FIRST PUBLISHED IN JUDEA, A. D. 41.* [*Appendix,
No. I.]
MATTHEW'S PREFACE.
THE HISTORY** (App. No. II.) OF JESUS CHRIST, SON OF DAVID, SON OF
ABRAHAM.
I. 2. ABRAHAM begat Isaac. Isaac begat Jacob. Jacob begat Judah and his brothers. Judah had Pharez and Zarah by Tamar. Pharez begat Hezron. Hezron begat Ram. Ram begat Aminadab. Aminadab begat Nashon. Nashon begat Salmon. Salmon had Boaz by Rahab. Boaz had Obed by Ruth. Obed begat Jesse. Jesse begat David the king. David the king had Solomon, by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begat Rehoboam. Rehoboam begat Abia. Abia begat Asa. Asa begat Jehosaphat. Jehoshaphat begat Joram. Joram begat Uzziah. Uzziah begat Jotham. Jotham begat Ahaz. Ahaz begat Amon. Amon begat Josiah. Josiah had Jeconiah and his brothers, about the time of the migration into Babylon. After the migration into Babylon, Jeconiah begat Salathiel. Salathiel begat Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begat Abiud. Abiud begat Eliakim. Eliakim begat Azor. Azor begat Zadoc. Zadoc begat Achim. Achim begat Eliud. Eliud begat Eleazar. Eleazar begat Matthan. Matthan begat Jacob. Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Messiah.* (Or Christ.) So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen; from David till the migration into Babylon fourteen; and from the migration into Babylon to the Messiah fourteen.
18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened thus: Mary his mother had been espoused to Joseph; but before they came together, she proved to be with child by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband being a worthy man, and unwilling to expose her, intended to divorce her privately. But while he was thinking upon this, a messenger* [App. No. III] of the Lord appearing to him in a dream, said, Joseph, Son of David, scruple not to take home Mary thy wife; for her pregnancy is from the Holy Spirit. And she shall bear a son, whom thou shalt call Jesus; for he will save his people from their sins. In all this, what the Lord had spoken by the Prophet was verified, "Behold the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, who shall be called Immanuel;" which signifies, God with us. When Joseph awoke, he did as the messenger of the Lord had commanded him, and took home his wife; but knew her not, until she had brought forth her first born son, whom he named Jesus.* [That is, Saviour.]
II. After the birth of Jesus, at Bethelem of Juda, in the reign of King Herod, certain eastern magians* [A sect of philosophers in Asia.] came to Jerusalem, and inquired, Where is the new-born king of the Jews; for we have seen his star in the east country, and are come to do him homage? King Herod hearing this, was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. And having assembled all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he demanded of them where the Messiah should be born? They answered, At Bethelem of Judea; for thus it is written by the Prophet, "And thou Bethelem, in the canton of Judah, art not the least illustrious among the cities of Judah; for out of thee shall come a ruler, who will govern my people Israel."
Then Herod having secretly called the magians, procured from them exact information concerning the time of the star's appearing. And sending them to Bethelem, he said, Go, make an exact inquiry about the child; and when ye have found him bring me word, that I may also go and pay him homage. Having heard the king, they departed; and lo! the star which had appeared to them in the east country, moved before them, till it came and stood over the place where the child was. When they again saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly. And being come into the house,t hey found the child with Mary his mother; and prostrating themselgves, did him homage. then opening their caskets, they offered, as presents, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went home another way.
13. When they were gone, a messenger of the Lord appearing to Joseph in a dream, said, Arise, take the child, with his motehr, and flee into Egypt; and remain there till I acquaint thee; for Herod will seek the child to destroy hom. Accordingly he arose, took the child, with his mother, and withdrew by night into Egypt, where he continued until the death of Herod; so that what the Lord had spoken by the Prophet was verified, "Out of Egypt I recalled my son."
Then Herod, finding that he had been deceived by the magians, was highly incensed, and despatched emissaries, who slew, by his order, all the male children in Bethelem, and in all its territory, from those entering the second year, down to the time whereof he had procured exact information from the magians. Then was the word of Jeremiah the Prophet verified, "A cry was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and weeping, and bitter complaint; Rachel bewailing her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are not."
When Herod was dead, a messenger of the Lord appearing in a dream of Joseph in Egypt, said, Arise, take the child, with his mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead who sought his life. Accordingly, he arose, took the child, with his mother, and went to the land of Israel; but hearing that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod in the throne of Judea, he was afraid to return thiether; and, being warned in a dream, retired into the district of Galilee, and resided in a city named Nazareth; thereby verifying the declaration of the Prophet [concerning Jesus,] that he should be called a Nazarene.
III. In those days appeared John the Immerser, who cried in the desert of Judea, saying, Reform, for the reign of heaven approacheth. For this is he of whom the prophet Isaiah speaketh in these words, "The voice of one proclaiming in the wilderness, Prepare a way for the Lord,* [In the Hebrew of Isaiah, Jehovah.] make for him a straight passage." Now John wore raiment of camel's hair with a leathern girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusualem and all Judea, and all the country along the Jordan resorted to him, and were immersed by him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
But he seeing many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to receive immersion, said to them, Offspring of vipers, who hath prompted you to flee from the impending vengeance? Produce then the proper fruit of reformation; and presume not to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I assure you that of these stones God can raise children to Abraham. And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, which produceth not good fruit, is felled, and turned into fuel. I indeed immerse you in water, that ye may reform; but he who cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his grain; he will gather his wheat into the granary, and consume the chaff in unquenchable fire.
13. Then came Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to be immersed by Joh. But John excused himself, saying, It is I who need to be immersed by thee; andthou comest to me! Jesus answering said unto him, Permit this at present; for thus ought we to ratify every institution. Then John acquiesced. Jesus being immersed, no sooner arose out of the water, than heaven was opened to him; and the Spirit of God appeared, descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: while a voice from heaven proclaimed, This is my beloved Son in whom I delight.
IV. Then was Jesus conducted by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil.* [Traducer.] And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Whereupon the tempter accosting him, said, If thou be a Son of God, command that these stones become loaves. Jesus answering, said, It is written, "Man liveth not by bread only, but by every thing which God is pleased to appoint." Then the devil conveyed him into the holy city, and, having placed him upon the battlement of the temple, said to him, If thou be a Son of God, throw thyself down; for it is written, "He will give his messengers* [App. No. III.] the charge of thee: they shall uphold thee in their arms, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." Jesus again answered, It is written, "Thou shalt not put the Lord* [Jehovah.] thy God to the proof." Again the devil took him up a very high mountain, whence he showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their glory, and said to him, All these will I give thee, if thou wilt prostrate thyself and worship me. Jesus answered, Satan,* [Adversary.] begone; for it is written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord* [Jehovah.] thy God, and shall serve him only." Then the devil leaving him, messengers came and ministered to him.
12. Now Jesus hearing that John was imprisoned, retired into Galilee; and having left Nazareth, resided at Capernaum, a seaport in the confines of Zebulun and Naphtali, thereby verifying the words of Isaiah the Prophet; "The canton of Zebulun and the canton of Naphtali, situate on the Jordan near the sea, Galilee of the nations; the people who abode in darkness, saw a great light, and on those who inhabited a region of the shades of death, light hath arisen" From that time Jesus began to proclaim, saying, Reform, for the reign of heaven approacheth.
Then walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon named Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a drag into the sea, for they were fishers. And he said to them, Come with me, and I will make you fishers of men. Immediately they left the nets and followed him. Passing on he saw other two brothers, James son of Zebedee and John his brotehr, in the bark with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. They immediately, leaving the bark and their father, followed him.
Then Jesus went over all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the glad tidings of the reign, and curing every sort of disease and malady among the people. And his fame spread through all Syria, and they brought to him all their sick, seized and tormented with various distempers, demoniacs, and lunatics, and paralytics, and he healed them. And vast multitudes followed him from Galilee, from Decapolis,* [A district of ten cities.] from Jerusalem, from Judea, and from the banks of the Jordan.
V. Jesus seeing so great a confluence, repaired to a mountain, and having sat down, his disciples came to him. Then breaking silence, he taught them, saying,
Happy the poor who repine not; for the kingom of heaven is theirs! Happy they who mourn; for they shall receive consolation! Happy the meek; for they shall inherit the land! Happy they who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they shall be satisfied! Happy the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy! Happy the clean in heart; for they shall see God! Happy the peace-makers; for they shall be called sons of God! Happy they who suffer persecution on account of righteousness; for the kingdom of heaven is theirs! Happy shall ye be when men shall revile and persecute you, and, on my account, accuse you falsely of every evil thing! Rejoice and exult; for great is your reward in heaven; for thus the Prophets were persecuted who were before you.
13. Ye are the salt of the earth. If the salt become insipid, how shall its saltness be restored? It is thenceforth fit only to be cast out and trodden by men. Ye are the light of the world. A city situate on a mountain must be conspicuous. A lamp is lighted to be put, not under a corn-measure, but on a stand, that it may shine to all the family. Thus, let your light shine before men, that they seeing your good actions, may glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Think not that I am come to subvert the law or the prophts. I am come not to subvert, but to ratify. For verily I say unto you, Heaven and earth shall sooner perish, than one iota, or one tittle of the law shall perish without attaining its end. Whosoever, therefore, shall violate, or teach others to violate, were it the least of these commandments, shall be in no esteem in the reigh of heaven; but whosoever shall practise and teach them, shall be highly esteemed in the reign of heaven. For I warn you, that unless your righteousness excel the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall never enter the kingdom of heaven.
21. Ye have heard that it was said to the ancients, "Thou shalt not commit murder; for whosoever committeth murder shall be obnoxious to the judges." But I say unto you, 'Whosoever is angry with his brother unjustly, shall be obnoxious to the judges; whoever shall call him fool, shall be obnoxious to the council; but shosoever shall call him miscreant, shall be obnoxious to hell-fire.'* [App. No. V.] Therefore, if thou bring they gift to the altar, and there recollect that thy brother hath ground to complain of thee; leave there thy gift before the altar: first go and procure reconciliation with thy brother; then come, and offer thy gift. Compound betimes with thy creditor, while ye are on the road together; lest the creditor consign thee to the judge; and the judge consign thee to the officer, and thou be thrown into prison. Verily I say unto thee; thou wilt not be released until thou hast discharged the last farthing.
Ye have heard that it was said, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." But I say unto you, 'Whosoever looketh on another man's wife, in order to cherish impure desire, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart." Therefore, if thy right eye insnare thee, pluck it out, and throw it away: it is better for thee to lose one of thy members, than that they whole body be cast into hell.
And if thy right hand insnare thee, cut it off, and throw it away: it is better for thee to lose one of thy members, than that thy whole body be cast into hell.
It hath been said, "Whosoever would dismiss his wife, let him give her a writ of divorce." But I say unto you, 'Whosoever shall dismiss his wife, except for whoredom, is the occasion of her becoming an adulteress; and whosoever marrieth her that is dismissed committeth adultery.'
Again, ye have heard that it was said to the ancients, "Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord." But I say unto you, 'Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne, nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; neither shalt thou swear by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king; nor by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.' But let your yes be yes, your no, no; for whatever exceedeth these, proceedeth from evil.
38. Ye have heard that it was said, "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." But I say unto you, Resist not the injurious. But if any one strike thee on the right cheek, turn to him also the left. Whoever will sue thee for thy coat, let him have thy mantle likewise. And if a man constrain thee to go one mile with him, go two. Give to him that asketh thee; and him that would borrow from thee, put not away.
Ye have hard that it was said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy." But I say unto you, Love your enemies; bless them who curse you; do good to them who ahte you; and pray for them who arraign and prosecute you; that ye may be children of your Father in heaven, who maketh his sun arise on bad and good, and sendeth rain on just and unjust. For if ye love them only who love you, what reward can ye expect? Do not even the publicans so? And if ye show courtesy to your friends only, wherein do ye excel? Do not even the pagans as much? Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
VI. Take heed that ye perform not your religious duties before men, in order to be observed by them; otherwise ye will obtain no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
When, therefore, thou givest alms, do not proclaim it by sound of trumpet, ad the hypocrites do, in the assemblies and in the streets; that they may be extolled by men. Verily, I say unto you they have received their reward. But thou, when thou givest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth; that thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father, to whom nothing is secret, will himself recompense thee.
And when thou prayeth, be not like the hypocrites, who affect to pray standing in the assemblines, and at the corners of the streets, that men may observe them. Verily I say unto you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou wouldst pray, retire to thy closet; and, having shut the door, pray to thy Father; and thy Father, to whom, though he is unseen himself, noting is secret, will recompense thee. And inprayer, talk not at random, as the pagans, who think that using many words will procure them acceptance. Imitate them not, for your Father knoweth what things ye want, before ye ask him. Thus, therefore, pray ye: "Our Father, who art in heaven, thy name be hallowed; thy reign come; thy will be done upon the earth, as it is in heaven; give us to-day our daily bread; forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and abandon us not to temptation, but preserve us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.'* [App. No. VI.] For, if ye forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not others their trespasss, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
16. Moreover, when ye fast, look not dismal, as the hypocrites, who disfigure their faces, that men may observe that they fast. Verily I say unto you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thy fasting may not apear to men, but to thy Father; and thy Father, to whom, though he is unseen himself, nothing is secret, will recompense thee.
Amass not for yourselves treasure upon the earth, where moths or rust may consume it, or thieves breaking in may steal it. But provide for yourselves treasure in heaven, where are neither moths nor rust to consume it, nor thieves to break in and steal it. For where your treasure is, your heart will also be. The lamp of the body is the eye. If, therefore, thine eye be sound, thy whole body will be enlightened: but if thine eye be distempered, thy whole body will be dark. And if even the light which is in thee be darkness; how great will the darkness be?
A man cannot serve two masters; for either he will hate one, and love the other; or at least will attend one and neglect the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.* [Riches.] Therefore I charge you; be not anxious about your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor about your body, what ye shall wear. Is not life a greater gift than food; and the body than raiment? Observe the fowls of heaven. They neither sow nor reap. They have no storehouse; but your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye much more valuable than they? Besides; which of you can by his anxiety prolong his life one hour? And why are ye anxious about raiment? Mark the lilies of the field. How do they grow? They toil not: they spin not. Yet I affirm that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not equally adorned with one of these. If then God so array the herbage, which to-day is in the field, and to-morrow will be cast into the oven; will he not much more array you, O ye distrustful! Therefore say not anxiously, (as the heathens do,) What shall we eat; or what shall we drink; or wherewith shall we be clothed? For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness required by him; and all these things shall be superadded to you. Be not then anxious about the morrow: the morrow will be anxious about itself. Sufficient for every day is its own trouble.
VII. Judge not, that ye be not judged; for as ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with the measure wherewith ye give, ye shall receive. And why observest thou the mote in thy brother's eye, but art insensible of the thorn in thine own eye? Or how darest thou say to thy brother, ;Let me take the mote out of thine eye;' thou who hast a thorn in thine own? Hypocrite, first take the thorn out of thine own eye; then thou wilt see to take the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Give not things holy to dogs, and cast not your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot, or turn upon you and tear you.
Ask, and ye shall obtain; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you. For shosoever asketh, obtaineth; whosoever seeketh, findeth; and to every one who knocketh, the door is opened. Who amongst you men would give his son a stone, when he asketh bread; or a serpent, when he asketh a fish? If ye then, though evil, can give good things to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?
Whatsoever ye would that others do to you, do ye also to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Enter through the strait gate; for wide is the gate of perdition-broad is the way leading thither; and many are they who enter by it. But how strait is the gate of life; how narrow the way leading thither; and how few are they who find it!
15. Beware of false teachers, who come to you in the garb of sheep, while inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits ye shall discover them. Are grapes gathered from thorns; or figs from thistles? Every good tree yieldeth good fruit; and every evil tree evil fruit. A good tree cannot yield evil fruit, nor an evil tree good fruit. Every tree which yieldeth not good fruit is felled, and turned into fuel. Wehrefore, by their fruits ye shall discover them.
Not every one who saith unto me, Master, master, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heave. Many will say to me on that day, 'Master, master, have we not taught in thy name, and in thy name expelled demons; and in thy name performed many miracles?' To whom I will declare, 'I never knew you. Depart from me ye who practise iniquity.'
Therefore, whosoever heareth these my precepts, and doth them, I will compare to a prudent man, who built his house upon the rock. For although the rain descended, and the rivers overflowed, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, it fell not, because it was founded upon the rock. But shosoever hareth these my precepts, and doth them not, shall be compared to a fool, who built his house upon the sand. For when the rain descended, and the rivers overflowed, and the winds blew, and dashed against that house, it fell, and great was its ruin.
When Jesus had ended this discourse, the people were astonished at his manner of teaching: for he taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
VIII. Being come down from the mountain, followed by a great multitude, a leper came, who prostrating himself before him, said, Sir, if thou wilt, thou canst cleanse me. Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, I will; be thou cleansed. Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, See thou tell nobody; but go, show thyself to the priest, and make the oblation prescribed by Moses, for notifying [the cure] to the people.
5. Having entered Capernaum, a centurion* [A Roman officer, who had the command of 100 soldiers.] accosted him with this request, Sir, my man-servant lieth sick at home, exceedingly afflicted with a palsy. Jesus answered, I will go and cure him. The centurion replying, said, Sir, I have not deserved that thou shouldst come under my roof; only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For even I, who am under command myself, having soldiers under me, say to one, 'Go,' and he goeth; to another, 'Come,' and he cometh; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he doth it. Jesus hearing this, was asontished, and said to those who followed, Verily, I say unto you, not even in Israel have I found so great faith. But I assure you, that many will come from the east and from the west, and will be placed at table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom shall be thrust out into darkness, where will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then Jesus said to the centurion, Go home; be it to thee according to thy faith. That instant his servant was cured.
Then Jesus having entered Peter's house, saw his wife's mother lying sick of a fever: and having touched her hand, the fever left her; whereupon she arose and entertained him.
In the evening, they presented to him many demoniacs; and he expelled the spirits with a word, and cured all the sick; thus verifying the saying of the Prophet Isaiah, "He hath himself carried off our infirmities and borne our distresses."
Jesus seeing himself crowded on all sides, gave orders to pass to the opposite shore. Meantime a scribe accosted him, saying, Rabbi, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. Jesus answered, The foxes have caverns, and the birds of the air have places of shelter, but the Son of Man hath not where to repose his head.
Another, one of his disciples, said to him, Msater, permit me to go first, and bury my father. Jesus answered, Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.
23. Then entering the bark, his disciples followed him. sooon after there arose in the sea so great a tempest, that the bark was covered with the billows. But he being asleep, his disciples came and waked him, saying, Save us, Master, we perish. He answered, Why are ye timorous, O ye distrustful? Then he arose, and having commanded the winds and the sea, a great calm ensued; insomuch, that every one exclaimed with admiration, What personage is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?
When he was come to the other side, into the country of the Gadarenes, there met him two demoniacs, issuing o9ut of the monuments, so furious, that nobody durst pass that way. These instandly cried, saying, What hast thou to do with us, Jesus, Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Now there was feeding at some distance a great herd of swine. And the fiends besought him, saying, If thou expel us, permit us to go into the herd of swine. He answered, Go. And when they were cast out, they went into the swine; on which the whole herd rushed down a precipice into the sea, and perished in the waters. Then the herdsmen fled into the city, and reported every thing, and what had happened to the demoniacs. Presently the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and having seen him, entreated him to depart out of their territory.
IX. Then having gone aboard the bark, he repassed, and went to his own city; where they brought to him a paralytic, laid upon a bed. Jesus perceiving their faith, said to the paralytic, Son, take courage, thy sins are forgiven thee. Whereupon some of the scribes said within themselves, 'This man blasphemeth.' But Jesus knowing their senitments, said, Why do ye harbour evil thoughts? which is easier; to say, 'Thy sins are forgiven;' or to say [with effect,] 'Arise and walk.' But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power upon the earth to forgive sins, Arise (said he then to the paralytic,) take up thy bed and go home. Accordingly he arose, and went home. And the people saw and wondered, glorifying God, who had given such power to men.
As Jesus departed thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the toll-office; to whom he said, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
Afterwards Jesus, being at table in a house, many publicans and sinners came, and placed themselves with him and his disciples. Some Pharisees observing this, said to his disciples, Why doth your teacher eat with publicans and sinners? Jesus hearing them, answered, The whole need not a physician, but the sick. Go, therefore, and learn what this meaneth, "I require humanity, and not sacrifice;" for I came to call, not the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
14. Then John's disciples accosting him, said, We and the Pharisees often fast: why do thy disciples never fast? Jesus answered, Do the bridemen mourn, while the bridgegroom is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from then, and then they will fast. Nobody mendeth an old garment with undressed cloth; else the patch itself teareth the garment, and maketh a greater rent. Neither do people put new wine into old leathern bottles; otherwise the bottles burst: and thus, both the wine is spilt, and the bottles are rendered useless. But they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
While he was speaking, a ruler came, and prostrating himself, said, My daughter is by this time dead; but come, and lay thy hand upon her, and she will revive. And Jesus arose, and, as he followed him, with his disciples, a woman who had been twelve years afflicted with a bloody issue, coming behind, touched the tuft of his mantle; for she said within herself, 'If I but touch his mantle, I shall recover. Jesus turning about, saw her, and said, Daughter, take courage, thy faith hath cured thee. And the woman was well from that instant.
Being come into the ruler's house, and seeing the players on the flute, with the crowd making a bustle, he said to them, Withdraw, for the damsel is not dead, but asleep. And they derided him: But when the people were put out, he entered, and having taken her by the hand, the damsel arose. Now the fame of this action spread through all that country.
When Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, Son of David, have pity upon us. Being come into the house, the blind men approached: and Jesus said to them, Do ye believe that I can do this? They answered, Yes, Master. Then he touched their eyes, saying, Be it unto you according to your faith. Immediately their eyes were opened. And Jesus strictly charging them, said, Take care that nobody know it. But being departed, they spread his fame through all that country.
32. They were scarcely gone, when a dumb demoniac was presented to him. The demon being expelled, the dumb spake, and the people wondered, saying, Nothing like this was ever seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He expelleth the demons by the prince of the demons.
Then Jesus went through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the glad tidings of the reign, and curing every disease and every malady among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he had compassion upon them, because they were scattered and exposed, like a flock without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the reapers are few: entreat, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he would send labourers to reap it.
X. And having called to him his twelve disciples, he gave them power to expel unclean spirits, and to cure diseases and maladies of every kind. Now these are the names of the twelve apostles.* [Missionaries.] The first, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the Publican; James, son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, surnamed Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, he who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus commissioned, instructing them, and saying,
Go not away to the Gentiles, nor enter a Samaritan city; but go directly to the lost sheep of the stock of Israel. And as ye go, proclaim, saying, 'The reign of heven approacheth.' Heal the sick; cleanse lepers, expel demons; freely ye have received, freely give. Put not gold, or silver, or brass in your girdles; carry no scrip, no spare coats, shoes, or staves; for the workman is worthy of his maintenance.
And whatever city or village ye enter, inquire what person of worth dwelleth there; and a bide with him until ye leave the place. When ye enter the house, salute the family. If the family be worthy, the peace ye wish them, shall come upon them: if they be not worthy, it shall rebound upon yourselves. Wheresoever they will not receive you, nor regard your words, in departing that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Verily I say unto you, the condition of Sodom and Gomorrha shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment, than the condition of that city.
18. Behold! I send you forth as sheep amidst wolves. Be therefore, prudent as the serpents, and harmless as the doves. But be upon your guard with men; for they will deliver you to councils, and scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shal be brought before governors and kings, on my account, to bear testimony to them, and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how, or what ye shall speak; for what ye should speak shall be suggested to you in that moment. For it shall not be ye that shall speak; but the Spirit of my Father who will speak by you. Then the brother will consign the brother to death; and the father the child; and children will arise against their parents, and procure their death. And for my name ye shall be hated universally. But the man who persevereth to the end, shall be saved.
Therefore, when they persecute you in one city, flee to another; for verily I say unto you, ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel, ere the Son of man be come. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be as his teacher, and for the servant to be as his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call his domestics?
Therefore, fear them not; for there is nothing hidden that shall not be detected; nothing secret that shall not be known. What I tell you in the dark, publish in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the house-tops. And fear not them who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; fear rather him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?* [Assarian, value 1 1/4 cent.] Yet neither of them falleth to the ground without the will of your Father. Nay, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not then, ye are much more valuable than sparrows. Whosoever, therefore, shall acknowledge me before men, him will I also acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall disown me before men, him will I also disown before my Father who is in heaven.
34. Think no that I am come to bring peace to the earth. I came, not to bring peace, but a sword. For I am come to make dissention betwixt father and son, betwixt mother and daughter, betwixt mother-in-law and daughter-in-law; so that a man's enemies will be found in his own family. He who loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me. He who loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. He who will not take his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me. He who perserveth his life, shall lose it: but he who loseth his life, on my account, shall preserve it.
He that receiveth you, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him who sent me. He that receiveth a prophet, because he is a prophet, shall obtain a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man, because he is a righteous man, shall obtain a righteous man's reward: and whosoever shall give any of these little ones, because he is my disciple, were it but a cup of cold water, to drink; verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
XI. When Jesus had made an end of instructing his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and give warning in the cities.
2. Now John having heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, sent two of his disciples, who asked him, Art thou he that cometh, or must we expect another? Jesus answering, said unto them, Go and relate to John what ye have heard and seen. The blind are made to see, the lame to walk, the deaf to hear; lepers are cleansed; the dead are raised, and good nes is brought to the poor: and happy is he to whom I shall not prove a stumbling block.
7. When they were departed, Jesus said to the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? But what went ye to see? A man effeminately dressed? It is kings' palaces [not deserts] that such frequent. What then went ye to see? A prophet? Yea, I tell you, and something superior to a prophet: For this is he concerning whom it is written, "Behold I send my messenger before thee, who shall prepare thy way." Verily I say unto you, among those that are born of women, there hath not arisen a greater than John the Immerser. Yet the least in the reign of heaven shall be greater than he. From the first appearing of John the Immerser until now, the kingdom of heaven is invaded, and invaders take possession by force.* [App. No. VII.] For till John appeared, all the prophets and the law were your instructers: and if ye will bear to be told it, this is the Elijah that was to come. Whoever hath ears to hear, let him hear.
But to what shal I liken this generation? It is like boys in the market-place, to whom their play-fellows complain, saying, 'We have played to you upon the pipe, but ye have not danced; we have sung mournful songs to you, but ye have not lamented.' For John came astaining from meat and drink, and they say, 'He hath a demon; the Son of Man came using meat and drink, and they say, 'He is a lover of banquets and wine, a companion of publicans and sinners.' But wisdom is justified by her children.
Then he began to reproach the cities wherein most of his miracles had been performed, because they repented not. Wo unto thee, Chorazin, wo unto thee Bethsaida; for if the miracles which have been performed in you, had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they had repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Know, therefore, that the condition of Tyre and Sidon, on the day of judgment, shall be more tolerable than yours. And thou Capernaum, which hast been exalted to heaven, shalt be brought down to hades; for if the miracles which have been performed in thee, had been performed in Sodom, it had remained until now. Kow, therefore, that the condition of Sodom, on the day of judgment, shall be more tolerable than thine.
On that occasion Jesus said, I adore thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth; because having hidden these things from sages and the learned, thou hast revealed them to babes: Yes, Father, because such is thy pleasure.
25. My Father hath imparted every thing to me; and none knoweth the Son, except the Father; neither knoweth any one the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. come unto me all ye who toil and are burdened; and I will relieve you. Take my yoke upon you, and be taught by me, for I am meek and condescending: and your souls shall find relief. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
XII. at that time, as Jesus was walking through the corn on the Sabbath,* [With us Saturday, or rather from Friday at sun-set, to Saturday at sun-set, for so the Jews reckoned.] his disciples, being hungry, began to pluck the ears of corn, and eat them. The Pharisees observing this, said to him, Lo! thy disciples are doing what it is not lawful to do on the Sabbath. He answered, have ye not read what David did, and his attendants, when they were hungry; how he entered the tabernacle of God, and ate the loaves of the presence, which it was not lawful for him, or his attendants, to eat, but solely for the priests? Or have ye not learnt from the law that the priests in the temple violate the rest to be observed on Sabbaths, and are nevertheless blameless? Now I affirm that something greater than the temple is here. But had ye known what this meaneth, "I require humanity and not sacrifice," ye would not have condemned the guiltless: For the Son of Man is master of the Sabbath.
Leaving that place, he went into their synagogue, and found a man there whose hand was blasted. They asked Jesus with a design to accuse him, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath. He answered, What man is there amongst you, who having one sheep, if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold on it, and lift it out? And doth not a man greatly excel a sheep? it is lawful, therefore, to do good on the Sabbath. Then he said to the man, Stretch out thy hand. And as he stretched it out, it became sound like the other. But the Pharisees went out and concerted against Jesus to destroy him.
Jesus knowing this, departed, and being followed by a vast multitude, healed all their sick, enjoining them not to discover him. Thus the word of the prophet Isaiah was verified, "Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul delighteth; I will cause my Spirit to abide upon him, and he shall give laws to the nations; he will not contend, nor clamour,nor make his voice be hard in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break; and a dimly burning taper he will not quench, till he render his laws victorious. Nations also shall trust in his name."* [App. No. VIII.]
22. Then was brought to him a demoniac dumb and blind; and he cured him, insomuch that he both spake and saw. And all the people said with amazement, Is this the son of David? But the Pharisees hearing them said, This man expelleth demons only by Beelzebub, prince of the demons. But Jesus, knowing their surmises, said to them, By civil dissentions any kingdom may be desolated; and no city or family, where sucn dissentions are, can subsist. Now if Satan expel Satan, his kingdom is torn by civil dissentions; how can it then subsist? Besides, if I expel demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons expel them? Wherefore they shall be your judges. But, if I expel demons by the Spirit of God, the reign of God hath overtaken you. For how can one enter the strong one's house, and plunder his goods, unless he first overpower the strong one? Then indeed he may plunder his house. He who is not for me, is against me: and he who gathereth not with me, scattereth.
Wherefore I say unto you, though every other sin and detraction in men is pardonable, their detraction from the Spirit is unpardonable: for whosoever shall inveigh against the Son of Man may obtain pardon; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, shall never be pardoned, either in the present state, or in the future.* [No. IX.] Either call the tree good, and its fruit good: or call the tree bad, and its fruit bad: for we distinguish the tree by the fruit. Offspring of vipers, how can ye that are evil speak good things, since it is out of the fulness of the heart that the mouth speaketh? The good man out of his good treasure produceth good things; the bad man out of his bad treasure produceth bad things. Be assured, however, that of every pernicious word which men shall utter, they shall give an account on the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be acquitted; and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
38. Then some of the Scribes and Pharisees interposed, saying, Rabbi, we desire to see a sign from thee. He answering, said unto them, An evil and adulterous race demandeth a sign; but no sign shall be given them, save the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the stomach of the great fish, the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the bosom of the earth. The Ninevites will stand up in the judgment against this race, and cause it to be condemned, because they repented when they were warned by Jonaha; and behold here something greater than Jonah. The queen of the south country* [In the Old Testament, Sheba.] will arise in the judgment against this race, and cause it to be condemned; because she came from the extremities of the earth to hear the wise discourses of Solomon; and behold here something greater than Solomon.
An unclean spirit, when he is gone out of a man, wandereth over parched eeserts in search of a resting place. and not finding any, he saith, 'I will return to my house whence I came;' and being come, he findeth it empty, swept, and furnished. Whereupon he goeth, and bringeth with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and having entered, they dwell there; and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first: thus will it also fare with this evil race.
While he discoursed to the people, his mother and brothers were without, desiring to speak with him. And one said to him, Thy mother and thy brothers are without, desiring to speak with thee. He answering, said to him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brothers? Then stretching out his hand towards his disciples, he said, Behold my mother and my brothers. For whosoever doth the will of my Father who is in heave, is my brother, and sister, and mother.
XIII. The same day, Jesus having gone out of the house, sat by the sea-side; but so great a multitude flocked about him, that he went into a bark, and sat down there, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he discoursed to them of many things in parables.
4. The sower, said he, went out to sow; and in sowing, some seed fell by the way side, and the birds came and picked them up: some fell on rocky ground, whre they had little earth: these sprang up the sooner, because the soil had no depth; but after the sun had beaten upon them they were scorched, and, having no root, withered away. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell into good ground, and yielded increase, some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty fold. Whoever hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Then the disciples accosted him, saying, Why speakest thou to them in parables? He answering, said unto them, Because it is your privilege, and not theirs, to know the secrets of the reign of heaven. For to him that hath, more shall be given, and he shall abound; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken. For this reason I speak to them in parables; because they seeing, see not; and hearing, hear not, nor regrd; insomuch that this prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in them, "Ye may indeed listen, but will not understand; ye may look, but will not perceive. For this people's understanding is stupified, their ears are deafened,a ndtheir eyes they have closed; lest seeing with their eyes, hearing with their ears, and apprehending with their understanding; they should repent, and I should reclaim them." But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For verily I say unto you, tht many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which yed see, but have not seen them; and to hear the things which ye hear, but have not heard them.
Understand ye, therefore, the parable of the sower. When one heareth the doctrine of the reign, but mindeth it not, the evil one cometh, and snatcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This explaineth what fell by the way-side. That which fell on rocky ground, denoteth him who, hearing the word, receiveth it at first with pleaseure; yet not having it rooted in his mind, retaineth it but a while; for when trouble or persecution cometh because of the word, instantly he relapseth. That which fell among thorns, denoteth that hearer in whom worldly cares, and deceitful riches, stifle the word, and render it unfruitful. But that which fell into good soil, and bore fruit, some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty fold, denoteth him who not only heareth and mindeth, but obeyeth the word.
24. Another parable he proposed to them, saying, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a field in which the propietor had sown good grain: but while people were asleep, his enemy came, and sowed darnel among the wheat, and went off. When the blade was up, and putting forth the ear, then appeared also the darnel. And the servants came and said to their master, 'Sir, thouh sowedst good grain in thy field; whence, then, hath it darnel?' He answered, 'An enemy hath done this.' They said, j'Wilt thou, then, that we weed them out?' He replied, 'No; lest in weeding out the darnel, ye tear up also the wheat. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest, I will say to the reapers, First gather the darnel, and make them into bundles for burning; then carry the wheat into my barn.'
Another similitude he proposed to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man set in his field; for though it is the smallest of all seeds, it is, when grown, larger than any herb, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air take shelter in its branches.
Another similitude he gave them: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman mingled in three measures of meal until the whole was leavened.
All these similitudes Jesus spoke to the people; for he taught them only by similitudes; herein verifying the word of the prophet, "I willdiscourse in parables; I will utter things whereof all antiquity hath been silent."
Thenn Jesus, leaving the multitude, retired to the house, where his disciples accosted him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the darnel in the field. Jesus answering, said unto them, He who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world: the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; and the darnel are the sons of the evil one; the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the conclusion of this state; andt he reapers are the messengers. As, therefore, the darnel is gathered and burnt, so shall it be at the conclusion of this state. The son of man will send his messengers, who shall gather out of his kingdom all seducers and iniquitous pesons, and throw them into the burning furnace: weeping and gnashing of teeth shall be there. Then shall the righteous shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever hath ears to hear, let him hear.
44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hid in a field, which, when a man hath discovered, he concealeth the discovery, and for joy thereof, selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl extremely precious, which a merchant, who was in quest of fine pearls, having met with, sold all that he had and purchased it.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a sweep-net cast into the sea, which encloseth fishes of every kind. When it is full, they draw it ashore, and gather the good into vessels, but throw the useless away. So shall it be at the conclusion of this stte. The messengers will come and sever the wicked from among the righteous, and throw them into the burning furnace. Weeping and gnashing of teeth shall be there.
Jesus said, Do ye understand all these things? They answered, yes, Master. He added, Every scribe, therefore, instructed for the reign of heaven, is like a householder who bringeth out of his store-house new things and old. And after he had finished these similitudes, he departed thence.
54. Jesus being come into his own country, taught the inhabitants in their synagogue: and they said with astonishment, Whence hath this man this wisdom and this poer of working miracles? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And do not his brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon , and Judas, and all his sisters, live amongst us? Whence then hath HE all these things? Thus they were scandalized at him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is no where disregarded, except in his own country, and in his own family. And he did not many miracles there, because of their unbelief.
XIV. At that time Herod the tetrarch,* [That is, governor of a fourth part.] hearing of the fame of Jesus, said to his servants, This is John the Immerser; he is raised from the dead; and therefore miracles are performed by him.
For Herod had caused John to be apprehended, imprisoned,a nd bound, on account of Herodias his brother Philip's wife; for John had said to him, It is not lawful to thee to have her. And Herod would have put him to death, but was afraid of the populace, who accounted him a prophet. But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and pleased Herod so highly, that he swore he would grant her whatever she should ask. She being instigated by her mother, said, Give me here in a basin the head of John the Immerser. And the ing was sorry; nevertheless, from a regard to his oath and his guests, he commanded that it should be given her. Accordingly John was beheaded in the prison by his order. And his head was brought in a basin and presented to the damsel; and she carried it to her mother. After which his disciples went and fetched the body, and having buried it, came and told Jesus.
13. When Jesus heard this, he embarked privately, and retired into a desert place; whereof the people being informed, followed him by land out of the cities. Observing, as he landed, a great multitude, he had compassion upon them, and healed their sick.
Towards the evening his disciples accosted him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; dismiss the multitude, that they may go to the villages, and buy themselves victuals. Jesus answered, They need not go. Supply them yourselves. They said to hm, We have here but five loaves and two fishes. He replied, Bring them hither to me. Then having commanded the people to lie down upon the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking towards heaven, he blessed them; then breaking the loaves, he gave them to the disciples, and they distributed them among the people. When all had partaken, and were satisfied, they carried off twelve baskts full of the fragments that remained. Now they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
22. Immediately Jesus obliged his disciples to emark and pass over before him, while he dismissed the multitude. Having dismissed the multitude, he retired by himself to a mountain to pray, and remained there alone till it was late. By that time the bark was half way over, tossed by the wavs, for the wind was contrary. In the fourth watch of the night *[Between three and six in the morning.] Jesus went to them, walking upon the sea. When the disciples saw him walking upon the sea, being terrified, they exclaimed, An apparition! and cried ou;t for fear. Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, Take courage; it is I, be not afraid. Peter answering, said to him, If it be thou, Master, bid me come to thee upon the water. Jesus said, Come. Then peter getting out of the bark, walked upon the water towards Jesus. But finding the wind boisterous, he was frightened; and beginning to sink, cried, Master, save me. Jesus instantly stretching out his hand, caught him, and said to him, Distrustful man, wherefore didst thou doubt? When they had gone aboard, the wind ceased. Then those in the bark came, and prostrated themselves before him, saying, Thou art assuredly a Son of God.
Having passed over, they landed on the territory of Gennesaret;* [In the Old Testament, Chinnereth.] the inhabitants whereof knowing him, sent through all that country, and brought to him all the diseased, who besought him to let them touch but a tuft of his mantle; and as many as touched, were cured.
XV. Then some Scribes and Pharisees of Jerusalem addressed him, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands before meals. Jesus answering, said unto them, Why do ye yourselves, by your tradition, transgress the commandment of God. For God hath commanded, saying, "Honour thy father and mother;" and, "Whosoever revileth father or mother shall be punished with death." But ye affirm, If a man say to father or mother, 'I devote whatever of mine shall profit thee,' he shall not afterwards honour, by his assistance, his father or his mother. Thus, by your tradition, ye annul the commandment of God. Hypocrites, well do ye suit the character which Isaiah gave of you, saying, "This people address me with their mouth, and honour me wiuth their lips, though their heart is estranged from me. But in vain they worship me, while they teach traditions merely human."
Then having called the multitude, he said to them, Hear, and be instructed. It is not what goeth into the mouth which polluteth the man; but it is what proceedeth out of the mouth which polluteth the man. Thereupon his disciples accosting him, said, Didst thou observe how the Pharisees, when they heard that saying, were scandalized? He answered, Every plant which my hevenly Father hath not planted, shall be extirpated. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch. Then peter addressing him, said, Explain to us that saying. Jesus answered, Are ye also still void of understanding? Do ye not yet apprehend, that whatever entereth the mouth, passeth into the belly, and is thrown out into the sink. But that which proceedeth out of the mouth, issueth from the heart, and so polluteth the man. For out of the heart proceed malicious contrivances, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, calumnies. These are the things which pollute the man; but to eat with unwashen hands polluteth not the man.
21. Then Jesus withdrew into the confines of Tyre and Sidon; and behold! a Canaanitish woman of these territories came to him, crying, Master, Son of David, have pity upon me; my daughter is grievously afflicted by a demon. Buthe gave her no answer. Then his disciles interposed, and entreated him, saying, Dismiss her, for she clamoureth after us. He answering, said, Mymission is only to the lost sheep of the stock of Israel. She, nevertheless, advanced, and prostrating herself before him, said, O Master, help me! He replied, It is not seemly to take the children's bread, and throw it to the dogs. True, Sir, returned she, yet even the dogs are allowed the crumbs which fall from their master's table. Then Jesus, answering, said to her, O woman! great is thy faith. Be it unto thee as thou desirest. And that instant her daughter was healed.
Jesus having left that place, came nigh the sea of Galilee, and repaired to a mountain, where he sat down: and great multitudes flocked to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the dumb, the cripple, and several others [in distress,] whom they laid at his feet; and he healed them: insomuch, that the people beheld, with admiration, the dumb speaking, the cripple sound, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.
32. Then Jesus called to him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now attended me three days, and have nothing to eat: I will not dismiss them fasting, lest their strength fail by the way. His disciples answered, Whence can we get brad enough in this solitude to satisfy such a crowd? He asked them, How many loaves have ye? They said, Seven, and a few small fishes. Then commanding the people to lie down upon the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fishes, which, having given thanks, he divided, and gave to his disciples, who distributed them among the people. When all had partaken, and were satisifed, they carried off seven maunds full of the fragments that remained. Now they that had eaten were four thousand men, besdie women and children.
Then having dismissed the multitude, he embarked, and sailed to the coast of Magdala.
XVI. Thither some Pharisees and Sadducees repaired, who, to try him, desired that he would shew them a sign in the sky. He answering, said to them, In the evening ye say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red;' and in the morning, 'There will be a storm to-day, for the sky is red and lowering.' Ye can judge aright of the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous race demandeth a sign, but no sign shall be given them, save the sign of the prophet Jonah. Then leaving them, he departed.
Now his disciples, before they came over, had forgotten to bring loaves with them. Jesus said to them, Take heed, and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Whereupon they said, reasoning among themselves, This is because we have brought no loaves with us. Jesus perceiving it, said to them, What do ye reason amongst yourselves, O ye distrustful? That I speak thus, because ye have brought no loaves. Have ye no reflection? Or do ye not remember the five loaves among the five thousand, and how many baskets ye filled with the fragments; nor the seven loaves among the four thousand, and how many maunds ye filled? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake not concerning bread, when I bade you beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then they understood that he cautioned them not against the leaven which the Pharisees and Sadducees used in bread, but against their doctrines.
13. As Jesus was going to the district of Cesarea Philippa, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of Man is? They answered, Some say, 'John the Immerser;' others, 'Elijah;' others, 'Jeremiah, or one of the Prophets.' But who, returned he, say ye that I am? Simon Peter answering, said, Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus replying, said to him, Happy art thou, Simon Barjona;* [Syriac, Son of Jonas.] for flesh and blood hath not revealed this to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. I tell thee likewise, Thou art named Rock;* [So Peter in Greek, and Cephas in Syriac, signify.] and on this rock I will build my congregation,* [App. No. X.] over which the gates of hades shall not prevail. Moreover, I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever thou shalt bind upon the earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatever thou shalt loose upon the earth, shall be loosed in heaven. Then he forbade his disciples to tell any man that he is the Messiah.
From that time Jesus began to discover to his disciples, that he must go to Jerusalem, and there suffer much from the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and that he must be raised the third day. On which Peter taking him aside, reproved him, saying God forbid, Master; this shall not befal thee. But he turning said to Peter, Get thee hence, adversary, thou art an obstacle in my way; for thou relishest not the things of God, but the things of men.
Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come under my guidance, let him renounce himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For, whosoever would save his life, shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake, shall find it. What is a man profited, if he should gain the whole world, with the forfeit of his life? or what will a man not give in ransom for his life? For the Son of Man, vested with his Father's glory, shall come hereafter with his messengers, and recompense every one according to his actions. Verily I say unto you, Some of those who are present, shall not taste death, until they see the Son of Man enter upon his Reign.
XVII. After six days Jesus took Peter, and James, and John brother of James, apart to the top of a high mountain, and was transfigured in their presence. His face shone as the sun; and his rament became white as the light. And presently appeared to them Moses and Elijah conversing with him. Peter upon this addressing Jesus, said, Master, it is good for us to stay here; let us make here, if thou wilt, three booths, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was speaking, behold! a bright cloud covered them, and out of the cloud came a voice, which said, This is my beloved Son in whom I delight. Hear him. The disciples hearing this, fell upon their faces, and were greatly frightened. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, Arise; be not afraid. Then lifting up their eyes, they saw none but Jesus.
9. As they went down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell nobody what ye have seen, until the Son of Man be risen from the dead. Then the disciples asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elijah must come first? Jesus answering, said unto them, To consummate the whole, Elijah indeed must come first. But I tell you, Elijah is come already, though they did not acknowledge him, but have treated him as they pleased. Thus they will treat the Son of Man also. Then the disciples understood that he spake concerning John the Immerser.
When they were come to the multitude, a man came to him, who kneeling, said, Sir, have pity on my son; for he is grievously distressed with lunacy; often he falleth into the fire, and often into the water, and I presented him to thy disciples; but they could not cure him. Jesus answering, said, O unbelieving and perverse race! How long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me. Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and he came out: and the lad was instantly cured.
Hereupon the disciples came to him privately, saying, Why could not we expel this demon? Jesus answered, Because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, if ye had faith, though but as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say to this mountain, Remove to yonder place, and it would remove: yea, nothing would be impossible to you. This kind, however, is not dispossessed, unless by prayer and fasting.
22. While they remained in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of Man is to be delivered up to men who will kill him: but the third day he shall be raised again. And they were grieved exceedingly.
24.--When they were come to Capernaum, the collectors came and asked Peter, Doth not your teacher pay the didrachma?* [A tribute of about 25 cents.] He said, Yes. Being come into the house, before he spoke, Jesus said to him, What is thy opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth exact tribute or custom? From their own sons, or from others? Peter answered, From others. Jesus replied, The sons then are exempted. Nevertheless, lest we should give them offence, go to the sea and throw a line, draw out the first fish that is hooked, and, having opened its mouth, thou shalt find a stater,* [Value, 50 cents.] take that and give it them for me and thee.
XVIII. At that time the disciples came to Jesus inquiring, Who shall be the greatest in the Reign of Heaven? Jesus calling to him a child, placed him in the midst of them, and said, Verily, I say unto you, unless ye be changed, and become as children, ye shall never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall become humble like this child, shall be the greatest in the reign of heaven. Nay, whosoever receives one such child, in my name, receiveth me: but whosoever shall insnare any of these little ones who believe in me, it were better for him that an upper millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were sunk in the ocean.
Wo unto the world because of snares: snares indeed there must be; nevertheless wo to the insnarer! Wherefore, if thy hand or thy foot insnare thee, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for thee to enter lame or maimed into life, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if thine eye insnare thee, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better for thee to enter one-eyed into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire. Beware of contemning any of these little ones; for I assure you that in heaven their messengers continually behold the face of my heavenly Father: and the Son of Man is come to recover the lost. What think ye? If a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them have strayed, will he not leave the ninety-nine upon the mountains, and go in quest of the stray? And if he happen to find it, verily I say unto you, he deriveth greater joy from it than from the ninety-nine which went not astray. Thus it is not the will of your Father in heaven, that any of these little ones should be lost.
15. Wherefore, if thy brother trespass against thee, go and expostulate with him, when thou and he are alone together. If he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother; but if he will not hear, take one or two along with thee, that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every thing may be ascertained. If he despise them, acquaint the congregation with it; and, if he despise the congregation also, let him be to thee as a pagan or a publican. Verily I say to you, whatsoever ye shall bind upon the earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Again, I say unto you, whatever two of you upon the earth shall agree to ask, shall be granted them by my Father who is in heaven. For wheresoever two or three are assembled in my name, I am in the midst of them.
Then Peter approaching, said to him, Master, if my brother repeatedly trespass against me, how often must I forgive him? must I seven times? Jesus answered, I say unto thee, Not seven times, but seventy times seven times.
In this the Administration of Heaven resembleth that of a king, who determined to settle accounts with his servants. Having begun to reckon, one was brought who owed him ten thousand talents.* [About 12 million of dollars.] But that servant not having wherewith to pay; his master, to obtain payment, commanded that he and his wife and children, and all that he had, should be sold. Then the servant throwing himself prostrate before his master, cried, 'Have patience with me, my lord, and I will pay the whole.' And his master had compassion upon him, and dismissed him, remitting the debt. But this servant, as he went out, meeting one of his fellow-servants who owed him a hundred denarii,* [About 15 dollars.] seized him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what thou owest.' His fellow-servant threw himself at his feet, and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee.' And he would not, but instantly caused him to be imprisoned, until he should discharge the debt. His fellow-servants seeing this, were deeply affected, and went, and informed their master of all that had passed. Then his master, having given orders to call him, said to him, 'Thou wicked servant: all that debt I forgave thee, because thou besoughtest me. Oughtest not thou to have shown such pity to thy fellow-servant, as I showed to thee? So his master, being provoked, delivered him to the jailors, to remain in their hands, until he should clear the debt. Thus will my celestial Father treat every one of you who forgiveth not from his heart the faults of his brother.
XIX. When Jesus had ended this discourse, he left Galilee, and came into the confines of Judea upon the Jordan, whither great multitudes followed him, and he healed their sick.
3. Then some Pharisees came to him, and trying him, asked, Can a man lawfully, upon every pretence, divorce his wife? He answered, Have ye not read, that at the beginning, when the Creator made man, he formed a male and a female, and said, "For this cause a man shall leave father and mother, and adhere to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." Wherefore they are no longer two, but one flesh. What then God hath conjoined, let not man separate. They replied, Why then did Moses command to give a writing of divorcement, and dismiss her? He answered, Moses indeed, because of your untractable disposition, permitted you to divorce your wives, but it was not so from the beginning. Therefore I say to you, Whoever divorceth his wife, except for whoredom, and marrieth another, commiteth adultery: and whoever marrieth the woman divorced, commiteth adultery. His disciples said to him, If such be the condition of the husband, it is better to live unmarried. He answered, They alone are capable of living thus, on whom the power is conferred. For some are eunuchs from their birth; others have been made eunuchs by men; and others, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, have made themselves eunuchs. Let him act this part who can act it.
13. Then children were presented to him, that he might lay his hands upon them, and pray [for them;] but the disciples reproved [those who brought] them. Jesus said, Let the children alone, and hinder them not from coming unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And having laid his hands on them, he departed thence.
Afterwards, one approaching, said to him, Good Teacher, what good must I do to obtain eternal life? He answered, Why callest thou me good? God alone is good. If thou wouldst enter into that life, keep the commandments. He said unto him, Which? Jesus answered, "Thou shalt not commit murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not give false testimony. Honour thy father and mother; and love thy neighbor as yourself." The young man replied, All these I have observed from my childhood. Wherein am I still deficient? Jesus answered, If thou wouldst be perfect, go sell thy estate, and give the price to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me. The young man hearing this, went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Whereupon Jesus said to his disciples, Verily I say unto you, it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven: I say further, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. His disciples, who heard this with amazement, said, Who then can be saved? Jesus, looking at them, answered, With men this is impossible, but with God every thing is possible.
27. Then Peter replying, said, As for us, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what then shall be our reward? Jesus answered, Verily I say unto you, that at the renovation, when the Son of Man shall be seated on his glorious throne, ye my followers, sitting also upon twelve thrones, shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And whosoever shall have forsaken, on my account, houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, shall receive a hundred fold, and inherit eternal life.
30. But many shall be first that are last, and last that are first. For the administration of heaven will resemble the conduct of a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. Having agreed with some for a denarius* [About 12 1/2 cents.] for a-day, he sent them into his vineyard. About the third hour* [Nine o'clock, morning.] he went out, and seeing others unemployed in the market place, said to them, Go ye likewise into my vineyard, and I will give you what is reasonable. Accordingly they went. Again, about the sixth hour,* [Noon.] and about the ninth,* [Three o'clock, afternoon.] he went out and did the same. Lastly, about the eleventh hour* [Five o'clock, afternoon.], he went out, and finding others unemployed, said to them, 'Why stand ye all the day here doing nothing?' They answered, 'Because nobody hath hired us.' He said to them, 'Go ye also into my vineyard, and ye shall receive what is reasonable.' When it was night, the proprietor of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the labourers, and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, and ending with the first.' Then they who had been hired at the eleventh hour came, and received each a denarius. When the first came, they imagined they should get more; but they got only a denarius a-piece. Upon receiving it, they murmured against the householder, saying, 'These last have worked but one hour; yet thou hast made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' He answering said to one of them, 'Friend, I do thee no injury. Didst not thou agree with me for a denarius? Take what is thine, and depart. It is my will to give to this last as much as to thee. And may not I do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?' Thus the last shall be first, and the first last; for there are many called, but few chosen.
XX.--17. When Jesus was on the road to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and said to them, We are now going to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man shall be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, who will condemn him to die, and consign him to the Gentiles to be mocked, and scourged, and crucified: but the third day he shall rise again.
20. Then the mother of Zebedee's children came to him with her sons, and, prostrating herself, entreated he would grant the request she had to make. He said to her, What wouldst thou? She answered, That, in thy reign, one of these my two sons may sit at thy right hand, the other at thy left. Jesus replying, said, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink such a cup as I must drink; or undergo an immersion like that which I must undergo? They said unto him, We can. He answered, Ye shall indeed drink such a cup, and undergo an immersion like that which I must undergo. But to sit at my right hand and at my left I cannot give, unless to those for whom it is prepared by my Father.
The ten hearing this were full of indignation against the two brothers; but Jesus calling them to him, said, Ye know that the princes of the nations domineer over them, and the great exercise their authority upon them. It must not be so amongst you: on the contrary, whosoever would become great amongst you, let him be your servant; and whosoever would be chief amongst you, let him be your slave: even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
As they left Jericho, followed by a great multitude, two blind men, who sat by the way-side, hearing that Jesus passed by, cried, saying, Master, Son of David, have pity upon us. The multitude charged them to be silent: but they cried the louder, saying, Master, Son of David, have pity upon us. Then Jesus stopping called them, and said, What do ye want me to do for you? They answered, Sir, to make us see. Jesus had compassion, and touched their eyes. Immediately they received sight, and followed him.
XXI. When they were nigh Jerusalem, being come to Bethphage, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying, Go to the village opposite to you, where ye will find an ass tied, and her colt with her; loose them, and bring them hither. If any man say ought unto you, say, 'Thy Master wanteth them,' and he will send them directly. Now all this was done that the words of the Prophet might be fulfilled, "Say to the daughter of Sion, Behold thy King cometh to thee lowly, riding on an ass, even the colt of a labouring beast." Accordingly the disciples went, and having done as Jesus had commanded them, brought the ass and the colt, and covering them with their mantles, made him ride. Now the greater part spread their mantles in the way; others lopped branches off the trees, and strowed them in the way, while the crowd that went before and that followed, shouted, saying, Hosanna* [Save now I pray.] to the Son of David; blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord.* [In Hebrew, Jehovah.] Hosanna in the highest heaven. When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, every body asking, Who is this? The crowd answered, It is Jesus the Prophet of Nazareth in Galilee.
12. Then Jesus went into the temple of God, and drove thence all who sold and who bought in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money-changers, and the stalls of those who sold doves, and said to them, It is written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer, and ye have made it a den of robbers." Then the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But the chief priests and the scribes, seeing the wonders which he performed, and the boys crying in the temple, Hosanna to the Son of David, said to him with indignation, Hearest thou what these say? Jesus answered, Yes. Have ye never read, "From the mouth of infants and sucklings thou hast procured praise." Thereupon leaving them he went out of the city to Bethany, where he remained that night.
Returning to the city in the morning he was hungry, and seeing a single fig-tree by the road, he went to it; but finding only leaves on it, said, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward. And the fig-tree withered forthwith. When the disciples saw it, they said with astonishment, How soon is the fig-tree withered! Jesus answered, Verily I say unto you, if ye have an unshaken faith, ye may not only do as much as is done to the fig- tree, but even if ye should say to this mountain, 'Be lifted and thrown into the sea,' it shall be done. Moreover ye shall obtain whatsoever ye shall with faith pray for.
23. Being come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came near, as he was teaching, and said, By what authority dost thou these things? and who empowered thee? Jesus answering, said to them, I also have a question to propose, which if ye answer me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Whence had John authority to immerse? From heaven; or from men? Then they reasoned thus within themselves. 'If we say, From Heaven, he will retort, Why then did ye not believe him? And if we say, From men, we dread the multitude, amongst whom John is universally accounted a prophet.' They therefore answered him, We cannot tell. Jesus replied, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
But what think ye of this? A man had two sons, and addressing his elder son, said, 'Son, go work to-day in my vineyard.' He answered, 'I will not,' but afterwards repented and went. Then addressing the younger, he bade him likewise. He answered, 'Immediately, Sir,' but went not. Now, which of the two obeyed his father? They said, The first. Jesus replied, Verily I say unto you, even the publicans and the harlots show you the way into the kingdom of God. For John came to you in the way of sanctity, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him; yet ye who saw this, did not afterwards repent and believe him.
Hear another parable: A certain landlord planted a vineyard, and hedged it round, and digged a wine-press in it, and built a tower; and having farmed it out, went abroad. When the vintage approached, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive the fruits. But they seized his servants, beat one, drove away with stones another, and killed another. Again, he sent other servants more respectable; but they received the same treatment. Finally, he sent his son to them; for he said, 'They will reverence my son.' But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir, come, let us kill him, and keep possession of his inheritance.' Then they seized him, thrust him out of the vineyard, and killed him. When, therefore, the proprietor of the vineyard cometh, what will he do to those husbandmen? They answered, He will put those wretches to a wretched death, and will let the vineyard to others, who will render him the fruits in the season.
42. Jesus replied, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, "A stone which the builders rejected, is made the head of the corner. This the Lord*[Jehovah.] hath effected, and we behold it with admiration." Know, therefore, that the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation who will produce the fruits thereof. For whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be bruised; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will crush him to pieces.
The chief priests and the Pharisees hearing his parables, perceived that he spoke of them; but though they wished to lay hold on him, they were afraid of the populace, who reckoned him a prophet.
XXII. Jesus continuing to discourse to them in parables, said, The administration of heaven resembleth the conduct of a king, who having made a marriage-feast for his son, sent his servants, to call them who had been invited; but they would not come. Then he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, I have prepared my feast, my bullocks and fatlings are slain, and all is ready; come to the marriage.' But they turned away with indifference, one to his farm, another to his merchandize. And the rest seizing his servants, abused and killed them. When the king heard this, being enraged, he sent his soldiers, destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The entertainment is ready; but they who were invited were not worthy: go, therefore, into the public roads, and all that ye find, invite to the marriage.' Accordingly they went into the highways, and assembled all that they found, good and bad, so that the hall was furnished with guests. When the king came in to see the guests, observing one who had not on a wedding-garment, he said to him, 'Friend, how cameth thou hither without a wedding-garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and thrust him out into darkness, where will be weeping and gnashing of teeth;' for there are many called, but few chosen.
15. Then the Pharisees retired, and having consulted how they might entrap him in his words, sent to him some of their disciples, and some Herodians,* {Partizans of Herod.} who being instructed by them, said, Rabbi, we know that thou art sincere, and faithfully teach the way of God, without any partiality, for thou respectest not the person of men. Tell us, therefore, thy opinion: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not? Jesus perceiving their malice, said, Dissemblers, why would ye entangle me? Show me the tribute money. And they reached him a denarius.* {A Roman coin, value about 12 1/2 cents.} He asked, them, Whose image and inscription is this? They answered, Cesar's. He replied, Render, then, to Cesar that which is Cesar's, and to God that which is God's. And admiring his answer, they left him, and went away.
The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no future life, and thus addressed him, Rabbi, Moses hath said, 'If one die, and have no children, his brother shall marry his widow, and raise issue to the deceased.' Now there lived among us seven brothers; the eldest married, and died without issue, leaving his wife to his brother. Thus also the second, and the third, and so to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Now, at the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seven; for they all married her? Jesus answering, said unto them, Ye err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God; for in that state, they neither marry, nor give in marriage; they resemble God's heavenly messengers. But as to the revival of the dead, have ye not read what God declared to you, saying, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." God is not a God of the dead, but of the living. Now the people who heard this were amazed at his doctrine.
Meantime, the Pharisees hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, flocked about him. Then one of them, a lawyer, trying him, proposed this question, Rabbi, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus answered, "Thou shalt love the Lord* {Jehovah.} thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." On these two commandments the whole law and the Prophets depend.
41. While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of the Messiah? Whose Son should he be? They answered, David's. He replied, How then doth David, speaking by inspiration, call him his Lord? "The Lord,* {Jehovah}" saith he, "said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool." If the Messiah were David's son, would David call him his Lord? To this none of them could answer; and from that day nobody presumed to try him with questions.
XXIII. Then Jesus addressed the people and his disciples, saying, The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' chair; therefore observe and do whatsoever they enjoin you; nevertheless, follow not their example; for they say, and do not. Heavy and intolerable burdens they prepare for other men's shoulders, burdens which they themselves will not put a finger to. But whatever they do, they do to be observed by men. For this they wear broader phylacteries* {Scrips of parchment, containing sentences of the law.} than others, and larger tufts on their mantles; and affect the uppermost places at entertainments, and the principal seats in the synagogues, and to be saluted in public places; and to hear men addressing them, cry, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' But as for you, assume not the title of Rabbi; for ye have only one teacher--the Messiah: and style no man upon the earth your father, for he alone is your Father who is in heaven; and all ye are brethren. Neither assume the title of leaders, for ye have only one leader--the Messiah. The greatest of you, on the contrary, shall be your servant; for whosoever will exalt himself, shall be humbled; and whosoever will humble himself, shall be exalted.
But wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; and will neither enter yourselves, nor permit others that would, to enter.
14.--Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because ye devour the families of widows; nay, and use long prayers for a disguise. This will but aggravate your punishment.
15. Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because ye traverse sea and land to make one proselyte;* {A convert to Judaism.} and when he is gained, yemake him a son of hell doubly more than yourselves.
Wo unto you, blind guides, who say, 'To swear by the temple bindeth not, but to swear by the gold of the temple is binding.' Foolish and blind! which is more sacred, the gold, or the temple that consecreateth the gold? and, 'To swear by the altar bindeth not; but to swear by the offering that is upon it is binding.' Foolish and blind! which is more sacred, the offering, or the altar that consecrateth the offering? Whoever, therefore, sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by every thing thereon. And whoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by Him who dwelleth therein; and whoever sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by Him who sitteth thereon.
Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because ye pay the tithe of mint, dill, and cummin, and omit the more important articles of the law, justice, humanity and fidelity. These ye ought to have practised, without omitting those. Blind guides! who strain your liquor, to avoid swallowing a gnat; yet swallow a camel.
Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because ye cleanse the outside of those cups and platters which within are laden with rapine and iniquity. Blind Pharisee! begin with cleansing the inside of the cup, and of the platter, if you would make even the outside clean.
Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because ye resemble whitened sepulchres, which without indeed are beautiful, but within are full of corruption and of dead men's bones. Thus ye also outwardly appear righteous to men; but are inwardly fraught with subtlety and injustice.
Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because ye build the sepulchres of the Prophets, and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, 'Had we lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been their accomplices in the slaughter ofthe Prophets.' Thus ye testify against yourselves, that ye are the sons of those who murdered the Prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ah! serpents, offspring of vipers! How can ye escape the punishment of hell?
34. Therefore, I send you Prophets, and wise men, and Scribes. Some of them ye will kill and crucify; others ye will scourge in your synagogues, and banish from city to city; so that all the innocent blood shed upon the earth shall be charged upon you, from the blood of righteous Abel, to the blood of Zechariah, son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the altar and the sanctuary. Indeed, I say to you, all shall be charged upon this generation.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! that killet the prophets, and stonest them whom God sendeth to thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not! Quickly shall your habitation be transformed into a desert: for know that ye shall not henceforth see me, until ye say, Blessed be He, who comes in the name of the Lord.'* {Jehovah.}
XXIV. As Jesus walked out of the temple, his disciples came and made him observe the buildings of it. Jesus said to them, All this ye see; verily I say to you, one stone shall not be left here upon another. All shall be razed.
As he sat upon the Mount of Olives, his disciples accosted him privately, saying, Tell us, when will this happen; and what will be the sign of thy coming, and of the conclusion of this state? Jesus answering, said to them, Take heed that no man seduce you: for many will assume my character, saying, 'I am the Messiah, and will seduce many. Nay, ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars; but take care that ye be not alarmed: for all these things must happen; but the end is not yet.
For nation will arise against nation; and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and pestilences, and earthquakes in sundry places. Yet these are but the prelude of woes. For they will consign you to torments and to death, and ye shall be hated by all nations on my account. Then many will be insnared, and will betray their fellows, and hate them. And many false prophets will arise, who will seduce many. And because vice will abound, the love of the greater number will cool. But the man who persevereth to the end shall be saved. And this good tidings of the reign shall be published through all the word, for the information of all nations. And then shall come the end.
15. When, therefore, ye shall see, on holy ground, the desolating abomination foretold by the prophet Daniel, (Reader attend!) then let those in Judea flee to the mountains: let not him who shall be upon the housetop, come down to carry things out of his house; and let not him who shall be in the field, return to take his mantle. But wo unto the women with child, and unto them that give suck in those days. Pray therefore that your flight happen not in the winter, nor on the Sabbath; because there shall be then so great tribulation, as hath not been since the beginning of the world until now, nor shall be ever after. For if the time were protracted, no soul could survive; but for the sake of the elect, the time shall be short.
If any shall say to you then, 'Lo! the Messiah is here, or he is there,' believe it not: for false Messiahs and false prophets will arise, who will perform great wonders and prodigies, so as to seduce, if possible, the elect themselves. Remember I have warned you. Wherefore, if they cry, 'He is in the desert,' go not out; 'he is in the closet,' believe it not. For the coming of the Son of Man shall be like the lightning, which breaking forth from the east, shineth even unto the west. For wheresoever the carcase is, the eagles will be gathered together.
Immediately after those days of affliction, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall withhold her light; and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the heavenly powers shall be shaken. Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven; and all the tribes of the land shall mourn, when they shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with great majesty and power. And he will send his messengers with a loud sounding trumpet, who shall assemble his elect from the four quarters of the earth, from one extremity of the world to the other.
Learn now a similitude from the fig-tree. When its branches become tender and put forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. In like manner, when ye shall see all these things; know that he is near, even at the door. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass until all these things happen. Heaven and earth shall fail; but my words shall never fail. But of that day and that hour knoweth none but my Father; no, not the heavenly messengers.
37. Now that which happened in Noah's time, will also happen at the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days before the flood, even to that day that Noah entered the ark, they were eating and drinking and marrying, and supsected nothing, until the flood came and swept them all away: so shall it also be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men shall be in the field; one shall be taken, and one shall escape. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; one shall be taken, and one shall be escape.
Watch, therefore, since ye know not at what hour your Master will come. Ye are sure that if the householder knew at what time of the night the thief would come, he would watch and not suffer him to break into his house. Be ye therefore always prepared; because the Son of Man will come at an hour when ye are not expecting him.
Who now is the discreet and faithful servant, whom his master hath set over his household, to dispense to them regularly their allowance? Happy that servant, if his master, at his return, shall find him so employed. Verily I say unto you, he will entrust him with the management of all his estate. But as to the vicious servant, who shall say within himself, 'My master defereth his return,' and shall beat his
fellow-servants, and feast and carouse with drunkards; the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not expecting him, and at an hour he is not apprised of, and having discarded him, will assign him his portion with the perfidious. Weeping and gnashing of teeth shall be there.
XXV. Then may the kingdom of heaven be compared to ten virgins, who went out with their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Of these five were prudent and five foolish. The foolish took their lamps, but carried no oil with them. But the prudent, beside their lamps, carried oil in their vessels. While the bridegroom tarried, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. And at midnight a cry was raised: 'The bridegroom is coming, go out and meet him.' Then all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.' But the prudent answered, saying, 'Lest there be not enough for us and you, go rather to them who sell, and buy for yourselves.' While they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, 'Master, master, open unto us.' He answered, 'Verily I say unto you, I know you not.' Watch, therefore, because ye know neither the day nor the hour.
14. For the Son of Man is like one who, intending to travel, called his servants, and committed to them his stock; to one he gave five talents,*[A talent thought to be equal to 750 dollars.] to another two, and to another one; to each according to his respective ability, and immediately set out. Then he who had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and gained other five. Likewise he who had received two, gained other two. Whereas he who had received but one, digged a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money. After a long time, their master returned and reckoned with them. Then he who had received the five talents, came and presented other five, saying, 'Sir, thou deliveredst to me five talents: here they are, and other five which I have gained.' His master answered, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful in a small matter, I will give thee a more important trust. Partake thou in thy master's joy.' He also who had received the two talents advancing, said, 'Sir, thou deliveredst to me two talents: here they are, and other two which I have gained.' His master answered, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful in a small matter, I will give thee a more important trust. Partake thou in thy master's joy.' Then came he also who had received the single talent, and said, 'Sir, I know that thou art a severe man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not scattered; being therefore afraid, I hid thy talent under ground: but now I restore thee thine own.' His master answering, said unto him, 'Malignant and slothful servant, didst thou know that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered? Shouldst thou not then have given my money to the bankers, that, at my return, I might have received it with interest? Take from him, therefore, the talent, and give it to him who hath ten: for to every one that hath, more shall be given, and he shall abound; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken. And thrust out this unprofitable servant into darkness, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
31. Now when the Son of Man shall come in his glory, accompanied by all the holy messengers, and shall be seated upon his glorious throne; then shall all the nations be assembled before him; and out of them he will separate the good from the bad, as a shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats. The sheep he will set at his right hand, and the goats at his left.
Then will the King say to those at his right hand, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the formation of the world; for I was hungry, and ye gave me food; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye lodged me; I was naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye assisted me; I was in prison, and ye visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When did we see thee a stranger, and lodged thee; or naked, and clothed thee? When did we see thee sick, or in prison, and visited thee?' The king will reply to them, 'Verily I say unto you, that inasmuch as ye have done this to any the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'
Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his messengers; for I was hungry, but ye gave me no food; I was thirsty, but ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger, but ye did not lodge me; naked, but ye did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, but ye did not mind me.' Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not assist thee?' Then he will reply to them, saying, 'Verily I say unto you, that inasmuch as ye did it not to any the least of these, ye did it not to me.' And these shall go to eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
XXVI. Jesus having ended this discourse, said to his disciples, Ye know that two days hence cometh the passover. Then the Son of Man shall be delivered up to be crucified. About this time the chief priests and the scribes, and the elders of the people, were convened in the palace of Caiaphas the high priest, where they consulted how they might take Jesus by surprise, and kill him. They said, however, Not during the festival, lest there be a commotion among the people.
6. Now Jesus being in Bethany, in the house of Simon, [formerly] a leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster box of balsam, very precious, which she poured on his head, while he was at table. His disciples observing it, said, with indignation, Why this profusion? This balsam might have been sold for a great price, and the money given to the poor. Jesus knowing it, said to them, Why trouble ye the woman? She hath done me a good office. For ye have the poor always amongst you, but me ye have not always. For it is to embalm me that she hath poured this balsam upon my body. Verily I say unto you, In what part soever of the world the gospel shall be preached, what this woman hath now done shall be mentioned to her honour.
Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, and said, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him to you? And they weighed to him thirty shekels.*[About 15 dollars.] And from that time he watched an opportunity to deliver him up.
Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where shall we prepare for thee the paschal supper? He answered, Go into the city, to such a man, and tell him, 'The teacher saith, My time is near; I must celebrate the passover at thy house with my disciples.' And the disciples did as they were ordered, and prepared the passover.
In the evening he placed himself at table with the twelve; and while they were eating he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you will deliver me up. And they were extremely sorrowful, and began every one of them to say, Master, is it I? He answering, said, The man whose hand is in the dish with mine, is he who betrayeth me. The Son of Man departeth in the manner foretold in Scripture concerning him; but wo unto that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed; it had been better for that man never to have been born. Then Judas, who betrayed him, said also, Rabbi, is it I? Jesus answered, It is.
26. As they were eating, Jesus took the loaf; and, having given thanks, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Then he took the cup, and, having given thanks, gave it to them, saying, Drink hereof all of you; for this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant, shed for many, for the remission of sins. I assure you that I will not henceforth drink of the product of the vine, until the day when I shall drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And after the hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.
Then Jesus said to them, This night I shall prove a stumbling stone to you all; for it is written, "I will smite the shepherd, and the flock will disperse." But after I am raised again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter, thereupon, said to him, Though thou shouldest prove a stumbling stone to them all, I never will be made to stumble. Jesus answered, Verily I say unto thee, that this very night, before the cock crow, thou wilt trice disown me. Peter replied, Although I should die with thee, I never will disown thee. And all the disciples said the same.
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, Stay here, while I go yonder and pray. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee; and being oppressed with grief, said to them, My soul is overwhelmed with a deadly anguish; abide here, and watch with me. And going a little before, he threw himself on his face, and praying, said, My Father, remove this cup from me, if it be possible; nevertheless, not as I would, but as thou wilt. And he returned to his disciples, and finding them asleep, said to Peter, Is it so, then, that ye could not keep awake with me a single hour? Watch and pray, that ye be not overcome by temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. A second time he withdrew, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if there be no exemption for me; if I must drink this cup, thy will be done. Upon his return, he again found them sleeping, for their eyes were overpowered. Again, leaving them, he went and prayed the third time, using the same words. Then he came back to his disciples, and said to them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold the hour approacheth, when the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinners. Arise, let us be going; lo! he who betrayeth me is at hand.
47. Before he had done speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, appeared with a great multitude, armed with swords and clubs, and sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The man whom I shall kiss is he; secure him. And coming directly to Jesus, he said, Hail Rabbi, and kissed him. Jesus answered, Friend, for what purpose comest thou? Then they advanced, and laying hands on Jesus, seized him. Upon this one of Jesus' company laying his hand upon his sword, drew it; and striking the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear. Jesus said to him, Sheathe thy sword; for whoever hath recourse to the sword shall fall by the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot presently invoke my Father, who would send to my relief more than twelve legions*[A Roman legion consisted of 6000 men; sometimes more, sometimes fewer.] of messengers. But in that case how should the Scriptures be accomplished, which declare that these things must be? Then turning to the multitude, he said, Do ye come with swords and clubs to apprehend me, like people in pursuit of a robber? I sat daily amongst you, teaching in the temple, and ye did not arrest me. But all this hath happened, that the writings of the Prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.
Now they who had apprehended Jesus, brought him to Caiaphas the high priest, with whom the scribes and the Elders were assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, to the court of the high priest's house, and having gone in, sat with the officers to see the issue.
Meantime the chief priests and the elders, and the whole Sanhedrim sought out false evidence against Jesus, upon which they might condemn him to die. But though many false witnesses appeared, they found it not. At length came two false witnesses, who charged him with saying, 'I can demolish the temple of God, and rebuild it in three days.' Then the high priest rising, said to him, Answerest thou nothing to what these men testify against thee? Jesus remaining silent, he added, On the part of the living God, I adjure thee to tell us, whether thou be the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus answered him, It is as thou sayest: nay, be assured, that hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Almighty, and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest, rending his clothes, said, He hath uttered blasphemy. What further need have we of witnesses, now that ye have heard him blaspheme? What think ye? They answered, He deserveth to die. Then they spat in his face. Some gave him blows on the head, and others struck him on the cheeks, and said, Divine to us, Messiah, who it was that smote thee.
69. Now Peter was sitting without in the court, and a maid servant came to him, and said, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean. But he denied before them all, saying, I know nothing of the matter. And as he went out into the porch, another maid observing him said to them, This man too was there with Jesus the Nazarene. Again, he denied, swearing that he knew him not. Soon after some of the bystanders said to Peter, Thou art certainly one of them, for thy speech discovereth thee. Whereupon, with execrations and oaths, he asserted that he did not know him; and immediately the cock crew. Then Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crow, thou wilt thrice disown me." And he went out and wept bitterly.
XXVII. When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people having consulted against Jesus, how they might procure his death, conducted him bound to Pontius Pilate the procurator, to whom they consigned him.
Then Judas, who had betrayed him, finding that he was condemned, repented; and returning the thirty shekels to the chief priests and the elders, said, I have sinned, in that I have betrayed the innocent. They answered, What is that to us? See thou to that. After which, having thrown down the money in the temple, he went away and strangled himself. The chief priests taking the money, said, It is not lawful to put it into the sacred treasury, because it is the price of blood. But after deliberating, they bought with it the potter's field, to be a burying-place for strangers, for which reason that field is to this day called The field of blood. Then was the word of Jeremiah the Prophet verified, "The thirty shekels, the price at which he was valued, I took, as the Lord* [Jehovah.] appointed me, from the sons of Israel, who gave them for the potter's field."
11. Now Jesus appeared before the procurator, who questioned him, saying, Thou art the King of the Jews? He answered, Thou sayest right. But when he was arraigned by the chief priests and the elders, he made no reply. Then Pilate said to him, Hearest thou not of how many crimes they accuse thee? But he answered not one word, which surprised the procurator exceedingly.
Now the procurator was accustomed to release, at the festival, any one of the prisoners whom the multitude demanded. And they had then a famous prisoner named Barabbas. Therefore, when they were assembled, Pilate said to them, Whom shall I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Messiah?--(For he perceived that through envy they had delivered him up; besides, while he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent him this message, 'Have thou nothing to do with that innocent person; for, to-day, I have suffered much, in a dream, on his account.') But the chief priests and the elders instigated the populace to demand Barabbas, and cause Jesus to be executed. Therefore, when the procurator asked which of the two he should release, they all answered, Barabbas. Pilate replied, What then shall I do with Jesus, whom they call Messiah? They all answered, Let him be crucified. The procurator said, Why? what evil hath he done? But they cried the louder, saying, Let him be crucified. Pilate perceiving that he was so far from prevailing, that they grew more tumultuous, took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am guiltless of the blood of this innocent person. See ye to it. And all the people answering, said, His blood be upon us, and upon our children. Then he released Barabbas to them, and having caused Jesus to be scourged, delivered him up to be crucified.
27. After this the procurator's soldiers took Jesus into the pretorium,* [The governor's palace, or hall of audiience.] where they gathered around him all the band. And having stripped him, they robed him in a scarlet cloak, and crowned him with a wreath of thorns, and put a rod in his right hand, and kneeling before him in mockery, cried, Hail, King of the Jews! And spitting upon him, they took the rod, and struck him with it on the head. When they had mocked him, they disrobed him again, and having put his own raiment on him, led him away to crucify him.
As they went out of the city, they met one Simon, a Cyrenian, whom they constrained to carry the cross; and being arrived at a place called Golgotha, which signifieth a place of skulls, they gve him to drink vinegar mixed with wormwood, which, having tasted it, he would not drink. After they had nailed him to the cross, they parted his garments by lot; thus verifying the words of the Prophet, They shared my mantle among them, and cast lots for my vesture. And having sat down there, they guarded him. And over his head they placed this inscription, denoting the cause of his death. THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers also were crucified with him, one at his right hand, the other at his left.
Meanwhile the passengers reviled him, shaking their heads, and saying, Thou who demolishest the temple, and rebuildest it in three days: if thou be God's Son, come down from the cross. The chief priests also, with the scribes, the elders, and the Pharisees, deriding him, said, He saved others: can he not save himself? If he be King of Israel, let him now descend from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God. Let God deliver him now, if he regard him; for he called himself God's Son. The robbers too, his fellow-sufferers, upbraided him in the same manner.
Now from the sixth hour* [Telve o'clock, noon.] to the ninth,* [Three o'clock, afternoon.] the whole land was in darkness. About the ninth* [Three, afternoon] hour Jesus cried aloud, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani? that is, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Some of the bystanders hearing this, said, He calleth Elijah. Instantly one of them ran, fetched a spunge and soaked it in vinegar, and having fastened it to a stick, presented it to him to drink. The rest said, Forbear, we shall see whether Elijah will come to save him. Jesus having again cried with a loud voice, resigned his spirit.
51. And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from top to bottom, the earth trembled, and the rocks split. Graves also burst open; and after his resurrection, the bodies of several saints who slept were raised, came out of the graves, went into the holy city, and were seen by many. Now the centurion, and they who with him guarded Jesus, observing the earthquake, and what passed, were exceedingly terrified, and said, This was certainly the Son of a God.* [App. No. XI.]
Several women also were there, looking on at a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, assisting him with their service. Among them were Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
In the evening a rich Arimathean named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus, went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. Pilate having given orders to deliver it to Joseph, he took the body, wrapped it in clean linen, and deposited it in his own monument, which he had newly caused to be hewn in the rock; and having rolled a great stone to the entrance, he went away. Now Mary the Magdalene, and the other Mary were there, sitting over against the sepulchre.
62.--On the morrow, being the day after the preparation,* [With us Friday.] the chief priests and the Pharisees repaired in a body to Pilate, and said, My lord, we remember that this imposter, when alive, said, "Within three days I shall be raised." Command, therefore, that the sepulchre be guarded for three days, lest his disciples come by night and steal him, and say to the people, 'He is raised from the dead;' for this last imposture would prove worse than the first. Pilate answered, Ye have a guard; make the sepulchre as secure as ye can. Accordingly they went and secured it, sealing the stone, and posting guards.
XXVIII. Sabbath* [With us Saturday.] being over, and the first day* [With us Sunday.] of the week beginning to dawn, Mary the Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the sepulchre. Now there had been a great earthquake; for a messenger of the Lord had descended from heaven, who, having rolled the stone from the entrance, sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his apparel white as snow. Seeing him, the guards quaked with terror, and became as dead men. But the messenger said to the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, as he foretold. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, say to his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead; behold he goes before you to Galilee, where ye shall see him.' Take notice: I have told you.
8. Instantly they went out from the monument with fear and great joy, and ran to inform his disciples. When they were gone, Jesus himself met them, saying, Rejoice. Upon which they prostrated themselves before him, and embraced his feet. Then Jesus said to them, Be not afraid: go, tell my brethren to repair to Galilee, and there they shall see me.
They were no sooner gone than some of the guard went into the city, and informed the chief priests of all that had happened. These, after meeting and consulting with the elders, gave a large sum to the soldiers, with this injunction, Say, 'His disciples came by night, and stole him while we were asleep.' And if this come to the procurator's ears, we will appease him and indemnify you. So they took the money, and acted agreeably to their instructions. Accordingly this report is current among the Jews to this day.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain whither Jesus had appointed them to repair. When they saw him, they threw themselves prostrate before him; yet some doubted. Jesus came near, and said to them, All authority is given to me in heaven and upon the earth; go, therefore, convert all the nations, immersing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all the things which I have commanded you: and behold! I am with you always, even to the conclusion of this state. Amen.
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