 CHAPTER 1 For as much as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a narration concerning the things fully believed among us, as they who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, delivered them to us. It seemed good to me also, having accurately traced all from the very first, to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty concerning those things wherein thou wast instructed. There was in the days of Herod the King of Judea a certain priest, Zachariah by name, of the course of Abijah, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron and her name was Elizabeth, and they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, and they had no child because Elizabeth was barren and they both were now far advanced in years. And it came to pass that while he executed the priest's office before God, in the order of his course, it fell to his lot according to the custom of the priest's office to burn incense going into the temple of the Lord, and the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense, and there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense, and Zachariah seeing him was troubled and fear fell upon him, but the angel said to him, Fear not, Zachariah, for thy prayer was heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John, and thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth, for he shall be great before the Lord, and he shall not drink wine nor strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb, and many of the sons of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God, and he shall go before him in the Spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a prepared people for the Lord, and Zachariah said to the angel, Whereby shall I know this, for I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced in years, and the angel answering said to him, I am Gabriel that stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to thee, and to bring thee these glad tidings, and behold, thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou didst not believe thy words which shall be fulfilled in their season, and the people were waiting for Zachariah, and they were wondering at his long tearing in the temple, and when he came out he was not able to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, and he was making signs to them, and remained speechless, and it came to pass when the days of his ministration were completed that he departed to his own house, and after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying, Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me to take away my reproach among men. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary, and the angel coming into her said, Hail highly favoured, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and she was troubled at the saying and was considering what manner of salutation this might be. And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary, for thou didst find favour with God, and behold, thou shalt conceive and thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called son of the highest, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of David his father, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary to the angel, How shall this be, seeing that I know not a man? And the angel answering said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon thee, and the power of the highest will overshadow thee, therefore also the holy one that is born shall be called the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, thy kinswoman, she also has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her who is called barren, for with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to thy word, and the angel departed from her. And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zechariah and saluted Elizabeth, and it came to pass as Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she spoke out with a loud voice and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, and whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, as the voice of thy salutation came into my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy, and happy is she who believed that there shall be a fulfillment of the things told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my Spirit rejoiced in God my Savior, because he looked upon the low state of his handmaid, for behold, henceforth all generations will call me happy, because the mighty one did great things for me, and holy is his name, and his mercy is from generation to generation to those who fear him. He wrought might with his arm, he scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he cast down princes from thrones, and exalted those of low degree. The hungry he filled with good, and the rich he sent empty away. He helped Israel his servant to remember mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, for Abraham and for his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. Now Elizabeth's full time came that she should be delivered, and she brought forth a son, and her neighbors and her kindred heard that the Lord showed great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they called him Zachariah after the name of his father, and his mother answered and said, Nay, but he shall be called John. And they said to her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father how he would have him called, and asking for a writing tablet he wrote saying, His name is John. And they all wondered, and his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue was loosed, and he spoke blessing God. And fear came on all that dwelt around them, and all these things were told abroad in all the hill-country of Judea, and all who heard laid them up in their hearts saying, What then will this child be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And Zachariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, that he visited and wrought redemption for his people, and raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of David his servant, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets of old, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us, to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath which he swore to Abraham our father to grant to us, that without fear, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, we should serve him in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And also thou, O child, shalt be called prophet of the highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, in order to give knowledge of salvation to his people in remission of their sins, through the tender mercies of our God, whereby the day spring from on high visited us, to give light to those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death in order to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel, Chapter 2. And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This registering was the first made when Cyreneus was governor of Syria, and all went to be registered, each one to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be registered with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child. And so it was that while they were there the days were completed that she should bring forth. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swathing bands, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people, for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, and this shall be to you the sign, ye will find a babe wrapped in swathing bands, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men. And it came to pass when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said one to another, Let us go now unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass which the Lord made known to us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in the manger. And having seen it they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child, and all that heard wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds, and Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart, and the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they heard and saw as it was told to them. And when eight days were completed for circumcising him, his name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord, every male that opens the womb shall be called Holy to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons. And behold there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him, and it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord, and he came by the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law, then he took him into his arms and blessed God, and said, Now, Lord, thou lettest thy servant depart in peace according to thy word, because my eyes saw thy salvation which thou preparest before the face of all the peoples, a light for a revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel, and his father and mother wondered at the things spoken of him, and Simeon blessed them and said to marry his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be spoken against, and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also, that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. There was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Fanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she was a widow of about four score and four years, who departed not from the temple, serving day and night with fastings and prayers, and she, coming up at that very time, likewise gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem, and when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city Nazareth, and the child grew and became strong, being filled with wisdom, and the favour of God was upon him, and his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they having gone up according to the custom of the feast, and completed the days, as they returned Jesus the child remained behind in Jerusalem, and his parents knew it not, but supposing that he was in the company, went a day's journey and sought him among their kindred and acquaintance, and not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him, and it came to pass that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and asking them questions, and all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers, and seeing him they were amazed, and his mother said to him, Child, why didst thou thus deal with us? Behold, thy father, and I sought thee, sorrowing, and he said to them, How is it that ye sought me? Did ye not know that I must be in my father's house? And they understood not the saying which he spoke to them, and he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart, and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men. CHAPTER III Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea and Herod Tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip Tetrarch of Aeturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanius Tetrarch of Abilene, when Anas was High Priest and Caiaphas, the Word of God came to John, the son of Zachariah, in the wilderness, and he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the immersion of repentance unto remission of sins, as it is written in the Book of the Words of Isaiah the prophet, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths, every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be straight, and the roughways smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. He said therefore to the multitudes that came out to be immersed by him, Brute of Vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath, bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham for our father, for I say to you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham, and now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees, every tree therefore that brings not forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then shall we do? He answering says to them, He that has two coats, let him impart to him that has none, and he that has food, let him do likewise. And there came also putlicans to be immersed, and they said to him, Teacher, what shall we do? And he said to them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And soldiers also asked him, saying, What shall we also do? And he said to them, Do violence to no one, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages. And while the people were in expectation, and all were reasoning in their hearts concerning John whether he himself were not the Christ, John answered them all, saying, I indeed immerse you in water, but there comes he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loose. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire, whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner, but the chaff he will burn up with fire unquenchable. And with many other exhortations he published the good tidings to the people. But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him on account of Herodius, the wife of his brother, and for all the evils which Herod did, added to all this also, that he shut up John in prison. Now it came to pass when all the people had been immersed, that as Jesus, having also been immersed, was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape as a dove upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven. Thou art my beloved son, in thee I am well pleased. And Jesus himself was, when he began, about thirty years of age, being the son, as was supposed, of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchai, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, the son of Matthias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Nagai, the son of Maaf, the son of Matthias, the son of Shimei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, the son of Joanna, the son of Reza, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Salafiel, the son of Narai, the son of Melchai, the son of Adai, the son of Kostam, the son son of Elmodam, the son of Ere, the son of Joseph, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matfat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliachim, the son of Melea, the son of Maenon, the son of Matafa, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Salmon, son of Nahon, son of Aminadab, son of Ram, son of Hezrun, son of Farezz, son of Judah, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Tyra, son of Nahor, son of Sereg, son of Raiu, son of Pelenne, son son of Eber, the son of Sala, the son of Kainan, the son of Arfaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahallel, the son of Kainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. Chapter 4 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and he was led in the Spirit into the wilderness forty days tempted by the devil, and he ate nothing in those days, and when they were ended he hungered, and the devil said to him, If thou art the son of God, command this stone that it become bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone. And the devil, leading him up into a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and the devil said to him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them, because it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomsoever I will. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answering said to him, It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, If thou art the son of God, cast thyself down from hence, for it is written He will give his angels command concerning thee, to keep thee, and on their hands they shall bear thee up, lest happily thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said to him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And having finished every temptation, the devil departed from him for a season. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and there went out a report concerning him through all the surrounding country, and he taught in their synagogues being honoured by all. And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up, and as his custom was he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read, and there was delivered to him the book of the prophet Isaiah, and unrolling the book he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to publish good tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to send the oppressed away free, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. And rolling up the book he gave it again to the servant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began to say to them, Today is this scripture fulfilled in your ears, and all bore witness to him and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And he said to them, Ye will surely say to me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself. However we heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say to you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the land, and to none of them was Elijah sent, but unto Zeraphaph of Sidonia to a woman that was a widow, and there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha, the prophet, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian. And all in the synagogue when they heard these things were filled with wrath, and they rose up and thrust him out of the city and led him to the brow of the hill whereon their city was built to cast him down headlong, but he passing through the midst of them went away. And he came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because his word was with power. And in the synagogue there was a man having a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying, Ah, what have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? Didst thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the holy one of God! And Jesus repute him, saying, Hold thy peace and come out from him. And the demon throwing him in the midst came out from him, doing him no harm, and amazement came on all, and they spoke with one another, saying, What is this word that with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out? And there went out a rumor concerning him into every place of the country around. And he rose up and went from the synagogue and entered into the house of Simon, and the mother-in-law of Simon was seized with a violent fever, and they besought him for her, and standing over her he rebuked the fever and it left her, and immediately she arose and ministered to them. Now when the sun was setting, all that had any sick with diverse diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on each one of them and healed them, and demons also came out from many crying out and saying, Thou art the Son of God! And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak because they knew that he was the Christ. And when it was day he went out and went into a desert place, and the multitude sought him and came to him and stayed him that he should not depart from them, and he said to them, I must publish the good news of the Kingdom of God to other cities also, because for this I was sent forth. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. The end of chapters one through four of the Gospel according to Luke from the American Bible Union's New Testament, recording by Mark Penfold. CHAPTER V And it came to pass as the multitude pressed upon him to hear the word of God, and he was standing by the lake of Geneseret, that he saw two ships standing by the lake. But the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing the nets, and entering into one of the ships, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land, and sitting down, he taught the multitudes out of the ship. And when he ceased speaking he said to Simon, put out into the deep, and do ye let down your nets for a draft? And Simon answering said to him, Master, we toiled all night and took nothing, but at thy word I will let down the net. And having done this they enclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their net began to break, and they beckoned to their partners in the other ship to come and help them, and they came and filled both the ships so that they began to sink, and Simon Peter, seeing it, fell down at the knees of Jesus, saying, depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord, for astonishment had seized him and all that were with him at the draft of the fishes which they had taken, and likewise also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men, and having brought their ships to land they forsook all and followed him. And it came to pass when he was in one of the cities that there was a man full of leprosy, and seeing Jesus he fell on his face and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst cleanse me, and stretching forth his hand he touched him, saying, I will be thou cleansed. And immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he charged him to tell no one, but go and show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing as Moses commanded for a testimony to them. But all the more went abroad the report concerning him, and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed of their infirmities, and he was wont to retire into the solitary places and pray. And it came to pass on a certain day that he was teaching, and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by who had come out of every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, and there was power of the Lord for healing them, and behold, men brought on a bed a man who was palsied, and they sought to bring him in and to lay him before him. And not finding by what way they might bring him in, because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop and let him down through the tiling with the couch into the midst before Jesus, and seeing their faith he said, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone? But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answering said to them, What reason ye in your hearts, which is easier to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee, or to say, Arise and walk, but that ye may know that the Son of Man has power on the earth to forgive sins? He said to the palsied man, I say to thee, Arise and taking up thy couch, go to thy house. And immediately standing up before them, he took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear saying, We have seen strange things today. And after these things he went forth and saw a publican named Levi, sitting at the place of receiving custom. And he said to him, Follow me. And leaving all he arose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house, and there was a great company of publicans and of others who reclined at the table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said to them, They who are well need not a physician, but they who are sick, I have not come to call righteous men, but sinners to repentance. And they said to him, Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but thine eat and drink? And he said to them, Can ye make the sons of the bride chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? But days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, then shall they fast in those days. And he spoke also a parable to them. No one rends a peace from a new garment and puts it on an old garment, else both the new will make a rent, and the peace from the new agrees not with the old. And no one puts new wine into old skins, else the new wine will burst the skins and will itself be poured out, and the skins will perish. But new wine must be put into new skins and both are preserved together, and no one having drunk old wine straightway desires new, for he says, The old is better. CHAPTER VI And it came to pass on the second Sabbath after the first, that he was going through grain fields, and his disciples plucked and ate the ears of corn, rubbing them with their hands. And some of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath? And Jesus answering them said, And have ye not read this what David did when he hungered himself and they who were with him, how he went into the house of God and took and ate the showbread, and gave to those who were with him, which it is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone? And he said to them, The son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath. And it came to pass also on another Sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man whose right hand was withered, and the scribes and Pharisees were watching, whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts and said to the man having the withered hand, Arise and stand forth in the midst, and he rose up and stood, then said Jesus to them, I will ask you what is lawful on the Sabbath, to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it? And looking round on them all, he said to him, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so and his hand was restored, and they were filled with madness and conferred one with another as to what they should do to Jesus. And it came to pass in those days that he went out into the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day he called to him his disciples, and having chosen from them twelve, whom he named also apostles, Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, and Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon, called Zelotes, and Judas' brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a betrayer. And having come down with them he stood on a plane, and a company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea-coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those vexed by unclean spirits were healed, and all the multitudes sought to touch him because power went out from him and healed them all. And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said, Happy are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Happy are ye that hunger now, for ye shall be filled. Happy are ye that weep now, for ye shall laugh. Happy are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from them, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil for the sake of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for in the same manner did their fathers to the prophets. But woe to you that are rich, for ye have received your consolation. Woe to you that are full, for ye shall hunger. Woe to you that laugh now, for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe when all men shall speak well of you, for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets. But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who smites thee on the cheek, offer also the other, and him who takes away thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to everyone that asks of thee, and of him who takes away thy goods, demand them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also in like manner to them. For if ye love those who love you, what thanks have ye? For even the sinners love those who love them. And if ye do good to those who do good to you, what thanks have ye? For even the sinners do the same. And if ye lend to those of whom ye hope to receive, what thanks have ye? And sinners lend to sinners that they may receive as much in return. But love your enemies and do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the highest, for he is kind to the unthankful and evil. Be ye merciful, as your father also is merciful. And judge not, and ye shall not be judged. Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned. Equit, and ye shall be acquitted. Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom, for with the same measure with which ye meet, it shall be measured to you again. And he spoke also a parable to them. Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone shall be perfected as his teacher. And why beholdest thou the moat that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? How canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me cast out the moat that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then thou shalt see clearly to cast out the moat that is in thy brother's eye, for there is no good tree that bears corrupt fruit, nor corrupt tree that bears good fruit, for every tree is known from its own fruit, for from thorns they do not gather figs, nor from a bramble bush do they harvest grapes. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good, and the evil out of the evil brings forth that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Everyone that comes to me and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you to whom he is like. He is like a man building a house who digged deep and laid a foundation on the rock, and when a flood arose the stream burst upon that house and could not shake it because it was well-builded. But he that hears and does not is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation, on which the stream burst and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great. Chapter 7 When he completed all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered into Capernaum, and a certain centurion's servant who was dear to him was sick and about to die, and having heard concerning Jesus he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him that he would come and heal his servant, and they coming to Jesus besought him earnestly saying, He is worthy that thou shalt do this for him, for he loves our nation and himself built our synagogue. And Jesus went with them, and when he was now not far from the house the centurion sent friends to him saying to him, Lord, trouble not thyself, for I am not worthy that thou shalt enter under my roof, wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come to thee, but say with a word and my servant will be healed, for I am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me, and I say to this one go, and he goes, and to another come, and he comes, and to my servant do this, and he does it. And Jesus hearing these things marveled at him, and turning said to the multitude that followed him, I say to you, I found not so great faith even in Israel, and they who were sent returning to the house found the servant whole that had been sick. And it came to pass the day after that he went into a city called Nain, and many of his disciples went with him and a great multitude, and as he came near to the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a great multitude of the city was with her, and seeing her the Lord had compassion on her, and said to her, weep not, and he came and touched the beer, and they who bore it stood still, and he said, young man, I say to thee, arise, and the dead sat up and began to speak, and he gave him to his mother, and fear seized on all, and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet has arisen among us, and God has visited his people, and this report went forth in all Judea concerning him, and in all the country around, and the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things, and John calling to him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that comes, or look we for another? And coming to him the men said, John the Immerser has sent us to thee, saying, Art thou he that comes, or look we for another? And in that very hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many blind he bestowed sight, and answering he said to them, Go, and report to John what ye saw and heard, that the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor good tidings are published, and happy is he, whoever shall not be offended at me. And when the messengers of John had departed, he began to say to the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold, a reed shaken by the wind? But what went ye out to see, a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they who are gorgeously apparelled and live delicately are in king's palaces. But what went ye out to see, a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and much more than a prophet, this is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send forth my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say to you among those born of women, no one is a greater prophet than John, but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people hearing it and the publicans justified God, having been immersed with John's immersion, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God toward themselves, not having been immersed by him. To what then shall I liken the men of this generation? And to what are they like? They are like two children sitting in the market and calling to one another, saying, We piped to you, and ye danced not. We sang the lament to you, and ye wept not. For John the Immerser has come, neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and ye say, He has a demon. The son of man has come eating and drinking, and ye say, Behold, a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom was justified on the part of all her children. And one of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and entering into the house of the Pharisee, he reclined at table. And behold, a woman who was a sinner in the city, learning that he is reclining at table in the house of the Pharisee, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and standing behind at his feet weeping began to wet his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. And seeing it, the Pharisee who had bitten him spoke within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what sort of woman this is that touches him, for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said to him, Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee. And he says, Teacher, say on. A certain moneylender had two debtors, the one owed five hundred denaries and the other fifty, and they having nothing to pay he forgave them both. Which of them therefore tell me will love him most? Simon answering said, I suppose he to whom he forgave most. And he said to him, Thou didst rightly judge. And turning to the woman, he said to Simon, Seist thou this woman? I entered into thy house. Thou gaveest me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with tears and wiped them with her hair. Thou gaveest me no kiss, but she, from the time I came in, ceased not to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint, but she anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I say to thee, her many sins are forgiven, for she loved much, but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. And he said to her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they who reclined with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that also forgives sins? And he said to the woman, Thy faith has saved thee. Go in peace. And it came to pass afterward that he journeyed through every city and village, preaching and publishing the good news of the kingdom of God, and with him the twelve and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called the Magdalene, from whom had gone out seven demons, and Joanna, wife of Chusa, Herod's steward, and Susanna and many others who ministered to them of their substance. And a great multitude coming together of those also who came to him out of every city, he spoke by a parable. The sower went forth to sow his seed, and as he sowed, one fell by the wayside, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And another fell upon the rock, and springing up it withered away because it had no moisture. And another fell among the thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. And another fell into the good ground, and sprang up and bore fruit a hundredfold. And saying these things, he cried, He that has ears to hear, let him hear! And his disciples asked him what this parable was, and he said, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this. The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are they that hear, after that comes the devil, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, with joy receive the word, and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation, fall away. And that which fell among the thorns, these are they who have heard, and, going forth, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that in the good ground, these are they who, in an honest and good heart, having heard, hold fast the word, and bring forth fruit with patience. No one having lighted a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, that they who enter in may behold the light, for nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest, nor hidden that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed, therefore, how ye hear, for whoever has, to him shall be given, and whoever has not, even what he seems to have shall be taken from him. And his mother and his brothers came to him, and they could not come near him on account of the multitude, and it was told him, saying, Thy mother and thy brothers are standing without, desiring to see thee, and he answering said to them, My mother and my brothers are these, who hear and do the word of God. And it came to pass, on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples, and he said to them, let us go over to the other side of the lake. And they launched forth, and as they were sailing, he fell asleep, and there came down a storm of wind on the lake, and they began to be filled, and were in jeopardy, and coming to him they awoke him, saying, Master, Master, we perish! And he, rising, rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and there was a calm, and he said to them, Where is your faith? And they, fearing, wondered, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him? And they sailed to the country of the garrisons, which is over against Galilee. And when he had gone forth upon the land, there met him a certain man out of the city, who had demons a long time, and wore no clothing, and abode not in a house, but in the tombs, and seeing Jesus he cried out and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I beseech thee, do not torment me! For he commanded the unclean spirit to come out from the man, for of a long time it had seized him, and he was bound, being secured with chains and fetters, and bursting the bands he was driven by the demon into the deserts, and Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Lae-jan, because many demons had entered into him, and he besought him that he would not command them to go away into the abyss, and there was a herd of many swine feeding in the mountain, and they besought him that he would permit them to enter into them, and he permitted them. And going out of the man the demons entered into the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep into the lake, and were choked. And seeing what was done the herdsmen fled, and reported it in the city and in the country, and they went out to see what was done, and they came to Jesus and 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 afraid. They also who saw it reported to them how he that was possessed by demons was healed, and the whole multitude of the surrounding country of the garrisons besought him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear, and he entering into the ship returned, and the man out of whom the demons had gone besought him that he might be with him, but he sent him away saying, Return into thy house, and relate how great things God did for thee, and he departed and published through the whole city how great things Jesus did for them. And it came to pass when Jesus returned, that the multitude received him, for they were all waiting for him. And behold, there came a man whose name was Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue, and falling at the feet of Jesus he besought him that he would come into his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying, and as he went the multitudes thronged him. And a woman having a flow of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, Who is it that touched me? And when all denied it, Peter and those with him said, Master, the multitudes throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who is it that touched me? And Jesus said, Someone touched me, for I perceived that power has gone out from me. And the woman, seeing that she was not concealed, came trembling and falling down before him, declared before all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said to her, Daughter, thy faith has made thee whole, go in peace. While he was yet speaking there comes one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead, trouble not the teacher. But Jesus, hearing it, answered him, Fear not, only believe and she shall be restored. And entering into the house he suffered no one to go in with him save Peter and James and John and the father of the maiden and the mother. And all were weeping and bewailing her. And he said, Weep not, she is not dead but is sleeping. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he, taking hold of her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden, arise. And her spirit returned, and she immediately arose, and he commanded that food should be given her, and her parents were astonished. But he charged them to tell no one what was done. Chapter 9 And having called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And he said to them, Take nothing for the journey, neither staff nor bag nor bread nor money nor have two coats apiece. And into whatever house ye enter, there abide and thence depart. And whoever will not receive you when ye go out from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And going forth they went through the villages, publishing the good news and healing everywhere. And Herod the tetrarch heard of all the things that were done, and he was perplexed because it was said by some, John has risen from the dead, and by some Elijah has appeared, and by others one of the old prophets has risen again. And Herod said, John I beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him. And the apostles, returning, related to him all that they did, and taking them with him, he retired privately to a city called Bethsaida. And the multitudes, when they knew it, followed him. And, receiving them, he spoke to them concerning the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. And the day began to decline, and the twelve came and said to him, Dismiss the multitude that they may go into the villages around and the fields and lodge and find food, for here we are in a desert place. And he said to them, Do ye give them to eat? And they said, We have not more than five loaves and two fishes, except we should go and buy food for all this people, for they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them lie down in companies of fifty. And they did so, and made them all lie down. And taking the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed them, and broke, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they ate, and all were filled. And there were taken up a fragments that remained to them twelve baskets. And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, that his disciples were with him, and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am? They answering said, John the Immerser, and others Elijah, and others that one of the old prophets has risen again. And he said to them, But who do ye say that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God! And strictly charging them, he commanded them to say this to no one, saying, The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected on the part of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and rise on the third day. And he said to all, If any one will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me, for whoever will save his life shall lose it, and whoever may lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man profited when he has gained the whole world, and lost or forfeited himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he shall come in his glory, and in that of the Father and of the holy angels. And I say to you of a truth, there are some of those standing here who shall not taste of death till they see the kingdom of God. And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and James and John, and went up into the mountain to pray. And it came to pass while he was praying, that the appearance of his countenance became changed, and his raiment white and glistening. And behold, two men were talking with him who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. But Peter and they who were with him were heavy with sleep, and, awaking, they saw his glory and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass that, as they were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here, and let us make three tents, one for the Ian, one for Moses, and one for Elijah, not knowing what he said. While he said this, there came a cloud and overshadowed them, and they feared as they entered into the cloud, and there came a voice out of the cloud saying, This is my chosen son, hear ye him. And when the voice had come, Jesus was found alone, and they kept silent and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen. And it came to pass on the next day when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him, and behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee, look upon my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit takes him and he suddenly cries out, and it tears him with foaming, and hardly departs from him, bruising him. And I entreated thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not. And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring hither thy son. And while he was yet coming, the demon threw him down and tore him, and Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the child and gave him back to his father, and all were amazed at the mighty power of God. But while all were wondering at all things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples, Do ye let these words sink into your ears, for the son of man will be delivered into the hands of man? But they understood not this saying, and it was hidden from them that they perceived it not, and they feared to ask him concerning that saying. And there arose in them the thought which of them was greatest, and Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child and placed it by him, and said to them, Whoever shall receive this child in my name receives me, and whoever shall receive me receives him who sent me, for he that is least among you all, the same is great. And John answering said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name and we forbade him, because he follows not with us, and Jesus said to him, Forbid him not, for he that is not against us is for us. And it came to pass when the days were being completed that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers before his face, and they went and entered into a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him, and they did not receive him, because his face was directed toward Jerusalem, and his disciples, James and John, seeing it, said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, as also Elijah did? And he turned and rebuked them and said, He know not of what spirit ye are, and they went to another village, and as they were going in the way a certain one said to him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest, and Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of man has not where to lay his head. And he said to another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father. And he said to him, Let the dead bury their own dead, but do thou go and announce the kingdom of God. And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord, but first permit me to bid farewell to those at my house. And Jesus said to him, No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Chapter 10 After these things the Lord appointed also seventy others and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself was about to come. And he said to them, The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways, behold I send you forth as lambs among wolves, carry neither purse nor bag nor sandals, and salute no one by the way, and into whatever house ye enter first say, Peace be to this house, and if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it, and if not it shall return to you. And in that house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house, and into whatever city ye enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you, and heal the sick that are therein, and say to them, The kingdom of God has come nigh unto you, but into whatever city ye enter and they receive you not, go out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the dust of your city that cleaves to your feet we wipe off to you, yet know this, that the kingdom of God has come nigh, I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city. Woe to thee, Chorazine! Woe to thee, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been done in tire and siden which were done in you, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for tire and siden in the judgment than for you, and thou Capernaum, that art exalted to heaven, shall be brought down to the underworld. He that hears you hears me, and he that rejects you rejects me, and he that rejects me rejects him who sent me. And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subjected to us in thy name, and he said to them, I beheld Satan falling as lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you, but yet rejoice not in this, that the spirits are subjected to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. In that hour he rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise in discerning, and reveal them to babes. Yea, O Father, that so it seemed good in thy sight. All things were delivered to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is but the Father, and who the Father is but the Son, and he to whom the Son is pleased to reveal him. And turning to the disciples, he said privately, Happy are the eyes that behold what ye are beholding, for I say to you that many prophets and kings desired to see what ye are beholding, and saw not, and to hear what ye are hearing, and heard not. And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said to him, What is written in the law, how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said to him, Thou answer it strightly, this do, and thou shalt live. But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, Who then is my neighbor? And Jesus answering said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance a certain priest was going down that way, and seeing him he passed by on the other side. And in like manner also a Levite arriving at the place, came and saw, and passed by on the other side. And a certain Samaritan, as he was journeying, came where he was, and seeing him had compassion. And coming to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and setting him on his own beast, he brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two Daenerys, and gave to the host, and said, Take care of him, and whatever thou spendest more, when I come again I will repay thee. Which now of these three thinkest thou was neighbor to him that fell among the robbers? And he said, He that had mercy on him, and Jesus said to him, Go, and do thou likewise. And it came to pass, as they were going, that he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the feet of Jesus, and heard his word. But Martha was encumbered with much serving, and she came to him and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answering said to her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful, and Mary chose the good part which shall not be taken away from her. Chapter 11 And it came to pass that, as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as also John taught his disciples. And he said to them, When ye pray, say, Father, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, give us day by day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us, and bring us not into temptation. And he said to them, Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him, and he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not, the door is already shut, and my children with me are in bed, I cannot rise and give thee. I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs. I also say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks finds, and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. And what father is there among you, of whom if his son asks bread he will give him a stone, or a fish will instead of a fish give him a serpent, or if he shall ask an egg will he give him a scorpion. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? And he was casting out a demon, and it was dumb, and it came to pass when the demon was gone out, that the dumb man spoke, and the multitudes wondered. But some of them said, He casts out the demons through Beelzebul, the prince of the demons, and others, tempting, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. And if Satan also was divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? Because ye say that I cast out the demons through Beelzebul, and if I through Beelzebul cast out the demons, through whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges, but if with the finger of God I cast out the demons, then is the kingdom of God come near to you. When a strong man armed keeps his palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome him, he takes away his whole armor wherein he trusted, and divides his spoils. He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad. When the unclean spirit has gone out from the man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and not finding it, he says, I will return into my house whence I came out, and coming he finds it swept and set in order, then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there, and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. And it came to pass, as he was saying these things, that a certain woman lifting up her voice from the multitude sent to him, Happy the womb that bore thee, and breasts which thou didst suck, and he said, Yea, rather, happy they who hear the word of God and keep it. And the multitudes gathering more and more, he began to say, This generation is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign shall be given it but the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so shall also the son of man be to this generation. A queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with a man of this generation and will condemn them, because she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, a greater than Solomon is here. Men of Nineveh will rise in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, a greater than Jonah is here. No one having light at a lamp puts it in a secret place or under the bushel, but on the lamp stand, that they who come in may see the light. The lamp of the body is thine eye. When thine eye is single, thy whole body also is light, but when it is evil, thy body also is dark. Take heed therefore lest the light that is in thee is darkness. If therefore thy whole body is light, having no part dark, it shall be all light as when the lamp with its bright shining gives thee light. And as he was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, and he went in and reclined at table, and the Pharisee, seeing it, wondered that he did not first immerse himself before dinner, and the Lord said to him, Now ye Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and the platter, but your inward part is full of rapacity and wickedness. Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give that which ye have in alms, and behold, all things are clean to you. But woe to you Pharisees, because ye pay tithe of mint and rue and every herb, and pass by judgment and the love of God. These ought ye to have done and not leave those undone. Woe to you Pharisees, because ye love the first seat in the synagogues and the greetings in the markets. Woe to you, because ye are as tombs that appear not, and men walking over them know it not. And a certain one of the lawyers answering says to him, Teacher, in saying these things thou reproachest us also. And he said, Woe to you lawyers also, because ye load men with burdens grievous to be born, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you, because ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. So then ye bear witness to and approve the deeds of your fathers, because they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will slay and persecute, that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation. From the blood of Abel, unto the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the temple. Verily I say to you, it shall be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers, because ye took away the key of knowledge. Ye entered not in yourselves, and those who were entering in ye hindered. And as he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things, lying and wait for him, seeking to catch something out of his mouth that they might accuse him. Chapter 12 In the meantime, the multitude having gathered together in tens of thousands, so that they trod one upon another, he began first to say to his disciples, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy, for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, nor hidden that shall not be known. Wherefore, whatever ye said in the darkness shall be heard in the light, and what ye spoke in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed on the housetops. And I say to you, my friends, be not afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom ye shall fear. Fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pence, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, ye are of more value than many sparrows. And I say to you, everyone that shall acknowledge me before men, him will the Son of Man also acknowledge before the angels of God. But he that denied me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. And everyone that shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him. But to him that blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven. And when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, take not thought how or what ye shall answer or what ye shall say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say. And a certain one of the multitudes said to him, Teacher, speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said to him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said to them, Take heed and beware of all covetousness, because a man's life consists not in the abundance of his possessions. And he spoke a parable to them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully, and he thought within himself saying, What shall I do? Because I have not where to store my fruits. And he said, This will I do. I will pull down my barns and will build greater. And there I will store all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast many goods laid up for many years. Take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, Fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee, and whose shall those things be which thou didst provide? So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. And he said to his disciples, Therefore I say to you, Take not thought for the life, what ye shall eat, nor for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than food, and the body than raiment. Consider the ravens, that they sow not nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn, and God feeds them. How much better are ye than the birds? And which of you by taking thought can add a cubit to his stature? If therefore ye cannot do even that which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow, they toil not nor spin, and I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. And if God so clothes the grass which today is in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more you, ye of little faith, and ye, seek not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, and be not of a doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that ye have need of these. But seek his kingdom, and these things shall be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what ye have, and give alms. Provide yourselves purses that wax not old. A treasure unfailing in the heavens, where a thief approaches not, nor moth corrupts. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning, and ye like men waiting for their Lord, when he shall return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately. Happy those servants whom their Lord, when he comes, shall find watching. Verily I say to you that he will gird himself, and make them recline at table, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or in the third watch, and find it so, happy are those servants. And this, know, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief is coming, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye also ready, for at an hour when ye think not, the Son of Man comes. And Peter said to him, Lord, speakest thou this parable to us, or also to all. And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful, the wise steward, whom his Lord will set over his household, to give the portion of food in due season? Happy that servant whom his Lord, when he comes, shall find so doing. Of a truth I say to you, that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that servant say in his heart, My Lord delays his coming, and shall begin to beat the man-servants and maid-servants, and to eat and drink and to be drunken, the Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looks not for it, and in an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the faithless. And that servant, who knew his Lord's will, and prepared not, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few, for to whomsoever much was given, of him much will be required, and to whom they committed much, of him they will require the more. I came to send fire upon the earth, and what will I, if it is already kindled? But I have an immersion to undergo, and how am I straightened till it be accomplished? Suppose ye that I came to give peace in the earth? I tell you nay, but only division, for from this time forth, five and one house will be divided, three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, and son against father, mother against the daughter, and daughter against the mother, mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against the mother in law. And he said also to the multitudes, when ye see the cloud rising from the west, straight way ye say, a shower is coming, and so it comes to pass, and when ye see a south wind blowing ye say, there will be heat, and it comes to pass. Hippocrates, ye know how to judge of the face of the earth and the sky, but how is it that ye know not how to judge of this time? And why even of yourselves do ye not judge what is right? For when thou art going with thine adversary to the magistrate, on the way give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him, lest he drag thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the exacter, and the exacter cast thee into prison. I say to thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last might. CHAPTER XIII There were present at that season some who brought him word concerning the Galileans whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices, and answering he said to them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they have suffered such things? I tell you nay, but except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and slew them, suppose ye that they were sinners above all the men who dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you nay, but except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish. He spoke also this parable. A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit thereon and found none, and he said to the vine-dresser, Behold, three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none, cut it down, why does it also encumber the ground? And he answering says to him, Lord, let it alone this year also till I shall dig about it and cast in manure, and if it bear fruit, and if not, hereafter thou shalt cut it down. And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath, and, behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity, eighteen years, and was bowed together, and wholly unable to raise herself up. And Jesus, seeing her, called her to him, and said to her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight and glorified God, and the ruler of the synagogue answering, being indignant because Jesus healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, There are six days in which it is proper to work, in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath. And the Lord answered him and said, Hippocrates, does not each of you on the Sabbath loose his ox, or ask from the manger and lead him away to water him? And not this woman being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound, lo, eighteen years, to be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath? And as he said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed, and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. He said therefore, To what is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I liken it? It is like to a grain of mustard which a man took and cast into his garden, and it grew and became a great tree, and the birds of the air lodged in its branches. And again he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till the whole was leavened. And he went through cities and villages teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And a certain one said to him, Lord, are there a few that are saved? And he said to them, Strive to enter in through the straight gate, for many I say to you will seek to enter in, and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us, and he answering shall say to you, I know you not whence ye are. Then will ye begin to say, We ate and drank in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets. And he will say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are. Depart from me all workers of unrighteousness. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. And they will come from east and west, and from north and south, and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last. On that day there came certain Pharisees, saying to him, Depart and go hence, for Herod desires to kill thee. And he said to them, Go tell that fox. Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I am perfected. But yet I must go today and tomorrow and the day following, because it may not be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her. How often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen her brood under her wings, and ye would not. Behold, your house is left to you, desolate, and I say to you, you shall not see me until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Chapter 14 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief of the Pharisees, to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched him. And behold, there was a certain man before him who had the dropsy, and Jesus answering spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not? And they were silent, and taking hold of him, he healed him and let him go, and to them he said, Who is there of you whose ox or ass shall fall into a pit, and he will not straightway draw him up on the Sabbath day? And they could not answer him again to these things. And he spoke a parable to those who were bidden when he marked how they chose out the first places, saying to them, When thou art bidden by any one to a wedding, recline not in the first place at table, lest one more honorable than thou may have been bidden by him, and he that bade thee and him shall come and say to thee, Give place to this man, and then thou shalt begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when thou art bidden, go and recline in the lowest place, that when he that bade thee comes he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher, then shalt thou have honor in the presence of those who recline at table with thee, for every one that exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. And he said also to him who bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brothers, nor thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and happy shalt thou be, because they cannot recompense thee, for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the righteous. And a certain one of those who reclined at table with him, hearing these things, said to him, Happy is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. And he said to him, A certain man made a great supper and bade many, and he sent his servant at the hour of the supper to say to those who were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready, and they all with one mind began to excuse themselves, the first said to him, I bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go out and see it, I pray thee let me be excused. And another said, I bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to make trial of them, I pray thee let me be excused. And another said, I married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. And the servant came and reported these things to his Lord. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in hither the poor and maimed and lame and blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou didst command, and yet there is room. And the Lord said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in that my house may be filled, for I say to you that none of those men who were bidden shall taste of my supper. And great multitudes were going with him, and turning he said to them, If anyone comes to me and hates not his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, and even his own life besides, he cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For who of you intending to build a tower does not first sit down and count the cost whether he has sufficient to finish it. Lest happily when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all that behold begin to mock him saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish. Or what king going to make war against another king does not first sit down and consult whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand. Else while he is yet a great way off he sends an embassy and desires conditions of peace. So then, whoever of you forsakes not all that he has cannot be my disciple. Salt, therefore, is good, but if even the salt has become tasteless, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is fit neither for the land nor for the dung hill. They cast it out. He that has ears to hear, let him hear. Chapter 15 And there were drawing near to him all the publicans and the sinners to hear him, and the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them. And he spoke this parable to them, saying, What man of you having a hundred sheep and having lost one of them does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost until he finds it? And having found it he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing, and coming home he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I found my sheep which was lost. I say to you, that so there will be joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and seek carefully till she finds it. And having found it she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me, because I found the piece which I lost. So I say to you there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents. And he said, A certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of the property that falls to me, and he divided to them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together and went abroad into a far country, and there wasted his substance in riotous living. And when he had spent all there arose a grievous famine in that country, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his body with the husks which the swine ate, and no one gave to him. And coming to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father have bred enough, and to spare, and I perish here with hunger. I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I sinned against heaven, and before thee, I am no longer worthy to be called thy son, make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose and came to his father, but when he was yet a great way off his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, Father, I sinned against heaven, and before thee, I am no longer worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth a robe, the best, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet, and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry. Because this my son was dead and is alive again, was lost and is found, and they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing, and calling to him one of the servants, he inquired what these things meant, and he said to him, Thy brother is come, and thy father killed the fatted calf, because he received him back, safe and sound. And he was angry and would not go in, and his father came out and entreated him, and he answering said to his father, Lo, so many years do I serve thee, and never transgress thy command. And to me thou never gayest a kid, that I might make merry with my friends, but when this thy son came, who devoured thy living with harlots, thou didst kill for him the fatted calf. And he said to him, Child, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meat that we should make merry and be glad, because this thy brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found. Chapter 16 And he said also to the disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and the same was accused to him as wasting his goods, and having called him, he said to him, What is this that I hear of thee? Give account of thy stewardship, for thou canst be no longer steward. And the steward said within himself, What shall I do? For my master takes away from me the stewardship. I am not able to dig, to beg, I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship they may receive me into their houses. And having called to him each one of his master's debtors, he said to the first, How much o'est thou to my master? And he said, A hundred measures of oil. And he said to him, Take thy bill and sit down quickly and write fifty. Then he said to another, And how much o'est thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. And he said to him, Take thy bill and write four score. And the master commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely, because the sons of this world are in their generation wiser than the sons of light. And I say to you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when it fails they may receive you into the everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. And he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If, therefore, ye were not faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches. And if ye were not faithful in that which is another's, who will give to you your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things, and they derided him. And he said to them, Ye are they who justify themselves before men, but God knows your hearts, for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination before God. The Law and the Prophets were until John, from that time the good news of the Kingdom of God is published and every man presses into it, and it is easier that heaven and earth should pass away than that one tittle of the Law should fail. Everyone who puts away his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries her when put away from a husband commits adultery. There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus who was laid at his gate full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores, and it came to pass that the beggar died, and he was borne away by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried, and in the underworld lifting up his eyes being in torments he sees Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom, and he cried and said, Father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Child, remember that in thy lifetime thou receivest thy good things in full, and Lazarus in like manner his evil things. But now here he is comforted and thou art tormented. And besides all this between us and you a great gulf is fixed, that they who would pass from hence to you may not be able, nor those from thence pass over to us. And he said, I pray thee therefore, Father, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers that he may testify to them that they may not also come into this place of torment. Abraham says to them, they have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. And he said, Nay, Father Abraham, but if one should go to them from the dead they will repent. And he said to him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one should rise from the dead. The end of chapters 13 through 16 from the Gospel according to Luke from the American Bible Union's New Testament. Recording by Mark Penfold.