13 6 42240 When they had gone through the whole length of the island as far as Paphos, they there met with a Jewish magician and false prophet, Bar-Jesus by name, 44N 13 7 42250 who was a friend of the Proconsul Sergius Paulus. The Proconsul was a man of keen intelligence. He sent for Barnabas and Saul, and asked to be told God's Message. 44N 13 8 42260 But Elymas (or `the Magician,' for such is the meaning of the name) opposed them, and tried to prevent the Proconsul from accepting the faith. 44N 13 9 42270 Then Saul, who is also called Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, fixing his eyes on Elymas, 44N 13 10 42280 said, "You who are full of every kind of craftiness and unscrupulous cunning--you son of the Devil and foe to all that is right--will you never cease to misrepresent the straight paths of the Lord? 44N 13 11 42290 The Lord's hand is now upon you, and you will be blind for a time and unable to see the light of day." Instantly there fell upon him a mist and a darkness, and, as he walked about, he begged people to lead him by the hand. 44N 13 12 42300 Then the Proconsul, seeing what had happened, believed, being struck with amazement at the teaching of the Lord. 44N 13 13 42310 From Paphos, Paul and his party put out to sea and sailed to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem. 44N 13 14 42320 But they themselves, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch in Pisidia. Here, on the Sabbath day, they went into the synagogue and sat down. 44N 13 15 42330 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the Wardens of the synagogue sent word to them. "Brethren," they said, "if you have anything encouraging to say to the people, speak." 44N 13 16 42340 So Paul rose, and motioning with his hand for silence, said, "Israelites, and you others who fear God, pay attention to me. 44N 13 17 42350 The God of this people of Israel chose our forefathers, and made the people great during their stay in Egypt, until with wondrous power He brought them out from that land. 44N 13 18 42360 For a period of about forty years, He fed them, like a nurse, in the Desert. 44N 13 19 42370 Then, after overthrowing seven nations in the land of Canaan, He divided that country among them as their inheritance for about four hundred and fifty years; 44N 13 20 42380 and afterwards He gave them judges down to the time of the Prophet Samuel. 44N 13 21 42390 Next they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a Benjamite, who reigned forty years. 44N 13 22 42400 After removing him, He raised up David to be their king, to whom He also bore witness when He said, "`I have found David the son of Jesse, a man I love, who will obey all My commands.' 44N 13 23 42410 "It is from among David's descendants that God, in fulfilment of His promise, has raised up a Saviour for Israel, even Jesus. 44N 13 24 42420 Before the coming of Jesus, John had proclaimed to all the people of Israel a baptism of repentance. 44N 13 25 42430 But John, towards the end of his career, repeatedly asked the people, "`What do you suppose me to be? I am not the Christ. But there is One coming after me whose sandal I am not worthy to unfasten.' 44N 13 26 42440 "Brethren, descendants of the family of Abraham, and all among you who fear God, to us has this Message of salvation been sent. 44N 13 27 42450 For the people of Jerusalem and their rulers, by the judgement they pronounced on Jesus, have actually fulfilled the predictions of the Prophets which are read Sabbath after Sabbath, through ignorance of those predictions and of Him. 44N 13 28 42460 Without having found Him guilty of any capital offence they urged Pilate to have Him put to death; 44N 13 29 42470 and when they had carried out everything which had been written about Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. 44N 13 30 42480 "But God raised Him from the dead. 44N 13 31 42490 And, after a few days, He appeared to the people who had gone up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem and are now witnesses concerning Him to the Jews. 44N 13 32 42500 And we bring you the Good News about the promise made to our forefathers, 44N 13 33 42510 that God has amply fulfilled it to our children in raising up Jesus; as it is also written in the second Psalm, <`Thou art My Son: to-day I have become Thy Father.'> 44N 13 34 42520 And as to His having raised Him from among the dead, never again to be in the position of one soon to return to decay, He speaks thus: <`I will give you the holy and trustworthy promises made to David.'> 44N 13 35 42530 Because in another Psalm also He says, <`Thou wilt not give up Thy Holy One to undergo decay.'> 44N 13 36 42540 For David, after having been useful to his own generation in accordance with God's purpose, did fall asleep, was gathered to his forefathers, and did undergo decay. 44N 13 37 42550 But He whom God raised to life underwent no decay. 44N 13 38 42560 "Understand therefore, brethren, that through this Jesus forgiveness of sins is announced to you; 44N 13 39 42570 and in Him every believer is absolved from all offences, from which you could not be absolved under the Law of Moses. 44N 13 40 42580 Beware, then, lest what is spoken in the Prophets should come true of you: 44N 13 41 42590 <`Behold, you despisers, be astonished and perish, because I am carrying on a work in your time--a work which you will utterly refuse to believe, though it be fully declared to you.'"> 44N 13 42 42600 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people earnestly begged to have all this repeated to them on the following Sabbath. 44N 13 43 42610 And, when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and of the devout converts from heathenism continued with Paul and Barnabas, who talked to them and urged them to hold fast to the grace of God. 44N 13 44 42620 On the next Sabbath almost the whole population of the city came together to hear the Lord's Message. 44N 13 45 42630 Seeing the crowds, the Jews, filled with angry jealousy, opposed Paul's statements and abused him. 44N 13 46 42640 Then, throwing off all reserve, Paul and Barnabas said, "We were bound to proclaim God's Message to you first. But since you spurn it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of the Life of the Ages--well, we turn to the Gentiles. 44N 13 47 42650 For such is the Lord's command to us. <"`I have placed Thee,'> He says of Christ, <`as a light to the Gentiles, in order that Thou mayest be a Saviour as far as the remotest parts of the earth.'"> 44N 13 48 42660 The Gentiles listened with delight and extolled the Lord's Message; and all who were pre-destined to the Life of the Ages believed. 44N 13 49 42670 So the Lord's Message spread through the whole district. 44N 13 50 42680 But the Jews influenced the gentlewomen of rank who worshipped with them, and also the leading men in the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of the district. 44N 13 51 42690 But they shook off the dust from their feet as a protest against them and came to Iconium; 44N 13 52 42700 and as for the disciples, they were more and more filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. 44N 14 1 42710 At Iconium the Apostles went together to the Jewish synagogue and preached, with the result that a great number both of Jews and Greeks believed. 44N 14 2 42720 But the Jews who had refused obedience stirred up the Gentiles and embittered their minds against the brethren. 44N 14 3 42730 Yet Paul and Barnabas remained there for a considerable time, speaking freely and relying on the Lord, while He bore witness to the Message of His grace by permitting signs and marvels to be done by them. 44N 14 4 42740 At length the people of the city split into parties, some siding with the Jews and some with the Apostles. 44N 14 5 42750 And when a hostile movement was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with the sanction of their magistrates, to maltreat and stone them, 44N 14 6 42760 the Apostles, having become aware of it, made their escape into the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe, and the neighbouring country. 44N 14 7 42770 And there they continued to tell the Good News. 44N 14 8 42780 Now a man who had no power in his feet used to sit in the streets of Lystra. He had been lame from his birth and had never walked. 44N 14 9 42790 After this man had listened to one of Paul's sermons, the Apostle, looking steadily at him and perceiving that he had faith to be cured, 44N 14 10 42800 said in a loud voice, "Stand upright upon your feet!" 44N 14 11 42810 So he sprang up and began to walk about. Then the crowds, seeing what Paul had done, rent the air with their shouts in the Lycaonian language, saying, "The gods have assumed human form and have come down to us." 44N 14 12 42820 They called Barnabas `Zeus,' and Paul, as being the principal speaker, `Hermes.' 44N 14 13 42830 And the priest of Zeus--the temple of Zeus being at the entrance to the city--brought bullocks and garlands to the gates, and in company with the crowd was intending to offer sacrifices to them. 44N 14 14 42840 But the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it; and tearing their clothes they rushed out into the middle of the crowd, exclaiming, "Sirs, why are you doing all this? 44N 14 15 42850 We also are but men, with natures kindred to your own; and we bring you the Good News that you are to turn from these unreal things, to worship the ever-living God, the Creator of earth and sky and sea and of everything that is in them. 44N 14 16 42860 In times gone by He allowed all the nations to go their own ways; 44N 14 17 42870 and yet by His beneficence He has not left His existence unattested--His beneficence, I mean, in sending you rain from Heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and joyfulness." 44N 14 18 42880 Even with words like these they had difficulty in preventing the thronging crowd from offering sacrifices to them. 44N 14 19 42890 But now a party of Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and, having won over the crowd, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, believing him to be dead. 44N 14 20 42900 When, however, the disciples had collected round him, he rose and went back into the town. The next day he went with Barnabas to Derbe; 44N 14 21 42910 and, after proclaiming the Good News to the people there and gaining a large number of converts, they retraced their steps to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. 44N 14 22 42920 Everywhere they strengthened the disciples by encouraging them to hold fast to the faith, and warned them saying, "It is through many afflictions that we must make our way into the Kingdom of God." 44N 14 23 42930 And in every Church, after prayer and fasting, they selected Elders by show of hands, and commended them to the Lord on whom their faith rested. 44N 14 24 42940 Then passing through Pisidia they came into Pamphylia; 44N 14 25 42950 and after telling the Message at Perga they came down to Attaleia. 44N 14 26 42960 Thence they sailed to Antioch, where they had previously been commended to the grace of God in connexion with the work which they had now completed. 44N 14 27 42970 Upon their arrival they called the Church together and proceeded to report in detail all that God, working with them, had done, and how He had opened for the Gentiles the door of faith. 44N 14 28 42980 And they remained a considerable time in Antioch with the disciples. 44N 15 1 42990 But certain persons who had come down from Judaea tried to convince the brethren, saying, "Unless you are circumcised in accordance with the Mosaic custom, you cannot be saved." 44N 15 2 43000 Between these new comers and Paul and Barnabas there was no little disagreement and controversy, until at last it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some other brethren should go up to consult the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem on this matter. 44N 15 3 43010 So they set out, being accompanied for a short distance by some other members of the Church; and as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told the whole story of the conversion of the Gentiles and inspired all the brethren with great joy. 44N 15 4 43020 Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they were cordially received by the Church, the Apostles, and the Elders; and they reported in detail all that God, working with them, had done. 44N 15 5 43030 But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees but were now believers, stood up in the assembly, and said, "Yes, Gentile believers ought to be circumcised and be ordered to keep the Law of Moses." 44N 15 6 43040 Then the Apostles and Elders met to consider the matter; 44N 15 7 43050 and after there had been a long discussion Peter rose to his feet. "It is within your own knowledge," he said, "that God originally made choice among you that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the Message of the Good News, and believe. 44N 15 8 43060 And God, who knows all hearts, gave His testimony in their favour by bestowing the Holy Spirit on them just as He did on us; 44N 15 9 43070 and He made no difference between us and them, in that He cleansed their hearts by their faith. 44N 15 10 43080 Now, therefore, why try an experiment upon God, by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? 44N 15 11 43090 On the contrary, we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus that we, as well as they, shall be saved." 44N 15 12 43100 Then the whole assembly remained silent while they listened to the statement made by Paul and Barnabas as to all the signs and marvels that God had done among the Gentiles through their instrumentality. 44N 15 13 43110 When they had finished speaking, James said, "Brethren, listen to me. 44N 15 14 43120 Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name. 44N 15 15 43130 And this is in harmony with the language of the Prophets, which says: 44N 15 16 43140 <"`"Afterwards I will return, and will rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will set it up again; 44N 15 17 43150 In order that the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord--even all the nations which are called by My name," 44N 15 18 43160 Says the Lord, who has been making these things known from ages long past.'> 44N 15 19 43170 "My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God. 44N 15 20 43180 Yet let us send them written instructions to abstain from things polluted by connexion with idolatry, from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood. 44N 15 21 43190 For Moses from the earliest times has had his preachers in every town, being read, as he is, Sabbath after Sabbath, in the various synagogues." 44N 15 22 43200 Thereupon it was decided by the Apostles and Elders, with the approval of the whole Church, to choose suitable persons from among themselves and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas. Judas, called Bar-sabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, were selected, 44N 15 23 43210 and they took with them the following letter: "The Apostles and the elder brethren send greeting to the Gentile brethren throughout Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. 44N 15 24 43220 As we have been informed that certain persons who have gone out from among us have disturbed you by their teaching and have unsettled your minds, without having received any such instructions from us; 44N 15 25 43230 we have unanimously decided to select certain men and send them to you in company with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 44N 15 26 43240 who have endangered their very lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 44N 15 27 43250 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who are themselves bringing you the same message by word of mouth. 44N 15 28 43260 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no burden heavier than these necessary requirements-- 44N 15 29 43270 You must abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear of these things, and it will be well with you. Farewell." 44N 15 30 43280 They, therefore, having been solemnly sent, came down to Antioch, where they called together the whole assembly and delivered the letter. 44N 15 31 43290 The people read it, and were delighted with the comfort it brought them. 44N 15 32 43300 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also Prophets, gave them a long and encouraging talk, and strengthened them in the faith. 44N 15 33 43310 After spending some time there they received an affectionate farewell from the brethren to return to those who had sent them. 44N 15 34 43320 [] 44N 15 35 43330 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and, in company with many others, telling the Good News of the Lord's Message. 44N 15 36 43340 After a while Paul said to Barnabas, "Suppose we now revisit the brethren in the various towns in which we have made known the Lord's Message--to see whether they are prospering!" 44N 15 37 43350 Barnabas, however, was bent on taking with them John, whose other name was Mark, 44N 15 38 43360 while Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. 44N 15 39 43370 So there arose a serious disagreement between them, which resulted in their parting from one another, Barnabas taking Mark and setting sail for Cyprus. 44N 15 40 43380 But Paul chose Silas as his travelling companion; and set out, after being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord; 44N 15 41 43390 and he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Churches. 44N 16 1 43400 He also came to Derbe and to Lystra. At Lystra he found a disciple, Timothy by name--the son of a Christian Jewess, though he had a Greek father. 44N 16 2 43410 Timothy was well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium, 44N 16 3 43420 and Paul desiring that he should accompany him on his journey, took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 44N 16 4 43430 As they journeyed on from town to town, they handed to the brethren for their observance the decisions which had been arrived at by the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem. 44N 16 5 43440 So the Churches went on gaining a stronger faith and growing in numbers from day to day. 44N 16 6 43450 Then Paul and his companions passed through Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Message in the province of Asia. 44N 16 7 43460 When they reached the frontier of Mysia, they were about to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit this. 44N 16 8 43470 So, passing along Mysia, they came to Troas. 44N 16 9 43480 Here, one night, Paul saw a vision. There was a Macedonian who was standing, entreating him and saying, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." 44N 16 10 43490 So when he had seen the vision, we immediately looked out for an opportunity of passing on into Macedonia, confidently inferring that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to the people there. 44N 16 11 43500 Accordingly we put out to sea from Troas, and ran a straight course to Samothrace. The next day we came to Neapolis, 44N 16 12 43510 and thence to Philippi, which is a city in Macedonia, the first in its district, a Roman colony. And there we stayed some little time. 44N 16 13 43520 On the Sabbath we went beyond the city gate to the riverside, where we had reason to believe that there was a place for prayer; and sitting down we talked with the women who had come together. 44N 16 14 43530 Among our hearers was one named Lydia, a dealer in purple goods. She belonged to the city of Thyateira, and was a worshipper of the true God. The Lord opened her heart, so that she gave attention to what Paul was saying. 44N 16 15 43540 When she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, "If in your judgement I am a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house." And she made us go there. 44N 16 16 43550 One day, as we were on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us who claimed to be inspired and was accustomed to bring her owners large profits by telling fortunes. 44N 16 17 43560 She kept following close behind Paul and the rest of us, crying aloud, "These men are the bondservants of the Most High God, and are proclaiming to you the way of salvation." 44N 16 18 43570 This she persisted in for a considerable time, until Paul, wearied out, turned round and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out immediately. 44N 16 19 43580 But when her owners saw that their hopes of gain were gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them off to the magistrates in the public square. 44N 16 20 43590 Then they brought them before the praetors. "These men," they said, "are creating a great disturbance in our city. 44N 16 21 43600 They are Jews, and are teaching customs which we, as Romans, are not permitted to adopt or practise." 44N 16 22 43610 The crowd, too, joined in the outcry against them, till at length the praetors ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods; 44N 16 23 43620 and, after severely flogging them, they threw them into jail and bade the jailer keep them safely. 44N 16 24 43630 He, having received an order like that, lodged them in the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. 44N 16 25 43640 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 44N 16 26 43650 when suddenly there was such a violent shock of earthquake that the prison shook to its foundations. Instantly the doors all flew open, and the chains fell off from every prisoner. 44N 16 27 43660 Starting up from sleep and seeing the doors of the jail wide open, the jailer drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 44N 16 28 43670 But Paul shouted loudly to him, saying, "Do yourself no injury: we are all here. 44N 16 29 43680 Then, calling for lights, he sprang in and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas; 44N 16 30 43690 and, bringing them out of the prison, he exclaimed, "O sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 44N 16 31 43700 "Believe on the Lord Jesus," they replied, "and both you and your household will be saved." 44N 16 32 43710 And they told the Lord's Message to him as well as to all who were in his house. 44N 16 33 43720 Then he took them, even at that time of night, washed their wounds, and he and all his household were immediately baptized; 44N 16 34 43730 and bringing the Apostles up into his house, he spread a meal for them, and was filled with gladness, with his whole household, his faith resting on God. 44N 16 35 43740 In the morning the praetors sent their lictors with the order, "Release those men." 44N 16 36 43750 So the jailer brought Paul word, saying, "The praetors have sent orders for you to be released. Now therefore you can go, and proceed on your way in peace." 44N 16 37 43760 But Paul said to them, "After cruelly beating us in public, without trial, Roman citizens though we are, they have thrown us into prison, and are they now going to send us away privately? No, indeed! Let them come in person and fetch us out." 44N 16 38 43770 This answer the lictors took back to the praetors, who were alarmed when they were told that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 44N 16 39 43780 Accordingly they came and apologized to them; and, bringing them out, asked them to leave the city. 44N 16 40 43790 Then Paul and Silas, having come out of the prison, went to Lydia's house; and, after seeing the brethren and encouraging them, they left Philippi. 44N 17 1 43800 Then, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they went to Thessalonica. Here there was a synagogue of the Jews. 44N 17 2 43810 Paul--following his usual custom--betook himself to it, and for three successive Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 44N 17 3 43820 which he clearly explained, pointing out that it had been necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise again from the dead, and insisting, "The Jesus whom I am announcing to you is the Christ." 44N 17 4 43830 Some of the people were won over, and attached themselves to Paul and Silas, including many God-fearing Greeks and not a few gentlewomen of high rank. 44N 17 5 43840 But the jealousy of the Jews was aroused, and, calling to their aid some ill-conditioned and idle fellows, they got together a riotous mob and filled the city with uproar. They then attacked the house of Jason and searched for Paul and Silas, to bring them out before the assembly of people. 44N 17 6 43850 But, failing to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the other brethren before the magistrates of the city, loudly accusing them. "These men," they said, "who have raised a tumult throughout the Empire, have come here also. 44N 17 7 43860 Jason has received them into his house; and they all set Caesar's authority at defiance, declaring that there is another Emperor-- one called Jesus." 44N 17 8 43870 Great was the excitement among the crowd, and among the magistrates of the city, when they heard these charges. 44N 17 9 43880 They required Jason and the rest to find substantial bail, and after that they let them go. 44N 17 10 43890 The brethren at once sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea, and they, on their arrival, went to the synagogue of the Jews. 44N 17 11 43900 The Jews at Beroea were of a nobler disposition than those in Thessalonica, for they very readily received the Message, and day after day searched the Scriptures to see whether it was as Paul stated. 44N 17 12 43910 As the result many of them became believers, and so did not a few of the Greeks--gentlewomen of good position, and men. 44N 17 13 43920 As soon, however, as the Jews of Thessalonica learnt that God's Message had been proclaimed by Paul at Beroea, they came there also, and incited the mob to a riot. 44N 17 14 43930 Then the brethren promptly sent Paul down to the sea-coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. 44N 17 15 43940 Those who were caring for Paul's safety went with him as far as Athens, and then left him, taking a message from him to Silas and Timothy, asking them to join him as speedily as possible. 44N 17 16 43950 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was stirred within him when he noticed that the city was full of idols. 44N 17 17 43960 So he had discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the other worshippers, and in the market place, day after day, with those whom he happened to meet. 44N 17 18 43970 A few of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also encountered him. Some of them asked, "What has this beggarly babbler to say?" "His business," said others, "seems to be to cry up some foreign gods." This was because he had been telling the Good News of Jesus and the Resurrection. 44N 17 19 43980 Then they took him and brought him up to the Areopagus, asking him, "May we be told what this new teaching of yours is? 44N 17 20 43990 For the things you are saying sound strange to us. We should therefore like to be told exactly what they mean." 44N 17 21 44000 (For all the Athenians and their foreign visitors used to devote their whole leisure to telling or hearing about something new.) 44N 17 22 44010 So Paul, taking his stand in the centre of the Areopagus, spoke as follows: "Men of Athens, I perceive that you are in every respect remarkably religious. 44N 17 23 44020 For as I passed along and observed the things you worship, I found also an altar bearing the inscription, `TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' "The Being, therefore, whom you, without knowing Him, revere, Him I now proclaim to you. 44N 17 24 44030 GOD who made the universe and everything in it--He, being Lord of Heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries built by men. 44N 17 25 44040 Nor is He ministered to by human hands, as though He needed anything--but He Himself gives to all men life and breath and all things. 44N 17 26 44050 He caused to spring from one forefather people of every race, for them to live on the whole surface of the earth, and marked out for them an appointed span of life and the boundaries of their homes; 44N 17 27 44060 that they might seek God, if perhaps they could grope for Him and find Him. Yes, though He is not far from any one of us. 44N 17 28 44070 For it is in closest union with Him that we live and move and have our being; as in fact some of the poets in repute among yourselves have said, `For we are also His offspring.' 44N 17 29 44080 Since then we are God's offspring, we ought not to imagine that His nature resembles gold or silver or marble, or anything sculptured by the art and inventive faculty of man. 44N 17 30 44090 Those times of ignorance God viewed with indulgence. But now He commands all men everywhere to repent, 44N 17 31 44100 seeing that He has appointed a day on which, before long, He will judge the world in righteousness, through the instrumentality of a man whom He has pre-destined to this work, and has made the fact certain to every one by raising Him from the dead." 44N 17 32 44110 When they heard Paul speak of a resurrection of dead men, some began to scoff. But others said, "We will hear you again on that subject." 44N 17 33 44120 So Paul went away from them. 44N 17 34 44130 A few, however, attached themselves to him and believed, among them being Dionysius a member of the Council, a gentlewoman named Damaris, and some others. 44N 18 1 44140 After this he left Athens and came to Corinth. 44N 18 2 44150 Here he found a Jew, a native of Pontus, of the name of Aquila. He and his wife Priscilla had recently come from Italy because of Claudius's edict expelling all the Jews from Rome. So Paul paid them a visit; 44N 18 3 44160 and because he was of the same trade--that of tent-maker--he lodged with them and worked with them. 44N 18 4 44170 But, Sabbath after Sabbath, he preached in the synagogue and tried to win over both Jews and Greeks. 44N 18 5 44180 Now at the time when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was preaching fervently and was solemnly telling the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 44N 18 6 44190 But upon their opposing him with abusive language, he shook his clothes by way of protest, and said to them, "Your ruin will be upon your own heads. I am not responsible: in future I will go among the Gentiles." 44N 18 7 44200 So he left the place and went to the house of a person called Titius Justus, a worshipper of the true God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 44N 18 8 44210 And Crispus, the Warden of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, and so did all his household; and from time to time many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and received baptism. 44N 18 9 44220 And, in a vision by night, the Lord said to Paul, "Dismiss your fears: go on speaking, and do not give up. 44N 18 10 44230 I am with you, and no one shall attack you to injure you; for I have very many people in this city." 44N 18 11 44240 So Paul remained in Corinth for a year and six months, teaching among them the Message of God. 44N 18 12 44250 But when Gallio became Proconsul of Greece, the Jews with one accord made a dead set at Paul, and brought him before the court. 44N 18 13 44260 "This man," they said, "is inducing people to offer unlawful worship to God." 44N 18 14 44270 But, when Paul was about to begin his defence, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it had been some wrongful act or piece of cunning knavery I might reasonably have listened to you Jews. 44N 18 15 44280 But since these are questions about words and names and your Law, you yourselves must see to them. I refuse to be a judge in such matters." 44N 18 16 44290 So he ordered them out of court. 44N 18 17 44300 Then the people all set upon Sosthenes, the Warden of the synagogue, and beat him severely in front of the court. Gallio did not concern himself in the least about this. 44N 18 18 44310 After remaining a considerable time longer in Corinth, Paul took leave of the brethren and set sail for Syria; and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had shaved his head at Cenchreae, because he was bound by a vow. 44N 18 19 44320 They put in at Ephesus, and there Paul left his companions behind. As for himself, he went to the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews. 44N 18 20 44330 When they asked him to remain longer he did not consent, 44N 18 21 44340 but took leave of them with the promise, "I will return to you, God willing." So he set sail from Ephesus. 44N 18 22 44350 Landing at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and inquired after the welfare of the Church, and then went down to Antioch. 44N 18 23 44360 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out on a tour, visiting the whole of Galatia and Phrygia in order, and strengthening all the disciples. 44N 18 24 44370 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was a native of Alexandria, a man of great learning and well versed in the Scriptures. 44N 18 25 44380 He had been instructed by word of mouth in the way of the Lord, and, being full of burning zeal, he used to speak and teach accurately the facts about Jesus, though he knew of no baptism but John's. 44N 18 26 44390 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and Priscilla and Aquila, after hearing him, took him home and explained God's way to him more accurately. 44N 18 27 44400 Then, as he had made up his mind to cross over into Greece, the brethren wrote to the disciples in Corinth begging them to give him a kindly welcome. Upon his arrival he rendered valuable help to those who through grace had believed; 44N 18 28 44410 for he powerfully and in public overcame the Jews in argument, proving to them from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. 44N 19 1 44420 During the stay of Apollos in Corinth, Paul, after passing through the inland districts, came to Ephesus, where he found a few disciples. 44N 19 2 44430 "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you first believed?" he asked them. "No," they replied, "we did not even hear that there is a Holy Spirit." 44N 19 3 44440 "Into what then were you baptized?" he asked. "Into John's baptism," they replied. 44N 19 4 44450 "John," he said, "administered a baptism of repentance, bidding the people believe on One who was to come after him; namely, on Jesus." 44N 19 5 44460 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus; 44N 19 6 44470 and when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy. 44N 19 7 44480 They numbered in all about twelve men. 44N 19 8 44490 Afterwards he went into the synagogue. There for three months he continued to preach fearlessly, explaining in words which carried conviction the truths which concern the Kingdom of God. 44N 19 9 44500 But some grew obstinate in unbelief and spoke evil of the new faith before all the congregation. So Paul left them, and, taking with him those who were disciples, held discussions daily in Tyrannus's lecture-hall. 44N 19 10 44510 This went on for two years, so that all the inhabitants of the province of Asia, Jews as well as Greeks, heard the Lord's Message. 44N 19 11 44520 God also brought about extraordinary miracles through Paul's instrumentality. 44N 19 12 44530 Towels or aprons, for instance, which Paul had handled used to be carried to the sick, and they recovered from their ailments, or the evil spirits left them. 44N 19 13 44540 But there were also some wandering Jewish exorcists who undertook to invoke the name of Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, "I command you by that Jesus whom Paul preaches." 44N 19 14 44550 There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew of high-priestly family, who were doing this. 44N 19 15 44560 "Jesus I know," the evil spirit answered, "and Paul I have heard of, but who are you?" 44N 19 16 44570 And the man in whom the evil spirit was sprang on two of them, over-mastered them both, and treated them with such violence, that they fled from the house stripped of their clothes and wounded. 44N 19 17 44580 All the people of Ephesus, Jews as well as Greeks, came to know of this. There was widespread terror, and they began to hold the name of the Lord Jesus in high honour. 44N 19 18 44590 Many also of those who believed came confessing without reserve what their conduct had been, 44N 19 19 44600 and not a few of those who had practised magical arts brought their books together and burnt them in the presence of all. The total value was reckoned and found to be 50,000 silver coins. 44N 19 20 44610 Thus mightily did the Lord's Message spread and triumph! 44N 19 21 44620 When matters had reached this point, Paul decided in his own mind to travel through Macedonia and Greece, and go to Jerusalem. "After that," he said, "I must also see Rome." 44N 19 22 44630 But he sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he himself remained for a while in Roman Asia. 44N 19 23 44640 Now just at that time there arose no small commotion about the new faith. 44N 19 24 44650 There was a certain Demetrius, a silversmith, who made miniature silver sanctuaries of Diana, a business which brought great gain to the mechanics in his employ. 44N 19 25 44660 He called his workmen together, and others who were engaged in similar trades, and said to them, "You men well know that our prosperity depends on this business of ours; 44N 19 26 44670 and you see and hear that, not in Ephesus only but throughout almost the whole province of Asia, this fellow Paul has led away a vast number of people by inducing them to believe that they are not gods at all that are made by men's hands. 44N 19 27 44680 There is danger, therefore, not only that this our trade will become of no account, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana will fall into utter disrepute, and that before long she will be actually deposed from her majestic rank--she who is now worshipped by the whole province of Asia; nay, by the whole world." 44N 19 28 44690 After listening to this harangue, they became furiously angry and kept calling out, "Great is the Ephesian Diana!" 44N 19 29 44700 The riot and uproar spread through the whole city, till at last with one accord they rushed into the Theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, two Macedonians who were fellow travellers with Paul. 44N 19 30 44710 Then Paul would have liked to go in and address the people, but the disciples would not let him do so. 44N 19 31 44720 A few of the public officials, too, who were friendly to him, sent repeated messages entreating him not to venture into the Theatre. 44N 19 32 44730 The people, meanwhile, kept shouting, some one thing and some another; for the assembly was all uproar and confusion, and the greater part had no idea why they had come together. 44N 19 33 44740 Then some of the people crowded round Alexander, whom the Jews had pushed forward; and Alexander, motioning with his hand to get silence, was prepared to make a defence to the people. 44N 19 34 44750 No sooner, however, did they see that he was a Jew, than there arose from them all one roar of shouting, lasting about two hours. "Great is the Ephesian Diana," they said. 44N 19 35 44760 At length the Recorder quieted them down. "Men of Ephesus," he said, "who is there of all mankind that needs to be told that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Diana and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 44N 19 36 44770 These facts, then, being unquestioned, it becomes you to maintain your self-control and not act recklessly. 44N 19 37 44780 For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 44N 19 38 44790 If, however, Demetrius and the mechanics who support his contention have a grievance against any one, there are Assize-days and there are Proconsuls: let the persons interested accuse one another. 44N 19 39 44800 But if you desire anything further, it will have to be settled in the regular assembly. 44N 19 40 44810 For in connexion with to-day's proceedings there is danger of our being charged with attempted insurrection, there having been no real reason for this riot; nor shall we be able to justify the behaviour of this disorderly mob." 44N 19 41 44820 With these words he dismissed the assembly. 44N 20 1 44830 When the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and, after speaking words of encouragement to them, he took his leave, and started for Macedonia. 44N 20 2 44840 Passing through those districts he encouraged the disciples in frequent addresses, and then came into Greece, and spent three months there. 44N 20 3 44850 The Jews having planned to waylay him whenever he might be on the point of taking ship for Syria, he decided to travel back by way of Macedonia. 44N 20 4 44860 He was accompanied as far as the province of Asia by Sopater the Beroean, the son of Pyrrhus; by the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; by Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and by the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 44N 20 5 44870 These brethren had gone on and were waiting for us in the Troad. 44N 20 6 44880 But we ourselves sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined them in the Troad, where we remained for a week. 44N 20 7 44890 On the first day of the week, when we had met to break bread, Paul, who was going away the next morning, was preaching to them, and prolonged his discourse till midnight. 44N 20 8 44900 Now there were a good many lamps in the room upstairs where we all were, 44N 20 9 44910 and a youth of the name of Eutychus was sitting at the window. This lad, gradually sinking into deep sleep while Paul preached at unusual length, overcome at last by sleep, fell from the second floor and was taken up dead. 44N 20 10 44920 Paul, however, went down, threw himself upon him, and folding him in his arms said, "Do not be alarmed; his life is still in him." 44N 20 11 44930 Then he went upstairs again, broke bread, and took some food; and after a long conversation which was continued till daybreak, at last he parted from them. 44N 20 12 44940 They had taken the lad home alive, and were greatly comforted. 44N 20 13 44950 The rest of us had already gone on board a ship, and now we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul on board there; for so he had arranged, he himself intending to go by land. 44N 20 14 44960 Accordingly, when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 44N 20 15 44970 Sailing from there, we arrived the next day off Chios. On the next we touched at Samos; and on the day following reached Miletus. 44N 20 16 44980 For Paul's plan was to sail past Ephesus, so as not to spend much time in the province of Asia; since he was very desirous of being in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of the Harvest Festival. 44N 20 17 44990 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the Elders of the Church to come to him. 44N 20 18 45000 Upon their arrival he said to them, "You Elders well know, from the first day of my setting foot in the province of Asia, the kind of life I lived among you the whole time, 44N 20 19 45010 serving the Lord in all humility, and with tears, and amid trials which came upon me through the plotting of the Jews-- 44N 20 20 45020 and that I never shrank from declaring to you anything that was profitable, or from teaching you in public and in your homes, 44N 20 21 45030 and urging upon both Jews and Greeks the necessity of turning to God and of believing in Jesus our Lord. 44N 20 22 45040 "And now, impelled by a sense of duty, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 44N 20 23 45050 except that the Holy Spirit, at town after town, testifies to me that imprisonment and suffering are awaiting me. 44N 20 24 45060 But even the sacrifice of my life I count as nothing, if only I may perfect my earthly course, and be faithful to the duty which the Lord Jesus has entrusted to me of proclaiming, as of supreme importance, the Good News of God's grace. 44N 20 25 45070 "And now, I know that none of you among whom I have gone in and out proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom will any longer see my face. 44N 20 26 45080 Therefore I protest to you to-day that I am not responsible for the ruin of any one of you. 44N 20 27 45090 For I have not shrunk from declaring to you God's whole truth. 44N 20 28 45100 "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has placed you to take the oversight for Him and act as shepherds to the Church of God, which He has bought with His own blood. 44N 20 29 45110 I know that, when I am gone, cruel wolves will come among you and will not spare the flock; 44N 20 30 45120 and that from among your own selves men will rise up who will seek with their perverse talk to draw away the disciples after them. 44N 20 31 45130 Therefore be on the alert; and remember that, night and day, for three years, I never ceased admonishing every one, even with tears. 44N 20 32 45140 "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace. He is able to build you up and to give you your inheritance among His people. 44N 20 33 45150 No one's silver or gold or clothing have I coveted. 44N 20 34 45160 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have provided for my own necessities and for the people with me. 44N 20 35 45170 In all things I have set you an example, showing you that, by working as I do, you ought to help the weak, and to bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, "`It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 44N 20 36 45180 Having spoken thus, Paul knelt down and prayed with them all; 44N 20 37 45190 and with loud lamentation they all threw their arms round his neck, and kissed him lovingly, 44N 20 38 45200 grieved above all things at his having told them that after that day they were no longer to see his face. And they went with him to the ship. 44N 21 1 45210 When, at last, we had torn ourselves away and had set sail, we ran in a straight course to Cos; the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 44N 21 2 45220 Finding a ship bound for Phoenicia, we went on board and put to sea. 44N 21 3 45230 After sighting Cyprus and leaving that island on our left, we continued our voyage to Syria and put in at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. 44N 21 4 45240 Having searched for the disciples and found them, we stayed at Tyre for seven days; and, taught by the Spirit, they repeatedly urged Paul not to proceed to Jerusalem. 44N 21 5 45250 When, however, our time was up, we left and went on our way, all the disciples and their wives and children coming to see us off. Then, after kneeling down on the beach and praying, 44N 21 6 45260 we took leave of one another; and we went on board, while they returned home. 44N 21 7 45270 As for us, our voyage was over when having sailed from Tyre we reached Ptolemais. here we inquired after the welfare of the brethren, and remained a day with them. 44N 21 8 45280 On the morrow we left Ptolemais and went on to Caesarea, where we came to the house of Philip the Evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 44N 21 9 45290 Now Philip had four unmarried daughters who were prophetesses; 44N 21 10 45300 and during our somewhat lengthy stay a Prophet of the name of Agabus came down from Judaea. 44N 21 11 45310 When he arrived he took Paul's loincloth, and bound his own feet and arms with it, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, `So will the Jews in Jerusalem bind the owner of this loincloth, and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'" 44N 21 12 45320 As soon as we heard these words, both we and the brethren at Caesarea entreated Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 44N 21 13 45330 His reply was, "What can you mean by thus breaking my heart with your grief? Why, as for me, I am ready not only to go to Jerusalem and be put in chains, but even to die there for the sake of the Lord Jesus." 44N 21 14 45340 So when he was not to be dissuaded, we ceased remonstrating with him and said, "The Lord's will be done!" 44N 21 15 45350 A few days afterwards we loaded our baggage-cattle and continued our journey to Jerusalem. 44N 21 16 45360 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also joined our party, and brought with them Mnason, a Cyprian, one of the early disciples, at whose house we were to lodge. 44N 21 17 45370 At length we reached Jerusalem, and there the brethren gave us a hearty welcome. 44N 21 18 45380 On the following day we went with Paul to call on James, and all the Elders of the Church came also. 44N 21 19 45390 After exchanging friendly greetings, Paul told in detail all that God had done among the Gentiles through his instrumentality. 44N 21 20 45400 And they, when they had heard his statement, gave the glory to God. Then they said, "You see, brother, how many tens of thousands of Jews there are among those who have accepted the faith, and they are all zealous upholders of the Law. 44N 21 21 45410 Now what they have been repeatedly told about you is that you teach all the Jews among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, and that you forbid them to circumcise their children or observe old-established customs. 44N 21 22 45420 What then ought you to do? They are sure to hear that you have come to Jerusalem; 44N 21 23 45430 so do this which we now tell you. We have four men here who have a vow resting on them. 44N 21 24 45440 Associate with these men and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses so that they can shave their heads. Then everybody will know that there is no truth in these stories about you, but that in your own actions you yourself scrupulously obey the Law. 44N 21 25 45450 But as for the Gentiles who have accepted the faith, we have communicated to them our decision that they are carefully to abstain from anything sacrificed to an idol, from blood, from what is strangled, and from fornication." 44N 21 26 45460 So Paul associated with the men; and the next day, having purified himself with them, he went into the Temple, giving every one to understand that the days of their purification were finished, and there he remained until the sacrifice for each of them was offered. 44N 21 27 45470 But, when the seven days were nearly over, the Jews from the province of Asia, having seen Paul in the Temple, set about rousing the fury of all the people against him. 44N 21 28 45480 They laid hands on him, crying out, "Men of Israel, help! help! This is the man who goes everywhere preaching to everybody against the Jewish people and the Law and this place. And besides, he has even brought Gentiles into the Temple and has desecrated this holy place." 44N 21 29 45490 (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and imagined that Paul had brought him into the Temple.) 44N 21 30 45500 The excitement spread through the whole city, and the people rushed in crowds to the Temple, and there laid hold of Paul and began to drag him out; and the Temple gates were immediately closed. 44N 21 31 45510 But while they were trying to kill Paul, word was taken up to the Tribune in command of the battalion, that all Jerusalem was in a ferment. 44N 21 32 45520 He instantly sent for a few soldiers and their officers, and came down among the people with all speed. At the sight of the Tribune and the troops they ceased beating Paul. 44N 21 33 45530 Then the Tribune, making his way to him, arrested him, and, having ordered him to be secured with two chains, proceeded to ask who he was and what he had been doing. 44N 21 34 45540 Some of the crowd shouted one accusation against Paul and some another, until, as the uproar made it impossible for the truth to be ascertained with certainty, the Tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 44N 21 35 45550 When Paul was going up the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob; 44N 21 36 45560 for the whole mass of the people pressed on in the rear, shouting, "Away with him!" 44N 21 37 45570 When he was about to be taken into the barracks, Paul said to the Tribune, "May I speak to you?" "Do you know Greek?" the Tribune asked. 44N 21 38 45580 "Are you not the Egyptian who some years ago excited the riot of the 4,000 cut-throats, and led them out into the Desert?" 44N 21 39 45590 "I am a Jew," replied Paul, "belonging to Tarsus in Cilicia, and am a citizen of no unimportant city. Give me leave, I pray you, to speak to the people." 44N 21 40 45600 So with his permission Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people to be quiet; and when there was perfect silence he addressed them in Hebrew. 44N 22 1 45610 "Brethren and fathers," he said, "listen to my defence which I now make before you." 44N 22 2 45620 And on hearing him address them in Hebrew, they kept all the more quiet; and he said, 44N 22 3 45630 "I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I was carefully trained at the feet of Gamaliel in the Law of our forefathers, and, like all of you to-day, was zealous for God. 44N 22 4 45640 I persecuted to death this new faith, continually binding both men and women and throwing them into prison; 44N 22 5 45650 as the High Priest also and all the Elders can bear me witness. It was, too, from them that I received letters to the brethren in Damascus, and I was already on my way to Damascus, intending to bring those also who had fled there, in chains to Jerusalem, to be punished. 44N 22 6 45660 "But on my way, when I was now not far from Damascus, about noon a sudden blaze of light from Heaven shone round me. 44N 22 7 45670 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, "`Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' 44N 22 8 45680 "`Who art thou, Lord?' I asked. "`I am Jesus, the Nazarene,' He replied, `whom you are persecuting.' 44N 22 9 45690 "Now the men who were with me, though they saw the light, did not hear the words of Him who spoke to me. 44N 22 10 45700 And I asked, "`What am I to do, Lord?' "And the Lord said to me, "`Rise, and go into Damascus. There you shall be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.' 44N 22 11 45710 "And as I could not see because the light had been so dazzling, those who were with me had to lead me by the arm, and so I came to Damascus. 44N 22 12 45720 "And a certain Ananias, a pious man who obeyed the Law and bore a good character with all the Jews of the city, 44N 22 13 45730 came to me and standing at my side said, "`Brother Saul, recover your sight.' "I instantly regained my sight and looked up at him. 44N 22 14 45740 Then he said, `The God of our forefathers has appointed you to know His will, and to see the righteous One and hear Him speak. 44N 22 15 45750 For you shall be a witness for Him, to all men, of what you have seen and heard. 44N 22 16 45760 And now why delay? Rise, get yourself baptized, and wash off your sins, calling upon His name.' 44N 22 17 45770 "After my return to Jerusalem, and while praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance. 44N 22 18 45780 I saw Jesus, and He said to me, "`Make haste and leave Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.' 44N 22 19 45790 "`Lord,' I replied, `they themselves well know how active I was in imprisoning, and in flogging in synagogue after synagogue those who believe in Thee; 44N 22 20 45800 and when they were shedding the blood of Stephen, Thy witness, I was standing by, fully approving of it, and I held the clothes of those who were killing him.' 44N 22 21 45810 "`Go,' He replied; `I will send you as an Apostle to nations far away.'" 44N 22 22 45820 Until they heard this last statement the people listened to Paul, but now with a roar of disapproval they cried out, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! He ought not to be allowed to live." 44N 22 23 45830 And when they continued their furious shouts, throwing their clothes into the air and flinging dust about, 44N 22 24 45840 the Tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and be examined by flogging, in order to ascertain the reason why they thus cried out against him. 44N 22 25 45850 But, when they had tied him up with the straps, Paul said to the Captain who stood by, "Does the Law permit you to flog a Roman citizen--and one too who is uncondemned?" 44N 22 26 45860 On hearing this question, the Captain went to report the matter to the Tribune. "What are you intending to do?" he said. "This man is a Roman citizen." 44N 22 27 45870 So the Tribune came to Paul and asked him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes," he said. 44N 22 28 45880 "I paid a large sum for my citizenship," said the Tribune. "But I was born free," said Paul. 44N 22 29 45890 So the men who had been on the point of putting him under torture immediately left him. And the Tribune, too, was frightened when he learnt that Paul was a Roman citizen, for he had had him bound. 44N 22 30 45900 The next day, wishing to know exactly what charge was being brought against him by the Jews, the Tribune ordered his chains to be removed; and, having sent word to the High Priests and all the Sanhedrin to assemble, he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. 44N 23 1 45910 Then Paul, fixing a steady gaze on the Sanhedrin, said, "Brethren, it is with a perfectly clear conscience that I have discharged my duties before God up to this day." 44N 23 2 45920 On hearing this the High Priest Ananias ordered those who were standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. 44N 23 3 45930 "Before long," exclaimed Paul, "God will strike you, you white-washed wall! Are you sitting there to judge me in accordance with the Law, and do you yourself actually break the Law by ordering me to be struck?" 44N 23 4 45940 "Do you rail at God's High Priest?" cried the men who stood by him. 44N 23 5 45950 "I did not know, brethren," replied Paul, "that he was the High Priest; for it is written, <`Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of Thy people.'"> 44N 23 6 45960 Noticing, however, that the Sanhedrin consisted partly of Sadducees and partly of Pharisees, he called out loudly among them, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees. It is because of my hope of a resurrection of the dead that I am on my trial." 44N 23 7 45970 These words of his caused an angry dispute between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly took different sides. 44N 23 8 45980 For the Sadducees maintain that there is no resurrection, and neither angel nor spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge the existence of both. 44N 23 9 45990 So there arose a great uproar; and some of the Scribes belonging to the sect of the Pharisees sprang to their feet and fiercely contended, saying, "We find no harm in the man. What if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel----!" 44N 23 10 46000 But when the struggle was becoming violent, the Tribune, fearing that Paul would be torn to pieces by the people, ordered the troops to go down and take him from among them by force and bring him into the barracks. 44N 23 11 46010 The following night the Lord came and stood at Paul's side, and said, "Be of good courage, for as you have borne faithful witness about me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." 44N 23 12 46020 Now, when daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and solemnly swore not to eat or drink till they had killed Paul. 44N 23 13 46030 There were more than forty of them who bound themselves by this oath. 44N 23 14 46040 They went to the High Priests and Elders and said to them, "We have bound ourselves under a heavy curse to take no food till we have killed Paul. 44N 23 15 46050 Now therefore you and the Sanhedrin should make representations to the Tribune for him to bring him down to you, under the impression that you intend to inquire more minutely about him; and we are prepared to assassinate him before he comes near the place." 44N 23 16 46060 But Paul's sister's son heard of the intended attack upon him. So he came and went into the barracks and told Paul about it; 44N 23 17 46070 and Paul called one of the Captains and said, "Take this young man to the Tribune, for he has information to give him." 44N 23 18 46080 So he took him and brought him to the Tribune, and said, "Paul, the prisoner, called me to him and begged me to bring this youth to you, because he has something to say to you." 44N 23 19 46090 Then the Tribune, taking him by the arm, withdrew out of the hearing of others and asked him, "What have you to tell me?" 44N 23 20 46100 "The Jews," he replied, "have agreed to request you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin to-morrow for the purpose of making yourself more accurately acquainted with the case. 44N 23 21 46110 I beg you not to comply; for more than forty men among them are lying in wait for him, who have solemnly vowed that they will neither eat nor drink till they have assassinated him; and even now they are ready, in anticipation of receiving that promise of you." 44N 23 22 46120 So the Tribune sent the youth home, cautioning him. "Do not let any one know that you have given me this information," he said. 44N 23 23 46130 Then, calling to him two of the Captains, he gave his orders. "Get ready two hundred men," he said, "to march to Caesarea, with seventy cavalry and two hundred light infantry, starting at nine o'clock to-night." 44N 23 24 46140 He further told them to provide horses to mount Paul on, so as to bring him safely to Felix the Governor. 44N 23 25 46150 He also wrote a letter of which these were the contents: 44N 23 26 46160 "Claudius Lysias to his Excellency, Felix the Governor: all good wishes. 44N 23 27 46170 This man Paul had been seized by the Jews, and they were on the point of killing him, when I came upon them with the troops and rescued him, for I had been informed that he was a Roman citizen. 44N 23 28 46180 And, wishing to know with certainty the offense of which they were accusing him, I brought him down into their Sanhedrin, 44N 23 29 46190 and I discovered that the charge had to do with questions of their Law, but that he was accused of nothing for which he deserves death or imprisonment. 44N 23 30 46200 But now that I have received information of an intended attack upon him, I immediately send him to you, directing his accusers also to state before you the case they have against him." 44N 23 31 46210 So, in obedience to their orders, the soldiers took Paul and brought him by night as far as Antipatris. 44N 23 32 46220 The next day the infantry returned to the barracks, leaving the cavalry to proceed with him; 44N 23 33 46230 and, the cavalry having reached Caesarea and delivered the letter to the Governor, they brought Paul also to him. 44N 23 34 46240 Felix, after reading the letter, inquired from what province he was; and being told "from Cilicia," 44N 23 35 46250 he said, "I will hear all you have to say, when your accusers also have come." And he ordered him to be detained in custody in Herod's Palace. 44N 24 1 46260 Five days after this, Ananias the High Priest came down to Caesarea with a number of Elders and a pleader called Tertullus. They stated to the Governor the case against Paul. 44N 24 2 46270 So Paul was sent for, and Tertullus began to impeach him as follows: "Indebted as we are," he said, "to you, most noble Felix, for the perfect peace which we enjoy, and for reforms which your wisdom has introduced to this nation, 44N 24 3 46280 in every instance and in every place we accept them with profound gratitude. 44N 24 4 46290 But--not to detain you too long--I beg you in your forbearance to listen to a brief statement from us. 44N 24 5 46300 For we have found this man Paul a source of mischief and a disturber of the peace among all the Jews throughout the Empire, and a ringleader in the heresy of the Nazarenes. 44N 24 6 46310 He even attempted to profane the Temple, but we arrested him. 44N 24 7 46320 [] 44N 24 8 46330 You, however, by examining him, will yourself be able to learn the truth as to all this which we allege against him." 44N 24 9 46340 The Jews also joined in the charge, maintaining that these were facts. 44N 24 10 46350 Then, at a sign from the Governor, Paul answered, "Knowing, Sir, that for many years you have administered justice to this nation, I cheerfully make my defence. 44N 24 11 46360 For you have it in your power to ascertain that it is not more than twelve days ago that I went up to worship in Jerusalem; 44N 24 12 46370 and that neither in the Temple nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city, did they find me disputing with any opponent or collecting a crowd about me. 44N 24 13 46380 Nor can they prove the charges which they are now bringing against me. 44N 24 14 46390 But this I confess to you--that in the way which they style a heresy, I worship the God of our forefathers, believing everything that is taught in the Law or is written in the Prophets, 44N 24 15 46400 and having a hope directed towards God, which my accusers themselves also entertain, that before long there will be a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous. 44N 24 16 46410 This too is my own earnest endeavour--always to have a clear conscience in relation to God and man. 44N 24 17 46420 "Now after an interval of several years I came to bring alms to my nation, and to offer sacrifices. 44N 24 18 46430 While I was busy about these, they found me in the Temple purified, with no crowd around me and no uproar; but there were certain Jews from the province of Asia. 44N 24 19 46440 They ought to have been here before you, and to have been my prosecutors, if they have any charge to bring against me. 44N 24 20 46450 Or let these men themselves say what misdemeanour they found me guilty of when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 44N 24 21 46460 unless it was in that one expression which I made use of when I shouted out as I stood among them, "`The resurrection of the dead is the thing about which I am on my trial before you to-day.'" 44N 24 22 46470 At this point Felix, who was fairly well informed about the new faith, adjourned the trial, saying to the Jews, "When the Tribune Lysias comes down, I will enter carefully into the matter." 44N 24 23 46480 And he gave orders to the Captain that Paul was to be kept in custody, but be treated with indulgence, and that his personal friends were not to be prevented from showing him kindness. 44N 24 24 46490 Not long after this, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, a Jewess, and sending for Paul, listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 44N 24 25 46500 But when he dealt with the subjects of justice, self-control, and the judgement which was soon to come, Felix became alarmed and said, "For the present leave me, and when I can find a convenient opportunity I will send for you." 44N 24 26 46510 At the same time he hoped that Paul would give him money; and for this reason he sent for him the oftener to converse with him. 44N 24 27 46520 But after the lapse of fully two years Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and being desirous of gratifying the Jews, Felix left Paul still in prison. 44N 25 1 46530 Festus, having entered on his duties as governor of the province, two days later went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 44N 25 2 46540 The High Priests and the leading men among the Jews immediately made representations to him against Paul, and begged him-- 44N 25 3 46550 asking it as a favour, to Paul's prejudice--to have him brought to Jerusalem. They were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. 44N 25 4 46560 Festus, however, replied that Paul was in custody in Caesarea, and that he was himself going there very soon. 44N 25 5 46570 "Therefore let those of you," he said, "who can come, go down with me, and impeach the man, if there is anything amiss in him." 44N 25 6 46580 After a stay of eight or ten days in Jerusalem--not more--he went down to Caesarea; and the next day, taking his seat on the tribunal, he ordered Paul to be brought in. 44N 25 7 46590 Upon Paul's arrival, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood round him, and brought many grave charges against him which they were unable to substantiate. 44N 25 8 46600 But, in reply, Paul said, "Neither against the Jewish Law, nor against the Temple, nor against Caesar, have I committed any offence whatever." 44N 25 9 46610 Then Festus, being anxious to gratify the Jews, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there stand your trial before me on these charges?" 44N 25 10 46620 "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal," replied Paul, "where alone I ought to be tried. The Jews have no real ground of complaint against me, as in fact you yourself are beginning to see more clearly. 44N 25 11 46630 If, however, I have done wrong and have committed any offence for which I deserve to die, I do not ask to be excused that penalty. But if there is no truth in what these men allege against me, no one has the right to give me up to them as a favour. I appeal to Caesar." 44N 25 12 46640 Then, after conferring with the Council, Festus replied, "To Caesar you have appealed: to Caesar you shall go." 44N 25 13 46650 A short time after this, Agrippa the king and Bernice came to Caesarea to pay a complimentary visit to Festus; 44N 25 14 46660 and, during their rather long stay, Festus laid Paul's case before the king. "There is a man here," he said, "whom Felix left a prisoner, 44N 25 15 46670 about whom, when I went to Jerusalem, the High Priests and the Elders of the Jews made representations to me, begging that sentence might be pronounced against him. 44N 25 16 46680 My reply was that it is not the custom among the Romans to give up any one for punishment before the accused has had his accusers face to face, and has had an opportunity of defending himself against the charge which has been brought against him. 44N 25 17 46690 "When, therefore, a number of them came here, the next day I took my seat on the tribunal, without any loss of time, and ordered the man to be brought in. 44N 25 18 46700 But, when his accusers stood up, they did not charge him with the misdemeanours of which I had been suspecting him. 44N 25 19 46710 But they quarrelled with him about certain matters connected with their own religion, and about one Jesus who had died, but--so Paul persistently maintained--is now alive. 44N 25 20 46720 I was at a loss how to investigate such questions, and asked Paul whether he would care to go to Jerusalem and there stand his trial on these matters. 44N 25 21 46730 But when Paul appealed to have his case kept for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him to be kept in prison until I could send him up to Caesar." 44N 25 22 46740 "I should like to hear the man myself," said Agrippa. "to-morrow," replied Festus, "you shall." Accordingly, the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came in state 44N 25 23 46750 and took their seats in the Judgement Hall, attended by the Tribunes and the men of high rank in the city; and, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 44N 25 24 46760 Then Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see here the man about whom the whole nation of the Jews made suit to me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer. 44N 25 25 46770 I could not discover that he had done anything for which he deserved to die; but as he has himself appealed to the Emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome. 44N 25 26 46780 I have nothing very definite, however, to tell our Sovereign about him. So I have brought the man before you all--and especially before you, King Agrippa--that after he has been examined I may find something which I can put into writing. 44N 25 27 46790 For, when sending a prisoner to Rome, it seems to me to be absurd not to state the charges against him." 44N 26 1 46800 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak about yourself." So Paul, with outstretched arm, proceeded to make his defence. 44N 26 2 46810 "As regards all the accusations brought against me by the Jews," he said, "I think myself fortunate, King Agrippa, in being about to defend myself to-day before you, 44N 26 3 46820 who are so familiar with all the customs and speculations that prevail among the Jews; and for this reason, I pray you, give me a patient hearing. 44N 26 4 46830 "The kind of life I have lived from my youth upwards, as exemplified in my early days among my nation and in Jerusalem, is known to all the Jews. 44N 26 5 46840 For they all know me of old--if they would but testify to the fact--how, being an adherent of the strictest sect of our religion, my life was that of a Pharisee. 44N 26 6 46850 And now I stand here impeached because of my hope in the fulfilment of the promise made by God to our forefathers-- 44N 26 7 46860 the promise which our twelve tribes, worshipping day and night with intense devotedness, hope to have made good to them. It is on the subject of this hope, Sir, that I am accused by the Jews. 44N 26 8 46870 Why is it deemed with all of you a thing past belief if God raises the dead to life? 44N 26 9 46880 "I myself, however, thought it a duty to do many things in hostility to the name of Jesus, the Nazarene. 44N 26 10 46890 And that was how I acted in Jerusalem. Armed with authority received from the High Priests I shut up many of God's people in various prisons, and when they were about to be put to death I gave my vote against them. 44N 26 11 46900 In all the synagogues also I punished them many a time, and tried to make them blaspheme; and in my wild fury I chased them even to foreign towns. 44N 26 12 46910 "While thus engaged, I was travelling one day to Damascus armed with authority and a commission from the High Priests, 44N 26 13 46920 and on the journey, at noon, Sir, I saw a light from Heaven--brighter than the brightness of the sun--shining around me and around those who were travelling with me. 44N 26 14 46930 We all fell to the ground; and I heard a voice which said to me in Hebrew, "`Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? You are finding it painful to kick against the ox-goad.' 44N 26 15 46940 "`Who art Thou, Lord?' I asked. "`I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 44N 26 16 46950 `But rise, and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for the very purpose of appointing you My servant and My witness both as to the things you have already seen and as to those in which I will appear to you. 44N 26 17 46960 I will save you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you to open their eyes, 44N 26 18 46970 that they may turn from darkness to light and from the obedience to Satan to God, in order to receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified through faith in Me.' 44N 26 19 46980 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision; 44N 26 20 46990 but I proceeded to preach first to the people in Damascus, and then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judaea, and to the Gentiles, that they must repent and turn to God, and live lives consistent with such repentance. 44N 26 21 47000 "It was on this account that the Jews seized me in the Temple and tried to kill me. 44N 26 22 47010 Having, however, obtained the help which is from God, I have stood firm until now, and have solemnly exhorted rich and poor alike, saying nothing except what the Prophets and Moses predicted as soon to happen, 44N 26 23 47020 since the Christ was to be a suffering Christ, and by coming back from the dead was then to be the first to proclaim a message of light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles." 44N 26 24 47030 As Paul thus made his defence, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, "You are raving mad, Paul; and great learning is driving you mad." 44N 26 25 47040 "I am not mad, most noble Festus," replied Paul; "I am speaking words of sober truth. 44N 26 26 47050 For the King, to whom I speak freely, knows about these matters. I am not to be persuaded that any detail of them has escaped his notice; for these things have not been done in a corner. 44N 26 27 47060 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you believe them." 44N 26 28 47070 Agrippa answered, "In brief, you are doing your best to persuade me to become a Christian." 44N 26 29 47080 "My prayer to God, whether briefly or at length," replied Paul, "would be that not only you but all who are my hearers to-day, might become such as I am--except these chains." 44N 26 30 47090 So the King rose, and the Governor, and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them; 44N 26 31 47100 and, having withdrawn, they talked to one another and said, "This man is doing nothing for which he deserves death or imprisonment." 44N 26 32 47110 And Agrippa said to Festus, "He might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar." 44N 27 1 47120 Now when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they handed over Paul and a few other prisoners into the custody of Julius, a Captain of the Augustan battalion; 44N 27 2 47130 and going on board a ship of Adramyttium which was about to sail to the ports of the province of Asia, we put to sea; Aristarchus, the Macedonian, from Thessalonica, forming one of our party. 44N 27 3 47140 The next day we put in at Sidon. There Julius treated Paul with thoughtful kindness and allowed him to visit his friends and profit by their generous care. 44N 27 4 47150 Putting to sea again, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us; 44N 27 5 47160 and, sailing the whole length of the sea that lies off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we reached Myra in Lycia. 44N 27 6 47170 There Julius found an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy, and put us on board of her. 44N 27 7 47180 It took several days of slow sailing for us to come with difficulty off Cnidus; from which point, as the wind did not allow us to get on in the direct course, we ran under the lee of Crete by Salmone. 44N 27 8 47190 Then, coasting along with difficulty, we reached a place called `Fair Havens,' near the town of Lasea. 44N 27 9 47200 Our voyage thus far had occupied a considerable time, and the navigation being now unsafe and the Fast also already over, Paul warned them. 44N 27 10 47210 "Sirs," he said, "I perceive that before long the voyage will be attended with danger and heavy loss, not only to the cargo and the ship but to our own lives also." 44N 27 11 47220 But Julius let himself be persuaded by the pilot and by the owner rather than by Paul's arguments; 44N 27 12 47230 and as the harbour was inconvenient for wintering in, the majority were in favour of putting out to sea, to try whether they could get to Phoenix--a harbour on the coast of Crete facing north-east and south-east--to winter there. 44N 27 13 47240 And a light breeze from the south sprang up, so that they supposed they were now sure of their purpose. So weighing anchor they ran along the coast of Crete, hugging the shore. 44N 27 14 47250 But it was not long before a furious north-east wind, coming down from the mountains, burst upon us and carried the ship out of her course. 44N 27 15 47260 She was unable to make headway against the gale; so we gave up and let her drive. 44N 27 16 47270 Then we ran under the lee of a little island called Cauda, where we managed with great difficulty to secure the boat; 44N 27 17 47280 and, after hoisting it on board, they used frapping-cables to undergird the ship, and, as they were afraid of being driven on the Syrtis quicksands, they lowered the gear and lay to. 44N 27 18 47290 But, as the storm was still violent, the next day they began to lighten the ship; 44N 27 19 47300 and, on the third day, with their own hands they threw the ship's spare gear overboard. 44N 27 20 47310 Then, when for several days neither sun nor stars were seen and the terrific gale still harassed us, the last ray of hope was now vanishing. 44N 27 21 47320 When for a long time they had taken but little food, Paul, standing up among them, said, "Sirs, you ought to have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete. You would then have escaped this suffering and loss. 44N 27 22 47330 But now take courage, for there will be no destruction of life among you, but of the ship only. 44N 27 23 47340 For there stood by my side, last night, an angel of the God to whom I belong, and whom also I worship, 44N 27 24 47350 and he said, "`Dismiss all fear, Paul, for you must stand before Caesar; and God has granted you the lives of all who are sailing with you.' 44N 27 25 47360 "Therefore, Sirs, take courage; for I believe God, and am convinced that things will happen exactly as I have been told. 44N 27 26 47370 But we are to be stranded on a certain island." 44N 27 27 47380 It was now the fourteenth night, and we were drifting through the Sea of Adria, when, about midnight, the sailors suspected that land was close at hand. 44N 27 28 47390 So they hove the lead and found twenty fathoms of water; and after a short time they hove again and found fifteen fathoms. 44N 27 29 47400 Then for fear of possibly running on rocks, they threw out four anchors from the stern and waited impatiently for daylight. 44N 27 30 47410 The sailors, however, wanted to make their escape from the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they were going to lay out anchors from the bow. 44N 27 31 47420 But Paul, addressing Julius and the soldiers, said, "Your lives will be sacrificed, unless these men remain on board." 44N 27 32 47430 Then the soldiers cut the ropes of the ship's boat and let her fall off. 44N 27 33 47440 And continually, up till daybreak, Paul kept urging all on board to take some food. "This is the fourteenth day," he said, "that you have been anxiously waiting for the storm to cease, and have fasted, eating little or nothing. 44N 27 34 47450 I therefore strongly advise you to take some food. This is essential for your safety. For not a hair will perish from the head of any one of you." 44N 27 35 47460 Having said this he took some bread, and, after giving thanks to God for it before them all, he broke it in pieces and began to eat it. 44N 27 36 47470 This raised the spirits of all, and they too took food. 44N 27 37 47480 There were 276 of us, crew and passengers, all told. 44N 27 38 47490 After eating a hearty meal they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat overboard. 44N 27 39 47500 When daylight came, they tried in vain to recognise the coast. But an inlet with a sandy beach attracted their attention, and now their object was, if possible, to run the ship aground in this inlet. 44N 27 40 47510 So they cut away the anchors and left them in the sea, unloosing at the same time the bands which secured the paddle-rudders. Then, hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. 44N 27 41 47520 But coming to a place where two seas met, they stranded the ship, and her bow sticking fast remained immovable, while the stern began to go to pieces under the heavy hammering of the sea. 44N 27 42 47530 Now the soldiers recommended that the prisoners should be killed, for fear some one of them might swim ashore and effect his escape. 44N 27 43 47540 But their Captain, bent on securing Paul's safety, kept them from their purpose and gave orders that those who could swim should first jump overboard and get to land; 44N 27 44 47550 and that the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. In this way they all got safely to land. 44N 28 1 47560 Our lives having been thus preserved, we discovered that the island was called Malta. 44N 28 2 47570 The strange-speaking natives showed us remarkable kindness, for they lighted a fire and made us all welcome because of the pelting rain and the cold. 44N 28 3 47580 Now, when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and had thrown them on the fire, a viper, driven by the heat, came out and fastened itself on his hand. 44N 28 4 47590 When the natives saw the creature hanging to his hand, they said to one another, "Beyond doubt this man is a murderer, for, though saved from the sea, unerring Justice does not permit him to live." 44N 28 5 47600 He, however, shook the reptile off into the fire and was unhurt. 44N 28 6 47610 They expected him soon to swell with inflammation or suddenly fall down dead; but, after waiting a long time and seeing no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. 44N 28 7 47620 Now in the same part of the island there were estates belonging to the Governor, whose name was Publius. He welcomed us to his house, and for three days generously made us his guests. 44N 28 8 47630 It happened, however, that his father was lying ill of dysentery aggravated by attacks of fever; so Paul went to see him, and, after praying, laid his hands on him and cured him. 44N 28 9 47640 After this, all the other sick people in the island came and were cured. 44N 28 10 47650 They also loaded us with honours, and when at last we sailed they put supplies on board for us. 44N 28 11 47660 Three months passed before we set sail in an Alexandrian vessel, called the `Twin Brothers,' which had wintered at the island. 44N 28 12 47670 At Syracuse we put in and stayed for two days. 44N 28 13 47680 From there we came round and reached Rhegium; and a day later, a south wind sprang up which brought us by the evening of the next day to Puteoli. 44N 28 14 47690 Here we found brethren, who invited us to remain with them for a week; and so we reached Rome. 44N 28 15 47700 Meanwhile the brethren there, hearing of our movements, came as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Huts to meet us; and when Paul saw them he thanked God and felt encouraged. 44N 28 16 47710 Upon our arrival in Rome, Paul received permission to live by himself, guarded by a soldier. 44N 28 17 47720 After one complete day he invited the leading men among the Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to them, "As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing prejudicial to our people or contrary to the customs of our forefathers, I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the power of the Romans. 44N 28 18 47730 They, after they had sharply questioned me, were willing to set me at liberty, because they found no offence in me for which I deserve to die. 44N 28 19 47740 But, at last, the opposition of the Jews compelled me to appeal to Caesar; not however that I had any charge to bring against my nation. 44N 28 20 47750 For these reasons, then, I have invited you here, that I might see you and speak to you; for it is for the sake of Him who is the hope of Israel that this chain hangs upon me." 44N 28 21 47760 "For our part," they replied, "we have not received any letters from Judaea about you, nor have any of our countrymen come here and reported or stated anything to your disadvantage. 44N 28 22 47770 But we should be glad to hear from you what it is that you believe; for as for this sect all we know is that it is everywhere spoken against." 44N 28 23 47780 So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable numbers at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. And then, with solemn earnestness, he explained to them the subject of the Kingdom of God, endeavouring from morning till evening to convince them about Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 44N 28 24 47790 Some were convinced; others refused to believe. 44N 28 25 47800 Unable to agree among themselves, they at last left him, but not before Paul had spoken a parting word to them, saying, "Right well did the Holy Spirit say to your forefathers through the Prophet Isaiah: 44N 28 26 47810 <"`Go to this people and tell them, you will hear and hear, and by no means understand; and will look and look, and by no means see. 44N 28 27 47820 For this people's mind has grown callous, their hearing has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears, or understanding with their minds, and turning back, so that I might cure them.'> 44N 28 28 47830 "Be fully assured, therefore, that this salvation--God's salvation--has now been sent to the Gentiles, and that they, at any rate, will give heed." 44N 28 29 47840 [] 44N 28 30 47850 After this Paul lived for fully two years in a hired house of his own, receiving all who came to see him. 44N 28 31 47860 He announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, and taught concerning the Lord Jesus Christ without let or hindrance. 45N 1 1 47870 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, set apart to proclaim God's Good News, 45N 1 2 47880 which God had already promised through His Prophets in Holy Writ, concerning His Son, 45N 1 3 47890 who, as regards His human descent, belonged to the posterity of David, 45N 1 4 47900 but as regards the holiness of His Spirit was decisively proved by His Resurrection to be the Son of God--I mean concerning Jesus Christ our Lord, 45N 1 5 47910 through whom we have received grace and Apostleship in His service in order to win men to obedience to the faith, among all Gentile peoples, 45N 1 6 47920 among whom you also, called, as you have been, to belong to Jesus Christ, are numbered: 45N 1 7 47930 To all God's loved ones who are in Rome, called to be saints. May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 45N 1 8 47940 First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for what He has done for all of you; for the report of your faith is spreading through the whole world. 45N 1 9 47950 I call God to witness--to whom I render priestly and spiritual service by telling the Good News about His Son-- how unceasingly I make mention of you in His presence, 45N 1 10 47960 always in my prayers entreating that now, at length, if such be His will, the way may by some means be made clear for me to come to you. 45N 1 11 47970 For I am longing to see you, in order to convey to you some spiritual help, so that you may be strengthened; 45N 1 12 47980 in other words that while I am among you we may be mutually encouraged by one another's faith, yours and mine. 45N 1 13 47990 And I desire you to know, brethren, that I have many a time intended to come to you--though until now I have been disappointed--in order that among you also I might gather some fruit from my labours, as I have already done among the rest of the Gentile nations. 45N 1 14 48000 I am already under obligations alike to Greek-speaking races and to others, to cultured and to uncultured people: 45N 1 15 48010 so that for my part I am willing and eager to proclaim the Good News to you also who are in Rome. 45N 1 16 48020 For I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is God's power which is at work for the salvation of every one who believes--the Jew first, and then the Gentile. 45N 1 17 48030 For in the Good News a righteousness which comes from God is being revealed, depending on faith and tending to produce faith; as the Scripture has it, <"The righteous man shall live by faith."> 45N 1 18 48040 For God's anger is being revealed from Heaven against all impiety and against the iniquity of men who through iniquity suppress the truth. God is angry: 45N 1 19 48050 because what may be known about Him is plain to their inmost consciousness; for He Himself has made it plain to them. 45N 1 20 48060 For, from the very creation of the world, His invisible perfections--namely His eternal power and divine nature--have been rendered intelligible and clearly visible by His works, so that these men are without excuse. 45N 1 21 48070 For when they had come to know God, they did not give Him glory as God nor render Him thanks, but they became absorbed in useless discussions, and their senseless minds were darkened. 45N 1 22 48080 While boasting of their wisdom they became utter fools, 45N 1 23 48090 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images resembling perishable man or resembling birds or beasts or reptiles. 45N 1 24 48100 For this reason, in accordance with their own depraved cravings, God gave them up to uncleanness, allowing them to dishonour their bodies among themselves with impurity. 45N 1 25 48110 For they had bartered the reality of God for what is unreal, and had offered divine honours and religious service to created things, rather than to the Creator--He who is for ever blessed. Amen. 45N 1 26 48120 This then is the reason why God gave them up to vile passions. For not only did the women among them exchange the natural use of their bodies for one which is contrary to nature, but the men also, 45N 1 27 48130 in just the same way--neglecting that for which nature intends women--burned with passion towards one another, men practising shameful vice with men, and receiving in their own selves the reward which necessarily followed their misconduct. 45N 1 28 48140 And just as they had refused to continue to have a full knowledge of God, so it was to utterly worthless minds that God gave them up, for them to do things which should not be done. 45N 1 29 48150 Their hearts overflowed with all sorts of dishonesty, mischief, greed, malice. They were full of envy and murder, and were quarrelsome, crafty, and spiteful. 45N 1 30 48160 They were secret backbiters, open slanderers; hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful; inventors of new forms of sin, disobedient to parents, destitute of common sense, 45N 1 31 48170 faithless to their promises, without natural affection, without human pity. 45N 1 32 48180 In short, though knowing full well the sentence which God pronounces against actions such as theirs, as things which deserve death, they not only practise them, but even encourage and applaud others who do them. 45N 2 1 48190 You are therefore without excuse, O man, whoever you are who sit in judgement upon others. For when you pass judgement on your fellow man, you condemn yourself; for you who sit in judgement upon others are guilty of the same misdeeds; 45N 2 2 48200 and we know that God's judgement against those who commit such sins is in accordance with the truth. 45N 2 3 48210 And you who pronounce judgement upon those who do such things although your own conduct is the same as theirs--do you imagine that you yourself will escape unpunished when God judges? 45N 2 4 48220 Or is it that you think slightingly of His infinite goodness, forbearance and patience, unaware that the goodness of God is gently drawing you to repentance? 45N 2 5 48230 The fact is that in the stubbornness of your impenitent heart you are treasuring up against yourself anger on the day of Anger--the day when the righteousness of God's judgements will stand revealed. 45N 2 6 48240 <To each man He will make an award corresponding to his actions;> 45N 2 7 48250 to those on the one hand who, by lives of persistent right-doing, are striving for glory, honour and immortality, the Life of the Ages; 45N 2 8 48260 while on the other hand upon the self-willed who disobey the truth and obey unrighteousness will fall anger and fury, affliction and awful distress, 45N 2 9 48270 coming upon the soul of every man and woman who deliberately does wrong--upon the Jew first, and then upon the Gentile; 45N 2 10 48280 whereas glory, honour and peace will be given to every one who does what is good and right--to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. 45N 2 11 48290 For God pays no attention to this world's distinctions. 45N 2 12 48300 For all who have sinned apart from the Law will also perish apart from the Law, and all who have sinned whilst living under the Law, will be judged by the Law. 45N 2 13 48310 It is not those that merely hear the Law read who are righteous in the sight of God, but it is those that obey the Law who will be pronounced righteous. 45N 2 14 48320 For when Gentiles who have no Law obey by natural instinct the commands of the Law, they, without having a Law, are a Law to themselves; 45N 2 15 48330 since they exhibit proof that a knowledge of the conduct which the Law requires is engraven on their hearts, while their consciences also bear witness to the Law, and their thoughts, as if in mutual discussion, accuse them or perhaps maintain their innocence-- 45N 2 16 48340 on the day when God will judge the secrets of men's lives by Jesus Christ, as declared in the Good News as I have taught it. 45N 2 17 48350 And since you claim the name of Jew, and find rest and satisfaction in the Law, and make your boast in God, 45N 2 18 48360 and know the supreme will, and can test things that differ--being a man who receives instruction from the Law-- 45N 2 19 48370 and have persuaded yourself that, as for you, you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 45N 2 20 48380 a schoolmaster for the dull and ignorant, a teacher of the young, because in the Law you possess an outline of real knowledge and an outline of the truth: 45N 2 21 48390 you then who teach your fellow man, do you refuse to teach yourself? You who cry out against stealing, are you yourself a thief? 45N 2 22 48400 You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who loathe idols, do you plunder their temples? 45N 2 23 48410 You who make your boast in the Law, do you offend against its commands and so dishonour God? 45N 2 24 48420 <For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentile nations because of you,> as Holy Writ declares. 45N 2 25 48430 Circumcision does indeed profit, if you obey the Law; but if you are a Law-breaker, the fact that you have been circumcised counts for nothing. 45N 2 26 48440 In the same way if an uncircumcised man pays attention to the just requirements of the Law, shall not his lack of circumcision be overlooked, and, 45N 2 27 48450 although he is a Gentile by birth, if he scrupulously obeys the Law, shall he not sit in judgement upon you who, possessing, as you do, a written Law and circumcision, are yet a Law-breaker? 45N 2 28 48460 For the true Jew is not the man who is simply a Jew outwardly, and true circumcision is not that which is outward and bodily. 45N 2 29 48470 But the true Jew is one inwardly, and true circumcision is heart-circumcision--not literal, but spiritual; and such people receive praise not from men, but from God. 45N 3 1 48480 What special privilege, then, has a Jew? Or what benefit is to be derived from circumcision? 45N 3 2 48490 The privilege is great from every point of view. First of all, because the Jews were entrusted with God's truth. 45N 3 3 48500 For what if some Jews have proved unfaithful? Shall their faithlessness render God's faithfulness worthless? 45N 3 4 48510 No, indeed; let us hold God to be true, though every man should prove to be false. As it stands written, <"That Thou mayest be shown to be just in the sentence Thou pronouncest, and gain Thy cause when Thou contendest."> 45N 3 5 48520 But if our unrighteousness sets God's righteousness in a clearer light, what shall we say? (Is God unrighteous--I speak in our everyday language-- when He inflicts punishment? 45N 3 6 48530 No indeed; for in that case how shall He judge all mankind?) 45N 3 7 48540 If, for instance, a falsehood of mine has made God's truthfulness more conspicuous, redounding to His glory, why am I judged all the same as a sinner? 45N 3 8 48550 And why should we not say--for so they wickedly misrepresent us, and so some charge us with arguing--"Let us do evil that good may come"? The condemnation of those who would so argue is just. 45N 3 9 48560 What then? Are we Jews more highly estimated than they? Not in the least; for we have already charged all Jews and Gentiles alike with being in thraldom to sin. 45N 3 10 48570 Thus it stands written, <"There is not one righteous man. 45N 3 11 48580 There is not one who is really wise, nor one who is a diligent seeker after God. 45N 3 12 48590 All have turned aside from the right path; they have every one of them become corrupt. There is no one who does what is right--no, not so much as one." 45N 3 13 48600 "Their throats resemble an opened grave; with their tongues they have been talking deceitfully." "The venom of vipers lies hidden behind their lips." 45N 3 14 48610 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." 45N 3 15 48620 "Their feet move swiftly to shed blood. 45N 3 16 48630 Ruin and misery mark their path; 45N 3 17 48640 and the way to peace they have not known." 45N 3 18 48650 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."> 45N 3 19 48660 But it cannot be denied that all that the Law says is addressed to those who are living under the Law, in order that every mouth may be stopped, and that the whole world may await sentence from God. 45N 3 20 48670 For on the ground of obedience to Law no man living will be declared righteous before Him. Law simply brings a sure knowledge of sin. 45N 3 21 48680 But now a righteousness coming from God has been brought to light apart from any Law, both Law and Prophets bearing witness to it-- 45N 3 22 48690 a righteousness coming from God, which depends on faith in Jesus Christ and extends to all who believe. No distinction is made; 45N 3 23 48700 for all alike have sinned, and all consciously come short of the glory of God, 45N 3 24 48710 gaining acquittal from guilt by His free unpurchased grace through the deliverance which is found in Christ Jesus. 45N 3 25 48720 He it is whom God put forward as a Mercy-seat, rendered efficacious through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness-- because of the passing over, in God's forbearance, of the sins previously committed-- 45N 3 26 48730 with a view to demonstrating, at the present time, His righteousness, that He may be shown to be righteous Himself, and the giver of righteousness to those who believe in Jesus. 45N 3 27 48740 Where then is there room for your boasting? It is for ever shut out. On what principle? On the ground of merit? No, but on the ground of faith. 45N 3 28 48750 For we maintain that it is as the result of faith that a man is held to be righteous, apart from actions done in obedience to Law. 45N 3 29 48760 Is God simply the God of the Jews, and not of the Gentiles also? He is certainly the God of the Gentiles also, 45N 3 30 48770 unless you can deny that it is one and the same God who will pronounce the circumcised to be acquitted on the ground of faith, and the uncircumcised to be acquitted through the same faith. 45N 3 31 48780 Do we then by means of this faith abolish the Law? No, indeed; we give the Law a firmer footing. 45N 4 1 48790 What then shall we say that Abraham, our earthly forefather, has gained? 45N 4 2 48800 For if he was held to be righteous on the ground of his actions, he has something to boast of; but not in the presence of God. 45N 4 3 48810 For what says the Scripture? <"And Abraham believed God, and this was placed to his credit as righteousness."> 45N 4 4 48820 But in the case of a man who works, pay is not reckoned a favour but a debt; 45N 4 5 48830 whereas in the case of a man who pleads no actions of his own, but simply believes in Him who declares the ungodly free from guilt, his faith is placed to his credit as righteousness. 45N 4 6 48840 In this way David also tells of the blessedness of the man to whose credit God places righteousness, apart from his actions. 45N 4 7 48850 <"Blessed,"> he says, <"are those whose iniquities have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered over. 45N 4 8 48860 Blessed is the man of whose sin the Lord will not take account."> 45N 4 9 48870 This declaration of blessedness, then, does it come simply to the circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well? For <Abraham's faith>--so we affirm--<was placed to his credit as righteousness.> 45N 4 10 48880 What then were the circumstances under which this took place? Was it after he had been circumcised, or before? 45N 4 11 48890 Before, not after. And he received circumcision as a sign, a mark attesting the reality of the faith-righteousness which was his while still uncircumcised, that he might be the forefather of all those who believe even though they are uncircumcised--in order that this righteousness might be placed to their credit; 45N 4 12 48900 and the forefather of the circumcised, namely of those who not merely are circumcised, but also walk in the steps of the faith which our forefather Abraham had while he was as yet uncircumcised. 45N 4 13 48910 Again, the promise that he should inherit the world did not come to Abraham or his posterity conditioned by Law, but by faith-righteousness. 45N 4 14 48920 For if it is the righteous through Law who are heirs, then faith is useless and the promise counts for nothing. 45N 4 15 48930 For the Law inflicts punishment; but where no Law exists, there can be no violation of Law. 45N 4 16 48940 All depends on faith, and for this reason--that acceptance with God might be an act of pure grace, 45N 4 17 48950 so that the promise should be made sure to all Abraham's true descendants; not merely to those who are righteous through the Law, but to those who are righteous through a faith like that of Abraham. Thus in the sight of God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and makes reference to things that do not exist, as though they did, Abraham is the forefather of all of us. As it is written, <"I have appointed you to be the forefather of many nations."> 45N 4 18 48960 Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words <"Equally numerous shall your posterity be."> 45N 4 19 48970 And, without growing weak in faith, he could contemplate his own vital powers which had now decayed--for he was nearly 100 years old--and Sarah's barrenness. 45N 4 20 48980 Nor did he in unbelief stagger at God's promise, but became mighty in faith, giving glory to God, 45N 4 21 48990 and being absolutely certain that whatever promise He is bound by He is able also to make good. 45N 4 22 49000 For this reason also his faith <was placed to his credit as righteousness.> 45N 4 23 49010 Nor was the fact of its being placed to his credit put on record for his sake only; 45N 4 24 49020 it was for our sakes too. Faith, before long, will be placed to the credit of us also who are believers in Him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead, 45N 4 25 49030 who was surrendered to death because of the offences we had committed, and was raised to life because of the acquittal secured for us. 45N 5 1 49040 Standing then acquitted as the result of faith, let us enjoy peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 45N 5 2 49050 through whom also, as the result of faith, we have obtained an introduction into that state of favour with God in which we stand, and we exult in hope of some day sharing in God's glory. 45N 5 3 49060 And not only so: we also exult in our sufferings, knowing as we do, that suffering produces fortitude; 45N 5 4 49070 fortitude, ripeness of character; and ripeness of character, hope; 45N 5 5 49080 and that this hope never disappoints, because God's love for us floods our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 45N 5 6 49090 For already, while we were still helpless, Christ at the right moment died for the ungodly. 45N 5 7 49100 Why, it is scarcely conceivable that any one would die for a simply just man, although for a good and lovable man perhaps some one, here and there, will have the courage even to lay down his life. 45N 5 8 49110 But God gives proof of His love to us in Christ's dying for us while we were still sinners. 45N 5 9 49120 If therefore we have now been pronounced free from guilt through His blood, much more shall we be delivered from God's anger through Him. 45N 5 10 49130 For if while we were hostile to God we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, it is still more certain that now that we are reconciled, we shall obtain salvation through Christ's life. 45N 5 11 49140 And not only so, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now obtained that reconciliation. 45N 5 12 49150 What follows? This comparison. Through one man sin entered into the world, and through sin death, and so death passed to all mankind in turn, in that all sinned. 45N 5 13 49160 For prior to the Law sin was already in the world; only it is not entered in the account against us when no Law exists. 45N 5 14 49170 Yet Death reigned as king from Adam to Moses even over those who had not sinned, as Adam did, against Law. And in Adam we have a type of Him whose coming was still future. 45N 5 15 49180 But God's free gift immeasurably outweighs the transgression. For if through the transgression of the one individual the mass of mankind have died, infinitely greater is the generosity with which God's grace, and the gift given in His grace which found expression in the one man Jesus Christ, have been bestowed on the mass of mankind. 45N 5 16 49190 And it is not with the gift as it was with the results of one individual's sin; for the judgement which one individual provoked resulted in condemnation, whereas the free gift after a multitude of transgressions results in acquittal. 45N 5 17 49200 For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. 45N 5 18 49210 It follows then that just as the result of a single transgression is a condemnation which extends to the whole race, so also the result of a single decree of righteousness is a life-giving acquittal which extends to the whole race. 45N 5 19 49220 For as through the disobedience of the one individual the mass of mankind were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the mass of mankind will be constituted righteous. 45N 5 20 49230 Now Law was brought in later on, so that transgression might increase. But where sin increased, grace has overflowed; 45N 5 21 49240 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death, so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which results in the Life of the Ages through Jesus Christ our Lord. 45N 6 1 49250 To what conclusion, then, shall we come? Are we to persist in sinning in order that the grace extended to us may be the greater? 45N 6 2 49260 No, indeed; how shall we who have died to sin, live in it any longer? 45N 6 3 49270 And do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 45N 6 4 49280 Well, then, we by our baptism were buried with Him in death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from among the dead by the Father's glorious power, we also should live an entirely new life. 45N 6 5 49290 For since we have become one with Him by sharing in His death, we shall also be one with Him by sharing in His resurrection. 45N 6 6 49300 This we know--that our old self was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our sinful nature might be deprived of its power, so that we should no longer be the slaves of sin; 45N 6 7 49310 for he who has paid the penalty of death stands absolved from his sin. 45N 6 8 49320 But, seeing that we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him; 45N 6 9 49330 because we know that Christ, having come back to life, is no longer liable to die. 45N 6 10 49340 Death has no longer any power over Him. For by the death which He died He became, once for all, dead in relation to sin; but by the life which He now lives He is alive in relation to God. 45N 6 11 49350 In the same way you also must regard yourselves as dead in relation to sin, but as alive in relation to God, because you are in Christ Jesus. 45N 6 12 49360 Let not Sin therefore reign as king in your mortal bodies, causing you to be in subjection to their cravings; 45N 6 13 49370 and no longer lend your faculties as unrighteous weapons for Sin to use. On the contrary surrender your very selves to God as living men who have risen from the dead, and surrender your several faculties to God, to be used as weapons to maintain the right. 45N 6 14 49380 For Sin shall not be lord over you, since you are subjects not of Law, but of grace. 45N 6 15 49390 Are we therefore to sin because we are no longer under the authority of Law, but under grace? No, indeed! 45N 6 16 49400 Do you not know that if you surrender yourselves as bondservants to obey any one, you become the bondservants of him whom you obey, whether the bondservants of Sin (with death as the result) or of Duty (resulting in righteousness)? 45N 6 17 49410 But thanks be to God that though you were once in thraldom to Sin, you have now yielded a hearty obedience to that system of truth in which you have been instructed. 45N 6 18 49420 You were set free from the tyranny of Sin, and became the bondservants of Righteousness-- 45N 6 19 49430 your human infirmity leads me to employ these familiar figures--and just as you once surrendered your faculties into bondage to Impurity and ever-increasing disregard of Law, so you must now surrender them into bondage to Righteousness ever advancing towards perfect holiness. 45N 6 20 49440 For when you were the bondservants of sin, you were under no sort of subjection to Righteousness. 45N 6 21 49450 At that time, then, what benefit did you get from conduct which you now regard with shame? Why, such things finally result in death. 45N 6 22 49460 But now that you have been set free from the tyranny of Sin, and have become the bondservants of God, you have your reward in being made holy, and you have the Life of the Ages as the final result. 45N 6 23 49470 For the wages paid by Sin are death; but God's free gift is the Life of the Ages bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus our Lord. 45N 7 1 49480 Brethren, do you not know--for I am writing to people acquainted with the Law--that it is during our lifetime that we are subject to the Law? 45N 7 2 49490 A wife, for instance, whose husband is living is bound to him by the Law; but if her husband dies the law that bound her to him has now no hold over her. 45N 7 3 49500 This accounts for the fact that if during her husband's life she lives with another man, she will be stigmatized as an adulteress; but that if her husband is dead she is no longer under the old prohibition, and even though she marries again, she is not an adulteress. 45N 7 4 49510 So, my brethren, to you also the Law died through the incarnation of Christ, that you might be wedded to Another, namely to Him who rose from the dead in order that we might yield fruit to God. 45N 7 5 49520 For whilst we were under the thraldom of our earthly natures, sinful passions-- made sinful by the Law--were always being aroused to action in our bodily faculties that they might yield fruit to death. 45N 7 6 49530 But seeing that we have died to that which once held us in bondage, the Law has now no hold over us, so that we render a service which, instead of being old and formal, is new and spiritual. 45N 7 7 49540 What follows? Is the Law itself a sinful thing? No, indeed; on the contrary, unless I had been taught by the Law, I should have known nothing of sin as sin. For instance, I should not have known what covetousness is, if the Law had not repeatedly said, <"Thou shalt not covet."> 45N 7 8 49550 Sin took advantage of this, and by means of the Commandment stirred up within me every kind of coveting; for apart from Law sin would be dead. 45N 7 9 49560 Once, apart from Law, I was alive, but when the Commandment came, sin sprang into life, and I died; 45N 7 10 49570 and, as it turned out, the very Commandment which was to bring me life, brought me death. 45N 7 11 49580 For sin seized the advantage, and by means of the Commandment it completely deceived me, and also put me to death. 45N 7 12 49590 So that the Law itself is holy, and the Commandment is holy, just and good. 45N 7 13 49600 Did then a thing which is good become death to me? No, indeed, but sin did; so that through its bringing about death by means of what was good, it might be seen in its true light as sin, in order that by means of the Commandment the unspeakable sinfulness of sin might be plainly shown. 45N 7 14 49610 For we know that the Law is a spiritual thing; but I am unspiritual--the slave, bought and sold, of sin. 45N 7 15 49620 For what I do, I do not recognize as my own action. What I desire to do is not what I do, but what I am averse to is what I do. 45N 7 16 49630 But if I do that which I do not desire to do, I admit the excellence of the Law, 45N 7 17 49640 and now it is no longer I that do these things, but the sin which has its home within me does them. 45N 7 18 49650 For I know that in me, that is, in my lower self, nothing good has its home; for while the will to do right is present with me, the power to carry it out is not. 45N 7 19 49660 For what I do is not the good thing that I desire to do; but the evil thing that I desire not to do, is what I constantly do. 45N 7 20 49670 But if I do that which I desire not to do, it can no longer be said that it is I who do it, but the sin which has its home within me does it. 45N 7 21 49680 I find therefore the law of my nature to be that when I desire to do what is right, evil is lying in ambush for me. 45N 7 22 49690 For in my inmost self all my sympathy is with the Law of God; 45N 7 23 49700 but I discover within me a different Law at war with the Law of my understanding, and leading me captive to the Law which is everywhere at work in my body--the Law of sin. 45N 7 24 49710 (Unhappy man that I am! who will rescue me from this death-burdened body? 45N 7 25 49720 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!) To sum up then, with my understanding, I--my true self--am in servitude to the Law of God, but with my lower nature I am in servitude to the Law of sin. 45N 8 1 49730 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus; 45N 8 2 49740 for the Spirit's Law-- telling of Life in Christ Jesus--has set me free from the Law that deals only with sin and death. 45N 8 3 49750 For what was impossible to the Law--powerless as it was because it acted through frail humanity--God effected. Sending His own Son in a body like that of sinful human nature and as a sacrifice for sin, He pronounced sentence upon sin in human nature; 45N 8 4 49760 in order that in our case the requirements of the Law might be fully met. For our lives are regulated not by our earthly, but by our spiritual natures. 45N 8 5 49770 For if men are controlled by their earthly natures, they give their minds to earthly things. If they are controlled by their spiritual natures, they give their minds to spiritual things. 45N 8 6 49780 Because for the mind to be given up to earthly things means death; but for it to be given up to spiritual things means Life and peace. 45N 8 7 49790 Abandonment to earthly things is a state of enmity to God. Such a mind does not submit to God's Law, and indeed cannot do so. 45N 8 8 49800 And those whose hearts are absorbed in earthly things cannot please God. 45N 8 9 49810 You, however, are not devoted to earthly, but to spiritual things, if the Spirit of God is really dwelling in you; whereas if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, such a one does not belong to Him. 45N 8 10 49820 But if Christ is in you, though your body must die because of sin, yet your spirit has Life because of righteousness. 45N 8 11 49830 And if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead is dwelling in you, He who raised up Christ from the dead will give Life also to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who dwells in you. 45N 8 12 49840 Therefore, brethren, it is not to our lower natures that we are under obligation that we should live by their rule. 45N 8 13 49850 For if you so live, death is near; but if, through being under the sway of the spirit, you are putting your old bodily habits to death, you will live. 45N 8 14 49860 For those who are led by God's Spirit are, all of them, God's sons. 45N 8 15 49870 You have not for the second time acquired the consciousness of being--a consciousness which fills you with terror. But you have acquired a deep inward conviction of having been adopted as sons--a conviction which prompts us to cry aloud, "Abba! our Father!" 45N 8 16 49880 The Spirit Himself bears witness, along with our own spirits, to the fact that we are children of God; 45N 8 17 49890 and if children, then heirs too--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ; if indeed we are sharers in Christ's sufferings, in order that we may also be sharers in His glory. 45N 8 18 49900 Why, what we now suffer I count as nothing in comparison with the glory which is soon to be manifested in us. 45N 8 19 49910 For all creation, gazing eagerly as if with outstretched neck, is waiting and longing to see the manifestation of the sons of God. 45N 8 20 49920 For the Creation fell into subjection to failure and unreality (not of its own choice, but by the will of Him who so subjected it). 45N 8 21 49930 Yet there was always the hope that at last the Creation itself would also be set free from the thraldom of decay so as to enjoy the liberty that will attend the glory of the children of God. 45N 8 22 49940 For we know that the whole of Creation is groaning together in the pains of childbirth until this hour. 45N 8 23 49950 And more than that, we ourselves, though we possess the Spirit as a foretaste and pledge of the glorious future, yet we ourselves inwardly sigh, as we wait and long for open recognition as sons through the deliverance of our bodies. 45N 8 24 49960 It is *in hope* that we have been saved. But an object of hope is such no longer when it is present to view; for when a man has a thing before his eyes, how can he be said to hope for it? 45N 8 25 49970 But if we hope for something which we do not see, then we eagerly and patiently wait for it. 45N 8 26 49980 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we do not know what prayers to offer nor in what way to offer them. But the Spirit Himself pleads for us in yearnings that can find no words, 45N 8 27 49990 and the Searcher of hearts knows what the Spirit's meaning is, because His intercessions for God's people are in harmony with God's will. 45N 8 28 50000 Now we know that for those who love God all things are working together for good--for those, I mean, whom with deliberate purpose He has called. 45N 8 29 50010 For those whom He has known beforehand He has also pre-destined to bear the likeness of His Son, that He might be the Eldest in a vast family of brothers; 45N 8 30 50020 and those whom He has pre-destined He also has called; and those whom He has called He has also declared free from guilt; and those whom He has declared free from guilt He has also crowned with glory. 45N 8 31 50030 What then shall we say to this? If God is on our side, who is there to appear against us? 45N 8 32 50040 He who did not withhold even His own Son, but gave Him up for all of us, will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 45N 8 33 50050 Who shall impeach those whom God has chosen? God declares them free from guilt. 45N 8 34 50060 Who is there to condemn them? Christ Jesus died, or rather has risen to life again. He is also at the right hand of God, and is interceding for us. 45N 8 35 50070 Who shall separate us from Christ's love? Shall affliction or distress, persecution or hunger, nakedness or danger or the sword? 45N 8 36 50080 As it stands written in the Scripture, <"For Thy sake they are, all day long, trying to kill us. We have been looked upon as sheep destined for slaughter."> 45N 8 37 50090 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who has loved us. 45N 8 38 50100 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither the lower ranks of evil angels nor the higher, neither things present nor things future, nor the forces of nature, 45N 8 39 50110 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which rests upon us in Christ Jesus our Lord. 45N 9 1 50120 I am telling you the truth as a Christian man--it is no falsehood, for my conscience enlightened, as it is, by the Holy Spirit adds its testimony to mine-- 45N 9 2 50130 when I declare that I have deep grief and unceasing anguish of heart. 45N 9 3 50140 For I could pray to be accursed from Christ on behalf of my brethren, my human kinsfolk--for such the Israelites are. 45N 9 4 50150 To them belongs recognition as God's sons, and they have His glorious Presence and the Covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the Temple service, and the ancient Promises. 45N 9 5 50160 To them the Patriarchs belong, and from them in respect of His human lineage came the Christ, who is exalted above all, God blessed throughout the Ages. Amen. 45N 9 6 50170 Not however that God's word has failed; for all who have sprung from Israel do not count as Israel, 45N 9 7 50180 nor because they are Abraham's true children. But the promise was <"Through Isaac shall your posterity be reckoned."> 45N 9 8 50190 In other words, it is not the children by natural descent who count as God's children, but the children made such by the promise are regarded as Abraham's posterity. 45N 9 9 50200 For the words are the language of promise and run thus, <"About this time next year I will come, and Sarah shall have a son."> 45N 9 10 50210 Nor is that all: later on there was Rebecca too. She was soon to bear two children to her husband, our forefather Isaac-- 45N 9 11 50220 and even then, though they were not then born and had not done anything either good or evil, yet in order that God's electing purpose might not be frustrated, based, as it was, not on their actions but on the will of Him who called them, she was told, 45N 9 12 50230 <"The elder of them will be bondservant to the younger."> 45N 9 13 50240 This agrees with the other Scripture which says, <"Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."> 45N 9 14 50250 What then are we to infer? That there is injustice in God? 45N 9 15 50260 No, indeed; the solution is found in His words to Moses, <"Wherever I show mercy it shall be nothing but mercy, and wherever I show compassion it shall be simply compassion."> 45N 9 16 50270 And from this we learn that everything is dependent not on man's will or endeavour, but upon God who has mercy. For the Scripture said to Pharaoh, 45N 9 17 50280 <"It is for this very purpose that I have lifted you so high--that I may make manifest in you My power, and that My name may be proclaimed far and wide in all the earth."> 45N 9 18 50290 This is a proof that wherever He chooses He shows mercy, and wherever he chooses He hardens the heart. 45N 9 19 50300 "Why then does God still find fault?" you will ask; "for who is resisting His will?" 45N 9 20 50310 Nay, but who are you, a mere man, that you should cavil against GOD? <Shall the thing moulded say to him who moulded it, "Why have you made me thus?"> 45N 9 21 50320 Or has not the potter rightful power over the clay to make out of the same lump one vessel for more honourable and another for less honourable uses? 45N 9 22 50330 And what if God, while choosing to make manifest the terrors of His anger and to show what is possible with Him, has yet borne with long-forbearing patience with the subjects of His anger who stand ready for destruction, 45N 9 23 50340 in order to make known His infinite goodness towards the subjects of His mercy whom He has prepared beforehand for glory, 45N 9 24 50350 even towards us whom He has called not only from among the Jews but also from among the Gentiles? 45N 9 25 50360 So also in Hosea He says, <"I will call that nation My People which was not My People, and I will call her beloved who was not beloved. 45N 9 26 50370 And in the place where it was said to them, `No people of Mine are you,' there shall they be called sons of the everliving God."> 45N 9 27 50380 And Isaiah cries aloud concerning Israel, <"Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sands of the sea, only a remnant of them shall be saved; 45N 9 28 50390 for the Lord will hold a reckoning upon the earth, making it efficacious and brief."> 45N 9 29 50400 Even as Isaiah says in an earlier place, <"Were it not that the Lord, the God of Hosts, had left us some few descendants, we should have become like Sodom, and have come to resemble Gomorrah."> 45N 9 30 50410 To what conclusion does this bring us? Why, that the Gentiles, who were not in pursuit of righteousness, have overtaken it--a righteousness, however, which arises from faith; 45N 9 31 50420 while the descendants of Israel, who were in pursuit of a Law that could give righteousness, have not arrived at one. 45N 9 32 50430 And why? Because they were pursuing a righteousness which should arise not from faith, but from what they regarded as merit. They stuck their foot against the stone which lay in their way; 45N 9 33 50440 in agreement with the statement of Scripture, <"See, I am placing on Mount Zion a stone for people to stumble at, and a rock for them to trip over, and yet he whose faith rests upon it shall never have reason to feel ashamed."> 45N 10 1 50450 Brethren, the longing of my heart, and my prayer to God, on behalf of my countrymen is for their salvation. 45N 10 2 50460 For I bear witness that they possess an enthusiasm for God, but it is an unenlightened enthusiasm. 45N 10 3 50470 Ignorant of the righteousness which God provides and building their hopes upon a righteousness of their own, they have refused submission to God's righteousness. 45N 10 4 50480 For as a means of righteousness Christ is the termination of Law to every believer. 45N 10 5 50490 Moses says that he whose actions conform to the righteousness required by the Law shall live by that righteousness. 45N 10 6 50500 But the righteousness which is based on faith speaks in a different tone. "Say not in your heart," it declares, "`Who shall ascend to Heaven?'" --that is, to bring Christ down; 45N 10 7 50510 "nor `Who shall go down into the abyss?'" --that is, to bring Christ up again from the grave. 45N 10 8 50520 But what does it say? "The Message is close to you, in your mouth and in your heart;" that is, the Message which we are publishing about the faith-- 45N 10 9 50530 that if with your mouth you confess Jesus as Lord and in your heart believe that God brought Him back to life, you shall be saved. 45N 10 10 50540 For with the heart men believe and obtain righteousness, and with the mouth they make confession and obtain salvation. 45N 10 11 50550 The Scripture says, <"No one who believes in Him shall have reason to feel ashamed."> 45N 10 12 50560 Jew and Gentile are on precisely the same footing; for the same Lord is Lord over all, and is infinitely kind to all who call upon Him for deliverance. 45N 10 13 50570 For <"every one, without exception, who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."> 45N 10 14 50580 But how are they to call on One in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in One whose voice they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? 45N 10 15 50590 And how are men to preach unless they have been sent to do so? As it is written, <"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good!"> 45N 10 16 50600 But, some will say, they have not all hearkened to the Good News. No, for Isaiah asks, <"Lord, who has believed the Message they have heard from us?"> 45N 10 17 50610 And this proves that faith comes from a Message heard, and that the Message comes through its having been spoken by Christ. 45N 10 18 50620 But, I ask, have they not heard? Yes, indeed: <"To the whole world the preachers' voices have sounded forth, and their words to the remotest parts of the earth."> 45N 10 19 50630 But again, did Israel fail to understand? Listen to Moses first. He says, <"I will fire you with jealousy against a nation which is no nation, and with fury against a nation devoid of understanding."> 45N 10 20 50640 And Isaiah, with strange boldness, exclaims, <"I have been found by those who were not looking for Me, I have revealed Myself to those who were not inquiring of Me."> 45N 10 21 50650 While as to Israel he says, <"All day long I have stretched out My arms to a self-willed and fault-finding people."> 45N 11 1 50660 I ask then, Has God cast off His People? No, indeed. Why, I myself am an Israelite, of the posterity of Abraham and of the tribe of Benjamin. 45N 11 2 50670 God has not cast off His People whom He knew beforehand. Or are you ignorant of what Scripture says in speaking of Elijah--how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying, 45N 11 3 50680 <"Lord, they have put Thy Prophets to death, and have overthrown Thy altars; and, now that I alone remain, they are thirsting for my blood"?> 45N 11 4 50690 But what did God say to him in reply? <"I have reserved for Myself 7,000 men who have never bent the knee to Baal."> 45N 11 5 50700 In the same way also at the present time there has come to be a remnant whom God in His grace has selected. 45N 11 6 50710 But if it is in His grace that He has selected them, then His choice is no longer determined by human actions. Otherwise grace would be grace no longer. 45N 11 7 50720 How then does the matter stand? It stands thus. That which Israel are in earnest pursuit of, they have not obtained; but God's chosen servants have obtained it, and the rest have become hardened. 45N 11 8 50730 And so Scripture says, <"God has given them a spirit of drowsiness--eyes to see nothing with and ears to hear nothing with--even until now."> 45N 11 9 50740 And David says, <"Let their very food become a snare and a trap to them, a stumbling-block and a retribution. 45N 11 10 50750 Let darkness come over their eyes that they may be unable to see, and make Thou their backs continually to stoop."> 45N 11 11 50760 I ask, however, "Have they stumbled so as to be finally ruined?" No, indeed; but by their lapse salvation has come to the Gentiles in order to arouse the jealousy of the descendants of Israel; 45N 11 12 50770 and if their lapse is the enriching of the world, and their overthrow the enriching of the Gentiles, will not still greater good follow their restoration? 45N 11 13 50780 But to you Gentiles I say that, since I am an Apostle specially sent to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry, 45N 11 14 50790 trying whether I can succeed in rousing my own countrymen to jealousy and thus save some of them. 45N 11 15 50800 For if their having been cast aside has carried with it the reconciliation of the world, what will their being accepted again be but Life out of death? 45N 11 16 50810 Now if the firstfruits of the dough are holy, so also is the whole mass; and if the root of a tree is holy, so also are the branches. 45N 11 17 50820 And if some of the branches have been pruned away, and you, although you were but a wild olive, have been grafted in among them and have become a sharer with others in the rich sap of the root of the olive tree, 45N 11 18 50830 beware of glorying over the natural branches. Or if you are so glorying, do not forget that it is not you who uphold the root: the root upholds you. 45N 11 19 50840 "Branches have been lopped off," you will say, "for the sake of my being grafted in." 45N 11 20 50850 This is true; yet it was their unbelief that cut them off, and you only stand through your faith. 45N 11 21 50860 Do not be puffed up with pride. Tremble rather--for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you. 45N 11 22 50870 Notice therefore God's kindness and God's severity. On those who have fallen His severity has descended, but upon you His kindness has come, provided that you do not cease to respond to that kindness. Otherwise you will be cut off also. 45N 11 23 50880 Moreover, if they turn from their unbelief, they too will be grafted in. For God is powerful enough to graft them in again; 45N 11 24 50890 and if you were cut from that which by nature is a wild olive and contrary to nature were grafted into the good olive tree, how much more certainly will these natural branches be grafted on their own olive tree? 45N 11 25 50900 For there is a truth, brethren, not revealed hitherto, of which I do not wish to leave you in ignorance, for fear you should attribute superior wisdom to yourselves--the truth, I mean, that partial blindness has fallen upon Israel until the great mass of the Gentiles have come in; 45N 11 26 50910 and so all Israel will be saved. As is declared in Scripture, <"From Mount Zion a Deliverer will come: He will remove all ungodliness from Jacob; 45N 11 27 50920 and this shall be My Covenant with them; when I have taken away their sins."> 45N 11 28 50930 In relation to the Good News, the Jews are God's enemies for your sakes; but in relation to God's choice they are dearly loved for the sake of their forefathers. 45N 11 29 50940 For God does not repent of His free gifts nor of His call; 45N 11 30 50950 but just as you were formerly disobedient to Him, but now have received mercy at a time when they are disobedient, 45N 11 31 50960 so now they also have been disobedient at a time when you are receiving mercy; so that to them too there may now be mercy. 45N 11 32 50970 For God has locked up all in the prison of unbelief, that upon all alike He may have mercy. 45N 11 33 50980 Oh, how inexhaustible are God's resources and God's wisdom and God's knowledge! How impossible it is to search into His decrees or trace His footsteps! 45N 11 34 50990 <"Who has ever known the mind of the Lord, or shared His counsels?" 45N 11 35 51000 "Who has first given God anything, so as to receive payment in return?"> 45N 11 36 51010 For the universe owes its origin to Him, was created by Him, and has its aim and purpose in Him. To Him be the glory throughout the Ages! Amen. 45N 12 1 51020 I plead with you therefore, brethren, by the compassionsof God, to present all your faculties to Him as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to Him. This with you will be an act of reasonable worship. 45N 12 2 51030 And do not follow the customs of the present age, but be transformed by the entire renewal of your minds, so that you may learn by experience what God's will is--that will which is good and beautiful and perfect. 45N 12 3 51040 For through the authority graciously given to me I warn every individual among you not to value himself unduly, but to cultivate sobriety of judgement in accordance with the amount of faith which God has allotted to each one. 45N 12 4 51050 For just as there are in the one human body many parts, and these parts have not all the same function; 45N 12 5 51060 so collectively we form one body in Christ, while individually we are linked to one another as its members. 45N 12 6 51070 But since we have special gifts which differ in accordance with the diversified work graciously entrusted to us, if it is prophecy, let the prophet speak in exact proportion to his faith; 45N 12 7 51080 if it is the gift of administration, let the administrator exercise a sound judgement in his duties. 45N 12 8 51090 The teacher must do the same in his teaching; and he who exhorts others, in his exhortation. He who gives should be liberal; he who is in authority should be energetic and alert; and he who succours the afflicted should do it cheerfully. 45N 12 9 51100 Let your love be perfectly sincere. Regard with horror what is evil; cling to what is right. 45N 12 10 51110 As for brotherly love, be affectionate to one another; in matters of worldly honour, yield to one another. 45N 12 11 51120 Do not be indolent when zeal is required. Be thoroughly warm-hearted, the Lord's own servants, 45N 12 12 51130 full of joyful hope, patient under persecution, earnest and persistent in prayer. 45N 12 13 51140 Relieve the necessities of God's people; always practise hospitality. 45N 12 14 51150 Invoke blessings on your persecutors--blessings, not curses. 45N 12 15 51160 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 45N 12 16 51170 Have full sympathy with one another. Do not give your mind to high things, but let humble ways content you. <Do not be wise in your own conceits.> 45N 12 17 51180 Pay back to no man evil for evil. <Take thought for what is right and seemly in every one's esteem.> 45N 12 18 51190 If you can, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with all the world. 45N 12 19 51200 Do not be revengeful, my dear friends, but give way before anger; for it is written, <"`Revenge belongs to Me: I will pay back,'> says the Lord." 45N 12 20 51210 On the contrary, therefore, <if your enemy is hungry, give him food; if he is thirsty, quench his thirst. For by doing this you will be heaping burning coals upon his head.> 45N 12 21 51220 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome the evil with goodness. 45N 13 1 51230 Let every individual be obedient to those who rule over him; for no one is a ruler except by God's permission, and our present rulers have had their rank and power assigned to them by Him. 45N 13 2 51240 Therefore the man who rebels against his ruler is resisting God's will; and those who thus resist will bring punishment upon themselves. 45N 13 3 51250 For judges and magistrates are to be feared not by right-doers but by wrong-doers. You desire--do you not? --to have no reason to fear your ruler. Well, do the thing that is right, and then he will commend you. 45N 13 4 51260 For he is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid. He does not wear the sword to no purpose: he is God's servant--an administrator to inflict punishment upon evil-doers. 45N 13 5 51270 We must obey therefore, not only in order to escape punishment, but also for conscience' sake. 45N 13 6 51280 Why, this is really the reason you pay taxes; for tax-gatherers are ministers of God, devoting their energies to this very work. 45N 13 7 51290 Pay promptly to all men what is due to them: taxes to those to whom taxes are due, toll to those to whom toll is due, respect to those to whom respect is due, honour to those to whom honour is due. 45N 13 8 51300 Owe nothing to any one except mutual love; for he who loves his fellow man has satisfied the demands of Law. 45N 13 9 51310 For the precepts, <"Thou shalt not commit adultery," "Thou shalt do no murder," "Thou shalt not steal," "Thou shalt not covet,"> and all other precepts, are summed up in this one command, <"Thou shalt love thy fellow man as much as thou lovest thyself."> 45N 13 10 51320 Love avoids doing any wrong to one's fellow man, and is therefore complete obedience to Law. 45N 13 11 51330 Carry out these injunctions because you know the critical period at which we are living, and that it is now high time, to rouse yourselves from sleep; for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first became believers. 45N 13 12 51340 The night is far advanced, and day is about to dawn. We must therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness, and clothe ourselves with the armour of Light. 45N 13 13 51350 Living as we do in broad daylight, let us conduct ourselves becomingly, not indulging in revelry and drunkenness, nor in lust and debauchery, nor in quarrelling and jealousy. 45N 13 14 51360 On the contrary, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for gratifying your earthly cravings. 45N 14 1 51370 I now pass to another subject. Receive as a friend a man whose faith is weak, but not for the purpose of deciding mere matters of opinion. 45N 14 2 51380 One man's faith allows him to eat anything, while a man of weaker faith eats nothing but vegetables. 45N 14 3 51390 Let not him who eats certain food look down upon him who abstains from it, nor him who abstains from it find fault with him who eats it; for God has received both of them. 45N 14 4 51400 Who are you that you should find fault with the servant of another? Whether he stands or falls is a matter which concerns his own master. But stand he will; for the Master can give him power to stand. 45N 14 5 51410 One man esteems one day more highly than another; another esteems all days alike. Let every one be thoroughly convinced in his own mind. 45N 14 6 51420 He who regards the day as sacred, so regards it for the Master's sake; and he who eats certain food eats it for the Master's sake, for he gives thanks to God; and he who refrains from eating it refrains for the Master's sake, and he also gives thanks to God. 45N 14 7 51430 For not one of us lives to himself, and not one dies to himself. 45N 14 8 51440 If we live, we live to the Lord: if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 45N 14 9 51450 For this was the purpose of Christ's dying and coming to life--namely that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living. 45N 14 10 51460 But you, why do you find fault with your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon your brother? We shall all stand before God to be judged; 45N 14 11 51470 for it is written, <"`As I live,'> says the Lord, <`to Me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall make confession to God.'"> 45N 14 12 51480 So we see that every one of us will give account of himself to God. 45N 14 13 51490 Therefore let us no longer judge one another; but, instead of that, you should come to this judgement--that we must not put a stumbling-block in our brother's path, nor anything to trip him up. 45N 14 14 51500 As one who lives in union with the Lord Jesus, I know and am certain that in its own nature no food is `impure'; but if people regard any food as impure, to them it is. 45N 14 15 51510 If your brother is pained by the food you are eating, your conduct is no longer controlled by love. Take care lest, by the food you eat, you lead to ruin a man for whom Christ died. 45N 14 16 51520 Therefore do not let the boon which is yours in common be exposed to reproach. 45N 14 17 51530 For the Kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking, but of right conduct, peace and joy, through the Holy Spirit; 45N 14 18 51540 and whoever in this way devotedly serves Christ, God takes pleasure in him, and men highly commend him. 45N 14 19 51550 Therefore let us aim at whatever makes for peace and mutual upbuilding of character. 45N 14 20 51560 Do not for food's sake be throwing down God's work. All food is pure; but a man is in the wrong if his food is a snare to others. 45N 14 21 51570 The right course is to forego eating meat or drinking wine or doing anything that tends to your brother's fall. 45N 14 22 51580 As for you and your faith, keep your faith to yourself in the presence of God. The man is to be congratulated who does not pronounce judgement on himself in what his actions sanction. 45N 14 23 51590 But he who has misgivings and yet eats meat is condemned already, because his conduct is not based on faith; for all conduct not based on faith is sinful. 45N 15 1 51600 As for us who are strong, our duty is to bear with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not seek our own pleasure. 45N 15 2 51610 Let each of us endeavour to please his fellow Christian, aiming at a blessing calculated to build him up. 45N 15 3 51620 For even the Christ did not seek His own pleasure. His principle was, <"The reproaches which they addressed to Thee have fallen on me."> 45N 15 4 51630 For all that was written of old has been written for our instruction, so that we may always have hope through the power of endurance and the encouragement which the Scriptures afford. 45N 15 5 51640 And may God, the giver of power of endurance and of that encouragement, grant you to be in full sympathy with one another in accordance with the example of Christ Jesus, 45N 15 6 51650 so that with oneness both of heart and voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 45N 15 7 51660 Habitually therefore give one another a friendly reception, just as Christ also has received you, and thus promote the glory of God. 45N 15 8 51670 My meaning is that Christ has become a servant to the people of Israel in vindication of God's truthfulness-- in showing how sure are the promises made to our forefathers-- 45N 15 9 51680 and that the Gentiles also have glorified God in acknowledgment of His mercy. So it is written, <"For this reason I will praise Thee among the Gentiles, and sing psalms in honour of Thy name."> 45N 15 10 51690 And again the Psalmist says, <"Be glad, ye Gentiles, in company with His People."> 45N 15 11 51700 And again, <"Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and let all the people extol Him."> 45N 15 12 51710 And again Isaiah says, <"There shall be the Root of Jesse and One who rises up to rule the Gentiles. On Him shall the Gentiles build their hopes."> 45N 15 13 51720 May God, the giver of hope, fill you with continual joy and peace because you trust in Him--so that you may have abundant hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. 45N 15 14 51730 But as to you, brethren, I am convinced-- yes, I Paul am convinced--that, even apart from my teaching, you are already full of goodness of heart, and enriched with complete Christian knowledge, and are also competent to instruct one another. 45N 15 15 51740 But I write to you the more boldly--partly as reminding you of what you already know--because of the authority graciously entrusted to me by God, 45N 15 16 51750 that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus among the Gentiles, doing priestly duties in connexion with God's Good News so that the sacrifice--namely the Gentiles--may be acceptable to Him, being (as it is) an offering which the Holy Spirit has made holy. 45N 15 17 51760 I can therefore glory in Christ Jesus concerning the work for God in which I am engaged. 45N 15 18 51770 For I will not presume to mention any of the results that Christ has brought about by other agency than mine in securing the obedience of the Gentiles by word or deed, 45N 15 19 51780 with power manifested in signs and marvels, and through the power of the Holy Spirit. But--to speak simply of my own labours--beginning in Jerusalem and the outlying districts, I have proclaimed without reserve, even as far as Illyricum, the Good News of the Christ; 45N 15 20 51790 making it my ambition, however, not to tell the Good News where Christ's name was already known, for fear I should be building on another man's foundation. 45N 15 21 51800 But, as Scripture says, <"Those shall see, to whom no report about Him has hitherto come, and those who until now have not heard shall understand."> 45N 15 22 51810 And it is really this which has again and again prevented my coming to you. 45N 15 23 51820 But now, as there is no more unoccupied ground in this part of the world, and I have for years past been eager to pay you a visit, 45N 15 24 51830 I hope, as soon as ever I extend my travels into Spain, to see you on my way and be helped forward by you on my journey, when I have first enjoyed being with you for a time. 45N 15 25 51840 But at present I am going to Jerusalem to serve God's people, 45N 15 26 51850 for Macedonia and Greece have kindly contributed a certain sum in relief of the poor among God's people, in Jerusalem. 45N 15 27 51860 Yes, they have kindly done this, and, in fact, it was a debt they owed them. For seeing that the Gentiles have been admitted in to partnership with the Jews in their spiritual blessings, they in turn are under an obligation to render sacred service to the Jews in temporal things. 45N 15 28 51870 So after discharging this duty, and making sure that these kind gifts reach those for whom they are intended, I shall start for Spain, passing through Rome on my way there; 45N 15 29 51880 and I know that when I come to you it will be with a vast amount of blessing from Christ. 45N 15 30 51890 But I entreat you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love which His Spirit inspires, to help me by wrestling in prayer to God on my behalf, 45N 15 31 51900 asking that I may escape unhurt from those in Judaea who are disobedient, and that the service which I am going to Jerusalem to render may be well received by the Church there, 45N 15 32 51910 in order that if God be willing I may come to you with a glad heart, and may enjoy a time of rest with you. 45N 15 33 51920 May God, who gives peace be with you all! Amen. 45N 16 1 51930 Herewith I introduce our sister Phoebe to you, who is a servant of the Church at Cenchreae, 45N 16 2 51940 that you may receive her as a fellow Christian in a manner worthy of God's people, and may assist her in any matter in which she may need help. For she has indeed been a kind friend to many, including myself. 45N 16 3 51950 Greetings to Prisca and Aquila my fellow labourers in the work of Christ Jesus-- 45N 16 4 51960 friends who have endangered their own lives for mine. I am grateful to them, and not I alone, but all the Gentile Churches also. 45N 16 5 51970 Greetings, too, to the Church that meets at their house. Greetings to my dear Epaenetus, who was the earliest convert to Christ in the province of Asia; 45N 16 6 51980 to Mary who has laboured strenuously among you; 45N 16 7 51990 and to Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen, who once shared my imprisonment. They are of note among the Apostles, and are Christians of longer standing than myself. 45N 16 8 52000 Greetings to Ampliatus, dear to me in the Lord; 45N 16 9 52010 to Urban, our fellow labourer in Christ, and to my dear Stachys. 45N 16 10 52020 Greetings to Apella, that veteran believer; and to the members of the household of Aristobulus. 45N 16 11 52030 Greetings to my countryman, Herodion; and to the believing members of the household of Narcissus. 45N 16 12 52040 Greetings to those Christian workers, Tryphaena and Tryphosa; also to dear Persis, who has laboured strenuously in the Lord's work. 45N 16 13 52050 Greetings to Rufus, who is one of the Lord's chosen people; and to his mother, who has also been a mother to me. 45N 16 14 52060 Greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and to the brethren associated with them; 45N 16 15 52070 to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister and Olympas, and to all God's people associated with them. 45N 16 16 52080 Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the Churches of Christ send greetings to you. 45N 16 17 52090 But I beseech you, brethren, to keep a watch on those who are causing the divisions among you, and are leading others into sin, in defiance of the instruction which you have received; and habitually to shun them. 45N 16 18 52100 For men of that stamp are not bondservants of Christ our Lord, but are slaves to their own appetites; and by their plausible words and their flattery they utterly deceive the minds of the simple. 45N 16 19 52110 Your fidelity to the truth is everywhere known. I rejoice over you, therefore, but I wish you to be wise as to what is good, and simple-minded as to what is evil. 45N 16 20 52120 And before long, God the giver of peace will crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! 45N 16 21 52130 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, and so do my countrymen Lucius, Jason and Sosipater. 45N 16 22 52140 I, Tertius, who write this letter, send you Christian greetings. 45N 16 23 52150 Gaius, my host, who is also the host of the whole Church, greets you. So do Erastus, the treasurer of the city, and Quartus our brother. 45N 16 24 52160 [] 45N 16 25 52170 To Him who has it in His power to make you strong, as declared in the Good News which I am spreading, and the proclamation concerning Jesus Christ, in harmony with the unveiling of the Truth which in the periods of past Ages remained unuttered, 45N 16 26 52180 but has now been brought fully to light, and by the command of the God of the Ages has been made known by the writings of the Prophets among all the Gentiles to win them to obedience to the faith-- 45N 16 27 52190 to God, the only wise, through Jesus Christ, even to Him be the glory through all the Ages! Amen. 46N 1 1 52200 Paul, called to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God--and our brother Sosthenes: 46N 1 2 52210 To the Church of God in Corinth, men and women consecrated in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-- their Lord as well as ours. 46N 1 3 52220 May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 46N 1 4 52230 I thank my God continually on your behalf for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus-- 46N 1 5 52240 that you have been so richly blessed in Him, with readiness of speech and fulness of knowledge. 46N 1 6 52250 Thus my testimony as to the Christ has been confirmed in your experience, 46N 1 7 52260 so that there is no gift of God in which you consciously come short while patiently waiting for the reappearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 46N 1 8 52270 who will also keep you stedfast to the very End, so that you will be free from reproach on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 46N 1 9 52280 God is ever true to His promises, and it was by Him that you were, one and all, called into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. 46N 1 10 52290 Now I entreat you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to cultivate a spirit of harmony--all of you--and that there be no divisions among you, but rather a perfect union through your having one mind and one judgement. 46N 1 11 52300 For I have been distinctly informed, my brethren, about you by Chloe's people, that there are dissensions among you. 46N 1 12 52310 What I mean is that each of you is a partisan. One man says "I belong to Paul;" another "I belong to Apollos;" a third "I belong to Peter;" a fourth "I belong to Christ." 46N 1 13 52320 Is the Christ in fragments? Is it Paul who was crucified on your behalf? Or were you baptized to be Paul's adherents? 46N 1 14 52330 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius-- 46N 1 15 52340 for fear people should say that you were baptized to be my adherents. 46N 1 16 52350 I did, however, baptize Stephanas' household also: but I do not think that I baptized any one else. 46N 1 17 52360 Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim the Good News; and not in merely wise words--lest the Cross of Christ should be deprived of its power. 46N 1 18 52370 For the Message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are on the way to perdition, but it is the power of God to those whom He is saving. 46N 1 19 52380 For so it stands written, <"I will exhibit the nothingness of the wisdom of the wise, and the intelligence of the intelligent I will bring to nought."> 46N 1 20 52390 Where is your wise man? Where your expounder of the Law? Where your investigator of the questions of this present age? Has not God shown the world's wisdom to be utter foolishness? 46N 1 21 52400 For after the world by its wisdom--as God in His wisdom had ordained--had failed to gain the knowledge of God, God was pleased, by the apparent foolishness of the Message which we preach, to save those who accepted it. 46N 1 22 52410 Seeing that Jews demand miracles, and Greeks go in search of wisdom, 46N 1 23 52420 while we proclaim a Christ who has been crucified--to the Jews a stumbling-block, to Gentiles foolishness, 46N 1 24 52430 but to those who have received the Call, whether Jews or Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 46N 1 25 52440 Because that which the world deems foolish in God is wiser than men's wisdom, and that which it deems feeble in God is mightier than men's might. 46N 1 26 52450 For consider, brethren, God's call to you. Not many who are wise with merely human wisdom, not many of position and influence, not many of noble birth have been called. 46N 1 27 52460 But God has chosen the things which the world regards as foolish, in order to put its wise men to shame; and God has chosen the things which the world regards as destitute of influence, in order to put its powerful things to shame; 46N 1 28 52470 and the things which the world regards as base, and those which it sets utterly at nought--things that have no existence--God has chosen in order to reduce to nothing things that do exist; 46N 1 29 52480 to prevent any mortal man from boasting in the presence of God. 46N 1 30 52490 But you--and it is all God's doing--are in Christ Jesus: He has become for us a wisdom which is from God, consisting of righteousness and sanctification and deliverance; 46N 1 31 52500 in order that it may be as Scripture says, <"He who boasts--let his boast be in the Lord."> 46N 2 1 52510 And as for myself, brethren, when I came to you, it was not with surpassing power of eloquence or earthly wisdom that I came, announcing to you that which God had commanded me to bear witness to. 46N 2 2 52520 For I determined to be utterly ignorant, when among you, of everything except of Jesus Christ, and of Him as having been crucified. 46N 2 3 52530 And so far as I myself was concerned, I came to you in conscious feebleness and in fear and in deep anxiety. 46N 2 4 52540 And my language and the Message that I proclaimed were not adorned with persuasive words of earthly wisdom, but depended upon truths which the Spirit taught and mightily carried home; 46N 2 5 52550 so that your trust might rest not on the wisdom of man but on the power of God. 46N 2 6 52560 Yet when we are among mature believers we do speak words of wisdom; a wisdom not belonging, however, to the present age nor to the leaders of the present age who are soon to pass away. 46N 2 7 52570 But in dealing with truths hitherto kept secret we speak of God's wisdom--that hidden wisdom which, before the world began, God pre-destined, so that it should result in glory to us; 46N 2 8 52580 a wisdom which not one of the leaders of the present age possesses, for if they had possessed it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. 46N 2 9 52590 But--to use the words of Scripture--we speak of <things which eye has not seen nor ear heard,> and which have never entered the heart of man: <all that God has in readiness for them that love Him.> 46N 2 10 52600 For us, however, God has drawn aside the veil through the teaching of the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, including the depths of the divine nature. 46N 2 11 52610 For, among human beings, who knows a man's inner thoughts except the man's own spirit within him? In the same way, also, only God's Spirit is acquainted with God's inner thoughts. 46N 2 12 52620 But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which comes forth from God, that we may know the blessings that have been so freely given to us by God. 46N 2 13 52630 Of these we speak--not in language which man's wisdom teaches us, but in that which the Spirit teaches--adapting, as we do, spiritual words to spiritual truths. 46N 2 14 52640 The unspiritual man rejects the things of the Spirit of God, and cannot attain to the knowledge of them, because they are spiritually judged. 46N 2 15 52650 But the spiritual man judges of everything, although he is himself judged by no one. 46N 2 16 52660 For <who has penetrated the mind of the Lord, and will instruct Him?> But *we* have the mind of Christ. 46N 3 1 52670 And as for myself, brethren, I found it impossible to speak to you as spiritual men. It had to be as to worldlings--mere babes in Christ. 46N 3 2 52680 I fed you with milk and not with solid food, since for this you were not yet strong enough. And even now you are not strong enough: 46N 3 3 52690 you are still unspiritual. For so long as jealousy and strife continue among you, can it be denied that you are unspiritual and are living and acting like mere men of the world? 46N 3 4 52700 For when some one says, "I belong to Paul," and another says, "I belong to Apollos," is not this the way men of the world speak? 46N 3 5 52710 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are just God's servants, through whose efforts, and as the Lord granted power to each, you accepted the faith. 46N 3 6 52720 I planted and Apollos watered; but it was God who was, all the time, giving the increase. 46N 3 7 52730 So that neither the planter nor the waterer is of any importance. God who gives the increase is all in all. 46N 3 8 52740 Now in aim and purpose the planter and the waterer are one; and yet each will receive his own special reward, answering to his own special work. 46N 3 9 52750 Apollos and I are simply fellow workers for and with God, and you are *God's* field-- *God's* building. 46N 3 10 52760 In discharge of the task which God graciously entrusted to me, I--like a competent master-builder--have laid a foundation, and others are building upon it. But let every one be careful how and what he builds. 46N 3 11 52770 For no one can lay any other foundation in addition to that which is already laid, namely Jesus Christ. 46N 3 12 52780 And whether the building which any one is erecting on that foundation be of gold or silver or costly stones, of timber or hay or straw-- 46N 3 13 52790 the true character of each individual's work will become manifest. For the day of Christ will disclose it, because that day is soon to come upon us clothed in fire, and as for the quality of every one's work-- the fire is the thing which will test it. 46N 3 14 52800 If any one's work--the building which he has erected--stands the test, he will be rewarded. 46N 3 15 52810 If any one's work is burnt up, he will suffer the loss of it; yet he will himself be rescued, but only, as it were, by passing through the fire. 46N 3 16 52820 Do you not know that you are God's Sanctuary, and that the Spirit of God has His home within you? 46N 3 17 52830 If any one is marring the Sanctuary of God, him will God mar; for the Sanctuary of God is holy, which you all are. 46N 3 18 52840 Let no one deceive himself. If any man imagines that he is wise, compared with the rest of you, with the wisdom of the present age, let him become "foolish" so that he may be wise. 46N 3 19 52850 This world's wisdom is "foolishness" in God's sight; for it is written, <"He snares the wise with their own cunning."> 46N 3 20 52860 And again, <"The Lord takes knowledge of the reasonings of the wise--how useless they are."> 46N 3 21 52870 Therefore let no one boast about his human teachers. 46N 3 22 52880 For everything belongs to you--be it Paul or Apollos or Peter, the world or life or death, things present or future--everything belongs to you; 46N 3 23 52890 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. 46N 4 1 52900 As for us Apostles, let any one take this view of us--we are Christ's officers, and stewards of God's secret truths. 46N 4 2 52910 This being so, it follows that fidelity is what is required in stewards. 46N 4 3 52920 I however am very little concerned at undergoing your scrutiny, or that of other men; in fact I do not even scrutinize myself. 46N 4 4 52930 Though I am not conscious of having been in any way unfaithful, yet I do not for that reason stand acquitted; but He whose scrutiny I must undergo is the Lord. 46N 4 5 52940 Therefore form no premature judgements, but wait until the Lord returns. He will both bring to light the secrets of darkness and will openly disclose the motives that have been in people's hearts; and then the praise which each man deserves will come to him from God. 46N 4 6 52950 In writing this much, brethren, with special reference to Apollos and myself, I have done so for your sakes, in order to teach you by our example what those words mean, which say, "Nothing beyond what is written!" --so that you may cease to take sides in boastful rivalry, for one teacher against another. 46N 4 7 52960 Why, who gives you your superiority, my brother? Or what have you that you did not receive? And if you really did receive it, why boast as if this were not so? 46N 4 8 52970 Every one of you already has all that heart can desire; already you have grown rich; without waiting for us, you have ascended your thrones! Yes indeed, would to God that you had ascended your thrones, that we also might reign with you! 46N 4 9 52980 God, it seems to me, has exhibited us Apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; for we have come to be a spectacle to all creation--alike to angels and to men. 46N 4 10 52990 We, for Christ's sake, are labeled as "foolish"; you, as Christians, are men of shrewd intelligence. We are mere weaklings: you are strong. You are in high repute: we are outcasts. 46N 4 11 53000 To this very moment we endure both hunger and thirst, with scanty clothing and many a blow. 46N 4 12 53010 Homes we have none. Wearily we toil, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we bear it patiently; 46N 4 13 53020 when slandered, we try to conciliate. We have come to be regarded as the mere dirt and filth of the world--the refuse of the universe, even to this hour. 46N 4 14 53030 I am not writing all this to shame you, but I am offering you advice as my dearly-loved children. 46N 4 15 53040 For even if you were to have ten thousand spiritual instructors--for all that you could not have several fathers. It is I who in Christ Jesus became your father through the Good News. 46N 4 16 53050 I entreat you therefore to become like me. 46N 4 17 53060 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you. Spiritually he is my dearly-loved and faithful child. He will remind you of my habits as a Christian teacher--the manner in which I teach everywhere in every Church. 46N 4 18 53070 But some of you have been puffed up through getting the idea that I am not coming to Corinth. 46N 4 19 53080 But, if the Lord is willing, I shall come to you without delay; and then I shall know not the fine speeches of these conceited people, but their power. 46N 4 20 53090 For Apostolic authority is not a thing of words, but of power. 46N 4 21 53100 Which shall it be? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in a loving and tender spirit? 46N 5 1 53110 It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and of a kind unheard of even among the Gentiles--a man has his father's wife! 46N 5 2 53120 And you, instead of mourning and removing from among you the man who has done this deed of shame, are filled with self-complacency! 46N 5 3 53130 I for my part, present with you in spirit although absent in body, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has so acted. 46N 5 4 53140 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are all assembled and my spirit is with you, together with the power of our Lord Jesus, 46N 5 5 53150 I have handed over such a man to Satan for the destruction of his body, that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord Jesus. 46N 5 6 53160 It is no good thing--this which you make the ground of your boasting. Do you not know that a little yeast corrupts the whole of the dough? 46N 5 7 53170 Get rid of the old yeast so that you may be dough of a new kind; for in fact you *are* free from corruption. For our Passover Lamb has already been offered in sacrifice--even Christ. 46N 5 8 53180 Therefore let us keep our festival not with old yeast nor with the yeast of what is evil and mischievous, but with bread free from yeast--the bread of transparent sincerity and of truth. 46N 5 9 53190 I wrote to you in that letter that you were not to associate with fornicators; 46N 5 10 53200 not that in this world you are to keep wholly aloof from such as they, any more than from people who are avaricious and greedy of gain, or from worshippers of idols. For that would mean that you would be compelled to go out of the world altogether. 46N 5 11 53210 But what I meant was that you were not to associate with any one bearing the name of "brother," if he was addicted to fornication or avarice or idol-worship or abusive language or hard-drinking or greed of gain. With such a man you ought not even to eat. 46N 5 12 53220 For what business of mine is it to judge outsiders? Is it not for you to judge those who are within the Church 46N 5 13 53230 while you leave to God's judgement those who are outside? Remove the wicked man from among you. 46N 6 1 53240 If one of you has a grievance against an opponent, does he dare to go to law before irreligious men and not before God's people? 46N 6 2 53250 Do you not know that God's people will sit in judgement upon the world? And if you are the court before which the world is to be judged, are you unfit to deal with these petty matters? 46N 6 3 53260 Do you not know that we are to sit in judgement upon angels--to say nothing of things belonging to this life? 46N 6 4 53270 If therefore you have things belonging to this life which need to be decided, is it men who are absolutely nothing in the Church--is it *they* whom you make your judges? 46N 6 5 53280 I say this to put you to shame. Has it come to this, that there does not exist among you a single wise man competent to decide between a man and his brother, 46N 6 6 53290 but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? 46N 6 7 53300 To say no more, then, it is altogether a defect in you that you have law-suits with one another. Why not rather endure injustice? Why not rather submit to being defrauded? 46N 6 8 53310 On the contrary you yourselves inflict injustice and fraud, and upon brethren too. 46N 6 9 53320 Do you not know that unrighteous men will not inherit God's Kingdom? Cherish no delusion here. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor any who are guilty of unnatural crime, 46N 6 10 53330 nor theives, nor avaricious people, nor any who are addicted to hard drinking, to abusive language or to greed of gain, will inherit God's Kingdom. 46N 6 11 53340 And all this describes what some of you were. But now you have had every stain washed off: now you have been set apart as holy: now you have been pronounced free from guilt; in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and through the Spirit of our God. 46N 6 12 53350 Everything is allowable to me, but not everything is profitable. Everything is allowable to me, but to nothing will I become a slave. 46N 6 13 53360 Food of all kinds is meant for the stomach, and the stomach is meant for food, and God will cause both of them to perish. Yet the body does not exist for the purpose of fornication, but for the Master's service, and the Master exists for the body; 46N 6 14 53370 and as God by His power raised the Master to life, so He will also raise us up. 46N 6 15 53380 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them the members of a prostitute? No, indeed. 46N 6 16 53390 Or do you not know that a man who has to do with a prostitute is one with her in body? For God says, <"The two shall become one."> 46N 6 17 53400 But he who is in union with the Master is one with Him in spirit. 46N 6 18 53410 Flee from fornication. Any other sin that a human being commits lies outside the body; but he who commits fornication sins against his own body. 46N 6 19 53420 Or do you not know that your bodies are a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is within you--the Spirit whom you have from God? 46N 6 20 53430 And you are not your own, for you have been redeemed at infinite cost. Therefore glorify God in your bodies. 46N 7 1 53440 I now deal with the subjects mentioned in your letter. It is well for a man to abstain altogether from marriage. 46N 7 2 53450 But because there is so much fornication every man should have a wife of his own, and every woman should have a husband. 46N 7 3 53460 Let a man pay his wife her due, and let a woman also pay her husband his. 46N 7 4 53470 A married woman is not mistress of her own person: her husband has certain rights. In the same way a married man is not master of his own person: his wife has certain rights. 46N 7 5 53480 Do not refuse one another, unless perhaps it is just for a time and by mutual consent, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer and may then associate again; lest the Adversary begin to tempt you because of your deficiency in self-control. 46N 7 6 53490 Thus much in the way of concession, not of command. 46N 7 7 53500 Yet I would that everybody lived as I do; but each of us has his own special gift from God--one in one direction and one in another. 46N 7 8 53510 But I tell the unmarried, and women who are widows, that it is well for them to remain as I am. 46N 7 9 53520 If, however, they cannot maintain self-control, by all means let them marry; for marriage is better than the fever of passion. 46N 7 10 53530 But to those already married my instructions are--yet not mine, but the Lord's--that a wife is not to leave her husband; 46N 7 11 53540 or if she has already left him, let her either remain as she is or be reconciled to him; and that a husband is not to send away his wife. 46N 7 12 53550 To the rest it is I who speak--not the Lord. If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. 46N 7 13 53560 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband--if he consents to live with her, let her not separate from him. 46N 7 14 53570 For, in such cases, the unbelieving husband has become--and is--holy through union with a Christian woman, and the unbelieving wife is holy through union with a Christian brother. Otherwise your children would be unholy, but in reality they have a place among God's people. 46N 7 15 53580 If, however, the unbeliever is determined to leave, let him or her do so. Under such circumstances the Christian man or woman is no slave; God has called us to live lives of peace. 46N 7 16 53590 For what assurance have you, O woman, as to whether you will save your husband? Or what assurance have you, O man, as to whether you will save your wife? 46N 7 17 53600 Only, whatever be the condition in life which the Lord has assigned to each individual--and whatever the condition in which he was living when God called him--in that let him continue. 46N 7 18 53610 This is what I command in all the Churches. Was any one already circumcised when called? Let him not have recourse to the surgeons. Was any one uncircumcised when called? Let him remain uncircumcised. 46N 7 19 53620 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing: obedience to God's commandments is everything. 46N 7 20 53630 Whatever be the condition in life in which a man was, when he was called, in that let him continue. 46N 7 21 53640 Were you a slave when God called you? Let not that weigh on your mind. And yet if you can get your freedom, take advantage of the opportunity. 46N 7 22 53650 For a Christian, if he was a slave when called, is the Lord's freed man, and in the same way a free man, if called, becomes the slave of Christ. 46N 7 23 53660 You have all been redeemed at infinite cost: do not become slaves to men. 46N 7 24 53670 Where each one stood when he was called, there, brethren, let him still stand--close to God. 46N 7 25 53680 Concerning unmarried women I have no command to give you from the Lord; but I offer you my opinion, which is that of a man who, through the Lord's mercy, is deserving of your confidence. 46N 7 26 53690 I think then that, taking into consideration the distress which is now upon us, it is well for a man to remain as he is. 46N 7 27 53700 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to get free. Are you free from the marriage bond? Do not seek for a wife. 46N 7 28 53710 Yet if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a maiden marries, she has not sinned. Such people, however, will have outward trouble. But I am for sparing you. 46N 7 29 53720 Yet of this I warn you, brethren: the time has been shortened--so that henceforth those who have wives should be as though they had none, 46N 7 30 53730 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 46N 7 31 53740 and those who use the world as not using it to the full. For the world as it now exists is passing away. 46N 7 32 53750 And I would have you free from worldly anxiety. An unmarried man concerns himself with the Lord's business--how he shall please the Lord; 46N 7 33 53760 but a married man concerns himself with the business of the world--how he shall please his wife. 46N 7 34 53770 There is a difference too between a married and an unmarried woman. She who is unmarried concerns herself with the Lord's business--that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but the married woman concerns herself with the business of the world--how she shall please her husband. 46N 7 35 53780 Thus much I say in your own interest; not to lay a trap for you, but to help towards what is becoming, and enable you to wait on the Lord without distraction. 46N 7 36 53790 If, however, a father thinks he is acting unbecomingly towards his still unmarried daughter if she be past the bloom of her youth, and so the matter is urgent, let him do what she desires; he commits no sin; she and her suitor should be allowed to marry. 46N 7 37 53800 But if a father stands firm in his resolve, being free from all external constraint and having a legal right to act as he pleases, and in his own mind has come to the decision to keep his daughter unmarried, he will do well. 46N 7 38 53810 So that he who gives his daughter in marriage does well, and yet he who does not give her in marriage will do better. 46N 7 39 53820 A woman is bound to her husband during the whole period that he lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to marry whom she will, provided that he is a Christian. 46N 7 40 53830 But in my judgement, her state is a more enviable one if she remains as she is; and I also think that I have the Spirit of God. 46N 8 1 53840 Now as to things which have been sacrificed to idols. This is a subject which we already understand--because we all have knowledge of it. Knowledge, however, tends to make people conceited; it is love that builds us up. 46N 8 2 53850 If any one imagines that he already possesses any true knowledge, he has as yet attained to no knowledge of the kind to which he ought to have attained; 46N 8 3 53860 but if any one loves God, that man is known by God. 46N 8 4 53870 As to eating things which have been sacrificed to idols, we are fully aware that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but One. 46N 8 5 53880 For if so-called gods do exist, either in Heaven or on earth--and in fact there are many such gods and many such lords-- 46N 8 6 53890 yet *we* have but one God, the Father, who is the source of all things and for whose service we exist, and but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom we and all things exist. 46N 8 7 53900 But all believers do not recognize these facts. Some, from force of habit in relation to the idol, even now eat idol sacrifices as such, and their consciences, being but weak, are polluted. 46N 8 8 53910 It is true that a particular kind of food will not bring us into God's presence; we are neither inferior to others if we abstain from it, nor superior to them if we eat it. 46N 8 9 53920 But take care lest this liberty of yours should prove a hindrance to the progress of weak believers. 46N 8 10 53930 For if any one were to see you, who know the real truth of this matter, reclining at table in an idol's temple, would not his conscience (supposing him to be a weak believer) be emboldened to eat the food which has been sacrificed to the idol? 46N 8 11 53940 Why, your knowledge becomes the ruin of the weak believer--your brother, for whom Christ died! 46N 8 12 53950 Moreover when you thus sin against the brethren and wound their weak consciences, you are, in reality, sinning against Christ. 46N 8 13 53960 Therefore if what I eat causes my brother to fall, never again to the end of my days will I touch any kind of animal food, for fear I should cause my brother to fall. 46N 9 1 53970 Am I not free? Am I not an Apostle? Can it be denied that I have seen Jesus, our Lord? Are not you yourselves my work in the Lord? 46N 9 2 53980 If to other men I am not an Apostle, yet at any rate I am one to you; for your very existence as a Christian Church is the seal of my Apostleship. 46N 9 3 53990 That is how I vindicate myself to those who criticize me. 46N 9 4 54000 Have we not a right to claim food and drink? 46N 9 5 54010 Have we not a right to take with us on our journeys a Christian sister as our wife, as the rest of the Apostles do--and the Lord's brothers and Peter? 46N 9 6 54020 Or again, is it only Barnabas and myself who are not at liberty to give up working with our hands? 46N 9 7 54030 What soldier ever serves at his own cost? Who plants a vineyard and yet does not eat any of the grapes? Or who tends a herd of cattle and yet does not taste their milk? 46N 9 8 54040 Am I making use of merely worldly illustrations? Does not the Law speak in the same tone? 46N 9 9 54050 For in the Law of Moses it is written, <"Thou shalt not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain."> 46N 9 10 54060 Is God simply thinking about the oxen? Or is it really in our interest that He speaks? Of course, it was written in our interest, because it is His will that when a plough-man ploughs, and a thresher threshes, it should be in the hope of sharing that which comes as the result. 46N 9 11 54070 If it is we who sowed the spiritual grain in you, is it a great thing that we should reap a temporal harvest from you? 46N 9 12 54080 If other teachers possess that right over you, do not we possess it much more? Yet we have not availed ourselves of the right, but we patiently endure all things rather than hinder in the least degree the progress of the Good News of the Christ. 46N 9 13 54090 Do you not know that those who perform the sacred rites have their food from the sacred place, and that those who serve at the altar all alike share with the altar? 46N 9 14 54100 In the same way the Lord also directed those who proclaim the Good News to maintain themselves by the Good News. 46N 9 15 54110 But I, for my part, have not used, and do not use, my full rights in any of these things. Nor do I now write with that object so far as I myself am concerned, for I would rather die than have anybody make this boast of mine an empty one. 46N 9 16 54120 If I go on preaching the Good News, that is nothing for me to boast of; for the necessity is imposed upon me; and alas for me, if I fail to preach it! 46N 9 17 54130 And if I preach willingly, I receive my wages; but if against my will, a stewardship has nevertheless been entrusted to me. 46N 9 18 54140 What are my wages then? The very fact that the Good News which I preach will cost my hearers nothing, so that I cannot be charged with abuse of my privileges as a Christian preacher. 46N 9 19 54150 Though free from all human control, I have made myself the slave of all in the hope of winning as many converts as possible. 46N 9 20 54160 To the Jews I have become like a Jew in order to win Jews; to men under the Law as if I were under the Law--although I am not--in order to win those who are under the Law; 46N 9 21 54170 to men without Law as if I were without Law--although I am not without Law in relation to God but am abiding in Christ's Law--in order to win those who are without Law. 46N 9 22 54180 To the weak I have become weak, so as to gain the weak. To all men I have become all things, in the hope that in every one of these ways I may save some. 46N 9 23 54190 And I do everything for the sake of the Good News, that I may share with my hearers in its benefits. 46N 9 24 54200 Do you not know that in the foot-race the runners all run, but that only one gets the prize? You must run like him, in order to win with certainty. 46N 9 25 54210 But every competitor in an athletic contest practices abstemiousness in all directions. They indeed do this for the sake of securing a perishable wreath, but we for the sake of securing one that will not perish. 46N 9 26 54220 That is how I run, not being in any doubt as to my goal. I am a boxer who does not inflict blows on the air, 46N 9 27 54230 but I hit hard and straight at my own body and lead it off into slavery, lest possibly, after I have been a herald to others, I should myself be rejected. 46N 10 1 54240 For I would have you remember, brethren, how our forefathers were all of them sheltered by the cloud, and all got safely through the Red Sea. 46N 10 2 54250 All were baptized in the cloud and in the sea to be followers of Moses. 46N 10 3 54260 All ate the same spiritual food, 46N 10 4 54270 and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they long drank the water that flowed from the spiritual rock that went with them--and that rock was the Christ. 46N 10 5 54280 But with most of them God was not well pleased; for they were laid low in the Desert. 46N 10 6 54290 And in this they became a warning to us, to teach us not to be eager, as they were eager, in pursuit of what is evil. 46N 10 7 54300 And you must not be worshippers of idols, as some of them were. For it is written, <"The People sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to dance."> 46N 10 8 54310 Nor may we be fornicators, like some of them who committed fornication and on a single day 23,000 of them fell dead. 46N 10 9 54320 And do not let us test the Lord too far, as some of them tested Him and were destroyed by the serpents. 46N 10 10 54330 And do not be discontented, as some of them were, and they were destroyed by the Destroyer. 46N 10 11 54340 All this kept happening to them with a figurative meaning; but it was put on record by way of admonition to us upon whom the ends of the Ages have come. 46N 10 12 54350 So then let him who thinks he is standing securely beware of falling. 46N 10 13 54360 No temptation has you in its power but such as is common to human nature; and God is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. But, when the temptation comes, He will also provide the way of escape; so that you may be able to bear it. 46N 10 14 54370 Therefore, my dear friends, avoid all connection with the worship of idols. 46N 10 15 54380 I speak as to men of sense: judge for yourselves of what I say. 46N 10 16 54390 The cup of blessing, which we bless, does it not mean a joint-participation in the blood of Christ? The loaf of bread which we break, does it not mean a joint-participation in the body of Christ? 46N 10 17 54400 Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; we, all of us, share in that one loaf. 46N 10 18 54410 Look at the Israelites--the nation and their ritual. Are not those who eat the sacrifices joint-partakers in the altar? 46N 10 19 54420 Do I mean that a thing sacrificed to an idol is what it claims to be, or that an idol is a real thing? 46N 10 20 54430 No, but that which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, not to God; and I would not have you have fellowship with one another through the demons. 46N 10 21 54440 You cannot drink the Lord's cup and the cup of demons: you cannot be joint-partakers both in the table of the Lord and in the table of demons. 46N 10 22 54450 Or are we actually arousing the Lord to jealousy. Are we stronger than He is? 46N 10 23 54460 Everything is allowable, but not everything is profitable. Everything is allowable, but everything does not build others up. 46N 10 24 54470 Let no one be for ever seeking his own good, but let each seek that of his fellow man. 46N 10 25 54480 Anything that is for sale in the meat market, eat, and ask no questions for conscience' sake; 46N 10 26 54490 for <the earth is the Lord's, and all that it contains.> 46N 10 27 54500 If an unbeliever gives you an invitation and you are disposed to accept it, eat whatever is put before you, and ask no questions for conscience' sake. 46N 10 28 54510 But if any one tells you, "This food has been offered in sacrifice;" abstain from eating it--out of respect for him who warned you, and, as before, for conscience' sake. 46N 10 29 54520 But now I mean his conscience, not your own. "Why, on what ground," you may object, "is the question of my liberty of action to be decided by a conscience not my own? 46N 10 30 54530 If, so far as I am concerned, I partake with a grateful heart, why am I to be found fault with in regard to a thing for which I give thanks?" 46N 10 31 54540 Whether, then, you are eating or drinking, or whatever you are doing, let everything be done to the glory of God. 46N 10 32 54550 Do not be causes of stumbling either to Jews or to Gentiles, nor to the Church of God. 46N 10 33 54560 That is the way that I also seek in everything the approval of all men, not aiming at my own profit, but at that of the many, in the hope that they may be saved. 46N 11 1 54570 Be imitators of me, in so far as I in turn am an imitator of Christ. 46N 11 2 54580 Now I commend you for remembering me in everything, and because you hold fast truths and practices precisely as I have taught them to you. 46N 11 3 54590 I would have you know, however, that of every man, Christ is the Head, that of a woman her husband is the Head, and that God is Christ's Head. 46N 11 4 54600 A man who wears a veil when praying or prophesying dishonors his Head; 46N 11 5 54610 but a woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her Head, for it is exactly the same as if she had her hair cut short. 46N 11 6 54620 If a woman will not wear a veil, let her also cut off her hair. But since it is a dishonor to a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her wear a veil. 46N 11 7 54630 For a man ought not to have a veil on his head, since he is the image and glory of God; while woman is the glory of man. 46N 11 8 54640 Man does not take his origin from woman, but woman takes hers from man. 46N 11 9 54650 For man was not created for woman's sake, but woman for man's. 46N 11 10 54660 That is why a woman ought to have on her head a symbol of subjection, because of the angels. 46N 11 11 54670 Yet, in the Lord, woman is not independent of man nor man independent of woman. 46N 11 12 54680 For just as woman originates from man, so also man comes into existence through woman, but everything springs originally from God. 46N 11 13 54690 Judge of this for your own selves: is it seemly for a woman to pray to God when she is unveiled? 46N 11 14 54700 Does not Nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair it is a dishonor to him, 46N 11 15 54710 but that if a woman has long hair it is her glory, because her hair was given her for a covering? 46N 11 16 54720 But if any one is inclined to be contentious on the point, we have no such custom, nor have the Churches of God. 46N 11 17 54730 But while giving you these instructions, there is one thing I cannot praise--your meeting together, with bad rather than good results. 46N 11 18 54740 for, in the first place, when you meet as a Church, there are divisions among you. This is what I am told, and I believe that there is some truth in it. 46N 11 19 54750 For there must of necessity be differences of opinion among you, in order that it may be plainly seen who are the men of sterling worth among you. 46N 11 20 54760 When, however, you meet in one place, there is no eating the Supper of the Lord; 46N 11 21 54770 for it is his own supper of which each of you is in a hurry to partake, and one eats like a hungry man, while another has already drunk to excess. 46N 11 22 54780 Why, have you no homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you wish to show your contempt for the Church of God and make those who have no homes feel ashamed? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this matter I certainly do not praise you. 46N 11 23 54790 For it was from the Lord that I received the facts which, in turn, I handed on to you; how that the Lord Jesus, on the night He was to be betrayed, took some bread, 46N 11 24 54800 and after giving thanks He broke it and said, "This is my body which is about to be broken for you. Do this in memory of me." 46N 11 25 54810 In the same way, when the meal was over, He also took the cup. "This cup," He said, "is the new Covenant of which my blood is the pledge. Do this, every time that you drink it, in memory of me." 46N 11 26 54820 For every time that you eat this bread and drink from the cup, you are proclaiming the Lord's death--until He returns. 46N 11 27 54830 Whoever, therefore, in an unworthy manner, eats the bread or drinks from the cup of the Lord sins against the body and blood of the Lord. 46N 11 28 54840 But let a man examine himself, and, having done that, then let him eat the bread and drink from the cup. 46N 11 29 54850 For any one who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgement to himself, if he fails to estimate the body aright. 46N 11 30 54860 That is why many among you are sickly and out of health, and why not a few die. 46N 11 31 54870 If, however, we estimated ourselves aright, we should not be judged. 46N 11 32 54880 But when we are judged by the Lord, chastisement follows, to save us from being condemned along with the world. 46N 11 33 54890 Therefore, brethren, when you come together for this meal, wait for one another. 46N 11 34 54900 If any one is hungry, let him eat at home; so that your coming together may not lead to judgement. The other matters I will deal with whenever I come. 46N 12 1 54910 It is important, brethren, that you should have clear knowledge on the subject of spiritual gifts. 46N 12 2 54920 You know that when you were heathens you went astray after dumb idols, wherever you happened to be led. 46N 12 3 54930 For this reason I would have you understand that no one speaking under the influence of The Spirit of God ever says, "Jesus is accursed," and that no one is able to say, "Jesus is Lord," except under the influence of the Holy Spirit. 46N 12 4 54940 Now there are various kinds of gifts, but there is one and the same Spirit; 46N 12 5 54950 various forms of official service, and yet one and the same Lord; 46N 12 6 54960 diversities in work, and yet one and the same God--He who in each person brings about the whole result. 46N 12 7 54970 But to each of us a manifestation of the Spirit has been granted for the common good. 46N 12 8 54980 To one the utterance of wisdom has been granted through the Spirit; to another the utterance of knowledge in accordance with the will of the same Spirit; 46N 12 9 54990 to a third man, by means of the same Spirit, special faith; to another various gifts of healing, by means of the one Spirit; 46N 12 10 55000 to another the exercise of miraculous powers; to another the gift of prophecy; to another the power of discriminating between prophetic utterances; to another varieties of the gift of `tongues;' to another the interpretation of tongues. 46N 12 11 55010 But these results are all brought about by one and the same Spirit, who bestows His gifts upon each of us in accordance with His own will. 46N 12 12 55020 For just as the human body is one and yet has many parts, and all its parts, many as they are, constitute but one body, so it is with the Church of Christ. 46N 12 13 55030 For, in fact, in one Spirit all of us--whether we are Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free men--were baptized to form but one body; and we were all nourished by that one Spirit. 46N 12 14 55040 For the human body does not consist of one part, but of many. 46N 12 15 55050 Were the foot to say, "Because I am not a hand I am not a part of the body," that would not make it any the less a part of the body. 46N 12 16 55060 Or were the ear to say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," that would not make it any the less a part of the body. 46N 12 17 55070 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the nostrils be? 46N 12 18 55080 But, as a matter of fact, God has arranged the parts in the body--every one of them--as He has seen fit. 46N 12 19 55090 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 46N 12 20 55100 But, as a matter of fact, there are many parts and but one body. 46N 12 21 55110 It is also impossible for the eye to say to the hand, "I do not need you;" or again for the head to say to the feet, "I do not need you." 46N 12 22 55120 No, it is quite otherwise. Even those parts of the body which are apparently somewhat feeble are yet indispensable; 46N 12 23 55130 and those which we deem less honorable we clothe with more abundant honor; and so our ungraceful parts come to have a more abundant grace, while our graceful parts have everything they need. 46N 12 24 55140 But it was God who built up the body, and bestowed more abundant honor on the part that felt the need, 46N 12 25 55150 that there might be no disunion in the body, but that all the members might entertain the same anxious care for one another's welfare. 46N 12 26 55160 And if one part is suffering, every other part suffers with it; or if one part is receiving special honor, every other part shares in the joy. 46N 12 27 55170 As for you, you are the body of Christ, and individually you are members of it. 46N 12 28 55180 And by God's appointment there are in the Church--first Apostles, secondly Prophets, thirdly teachers. Then come miraculous powers, and then ability to cure diseases or render loving service, or powers of organization, or varieties of the gift of `tongues.' 46N 12 29 55190 Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all teachers? 46N 12 30 55200 Have all miraculous powers? Have all ability to cure diseases? Do all speak in `tongues'? Do all interpret? 46N 12 31 55210 But always seek to excel in the greater gifts. And now I will point out to you a way of life which transcends all others. 46N 13 1 55220 If I can speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but am destitute of Love, I have but become a loud-sounding trumpet or a clanging cymbal. 46N 13 2 55230 If I possess the gift of prophecy and am versed in all mysteries and all knowledge, and have such absolute faith that I can remove mountains, but am destitute of Love, I am nothing. 46N 13 3 55240 And if I distribute all my possessions to the poor, and give up my body to be burned, but am destitute of Love, it profits me nothing. 46N 13 4 55250 Love is patient and kind. Love knows neither envy nor jealousy. Love is not forward and self-assertive, nor boastful and conceited. 46N 13 5 55260 She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize herself, nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. 46N 13 6 55270 She finds no pleasure in injustice done to others, but joyfully sides with the truth. 46N 13 7 55280 She knows how to be silent. She is full of trust, full of hope, full of patient endurance. 46N 13 8 55290 Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be done away with; if there are languages, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be brought to an end. 46N 13 9 55300 For our knowledge is imperfect, and so is our prophesying; 46N 13 10 55310 but when the perfect state of things is come, all that is imperfect will be brought to an end. 46N 13 11 55320 When I was a child, I talked like a child, felt like a child, reasoned like a child: when I became a man, I put from me childish ways. 46N 13 12 55330 For the present we see things as if in a mirror, and are puzzled; but then we shall see them face to face. For the present the knowledge I gain is imperfect; but then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 46N 13 13 55340 And so there remain Faith, Hope, Love--these three; and of these the greatest is Love. 46N 14 1 55350 Be eager in your pursuit of this Love, and be earnestly ambitious for spiritual gifts, but let it be chiefly so in order that you may prophesy. 46N 14 2 55360 For he who speaks in an unknown tongue is not speaking to men, but to God; for no one understands him. Yet in the Spirit he is speaking secret truths. 46N 14 3 55370 But he who prophesies speaks to men words of edification, encouragement and comfort. 46N 14 4 55380 He who speaks in an unknown tongue does good to himself, but he who prophesies does good to the Church. 46N 14 5 55390 I should be right glad were you all to speak in `tongues,' but yet more glad were you all to prophesy. And, in fact, the man who prophesies is superior to him who speaks in `tongues,' except when the latter can interpret in order that the Church may get a blessing. 46N 14 6 55400 But, brethren, as things are, if I come to you speaking in `tongues,' what benefit shall I confer on you, if the utterance is neither in the form of a revelation nor of additional knowledge nor of prophecy nor of teaching? 46N 14 7 55410 Even inanimate things--flutes or harps, for instance--when yielding a sound, if they make no distinction in the notes, how shall the tune which is played on the flute or the harp be known? 46N 14 8 55420 If the bugle--to take another example--gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 46N 14 9 55430 And so with you; if with the living voice you fail to utter intelligible words, how will people know what you are saying? You will be talking to the winds. 46N 14 10 55440 There are, we will suppose, a great number of languages in the world, and no creature is without a language. 46N 14 11 55450 If, however, I do not know the meaning of the particular language, I shall seem to the speaker of it, and he to me, to be merely talking some foreign tongue. 46N 14 12 55460 Therefore, seeing that you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in them so as to benefit the Church. 46N 14 13 55470 Therefore let a man who has the gift of tongues pray for the power of interpreting them. 46N 14 14 55480 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is barren. 46N 14 15 55490 How then does the matter stand? I will pray in spirit, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will praise God in spirit, and I will praise Him with my understanding also. 46N 14 16 55500 Otherwise, if you bless God in spirit only, how shall he who is in the position of an ungifted man say the `Amen' to your giving of thanks, when he does not know what your words mean? 46N 14 17 55510 Rightly enough you are giving thanks, and yet your neighbor is not benefited. 46N 14 18 55520 I speak in a tongue, thank God, more than all of you; 46N 14 19 55530 but in the Church I would rather speak five words with my understanding--so as to instruct others also--than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 46N 14 20 55540 Brethren, do not prove yourselves to be children in your minds. As regards evil, indeed, be utter babes, but as regards your minds prove yourselves to be men of ripe years. 46N 14 21 55550 In the Law it stands written, <"`By men of unknown tongues and by the lips of an unknown nation will I speak to this People, but even then they will not listen to Me',> says the Lord." 46N 14 22 55560 This shows that the gift of tongues is intended as a sign not to those who believe but to unbelievers, but prophecy is intended not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 46N 14 23 55570 Accordingly if the whole Church has assembled and all are speaking in `tongues,' and there come in ungifted men, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are all mad? 46N 14 24 55580 If, on the other hand, every one is prophesying and an unbeliever or an ungifted man comes in, he is convicted by all and closely examined by all, 46N 14 25 55590 and the hidden evils of his heart are brought to light. And, as the result, he will fall on his face and worship God, and will report to others that of a truth God is among you. 46N 14 26 55600 What then, brethren? Whenever you assemble, there is not one of you who is not ready either with a song of praise, a sermon, a revelation, a `tongue,' or an interpretation. Let everything be done with a view to the building up of faith and character. 46N 14 27 55610 If there is speaking in an unknown tongue, only two or at the most three should speak, and they should do so one at a time, and one should interpret; 46N 14 28 55620 or if there is no interpreter, let the man with the gift be silent in the Church, speaking to himself and to God. 46N 14 29 55630 But if there are Prophets, let two or three speak and let the rest judge. 46N 14 30 55640 And if anything is revealed to some one else who is seated there, let the first be silent. 46N 14 31 55650 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged: 46N 14 32 55660 and the spirits of Prophets yield submission to Prophets. 46N 14 33 55670 For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace, as He is in all the Churches of His people. 46N 14 34 55680 Let married women be silent in the Churches, for they are not permitted to speak. They must be content with a subordinate place, as the Law also says; 46N 14 35 55690 and if they wish to ask questions, they should ask their own husbands at home. For it is disgraceful for a married woman to speak at a Church assembly. 46N 14 36 55700 Was it from you that God's Message first went forth, or is it to you only that it has come? 46N 14 37 55710 If any one deems himself to be a Prophet or a man with spiritual gifts, let him recognize as the Lord's command all that I am now writing to you. 46N 14 38 55720 But if any one is ignorant, let him be ignorant. 46N 14 39 55730 The conclusion, my brethren, is this. Be earnestly ambitious to prophesy, and do not check speaking with tongues; 46N 14 40 55740 only let everything be done in a becoming and orderly manner. 46N 15 1 55750 But let me recall to you, brethren, the Good News which I brought you, which you accepted, and on which you are standing, 46N 15 2 55760 through which also you are obtaining salvation, if you bear in mind the words in which I proclaimed it--unless indeed your faith has been unreal from the very first. 46N 15 3 55770 For I repeated to you the all-important fact which also I had been taught, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; 46N 15 4 55780 that He was buried; that He rose to life again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 46N 15 5 55790 and was seen by Peter, and then by the Twelve. 46N 15 6 55800 Afterwards He was seen by more than five hundred brethren at once, most of whom are still alive, although some of them have now fallen asleep. 46N 15 7 55810 Afterwards He was seen by James, and then by all the Apostles. 46N 15 8 55820 And last of all, as to one of untimely birth, He appeared to me also. 46N 15 9 55830 For I am the least of the Apostles, and am not fit to be called an Apostle--because I persecuted the Church of God. 46N 15 10 55840 But what I am I am by the grace of God, and His grace bestowed upon me did not prove ineffectual. But I labored more strenuously than all the rest--yet it was not I, but God's grace working with me. 46N 15 11 55850 But whether it is I or they, this is the way we preach and the way that you came to believe. 46N 15 12 55860 But if Christ is preached as having risen from the dead, how is it that some of you say that there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead? 46N 15 13 55870 If there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead, then Christ Himself has not risen to life. 46N 15 14 55880 And if Christ has not risen, it follows that what we preach is a delusion, and that your faith also is a delusion. 46N 15 15 55890 Nay more, we are actually being discovered to be bearing false witness about God, because we have testified that God raised Christ to life, whom He did not raise, if in reality none of the dead are raised. 46N 15 16 55900 For if none of the dead are raised to life, then Christ has not risen; 46N 15 17 55910 and if Christ has not risen, your faith is a vain thing--you are still in your sins. 46N 15 18 55920 It follows also that those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 46N 15 19 55930 If in this present life we have a *hope* resting on Christ, and nothing more, we are more to be pitied than all the rest of the world. 46N 15 20 55940 But, in reality, Christ *has* risen from among the dead, being the first to do so of those who are asleep. 46N 15 21 55950 For seeing that death came through man, through man comes also the resurrection of the dead. 46N 15 22 55960 For just as through Adam all die, so also through Christ all will be made alive again. 46N 15 23 55970 But this will happen to each in the right order--Christ having been the first to rise, and afterwards Christ's people rising at His return. 46N 15 24 55980 Later on, comes the End, when He is to surrender the Kingship to God, the Father, when He shall have overthrown all other government and all other authority and power. 46N 15 25 55990 For He must continue King until He shall have put all His enemies under His feet. 46N 15 26 56000 The last enemy that is to be overthrown is Death; 46N 15 27 56010 for He will have put all things in subjection under His feet. And when He shall have declared that "All things are in subjection," it will be with the manifest exception of Him who has reduced them all to subjection to Him. 46N 15 28 56020 But when the whole universe has been made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also become subject to Him who has made the universe subject to Him, in order that GOD may be all in all. 46N 15 29 56030 Otherwise what will become of those who got themselves baptized for the dead? If the dead do not rise at all, why are these baptized for them? 46N 15 30 56040 Why also do we Apostles expose ourselves to danger every hour? 46N 15 31 56050 I protest, brethren, as surely as I glory over you--which I may justly do in Christ Jesus our Lord--that I die day by day. 46N 15 32 56060 If from merely human motives I have fought with wild beasts in Ephesus, what profit is it to me? If the dead do not rise, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we are to die. 46N 15 33 56070 Do not deceive yourselves: "Evil companionships corrupt good morals." 46N 15 34 56080 Wake from this drunken fit; live righteous lives, and cease to sin; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak thus in order to move you to shame. 46N 15 35 56090 But some one will say, "How can the dead rise? And with what kind of body do they come back?" 46N 15 36 56100 Foolish man! the seed you yourself sow has no life given to it unless it first dies; 46N 15 37 56110 and as for what you sow, it is not the plant which is to be that you are sowing, but a bare grain, of wheat (it may be) or of something else, and God gives it a body as He has seen fit, 46N 15 38 56120 and to each kind of seed a body of its own. 46N 15 39 56130 All flesh is not the same: there is human flesh, and flesh of cattle, of birds, and of fishes. 46N 15 40 56140 There are bodies which are celestial and there are bodies which are earthly, but the glory of the celestial ones is one thing, and that of the earthly ones is another. 46N 15 41 56150 There is one glory of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. 46N 15 42 56160 It is the same with the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in a state of decay, it is raised free from decay; 46N 15 43 56170 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 46N 15 44 56180 an animal body is sown, a spiritual body is raised. As surely as there is an animal body, so there is also a spiritual body. 46N 15 45 56190 In the same way also it is written, <"The first man Adam became a living animal";> the last Adam is a life-giving Spirit. 46N 15 46 56200 Nevertheless, it is not what is spiritual that came first, but what is animal; what is spiritual came afterwards. 46N 15 47 56210 The first man is a man of earth, earthy; the second man is from Heaven. 46N 15 48 56220 What the earthy one is, that also are those who are earthy; and what the heavenly One is, that also are those who are heavenly. 46N 15 49 56230 And as we have borne a resemblance to the earthy one, let us see to it that we also bear a resemblance to the heavenly One. 46N 15 50 56240 But this I tell you, brethren: our mortal bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, nor will what is perishable inherit what is imperishable. 46N 15 51 56250 I tell you a truth hitherto kept secret: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 46N 15 52 56260 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sounding of the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incapable of decay, and *we* shall be changed. 46N 15 53 56270 For so it must be: this perishable nature must clothe itself with what is imperishable, and this mortality must clothe itself with immortality. 46N 15 54 56280 But when this perishable nature has put on what is imperishable, and this mortality has put on immortality, then will the words of Scripture be fulfilled, <"Death has been swallowed up in victory."> 46N 15 55 56290 <"Where, O death, is thy victory? Where, O death, is thy sting?"> 46N 15 56 56300 Now sin is the sting of death, and sin derives its power from the Law; 46N 15 57 56310 but God be thanked who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 46N 15 58 56320 Therefore, my dear brethren, be firm, unmovable, busily occupied at all times in the Lord's work, knowing that your toil is not fruitless in the Lord. 46N 16 1 56330 As to the collection for God's people, what I have directed the Churches of Galatia to do, you must do also. 46N 16 2 56340 On the first day of every week let each of you put on one side and store up at his home whatever gain has been granted to him; so that whenever I come, there may then be no collections going on. 46N 16 3 56350 And when I am with you, whatever brethren you accredit by letter I will send to carry your kind gift to Jerusalem. 46N 16 4 56360 And if it is worth while for me also to make the journey, they shall go as my companions. 46N 16 5 56370 I shall come to you after passing through Macedonia; for my plan will be to pass through Macedonia; 46N 16 6 56380 and I shall make some stay with you perhaps, or even spend the winter with you, in order that you may help me forward, whichever way I travel. 46N 16 7 56390 For I do not wish to see you on this occasion merely in passing; but if the Lord permits, I hope to remain some time with you. 46N 16 8 56400 I shall remain in Ephesus, however, until the time of the Harvest Festival, 46N 16 9 56410 for a wide door stands open before me which demands great efforts, and we have many opponents. 46N 16 10 56420 If Timothy pays you a visit, see that he is free from fear in his relations with you; for he is engaged in the Master's work just as I am. 46N 16 11 56430 Therefore let no one slight him, but all of you should help him forward in peace to join me; for I am waiting for him and others of the brethren. 46N 16 12 56440 As for our brother Apollos, I have repeatedly urged him to accompany the brethren who are coming to you: but he is quite resolved not to do so at present. He will come, however, when he has a good opportunity. 46N 16 13 56450 Be on the alert; stand firm in the faith; acquit yourselves like men; be strong. 46N 16 14 56460 Let all that you do be done from motives of love. 46N 16 15 56470 And I beseech you, brethren--you know the household of Stephanas, how they were the earliest Greek converts to Christ, and have devoted themselves to the service of God's people-- 46N 16 16 56480 I beseech you, on your part, to show deference to such men, and to every one who participates in their work and toils hard. 46N 16 17 56490 It is a joy to me that Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus have now arrived, because what was wanting so far as you are concerned they have supplied. 46N 16 18 56500 They have refreshed my spirit, and yours. Acknowledge such men as these. 46N 16 19 56510 The Churches in the province of Asia send you greetings; and Aquila and Prisca, in hearty Christian love, do the same, together with the Church which meets at their house. 46N 16 20 56520 The brethren all send greetings to you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 46N 16 21 56530 The final greeting of me--Paul--with my own hand. 46N 16 22 56540 If any one is destitute of love to the Lord, let him be accursed. OUR LORD IS COMING. 46N 16 23 56550 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 46N 16 24 56560 My love in Christ Jesus be with you all. 47N 1 1 56570 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God--and our brother Timothy: To the Church of God in Corinth, with all God's people throughout Greece. 47N 1 2 56580 May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 47N 1 3 56590 Heartfelt thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ--the Father who is full of compassion and the God who gives all comfort. 47N 1 4 56600 He comforts us in our every affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction by means of the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 47N 1 5 56610 For just as we have more than our share of suffering for the Christ, so also through the Christ we have more than our share of comfort. 47N 1 6 56620 But if, on the one hand, we are enduring affliction, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if, on the other hand, we are receiving comfort, it is for your comfort which is produced within you through your patient fortitude under the same sufferings as those which we also are enduring. 47N 1 7 56630 And our hope for you is stedfast; for we know that as you are partners with us in the sufferings, so you are also partners in the comfort. 47N 1 8 56640 For as for our troubles which came upon us in the province of Asia, we would have you know, brethren, that we were exceedingly weighed down, and felt overwhelmed, so that we renounced all hope even of life. 47N 1 9 56650 Nay, we had, as we still have, the sentence of death within our own selves, in order that our confidence may repose, not on ourselves, but on God who raised the dead to life. 47N 1 10 56660 He it is who rescued us from so imminent a death, and will do so again; and we have a firm hope in Him that He will also rescue us in all the future, 47N 1 11 56670 while you on your part lend us your aid in entreaty for us, so that from many lips thanksgivings may rise on our behalf for the boon granted to us at the intercession of many. 47N 1 12 56680 For the reason for our boasting is this--the testimony of our own conscience that it was in holiness and with pure motives before God, and in reliance not on worldly wisdom but on the gracious help of God, that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and above all in our relations with you. 47N 1 13 56690 For we are writing to you nothing different from what we have written before, or from what indeed you already recognize as truth and will, I trust, recognize as such to the very end; 47N 1 14 56700 just as some few of you have recognized us as your reason for boasting, even as you will be ours, on the day of Jesus our Lord. 47N 1 15 56710 It was because I entertained this confidence that I intended to visit you before going elsewhere--so that you might receive a twofold proof of God's favour-- 47N 1 16 56720 and to pass by way of Corinth into Macedonia. Then my plan was to return from Macedonia to you, and be helped forward by you to Judaea. 47N 1 17 56730 Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? Or the purposes which I form--do I form them on worldly principles, now crying "Yes, yes," and now "No, no"? 47N 1 18 56740 As certainly as God is faithful, our language to you is not now "Yes" and now "No." 47N 1 19 56750 For Jesus Christ the Son of God--He who was proclaimed among you by us, that is by Silas and Timothy and myself--did not show Himself a waverer between "Yes" and "No." But it was and always is "Yes" with Him. 47N 1 20 56760 For all the promises of God, whatever their number, have their confirmation in Him; and for this reason through Him also our "Amen" acknowledges their truth and promotes the glory of God through our faith. 47N 1 21 56770 But He who is making us as well as you stedfast through union with the Anointed One, and has anointed us, is God, 47N 1 22 56780 and He has also set His seal upon us, and has put His Spirit into our hearts as a pledge and foretaste of future blessing. 47N 1 23 56790 But as for me, as my soul shall answer for it, I appeal to God as my witness, that it was to spare you pain that I gave up my visit to Corinth. 47N 1 24 56800 Not that we want to lord it over you in respect of your faith--we do, however, desire to help your joy--for in the matter of your faith you are standing firm. 47N 2 1 56810 But, so far as I am concerned, I have resolved not to have a painful visit the next time I come to see you. 47N 2 2 56820 For if I of all men give you pain, who then is there to gladden my heart, but the very persons to whom I give pain? 47N 2 3 56830 And I write this to you in order that when I come I may not receive pain from those who ought to give me joy, confident as I am as to all of you that my joy is the joy of you all. 47N 2 4 56840 For with many tears I write to you, and in deep suffering and depression of spirit, not in order to grieve you, but in the hope of showing you how brimful my heart is with love for you. 47N 2 5 56850 Now if any one has caused sorrow, it has been caused not so much to me, as in some degree--for I have no wish to exaggerate--to all of you. 47N 2 6 56860 In the case of such a person the punishment which was inflicted by the majority of you is enough. 47N 2 7 56870 So that you may now take the opposite course, and forgive him rather and comfort him, for fear he should perhaps be driven to despair by his excess of grief. 47N 2 8 56880 I beg you therefore fully to reinstate him in your love. 47N 2 9 56890 For in writing to you I have also this object in view--to discover by experience whether you are prepared to be obedient in every respect. 47N 2 10 56900 When you forgive a man an offence I also forgive it; for in fact what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has always been for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 47N 2 11 56910 for fear Satan should gain an advantage over us. For we are not ignorant of his devices. 47N 2 12 56920 Now when I came into the Troad to spread there the Good News about the Christ, even though in the Lord's providence a door stood open before me, 47N 2 13 56930 yet, obtaining no relief for my spirit because I did not find our brother Titus, I bade them farewell and went on into Macedonia. 47N 2 14 56940 But to God be the thanks who in Christ ever heads our triumphal procession, and by our hands waves in every place that sweet incense, the knowledge of Him. 47N 2 15 56950 For we are a fragrance of Christ grateful to God in those whom He is saving and in those who are perishing; 47N 2 16 56960 to the last-named an odor of death predictive of death, and to the others an odor of life predictive of life. And for such service as this who is competent? 47N 2 17 56970 We are; for, unlike most teachers, we are not fraudulent hucksters of God's Message; but with transparent motives, as commissioned by God, in God's presence and in communion with Christ, so we speak. 47N 3 1 56980 Do you say that this is self-recommendation once more? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 47N 3 2 56990 Our letter of recommendation is yourselves--a letter written on our hearts and everywhere known and read. 47N 3 3 57000 For all can see that you are a letter of Christ entrusted to our care, and written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the ever-living God--and not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts as tablets. 47N 3 4 57010 Such is the confidence which we have through Christ in the presence of God; 47N 3 5 57020 not that of ourselves we are competent to decide anything by our own reasonings, but our competency comes from God. 47N 3 6 57030 It is He also who has made us competent to serve Him in connexion with a new Covenant, which is not a written code but a Spirit; for the written code inflicts death, but the Spirit gives Life. 47N 3 7 57040 If, however, the service that proclaims death--its code being engraved in writing upon stones--came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily on the face of Moses because of the brightness of his face--a vanishing brightness; 47N 3 8 57050 will not the service of the Spirit be far more glorious? 47N 3 9 57060 For if the service which pronounces doom had glory, far more glorious still is the service which tells of righteousness. 47N 3 10 57070 For, in fact, that which was once resplendent in glory has no glory at all in this respect, that it pales before the glory which surpasses it. 47N 3 11 57080 For if that which was to be abolished came with glory, much more is that which is permanent arrayed in glory. 47N 3 12 57090 Therefore, cherishing a hope like this, we speak without reserve, and we do not imitate Moses, 47N 3 13 57100 who used to throw a veil over his face to hide from the gaze of the children of Israel the passing away of what was but transitory. 47N 3 14 57110 Nay, their minds were made dull; for to this very day during the reading of the book of the ancient Covenant, the same veil remains unlifted, because it is only in Christ that it is to be abolished. 47N 3 15 57120 Yes, to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their hearts. 47N 3 16 57130 But whenever the heart of the nation shall have returned to the Lord, the veil will be withdrawn. 47N 3 17 57140 Now by "the Lord" is meant the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is enjoyed. 47N 3 18 57150 And all of us, with unveiled faces, reflecting like bright mirrors the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same likeness, from one degree of radiant holiness to another, even as derived from the Lord the Spirit. 47N 4 1 57160 Therefore, being engaged in this service and being mindful of the mercy which has been shown us, we are not cowards. 47N 4 2 57170 Nay, we have renounced the secrecy which marks a feeling of shame. We practice no cunning tricks, nor do we adulterate God's Message. But by a full clear statement of the truth we strive to commend ourselves in the presence of God to every human conscience. 47N 4 3 57180 If, however, the meaning of our Good News has been veiled, the veil has been on the hearts of those who are on the way to perdition, 47N 4 4 57190 in whom the god of this present age has blinded their unbelieving minds so as to shut out the sunshine of the Good News of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God. 47N 4 5 57200 (For we do not proclaim ourselves, but we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for the sake of Jesus.) 47N 4 6 57210 For God who said, "Out of darkness let light shine," is He who has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory, which is radiant on the face of Christ. 47N 4 7 57220 But we have this treasure in a fragile vase of clay, in order that the surpassing greatness of the power may be seen to belong to God, and not to originate in us. 47N 4 8 57230 We are hard pressed, yet never in absolute distress; perplexed, yet never utterly baffled; 47N 4 9 57240 pursued, yet never left unsuccoured; struck to the ground, yet never slain; 47N 4 10 57250 always, wherever we go, carrying with us in our bodies the putting to death of Jesus, so that in our bodies it may also be clearly shown that Jesus lives. 47N 4 11 57260 For we, alive though we are, are continually surrendering ourselves to death for the sake of Jesus, so that in this mortal nature of ours it may also be clearly shown that Jesus lives. 47N 4 12 57270 Thus we are constantly dying, while you are in full enjoyment of Life. 47N 4 13 57280 But possessing the same Spirit of faith as he who wrote, <"I believed, and therefore I have spoken,"> we also believe, and therefore we speak. 47N 4 14 57290 For we know that He who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will raise us also to be with Jesus, and will cause both us and you to stand in His own presence. 47N 4 15 57300 For everything is for your sakes, in order that grace, being more richly bestowed because of the thanksgivings of the increased number, may more and more promote the glory of God. 47N 4 16 57310 Therefore we are not cowards. Nay, even though our outward man is wasting away, yet our inward man is being renewed day by day. 47N 4 17 57320 For this our light and transitory burden of suffering is achieving for us a preponderating, yes, a vastly preponderating, and eternal weight of glory; 47N 4 18 57330 while we look not at things seen, but things unseen; for things seen are temporary, but things unseen are eternal. 47N 5 1 57340 For we know that if this poor tent, our earthly house, is taken down, we have in Heaven a building which God has provided, a house not built by human hands, but eternal. 47N 5 2 57350 For in this one we sigh, because we long to put on over it our dwelling which comes from Heaven-- 47N 5 3 57360 if indeed having really put on a robe we shall not be found to be unclothed. 47N 5 4 57370 Yes, we who are in this tent certainly do sigh under our burdens, for we do not wish to lay aside that with which we are now clothed, but to put on more, so that our mortality may be absorbed in Life. 47N 5 5 57380 And He who formed us with this very end in view is God, who has given us His Spirit as a pledge and foretaste of that bliss. 47N 5 6 57390 We have therefore a cheerful confidence. We know that while we are at home in the body we are banished from the Lord; 47N 5 7 57400 for we are living a life of faith, and not one of sight. 47N 5 8 57410 So we have a cheerful confidence, and we anticipate with greater delight being banished from the body and going home to the Lord. 47N 5 9 57420 And for this reason also we make it our ambition, whether at home or in exile, to please Him perfectly. 47N 5 10 57430 For we must all of us appear before Christ's judgement-seat in our true characters, in order that each may then receive an award for his actions in this life, in accordance with what he has done, whether it be good or whether it be worthless. 47N 5 11 57440 Therefore, because we realize how greatly the Lord is to be feared, we are endeavouring to win men over, and God recognizes what our motives are, and I hope that you, in your hearts, recognize them too. 47N 5 12 57450 We are not again commending ourselves to your favour, but are furnishing you with a ground of boasting on our behalf, so that you may have a reply ready for those with whom superficial appearances are everything and sincerity of heart counts for nothing. 47N 5 13 57460 For if we have been beside ourselves, it has been for God's glory; or if we are now in our right senses, it is in order to be of service to you. 47N 5 14 57470 For the love of Christ overmasters us, the conclusion at which we have arrived being this--that One having died for all, His death was their death, 47N 5 15 57480 and that He died for all in order that the living may no longer live to themselves, but to Him who died for them and rose again. 47N 5 16 57490 Therefore for the future we know no one simply as a man. Even if we have known Christ as a man, yet now we do so no longer. 47N 5 17 57500 So that if any one is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old state of things has passed away; a new state of things has come into existence. 47N 5 18 57510 And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has appointed us to serve in the ministry of reconciliation. 47N 5 19 57520 We are to tell how God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not charging men's transgressions to their account, and that He has entrusted to us the Message of this reconciliation. 47N 5 20 57530 On Christ's behalf therefore we come as ambassadors, God, as it were, making entreaty through our lips: we, on Christ's behalf, beseech men to be reconciled to God. 47N 5 21 57540 He has made Him who knew nothing of sin to be sin for us, in order that in Him we may become the righteousness of God. 47N 6 1 57550 And you also we, as God's fellow workers, entreat not to be found to have received His grace to no purpose. 47N 6 2 57560 For He says, <"At a time of welcome I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have succoured you."> Now is the time of loving welcome! Now is the day of salvation! 47N 6 3 57570 We endeavour to give people no cause for stumbling in anything, lest the work we are doing should fall into discredit. 47N 6 4 57580 On the contrary, as God's servants, we seek their full approval--by unwearied endurance, by afflictions, by distress, by helplessness; 47N 6 5 57590 by floggings, by imprisonments; by facing riots, by toil, by sleepless watching, by hunger and thirst; 47N 6 6 57600 by purity of life, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love; 47N 6 7 57610 by the proclamation of the truth, by the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness, wielded in both hands; 47N 6 8 57620 through honour and ignominy, through calumny and praise. We are looked upon as impostors and yet are true men; 47N 6 9 57630 as obscure persons, and yet are well known; as on the point of death, and yet, strange to tell, we live; as under God's discipline, and yet we are not deprived of life; 47N 6 10 57640 as sad, but we are always joyful; as poor, but we bestow wealth on many; as having nothing, and yet we securely possess all things. 47N 6 11 57650 O Corinthians, our lips are unsealed to you: our heart is expanded. 47N 6 12 57660 There is no narrowness in our love to you: the narrowness is in your own feelings. 47N 6 13 57670 And in just requital--I speak as to my children--let your hearts expand also. 47N 6 14 57680 Do not come into close association with unbelievers, like oxen yoked with asses. For what is there in common between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what partnership has light with darkness? 47N 6 15 57690 Where can harmony between Christ and Belial be found? Or what participation has a believer with an unbeliever? 47N 6 16 57700 And what compact has the Temple of God with idols? For *we* are the Temple of the ever-living God; as God has said, <"I will dwell among them, and walk about among them; and will be their God, and it is they who shall be My people."> 47N 6 17 57710 Therefore, <"`Come out from among them and separate yourselves,' says the Lord, `and touch nothing impure; and I will receive you, and will be a Father to you, 47N 6 18 57720 and you shall be My sons and daughters,' says the Lord the Ruler of all."> 47N 7 1 57730 Having therefore these promises, beloved friends, let us purify ourselves from all defilement of body and of spirit, and secure perfect holiness through the fear of God. 47N 7 2 57740 Make room for us in your hearts. There is not one of you whom we have wronged, not one to whom we have done harm, not one over whom we have gained any selfish advantage. 47N 7 3 57750 I do not say this to imply blame, for, as I have already said, you have such a place in our hearts that we would die with you or live with you. 47N 7 4 57760 I have great confidence in you: very loudly do I boast of you. I am filled with comfort: my heart overflows with joy amid all our affliction. 47N 7 5 57770 For even after our arrival in Macedonia we could get no relief such as human nature craves. We were greatly harassed; there were conflicts without and fears within. 47N 7 6 57780 But He who comforts the depressed--even God-- comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not by his coming only, 47N 7 7 57790 but also by the fact that he had felt comforted on your account, and by the report which he brought of your eager affection, of your grief, and of your jealousy on my behalf, so that I rejoiced more than ever. 47N 7 8 57800 For if I gave you pain by that letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it then. I see that that letter, even though for a time it gave you pain, had a salutary effect. 47N 7 9 57810 Now I rejoice, not in your grief, but because the grief led to repentance; for you sorrowed with a godly sorrow, which prevented you from receiving injury from us in any respect. 47N 7 10 57820 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, a repentance not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world finally produces death. 47N 7 11 57830 For mark the effects of this very thing--your having sorrowed with a godly sorrow--what earnestness it has called forth in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing affection, what jealousy, what meting out of justice! You have completely wiped away reproach from yourselves in the matter. 47N 7 12 57840 Therefore, though I wrote to you, it was not to punish the offender, nor to secure justice for him who had suffered the wrong, but it was chiefly in order that your earnest feeling on our behalf might become manifest to yourselves in the sight of God. 47N 7 13 57850 For this reason we feel comforted; and--in addition to this our comfort--we have been filled with all the deeper joy at Titus's joy, because his spirit has been set at rest by you all. 47N 7 14 57860 For however I may have boasted to him about you, I have no reason to feel ashamed; but as we have in all respects spoken the truth to you, so also our boasting to Titus about you has turned out to be the truth. 47N 7 15 57870 And his strong and tender affection is all the more drawn out towards you when he recalls to mind the obedience which all of you manifested by the timidity and nervous anxiety with which you welcomed him. 47N 7 16 57880 I rejoice that I have absolute confidence in you. 47N 8 1 57890 But we desire to let you know, brethren, of the grace of God which has been bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia; 47N 8 2 57900 how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous liberality. 47N 8 3 57910 For I can testify that to the utmost of their power, and even beyond their power, they have of their own free will given help. 47N 8 4 57920 With earnest entreaty they begged from us the favour of being allowed to share in the service now being rendered to God's people. 47N 8 5 57930 They not only did this, as we had expected, but first of all in obedience to God's will they gave their own selves to the Lord and to us. 47N 8 6 57940 This led us to urge Titus that, as he had previously been the one who commenced the work, so he should now go and complete among you this act of beneficence also. 47N 8 7 57950 Yes, just as you are already very rich in faith, readiness of speech, knowledge, unwearied zeal, and in the love that is in you, implanted by us, see to it that this grace of liberal giving also flourishes in you. 47N 8 8 57960 I am not saying this by way of command, but to test by the standard of other men's earnestness the genuineness of your love also. 47N 8 9 57970 For you know the condescending goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ--how for your sakes He became poor, though He was rich, in order that you through His poverty might grow rich. 47N 8 10 57980 But in this matter I give you an opinion; for my doing this helps forward your own intentions, seeing that not only have you begun operations, but a year ago you already had the desire to do so. 47N 8 11 57990 And now complete the doing also, in order that, just as there was then the eagerness in desiring, there may now be the accomplishment in proportion to your means. 47N 8 12 58000 For, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he has not. 47N 8 13 58010 I do not urge you to give in order that others may have relief while you are unduly pressed, 47N 8 14 58020 but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having in the present emergency supplied their deficiency, their superfluity may in turn be a supply for your deficiency later on, so that there may be equalization of burdens. 47N 8 15 58030 Even as it is written, <"He who gathered much had not too much, and he who gathered little had not too little."> 47N 8 16 58040 But thanks be to God that He inspires the heart of Titus with the same deep interest in you; 47N 8 17 58050 for Titus welcomed our request, and, being thoroughly in earnest, comes to you of his own free will. 47N 8 18 58060 And we send with him the brother whose praises for his earnestness in proclaiming the Good News are heard throughout all the Churches. 47N 8 19 58070 And more than that, he is the one who was chosen by the vote of the Churches to travel with us, sharing our commission in the administration of this generous gift to promote the Lord's glory and gratify our own strong desire. 47N 8 20 58080 For against one thing we are on our guard--I mean against blame being thrown upon us in respect to these large and liberal contributions which are under our charge. 47N 8 21 58090 For we seek not only God's approval of our integrity, but man's also. 47N 8 22 58100 And we send with them our brother, of whose zeal we have had frequent proof in many matters, and who is now more zealous than ever through the strong confidence which he has in you. 47N 8 23 58110 As for Titus, remember that he is a partner with me, and is my comrade in my labours for you. And as for our brethren, remember that they are delegates from the Churches, and are men in whom Christ is glorified. 47N 8 24 58120 Exhibit therefore to the Churches a proof of your love, and a justification of our boasting to these brethren about you. 47N 9 1 58130 As to the services which are being rendered to God's people, it is really unnecessary for me to write to you. 47N 9 2 58140 For I know your earnest willingness, on account of which I habitually boast of you to the Macedonians, pointing out to them that for a whole year you in Greece have been ready; and the greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardour. 47N 9 3 58150 Still I send the brethren in order that in this matter our boast about you may not turn out to have been an idle one; so that, as I have said, you may be ready; 47N 9 4 58160 for fear that, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--not to say you yourselves--should be put to the blush in respect to this confidence. 47N 9 5 58170 I have thought it absolutely necessary therefore to request these brethren to visit you before I myself come, and to make sure beforehand that the gift of love which you have already promised may be ready as a gift of love, and may not seem to have been something which I have extorted from you. 47N 9 6 58180 But do not forget that he who sows with a niggardly hand will also reap a niggardly crop, and that he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 47N 9 7 58190 Let each contribute what he has decided upon in his own mind, and not do it reluctantly or under compulsion. <"It is a cheerful giver that God loves."> 47N 9 8 58200 And God is able to bestow every blessing on you in abundance, so that richly enjoying all sufficiency at all times, you may have ample means for all good works. 47N 9 9 58210 As it is written, <"He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his almsgiving remains for ever."> 47N 9 10 58220 And God who continually supplies seed for the sower and bread for eating, will supply you with seed and multiply it, and will cause your almsgiving to yield a plentiful harvest. 47N 9 11 58230 May you be abundantly enriched so as to show all liberality, such as through our instrumentality brings thanksgiving to God. 47N 9 12 58240 For the service rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to relieve the wants of God's people, but it is also rich in its results and awakens a chorus of thanksgiving to God. 47N 9 13 58250 For, by the practical proof of it which you exhibit in this service, you cause God to be extolled for your fidelity to your professed adherence to the Good News of the Christ, and for the liberality of your contributions for them and for all who are in need, 47N 9 14 58260 while they themselves also in supplications on your behalf pour out their longing love towards you because of God's surpassing grace which is resting upon you. 47N 9 15 58270 Thanks be to God for His unspeakably precious gift! 47N 10 1 58280 But as for me Paul, I entreat you by the gentleness and self-forgetfulness of Christ--I who when among you have not an imposing personal presence, but when absent am fearlessly outspoken in dealing with you. 47N 10 2 58290 I beseech you not to compel me when present to make a bold display of the confidence with which I reckon I shall show my `courage' against some who reckon that we are guided by worldly principles. 47N 10 3 58300 For, though we are still living in the world, it is no worldly warfare that we are waging. 47N 10 4 58310 The weapons with which we fight are not human weapons, but are mighty for God in overthrowing strong fortresses. 47N 10 5 58320 For we overthrow arrogant `reckonings,' and every stronghold that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every thought as if into slavery--into subjection to Christ; 47N 10 6 58330 while we hold ourselves in readiness to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as ever you as a Church have fully shown your obedience. 47N 10 7 58340 Is it outward appearances you look to? If any man is confident as regards himself that he specially belongs to Christ, let him consider again and reflect that just as he belongs to Christ, so also do we. 47N 10 8 58350 If, however, I were to boast more loudly of our Apostolic authority, which the Lord has given us that we may build you up, not pull you down, I should have no reason to feel ashamed. 47N 10 9 58360 Let it not seem as if I wanted to frighten you by my letters. 47N 10 10 58370 For they say "His letters are authoritative and forcible, but his personal presence is unimpressive, and as for eloquence, he has none." 47N 10 11 58380 Let such people take this into their reckoning, that whatever we are in word by our letters when absent, the same are we also in act when present. 47N 10 12 58390 For we have not the `courage' to rank ourselves among, or compare ourselves with, certain persons distinguished by their self-commendation. Yet they are not wise, measuring themselves, as they do, by one another and comparing themselves with one another. 47N 10 13 58400 We, however, will not exceed due limits in our boasting, but will keep within the limits of the sphere which God has assigned to us as a limit, which reaches even to you. 47N 10 14 58410 For there is no undue stretch of authority on our part, as though it did not extend to you. We pressed on even to Corinth, and were the first to proclaim to you the Good News of the Christ. 47N 10 15 58420 We do not exceed our due limits, and take credit for other men's labours; but we entertain the hope that, as your faith grows, we shall gain promotion among you--still keeping within our own sphere--promotion to a larger field of labour, 47N 10 16 58430 and shall tell the Good News in the districts beyond you, not boasting in another man's sphere about work already done by him. 47N 10 17 58440 But <"whoever boasts, let his boast be in the Lord."> 47N 10 18 58450 For it is not the man that commends himself who is really approved, but he whom the Lord commends. 47N 11 1 58460 I wish you could have borne with a little foolish boasting on my part. Nay, do bear with me. 47N 11 2 58470 I am jealous over you with God's own jealousy. For I have betrothed you to Christ to present you to Him like a faithful bride to her one husband. 47N 11 3 58480 But I am afraid that, as the serpent in his craftiness deceived Eve, so your minds may be led astray from their single-heartedness and their fidelity to Christ. 47N 11 4 58490 If indeed some visitor is proclaiming among you another Jesus whom we did not proclaim, or if you are receiving a Spirit different from the One you have already received or a Good News different from that which you have already welcomed, your toleration is admirable! 47N 11 5 58500 Why, I reckon myself in no respect inferior to those superlatively great Apostles. 47N 11 6 58510 And if in the matter of speech I am no orator, yet in knowledge I am not deficient. Nay, we have in every way made that fully evident to you. 47N 11 7 58520 Is it a sin that I abased myself in order for you to be exalted, in that I proclaimed God's Good News to you without fee or reward? 47N 11 8 58530 Other Churches I robbed, receiving pay from them in order to do you service. 47N 11 9 58540 And when I was with you and my resources failed, there was no one to whom I became a burden--for the brethren when they came from Macedonia fully supplied my wants--and I kept myself from being in the least a burden to you, and will do so still. 47N 11 10 58550 Christ knows that it is true when I say that I will not be stopped from boasting of this anywhere in Greece. 47N 11 11 58560 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows that I do. 47N 11 12 58570 But I will persist in the same line of conduct in order to cut the ground from under the feet of those who desire an opportunity of getting themselves recognized as being on a level with us in the matters about which they boast. 47N 11 13 58580 For men of this stamp are sham apostles, dishonest workmen, assuming the garb of Apostles of Christ. 47N 11 14 58590 And no wonder. Satan, their master, can disguise himself as an angel of light. 47N 11 15 58600 It is therefore no great thing for his servants also to disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be in accordance with their actions. 47N 11 16 58610 To return to what I was saying. Let no one suppose that I am foolish. Or if you must, at any rate make allowance for me as being foolish, in order that I, as well as they, may boast a little. 47N 11 17 58620 What I am now saying, I do not say by the Lord's command, but as a fool in his folly might, in this reckless boasting. 47N 11 18 58630 Since many boast for merely human reasons, I too will boast. 47N 11 19 58640 Wise as you yourselves are, you find pleasure in tolerating fools. 47N 11 20 58650 For you tolerate it, if any one enslaves you, lives at your expense, makes off with your property, gives himself airs, or strikes you on the face. 47N 11 21 58660 I use the language of self-disparagement, as though I were admitting our own feebleness. Yet for whatever reason any one is `courageous' --I speak in mere folly--I also am courageous. 47N 11 22 58670 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 47N 11 23 58680 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if I were out of my mind.) Much more am I His servant; serving Him more thoroughly than they by my labours, and more thoroughly also by my imprisonments, by excessively cruel floggings, and with risk of life many a time. 47N 11 24 58690 From the Jews I five times have received forty lashes all but one. 47N 11 25 58700 Three times I have been beaten with Roman rods, once I have been stoned, three times I have been shipwrecked, once for full four and twenty hours I was floating on the open sea. 47N 11 26 58710 I have served Him by frequent travelling, amid dangers in crossing rivers, dangers from robbers; dangers from my own countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles; dangers in the city, dangers in the Desert, dangers by sea, dangers from spies in our midst; 47N 11 27 58720 with labour and toil, with many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, in frequent fastings, in cold, and with insufficient clothing. 47N 11 28 58730 And besides other things, which I pass over, there is that which presses on me daily--my anxiety for all the Churches. 47N 11 29 58740 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led astray into sin, and I am not aflame with indignation? 47N 11 30 58750 If boast I must, it shall be of things which display my weakness. 47N 11 31 58760 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ--He who is blessed throughout the Ages--knows that I am speaking the truth. 47N 11 32 58770 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the gates of the city in order to apprehend me, 47N 11 33 58780 but through an opening in the wall I was let down in a basket, and so escaped his hands. 47N 12 1 58790 I am compelled to boast. It is not a profitable employment, but I will proceed to visions and revelations granted me by the Lord. 47N 12 2 58800 I know a Christian man who fourteen years ago-- whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know; God knows--was caught up (this man of whom I am speaking) even to the highest Heaven. 47N 12 3 58810 And I know that this man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know; 47N 12 4 58820 God knows--was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable things which no human being is permitted to repeat. 47N 12 5 58830 Of such a one I will boast; but of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. 47N 12 6 58840 If however I should choose to boast, I should not be a fool for so doing, for I should be speaking the truth. But I forbear, lest any one should be led to estimate me more highly than what his own eyes attest, or more highly than what he hears from my lips. 47N 12 7 58850 And judging by the stupendous grandeur of the revelations--therefore lest I should be over-elated there has been sent to me, like the agony of impalement, Satan's angel dealing blow after blow, lest I should be over-elated. 47N 12 8 58860 As for this, three times have I besought the Lord to rid me of him; 47N 12 9 58870 but His reply has been, "My grace suffices for you, for power matures in weakness." Most gladly therefore will I boast of my infirmities rather than complain of them--in order that Christ's power may overshadow me. 47N 12 10 58880 In fact I take pleasure in infirmities, in the bearing of insults, in distress, in persecutions, in grievous difficulties--for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 47N 12 11 58890 It is foolish of me to write all this, but you have compelled me to do so. Why, you ought to have been my vindicators; for in no respect have I been inferior to these superlatively great Apostles, even though in myself I am nothing. 47N 12 12 58900 The signs that characterize the true Apostle have been done among you, accompanied by unwearied fortitude, and by tokens and marvels and displays of power. 47N 12 13 58910 In what respect, therefore, have you been worse dealt with than other Churches, except that I myself never hung as a dead weight upon you? Forgive the injustice I thus did you! 47N 12 14 58920 See, I am now for the third time prepared to visit you, but I will not be a dead weight to you. I desire not your money, but yourselves; for children ought not to put by for their parents, but parents for their children. 47N 12 15 58930 And as for me, most gladly will I spend all I have and be utterly spent for your salvation. 47N 12 16 58940 If I love you so intensely, am I the less to be loved? Be that as it may: I was not a burden to you. But being by no means scrupulous, I entrapped you, they say! 47N 12 17 58950 Have I gained any selfish advantage over you through any one of the messengers I have sent to you? 47N 12 18 58960 I begged Titus to visit you, and sent our other brother with him. Did Titus gain any selfish advantage over you? Were not he and I guided by one and the same Spirit, and did we not walk in the same steps? 47N 12 19 58970 You are imagining, all this time, that we are making our defense at your bar. In reality it is as in God's presence and in communion with Christ that we speak; but, dear friends, it is all with a view to your progress in goodness. 47N 12 20 58980 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may not find you to be what I desire, and that you may find me to be what you do not desire; that perhaps there may be contention, jealousy, bitter feeling, party spirit, ill-natured talk, backbiting, undue eulogy, unrest; 47N 12 21 58990 and that upon re-visiting you I may be humbled by my God in your presence, and may have to mourn over many whose hearts still cling to their old sins, and who have not repented of the impurity, fornication, and gross sensuality, of which they have been guilty. 47N 13 1 59000 This intended visit of mine is my third visit to you. <"On the evidence of two or three witnesses every charge shall be sustained."> 47N 13 2 59010 Those who cling to their old sins, and indeed all of you, I have forewarned and still forewarn (as I did on my second visit when present, so I do now, though absent) that, when I come again, I shall not spare you; 47N 13 3 59020 since you want a practical proof of the fact that Christ speaks by my lips--He who is not feeble towards you, but powerful among you. 47N 13 4 59030 For though it is true that He was crucified through weakness, yet He now lives through the power of God. We also are weak, sharing His weakness, but with Him we shall be full of life to deal with you through the power of God. 47N 13 5 59040 Test yourselves to discover whether you are true believers: put your own selves under examination. Or do you not know that Jesus Christ is within you, unless you are insincere? 47N 13 6 59050 But I trust that you will recognize that we are not insincere. 47N 13 7 59060 And our prayer to God is that you may do nothing wrong; not in order that our sincerity may be demonstrated, but that you may do what is right, even though our sincerity may seem to be doubtful. 47N 13 8 59070 For we have no power against the truth, but only for the furtherance of the truth; 47N 13 9 59080 and it is a joy to us when we are powerless, but you are strong. This we also pray for--the perfecting of your characters. 47N 13 10 59090 For this reason I write thus while absent, that when present I may not have to act severely in the exercise of the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for pulling down. 47N 13 11 59100 Finally, brethren, be joyful, secure perfection of character, take courage, be of one mind, live in peace. And then God who gives love and peace will be with you. 47N 13 12 59110 Salute one another with a holy kiss. 47N 13 13 59120 All God's people here send greetings to you. 47N 13 14 59130 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 48N 1 1 59140 Paul, an Apostle sent not from men nor by any man, but by Jesus Christ and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from among the dead-- 48N 1 2 59150 and all the brethren who are with me: To the Churches of Galatia. 48N 1 3 59160 May grace and peace be granted to you from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 48N 1 4 59170 who gave Himself to suffer for our sins in order to rescue us from the present wicked age in accordance with the will of our God and Father. 48N 1 5 59180 To Him be the glory to the Ages of the Ages! Amen. 48N 1 6 59190 I marvel that you are so readily leaving Him who called you by the grace of Christ, and are adhering to a different Good News. 48N 1 7 59200 For other "Good News" there is none; but there are some persons who are troubling you, and are seeking to distort the Good News concerning Christ. 48N 1 8 59210 But if even we or an angel from Heaven should bring you a Good News different from that which we have already brought you, let him be accursed. 48N 1 9 59220 What I have just said I repeat--if any one is preaching to you a Good News other than that which you originally received, let him be accursed. 48N 1 10 59230 For is it man's favour or God's that I aspire to? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were still a man-pleaser, I should not be Christ's bondservant. 48N 1 11 59240 For I must tell you, brethren, that the Good News which was proclaimed by me is not such as man approves of. 48N 1 12 59250 For, in fact, it was not from man that I received or learnt it, but by a revelation from Jesus Christ. 48N 1 13 59260 For you have heard of my early career in Judaism--how I furiously persecuted the Church of God, and made havoc of it; 48N 1 14 59270 and how in devotion to Judaism I outstripped many men of my own age among my people, being far more zealous than they on behalf of the traditions of my forefathers. 48N 1 15 59280 But when He who set me apart even from my birth, and called me by His grace, 48N 1 16 59290 saw fit to reveal His Son within me in order that I might tell among the Gentiles the Good News concerning Him, at once I did not confer with any human being, 48N 1 17 59300 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were my seniors in the Apostleship, but I went away into Arabia, and afterwards came back to Damascus. 48N 1 18 59310 Then, three years later, I went up to Jerusalem to inquire for Peter, and I spent a fortnight with him. 48N 1 19 59320 I saw none of the other Apostles, except James, the Lord's brother. 48N 1 20 59330 In making these assertions I am speaking the truth, as in the sight of God. 48N 1 21 59340 Afterwards I visited Syria and Cilicia. 48N 1 22 59350 But to the Christian Churches in Judaea I was personally unknown. 48N 1 23 59360 They only heard it said, "He who was once our persecutor is now telling the Good News of the faith of which he formerly made havoc." 48N 1 24 59370 And they gave glory to God on my account. 48N 2 1 59380 Later still, after an interval of fourteen years, I again went up to Jerusalem in company with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 48N 2 2 59390 I went up in obedience to a revelation of God's will; and I explained to them the Good News which I proclaim among the Gentiles. To the leaders of the Church this explanation was made in private, lest by any means I should be running, or should already have run, in vain. 48N 2 3 59400 But although my companion Titus was a Greek they did not insist upon even his being circumcised. 48N 2 4 59410 Yet there was danger of this through the false brethren secretly introduced into the Church, who had stolen in to spy out the freedom which is ours in Christ Jesus, in order to rob us of it. 48N 2 5 59420 But not for an hour did we give way and submit to them; in order that the Good News might continue with you in its integrity. 48N 2 6 59430 From those leaders I gained nothing new. Whether they were men of importance or not, matters nothing to me--God recognizes no external distinctions. To me, at any rate, the leaders imparted nothing new. 48N 2 7 59440 Indeed, when they saw that I was entrusted with the preaching of the Good News to the Gentiles as Peter had been with that to the Jews-- 48N 2 8 59450 for He who had been at work within Peter with a view to his Apostleship to the Jews had also been at work within me with a view to my Apostleship to the Gentiles-- 48N 2 9 59460 and when they perceived the mission which was graciously entrusted to me, they (that is to say, James, Peter, and John, who were considered to be the pillars of the Church) welcomed Barnabas and me to their fellowship on the understanding that we were to go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews. 48N 2 10 59470 Only they urged that we should remember their poor--a thing which was uppermost in my own mind. 48N 2 11 59480 Now when Peter visited Antioch, I remonstrated with him to his face, because he had incurred just censure. 48N 2 12 59490 For until certain persons came from James he had been accustomed to eat with Gentiles; but as soon as these persons came, he withdrew and separated himself for fear of the Circumcision party. 48N 2 13 59500 And along with him the other Jews also concealed their real opinions, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their lack of straightforwardness. 48N 2 14 59510 As soon as I saw that they were not walking uprightly in the spirit of the Good News, I said to Peter, before them all, "If you, though you are a Jew, live as a Gentile does, and not as a Jew, how can you make the Gentiles follow Jewish customs? 48N 2 15 59520 You and I, though we are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, 48N 2 16 59530 know that it is not through obedience to Law that a man can be declared free from guilt, but only through faith in Jesus Christ. We have therefore believed in Christ Jesus, for the purpose of being declared free from guilt, through faith in Christ and not through obedience to Law. For through obedience to Law no human being shall be declared free from guilt. 48N 2 17 59540 But if while we are seeking in Christ acquittal from guilt we ourselves are convicted of sin, Christ then encourages us to sin! No, indeed. 48N 2 18 59550 Why, if I am now rebuilding that structure of sin which I had demolished, I am thereby constituting myself a transgressor; 48N 2 19 59560 for it is by the Law that I have died to the Law, in order that I may live to God. 48N 2 20 59570 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me; and the life which I now live in the body I live through faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up to death on my behalf. 48N 2 21 59580 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if acquittal from guilt is obtainable through the Law, then Christ has died in vain." 48N 3 1 59590 You foolish Galatians! Whose sophistry has bewitched you--you to whom Jesus Christ has been vividly portrayed as on the Cross? 48N 3 2 59600 Answer me this one question, "Is it on the ground of your obedience to the Law that you received the Spirit, or is it because, when you heard, you believed?" 48N 3 3 59610 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now going to reach perfection through what is external? 48N 3 4 59620 Have you endured such sufferings to no purpose--if indeed it has been to no purpose? 48N 3 5 59630 He who gives you His Spirit and works miracles among you--does He do so on the ground of your obedience to the Law, or is it the result of your having heard and believed: 48N 3 6 59640 even as <Abraham believed God, and his faith was placed to his account as righteousness?> 48N 3 7 59650 Notice therefore that those who possess faith are true sons of Abraham. 48N 3 8 59660 And the Scripture, foreseeing that in consequence of faith God would declare the nations to be free from guilt, sent beforehand the Good News to Abraham, saying, <"In you all the nations shall be blessed."> 48N 3 9 59670 So we see that it is those who possess faith that are blessed with believing Abraham. 48N 3 10 59680 All who are depending upon their own obedience to the Law are under a curse, for it is written, <"Cursed is every one who does not remain faithful to all the precepts of the Law, and practise them."> 48N 3 11 59690 It is evident, too, that no one can find acceptance with God simply by obeying the Law, because <"the righteous shall live by faith,"> 48N 3 12 59700 and the Law has nothing to do with faith. It teaches that <"he who does these things shall live by doing them."> 48N 3 13 59710 Christ has purchased our freedom from the curse of the Law by becoming accursed for us--because <"Cursed is every one who is hanged upon a tree."> 48N 3 14 59720 Our freedom has been thus purchased in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing belonging to Abraham may come upon the nations, so that through faith we may receive the promised Spirit. 48N 3 15 59730 Brethren, even a covenant made by a man--to borrow an illustration from daily life--when once formally sanctioned is not liable to be set aside or added to. 48N 3 16 59740 (Now the promises were given to Abraham and to his seed. God did not say "and to seeds," as if speaking of many, but "and to your seed," since He spoke of only one--and this is Christ.) 48N 3 17 59750 I mean that the Covenant which God had already formally made is not abrogated by the Law which was given four hundred and thirty years later--so as to annul the promise. 48N 3 18 59760 For if the inheritance comes through obedience to Law, it no longer comes because of a promise. But, as a matter of fact, God has granted it to Abraham in fulfilment of a promise. 48N 3 19 59770 Why then was the Law given? It was imposed later on for the sake of defining sin, until the seed should come to whom God had made the promise; and its details were laid down by a mediator with the help of angels. 48N 3 20 59780 But there cannot be a mediator where only one individual is concerned. 48N 3 21 59790 God, however, is only one. Is the Law then opposed to the promises of God? No, indeed; for if a Law had been given which could have conferred Life, righteousness would certainly have come by the Law. 48N 3 22 59800 But Scripture has shown that all mankind are the prisoners of sin, in order that the promised blessing, which depends on faith in Jesus Christ, may be given to those who believe. 48N 3 23 59810 Before this faith came, we Jews were perpetual prisoners under the Law, living under restraints and limitations in preparation for the faith which was soon to be revealed. 48N 3 24 59820 So that the Law has acted the part of a tutor-slave to lead us to Christ, in order that through faith we may be declared to be free from guilt. 48N 3 25 59830 But now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor-slave. 48N 3 26 59840 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus; 48N 3 27 59850 for all of you who have been baptized into Christ, have clothed yourselves with Christ. 48N 3 28 59860 In Him the distinctions between Jew and Gentile, slave and free man, male and female, disappear; you are all one in Christ Jesus. 48N 3 29 59870 And if you belong to Christ, then you are indeed true descendants of Abraham, and are heirs in fulfilment of the promise. 48N 4 1 59880 Now I say that so long as an heir is a child, he in no respect differs from a slave, although he is the owner of everything, 48N 4 2 59890 but he is under the control of guardians and trustees until the time his father has appointed. 48N 4 3 59900 So we also, when spiritually we were children, were subject to the world's rudimentary notions, and were enslaved. 48N 4 4 59910 But, when the time was fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born subject to Law, 48N 4 5 59920 in order to purchase the freedom of all who were subject to Law, so that we might receive recognition as sons. 48N 4 6 59930 And because you are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of His Son to enter your hearts and cry "Abba! our Father!" 48N 4 7 59940 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir also through God's own act. 48N 4 8 59950 But at one time, you Gentiles, having no knowledge of God, were slaves to gods which in reality do not exist. 48N 4 9 59960 Now, however, having come to know God--or rather to be known by Him--how is it you are again turning back to weak and worthless rudimentary notions to which you are once more willing to be enslaved? 48N 4 10 59970 You scrupulously observe days and months, special seasons, and years. 48N 4 11 59980 I am alarmed about you, and am afraid that I have perhaps bestowed labour upon you to no purpose. 48N 4 12 59990 Brethren, become as I am, I beseech you; for I have also become like you. In no respect did you behave badly to me. 48N 4 13 60000 And you know that in those early days it was on account of bodily infirmity that I proclaimed the Good News to you, 48N 4 14 60010 and yet the bodily infirmity which was such a trial to you, you did not regard with contempt or loathing, but you received me as if I had been an angel of God or Christ Jesus Himself! 48N 4 15 60020 I ask you, then, what has become of your self-congratulations? For I bear you witness that had it been possible you would have torn out your own eyes and have given them to me. 48N 4 16 60030 Can it be that I have become your enemy through speaking the truth to you? 48N 4 17 60040 These men pay court to you, but not with honourable motives. They want to exclude you, so that you may pay court to them. 48N 4 18 60050 It is always an honourable thing to be courted in an honourable cause; always, and not only when I am with you, my children-- 48N 4 19 60060 you for whom I am again, as it were, undergoing the pains of childbirth, until Christ is fully formed within you. 48N 4 20 60070 Would that I were with you and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 48N 4 21 60080 Tell me--you who want to continue to be subject to Law--will you not listen to the Law? 48N 4 22 60090 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave-girl and one by the free woman. 48N 4 23 60100 But we see that the child of the slave-girl was born in the common course of nature; but the child of the free woman in fulfilment of the promise. 48N 4 24 60110 All this is allegorical; for the women represent two Covenants. One has its origin on Mount Sinai, and bears children destined for slavery. 48N 4 25 60120 This is Hagar; for the name Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, which is in bondage together with her children. 48N 4 26 60130 But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and *she* is *our* mother. 48N 4 27 60140 For it is written, <"Rejoice, thou barren woman that bearest not, break forth into a joyful cry, thou that dost not travail with child. For the desolate woman has many children--more indeed than she who has the husband."> 48N 4 28 60150 But you, brethren, like Isaac, are children born in fulfilment of a promise. 48N 4 29 60160 Yet just as, at that time, the child born in the common course of nature persecuted the one whose birth was due to the power of the Spirit, so it is now. 48N 4 30 60170 But what says the Scripture? <"Send away the slave-girl and her son, for never shall the slave-girl's son share the inheritance with the son of the free woman."> 48N 4 31 60180 Therefore, brethren, since we are not the children of a slave-girl, but of the free woman-- 48N 5 1 60190 Christ having made us gloriously free--stand fast and do not again be hampered with the yoke of slavery. 48N 5 2 60200 Remember that it is I Paul who tell you that if you receive circumcision Christ will avail you nothing. 48N 5 3 60210 I once more protest to every man who receives circumcision that he is under obligation to obey the whole Law of Moses. 48N 5 4 60220 Christ has become nothing to any of you who are seeking acceptance with God through the Law: you have fallen away from grace. 48N 5 5 60230 *We* have not, for through the Spirit we wait with longing hope for an acceptance with God which is to come through faith. 48N 5 6 60240 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any importance; but only faith working through love. 48N 5 7 60250 You were running the race nobly! Who has interfered and caused you to swerve from the truth? 48N 5 8 60260 No such teaching ever proceeded from Him who is calling you. 48N 5 9 60270 A little yeast corrupts the whole of the dough. 48N 5 10 60280 For my part I have strong confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt my view of the matter. But the man--be he who he may--who is troubling you, will have to bear the full weight of the judgement to be pronounced on him. 48N 5 11 60290 As for me, brethren, if I am still a preacher of circumcision, how is it that I am still suffering persecution? In that case the Cross has ceased to be a stumbling-block! 48N 5 12 60300 Would to God that those who are unsettling your faith would even mutilate themselves. 48N 5 13 60310 You however, brethren, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an excuse for giving way to your lower natures; but become bondservants to one another in a spirit of love. 48N 5 14 60320 For the entire Law has been obeyed when you have kept the single precept, which says, <"You are to love your fellow man equally with yourself."> 48N 5 15 60330 But if you are perpetually snarling and snapping at one another, beware lest you are destroyed by one another. 48N 5 16 60340 This then is what I mean. Let your lives be guided by the Spirit, and then you will certainly not indulge the cravings of your lower natures. 48N 5 17 60350 For the cravings of the lower nature are opposed to those of the Spirit, and the cravings of the Spirit are opposed to those of the lower nature; because these are antagonistic to each other, so that you cannot do everything to which you are inclined. 48N 5 18 60360 But if the Spirit is leading you, you are not subject to Law. 48N 5 19 60370 Now you know full well the doings of our lower natures. Fornication, impurity, indecency, idol-worship, sorcery; 48N 5 20 60380 enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of passion, intrigues, dissensions, factions, envyings; 48N 5 21 60390 hard drinking, riotous feasting, and the like. And as to these I forewarn you, as I have already forewarned you, that those who are guilty of such things will have no share in the Kingdom of God. 48N 5 22 60400 The Spirit, on the other hand, brings a harvest of love, joy, peace; patience towards others, kindness, benevolence; 48N 5 23 60410 good faith, meekness, self-restraint. 48N 5 24 60420 Against such things as these there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their lower nature with its passions and appetites. 48N 5 25 60430 If we are living by the Spirit's power, let our conduct also be governed by the Spirit's power. 48N 5 26 60440 Let us not become vain-glorious, challenging one another, envying one another. 48N 6 1 60450 Brethren, if anybody be detected in any misconduct, you who are spiritual should restore such a one in a spirit of meekness. And let each of you keep watch over himself, lest he also fall into temptation. 48N 6 2 60460 Always carry one another's burdens, and so obey the whole of Christ's Law. 48N 6 3 60470 For if there is any one who thinks himself to be somebody when he is nobody, he is deluding himself. 48N 6 4 60480 But let every man scrutinize his own conduct, and then he will find out, not with reference to another but with reference to himself, what he has to boast of. 48N 6 5 60490 For every man will have to carry his own load. 48N 6 6 60500 But let those who receive instruction in Christian truth share with their instructors all temporal blessings. 48N 6 7 60510 Do not deceive yourselves. God is not to be scoffed at. For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 48N 6 8 60520 He who sows in the field of his lower nature, will from that nature reap destruction; but he who sows to serve the Spirit will from the Spirit reap the Life of the Ages. 48N 6 9 60530 Let us not abate our courage in doing what is right; for in due time we shall reap a reward, if we do not faint. 48N 6 10 60540 So then, as we have opportunity, let us labour for the good of all, and especially of those who belong to the household of the faith. 48N 6 11 60550 See in what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 48N 6 12 60560 All who desire to display their zeal for external observances try to compel you to receive circumcision, but their real object is simply to escape being persecuted for the Cross of Christ. 48N 6 13 60570 For these very men do not really keep the Law of Moses, but they would have you receive circumcision in order that they may glory in *your* bodies. 48N 6 14 60580 But as for me, God forbid that I should glory in anything except the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, upon which the world is crucified to me, and I am crucified to the world. 48N 6 15 60590 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any importance; but only a renewed nature. 48N 6 16 60600 And all who shall regulate their lives by this principle--may peace and mercy be given to them--and to the true Israel of God. 48N 6 17 60610 From this time onward let no one trouble me; for, as for me, I bear, branded on my body, the scars of Jesus as my Master. 48N 6 18 60620 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits, brethren. Amen. 49N 1 1 60630 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God: To God's people who are in Ephesus--believers in Christ Jesus. 49N 1 2 60640 May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 49N 1 3 60650 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has crowned us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ; 49N 1 4 60660 even as, in His love, He chose us as His own in Christ before the creation of the world, that we might be holy and without blemish in His presence. 49N 1 5 60670 For He pre-destined us to be adopted by Himself as sons through Jesus Christ--such being His gracious will and pleasure-- 49N 1 6 60680 to the praise of the splendour of His grace with which He has enriched us in the beloved One. 49N 1 7 60690 It is in Him, and through the shedding of His blood, that we have our deliverance--the forgiveness of our offences--so abundant was God's grace, 49N 1 8 60700 the grace which He, the possessor of all wisdom and understanding, lavished upon us, 49N 1 9 60710 when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose 49N 1 10 60720 for the government of the world when the times are ripe for it--the purpose which He has cherished in His own mind of restoring the whole creation to find its one Head in Christ; yes, things in Heaven and things on earth, to find their one Head in Him. 49N 1 11 60730 In Him we Jews have been made heirs, having been chosen beforehand in accordance with the intention of Him whose might carries out in everything the design of His own will, 49N 1 12 60740 so that we should be devoted to the extolling of His glorious attributes--we who were the first to fix our hopes on Christ. 49N 1 13 60750 And in Him you Gentiles also, after listening to the Message of the truth, the Good News of your salvation--having believed in Him--were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit; 49N 1 14 60760 that Spirit being a pledge and foretaste of our inheritance, in anticipation of its full redemption--the inheritance which He has purchased to be specially His for the extolling of His glory. 49N 1 15 60770 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which prevails among you, and of your love for all God's people, 49N 1 16 60780 offer never ceasing thanks on your behalf while I make mention of you in my prayers. 49N 1 17 60790 For I always beseech the God of our Lord Jesus Christ--the Father most glorious--to give you a spirit of wisdom and penetration through an intimate knowledge of Him, 49N 1 18 60800 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened so that you may know what is the hope which His call to you inspires, what the wealth of the glory of His inheritance in God's people, 49N 1 19 60810 and what the transcendent greatness of His power in us believers as seen in the working of His infinite might 49N 1 20 60820 when He displayed it in Christ by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His own right hand in the heavenly realms, 49N 1 21 60830 high above all other government and authority and power and dominion, and every title of sovereignty used either in this Age or in the Age to come. 49N 1 22 60840 God has put all things under His feet, and has appointed Him universal and supreme Head of the Church, which is His Body, 49N 1 23 60850 the completeness of Him who everywhere fills the universe with Himself. 49N 2 1 60860 To you Gentiles also, who were dead through your offences and sins, 49N 2 2 60870 which were once habitual to you while you walked in the ways of this world and obeyed the Prince of the powers of the air, the spirits that are now at work in the hearts of the sons of disobedience--to you God has given Life. 49N 2 3 60880 Among them all of us also formerly passed our lives, governed by the inclinations of our lower natures, indulging the cravings of those natures and of our own thoughts, and were in our original state deserving of anger like all others. 49N 2 4 60890 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the intense love which He bestowed on us, 49N 2 5 60900 caused us, dead though we were through our offences, to live with Christ--it is by grace that you have been saved-- 49N 2 6 60910 raised us with Him from the dead, and enthroned us with Him in the heavenly realms as being in Christ Jesus, 49N 2 7 60920 in order that, by His goodness to us in Christ Jesus, He might display in the Ages to come the transcendent riches of His grace. 49N 2 8 60930 For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is God's gift, and is not on the ground of merit-- 49N 2 9 60940 so that it may be impossible for any one to boast. 49N 2 10 60950 For we are God's own handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has pre-destined us to practise. 49N 2 11 60960 Therefore, do not forget that formerly you were Gentiles as to your bodily condition. You were called the Uncircumcision by those who style themselves the Circumcised--their circumcision being one which the knife has effected. 49N 2 12 60970 At that time you were living apart from Christ, estranged from the Commonwealth of Israel, with no share by birth in the Covenants which are based on the Promises, and you had no hope and no God, in all the world. 49N 2 13 60980 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were so far away have been brought near through the death of Christ. 49N 2 14 60990 For He is our peace--He who has made Jews and Gentiles one, and in His own human nature has broken down the hostile dividing wall, 49N 2 15 61000 by setting aside the Law with its commandments, expressed, as they were, in definite decrees. His design was to unite the two sections of humanity in Himself so as to form one new man, 49N 2 16 61010 thus effecting peace, and to reconcile Jews and Gentiles in one body to God, by means of His cross--slaying by it their mutual enmity. 49N 2 17 61020 So He came and proclaimed good news of peace to you who were so far away, and peace to those who were near; 49N 2 18 61030 because it is through Him that Jews and Gentiles alike have access through one Spirit to the Father. 49N 2 19 61040 You are therefore no longer mere foreigners or persons excluded from civil rights. On the contrary you share citizenship with God's people and are members of His family. 49N 2 20 61050 You are a building which has been reared on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus Himself, 49N 2 21 61060 in union with whom the whole fabric, fitted and closely joined together, is growing so as to form a holy sanctuary in the Lord; 49N 2 22 61070 in whom you also are being built up together to become a fixed abode for God through the Spirit. 49N 3 1 61080 For this reason I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles-- 49N 3 2 61090 if, that is, you have heard of the work which God has graciously entrusted to me for your benefit, 49N 3 3 61100 and that by a revelation the truth hitherto kept secret was made known to me as I have already briefly explained it to you. 49N 3 4 61110 By means of that explanation, as you read it, you can judge of my insight into the truth of Christ 49N 3 5 61120 which in earlier ages was not made known to the human race, as it has now been revealed to His holy Apostles and Prophets through the Spirit-- 49N 3 6 61130 I mean the truth that the Gentiles are joint heirs with us Jews, and that they form one body with us, and have the same interest as we have in the promise which has been made good in Christ Jesus through the Good News, 49N 3 7 61140 in which I have been appointed to serve, in virtue of the work which God, in the exercise of His power within me, has graciously entrusted to me. 49N 3 8 61150 To me who am less than the least of all God's people has this work been graciously entrusted--to proclaim to the Gentiles the Good News of the exhaustless wealth of Christ, 49N 3 9 61160 and to show all men in a clear light what my stewardship is. It is the stewardship of the truth which from all the Ages lay concealed in the mind of God, the Creator of all things-- 49N 3 10 61170 concealed in order that the Church might now be used to display to the powers and authorities in the heavenly realms the innumerable aspects of God's wisdom. 49N 3 11 61180 Such was the eternal purpose which He had formed in Christ Jesus our Lord, 49N 3 12 61190 in whom we have this bold and confident access through our faith in Him. 49N 3 13 61200 Therefore I entreat you not to lose heart in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf, for they bring you honour. 49N 3 14 61210 For this reason, on bended knee I beseech the Father, 49N 3 15 61220 from whom the whole family in Heaven and on earth derives its name, 49N 3 16 61230 to grant you--in accordance with the wealth of His glorious perfections--to be strengthened by His Spirit with power penetrating to your inmost being. 49N 3 17 61240 I pray that Christ may make His home in your hearts through your faith; so that having your roots deep and your foundations strong, in love, you may become mighty to grasp the idea, 49N 3 18 61250 as it is grasped by all God's people, of the breadth and length, the height and depth-- 49N 3 19 61260 yes, to attain to a knowledge of the knowledge-surpassing love of Christ, so that you may be made complete in accordance with God's own standard of completeness. 49N 3 20 61270 Now to Him who, in exercise of His power that is at work within us, is able to do infinitely beyond all our highest prayers or thoughts-- 49N 3 21 61280 to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, world without end! Amen. 49N 4 1 61290 I, then, the prisoner for the Master's sake, entreat you to live and act as becomes those who have received the call that you have received-- 49N 4 2 61300 with all lowliness of mind and unselfishness, and with patience, bearing with one another lovingly, and earnestly striving to maintain, 49N 4 3 61310 in the uniting bond of peace, the unity given by the Spirit. 49N 4 4 61320 There is but one body and but one Spirit, as also when you were called you had one and the same hope held out to you. 49N 4 5 61330 There is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 49N 4 6 61340 and one God and Father of all, who rules over all, acts through all, and dwells in all. 49N 4 7 61350 Yet to each of us individually grace was given, measured out with the munificence of Christ. 49N 4 8 61360 For this reason Scripture says: <"He re-ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and gave gifts to men."> 49N 4 9 61370 (Now this "re-ascended" --what does it mean but that He had first descended into the lower regions of the earth? 49N 4 10 61380 He who descended is the same as He who ascended again far above all the Heavens in order to fill the universe.) 49N 4 11 61390 And He Himself appointed some to be Apostles, some to be Prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors and teachers, 49N 4 12 61400 in order fully to equip His people for the work of serving--for the building up of Christ's body-- 49N 4 13 61410 till we all of us arrive at oneness in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and at mature manhood and the stature of full-grown men in Christ. 49N 4 14 61420 So we shall no longer be babes nor shall we resemble mariners tossed on the waves and carried about with every changing wind of doctrine according to men's cleverness and unscrupulous cunning, making use of every shifting device to mislead. 49N 4 15 61430 But we shall lovingly hold to the truth, and shall in all respects grow up into union with Him who is our Head, even Christ. 49N 4 16 61440 Dependent on Him, the whole body--its various parts closely fitting and firmly adhering to one another-- grows by the aid of every contributory link, with power proportioned to the need of each individual part, so as to build itself up in a spirit of love. 49N 4 17 61450 Therefore I warn you, and I implore you in the name of the Master, no longer to live as the Gentiles in their perverseness live, 49N 4 18 61460 with darkened understandings, having by reason of the ignorance which is deep-seated in them and the insensibility of their moral nature, no share in the Life which God gives. 49N 4 19 61470 Such men being past feeling have abandoned themselves to impurity, greedily indulging in every kind of profligacy. 49N 4 20 61480 But these are not the lessons which you have learned from Christ; 49N 4 21 61490 if at least you have heard His voice and in Him have been taught--and this is true Christian teaching-- 49N 4 22 61500 to put away, in regard to your former mode of life, your original evil nature which is doomed to perish as befits its misleading impulses, 49N 4 23 61510 and to get yourselves renewed in the temper of your minds and clothe yourselves 49N 4 24 61520 with that new and better self which has been created to resemble God in the righteousness and holiness which come from the truth. 49N 4 25 61530 For this reason, laying aside falsehood, every one of you should speak the truth to his fellow man; for we are, as it were, parts of one another. 49N 4 26 61540 If angry, beware of sinning. Let not your irritation last until the sun goes down; 49N 4 27 61550 and do not leave room for the Devil. 49N 4 28 61560 He who has been a thief must steal no more, but, instead of that, should work with his own hands in honest industry, so that he may have something of which he can give the needy a share. 49N 4 29 61570 Let no unwholesome words ever pass your lips, but let all your words be good for benefiting others according to the need of the moment, so that they may be a means of blessing to the hearers. 49N 4 30 61580 And beware of grieving the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you have been sealed in preparation for the day of Redemption. 49N 4 31 61590 Let all bitterness and all passionate feeling, all anger and loud insulting language, be unknown among you--and also every kind of malice. 49N 4 32 61600 On the contrary learn to be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has also forgiven you. 49N 5 1 61610 Therefore be imitators of God, as His dear children. 49N 5 2 61620 And live and act lovingly, as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up to death on our behalf as an offering and sacrifice to God, yielding a fragrant odor. 49N 5 3 61630 But fornication and every kind of impurity, or covetousness, let them not even be mentioned among you, for they ought not to be named among God's people. 49N 5 4 61640 Avoid shameful and foolish talk and low jesting--they are all alike discreditable--and in place of these give thanks. 49N 5 5 61650 For be well assured that no fornicator or immoral person and no money-grubber--or in other words idol-worshipper--has any share awaiting him in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. 49N 5 6 61660 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is on account of these very sins that God's anger is coming upon the disobedient. 49N 5 7 61670 Therefore do not become sharers with them. 49N 5 8 61680 There was a time when you were nothing but darkness. Now, as Christians, you are Light itself. 49N 5 9 61690 Live and act as sons of Light--for the effect of the Light is seen in every kind of goodness, uprightness and truth-- 49N 5 10 61700 and learn in your own experiences what is fully pleasing to the Lord. 49N 5 11 61710 Have nothing to do with the barren unprofitable deeds of darkness, but, instead of that, set your faces against them; 49N 5 12 61720 for the things which are done by these people in secret it is disgraceful even to speak of. 49N 5 13 61730 But everything can be tested by the light and thus be shown in its true colors; for whatever shines of itself is light. 49N 5 14 61740 For this reason it is said, "Rise, sleeper; rise from among the dead, and Christ will shed light upon you." 49N 5 15 61750 Therefore be very careful how you live and act. Let it not be as unwise men, but as wise. 49N 5 16 61760 Buy up your opportunities, for these are evil times. 49N 5 17 61770 On this account do not prove yourselves wanting in sense, but try to understand what the Lord's will is. 49N 5 18 61780 Do not over-indulge in wine--a thing in which excess is so easy-- 49N 5 19 61790 but drink deeply of God's Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and offer praise in your hearts to the Lord. 49N 5 20 61800 Always and for everything let your thanks to God the Father be presented in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 49N 5 21 61810 and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 49N 5 22 61820 Married women, submit to your own husbands as if to the Lord; 49N 5 23 61830 because a husband is the Head of his wife as Christ also is the Head of the Church, being indeed the Saviour of this His Body. 49N 5 24 61840 And just as the Church submits to Christ, so also married women should be entirely submissive to their husbands. 49N 5 25 61850 Married men, love your wives, as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself up to death for her; 49N 5 26 61860 in order to make her holy, cleansing her with the baptismal water by the word, 49N 5 27 61870 that He might present the Church to Himself a glorious bride, without spot or wrinkle or any other defect, but to be holy and unblemished. 49N 5 28 61880 So too married men ought to love their wives as much as they love themselves. He who loves his wife loves himself. 49N 5 29 61890 For never yet has a man hated his own body. On the contrary he feeds and cherishes it, just as Christ feeds and cherishes the Church; 49N 5 30 61900 because we are, as it were, parts of His Body. 49N 5 31 61910 <"For this reason a man is to leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall be as one."> 49N 5 32 61920 That is a great truth hitherto kept secret: I mean the truth concerning Christ and the Church. 49N 5 33 61930 Yet I insist that among you also, each man is to love his own wife as much as he loves himself, and let a married woman see to it that she treats her husband with respect. 49N 6 1 61940 Children, be obedient to your parents as a Christian duty, for it is a duty. 49N 6 2 61950 <"Honour your father and your mother"> --this is the first Commandment which has a promise added to it-- 49N 6 3 61960 <"so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."> 49N 6 4 61970 And you, fathers, do not irritate your children, but bring them up tenderly with true Christian training and advice. 49N 6 5 61980 Slaves, be obedient to your earthly masters, with respect and eager anxiety to please and with simplicity of motive as if you were obeying Christ. 49N 6 6 61990 Let it not be in acts of eye-service as if you had but to please men, but as Christ's bondservants who are doing God's will from the heart. 49N 6 7 62000 With right good will, be faithful to your duty as service rendered to the Lord and not to man. 49N 6 8 62010 You well know that whatever right thing any one does, he will receive a requital for it from the Lord, whether he is a slave or a free man. 49N 6 9 62020 And you masters, act towards your slaves on the same principles, and refrain from threats. For you know that in Heaven there is One who is your Master as well as theirs, and that merely earthly distinctions there are none with Him. 49N 6 10 62030 In conclusion, strengthen yourselves in the Lord and in the power which His supreme might imparts. 49N 6 11 62040 Put on the complete armour of God, so as to be able to stand firm against all the stratagems of the Devil. 49N 6 12 62050 For ours is not a conflict with mere flesh and blood, but with the despotisms, the empires, the forces that control and govern this dark world--the spiritual hosts of evil arrayed against us in the heavenly warfare. 49N 6 13 62060 Therefore put on the complete armour of God, so that you may be able to stand your ground on the day of battle, and, having fought to the end, to remain victors on the field. 49N 6 14 62070 Stand therefore, first fastening round you the girdle of truth and putting on the breastplate of uprightness 49N 6 15 62080 as well as the shoes of the Good News of peace-- a firm foundation for your feet. 49N 6 16 62090 And besides all these take the great shield of faith, on which you will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the Wicked one; 49N 6 17 62100 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. 49N 6 18 62110 Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so, with unwearied persistence and entreaty on behalf of all God's people, 49N 6 19 62120 and ask on my behalf that words may be given to me so that, outspoken and fearless, I may make known the truths (hitherto kept secret) of the Good News-- 49N 6 20 62130 to spread which I am an ambassador in chains--so that when telling them I may speak out boldly as I ought. 49N 6 21 62140 But in order that you also may know how I am doing, Tychicus our dearly-loved brother and faithful helper in the Lord's service will tell you everything. 49N 6 22 62150 I have sent him to you for the very purpose--that you may know about us and that he may encourage you. 49N 6 23 62160 Peace be to the brethren, and love combined with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 49N 6 24 62170 May grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with perfect sincerity. 50N 1 1 62180 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Christ Jesus: To all God's people in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the ministers of the Church and their assistants. 50N 1 2 62190 May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 50N 1 3 62200 I thank my God at my every remembrance of you-- 50N 1 4 62210 always when offering any prayer on behalf of you all, finding a joy in offering it. 50N 1 5 62220 I thank my God, I say, for your cooperation in spreading the Good News, from the time it first came to you even until now. 50N 1 6 62230 For of this I am confident, that He who has begun a good work within you will go on to perfect it in preparation for the day of Jesus Christ. 50N 1 7 62240 And I am justified in having this confidence about you all, because, both during my imprisonment and when I stand up in defence of the Good News or to confirm its truth, I have you in my heart, sharers as you all are in the same grace as myself. 50N 1 8 62250 For God is my witness how I yearn over all of you with tender Christian affection. 50N 1 9 62260 And it is my prayer that your love may be more and more accompanied by clear knowledge and keen perception, for testing things that differ, 50N 1 10 62270 so that you may be men of transparent character, and may be blameless, in preparation for the day of Christ, 50N 1 11 62280 being filled with these fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ-- to the glory and praise of God. 50N 1 12 62290 Now I would have you know, brethren, that what I have gone through has turned out to the furtherance of the Good News rather than otherwise. 50N 1 13 62300 And thus it has become notorious among all the Imperial Guards, and everywhere, that it is for the sake of Christ that I am a prisoner; 50N 1 14 62310 and the greater part of the brethren, made confident in the Lord through my imprisonment, now speak of God's Message without fear, more boldly than ever. 50N 1 15 62320 Some indeed actually preach Christ out of envy and contentiousness but there are also others who do it from good will. 50N 1 16 62330 These latter preach Him from love to me, knowing that I am here for the defence of the Good News; 50N 1 17 62340 while the others proclaim Him from motives of rivalry, and insincerely, supposing that by this they are embittering my imprisonment. 50N 1 18 62350 What does it matter, however? In any case Christ is preached--either perversely or in honest truth; and in that I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 50N 1 19 62360 For I know that it will result in my salvation through your prayers and a bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 50N 1 20 62370 in fulfilment of my eager expectation and hope that I shall never have reason to feel ashamed, but that by my perfect freedom of speech Christ will be glorified in me, now as always, either by my life or by my death. 50N 1 21 62380 For, with me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 50N 1 22 62390 But since to live means a longer stay on earth, that implies more labour for me--and not unsuccessful labour; and which I am to choose I cannot tell. 50N 1 23 62400 I am in a dilemma, my earnest desire being to depart and be with Christ, for that is far, far better. 50N 1 24 62410 But for your sakes it is more important that I should still remain in the body. 50N 1 25 62420 I am convinced of this, and I know that I shall remain, and shall go on working side by side with you all, to promote your progress and joy in the faith; 50N 1 26 62430 so that, as Christians, you may have additional reason for glorying about me as the result of my being with you again. 50N 1 27 62440 Only let the lives you live be worthy of the Good News of the Christ, in order that, whether I come and see you or, being absent, only hear of you, I may know that you are standing fast in one spirit and with one mind, fighting shoulder to shoulder for the faith of the Good News. 50N 1 28 62450 Never for a moment quail before your antagonists. Your fearlessness will be to them a sure token of impending destruction, but to you it will be a sure token of your salvation--a token coming from God. 50N 1 29 62460 For you have had the privilege granted you on behalf of Christ--not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf; 50N 1 30 62470 maintaining, as you do, the same kind of conflict that you once saw in me and which you still hear that I am engaged in. 50N 2 1 62480 If then I can appeal to you as the followers of Christ, if there is any persuasive power in love and any common sharing of the Spirit, or if you have any tender-heartedness and compassion, make my joy complete by being of one mind, 50N 2 2 62490 united by mutual love, with harmony of feeling giving your minds to one and the same object. 50N 2 3 62500 Do nothing in a spirit of factiousness or of vainglory, but, with true humility, let every one regard the rest as being of more account than himself; 50N 2 4 62510 each fixing his attention, not simply on his own interests, but on those of others also. 50N 2 5 62520 Let the same disposition be in you which was in Christ Jesus. 50N 2 6 62530 Although from the beginning He had the nature of God He did not reckon His equality with God a treasure to be tightly grasped. 50N 2 7 62540 Nay, He stripped Himself of His glory, and took on Him the nature of a bondservant by becoming a man like other men. 50N 2 8 62550 And being recognized as truly human, He humbled Himself and even stooped to die; yes, to die on a cross. 50N 2 9 62560 It is in consequence of this that God has also so highly exalted Him, and has conferred on Him the Name which is supreme above every other, 50N 2 10 62570 in order that in the Name of JESUS every knee should bow, of beings in Heaven, of those on the earth, and of those in the underworld, 50N 2 11 62580 and that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the glory of God the Father. 50N 2 12 62590 Therefore, my dearly-loved friends, as I have always found you obedient, labour earnestly with fear and trembling--not merely as though I were present with you, but much more now since I am absent from you--labour earnestly, I say, to make sure of your own salvation. 50N 2 13 62600 For it is God Himself whose power creates within you the desire to do His gracious will and also brings about the accomplishment of the desire. 50N 2 14 62610 Be ever on your guard against a grudging and contentious spirit, 50N 2 15 62620 so that you may always prove yourselves to be blameless and spotless--irreproachable children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as heavenly lights in the world, 50N 2 16 62630 holding out to them a Message of Life. It will then be my glory on the day of Christ that I did not run my race in vain nor toil in vain. 50N 2 17 62640 Nay, even if my life is to be poured as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I rejoice, and I congratulate you all. 50N 2 18 62650 And I bid you also share my gladness, and congratulate me. 50N 2 19 62660 But, if the Lord permits it, I hope before long to send Timothy to you, that I, in turn, may be cheered by getting news of you. 50N 2 20 62670 For I have no one likeminded with him, who will cherish a genuine care for you. 50N 2 21 62680 Everybody concerns himself about his own interests, not about those of Jesus Christ. 50N 2 22 62690 But you know Timothy's approved worth--how, like a child working with his father, he has served with me in furtherance of the Good News. 50N 2 23 62700 So it is he that I hope to send as soon as ever I see how things go with me; 50N 2 24 62710 but trusting, as I do, in the Lord, I believe that I shall myself also come to you before long. 50N 2 25 62720 Yet I deem it important to send Epaphroditus to you now--he is my brother and comrade both in labour and in arms, and is your messenger who has ministered to my needs. 50N 2 26 62730 I send him because he is longing to see you all and is distressed at your having heard of his illness. 50N 2 27 62740 For it is true that he has been ill, and was apparently at the point of death; but God had pity on him, and not only on him, but also on me, to save me from having sorrow upon sorrow. 50N 2 28 62750 I am therefore all the more eager to send him, in the hope that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have the less sorrow. 50N 2 29 62760 Receive him therefore with heartfelt Christian joy, and hold in honour men like him; 50N 2 30 62770 because it was for the sake of Christ's work that he came so near death, hazarding, as he did, his very life in endeavouring to make good any deficiency that there might be in your gifts to me. 50N 3 1 62780 In conclusion, my brethren, be joyful in the Lord. For me to give you the same warnings as before is not irksome to me, while so far as you are concerned it is a safe precaution. 50N 3 2 62790 Beware of `the dogs,' the bad workmen, the self-mutilators. 50N 3 3 62800 For we are the true circumcision--we who render to God a spiritual worship and make our boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in outward ceremonies: 50N 3 4 62810 although I myself might have some excuse for confidence in outward ceremonies. If any one else claims a right to trust in them, far more may I: 50N 3 5 62820 circumcised, as I was, on the eighth day, a member of the race of Israel and of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from Hebrews; as to the Law a Pharisee; 50N 3 6 62830 as to zeal, a persecutor of the Church; as to the righteousness which comes through Law, blameless. 50N 3 7 62840 Yet all that was gain to me--for Christ's sake I have reckoned it loss. 50N 3 8 62850 Nay, I even reckon all things as pure loss because of the priceless privilege of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. And for His sake I have suffered the loss of everything, and reckon it all as mere refuse, in order that I may win Christ and be found in union with Him, 50N 3 9 62860 not having a righteousness of my own, derived from the Law, but that which arises from faith in Christ--the righteousness which comes from God through faith. 50N 3 10 62870 I long to know Christ and the power which is in His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings and die even as He died; 50N 3 11 62880 in the hope that I may attain to the resurrection from among the dead. 50N 3 12 62890 I do not say that I have already won the race or have already reached perfection. But I am pressing on, striving to lay hold of the prize for which also Christ has laid hold of me. 50N 3 13 62900 Brethren, I do not imagine that I have yet laid hold of it. But this one thing I do--forgetting everything which is past and stretching forward to what lies in front of me, 50N 3 14 62910 with my eyes fixed on the goal I push on to secure the prize of God's heavenward call in Christ Jesus. 50N 3 15 62920 Therefore let all of us who are mature believers cherish these thoughts; and if in any respect you think differently, that also God will make clear to you. 50N 3 16 62930 But whatever be the point that we have already reached, let us persevere in the same course. 50N 3 17 62940 Brethren, vie with one another in imitating me, and carefully observe those who follow the example which we have set you. 50N 3 18 62950 For there are many whom I have often described to you, and I now even with tears describe them, as being enemies to the Cross of Christ. 50N 3 19 62960 Their end is destruction, their bellies are their God, their glory is in their shame, and their minds are devoted to earthly things. 50N 3 20 62970 We, however, are free citizens of Heaven, and we are waiting with longing expectation for the coming from Heaven of a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, 50N 3 21 62980 who, in the exercise of the power which He has even to subject all things to Himself, will transform this body of our humiliation until it resembles His own glorious body. 50N 4 1 62990 Therefore, my brethren, dearly loved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my dearly-loved ones. 50N 4 2 63000 I entreat Euodia, and I entreat Syntyche, to be of one mind, as sisters in Christ. 50N 4 3 63010 Yes, and I beg you also, my faithful yoke-fellow, to help these women who have shared my toil in connection with the Good News, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow labourers, whose names are recorded in the Book of Life. 50N 4 4 63020 Always be glad in the Lord: I will repeat it, be glad. 50N 4 5 63030 Let your forbearing spirit be known to every one--the Lord is near. 50N 4 6 63040 Do not be over-anxious about anything, but by prayer and earnest pleading, together with thanksgiving, let your request be unreservedly made known in the presence of God. 50N 4 7 63050 And then the peace of God, which transcends all our powers of thought, will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in union with Christ Jesus. 50N 4 8 63060 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever wins respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovable, whatever is of good repute--if there is any virtue or anything deemed worthy of praise--cherish the thought of these things. 50N 4 9 63070 The doctrines and the line of conduct which I taught you--both what you heard and what you saw in me-- hold fast to them; and God who gives peace will be with you. 50N 4 10 63080 But I rejoice with a deep and holy joy that now at length you have revived your thoughtfulness for my welfare. Indeed you have always been thoughtful for me, although opportunity failed you. 50N 4 11 63090 I do not refer to this through fear of privation, for (for my part) I have learned, whatever be my outward experiences, to be content. 50N 4 12 63100 I know both how to live in humble circumstances and how to live amid abundance. I am fully initiated into all the mysteries both of fulness and of hunger, of abundance and of want. 50N 4 13 63110 I have strength for anything through Him who gives me power. 50N 4 14 63120 Yet I thank you for taking your share in my troubles. 50N 4 15 63130 And you men and women of Philippi also know that at the first preaching of the Good News, when I had left Macedonia, no other Church except yourselves held communication with me about giving and receiving; 50N 4 16 63140 because even in Thessalonica you sent several times to minister to my needs. 50N 4 17 63150 Not that I crave for gifts from you, but I do want to see abundant fruit bring you honour. 50N 4 18 63160 I have enough of everything--and more than enough. My wants are fully satisfied now that I have received from the hands of Epaphroditus the generous gifts which you sent me--they are a fragrant odor, an acceptable sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. 50N 4 19 63170 But my God--so great is His wealth of glory in Christ Jesus--will fully supply every need of yours. 50N 4 20 63180 And to our God and Father be the glory throughout the Ages of the Ages! Amen. 50N 4 21 63190 My Christian greetings to every one of God's people. The brethren who are with me send their greetings. 50N 4 22 63200 All God's people here greet you--especially the members of Caesar's household. 50N 4 23 63210 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits. 51N 1 1 63220 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God--and Timothy our brother: 51N 1 2 63230 To the people of God and the believing brethren at Colossae who are in Christ. May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father. 51N 1 3 63240 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, constantly praying for you as we do, 51N 1 4 63250 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you cherish towards all God's people, 51N 1 5 63260 on account of the hope treasured up for you in Heaven. Of this hope you have already heard in the Message of the truth of the Good News. 51N 1 6 63270 For it has reached you, and remains with you, just as it has also spread through the whole world, yielding fruit there and increasing, as it has done among you from the day when first you heard it and came really to know the grace of God, 51N 1 7 63280 as you learned it from Epaphras our dearly-loved fellow servant. He is to you a faithful minister of Christ in our stead, 51N 1 8 63290 and moreover he has informed us of your love, which is inspired by the Spirit. 51N 1 9 63300 For this reason we also, from the day we first received these tidings, have never ceased to pray for you and to entreat that you may be filled with a clear knowledge of His will accompanied by thorough wisdom and discernment in spiritual things; 51N 1 10 63310 so that your lives may be worthy of the Lord and perfectly pleasing to Him, while you exhibit the results of right action of every sort and grow into a fuller knowledge of God. 51N 1 11 63320 Since His power is so glorious, may you be strengthened with strength of every kind, and be prepared for cheerfully enduring all things with patience and long-suffering; 51N 1 12 63330 and give thanks to the Father who has made us fit to receive our share of the inheritance of God's people in Light. 51N 1 13 63340 It is God who has delivered us out of the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us into the Kingdom of His dearly-loved Son, 51N 1 14 63350 in whom we have our redemption--the forgiveness of our sins. 51N 1 15 63360 Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God, the Firstborn and Lord of all creation. 51N 1 16 63370 For in Him was created the universe of things in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, thrones, dominions, princedoms, powers--all were created, and exist through and for Him. 51N 1 17 63380 And HE IS before all things and in and through Him the universe is a harmonious whole. 51N 1 18 63390 Moreover He is the Head of His Body, the Church. He is the Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, in order that He Himself may in all things occupy the foremost place. 51N 1 19 63400 For it was the Father's gracious will that the whole of the divine perfections should dwell in Him. 51N 1 20 63410 And God purposed through Him to reconcile the universe to Himself, making peace through His blood, which was shed upon the Cross--to reconcile to Himself through Him, I say, things on earth and things in Heaven. 51N 1 21 63420 And you, estranged as you once were and even hostile in your minds, amidst your evil deeds, 51N 1 22 63430 He has now, in His human body, reconciled to God by His death, to bring you, holy and faultless and irreproachable, into His presence; 51N 1 23 63440 if, indeed, you are still firmly holding to faith as your foundation, without ever shifting from your hope that rests on the Good News that you have heard, which has been proclaimed in the whole creation under Heaven, and in which I Paul have been appointed to serve. 51N 1 24 63450 Now I can find joy amid my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my own person whatever is lacking in Christ's afflictions on behalf of His Body, the Church. 51N 1 25 63460 I have been appointed to serve the Church in the position of responsibility entrusted to me by God for your benefit, so that I may fully deliver God's Message-- 51N 1 26 63470 the truth which has been kept secret from all ages and generations, but has now been revealed to His people, 51N 1 27 63480 to whom it was His will to make known how vast a wealth of glory for the Gentile world is implied in this truth--the truth that `Christ is in you, the hope of glory.' 51N 1 28 63490 Him we preach, admonishing every one and instructing every one, with all possible wisdom, so that we may bring every one into God's presence, made perfect through Christ. 51N 1 29 63500 To this end, like an earnest wrestler, I exert all my strength in reliance upon the power of Him who is mightily at work within me. 51N 2 1 63510 For I would have you know in how severe a struggle I am engaged on behalf of you and the brethren in Laodicea and of all who have not known me personally, 51N 2 2 63520 in order that their hearts may be cheered, they themselves being welded together in love and enjoying all the advantages of a reasonable certainty, till at last they attain the full knowledge of God's truth, which is Christ Himself. 51N 2 3 63530 In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are stored up, hidden from view. 51N 2 4 63540 I say this to prevent your being misled by any one's plausible sophistry. 51N 2 5 63550 For although, as you say, I am absent from you in body, yet in spirit I am present with you and am delighted to witness your good discipline and the solid front presented by your faith in Christ. 51N 2 6 63560 As therefore you have received the Christ, even Jesus our Lord, live and act in vital union with Him; 51N 2 7 63570 having the roots of your being firmly planted in Him, and continually building yourselves up in Him, and always being increasingly confirmed in the faith as you were taught it, and abounding in it with thanksgiving. 51N 2 8 63580 Take care lest there be some one who leads you away as prisoners by means of his philosophy and idle fancies, following human traditions and the world's crude notions instead of following Christ. 51N 2 9 63590 For it is in Christ that the fulness of God's nature dwells embodied, and in Him you are made complete, 51N 2 10 63600 and He is the Lord of all princes and rulers. 51N 2 11 63610 In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, when you threw off your sinful nature in true Christian circumcision; 51N 2 12 63620 having been buried with Him in your baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith produced within you by God who raised Him from among the dead. 51N 2 13 63630 And to you--dead as you once were in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your natural state--He has nevertheless given Life with Himself, having forgiven us all our transgressions. 51N 2 14 63640 The bond, with its requirements, which was in force against us and was hostile to us, He cancelled, and cleared it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross. 51N 2 15 63650 And the hostile princes and rulers He shook off from Himself, and boldly displayed them as His conquests, when by the Cross He triumphed over them. 51N 2 16 63660 Therefore suffer no one to sit in judgement on you as to eating or drinking or with regard to a festival, a new moon or a sabbath. 51N 2 17 63670 These were a shadow of things that were soon to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 51N 2 18 63680 Let no one defraud you of your prize, priding himself on his humility and on his worship of the angels, and taking his stand on the visions he has seen, and idly puffed up with his unspiritual thoughts. 51N 2 19 63690 Such a one does not keep his hold upon Christ, the Head, from whom the Body, in all its parts nourished and strengthened by its points of contact and its connections, grows with a divine growth. 51N 2 20 63700 If you have died with Christ and have escaped from the world's rudimentary notions, why, as though your life still belonged to the world, do you submit to such precepts as 51N 2 21 63710 "Do not handle this;" "Do not taste that;" "Do not touch that other thing" -- 51N 2 22 63720 referring to things which are all intended to be used up and perish--in obedience to mere human injunctions and teachings? 51N 2 23 63730 These rules have indeed an appearance of wisdom where self-imposed worship exists, and an affectation of humility and an ascetic severity. But not one of them is of any value in combating the indulgence of our lower natures. 51N 3 1 63740 If however you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, enthroned at God's right hand. 51N 3 2 63750 Give your minds to the things that are above, not to the things that are on the earth. 51N 3 3 63760 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 51N 3 4 63770 When Christ appears--He is our true Life--then you also will appear with Him in glory. 51N 3 5 63780 Therefore put to death your earthward inclinations--fornication, impurity, sensual passion, unholy desire, and all greed, for that is a form of idolatry. 51N 3 6 63790 It is on account of these very sins that God's anger is coming, 51N 3 7 63800 and you also were once addicted to them, while you were living under their power. 51N 3 8 63810 But now you must rid yourselves of every kind of sin--angry and passionate outbreaks, ill-will, evil speaking, foul-mouthed abuse--so that these may never soil your lips. 51N 3 9 63820 Do not speak falsehoods to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its doings, 51N 3 10 63830 and have clothed yourselves with the new self which is being remoulded into full knowledge so as to become like Him who created it. 51N 3 11 63840 In that new creation there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free man, but Christ is everything and is in all of us. 51N 3 12 63850 Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own people holy and dearly loved, with tender-heartedness, kindness, lowliness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; 51N 3 13 63860 bearing with one another and readily forgiving each other, if any one has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also must forgive. 51N 3 14 63870 And over all these put on love, which is the perfect bond of union; 51N 3 15 63880 and let the peace which Christ gives settle all questionings in your hearts, to which peace indeed you were called as belonging to His one Body; and be thankful. 51N 3 16 63890 Let the teaching concerning Christ remain as a rich treasure in your hearts. In all wisdom teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and sing with grace in your hearts to God. 51N 3 17 63900 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, and let it be through Him that you give thanks to God the Father. 51N 3 18 63910 Married women, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 51N 3 19 63920 Married men, be affectionate to your wives, and do not treat them harshly. 51N 3 20 63930 Children be obedient to your parents in everything; for that is right for Christians. 51N 3 21 63940 Fathers, do not fret and harass your children, or you may make them sullen and morose. 51N 3 22 63950 Slaves, be obedient in everything to your earthly masters; not in acts of eye service, as aiming only to please men, but with simplicity of purpose, because you fear the Lord. 51N 3 23 63960 Whatever you are doing, let your hearts be in your work, as a thing done for the Lord and not for men. 51N 3 24 63970 For you know that it is from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Christ is the Master whose bondservants you are. 51N 3 25 63980 The man who perpetrates a wrong will find the wrong repaid to him; and with God there are no merely earthly distinctions. 51N 4 1 63990 Masters, deal justly and equitably with your slaves, knowing that you too have a Master in Heaven. 51N 4 2 64000 Be earnest and unwearied in prayer, being on the alert in it and in your giving of thanks. 51N 4 3 64010 And pray at the same time for us also, that God may open for us a door for preaching, for us to tell the truth concerning Christ for the sake of which I am even a prisoner. 51N 4 4 64020 Then I shall proclaim it fully, as it is my duty to do. 51N 4 5 64030 Behave wisely in relation to the outside world, buying up your opportunities. 51N 4 6 64040 Let your language be always seasoned with the salt of grace, so that you may know how to give every man a fitting answer. 51N 4 7 64050 Tychicus, our much-loved brother, a trusty assistant and fellow servant with us in the Lord's work, will give you every information about me. 51N 4 8 64060 And for this very purpose I send him to you that you may know how we are faring; and that he may cheer your hearts. 51N 4 9 64070 And with him I send our dear and trusty brother Onesimus, who is one of yourselves. They will inform you of everything here. 51N 4 10 64080 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner sends greeting to you, and so does Barnabas's cousin Mark. You have received instructions as to him; if he comes to you, give him a welcome. 51N 4 11 64090 Jesus, called Justus, also sends greeting. These three are Hebrew converts. They alone among such have worked loyally with me for the Kingdom of God--they are men who have been a comfort to me. 51N 4 12 64100 Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, sends greetings to you, always wrestling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand firm--Christians of ripe character and of clear conviction as to everything which is God's will. 51N 4 13 64110 For I can bear witness to the deep interest he takes in you and in the brethren at Laodicea and in those at Hierapolis. 51N 4 14 64120 Luke, the dearly-loved physician, salutes you, and so does Demas. 51N 4 15 64130 Christian greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, especially to Nymphas, and to the Church that meets at their house. 51N 4 16 64140 And when this Letter has been read among you, let it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans, and you in turn must read the one I am sending to Laodicea. 51N 4 17 64150 And tell Archippus to discharge carefully the duties devolving upon him as a servant of the Lord. 51N 4 18 64160 I Paul add with my own hand this final greeting. Be mindful of me in my imprisonment. Grace be with you. 52N 1 1 64170 Paul, Silas, and Timothy: To the Church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be granted to you. 52N 1 2 64180 We continually give thanks to God because of you all, while we make mention of you in our prayers. 52N 1 3 64190 For we never fail to remember your works of faith and labours of love and your persistent and unwavering hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father; 52N 1 4 64200 knowing as we do, brethren, that you are beloved by God and that He has chosen you. 52N 1 5 64210 The Good News that we brought you did not come to you in words only, but also with power and with the Holy Spirit and with much certainty, for you know the sort of men we became among you, as examples for your sakes. 52N 1 6 64220 And you followed the pattern set you by us and by the Master, after you had received the Message amid severe persecution, and yet with the joy which the Holy Spirit gives, 52N 1 7 64230 so that you became a pattern to all the believers throughout Macedonia and Greece. 52N 1 8 64240 For it was not only from you that the Master's Message sounded forth throughout Macedonia and Greece; but everywhere your faith in God has become known, so that it is unnecessary for us to say anything about it. 52N 1 9 64250 For when others speak of us they report the reception we had from you, and how you turned from your idols to God, to be bondservants of the true and ever-living God, 52N 1 10 64260 and to await the return from Heaven of His Son, whom He raised from among the dead--even Jesus, our Deliverer from God's coming anger. 52N 2 1 64270 For you yourselves, brethren, know that our visit to you did not fail of its purpose. 52N 2 2 64280 But, as you will remember, after we had already met with suffering and outrage at Philippi, we summoned up boldness, by the help of our God, to tell you God's Good News amid much opposition. 52N 2 3 64290 For our preaching was not grounded on a delusion, nor prompted by mingled motives, nor was there fraud in it. 52N 2 4 64300 But as God tested and approved us before entrusting us with His Good News, so in what we say we are seeking not to please men but to please God, who tests and approves our motives. 52N 2 5 64310 For, as you are well aware, we have never used the language of flattery nor have we found pretexts for enriching ourselves--God is our witness; 52N 2 6 64320 nor did we seek glory either from you or from any other mere men, although we might have stood on our dignity as Christ's Apostles. 52N 2 7 64330 On the contrary, in our relations to you we showed ourselves as gentle as a mother is when she tenderly nurses her own children. 52N 2 8 64340 Seeing that we were thus drawn affectionately towards you, it would have been a joy to us to have imparted to you not only God's Good News, but to have given our very lives also, because you had become very dear to us. 52N 2 9 64350 For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil: how, working night and day so as not to become a burden to any one of you, we came and proclaimed among you God's Good News. 52N 2 10 64360 You yourselves are witnesses--and God is witness--how holy and upright and blameless our dealings with you believers were. 52N 2 11 64370 For you know that we acted towards every one of you as a father does towards his own children, encouraging and cheering you, 52N 2 12 64380 and imploring you to live lives worthy of fellowship with God who is inviting you to share His own Kingship and glory. 52N 2 13 64390 And for this further reason we render unceasing thanks to God, that when you received God's Message from our lips, it was as no mere message from men that you embraced it, but as--what it really is--God's Message, which also does its work in the hearts of you who believe. 52N 2 14 64400 For you, brethren, followed the example of the Churches of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judaea; seeing that you endured the same ill-treatment at the hands of your countrymen, as they did at the hands of the Jews. 52N 2 15 64410 Those Jewish persecutors killed both the Lord Jesus and the Prophets, and drove us out of their midst. They are displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind; 52N 2 16 64420 for they still try to prevent our preaching to the Gentiles so that they may find salvation. They thus continually fill up the measure of their own sins, and God's anger in its severest form has overtaken them. 52N 2 17 64430 But we, brethren, having been for a short time separated from you in bodily presence, though not in heart, endeavoured all the more earnestly, with intense longing, to see you face to face. 52N 2 18 64440 On this account we wanted to come to you--at least I Paul wanted again and again to do so--but Satan hindered us. 52N 2 19 64450 For what is our hope or joy, or the crown of which we boast? Is it not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His Coming? 52N 2 20 64460 Yes, you are our glory and our joy. 52N 3 1 64470 So when we could endure it no longer, we decided to remain behind in Athens alone; 52N 3 2 64480 and sent Timothy our brother and God's minister in the service of Christ's Good News, that he might help you spiritually and encourage you in your faith; 52N 3 3 64490 that none of you might be unnerved by your present trials: for you yourselves know that they are our appointed lot. 52N 3 4 64500 For even when we were with you, we forewarned you, saying, "We are soon to suffer affliction;" and this actually happened, as you well know. 52N 3 5 64510 For this reason I also, when I could no longer endure the uncertainty, sent to know the condition of your faith, lest perchance the Tempter might have tempted you and our labour have been lost. 52N 3 6 64520 But now that Timothy has recently come back to us from you, and has brought us the happy tidings of your faith and love, and has told us how you still cherish a constant and affectionate recollection of us, and are longing to see us as we also long to see you-- 52N 3 7 64530 for this reason in our distress and trouble we have been comforted about you, brethren, by your faith. 52N 3 8 64540 For now life is for us life indeed, since you are standing fast in the Lord. 52N 3 9 64550 For what thanksgiving on your behalf can we possibly offer to God in return for all the joy which fills our souls before our God for you, 52N 3 10 64560 while night and day, with intense earnestness, we pray that we may see your faces, and may bring to perfection whatever may be still lacking in your faith? 52N 3 11 64570 But may our God and Father Himself--and our Lord Jesus--guide us on our way to you; 52N 3 12 64580 and as for you, may the Lord teach you to love one another and all men, with a growing and a glowing love, resembling our love for you. 52N 3 13 64590 Thus He will build up your characters, so that you will be faultlessly holy in the presence of our God and Father at the Coming of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones. 52N 4 1 64600 Moreover, brethren, as you learnt from our lips the lives which you ought to live, and do live, so as to please God, we beg and exhort you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live them more and more truly. 52N 4 2 64610 For you know the commands which we laid upon you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 52N 4 3 64620 For this is God's will--your purity of life, that you abstain from fornication; 52N 4 4 64630 that each man among you shall know how to procure a wife who shall be his own in purity and honour; 52N 4 5 64640 that you be not overmastered by lustful cravings, like the Gentiles who have no knowledge of God; 52N 4 6 64650 and that in this matter there be no encroaching on the rights of a brother Christian and no overreaching him. For the Lord is an avenger in all such cases, as we have already taught you and solemnly warned you. 52N 4 7 64660 God has not called us to an unclean life, but to one of purity. 52N 4 8 64670 Therefore a defiant spirit in such a case provokes not man but God, who puts His Holy Spirit into your hearts. 52N 4 9 64680 But on the subject of love for the brotherhood it is unnecessary for me to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; 52N 4 10 64690 and indeed you do love all the brethren throughout Macedonia. And we exhort you to do so more and more, 52N 4 11 64700 and to vie with one another in eagerness for peace, every one minding his own business and working with his hands, as we ordered you to do: 52N 4 12 64710 so as to live worthy lives in relation to outsiders, and not be a burden to any one. 52N 4 13 64720 Now, concerning those who from time to time pass away, we would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, lest you should mourn as others do who have no hope. 52N 4 14 64730 For if we believe that Jesus has died and risen again, we also believe that, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who shall have passed away. 52N 4 15 64740 For this we declare to you on the Lord's own authority--that we who are alive and continue on earth until the Coming of the Lord, shall certainly not forestall those who shall have previously passed away. 52N 4 16 64750 For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven with a loud word of command, and with an archangel's voice and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 52N 4 17 64760 Afterwards we who are alive and are still on earth will be caught up in their company amid clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 52N 4 18 64770 And so we shall be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 52N 5 1 64780 But as to times and dates it is unnecessary that anything be written to you. 52N 5 2 64790 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 52N 5 3 64800 While they are saying "Peace and safety!" then in a moment destruction falls upon them, like birth-pains on a woman who is with child; and escape there is none. 52N 5 4 64810 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that daylight should surprise you like a thief; 52N 5 5 64820 for all of you are sons of Light and sons of the day. We belong neither to the night nor to darkness. 52N 5 6 64830 So then let us not sleep, like the rest of the world, but let us keep awake and be sober. 52N 5 7 64840 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who drink freely, drink at night. 52N 5 8 64850 But let us, belonging--as we do--to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 52N 5 9 64860 For God has not pre-destined us to meet His anger, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ; 52N 5 10 64870 who died on our behalf, so that whether we are awake or are sleeping we may share His Life. 52N 5 11 64880 Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his friend, as in fact you do. 52N 5 12 64890 Now we beg you, brethren, to show respect for those who labour among you and are your leaders in Christian work, and are your advisers; 52N 5 13 64900 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 52N 5 14 64910 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the timid, sustain the weak, and be patient towards all. 52N 5 15 64920 See to it that no one ever repays another with evil for evil; but always seek opportunities of doing good both to one another and to all the world. 52N 5 16 64930 Be always joyful. 52N 5 17 64940 Be unceasing in prayer. 52N 5 18 64950 In every circumstance of life be thankful; for this is God's will in Christ Jesus respecting you. 52N 5 19 64960 Do not quench the Spirit. 52N 5 20 64970 Do not think meanly of utterances of prophecy; 52N 5 21 64980 but test all such, and retain hold of the good. 52N 5 22 64990 Hold yourselves aloof from every form of evil. 52N 5 23 65000 And may God Himself who gives peace, make you entirely holy; and may your spirits, souls and bodies be preserved complete and be found blameless at the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 52N 5 24 65010 Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also perfect His work. 52N 5 25 65020 Brethren, pray for us. 52N 5 26 65030 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 52N 5 27 65040 I solemnly charge you in the Lord's name to have this Letter read to all the brethren. 52N 5 28 65050 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 53N 1 1 65060 Paul, Silas, and Timothy: To the Church of the Thessalonians which is in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 53N 1 2 65070 May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 53N 1 3 65080 Unceasing thanks are due from us to God on your behalf, brethren. They are appropriate because your faith is growing greatly, and the love of every one of you for all the others goes on increasing. 53N 1 4 65090 It so increases that we ourselves make honourable mention of you among the Churches of God because of your patience and faith amid all your persecutions and amid the afflictions which you are enduring. 53N 1 5 65100 For these are a plain token of God's righteous judgement, which has in view your being deemed worthy of admission to God's Kingdom, for the sake of which, indeed, you are sufferers. 53N 1 6 65110 A plain token of God's righteous judgement, I say, since it is a righteous thing for Him to requite with affliction those who are now afflicting you; 53N 1 7 65120 and to requite with rest you who are suffering affliction now--rest with us at the re-appearing of the Lord Jesus from Heaven, attended by His mighty angels. 53N 1 8 65130 He will come in flames of fire to take vengeance on those who have no knowledge of God, and do not obey the Good News as to Jesus, our Lord. 53N 1 9 65140 They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, being banished from the presence of the Lord and from His glorious majesty, 53N 1 10 65150 when He comes on that day to be glorified in His people and to be wondered at among all who have believed, including you--because you believed the testimony which we brought for your acceptance. 53N 1 11 65160 It is with this view also that we continually pray to our God for you, asking that He will count you worthy of His call, and by His mighty power fully gratify your every desire for what is truly good and make your work of faith complete; 53N 1 12 65170 in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and that you may be glorified in Him--so wonderful is the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ! 53N 2 1 65180 But with respect to the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to meet Him, we entreat you, brethren, 53N 2 2 65190 not readily to become unsettled in mind or troubled--either by any pretended spiritual revelation or by any message or letter claiming to have been sent by us--through fancying that the day of the Lord is now here. 53N 2 3 65200 Let no one in any way deceive you, for that day cannot come without the coming of the apostasy first, and the appearing of the man of sin, the son of perdition, who sets himself against, 53N 2 4 65210 and exalts himself above, every so-called `god' or object of worship, and goes the length of taking his seat in the very temple of God, giving it out that he himself is God. 53N 2 5 65220 Do you not remember that while I was still with you I used to tell you all this? 53N 2 6 65230 And now you know what restrains him, in order that his true character may be revealed at his appointed time. 53N 2 7 65240 For lawlessness is already at work in secret; but only until the man who is now exercising a restraining influence is removed, 53N 2 8 65250 and then the Lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will sweep away with the tempest of His anger, and utterly overwhelm by the awful splendour of His Coming. 53N 2 9 65260 The appearing of the Lawless one will be attended by various miracles and tokens and delusive marvels--for so Satan works-- 53N 2 10 65270 and by every kind of wicked deception for those who are on the way to perdition because they did not welcome into their hearts the love of the truth, so that they might be saved. 53N 2 11 65280 And for this reason God sends them a misleading influence that they may believe the lie; 53N 2 12 65290 in order that all may come under judgement who have refused to believe the truth and have taken pleasure in unrighteousness. 53N 2 13 65300 And from us thanks are always due to God on your behalf--brethren whom the Lord loves--because God from the beginning has chosen you for salvation through the Spirit's sanctifying influence and your belief in the truth. 53N 2 14 65310 To this blessing God has called you by our Good News, so that you may have a share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 53N 2 15 65320 So then, brethren, stand your ground, and hold fast to the teachings which you have received from us, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 53N 2 16 65330 And may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself--and God our Father who has loved us and has given us in His grace eternal consolation and a bright hope-- 53N 2 17 65340 comfort your hearts and make you stedfast in every good work and word. 53N 3 1 65350 Finally, brethren, pray for us, asking that the Lord's Message may be spread rapidly and its glory be displayed, as it was displayed among you; 53N 3 2 65360 and that we may be delivered from wrong-headed and wicked men; for it is not everybody who has faith. 53N 3 3 65370 But the Lord is faithful, and He will make you stedfast and will guard you from the Evil one. 53N 3 4 65380 And we have confidence in the Lord in regard to you that you are doing, and will do, what we command. 53N 3 5 65390 And may the Lord guide your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 53N 3 6 65400 But, by the authority of the Lord, we command you, brethren, to stand aloof from every brother whose life is disorderly and not in accordance with the teaching which all received from us. 53N 3 7 65410 For you yourselves know that it is your duty to follow our example. There was no disorder in our lives among you, 53N 3 8 65420 nor did we eat any one's bread without paying for it, but we laboured and toiled, working hard night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. 53N 3 9 65430 This was not because we had not a claim upon you, but it arose from a desire to set you an example--for you to imitate us. 53N 3 10 65440 For even when we were with you, we laid down this rule for you: "If a man does not choose to work, neither shall he eat." 53N 3 11 65450 For we hear that there are some of you who live disorderly lives and are mere idle busybodies. 53N 3 12 65460 To persons of that sort our injunction--and our command by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ--is that they are to work quietly and eat their own honestly-earned bread. 53N 3 13 65470 But you, brethren, must not grow weary in the path of duty; 53N 3 14 65480 and if any one refuses to obey these our written instructions, mark that man and hold no communication with him--so that he may be made to feel ashamed. 53N 3 15 65490 And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but caution him as a brother. 53N 3 16 65500 And may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every sense. The Lord be with you all. 53N 3 17 65510 I Paul add the greeting with my own hand, which is the credential in every letter of mine. 53N 3 18 65520 This is my handwriting. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. 54N 1 1 65530 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope: 54N 1 2 65540 To Timothy, my own true son in the faith. May grace, mercy and peace be granted to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 54N 1 3 65550 When I was on my journey to Macedonia I begged you to remain on in Ephesus that you might remonstrate with certain persons because of their erroneous teaching 54N 1 4 65560 and the attention they bestow on mere fables and endless pedigrees, such as lead to controversy rather than to a true stewardship for God, which only exists where there is faith. And I make the same request now. 54N 1 5 65570 But the end sought to be secured by exhortation is the love which springs from a pure heart, a clear conscience and a sincere faith. 54N 1 6 65580 From these some have drifted away, and have wandered into empty words. 54N 1 7 65590 They are ambitious to be teachers of the Law, although they do not understand either their own words or what the things are about which they make such confident assertions. 54N 1 8 65600 Now we know that the Law is good, if a man uses it in the way it should be used, 54N 1 9 65610 and remembers that a law is not enacted to control a righteous man, but for the lawless and rebellious, the irreligious and sinful, the godless and profane--for those who strike their fathers or their mothers, for murderers, 54N 1 10 65620 fornicators, sodomites, slave-dealers, liars and false witnesses; and for whatever else is opposed to wholesome teaching 54N 1 11 65630 and is not in accordance with the Good News of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. 54N 1 12 65640 I am thankful to Him who made me strong--even Christ Jesus our Lord--because He has judged me to be faithful and has put me into His service, 54N 1 13 65650 though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and had been insolent in outrage. Yet mercy was shown me, because I had acted ignorantly, not having as yet believed; 54N 1 14 65660 and the grace of our Lord came to me in overflowing fulness, conferring faith on me and the love which is in Christ Jesus. 54N 1 15 65670 Faithful is the saying, and deserving of universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; among whom I stand foremost. 54N 1 16 65680 But mercy was shown me in order that in me as the foremost of sinners Christ Jesus might display the fulness of His long-suffering patience as an example to encourage those who would afterwards be resting their faith on Him with a view to the Life of the Ages. 54N 1 17 65690 Now to the immortal and invisible King of the Ages, who alone is God, be honour and glory to the Ages of the Ages! Amen. 54N 1 18 65700 This is the charge which I entrust to you, my son Timothy, in accordance with the inspired instructions concerning you which were given me long ago, that being equipped with them as your armour you may be continually fighting the good fight, 54N 1 19 65710 holding fast to faith and a clear conscience, which some have cast aside and have made shipwreck of their faith. 54N 1 20 65720 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan so that they may be taught not to blaspheme. 54N 2 1 65730 I exhort then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men; 54N 2 2 65740 including kings and all who are in high station, in order that we may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity. 54N 2 3 65750 This is right, and is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, 54N 2 4 65760 who is willing for all mankind to be saved and come to a full knowledge of the truth. 54N 2 5 65770 For there is but one God and but one Mediator between God and men--Christ Jesus, Himself man; 54N 2 6 65780 who gave Himself as the redemption price for all--a fact testified to at its own appointed time, 54N 2 7 65790 and of which I have been appointed a herald and an Apostle (I am speaking the truth: it is not a fiction), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 54N 2 8 65800 So then I would have the men everywhere pray, lifting to God holy hands which are unstained with anger or strife; 54N 2 9 65810 and I would have the women dress becomingly, with modesty and self-control, not with plaited hair or gold or pearls or costly clothes, 54N 2 10 65820 but--as befits women making a claim to godliness--with the ornament of good works. 54N 2 11 65830 A woman should quietly learn from others with entire submissiveness. 54N 2 12 65840 I do not permit a woman to teach, nor have authority over a man, but she must remain silent. 54N 2 13 65850 For Adam was formed first, and then Eve; 54N 2 14 65860 and Adam was not deceived, but his wife was thoroughly deceived, and so became involved in transgression. 54N 2 15 65870 Yet a woman will be brought safely through childbirth if she and her husband continue to live in faith and love and growing holiness, with habitual self-restraint. 54N 3 1 65880 Faithful is the saying, "If any one is eager to have the oversight of a Church, he desires a noble work." 54N 3 2 65890 A minister then must be a man of irreproachable character, true to his one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved, hospitable to strangers, and with a gift for teaching; 54N 3 3 65900 not a hard drinker nor given to blows; not selfish or quarrelsome or covetous; 54N 3 4 65910 but ruling his own household wisely and well, with children kept under control with true dignity. 54N 3 5 65920 (If a man does not know how to rule his own household, how shall he have the Church of God given into his care?) 54N 3 6 65930 He ought not to be a new convert, for fear he should be blinded with pride and come under the same condemnation as the Devil. 54N 3 7 65940 It is needful also that he bear a good character with people outside the Church, lest he fall into reproach or a snare of the Devil. 54N 3 8 65950 Deacons, in the same way, must be men of serious demeanour, not double-tongued, nor addicted to much wine, nor greedy of base gain, 54N 3 9 65960 but holding the secret truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 54N 3 10 65970 And they must also be well-tried men, and when found to be of unblemished character then let them serve as deacons. 54N 3 11 65980 Deaconesses, in the same way, must be sober-minded women, not slanderers, but in every way temperate and trustworthy. 54N 3 12 65990 A deacon must be true to his one wife, and rule his children and his own household wisely and well. 54N 3 13 66000 For those who have filled the deacon's office wisely and well, are already gaining for themselves an honourable standing, and are acquiring great freedom of speech in proclaiming the faith which rests on Christ Jesus. 54N 3 14 66010 All this I write to you, though I am hoping before long to come to see you. 54N 3 15 66020 But, for fear I may be hindered, I now write, so that you may have rules to guide you in dealing with God's household. For this is what the Church of the ever-living God is, and it is the pillar and foundation-stone of the truth. 54N 3 16 66030 And, beyond controversy, great is the mystery of our religion-- that Christ appeared in human form, and His claims justified by the Spirit, was seen by angels and proclaimed among Gentile nations, was believed on in the world, and received up again into glory. 54N 4 1 66040 Now the Spirit expressly declares that in later times some will fall away from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons; 54N 4 2 66050 through the hypocrisy of men who teach falsely and have their own consciences seared as with a hot iron; 54N 4 3 66060 forbidding people to marry, and insisting on abstinence from foods which God has created to be partaken of, with thankfulness, by those who believe and have a clear knowledge of the truth. 54N 4 4 66070 For everything that God has created is good, and nothing is to be cast aside, if only it is received with thanksgiving. 54N 4 5 66080 For it is made holy by the word of God and by prayer. 54N 4 6 66090 If you warn the brethren of these dangers you will be a good and faithful servant of Christ Jesus, inwardly feeding on the lessons of the faith and of the sound teaching of which you have been, and are, so close a follower. 54N 4 7 66100 But worldly stories, fit only for credulous old women, have nothing to do with. 54N 4 8 66110 Train yourself in godliness. Exercise for the body is not useless, but godliness is useful in every respect, possessing, as it does, the promise of Life now and of the Life which is soon coming. 54N 4 9 66120 Faithful is this saying and deserving of universal acceptance: 54N 4 10 66130 and here is the motive of our toiling and wrestling, because we have our hopes fixed on the ever-living God, who is the Saviour of all mankind, and especially of believers. 54N 4 11 66140 Command this and teach this. 54N 4 12 66150 Let no one think slightingly of you because you are a young man; but in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, be an example for your fellow Christians to imitate. 54N 4 13 66160 Till I come, bestow your attention on reading, exhortation and teaching. 54N 4 14 66170 Do not be careless about the gifts with which you are endowed, which were conferred on you through a divine revelation when the hands of the elders were placed upon you. 54N 4 15 66180 Habitually practise these duties, and be absorbed in them; so that your growing proficiency in them may be evident to all. 54N 4 16 66190 Be on your guard as to yourself and your teaching. Persevere in these things; for by doing this you will make certain your own salvation and that of your hearers. 54N 5 1 66200 Never administer a sharp reprimand to a man older than yourself; but entreat him as if he were your father, and the younger men as brothers; 54N 5 2 66210 the elder women too as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, with perfect modesty. 54N 5 3 66220 Honour widows who are really in need. 54N 5 4 66230 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these learn first to show piety towards their own homes and to prove their gratitude to their parents; for this is well pleasing in the sight of God. 54N 5 5 66240 A widow who is really in need, friendless and desolate, has her hopes fixed on God, and continues at her supplications and prayers, night and day; 54N 5 6 66250 but a pleasure-loving widow is dead even while still alive. 54N 5 7 66260 Press these facts upon them, so that they may live lives free from reproach. 54N 5 8 66270 But if a man makes no provision for those dependent on him, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is behaving worse than an unbeliever. 54N 5 9 66280 No widow is to be put on the roll who is under sixty years of age. 54N 5 10 66290 She must have been true to her one husband, and well reported of for good deeds, as having brought up children, received strangers hospitably, washed the feet of God's people, given relief to the distressed, and devoted herself to good works of every kind. 54N 5 11 66300 But the younger widows you must not enrol; for as soon as they begin to chafe against the yoke of Christ, they want to marry, 54N 5 12 66310 and they incur disapproval for having broken their original vow. 54N 5 13 66320 And at the same time they also learn to be idle as they go round from house to house; and they are not only idle, but are gossips also and busybodies, speaking of things that ought not to be spoken of. 54N 5 14 66330 I would therefore have the younger women marry, bear children, rule in domestic matters, and furnish the Adversary with no excuse for slander. 54N 5 15 66340 For already some of them have gone astray, following Satan. 54N 5 16 66350 If a believing woman has widows dependent on her, she should relieve their wants, and save the Church from being burdened--so that the Church may relieve the widows who are really in need. 54N 5 17 66360 Let the Elders who perform their duties wisely and well be held worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching. 54N 5 18 66370 For the Scripture says, <"You are not to muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain;"> and the workman deserves his pay. 54N 5 19 66380 Never entertain an accusation against an Elder except on the evidence of two of three witnesses. 54N 5 20 66390 Those who persist in sin reprove in the presence of all, so that it may also be a warning to the rest. 54N 5 21 66400 I solemnly call upon you, in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, to carry out these instructions of mine without prejudice, and to do nothing from partiality. 54N 5 22 66410 Do not ordain any one hastily; and do not be a partaker in the sins of others; keep *yourself* pure. 54N 5 23 66420 (No longer be a water-drinker; but take a little wine for the sake of your digestion and your frequent ailments.) 54N 5 24 66430 The sins of some men are evident to the world, leading the way to your estimate of their characters, but the sins of others lag behind. 54N 5 25 66440 So also the right actions of some are evident to the world, and those that are not cannot remain for ever out of sight. 54N 6 1 66450 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery hold their own masters to be deserving of honour, so that the name of God and the Christian teaching may not be spoken against. 54N 6 2 66460 And those who have believing masters should not be wanting in respect towards them because they are their brethren, but should serve them all the more willingly because those who profit by the faithful service rendered are believers and are friends. 54N 6 3 66470 So teach and exhort. If any one is a teacher of any other kind of doctrine, and refuses assent to wholesome instructions--those of our Lord Jesus Christ--and the teaching that harmonizes with true godliness, 54N 6 4 66480 he is puffed up with pride and has no true knowledge, but is crazy over discussions and controversies about words which give rise to envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured suspicions, 54N 6 5 66490 and persistent wranglings on the part of people whose intellects are disordered and they themselves blinded to all knowledge of the truth; who imagine that godliness means gain. 54N 6 6 66500 And godliness *is* gain, when associated with contentment; 54N 6 7 66510 for we brought nothing into the world, nor can we carry anything out of it; 54N 6 8 66520 and if we have food and clothing, with these we will be satisfied. 54N 6 9 66530 But people who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many unwise and pernicious ways which sink mankind in destruction and ruin. 54N 6 10 66540 For from love of money all sorts of evils arise; and some have so hankered after money as to be led astray from the faith and be pierced through with countless sorrows. 54N 6 11 66550 But you, O man of God, must flee from these things; and strive for uprightness, godliness, good faith, love, fortitude, and a forgiving temper. 54N 6 12 66560 Exert all your strength in the honourable struggle for the faith; lay hold of the Life of the Ages, to which you were called, when you made your noble profession of faith before many witnesses. 54N 6 13 66570 I charge you--as in the presence of God who gives life to all creatures, and of Christ Jesus who at the bar of Pontius Pilate made a noble profession of faith-- 54N 6 14 66580 that you keep God's commandments stainlessly and without reproach till the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 54N 6 15 66590 For, as its appointed time, this will be brought about by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 54N 6 16 66600 who alone possesses immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, and whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be eternal honour and power! Amen. 54N 6 17 66610 Impress on those who are rich in the present age that they must not be haughty nor set their hopes on riches--that unstable foundation--but on God who provides us richly with all things for our enjoyment. 54N 6 18 66620 They must be beneficent, rich in noble deeds, open-handed and liberal; 54N 6 19 66630 storing up for themselves that which shall be a solid foundation for the future, that they may lay hold of the Life which is life indeed. 54N 6 20 66640 O Timothy, guard the truths entrusted to you, shunning irreligious and frivolous talk, and controversy with what is falsely called `knowledge'; 54N 6 21 66650 of which some have spoken boastfully in connexion with the true faith, and have erred. Grace be with you all. 55N 1 1 66660 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, for proclaiming the promise of the Life which is in Christ Jesus: 55N 1 2 66670 To Timothy my dearly-loved child. May grace, mercy and peace be granted to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 55N 1 3 66680 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience--as my forefathers did--that night and day I unceasingly remember you in my prayers, 55N 1 4 66690 being always mindful of your tears, and longing to see you that I may be filled with joy. 55N 1 5 66700 For I recall the sincere faith which is in your heart--a faith which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and then in your mother Eunice, and, I am fully convinced, now dwells in you also. 55N 1 6 66710 For this reason let me remind you to rekindle God's gift which is yours through the laying on of my hands. 55N 1 7 66720 For the Spirit which God has given us is not a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and of love and of sound judgement. 55N 1 8 66730 Do not be ashamed then to bear witness for our Lord and for me His prisoner; but rather share suffering with me in the service of the Good News, strengthened by the power of God. 55N 1 9 66740 For He saved us and called us with a holy call, not in accordance with our desserts, but in accordance with His own purpose and the free grace which He bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before the commencement of the Ages, 55N 1 10 66750 but which has now been plainly revealed through the Appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus. He has put an end to death and has brought Life and Immortality to light through the Good News, 55N 1 11 66760 of which I have been appointed a preacher, Apostle and teacher, to the Gentiles. 55N 1 12 66770 That indeed is the reason why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know in whom my trust reposes, and I am confident that He has it in His power to keep what I have entrusted to Him safe until that day. 55N 1 13 66780 Provide yourself with an outline of the sound teaching which you have heard from my lips, and be true to the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 55N 1 14 66790 That precious treasure which is in your charge, guard through the Holy Spirit who has His home in our hearts. 55N 1 15 66800 Of this you are aware, that all the Christians in Roman Asia have deserted me: and among them Phygelus and Hermogenes. 55N 1 16 66810 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus; for many a time he cheered me and he was not ashamed of my chain. 55N 1 17 66820 Nay, when he was here in Rome, he took great pains to inquire where I was living, and at last he found me. 55N 1 18 66830 (The Lord grant that he may obtain mercy at His hands on that day!) And you yourself well know all the services which he rendered me in Ephesus. 55N 2 1 66840 You then, my child, must be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 55N 2 2 66850 All that you have been taught by me in the hearing of many witnesses, you must hand on to trusty men who shall themselves, in turn, be competent to instruct others also. 55N 2 3 66860 As a good soldier of Christ Jesus accept your share of suffering. 55N 2 4 66870 Every one who serves as a soldier keeps himself from becoming entangled in the world's business--so that he may satisfy the officer who enlisted him. 55N 2 5 66880 And if any one takes part in an athletic contest, he gets no prize unless he obeys the rules. 55N 2 6 66890 The harvestman who labours in the field must be the first to get a share of the crop. 55N 2 7 66900 Mark well what I am saying: the Lord will give you discernment in everything. 55N 2 8 66910 Never forget that Jesus Christ has risen from among the dead and is a descendant of David, as is declared in the Good News which I preach. 55N 2 9 66920 For preaching the Good News I suffer, and am even put in chains, as if I were a criminal: yet the word of God is not imprisoned. 55N 2 10 66930 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of God's own people; so that they also may obtain salvation--even the salvation which is in Christ Jesus--and with it eternal glory. 55N 2 11 66940 Faithful is the saying: "If we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; 55N 2 12 66950 "If we patiently endure pain, we shall also share His Kingship; "If we disown Him, He will also disown us; 55N 2 13 66960 "And even if *our* faith fails, He remains true--He cannot prove false to Himself." 55N 2 14 66970 Bring all this to men's remembrances, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to waste time in wrangling about mere words, a course which is altogether unprofitable and tends only to the ruin of the hearers. 55N 2 15 66980 Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God as a servant who, because of his straightforward dealing with the word of truth, has no reason to feel any shame. 55N 2 16 66990 But from irreligious and frivolous talk hold aloof, for those who indulge in it will proceed from bad to worse in impiety, 55N 2 17 67000 and their teaching will spread like a running sore. Hymenaeus and Philetus are men of that stamp. 55N 2 18 67010 In the matter of the truth they have gone astray, saying that the Resurrection is already past, and so they are overthrowing the faith of some. 55N 2 19 67020 Yet God's solid foundation stands unmoved, bearing this inscription, <"The Lord knows those who really belong to Him."> And this also, <"Let every one who names the Name of the Lord renounce all wickedness."> 55N 2 20 67030 Now in a great house there are not only articles of gold and silver, but also others of wood and of earthenware; and some are for specially honourable, and others for common use. 55N 2 21 67040 If therefore a man keeps himself clear of these latter, he himself will be for specially honourable use, consecrated, fit for the Master's service, and fully equipped for every good work. 55N 2 22 67050 Keep a strong curb, however, on your youthful cravings; and strive for integrity, good faith, love, peace, in company with all who pray to the Lord with pure hearts. 55N 2 23 67060 But avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, knowing--as you do--that these lead to quarrels; 55N 2 24 67070 and a bondservant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be inoffensive towards all men, a skilful teacher, and patient under wrongs. 55N 2 25 67080 He must speak in a gentle tone when correcting the errors of opponents, in the hope that God will at last give them repentance, for them to come to a full knowledge of the truth 55N 2 26 67090 and recover sober-mindedness and freedom from the Devil's snare, though they are now entrapped by him to do his will. 55N 3 1 67100 But of this be assured: in the last days grievous times will set in. 55N 3 2 67110 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, profane. They will be disobedient to parents, thankless, irreligious, 55N 3 3 67120 destitute of natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers. They will have no self-control, but will be brutal, opposed to goodness, 55N 3 4 67130 treacherous, headstrong, self-important. They will love pleasure instead of loving God, 55N 3 5 67140 and will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet live in defiance of its power. Turn away from people of this sort. 55N 3 6 67150 Among them are included the men who make their way into private houses and carry off weak women as their prisoners--women who, weighed down by the burden of their sins, are led by ever-changing caprice, 55N 3 7 67160 and are always learning something new, and yet are never able to arrive at real knowledge of the truth. 55N 3 8 67170 And just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also these false teachers withstand the truth--being, as they are, men of debased intellects, and of no real worth so far as faith is concerned. 55N 3 9 67180 But they will have no further success; for their folly will be as clearly manifest to all men, as that of the opponents of Moses came to be. 55N 3 10 67190 But you have intimately known my teaching, life, aims, faith, patience, love, resignation, 55N 3 11 67200 and the persecutions and sufferings which I have endured; the things which happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. You know the persecutions I endured, and how the Lord delivered me out of them all. 55N 3 12 67210 And indeed every one who is determined to live a godly life as a follower of Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 55N 3 13 67220 But bad men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, misleading and being misled. 55N 3 14 67230 But you must cling to the things which you have learnt and have been taught to believe, knowing who your teachers were, 55N 3 15 67240 and that from infancy you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise to obtain salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 55N 3 16 67250 Every Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for convincing, for correction of error, and for instruction in right doing; 55N 3 17 67260 so that the man of God may himself be complete and may be perfectly equipped for every good work. 55N 4 1 67270 I solemnly implore you, in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is about to judge the living and the dead, and by His Appearing and His Kingship: 55N 4 2 67280 proclaim God's message, be zealous in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, encourage, with the utmost patience as a teacher. 55N 4 3 67290 For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction, but, wanting to have their ears tickled, they will find a multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies; 55N 4 4 67300 and will turn away from listening to the truth and will turn aside to fables. 55N 4 5 67310 But as for you, you must exercise habitual self-control, and not live a self-indulgent life, but do the duty of an evangelist and fully discharge the obligations of your office. 55N 4 6 67320 I for my part am like a drink-offering which is already being poured out; and the time for my departure is now close at hand. 55N 4 7 67330 I have gone through the glorious contest; I have run the race; I have guarded the faith. 55N 4 8 67340 From this time onward there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who love the thought of His Appearing. 55N 4 9 67350 Make an effort to come to me speedily. 55N 4 10 67360 For Demas has deserted me--loving, as he does, the present age--and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 55N 4 11 67370 Luke is the only friend I now have with me. Call for Mark on your way and bring him with you, for he is a great help to me in my ministry. 55N 4 12 67380 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 55N 4 13 67390 When you come, bring with you the cloak which I left behind at Troas at the house of Carpus, and the books, but especially the parchments. 55N 4 14 67400 Alexander the metal-worker showed bitter hostility towards me: the Lord will requite him according to his doings. 55N 4 15 67410 You also should beware of him; for he has violently opposed our preaching. 55N 4 16 67420 At my first defence I had no one at my side, but all deserted me. May it not be laid to their charge. 55N 4 17 67430 The Lord, however, stood by me and filled me with inward strength, that through me the Message might be fully proclaimed and that all the Gentiles might hear it; and I was rescued from the lion's jaws. 55N 4 18 67440 The Lord will deliver me from every cruel attack and will keep me safe in preparation for His heavenly Kingdom. To Him be the glory until the Ages of the Ages! Amen. 55N 4 19 67450 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 55N 4 20 67460 Erastus stayed in Corinth; Trophimus I left behind me at Miletus, ill. 55N 4 21 67470 Make an effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. 55N 4 22 67480 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all. 56N 1 1 67490 Paul, a bondservant of God and an Apostle of Jesus Christ for building up the faith of God's own people and spreading a full knowledge of the truths of religion, 56N 1 2 67500 in hope of the Life of the Ages which God, who is never false to His word, promised before the commencement of the Ages. 56N 1 3 67510 And at the appointed time He clearly made known His Message in the preaching with which I was entrusted by the command of God our Saviour: 56N 1 4 67520 To Titus my own true child in our common faith. May grace and peace be granted to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour. 56N 1 5 67530 I have left you behind in Crete in order that you may set right the things which still require attention, and appoint Elders in every town, as I directed you to do; 56N 1 6 67540 wherever there is a man of blameless life, true to his one wife, having children who are themselves believers and are free from every reproach of profligacy or of stubborn self-will. 56N 1 7 67550 For, as God's steward, a minister must be of blameless life, not over-fond of having his own way, not a man of a passionate temper nor a hard drinker, not given to blows nor greedy of gain, 56N 1 8 67560 but hospitable to strangers, a lover of goodness, sober-minded, upright, saintly, self-controlled; 56N 1 9 67570 holding fast to the faithful Message which he has received, so that he may be well qualified both to encourage others with sound teaching and to reply successfully to opponents. 56N 1 10 67580 For there are many that spurn authority--idle, talkative and deceitful persons, who, for the most part, are adherents of the Circumcision. 56N 1 11 67590 You must stop the mouths of such men, for they overthrow the faith of whole families, teaching what they ought not, just for the sake of making money. 56N 1 12 67600 One of their own number--a Prophet who is a countryman of theirs--has said, "Cretans are always liars, dangerous animals, idle gluttons." 56N 1 13 67610 This testimony is true. Therefore sternly denounce them, that they may be robust in their faith, 56N 1 14 67620 and not give attention to Jewish legends and the maxims of men who turn their backs on the truth. 56N 1 15 67630 To the pure everything is pure; but to the polluted and unbelieving nothing is pure, but on the contrary their very minds and consciences are polluted. 56N 1 16 67640 They profess to know God; but in their actions they disown Him, and are detestable and disobedient men, and for any good work are utterly useless. 56N 2 1 67650 But as for you, you must speak in a manner that befits wholesome teaching. 56N 2 2 67660 Exhort aged men to be temperate, grave, sober-minded, robust in their faith, their love and their patience. 56N 2 3 67670 In the same way exhort aged women to let their conduct be such as becomes consecrated persons. They must not be slanderers nor enslaved to wine-drinking. They must be teachers of what is right. 56N 2 4 67680 They should school the young women to be affectionate to their husbands and to their children, to be sober-minded, pure in their lives, 56N 2 5 67690 industrious in their homes, kind, submissive to their husbands, so that the Christian teaching may not be exposed to reproach. 56N 2 6 67700 In the same way exhort the younger men to be discreet, 56N 2 7 67710 and above all make your own life a pattern of right conduct, having in your teaching no taint of insincerity, but a serious tone, 56N 2 8 67720 and healthy language which no one can censure, so that our opponents may feel ashamed at having nothing evil to say against us. 56N 2 9 67730 Exhort slaves to be always obedient to their owners, and to give them satisfaction in everything, not contradicting and not pilfering, 56N 2 10 67740 but manifesting perfect fidelity and kind feeling, in order to bring honour to the teaching of our Saviour, God, in all things. 56N 2 11 67750 For the grace of God has displayed itself with healing power to all mankind, 56N 2 12 67760 training us to renounce ungodliness and all the pleasures of this world, and to live sober, upright, and pious lives at the present time, 56N 2 13 67770 in expectation of the fulfilment of our blessed hope--the Appearing in glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; 56N 2 14 67780 who gave Himself for us to purchase our freedom from all iniquity, and purify for Himself a people who should be specially His own, zealous for doing good works. 56N 2 15 67790 Thus speak, exhort, reprove, with all impressiveness. Let no one make light of your authority. 56N 3 1 67800 Remind people that they must submit to the rulers who are in authority over them; that they must obey the magistrates, be prepared for every right action, 56N 3 2 67810 not speak evil of any one, nor be contentious, but yield unselfishly to others and constantly manifest a forgiving spirit towards all men. 56N 3 3 67820 For there was a time when we also were deficient in understanding, obstinate, deluded, the slaves of various cravings and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another. 56N 3 4 67830 But when the goodness of God our Saviour, and His love to man, dawned upon us, not in consequence of things which we, 56N 3 5 67840 as righteous men, had done, but as the result of His own mercy He saved us by means of the bath of regeneration and the renewal of our natures by the Holy Spirit, 56N 3 6 67850 which He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 56N 3 7 67860 in order that having been declared righteous through His grace we might become heirs to the Life of the Ages in fulfilment of our hopes. 56N 3 8 67870 This is a faithful saying, and on these various points I would have you insist strenuously, in order that those who have their faith fixed on God may be careful to set an example of good actions. For these are not only good in themselves, but are also useful to mankind. 56N 3 9 67880 But hold yourself aloof from foolish controversies and pedigrees and discussions and wrangling about the Law, for they are useless and vain. 56N 3 10 67890 After a first and second admonition, have nothing further to do with any one who will not be taught; 56N 3 11 67900 for, as you know, a man of that description has turned aside from the right path and is a sinner self-condemned. 56N 3 12 67910 After I have sent Artemas or Tychicus to you, lose no time in joining me at Nicopolis; for I have decided to pass the winter there. 56N 3 13 67920 Help Zenas the lawyer forward on his journey with special care, and Apollos, so that they may have all they require. 56N 3 14 67930 And let our people too learn to set a good example in following honest occupations for the supply of their necessities, so that they may not live useless lives. 56N 3 15 67940 Every one here sends you greeting. Greet the believers who hold us dear. May grace be with you all. 57N 1 1 67950 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother: To Philemon our dearly-loved fellow labourer-- 57N 1 2 67960 and to our sister Apphia and our comrade Archippus--as well as to the Church in your house. 57N 1 3 67970 May grace be granted to you all, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 57N 1 4 67980 I give continual thanks to my God while making mention of you, my brother, in my prayers, 57N 1 5 67990 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have towards the Lord Jesus and which you manifest towards all God's people; 57N 1 6 68000 praying as I do, that their participation in your faith may result in others fully recognizing all the right affection that is in us toward Christ. 57N 1 7 68010 For I have found great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of God's people have been, and are, refreshed through you, my brother. 57N 1 8 68020 Therefore, though I might with Christ's authority speak very freely and order you to do what is fitting, 57N 1 9 68030 it is for love's sake that--instead of that--although I am none other than Paul the aged, and am now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus, 57N 1 10 68040 I entreat you on behalf of my own child whose father I have become while in my chains--I mean Onesimus. 57N 1 11 68050 Formerly he was useless to you, but now--true to his name--he is of great use to you and to me. 57N 1 12 68060 I am sending him back to you, though in so doing I send part of myself. 57N 1 13 68070 It was my wish to keep him at my side for him to attend to my wants, as your representative, during my imprisonment for the Good News. 57N 1 14 68080 Only I wished to do nothing without your consent, so that his kind action of yours might not be done under pressure, but might be a voluntary one. 57N 1 15 68090 For perhaps it was for this reason he was parted from you for a time, that you might receive him back wholly and for ever yours; 57N 1 16 68100 no longer as a slave, but as something better than a slave--a brother peculiarly dear to me, and even dearer to you, both as a servant and as a fellow Christian. 57N 1 17 68110 If therefore you regard me as a comrade, receive him as if he were I myself. 57N 1 18 68120 And if he was ever dishonest or is in your debt, debit me with the amount. 57N 1 19 68130 I Paul write this with my own hand--I will pay you in full. (I say nothing of the fact that you owe me even your own self.) 57N 1 20 68140 Yes, brother, do me this favour for the Lord's sake. Refresh my heart in Christ. 57N 1 21 68150 I write to you in the full confidence that you will meet my wishes, for I know you will do even more than I say. 57N 1 22 68160 And at the same time provide accommodation for me; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be permitted to come to you. 57N 1 23 68170 Greetings to you, my brother, from Epaphras my fellow prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus; 57N 1 24 68180 and from Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 57N 1 25 68190 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with the spirit of every one of you. 58N 1 1 68200 God, who in ancient days spoke to our forefathers in many distinct messages and by various methods through the Prophets, 58N 1 2 68210 has at the end of these days spoken to us through a Son, who is the pre-destined Lord of the universe, and through whom He made the Ages. 58N 1 3 68220 He brightly reflects God's glory and is the exact representation of His being, and upholds the universe by His all-powerful word. After securing man's purification from sin He took His seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 58N 1 4 68230 having become as far superior to the angels as the Name He possesses by inheritance is more excellent than theirs. 58N 1 5 68240 For to which of the angels did God ever say, <"My Son art Thou: I have this day become Thy Father;"> and again, <"I will be a Father to Him, and He shall be My Son"?> 58N 1 6 68250 But speaking of the time when He once more brings His Firstborn into the world, He says, <"And let all God's angels worship Him."> 58N 1 7 68260 Moreover of the angels He says, <"He changes His angels into winds, and His ministering servants into a flame of fire."> 58N 1 8 68270 But of His Son, He says, <"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and for ever, and the sceptre of Thy Kingdom is a sceptre of absolute justice. 58N 1 9 68280 Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Thee with the oil of gladness beyond Thy companions."> 58N 1 10 68290 It is also of His Son that God says, <"Thou, O Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. 58N 1 11 68300 The heavens will perish, but Thou remainest; and they will all grow old like a garment, 58N 1 12 68310 and, as though they were a mantle Thou wilt roll them up; yes, like a garment, and they will undergo change. But Thou art the same, and Thy years will never come to an end."> 58N 1 13 68320 To which of the angels has He ever said, <"Sit at My right hand till I make Thy foes a footstool for Thy feet"?> 58N 1 14 68330 Are not all angels spirits that serve Him--whom He sends out to render service for the benefit of those who, before long, will inherit salvation? 58N 2 1 68340 For this reason we ought to pay the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, for fear we should drift away from them. 58N 2 2 68350 For if the message delivered through angels proved to be true, and every transgression and act of disobedience met with just retribution, 58N 2 3 68360 how shall *we* escape if we are indifferent to a salvation as great as that now offered to us? This, after having first of all been announced by the Lord Himself, had its truth made sure to us by those who heard Him, 58N 2 4 68370 while God corroborated their testimony by signs and marvels and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed in accordance with His own will. 58N 2 5 68380 It is not to angels that God has assigned the sovereignty of that coming world, of which we speak. 58N 2 6 68390 But, as we know, a writer has solemnly said, <"How poor a creature is man, and yet Thou dost remember him, and a son of man, and yet Thou dost come to him! 58N 2 7 68400 Thou hast made him only a little inferior to the angels; with glory and honour Thou hast crowned him, and hast set him to govern the works of Thy hands. 58N 2 8 68410 Thou hast put everything in subjection under his feet."> For this subjecting of the universe to man implies the leaving nothing not subject to him. But we do not as yet see the universe subject to him. 58N 2 9 68420 But Jesus--who was made a little inferior to the angels in order that through God's grace He might taste death for every human being--we already see wearing a crown of glory and honour because of His having suffered death. 58N 2 10 68430 For it was fitting that He for whom, and through whom, all things exist, after He had brought many sons to glory, should perfect by suffering the Prince Leader who had saved them. 58N 2 11 68440 For both He who sanctifies and those whom He is sanctifying have all one Father; and for this reason He is not ashamed to speak of them as His brothers; 58N 2 12 68450 as when He says: <"I will proclaim Thy name to My brothers: in the midst of the congregation I will hymn Thy praises;"> 58N 2 13 68460 and again, <"As for Me, I will be one whose trust reposes in God;"> and again, <"Here am I, and here are the children God has given Me."> 58N 2 14 68470 Since then the children referred to are all alike sharers in perishable human nature, He Himself also, in the same way, took on Him a share of it, in order that through death He might render powerless him who had authority over death, that is, the Devil, 58N 2 15 68480 and might set at liberty all those who through fear of death had been subject to lifelong slavery. 58N 2 16 68490 For assuredly it is not to angels that He is continually reaching a helping hand, but it is to the descendants of Abraham. 58N 2 17 68500 And for this purpose it was necessary that in all respects He should be made to resemble His brothers, so that He might become a compassionate and faithful High Priest in things relating to God, in order to atone for the sins of the people. 58N 2 18 68510 For inasmuch as He has Himself felt the pain of temptation and trial, He is also able instantly to help those who are tempted and tried. 58N 3 1 68520 Therefore, holy brethren, sharers with others in a heavenly invitation, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest whose followers we profess to be. 58N 3 2 68530 How faithful He was to Him who appointed Him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house! 58N 3 3 68540 For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, in so far as he who has built a house has higher honour than the house itself. 58N 3 4 68550 For every house has had a builder, and the builder of all things is God. 58N 3 5 68560 Moreover, Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant in delivering the message given him to speak; 58N 3 6 68570 but Christ was faithful as a Son having authority over God's house, and we are that house, if we hold firm to the End the boldness and the hope which we boast of as ours. 58N 3 7 68580 For this reason--as the Holy Spirit warns us, <"To-day, if you hear His voice, 58N 3 8 68590 do not harden your hearts as your forefathers did in the time of the provocation on the day of the temptation in the Desert, 58N 3 9 68600 where your forefathers so sorely tried My patience and saw all that I did during forty years. 58N 3 10 68610 Therefore I was greatly grieved with that generation, and I said, `They are ever going astray in heart, and have not learnt to know My paths.' 58N 3 11 68620 As I swore in My anger, they shall not be admitted to My rest" --> 58N 3 12 68630 see to it, brethren, that there is never in any one of you--as perhaps there may be--a sinful and unbelieving heart, manifesting itself in revolt from the ever-living God. 58N 3 13 68640 On the contrary encourage one another, day after day, so long as To-day lasts, so that not one of you may be hardened through the deceitful character of sin. 58N 3 14 68650 For we have, all alike, become sharers with Christ, if we really hold our first confidence firm to the End; 58N 3 15 68660 seeing that the warning still comes to us, <"To-day, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as your forefathers did in the time of the provocation."> 58N 3 16 68670 For who were they that heard, and yet provoked God? Was it not the whole of the people who had come out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses? 58N 3 17 68680 And with whom was God so greatly grieved for forty years? Was it not with those who had sinned, and whose dead bodies fell in the Desert? 58N 3 18 68690 And to whom did He swear that they should not be admitted to His rest, if it was not to those who were disobedient? 58N 3 19 68700 And so we see that it was owing to lack of faith that they could not be admitted. 58N 4 1 68710 Therefore let us be on our guard lest perhaps, while He still leaves us a promise of being admitted to His rest, some one of you should be found to have fallen short of it. 58N 4 2 68720 For Good News has been brought to us as truly as to them; but the message they heard failed to benefit them, because they were not one in faith with those who gave heed to it. 58N 4 3 68730 We who have believed are soon to be admitted to the true rest; as He has said, <"As I swore in My anger, they shall not be admitted to My rest,"> although God's works had been going on ever since the creation of the world. 58N 4 4 68740 For, as we know, when speaking of the seventh day He has used the words, <"And God rested on the seventh day from all His works;"> 58N 4 5 68750 and He has also declared, <"They shall not be admitted to My rest."> 58N 4 6 68760 Since, then, it is still true that some will be admitted to that rest, and that because of disobedience those who formerly had Good News proclaimed to them were not admitted, 58N 4 7 68770 He again definitely mentions a certain day, "To-day," saying long afterwards, by David's lips, in the words already quoted, <"To-day, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts."> 58N 4 8 68780 For if Joshua had given them the true rest, we should not afterwards hear God speaking of another still future day. 58N 4 9 68790 It follows that there still remains a sabbath rest for the people of God. 58N 4 10 68800 For He who has been admitted to His rest, has rested from His works as God did from His. 58N 4 11 68810 Let it then be our earnest endeavour to be admitted to that rest, so that no one may perish through following the same example of unbelief. 58N 4 12 68820 For God's Message is full of life and power, and is keener than the sharpest two-edged sword. It pierces even to the severance of soul from spirit, and penetrates between the joints and the marrow, and it can discern the secret thoughts and purposes of the heart. 58N 4 13 68830 And no created thing is able to escape its scrutiny; but everything lies bare and completely exposed before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. 58N 4 14 68840 Inasmuch, then, as we have in Jesus, the Son of God, a great High Priest who has passed into Heaven itself, let us hold firmly to our profession of faith. 58N 4 15 68850 For we have not a High Priest who is unable to feel for us in our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in every respect just as we are tempted, and yet did not sin. 58N 4 16 68860 Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our times of need. 58N 5 1 68870 For every High Priest is chosen from among men, and is appointed to act on behalf of men in matters relating to God, in order to offer both gifts and sin-offerings, 58N 5 2 68880 and must be one who is able to bear patiently with the ignorant and erring, because he himself also is beset with infirmity. 58N 5 3 68890 And for this reason he is required to offer sin-offerings not only for the people but also for himself. 58N 5 4 68900 And no one takes this honourable office upon himself, but only accepts it when called to it by God, as Aaron was. 58N 5 5 68910 So Christ also did not claim for Himself the honour of being made High Priest, but was appointed to it by Him who said to Him, <"My Son art Thou: I have to-day become Thy Father;"> 58N 5 6 68920 as also in another passage He says, <"Thou art a priest for ever, belonging to the order of Melchizedek."> 58N 5 7 68930 For Jesus during his earthly life offered up prayers and entreaties, crying aloud and weeping as He pleaded with Him who was able to bring Him in safety out of death, and He was delivered from the terror from which He shrank. 58N 5 8 68940 Although He was God's Son, yet He learned obedience from the sufferings which He endured; 58N 5 9 68950 and so, having been made perfect, He became to all who obey Him the source and giver of eternal salvation. 58N 5 10 68960 For God Himself addresses Him as a High Priest for ever, belonging to the order of Melchizedek. 58N 5 11 68970 Concerning Him we have much to say, and much that it would be difficult to make clear to you, since you have become so dull of apprehension. 58N 5 12 68980 For although, considering the long time you have been believers, you ought now to be teachers of others, you really need some one to teach you over again the very rudiments of the truths of God, and you have come to require milk instead of solid food. 58N 5 13 68990 By people who live on milk I mean those who are imperfectly acquainted with the teaching concerning righteousness. 58N 5 14 69000 Such persons are mere babes. But solid food is for adults--that is, for those who through constant practice have their spiritual faculties carefully trained to distinguish good from evil. 58N 6 1 69010 Therefore leaving elementary instruction about the Christ, let us advance to mature manhood and not be continually re-laying a foundation of repentance from lifeless works and of faith in God, 58N 6 2 69020 or of teaching about ceremonial washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and the last judgement. 58N 6 3 69030 And advance we will, if God permits us to do so. 58N 6 4 69040 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once for all been enlightened, and have tasted the sweetness of the heavenly gift, and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 58N 6 5 69050 and have realized how good the word of God is and how mighty are the powers of the coming Age, and then fell away-- 58N 6 6 69060 it is impossible, I say, to keep bringing them back to a new repentance, for, to their own undoing, they are repeatedly crucifying the Son of God afresh and exposing Him to open shame. 58N 6 7 69070 For land which has drunk in the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sakes, indeed, it is tilled, has a share in God's blessing. 58N 6 8 69080 But if it only yields a mass of thorns and briers, it is considered worthless, and is in danger of being cursed, and in the end will be destroyed by fire. 58N 6 9 69090 But we, even while we speak in this tone, have a happier conviction concerning you, my dearly-loved friends--a conviction of things which point towards salvation. 58N 6 10 69100 For God is not unjust so that He is unmindful of your labour and of the love which you have manifested towards Himself in having rendered services to His people and in still rendering them. 58N 6 11 69110 But we long for each of you to continue to manifest the same earnestness, with a view to your enjoying fulness of hope to the very End; 58N 6 12 69120 so that you may not become half-hearted, but be imitators of those who through faith and patient endurance are now heirs to the promises. 58N 6 13 69130 For when God gave the promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, 58N 6 14 69140 saying, <"Assuredly I will bless you and bless you, I will increase you and increase you."> 58N 6 15 69150 And so, as the result of patient waiting, our forefather obtained what God had promised. 58N 6 16 69160 For men swear by what is greater than themselves; and with them an oath in confirmation of a statement always puts an end to a dispute. 58N 6 17 69170 In the same way, since it was God's desire to display more convincingly to the heirs of the promise how unchangeable His purpose was, 58N 6 18 69180 He added an oath, in order that, through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for Him to prove false, we may possess mighty encouragement--we who, for safety, have hastened to lay hold of the hope set before us. 58N 6 19 69190 That hope we have as an anchor of the soul--an anchor that can neither break nor drag. It passes in behind the veil, 58N 6 20 69200 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner on our behalf, having become, like Melchizedek, a High Priest for ever. 58N 7 1 69210 For this man, Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the Most High God--he who when Abraham was returning after defeating the kings met him and pronounced a blessing on him-- 58N 7 2 69220 to whom also Abraham presented a tenth part of all--being first, as his name signifies, King of righteousness, and secondly King of Salem, that is, King of peace: 58N 7 3 69230 with no father or mother, and no record of ancestry: having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made a type of the Son of God--this man Melchizedek remains a priest for ever. 58N 7 4 69240 Now think how great this priest-king must have been to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth part of the best of the spoil. 58N 7 5 69250 And those of the descendants of Levi who receive the priesthood are authorized by the Law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brethren, though these have sprung from Abraham. 58N 7 6 69260 But, in this instance, one who does not trace his origin from them takes tithes from Abraham, and pronounces a blessing on him to whom the promises belong. 58N 7 7 69270 And beyond all dispute it is always the inferior who is blessed by the superior. 58N 7 8 69280 Moreover here frail mortal men receive tithes: there one receives them about whom there is evidence that he is alive. 58N 7 9 69290 And Levi too--if I may so speak--pays tithes through Abraham: 58N 7 10 69300 for Levi was yet in the loins of his forefather when Melchizedek met Abraham. 58N 7 11 69310 Now if the crowning blessing was attainable by means of the Levitical priesthood--for as resting on this foundation the people received the Law, to which they are still subject-- what further need was there for a Priest of a different kind to be raised up belonging to the order of Melchizedek instead of being said to belong to the order of Aaron? 58N 7 12 69320 For when the priesthood changes, a change of Law also of necessity takes place. 58N 7 13 69330 He, however, to whom that prophecy refers is associated with a different tribe, not one member of which has anything to do with the altar. 58N 7 14 69340 For it is undeniable that our Lord sprang from Judah, a tribe of which Moses said nothing in connection with priests. 58N 7 15 69350 And this is still more abundantly clear when we read that it is as belonging to the order of Melchizedek that a priest of a different kind is to arise, 58N 7 16 69360 and hold His office not in obedience to any temporary Law, but by virtue of an indestructible Life. 58N 7 17 69370 For the words are in evidence, <"Thou art a priest for ever, belonging to the order of Melchizedek."> 58N 7 18 69380 On the one hand we have here the abrogation of an earlier code because it was weak and ineffective-- 58N 7 19 69390 for the Law brought no perfect blessing--but on the other hand we have the bringing in of a new and better hope by means of which we draw near to God. 58N 7 20 69400 And since it was not without an oath being taken-- 58N 7 21 69410 for these men hold office without any oath having been taken, but He holds it attested by an oath from Him who said to Him, <"The Lord has sworn and will not recall His words, Thou art a Priest for ever" --> 58N 7 22 69420 so much the more also is the Covenant of which Jesus has become the guarantor, a better covenant. 58N 7 23 69430 And they have been appointed priests many in number, because death prevents their continuance in office: 58N 7 24 69440 but He, because He continues for ever, has a priesthood which does not pass to any successor. 58N 7 25 69450 Hence too He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, seeing that He ever lives to plead for them. 58N 7 26 69460 Moreover we needed just such a High Priest as this--holy, guileless, undefiled, far removed from sinful men and exalted above the heavens; 58N 7 27 69470 who, unlike other High Priests, is not under the necessity of offering up sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and afterwards for those of the people; for this latter thing He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 58N 7 28 69480 For the Law constitutes men High Priests--men with all their infirmity--but the utterance of the oath, which came later than the Law, constitutes High Priest a Son who has been made for ever perfect. 58N 8 1 69490 Now in connexion with what we have been saying the chief point is that we have a High Priest who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God's Majesty in the heavens, 58N 8 2 69500 and ministers in the Holy place and in the true tabernacle which not man, but the Lord pitched. 58N 8 3 69510 Every High Priest, however, is appointed to offer both bloodless gifts and sacrifices. Therefore this High Priest also must have some offering to present. 58N 8 4 69520 If then He were still on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since here there are already those who present the offerings in obedience to the Law, 58N 8 5 69530 and serve a copy and type of the heavenly things, just as Moses was divinely instructed when about to build the tabernacle. For God said, <"See that you make everything in imitation of the pattern shown you on the mountain."> 58N 8 6 69540 But, as a matter of fact, the ministry which Christ has obtained is all the nobler a ministry, in that He is at the same time the negotiator of a sublimer covenant, based upon sublimer promises. 58N 8 7 69550 For if that first Covenant had been free from imperfection, there would have been no attempt to introduce another. 58N 8 8 69560 For, being dissatisfied with His people, God says, <"`There are days coming,' says the Lord, `When I will establish with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new Covenant-- 58N 8 9 69570 a Covenant unlike the one which I made with their forefathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out from the land of Egypt; for they would not remain faithful to that.' `So I turned from them,' says the Lord. 58N 8 10 69580 `But this is the Covenant that I will covenant with the house of Israel after those days,' says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds and will write them upon their hearts. And I will indeed be their God and they shall be My People. 58N 8 11 69590 And there shall be no need for them to teach each one his fellow citizen and each one his brother, saying, Know the Lord. For all will know Me from the least of them to the greatest; 58N 8 12 69600 Because I will be merciful to their wrongdoings, and their sins I will remember no longer.'"> 58N 8 13 69610 By using the words, "a new Covenant," He has made the first one obsolete; but whatever is decaying and showing signs of old age is not far from disappearing altogether. 58N 9 1 69620 Now even the first Covenant had regulations for divine worship, and had also its sanctuary--a sanctuary belonging to this world. 58N 9 2 69630 For a sacred tent was constructed--the outer one, in which were the lamp and the table and the presented loaves; and this is called the Holy place. 58N 9 3 69640 And behind the second veil was a sacred tent called the Holy of holies. 58N 9 4 69650 This had a censer of gold, and the ark of the Covenant lined with gold and completely covered with gold, and in it were a gold vase which held the manna, and Aaron's rod which budded and the tables of the Covenant. 58N 9 5 69660 And above the ark were the Cherubim denoting God's glorious presence and overshadowing the Mercy-seat. But I cannot now speak about all these in detail. 58N 9 6 69670 These arrangements having long been completed, the priests, when conducting the divine services, continually enter the outer tent. 58N 9 7 69680 But into the second, the High Priest goes only on one day of the year, and goes alone, taking with him blood, which he offers on his own behalf and on account of the sins which the people have ignorantly committed. 58N 9 8 69690 And the lesson which the Holy Spirit teaches is this--that the way into the true Holy place is not yet open so long as the outer tent still remains in existence. 58N 9 9 69700 And this is a figure--for the time now present--answering to which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, unable though they are to give complete freedom from sin to him who ministers. 58N 9 10 69710 For their efficacy depends only on meats and drinks and various washings, ceremonies pertaining to the body and imposed until a time of reformation. 58N 9 11 69720 But Christ appeared as a High Priest of the blessings that are soon to come by means of the greater and more perfect Tent of worship, a tent which has not been built with hands--that is to say does not belong to this material creation-- 58N 9 12 69730 and once for all entered the Holy place, taking with Him not the blood of goats and calves, but His own blood, and thus procuring eternal redemption for us. 58N 9 13 69740 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have contracted defilement make them holy so as to bring about ceremonial purity, 58N 9 14 69750 how much more certainly shall the blood of Christ, who strengthened by the eternal Spirit offered Himself to God, free from blemish, purify your consciences from lifeless works for you to serve the ever-living God? 58N 9 15 69760 And because of this He is the negotiator of a new Covenant, in order that, since a life has been given in atonement for the offences committed under the first Covenant, those who have been called may receive the eternal inheritance which has been promised to them. 58N 9 16 69770 For where there is a legal `will,' there must also be a death brought forward in evidence--the death of him who made it. 58N 9 17 69780 And a will is only of force in the case of a deceased person, being never of any avail so long as he who made it lives. 58N 9 18 69790 Accordingly we find that the first Covenant was not inaugurated without blood. 58N 9 19 69800 For when Moses had proclaimed to all the people every commandment contained in the Law, he took the blood of the calves and of the goats and with them water, scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 58N 9 20 69810 saying, <"This is the blood which confirms the Covenant that God has made binding upon you."> 58N 9 21 69820 And in the same way he also sprinkled blood upon the Tent of worship and upon all the vessels used in the ministry. 58N 9 22 69830 Indeed we may almost say that in obedience to the Law everything is sprinkled with blood, and that apart from the outpouring of blood there is no remission of sins. 58N 9 23 69840 It was needful therefore that the copies of the things in Heaven should be cleansed in this way, but that the heavenly things themselves should be cleansed with more costly sacrifices. 58N 9 24 69850 For not into a Holy place built by men's hands--a mere copy of the reality--did Christ enter, but He entered Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 58N 9 25 69860 Nor did He enter for the purpose of many times offering Himself in sacrifice, just as the High Priest enters the Holy place, year after year, taking with him blood not his own. 58N 9 26 69870 In that case Christ would have needed to suffer many times, from the creation of the world onwards; but as a matter of fact He has appeared once for all, at the Close of the Ages, in order to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 58N 9 27 69880 And since it is reserved for all mankind once to die, and afterwards to be judged; 58N 9 28 69890 so the Christ also, having been once offered in sacrifice in order that He might bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, separated from sin, to those who are eagerly expecting Him, to make their salvation complete. 58N 10 1 69900 For, since the Law exhibits only an outline of the blessings to come and not a perfect representation of the things themselves, the priests can never, by repeating the same sacrifices which they continually offer year after year, give complete freedom from sin to those who draw near. 58N 10 2 69910 For then would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, because the consciences of the worshippers--who in that case would now have been cleansed once for all--would no longer be burdened with sins? 58N 10 3 69920 But in those sacrifices sins are recalled to memory year after year. 58N 10 4 69930 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 58N 10 5 69940 That is why, when He comes into the world, He says, <"Sacrifice and offering Thou has not desired, but a body Thou hast prepared for Me. 58N 10 6 69950 In whole burnt-offerings and in sin-offerings Thou hast taken no pleasure. 58N 10 7 69960 Then I said, `I have come--in the roll of the book it is written concerning Me--to do Thy will, O God.'"> 58N 10 8 69970 After saying the words I have just quoted, <"Sacrifices and offerings or whole burnt-offerings and sin-offerings Thou hast not desired or taken pleasure in"> --all such being offered in obedience to the Law-- 58N 10 9 69980 He then adds, <"I have come to do Thy will."> He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 58N 10 10 69990 It is through that divine will that we have been set free from sin, through the offering of Jesus Christ as our sacrifice once for all. 58N 10 11 70000 And while every priest stands ministering, day after day, and constantly offering the same sacrifices--though such can never rid us of our sins-- 58N 10 12 70010 this Priest, on the contrary, after offering for sins a single sacrifice of perpetual efficacy, took His seat at God's right hand, 58N 10 13 70020 waiting from that time onward until His enemies be put as a footstool under His feet. 58N 10 14 70030 For by a single offering He has for ever completed the blessing for those whom He is setting free from sin. 58N 10 15 70040 And the Holy Spirit also gives us His testimony; for when He had said, 58N 10 16 70050 <"`This is the Covenant that I will make with them after those days,' says the Lord: `I will put My laws upon their hearts and will write them on their minds;'"> 58N 10 17 70060 He adds, <"And their sins and offences I will remember no longer."> 58N 10 18 70070 But where these have been forgiven no further offering for sin is required. 58N 10 19 70080 Since then, brethren, we have free access to the Holy place through the blood of Jesus, 58N 10 20 70090 by the new and ever-living way which He opened up for us through the rending of the veil--that is to say, of His earthly nature-- 58N 10 21 70100 and since we have a great Priest who has authority over the house of God, 58N 10 22 70110 let us draw near with sincerity and unfaltering faith, having had our hearts sprinkled, once for all, from consciences oppressed with sin, and our bodies bathed in pure water. 58N 10 23 70120 Let us hold firmly to an unflinching avowal of our hope, for He is faithful who gave us the promises. 58N 10 24 70130 And let us bestow thought on one another with a view to arousing one another to brotherly love and right conduct; 58N 10 25 70140 not neglecting--as some habitually do--to meet together, but encouraging one another, and doing this all the more since you can see the day of Christ approaching. 58N 10 26 70150 For if we wilfully persist in sin after having received the full knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains in reserve any other sacrifice for sins. 58N 10 27 70160 There remains nothing but a certain awful expectation of judgement, and the fury of a fire which before long will devour the enemies of the truth. 58N 10 28 70170 Any one who bids defiance to the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 58N 10 29 70180 How much severer punishment, think you, will he be held to deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, has not regarded as holy that Covenant-blood with which he was set free from sin, and has insulted the Spirit from whom comes grace? 58N 10 30 70190 For we know who it is that has said, <"Vengeance belongs to Me: I will pay back;"> and again, <"The Lord will be His people's judge."> 58N 10 31 70200 It is an awful thing to fall into the hands of the ever-living God. 58N 10 32 70210 But continually recall to mind the days now past, when on being first enlightened you went through a great conflict and many sufferings. 58N 10 33 70220 This was partly through allowing yourselves to be made a public spectacle amid reproaches and persecutions, and partly through coming forward to share the sufferings of those who were thus treated. 58N 10 34 70230 For you not only showed sympathy with those who were imprisoned, but you even submitted with joy when your property was taken from you, being well aware that you have in your own selves a more valuable possession and one which will remain. 58N 10 35 70240 Therefore do not cast from you your confident hope, for it will receive a vast reward. 58N 10 36 70250 For you stand in need of patient endurance, so that, as the result of having done the will of God, you may receive the promised blessing. 58N 10 37 70260 For there is still but a short time and then <"The coming One will come and will not delay. 58N 10 38 70270 But it is by faith that My righteous servant shall live; and if he shrinks back, My soul takes no pleasure in him."> 58N 10 39 70280 But we are not people who shrink back and perish, but are among those who believe and gain possession of their souls. 58N 11 1 70290 Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see. 58N 11 2 70300 For by it the saints of old won God's approval. 58N 11 3 70310 Through faith we understand that the worlds came into being, and still exist, at the command of God, so that what is seen does not owe its existence to that which is visible. 58N 11 4 70320 Through faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain did, and through this faith he obtained testimony that he was righteous, God giving the testimony by accepting his gifts; and through it, though he is dead, he still speaks. 58N 11 5 70330 Through faith Enoch was taken from the earth so that he did not see death, and he could not be found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken we have evidence that he truly pleased God. 58N 11 6 70340 But where there is no faith it is impossible truly to please Him; for the man who draws near to God must believe that there is a God and that He proves Himself a rewarder of those who earnestly try to find Him. 58N 11 7 70350 Through faith Noah, being divinely taught about things as yet unseen, reverently gave heed and built an ark for the safety of his family, and by this act he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which depends on faith. 58N 11 8 70360 Through faith Abraham, upon being called to leave home and go into a land which he was soon to receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he was going to. 58N 11 9 70370 Through faith he came and made his home for a time in a land which had been promised to him, as if in a foreign country, living in tents together with Isaac and Jacob, sharers with him in the same promise; 58N 11 10 70380 for he continually looked forward to the city which has the foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 58N 11 11 70390 Through faith even Sarah herself received strength to become a mother--although she was past the time of life for this--because she judged Him faithful who had given the promise. 58N 11 12 70400 And thus there sprang from one man, and him practically dead, a nation like the stars of the sky in number, and like the sands on the sea shore which cannot be counted. 58N 11 13 70410 All these died in the possession of faith. They had not received the promised blessings, but had seen them from a distance and had greeted them, and had acknowledged themselves to be foreigners and strangers here on earth; 58N 11 14 70420 for men who acknowledge this make it manifest that they are seeking elsewhere a country of their own. 58N 11 15 70430 And if they had cherished the remembrance of the country they had left, they would have found an opportunity to return; 58N 11 16 70440 but, as it is, we see them eager for a better land, that is to say, a heavenly one. For this reason God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has now prepared a city for them. 58N 11 17 70450 Through faith Abraham, as soon as God put him to the test, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had joyfully welcomed the promises was on the point of sacrificing his only son 58N 11 18 70460 with regard to whom he had been told, <"It is through Isaac that your posterity shall be traced."> 58N 11 19 70470 For he reckoned that God is even able to raise a man up from among the dead, and, figuratively speaking, it was from among the dead that he received Isaac again. 58N 11 20 70480 Through faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even in connexion with things soon to come. 58N 11 21 70490 Through faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and, leaning on the top of his staff, worshipped God. 58N 11 22 70500 Through faith Joseph, when he was near his end, made mention of the departure of the descendants of Israel, and gave orders about his own body. 58N 11 23 70510 Through faith the child Moses was hid for three months by his parents, because they saw his rare beauty; and the king's edict had no terror for them. 58N 11 24 70520 Through faith Moses, when he grew to manhood, refused to be known as Pharaoh's daughter's son, 58N 11 25 70530 having determined to endure ill-treatment along with the people of God rather than enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin; 58N 11 26 70540 because he deemed the reproaches which he might meet with in the service of the Christ to be greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt; for he fixed his gaze on the coming reward. 58N 11 27 70550 Through faith he left Egypt, not being frightened by the king's anger; for he held on his course as seeing the unseen One. 58N 11 28 70560 Through faith he instituted the Passover, and the sprinkling with blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. 58N 11 29 70570 Through faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing over dry land, but the Egyptians, when they tried to do the same, were swallowed up. 58N 11 30 70580 Through faith the walls of Jericho fell to the ground after being surrounded for seven days. 58N 11 31 70590 Through faith the notorious sinner Rahab did not perish along with the disobedient, for she had welcomed the spies and had sheltered them. 58N 11 32 70600 And why need I say more? For time will fail me if I tell the story of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, and of David and Samuel and the Prophets; 58N 11 33 70610 men who, as the result of faith, conquered whole kingdoms, brought about true justice, obtained promises from God, stopped lions' mouths, 58N 11 34 70620 deprived fire of its power, escaped being killed by the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put to flight foreign armies. 58N 11 35 70630 Women received back their dear ones alive from the dead; and others were put to death with torture, refusing the deliverance offered to them--that they might secure a better resurrection. 58N 11 36 70640 Others again were tested by cruel mockery and by scourging; yes, and by chains and imprisonment. 58N 11 37 70650 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tried by temptation, they were killed with the sword. They went from place to place in sheepskins or goatskins, enduring want, oppression and cruelty. 58N 11 38 70660 (They were men of whom the world was not worthy.) They wandered across deserts and mountains, or hid themselves in caves and in holes in the ground. 58N 11 39 70670 And although by their faith all these people won God's approval, none of them received the fulfilment of His great promise; 58N 11 40 70680 for God had provided for them and us something better, so that apart from us they were not to attain to full blessedness. 58N 12 1 70690 Therefore, surrounded as we are by such a vast cloud of witnesses, let us fling aside every encumbrance and the sin that so readily entangles our feet. And let us run with patient endurance the race that lies before us, 58N 12 2 70700 simply fixing our gaze upon Jesus, our Prince Leader in the faith, who will also award us the prize. He, for the sake of the joy which lay before Him, patiently endured the cross, looking with contempt upon its shame, and afterwards seated Himself-- where He still sits--at the right hand of the throne of God. 58N 12 3 70710 Therefore, if you would escape becoming weary and faint-hearted, compare your own sufferings with those of Him who endured such hostility directed against Him by sinners. 58N 12 4 70720 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted so as to endanger your lives; 58N 12 5 70730 and you have quite forgotten the encouraging words which are addressed to you as sons, and which say, <"My son, do not think lightly of the Lord's discipline, and do not faint when He corrects you; 58N 12 6 70740 for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines: and He scourges every son whom He acknowledges."> 58N 12 7 70750 The sufferings that you are enduring are for your discipline. God is dealing with you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 58N 12 8 70760 And if you are left without discipline, of which every true son has had a share, that shows that you are bastards, and not true sons. 58N 12 9 70770 Besides this, our earthly fathers used to discipline us and we treated them with respect, and shall we not be still more submissive to the Father of our spirits, and live? 58N 12 10 70780 It is true that they disciplined us for a few years according as they thought fit; but He does it for our certain good, in order that we may become sharers in His own holy character. 58N 12 11 70790 Now, at the time, discipline seems to be a matter not for joy, but for grief; yet it afterwards yields to those who have passed through its training a result full of peace--namely, righteousness. 58N 12 12 70800 Therefore strengthen the drooping hands and paralysed knees, 58N 12 13 70810 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put entirely out of joint 58N 12 14 70820 but may rather be restored. Persistently strive for peace with all men, and for that growth in holiness apart from which no one will see the Lord. 58N 12 15 70830 Be carefully on your guard lest there be any one who falls back from the grace of God; lest any root bearing bitter fruit spring up and cause trouble among you, and through it the whole brotherhood be defiled; 58N 12 16 70840 lest there be a fornicator, or an ungodly person like Esau, who, in return for a single meal, parted with the birthright which belonged to him. 58N 12 17 70850 For you know that even afterwards, when he wished to secure the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no opportunity for undoing what he had done, though he sought the blessing earnestly with tears. 58N 12 18 70860 For you have not come to a material object all ablaze with fire, and to gloom and darkness and storm and trumpet-blast and the sound of words-- 58N 12 19 70870 a sound of such a kind that those who heard it entreated that no more should be added. 58N 12 20 70880 For they could not endure the order which had been given, <"Even a wild beast, if it touches the mountain, shall be stoned to death;"> 58N 12 21 70890 and so terrible was the scene that Moses said, <"I tremble with fear."> 58N 12 22 70900 On the contrary you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the ever-living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to countless hosts of angels, 58N 12 23 70910 to the great festal gathering and Church of the first-born, whose names are recorded in Heaven, and to a Judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 58N 12 24 70920 and to Jesus the negotiator of a new Covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks in more gracious tones than that of Abel. 58N 12 25 70930 Be careful not to refuse to listen to Him who is speaking to you. For if they of old did not escape unpunished when they refused to listen to him who spoke on earth, much less shall we escape who turn a deaf ear to Him who now speaks from Heaven. 58N 12 26 70940 His voice then shook the earth, but now we have His promise, <"Yet again I will, once for all, cause not only the earth to tremble, but Heaven also."> 58N 12 27 70950 Here the words "Yet again, once for all" denote the removal of the things which can be shaken--created things--in order that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 58N 12 28 70960 Therefore, receiving, as we now do, a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us cherish thankfulness so that we may ever offer to God an acceptable service, with godly reverence and awe. 58N 12 29 70970 For our God is also a consuming fire. 58N 13 1 70980 Let brotherly love always continue. 58N 13 2 70990 Do not neglect to show kindness to strangers; for, in this way, some, without knowing it, have had angels as their guests. 58N 13 3 71000 Remember prisoners, as if you were in prison with them; and remember those suffering ill-treatment, for you yourselves also are still in the body. 58N 13 4 71010 Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be unpolluted; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 58N 13 5 71020 Your lives should be untainted by love for money. Be content with what you have; for God Himself has said, <"I will never, never let go your hand: I will never never forsake you."> 58N 13 6 71030 So that we fearlessly say, <"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid: what can man do to me?"> 58N 13 7 71040 Remember your former leaders--it was they who brought you God's Message. Bear in mind how they ended their lives, and imitate their faith. 58N 13 8 71050 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day--yes, and to the ages to come. 58N 13 9 71060 Do not be drawn aside by all sorts of strange teaching; for it is well to have the heart made stedfast through God's grace, and not by special kinds of food, from which those who scrupulously attend to them have derived no benefit. 58N 13 10 71070 We Christians have an altar from which the ministers of the Jewish Tent have no right to eat. 58N 13 11 71080 For the bodies of those animals of which the blood is carried by the High Priest into the Holy place as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. 58N 13 12 71090 And for this reason Jesus also, in order, by His own blood, to set the people free from sin, suffered outside the gate. 58N 13 13 71100 Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp, sharing the insults directed against Him. 58N 13 14 71110 For we have no permanent city here, but we are longing for the city which is soon to be ours. 58N 13 15 71120 Through Him, then, let us continually lay on the altar a sacrifice of praise to God, namely, the utterance of lips that give thanks to His Name. 58N 13 16 71130 And do not forget to be kind and liberal; for with sacrifices of that sort God is greatly pleased. 58N 13 17 71140 Obey your leaders and be submissive to them. For they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give account; that they may do this with joy and not with lamentation. For that would be of no advantage to you. 58N 13 18 71150 Keep on praying for us; for we are sure that we have clear consciences, and we desire to live nobly in every respect. 58N 13 19 71160 I specially urge this upon you in order that I may be the more speedily restored to you. 58N 13 20 71170 Now may God who gives peace, and brought Jesus, our Lord, up again from among the dead--even Him who, by virtue of the blood of the eternal Covenant, is the great Shepherd of the sheep-- 58N 13 21 71180 fully equip you with every grace that you may need for the doing of His will, producing in us that which will truly please Him through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory to the Ages of the Ages! Amen. 58N 13 22 71190 Bear with me, brethren, when I thus exhort you; for, in fact, it is but a short letter that I have written to you. 58N 13 23 71200 You will rejoice to hear that our brother Timothy has been set at liberty. If he comes soon, I will see you with him. 58N 13 24 71210 Greet all your leaders and all God's people. The brethren from Italy send you greetings. 58N 13 25 71220 Grace be with you all! Amen. 59N 1 1 71230 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: to the twelve tribes who are scattered over the world. All good wishes. 59N 1 2 71240 Reckon it nothing but joy, my brethren, whenever you find yourselves hedged in by various trials. 59N 1 3 71250 Be assured that the testing of your faith leads to power of endurance. 59N 1 4 71260 Only let endurance have perfect results so that you may become perfect and complete, deficient in nothing. 59N 1 5 71270 And if any one of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask God for it, who gives with open hand to all men, and without upbraiding; and it will be given him. 59N 1 6 71280 But let him ask in faith and have no doubts; for he who has doubts is like the surge of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed into spray. 59N 1 7 71290 A person of that sort must not expect to receive anything from the Lord-- 59N 1 8 71300 such a one is a man of two minds, undecided in every step he takes. 59N 1 9 71310 Let a brother in humble life rejoice when raised to a higher position; 59N 1 10 71320 but a rich man should rejoice in being brought low, for like flowers among the herbage rich men will pass away. 59N 1 11 71330 The sun rises with his scorching heat and dries up the herbage, so that its flowers drop off and the beauty of its appearance perishes, and in the same way rich men with all their prosperity will fade away. 59N 1 12 71340 Blessed is he who patiently endures trials; for when he has stood the test, he will gain the victor's crown--even the crown of Life--which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 59N 1 13 71350 Let no one say when passing through trial, "My temptation is from God;" for God is incapable of being tempted to do evil, and He Himself tempts no one. 59N 1 14 71360 But when a man is tempted, it is his own passions that carry him away and serve as a bait. 59N 1 15 71370 Then the passion conceives, and becomes the parent of sin; and sin, when fully matured, gives birth to death. 59N 1 16 71380 Do not be deceived, my dearly-loved brethren. 59N 1 17 71390 Every gift which is good, and every perfect boon, is from above, and comes down from the Father, who is the source of all Light. In Him there is no variation nor the slightest suggestion of change. 59N 1 18 71400 In accordance with His will He made us His children through the Message of the truth, so that we might, in a sense, be the Firstfruits of the things which He has created. 59N 1 19 71410 You know this, my dearly-loved brethren. But let every one be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to be angry. 59N 1 20 71420 For a man's anger does not lead to action which God regards as righteous. 59N 1 21 71430 Ridding yourselves, therefore, of all that is vile and of the evil influences which prevail around you, welcome in a humble spirit the Message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. 59N 1 22 71440 But prove yourselves obedient to the Message, and do not be mere hearers of it, imposing a delusion upon yourselves. 59N 1 23 71450 For if any one listens but does not obey, he is like a man who carefully looks at his own face in a mirror. 59N 1 24 71460 Although he has looked carefully at himself, he goes away, and has immediately forgotten the sort of man he is. 59N 1 25 71470 But he who looks closely into the perfect Law--the Law of freedom--and continues looking, he, being not a hearer who forgets, but an obedient doer, will as the result of his obedience be blessed. 59N 1 26 71480 If a man thinks that he is scrupulously religious, although he is not curbing his tongue but is deceiving himself, his religious service is worthless. 59N 1 27 71490 The religious service which is pure and stainless in the sight of our God and Father is to visit fatherless children and widowed women in their time of trouble, and to keep one's own self unspotted from the world. 59N 2 1 71500 My brethren, you must not make distinctions between one man and another while you are striving to maintain faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our glory. 59N 2 2 71510 For suppose a man comes into one of your meetings wearing gold rings and fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man wearing shabby clothes, 59N 2 3 71520 and you pay court to the one who wears the fine clothes, and say, "Sit here; this is a good place;" while to the poor man you say, "Stand there, or sit on the floor at my feet;" 59N 2 4 71530 is it not plain that in your hearts you have little faith, seeing that you have become judges full of wrong thoughts? 59N 2 5 71540 Listen, my dearly-loved brethren. Has not God chosen those whom the world regards as poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which He has promised to those that love Him? 59N 2 6 71550 But *you* have put dishonour upon the poor man. Yet is it not the rich who grind you down? Are not they the very people who drag you into the Law courts? -- 59N 2 7 71560 and the very people who speak evil of the noble Name by which you are called? 59N 2 8 71570 If, however, you are keeping the Law as supreme, in obedience to the Commandment which says <"You are to love your fellow man just as you love yourself,"> you are acting rightly. 59N 2 9 71580 But if you are making distinctions between one man and another, you are guilty of sin, and are convicted by the Law as offenders. 59N 2 10 71590 A man who has kept the Law as a whole, but has failed to keep some one command, has become guilty of violating all. 59N 2 11 71600 For He who said, <"Do not commit adultery,"> also said, <"Do not commit murder,"> and if you are a murderer, although not an adulterer, you have become an offender against the Law. 59N 2 12 71610 Speak and act as those should who are expecting to be judged by the Law of freedom. 59N 2 13 71620 For he who shows no mercy will have judgement given against him without mercy; but mercy triumphs over judgement. 59N 2 14 71630 What good is it, my brethren, if a man professes to have faith, and yet his actions do not correspond? Can such faith save him? 59N 2 15 71640 Suppose a Christian brother or sister is poorly clad or lacks daily food, 59N 2 16 71650 and one of you says to them, "I wish you well; keep yourselves warm and well fed," and yet you do not give them what they need; what is the use of that? 59N 2 17 71660 So also faith, if it is unaccompanied by obedience, has no life in it--so long as it stands alone. 59N 2 18 71670 Nay, some one will say, "You have faith, I have actions: prove to me your faith apart from corresponding actions and I will prove mine to you by my actions. 59N 2 19 71680 You believe that God is one, and you are quite right: evil spirits also believe this, and shudder." 59N 2 20 71690 But, idle boaster, are you willing to be taught how it is that faith apart from obedience is worthless? Take the case of Abraham our forefather. 59N 2 21 71700 Was it, or was it not, because of his actions that he was declared to be righteous as the result of his having offered up his son Isaac upon the altar? 59N 2 22 71710 You notice that his faith was co-operating with his actions, and that by his actions his faith was perfected; 59N 2 23 71720 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, <"And Abraham believed God, and his faith was placed to his credit as righteousness,"> and he received the name of `God's friend.' 59N 2 24 71730 You all see that it is because of actions that a man is pronounced righteous, and not simply because of faith. 59N 2 25 71740 In the same way also was not the notorious sinner Rahab declared to be righteous because of her actions when she welcomed the spies and hurriedly helped them to escape another way? 59N 2 26 71750 For just as a human body without a spirit is lifeless, so also faith is lifeless if it is unaccompanied by obedience. 59N 3 1 71760 Do not be eager, my brethren, for many among you to become teachers; for you know that we teachers shall undergo severer judgement. 59N 3 2 71770 For we often stumble and fall, all of us. If there is any one who never stumbles in speech, that man has reached maturity of character and is able to curb his whole nature. 59N 3 3 71780 Remember that we put the horses' bit into their mouths to make them obey us, and so we turn their whole bodies round. 59N 3 4 71790 So too with ships, great as they are, and often driven along by strong gales, yet they can be steered with a very small rudder in whichever direction the caprice of the man at the helm chooses. 59N 3 5 71800 In the same way the tongue is an insignificant part of the body, but it is immensely boastful. Remember how a mere spark may set a vast forest in flames. 59N 3 6 71810 And the tongue is a fire. That world of iniquity, the tongue, is placed within us spotting and soiling our whole nature, and setting the whole round of our lives on fire, being itself set on fire by Gehenna. 59N 3 7 71820 For brute nature under all its forms--beasts and birds, reptiles and fishes--can be subjected and kept in subjection by human nature. 59N 3 8 71830 But the tongue no man or woman is able to tame. It is an ever-busy mischief, and is full of deadly poison. 59N 3 9 71840 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in God's likeness. 59N 3 10 71850 Out of the same mouth there proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be. 59N 3 11 71860 In a fountain, are fresh water and bitter sent forth from the same opening? 59N 3 12 71870 Can a fig-tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine yield figs? No; and neither can salt water yield sweet. 59N 3 13 71880 Which of you is a wise and well-instructed man? Let him prove it by a right life with conduct guided by a wisely teachable spirit. 59N 3 14 71890 But if in your hearts you have bitter feelings of envy and rivalry, do not speak boastfully and falsely, in defiance of the truth. 59N 3 15 71900 That is not the wisdom which comes down from above: it belongs to earth, to the unspiritual nature, and to evil spirits. 59N 3 16 71910 For where envy and rivalry are, there also are unrest and every vile deed. 59N 3 17 71920 The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceful, courteous, not self-willed, full of compassion and kind actions, free from favouritism and from all insincerity. 59N 3 18 71930 And peace, for those who strive for peace, is the seed of which the harvest is righteousness. 59N 4 1 71940 What causes wars and contentions among you? Is it not the cravings which are ever at war within you for various pleasures? 59N 4 2 71950 You covet things and yet cannot get them; you commit murder; you have passionate desires and yet cannot gain your end; you begin to fight and make war. You have not, because you do not pray; 59N 4 3 71960 or you pray and yet do not receive, because you pray wrongly, your object being to waste what you get on some pleasure or another. 59N 4 4 71970 You unfaithful women, do you not know that friendship with the world means enmity to God? Therefore whoever is bent on being friendly with the world makes himself an enemy to God. 59N 4 5 71980 Or do you suppose that it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "The Spirit which He has caused to dwell in our hearts yearns jealously over us"? 59N 4 6 71990 But He gives more abundant grace, as is implied in His saying, <"God sets Himself against the haughty, but to the lowly He gives grace."> 59N 4 7 72000 Submit therefore to God: resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 59N 4 8 72010 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are half-hearted towards God. 59N 4 9 72020 Afflict yourselves and mourn and weep aloud; let your laughter be turned into grief, and your gladness into shame. 59N 4 10 72030 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. 59N 4 11 72040 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. The man who speaks evil of a brother-man or judges his brother-man speaks evil of the Law and judges the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are no longer one who obeys the Law, but one who judges it. 59N 4 12 72050 The only real Lawgiver and Judge is He who is able to save or to destroy. Who are you to sit in judgement on your fellow man? 59N 4 13 72060 Come, you who say, "To-day or to-morrow we will go to this or that city, and spend a year there and carry on a successful business," 59N 4 14 72070 when, all the while, you do not even know what will happen to-morrow. For what is the nature of your life? Why, it is but a mist, which appears for a short time and then is seen no more. 59N 4 15 72080 Instead of that you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we shall live and do this or that." 59N 4 16 72090 But, as the case stands, it is in mere self-confidence that you boast: all such boasting is evil. 59N 4 17 72100 If, however, a man knows what it is right to do and yet does not do it, he commits a sin. 59N 5 1 72110 Come, you rich men, weep aloud and howl for your sorrows which will soon be upon you. 59N 5 2 72120 Your treasures have rotted, and your piles of clothing are moth-eaten; 59N 5 3 72130 your gold and your silver have become covered with rust, and the rust on them will give evidence against you, and will eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded up wealth in these last days. 59N 5 4 72140 I tell you that the pay of the labourers who have gathered in your crops--pay which you are keeping back--is calling out against you; and the outcries of those who have been your reapers have entered into the ears of the Lord of the armies of Heaven. 59N 5 5 72150 Here on earth you have lived self-indulgent and profligate lives. You have stupefied yourselves with gross feeding; but a day of slaughter has come. 59N 5 6 72160 You have condemned--you have murdered-- the righteous man: he offers no resistance. 59N 5 7 72170 Be patient therefore, brethren, until the Coming of the Lord. Notice how eagerly a farmer waits for a valuable crop! He is patient over it till it has received the early and the later rain. 59N 5 8 72180 So you also must be patient: keeping up your courage; for the Coming of the Lord is now close at hand. 59N 5 9 72190 Do not cry out in condemnation of one another, brethren, lest you come under judgement. I tell you that the Judge is standing at the door. 59N 5 10 72200 In illustration, brethren, of persecution patiently endured take the Prophets who have spoken as messengers from the Lord. 59N 5 11 72210 Remember that we call those blessed who endured what they did. You have also heard of Job's patient endurance, and have seen the issue of the Lord's dealings with him--how full of tenderness and pity the Lord is. 59N 5 12 72220 But above all things, my brethren, do not swear, either by Heaven or by the earth, or with any other oath. Let your `yes' be simply `yes,' and your `no' be simply `no;' that you may not come under condemnation. 59N 5 13 72230 Is one of you suffering? Let him pray. Is any one in good spirits? Let him sing a psalm. 59N 5 14 72240 Is any one ill? Let him send for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, after anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 59N 5 15 72250 And the prayer of faith will restore the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up to health; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven. 59N 5 16 72260 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be cured. The heartfelt supplication of a righteous man exerts a mighty influence. 59N 5 17 72270 Elijah was a man with a nature similar to ours, and he earnestly prayed that there might be no rain: and no rain fell on the land for three years and six months. 59N 5 18 72280 Again he prayed, and the sky gave rain and the land yielded its crops. 59N 5 19 72290 My brethren, if one of you strays from the truth and some one brings him back, 59N 5 20 72300 let him know that he who brings a sinner back from his evil ways will save the man's soul from death and throw a veil over a multitude of sins. 60N 1 1 72310 Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ: To God's own people scattered over the earth, who are living as foreigners in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Roman Asia, and Bithynia, 60N 1 2 72320 chosen in accordance with the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, with a view to their obedience and to their being sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. May more and more grace and peace be granted to you. 60N 1 3 72330 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in His great mercy has begotten us anew to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 60N 1 4 72340 to an inheritance imperishable, undefiled and unfading, which has been reserved in Heaven for you, 60N 1 5 72350 whom God in His power is guarding through faith for a salvation that even now stands ready for unveiling at the End of the Age. 60N 1 6 72360 Rejoice triumphantly in the prospect of this, even if now, for a short time, you are compelled to sorrow amid various trials. 60N 1 7 72370 The sorrow comes in order that the testing of your faith--being more precious than that of gold, which perishes and yet is proved by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the re-appearing of Jesus Christ. 60N 1 8 72380 Him you love, though your eyes have never looked on Him. In Him, though at present you cannot see Him, you nevertheless trust, and triumph with a joy which is unspeakable and is crowned with glory, 60N 1 9 72390 while you are securing as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 60N 1 10 72400 There were Prophets who earnestly inquired about that salvation, and closely searched into it--even those who spoke beforehand of the grace which was to come to you. 60N 1 11 72410 They were eager to know the time which the Spirit of Christ within them kept indicating, or the characteristics of that time, when they solemnly made known beforehand the sufferings that were to come upon Christ and the glories which would follow. 60N 1 12 72420 To them it was revealed that they were serving not themselves but you, when they foretold the very things which have now been openly declared to you by those who, having been taught by the Holy Spirit which had been sent from Heaven, brought you the Good News. Angels long to stoop and look into these things. 60N 1 13 72430 Therefore gird up your minds and fix your hopes calmly and unfalteringly upon the boon that is soon to be yours, at the re-appearing of Jesus Christ. 60N 1 14 72440 And, since you delight in obedience, do not shape your lives by the cravings which used to dominate you in the time of your ignorance, 60N 1 15 72450 but--in imitation of the holy One who has called you--you also must be holy in all your habits of life. 60N 1 16 72460 Because it stands written, <"You are to be holy, because I am holy."> 60N 1 17 72470 And if you address as your Father Him who judges impartially in accordance with each man's actions, then spend in fear the time of your stay here on earth, 60N 1 18 72480 knowing, as you do, that it was not with a ransom of perishable wealth, such as silver or gold, that you were set free from your frivolous habits of life which had been handed down to you from your forefathers, 60N 1 19 72490 but with the precious blood of Christ--as of an unblemished and spotless lamb. 60N 1 20 72500 He was pre-destined indeed to this work, even before the creation of the world, but has been plainly manifested in these last days for the sake of you who, through Him, 60N 1 21 72510 are faithful to God, who raised Him from among the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are resting upon God. 60N 1 22 72520 Now that, through your obedience to the truth, you have purified your souls for cherishing sincere brotherly love, you must love another heartily and fervently. 60N 1 23 72530 For you have been begotten again by God's ever-living and enduring word from a germ not of perishable, but of imperishable life. 60N 1 24 72540 <"All mankind resemble the herbage, and all their beauty is like its flowers. The herbage dries up, and its flowers drop off; 60N 1 25 72550 But the word of the Lord remains for ever."> And that means the Message which has been proclaimed among you in the Good News. 60N 2 1 72560 Rid yourselves therefore of all ill-will and all deceitfulness, of insincerity and envy, and of all evil speaking. 60N 2 2 72570 Thirst, like newly-born infants, for pure milk for the soul, that by it you may grow up to salvation; 60N 2 3 72580 if you have had any experience of the goodness of the Lord. 60N 2 4 72590 Come to Him, the ever-living Stone, rejected indeed by men as worthless, but in God's esteem chosen and held in honour. 60N 2 5 72600 And be yourselves also like living stones that are being built up into a spiritual house, to become a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 60N 2 6 72610 For it is contained in Scripture, <"See, I am placing on Mount Zion a Cornerstone, chosen, and held in honour, and he whose faith rests on Him shall never have reason to feel ashamed."> 60N 2 7 72620 To you believers, therefore, that honour belongs; but for unbelievers-- <"A Stone which the builders rejected has been made the Cornerstone,"> 60N 2 8 72630 and <"a Stone for the foot to strike against, and a Rock to stumble over."> Their foot strikes against it because they are disobedient to God's Message, and to this they were appointed. 60N 2 9 72640 But you are a chosen race, a priesthood of kingly lineage, a holy nation, a people belonging specially to God, that you may make known the perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. 60N 2 10 72650 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not found mercy, but now you have. 60N 2 11 72660 Dear friends, I entreat you as pilgrims and foreigners not to indulge the cravings of your lower natures: for all such cravings wage war upon the soul. 60N 2 12 72670 Live honourable lives among the Gentiles, in order that, although they now speak against you as evil-doers, they may yet witness your good conduct, and may glorify God on the day of reward and retribution. 60N 2 13 72680 Submit, for the Lord's sake, to every authority set up by man, whether it be to the Emperor as supreme ruler, 60N 2 14 72690 or to provincial Governors as sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and the encouragement of those who do what is right. 60N 2 15 72700 For it is God's will that by doing what is right you should thus silence the ignorant talk of foolish persons. 60N 2 16 72710 Be free men, and yet do not make your freedom an excuse for base conduct, but be God's bondservants. 60N 2 17 72720 Honour every one. Love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the Emperor. 60N 2 18 72730 Household servants, be submissive to your masters, and show them the utmost respect--not only if they are kind and thoughtful, but also if they are unreasonable. 60N 2 19 72740 For it is an acceptable thing with God, if, from a sense of duty to Him, a man patiently submits to wrong, when treated unjustly. 60N 2 20 72750 If you do wrong and receive a blow for it, what credit is there in your bearing it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you bear it patiently, this is an acceptable thing with God. 60N 2 21 72760 And it is to this you were called; because Christ also suffered on your behalf, leaving you an example so that you should follow in His steps. 60N 2 22 72770 He never sinned, and no deceitful language was ever heard from His mouth. 60N 2 23 72780 When He was reviled, He did not answer with reviling; when He suffered He uttered no threats, but left His wrongs in the hands of the righteous Judge. 60N 2 24 72790 The burden of our sins He Himself carried in His own body to the Cross and bore it there, so that we, having died so far as our sins are concerned, may live righteous lives. By His wounds yours have been healed. 60N 2 25 72800 For you were straying like lost sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Protector of your souls. 60N 3 1 72810 Married women, in the same way, be submissive to your husbands, so that even if some of them disbelieve the Message, they may, apart from the Message, be won over by the daily life of their wives, after watching your daily life-- 60N 3 2 72820 so full of reverence, and so blameless! 60N 3 3 72830 Your adornment ought not to be a merely outward thing--one of plaiting the hair, putting on jewelry, or wearing beautiful dresses. 60N 3 4 72840 Instead of that, it should be a new nature within--the imperishable ornament of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is indeed precious in the sight of God. 60N 3 5 72850 For in ancient times also this was the way the holy women who set their hopes upon God used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their husbands. 60N 3 6 72860 Thus, for instance, Sarah obeyed Abraham, acknowledging his authority over her. And you have become Sarah's children if you do what is right and permit nothing whatever to terrify you. 60N 3 7 72870 Married men, in the same way, live with your wives with a clear recognition of the fact that they are weaker than you. Yet, since you are heirs with them of God's free gift of Life, treat them with honour; so that your prayers may not be hindered. 60N 3 8 72880 In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize, kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded, 60N 3 9 72890 not requiting evil with evil nor abuse with abuse, but, on the contrary, giving a blessing in return, because a blessing is what you have been called by God to inherit. 60N 3 10 72900 For <"He who wishes to be well-satisfied with life and see happy days-- let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from deceitful words; 60N 3 11 72910 Let him turn from evil, and do good; Let him inquire for peace and go in pursuit of it. 60N 3 12 72920 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open to their supplication; but the face of the Lord is set against evil-doers."> 60N 3 13 72930 And who will be able to harm you, if you show yourselves zealous for that which is good? 60N 3 14 72940 But even if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are to be envied. So do not be alarmed by their threats, nor troubled; 60N 3 15 72950 but in your hearts consecrate Christ as Lord, being always ready to make your defence to any one who asks from you a reason for the hope which you cherish. 60N 3 16 72960 Yet argue modestly and cautiously, keeping your consciences free from guilt, so that, when you are spoken against, those who slander your good Christian lives may be put to shame. 60N 3 17 72970 For it is better that you should suffer for doing right, if such be God's will, than for doing evil; 60N 3 18 72980 because Christ also once for all died for sins, the innocent One for the guilty many, in order to bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 60N 3 19 72990 in which He also went and proclaimed His Message to the spirits that were in prison, 60N 3 20 73000 who in ancient times had been disobedient, while God's longsuffering was patiently waiting in the days of Noah during the building of the Ark, in which a few persons--eight in number--were brought safely through the water. 60N 3 21 73010 And, corresponding to that figure, the water of baptism now saves you--not the washing off of material defilement, but the craving of a good conscience after God--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 60N 3 22 73020 who is at God's right hand, having gone into Heaven, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. 60N 4 1 73030 Since, then, Christ has suffered in the flesh, you also must arm yourselves with a determination to do the same--because he who has suffered in the flesh has done with sin-- 60N 4 2 73040 that in future you may spend the rest of your earthly lives, governed not by human passions, but by the will of God. 60N 4 3 73050 For you have given time enough in the past to the doing of the things which the Gentiles delight in-- pursuing, as you did, a course of habitual licence, debauchery, hard drinking, noisy revelry, drunkenness and unholy image-worship. 60N 4 4 73060 At this they are astonished--that you do not run into the same excess of profligacy as they do; and they speak abusively of you. 60N 4 5 73070 But they will have to give account to Him who stands ready to pronounce judgement on the living and the dead. 60N 4 6 73080 For it is with this end in view that the Good News was proclaimed even to some who were dead, that they may be judged, as all mankind will be judged, in the body, but may be living a godly life in the spirit. 60N 4 7 73090 But the end of all things is now close at hand: therefore be sober-minded and temperate, so that you may give yourselves to prayer. 60N 4 8 73100 Above all continue to love one another fervently, for love throws a veil over a multitude of faults. 60N 4 9 73110 Extend ungrudging hospitality towards one another. 60N 4 10 73120 Whatever be the gifts which each has received, you must use them for one another's benefit, as good stewards of God's many-sided kindness. 60N 4 11 73130 If any one preaches, let it be as uttering God's truth; if any one renders a service to others, let it be in the strength which God supplies; so that in everything glory may be given to God in the name of Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the might to the Ages of the Ages. Amen. 60N 4 12 73140 Dear friends, do not be surprised at finding that that scorching flame of persecution is raging among you to put you to the test--as though some surprising thing were accidentally happening to you. 60N 4 13 73150 On the contrary, in the degree that you share in the sufferings of the Christ, rejoice, so that at the unveiling of His glory you may also rejoice with triumphant gladness. 60N 4 14 73160 You are to be envied, if you are being reproached for bearing the name of Christ; for in that case the Spirit of glory-- even the Spirit of God--is resting upon you. 60N 4 15 73170 But let not one of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evil-doer, or as a spy upon other people's business. 60N 4 16 73180 If, however, any one suffers because he is a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God for being permitted to bear that name. 60N 4 17 73190 For the time has come for judgement to begin, and to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who reject God's Good News? 60N 4 18 73200 And if it is difficult even for a righteous man to be saved, what will become of irreligious men and sinners? 60N 4 19 73210 Therefore also, let those who are suffering in accordance with the will of God entrust their souls in well-doing to a faithful Creator. 60N 5 1 73220 So I exhort the Elders among you--I who am their fellow Elder and have been an eye-witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and am also a sharer in the glory which is soon to be revealed. 60N 5 2 73230 Be shepherds of God's flock which is among you. Exercise the oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds; 60N 5 3 73240 not lording it over your Churches but proving yourselves patterns for the flock to imitate. 60N 5 4 73250 And then, when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the never-withering wreath of glory. 60N 5 5 73260 In the same way you younger men must submit to your elders; and all of you must gird yourselves with humility towards one another, for God sets Himself against the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 60N 5 6 73270 Humble yourselves therefore beneath the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time He may set you on high. 60N 5 7 73280 Throw the whole of your anxiety upon Him, because He Himself cares for you. 60N 5 8 73290 Curb every passion, and be on the alert. Your great accuser, the Devil, is going about like a roaring lion to see whom he can devour. 60N 5 9 73300 Withstand him, firm in your faith; knowing that your brethren in other parts of the world are passing through just the same experiences. 60N 5 10 73310 And God, the giver of all grace, who has called you to share His eternal glory, through Christ, after you have suffered for a short time, will Himself make you perfect, firm, and strong. 60N 5 11 73320 To Him be all power unto the Ages of the Ages! Amen. 60N 5 12 73330 I send this short letter by Silas, our faithful brother--for such I regard him--in order to encourage you, and to bear witness that what I have told you is the true grace of God. In it stand fast. 60N 5 13 73340 The Church in Babylon, chosen like yourselves by God, sends greetings, and so does Mark my son. 60N 5 14 73350 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ. 61N 1 1 73360 Simon Peter, a bondservant and Apostle of Jesus Christ: To those to whom there has been allotted the same precious faith as that which is ours through the righteousness of our God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ. 61N 1 2 73370 May more and more grace and peace be granted to you in a full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 61N 1 3 73380 seeing that His divine power has given us all things that are needful for life and godliness, through our knowledge of Him who has appealed to us by His own glorious perfections. 61N 1 4 73390 It is by means of these that He has granted us His precious and wondrous promises, in order that through them you may, one and all, become sharers in the very nature of God, having completely escaped the corruption which exists in the world through earthly cravings. 61N 1 5 73400 But for this very reason--adding, on your part, all earnestness-- along with your faith, manifest also a noble character: along with a noble character, knowledge; 61N 1 6 73410 along with knowledge, self-control; along with self-control, power of endurance; 61N 1 7 73420 along with power of endurance, godliness; along with godliness, brotherly affection; and along with brotherly affection, love. 61N 1 8 73430 If these things exist in you, and continually increase, they prevent your being either idle or unfruitful in advancing towards a full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 61N 1 9 73440 For the man in whom they are lacking is blind and cannot see distant objects, in that he has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his old sins. 61N 1 10 73450 For this reason, brethren, be all the more in earnest to make sure that God has called you and chosen you; for it is certain that so long as you practise these things, you will never stumble. 61N 1 11 73460 And so a triumphant admission into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be freely granted to you. 61N 1 12 73470 For this reason I shall always persist in reminding you of these things, although you know them and are stedfast believers in truth which you already possess. 61N 1 13 73480 But I think it right, so long as I remain in the body, my present dwelling-place, to arouse you by such reminders. 61N 1 14 73490 For I know that the time for me to lay aside my body is now rapidly drawing near, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed to me. 61N 1 15 73500 So on every possible occasion I will also do my best to enable you to recall these things after my departure. 61N 1 16 73510 For when we made known to you the power and Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not eagerly following cleverly devised legends, but we had been eye-witnesses of His majesty. 61N 1 17 73520 He received honour and glory from God the Father, and out of the wondrous glory words such as these were spoken to Him, "This is My dearly-loved Son, in whom I take delight." 61N 1 18 73530 And we ourselves heard these words come from Heaven, when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 61N 1 19 73540 And in the written word of prophecy we have something more permanent; to which you do well to pay attention--as to a lamp shining in a dimly-lighted place--until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 61N 1 20 73550 But, above all, remember that no prophecy in Scripture will be found to have come from the prophet's own prompting; 61N 1 21 73560 for never did any prophecy come by human will, but men sent by God spoke as they were impelled by the Holy Spirit. 61N 2 1 73570 But there were also false prophets among the people, as there will be teachers of falsehood among you also, who will cunningly introduce fatal divisions, disowning even the Sovereign Lord who has redeemed them, and bringing on themselves swift destruction. 61N 2 2 73580 And in their immoral ways they will have many eager disciples, through whom religion will be brought into disrepute. 61N 2 3 73590 Thirsting for riches, they will trade on you with their canting talk. From of old their judgement has been working itself out, and their destruction has not been slumbering. 61N 2 4 73600 For God did not spare angels when they had sinned, but hurling them down to Tartarus consigned them to caves of darkness, keeping them in readiness for judgement. 61N 2 5 73610 And He did not spare the ancient world, although He preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a deluge on the world of the ungodly. 61N 2 6 73620 He reduced to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and condemned them to overthrow, making them an example to people who might in future be living godless lives. 61N 2 7 73630 But when righteous Lot was sore distressed by the gross misconduct of immoral men He rescued him. 61N 2 8 73640 (For their lawless deeds were torture, day after day, to the pure soul of that righteous man--all that he saw and heard whilst living in their midst.) 61N 2 9 73650 Since all this is so, the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from temptation, and on the other hand how to keep the unrighteous under punishment in readiness for the Day of Judgement, 61N 2 10 73660 and especially those who are abandoned to sensuality--craving, as they do, for polluted things, and scorning control. Fool-hardy and self-willed, they do not tremble when speaking evil of glorious beings; 61N 2 11 73670 while angels, though greater than they in might and power, do not bring any insulting accusation against such in the presence of the Lord. 61N 2 12 73680 But these men, like brute beasts, created (with their natural instincts) only to be captured or destroyed, are abusive in matters of which they are ignorant, and in their corruption will perish, 61N 2 13 73690 being doomed to receive a requital for their guilt. They reckon it pleasure to feast daintily in broad daylight. They are spots and blemishes, while feeding luxuriously at their love-feasts, and banqueting with you. 61N 2 14 73700 Their very eyes are full of adultery--being eyes which never cease from sin. These men set traps to catch unstedfast souls, their own hearts being well trained in greed. They are fore-doomed to God's curse! 61N 2 15 73710 Forsaking the straight road, they have gone astray, having eagerly followed in the steps of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was bent on securing the wages of unrighteousness. 61N 2 16 73720 But he was rebuked for his transgression: a dumb ass spoke with a human voice and checked the madness of the Prophet. 61N 2 17 73730 These people are wells without water, mists driven along by a storm, men for whom the dense darkness has been reserved. 61N 2 18 73740 For, while they pour out their frivolous and arrogant talk, they use earthly cravings--every kind of immorality--as a bait to entrap men who are just escaping from the influence of those who live in error. 61N 2 19 73750 And they promise them freedom, although they are themselves the slaves of what is corrupt. For a man is the slave of any one by whom he has been worsted in fight. 61N 2 20 73760 For if, after escaping from the pollutions of the world through a full knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, people are once more entangled in these pollutions and are overcome, their last state has become worse than their first. 61N 2 21 73770 For it would have been better for them not to have fully known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandments in which they were instructed. 61N 2 22 73780 Their case is that described in the true proverb, <"A dog returns to what he has vomited,"> and also in the other proverb, "The sow has washed itself and now goes back to roll in its filth." 61N 3 1 73790 This letter which I am now writing to you, dear friends, is my second letter. In both my letters I seek to revive in your honest minds the memory of certain things, 61N 3 2 73800 so that you may recall the words spoken long ago by the holy Prophets, and the commandments of our Lord and Saviour given you through your Apostles. 61N 3 3 73810 But, above all, remember that, in the last days, men will come who make a mock at everything--men governed only by their own passions, 61N 3 4 73820 and, asking, "What has become of His promised Return? For from the time our forefathers fell asleep all things continue as they have been ever since the creation of the world." 61N 3 5 73830 For they are wilfully blind to the fact that there were heavens which existed of old, and an earth, the latter arising out of water and extending continuously through water, by the command of God; 61N 3 6 73840 and that, by means of these, the then existing race of men was overwhelmed with water and perished. 61N 3 7 73850 But the present heavens and the present earth are, by the command of the same God, kept stored up, reserved for fire in preparation for a day of judgement and of destruction for the ungodly. 61N 3 8 73860 But there is one thing, dear friends, which you must not forget. With the Lord one day resembles a thousand years and a thousand years resemble one day. 61N 3 9 73870 The Lord is not slow in fulfilling His promise, in the sense in which some men speak of slowness. But He bears patiently with you, His desire being that no one should perish but that all should come to repentance. 61N 3 10 73880 The day of the Lord will come like a thief--it will be a day on which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, the elements be destroyed in the fierce heat, and the earth and all the works of man be utterly burnt up. 61N 3 11 73890 Since all these things are thus pre-destined to dissolution, what sort of men ought you to be found to be in all holy living and godly conduct, 61N 3 12 73900 eagerly looking forward to the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens, all ablaze, will be destroyed, and the elements will melt in the fierce heat? 61N 3 13 73910 But in accordance with His promise we are expecting new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness will dwell. 61N 3 14 73920 Therefore, dear friends, since you have these expectations, earnestly seek to be found in His presence, free from blemish or reproach, in peace. 61N 3 15 73930 And always regard the patient forbearance of our Lord as salvation, as our dear brother Paul also has written to you in virtue of the wisdom granted to him. 61N 3 16 73940 That is what he says in all his letters, when speaking in them of these things. In those letters there are some statements hard to understand, which ill-taught and unprincipled people pervert, just as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own ruin. 61N 3 17 73950 You, therefore, dear friends, having been warned beforehand, must continually be on your guard so as not to be led astray by the false teaching of immoral men nor fall from your own stedfastness. 61N 3 18 73960 But be always growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be all glory, both now and to the day of Eternity! 62N 1 1 73970 That which was from the beginning, which we have listened to, which we have seen with our own eyes, and our own hands have handled concerning the Word of Life-- 62N 1 2 73980 the Life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness, and we declare unto you the Life of the Ages which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- 62N 1 3 73990 that which we have seen and listened to we now announce to you also, in order that you also may have fellowship in it with us, and this fellowship with us is fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 62N 1 4 74000 And we write these things in order that our joy may be made complete. 62N 1 5 74010 This is the Message which we have heard from the Lord Jesus and now deliver to you--God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness. 62N 1 6 74020 If, while we are living in darkness, we profess to have fellowship with Him, we speak falsely and are not adhering to the truth. 62N 1 7 74030 But if we live in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. 62N 1 8 74040 If we claim to be already free from sin, we lead ourselves astray and the truth has no place in our hearts. 62N 1 9 74050 If we confess our sins, He is so faithful and just that He forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. 62N 1 10 74060 If we deny that we have sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Message has no place in our hearts. 62N 2 1 74070 Dear children, I write thus to you in order that you may not sin. If any one sins, we have an Advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ the righteous; 62N 2 2 74080 and He is an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 62N 2 3 74090 And by this we may know that we know Him--if we obey His commands. 62N 2 4 74100 He who professes to know Him, and yet does not obey His commands, is a liar, and the truth has no place in his heart. 62N 2 5 74110 But whoever obeys His Message, in him love for God has in very deed reached perfection. By this we can know that we are in Him. 62N 2 6 74120 The man who professes to be continuing in Him is himself also bound to live as He lived. 62N 2 7 74130 My dearly-loved friends, it is no new command that I am now giving you, but an old command which you have had from the very beginning. By the old command I mean the teaching which you have already received. 62N 2 8 74140 And yet I *am* giving you a new command, for such it really is, so far as both He and you are concerned: because the darkness is now passing away and the light, the true light, is already beginning to shine. 62N 2 9 74150 Any one who professes to be in the light and yet hates his brother man is still in darkness. 62N 2 10 74160 He who loves his brother man continues in the light, and his life puts no stumbling-block in the way of others. 62N 2 11 74170 But he who hates his brother man is in darkness and is walking in darkness; and he does not know where he is going--because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 62N 2 12 74180 I am writing to you, dear children, because for His sake your sins are forgiven you. 62N 2 13 74190 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has existed from the very beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the Evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 62N 2 14 74200 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has existed from the very beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong and God's Message still has a place in your hearts, and you have overcome the Evil one. 62N 2 15 74210 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If any one loves the world, there is no love in his heart for the Father. 62N 2 16 74220 For the things in the world--the cravings of the earthly nature, the cravings of the eyes, the show and pride of life--they all come, not from the Father, but from the world. 62N 2 17 74230 And the world, with its cravings, is passing away, but he who does God's will continues for ever. 62N 2 18 74240 Dear children, the last hour has come; and as you once heard that there was to be an anti-Christ, so even now many anti-Christs have appeared. By this we may know that the last hour has come. 62N 2 19 74250 They have gone forth from our midst, but they did not really belong to us; for had they belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But they left us that it might be manifest that professed believers do not all belong to us. 62N 2 20 74260 As for you, you have an anointing from the holy One and have perfect knowledge. 62N 2 21 74270 I have written to you, not because you are ignorant of the truth, but because you know it, and you know that nothing false comes from the truth. 62N 2 22 74280 Who is a liar compared with him who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He who disowns the Father and the Son is the anti-Christ. 62N 2 23 74290 No one who disowns the Son has the Father. He who acknowledges the Son has also the Father. 62N 2 24 74300 As for you, let the teaching which you have received from the very beginning continue in your hearts. If that teaching does continue in your hearts, you also will continue to be in union with the Son and with the Father. 62N 2 25 74310 And this is the promise which He Himself has given us--the Life of the Ages. 62N 2 26 74320 I have thus written to you concerning those who are leading you astray. 62N 2 27 74330 And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him remains within you, and there is no need for any one to teach you. But since His anointing gives you instruction in all things--and is true and is no falsehood--you are continuing in union with Him even as it has taught you to do. 62N 2 28 74340 And now, dear children, continue in union with Him; so that, if He re-appears, we may have perfect confidence, and may not shrink away in shame from His presence at His Coming. 62N 2 29 74350 Since you know that He is righteous, be assured also that the man who habitually acts righteously is a child of His. 62N 3 1 74360 See what marvellous love the Father has bestowed upon us--that we should be called God's children: and that is what we are. For this reason the world does not recognize us--because it has not known Him. 62N 3 2 74370 Dear friends, we are now God's children, but what we are to be in the future has not yet been fully revealed. We know that if Christ reappears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. 62N 3 3 74380 And every man who has this hope fixed on Him, purifies himself so as to be as pure as He is. 62N 3 4 74390 Every one who is guilty of sin is also guilty of violating Law; for sin is the violation of Law. 62N 3 5 74400 And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 62N 3 6 74410 No one who continues in union with Him lives in sin: no one who lives in sin has seen Him or knows Him. 62N 3 7 74420 Dear children, let no one lead you astray. The man who acts righteously is righteous, just as He is righteous. 62N 3 8 74430 He who is habitually guilty of sin is a child of the Devil, because the Devil has been a sinner from the very beginning. The Son of God appeared for the purpose of undoing the work of the Devil. 62N 3 9 74440 No one who is a child of God is habitually guilty of sin. A God-given germ of life remains in him, and he cannot habitually sin--because he is a child of God. 62N 3 10 74450 By this we can distinguish God's children and the Devil's children: no one who fails to act righteously is a child of God, nor he who does not love his brother man. 62N 3 11 74460 For this is the Message you have heard from the beginning--that we are to love one another. 62N 3 12 74470 We are not to resemble Cain, who was a child of the Evil one and killed his own brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own actions were wicked and his brother's actions righteous. 62N 3 13 74480 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. 62N 3 14 74490 As for us, we know that we have already passed out of death into Life--because we love our brother men. He who is destitute of love continues dead. 62N 3 15 74500 Every one who hates his brother man is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has the Life of the Ages continuing in him. 62N 3 16 74510 We know what love is--through Christ's having laid down His life on our behalf; and in the same way we ought to lay down our lives for our brother men. 62N 3 17 74520 But if any one has this world's wealth and sees that his brother man is in need, and yet hardens his heart against him--how can such a one continue to love God? 62N 3 18 74530 Dear children, let us not love in words only nor with the lips, but in deed and in truth. 62N 3 19 74540 And in this way we shall come to know that we are loyal to the truth, and shall satisfy our consciences in His presence 62N 3 20 74550 in whatever matters our hearts condemn us--because God is greater than our hearts and knows everything. 62N 3 21 74560 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have perfect confidence towards God; 62N 3 22 74570 and whatever we ask for we obtain from Him, because we obey His commands and do the things which are pleasing in His sight. 62N 3 23 74580 And this is His command--that we are to believe in His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us to do. 62N 3 24 74590 The man who obeys His commands continues in union with God, and God continues in union with him; and through His Spirit whom He has given us we can know that He continues in union with us. 62N 4 1 74600 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but put the spirits to the test to see whether they are from God; for many false teachers have gone out into the world. 62N 4 2 74610 The test by which you may recognize the Spirit of God is that every spirit which acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come as man is from God, 62N 4 3 74620 and that no spirit is from God which does not acknowledge this about Jesus. Such is the spirit of the anti-Christ; of whose coming you have heard, and it is already in the world. 62N 4 4 74630 As for you, dear children, you are God's children, and have successfully resisted them; for greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 62N 4 5 74640 They are the world's children, and so their language is that of the world, and the world listens to them. We are God's children. 62N 4 6 74650 The man who is beginning to know God listens to us, but he who is not a child of God does not listen to us. By this test we can distinguish the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error. 62N 4 7 74660 Dear friends, let us love one another; for love has its origin in God, and every one who loves has become a child of God and is beginning to know God. 62N 4 8 74670 He who is destitute of love has never had any knowledge of God; because God is love. 62N 4 9 74680 God's love for us has been manifested in that He has sent His only Son into the world so that we may have Life through Him. 62N 4 10 74690 This is love indeed--we did not love God, but He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 62N 4 11 74700 Dear friends, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 62N 4 12 74710 No one has ever yet seen God. If we love one another, God continues in union with us, and His love in all its perfection is in our hearts. 62N 4 13 74720 We can know that we are continuing in union with Him and that He is continuing in union with us, by the fact that He has given us a portion of His Spirit. 62N 4 14 74730 And we have seen and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 62N 4 15 74740 Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God--God continues in union with him, and he continues in union with God. 62N 4 16 74750 And, as for us, we know the love which God has for us, and we confide in it. God is love, and he who continues to love continues in union with God, and God continues in union with him. 62N 4 17 74760 Our love will be manifested in all its perfection by our having complete confidence on the day of the Judgement; because just what He is, we also are in the world. 62N 4 18 74770 Love has in it no element of fear; but perfect love drives away fear, because fear involves pain, and if a man gives way to fear, there is something imperfect in his love. 62N 4 19 74780 We love because God first loved us. 62N 4 20 74790 If any one says that he loves God, while he hates his brother man, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother man whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 62N 4 21 74800 And the command which we have from Him is that he who loves God must love his brother man also. 62N 5 1 74810 Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God; and every one who loves the Father loves also Him who is the Father's Child. 62N 5 2 74820 The fact that we love God Himself, and obey His commands, is a proof that we love God's children. 62N 5 3 74830 Love for God means obedience to His commands; and His commands are not irksome. 62N 5 4 74840 For every child of God overcomes the world; and the victorious principle which has overcome the world is our faith. 62N 5 5 74850 Who but the man that believes that Jesus is the Son of God overcomes the world? 62N 5 6 74860 Jesus Christ is He who came with water and blood; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. And it is the Spirit who gives testimony-- because the Spirit is the Truth. 62N 5 7 74870 For there are three that give testimony-- the Spirit, the water, and the blood; 62N 5 8 74880 and there is complete agreement between these three. 62N 5 9 74890 If we accept the testimony of men, God's testimony is greater: for God's testimony consists of the things which He has testified about His Son. 62N 5 10 74900 He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in his own heart: he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, in that he has refused to accept the testimony which God has given about His Son. 62N 5 11 74910 And that testimony is to the effect that God has given us the Life of the Ages, and that this Life is in His Son. 62N 5 12 74920 He who has the Son has the Life: he who has not the Son of God has not the Life. 62N 5 13 74930 I write all this to you in order that you who believe in the Son of God may know for certain that you already have the Life of the Ages. 62N 5 14 74940 And we have an assured confidence that whenever we ask anything in accordance with His will, He listens to us. 62N 5 15 74950 And since we know that He listens to us, then whatever we ask, we know that we have the things which we have asked from Him. 62N 5 16 74960 If any one sees a brother man committing a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask and God shall give him life--for those who do not sin unto death. There is such a thing as sin unto death; for that I do not bid him make request. 62N 5 17 74970 Any kind of wrongdoing is sin; but there is sin which is not unto death. 62N 5 18 74980 We know that no one who is a child of God lives in sin, but He who is God's Child keeps him, and the Evil one cannot touch him. 62N 5 19 74990 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the Evil one. 62N 5 20 75000 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we know the true One, and are in union with the true One--that is, we are in union with His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and the Life of the Ages. 62N 5 21 75010 Dear children, guard yourselves from idols. 63N 1 1 75020 The Elder to the elect lady and her children. Truly I love you all, and not I alone, but also all who know the truth, 63N 1 2 75030 for the sake of the truth which is continually in our hearts and will be with us for ever. 63N 1 3 75040 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 63N 1 4 75050 It is an intense joy to me to have found some of your children living true Christian lives, in obedience to the command which we have received from the Father. 63N 1 5 75060 And now, dear lady, I pray you--writing to you, as I do, not a new command, but the one which we have had from the very beginning--let us love one another. 63N 1 6 75070 The love of which I am speaking consists in our living in obedience to God's commands. God's command is that you should live in obedience to what you all heard from the very beginning. 63N 1 7 75080 For many deceivers have gone out into the world--men who do not acknowledge Jesus as Christ who has come in human nature. Such a one is `the deceiver' and `the anti-Christ.' 63N 1 8 75090 Keep guard over yourselves, so that you may not lose the results of your good deeds, but may receive back a full reward. 63N 1 9 75100 No one has God, who instead of remaining true to the teaching of Christ, presses on in advance: but he who remains true to that teaching has both the Father and the Son. 63N 1 10 75110 If any one who comes to you does not bring this teaching, do not receive him under your roof nor bid him Farewell. 63N 1 11 75120 He who bids him Farewell is a sharer in his evil deeds. 63N 1 12 75130 I have a great deal to say to you all, but will not write it with paper and ink. Yet I hope to come to see you and speak face to face, so that your happiness may be complete. 63N 1 13 75140 The children of your elect sister send greetings to you. 64N 1 1 75150 The Elder to his dear friend Gaius. Truly I love you. 64N 1 2 75160 My dear friend, I pray that you may in all respects prosper and enjoy good health, just as your soul already prospers. 64N 1 3 75170 For it is an intense joy to me when brethren come and bear witness to your fidelity to the truth--that you live in obedience to the truth. 64N 1 4 75180 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are living in obedience to the truth. 64N 1 5 75190 My dear friend, you are acting faithfully in all your behaviour towards the brethren, even when they are strangers to you. 64N 1 6 75200 They have testified, in the presence of the Church, to your love; and you will do well to help them on their journey in a manner worthy of your fellowship with God. 64N 1 7 75210 For it is for Christ that they have gone forth, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 64N 1 8 75220 It is therefore our duty to show hospitality to such men, so that we may be fellow workers in promoting the truth. 64N 1 9 75230 I wrote to the Church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first place among them, refuses to listen to us. 64N 1 10 75240 For this reason, if I come, I shall not forget his conduct, nor his idle and mischievous talk against us. And he does not stop there: he not only will not receive the brethren, but those who desire to do this he hinders, and excludes them from the Church. 64N 1 11 75250 My dear friend, do not follow wrong examples, but right ones. He who habitually does what is right is a child of God: he who habitually does what is wrong has not seen God. 64N 1 12 75260 The character of Demetrius has the approval of all men, and of the truth itself. We also express our approval of it, and you know that we only give our approval to that which is true. 64N 1 13 75270 I have a great deal to say to you, but I do not wish to go on writing it with ink and pen. 64N 1 14 75280 But I hope to see you very soon, and then we will speak face to face. 64N 1 15 75290 Peace be with you. Our friends send greetings to you. Greet our friends individually. 65N 1 1 75300 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James: To those who are in God the Father, enfolded in His love, and kept for Jesus Christ, and called. 65N 1 2 75310 May mercy, peace and love be abundantly granted to you. 65N 1 3 75320 Dear friends, since I am eager to begin a letter to you on the subject of our common salvation, I find myself constrained to write and cheer you on to the vigorous defense of the faith delivered once for all to God's people. 65N 1 4 75330 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed--men spoken of in ancient writings as pre-destined to this condemnation--ungodly men, who pervert the grace of our God into an excuse for immorality, and disown Jesus Christ, our only Sovereign and Lord. 65N 1 5 75340 I desire to remind you--although the whole matter is already familiar to you--that the Lord saved a people out of the land of Egypt, but afterwards destroyed those who had no faith. 65N 1 6 75350 And angels--those who did not keep the position originally assigned to them, but deserted their own proper abode--He reserves in everlasting bonds, in darkness, in preparation for the judgement of the great day. 65N 1 7 75360 So also Sodom and Gomorrah--and the neighboring towns in the same manner--having been guilty of gross fornication and having gone astray in pursuit of unnatural vice, are now before us as a specimen of the fire of the Ages in the punishment which they are undergoing. 65N 1 8 75370 Yet in just the same way these dreamers also pollute the body, while they set authority at naught and speak evil of dignities. 65N 1 9 75380 But Michael the Archangel, when contending with the Devil and arguing with him about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce judgement on him in abusive terms, but simply said, "The Lord rebuke you." 65N 1 10 75390 Yet these men are abusive in matters of which they know nothing, and in things which, like the brutes, they understand instinctively--in all these they corrupt themselves. 65N 1 11 75400 Alas for them; for they have followed in the steps of Cain; for the sake of gain they have rushed on headlong in the evil ways of Balaam; and have perished in rebellion like that of Korah! 65N 1 12 75410 These men--sunken rocks! --are those who share the pleasure of your love-feasts, unrestrained by fear while caring only for themselves; clouds without water, driven away by the winds; trees that cast their fruit, barren, doubly dead, uprooted; 65N 1 13 75420 wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom is reserved dense darkness of age-long duration. 65N 1 14 75430 It was also about these that Enoch, who belonged to the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, "The Lord has come, attended by myriads of His people, to execute judgement upon all, 65N 1 15 75440 and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly deeds which in their ungodliness they have committed, and of all the hard words which they, ungodly sinners as they are, have spoken against Him." 65N 1 16 75450 These men are murmurers, ever bemoaning their lot. Their lives are guided by their evil passions, and their mouths are full of big, boastful words, while they treat individual men with admiring reverence for the sake of the advantage they can gain. 65N 1 17 75460 But as for you, my dearly-loved friends, remember the words that before now were spoken by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ-- 65N 1 18 75470 how they declared to you, "In the last times there shall be scoffers, obeying only their own ungodly passions." 65N 1 19 75480 These are those who cause divisions. They are men of the world, wholly unspiritual. 65N 1 20 75490 But you, my dearly-loved friends, building yourselves up on the basis of your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 65N 1 21 75500 must keep yourselves safe in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which will result in the Life of the Ages. 65N 1 22 75510 Some, when they argue with you, you must endeavor to convince; 65N 1 23 75520 others you must try to save, as brands plucked from the flames; and on others look with pity mingled with fear, while you hate every trace of their sin. 65N 1 24 75530 But to Him who is able to keep you safe from stumbling, and cause you to stand in the presence of His glory free from blemish and full of exultant joy-- 65N 1 25 75540 to the only God our Saviour--through Jesus Christ our Lord, be ascribed glory, majesty, might, and authority, as it was before all time, is now, and shall be to all the Ages! Amen. 66N 1 1 75550 The revelation given by Jesus Christ, which God granted Him, that He might make known to His servants certain events which must shortly come to pass: and He sent His angel and communicated it to His servant John. 66N 1 2 75560 This is the John who taught the truth concerning the Word of God and the truth told us by Jesus Christ-- a faithful account of what he had seen. 66N 1 3 75570 Blessed is he who reads and blessed are those who listen to the words of this prophecy and lay to heart what is written in it; for the time for its fulfillment is now close at hand. 66N 1 4 75580 John sends greetings to the seven Churches in the province of Asia. May grace be granted to you, and peace, from Him who is and was and evermore will be; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne; 66N 1 5 75590 and from Jesus Christ, the truthful witness, the first of the dead to be born to Life, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins with His own blood, 66N 1 6 75600 and has formed us into a Kingdom, to be priests to God, His Father--to Him be ascribed the glory and the power until the Ages of the Ages. Amen. 66N 1 7 75610 He is coming in the clouds, and every eye will see Him, and so will those who pierced Him; and all the nations of the earth will gaze on Him and mourn. Even so. Amen. 66N 1 8 75620 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "He who is and was and evermore will be--the Ruler of all." 66N 1 9 75630 I John, your brother, and a sharer with you in the sorrows and Kingship and patient endurance of Jesus, found myself in the island of Patmos, on account of the Word of God and the truth told us by Jesus. 66N 1 10 75640 In the Spirit I found myself present on the day of the Lord, and I heard behind me a loud voice which resembled the blast of a trumpet. 66N 1 11 75650 It said, "Write forthwith in a roll an account of what you see, and send it to the seven Churches--to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyateira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea." 66N 1 12 75660 I turned to see who it was that was speaking to me; and then I saw seven golden lampstands, 66N 1 13 75670 and in the center of the lampstands some One resembling the Son of Man, clothed in a robe which reached to His feet, and with a girdle of gold across His breast. 66N 1 14 75680 His head and His hair were white, like white wool--as white as snow; and His eyes resembled a flame of fire. 66N 1 15 75690 His feet were like silver-bronze, when it is white-hot in a furnace; and His voice resembled the sound of many waters. 66N 1 16 75700 In His right hand He held seven stars, and a sharp, two-edged sword was seen coming from His mouth; and His glance resembled the sun when it is shining with its full strength. 66N 1 17 75710 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand upon me and said, "Do not be afraid: I am the First and the Last, and the ever-living One. 66N 1 18 75720 I died; but I am now alive until the Ages of the Ages, and I have the keys of the gates of Death and of Hades! 66N 1 19 75730 Write down therefore the things you have just seen, and those which are now taking place, and those which are soon to follow: 66N 1 20 75740 the secret meaning of the seven stars which you have seen in My right hand, and of the seven lampstands of gold. The seven stars are the ministers of the seven Churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven Churches. 66N 2 1 75750 "To the minister of the Church in Ephesus write as follows: "`This is what He who holds the seven stars in the grasp of His right hand says--He who walks to and fro among the seven lampstands of gold. 66N 2 2 75760 I know your doings and your toil and patient suffering. And I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, but have put to the test those who say that they themselves are Apostles but are not, and you have found them to be liars. 66N 2 3 75770 And you endure patiently and have borne burdens for My sake and have never grown weary. 66N 2 4 75780 Yet I have this against you--that you no longer love Me as you did at first. 66N 2 5 75790 Be mindful, therefore, of the height from which you have fallen. Repent at once, and act as you did at first, or else I will surely come and remove your lampstand out of its place--unless you repent. 66N 2 6 75800 Yet this you have in your favor: you hate the doings of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 66N 2 7 75810 "`Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches. To him who overcomes I will give the privilege of eating the fruit of the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of God.' 66N 2 8 75820 "To the minister of the Church at Smyrna write as follows: "`This is what the First and the Last says--He who died and has returned to life. 66N 2 9 75830 Your sufferings I know, and your poverty--but you are rich--and the evil name given you by those who say that they themselves are Jews, and are not, but are Satan's synagogue. 66N 2 10 75840 Dismiss your fears concerning all that you are about to suffer. I tell you that the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may be put to the test, and for ten days you will have to endure persecution. Be faithful to the End, even if you have to die, and then I will give you the victor's Wreath of Life. 66N 2 11 75850 "`Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches. He who overcomes shall be in no way hurt by the Second Death.' 66N 2 12 75860 "To the minister of the Church at Pergamum write as follows: "`This is what He who has the sharp, two-edged sword says. I know where you dwell. 66N 2 13 75870 Satan's throne is there; and yet you are true to Me, and did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas My witness and faithful friend, who was put to death among you, in the place where Satan dwells. 66N 2 14 75880 Yet I have a few things against you, because you have with you some that cling to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling-block in the way of the descendants of Israel--to eat what had been sacrificed to idols, and commit fornication. 66N 2 15 75890 So even you have some that cling in the same way to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 66N 2 16 75900 Repent, at once; or else I will come to you quickly, and will make war upon them with the sword which is in My mouth. 66N 2 17 75910 "`Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches. He who overcomes--to him I will give some of the hidden Manna, and a white stone; and--written upon the stone and known only to him who receives it-- a new name.' 66N 2 18 75920 "To the minister of the Church at Thyateira write as follows: "`This is what the Son of God says--He who has eyes like a flame of fire, and feet resembling silver-bronze. 66N 2 19 75930 I know your doings, your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance; and that of late you have toiled harder than you did at first. 66N 2 20 75940 Yet I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and by her teaching leads astray My servants, so that they commit fornication and eat what has been sacrificed to idols. 66N 2 21 75950 I have given her time to repent, but she is determined not to repent of her fornication. 66N 2 22 75960 I tell you that I am about to cast her upon a bed of sickness, and I will severely afflict those who commit adultery with her, unless they repent of conduct such as hers. 66N 2 23 75970 Her children too shall surely die; and all the Churches shall come to know that I am He who searches into men's inmost thoughts; and to each of you I will give a requital which shall be in accordance with what your conduct has been. 66N 2 24 75980 But to you, the rest of you in Thyateira, all who do not hold this teaching and are not the people who have learnt the "deep things," as they call them (the deep things of Satan!) --to you I say that I lay no other burden on you. 66N 2 25 75990 Only that which you already possess, cling to until I come. 66N 2 26 76000 "`And to him who overcomes and obeys My commands to the very end, I will give authority over the nations of the earth. 66N 2 27 76010 And he shall be their shepherd, ruling them with a rod of iron, just as earthenware jars are broken to pieces; and his power over them shall be like that which I Myself have received from My Father; 66N 2 28 76020 and I will give him the Morning Star. 66N 2 29 76030 Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.' 66N 3 1 76040 "To the minister of the Church at Sardis write as follows: "`This is what He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says. I know your doings--you are supposed to be alive, but in reality you are dead. 66N 3 2 76050 Rouse yourself and keep awake, and strengthen those things which remain but have well-nigh perished; for I have found no doings of yours free from imperfection in the sight of My God. 66N 3 3 76060 Be mindful, therefore, of the lessons you have received and heard. Continually lay them to heart, and repent. If, however, you fail to rouse yourself and keep awake, I shall come upon you suddenly like a thief, and you will certainly not know the hour at which I shall come to judge you. 66N 3 4 76070 Yet you have in Sardis a few who have not soiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white; for they are worthy. 66N 3 5 76080 "`In this way he who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments; and I will certainly not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but will acknowledge him in the presence of My Father and His angels. 66N 3 6 76090 Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.' 66N 3 7 76100 "To the minister of the Church at Philadelphia write as follows: "`This is what the holy One and the true says--He who has the key of David--He who opens and no one shall shut, and shuts and no one shall open. 66N 3 8 76110 I know your doings. I have put an opened door in front of you, which no one can shut; because you have but a little power, and yet you have guarded My word and have not disowned Me. 66N 3 9 76120 I will cause some belonging to Satan's synagogue who say that they themselves are Jews, and are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall at your feet and know for certain that I have loved you. 66N 3 10 76130 Because in spite of suffering you have guarded My word, I in turn will guard you from that hour of trial which is soon coming upon the whole world, to put to the test the inhabitants of the earth. 66N 3 11 76140 I am coming quickly: cling to that which you already possess, so that your wreath of victory be not taken away from you. 66N 3 12 76150 "`He who overcomes--I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he shall never go out from it again. And I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which is to come down out of Heaven from My God, and My own new name. 66N 3 13 76160 Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.' 66N 3 14 76170 "And to the minister of the Church at Laodicea write as follows: "`This is what the Amen says--the true and faithful witness, the Beginning and Lord of God's Creation. 66N 3 15 76180 I know your doings--you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot! 66N 3 16 76190 Accordingly, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, before long I will vomit you out of My mouth. 66N 3 17 76200 You say, I am rich, and have wealth stored up, and I stand in need of nothing; and you do not know that if there is a wretched creature it is *you* -- pitiable, poor, blind, naked. 66N 3 18 76210 Therefore I counsel you to buy of Me gold refined in the fire that you may become rich, and white robes to put on, so as to hide your shameful nakedness, and eye-salve to anoint your eyes with, so that you may be able to see. 66N 3 19 76220 All whom I hold dear, I reprove and chastise; therefore be in earnest and repent. 66N 3 20 76230 I am now standing at the door and am knocking. If any one listens to My voice and opens the door, I will go in to be with him and will feast with him, and he shall feast with Me. 66N 3 21 76240 "`To him who overcomes I will give the privilege of sitting down with Me on My throne, as I also have overcome and have sat down with My Father on His throne. 66N 3 22 76250 Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.'" 66N 4 1 76260 After all this I looked and saw a door in Heaven standing open, and the voice that I had previously heard, which resembled the blast of a trumpet, again spoke to me and said, "Come up here, and I will show you things which are to happen in the future." 66N 4 2 76270 Immediately I found myself in the Spirit, and saw a throne in Heaven, and some One sitting on the throne. 66N 4 3 76280 The appearance of Him who sat there was like jasper or sard; and encircling the throne was a rainbow, in appearance like an emerald. 66N 4 4 76290 Surrounding the throne there were also twenty-four other thrones, on which sat twenty-four Elders clothed in white robes, with victors' wreaths of gold upon their heads. 66N 4 5 76300 Out from the throne there came flashes of lightning, and voices, and peals of thunder, while in front of the throne seven blazing lamps were burning, which are the seven Spirits of God. 66N 4 6 76310 And in front of the throne there seemed to be a sea of glass, resembling crystal. And midway between the throne and the Elders, and surrounding the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind. 66N 4 7 76320 The first living creature resembled a lion, the second an ox, the third had a face like that of a man, and the fourth resembled an eagle flying. 66N 4 8 76330 And each of the four living creatures had six wings, and in every direction, and within, are full of eyes; and day after day, and night after night, they never cease saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Ruler of all, who wast and art and evermore shalt be." 66N 4 9 76340 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who is seated on the throne, and lives until the Ages of the Ages, 66N 4 10 76350 the twenty-four Elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives until the Ages of the Ages, and they cast their wreaths down in front of the throne, 66N 4 11 76360 saying, "It is fitting, O our Lord and God, That we should ascribe unto Thee the glory and the honor and the power; For Thou didst create all things, And because it was Thy will they came into existence, and were created." 66N 5 1 76370 And I saw lying in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written on both sides and closely sealed with seven seals. 66N 5 2 76380 And I saw a mighty angel who was exclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and break its seals?" 66N 5 3 76390 But no one in Heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book or look into it. 66N 5 4 76400 And while I was weeping bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the book or look into it, 66N 5 5 76410 one of the Elders said to me, "Do not weep. The Lion which belongs to the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed, and will open the book and break its seven seals." 66N 5 6 76420 Then, midway between the throne and the four living creatures, I saw a Lamb standing among the Elders. He looked as if He had been offered in sacrifice, and He had seven horns and seven eyes. The last-named are the seven Spirits of God, and have been sent far and wide into all the earth. 66N 5 7 76430 So He comes, and now He has taken the book out of the right hand of Him who is seated on the throne. 66N 5 8 76440 And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four Elders fell down before the Lamb, having each of them a harp and bringing golden bowls full of incense, which represent the prayers of God's people. 66N 5 9 76450 And now they sing a new song. "It is fitting," they say, "that Thou shouldst be the One to take the book And break its seals; Because Thou hast been offered in sacrifice, And hast purchased for God with Thine own blood Some out of every tribe and language and people and nation, 66N 5 10 76460 And hast formed them into a Kingdom to be priests to our God, And they reign over the earth." 66N 5 11 76470 And I looked, and heard what seemed to be the voices of countless angels on every side of the throne, and of the living creatures and the Elders. Their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 66N 5 12 76480 and in loud voices they were singing, "It is fitting that the Lamb which has been offered in sacrifice should receive all power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." 66N 5 13 76490 And as for every created thing in Heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and everything that was in any of these, I heard them say, "To Him who is seated on the throne, And to the Lamb, Be ascribed all blessing and honor And glory and might, Until the Ages of the Ages!" 66N 5 14 76500 Then the four living creatures said "Amen," and the Elders fell down and worshipped. 66N 6 1 76510 And when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals I saw it, and I heard one of the four living creatures say, as if in a voice of thunder, "Come." 66N 6 2 76520 And I looked and a white horse appeared, and its rider carried a bow; and a victor's wreath was given to him; and he went out conquering and in order to conquer. 66N 6 3 76530 And when the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come." 66N 6 4 76540 And another horse came out--a fiery-red one; and power was given to its rider to take peace from the earth, and to cause men to kill one another; and a great sword was given to him. 66N 6 5 76550 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come." I looked, and a black horse appeared, its rider carrying a balance in his hand. 66N 6 6 76560 And I heard what seemed to be a voice speaking in the midst of the four living creatures, and saying, "A quart of wheat for a shilling, and three quarts of barley for a shilling; but do not injure either the oil or the wine." 66N 6 7 76570 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come." 66N 6 8 76580 I looked and a pale-colored horse appeared. Its rider's name was Death, and Hades came close behind him; and authority was given to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword or with famine or pestilence or by means of the wild beasts of the earth. 66N 6 9 76590 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw at the foot of the altar the souls of those whose lives had been sacrificed because of the word of God and of the testimony which they had given. 66N 6 10 76600 And now in loud voices they cried out, saying, "How long, O Sovereign Lord, the holy One and the true, dost Thou delay judgment and the taking of vengeance upon the inhabitants of the earth for our blood?" 66N 6 11 76610 And there was given to each of them a long white robe, and they were bidden to wait patiently for a short time longer, until the full number of their fellow bondservants should also complete--namely of their brethren who were soon to be killed just as they had been. 66N 6 12 76620 When the Lamb broke the sixth seal I looked, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became as dark as sackcloth, and the whole disc of the moon became like blood. 66N 6 13 76630 The stars in the sky also fell to the earth, as when a fig-tree, upon being shaken by a gale of wind, casts its unripe figs to the ground. 66N 6 14 76640 The sky too passed away, as if a scroll were being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 66N 6 15 76650 The kings of the earth and the great men, the military chiefs, the wealthy and the powerful--all, whether slaves or free men--hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 66N 6 16 76660 while they called to the mountains and the rocks, saying, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne and from the anger of the Lamb; 66N 6 17 76670 for the day of His anger--that great day--has come, and who is able to stand?" 66N 7 1 76680 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, and holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind should blow over the earth or the sea or upon any tree. 66N 7 2 76690 And I saw another angel coming from the east and carrying a seal belonging to the ever-living God. He called in a loud voice to the four angels whose work it was to injure the earth and the sea. 66N 7 3 76700 "Injure neither land nor sea nor trees," he said, "until we have sealed the bondservants of our God upon their foreheads." 66N 7 4 76710 When the sealing was finished, I heard how many were sealed out of the tribes of the descendants of Israel. They were 144,000. 66N 7 5 76720 Of the tribe of Judah, 12,000 were sealed; Of the tribe of Reuben, 12,000; Of the tribe of Gad, 12,000; 66N 7 6 76730 Of the tribe of Asher, 12,000; Of the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000; Of the tribe of Manasseh, 12,000; 66N 7 7 76740 Of the tribe of Symeon, 12,000; Of the tribe of Levi, 12,000; Of the tribe of Issachar, 12,000; 66N 7 8 76750 Of the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000; Of the tribe of Joseph, 12,000; Of the tribe of Benjamin, 12,000. 66N 7 9 76760 After this I looked, and a vast host appeared which it was impossible for anyone to count, gathered out of every nation and from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in long white robes, and carrying palm-branches in their hands. 66N 7 10 76770 In loud voices they were exclaiming, "It is to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, that we owe our salvation!" 66N 7 11 76780 All the angels were standing in a circle round the throne and round the Elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces in front of the throne and worshipped God. 66N 7 12 76790 "Even so!" they cried: "The blessing and the glory and the wisdom and the thanks and the honor and the power and the might are to be ascribed to our God, until the Ages of the Ages! Even so!" 66N 7 13 76800 Then, addressing me, one of the Elders said, "Who are these people clothed in the long white robes? And where have they come from?" 66N 7 14 76810 "My lord, you know," I replied. "They are those," he said, "who have just passed through the great distress, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 66N 7 15 76820 For this reason they stand before the very throne of God, and render Him service, day after day and night after night, in His sanctuary, and He who is sitting upon the throne will shelter them in His tent. 66N 7 16 76830 They will never again be hungry or thirsty, and never again will the sun or any scorching heat trouble them. 66N 7 17 76840 For the Lamb who is in front of the throne will be their Shepherd, and will guide them to watersprings of Life, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes." 66N 8 1 76850 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven for about half an hour. 66N 8 2 76860 Then I saw the seven angels who are in the presence of God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 66N 8 3 76870 And another angel came and stood close to the altar, carrying a censer of gold; and abundance of incense was given to him that he might place it with the prayers of all God's people upon the golden altar which was in front of the throne. 66N 8 4 76880 And the smoke of the incense rose into the presence of God from the angel's hand, and mingled with the prayers of His people. 66N 8 5 76890 So the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and flung it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder, and voices, and flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. 66N 8 6 76900 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets made preparations for blowing them. 66N 8 7 76910 The first blew his trumpet; and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, falling upon the earth; and a third part of the earth was burnt up, and a third part of the trees and all the green grass. 66N 8 8 76920 The second angel blew his trumpet; and what seemed to be a great mountain, all ablaze with fire, was hurled into the sea; and a third part of the sea was turned into blood. 66N 8 9 76930 And a third part of the creatures that were in the sea--those that had life--died; and a third part of the ships were destroyed. 66N 8 10 76940 The third angel blew his trumpet; and there fell from Heaven a great star, which was on fire like a torch. It fell upon a third part of the rivers and upon the springs of water. 66N 8 11 76950 The name of the star is `Wormwood;' and a third part of the waters were turned into wormwood, and vast numbers of the people died from drinking the water, because it had become bitter. 66N 8 12 76960 Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet; and a curse fell upon a third part of the sun, a third part of the moon, and a third part of the stars, so that a third part of them were darkened and for a third of the day, and also of the night, there was no light. 66N 8 13 76970 Then I looked, and I heard a solitary eagle crying in a loud voice, as it flew across the sky, "Alas, alas, alas, for the inhabitants of the earth, because of the significance of the remaining trumpets which the three angels are about to blow!" 66N 9 1 76980 The fifth angel blew his trumpet; and I saw a Star which had fallen from Heaven to the earth; and to him was given the key of the depths of the bottomless pit, 66N 9 2 76990 and he opened the depths of the bottomless pit. And smoke came up out of the pit resembling the smoke of a vast furnace, so that the sun was darkened, and the air also, by reason of the smoke of the pit. 66N 9 3 77000 And from the midst of the smoke there came locusts on to the earth, and power was given to them resembling the power which earthly scorpions possess. 66N 9 4 77010 And they were forbidden to injure the herbage of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree. They were only to injure human beings--those who have not the seal of God on their foreheads. 66N 9 5 77020 Their mission was not to kill, but to cause awful agony for five months; and this agony was like that which a scorpion inflicts when it stings a man. 66N 9 6 77030 And at that time people will seek death, but will by no possibility find it, and will long to die, but death evades them. 66N 9 7 77040 The appearance of the locusts was like that of horses equipped for war. On their heads they had wreaths which looked like gold. 66N 9 8 77050 Their faces seemed human and they had hair like women's hair, but their teeth resembled those of lions. 66N 9 9 77060 They had breast-plates which seemed to be made of steel; and the noise caused by their wings was like that of a vast number of horses and chariots hurrying into battle. 66N 9 10 77070 They had tails like those of scorpions, and also stings; and in their tails lay their power of injuring mankind for five months. 66N 9 11 77080 The locusts had a king over them--the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is `Abaddon,' while in the Greek he is called `Apollyon.' 66N 9 12 77090 The first woe is past; two other woes have still to come. 66N 9 13 77100 The sixth angel blew his trumpet; and I heard a single voice speaking from among the horns of the golden incense altar which is in the presence of God. 66N 9 14 77110 It said to the sixth angel--the angel who had the trumpet, "Set at liberty the four angels who are prisoners near the great river Euphrates." 66N 9 15 77120 And the four angels who had been kept in readiness for that hour, day, month, and year, were set at liberty, so that they might kill a third part of mankind. 66N 9 16 77130 The number of the cavalry was two hundred millions; I heard their number. 66N 9 17 77140 And this was the appearance of the horses which I saw in my vision--and of their riders. The body-armour of the riders was red, blue and yellow; and the horses' heads were shaped like the heads of lions, while from their mouths there came fire and smoke and sulphur. 66N 9 18 77150 By these three plagues a third part of mankind were destroyed--by the fire and the smoke, and by the sulphur which came from their mouths. 66N 9 19 77160 For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; their tails being like serpents, and having heads, and it is with them that they inflict injury. 66N 9 20 77170 But the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues, did not even then repent and leave the things they had made, so as to cease worshipping the demons, and the idols of gold and silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear, nor move. 66N 9 21 77180 Nor did they repent of their murders, their practice of magic, their fornication, or their thefts. 66N 10 1 77190 Then I saw another strong angel coming down from Heaven. He was robed in a cloud, and over his head was the rainbow. His face was like the sun, and his feet resembled pillars of fire. 66N 10 2 77200 In his hand he held a small scroll unrolled; and, planting his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 66N 10 3 77210 he cried out in a loud voice which resembled the roar of a lion. And when he had cried out, each of the seven peals of thunder uttered its own message. 66N 10 4 77220 And when the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write down what they had said; but I heard a voice from Heaven which told me to keep secret all that the seven peals of thunder had said, and not write it down. 66N 10 5 77230 Then the angel that I saw standing on the sea and on the land, lifted his right hand toward Heaven. 66N 10 6 77240 And in the name of Him who lives until the Ages of the Ages, the Creator of Heaven and all that is in it, of the earth and all that is in it, and of the sea and all that is in it, he solemnly declared, 66N 10 7 77250 "There shall be no further delay; but in the days when the seventh angel blows his trumpet--when he begins to do so--then the secret purposes of God are realized, in accordance with the good news which He gave to His servants the Prophets." 66N 10 8 77260 Then the voice which I had heard speaking from Heaven once more addressed me. It said, "Go and take the little book which lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." 66N 10 9 77270 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little book. "Take it," he said, "and eat the whole of it. You will find it bitter when you have eaten it, although in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey." 66N 10 10 77280 So I took the roll out of the angel's hand and ate the whole of it; and in my mouth it was as sweet as honey, but when I had eaten it I found it very bitter. 66N 10 11 77290 And a voice said to me, "You must prophesy yet further concerning peoples, nations, languages, and many kings." 66N 11 1 77300 Then a reed was given me to serve as a measuring rod; and a voice said, "Rise, and measure God's sanctuary--and the altar--and count the worshipers who are in it. 66N 11 2 77310 But as for the court which is outside the sanctuary, pass it over. Do not measure it; for it has been given to the Gentiles, and for forty-two months they will trample the holy city under foot. 66N 11 3 77320 And I will authorize My two witnesses to prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. 66N 11 4 77330 "These witnesses are the two olive-trees, and they are the two lamps which stand in the presence of the Lord of the earth. 66N 11 5 77340 And if any one seeks to injure them--fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies; and if any one seeks to injure them, he will in this way certainly be killed. 66N 11 6 77350 They have power given to them to seal up the sky, so that no rain may fall so long as they continue to prophesy; and power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with various plagues whenever they choose to do so. 66N 11 7 77360 "And when they have fully delivered their testimony, the Wild Beast which is to rise out of the bottomless pit will make war upon them and overcome them and kill them. 66N 11 8 77370 And their dead bodies are to lie in the broad street of the great city which spiritually is designated `Sodom' and `Egypt,' where indeed their Lord was crucified. 66N 11 9 77380 And men belonging to all peoples, tribes, languages and nations gaze at their dead bodies for three days and a half, but they refuse to let them be laid in a tomb. 66N 11 10 77390 The inhabitants of the earth rejoice over them and are glad and will send gifts to one another; for these two Prophets had greatly troubled the inhabitants of the earth." 66N 11 11 77400 But at the end of the three days and a half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they rose to their feet; and all who saw them were terrified. 66N 11 12 77410 Then they heard a loud voice calling to them out of Heaven, and bidding them come up; and they went up to Heaven in the cloud, and their enemies saw them go. 66N 11 13 77420 And just as that time there was a great earthquake, and a tenth part of the city was overthrown. 7,000 people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of Heaven. 66N 11 14 77430 The second Woe is past; the third Woe will soon be here. 66N 11 15 77440 The seventh angel blew his trumpet; and there followed loud voices in Heaven which said, "The sovereignty of the world now belongs to our Lord and His Christ; and He will be King until the Ages of the Ages." 66N 11 16 77450 Then the twenty-four Elders, who sit on thrones in the presence of God, fell on their faces and worshipped God, 66N 11 17 77460 saying, "We give thee thanks, O Lord God, the Ruler of all, Who art and wast, because Thou hast exerted Thy power, Thy great power, and hast become King. 66N 11 18 77470 The nations grew angry, and Thine anger has come, and the time for the dead to be judged, and the time for Thee to give their reward to Thy servants the Prophets and to Thy people, and to those who fear Thee, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth." 66N 11 19 77480 Then the doors of God's sanctuary in Heaven were opened, and the Ark, in which His Covenant was, was seen in His sanctuary; and there came flashes of lightning, and voices, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and heavy hail. 66N 12 1 77490 And a great marvel was seen in Heaven-- a woman who was robed with the sun and had the moon under her feet, and had also a wreath of stars round her head, was with child, 66N 12 2 77500 and she was crying out in the pains and agony of childbirth. 66N 12 3 77510 And another marvel was seen in Heaven--a great fiery-red Dragon, with seven heads and ten horns; and on his heads were seven kingly crowns. 66N 12 4 77520 His tail was drawing after it a third part of the stars of Heaven, and it dashed them to the ground. And in front of the woman who was about to become a mother, the Dragon was standing in order to devour the child as soon as it was born. 66N 12 5 77530 She gave birth to a son--a male child, destined before long to rule all nations with an iron scepter. But her child was caught up to God and His throne, 66N 12 6 77540 and the woman fled into the Desert, there to be cared for, for 1,260 days, in a place which God had prepared for her. 66N 12 7 77550 And war broke out in Heaven, Michael and his angels engaging in battle with the Dragon. 66N 12 8 77560 The Dragon fought and so did his angels; but they were defeated, and there was no longer any room found for them in Heaven. 66N 12 9 77570 The great Dragon, the ancient serpent, he who is called `the Devil' and `the Adversary' and leads the whole earth astray, was hurled down: he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. 66N 12 10 77580 Then I heard a loud voice speaking in Heaven. It said, "The salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God have now come, and the sovereignty of His Christ; for the accuser of our brethren has been hurled down--he who, day after day and night after night, was wont to accuse them in the presence of God. 66N 12 11 77590 But they have gained the victory over him because of the blood of the Lamb and of the testimony which they have borne, and because they held their lives cheap and did not shrink even from death. 66N 12 12 77600 For this reason be glad, O Heaven, and you who live in Heaven! Alas for the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to you; full of fierce anger, because he knows that his appointed time is short." 66N 12 13 77610 And when the Dragon saw that he was hurled down to the earth, he went in pursuit of the woman who had given birth to the male child. 66N 12 14 77620 Then, the two wings of a great eagle were given to the woman to enable her to fly away into the Desert to the place assigned her, there to be cared for, for a period of time, two periods of time, and half a period of time, beyond the reach of the serpent. 66N 12 15 77630 And the serpent poured water from his mouth--a very river it seemed--after the woman, in the hope that she would be carried away by its flood. 66N 12 16 77640 But the earth came to the woman's help: it opened its mouth and drank up the river which the Dragon had poured from his mouth. 66N 12 17 77650 This made the Dragon furiously angry with the woman, and he went elsewhere to make war upon her other children--those who keep God's commandments and hold fast to the testimony of Jesus. 66N 13 1 77660 And he took up a position upon the sands of the sea-shore. Then I saw a Wild Beast coming up out of the sea, and he had ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten kingly crowns, and inscribed on his heads were names full of blasphemy. 66N 13 2 77670 The Wild Beast which I saw resembled a leopard, and had feet like the feet of a bear, and his mouth was like the mouth of a lion; and it was to the Dragon that he owed his power and his throne and his wide dominion. 66N 13 3 77680 I saw that one of his heads seemed to have been mortally wounded; but his mortal wound was healed, and the whole world was amazed and followed him. 66N 13 4 77690 And they offered worship to the Dragon, because it was to him that the Wild Beast owed his dominion; and they also offered worship to the Wild Beast, and said, "Who is there like him? And who is able to engage in battle with him?" 66N 13 5 77700 And there was given him a mouth full of boastful and blasphemous words; and liberty of action was granted him for forty-two months. 66N 13 6 77710 And he opened his mouth to utter blasphemies against God, to speak evil of His name and of His dwelling-place--that is to say, of those who dwell in Heaven. 66N 13 7 77720 And permission was given him to make war upon God's people and conquer them; and power was given him over every tribe, people, language and nation. 66N 13 8 77730 And all the inhabitants of the earth will be found to be worshipping him: every one whose name is not recorded in the Book of Life--the Book of the Lamb who has been offered in sacrifice ever since the creation of the world. 66N 13 9 77740 Let all who have ears give heed. 66N 13 10 77750 If any one is eager to lead others into captivity, he must himself go into captivity. If any one is bent on killing with the sword, he must himself be killed by the sword. Here is an opportunity for endurance, and for the exercise of faith, on the part of God's people. 66N 13 11 77760 Then I saw another Wild Beast, coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 66N 13 12 77770 And the authority of the first Wild Beast--the whole of that authority--he exercises in his presence, and he causes the earth and its inhabitants to worship the first Wild Beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. 66N 13 13 77780 He also works great miracles, so as even to make fire come down from Heaven to earth in the presence of human beings. 66N 13 14 77790 And his power of leading astray the inhabitants of the earth is due to the marvels which he has been permitted to work in the presence of the Wild Beast. And he told the inhabitants of the earth to erect a statue to the Wild Beast who had received the sword-stroke and yet had recovered. 66N 13 15 77800 And power was granted him to give breath to the statue of the Wild Beast, so that the statue of the Wild Beast could even speak and cause all who refuse to worship it to be put to death. 66N 13 16 77810 And he causes all, small and great, rich and poor, free men and slaves, to have stamped upon them a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 66N 13 17 77820 in order that no one should be allowed to buy or sell unless he had the mark--either the name of the Wild Beast or the number which his name represents. 66N 13 18 77830 Here is scope for ingenuity. Let people of shrewd intelligence calculate the number of the Wild Beast; for it indicates a certain man, and his number is 666. 66N 14 1 77840 Then I looked, and I saw the Lamb standing upon Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 people, having His name and His Father's name written on their foreheads. 66N 14 2 77850 And I heard music from Heaven which resembled the sound of many waters and the roar of loud thunder; and the music which I heard was like that of harpists playing upon their harps. 66N 14 3 77860 And they were singing what seemed to be a new song, in front of the throne and in the presence of the four living creatures and the Elders; and no one was able to learn that song except the 144,000 people who had been redeemed out of the world. 66N 14 4 77870 These are those who had not defiled themselves with women: they are as pure as virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men, as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 66N 14 5 77880 And no lie has ever been found upon their lips: they are faultless. 66N 14 6 77890 And I saw another angel flying across the sky, carrying the Good News of the Ages to tell to every nation, tribe, language and people, among those who live on the earth. 66N 14 7 77900 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give Him glory, because the time of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made sky and earth, the sea and the water-springs." 66N 14 8 77910 And another, a second angel, followed, exclaiming, "Great Babylon has fallen, has fallen--she who made all the nations drink the wine of the anger provoked by her fornication." 66N 14 9 77920 And another, a third angel, followed them, exclaiming in a loud voice, "If any one worships the Wild Beast and his statue, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 66N 14 10 77930 he shall drink the wine of God's anger which stands ready, undiluted, in the cup of His fury, and he shall be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 66N 14 11 77940 And the smoke of their torment goes up until the Ages of the Ages; and the worshipers of the Wild Beast and his statue have no rest day or night, nor has any one who receives the mark of his name. 66N 14 12 77950 Here is an opportunity for endurance on the part of God's people, who carefully keep His commandments and the faith of Jesus!" 66N 14 13 77960 And I heard a voice speaking from Heaven. It said, "Write as follows: "`Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from this time onward. Yes, says the Spirit, let them rest from their sorrowful labours; for what they have done goes with them.'" 66N 14 14 77970 Then I looked, and a white cloud appeared, and sitting on the cloud was some One resembling the Son of Man, having a wreath of gold upon His head and in His hand a sharp sickle. 66N 14 15 77980 And another, an angel, came out of the sanctuary, calling in a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, and saying, "Use your sickle and reap the harvest, for the hour for reaping it has come: the harvest of the earth is over-ripe." 66N 14 16 77990 Then He who sat on the cloud flung His sickle on the earth, and the earth had its harvest reaped. 66N 14 17 78000 And another angel came out from the sanctuary in Heaven, and he too carried a sharp sickle. 66N 14 18 78010 And another angel came out from the altar--he who had power over fire--and he spoke in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Use your sharp sickle, and gather the bunches from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are now quite ripe." 66N 14 19 78020 And the angel flung his sickle down to the earth, and reaped the vine of the earth and threw the grapes into the great winepress of God's anger. 66N 14 20 78030 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and out of it came blood reaching the horses' bridles for a distance of 200 miles. 66N 15 1 78040 Then I saw another marvel in Heaven, great and wonderful--there were seven angels bringing seven plagues. These are the last plagues, because in them God's anger has found full expression. 66N 15 2 78050 And I saw what seemed to be a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who had gained the victory over the Wild Beast and over his statue and the number of his name, standing by the sea of glass and having harps which belonged to God. 66N 15 3 78060 And they were singing the song of Moses, God's servant, and the song of the Lamb. Their words were, "Great and wonderful are Thy works, O Lord God, the Ruler of all. Righteous and true are Thy ways, O King of the nations. 66N 15 4 78070 Who shall not be afraid, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou alone art holy. All nations shall come and shall worship Thee, because the righteousness of all that Thou hast done has been made manifest." 66N 15 5 78080 After this, when the doors of the sanctuary of the tent of witness in Heaven were opened, I looked; 66N 15 6 78090 and there came out of the sanctuary the seven angels who were bringing the seven plagues. The angels were clad in pure, bright linen, and had girdles of gold across their breasts. 66N 15 7 78100 And one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven bowls of gold, full of the anger of God who lives until the Ages of the Ages. 66N 15 8 78110 And the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one could enter the sanctuary till the seven plagues brought by the seven angels were at an end. 66N 16 1 78120 Then I heard a loud voice from the sanctuary say to the seven angels, "Go and pour on to the earth the seven bowls of the anger of God." 66N 16 2 78130 So the first angel went away and poured his bowl on to the earth; and it brought a bad and painful sore upon the men who had on them the mark of the Wild Beast and worshipped his statue. 66N 16 3 78140 The second angel poured his bowl into the sea, and it became blood, like a dead man's blood, and every living creature in the sea died. 66N 16 4 78150 The third angel poured his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 66N 16 5 78160 And I heard the angel of the waters say, "Righteous art Thou, who art and wast, the holy One, because Thou hast thus taken vengeance. 66N 16 6 78170 For they poured out the blood of Thy people and of the Prophets, and in return Thou hast given them blood to drink. And this they deserved." 66N 16 7 78180 And I heard a voice from the altar say, "Even so, O Lord God, the Ruler of all, true and righteous are Thy judgments." 66N 16 8 78190 Then the fourth angel poured his bowl on to the sun, and power was given to it to scorch men with fire. 66N 16 9 78200 And the men were severely burned; and yet they spoke evil of God who had power over the plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory. 66N 16 10 78210 The fifth angel poured his bowl on to the throne of the Wild Beast; and his kingdom became darkened. People gnawed their tongues because of the pain, 66N 16 11 78220 and they spoke evil of the God in Heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their misconduct. 66N 16 12 78230 The sixth angel poured his bowl into that great river, the Euphrates; and its stream was dried up in order to clear the way for the kings who are to come from the east. 66N 16 13 78240 Then I saw three foul spirits, resembling frogs, issue from the mouth of the Dragon, from the mouth of the Wild Beast, and from the mouth of the false Prophet. 66N 16 14 78250 For they are the spirits of demons working marvels--spirits that go out to control the kings of the whole earth, to assemble them for the battle which is to take place on the great day of God, the Ruler of all. 66N 16 15 78260 ("I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the man who keeps awake and guards his raiment for fear he walk about ill-clad, and his uncomeliness become manifest.") 66N 16 16 78270 And assemble them they did at the place called in Hebrew `Har-Magedon.' 66N 16 17 78280 Then the seventh angel poured his bowl into the air; and a loud voice came out of the sanctuary from the throne, saying, "Everything is now ready." 66N 16 18 78290 Flashes of lightning followed, and voices, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake more dreadful than there had ever been since there was a man upon the earth--so terrible was it, and so great! 66N 16 19 78300 The great city was split into three parts; the cities of the nations fell; and great Babylon came into remembrance before God, for Him to make her drink from the wine-cup of His fierce anger. 66N 16 20 78310 Every island fled away, and there was not a mountain anywhere to be seen. 66N 16 21 78320 And heavy hail, that seemed to be a talent in weight, fell from the sky upon the people; and they spoke evil of God on account of the plague of the hail--because the plague of it was exceedingly severe. 66N 17 1 78330 Then one of the seven angels who were carrying the seven bowls came and spoke to me. "Come with me," he said, "and I will show you the doom of the great Harlot who sits upon many waters. 66N 17 2 78340 The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." 66N 17 3 78350 So he carried me away in the Spirit into a desert, and there I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored Wild Beast which was covered with names of blasphemy and had seven heads and ten horns. 66N 17 4 78360 The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and was brilliantly attired with gold and jewels and pearls. She held in her hand a cup of gold, full of abominations, and she gave filthy indications of her fornication. 66N 17 5 78370 And on her forehead was a name written: "I am a symbol of great Babylon, the mother of the harlots and of the abominations of the earth." 66N 17 6 78380 And I saw the woman drinking herself drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. And when I saw her I was filled with utter astonishment. 66N 17 7 78390 Then the angel said to me, "Why are you so astonished? I will explain to you the secret meaning of the woman and of the seven-headed, ten-horned Wild Beast which carries her. 66N 17 8 78400 "The Wild Beast which you have seen was, and is not, and yet is destined to re-ascend, before long, out of the bottomless pit and go his way into perdition. And the inhabitants of the earth will be filled with amazement--all whose names are not in the Book of Life, having been recorded there ever since the creation of the world--when they see the Wild Beast: because he was, and is not, and yet is to come. 66N 17 9 78410 Here is scope for the exercise of a mind that has wisdom! The seven heads are the seven hills on which the woman sits. 66N 17 10 78420 And they are seven kings: five of them have fallen, and the one is still reigning. The seventh has not yet come, but when he comes he must continue for a short time. 66N 17 11 78430 And the Wild Beast which once existed but does not now exist--he is an eighth king and yet is one of the seven and he goes his way into perdition. 66N 17 12 78440 "And the ten horns which you have seen are ten kings who have not yet come to the throne, but for a single hour they are to receive authority as kings along with the Wild Beast. 66N 17 13 78450 They have one common policy, and they are to give their power and authority to the Wild Beast. 66N 17 14 78460 They will make war upon the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them; for He is Lord of lords and King of kings. And those who accompany Him--called, as they are, and chosen, and faithful--shall share in the victory." 66N 17 15 78470 He also said to me, "The waters which you have seen, on which the Harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes, nations and languages. 66N 17 16 78480 And the ten horns that you have seen--and the Wild Beast--these will hate the Harlot, and they will cause her to be laid waste and will strip her bare. They will eat her flesh, and burn her up with fire. 66N 17 17 78490 For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose, and to carry out a common purpose and to give their kingdom to the Wild Beast until God's words have come to pass. 66N 17 18 78500 And the woman whom you have seen is the great city which has kingly power over the kings of the earth." 66N 18 1 78510 After these things I saw another angel coming down from Heaven, armed with great power. The earth shone with his splendor, 66N 18 2 78520 and with a mighty voice he cried out, saying, "Great Babylon has fallen, has fallen, and has become a home for demons and a stronghold for every kind of foul spirit and for every kind of foul and hateful bird. 66N 18 3 78530 For all the nations have drunk the wine of the anger provoked by her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich through her excessive luxury." 66N 18 4 78540 Then I heard another voice from Heaven, which said, "Come out of her, My people, that you may not become partakers in her sins, nor receive a share of her plagues. 66N 18 5 78550 For her sins are piled up to the sky, and God has called to mind her unrighteous deeds. 66N 18 6 78560 Give back to her as she has given; repay her in accordance with her doings, twice as much; in the bowl that she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. 66N 18 7 78570 She has freely glorified herself and revelled in luxury; equally freely administer torment to her, and woe. For in her heart she boasts, saying, `I sit enthroned as Queen: no widow am I: I shall never know sorrow.' 66N 18 8 78580 "For this reason calamities shall come thick upon her on a single day--death and sorrow and famine--and she shall be burned to the ground. For strong is the Lord God who has judged her. 66N 18 9 78590 The kings of the earth who have committed fornication with her, and have revelled in luxury, shall weep aloud and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, 66N 18 10 78600 while they stand afar off because of their terror at her heavy punishment, and say, `Alas, alas, thou great city, O Babylon, the mighty city! For in one short hour thy doom has come!' 66N 18 11 78610 And the merchants of the earth weep aloud and lament over her, because now there is no sale for their cargoes-- 66N 18 12 78620 cargoes of gold and silver, of jewels and pearls, of fine linen, purple and silk, and of scarlet stuff; all kinds of rare woods, and all kinds of goods in ivory and in very costly wood, in bronze, steel and marble. 66N 18 13 78630 Also cinnamon and amomum; odors to burn as incense or for perfume; frankincense, wine, oil; fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep; horses and carriages and slaves; and the lives of men. 66N 18 14 78640 The dainties that thy soul longed for are gone from thee, and all thine elegance and splendor have perished, and never again shall they be found. 66N 18 15 78650 Those who traded in these things, who grew wealthy through her, will stand afar off, struck with terror at her punishment, 66N 18 16 78660 weeping aloud and sorrowing, and saying, `Alas, alas, for this great city, which was brilliantly arrayed in fine linen, and purple and scarlet stuff, and beautified with gold, jewels and pearls; 66N 18 17 78670 because in one short hour all this great wealth has been laid waste!' And every shipmaster and every passenger by sea and the crews and all who ply their trade on the sea, 66N 18 18 78680 stood afar off, and cried aloud when they saw the smoke of her burning. And they said, `What city is like this great city?' 66N 18 19 78690 And they threw dust upon their heads, and cried out, weeping aloud and sorrowing. `Alas, alas,' they said, `for this great city, in which, through her vast wealth, the owners of all the ships on the sea have grown rich; because in one short hour she has been laid waste!' 66N 18 20 78700 Rejoice over her, O Heaven, and you saints and Apostles and Prophets; for God has taken vengeance upon her because of you." 66N 18 21 78710 Then a single angel of great strength took a stone which resembled a huge millstone, and hurled it into the sea, saying, "So shall Babylon, that great city, be violently hurled down and never again be found. 66N 18 22 78720 No harp or song, no flute or trumpet, shall ever again be heard in thee; no craftsman of any kind shall ever again be found in thee; nor shall the grinding of the mill ever again be heard in thee. 66N 18 23 78730 Never again shall the light of a lamp shine in thee, and never again shall the voice of a bridegroom or of a bride be heard in thee. For thy merchants were the great men of the earth, and with the magic which thou didst practise all nations were led astray. 66N 18 24 78740 And in her was found the blood of Prophets and of God's people and of all who had been put to death on the earth." 66N 19 1 78750 After this I seemed to hear the far-echoing voices of a great multitude in Heaven, who said, "Hallelujah! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God. 66N 19 2 78760 True and just are His judgments, because He has judged the great Harlot who was corrupting the whole earth with her fornication, and He has taken vengeance for the blood of His bondservants which her hands have shed." 66N 19 3 78770 And a second time they said, "Hallelujah! For her smoke ascends until the Ages of the Ages." 66N 19 4 78780 And the twenty-four Elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God who sits upon the throne. "Even so," they said; "Hallelujah!" 66N 19 5 78790 And from the throne there came a voice which said, "Praise our God, all you His bondservants--you who fear Him, both the small and the great." 66N 19 6 78800 And I seemed to hear the voices of a great multitude and the sound of many waters and of loud peals of thunder, which said, "Hallelujah! Because the Lord our God, the Ruler of all, has become King. 66N 19 7 78810 Let us rejoice and triumph and give Him the glory; for the time for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready." 66N 19 8 78820 And she was permitted to array herself in fine linen, shining and spotless; the fine linen being the righteous actions of God's people. 66N 19 9 78830 And he said to me, "Write as follows: `Blessed are those who receive an invitation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.'" And he added, still addressing me, "These are truly the words of God." 66N 19 10 78840 Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he exclaimed, "Oh, do not do that. I am a fellow bondservant of yours and a fellow bondservant of your brethren who have borne testimony to Jesus. Worship God." Testimony to Jesus is the spirit which underlies Prophecy. 66N 19 11 78850 Then I saw a door open in Heaven, and a white horse appeared. Its rider was named "Faithful and True" --being One who in righteousness acts as Judge, and makes war. 66N 19 12 78860 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many kingly crowns; and He has a name written upon Him which no one but He Himself knows. 66N 19 13 78870 The outer garment in which He is clad has been dipped in blood and His name is THE WORD OF GOD. 66N 19 14 78880 The armies in Heaven followed Him--mounted on white horses and clothed in fine linen, white and spotless. 66N 19 15 78890 From His mouth there comes a sharp sword with which He will smite the nations; and He will Himself be their Shepherd, ruling them with a scepter of iron; and it is His work to tread the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Ruler of all. 66N 19 16 78900 And on His outer garment and on His thigh He has a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 66N 19 17 78910 And I saw a single angel standing in the full light of the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds that flew across the sky, "Come and be present at God's great supper, 66N 19 18 78920 that you may feast on the flesh of kings and the flesh of generals and the flesh of mighty men, on the flesh of horses and their riders, and on the flesh of all mankind, whether they are free men or slaves, great men or small." 66N 19 19 78930 And I saw the Wild Beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, all assembled to make war, once for all, against the Rider upon the horse and against His army. And the Wild Beast was captured, and with him the false Prophet 66N 19 20 78940 who had done the miracles in his presence with which he had led astray those who had received the mark of the Wild Beast, and those who worshipped his statue. Both of them were thrown alive into the Lake of fire that was all ablaze with sulphur. 66N 19 21 78950 But the rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the Rider on the horse. And the birds all fed ravenously upon their flesh. 66N 20 1 78960 Then I saw an angel coming down from Heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and upon his arm he carried a great chain. 66N 20 2 78970 He laid hold of the Dragon--the ancient serpent--who is the Devil and the Adversary, and bound him for a thousand years, and hurled him into the bottomless pit. 66N 20 3 78980 He closed the entrance and put a seal upon him in order that he might be unable to lead the nations astray any more until the thousand years were at an end. Afterwards he is to be set at liberty for a short time. 66N 20 4 78990 And I saw thrones, and some who were seated on them, to whom judgment was entrusted. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded on account of the testimony that they had borne to Jesus and on account of God's Message, and also the souls of those who had not worshipped the Wild Beast or his statue, nor received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands; and they came to Life and were kings with Christ for a thousand years. 66N 20 5 79000 No one else who was dead rose to Life until the thousand years were at an end. This is the First Resurrection. 66N 20 6 79010 Blessed and holy are those who share in the First Resurrection. The Second Death has no power over them, but they shall be priests to God and to Christ, and shall be kings with Christ for the thousand years. 66N 20 7 79020 But when the thousand years are at an end, the Adversary will be released from his imprisonment, 66N 20 8 79030 and will go out to lead astray the nations in all the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, and assemble them for war, and they are like the sands on the seashore in number. 66N 20 9 79040 And they went up over the whole breadth of the earth and surrounded the encampment of God's people and the beloved city. But fire came down from Heaven and consumed them; 66N 20 10 79050 and the Devil, who had been leading them astray, was thrown into the Lake of fire and sulphur where the Wild Beast and the false Prophet were, and day and night they will suffer torture until the Ages of the Ages. 66N 20 11 79060 Then I saw a great white throne and One who was seated on it, from whose presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 66N 20 12 79070 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing in front of the throne. And books were opened; and so was another book--namely, the Book of Life; and the dead were judged by the things recorded in the books in accordance with what their conduct had been. 66N 20 13 79080 Then the sea yielded up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades yielded up the dead who were in them, and each man was judged in accordance with what his conduct had been. 66N 20 14 79090 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of fire; this is the Second Death--the Lake of fire. 66N 20 15 79100 And if any one's name was not found recorded in the Book of Life he was thrown into the Lake of fire. 66N 21 1 79110 And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth; for the first Heaven and the first earth were gone, and the sea no longer exists. 66N 21 2 79120 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God and made ready like a bride attired to meet her husband. 66N 21 3 79130 And I heard a loud voice, which came from the throne, say, "God's dwelling place is among men and He will dwell among them and they shall be His peoples. Yes, God Himself will be among them. 66N 21 4 79140 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death shall be no more; nor sorrow, nor wail of woe, nor pain; for the first things have passed away." 66N 21 5 79150 Then He who was seated on the throne said, "I am re-creating all things." And He added, "Write down these words, for they are trustworthy and true." 66N 21 6 79160 He also said, "They have now been fulfilled. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To those who are thirsty I will give the privilege of drinking from the well of the Water of Life without payment. 66N 21 7 79170 All this shall be the heritage of him who overcomes, and I will be his God and he shall be one of My sons. 66N 21 8 79180 But as for cowards and the unfaithful, and the polluted, and murderers, fornicators, and those who practise magic or worship idols, and all liars--the portion allotted to them shall be in the Lake which burns with fire and sulphur. This is the Second Death." 66N 21 9 79190 Then there came one of the seven angels who were carrying the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues. "Come with me," he said, "and I will show you the Bride, the Lamb's wife." 66N 21 10 79200 So in the Spirit he carried me to the top of a vast, lofty mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, 66N 21 11 79210 and bringing with it the glory of God. It shone with a radiance like that of a very precious stone--such as a jasper, bright and transparent. 66N 21 12 79220 It has a wall, massive and high, with twelve large gates, and in charge of the gates were twelve angels. And overhead, above the gates, names were inscribed which are those of the twelve tribes of the descendants of Israel. 66N 21 13 79230 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west. 66N 21 14 79240 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and engraved upon them were twelve names--the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. 66N 21 15 79250 Now he who was speaking to me had a measuring-rod of gold, with which to measure the city and its gates and its wall. 66N 21 16 79260 The plan of the city is a square, the length being the same as the breadth; and he measured the city furlong by furlong, with his measuring rod--it is twelve hundred miles long, and the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 66N 21 17 79270 And he measured the wall of it--a wall of a hundred and forty-four cubits, according to human measure, which was also that of the angel. 66N 21 18 79280 The solid fabric of the wall was jasper; and the city itself was made of gold, resembling transparent glass. 66N 21 19 79290 As for the foundation-stones of the city wall, which were beautified with various kinds of precious stones, the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, 66N 21 20 79300 the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 66N 21 21 79310 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each of them consisting of a single pearl. And the main street of the city was made of pure gold, resembling transparent glass. 66N 21 22 79320 I saw no sanctuary in the city, for the Lord God, the Ruler of all, is its Sanctuary, and so is the Lamb. 66N 21 23 79330 Nor has the city any need of the sun or of the moon, to give it light; for the glory of God has shone upon it and its lamp is the Lamb. 66N 21 24 79340 The nations will live their lives by its light; and the kings of the earth are to bring their glory into it. 66N 21 25 79350 And in the daytime (for there will be no night there) the gates will never be closed; 66N 21 26 79360 and the glory and honor of the nations shall be brought into it. 66N 21 27 79370 And no unclean thing shall ever enter it, nor any one who is guilty of base conduct or tells lies, but only they whose names stand recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life. 66N 22 1 79380 Then he showed me the river of the Water of Life, bright as crystal, issuing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 66N 22 2 79390 On either side of the river, midway between it and the main street of the city, was the Tree of Life. It produced twelve kinds of fruit, yielding a fresh crop month by month, and the leaves of the tree served as medicine for the nations. 66N 22 3 79400 "In future there will be no curse," he said, "but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in that city. And His servants will render Him holy service and will see His face, 66N 22 4 79410 and His name will be on their foreheads. 66N 22 5 79420 And there will be no night there; and they have no need of lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will shine upon them, and they will be kings until the Ages of the Ages." 66N 22 6 79430 And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the Prophets, sent His angel to make known to His servants the things which must soon happen. 66N 22 7 79440 `I am coming quickly.' Blessed is he who is mindful of the predictions contained in this book." 66N 22 8 79450 I John heard and saw these things; and when I had heard and seen them, I fell at the feet of the angel who was showing me them--to worship him. 66N 22 9 79460 But he said to me, "Oh, do not do that. I am a fellow bondservant of yours, and a fellow bondservant of your brethren the Prophets and of those who are mindful of the teachings of this book. Worship God." 66N 22 10 79470 "Make no secret," he added, "of the meaning of the predictions contained in this book; for the time for their fulfillment is now close at hand. 66N 22 11 79480 Let the dishonest man act dishonestly still; let the filthy make himself filthy still; let the righteous practise righteousness still; and let the holy be made holy still." 66N 22 12 79490 "I am coming quickly; and My reward is with Me, that I may requite every man in accordance with what his conduct has been. 66N 22 13 79500 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 66N 22 14 79510 Blessed are those who wash their robes clean, that they may have a right to the Tree of Life, and may go through the gates into the city. 66N 22 15 79520 The unclean are shut out, and so are all who practise magic, all fornicators, all murderers, and those who worship idols, and every one who loves falsehood and tells lies. 66N 22 16 79530 "I Jesus have sent My angel for him solemnly to declare these things to you among the Churches. I am the Root and the offspring of David, the bright Morning Star. 66N 22 17 79540 The Spirit and the Bride say, `Come;' and whoever hears, let him say, `Come;' and let those who are thirsty come. Whoever will, let him take the Water of Life, without payment. 66N 22 18 79550 "I solemnly declare to every one who hears the words of the prophecy contained in this book, that if any one adds to those words, God will add to him the plagues spoken of in this book; 66N 22 19 79560 and that if any one takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take from him his share in the Tree of Life and in the holy city--the things described in this book. 66N 22 20 79570 "He who solemnly declares all this says, "`Yes, I am coming quickly.'" Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 66N 22 21 79580 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people.