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Title: The Common Edition: New Testament
Author: - To be updated
Language: English
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The Gospel According to Matthew
1
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David,
the son of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez
and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of
Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of
Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz
by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7
Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and
Abijah the father of Asa, 8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the
father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 Uzziah the father of
Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10
Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and
Amon the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his
brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12 And after the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of
Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 Zerubbabel the father
of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14
Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the
father of Eliud, 15 Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of
Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of
Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called
Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen
generations, and from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations,
and from the exile to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: when
his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she
was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her
husband, being a just man, and not wanting to put her to public shame,
was resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered this, behold,
an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of
David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife, for that which is
conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will give birth to a son,
and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their
sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the
prophet:
23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel,"
which means, "God with us." 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as
the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife, 25 but did not
know her until she had borne a son. And he called his name Jesus.
2
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of
Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2
saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have
seen his star in the East and have come to worship him." 3 When Herod
the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And
when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people
together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they
said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you shall come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod called the wise men secretly and determined from
them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem
and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child, and when you
have found him, bring back word to me, so that I too may come and
worship him." 9 When they had heard the king they went their way; and
behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, until it
came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the
star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 On coming into the
house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they fell down and
worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with
gifts of gold, and of frankincense, and of myrrh. 12 And being warned in
a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by
another way.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his
mother, and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is
about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14 When he rose, he took
the young child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and
remained there until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the
Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the
wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male
children in Bethlehem and in all its region who were two years old or
under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 "A voice was heard in Ramah,
lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared
in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, "Rise, take the young child and
his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young
child's life are dead." 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother,
and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was
reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there.
And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23
and he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by
the Prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
3
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the
wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand." 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when
he said,
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight."
4 Now John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a leather belt around his
waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all
Judea and all the region about the Jordan went out to him, 6 and
confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming
for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to
flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance, 9 and do
not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I
tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these
stones. 10 Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree
therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the
fire. 11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming
after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He
will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is
in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into
the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire."
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be
baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be
baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 But Jesus answered him,
"Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."
Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, he went up
immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him. 17
And behold, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with
whom I am well pleased."
4
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by the devil. 2 And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and
afterward he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you
are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4
But he answered, "It is written,
'Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of God.'"
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of
the temple, 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself
down. For it is written,
'He will give his angels charge of you,'
and 'In their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"
7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not tempt the Lord
your God.'" 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and
showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 9 And he said
to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away, Satan! for it is written,
'You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.'"
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to
him.
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he
withdrew to Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, he went and dwelt in
Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,
14 that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 "The land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentilesó
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light,
and on those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned."
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
18 As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two
brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net
into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow
me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately they left their
nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other
brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with
Zebedee their father, mending their nets. And he called them, 22 and
immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every
disease and every sickness among the people. 24 Then his fame spread
throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all sick people who were
afflicted with various diseases and pains, and those who were demon-
possessed, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 Great
crowds followed himófrom Galilee, and from the Decapolis, Jerusalem,
Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
5
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on a mountain, and when he sat
down his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught
them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all
kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for
great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who
were before you.
13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste,
how shall it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except
to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 You are the light of
the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a
lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in
the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For
truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot,
will by any means pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19
Whoever then breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches
men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does
them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20
For I tell you, that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes
and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall
not murder, and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say
to you that anyone who is angry with his brother shall be subject to
judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be answerable to
the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of
hell. 23 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there
remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift
there before the altar, and go. First be reconciled to your brother; and
then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly,
while you are on the way with him to court, lest your adversary deliver
you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be
thrown into prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you
have paid the last penny.
27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit
adultery.' 28 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman
lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your
right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better for
you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown
into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw
it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than for your
whole body to go into hell.
31 "It has also been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him
give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I say to you that every one who
divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to
become an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits
adultery.
33 "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You
shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' 34 But I
say to you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35
or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of
the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make
even one hair white or black. 37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your
'No,' 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a
tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. But if
someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40
And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your
cloak as well. 41 And if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him
two miles. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to
borrow from you do not turn away.
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your
Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who
love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the
same? 47 And if you greet only your brethren, what more are you doing
than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore,
must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
6
1 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before
men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your
Father in heaven.
2 "Thus, when you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before
you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they
may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their
reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know
what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your charitable deed may be in
secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For
they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners,
that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their
reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, shut the door and pray
to your Father, who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will
reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not use empty repetitions as the
Gentiles do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask
him. 9 Pray, then, in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.'
14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will
your Father forgive your trespasses.
16 "And when you fast, do not look gloomy, like the hypocrites,
for they disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting.
Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to be
fasting to men, but to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who
sees in secret will reward you.
19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and
where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also. 22 The lamp of the body is the eye. So if
your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye
is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is
darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No one can serve two masters;
for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to
the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you
will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put
on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look
at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and
yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than
they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his span of life?
28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you that even
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God
so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown
into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31
Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we
drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these
things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But
seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be
given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for
tomorrow will worry about itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
7
1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the same
judgment you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you
use, it will be measured to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in
your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or
how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,'
when there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the
plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the
speck from your brother's eye. 6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs; do
not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their
feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives,
and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or
what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are
evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will
your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 12
So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do also to them, for this
is the Law and the Prophets.
13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is
broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. 14
For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and few are
those who find it.
15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them
by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from
thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears
bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear
good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.
21 "Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the
kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in
heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many
mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never
knew you; depart from me, you evildoers!'
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does
them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the
rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that
house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26
And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will
be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; 27 and the rain
descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that
house, and it fell. And great was its fall."
28 And when Jesus had finished these sayings, the crowds were
astonished at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one who had
authority, and not as their scribes.
8
1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds
followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came and knelt before him, saying,
"Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 3 Then Jesus put out
his hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be clean." Immediately
his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no
one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that
Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him,
asking for help, 6 and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at
home, in terrible distress." 7 And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal
him." 8 But the centurion answered him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have
you come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be
healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me.
And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he
comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus
heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I say
to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith. 11 I say to you that
many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will
be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth." 13 Then to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done
for you as you have believed." And his servant was healed at that very
hour.
14 When Jesus come into Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-
law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her,
and she rose and served him. 16 When evening had come, they brought to
him many who were demon-possessed. And he cast out the spirits with a
word, and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was
spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
"He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases."
18 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave
orders to go over to the other side. 19 Then a certain scribe came and said
to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20 And Jesus said
to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of
Man has nowhere to lay his head." 21 Another of the disciples said to
him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 22 But Jesus said to him,
"Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24
And behold, a great storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered
with the waves. But he was asleep. 25 The disciples went and woke him,
saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" 26 And he said to them, "Why
are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds
and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying,
"What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?"
28 When he had come to the other side, to the country of the
Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs,
exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold,
they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you
come here to torment us before the time?" 30 Now a herd of many swine
was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him,
"If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." 32 And he said
to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the
whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the
water. 33 Then those who kept them fled, and they went away into the
city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-
possessed men. 34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus.
And when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
9
1 And getting into a boat, he crossed over and came to his own
city. 2 And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And
when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son;
your sins are forgiven." 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to
themselves, "This man is blaspheming!" 4 But Jesus, knowing their
thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is
easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? 6 But
that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive
sins"óhe then said to the paralyticó"Rise, take up your bed and go
home." 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they
were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew
sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and
followed him. 10 And as Jesus sat at table in the house, behold, many tax
collectors and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11
And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does
your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when Jesus
heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but
those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy,
and not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we
and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 And Jesus said
to them, "Can the guests of the bridegroom mourn as long as he is with
them? The days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from
them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth
on an old garment, for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear
is made worse. 17 Neither do they put new wine into old wineskins; if
they do, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are ruined.
But they put new wine into new wineskins, and so both are preserved."
18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler
came and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come
and lay your hand on her and she will live." 19 So Jesus rose and
followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had
suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and
touched the fringe of his garment. 21 For she said to herself, "If I only
touch his garment, I shall be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and when he
saw her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well."
And the woman was made well from that moment. 23 When Jesus came to
the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, 24 he
said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at
him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took
her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through
all that region.
27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed
him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." 28 When he had
entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them,
"Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord."
29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done
to you." 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them,
"See that no one knows it." 31 But they went out and spread the news
about him all over that region.
32 As they were going out, behold, a mute and demon-possessed
man was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the
mute man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything
like this seen in Israel." 34 But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons
by the prince of demons."
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in
their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing
every disease and every sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had
compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep
without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is
plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the
harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
10
1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them
authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease
and every sickness. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first,
Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of
Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and
Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4
Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them: "Do not go
among the Gentiles, or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather
to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And preach as you go, saying,
'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,
raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9
Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10 nor bag for your
journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the worker is worthy
of his food. 11 Now whatever village or town you enter, inquire who in it
is worthy, and stay there until you go out. 12 As you enter the house, give
it your greeting. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon
it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if any one
will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your
feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be
more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and
Gomorrah than for that town.
16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 But beware of
men, for they will deliver you up to councils and flog you in their
synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for my
sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver
you up, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say;
for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; 20 for it is not
you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21
Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22 And
you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the
end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one city, flee to
another. For truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities
of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his
master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the
servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house
Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!
26 "So do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will
not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in
the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear,
proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body
but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear him who can destroy both soul
and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one
of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father's will. 30 But even
the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you
are of more value than many sparrows.
32 "Therefore whoever acknowledges me before men, him I will
also acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever
denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in
heaven.
34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did
not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come
to set a man 'against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36 and a man's enemies will be those of his own household.'
37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and
he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and
he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He
who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will
find it.
40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me
receives him who sent me. 41 He who receives a prophet because he is a
prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous
man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water
because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."
11
1 And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples,
he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2 Now when John heard in prison about the works of Christ, he
sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you the One who is to
come, or shall we look for another?" 4 And Jesus answered them, "Go
and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the
lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are
raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed
is he who is not offended because of me." 7 As they went away, Jesus
began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into
the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go
out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft
clothing are in kings' houses. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A
prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of
whom it is written:
'Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.'
11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen
one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of
heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now
the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it
by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come. 15 He
who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like
children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,
17 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a
demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,
'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
But wisdom is justified by her deeds."
20 Then he began to rebuke the cities in which most of his
mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to
you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which
were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have
repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be
more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
You shall be brought down to Hades.
For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom,
it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it shall be
more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for
you."
25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and
intelligent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Yes, Father, for this was
your good pleasure.
27 "All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one
knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the
Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me,
all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take
my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light."
12
1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath.
And his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to
eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your
disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath." 3 He said to
them, "Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those
who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the
consecrated bread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who
were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law
that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are
innocent? 6 I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 7 And if
you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you
would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of
the Sabbath."
9 And he went on from there, and went into their synagogue. 10
And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And they asked him,
"Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" so that they might accuse him. 11
He said to them, "What man of you, if he has one sheep and it falls into a
pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much
more value is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the
Sabbath." 13 Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he
stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. 14 But the
Pharisees went out and plotted against him, how they might destroy him.
15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed
him, and he healed them all, 16 and ordered them not to make him known.
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
18 "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased!
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
till he sends forth justice to victory;
21 and in his name will the Gentiles hope."
22 Then they brought to him a demon-possessed man who was
blind and mute, and he healed him, so that the mute man both spoke and
saw. 23 And all the people were amazed and said, "Could this be the Son
of David?" 24 But when the Pharisees heard this they said, "It is only by
Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons." 25
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided
against itself is laid waste, and every city or house divided against itself
will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself.
How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by
Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be
your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the
kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong
man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man?
And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with me is against
me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you,
every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against
the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the
Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33 "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the
tree bad, and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood
of vipers! how can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man out of the
good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of
the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I tell you that men will
have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they
have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your
words you will be condemned."
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher,
we want to see a sign from you." 39 But he answered them, "An evil and
adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign will be given to it
except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and
three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three
days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh
will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for
they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah
is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this
generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to
hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than
Solomon is here.
43 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through
dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, 'I will return to
my house from which I came.' And when he comes he finds it empty,
swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other
spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the
last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this
wicked generation."
46 While he was still talking to the people, behold, his mother
and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. 47 Someone told
him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to
you." 48 But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother,
and who are my brothers?" 49 And stretching out his hand toward his
disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever
does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
13
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea.
2 And great crowds gathered around him, so that he got into a boat and
sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them
many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow his seed. 4
And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and
devoured them. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where they did not have
much soil, and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of
soil. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they
had no root they withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the
thorns grew up and choked them. 8 But other seed fell on good soil and
yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who
has ears, let him hear."
10 The disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to
them in parables?" 11 And he answered them, "To you it has been given
to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been
given. 12 For whoever has, to him will more be given, and he will have
abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken
away from him. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because
seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they
understand. 14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says:
'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand;
and seeing you will see and not perceive.
15 For this people's heart has grown dull.
And their ears are hard of hearing,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and they understand with their hearts,
and turn so that I should heal them.'
16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. 17
For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see
what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not
hear it.
18 "Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 when anyone hears
the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes
and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown
along the path. 20 But he who received the seed on rocky places, this is
he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has
no root in himself, but endures only for a while. And when tribulation or
persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22
Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word,
but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word,
and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But the one who received seed on the good
soil is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit
and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
24 Another parable he put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom
of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while
men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat,
and went away. 26 So when the plants sprouted and bore grain, then the
weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the householder came and
said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has
it weeds?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants
said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them up?' 29 But he
said, 'No, lest while you gather up the weeds you also root up the wheat
with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time
I will tell the reapers. Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to
be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"
31 Another parable he put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom
of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;
32 it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of
shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make
nests in its branches."
33 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like
leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour till it was
all leavened."
34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowd in parables; and
without a parable he did not speak to them. 35 So was fulfilled what was
spoken by the prophet:
"I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden
since the foundation of the world."
36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. And his
disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of
the field." 37 He answered, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of
Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of
the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy
who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the
reapers are angels. 40 Therefore as the weeds are gathered and burned in
the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send
out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom everything that
causes sin and all who do evil, 42 and will throw them into the furnace of
fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the
righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who
has ears, let him hear.
44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a
field, which a man found and hid; and then in his joy over it he goes and
sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of
fine pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great value, went and
sold all that he had and bought it.
47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown
into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 which, when it was full,
they drew it up on the shore; and they sat down and gathered the good
into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age.
The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and
throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth."
51 Jesus asked, "Have you understood all these things?" "Yes,"
they said to him. 52 And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has
been instructed for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who
brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from
there. 54 And coming to his own country he taught them in their
synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man
get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter's
son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers James, Joseph,
Simon, and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did
this man get all these things?" 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus
said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country
and in his own house." 58 And he did not do many mighty works there,
because of their unbelief.
14
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2
and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist, he has risen from
the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." 3 For Herod had
laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of
Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, 4 because John had said to him, "It is
not lawful for you to have her." 5 And though he wanted to put him to
death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But
when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced
before them and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give
her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me
here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." 9 And the king was sorry;
but, because of his oaths and his guests, he commanded it to be given to
her; 10 so he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head was
brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her
mother. 12 Then his disciples came and took the body and buried it; and
they went and told Jesus.
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat
to a lonely place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed
him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus went ashore he saw a great
throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. 15 When
it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote
place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go
to the villages and buy themselves some food." 16 Jesus said, "They do
not need to go away. You give them something to eat." 17 They said to
him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." 18 He said, "Bring
them here to me," 19 Then he commanded the multitudes to sit down on
the grass. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to
heaven, he blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the
disciples gave them to the multitudes. 20 And they all ate and were
satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces that
were left over. 21 Now those who ate were about five thousand men,
besides women and children.
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go
before him to the other side, while he dismissed the multitudes. 23 And
after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself
to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this
time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for
the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus
went to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him
walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they
cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take
courage! It is I; do not be afraid." 28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it
is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 So he said,
"Come". Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and
came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and
beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Jesus immediately
reached out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little
faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind
ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying,
"Truly you are the Son of God."
34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.
35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent to all that
surrounding region and brought to him all who were sick, 36 and begged
him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as
touched it were made well.
15
1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came
to Jesus and said, 2 "Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the
elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat." 3 He answered
them, "And why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake
of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your
mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' 5
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you
might have received from me is a gift to God' 6 he is not to honor his
father with it. Thus you have made the word of God of no effect for the
sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about
you, when he said:
8 'These people honor me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me.
9 In vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'"
10 And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and
understand: 11 not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what
comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." 12 Then the disciples came
and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when
they heard this saying?" 13 He answered, "Every plant which my heavenly
Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are
blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a
pit." 15 But Peter said to him, "Explain the parable to us." 16 So Jesus
said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet see
that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart,
and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder,
adultery, fornications, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what
defile a man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."
21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the region
of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region
came out and cried to him, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is severely demon-possessed." 23 But he did not answer her
a word. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away,
for she is crying out after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the
lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But she came and knelt before him,
saying, "Lord, help me!" 26 And he answered, "It is not good to take the
children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "yet
even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28 Then
Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as
you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. 29 And
Jesus went on from there and passed along the Sea of Galilee. And he
went up on the mountain, and sat down there. 30 Then great crowds came
to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the mute, and
many others; and they laid them down at his feet, and he healed them. 31
So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed
made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified
the God of Israel.
32 Now Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have
compassion on the multitude, because they have been with me three days
and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest
they faint on the way." 33 Then his disciples said to him, "Where could
we get enough bread in the wilderness to feed such a great crowd?" 34
And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said,
"Seven, and a few small fish." 35 He told the crowd to sit down on the
ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given
thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples
gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied; and they
took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. 38
Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
39 And he sent away the crowds, got into the boat, and went to the region
of Magadan.
16
1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they
asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, "When
it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather; for the sky is red.' 3 And in
the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.'
You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot
interpret the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation
seeks for a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah."
So he left them and departed.
5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten
to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the
leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." 7 And they discussed among
themselves, saying, "It is because we have taken no bread." 8 But Jesus,
aware of this, said, "O men of little faith, why do you discuss among
yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do
you not remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many
baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and
how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you do not understand
that I did not speak to you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees and Sadducees." 12 Then they understood that he did not tell
them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees
and Sadducees.
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he
asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And
they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others
Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you
say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of
the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon
Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my
Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, that you are Peter, and on this
rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail
against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you
loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then he strictly charged his
disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
21 From that time Jesus began to show to his disciples that he
must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief
priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day. 22 Peter
took him aside and began to rebuke him saying, "Never, Lord! This shall
never happen to you!" 23 But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind
me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are not mindful of
the things of God, but the things of men." 24 Then Jesus said to his
disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take
up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will
lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 What good
will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or
what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is
to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward
each man according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are
some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of
Man coming in his kingdom."
17
1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his
brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was
transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes
became as white as the light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses
and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good
for us to be here; if you wish, I will make here three tabernaclesóone for
you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking,
behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and a voice from the cloud
said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to
him!" 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were
filled with awe. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Rise.
Don't be afraid." 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one
but Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus
commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised
from the dead." 10 And the disciples asked him, "Why then do the scribes
say that Elijah must come first?" 11 Jesus replied, "Elijah is coming first
and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has come already,
and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. So also
the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands." 13 Then the disciples
understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and
kneeling before him said, 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an
epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often
into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not
heal him." 17 Then Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation,
how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him
here to me." 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him,
and the boy was cured from that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to
Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" 20 So he said to
them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have
faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move
from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to
you."
22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them,
"The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 23 and
they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were
greatly distressed.
24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the half-
shekel tax went up to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the
temple tax?" 25 He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus
spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do
the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from
others?" 26 And when Peter said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then
the sons are free. 27 Nevertheless, so that we may not offend them, go to
the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when
you open its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it
to them for me and you."
18
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 He called to him a little child, and
put him in the midst of them, 3 and he said, "Truly, I say to you, unless
you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom
of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like
this in my name receives me.
6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me
to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around
his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world
because of temptations to sin! For temptations must come, but woe to the
man by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot
causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter
life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the
eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it
away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes
and be thrown into the fire of hell.
10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell
you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in
heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of
them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the
mountains in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it,
truly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-
nine that did not go astray. 14 So it is not the will of your Father who is
in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault,
between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your
brother. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along with
you, so that 'every matter may be established by the word of two or three
witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if
he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and
a tax collector.
18 "Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be
bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven. 19 Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about
anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For
where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the
midst of them."
21 Then Peter came to him and said, "Lord, how often shall my
brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus
said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. 23
Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to
settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the settlement, one
was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And as he was
not able to pay, his master ordered that he be sold, with his wife and
children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant
fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will
pay you everything.' 27 The master of that servant took pity on him,
released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and
found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he
laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you
owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him,
'Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 But he refused, and
went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 When his
fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed,
and went and told their master all that had happened. 32 Then his master,
after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you
all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should not you have had mercy
on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his
master delivered him to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back
all he owed. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to each of you, if you
do not forgive your brother from your heart."
19
1 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away
from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And
large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 Some Pharisees
came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his
wife for any and every reason?" 4 And he answered them, "Have you not
read that he who made them at the beginning 'made them male and
female,' 5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and
mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined
together, let man not separate." 7 They said to him, "Why then did Moses
command one to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He
said to them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses permitted
you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I
say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries
another woman commits adultery." 10 The disciples said to him, "If such
is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." 11 But he
said to them, "Not all men can accept this saying, but only those to whom
it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from
their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by
men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the
sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept it, let him accept
it."
13 Then little children were brought to him that he might put his
hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus
said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to
such belongs the kingdom of heaven." 15 And he laid his hands on them
and went from there.
16 Now behold, one came up and said to him, "Teacher, what
good thing must I do to have eternal life?" 17 And he said to him, "Why
do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you
want to enter life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to him, "Which
ones?" And Jesus said, "'You shall not murder, you shall not commit
adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, 19 honor
your father and mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20 The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still
lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you
possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and
come, follow me." 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away
sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard
for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is
easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to
enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this they were
greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26 But Jesus
looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with
God all things are possible." 27 Then Peter answered him, "Behold, we
have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" 28
Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, at the renewal of all things, when
the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me
will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And
every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or
children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and
inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last
first.
20
1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out
early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had
agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his
vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing
idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard
too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 Again he went
out about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. 6
And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle,
and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' 7 They
said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go
into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' 8 And when
evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the
laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the
first.' 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour,
they each received a denarius. 10 So when the first came, they thought
they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 11
And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner,
12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made
them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' 13
But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you
not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way.
I wish to give to this last man the same as I gave to you. 15 Is it not lawful
for me to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious
because I am generous?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be
last."
17 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve
disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 "Behold, we are going
up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests
and to the scribes; and they will condemn him to death, 19 and deliver
him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will
be raised on the third day."
20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to him with her sons
and, kneeling down, asked something of him. 21 And he said to her,
"What do you want?" She said to him, "Grant that these two sons of mine
may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." 22
But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking for. Are you
able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We are
able." 23 He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my
right or my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has
been prepared by my Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were
indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and
said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their
great men exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among
you; but whoever desires to become great among you must be your
servant. 27 And whoever wants to be first among you must be your
slaveó28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many."
29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him.
30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the roadside, when they heard
that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of
David!" 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be quiet; but they
cried out all the more, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 32 And
Jesus stopped and called them, saying, "What do you want me to do for
you? " 33 They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." 34 And Jesus
had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they
received their sight and followed him.
21
1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage,
at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go
into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey
tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If any one
says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and he
will send them immediately." 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken
by the prophet, saying:
5 "Tell the daughter of Zion,
'Behold, your King is coming to you,
lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They
brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus
sat on them. 8 And a very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9
The crowds that went before him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!"
10 And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who
is this?" 11 So the crowds said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth
of Galilee."
12 And Jesus entered the temple of God and drove out all who
sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-
changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And he said to them,
"It is written,
'My house shall be called a house of prayer,'
but you have made it a 'den of robbers.'"
14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he
healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the
wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant; 16 and they said to
him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes.
Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you
have perfected praise'?" 17 Then he left them and went out of the city to
Bethany, and he lodged there.
18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he was
hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road he went to it, and found
nothing on it but leaves only. And he said to it, "May no fruit ever come
from you again!" And immediately the fig tree withered. 20 And when the
disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away
so soon?" 21 And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have
faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree,
but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,'
it will be done. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if
you have faith."
23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the
elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, "By
what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this
authority?" 24 Jesus answered them, "I also will ask you one question;
and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I
do these things. 25 The baptism of Johnówhere was it from? From
heaven or from men?" And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If
we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe
him?' 26 But if we say, 'From men,' we are afraid of the multitude; for all
hold that John was a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus, "We do not
know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I
do these things.
28 "What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the
first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 He answered,
'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he went to the
second and said the same thing. And he answered, 'I go, sir,' but he did
not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The
first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the
harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you
in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax
collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you
did not afterward repent and believe him.
33 "Hear another parable: there was a landowner who planted a
vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it and built a
tower. And he leased it to vine dressers and went into a far country. 34
When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to
get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants, beat one, killed one,
and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first,
and they did the same to them. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them
saying, 'They will respect my son,' 38 But when the tenants saw the son,
they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize
his inheritance.' 39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and
killed him. 40 Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what
will he do to those tenants?" 41 They said to him, "He will put those
wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants
who will give him the fruits in their seasons." 42 Jesus said to them,
"Have you never read in the Scriptures:
'The stone which the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone;
this was the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes'?
43 "Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 [And he who falls on this
stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him
to powder."]
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables,
they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 But when they tried
to arrest him, they feared the multitudes, because they held him to be a
prophet.
22
1 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2 "The
kingdom of heaven is like a king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3
and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding;
but they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants,
saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my
oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and everything is ready. Come to the
wedding.'" 5 But they made light of it and went off, one to his own farm,
another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them
shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army
and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his
servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not
worthy. 9 Go therefore to the highways, and invite to the marriage feast as
many as you find.' 10 And those servants went out into the streets and
gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall
was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he
saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 And he said
to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?'
And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind
him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into the outer darkness;
there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but
few are chosen."
15 Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle
him in his talk. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the
Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the
way of God in truth, and you care for no man; for you do not regard the
position of men. 17 Tell us, then, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay
taxes to Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why
are you testing me, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the money for the tax."
And they brought him a denarius. 20 And he said to them, "Whose image
and inscription is this?" 21 They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them,
"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the
things that are God's." 22 When they heard it, they marveled; and they
left him and went away.
23 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no
resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, 24 saying, "Teacher,
Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother must marry
the widow, and raise up children for his brother. 25 Now there were seven
brothers among us. The first one married and died, and having no
children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 So the second also, and the
third, down to the seventh. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28
Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For
they all had her." 29 But Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because
you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 For in the
resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like
angels in heaven. 31 But as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not
read what was said to you by God, 32 'I am the God of Abraham, and the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead, but
of the living." 33 And when the multitudes heard this, they were
astonished at his teaching.
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the
Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked
him a question, to test him. 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment
in the Law?" 37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38
This is the great and first commandment. 39 And the second is like it:
'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two
commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked
them, 42 "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They
said to him, "The son of David." 43 He said to them, "How is it then that
David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord', saying,
44 'The Lord said to my Lord,
"Sit at my right hand,
till I put your enemies under your feet"'?
45 If David then calls him 'Lord,' how is he his son?" 46 And no one was
able to answer him a word, nor from that day did any one dare to ask him
any more questions.
23
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The
scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3 So you must observe and
do whatever they tell you. But do not do what they do; for they preach,
but do not practice. 4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay
them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with
their finger. 5 But they do all their works to be seen by men; for they
make their phylacteries broad and the tassels of their garments long. 6
And they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the
synagogues, 7 and greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men,
'Rabbi.' 8 But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one
Master, and you are all brethren. 9 And do not call anyone on earth your
'Father,' for you have one Father, he who is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to
be called 'Teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11 He who is
greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself
will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you
shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter
yourselves, nor do you allow those who would enter to go in.
15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you
travel land and sea to win a single proselyte, and when he becomes one,
you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If any one swears by the
temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is
bound by his oath.' 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or
the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, 'If anyone
swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift that
is on it, he is bound by his oath.' 19 You blind men! For which is greater,
the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, he who
swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And he who
swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And he
who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits
on it.
23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay
tithe of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier
matters of the Law, justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have
done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, who strain out
a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you
cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of
extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside
of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe to
you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed
tombs which outwardly appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead
men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear
righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you build
the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30
And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not
have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31 Thus
you witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered
the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt. 33 You
serpents! You brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to
hell? 34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes. Some
of them you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your
synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35 that on you may come
all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous
Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered
between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly, I say to you, all this will come
upon this generation.
37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone
those who are sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your
children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you
were not willing! 38 Behold, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I
tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, 'Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord.'"
24
1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples
came up to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he
answered them, "You see all these things, do you not? Truly, I say to you,
there will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown
down."
3 Now as he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to
him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will this be? And what will be the
sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?" 4 And Jesus answered
them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my
name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 And you will
hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed; for all
these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will
rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be
famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning
of birth pains. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you
to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And
then many will fall away, and will betray one another, and hate one
another. 11 And many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12
And because wickedness will increase, the love of most will grow cold.
13 But he who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the
kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all
nations, and then the end will come.
15 "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination
of desolation,' spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader
understand) 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17
Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his
house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.
19 But woe for those who are pregnant and for those who are nursing
babies in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on
the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not
been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22
And if those days had not been shortened, no flesh would be saved; but
for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 Then if any one
says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it.
24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and
wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you
beforehand. 26 So if they say to you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do
not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For
as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will
the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 Wherever the carcass is, there the
eagles will be gathered together.
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from heaven,
and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all
the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man
coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he
will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather
together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the
other.
32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch
becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.
33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right
at the door. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till
all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my
words will not pass away.
36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels
of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah
were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days
before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not
know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the
coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one
will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the
mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do
not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the
owner of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was
coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be
broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is
coming at an hour you do not expect.
45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master
has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46
Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so
doing. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48
But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying
away a long time,' 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants, and
to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will
come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not
aware of, 51 and he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the
hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
25
1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of
them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their
lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took oil in their flasks
with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered
and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry: 'Behold, the bridegroom!
Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their
lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for
our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise replied, 'No, there may not be
enough for both us and you; go rather to those who sell oil and buy some
for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and
those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was
shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open
to us!' 12 But he replied, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13
Therefore keep watch, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
14 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his
servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five
talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his
ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 He who had received the five
talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more.
17 So also, he who had the two talents gained two more. 18 But he who
had received the one talent went and dug in the ground, and hid his
master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants
came and settled accounts with them. 20 So he who had received the five
talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Master, you delivered
to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents.' 21 His master
said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful
over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the
joy of your master.' 22 He also who had received the two talents came and
said, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two
more talents.' 23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful
servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler
over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.' 24 Then he who had
received the one talent came and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard
man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not
scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the
ground. Here you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered him,
'You wicked and lazy servant! You knew that I reap where I have not
sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Then you ought to
have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would
have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent
from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to every one
who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him
who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the
worthless servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.'
31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels
with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will
be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another as a
shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will put the sheep
on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to
those on his right hand, 'Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was
hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a
stranger and you took me in, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was
sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37 Then the
righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed
you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger
and take you in, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick
or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 And the King will answer them,
'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren,
you did it to me.'
41 "Then he will say to those on his left hand, 'Depart from me,
you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his
angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and
you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not take me in,
naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit
me.' 44 Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or
thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to
you?' 45 Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do
it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46 And they will
go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
26
1 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his
disciples, 2 "You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of
Man will be delivered up to be crucified." 3 Then the chief priests and the
elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, who was
called Caiaphas, 4 and they plotted to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.
5 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be a riot among the
people."
6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the
leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive
perfume, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 8 But when
the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? 9 For
this perfume might have been sold for a high price and given to the poor."
10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the
woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have
the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 For in pouring
this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I
say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what she
has done will also be told in memory of her."
14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went
to the chief priests 15 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I
deliver him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.
16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the
disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where do you want us to prepare for you
to eat the Passover?" 18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and
say to him, 'The Teacher says, my time is at hand; I will keep the Passover
at your house with my disciples.'" 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had
directed them; and they prepared the Passover. 20 When evening had
come, he sat at the table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he
said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 And they were
very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?"
23 He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will
betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes just as it is written of him, but woe to
that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better
for that man if he had not been born." 25 Then Judas, who was betraying
him, answered, "Rabbi, is it I?" He said to him, "You have said it."
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and
broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my
body." 27 Then he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them,
saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is my blood of the covenant,
which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I
will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I
drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." 30 And when they had
sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of
me this night; for it is written,
'I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." 33 Peter
declared to him, "Even if all fall away because of you, I will never fall
away." 34 Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you, this very night, before
the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 35 Peter said to him,
"Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you." And so said all the
disciples.
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called
Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and
pray." 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and
he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul
is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me." 39
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, "O my Father, if
it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as
you will." 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and
he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch
and pray, so that you will not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 Again, a second time, he went away
and prayed, "O my Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink it,
your will be done." 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for
their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them, went away again, and prayed
the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then he came to the disciples
and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is
at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."
47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve,
and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests
and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign,
saying, "The one I kiss is the man; seize him." 49 And at once he went up
to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to
him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then they came up and laid hands on
Jesus and seized him. 51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus
stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high
priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back
in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do
you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me
more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then could the Scriptures
be fulfilled, that it must happen in this way?" 55 At that hour Jesus said
to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and
clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did
not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place, that the Scriptures of the
prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.
57 And those who had seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas
the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. 58 But
Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high
priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the end. 59 Now
the chief priests and the whole council sought false testimony against
Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though
many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said,
"This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it
in three days.'" 62 And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no
answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" 63 But
Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I charge you
under oath by the living God: tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of
God." 64 Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. But I say to you,
hereafter you will see the Son of Man
sitting at the right hand of the Power,
and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken
blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have
heard his blasphemy. 66 What do you think?" They answered, "He is
worthy of death." 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him with their
fists; and others slapped him, 68 saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is
the one who struck you?"
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant
girl came to him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee." 70 But
he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking
about." 71 And when he went out to the gateway, another girl saw him
and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72
But again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man!" 73 After a
little while those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you are
also one of them, for your accent betrays you." 74 Then he began to
invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And
immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word Jesus
had said, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." So he
went out and wept bitterly.
27
1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the
people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound
him, and led him away and delivered him to Pilate the governor.
3 When Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he
repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests
and the elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood."
And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!" 5 Then he threw down
the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged
himself. 6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, "It is not
lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are the money of blood." 7
So they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury
strangers in. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to
this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet,
saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on
whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave
them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me."
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked
him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" So Jesus said to him, "It is as you
say." 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he
made no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many
things they testify against you?" 14 But he gave him no answer, not even
to a single charge; so that the governor wondered greatly.
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for
the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And at that time they
had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered,
Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you, Barabbas
or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew it was out of envy that
they had handed him over. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat,
his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man,
for I have suffered greatly today in a dream because of him." 20 But the
chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas
and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered them, "Which of the two do
you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" 22 Pilate said to
them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all
said, "Let him be crucified!" 23 And he said, "Why, what evil has he
done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified!" 24 When
Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was starting,
he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am
innocent of this man's blood. See to it yourselves." 25 And all the people
answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" 26 Then he released
Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to
be crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the
Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around him. 28 And they
stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and when they had twisted
a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand.
And they bowed the knee before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail,
King of the Jews!" 30 And they spat on him, and took the reed and struck
him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they took the robe
off him, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by
name, and they compelled him to carry his cross. 33 And when they came
to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), 34 they
offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he
would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his
garments among them by casting lots; 36 and sitting down, they kept
watch over him there. 37 And they put up over his head the charge written
against him:
THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on
the left. 39 And those who passed by hurled insults at him, wagging their
heads 40 and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and build it in
three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the
cross." 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked
him, saying, 42 "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King
of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in
him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him; for
he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" 44 And the robbers who were crucified
with him also reviled him in the same way.
45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was
darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out
with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my
God, why have you forsaken me?" 47 When some of those standing there
heard this, they said, "This man is calling Elijah." 48 Immediately one of
them ran and took a sponge, filled it with wine vinegar and put it on a
reed, and offered it to him to drink. 49 The rest said, "Let him alone; let
us see if Elijah will come to save him." 50 And Jesus cried out again with
a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the
temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the
rocks were split; 52 the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the
saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs
after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus,
saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified,
and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" 55 And many women were
also there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee,
ministering to him; 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the
mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
57 And when it was evening, there came a rich man from
Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself also become a disciple of
Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate
ordered it to be given to him. 59 When Joseph took the body, he wrapped
it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had
hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb,
and departed. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there
opposite the tomb.
62 The next day, the one after the day of Preparation, the chief
priests and the Pharisees gathered to Pilate 63 and said, "Sir, we
remember how that deceiver said, while he was still alive, 'After three
days I will rise again.' 64 Therefore order that the tomb be made secure
until the third day, lest his disciples come by night and steal him away,
and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception
will be worse than the first." 65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard;
go your way, make it as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and
made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
28
1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to
dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And
behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended
from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat
on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as
snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you
seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has risen, as he
said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his
disciples that he has risen from the dead. And behold, he is going before
you to Galilee; there you will see him. Behold, I have told you." 8 So they
departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his
disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Hail!" And they came
to him and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. 10 Then Jesus said
to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee; and
there they will see me."
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard went
into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had
happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted
together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said,
"Tell them, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we
were asleep.' 14 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy
him and keep you out of trouble." 15 So they took the money and did as
they were instructed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to
this day.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain
which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw him, they
worshipped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them,
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age."
Matthew, page 2
The Gospel According to Mark
1
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way";
3 "The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.'"
4 John came baptizing in the wilderness, and preaching a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the land of Judea, and the
people from Jerusalem, went out to him and they were all baptized by him
in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with
camel's hair, and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts
and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, "After me comes One who is
mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop
down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you
with the Holy Spirit."
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was
baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately coming up out of the
water, he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him
like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased."
12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13
And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was
with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.
14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee,
preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."
16 And as he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and
Andrew his brother casting a net into the Sea; for they were fishermen. 17
And Jesus said to them, "Come follow me, and I will make you become
fishers of men." 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed
him. 19 When he had gone a little farther from there, he saw James the
son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending
their nets. 20 And immediately he called them; and they left their father
Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.
21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the
Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were
astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority,
and not as the scribes. 23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with
an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, "Let us alone! What have
we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Did you come to destroy us? I
know who you areóthe Holy One of God!" 25 But Jesus rebuked him,
saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" 26 And the unclean spirit,
convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And
they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying,
"What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the
unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 And at once his fame spread
everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and
John, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew. 30 Now Simon's
mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about
her. 31 So he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and
immediately the fever left her. And she served them. 32 Now at evening,
when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick and those
who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city was gathered together
at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases,
and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak,
because they knew him.
35 Now in the morning, a long while before daylight, he rose
and went out to a solitary place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and
those who were with him searched for him, 37 and when they found him,
they said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." 38 And he said to them,
"Let us go on to the next towns, so I may preach there also; for that is
why I have come." 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in
their synagogues and casting out demons.
40 Then a leper came to him, imploring him, kneeling down to
him and saying to him, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." 41
And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out his hand and touched him,
and said to him, "I am willing; be clean." 42 And immediately the leprosy
left him, and he was made clean. 43 And he strictly warned him and sent
him away at once, 44 and he said to him, "See that you say nothing to
anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing
what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." 45 But he went out and
began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could
no longer openly enter a town, but was outside in the deserted places; and
people came to him from every quarter.
2
1 And when he entered Capernaum after some days, it was heard
that he was home. 2 And many gathered together, so that there was no
longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And he preached the
word to them. 3 Then they came to him, bringing a paralytic carried by
four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd,
they made an opening in the roof above him; and when they had broken
through, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. 5
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are
forgiven." 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their
hearts, 7 "Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who
can forgive sins but God alone?" 8 And immediately, when Jesus
perceived in his spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, he said
to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 Which
is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise,
take up your pallet and walk'? 10 But that you may know that the Son of
Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"óhe said to the paralytic, 11
"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." 12 And he rose, and
immediately took up the pallet and went out in the sight of them all; so
that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw
anything like this!"
13 Then he went out again beside the sea; and all the crowd
came to him, and he taught them. 14 As he passed by, he saw Levi the son
of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me." So
he rose and followed him. 15 And as he sat at table in Levi's house, many
tax collectors and sinners were sitting with Jesus and his disciples; for
there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees,
when they saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his
disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 17 And
when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of
a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous,
but sinners."
18 Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And
people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples
of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 19 And Jesus said to
them, "Can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? As
long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the
days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and
then they will fast in that day.
21 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; if
he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, and the tear is made
worse. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the
wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the wineskins are
ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins."
23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as
they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And
the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful
on the Sabbath?" 25 But he said to them, "Have you never read what
David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those who were with
him: 26 how he entered the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high
priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful to eat, except
for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" 27 And
he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the
Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
3
1 He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had
a withered hand. 2 And they watched him closely, to see whether he
would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he
said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come here." 4 Then he said
to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life
or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5 And he looked around at them with
anger, grieved at the hardness of their hearts, and said to the man,
"Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6
Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians
against him, how they might destroy him.
7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great
multitude from Galilee followed; also from Judea 8 and Jerusalem and
Idumea and beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon, a great
multitude, when they heard how many things he was doing, came to him.
9 And he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him because of
the crowd, lest they should crush him. 10 For he had healed many, so that
all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. 11 And whenever
the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out,
"You are the Son of God." 12 But he strictly ordered them not to make
him known.
13 And he went up on the mountain, and called to him those he
himself wanted. And they came to him. 14 Then he appointed twelve, that
they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach, 15 and
to have authority to cast out the demons: 16 Simon, to whom he gave the
name Peter; 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James,
to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder"; 18
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of
Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who
betrayed him.
20 Then he went home; and the crowd came together again, so
that they could not even eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they
went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." 22 And
the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by
Beelzebub, and by the prince of demons he casts out the demons." 23 So
he called them to himself and said to them in parables: "How can Satan
cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom
cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house
cannot stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided,
he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27 No one can enter a strong
man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man.
And then he will plunder his house. 28 Truly, I say to you, all sins will be
forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29 but
whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is
guilty of an eternal sin"ó30 because they said, "He has an unclean
spirit."
31 Then his brothers and his mother came. And standing outside
they sent to him, and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him;
and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking
for you." 33 And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" 34
And he looked at those who sat in a circle around him, and said, "Here
are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my
brother, and sister, and mother."
4
1 Again he began to teach by the sea. and a very large crowd
gathered around him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea;
and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. 2 Then he taught
them many things by parables, and said to them in his teaching: 3 "Listen!
A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed the seed, some fell along the
path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on rocky ground,
where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it
had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun came up it was scorched, and
because it had no root it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns
and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 But other
seed fell on good soil and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and
produced thirtyfold, sixty, and a hundred." 9 And he said, "He who has
ears to hear, let him hear."
10 And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve
asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them, "To you has been
given the secret of the kingdom of God, but to those outside everything is
in parables; 12 so that
'seeing they may see but not perceive,
and hearing may hear but not understand;
lest they should turn again, and be forgiven.'"
13 And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable?
How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the
word. 15 And these are the ones along the path where the word is sown.
When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that
was sown in them. 16 And these likewise are the ones sown on rocky
ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; 17
and they have no root in themselves, but endure for only a time. Then,
when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word,
immediately they fall away. 18 And others are the ones sown among
thorns; they are those who hear the word, 19 but the cares of this world,
the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and
choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones
sown on good soil, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit
thirtyfold, sixty, and a hundred."
21 And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a
basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is
nothing hidden, except to be revealed; nor is anything secret, but that it
should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 Then he said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the
measure you use, it will be measured to you; and more will be given you.
25 For whoever has, to him will more be given; and whoever does not
have, from him even what he has will be taken away."
26 And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should
scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day,
and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28
All by itself the earth produces grainófirst the blade, then the head, then
the full kernel in the head. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts
in the sickle, because the harvest has come."
30 And he said, "With what shall we compare the kingdom of
God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed
which, when it is sown on the ground, is the smallest of all seeds in the
earth; 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all
shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make
nests in its shade."
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they
were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable he did not speak to them.
And when they were alone, he explained everything to his own disciples.
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us
go over to the other side." 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him along,
just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 And
a great storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was
already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. And they
woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" 39
Then he rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!"
And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them,
"Why are you so afraid? Have you no faith?" 41 And they were filled with
awe, and said to one another, "Who is this? Even the wind and the sea
obey him!"
5
1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the
Gerasenes. 2 And when he had come out of the boat, there met him out of
the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who lived among the tombs; and
no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often
been bound with shackles and chains. But the chains he wrenched apart,
and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to
subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he
was always crying out, and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he
saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and worshipped him. 7 And crying out
with a loud voice, he said, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of
the Most High God? I implore you by God, do not torment me." 8 For he
had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" 9 Then Jesus
asked him, "What is your name?" And he replied, "My name is Legion,
for we are many." 10 And he begged him eagerly not to send them out of
the country.
11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside.
12 So all the demons begged him, "Send us to the swine, that we may
enter them." 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came
out, and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand,
rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. 14
So those who fed the swine fled, and told it in the city and in the country.
And people went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 And they
came to Jesus, and saw the man who had been possessed sitting there,
clothed and in his right mind, the man who had had the legion; and they
were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it told the people what had
happened to the demon-possessed man, and about the swine. 17 Then
they began to plead with Jesus to depart from their region. 18 And as he
was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged
him that he might be with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go
home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you,
and how he has had mercy on you." 20 And he went away and began to
proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and all men
marveled.
21 And when Jesus had crossed over again by the boat to the
other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22
Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name. And seeing
him, he fell at his feet, 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My
little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her,
so that she may be healed, and live." 24 So Jesus went with him.
And a great crowd followed him and thronged around him. 25
And there was a woman who had endured a flow of blood for twelve
years, 26 and she had suffered much under many physicians, and had
spent all that she owned, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27
When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and
touched his garment. 28 For she said, "If I touch even his clothes, I shall
be made well." 29 And immediately the bleeding stopped; and she felt in
her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, immediately
knowing in himself that power had gone out from him, turned around in
the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" 31 And his disciples said
to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who
touched me?'" 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But
the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down
before him in fear and trembling and told him the whole truth. 34 And he
said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be
healed of your disease."
35 While he was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the
synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the
Teacher any further?" 36 But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the
ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." 37 And he
allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John the brother
of James. 38 When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue,
he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he
came in, he said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The
child is not dead, but sleeping." 40 And they laughed at him. But after he
put them all outside, he took the child's father and mother and those who
were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the
hand and said to her, "Talitha cumi!" which means, "Little girl, I say to
you, arise." 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked (she was twelve
years of age). And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 He
strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give
her something to eat.
6
1 He went away from there and came to his own country, and his
disciples followed him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, he began to
teach in the synagogue. And many who heard him were astonished,
saying, "Where did this man get these things? And what wisdom is this
which is given to him, that such mighty works are performed by his
hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James
and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not his sisters here with us?" And
they took offense at him. 4 But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not
without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in
his own house." 5 Now he could do no mighty work there, except that he
laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled
because of their unbelief. Then he went around the villages teaching.
7 And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out
two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He
commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staffóno bag,
no bread, no money in their beltsó9 but to wear sandals and not put on
two tunics. 10 And he said to them, "Where you enter a house, stay there
until you leave that place. 11 And if any place will not receive you and
they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your
feet for a testimony against them." 12 So they went out and preached that
people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed
with oil many that were sick and healed them.
14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become well
known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and
that is why these powers are at work in him." 15 But others said, "It is
Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."
16 But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he
has been raised from the dead!" 17 For Herod himself had sent and had
John arrested, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his
brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. 18 For John had said to
Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 And
Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could
not, 20 for Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a
righteous and holy man. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and
yet he heard him gladly. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his
birthday gave a banquet for his high officers and military commanders and
the leading men of Galilee. 22 And when the daughter of Herodias came
in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to
the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you." 23 And
he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my
kingdom." 24 So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"
And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!" 25 Immediately she came
in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once
the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 And the king was
exceedingly sorry; but, because of his oaths and his guests, he did not
want to refuse her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner and
gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28
and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave
it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his
body, and laid it in a tomb.
30 The apostles gathered to Jesus, and told him all that they had
done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a
lonely place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going,
and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they went away in the boat
to a lonely place by themselves. 33 But many saw them going, and knew
them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of
them. 34 When Jesus went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had
compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
So he began to teach them many things. 35 When it was late in the day,
his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already
the hour is late. 36 Send them away, so they can go to the surrounding
country and villages and buy themselves something to eat." 37 But he
answered them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to him,
"Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to
them to eat?" 38 But he said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go
and see." And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish." 39
Then he commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the
green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, of hundreds and fifties. 41
And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and
blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before
the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all
ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken
pieces and of the fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were about
five thousand men.
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go
before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.
46 And after he had left them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47
When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was
alone on land. 48 And he saw the disciples straining at the oars, for the
wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he came to
them, walking on the sea. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when
they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried
out; 50 for they all saw him, and were terrified. But immediately he spoke
to them and said, "Take courage! It is I; do not be afraid." 51 Then he
climbed into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were
completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves,
because their hearts were hardened.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret
and anchored there. 54 And when they got out of the boat, immediately
the people recognized him, 55 and ran about that whole region, and began
to carry those who were sick around on pallets to wherever they heard he
was. 56 Wherever he entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid
the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even
the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched him were made well.
7
1 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had
come from Jerusalem gathered together to him, 2 they saw some of his
disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3
(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their
hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 When they
come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash themselves.
And there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of
cups and pitchers and copper vessels. ) 5 The Pharisees and the scribes
asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of
the elders, but eat with impure hands?" 6 And he said to them, "Well did
Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites; as it is written:
'This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me.
7 In vain they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'
8 You let go of the commandment of God, and hold on to the tradition of
men." 9 And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the
commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition! 10 For Moses said,
'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or
mother, let him be put to death.' 11 But you say that if a man says to his
father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from
me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God), 12 then you no longer let
him do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of
God through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such
things you do."
14 And he called all the people to him again, and said to them,
"Hear me, everyone, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a man
which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of
a man are what defile him." 17 When he had left the crowd and entered
the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 So he said to
them, "Are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever
enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it does not enter his
heart but his stomach, and so passes on?" (Thus he declared all foods
clean.) 20 And he said, "What comes out of a man is what defiles a man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, come evil thoughts,
fornications, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit,
lewdness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come
from within, and they defile a man."
24 From there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and
Sidon. And he entered a house, and did not want anyone to know it; yet
he could not be hidden. 25 But a woman whose little daughter was
possessed by an unclean spirit heard about him, and she came and fell at
his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth. And
she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And he said to
her, "Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children's
bread and throw it to the dogs." 28 But she answered him, "Yes, Lord, yet
even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." 29 Then he said
to her, "For this saying you may go your way; the demon has left your
daughter." 30 She went home, and found her child lying on the bed, and
the demon gone.
31 Then he departed from the region of Tyre, and went through
Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decapolis. 32 Then
they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his
speech, and they begged him to put his hand on him. 33 And he took him
aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and
touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven he sighed and said to
him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." 35 And [immediately] his ears
were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke
plainly. 36 And he commanded them to tell no one; but the more he
charged them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37 And they were
astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He even
makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
8
1 In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they
had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him, and said to them, 2 "I
have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me
three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to
their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come a
long distance." 4 And his disciples answered him, "How can one feed
these men with bread here in the desert?" 5 And he asked them, "How
many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven." 6 So he commanded the
crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and
having given thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set
before the people; and they set them before the crowd. 7 They also had a
few small fish; and having blessed them, he commanded that these also
should be set before them. 8 They ate, and were satisfied; and they took
up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 9 About four
thousand men were present. And having sent them away, 10 he
immediately got into the boat with his disciples, and went to the region of
Dalmanutha.
11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking
from him a sign from heaven, to test him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his
spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to
you, no sign shall be given to this generation." 13 And he left them, and
getting into the boat again he departed to the other side.
14 Now the disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had
only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying,
"Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of
Herod." 16 And they discussed it with one another, saying, "It is because
we have no bread." 17 Being aware of it, Jesus said to them, "Why do you
discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or
understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see,
and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I
broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of
broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve." 20 "And
when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full
of pieces did you take up?" And they said, "Seven." 21 He said to them,
"Do you not yet understand?"
22 And they came to Bethsaida; and some people brought a
blind man to him, and begged him to touch him. 23 So he took the blind
man by the hand and led him out of the village. And when he had spit on
his eyes and put his hands on him, he asked him "Do you see anything?"
24 And he looked up and said, "I see men; but they look like trees,
walking." 25 Then he put his hands on his eyes again and made him look
up. And he was restored, and saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him
away to his home, saying, "Do not even go into the village."
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples, to the villages of
Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men
say that I am?" 28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say
Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 And he asked them, "But
who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." 30
And he charged them to tell no one about him.
31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer
many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the
scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly
about this. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But
when he had turned around and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter,
and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of
God, but the things of men." 34 And he called to him the multitude with
his disciples, and said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him
deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever desires
to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the
gospel's will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole
world, and forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his
soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous
and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man will also be ashamed when
he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
9
1 And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you that there are some
standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of
God come with power." 2 After six days Jesus took with him Peter and
James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling,
exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth could bleach them. 4 And
there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with
Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. And
let us make three tabernaclesóone for you, one for Moses, and one for
Elijah." 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. 7
And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the
cloud, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!" 8 Suddenly, when they
looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them
to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the
dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what the
rising from the dead meant. 11 And they asked him, "Why do the scribes
say that Elijah must come first?" 12 Then he said to them, "Elijah does
come first and restores all things. And how is it written of the Son of
Man, that he must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13
But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they
wished, as it is written of him."
14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd
around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 Immediately, when they
saw him, all the people were greatly amazed, and ran to him and greeted
him. 16 And he asked them, "What are you discussing with them?" 17
And one of the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you,
who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down;
he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your
disciples to cast out the spirit, but they could not." 19 He answered him,
"O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I
bear with you? Bring him to me." 20 And they brought the boy to him.
And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he
fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus
asked his father, "How long has he been like this?" And he said, "From
childhood. 22 And it has often thrown him both into the fire and into the
water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help
us." 23 Jesus said to him, "If you can, all things are possible to him who
believes." 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I
believe; help my unbelief!" 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came
running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb
and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him
again." 26 And the spirit cried out, convulsed him terribly, and came out.
And the boy was like a corpse; so that many of them said, "He is dead."
27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28
And when he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately,
"Why could we not cast it out?" 29 And he said to them, "This kind can
only come out by prayer."
30 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee,
and he did not want anyone to know it. 31 For he was teaching his
disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into
the hands of men. They will kill him, and when he is killed, after three
days he will rise." 32 But they did not understand the saying, and they
were afraid to ask him.
33 And they came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he
asked them, "What were you discussing on the road?" 34 But they kept
silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the
greatest. 35 And he sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If
anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." 36
And he took a little child, and put him in the midst of them. And taking
him in his arms, he said to them, 37 "Whoever receives one of these little
children in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not
me but him who sent me."
38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons
in your name and we forbade him, because he was not one of us." 39 But
Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who does a miracle in my name
can soon afterward speak evil of me. 40 For he who is not against us is
for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to
drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, will by no means lose
his reward.
42 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to
sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his
neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin,
cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to
go into hell, to the fire that shall never be quenched. 45 And if your foot
causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with
two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin,
pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye
than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where 'their worm does
not die, and the fire is not quenched.' 49 For every one will be salted with
fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season
it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
10
1 Then he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond
the Jordan. And crowds gathered to him again; and again, as his custom
was, he taught them. 2 The Pharisees came and in order to test him asked,
"Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" 3 He answered them, "What
did Moses command you?" 4 They said, "Moses permitted a man to write
a certificate of divorce, and to put her away." 5 But Jesus said to them,
"Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6
But from the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 7
'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to
his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer
two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man
separate." 10 In the house his disciples also asked him again about this
matter. 11 So he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries
another commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband
and marries another man, she commits adultery."
13 And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch
them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was
indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; and do not
hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to
you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will
not enter it." 16 And he took them in his arms, put his hands on them and
blessed them.
17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and
knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to
inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me
good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments:
'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false
witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" 20 And he said
to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." 21 Then
Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing;
go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 But he fell sad at this word,
and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How
hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And
the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a
camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of God." 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to
him, "Then who can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With
men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with
God." 28 Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and
followed you." 29 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who
has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or
lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a
hundredfold now in this timeóhouse and brothers and sisters and
mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to
come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last
first."
32 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was
walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed
were afraid. And he took the twelve aside again and began to tell them
what was to happen to him. 33 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem;
and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes,
and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; 34
and they will mock him, and spit on him, and scourge him, and kill him.
And after three days he will rise."
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and
said, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 And he
said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" 37 And they said to
him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and the other at your left, in
your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are
asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the
baptism I am baptized with?" 39 They said to him, "We are able." So
Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with
the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my
right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it
has been prepared." 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be
indignant with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to himself and
said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the
Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over
them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever wants to become
great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first
among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come
to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with
his disciples and a great multitude, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of
Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 And when he heard that
it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of
David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be
quiet, but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
49 So Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man,
saying to him, "Take heart; rise, he is calling you." 50 And throwing aside
his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, "What
do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Master,
let me receive my sight." 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your
faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and
followed Jesus on the road.
11
1 And when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and
Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 2 and said
to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter
it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and
bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The
Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.'" 4 They went
away and found a colt tied at the door outside in the open street, and they
untied it. 5 And some of those who stood there said to them, "What are
you doing, untying the colt?" 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to,
and they let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw
their garments on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their garments
on the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the
fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed cried out,
"Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming!
Hosanna in the highest!"
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem, and went into the temple. And when he had
looked round at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany
with the twelve.
12 On the next day, when they came from Bethany, he was
hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if
he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but
leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, "May no
one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it.
15 So they came to Jerusalem. And Jesus entered the temple and
began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and
overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who
sold doves. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry merchandise
through the temple. 17 And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written,
'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'?
But you have made it a den of robbers."
18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and sought a way to
destroy him; for they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished
at his teaching. 19 When evening came, they went out of the city.
20 In the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree
withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi,
look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered." 22 And Jesus
answered them, "Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says
to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt
in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be
done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer,
believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever
you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so
that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in
the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him. 28
And they said to him, "By what authority are you doing these things?
Who gave you this authority to do them?" 29 Jesus said to them, "I will
ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I
do these things. 30 The baptism of Johnówas it from heaven or from
men? Answer me." 31 And they reasoned among themselves, "If we say,
'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 32 But
if we say, 'From men'"óthey feared the people, for all held that John was
a real prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus
said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
12
1 Then he began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a
vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a
tower. And he leased it to vine dressers and went into a far country. 2 At
harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants, to collect from them some of
the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they took him and beat him, and sent him
away empty-handed. 4 Again he sent to them another servant, and they
wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. 5 And he sent
another, and him they killed; and so with many others, some they beat and
some they killed. 6 He still had one left to send, a beloved son. He sent
him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 7 But those tenants
said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the
inheritance will be ours.' 8 So they took him and killed him, and cast him
out of the vineyard. 9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will
come and destroy the tenants, and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have
you not read this Scripture:
'The stone which the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone;
11 this was the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes'?"
12 And they sought to arrest him, but feared the multitude, for they knew
he had spoken the parable against them. So they left him and went away.
13 Then they sent to him some of the Pharisees and the
Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14 When they came, they said to
him, "Teacher, we know that you are true, and care about no man; for you
do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it
lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Should we pay them, or should
we not?" But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why do you put
me to the test? Bring me a denarius, and let me look at it." 16 And they
brought one. And he said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is
this?" They said to him, "Caesar's." 17 Jesus said to them, "Render to
Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
And they were amazed at him.
18 Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came
to him; and they asked him a question, saying: 19 "Teacher, Moses wrote
for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child,
the man must take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. 20 Now
there were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no
children. 21 And the second took her, and he died; leaving behind no
children. And the third likewise. 22 So the seven had her and left no
children. Last of all the woman died also. 23 In the resurrection, whose
wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife." 24 Jesus said to them,
"Is not this why you are wrong, that you do not know the Scriptures nor
the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither
marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as
for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the
passage about the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham,
and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27 He is not the God of the
dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken."
28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing
with one another, and seeing that he had answered them well, asked him,
"Which commandment is the first of all?" 29 Jesus answered, "The first
is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. 30 And you shall love
the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all
your mind, and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater
than these." 32 And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you
have well said that God is one, and there is no other but he; 33 and to
love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all
the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all
whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34 And when Jesus saw that he
answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of
God." And after that no one dared to ask him any question.
35 And Jesus said, while he taught in the temple, "How is it that
the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? 36 David himself,
speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
till I put your enemies under your feet."'
37 Therefore David himself calls him 'Lord'; how is he then his son?"
And the common people heard him gladly.
38 And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like
to go around in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places
39 and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,
40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers.
They will receive the greater condemnation."
41 And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the
multitude putting money into the treasury. Many people who were rich
put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came, and put in two copper
coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him, and
said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than
all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For they all put in out of
their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in everythingóall she had
to live on."
13
1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to
him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful
buildings!" 2 And Jesus said to him, "Do you see all these great
buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another, that will
not be thrown down."
3 Now as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple,
Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4 "Tell us, when will
this be? And what will be the sign when these things are all to be
fulfilled?" 5 And Jesus began to say to them: "Take heed that no one
deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and will
deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be
alarmed; such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation
will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be
earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles.
These are the beginning of birth pains. 9 But watch out for yourselves, for
they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the
synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake,
for a testimony to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all
nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not
worry beforehand what you are to say. But say whatever is given you in
that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 Brother will
betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up
against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by
all men for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
14 "When you see 'the abomination of desolation' standing
where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are
in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go
down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And
let him who is in the field not go back to get his cloak. 17 But woe for
those who are pregnant and those who are nursing babies in those days!
18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will
be tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation
which God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had
not shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the sake of the
elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 Then if anyone says to
you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, he is there!' do not believe it.
22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and
wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I
have told you all things beforehand.
24 "But in those days, after that tribulation,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great
power and glory. 27 And then he will send out his angels, and gather his
elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of
heaven.
28 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch
becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.
29 So also, when you see these things happening, you know that it is
near, right at the door. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass
away before all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass
away, but my words will not pass away.
32 "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the
angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch;
for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on
a journey, when he leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each
with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35
Watch thereforeófor you do not know when the master of the house will
come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the
morningó36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I
say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
14
1 It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of
Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking
how to arrest him by stealth, and kill him. 2 But they said, "Not during
the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people."
3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,
as he sat at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of
pure nard, very costly. And she broke the flask and poured it over his
head. 4 But there were some who said to themselves indignantly, "Why
was this ointment wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than
three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her
sharply. 6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She
has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with
you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not
always have me. 8 She has done what she could. She has come
beforehand to anoint my body for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you,
wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done
will also be told in memory of her."
10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief
priests to betray him to them. 11 And when they heard it they were glad,
and promised to give him money. So he sought an opportunity to betray
him.
12 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed
the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 13 And he sent two of his
disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of
water will meet you; follow him. 14 And wherever he enters, say to the
owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, where is my guest room, where I
may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 15 He will show you a large
upper room, furnished and ready; make preparations for us there." 16 So
the disciples set out and went to the city, and found it just as he had told
them; and they prepared the Passover. 17 And when it was evening he
came with the twelve. 18 And as they were at table eating, Jesus said,
"Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with
me." 19 They began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one by one, "Is it
I?" 20 He said to them, "It is one of the twelve, one who dips bread into
the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes just as it is written of him,
but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have
been better for that man if he had not been born."
22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke
it, and gave it to them and said, "Take; this is my body." 23 Then he took
the cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all
drank from it. 24 And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant,
which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink of
the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of
God." 26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of
Olives.
27 And Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away; for it is
written:
'I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.'
28 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." 29 Peter
said to him, "Even if all fall away, I will not." 30 Jesus said to him,
"Truly, I say to you that this very night, before the rooster crows twice,
you will deny me three times." 31 But he spoke more vehemently, "If I
have to die with you, I will not deny you!" And they all said the same.
32 They went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he
said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I pray." 33 And he took Peter, James
and John with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34
And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; stay here,
and watch." 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed
that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said,
"Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from
me; yet not what I will, but what you will." 37 Then he came and found
them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you
not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into
temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 39 And
again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And when he
came again, he found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy; and they
did not know what to answer him. 41 Then he came the third time and
said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour
has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of
sinners. 42 Rise, let us go; see, my betrayer is at hand."
43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came,
one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the
chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given
them a signal, saying, "The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him and lead
him away under guard." 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once,
and said, "Rabbi!" and he kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him and
seized him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck
the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to
them, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to
capture me? 49 Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you
did not seize me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled." 50 Then they all
forsook him and fled.
51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen
cloth around his body. And they seized him, 52 and he left the linen cloth
and fled from them naked.
53 And they led Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests
and the elders and the scribes were assembled. 54 But Peter followed him
at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with
the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and
the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but
they found none. 56 For many bore false witness against him, but their
testimonies did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and bore false witness
against him, saying, 58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that
is made with hands, and in three days I will build another not made with
hands.'" 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 And the high
priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer to
make? What is it that these men testify against you?" 61 But he was silent
and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the
Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" 62 And Jesus said, "I am.
And you will see the Son of Man
sitting at the right hand of the Power,
and coming with the clouds of heaven."
63 The high priest tore his clothes and said, "Why do we need any more
witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" And
they all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit
on him, and to blindfold him, and to beat him, and to say to him,
"Prophesy!" And the guards received him with slaps in the face.
66 Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant
girls of the high priest came. 67 And when she saw Peter warming
himself, she looked at him, and said, "You also were with the Nazarene,
Jesus." 68 But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what
you mean." And he went out into the gateway. 69 And the servant girl saw
him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them."
70 But again he denied it. And after a little while again those standing
near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Gallilean."
71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not
know this man of whom you speak." 72 And immediately the rooster
crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had said to
him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." And
he broke down and wept.
15
1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation
with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus,
led him away, and delivered him to Pilate. 2 Then Pilate asked him, "Are
you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him, "It is as you say." 3
And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again
asked him, "Have you no answer to make? See how many things they
bring against you." 5 But Jesus still made no answer, so that Pilate was
amazed.
6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to release for them one
prisoner whom they requested. 7 And with the rebels in prison, who had
committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8
And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he had always
done for them. 9 But Pilate answered them, "Do you want me to release to
you the King of the Jews?" 10 For he knew it was out of envy that the
chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred
up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And
Pilate again said to them, "Then what shall I do with the man whom you
call the King of the Jews?" 13 And they cried out again, "Crucify him!"
14 And Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they
shouted all the more, "Crucify him!" 15 So Pilate, wanting to satisfy the
crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had
scourged him, to be crucified.
16 The soldiers led him away into the palace (that is, the
Praetorium) and they called together the whole battalion. 17 And they
clothed him in a purple cloak, and they twisted a crown of thorns and put
it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19
Then they struck him on the head with a reed and spat on him; and falling
on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked
him, they took the purple robe off him, and put his own clothes on him.
Then they led him out to crucify him.
21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon of Cyrene, the
father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and
passing by, to carry his cross. 22 And they brought him to the place called
Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 23 Then they offered him
wine mingled with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And when they
crucified him,
they divided his garments,
casting lots for them
to determine what each man should take.
25 And it was the third hour, when they crucified him. 26 And the
inscription of the charge written against him read:
THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on
his left. 29 And those who passed by hurled insults at him, wagging their
heads, and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it
in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!" 31 So
also the chief priests mocked him among themselves with the scribes, and
said, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the
King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and
believe." Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.
33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over
the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried
out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"ówhich means,
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 35 When some of those
standing near heard this, they said, "Behold, he is calling Elijah." 36 And
one ran and filled a sponge full of wine vinegar, put it on a reed, and
offered it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see if Elijah will come to
take him down." 37 And with a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 Then
the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the
centurion, who stood opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and
breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" 40 There
were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary
Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and
Salome, 41 who also followed him and ministered to him when he was in
Galilee; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation
Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a
prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of
God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body
of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that he was already dead; and summoning the
centurion, he asked him if he was already dead. 45 And when he learned
from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. 46
Then he bought fine linen, took him down, and wrapped him in the linen.
And he laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and
rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary
the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
16
1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the
mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and
anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the
tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they asked each other, "Who will roll
away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4 But when they
looked up, they saw that the stone, though it was very large, had been
rolled away. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on
the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were alarmed. 6 But he
said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was
crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to
Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." 8 So they went out
quickly and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had
gripped them. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he
appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven
demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they
mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that he was alive and had
been seen by her, they did not believe it.
12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they
were walking into the country. 13 And they went and told it to the rest,
but they did not believe them either.
14 Later he appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and he
rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did
not believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 And he said to
them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 He
who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe
will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who
believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new
tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing,
it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will
recover."
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was
taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 Then they
went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and
confirmed the word by the signs that accompanied it. Amen.
Mark, page 1
The Gospel According to Luke
1
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of
the things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were
delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and
ministers of the word, 3 it seemed good to me also, having carefully
investigated all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly
account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty
of the things which you have been taught.
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named
Zechariah, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of
Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous
before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord
blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and
they were both well advanced in years. 8 Now while he was serving as
priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the
custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the
Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were
praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord
appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And
Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But
the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is
heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his
name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice
at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall
drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy
Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the
sons of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go before him in the
spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the
children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a
people prepared for the Lord." 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, "How
shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in
years." 19 And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the
presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this
good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until
the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my
words, which will be fulfilled in their time." 21 And the people were
waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.
22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived
that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he made signs to them and
remained speechless. 23 And when his time of service was completed, he
went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and
for five months she hid herself, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has done to me,
in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among
people."
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a
city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose
name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28
The angel went to her and said, "Hail, O highly favored one, the Lord is
with you!" 29 But she was greatly troubled at his saying, and considered
in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to
her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And
behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call
his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the
Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.
33 And he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom
there will be no end." 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be,
since I am a virgin?" 35 And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit
will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow
you; therefore the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. 36
And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a
son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For
with God nothing will be impossible." 38 Then Mary said, "Behold, I am
the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the
angel departed from her.
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill
country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and
greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the
babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 And she exclaimed with a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted me, that
the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, as soon as the
voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for
joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment
of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
46 And Mary said:
47 "My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has regarded the lowly state of his servant;
for behold, henceforth all generations
will call me blessed.
49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud
in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his seed forever."
56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and
returned to her home.
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she
gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had
shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 On the eighth
day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him
Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said, "No; he shall be called
John." 61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is
called by that name." 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring
what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and
wrote, "His name is John." And they all marveled. 64 And immediately
his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.
65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were
discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea; 66 and all who heard
them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?"
For the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 Now his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and
prophesied, saying:
68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people,
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath which he swore to our father Abraham:
74 to grant us that we,
being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him
all the days of our life.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 through the tender mercy of our God,
with which the sunrise from on high will visit us;
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace."
80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in
the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
2
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a
census should be taken of all the world. 2 This was the first census that
took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be
registered, everyone to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from
Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is
called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to
be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 And
while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. 7 And she
gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and
laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And in that region there were shepherds living out in the
fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the
Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and
they were filled with fear. 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be
afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all
the people. 11 For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign to you: you will find a
babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among men
with whom he is pleased!"
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this
thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And
they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a
manger. 17 Now when they had seen him, they made widely known the
saying which had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who
heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary kept
all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard
and seen, as it had been told them.
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he
was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in
the womb.
22 And when the time of their purification according to the law
of Moses was completed, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present
him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male
who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), 24 and to offer a
sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of
turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon,
and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of
Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to
him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the
Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the
parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom
of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God, and said:
29 "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel."
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34
Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this
child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign
that will be spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own
soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel,
of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with her
husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was
eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, but worshipped with
fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she
gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the
redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the
law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and
the grace of God was upon him.
41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the
Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to the
Feast, according to the custom. 43 And when the feast was over, as they
were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did
not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's
journey, and they sought him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45
And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the
teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who
heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And
when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him,
"Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been
looking for you anxiously." 49 And he said to them, "Why did you seek
me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 But they
did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 Then he went
down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them, but his
mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in
wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
3
1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,
Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee,
his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and
Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and
Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the
wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan,
preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is
written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill brought low;
the crooked places shall be made straight
and the rough ways smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by
him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to
say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that
God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And
even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that
does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." 10 And the
multitudes asked him, "What then shall we do?" 11 And he answered
them, "He who has two tunics, let him share with him who has none; and
he who has food, let him do likewise." 12 Tax collectors also came to be
baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" 13 And he said to
them, "Collect no more than is appointed you." 14 Likewise the soldiers
asked him, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Rob no one by
violence or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages."
15 As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in
their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, 16 John
answered them all, "I baptize you with water; but one mightier than I is
coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will
baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is
in his hand, to clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his
barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." 18 And with
many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But
Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his
brother's wife, and for all the other evil things Herod had done, 20 added
this to them all, that he shut up John in prison.
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was also
baptized. And as he was praying, the heaven was opened 22 and the Holy
Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon him, and a voice came
from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
23 Now Jesus himself, when he began his ministry, was about
thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of
Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of
Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the
son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath,
the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of
Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the
son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi,
the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of
Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of
Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son
of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the
son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse,
the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of
Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of
Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son
of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of
Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son
of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared,
the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of
Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
4
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the
devil. In those days he ate nothing, and when they had ended, he was
hungry. 3 And the devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command
this stone to become bread." 4 But Jesus answered him, "It is written,
'Man shall not live by bread alone.'" 5 Then the devil took him up to a
high place, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of
time. 6 And he said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their
glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If
you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours." 8 And Jesus answered
him, "It is written,
'You shall worship the Lord your God,
and him only shall you serve.'"
9 He took him to Jerusalem, set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and
said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here;
10 for it is written:
'He will give his angels charge of you,
to guard you,'
11 and,
'In their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"
12 And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord
your God.'" 13 When the devil had ended every temptation, he departed
from him until an opportune time.
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and
news of him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he
taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up.
And as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day,
and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed
to him. And he opened the book, and found the place where it was
written:
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to preach the good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
20 Then he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat
down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he
began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
22 And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which
proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" 23
He said to them, "Surely you will quote this proverb to me: 'Physician,
heal yourself! Do here also in your own country what we have heard that
you did in Capernaum.'" 24 Then he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet
is accepted in his own country. 25 But I tell you truly, there were many
widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three
years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the
land; 26 but Elijah was sent to none of them except to Zarephath, in the
region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many
lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha; and not one of them was
cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." 28 When they heard this, all in
the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and cast him
out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was
built, that they might throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through
the midst of them, he went his way.
31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and he
was teaching them on the Sabbath. 32 And they were astonished at his
teaching, for his word was with authority. 33 And in the synagogue there
was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with
a loud voice, 34 "Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us? I know who you areóthe Holy One of
God!" 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of
him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came
out of him without doing him any harm. 36 And they were all amazed and
said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he
commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!" 37 And the report
about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
38 And he arose and left the synagogue, and entered Simon's
house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they
made request of him on her behalf. 39 So he stood over her and rebuked
the fever, and it left her. And immediately she rose and served them. 40
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with
various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one
of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying,
"You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them, and would not allow
them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
42 Now when it was day, he departed and went into a deserted
place. And the people sought him and came to him, and tried to keep him
from leaving them; 43 but he said to them, "I must preach the good news
of the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because I was sent for this
purpose." 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
5
1 Now as the people pressed around him to hear the word of
God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2 And he saw two boats
by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing
their nets. 3 Then he got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and
asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught
the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to
Simon, "Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And
Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and caught nothing! But at
your word I will let down the nets." 6 And when they had done this, they
caught a great number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 So they
signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And
they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When
Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me,
for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" 9 For he and all who were with him were
astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And
Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch
men." 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they left
everything and followed him.
12 While he was in one of the cities, a man who was full of
leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and begged him, "Lord, if you
are willing, you can make me clean." 13 And he stretched out his hand,
and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be clean." And immediately the
leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one, "But go and show
yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing as a
testimony to them, just as Moses commanded."15 But the report went
around concerning him all the more; and great multitudes came together
to hear and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16 But he often
withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.
17 One day as he was teaching, there were Pharisees and
teachers of the law sitting by, who had come from every village of Galilee
and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present for
him to heal. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was
paralyzed, and they sought to bring him in and lay him before Jesus. 19
When they could not find a way to bring him in, because of the crowd,
they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles
into the midst before Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith he said, "Man,
your sins are forgiven you." 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began
to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive
sins but God alone?" 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he
answered them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is
easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk'?
24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to
forgive sins"óhe said to the man who was paralyzedó "I say to you,
rise, take up your bed and go home." 25 Immediately he rose up before
them, took up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God.
26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with
awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today."
27 After this he went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi,
sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." 28 And he left
everything, rose up and followed him. 29 Then Levi made him a great
feast in his house; and there were a great number of tax collectors and
others sitting at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes
complained against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with
tax collectors and sinners?" 31 And Jesus answered them, "Those who are
well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not
come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
33 They said to him, "The disciples of John fast often and offer
prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink."
34 And Jesus said to them, "Can you make the guests of the bridegroom
fast while he is with them? 35 But the days will come when the
bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those
days." 36 He told them a parable also: "No one tears a piece from a new
garment and puts it on an old one; if he does, he will tear the new
garment, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37 And no
one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the new wine will burst
the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. 38 But new
wine must be put into new wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old
wine desires the new; for he says, 'The old is better.'"
6
1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and his
disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their
hands. 2 But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not
lawful to do on the Sabbath?" 3 Jesus answered them, "Have you not read
what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4
how he entered the house of God, took and ate the consecrated bread, and
also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the
priests to eat?" 5 And he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the
Sabbath."
6 On another Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and
a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 The scribes and the
Pharisees watched him closely, to see whether he would heal on the
Sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he knew
their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, "Rise and
stand here." And he rose and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, "I
ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save
life or to destroy it?" 10 And he looked around at them all, and said to the
man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. 11
But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they
might do to Jesus.
12 In those days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all
night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called
his disciples to himself; and from them he chose twelve, whom he also
named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his
brother, James and John, Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, and
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the
Zealot, 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a
traitor.
17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place with
a crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea
and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to
hear him and be healed of their diseases, 18 and those who were troubled
with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch
him, for power came from him and healed them all.
20 He lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:
"Blessed are you poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you shall be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you shall laugh.
22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and
revile you, and cast out your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in
heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
24 But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
25 Woe to you who are full now,
for you shall hunger.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you shall mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to
the false prophets.
27 "But I say to you who hear: love your enemies, do good to
those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who
mistreat you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other
also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your
tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and from him who takes away
your goods do not ask them back. 31 And as you wish that men would do
to you, do so to them. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is
that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do
good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even
sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to
receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners,
to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend,
expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will
be sons of the Most High. For he is kind to the ungrateful and evil. 36 Be
merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged. Condemn not, and
you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give,
and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together
and running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use,
it will be measured back to you." 39 He also told them a parable: "Can a
blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A
disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be
like his teacher. 41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's
eye, but do not notice the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say
to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,'
when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? You
hypocrite! First take the plank from out of your own eye, and then you
will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.
43 "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear
good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not
gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a bramble bush. 45
The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and
an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out
of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?
47 Every one who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will
show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug
deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the
stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it was
well built. 49 But he who hears and does not do them is like a man who
built a house on the ground without a foundation; against which the
stream broke, and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was
great."
7
1 When he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the
people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion's servant, who was dear to
him, was sick and ready to die. 3 When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him
elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when
they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to
have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and has built us our
synagogue." 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the
house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, do not
trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7
Therefore I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say
the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I am a man set under
authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes;
and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and
he does it." 9 When Jesus heard this, he marveled at him, and turned and
said to the crowd that followed him, "I tell you, I have not found such
great faith even in Israel." 10 And when those who had been sent returned
to the house, they found the servant well.
11 Soon afterward, he went to a city called Nain, and his
disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he came near the
gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of
his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was
with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said
to her, "Do not weep." 14 Then he came and touched the open coffin, and
those who carried him stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you,
arise." 15 The dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to
his mother. 16 Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A
great prophet has arisen among us;" and "God has visited his people." 17
And this report about him spread throughout all Judea and all the
surrounding country.
18 Then the disciples of John told him about all these things. 19
And John, calling to him two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord,
saying, "Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?"
20 When the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent
us to you, saying, 'Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for
another?'" 21 At that very hour he cured many of diseases and afflictions
and evil spirits, and to many that were blind he gave sight. 22 He
answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the
blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the
deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the good news preached to
them. 23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of me." 24 When
the messengers of John had departed, he began to speak to the crowds
concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed
shaken by the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man clothed
in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously appareled and live in
luxury are in kings' courts. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is
written:
'Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.'
28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than
John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
29 (And when they heard him, all the people, even the tax collectors,
justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the
Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not
having been baptized by him.)
31 "To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and
what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace
and calling to one another:
'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.'
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and
you say, 'He has a demon.' 34 The Son of Man has come eating and
drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax
collectors and sinners!' 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children."
36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went
to the Pharisee's house, and reclined at the table. 37 And behold, a
woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that Jesus was
reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of
perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began
to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head,
and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the perfume. 39 Now when
the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man
were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is
who is touching him, for she is a sinner." 40 And Jesus answered him,
"Simon, I have something to say to you." And he said, "Teacher, say it."
41 "A certain creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii,
and the other fifty. 42 When they had nothing with which to pay him
back, he freely forgave them both. Now which of them will love him
more?" 43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one to whom he forgave
more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44 Then he turned
toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered
your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet
with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave me
no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss my feet from the time I
came in. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my
feet with perfume. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are
forgiven, for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little."
48 And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 Then those who
reclined at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is
this who even forgives sins?" 50 He said to the woman, "Your faith has
saved you; go in peace."
8
1 Soon afterward, he went on through every city and village,
preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the
twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of
evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven
demons had come out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward,
and Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their means.
4 And when a great crowd came together and people from town
after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5 "A sower went out to sow
his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path; and it was trampled
down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on the rock; and as
it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell
among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 But others
fell on good soil, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When he
had said this he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
9 When his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he
said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of
God; but to others it is given in parables, so that
'Seeing they may not see,
and hearing they may not understand.'
11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12
The ones along the path are those who hear; then the devil comes and
takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be
saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the
word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while
and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And the ones that fell among the
thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are
choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does
not mature. 15 But the ones that fell on the good soil are those who,
having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit
with patience.
16 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or
puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, that those who enter may
see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor
anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 Therefore
take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and
whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from
him."
19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could
not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And it was told him, "Your
mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you." 21
But he said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the
word of God and do it."
22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to
them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they set out. 23 As
they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and
they were filling with water, and were in danger. 24 And they went and
woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" Then he awoke
and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; and they ceased, and there
was a calm. 25 He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were
afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that
he commands even the winds and water, and they obey him?"
26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is
opposite Galilee. 27 When he stepped out on land, there met him a man
from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes,
and he lived not in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he
cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, "What
have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do
not torment me!" 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come
out of the man. For many times it had seized him, and he was kept under
guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was
driven by the demon into the wilderness. 30 Jesus asked him, "What is
your name?" And he said, "Legion"; because many demons had entered
him. 31 And they begged him repeatedly not to command them to go into
the Abyss.
32 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside;
and they begged him to let them enter them. So he gave them permission.
33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the
herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. 34
When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they fled, and told
it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people went out to see what had
happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the
demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right
mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told them how he
who had been demon-possessed was healed. 37 Then all the people of the
surrounding region of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for
they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38
The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with
him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 "Return to your home, and tell
how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming
throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they
were all waiting for him. 41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus,
who was a ruler of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus' feet and begged
him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve
years of age, and she was dying.
But as he went, the people pressed round him. 43 And a woman
who had a flow of blood for twelve years and could not be healed by
anyone, 44 came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment;
and immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, "Who
touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the multitudes
surround you and press upon you!" 46 But Jesus said, "Someone touched
me; for I know that power has gone out from me." 47 When the woman
saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before
him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him,
and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her,
"Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."
49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of
the synagogue's house and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble
the Teacher any more." 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do
not be afraid; only believe, and she will be well." 51 When he came into
the house he permitted no one to go in with him except Peter, James, and
John, and the father and mother of the girl. 52 Now all were wailing and
mourning for her; but he said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but
sleeping." 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54
But he took her by the hand and called, saying, "Child, arise." 55 Then
her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something
should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were astonished, but he
charged them to tell no one what had happened.
9
1 Then he called the twelve together and gave them power and
authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them out to
preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And he said to them,
"Take nothing for the journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money;
and do not have two tunics. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there, and
from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you
leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against
them." 6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the
gospel and healing everywhere.
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done; and he was
perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the
dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the
old prophets had risen again. 9 And Herod said, "John I have beheaded,
but who is this about whom I hear such things?" So he sought to see him.
10 And when the apostles returned, they told him what they had
done. Then he took them with him and withdrew apart to a city called
Bethsaida. 11 But when the crowds learned it, they followed him; and he
welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed
those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day began to wear away; and
the twelve came and said to him, "Send the crowd away, to go to the
surrounding villages and country, to lodge and get provisions; for we are
here in a deserted place." 13 But he said to them, "You give them
something to eat." And they said, "We have no more than five loaves and
two fishóunless we go and buy food for all these people." 14 For there
were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Make them
sit down in groups of about fifty each." 15 And they did so, and made
them all sit down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking
up to heaven, he blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples
to set before the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and they took
up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.
18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone his disciples
were with him; and he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"
19 So they answered, "John the Baptist; but others say Elijah; and others
say that one of the old prophets has risen again." 20 And he said to them,
"But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered, "The Christ of
God."
21 But he strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no
one, 22 saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected
by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third
day be raised." 23 Then he said to them all, "If anyone would come after
me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for my sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the
whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of
me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he
comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste
death before they see the kingdom of God."
28 Now about eight days after these sayings, he took with him
Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And
as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his robe
became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with him,
Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure,
which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those
with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they
saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 As the men were
parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here;
and let us make three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses, and one for
Elijah"ónot knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud
came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the
cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my
Chosen; listen to him!" 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found
alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things
they had seen.
37 On the next day, when they had come down from the
mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd
cried out, "Teacher, I beg you to look upon my son, for he is my only
child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it
convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and will hardly leave him,
bruising him. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could
not." 41 Then Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how
long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." 42
While he was coming, the demon threw him and convulsed him. But Jesus
rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his
father. 43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.
But while everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to
his disciples, 44 "Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man
is about to be betrayed into the hands of men." 45 But they did not
understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not
perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
46 And an argument arose among them as to which of them
would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took
a little child and set him by him, 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives
this little child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives
him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is
great."
49 Now John answered, "Master, we saw a man casting out
demons in your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow
with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he that is not
against you is for you."
51 When the time drew near for him to be received up, he set his
face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went
and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him; 53 but the
people did not receive him, because his face was set for Jerusalem. 54
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do you
want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"
55 But he turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went on to another
village.
57 As they were going along the road, a man said to him, "I will
follow you wherever you go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have
holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to
lay his head." 59 To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let
me first go and bury my father." 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury
their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 Still
another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say
farewell to those at my home." 62 Jesus said to him, "No one who puts
his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
10
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them
ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself
was about to go. 2 And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the
laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs
among wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on
the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' 6
And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will
return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what
they give, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to
house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set
before you. 9 Heal the sick there and say to them, 'The kingdom of God
has come near to you.' 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not
receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 'Even the dust of your town
that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this,
that the kingdom of God has come near.' 12 I tell you, it will be more
tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
13 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the
mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But
it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.
15 And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
You shall be brought down to Hades!
16 "He who hears you hears me, he who rejects you rejects me,
and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the
demons are subject to us in your name." 18 And he said to them, "I saw
Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you
authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of
the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in
this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are
written in heaven."
21 At that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I
thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these
things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Yes, Father,
for so it was your good pleasure. 22 All things have been delivered to me
by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and
who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son chooses
to reveal him." 23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately,
"Blessed are the eyes which see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many
prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to
hear what you hear, and did not hear it."
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying,
"Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him,
"What is written in the law? How do you read?" 27 And he answered,
"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your
soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind'; and 'your
neighbor as yourself.'" 28 And he said to him, "You have answered right;
do this, and you will live." 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to
Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus said: "A man was going down
from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him
of his clothing, beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by
chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed
by on the other side. 32 So likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place
and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he
journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion.
34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine;
then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care
of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the
innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I
will repay you when I come back.' 36 Which of these three do you think
was a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37 He said, "The
one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do
likewise."
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a
woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a
sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his word. 40
But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and
said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell
her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha,
you are worried and troubled about many things; 42 but only one thing is
needed. And Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken
away from her."
11
1 He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of
his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his
disciples." 2 He said to them, "When you pray, say:
'Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves also forgive everyone
who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.'"
5 And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go
to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a
friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set
before him'; 7 and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the
door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and
give you anything'? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give to him
because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and
give him as much as he needs. 9 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given
to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who
knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a
fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he asks for an egg,
will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. So it was,
when the demon had gone out, that the mute man spoke; and the
multitudes marveled. 15 But some of them said, "He casts out demons by
Beelzebub, the prince of demons." 16 Others, testing him, sought from
him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them:
"Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a house divided
against itself falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will
his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 19
And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them
out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if I cast out demons by
the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When
a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace.
22 But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he
takes away his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He
who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me
scatters.
24 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through
dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will return to my
house from which I came.' 25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and
put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more
wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of
that man is worse than the first."
27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her
voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the
breasts that nursed you!" 28 But he said, "Blessed rather are those who
hear the word of God and keep it!"
29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This is
an evil generation. It seeks a sign, but no sign will be given to it except
the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also
the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will
rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them;
for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of
Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn
it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, one greater
than Jonah is here.
33 "No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a secret place or under
a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light. 34
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is good, your whole
body also is full of light. But when it is bad, your body also is full of
darkness. 35 Therefore be careful that the light in you is not darkness. 36
If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be
completely lighted, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light."
37 While he was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with
him; so he went in and sat at table. 38 The Pharisee was surprised to see
that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 But the Lord said to him,
"Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you
are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish ones! Did not he who
made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give for alms those things
which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. 42 But woe to
you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and
neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done,
without leaving the others undone. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you
love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
44 Woe to you! For you are like graves which are not seen, and men walk
over them without knowing it."
45 One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, by saying these
things you reproach us also." 46 And he said, "Woe to you also, lawyers!
For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not
touch the burdens with one of your fingers. 47 Woe to you! For you build
the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. 48 So you
witness that you approve of the deeds of your fathers; for they killed
them, and you build their tombs. 49 Therefore the wisdom of God also
said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill
and persecute,' 50 that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from
the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, 51 from
the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the
altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it shall be required of this
generation. 52 Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of
knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and you hindered those who
were entering." 53 As he went away from there, the scribes and the
Pharisees began to press him hard, and to provoke him to speak of many
things, 54 lying in wait for him, to catch at something he might say.
12
1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had
gathered together that they trampled one another, he began to say to his
disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is
hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, or
hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the
dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the ear in
the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.
4 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the
body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you
whom you should fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to
cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for
two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Indeed, the
very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value
than many sparrows.
8 "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of
Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. 9 But he who
denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And
everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but
he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 Now
when they bring you before the synagogues and rulers and authorities, do
not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you are to say;
12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to
say."
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother
to divide the inheritance with me." 14 But he said to him, "Man, who
made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" 15 And he said to them,
"Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life does not
consist in the abundance of his possessions." 16 And he told them a
parable, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17
And he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store
my crops?' 18 And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and
build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19
And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many
years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' 20 But God said to him,
'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those
things be which you have prepared?' 21 So is he who lays up treasure for
himself, and is not rich toward God."
22 Then he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not
worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about your body, what you
will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than
clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have
neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more
value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by worrying can add a
single cubit to his span of life? 26 If you then are not able to do this very
little thing, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies,
how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in
all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes
the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the
oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do
not seek what you will eat or what you will drink, nor have an anxious
mind. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your
Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these
things will be given to you as well. 32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is
your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your
possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves purses that do not grow
old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches
and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will
be also.
35 "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning, 36 and be
like men who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding
feast, so that they may open to him immediately when he comes and
knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds watching
when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have
them sit at table, and will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the
second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those
servants. 39 But know this, that if the owner of the house had known at
what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to
be broken into. 40 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man
is coming at an hour you do not expect."
41 Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to all?"
42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom
his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food
at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find
so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all
his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is
delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the
maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that
servant will come on a day when he does not expect him, and at an hour
he is not aware of, and he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place
with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will, and
did not ready himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with
many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, and committed things
deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. From everyone who has
been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted
much, of him they will ask the more.
49 "I came to cast fire on the earth, and how I wish it were
already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how
distressed I am until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I came to
give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now
on there will be five in one house divided: three against two, and two
against three.
53 They will be divided, father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
54 He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising
in the west, immediately you say, "A shower is coming'; and so it
happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There
will be hot weather'; and there is. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to
interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; but how is it you do not
know how to interpret this present time?
57 "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58
As you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make an effort to settle
with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand
you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell
you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last copper."
13
1 There were some present at that very time who told him about
the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And
Jesus answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse
sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered this way? 3 I
tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those
eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think
that they were worse sinners than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
6 He told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his
vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to
the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking
fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the
ground?' 8 And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I
dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if
not, you can cut it down.'"
10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the
Sabbath. 11 And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for
eighteen years; she was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12
When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you
are freed from your infirmity." 13 And he laid his hands on her, and
immediately she was made straight, and praised God. 14 But the ruler of
the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said
to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come
on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day." 15 Then the
Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the
Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall, and lead it away to
water it? 16 Then ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom
Satan has bound for eighteen years, be loosed on the Sabbath day from
this bond?" 17 When he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame;
and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by
him.
18 Then he said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to
what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took
and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of
the air nested in its branches."
20 And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of
God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures
of flour till it was all leavened."
22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and
journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to him, "Lord, will those
who are saved be few?" And he said to them, 24 "Strive to enter through
the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be
able. 25 When once the owner of the house has risen up and shut the
door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying,
'Lord, open for us.' He will answer you, 'I do not know where you come
from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence,
and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not
know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of
iniquity!'28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see
Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God,
and you yourselves thrust out. 29 And men will come from east and west,
and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And
behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be
last."
31 At that very time some Pharisees came, and said to him, "Get
away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." 32 And he said to them,
"Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today
and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.' 33 Nevertheless I
must journey today and tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be
that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem. 34 O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you!
How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers
her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! 35 Behold, your
house is left to you desolate. And I tell you, you will not see me again
until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'"
14
1 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who
belonged to the Pharisees, they watched him. 2 And behold, there was a
man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus spoke to the lawyers and
Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" 4 But they
kept silent. And he took him and healed him, and let him go. 5 Then he
said to them, "Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a
well, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?" 6 And they
could not reply to this.
7 So he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noted
how they chose the places of honor, saying to them: 8 "When you are
invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor,
lest one more distinguished than you be invited by him; 9 and he who
invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and
then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you
are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes
he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will be honored in
the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts
himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
12 Then he also said to the one who invited him, "When you give a
luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers, your
relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be
repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the
lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay
you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
15 When one of those who sat at table with him heard this, he
said to him, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!"
16 Then he said to him, "A certain man gave a great banquet and invited
many. 17 And at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to
those who had been invited, 'Come, for all is now ready.' 18 But they all
alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field,
and I must go out and see it. I ask you to have me excused.' 19 And
another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test
them. I ask you to have me excused.' 20 Still another said, 'I have married
a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the servant came back and
reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry
and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the
city and bring in the poor and the maimed, the blind and the lame.' 22
And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still
there is room.' 23 Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the
highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be
filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste
my banquet.'"
25 Now great multitudes went with him; and he turned and said
to them, 26 "If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and
mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and
come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to
build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has
enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation,
and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying,
'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king,
going to make war against another king, will not sit down first and
consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes
against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is still a
great way off, he sends a delegation and asks terms of peace. 33 So
likewise, whoever of you does not give up all that he has cannot be my
disciple.
34 Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its taste, how shall it be
seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill; men throw
it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
15
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to
hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This
man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable:
4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them,
does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one
which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on
his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his
friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found
my sheep which was lost.' 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be
more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine
righteous persons who need no repentance.
8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin,
does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she
finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and
neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had
lost.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the
angels of God over one sinner who repents."
11 Then he said: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 And
the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of
property that falls to me.' So he divided his living between them. 13 Not
many days after, the younger son gathered together all he had and took his
journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose
living. 14 And when he had spent everything, there arose a severe famine
in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined
himself to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed
swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that
the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to
himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread
enough and to spare, and here I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go
to my father and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven
and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me
like one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father.
But while he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had
compassion for him, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And
the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;
I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his
servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his
hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf and kill it, and
let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he
was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.
25 "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and
drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one
of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him,
'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because
he has received him safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to
go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered
his father, 'Behold, these many years I have been serving you, and I never
disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a young goat, that I
might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came,
who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted
calf!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I
have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for
this your brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.'"
16
1 He also said to his disciples: "There was a certain rich man
who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man
was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I
hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no
longer be steward.' 3 The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, since
my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong
enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so
that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the
stewardship.' 5 So he called in each one of his master's debtors, and he
said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6 And he said, 'A
hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down
quickly and write fifty.' 7 Then he said to another, 'And how much do
you owe?' And he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him,
'Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 So the master commended the
dishonest steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this
world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons
of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of
unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the
eternal dwellings. 10 He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in
much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.
11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who
will trust you with the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in
what is another's, who will give you what is your own? 13 No servant can
serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or
else he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve
God and mammon."
14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and
they scoffed at him. 15 He said to them, "You are those who justify
yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly
esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 16 The law
and the prophets were until John. Since that time the good news of the
kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. 17
But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one dot of the
law to fail. 18 Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her
husband commits adultery.
19 "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and
fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And a certain beggar
named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 longing to be fed
with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and
licked his sores. 22 So the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to
Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And in
Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have
mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and
cool my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.' 25 But Abraham said,
'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and
Lazarus received evil things; but now he is comforted here and you are in
agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has
been fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor
can anyone cross over from there to us.' 27 And he said, ' Then I beg you,
father, to send him to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers, so
that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' 29
Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear
them.' 30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them
from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear
Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one
should rise from the dead.'"
17
1 Then he said to his disciples, "Things that cause people to sin
are bound to come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It
would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he
were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little
ones to sin. 3 Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him,
and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in
a day, and turns to you seven times, and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive
him."
5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 So the
Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this
mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey
you.
7 "Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping
sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and
sit down to eat'? 8 Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare my supper, and
gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat
and drink'? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what he was
commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that is commanded
you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our
duty.'"
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between
Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men who were lepers
met him, who stood at a distance. 13 And they lifted up their voices and
said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 When he saw them, he said to
them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were
cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned
back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus'
feet, giving him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then said Jesus,
"Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to
return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 And he said to
him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
20 Now when he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom
of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God does not
come with observation; 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!'
for behold, the kingdom of God is within you." 22 Then he said to the
disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the
days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to
you, 'Look here!' or 'Look there!' Do not go after them or follow them.
24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one part to the
other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer
many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the
days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They
ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day
when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28
Likewise as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought,
they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day when Lot went out
from Sodom fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all. 30
So will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day,
let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come
down to take them away. And likewise let him who is in the field not turn
back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to keep his life will
lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that
night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35
Two women will be grinding together; one will be taken and the other
left." 37 And they said to him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where
the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."
18
1 Then he told them a parable, to show that they ought always to
pray and not lose heart. 2 He said: "In a certain city there was a judge who
neither feared God nor regarded man. 3 And there was a widow in that
city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my
adversary.' 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself,
'Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow
bothers me, I will give her justice, or she will wear me out by her
continual coming.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge
says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his elect, who cry to him
day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you that he will
bring about justice for them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man
comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
9 Also he told this parable to some who trusted in themselves
that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 "Two men went up to
the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The
Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am
not like other menóextortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax
collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the
tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven,
but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell
you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for
everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles
himself will be exalted."
15 Now they were also bringing infants to him that he might
touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But
Jesus called them to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and
do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I
say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little
child will not enter it."
18 Now a certain ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I
do to inherit eternal life?" 19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me
good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments:
'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false
witness, Honor your father and mother.'" 21 And he said, "All these I
have kept from my youth." 22 When Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One
thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 23 But when he
heard this, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.
24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who
have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to
go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of
God." 26 Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" 27 But he
said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." 28 Then Peter
said, "Behold, we have left all and followed you." 29 So he said to them,
"Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or
brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who
will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come
eternal life."
31 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we
are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written of the Son of
Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered to
the Gentiles, and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will
scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise again." 34 But
they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them,
and they did not know what he was talking about.
35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the
roadside begging. 36 And hearing a multitude going by, he asked what
this meant. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." 38 And
he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 And those who
led the way rebuked him, telling him to be quiet; but he cried out all the
more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 So Jesus stopped, and
commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked
him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, I want to
receive my sight." 42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your
faith has made you well." 43 And immediately he received his sight and
followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave
praise to God.
19
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 Now behold,
there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and he
was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of
the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed
up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. 5 And
when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus,
make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." 6 So he
made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they
saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is
a sinner." 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, the
half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of
anything, I restore it fourfold." 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation
has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the
Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
11 As they heard these things, he went on to tell a parable,
because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the
kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 Therefore he said: "A
certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom
and then return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, gave them ten minas,
and said to them, 'Do business till I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him
and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign
over us.' 15 And so it was that when he returned, having received the
kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the
money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by
trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, ' Master, your mina has earned
ten minas more.' 17 And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant!
Because you have been faithful in a very little, be in authority over ten
cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned
five minas.' 19 Likewise he said to him, 'You also be over five cities.' 20
Then another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I have kept
laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a
hard man. You take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did
not sow.' 22 He said to him, 'I will judge you out of your own mouth, you
wicked servant! You knew that I was a hard man, taking up what I did not
lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put
my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with
interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the mina from
him, and give it to him who has ten minas.' 25 And they said to him,
'Master, he has ten minas already!' 26 'I tell you, that to every one who
has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will
be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine, who did not want me to
reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.'"
28 When he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to
Jerusalem. 29 When he came near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the
mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go
into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied,
on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If any one asks
you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say to him, 'The Lord has need
of it.'" 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had
told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them,
"Why are you untying the colt?" 34 And they said, "The Lord has need of
it." 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their garments on the
colt and set Jesus on it. 36 And as he went along, many spread their
garments on the road.
37 And, as he was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of
Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise
God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying,
"Blessed is the King
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest!"
39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke
your disciples." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if these keep silent, the
stones would cry out."
41 And when he drew near and saw the city he wept over it, 42
saying, "If you had known, even you, this day, the things that make for
peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will
come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around
you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, 44 and dash you to
the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one
stone upon another in you; because you did not know the time of your
visitation."
45 Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who
sold, 46 saying to them, "It is written,
'My house shall be a house of prayer';
but you have made it a den of robbers."
47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests
the scribes and the leaders of the people sought to destroy him, 48 but
they could not find anything they could do, for all the people hung upon
his words.
20
1 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple and
preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes, together with the
elders, came up to him 2 and said to him, "Tell us by what authority are
you doing these things? Or who it is that gave you this authority." 3 He
answered them, "I also will ask you a question; now tell me, 4 the baptism
of Johnówas it from heaven or from men?" 5 And they reasoned among
themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why did you
not believe him?' 6 But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone
us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet." 7 So they answered
that they did not know where it was from. 8 And Jesus said to them,
"Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
9 Then he began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a
vineyard, leased it to vine-dressers, and went into another country for a
long time. 10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants, that they
would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him
and sent him away empty-handed. 11 He sent another servant; him also
they beat and treated shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 He
sent a third; and they wounded him and cast him out. 13 Then the owner
of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son;
perhaps they will respect him.' 14 But when the tenants saw him, they
reasoned among themselves and said, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him,
that the inheritance may be ours.' 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard
and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16
He will come and destroy those tenants, and give the vineyard to others."
When they heard this, they said, "May this never be!" 17 But he looked at
them and said, "What then is this that is written:
'The stone which the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone'?
18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on
whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." 19 The chief priests and
the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the
peopleófor they knew that he had spoken this parable against them.
20 So they watched him, and sent spies who pretended to be
righteous, that they might catch him on what he said, in order to deliver
him up to the power and authority of the governor. 21 And they asked
him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and you do not
show partiality, but teach the way of God in truth. 22 Is it lawful for us to
pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said
to them, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it
have?" They said, "Caesar's." 25 He said to them, "Then render to Caesar
the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 26
And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him by what
he said. But marveling at his answer they were silent.
27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,
came to him, 28 and they questioned him, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us
that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must
take the wife and raise up children for his brother. 29 Now there were
seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And
the second 31 and then the third took her, and in the same way the seven
died, and they left no children. 32 Finally the woman died also. 33 In the
resurrection, therefore, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as
wife." 34 And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are
given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to attain that
age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in
marriage, 36 nor can they die any more, for they are equal to the angels
and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead
are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he
calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of
Jacob.' 38 Now he is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live
to him." 39 And some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken
well." 40 For they no longer dared to ask him any question.
41 And he said to them, "How can they say that the Christ is the
Son of David? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms,
'The Lord said to my Lord,
"Sit at my right hand,
43 till I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet."'
44 David therefore calls him 'Lord,' and how is he his son?"
45 And in the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples,
46 "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and love
greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the
places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows' houses and for a
pretense make long prayers. They will receive greater condemnation."
21
1 He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the
treasury, 2 and he also saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. 3 So
he said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of the
others; 4 for these all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of
her poverty put in all that she had to live on."
5 And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with
beautiful stones and offerings, he said, 6 "As for these things which you
see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon
another that will not be thrown down."
7 So they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be? And
what will be the sign when they are about to take place?" 8 And he said:
"Take heed that you not are deceived. For many will come in my name,
saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not go after them. 9 And
when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified; for these
things must first take place, but the end will not come immediately." 10
Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various
places famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great
signs from heaven. 12 But before all this, they will lay their hands on you
and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. And
you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13
This will turn into an opportunity for you to bear testimony. 14 Therefore
settle it in your minds not to meditate beforehand how you will answer;
15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your adversaries
will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by
parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you
to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a
hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your
lives.
20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then
know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those in Judea flee to the
mountains, let those who are in the city depart, and let not those who are
out in the country enter it. 22 For these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all
that is written. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are
nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land
and wrath upon this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword,
and be led captive to all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled by the
Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 "There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the
earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the
waves, 26 men fainting from fear and foreboding of what is coming on the
world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see
the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now
when these things begin to take place, look up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption is drawing near."
29 He told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
30 When they are sprouting, you see and know for yourselves that
summer is already near. 31 So you also, when you see these things
happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and
earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed
down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that
Day come on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all
those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch at all times, and
pray always that you may have strength to escape all these things that will
take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he
went out to spend the night on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in
the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.
22
1 Now the feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called
the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to
kill him, for they feared the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called
Iscariot, who was numbered of the twelve. 4 So he went his way and
conferred with the chief priests and officers, how he might betray him to
them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he
consented, and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the
absence of the multitude.
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the
Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So he sent Peter and John, saying,
"Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat." 9 They said to
him, "Where do you want us to prepare it?" 10 He said to them, "Behold,
when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet
you; follow him into the house which he enters. 11 And say to the owner
of the house, 'The Teacher says to you: Where is the guest room, where I
may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 12 He will show you a large,
furnished upper room; there make ready." 13 So they went, and found it
just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with
him. 15 And he said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover
with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is
fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17 Then he took the cup, and gave
thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I tell
you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God
comes." 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to
them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you; do this in
remembrance of me." 20 Likewise he took the cup after supper, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
21 But behold the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22
For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man
by whom he is betrayed!" 23 Then they began to question among
themselves, which of them it was who would do this.
24 A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be
considered the greatest. 25 And he said to them, "The kings of the
Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those who exercise authority
over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so among you; on the
contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the youngest, and he
who leads as one who serves. 27 For who is greater, one who sits at the
table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at the table? But I am
among you as One who serves. 28 You are those who have continued with
me in my trials. 29 And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as my Father
bestowed one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my
kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has asked to have you, that he
might sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith may
not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren." 33
But he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to
death." 34 He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day
before you deny three times that you know me."
35 And he said to them, "When I sent you out with no purse or
bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing." 36 He said
to them, "But now, let him who has a purse take it, and likewise a bag;
and let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one. 37 For I tell you
that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, 'And he was numbered with
transgressors'; for what is written about me has its fulfillment." 38 They
said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." And he said to them, "It is
enough."
39 He came out, and went to the Mount of Olives, as was his
custom, and his disciples followed him. 40 When he came to the place, he
said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." 41 And he
withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed,
42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; nevertheless not my
will, but yours, be done." 43 An angel appeared to him from heaven, and
strengthened him. 44 And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and
his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he
rose from prayer, and came to his disciples, he found them sleeping from
sorrow. 46 He said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you
may not enter into temptation."
47 While he was still speaking, a crowd came, and the man who
was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to
Jesus to kiss him; 48 but Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the
Son of Man with a kiss?" 49 When those around him saw what was going
to happen, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" 50 And one
of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51
But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and
healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, officers of the temple,
and the elders who had come to him, "Have you come out as against a
robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in
the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the
power of darkness."
54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the
high priest's house. Peter followed at a distance. 55 When they had
kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter
sat among them. 56 And a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the
firelight, looked at him, and said, "This man also was with him." 57 But
he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." 58 And a little later
some one else saw him and said, "You also are of them." But Peter said,
"Man, I am not!" 59 Then after about an hour had passed, another
insisted, saying, "Certainly this fellow also was with him, for he is a
Galilean." 60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!"
Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the
Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the
Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will
deny me three times." 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
63 Now the men who were holding Jesus mocked him and beat
him. 64 They blindfolded him and asked him, "Prophesy! Who is the one
who struck you?" 65 And they spoke many other things against him,
blaspheming.
66 As soon as it was day, the council of the elders of the people
came together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led him away to
their council chamber, saying, 67 "If you are the Christ, tell us." But he
said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe. 68 And if I ask you, you
will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the
right hand of the power of God." 70 They all said, "Are you the Son of
God, then?" He said to them, "You said what I am." 71 And they said,
"What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his
own lips."
23
1 Then the whole body of them arose and led him to Pilate. 2
And they began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting our
nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that he himself is
Christ, a king." 3 So Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
He answered him, "It is as you say." 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests
and the crowd, "I find no crime in this man." 5 But they were urgent,
saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from
Galilee to this place."
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7
And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent
him to Herod, who also was in Jerusalem at that time. 8 Now when Herod
saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had desired to see him for a long time,
because he had heard about him, and he hoped to see some miracle done
by him. 9 Then he questioned him with many words, but he gave him no
answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently
accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt
and mocked him; then, dressing him in a gorgeous robe, he sent him back
to Pilate. 12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each
other, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the
people, 14 and said to them, "You have brought this man to me as one
who was inciting the people to rebellion. And behold, having examined
him in your presence, I have found no guilt in this man concerning those
charges which you make against him; 15 neither did Herod, for he sent
him back to us. Behold, nothing deserving death has been done by him;
16 I will therefore chastise him and release him." 18 But they all cried out
together, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas"ó 19 a man
who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for
murder. 20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed to them again. 21
But they shouted, "Crucify him, crucify him!" 22 Then he said to them
the third time, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no crime
deserving death. I will therefore chastise him and release him." 23 But
they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified. And
their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave sentence that their demand
should be granted. 25 And he released the man who had been thrown into
prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for; but Jesus he
delivered up to their will.
26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene,
who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it
behind Jesus. 27 And a great multitude of the people followed him, and
women who also mourned and lamented him. 28 But Jesus turning to
them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for
yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming
when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore,
and the breasts that never nursed!'
30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains,
'Fall on us!'
and to the hills,
'Cover us!'
31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen
when it is dry?"
32 Two others, criminals, were also led with him to be put to
death. 33 And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they
crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they
do." And they divided his garments and cast lots. 35 And the people
stood watching; but even the rulers sneered at him, saying, "He saved
others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him wine
vinegar, 37 and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself."
38 There was also an inscription written over him:
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there hurled insults at
him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40 But the
other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the
same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are
receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing
wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your
kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will
be with me in Paradise."
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over
the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 for the sun was darkened; and the
curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a
loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." And having
said this, he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had
happened, he praised God, and said, "Certainly this was a righteous
man!" 48 When all the multitudes who had gathered to witness this sight
saw what had taken place, they beat their breasts, and returned home. 49
But all his acquaintances, and the women who had followed him from
Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the
Council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their
decision and deed. He came from of Arimathea, a city of the Jews, and he
was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and
asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in
linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no
one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the Preparation Day, and the
Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with him from
Galilee followed and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid. 56 Then
they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.
24
And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb,
bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone
rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the
body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold,
two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were terrified
and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you
seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember
how he told you while he was still in Galilee, 7 'The Son of Man must be
delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third
day rise again.'" 8 And they remembered his words. 9 Then they returned
from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10
It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other
women with them, who told this to the apostles. 11 But their words
seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But
Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen
wrappings lying by themselves; and he went away, marveling to himself at
what had happened.
13 Now behold, that same day two of them were going to a
village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they
were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15
While they talked and discussed, Jesus himself drew near and went with
them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said
to them, "What is this conversation which you are exchanging with each
other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of
them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to
Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these
days?" 19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him,
"The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in
deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how the chief
priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and
crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to
redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since all this
happened. 22 In addition, some women of our company amazed us. They
were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his
body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who
said he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb,
and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." 25
And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that
the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these
things and enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the
prophets, he explained to them the things concerning himself in all the
scriptures.
28 As they drew near the village to which they were going, he
acted as though he would be going farther, 29 but they constrained him,
saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far
spent." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with
them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then
their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished from
their sight. 32 And they said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn
within us while he talked with us on the road, while he opened to us the
scriptures?" 33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem,
and they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered
together, 34 saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to
Simon!" 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he
was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
36 As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them
and said to them, "Peace be with you." 37 But they were startled and
frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them,
"Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your hearts? 39 See my
hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me and see, for a spirit does
not have flesh and bones as you see I have." 40 When he had said this, he
showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still did not
believe for joy, and marveled, he said to them, "Have you anything here to
eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate
in their presence.
44 Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to
you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the
law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then
he opened their minds, so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 And
he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise
again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness
of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I send
the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are
clothed with power from on high."
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his
hands and blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them,
and was carried up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned
to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple
praising God.
Luke, page 1
The Gospel According to John
1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things
were made through him, and without him nothing was made that was
made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He
came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all might believe
through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness of the light.
9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the
world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own did not
receive him. 12 But to all who received him, to those who believed in his
name, he gave the right to become children of Godó13 who were born,
not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of
God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have
seen his glory, the glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of
grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of him and cried out, saying, "This
was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, for he
was before me.'" 16 And from his fullness have we all received, grace
upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth
came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; God the only
Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.
19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests
and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 He confessed,
he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21 And they asked
him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the
prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22 Then they said to him, "Who are
you? Give us an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about
yourself?" 23 He said,
"I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness,
'Make straight the way of the Lord,'
as the prophet Isaiah said." 24 Now they had been sent from the
Pharisees. 25 They asked him, "Then why do you baptize, if you are not
the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" 26 John answered them, "I
baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not
know. 27 It is he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not
worthy to untie." 28 This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where
John was baptizing.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This
is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he
was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him; but for this I came
baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." 32 And John
bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it
remained on him. 33 I did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize
with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and
remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I have seen
and testified that this is the Son of God."
35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his
disciples. 36 And he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the
Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they
followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to
them, "What do you seek?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which means
Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come and see."
They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that
day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John
speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first
found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the
Messiah" (which means the Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus
looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You shall be called
Cephas" (which means Peter).
43 The next day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee. And he found
Philip and said to him, "Follow me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida,
the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him,
"We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets,
wrote ñ Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46 And Nathanael said to
him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him,
"Come and see." 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, and said of
him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" 48 Nathanael
said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip
called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." 49 Nathanael
answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of
Israel!" 50 Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under
the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." 51
And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you shall see heaven open,
and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
2
1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and
the mother of Jesus was there. 2 And Jesus and his disciples had also
been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, the mother of
Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 Jesus said to her, "Woman,
what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother
said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now six stone jars
were standing there, according to the manner for purification of the Jews,
each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars
with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, "Now
draw some out, and take it to the master of the feast." So they took it. 9
When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and
did not know where it had come from (though the servants who had drawn
the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he
said to him, "Every man sets out the good wine first; and when the guests
have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine
until now." 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee,
and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and
his brothers and his disciples; and there they stayed for a few days.
13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and
sheep and doves, and the money-changers at their business. 15 And he
made a whip of cords, and drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of
the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and
overturned their tables. 16 And he said to those who sold doves, "Take
these things away! You shall not make my Father's house a house of
merchandise!" 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for
your house will consume me." 18 Then the Jews said to him, "What sign
do you show to us, since you do this?" 19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy
this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20 The Jews then said, "It
has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in
three days?" 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22 When
therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he
had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus
had spoken.
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many
believed in his name when they saw the signs which he did. 24 But Jesus
did not trust himself to them, because he knew all men, 25 and he had no
need for anyone to bear witness of man, for he knew what was in man.
3
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a
ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him,
"Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can
do these signs that you do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered
him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born
when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and
be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born
of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which
is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7
Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind
blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you cannot tell
where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born
of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can this be?" 10 Jesus
answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not
understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what
we know, and testify to what we have seen; but you do not receive our
testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe,
how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has
ascended into heaven, but he who came from heaven ñ the Son of Man. 14
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of
Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did
not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world
through him might be saved. 18 He who believes in him is not
condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because
he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the
judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness
rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one who
does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds
should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that
it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been done in God."
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea,
and there he remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was
baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and
people came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been put in
prison. 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a
Jew over purifying. 26 And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he
who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testifiedó
behold, he is baptizing, and all are going to him." 27 John answered, "A
man can receive only what is given to him from heaven. 28 You
yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but I have
been sent before him. 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the
friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly
because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now full.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 "He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the
earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks. He who comes from
heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard; yet no
one receives his testimony. 33 He who has received his testimony has
certified that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words
of God, for God gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the
Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36 He who believes in the
Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but
the wrath of God remains on him."
4
1 Now when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that
Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although
Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and
departed again to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he
came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground
that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus,
wearied as he was from his journey, sat down by the well. It was about the
sixth hour.
7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to
her, "Give me a drink." 8 For his disciples had gone away into the city to
buy food. 9 Then the woman of Samaria said to him, "How is it that you,
being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no
dealings with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of
God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would
have asked him, and he would have given you living water." 11 The
woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is
deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our
father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as
his sons and his cattle?" 13 Jesus answered her, "Everyone who drinks of
this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall
give him will never thirst. The water that I shall give him will become in
him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 15 The woman said to
him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to
draw."
16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." 17
The woman answered, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are
right in saying, 'I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands,
and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said
truly." 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in
Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." 21 Jesus said to her,
"Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain
nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you
do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will
worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to
worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship
in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is
coming" (who is called Christ). "When he comes, he will tell us all
things." 26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."
27 Just then his disciples came. And they marveled that he was
talking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you wish?" or, "Why
are you talking with her?" 28 Then the woman left her water jar, and went
away into the city, and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told
me all that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30 They went out of the
city and came to him.
31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32
But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." 33
So the disciples said to one another, "Has any one brought him food?" 34
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to
finish his work. 35 Do you not say, 'There are yet four months and then
comes the harvest'? Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and look at the
fields! They are already white for harvest. 36 And he who reaps receives
wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may
rejoice together. 37 For here the saying is true, 'One sows and another
reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others
have labored, and you have entered into their labor."
39 Many of the Samaritans from that city believed in him
because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." 40 So
when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them; and
he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his
word. 42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of
what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this
man is indeed the Savior of the world."
43 After the two days he departed to Galilee. 44 For Jesus
himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So
when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all
that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they too had gone to the
feast.
46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the
water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was sick.
47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to
him and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the
point of death. 48 Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and
wonders, you will never believe." 49 The official said to him, "Sir, come
down before my child dies." 50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will
live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his
way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his
son was living. 52 So he inquired of them the hour when his son got
better, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left
him." 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus
had said to him, "Your son will live." And he himself believed, and all his
household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had
come from Judea to Galilee.
5
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which
is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a
multitude of disabled people, blind, lame, paralyzed. 5 One man who was
there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him
lying there and knew that he had been in this condition for a long time, he
said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" 7 The sick man answered
him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred
up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me." 8 Jesus said to
him, "Rise, take up your bed, and walk." 9 And at once the man was
healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man
who was cured, "It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your
bed." 11 But he answered them, "The man who made me well said to me,
'Take up your bed, and walk.'" 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who
said to you, 'Take up your bed, and walk'?" 13 Now the man who had
been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there
was a crowd in that place. 14 Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple,
and said to him, "See, you are well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse
may happen to you." 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was
Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted
Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus
answered them, "My Father is working still, and I am working." 18
Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only
broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was his Father, making himself
equal with God.
19 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do
nothing of himself, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever
he does, the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows
him all things that he himself does; and he will show him greater works
than these, that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and
gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the
Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all
may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor
the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to
you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal
life; and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
25 Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the
dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.
26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to
have life in himself, 27 and has given him authority to execute judgment,
because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is
coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice 29 and come
forth ñ those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those
who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.
30 "I can do nothing of myself; as I hear, I judge; and my
judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who
sent me.
31 "If I bear witness of myself, my testimony is not true. 32
There is another who bears witness of me, and I know that the testimony
which he bears of me is true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has borne
witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony which I receive is from
man; but I say this that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and
shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a time in his light. 36
But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works
which the Father has given me to finish, these very works which I am
doing, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father
who sent me has himself testified of me. You have never heard his voice,
nor seen his form. 38 And you do not have his word abiding in you, for
you do not believe him whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures,
because in them you think that you have eternal life; and these are they
that testify of me. 40 Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
41 "I do not receive glory from men. 42 But I know you, that you
do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in my Father's name,
and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you
will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive glory from one another,
and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think
that I shall accuse you to the Father; it is Moses who accuses you, on
whom you set your hope. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe
me, for he wrote about me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how
will you believe my words?"
6
1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee,
which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a great multitude followed him,
because they saw his signs which he performed on those who were
diseased. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there sat down with his
disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. 5 Then
Jesus lifted up his eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward him,
he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these people may eat?"
6 But this he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7
Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread
for each one of them to have a little." 8 One of his disciples, Andrew,
Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 "There is a lad here who has five
barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" 10
Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the
place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then
took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to
those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And
when they had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather up the
fragments left over, that nothing may be lost." 13 So they gathered them
up and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves,
left over by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that
Jesus did, they said, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the
world." 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by
force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17
got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark,
and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea rose because a strong
wind was blowing. 19 So when they had rowed about three or four miles,
they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they
were afraid. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then
they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at
the land where they were going.
22 On the next day the people who remained on the other side of
the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had
not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone
away alone. 23 However, boats from Tiberias came near the place where
they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the people
saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they also got into the boats
and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the
other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?"
26 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not
because you saw the signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures
to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you; for on him has God
the Father set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do, to
be doing the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work
of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 30 So they said to
him, "What sign will you perform then, that we may see it and believe
you? What work will you do? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert;
as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32 Jesus then
said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you
the bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from
heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and
gives life to the world."
34 Then they said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always." 35
And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall
never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said
to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the
Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will by
no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my
own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him
who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but
raise it up at the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that every
one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I
will raise him up at the last day."
41 The Jews then began to murmur about him, because he said,
"I am the bread which came down from heaven." 42 They said, "Is not this
Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he
now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" 43 Jesus answered them, "Do
not murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the
Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45
It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.'
Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not
that any one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has
seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has
everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in
the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down
from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread
which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live
for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my
flesh."
52 Then the Jews began to argue among themselves, saying,
"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them,
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and
drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and
drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55
For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He who
eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the
living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on
me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down from
heaven, not as your fathers ate the manna and died. He who eats this
bread will live for ever." 59 This he said in the synagogue as he taught in
Capernaum.
60 Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a
hard saying; who can listen to it?" 61 When Jesus knew in himself that
his disciples complained about this, he said to them, "Does this offend
you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he
was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.
The words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But
there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the
beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray him.
65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me
unless it has been granted to him by the Father." 66 From this time many
of his disciples went back and no longer walked with him. 67 Then Jesus
said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" 68 Simon Peter
answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of
eternal life. 69 And we believe, and have come to know, that you are the
Holy One of God." 70 Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the
twelve, and one of you is a devil?" 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son
of Simon, for it was he who was to betray him, though one of the twelve.
7
1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee; he would not go about
in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews' feast of
Tabernacles was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and
go to Judea, that your disciples may see the works you are doing. 4 For no
one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these
things, show yourself to the world." 5 For even his brothers did not
believe in him. 6 Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your
time is always ready. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me
because I testify of it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to the feast. I am
not yet going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come." 9
Having said this, he remained in Galilee.
10 But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also
went up, not publicly, but in secret. 11 The Jews were looking for him at
the feast, and saying, "Where is he?" 12 And there was much complaining
among the people about him. Some said, "He is a good man"; others said,
"No, on the contrary, he deceives the people." 13 However, no one spoke
openly of him for fear of the Jews.
14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the
temple and taught. 15 And the Jews marveled, saying, "How did this man
get such learning, having never studied?" 16 Jesus answered them, "My
teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone is willing to do
his will, he shall know whether the teaching is from God or whether I
speak on my own authority. 18 He who speaks from himself seeks his
own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the One who sent him is true,
and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Did not Moses give you the law? Yet
none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?" 20 The people
answered, "You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill you?" 21 Jesus
answered them, "I did one deed, and you all marvel. 22 Moses therefore
gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers),
and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man
receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are
you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body
well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."
25 Then some of the people of Jerusalem said, "Is not this the
man whom they seek to kill? 26 Here he is, speaking publicly, and they
say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that he is
the Christ? 27 But we know where this man is from; when the Christ
comes, no one will know where he is from." 28 Then Jesus cried out, as
he taught in the temple, "You know me, and you know where I am from;
and I have not come on my own, but he who sent me is true, and him you
do not know. 29 But I know him, for I am from him, and he sent me." 30
Then they sought to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his
hour had not yet come. 31 And many of the people believed in him, and
they said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more signs than this man
has done?"
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about
him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to arrest him. 33
Then Jesus said to them, "I shall be with you a little while longer, and
then I go to him who sent me. 34 You will seek me, and you will not find
me; where I am you cannot come." 35 The Jews said to one another,
"Where does this man intend to go that we shall not find him? Does he
intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36
What does he mean when he said, 'You will seek me and you will not
find me,' and, 'Where I am you cannot come'?"
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and
cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 He who
believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers
of living water." 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who
believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given,
because Jesus was not yet glorified.
40 When they heard these words, some of the people said,
"Surely this is the prophet." 41 Others said, "This is the Christ." But
some said, "Will the Christ come from Galilee? 42 Has not the scripture
said that the Christ comes from David, and from Bethlehem, the town
where David was?" 43 So there was a division among the people because
of him. 44 Some of them wanted to seize him, but no one laid hands on
him.
45 The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees,
who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" 46 The officers
answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!" 47 The Pharisees answered
them, "Are you deceived, you also? 48 Have any of the rulers or of the
Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law
is accursed." 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was
one of them, said to them, 51 "Does our law judge a man without first
giving him a hearing and learning what he is doing?" 52 They replied,
"Are you from Galilee, too? Search and look, and you will find that no
prophet is to rise out of Galilee."
8
53 Then each went to his own house. 1 But Jesus went to the
Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple; all
the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 Then the
scribes and the Pharisees brought to him a woman caught in adultery. And
when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to him, "Teacher, this
woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the law Moses
commanded us to stone such. What do you say?" 6 They said this to test
him, that they might have something of which to accuse him. But Jesus
bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. 7 And when they
continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is
without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 And again
he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it
went away one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last, and
Jesus was left alone, with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus
straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one
condemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither
do I condemn you; go, and sin no more."
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the
world. He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the
light of life." 13 The Pharisees then said to him, "You are bearing witness
of yourself; your testimony is not true." 14 Jesus answered, "Even if I
bear witness of myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came
from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and
where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16
And yet if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am
with the Father who sent me. 17 In your own law it is written that the
testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of myself,
and the Father who sent me bears witness of me." 19 Then they said to
him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor
my Father; if you knew me, you would know my Father also." 20 These
words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one
arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
21 Then Jesus said to them again, "I am going away, and you
will seek me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come." 22
Then the Jews said, "Will he kill himself, since he says, 'Where I go you
cannot come'?" 23 He said to them, "You are from below; I am from
above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I told to
you that you would die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am he,
you will die in your sins." 25 They said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus
said to them, "Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26
I have much to say about you and much to judge; but he who sent me is
true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him." 27 They did
not understand that he spoke to them of the Father. 28 So Jesus said,
"When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am
he, and that I do nothing on my own authority but speak just what the
Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me
alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him." 30 As he spoke these
words, many believed in him.
31 Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you
continue in my word, you are truly my disciples. 32 And you will know
the truth, and the truth will make you free." 33 They answered him, "We
are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone.
How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" 34 Jesus answered them,
"Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35
And a slave does not continue in the house forever, but a son continues
forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I
know that you are Abraham's descendants, yet you seek to kill me,
because my word has no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with
my Father, and you do what you have heard from your Father."
39 They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to
them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the things Abraham
did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth
which I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You do the
deeds of your father." They said to him, "We were not born of
fornication; we have one Father ñ God." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God
were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded and came forth
from God; I have not come of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do
you not understand what I say? It is because you are not able to hear my
word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do your
father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand
in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks
according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But
because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which of you convicts
me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 He who is of
God hears the words of God; the reason you do not hear them is that you
are not of God."
48 The Jews answered him, "Are we not right in saying that you
are a Samaritan and have a demon?" 49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a
demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek
my own glory; there is One who seeks it and he will be the judge. 51
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word he will never see
death." 52 The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon!
Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, 'If anyone keeps my
word, he will never taste death.' 53 Are you greater than our father
Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you claim to be?" 54
Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father
who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is your God. 55 But you have
not known him; I know him. If I said, I do not know him, I would be a liar
like you; but I do know him and keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham
rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad." 57 The Jews then said to
him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" 58
Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."
59 So they took up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and
went out of the temple.
9
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his
disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he
was born blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man sinned nor his
parents sinned. But that the works of God might be revealed in him, 4 we
must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. Night is
coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the
light of the world." 6 As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay
of the saliva, and anointed the man's eyes with the clay. 7 And he said to
him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means, Sent). So he went
and washed, and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had
seen him before as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and
beg?" 9 Some said, "It is he." Others said, "No, but he is like him." He
said, "I am the man."10 They said to him, "Then how were your eyes
opened?" 11 He answered and said, "A man called Jesus made clay and
anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.' So
I went and washed, and I received sight." 12 They said to him, "Where is
he?" He said, "I do not know."
13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been
blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened
his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received
his sight. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I
see." 16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he
does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a
sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them. 17 So they
again said to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has
opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."
18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind, and had
received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had
received his sight. 19 And they asked them, "Is this your son, who you
say was born blind? How then does he now see?" 20 His parents
answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21
but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his
eyes. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself." 22 His parents
said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already
that if anyone confessed that he was Christ, he would be put out of the
synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
24 So for the second time they called the man who had been
blind, and said to him, "Give God the glory; we know that this man is a
sinner." 25 He answered, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know.
One thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see." 26 Then they said
to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" 27 He
answered them, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do
you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?" 28
Then they reviled him and said, "You are his disciple, but we are
disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this
fellow, we do not know where he comes from." 30 The man answered,
"Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet
he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but
if any one is a worshiper of God and does his will, he listens to him. 32
Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the
eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do
nothing." 34 They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and are you
teaching us?" And they cast him out.
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and when he found
him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 He answered,
"Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" 37 Jesus said to him, "You
have seen him, and it is he who speaks with you." 38 Then he said, "Lord,
I believe!" And he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have
come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those
who see may become blind."
40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this,
and said to him, "Are we blind also?" 41 Jesus said to them, "If you were
blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your sin
remains.
10
1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, the man who does not enter the
sheepfold by the door, but climbs in by some other way, he is a thief and
a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls
his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all
his own, he goes on before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know
his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him,
for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 This figure Jesus used
with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am
the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me are thieves and
robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters
by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The
thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may
have life, and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good
shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 But he who is a hireling and
not the shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and
leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters
them. 13 He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and my sheep know meó15
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life
for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must
bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock
and one shepherd. 17 For this reason my Father loves me, because I lay
down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I
lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have
power to take it again. This command I have received from my Father."
19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these
words. 20 Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is mad. Why listen
to him?" 21 Others said, "These are not the sayings of one who has a
demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was
winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple, walking in Solomon's Porch. 24
So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you
keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus
answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in
my Father's name, they bear witness of me; 26 but you do not believe,
because you are not of my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know
them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never
perish; no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has
given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out
of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."
31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus
answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For
which of these do you stone me?" 33 The Jews answered him, "For a
good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy, and because you,
being a man, make yourself God." 34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not
written in your law, 'I said, you are gods'? 35 If he called them gods, to
whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do
you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You
are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 37 If I do not do
the works of my father, do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even
though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and
understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father." 39 Again
they tried to seize him, but he escaped from their hands.
40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where
John was baptizing at first, and there he stayed. 41 And many came to him
and they said, "John performed no sign, but all that John said about this
man was true." 42 And many believed in him there.
11
1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of
Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was this Mary who anointed the Lord
with fragrant oil and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus
was sick. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is
sick." 4 When Jesus heard it, he said, "This sickness is not unto death,
but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through
it." 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he
heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he
was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."
8 The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to
stone you, and are you going there again?" 9 Jesus answered, "Are there
not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not
stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in
the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." 11 These things
he said, and after that he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen
asleep, but I go to wake him up." 12 His disciples said, "Lord, if he
sleeps, he will recover." 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they
thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 So then Jesus told them
plainly, "Lazarus is dead; 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not
there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 16 Then Thomas,
who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that
we may die with him."
17 So when Jesus came, he found that he had already been in the
tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19
and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them
concerning their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went and met him, but Mary sat in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus,
"Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even
now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." 23 Jesus
said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to him, "I
know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus
said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me,
though he die, yet shall he live; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me
shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I
believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the
world."
28 And when she had said this, she went her way and called
Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." 29
When she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had
not yet come to the village, but was still in the place where Martha had
met him. 31 The Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting
her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her,
supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Then Mary,
when she came where Jesus was and saw him, fell at his feet, saying to
him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also
weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 And he said,
"Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see."
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" 37 But some of
them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept
this man from dying?"
38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a
cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone."
Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there
is a bad odor, for he has been dead four days." 40 Jesus said to her, "Did I
not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"
41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said,
"Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always
hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing by, that they
may believe that you sent me." 43 When he had said this, he cried with a
loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The dead man came out, his hands
and feet bound with grave clothes, and his face wrapped with a cloth.
Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come to Mary and had
seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the
Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests
and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, "What are we to do? For
this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone
will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our
place and our nation." 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest
that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all! 50 You do not
understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the
people, and that the whole nation not perish." 51 He did not say this on
his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would
die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that he would
gather together into one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
53 So from that day on they plotted to put him to death.
54 Jesus therefore no longer went about openly among the Jews,
but went from there to the country near the wilderness, to a town called
Ephraim; and there he stayed with his disciples.
55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went
from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify
themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as
they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to
the feast?" 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders
that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it, so that they might
arrest him.
12
1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany
where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 There they
made him a supper; and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those
who sat at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly
perfume of pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with
her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, said,
5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to
the poor?" 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he
was a thief; and as he had the money box, he used to take what was put
into it. 7 Jesus said, "Let her alone, she has kept this for the day of my
burial. 8 The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have
me."
9 Now a great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, and
they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he
had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus
also to death, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going
away and believing in Jesus.
12 The next day a great crowd that had come to the feast heard
that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 They took branches of palm trees
and went out to meet him, crying,
"Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
The King of Israel!"
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
15 "Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your King is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt."
16 His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was
glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about
him and that they had done these things to him. 17 The crowd that had
been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him
from the dead bore witness. 18 For this reason the people went to meet
him, because they heard that he had done this sign. 19 The Pharisees then
said to one another, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look,
The world has gone after him!"
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to
worship at the Feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from
Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." 22
Philip went and told Andrew; and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be
glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into
the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much
fruit. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in
this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must
follow me; and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves
me, him my Father will honor.
27 "Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save
me from this hour'? No, for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father,
glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it,
and I will glorify it again." 29 The crowd standing by heard it and said
that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30
Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31
Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be
cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men
to myself." 33 He said this to show by what death he was to die. 34 The
crowd answered him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ
remains forever; and how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted
up'? Who is this Son of Man?" 35 Then Jesus said to them, "A little
while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest the
darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know
where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that
you may become sons of light."
When Jesus had said this, he departed and hid himself from
them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not
believe in him; 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled,
which he spoke:
"Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40 "He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
lest they should see with their eyes,
and understand with their hearts and turn,
so that I should heal them."
41 Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42
Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in him, but because of
the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the
synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of
God.
44 Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in me,
believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And he who sees me sees
him who sent me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever
believes in me should not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my
words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to
judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects me and does not
receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will condemn
him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority; but
the Father who sent me gave me a command, what to say and what to
speak. 50 And I know that his command is eternal life. Whatever I say,
therefore, I say just as the Father has told me."
13
1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his
hour had come to depart from this world to the Father, having loved his
own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 And during
supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot,
Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all
things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to
God, 4 rose from supper, laid aside his garments, took a towel and girded
himself. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash the
disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
6 Then he came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to him, "Lord, are you
going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus answered him, "You do not realize now
what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8 Peter said to him, "You
shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you
have no part with me." 9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet
only, but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "He who has
bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are
clean, but not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was to betray him;
that was why he said, "You are not all clean."
12 When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and
returned to his place, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to
you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to
wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you
should do as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is
not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent
him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am
not speaking of you all. I know whom I have chosen; but that the
Scripture may be fulfilled, 'he who ate my bread has lifted up his heel
against me.' 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does take
place, you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who
receives anyone I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him
who sent me."
21 When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and
testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 The
disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of
his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was leaning close to the breast of Jesus.
24 Simon Peter motioned to him and said, "Ask who it is of whom he
speaks." 25 Then, leaning back on the breast of Jesus, he said to him,
"Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give this
piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, he
gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Then after the bread, Satan
entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do
quickly." 28 But no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29
Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling
him, "Buy what we need for the feast"; or, that he should give something
to the poor. 30 Having received the piece of bread, he went out
immediately. And it was night.
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man
glorified, and in him God is glorified. 32 If God is glorified in him, God
will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little
children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek me; and
as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you cannot come,' so now I say
to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;
as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men
will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus
answered, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall
follow afterward." 37 Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you
now? I will lay down my life for you." 38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay
down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow,
till you have denied me three times.
14
1 "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also
in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am
you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going." 5 Thomas
said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we
know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known
me, you would have known my Father also; and from now on you know
him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father,
and that will be enough for us." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with
you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me
has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Do you
not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I
say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells
in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the
Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves. 12
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works
that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the
Father. 13 And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in my name, I will do
it.
15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I
will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with
you forever ñ 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive,
because it neither sees him nor knows him; but you know him, for he
dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will
come to you. 19 A little while longer, and the world will see me no more,
but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 In that day you
will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 He who
has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me. And he
who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and
manifest myself to him." 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how
is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23 Jesus
answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father
will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24
He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which
you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
25 "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you.
26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my
name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that
I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not
as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid. 28 You have heard me say to you, 'I am going
away and coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice
because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for the Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does
take place, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for
the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in me. 31 But I do as
the Father commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the
Father. Rise, let us go from here.
15
1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every
branch in me that bears no fruit he takes away; and every branch that does
bear fruit he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already
clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and
I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the
vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the
branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for
apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me, he is
like a branch that is cast away and withers; and the branches are gathered,
thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide
in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this my
Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my
disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you; abide in
my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
11 "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in
you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is my commandment, that you
love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do
what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant
does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for
all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You
did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go
and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask
the Father in my name he may give you. 17 This I command you, that you
love one another.
18 "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated
you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But
because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world,
therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you,
'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will
also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21
But all this they will do to you for my name's sake, because they do not
know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they
would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who
hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works
which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have seen
and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill the word that is
written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.'
26 "But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you
from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will
testify of me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been
with me from the beginning.
16
1 "I have said all this to you so that you will not go astray. 2
They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming when
whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will
do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I
have told you these things, that when the time comes, you may remember
that I told you of them.
"I did not say these things to you at the beginning, because I was
with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks
me, 'Where are you going?' 6 But because I have said these things to you,
sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to
your advantage that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Counselor will
not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he
comes, he will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of
judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 of
righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you see me no more; 11 of
judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12 "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear
them now. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you
into all truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he
hears he will speak; and he will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify
me, for he will take of what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the
Father has is mine. Therefore I said that he will take of what is mine and
declare it to you.
16 "A little while, and you will see me no more; again a little
while, and you will see me." 17 Then some of his disciples said to one
another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you will not
see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and, 'because I go
to the Father'?" 18 They said, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We
do not know what he is saying." 19 Now Jesus knew that they wanted to
ask him, so he said to them, "Are you asking yourselves about what I
meant when I said, 'A little while, and you will not see me; and again a
little while, and you will see me'? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will
weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but
your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in labor she has
sorrow, because her hour has come; but as soon as she gives birth to the
child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child has been
born into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again
and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In
that day you will ask me nothing. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you
ask the Father in my name he will give you. 24 Until now you have asked
nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
25 "I have said this to you in figurative language; but the time is
coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you
plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. And I do
not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father
himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I
came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world;
again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father." 29 His disciples
said, "See, now you are speaking plainly, and not using a figure of
speech! 30 Now we are sure that you know all things, and have no need
for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God."
31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is
coming, yes, has now come, when you will be scattered, each to his own,
and will leave me alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the
world you will have tribulation. But take courage! I have overcome the
world."
17
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to
heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your
Son also may glorify you, 2 as you have given him authority over all flesh,
that he should give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 And this
is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus
Christ whom you have sent. 4 I have glorified you on the earth, having
finished the work which you have given me to do. 5 And now, Father,
glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you
before the world was made.
6 "I have manifested your name to the men whom you have given
me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me, and they have
kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me
comes from you. 8 For I have given them the words which you have given
me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you;
and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not
praying for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are
yours. 10 And all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified
in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the
world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name ñ
the name you gave me ñ that they may be one, even as we are one. 12
While I was with them, I kept them in your name ñ the name you gave me.
I have guarded them, and none of them is lost except the son of perdition,
that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and
these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in
themselves. 14 I have given them your word; and the world has hated them
because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do
not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should
keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am
not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As
you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And
for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will
believe in me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as you,
Father, are in me, and I in you; that they also may be in us, that the world
may believe that you sent me. 22 And the glory which you gave me I have
given them, that they may be one just as we are one: 23 I in them, and you
in me; that they may become perfectly one, and that the world may know
that you have sent me, and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24
Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me may be with me
where I am, that they may behold my glory which you have given me, for
you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father,
the world has not known you, but I have known you; and these know that
you sent me. 26 I have made known to them your name, and will make it
known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in
them."
18
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his
disciples over the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, which he and
his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the
place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having
received a detachment of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests
and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Then
Jesus, knowing all that was to come upon him, went forward and said to
them, "Whom do you seek?" 5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Jesus said to them, "I am he." And Judas, who betrayed him, was standing
with them. 6 When he said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to
the ground. 7 Again he asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said,
"Jesus of Nazareth." 8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you
seek me, let these men go." 9 This happened so that the words which he
had spoken would be fulfilled, "Of those whom you gave me I have lost
none." 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high
priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was
Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I
not drink the cup which the Father has given me?"
12 Then the detachment of soldiers and their captain and the
officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 And they led him to
Annas first; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest
that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was
expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As
this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the
courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then
the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke
to the girl who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the girl who
kept the door said to Peter, "You are not also one of this man's disciples,
are you?" He said, "I am not." 18 Now the servants and officers had made
a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming
themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and
his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world.
I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come
together, and I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask
those who have heard me what I said to them. They know what I said." 22
And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus
with his hand, saying, "Is that the way you answer the high priest?" 23
Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the
wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" 24 Then
Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25 Now Simon Peter stood warming himself. Therefore they said
to him, "You are not also one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and
said, "I am not." 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of
him whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden
with him?" 27 Peter again denied it; and at once a rooster crowed.
28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it
was early morning. But they did not enter the Praetorium themselves, so
that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate
went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this
man?" 30 They answered him, "If he were not an evildoer, we would not
have handed him over to you." 31 Pilate said to them, "Take him
yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is
not lawful for us to put anyone to death." 32 This happened so that the
words Jesus had spoken would be fulfilled, showing by what death he
was going to die. 33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called
Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus
answered, "Do you say this on your own, or did others say it to you about
me?" 35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief
priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?" 36 Jesus
answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this
world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the
Jews; but now my kingship is not from here." 37 Pilate said to him, "You
are a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say what I amóa king. For this I
was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the
truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice." 38 Pilate said to him,
"What is truth?"
After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again, and told
them, "I find no crime in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should
release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to
you the King of the Jews?" 40 Then they all cried again, "Not this man,
but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.
19
1 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. 2 And the soldiers
twisted a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they clothed him in
a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again, and said to
them, "See, I am bringing him out to you, that you may know that I find
no crime in him." 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and
the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!" 6 When the chief
priests and officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!"
Pilate said to them, "You take him and crucify him, for I find no fault in
him." 7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that
law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God."
8 When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid, 9 and
he went again into the Praetorium and said to Jesus, "Where are you
from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Pilate said to him, "You will
not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and
power to crucify you?" 11 Jesus answered, "You would have no power
over me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who
delivered me to you has the greater sin." 12 From then on Pilate sought to
release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you let this man go, you are not
Caesar's friend. Anyone who makes himself a king sets himself against
Caesar."
13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat
down on the judgment seat at a place that is called The Pavement, but in
Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover,
about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" 15
But they cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" Pilate
said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered,
"We have no King but Caesar." 16 Then he handed him over to them to be
crucified.
So they took Jesus. 17 And he, bearing his cross, went out to a
place called the Place of the Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.
18 There they crucified him, and two others with him, one on either side,
and Jesus in the center. 19 Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. It
read:
JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
20 Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was
crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and
Latin. 21 The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, "Do not write,
'The King of the Jews,' but, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" 22
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his
garments, and made four parts, one for each soldier, and also his tunic.
Now the tunic was without seam, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
24 So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it,
whose it shall be." This happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled
which says:
"They divided my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots."
This is what the soldiers did. 25 By the cross of Jesus stood his mother,
and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by,
he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" 27 Then he said to the
disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her
to his own home.
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now accomplished,
that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst." 29 Now a vessel full
of wine vinegar was sitting there; so they filled a sponge with the vinegar,
put it on hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received
the vinegar, he said, "It is finished!" And he bowed his head and gave up
his spirit.
31 Therefore, because it was the day of Preparation, that the
bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath
was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and
that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the
legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But
when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not
break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear,
and immediately blood and water came out. 35 He who saw it has
testified, and his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth,
that you also may believe. 36 For these things were done that the scripture
should be fulfilled, "Not one of his bones shall be broken." 37 And again
another scripture says, "They shall look on him whom they have pierced."
38 After this Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus,
but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the
body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away
his body. 39 And Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night,
also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred
pounds. 40 So they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen
with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place
where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb
in which no one had ever been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of
Preparation, as the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
20
1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb
early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away
from the tomb. 2 So she ran, and came to Simon Peter and the other
disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken
the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."
3 Peter therefore went out with the other disciple, and they were going
toward the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and
reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths
lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following
him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7
and the napkin that had been around his head, not lying with the linen
cloths, but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who
reached the tomb first, also went in; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet
they did not know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then
the disciples went back to their homes.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept
she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white,
sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at
the feet. 13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said
to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know
where they have laid him." 14 Saying this, she turned around and saw
Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said
to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"
Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have
carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him
away." 16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in
Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, "Do
not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my
brethren and say to them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.'" 18 Mary Magdalene went and said to the
disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said
these things to her.
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the
doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus
came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the
disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again,
"Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you." 22 And
when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive
the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them;
if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not
with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have
seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print
of the nails, and put my finger in the mark of the nails, and put my hand
in his side, I will not believe." 26 Eight days later, his disciples were
again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but
Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you!" 27
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands. Reach
out your hand, and put it into my side; do not be unbelieving, but
believing." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus
said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are
those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30 Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples,
which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you
may have life in his name.
21
1 After this Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the
Sea of Tiberias, and in this way he showed himself: 2 Simon Peter,
Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of
Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter
said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with
you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught
nothing. 4 But early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the
disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children,
have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." 6 He said to them, "Cast
the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they
cast, and now they were not able to haul it in because of the great number
of fish. 7 Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the
Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his
outer garment (for he had removed it), and threw himself into the sea. 8
But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for
they were not far from land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they
had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish lying on it, and
bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just
caught." 11 Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore, full of
large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many,
the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast."
Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it
was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and
did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared
to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him,
"Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."
16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love
me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to
him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of
John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third
time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know all things;
you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 18 Truly,
truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and
walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your
hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to
go." 19 This he said to show by what death he would glorify God. And
after this he said to him, "Follow me."
20 Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus
loved, who had leaned on his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord,
who is the one who is going to betray you?" 21 When Peter saw him, he
said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If I
want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me." 23
Then the saying spread among the brethren that this disciple would not
die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I want him
to remain until I come, what is that to you?"
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things, and who
wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 But there are also many other things which Jesus did. If every
one of them were to be written, I suppose that even the world itself could
not contain the books that would be written.
John, page 1
The Acts of the Apostles
1
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus
began to do and to teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven,
after he had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he
had chosen. 3 To these he also presented himself alive after his suffering,
by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days
and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4 And while
staying with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait
for what the Father had promised, "Which," he said, "you heard of from
me; 5 for John baptized with water, but before many days you will be
baptized with the Holy Spirit."
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are
you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to
them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has
fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the
earth." 9 And after he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted
up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing
intently into the sky while he was going, behold, two men in white
clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do
you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from
you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched him
go into heaven."
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called
Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And
when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were
staying; Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas,
Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the
Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one mind devoted
themselves to prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with his brothers.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the
company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16
"Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke
beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to
those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was counted among us and received
his share in this ministry." 18 (Now this man bought a field with the
reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the
middle and all his intestines gushed out. 19 And it became known to all
the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language
Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 For it is written in the book of
Psalms,
'Let his homestead be made desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it';
and,
'let another man take his office.'
21 Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all
the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from
the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from usóone of
these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection." 23 So they
put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called
Justus), and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who
know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen
25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas
turned aside, to go to his own place." 26 And they cast lots for them, and
the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
2
1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in
one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like the rush
of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and
they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance.
5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from
every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the crowd came together,
and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his
own language. 7 They were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all
these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear them,
each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and
Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus
and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya around
Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans
and Arabsówe hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty
deeds of God." 12 And they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one
another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others were mocking and said,
"They are full of sweet wine."
14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice
and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let
this be known to you and give heed to my words. 15 For these men are
not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; 16
but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 'And in the last days it shall be, God says,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned into darkness
and the moon into blood,
before the great and glorious day
of the Lord shall come.
21 And it shall be that everyone
who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.'
22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a
man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which
God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves knowó23 this
man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God,
you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put him to death.
24 But God raised him up, having loosed the agony of death, because it
was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25 For David says
concerning him,
'I saw the Lord always before me;
for he is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover my flesh also will live in hope,
27 because you will not abandon my soul to hades,
nor let your Holy One see decay.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'
29 "Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David
that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30
And so, because he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn with an
oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he
looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,
that he was not abandoned to hades,
nor did his flesh see decay.
32 This Jesus God raised up again, and of that we are all witnesses. 33
Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received
from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this
which you see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into heaven, but he
says himself:
'The Lord said to my Lord,
"Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies a footstool
for your feet."'
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has
made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said
to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38
And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children
and for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call to
himself." 40 And he testified with many other words and exhorted them,
saying, "Save yourselves from this perverse generation." 41 So those who
received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about
three thousand souls. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles'
teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone was filled with awe; and many wonders and signs
were done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together
and had all things in common; 45 and they sold their possessions and
goods and distributed them to all, as anyone had need. 46 And day by
day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they
ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and having
favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day
those who were being saved.
3
1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of
prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried,
whom they set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called
Beautiful to beg alms of those who entered the temple. 3 When he saw
Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. 4 And
Peter, along with John, directed his gaze at him, and said, "Look at us." 5
And he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from
them. 6 But Peter said, "I do not have silver and gold, but I give you what
I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 And taking him
by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles
were made strong. 8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and
he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9
And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they
recognized him as the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the
temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at
what had happened to him.
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together
to them in the porch called Solomon's, astounded. 12 And when Peter saw
this he addressed the people, "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this,
or why do you stare at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made
him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our
fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and
disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.
14 But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a
murderer to be granted to you, 15 but killed the Author of life, whom God
raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name, by faith
in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the
faith which comes through Jesus has given him perfect health in the
presence of you all. 17 And now, brethren, I know that you acted in
ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth
of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19
Repent therefore, and turn again, so that your sins may be wiped out, that
times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that
he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must
receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of
his holy prophets from long ago. 22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise
up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; you shall listen to
everything he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul that does not
listen to that prophet will be destroyed from among the people.' 24 And
likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who
came afterwards, also announced these days. 25 You are the sons of the
prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying
to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be
blessed.' 26 For you first, God raised up his servant and sent him to bless
you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways."
4
1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the
captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being
greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming
in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they seized them and put
them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of
those who heard the message believed; and the number of the men came
to about five thousand.
5 On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were
gathered together in Jerusalem; 6 and Annas the high priest was there, and
Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly
family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they began to inquire,
"By what power or by what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled
with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if
we are being examined today for a good deed done to a cripple, as to how
this man has been healed, 10 be it known to you all, and to all the people
of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you
crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man stands before
you healed. 11 He is
the stone which was rejected by you, the builders,
but which has become the chief cornerstone.
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 13 Now when they
saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were
uneducated, common men, they were astonished; and they recognized that
they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed
standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they
had ordered them to leave the Council, they conferred with one another,
16 saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a noteworthy
miracle has been performed through them is apparent to all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it
may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no
longer to any one in this name." 18 Then they called them in again and
commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But
Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to
listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20 for we cannot stop
speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 And when they had
further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them,
because of the people; for all the people were praising God for what had
happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed
was more than forty years old.
23 When they had been released, they went to their own
companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said
to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God
together and said, "Sovereign Lord, it is you who made the heaven and the
earth and the sea, and everything in them, 25 who by the Holy Spirit,
through the mouth of our father David your servant, said,
'Why did the gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot futile things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
and the rulers were gathered together
against the Lord and against his Christ.'
27 For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy
servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along
with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand
and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look
upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all
boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and
wonders take place through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 And
when they had prayed, the place where they were gathered together was
shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word
of God with boldness.
32 Now the company of those who believed were of one heart
and soul, and no one claimed that any of the things which he possessed
was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great
power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy
person among them, For all who were owners of land or houses sold them
and brought the proceeds of the sales 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet,
and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph who was
called by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of Encouragement) , a
Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field which he owned, and brought
the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
5
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece
of property, 2 and with his wife's full knowledge he kept back some of the
money for himself, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the
Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 While it
remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it
not at your disposal? How is it that you have conceived this deed in your
heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 When Ananias heard
these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came upon all who
heard of it. 6 The young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out,
and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in,
not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter said to her, "Tell me whether
you sold the land for such and such a price." And she said, "Yes, that was
the price." 9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed
together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have
buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10
Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came
in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her
husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all
who heard of these things.
12 Now many signs and wonders were done among the people
by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's
Porch. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in
high honor. 14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men
and women, were constantly added to their number, 15 so that they even
carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, so
that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16
The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the
sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
17 But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is,
the party of the Sadducees, and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They
arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the
night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, and brought
them out, and said, 20 "Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple
the whole message of this Life." 21 And when they heard this, they
entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the
high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even
all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for
them to be brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them
in the prison, and they returned and reported back, 23 "We found the
prison securely locked, and the guards standing at the doors; but when we
opened them, we found no one inside." 24 Now when the captain of the
temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were much
perplexed about them, wondering what would come of this. 25 And
someone came and told them, "Look! The men whom you put in prison
are standing in the temple and teaching the people." 26 Then the captain
went along with the officers and brought them back without violence, for
they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned.
27 When they had brought them, they set them before the
council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, "We gave you strict
orders not to teach in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with
your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." 29 But Peter
and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. 30 The
God of our fathers raised Jesusówhom you had killed by hanging him on
a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior, to
give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are witnesses of
these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who
obey him."
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to kill
them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the
law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be
put outside for a while. 35 And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care
what you propose to do with these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas
rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men
joined him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed
and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the
days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished,
and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I
tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or
action is of men, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to
overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God." 40
So they took his advice, and they called the apostles in and had them
flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and
let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that
they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And
every day, in the temple and from house to house, they never stopped
teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
6
1 Now in those days when the number of disciples was
increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the
native Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily
distribution of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the
disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God in
order to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you
seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we
may appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to
the ministry of the word." 5 And the statement pleased the whole
congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a
proselyte from Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they
prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 The word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were
obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and
signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the
synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and
of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and
disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand against the wisdom
and the Spirit with which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to
say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and
against God." 12 They stirred up the people and the elders and the
scribes, and they came on him and seized him, and brought him before the
council. 13 They put forward false witnesses who said, "This man never
stops speaking against this holy place, and the law; 14 for we have heard
him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will
change the customs which Moses handed down to us." 15 And fixing
their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw that his face
was like the face of an angel.
7
1 The high priest said, "Are these things so?" 2 And he said:
"Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father
Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and
said to him, 'Leave your country and your relatives, and go into the land
that I will show you.' 4 Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled
in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this
country in which you are now living. 5 But He gave him no inheritance in
it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even though he had no child, he
promised that he would give it to him as a possession, and to his
descendants after him. 6 But God spoke to this effect, that his
descendants would be aliens in a foreign land, and that they would be
enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. 7 'But I will judge the
nation which they serve,' said God, 'and after that they will come out and
worship me in this place.' 8 And he gave him the covenant of
circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and
circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob,
and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
9 "And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt.
But God was with him, 10 and rescued him from all his afflictions, and
gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he
made him governor over Egypt and all his household. 11 Now there came
a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our
fathers could find no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain
in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. 13 At the second visit
Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family was
made known to Pharaoh. 14 Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob
and all his relatives to him, seventy-five persons in all. 15 And Jacob went
down to Egypt, and there he and our fathers died. 16 They were carried
back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum
of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.
17 "But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had
granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18
until there arose another king over Egypt who knew nothing about
Joseph. 19 He dealt craftily with our race and forced our fathers to expose
their infants, so that they would not survive. 20 At this time Moses was
born, and was beautiful before God. And he was brought up for three
months in his father's house; 21 and when he was placed outside,
Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. 22
Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was
mighty in his words and deeds.
23 "When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit
his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24 And when he saw one of them being
treated unjustly, he defended him and avenged the oppressed by striking
down the Egyptian. 25 And he supposed that his brethren understood that
God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not
understand. 26 On the following day he appeared to two of them as they
were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brethren;
why do you wrong each other?' 27 But the man who was wronging his
neighbor pushed him aside, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge
over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'
29 At this remark Moses fled, and became an exile in the land of Midian,
where he became the father of two sons.
30 "After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the
wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush. 31 When
Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight; and as he approached to look
more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: 32 'I am the God of your
fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with
fear and did not dare to look. 33 And the Lord said to him, 'Take off the
sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy
ground. 34 I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt and
have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them. Come
now, and I will send you to Egypt.' 35 This Moses whom they rejected,
saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?' is the one God sent to be
both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him
in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in
the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years.
37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, 'God will raise up for you
a prophet like me from your brethren.' 38 This is he who was in the
congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount
Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to
us. 39 But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and
in their hearts turned back to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, 'Make for us
gods who will go before us; as for this Moses who led us out from the
land of Egyptówe do not know what has happened to him.' 41 At that
time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were
rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned away and gave
them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the
prophets:
'Did you offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices,
forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43 You took up the tent of Moloch,
and the star of the god Rephan,
the figures which you made to worship.
And I will remove you beyond Babylon.'
44 "Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the
wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it
according to the pattern which he had seen. 45 And having received it in
their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua when they took the land
from the nations whom God drove out before our fathers. So it was until
the time of David, 46 who found favor in God's sight, and asked that he
might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon
who built a house for him. 48 However, the Most High does not dwell in
houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:
49 'Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord,
or what is the place of my rest?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?'
51 "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears,
you always resist the Holy Spirit. You are doing just as your fathers did.
52 Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed
those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One,
whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law
as delivered by angels, and yet did not keep it."
54 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and they
gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed
intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the
right hand of God; 56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and
the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57 But they cried out
with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed together upon him
with. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and began to stone him; and
the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named
Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit." 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud
voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said
this, he fell asleep. 1 Saul was consenting to his death.
8
And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in
Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and
Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen, and made
great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, and,
entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and put them
in prison.
4 Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the
word. 5 Philip went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to
them. 6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was
said by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. 7 For
unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were
possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So
there was much joy in that city.
9 Now there was a man named Simon, who had formerly
practiced magic in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He
boasted that he was someone great, 10 and they all, from the least to the
greatest, gave attention to him, saying, "This man is what is called the
Great Power of God." 11 And they gave heed to him, because for a long
time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed
Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name
of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon
himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And
seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came
down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For
he had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them, and
they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit
was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them
money, 19 saying, "Give me also this power, so that everyone on whom I
lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 But Peter said to him,
"May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain
the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this matter,
for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this
wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of
your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of
bitterness and in the bond of iniquity." 24 And Simon answered, "Pray
for me to the Lord, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon
me."
25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the
Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of
the Samaritans.
26 But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get up and go
toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza."
This is a desert road. 27 So he got up and went. And there was an
Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians,
who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to
worship, 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was
reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and
join this chariot." 30 So Philip ran up to him, and heard him reading
Isaiah the prophet, and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited
Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of Scripture
which he was reading was this:
"He was led as a sheep to slaughter;
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he does not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken up from the earth."
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, "Please tell me, of whom does
the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?" 35 Then
Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him
the good news of Jesus. 36 And as they went along the road they came to
some water; and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water! What prevents me
from being baptized?" 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and
they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he
baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of
the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but
went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as
he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the towns until he
came to Caesarea.
9
1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the
disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from
him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to
the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light
from heaven flashed around him. 4 And he fell to the ground and heard a
voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 And he
said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus whom you are
persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what
you must do." 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless,
hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground; and
when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the
hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was
without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and
the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am,
Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called
Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named
Saul, for he is praying, 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named
Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his
sight." 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about
this man, how much harm he has done to your saints at Jerusalem; 14 and
here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your
name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of
mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of
Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my
name." 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And after laying
his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to
you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may
regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately
there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight.
And he got up and was baptized, 19 and he took food and was
strengthened.
Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at
Damascus. 20 And immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the
synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." 21 All those who heard him
were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who made havoc in Jerusalem of
those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of
bringing them bound before the chief priests?" 22 But Saul increased all
the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus by
proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24
but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day
and night, to kill him; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him
down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but
they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But
Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to
them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that he had spoken to
him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out
boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with
the Hellenistic Jews; but they were seeking to kill him. 30 But when the
brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him
off to Tarsus.
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria
enjoyed peace and was built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and
in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
32 Now as Peter went through all those regions, he came down
also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named
Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. 34
Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your
bed." Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon
saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha
(which is translated Dorcas). She was full of good works and acts of
charity. 37 And at that time she fell sick and died; and when they had
washed her, they laid her body in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was
near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men
to him, imploring him, "Please come to us without delay." 39 So Peter
rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper
room. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing the tunics
and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But
Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the
body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she
saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up.
Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. 42 It became
known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter
stayed for many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
10
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of
what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man and one who
feared God with all his household, and gave alms generously to the
people and prayed to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day
he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said
to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And he stared at him in terror, and said, "What is
it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms have ascended as a
memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and bring a man named
Simon who is called Peter; 6 he is staying with a tanner named Simon,
whose house is by the sea." 7 When the angel who spoke to him had left,
he called two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his
personal attendants, 8 and after he had explained everything to them, he
sent them to Joppa.
9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching
the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10
And he became hungry and was desiring something to eat; but while they
were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and he saw heaven opened, and
something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners to the
earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the
earth and birds of the air. 13 A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter. Kill
and eat!" 14 But Peter said, "No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything
that is common or unclean." 15 And the voice came to him again a second
time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common." 16 This
happened three times, and immediately the thing was taken up to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the
vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by
Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, appeared at the gate.
18 They called out, asking whether Simon who was known as Peter was
staying there. 19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said
to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 But get up, go
downstairs and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them
myself." 21 Peter went down to the men and said, "Behold, I am the one
you are looking for; what is the reason you have come?" 22 They said,
"Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, who is well
spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to
send for you to come to his house, and to hear what you have to say." 23
So he invited them in to be his guests.
The next day he rose and went off with them, and some of the
brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the following day he
entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called
together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius
met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. 26 But Peter
raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am just a man." 27 As he talked
with him, he went in and found many people assembled. 28 And he said
to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate
with a foreigner or to visit him; but God has shown me that I should not
call any man common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came
without raising any objection. I ask then why you sent for me." 30
Cornelius said, "Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house
during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining
garments, 31 and he said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your
alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and
ask for Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging in the house of Simon, a
tanner, by the sea.' 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you have been
kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of
God, to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."
34 And opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly
understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every
nation the man who fears him and does what is right is welcome to him.
36 You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of
peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all). 37 You know what has
happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism
which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the
Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and
healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39
We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in
Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God
raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen, 41 not to all the
people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and
drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to
preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to
be judge of the living and the dead. 43 Of him all the prophets bear
witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins
through his name."
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit
fell on all who heard the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who
came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been
poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in
tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone refuse the
water for these people to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit
just as we have?" 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
11
1 Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea
heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when
Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3
saying, "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them." 4 But Peter
began and explained to them in order: 5 "I was in the city of Joppa
praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something descending like a great
sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came down to me. 6
And when I looked into it I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild
beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 Then I heard a voice saying to me,
'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat!' 8 But I said, 'No, Lord; for nothing common
or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9 But the voice answered a
second time from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you must not call
common.' 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into
heaven. 11 And behold, at that moment three men appeared at the house
in which we were staying, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 The
Spirit told me to go with them with no hesitation. These six brethren also
went with me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he
had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, 'Send to Joppa and
bring Simon, who is also called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message
by which you will be saved, you and all your household.' 15 As I began to
speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And
I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with
water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 So if God gave
them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I that I could oppose God?" 18 When they heard this, they
quieted down and glorified God, saying, "So then, God has granted to the
Gentiles also the repentance unto life."
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution
that arose in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and
Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But
there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to
Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and
turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the ears of the church at
Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and
saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true
to the Lord with all their hearts; 24 for he was a good man, full of the
Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great number of people were brought to
the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when
he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year they
met with the church and taught great numbers of people; and the disciples
were called Christians first in Antioch.
27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to
Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the
Spirit that there would be a great famine all over the world. And this took
place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And the disciples determined, each
according to his ability, to send relief for the brethren living in Judea. 30
And this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
12
1 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who
belonged to the church in order to persecute them. 2 He had James the
brother of John put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that it
pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the
days of Unleavened Bread. 4 When he had seized him, he put him in
prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him,
intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter
was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the
church.
6 The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter
was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries
before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the
Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck
Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains
fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on
your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak
around you and follow me." 9 So he went out and followed him; and he
did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he
was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second
guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them
by itself, and they went out and passed on through one street; and
immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said,
"Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me
from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were
expecting." 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the
mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered
together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the
gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she
recognized Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in
and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said
to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting that it was so.
They said, "It is his angel." 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when
they opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning
to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had
brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell this to James and to the
brethren." Then he left and went to another place.
18 Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among
the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched
for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered that
they be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and
stayed there a while.
20 Now he was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and
they came to him in a body, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's
chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the
king's country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal
robes, took his seat upon the throne, and made an address to them. 22
And the people shouted, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" 23
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God
the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.
24 But the word of God continued to grow and to be multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had
fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called
Mark.
13
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were prophets and
teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2
While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
"Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called
them." 3 Then after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on
them and sent them off.
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to
Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at
Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews.
And they had John as their helper. 6 When they had gone through the
whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a
Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul,
Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and
Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for
that is the meaning of his name) was opposing them, seeking to turn the
proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul,
filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, "You who
are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all
righteousness, will you not stop making crooked the straight ways of the
Lord? 11 Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be
blind and unable to see the sun for a time." And immediately a mist and a
darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him
by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had
happened, for he was amazed at the teaching of the Lord.
13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos
and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to
Jerusalem. 14 But they passed on from Perga and came to Pisidian
Antioch. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat
down. 15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the
synagogue sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if you have any word of
exhortation for the people, say it." 16 Paul stood up, and motioning with
his hand said,
"Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 the God of this
people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay
in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 For
about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 When he had
destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as
an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years. 20 After these
things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked
for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of
Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And after he had removed him, he raised up
David to be their king; concerning whom he testified and said, 'I have
found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my
will.' 23 From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel a Savior,
Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming John had preached a baptism
of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was completing
his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but
after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to
untie.'
26 "Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among
you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27
For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not
recognize him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every
Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him. 28 Though they found no
ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29
When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him
down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from
the dead; 31 and for many days he appeared to those who came up with
him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.
32 And we preach to you the good news that what God promised to the
fathers, 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it
is also written in the second Psalm:
'You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.'
34 As for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to
decay, he spoke in this way:
'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.'
35 Therefore he also says in another Psalm,
'You will not let your Holy One see decay.'
36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own
generation, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers and saw decay; 37
but he whom God raised did not see decay. 38 Therefore let it be known
to you, brethren, that through him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to
you, 39 and through him everyone who believes is freed from everything
from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Therefore
take care, so that what is said in the prophets may not come upon you:
41 'Behold, you scoffers,
and wonder, and perish;
for I am going to do a deed in your days,
a deed you will never believe,
if someone declares it to you.'"
42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people begged that
these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. 43 When the
meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to
Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them
to continue in the grace of God.
44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the
word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled
with jealousy, and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, and
blasphemed. 46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was
necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it
and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the
Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:
'I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of
the Lord; and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And
the word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jews
incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the
city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove
them out of their district. 51 So they shook off the dust from their feet in
protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were
filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
14
1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish
synagogue, and so spoke that a great number believed, both of Jews and
of Greeks. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles
and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 So they spent a long time
there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his
grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the
people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with
the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the
Jews with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they became
aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and to the
surrounding country; 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
8 At Lystra there was a man sitting who had no strength in his
feet, lame from birth, who had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul
speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to
be made well, 10 said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet."
And he leaped up and began to walk. 11 And when the crowds saw what
Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the Lycaonian
language, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" 12
Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker,
they called Hermes. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside
the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer
sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul
heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out
15 "Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with
you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain
things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and
all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to go
their own ways; 17 yet he did not leave himself without witness, in that
he did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,
satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." 18 Even with these words,
they had difficulty keeping the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium; and having
won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered
around him, he got up and entered the city. And the next day he went with
Barnabas to Derbe.
21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made
many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in
the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the
kingdom of God." 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in
every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in
whom they believed. 24 They passed through Pisidia, and came into
Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went
down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had
been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had
completed. 27 When they arrived, they gathered the church together and
declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door
of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a long time with the disciples.
15
1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the
brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses,
you cannot be saved." 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small
dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the
others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders
about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they
passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, reporting the conversion of
the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren. 4 When they
came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles
and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But
some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up, and
said, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the
Law of Moses."
6 The apostles and the elders came together to consider this
matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to
them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice
among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the
gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to
them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us; 9 and he made
no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. 10
Now therefore why do you test God by putting upon the neck of the
disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,
just as they are."
12 All the assembly kept silent; and they listened to Barnabas
and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through
them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied,
"Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first showed his
concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 With this
the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 'After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,'
18 says the Lord, who makes these things
known from long ago.
19 Therefore it is my judgment that we should not trouble those who are
turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we should write to
them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from fornication and
from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For Moses from ancient
generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the
synagogues every Sabbath."
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the
whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch
with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas,
leading men among the brethren, 23 and they sent the following letter
with them: "The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren
in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. 24
Since we have heard that some persons from us have disturbed you with
words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25
it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and
send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have
risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have
therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same
things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to
us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you
abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things
strangled and from fornication. If you keep yourselves free from these,
you will do well. Farewell."
30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and
having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31
And when they read it, they rejoiced at its encouragement. 32 And Judas
and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged the brethren with
many words and strengthened them. 33 And after they had spent some
time there, they were sent off in peace by the brethren to those who had
sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and
preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and
visit the brethren in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord,
and see how they are." 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called
Mark, with them. 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take
along one who had deserted them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with
them to the work. 39 There arose such a sharp disagreement that they
separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed
away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being commended by
the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and
Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
16
1 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there,
named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his
father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were
in Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted this man to accompany him; and he
took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those
places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on
their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the
decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in
Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased
in numbers daily.
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia,
having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7
And when they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the
Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 so passing by Mysia, they went
down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of
Macedonia was standing and begging him, and saying, "Come over to
Macedonia and help us." 10 When he had seen the vision, immediately
we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to
preach the gospel to them.
11 So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to
Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; 12 and from there to
Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia, and a
Roman colony. We stayed in this city some days; 13 and on the Sabbath
day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there
was a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women
who had come together. 14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of
Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, who was a worshiper of God, was
listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by
Paul. 15 When she and her household had been baptized, she urged us,
saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my
house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.
16 It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, we
were met by a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination. She brought her
owners much profit by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest
of us, crying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are
telling you the way of salvation." 18 She continued doing this for many
days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I
command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it
came out at that very moment. 19 But when her owners saw that their
hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into
the marketplace before the authorities, 20 and when they had brought
them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are
throwing our city into an uproar. 21 They advocate customs which it is
not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice." 22 The crowd joined
against them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and ordered
them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows
upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to guard them
securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner
prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing
hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly
there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were
shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains
were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors
were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing
that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do
not harm yourself, for we are all here!" 29 And he called for lights and
rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30
He brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31
They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and
your household." 32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all
who were in his house. 33 He took them that very hour of the night and
washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his
family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before
them; and he rejoiced with his whole household that he had believed in
God.
35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent their police, saying,
"Release those men." 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul,
saying, "The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come
out now and go in peace." 37 But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us
publicly, without trial, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us
into prison; and do they now cast us out secretly? No! Let them come
themselves and take us out." 38 The police reported these words to the
magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman
citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them, and they took them out
and asked them to leave the city. 40 They went out of the prison and
entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they
encouraged them and departed.
17
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and
Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the
Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and for three weeks he
reasoned with them from the scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the
Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus
whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ." 4 And some of them were
persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas; as did a large number of the God-
fearing Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were
jealous, and taking some wicked men from the market place, they formed
a mob and set the city in an uproar; they attacked the house of Jason,
seeking to bring them out to the people. 6 When they did not find them,
they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city authorities,
shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come
here also, 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they are all acting against
the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." 8 The
crowd and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard this. 9 And
when they had taken a pledge from Jason and the others, they let them go.
10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night
to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11
Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they
received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to
see if these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, along
with a number of prominent Greek women and men. 13 But when the
Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by
Paul in Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the
crowds. 14 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul out to go as far as the
sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Now those who escorted
Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and
Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.
16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit
was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So
he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing
Greeks, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be
there. 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were
conversing with him. Some said, "What would this idle babbler wish to
say?" Others, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign deities,"óbecause
he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took hold of
him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this
new teaching is which you present? 20 For you are bringing some strange
things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean." 21 (Now
all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time in
nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)
22 So Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said:
"Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I
passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an
altar with this inscription,
'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.'
What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The
God who made the world and everything in it, since he is Lord of heaven
and earth, does not live in temples made by hands; 25 nor is he served by
human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all
men life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every
nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their
appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they
would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for him and find him,
though he is not far from each one of us.
28 'For in him we live and move and have our being,'
as even some of your own poets have said,
'We are his offspring.'
29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Divine
Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and
imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now
he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a
day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he
has appointed, and of this he has given proof to all men by raising him
from the dead."
32 Now when they heard about the resurrection of the dead,
some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this
subject." 33 So Paul went out from among them. 34 But some men joined
him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a
woman named Damaris and others with them.
18
1 After this he left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found
a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy
with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to
leave Rome. He went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade
he stayed with them, and they worked, for by trade they were tentmakers.
4 And every Sabbath he was reasoning in the synagogue, and trying to
persuade Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted
himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the
Christ. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his
garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am
clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." 7 Then he left there and
went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God,
whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the
synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with all his household; and
many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. 9
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go
on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will
attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city." 11 And he
stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a
united attack upon Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13
saying, "This man is persuading men to worship God contrary to the law."
14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews,
"If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be
reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but since it is a matter of
questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves;
I refuse to be a judge of these things." 16 And he drove them from the
judgment seat. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the
synagogue, and beat him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio paid no
attention to this.
18 After this Paul stayed many days longer, and then took leave
of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and
Aquila. In Cenchrea he had his hair cut, for he had taken a vow. 19 They
came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself went into the
synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay
for a longer time, he declined; 21 but on taking leave of them he said, "I
will return to you if God wills," and he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When
he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then
went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed
and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia,
strengthening all the disciples.
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to
Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures. 25 He
had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he
spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew
only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak out boldly in the
synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside
and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he
wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to
the disciples to welcome him. When he had arrived, he greatly helped
those who had believed through grace, 28 for he powerfully refuted the
Jews in public, proving by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
19
1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper
country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he
said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And
they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And
he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's
baptism." 4 Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance,
telling the people to believe in the one who was coming after him, that is,
in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit
came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 There were
about twelve men in all.
8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke
boldly, arguing and persuading about the kingdom of God. 9 But when
some were stubborn and disbelieved, speaking evil of the Way before the
congregation, he withdrew from them, and took the disciples with him,
reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This took place for two years,
so that all who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord,
both Jews and Greeks.
11 God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so
that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick,
and diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13 But also some of
the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name
over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I
adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a
Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them,
"Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16 And the man
in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered all of them, and
prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and
wounded. 17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived
in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus
was being magnified. 18 Many also of those who believed now came,
confessing and disclosing their practices. 19 And a number of those who
practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the
sight of all; and they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty
thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and
prevailed.
21 Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the
spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and
Achaia, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." 22 And
having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he
himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23 About that time there arose no small disturbance concerning
the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver
shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These
he gathered together, with the workmen of similar trades, and said, "Men,
you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and
hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has
persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that
gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27 Not only is there danger that
this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great
goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia
and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence."
28 When they heard this, they were enraged and began crying
out, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29 The city was filled with the
confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging
along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from
Macedonia. 30 Paul wanted to go in among the crowd, but the disciples
would not let him. 31 Some of the Asiarchs also, who were friends of his,
sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some
were shouting one thing, some another; for the assembly was in
confusion, and most of the people did not know why they had come
together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, since the Jews had
put him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, wishing to
make a defense to the people. 34 But when they recognized that he was a
Jew, for about two hours they all with one voice shouted, "Great is
Artemis of the Ephesians!" 35 And when the town clerk had quieted the
crowd, he said, "Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does
not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the
great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? 36
Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and do
nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither
robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If then Demetrius
and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts
are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one
another. 39 But if you want anything further, it shall be settled in the
lawful assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with
rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to
account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." 41 After he
had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
20
1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and
when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he set out for
Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those parts and had given them
much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months,
and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set
sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 He was
accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus
and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy,
and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 These went on ahead and were
waiting for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days
of Unleavened Bread, and in five days came to them at Troas, where we
stayed seven days.
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together
to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next
day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. 8 There were many
lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And there was a
young man named Eutychus sitting in the window sill, sinking into a deep
sleep. And as Paul talked on and on, he was overcome by sleep and fell
down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went
down and fell on him, and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be
alarmed, for his life is in him." 11 When he had gone back up and had
broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while until
daybreak, and then left. 12 They took away the boy alive, and were greatly
comforted.
13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending
to take Paul aboard there; for so he had arranged, intending himself to go
by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and
came to Mitylene. 15 Sailing from there, we arrived the following day
opposite Chios; and the next day we crossed over to Samos; and the day
after that we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past
Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was
hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders
of the church. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: "You
yourselves know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first
day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with
tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews;
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was
profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and faith
in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, bound in the Spirit, I am
going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except
that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that
bonds and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not consider my life of any
account nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the
ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of
the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that all of you among whom I have
gone about preaching the kingdom will see my face no more. 26
Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all
men. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of
God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which
the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God
which he purchased with the blood of his Own. 29 I know that after my
departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse
things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert,
remembering that for three years I did not cease night and day to
admonish each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to
the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the
inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one's
silver or gold or clothes. 34 You yourselves know that these hands
ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35 In
everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must
help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is
more blessed to give than to receive.'"
36 When he had said this, he knelt down and prayed with them
all. 37 And they all wept and embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 grieving
most of all over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see
his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
21
1 When we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a
straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to
Patara. 2 And having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went
aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on
the left we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to
unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there
for seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go on to
Jerusalem. 5 And when our days there were ended, we left and started on
our journey, while they all, with wives and children, brought us on our
way until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and
praying, we said farewell to one another. 6 Then we went on board the
ship, and they returned home.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at
Ptolemais; and we greeted the brethren and stayed with them for a day. 8
On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of
Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9 He
had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. 10 As we were staying
there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11
And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands,
and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews at
Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the
hands of the Gentiles.'" 12 When we heard this, we and the people there
begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What are
you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be
bound but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14
And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "The will of
the Lord be done."
15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16
And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the
house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to
lodge.
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brethren received us
gladly. 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all
the elders were present. 19 After he had greeted them, he related one by
one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his
ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to
him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of
those who have believed; they are all zealous for the law, 21 and they
have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the
Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or
to walk according to the customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will
certainly hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you. We
have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify
yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave
their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have
been told about you, but that you yourself live in observance of the law.
25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote to them our
decision that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from
blood and from what is strangled and from fornication." 26 The next day
Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to
the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would
end and the offering would be made for each one of them.
27 When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia,
upon seeing him in the temple, stirred up all the crowd and laid hands on
him, 28 crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching
all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place; and
besides he also brought Greeks into the temple, and he has defiled this
holy place." 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in
the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the
temple. 30 Then all the city was aroused, and the people rushed together,
and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and
immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, a
report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem
was in confusion. 32 At once he took along some soldiers and centurions
and ran down to them; and when they saw the commander and the
soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the commander came up and
arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired
who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one
thing, and some another; and as he could not learn the facts because of
the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 When he
came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the
violence of the mob; 36 for the mob of the people followed, shouting,
"Away with him!"
37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to
the commander, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you
know Greek? 38 Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred
up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the
wilderness?" 39 Paul replied, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a
citizen of no insignificant city; I beg you, let me speak to the people." 40
When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned
to the people with his hand; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to
them in the Hebrew language, saying,
22
1 "Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to
you." 2 And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew
language, they became more quiet. And he said: 3 "I am a Jew, born in
Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel,
strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as
you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and
delivering into prison both men and women, 5 as also the high priest and
all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters
to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those
who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.
6 "As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about
noon a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. 7 And I fell
to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why do you
persecute me?' 8 And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to
me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' 9 And those who
were with me saw the light, but did not hear the voice of the one who was
speaking to me. 10 And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said
to me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all
that has been appointed for you to do.' 11 But since I could not see
because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who
were with me and came into Damascus.
12 "A certain Ananias, a devout man according to the Law, and
well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and
standing near said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that
very time I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has
appointed you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear
words from his mouth. 15 For you will be a witness for him to all men of
what you have seen and heard. 16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be
baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'
17 "When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the
temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, 'Make haste, and
get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony
about me.' 19 And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in one
synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in
you. 20 When the blood of Stephen your witness was shed, I also was
standing by and approving, and keeping the garments of those who were
killing him.' 21 And he said to me, 'Go; for I will send you far away to
the Gentiles.'"
22 Up to this word they listened to him, and then they raised
their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he
ought not to live." 23 And as they were crying out and throwing off their
cloaks and tossing dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be
brought into the barracks, and commanded him to be examined by
scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting
against him that way. 25 But when they stretched him out with thongs,
Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to
scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" 26 When the
centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying,
"What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen." 27 So the
commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?"
And he said, "Yes." 28 The commander answered, "I bought this
citizenship for a large sum." Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." 29 So
those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately;
and the commander also was afraid when he realized that Paul was a
Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains.
30 But on the next day, wishing to know for certain why he had
been accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests
and all the Council to assemble, and brought Paul down and set him
before them.
23
1 And Paul, looking intently at the council, said, "Brethren, I
have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day." 2
The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike
him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, "God shall strike you, you
whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and yet
contrary to the law you order me to be struck?" 4 Those who stood by
said, "Would you revile God's high priest?" 5 And Paul said, "I did not
know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall
not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"
6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the
other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a
son of Pharisees; with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead
I am on trial." 7 When he said this, a dissension broke out between the
Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the
Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but
the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 There occurred a great uproar; and
some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and began to argue
heatedly, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit
or an angel has spoken to him?" 10 The dispute became so violent that the
commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered
the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring
him into the barracks.
11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take
courage, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must bear
witness also at Rome."
12 When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound
themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.
13 There were more than forty who formed this plot. 14 They went to the
chief priests and the elders and said, "We have bound ourselves under a
solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 You therefore,
along with the council, give notice now to the commander to bring him
down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more
exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near." 16 But the
son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, and he went and entered the
barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said,
"Take this young man to the commander; for he has something to tell
him." 18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said,
"Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to
you, since he has something to tell you." 19 The commander took him by
the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What is it that you have
to tell me?" 20 And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring
Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire
somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21 But do not yield to them; for
more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him, having bound
themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they have killed him;
and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you." 22 So the
commander dismissed the young man, instructing him, "Tell no one that
you have informed me of this."
23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, "At the third
hour of the night get ready two hundred soldiers with seventy horsemen
and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea. 24 Also provide
mounts for Paul to ride, and bring him safely to Felix the governor." 25
And he wrote a letter having this form: 26 "Claudius Lysias, to His
Excellency, Governor Felix: greetings. 27 This man was seized by the
Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon them with
the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.
28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I
brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was accused over
questions about their Law, but there was no accusation against him
deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when I was informed that there
would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also
instructing his accusers to bring charges against him before you."
31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul
and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 But the next day, leaving the
horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the barracks. 33 When these
had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also
presented Paul to him. 34 When he had read the letter, he asked from
what province he was, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35
he said, "I will hear you when your accusers arrive also." And he
commanded him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.
24
1 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some
elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought their charges
against Paul before the governor. 2 And when Paul was called, Tertullus
began to accuse him, saying to Felix: "Since through you we have
enjoyed much peace, and since by your provision, reforms are introduced
on behalf of this nation, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and
everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. 4 But, that I may not
weary you further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we
have found this man a pestilent fellow who stirs up dissension among all
the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the
Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 8
By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all
these charges of which we accuse him." 9 The Jews also joined in the
attack, asserting that these things were so.
10 When the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul
replied: "Realizing that for many years you have been a judge over this
nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 Since you can easily verify that
no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 They
did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the
temple or in the synagogues, or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to
you the charges they are now making against me. 14 But this I admit to
you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do worship the
God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the
Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which
these men cherish themselves, that there will certainly be a resurrection of
both the righteous and the wicked. 16 And so I do my best always to have
a clear conscience before God and men. 17 Now after several years I came
to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 As I was doing
this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or uproar.
But there were some Jews from Asiaó19 who ought to be here before
you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20
Or else let these men themselves tell what wrongdoing they found when I
stood before the Council, 21 except this one thing which I shouted out
while standing among them, 'With respect to the resurrection of the dead
I am on trial before you today.'"
22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put
them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide
your case." 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in
custody but have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from
ministering to his needs.
24 But some days later Felix came with Drusilla, his wife who
was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ
Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the
judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the
present, and when I find time I will summon you." 26 At the same time,
he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him
often and conversed with him.
27 But when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by
Porcius Festus, and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in
prison.
25
1 Festus then, three days after arriving in the province, went up
to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men
of the Jews brought charges against Paul; and they urged him, 3 as a favor
to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an
ambush to kill him along the way. 4 Festus answered that Paul was being
kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly. 5
"Therefore," he said, "let the men of authority among you go there with
me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them prosecute
him."
6 After he had spent not more than eight or ten days among
them, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on
the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 And when Paul arrived, the
Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing
many serious charges against him, which they could not prove. 8 Paul
said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the
temple, nor against Caesar have I offended at all." 9 But Festus, wishing
to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Are you willing to go up to
Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?" 10 But Paul
said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I
have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. 11 If, then, I
am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not
refuse to die; but if none of the charges brought against me is true, no one
can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar." 12 Then when Festus had
conferred with his council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar,
to Caesar you shall go."
13 Now when a few days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice
arrived at Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus. 14 While they were
spending many days there, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying,
"There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix; 15 and when I was at
Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges
against him, asking for sentence against him. 16 I answered them that it is
not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused
meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his
defense against the charges. 17 When therefore they came together here, I
did not delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and
ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When the accusers stood up, they
did not charge him of such crimes as I had expected, 19 but they simply
had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a
dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how
to investigate such matters, I asked whether he was willing to go to
Jerusalem and there stand trial on these matters. 21 But when Paul
appealed to be held in custody for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him
to be kept in custody until I could send him to Caesar. 22 Then Agrippa
said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man myself." "Tomorrow,"
he said, "you shall hear him."
23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great
pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and
the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was
brought in. 24 Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with
us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me,
both at Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving of death; and as he
himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to send him. 26 But I have
nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought
him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after
the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. 27 For it
seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the
charges against him."
26
1 Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for
yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: 2 "I
consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to
make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 because
you are especially familiar with all customs and controversies of the Jews;
therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4 So then, all the Jews know
my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent
among my own nation and at Jerusalem. 5 They have known about me for
a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee
according to the strictest sect of our religion. 6 And now I am standing
trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the
promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve
God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by
Jews. 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the
dead? 9 I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things to oppose
the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in
Jerusalem; I not only shut up many of the saints in prison, by authority
from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote
against them. 11 And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I
tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged against
them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
12 "On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the
authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O King, I
saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around
me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to
the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul,
Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the
goads.' 15 And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am
Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But get up and stand on your feet; for
this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a
witness to the things which you have seen of me, and also to the things in
which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and
from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes, so
that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to
God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those
who are sanctified by faith in me.'
19 "So, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly
vision, 20 but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and
throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they
should repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of their
repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried
to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so
I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the
prophets and Moses said would happen: 23 that the Christ must suffer,
and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light
both to the people and to the Gentiles."
24 And as he was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a
loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving
you mad." 25 But Paul said, "I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I
am speaking the sober truth. 26 For the king knows about these things,
and to him I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things has
escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do
you believe the prophets? I know that you do." 28 And Agrippa said to
Paul, "In a short time you think to persuade me to become a Christian!"
29 And Paul said, "Whether in a short or a long time, I would to God that
not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I
amóexcept for these chains."
30 The king rose and the governor and Bernice, and those who
were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone aside, they began
talking to one another, saying, "This man is not doing anything worthy of
death or imprisonment." 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could
have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."
27
1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they
delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan
cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship from Adramyttium,
which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put out to
sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The
next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul kindly, and allowed
him to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 We put out to sea from there
and sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5
When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and
Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an
Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it. 7 When we had
sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off
Cnidus, since the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the
lee of Crete, off Salmone. 8 We sailed along it with difficulty and came to
a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
9 As much time had been lost, and the voyage was now
dangerous because the fast had already gone by, Paul advised them, 10
and said to them, "Men, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and
great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." 11
But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the owner of the
ship than by what was being said by Paul. 12 Because the harbor was not
suitable to winter in, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea
from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a
harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter
there.
13 When a gentle south wind came up, supposing that they had
obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along
Crete, close inshore. 14 But before very long there rushed down from the
land a violent wind, called the northeaster; 15 and when the ship was
caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were
driven along. 16 And running under the lee of a small island called
Cauda, we were scarcely able to secure the boat. 17 After they had
hoisted it up, they used supporting cables to undergird the ship; and
fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they
lowered the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be driven along. 18
The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to
throw the cargo overboard; 19 and on the third day they threw the ship's
tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars
appeared for many days, and no small storm was raging on us, all hope of
our being saved was finally abandoned.
21 When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul
stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have followed my
advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and
loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage; for there will be no
loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night an
angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24
and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and
behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 25 So keep up
your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen exactly as I
have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island."
27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven
across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to sense that
they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found it to be
twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took soundings again and
found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Fearing that we might run aground
somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and prayed
for daybreak. 30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship
and had let down the lifeboat into the sea, on the pretense of laying out
anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers,
"Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." 32 Then the
soldiers cut the ropes of the lifeboat and let it fall away.
33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some
food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense
and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take
some food; it will give you strength, since not a hair is to perish from the
head of any of you." 35 Having said this, he took bread and gave thanks
to God in the presence of all, and he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then
they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 All of us in
the ship were two hundred and seventy-six persons. 38 When they had
eaten enough, they lightened the ship by throwing out the wheat into the
sea.
39 When day came, they could not recognize the land, but they
did observe a bay with a beach, and they resolved to drive the ship onto it
if they could. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at
the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders; then hoisting the
foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a sandbar
they ran the vessel aground; the bow stuck fast and remained immovable,
and the stern was broken up by the pounding of the surf. 42 The soldiers'
plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and
escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept
them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to
jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest on planks or on
various pieces of the ship. And so it happened that they were all brought
safely to land.
28
1 When we had been brought safely through, then we found out
that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us unusual
kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had
begun to rain and was cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of
sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and
fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging
from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a
murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed
him to live." 5 However he shook the creature off into the fire and
suffered no harm. 6 They waited, expecting him to swell up or suddenly
fall down dead; but after they had waited a long time and saw nothing
unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a
god. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the
chief man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained
us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius was
lying in bed sick with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to
see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.
9 When this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had
diseases also came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways;
and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we
needed.
11 After three months we set sail in a ship which had wintered in
the island, an Alexandrian ship, with the Twin Brothers as figurehead. 12
After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 From there
we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind
sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found
some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so
we came to Rome. 15 And the brethren, when they heard of us, came from
there as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. When
Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by
himself, with the soldier that guarded him.
17 After three days Paul called together the local leaders of the
Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brethren, though I
had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I
was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18
And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because
there was no ground for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews
objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesarónot that I had any charge
to bring against my own nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have asked
to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel
that I am bound with this chain." 21 They said to him, "We have not
received letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brethren who
have come here has reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But
we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect,
we know that everywhere it is spoken against."
23 When they had appointed a day for Paul, they came to him at
his lodging in great numbers. And he explained the matter to them from
morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to
convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the
prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not
believe. 25 When they disagreed among themselves, they began to leave,
after Paul had made one final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth
to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 saying,
'Go to this people and say,
"you will be ever hearing, but will never understand;
and you will be ever seeing, but will never perceive.
27 For this people's heart has become dull,
and with their ears they scarcely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
otherwise they might see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn,
and I would heal them."'
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been
sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."
30 And he stayed there two whole years in his own rented
quarters and welcomed all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of
God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and
unhindered.
Acts, page 1
The Letter of Paul to the Romans
1
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set
apart for the gospel of God 2 which he promised beforehand through his
prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was born of
the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of
God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection
from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we have received
grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of
his name among all the nations, 6 among whom you also are called to
belong to Jesus Christ;
7 To all in Rome who are beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you,
because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my
witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that
without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, 10 asking that
somehow by God's will I may now at last find the way to come to you. 11
For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to
strengthen youó12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by
each other's faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I
often planned to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so
until now) in order that I might have some harvest among you, just as I
have had among the other Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to
Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish: 15 so I am
eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God
for the salvation of everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the
Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to
faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress
the truth, 19 for what may be known about God is plain to them, because
God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world his
invisible nature, even his eternal power and deity, has been clearly seen,
being understood by the things that have been made. So they are without
excuse; 21 for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or
give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their
foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made like
mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to
impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25
because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and
served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Even their
women exchanged natural relations for unnatural. 27 And the men
likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with
passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and
receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error. 28 And
since they did not see fit to retain the knowledge of God, God gave them
over to a base mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled
with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, depravity. Full of envy,
murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of
God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's
righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not
only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who
practice them.
2
1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are who
judge another; for in whatever point you pass judgment on him you
condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.
2 We know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those
who do such things. 3 Do you think, O man, that when you judge those
who do such things and yet do the same yourself, you will escape the
judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness
and forbearance and patience? Do you not know that God's kindness is
meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But by your hardness and your
impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath
when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 For he "will render to
each one according to his works": 7 to those who by patience in doing
good seek for glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8
but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey
wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and
distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the
Greek, 10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, the
Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality. 12 All who
have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who
have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the
hearers of the law who are righteous in the sight of God, but the doers of
the law who will be justified. 14 When Gentiles, who have not the law, do
by nature things required by the law, they are a law to themselves, even
though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of
the law are written on their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness,
and their thoughts accusing or else excusing them 16 on that day when,
according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men by Christ
Jesus.
17 But if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law and boast
of your relation to God 18 and know his will and approve of what is
excellent, because you are instructed in the law, 19 and if you are sure
that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20
an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, having in the law the
embodiment of knowledge and truthó21 you, then, who teach others, do
you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22
You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?
You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law,
do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 For, as it is written, "The
name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." 25
Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the
law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who
is uncircumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his
uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 The one who is not
circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even
though you have the written code and circumcision, are a breaker of the
law. 28 For he is not a real Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true
circumcision something outward and in the flesh. 29 He is a Jew who is
one inwardly; and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit,
and not by the written code. His praise is not from men but from God.
3
1 Then what advantage has the Jew, or what is the value of
circumcision? 2 Much in every way! To begin with, they are entrusted
with the oracles of God. 3 What if some did not have faith? Will their
faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 Certainly not! Let God be
true, though every man a liar. As it is written:
"That you may be justified in your words
and prevail when you are judged."
5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God,
what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a
human way.) 6 Certainly not! For then how could God judge the world? 7
But if through my falsehood God's truthfulness abounds to his glory, why
am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 Why not say ñ as we are being
slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we sayó"Let us
do evil that good may come"? Their condemnation is just.
9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? Certainly not; for we
have already charged that all men, both Jews and Greeks, are under the
power of sin. 10 As it is written:
"There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside, together they have become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."
13 "Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to practice deceit."
"The poison of asps is under their lips."
14 "Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their ways are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they do not know."
18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those
who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped and the whole
world may be held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no flesh will be
justified in his sight by works of the law, for through the law comes
knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God has been revealed apart
from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, 22 the
righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. For
there is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that
is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as an atoning sacrifice by
his blood, to be received through faith. This was to demonstrate his
righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over sins
committed beforehand; 26 and it was to demonstrate his righteousness at
the present time, that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has
faith in Jesus.
27 Where then is our boasting? It is excluded. On what law? On
the law of works? No, but on the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a man
is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of
Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30
since there is one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the
uncircumcised through their faith. 31 Do we then nullify the law by this
faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
4
1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according
to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has
something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the
scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as
righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, his wages are not reckoned as a
gift but as his due. 5 And to one who does not work but trusts him who
justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. 6 So also
David describes the blessedness of the man to whom God reckons
righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord
will not reckon his sin."
9 Is this blessedness only upon the circumcised, or also upon the
uncircumcised? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham as
righteousness. 10 How then was it reckoned to him? Was it after he had
been circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before he was
circumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the
righteousness which he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, that
he might be the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised,
in order that righteousness might be reckoned to them. 12 And he is also
the father of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also
walk in the footsteps of the faith which our father Abraham had before he
was circumcised.
13 The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that he would
be heir of the world, was not through the law but through the
righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are to be the
heirs, faith has no value and the promise is void, 15 because the law
brings wrath, for where there is no law there is no transgression. 16
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may
be guaranteed to all his descendantsónot only to those who are of the
law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, for he is the father
of us all 17 (as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")
in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the
dead and calls things that do not exist as though they did. 18 In hope, he
believed against hope, so that he became the father of many nations; as he
had been told, "So shall your descendants be." 19 And he did not weaken
in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead
since he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the
barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God
through unbelief, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
21 being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
22 That is why it was "reckoned to him as righteousness." 23 But the
words, "it was reckoned to him," were written not for his sake alone, 24
but for us also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised
from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered to death for our sins
and was raised for our justification.
5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have
obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice
in our hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we rejoice in our
sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; 4 and
perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not
disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the
Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 When we were still weak, at the
right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Why, one will hardly die for a
righteous manóthough perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still
sinners Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified
by his blood, much more shall we be saved through him from the wrath of
God. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God
through the death of his Son, much more, having been reconciled, shall
we be saved by his life. 11 Not only so, but we also rejoice in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received our
reconciliation.
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and
death through sin, so death spread to all men, because all men sinned. (13
For sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted
when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to
Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of
Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the free gift is
not like the trespass. For if by the one man's trespass many died, much
more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus
Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the free gift is not like the effect of
that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought
condemnation, but the gift following many trespasses brings justification.
17 For if, by the one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man,
much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift
of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.) 18 So
then, as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man's
act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For just
as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners,
so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made
righteous. 20 Law came in, that the trespass might increase. But where sin
increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in
death, grace also might reign through righteousness to eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
6
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace
may abound? 2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live any longer
in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him
through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the
dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly
also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old
self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away
with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. 7 For he who has died has
been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we
shall also live with him. 9 For we know that Christ, being raised from the
dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 The
death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to
God. 11 So you also, consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in
Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you
obey its passions. 13 Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of
wickedness, but yield yourselves to God as men who have been brought
from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of
righteousness. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, since you are
not under law but under grace.
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but
under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that if you yield
yourselves to any one to obey as slaves, you are slaves of the one whom
you obey, whether of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which
leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once
slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of
teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from
sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human
terms, because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you once yielded
your members to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now
yield your members to righteousness for holiness. 20 When you were
slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But then what
return did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? The
end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from
sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is holiness and its
end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God
is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
7
1 Do you not know, brethrenófor I am speaking to those who
know the lawóthat the law has authority over a man only as long as he
lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as
he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of her
husband. 3 So then, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with
another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is
free from that law, and though she marries another man, she is not an
adulteress. 4 Likewise, my brethren, you have died to the law through the
body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who was raised
from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit to God. 5 While we were
living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work
in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once
held us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new
way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed,
I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would
not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "You
shall not covet." 8 But sin, finding opportunity by the commandment,
produced in me all kinds of covetous desire. For apart from the law sin
lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the
commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 The very
commandment which was to bring life I found to be death to me. 11 For
sin, finding opportunity in the commandment, deceived me, and by it
killed me. 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just
and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Certainly
not! But it was sin, working death in me through what is good, in order
that sin might be recognized as sin, so that through the commandment sin
might become sinful beyond measure. 14 We know that the law is
spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 I do not understand what I
do. For I do not do what I want to do, but I do what I hate. 16 Now if I do
what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 So then, it is no
longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that
nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will to do what
is good, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do; but
the evil I do not want to do is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not
want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do good, evil is present with
me. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in
my members another law, at war against the law of my mind and making
me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members. 24 Wretched
man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks
be to Godóthrough Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I of myself serve the
law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
8
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me
free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in
that it was weakened through the flesh, God did by sending his own Son
in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin: he condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in
us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of
the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the
things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the
mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh
is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so; 8 and
those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the
flesh, you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. And
if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ he does not belong to him. 10
But if Christ is in you, although your body is dead because of sin, your
spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised
Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead
will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit who dwells in
you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtorsónot to the flesh, to live
according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will
die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will
live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For
you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received
the Spirit of sonship by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit
himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and
if children, then heirsóheirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if
indeed we suffer with him, in order that we may also be glorified with
him.
18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not
worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us. 19 For the
creation waits with eager expectation for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but by
the will of him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself
will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty
of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been
groaning in birth pangs together until now. 23 And not only the creation,
but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as
we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is not hope. For
who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see,
we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not
know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for
us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches the
hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit
intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know
that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are
called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also
predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren. 30 And those whom he predestined, he
also called; those whom he called, he also justified; and those whom he
justified, he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be
against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us
all, how will he not also give us all things with him? 33 Who shall bring
any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who
condemns? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the
dead, who is at the right hand of God, who is also interceding for us. 35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36
As it is written:
"For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who
loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor
principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
9
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my
conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow
and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were
accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen
according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the
adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and
the promises. 5 Of them are the patriarchs, and from them, according to
the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, forever blessed. Amen.
6 But it is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all
who are descended from Israel are Israel, 7 nor are they all children of
Abraham because they are his descendants; but, "Through Isaac shall your
descendants be named." 8 In other words, it is not the children of the
flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are
reckoned as descendants. 9 For this is what the promise said: "About this
time I will return and Sarah shall have a son." 10 And not only so, but
also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our father Isaac,
11 though the twins were not yet born and had done nothing either good
or bad, in order that God's purpose of election might stand, not because of
works but because of his call, 12 she was told, "The older will serve the
younger." 13 As it is written,
"Jacob I loved,
but Esau I hated."
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God?
Certainly not! 15 For he says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion
on whom I have compassion."
16 So it depends not upon man's will or exertion, but upon God's mercy.
17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for this very
purpose, that I may show my power in you, and that my name may be
proclaimed in all the earth." 18 Therefore he has mercy on whom he wills,
and he hardens the heart of whom he wills.
19 You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For
who can resist his will?" 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to
God? Will what is formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made
me like this?" 21 Does not the potter have right over the clay, to make out
of the same lump one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 22 What
if God, choosing to show his wrath and to make his power known,
endured with much patience the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for the vessels of mercy,
which he has prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom he has
called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed
he says in Hosea:
"I will call them who were not my people 'my people,'
and her who was not beloved I will call 'my beloved.'"
26 "And it will happen that in the very place
where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,'
they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"
27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the
sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. 28
For the Lord will carry out his sentence on the earth with speed and
finality." 29 And as Isaiah said:
"Unless the Lord of hosts had left us children,
we would have become like Sodom,
and we would have been made like Gomorrah."
30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue
righteousness have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; 31 but
Israel, who pursued the law of righteousness, has not attained that law. 32
Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works.
They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written:
"Behold, I lay in Zion a stone that will make men stumble,
and a rock that will make them fall;
and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
10
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that
they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for
God, but it is not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the
righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own,
they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the
law, that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law,
"The man who does those things shall live by them." 6 But the
righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will
ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or "Who will
descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But
what does it say?
"The word is near you,
in your mouth and in your heart"
(that is, the word of faith which we preach); 9 because, if you confess
with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For man believes with his
heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his mouth and so is saved.
11 The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame."
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is
Lord of all and bestows his riches on all who call upon him. 13 For,
"everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
14 How then can they call on him in whom they have not
believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach
unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those
who preach good news!" 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For
Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 So faith comes
from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 18 But I ask, have they
not heard? Indeed they have; for
"Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world."
19 Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,
"I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation;
by a foolish nation I will make you angry."
20 But Isaiah is very bold and says,
"I was found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me."
21 But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a
disobedient and contrary people."
11
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I
myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of
Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you
not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God
against Israel?ó 3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down
your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." 4 But what is
God's reply to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who
have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5 So too at the present time there is a
remnant, chosen by grace. 6 And if it is by grace, then it is no longer on
the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. 7 What
then? Israel did not obtain what it sought. The elect obtained it, but the
rest were hardened, 8 as it is written:
"God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that they should not see
and ears that they should not hear,
down to this very day."
9 And David says:
"Let their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
and bend their backs forever."
11 So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? Certainly not! But
through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel
jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their
failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness
mean!
13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an
apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in the hope that I may
somehow arouse to jealousy the kinsmen of my flesh and save some of
them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will
their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as
firstfruits is holy, then the whole lump is holy; and if the root is holy, so
are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild
olive shoot, were grafted in among the rest to share the root of the olive
tree, 18 do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that
you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say
then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." 20 That is
true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast
only by faith. So do not be proud, but stand in awe. 21 For if God did not
spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22 Therefore
consider the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who
fell, but kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness;
otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not persist
in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24
For if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and were
grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more
will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree!
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so
that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part
until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will
be saved, as it is written:
"The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins."
28 As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as
regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For
the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were once
disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their
disobedience, 31 so they have now been disobedient in order that by the
mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy. 32 For God has bound
all men over to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and of the wisdom and knowledge
of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding
out!
34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
35 "Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?"
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be
glory forever. Amen.
12
1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,
which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is
the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to every one among you not
to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with
sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has
assigned him. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and all the
members do not have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one
body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts
that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy,
in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, let us use it in our serving; he who
teaches, in his teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives,
with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who does acts of mercy,
with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be genuine. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; outdo one another in
showing honor. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serving
the Lord. 12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be faithful in
prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. 14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with
those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with
one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be
conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but have regard for what is noble
in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live
peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but leave it to
the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says
the Lord. 20 No, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give
him drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
13
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For
there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist have
been instituted by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authority resists
what God has appointed, and those who resist will bring judgment on
themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do
you want to have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is
good, and you will have praise from him. 4 For he is God's servant to you
for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword
in vain; he is God's servant, an avenger to execute wrath on the
wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath
but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay
taxes, for the authorities are God's ministers, attending to this very thing.
7 Pay all of them their dues: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to
whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom
honor is due.
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who
loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "You shall
not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal,"
"You shall not covet," and any other commandment there may be, are
summed up in this sentence, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of
the law.
11 And do this, knowing the hour, that now it is full time for
you to wake from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we
first believed. 12 The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast
off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk
properly, as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in lewdness
and lust, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
14
1 As for the man who is weak in faith, accept him, but not for
disputes over opinions. 2 One believes he may eat anything, but the man
whose faith is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise
him who does not, and let not him who does not eat pass judgment on
him who eats; for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the
servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will be
made to stand, for the Master is able to make him stand. 5 One man
esteems one day as better than another; another man esteems every day
alike. Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who
observes the day, observes it to the Lord. He who eats, eats to the Lord,
for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and
gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us
dies to himself. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to
the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9
For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of
the dead and of the living. 10 Why do you judge your brother? Or you,
why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the
judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written:
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God."
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another anymore,
but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in our
brother's way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing
is unclean in itself; but if anyone regards something as unclean, then for
him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat,
you are no longer walking in love. Do not by your eating destroy the one
for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. 17
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit; 18 he who serves Christ in this way is
acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Let us therefore pursue what
makes for peace and for mutual edification. 20 Do not, for the sake of
food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong
for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is
right not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother
stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God.
Happy is he who does not condemn himself for what he approves. 23 But
he who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not act from
faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
15
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak,
and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his
good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself; but, as it
is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." 4
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction,
that through perseverance and the encouragement of the scriptures we
might have hope. 5 May the God of patience and encouragement grant
you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that
you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore, welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed
you, to the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant
of the circumcised to show God's truth, to confirm the promises made to
the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his
mercy. As it is written:
"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name";
10 and again it says:
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people!"
11 and again,
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and praise him, all you peoples";
12 And again, Isaiah says:
"There shall be a root of Jesse;
and he who shall rise to rule over the Gentiles,
in him the Gentiles shall hope."
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so
that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you
yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to
instruct one another. 15 But I have written very boldly to you on some
points, so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me
from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the
priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles
might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have
reason to glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 For I will not
venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished
through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deedó19 by
the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit, so that from
Jerusalem and as far round as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of
Christ. 20 And so I have made it my ambition to preach the gospel, not
where Christ has already been named, lest I build on another man's
foundation, 21 but as it is written:
"They shall see who have not been told of him,
and those who have not heard shall understand."
22 This is the reason why I have often been hindered from
coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any place for work in
these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I
plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through,
and to be helped by you on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your
company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am going to Jerusalem with aid
for the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a
contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 They were
pleased to do it, and indeed they are in debt to them. For if the Gentiles
have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of
service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed
this, and have delivered to them this fruit, I shall go on by way of you to
Spain. 29 And I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the
fullness of the blessing of Christ.
30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by
the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for
me, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my
service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God's
will I may come to you with joy, and together with you be refreshed. 33
The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
16
1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the
church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner
worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she has need from you, for
she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I but also all the
churches of the Gentiles give thanks; 5 greet also the church that meets in
their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert of
Asia for Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet
Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners; they are
men of note among the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8
Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow
worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, who is
approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of
Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those in the
household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and
Tryphosa, those workers in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who has
worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his
mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas,
Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and
Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with
them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ
greet you.
17 I urge you, brethren, to take note of those who cause
divisions and difficulties, contrary to the doctrine which you have
learned; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ,
but their own appetites, and by smooth and flattering words they deceive
the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all,
so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good,
and innocent about what is evil. 20 And the God of peace will soon crush
Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, and
Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote this letter,
greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, who is my host and the host of the whole
church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and
Quartus, our brother.
25 Now to him who is able to establish you according to my
gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of
the mystery which was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now revealed
and made known to all nations through the prophetic writings, according
to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of
faithó27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ!
Amen.
Romans, page 1
The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
1
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and our brother Sosthenes, 2 to the church of God which is at Corinth, to
those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those
who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their
Lord and ours: 3 grace to you and peace from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always for you because of the grace of God
which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were
enriched in him in all speech and all knowledgeó6 even as the testimony
of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any
spiritual gift, as you eagerly wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus
Christ; 8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of
our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into
fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but
that you be united in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I
have been informed by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you,
my brethren. 12 What I mean is this, that each one of you says, "I am of
Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ." 13 Is
Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the
name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I baptized none of you except
Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my
name. 16 (Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond
that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) 17 For Christ did
not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospelónot with words of
human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it
is written,
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the cleverness of the clever I will frustrate."
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of
this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For
since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know
God, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to
save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for
wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and
to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the
foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is
stronger than men.
26 For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise
according to fleshly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of
noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame
the wise, God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong, 28
God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things, and the
things that are not, to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no flesh may
boast before God. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,
who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and
sanctification, and redemption, 31 therefore, as it is written, "Let him who
boasts, boast in the Lord."
2
1 When I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority
of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I
resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him
crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much
trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive
words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so
that your faith might not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of
God.
6 Yet we do speak a wisdom among the mature, a wisdom,
however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing
away. 7 But we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been
hidden and which God destined for our glory before the ages. 8 None of
the rulers of this age understood it; for if they had, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,
"No eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him,"
10 God has revealed them to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches
all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the
thoughts of a man except the man's spirit which is in him? Even so no one
knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have
received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that
we may understand the things freely given to us by God. 13 This is what
we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught
by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 But the
natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are
foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually discerned. 15 But the spiritual man judges all things, yet he
himself is rightly judged by no one.
16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?"
But we have the mind of Christ.
3
1 But I, brethren, could not address you as spiritual men, but as
carnal men, as infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food; for you
were not yet ready for it. Indeed, even now you are not ready, 3 for you
are still carnal. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you
not carnal, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says,
"I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? 5
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you
believed, even as the Lord assigned to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos
watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor
he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 Now he
who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his own
reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers;
you are God's field, God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a
wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But
each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation
can any one lay than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now
if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones,
wood, hay, straw, 13 each man's work will become evident; for the day
will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will
test the quality of each man's work. 14 If any man's work which he has
built on it survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is
burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, but only as
through fire. 16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that
God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If any one destroys God's temple, God will
destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.
18 Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you thinks that
he is wise in this age, he must become a fool so that he may become wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
"He catches the wise in their own craftiness";
20 and again,
"The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are futile."
21 So then let no one boast of men. For all things are yours, 22 whether
Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or
the future; all belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ; and Christ
belongs to God.
4
1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and
stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required of stewards
that they be found trustworthy. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that
I should be judged by you, or by any human court; I do not even judge
myself. 4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not
acquitted by this. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not go on
passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will
both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the
motives of men's hearts. Then every man will receive his praise from God.
6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to
myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that in us you may learn not to go
beyond what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in
favor of one against the other. 7 For who regards you as different? What
do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do
you boast as if you had not received it? 8 You are already filled! You
have already become rich! You have become kings without us! And
indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with
you. 9 For, I think that God has exhibited us apostles last of all, like men
condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world,
both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are
wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished,
but we are without honor. 11 To this present hour we are both hungry and
thirsty, and we are poorly clothed, and roughly treated, and homeless; 12
and we toil, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless;
when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to
conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the scum of the world, the
refuse of all things.
14 I do not write this to shame you, but to admonish you as my
beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you
do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through
the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason
I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the
Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I
teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some have become arrogant, as
though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the
Lord wills, and I will find out, not the words of these arrogant people, but
their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in
power. 21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with
love and a spirit of gentleness?
5
1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and
of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: a man has his father's
wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to have mourned? Let
the one who has done this be removed from your midst. 3 For though I am
absent in body, I am present in spirit, and have already passed judgment
on the one who has committed this, as if I were present. 4 In the name of
our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, and the
power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan
for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day
of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a
little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Cleanse out the old
leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For
Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us, therefore,
celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and
wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;
10 not at all meaning the immoral people of this world, or with the greedy
and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the
world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any one who
bears the name of brother if he is an immoral person, or greedy, or an
idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindlerónot even to eat with
such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not
those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those
outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
6
1 When any one of you has a grievance against a brother, does
he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints? 2
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is
to be judged by you, are you not competent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you
not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life!
4 So if you have disputes about such matters, do you appoint them as
judges who are of no account in the church? 5 I say this to your shame.
Can it be that there is no man among you wise enough to decide between
his brethren, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before
unbelievers? 7 Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have
lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be
defrauded? 8 Instead, you yourselves defraud and do wrong, and you even
do this to your brethren. 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will
not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral,
nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, 10 nor thieves, nor the
greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom
of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were
sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in
the Spirit of our God.
12 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful.
"All things are lawful for me," but I will not be mastered by anything. 13
"Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food"óbut God will
destroy them both. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the
Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord,
and he will also raise us up. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are
members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make
them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who
joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is
written, "The two shall become one flesh." 17 But he who unites himself
with the Lord is one spirit with him. 18 Flee immorality. Every other sin
that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against
his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy
Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not
your own; 20 you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your
body.
7
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote, it is good
for a man not to touch a woman. 2 But because of immorality, each man
should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 The
husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife
to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body,
but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have
authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one
another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote
yourselves to prayer, and then come together again so that Satan will not
tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this by way of
concession, not of command. 7 I wish that all men were as I myself am.
But each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another
in that.
8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows that it is good for
them if they remain even as I. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control,
they should marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10
To the married I give charge, not I but the Lord, that the wife should not
separate from her husband 11 (but if she does leave, she must remain
unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband
should not divorce his wife. 12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if
any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with
him, he must not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an
unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the
unbelieving wife is sanctified through her husband. Otherwise, your
children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy. 15 But if the
unbelieving partner leaves, let him do so; in such a case the brother or
sister is not bound. For God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you
know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you
know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
17 Only, let each one lead the life which the Lord has assigned
to him, and in which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all
the churches. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised?
He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in
uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing
and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is
what counts. 20 Each one should remain in the state in which he was
called. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it trouble
youóbut if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For he who was called
in the Lord as a slave is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was free
when called is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not
become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that
condition in which he was called.
25 Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but
I give my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 26 I
think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain
as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free
from a wife? Do not seek marriage. 28 But if you marry, you have not
sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry
will have troubles in this flesh, and I am trying to spare you. 29 I mean,
brethren, the appointed time has grown very short; so that from now on,
those who have wives should live as though they had none, 30 and those
who mourn, as though they were not mourning; and those who rejoice, as
though they were not rejoicing; and those who buy, as though they did
not possess; 31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make
full use of it. For the form of this world is passing away. 32 But I want
you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the
affairs of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but a married man is
concerned about the affairs of the world, how he may please his wife, 34
and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman, and the virgin, is
concerned about the affairs of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body
and spirit; but the married woman is concerned about the affairs of the
world, how she may please her husband. 35 This I say for your own
benefit, not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is good and
to secure undivided devotion to the Lord.
36 But if any man thinks that he is not acting properly toward
his betrothed, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do
what he wishes, he does not sin; let them marry. 37 But he who stands
firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has control over his own
will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep her as his betrothed,
he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and
he who does not marry her will do better.
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her
husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the
Lord. 40 But in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is; and I
think that I also have the Spirit of God.
8
1 Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that we all
possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone
imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to
know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by him. 4 Therefore
concerning the eating of food sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is
nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there
are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are
many "gods" and many "lords"), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the
Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist; and one Lord,
Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, being
accustomed to idols, eat food as really sacrificed to an idol; and their
conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food will not commend us to
God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 But take
care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling
block to the weak. 10 For if a man sees you, who have knowledge, at
table in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be
encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge
this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus,
sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is
weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to
fall, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to fall.
9
1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our
Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle,
at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 Do we
not have the right to food and drink? 5 Do we not have a right to take
along a believing wife, even as the other apostles and the brothers of the
Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to
refrain from working for a living? 7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at
his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit?
Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? 8 Do I say this merely
from a human point of view? Does not the Law say the same thing? 9 For
it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is
treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Or is he
speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because
the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of
sharing the crops. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too
much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others share this right
of support from you, do not we all the more?
Nevertheless, we did not make use of this right, but we endure
anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13
Do you not know that those who work in the temple get their food from
the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the
altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim
the gospel should get their living from the gospel. 15 But I have not used
any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do
such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my
ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast
of, for I am under compulsion. For woe is me if I do not preach the
gospel! 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if it is not of
my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18 What then is my
reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may offer the gospel free of
charge, and so not make full use of my right in the gospel.
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave
to all, that I might win the more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in
order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the
lawóthough not being myself under the lawóso that I might win those
under the law. 21 To those who are without law, I became as one without
law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ,
so that I might win those who are without the law. 22 To the weak I
became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all
men, so that I might by all means save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of
the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only
one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone
who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it
to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I do
not run aimlessly. I do not box as a man beating the air. 27 But I
discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to
others, I myself will not be disqualified.
10
1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers
were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; 2 and all were
baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and all ate the same
spiritual food; 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank
from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 5
Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased; for they were
overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things are examples for us, not
to desire evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them
were; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up
to play." 8 We must not indulge in immorality as some of them did, and
twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 We must not put the Lord to the
test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents. 10 Nor
grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11
Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written
down for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12
Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man. And God
is faithful, who will not let you be tempted beyond what you are able, but
with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will
be able to endure it.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to
sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing
which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread
which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all
partake of the one bread. 18 Consider Israel after the flesh; are not those
who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19 What do I mean then? That
a thing offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but
I say that the things pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God.
I do not want you to be partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink the
cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table
of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Are we trying to provoke the Lord
to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
23 "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All
things are lawful," but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own
good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat anything that is sold in the
meat market without raising questions of conscience; 26 for, "The earth is
the Lord's, and everything in it." 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you
to dinner and you want to go, eat whatever is set before you without
raising questions of conscience. 28 But if anyone says to you, "This has
been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man
who informed you and for conscience' sakeó29 the other man's
conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by
another's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I
denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31 So, whether you
eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no
offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 23 just as I
try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage,
but that of many, that they may be saved.
11
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
2 I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold
firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you
to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the
head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4 Every man who prays
or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every
woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her
headóit is the same as if her head were shaved. 6 For if a woman does
not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful
for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, let her cover her head. 7
For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of
God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man does not originate
from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman,
but woman for man. 10 Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of
authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 In the Lord, however,
woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12
For as woman was made from man, so also man is born of woman. And
all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman
to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself
teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, 15 but if a
woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a
covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious, we have no other practice,
nor do the churches of God.
17 But in the following instructions, I do not praise you, because
you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first
place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions
among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be factions among
you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20
Therefore when you meet together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat,
21 for in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is
hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and
drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who
have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? No, I
will not.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that
the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and
when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which
is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way he took the
cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood;
do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For as often
as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death
until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the
Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and
blood of the Lord. 28 Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread
and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without
recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why
many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen
asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32
But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will
not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brethren, when
you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, let
him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment. About
the other things I will give directions when I come.
12
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to
be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led
astray to mute idols, however you may have been moved. 3 Therefore I tell
you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be
cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And
there are varieties of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of
working, but the same God who works all of them in all men. 7 But to
each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8
To one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the
word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the
same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to
another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another
distinguishing between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to
another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit
works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as he
wills.
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the
members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so it is with
Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one bodyówhether
Jews or Greeks, slaves or freeóand we were all made to drink of one
Spirit. 14 For the body is not made up of one member but of many. 15 If
the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the
body," it would not for that reason be any less a part of the body. 16 And
if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the
body," it would not for that reason be any less a part of the body. 17 If the
whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body
were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But now God has
arranged the members in the body, each one of them, just as he desired.
19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 As it is,
there are many parts, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the
hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no
need of you." 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be
weaker are indispensable, 23 and those parts of the body which we think
less honorable we treat with the greater honor, and our unpresentable
parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 while our more presentable
members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving
the greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there may be no
division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one
another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if
one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of
it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second
prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then those having gifts
of healings, helps, administrations, and those speaking in various kinds of
tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all
work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with
tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts.
13
And I will show you a still more excellent way. 1 If I speak in
the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or
a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all
mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove
mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I have to the
poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain
nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous or boastful, it is
not arrogant 5 or rude, it does not seek its own, it is not provoked, it
keeps no record of wrongs, 6 it does not rejoice in evil, but rejoices with
the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but where there are prophecies, they will
cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is
knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in
part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I
was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a
child; when I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 For now
we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but
then I shall know fullyóeven as I have been fully known. 13 So now
faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
14
1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially
that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak
to men but to God; for no one understands him, but in his spirit he speaks
mysteries. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their
edification and encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue
edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 Now I want
you all to speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. He
who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless some
one interprets, so that the church may be edified. 6 But now, brethren, if I
come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I bring you
some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless
things, such as the flute or the harp, do not give a distinction in the notes,
how will any one know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an
indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you, unless
you utter by the tongue speech that is intelligible, how will anyone know
what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly
there are many languages in the world, and none of them is without
meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a
foreigner to the one who is speaking, and the speaker will be a foreigner
to me. 12 So it is with you; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to
excel in building up the church. 13 Therefore, he who speaks in a tongue
should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit
prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with the
spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I
will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit,
how can any one in the position of an outsider say the "Amen" to your
thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you
may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. 18 I
thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 but in the church
I would rather speak five words with my mind, to instruct others, than ten
thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; be infants in
evil, but in thinking be mature. 21 In the law it is written,
"By men of strange tongues
and by the lips of foreigners
will I speak to this people,
and even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord." 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for
unbelievers; but prophecy is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23
Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in
tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are
mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an outsider enters, he is
convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart
are disclosed; and so, he will fall on his face, and worship God, declaring
that God is really among you.
26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you come
together, each one has a hymn, or a teaching, or a revelation, or a tongue,
or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone
speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in
turn; and one must interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, he must
keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let
two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 But
if a revelation is made to another who is sitting, the first one must keep
silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and
all be encouraged; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep
silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be
submissive, as even the law says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let
them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for a woman to
speak in church. 36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you
the only people it has reached?
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. 38 But
if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 Therefore, my
brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in
tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in an orderly way.
15
1 Now I would remind you, brethren, of the gospel I preached to
you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 by which also you are
saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you
believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also
received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that
he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the
Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After
that he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of
whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared
to James, then to all the apostles. 8 And last of all, as to one untimely
born, he appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not
fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But
by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in
vain. No, I worked harder than all of themóyet not I, but the grace of
God that was with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and
so you believed.
12 Now if Christ is preached that he has been raised from the
dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has
been raised; 14 if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain
and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are even found to be false
witnesses of God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ,
whom he did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the
dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has
not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then
those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If for this
life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first
fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by a man came death,
by a man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all
die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order:
Christ the first fruits, then, at his coming, those who belong to him. 24
Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father
after he has destroyed all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must
reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to
be destroyed is death. 27 "For God has put all things in subjection under
his feet." But when it says, "All things are put in subjection under him,"
it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him. 28 When all
things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to
the one who put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead?
If the dead are not raised at all, why then are people baptized for them? 30
Why are we also in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brethren, by my pride
in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day.
32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons,
what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,
"Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we die."
33 Do not be deceived:
"Bad company corrupts good morals."
34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for some
have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
35 But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what
kind of body do they come?" 36 You foolish man! What you sow does
not come to life unless it dies. 37 And that which you sow, you do not
sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of
something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to
each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 For not all flesh is the same
flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals,
another of birds, and another of fish. 40 There are also heavenly bodies
and there are earthly bodies; but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the
glory of the earthly is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and
another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs
from star in glory.
42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a
perishable body, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is
raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown
a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there
is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written, "The first man Adam became a
living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the
spiritual is not first, but the natural; and then the spiritual. 47 The first
man was from the earth, of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As
was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of
heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the
image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of
heaven.
50 Now I tell you this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the
imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but
we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the
last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised
imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on
the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 When the
perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality,
then will come to pass the saying that is written:
"Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 "O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But
thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain
in the Lord.
16
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the
churches of Galatia, so you must also do. 2 On the first day of every
week, each one of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may
prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. 3 And when I arrive,
I will send those whom you approve with letters to carry your gift to
Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany
me.
5 But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am
going through Macedonia; 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even
spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.
7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing; I hope to spend some
time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until
Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and
there are many adversaries.
10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you with nothing
to fear, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11 So let no one
despise him. Send him on his way in peace, that he may return to me; for I
am expecting him with the brethren.
12 As for our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to
you with the other brethren, but it was not at all his will to come now. He
will come when he has opportunity.
13 Be on the your guard, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be
strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.
15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first
converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the
saints. Now I urge you, brethren, 16 to be subject to such men and to
everyone who helps in the work and labors. 17 I rejoice at the coming of
Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what
was lacking on your part. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also.
Give recognition to such men.
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca
greet you warmly in the lord, with the church that is in their house. 20 All
the brethren send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. 22 If anyone does
not love the Lordólet him be accursed. Come, O Lord! 23 The grace of
The Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
First Corinthians, page 1
The Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and
Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all
the saints who are throughout Achaia: 2 grace and peace to you from God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our
affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any
affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by
God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also
through Christ our comfort overflows. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your
comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort,
which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings that we
suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you
share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our
affliction which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond
measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, we
felt that we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we
might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He
delivered us from so deadly a peril, and he will deliver us; on him we have
set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by
your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing
granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
12 For our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience, that
with holiness and godly sincerity, not in worldly wisdom but in the grace
of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and still more toward
you. 13 For we write you nothing but what you can read and understand;
and I hope you will understand fully, 14 as you have understood us in
part, that you can be proud of us just as we can be of you, in the day of
the Lord Jesus.
15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so
that you might have a double benefit. 16 I planned to visit you on my way
to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have
you send me on my way to Judea. 17 When I was planning this, did I do it
lightly? Or do I make my plans in a fleshly manner so that in the same
breath I say, "Yes, Yes" and "No, No"? 18 But as surely as God is
faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of
God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by usóby me and
Silvanus and Timothyówas not Yes and No, but in him it has always
been Yes. 20 For as many as are the promises of God, in him they are
Yes. And so through him we speak our Amen to the glory of God. 21
Now it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us;
22 he has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a
guarantee.
23 But I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you
that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith; but
we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
2
1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to
you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one
whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might
not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I had
confidence in all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I
wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many
tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I
have for you.
5 But if any one has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but
in some measureónot to put it too severelyóto all of you. 6 Sufficient
for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 7
so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not
be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm
your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and
know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Any one whom you
forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything,
has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 in order that Satan
might gain no advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
12 Now when I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and
when a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 I still had no rest in my
mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took my leave of
them and went on to Macedonia.
14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in
triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him
everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who
are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to the one a
fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.
And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many,
peddling the word of God; but as men of sincerity, as from God, in the
sight of God we speak in Christ.
3
1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we
need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You
yourselves are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all
men. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, delivered by us,
written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of
stone but on tablets of carnal hearts.
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward
God. 5 Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as
coming from ourselves; but our competence is from God, 6 who has made
us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the
Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in
letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look
steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8
will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 For if the
ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of
righteousness exceed it in glory. 10 For indeed what had glory, in this
case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what
was fading away came with glory, much more is the glory of that which
lasts.
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13
We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the
Israelites from gazing at the end of the radiance that was fading away. 14
But their minds were hardened; for to this day, when they read the old
covenant, the same veil remains unlifted, because only in Christ is it
removed. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil lies over their
hearts. 16 But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the
Lord, are being transformed into his likeness from one degree of glory to
another, for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
4
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received
mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced secret and
shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of
God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend
ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our
gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the
god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they
might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the
image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord,
and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the God who
said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that this
all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed
on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always
carrying about in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also
may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always being
given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be
manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is at work in us, but life
in you. 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is
written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore
speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also
with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For all this is for
your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may
cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is
wasting away, yet our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For
our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight
of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things
which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which
are seen are temporary, but the things which are unseen are eternal.
5
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we
have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens. 2 Here indeed we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly
dwelling, 3 so that when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4
For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do
not wish to be unclothed, but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal
may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now he who has prepared us for this very
thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 Therefore we are always of good courage; and we know that
while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we
walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would rather be
away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at
home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all
appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the
things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or
bad.
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men;
but what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your
conscience. 12 We are not again commending ourselves to you, but are
giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you may have an answer
for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are
beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14
For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has
died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died for all, that those who
live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them
and was raised again.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a fleshly
point of view; even though we once regarded Christ from a fleshly point
of view, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if any one is in
Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has
come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to
himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, God was in
Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses
against them, and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
20 We are therefore ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making
his appeal through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to
God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in
him we might become the righteousness of God.
6
1 Working together with him, then, we urge you not to receive the grace
of God in vain. 2 For he says,
"At the acceptable time I have listened to you,
and helped you on the day of salvation."
Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3
We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not
be discredited. 4 But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every
way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, distresses, 5 in
beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness, hunger, 6 in
purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
7 in truthful speech, and in the power of God; with the weapons of
righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through glory and
dishonor, evil report and good report; true, yet regarded as impostors; 9 as
unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished,
and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet
making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians. Our
heart is opened wide. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are
restricted in your own affections. 13 Now in a fair exchangeóI speak as
to my childrenóopen wide your hearts also.
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what
partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship has
light with darkness? 15 What harmony has Christ with Belial? Or what
has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the
temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as
God said,
"I will live in them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.
18 And I will be a father to you,
and you shall be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty."
7
1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of
God.
2 Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we
have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3 I do not say
this to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to
die together and to live together. 4 I have great confidence in you; I have
great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. With all our affliction, I am
overflowing with joy.
5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest,
but we were afflicted at every turnóconflicts on the outside and fears
within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the
coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort
with which he was comforted in you, as he told us of your longing, your
mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 8 For even if I
made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret itó
for I see that my letter hurt you, though only for a little whileó9 now I
rejoice, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led
you to repentance; for you became sorrowful as God intended, so that you
suffered no loss through us. 10 For godly sorrow produces a repentance
that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly sorrow produces
death. 11 For behold what this very thing, godly sorrow, has produced in
you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what
indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what readiness to see
justice done! At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in
this matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not on account of the
one who did the wrong, nor on account of the one who suffered the
wrong, but in order that your zeal for us might be revealed to you in the
sight of God. 13 Therefore we are comforted.
And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of
Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For if I have
boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but just as everything
we said to you was true, so our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15
And his affection goes out all the more to you, as he remembers the
obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I
rejoice, because I have perfect confidence in you.
8
1 Now, brethren, we want you to know about the grace of God
which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test
of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have
overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according
to their ability, and even beyond their ability, they gave of their own free
will, 4 urgently pleading with us for the privilege of sharing in the relief
of the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they first gave
themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus
that as he had previously made a beginning, he would also complete in
you this work of grace. 7 But as you excel in everythingóin faith, in
utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for usósee
that you excel in this work of grace also.
8 I am not speaking this as a command, but I want to test the
sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor, so that through his poverty you might
become rich. 10 And in this matter I give my advice: it is best for you now
to complete what a year ago you began not only to do but to desire. 11
Now finish the work, so that your readiness to do it may be matched by
your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the readiness is
there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what
he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and
you burdened; 14 but at the present time your abundance should supply
their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may
be equality. 15 As it is written,
"He who gathered much had nothing left over,
and he who gathered little had no lack."
16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you
into the heart of Titus. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being
himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. 18 And we are
sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for
his preaching of the gospel; 19 and not only that, but he has been
appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work which
we are carrying on, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our
good will. 20 We intend that no one should blame us about this liberal
gift which we are administering, 21 for we have regard for what is
honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often proved
diligent in many matters, but who is now more diligent than ever because
of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and
fellow worker among you; and as for our brethren, they are messengers of
the churches, a glory to Christ. 24 Therefore openly before the churches,
show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting
about you.
9
1 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the offering
for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to
the Macedonians, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year; and
your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending the brethren so
that our boasting about you may not prove vain in this case, so that you
may be ready, as I said you would be; 4 lest if any Macedonians come
with me and find you unprepared, weónot to say anything about youó
would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it
necessary to urge the brethren to go on to you before me, and arrange in
advance for this gift you have promised, so that it may be ready not as an
exaction but as a willing gift.
6 The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each
one must give just as he has purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or
under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to
make all grace abound toward you, so that you, always having all
sufficiency in everything, may have an abundance for every good work. 9
As it is written,
"He has scattered abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also
supply and increase your store of seed and will multiply the harvest of
your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for great
generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For
the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the
saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13
Because of the test of this service, you will glorify God by your obedience
in your confession of the gospel of Christ, and by the generosity of your
contribution for them and for all others; 14 while they long for you and
pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be
to God for his indescribable gift!
10
1 I, Paul, myself urge you, by the meekness and gentleness of
ChristóI who am humble when face to face with you, but bold to you
when I am away!ó2 I beg you that when I am present I may not have to be
bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who
think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we live in
the flesh, we do not wage war as the flesh does. 4 For the weapons of our
warfare are not the weapons of the world, but they have divine power to
destroy strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that
sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every
thought to make it obedient to Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish every
disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
7 You look at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is
confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again within
himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast
somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building
you up and not for destroying you, I shall not be put to shame. 9 I do not
wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. 10 For they say, "His
letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is weak, and his
speech of no account." 11 Let such people realize that what we are in our
letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.
12 For we do not dare to class or compare ourselves with some
of those who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by
themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without
understanding. 13 But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but will
confine our boasting to the field God has apportioned to us, a field that
reaches even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we
did not reach to you; we were the first to come even as far as you with the
gospel of Christ. 15 We do not go beyond limits by boasting in other
men's labors, but our hope is that as your faith grows, our sphere among
you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the
regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast of work already done in
another man's territory. 17 But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom
the Lord commends.
11
1 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but
indeed you are bearing with me. 2 I am jealous for you with a godly
jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might
present you as a pure virgin. 3 But I am afraid that just as the serpent
deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from
your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you
and preaches a Jesus other than the one we preached, or if you receive a
different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the
one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. 5 I think that I am not
in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6 But even if I am unskilled in
speech, I am not in knowledge; in every way we have made this plain to
you in all things.
7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be
exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? 8 I
robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve
you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a
burden to anyone, for the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied
what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way,
and will continue to do so. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this
boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why?
Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12 And what I am doing, I will also continue to do, in order to
cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be
considered equal with us in the things of which they boast. 13 For such
men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as
apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as
an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also
disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be
according to their deeds.
16 I repeat, let no one think me foolish; but even if you do,
receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying I
am not saying as the Lord would, but as a fool, in this confidence of
boasting. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19
For you put up with fools gladly, being so wise yourselves! 20 For you
put up with anyone if he makes slaves of you, or preys upon you, or takes
advantage of you, or exalts himself, or strikes you in the face. 21 To my
shame, I must say that we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone
else dares to boast aboutóI am speaking as a foolóI also dare to boast
about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are
they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I
am a better oneóI am talking like a madmanóin far more labors, in far
more imprisonments, with more beatings, and often in danger of death. 24
Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three
times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was
shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the open sea. 26 I have
been on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers,
in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in
the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger at sea, and in danger from
false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many
sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and
exposure. 28 Besides such external things, there is the daily pressure on
me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak?
Who is made to fall, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my
weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed
forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under
King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me,
33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and
escaped his hands.
12
1 I must go on boasting, though there is nothing to be gained by
it; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man
in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven.
Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not knowóGod
knows. 3 And I know that this manówhether in the body or apart from
the body I do not know, but God knowsó4 was caught up to paradise
and heard inexpressible things, which a man is not permitted to tell. 5 On
behalf of such a man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast,
except of my weaknesses. 6 Though if I should boast, I will not be a fool,
for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may
think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 And to keep me
from being too elated because of the abundance of revelations, there was
given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to
keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord
about this, that it should depart from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace
is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that
the power of Christ may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I am
content in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in
difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have
been commended by you. For I was not in the least inferior to these super-
apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were
performed among you in all perseverance, with signs and wonders and
mighty works. 13 For in what respect were you inferior to the rest of the
churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive
me this wrong! 14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And
I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not what is yours but you; for
children ought not to lay up for their parents, but parents for their
children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love
you the more, am I to be loved the less? 16 But be that as it may, I did not
burden you myself. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!
17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?
18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take
advantage of you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and walk in
the same steps?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending
ourselves before you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking
in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I am afraid that
when I come I may not find you what I wish you to be, and you may not
find me what you wish me to be; I fear that there may be quarreling,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and
disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me
before you, and I will have to mourn over many of those who sinned
before and have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and lewdness
which they have practiced.
13
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be
established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 I warned those
who sinned in the past and all the others, and I warn them now while
absent, as I did when present the second time, that if I come again I will
not spare themó3 since you desire proof that Christ is speaking in me.
He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful in you. 4 For he was
crucified in weakness, yet he lives by the power of God. For we also are
weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God for you.
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test
yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in youóunless,
indeed, you fail the test? 6 I trust that you will realize that we have not
failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you may not do wrongónot
that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right,
even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything
against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are
weak and you are strong. What we pray for is your perfection. 10 I write
these things while I am absent, in order that when I come I may not have
to be severe in my use of the authority which the Lord gave me for
building you up, and not for tearing you down.
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Aim for perfection, listen to my
appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will
be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with
you all.
Second Corinthians, page 1
The Letter of Paul to the Galatians
1
1 Paul, an apostleósent not from men nor through man, but
through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the deadó
2 and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: 3 grace
to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who
gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according
to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who
called you by the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospeló7
which is really not another gospel; but there are some who are disturbing
you, and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an
angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we
preached to you, let him be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say
again now, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you
received, let him be accursed!
10 Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying
to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant
of Christ.
11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which
was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I did not receive it
from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of
Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how
intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it; 14 and I
was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people,
so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when
God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me
through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might
preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh
and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles
before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus.
18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to become
acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw
none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. 20 (Now in
what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I do not lie.) 21
Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown
by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; 23 they only
heard it said, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith he
once tried to destroy." 24 And they glorified God because of me.
2
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with
Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 I went up because of a revelation;
and I set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I
did this privately to those who were of reputation, for fear that I was
running or had run my race in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me,
was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 But it was
because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had slipped in to
spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us
into bondage. 5 We did not yield to them even for a moment, so that the
truth of the gospel might remain with you. 6 And from those who were
reputed to be something (what they were makes no difference to me; God
shows no partiality)óthose, I say, who were of repute added nothing to
me; 7 but on the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with
the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the
gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who effectually worked for Peter in
his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the
Gentiles), 9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me,
James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me
and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the
Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we
should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face,
because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from
James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to
draw back and separate himself, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13
The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even
Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that
they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to
Cephas in the presence of them all, "If you, being a Jew, live like a
Gentile and not like a Jew, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live
like Jews?
15 "We ourselves, who are Jews by birth and not Gentile
sinners, 16 yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law
but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus,
so that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the
law, because by works of the law will no flesh be justified. 17 But if,
while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found
sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild
what I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor. 19 For through the law I
died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with
Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I
now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and
gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if
righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died for nothing."
3
1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose
eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only
thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works
of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun
with the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you
suffer so many things in vainóif it really was in vain? 5 Does he who
supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works
of the law, or by hearing with faith? 6 Even so Abraham "believed God,
and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons
of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the
Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In
you will all the nations be blessed." 9 So then those who are of faith are
blessed with Abraham, the man of faith. 10 For all who rely on works of
the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does
not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them." 11
Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The
righteous man shall live by faith." 12 But the Law is not of faith; on the
contrary, "He who does them shall live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us
from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for usófor it is written,
"Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"ó14 in order that in Christ
Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we
might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 To give a human example, brethren: even though it is only a
man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds
conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his
seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to
one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. 17 What I mean is this: the Law,
which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a
covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For
if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on a promise;
but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 Why the Law then? It was
added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by
the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise
had been made. 20 Now a mediator does not represent just one party; but
God is one.
21 Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly
not! For if a law had been given which could impart life, then
righteousness would indeed have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture
has bound everyone under sin, so that that what was promised by faith in
Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 Now before faith came, we were bound under the law, kept
under restraint until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was our tutor
to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that
faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 27
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with
Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs
according to promise.
4
1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different
from a slave, although he is the owner of all the estate; 2 but he is under
guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. 3 So also, when we
were children, we were in slavery under the elemental things of the world.
4 But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a
woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so
that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has
sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So
you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through
God.
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to
those which by nature are no gods. 9 But now that you have come to
know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back
again to the weak and worthless elemental things? Do you desire to be
enslaved all over again? 10 You observe days and months and seasons
and years! 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
12 Brethren, I beg you, become as I am, for I also have become
as you are. You have done me no wrong; 13 you know it was because of
an illness in the flesh that I preached the gospel to you at first; 14 and
though my fleshly condition was a trial to you, you did not despise or
scorn me, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus
himself. 15 What has become of the satisfaction you felt? For I bear you
witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given
them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They seek you, but for no good purpose; they want to shut you out, so
that you may seek them. 18 But it is always good to seek a good purpose,
and not only when I am present with you. 19 My children, with whom I
am again in labor until Christ is formed in youó20 I could wish to be
present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about
you.
21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to
the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave
and one by the free woman. 23 But the son by the slave was born
according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the
promise. 24 This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two
covenants. One is from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be
slaves; she is Hagar. 25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and
corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her
children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27
For it is written,
"Rejoice, O barren woman who does not bear;
break forth and shout, you who are not in labor;
for the children of the desolate are more numerous
than the children of her who has a husband."
28 Now you, brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But as at
that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was
born according to the Spirit, so it is now. 30 But what does the scripture
say? "Cast out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave shall not
inherit with the son of the free woman." 31 So then, brethren, we are not
children of the slave, but of the free woman.
5
1 It was for freedom that Christ has set us free; therefore keep standing
firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision,
Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I testify again to every man who
receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.
4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified
by law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by
faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working
through love.
7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the
truth? 8 This persuasion did not come from him who calls you. 9 A little
leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10 I have confidence in the Lord
that you will take no other view than mine; and the one who is troubling
you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brethren, still
preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the stumbling
block of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish that those who are
troubling you would mutilate themselves!
13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use
your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one
another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love
your neighbor as yourself." 15 But if you bite and devour one another,
take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the
desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit,
and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to
each other, so that you may not do what you would. 18 But if you are led
by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh
are obvious: immorality, impurity, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21
envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you
before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of
God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such
things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the
Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,
provoking one another, envying one another.
6
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in a trespass, you who are
spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to
yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another's
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is
something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one
test his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself alone,
and not in his neighbor. 5 For each one will bear his own load. 6 Let the
one who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that
he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the
flesh reap corruption; but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the
Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due
time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are
of the household of faith.
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own
hand. 12 Those who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to
compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be
persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do
not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you
circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But may it never be
that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through
which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For
neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but what counts is a
new creation. 16 Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule,
upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my
body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brethren. Amen.
Galatians, page 1
The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians
1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the
saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 grace and peace
to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in
Christ, 4 just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we would be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined
us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good
pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he freely
bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his
grace 8 which he lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 he made
known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which
he purposed in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of the times, to unite
all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. In him 11 also
we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the
purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will, 12 in
order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the
praise of his glory. 13 In him, you also have heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation. Having also believed, you were sealed in him
with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our
inheritance, until the redemption of those who are God's possessionóto
the praise of his glory.
15 For this reason, ever since I heard of your faith in the Lord
Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I do not cease giving thanks for
you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of
revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your
heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope to
which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in
the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us
who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of
his might 20 which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead
and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all
rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is
named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all
things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things for the
church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
2
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you
formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of
disobedience. 3 Among them we all once lived in the lusts of our flesh,
following the desires of flesh and mind, and so we were by nature
children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, who is rich in
mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we
were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by
grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and seated us
with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming
ages he might show the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward
us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and
this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of Godó9 not as a result of works,
so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we
would walk in them.
11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the
flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision,"
which is performed in the flesh by human handsó12 remember that you
were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth
of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and
without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were
far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and
has broken down the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by
abolishing in his flesh the hostility, which is the Law of commandments
and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new man out of the
two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile them both to God in one
body through the cross, by which he put to death the hostility. 17 And he
came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those
who were near; 18 for through him we both have our access in one Spirit
to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you
are fellow citizens with the saints, and are members of God's household,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole
building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord;
22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in
the Spirit.
3
1 For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the
sake of you Gentilesó2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship
of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made
known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 When you
read this, you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5
which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it
has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6
that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the same body,
and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this
gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace which
was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very
least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the
administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who
created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be
made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the
heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose which he
carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and
confidence of access through our faith in him. 13 Therefore I ask you not
to lose heart at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from
whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that
according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened
with power through his Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may
dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and
grounded in love, 18 may have power to comprehend with all the saints
what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the
love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all
the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all
that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to
him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever
and ever. Amen.
4
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life
worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility
and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope
that belongs to your call, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God
and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure
of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says,
"When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men."
9 (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean except that he
had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who
descended is also he who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he
might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some to be apostles, some prophets,
some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the
work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all
attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to
become mature, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 14
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by
waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of
men, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth
in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him, who is the head, into
Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being joined and held together by
what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each part,
causes the growth of the body and builds itself up in love.
17 Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no
longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds, 18 they are
darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of
the ignorance that is in them, due to the hardness of their heart; 19 and
they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality,
greedy for the practice of every kind of impurity. 20 But you did not learn
Christ in this way, 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were
taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to
your former manner of life, to put off your old self, which is being
corrupted by its deceitful lusts; 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your
minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in
true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, each one of you must
speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be
angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27
and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 He who has been stealing
must steal no longer, but rather must labor, doing useful work with his
own hands, so that he may have something to share with those in need. 29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is
good for building others up according to the need of the moment, that it
may impart grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit
of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all
bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from
you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
5
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love,
just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering
and sacrifice to God. 3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not
even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 And there must be
no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but
rather let there be thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure, that no
immoral, impure, or covetous personósuch a man is an idolateróhas any
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these
things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7
Therefore do not be partners with them; 8 for once you were darkness, but
now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of
the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 and try
to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the
unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is a
shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But all things
become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that
becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it is said,
"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
15 Be careful, then, how you walk, not as unwise men, but as
wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled
with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord,
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is
the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of
which he is himself the Savior. 24 As the church is subject to Christ, so
let wives also be subject to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands,
love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for
her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of
water with the word, 27 that he might present the church to himself in all
her glory, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be
holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their wives as their
own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever
hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also
does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 "For this
reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery; but I
am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of
you must also love his wife as himself, and the wife must see that she
respects her husband.
6
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2
"Honor your father and mother" (which is the first commandment with a
promise), 3 "that it may be well with you and that you may live long on
the earth." 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring
them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to
the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not
in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing
the will of God from the heart. 7 Render service with good will, as to the
Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does,
this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9
Masters, do the same to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he
who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no
partiality with him.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against
the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces
of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly
places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be
able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14
Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put
on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the
preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all this, taking up the
shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of
the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all
prayer and petition. And with this in view, keep alert with all
perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and also pray for me, that
in the opening of my mouth, utterance may be given me so that I will
fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an
ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the
Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and
what I am doing. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you
may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord
Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Ephesians, page 1
The Letter of Paul to the Philippians
1
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in
Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 grace
and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always
making my prayer with joy in every prayer of mine for you all, 5 because
of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am
confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to
feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in
my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you
all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long
for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer, that
your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all
discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be
pure and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the
fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and
praise of God.
12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to
me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment
for Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard
and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the
Lord because of my imprisonment, have been encouraged to speak the
word of God without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others
from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here
for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish
ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to cause me distress in my
imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense
or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will
rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit
of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager
expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed in anything, but that with
full courage now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by
life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if
I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet which
I shall choose I do not know. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My
desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24 but to
remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of
this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress
and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound
in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of
Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of
you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for
the faith of the gospel, 28 in no way frightened by your opponents. This
is a sign of destruction to them, but of salvation for you ñ and that too,
from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for the sake of Christ, not
only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake, 30 having the same
conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
2
1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is
any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any
affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same
mind, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing
from selfishness or empty conceit, but in humility consider others better
than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own
interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in
yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the
form of God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the
likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled
himself and became obedient to deathóeven death on a cross. 9
Therefore God also highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now,
not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your
salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you,
both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without
grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse
generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast
the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not
run in vain or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a
drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and
rejoice with you all. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I
also may be cheered when I receive news of you. 20 I have no one else
like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they
all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you
know that he has proved his worth, because as a son with his father he has
served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him
immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the
Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my
brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger
and minister to my need; 26 for he was longing for you all and was
distressed because you had heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill,
near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me
also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the
more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice
and I may have less anxiety. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy;
and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of
Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to
me.
3
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to
you again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch
out for those mutilators of the body. 3 For we are the true circumcision,
who worship in the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no
confidence in the flesh, 4 though I myself have reasons for confidence in
the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the
flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of
Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a
Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness
under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever was gain to me, I counted as
loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count everything to be loss
because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For
his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish,
in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a
righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is
through faith in Christóthe righteousness that comes from God and is by
faith, 10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the
fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in his death; 11 in order
that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained this, or have already been
made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus
took hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not consider myself yet to have taken
hold of it; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining
forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of
the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature
have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God
will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already
attained.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those
who live according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I
have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of
the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and
they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our
citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his
glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to
himself.
4
1 Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,
stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with
each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, true yoke-fellow, to
help these women who have struggled at my side in the cause of the
gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers,
whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I
will say, Rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord
is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things. 9 Practice what you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived
your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you had no
opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be
content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to be in need, and
I also know how to have plenty; in any and every circumstance I have
learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having
abundance and want. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens
me. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that in the first
preaching of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me
in the matter of giving and receiving except you only; 16 for even in
Thessalonica you sent me a gift once and again for my needs. 17 Not that
I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your
account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply
supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant
offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will
supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with
me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's
household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philippians, page 1
The Letter of Paul to the Colossians
1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and
Timothy our brother, 2 to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who
are at Colossae: grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ
Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints, 5 because of the
hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word
of the truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world it
is bearing fruit and growing, even as it has been doing among you since
the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7 as you
learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful
minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in
the Spirit.
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard it, we have not
ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge
of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will
live a life worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in
every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be
strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all
endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has
qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 For he has
rescued us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us into the
kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the
forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on
earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or
authoritiesóall things were created through him and for him. 17 He is
before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the
head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the
dead, so that he might have the first place in everything. 19 For all the
fullness of God was pleased to dwell in him 20 and through him, to
reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in
heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
21 And although you were once alienated and hostile in mind,
doing evil deeds, 22 yet he has now reconciled you in his fleshly body
through death, in order to present you before him holy and blameless and
beyond reproachó23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly
established and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the
gospel that you have heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature
under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a minister.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh
I do my share for the sake of his body, which is the church, in filling up
what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. 25 Of this church I became a
minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me
for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery that has
been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the
saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what is the riches of the
glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope
of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every
man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in
Christ. 29 For this end I labor, striving with all his energy, which so
mightily works within me.
2
1 For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you, and for
those at Laodicea, and for all who have not seen my face in the flesh, 2
that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in love, to
have all the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God's
mystery, that is, Christ himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one may delude you with
fine-sounding arguments. 5 For even though I am absent in flesh,
nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and
the firmness of your faith in Christ.
6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in
him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you
were taught, overflowing with thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes
you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to human
tradition, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than
according to Christ. 9 For in him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily
form, 10 and you have been made complete in him, who is the head over
all rule and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a
circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh by
the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in
which you were also raised up with him through faith in the working of
God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins
and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with
him, having forgiven us all our sins, 14 having canceled the certificate of
debt, which stood against us with its decrees. He took what was hostile
away from us, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers
and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them
through him.
16 Therefore let no one judge you in questions of food or drink
or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. 17 These
things are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to
Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you for the prize by delighting in self-
abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he
has seen, puffed up without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding
fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together
by its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
20 If with Christ you died to the elementary principles of the
world, why, as if you still belonged to it, do you submit to regulations
such as, 21 "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" 22 (referring to
things which are all destined perish with use), according to human
commandments and teachings? 23 These indeed have an appearance of
wisdom in promoting self-made religion and self-abasement and severe
treatment of the body, but they are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
3
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that
are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your
minds on the things above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have
died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is
our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly
nature: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed, which
is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you
once walked, when you lived in them. 8 But now you must put them all
away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its
practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in
knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek and Jew,
circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free, but
Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, put on a heart of
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with
one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each
other; as the Lord forgave you, so you also must forgive. 14 And over all
these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were
called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly, teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and sing
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to
God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the
Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they will become
discouraged.
22 Slaves, in everything obey those who are your masters
according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in
sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work
heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that you will receive
an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are
serving. 25 For he who does wrong will be paid back for the wrong he has
done, and there is no partiality.
4
1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, knowing that
you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful in it with
thanksgiving. 3 And pray for us as well, that God may open a door to us
for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I
am in chains, 4 so that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak. 5 Conduct
yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the
opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be full of grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my affairs. He is a beloved
brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent
him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our
circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him
Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves.
They will tell you everything that has taken place here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, and
also Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you have received
instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 and also Jesus who is
called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my
fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved to be a
comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a servant of
Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in
his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of
God. 13 I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those
who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and
Demas send you greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brethren at
Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 When this
letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the
Laodiceans; and see that you read the letter from Laodicea. 17 Say to
Archippus, "See to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that
you may fulfill it."
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my
chains. Grace be with you.
Colossians, page 3
The First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
1
1 Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the
Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace and
peace to you.
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, mentioning you
in our prayers; 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of
faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you; 5 for
our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the
Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we
proved to be among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and
of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of
the Holy Spirit; 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in
Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord
sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God
has gone forth everywhere, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For
they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you,
and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10
and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the deadó
Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
2
1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our visit to you was
not in vain; 2 but after we had already suffered and been shamefully
treated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak
to you the gospel of God in the face of great opposition. 3 For our appeal
does not spring from error or impurity, nor is it made with deceit; 4 but
just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so
we speak, not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5
For, as you know, we never used flattery nor a pretext for greedóGod is
witnessó6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from
others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But
we were gentle among you, like a mother nursing her little children. 8
Having so fond an affection for you, we were ready to share with you not
only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become
very dear to us. 9 For you remember our labor and toil, brethren; we
worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while
we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God
also, how holy and righteous and blameless we behaved toward you
believers; 11 for you know how, as a father with his own children, we
exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you 12 to live
a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you
received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as
the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at
work in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the
churches of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea, for you suffered the
same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who
both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and also drove us out. They
displease God and are hostile to all men, 16 hindering us from speaking
to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always
fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last.
17 But since we were taken away from you, brethren, for a short
time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with
great desire to see you face to face. 18 For we wanted to come to youóI,
Paul, again and againóbut Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or
joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord
Jesus at his coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
3
1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it
best to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother
and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and
encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these
afflictions. You yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 4
For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that
we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. 5
For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out
about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our
labor would be in vain.
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has
brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you
always remember us kindly and long to see us, just as we long to see
youó7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were
comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you
stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we render to God for
you in return for all the joy which we feel for your sake before our God,
10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see you
face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus,
direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord make you increase and
abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, 13 so
that he may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our
God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
4
1 Finally, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus,
that as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God, just
as you are doing, you do so more and more. 2 For you know what
instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is
the will of God, your sanctification: that is, that you should abstain from
sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to take his own
spouse for himself in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like
the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that no man transgress and
wrong his brother in this matter because the Lord is the avenger in all
these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. 7
For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness. 8 Therefore, he
who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you
his Holy Spirit.
9 Now concerning love of the brethren you have no need to have
any one write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love
one another; 10 and indeed you do love all the brethren throughout
Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to do so more and more. 11 Make
it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to
work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may
win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on
anyone.
13 But we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, about those
who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no
hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God
will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we
who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede
those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from
heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with
the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we
who are alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the
clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the
Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
5
1 Now as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no
need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know well that
the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are
saying, "Peace and safety," then destruction will come upon them
suddenly as labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not
escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness so that this day should
surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the
day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as
others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at
night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But, since we
belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and
love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us
to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who
died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together
with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another,
just as you also are doing.
12 But we ask you, brethren, to respect those who labor among
you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and that you
esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with
one another. 14 And we urge you, brethren, admonish the idlers,
encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15
See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to
one another and to all.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not
quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophecies. 21 But test everything;
hold fast to what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and
may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, and he will do
it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the
Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
First Thessalonians, page 1
The Second Letter of Paul to The Thessalonians
1
1 Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the
Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 grace and
peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, as is
fitting, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every
one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast
of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in all
your persecutions and in the afflictions which you are enduring. 5 This is
evidence of God's righteous judgment, so that you will be considered
worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 For
after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict
you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when
the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in
flaming fire, 8 inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and
on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer
the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of
the Lord and from the glory of his power, 10 when he comes to be
glorified in his saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who
have believedóbecause our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this
end we always pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his
calling, and may fulfill every good resolve and work of faith by his power,
12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in
him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2
1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our
gathering together to him, we beg you, brethren, 2 not to be quickly
shaken in mind or excited, either by spirit or by word, or by letter as if
from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one
deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion
comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of
destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god
or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God,
proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was
still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what restrains him
now, so that in his time he may be revealed. 7 For the mystery of
lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until
he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed,
whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth and destroy
by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one by the
activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and
wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who are
to perish, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For
this reason God sends upon them a strong delusion so that they will
believe what is false, 12 so that all may be condemned who did not
believe the truth but had pleasure in wickedness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you,
brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning
to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14
He called you to this through our gospel, that you may share in the glory
of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the
traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter
from us. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17
comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
3
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may
spread rapidly and be honored, just as it did also with you, 2 and that we
may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not all have faith. 3 But
the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil
one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing
and will continue to do the things which we command. 5 May the Lord
direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of
Christ.
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who is living in
idleness and not according to the tradition which you received from us. 7
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were
not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without
paying for it, but with labor and hardship we worked night and day so
that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because
we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves an
example for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave
you this rule: "If anyone will not work, he shall not eat." 11 For we hear
that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, not doing any
work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now such persons we
command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion
and earn their own bread to eat. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow
weary of doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this
letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so
that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn
him as a brother.
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all
times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is a
distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Second Thessalonians, page 1
The First Letter of Paul to Timothy
1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our
Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 to Timothy, my true child in the
faith: grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our
Lord.
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, remain on at
Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange
doctrines, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.
These promote controversies rather than the divine trainingówhich is by
faith. 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a
good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 For some men have wandered away
from these things and turned aside to fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be
teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they
are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9
realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those
who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the
unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for
murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars
and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11
according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have
been entrusted.
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,
because he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even
though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent
aggressor, I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14
and the grace of our Lord was overflowing for me, with the faith and love
that are found in Christ Jesus. 15 It is a trustworthy saying that deserves
full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinnersóof
whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, so that
in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for
an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to
the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for
ever and ever. Amen.
18 I give you this command, Timothy, my son, in accordance
with the prophecies once made about you, that by them you may fight the
good fight, 19 holding faith and a good conscience, which some have
rejected and made shipwreck of their faith. 20 Among them are
Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan so that
they will be taught not to blaspheme.
2
1 First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in
authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for allóthe
testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher
and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the
Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy
hands, without anger or quarreling. 9 I also want women to adorn
themselves with proper clothing, modestly and sensibly, not with braided
hair or gold or pearls or costly garments, 10 but with good deeds, as is
proper for women who profess godliness. 11 Let a woman learn in silence
with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have
authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first,
then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman was
deceived and became a transgressor. 15 But women will be saved through
the bearing of children, if they continue in faith and love and holiness
with self-restraint.
3
1 It is a trustworthy saying: if any one aspires to the office of
overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer must be above
reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable,
hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but
gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own
household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (If a
man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take
care of God's church?). 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may
become conceited and fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 He
must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall
into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued,
not addicted to much wine, and not fond of sordid gain; 9 they must hold
the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must also first be
tested; and then if they are beyond reproach, let them serve as deacons. 11
The women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but
temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be the husband of one
wife, and must manage their children and their households well. 13 For
those who have served well as deacons gain for themselves a high
standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these
instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how one ought to
conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 16 By common confession,
great is the mystery of godliness:
he was revealed in the flesh,
was vindicated in the Spirit,
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
4
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will fall
away from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of
demons, 2 through the pretensions of liars, whose consciences have been
seared as with a hot iron, 3 who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining
from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those
who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good,
and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is
consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
6 If you point out these things to the brethren, you will be a
good minister of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the
faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed. 7 Have nothing
to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself in
godliness. 8 For bodily training is of some value, but godliness is of value
in all things, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to
come. 9 It is a trustworthy saying worthy of full acceptance. 10 For to this
end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God,
who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down
on your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in
love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public
reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the
gift you have, which was given you through prophetic utterance when the
council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters;
give yourself wholly to them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Take
heed to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in them, for if you do,
you will save both yourself and your hearers.
5
1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father,
younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women
as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are real widows. 4 But if a widow has
children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice their religion in
regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for
this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is a real widow, and
who has been left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in
supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives for pleasure
is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they
may be above reproach. 8 If any one does not provide for his relatives, and
especially for his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an
unbeliever. 9 A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than
sixty years old, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and she must be
well known for her good deeds, as one who has brought up children,
shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved those in distress,
and devoted herself to doing good in every way. 11 But refuse to put
younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in
disregard of Christ, they want to marry, 12 thus bringing condemnation,
because they have set aside their first pledge. 13 Besides, they learn to be
idle, going about from house to house. And not only do they become
idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.
14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their
homes, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach. 15 For some have
already turned aside to follow Satan. 16 If any woman who is a believer
has dependent widows, she must assist them, and let not the church be
burdened, so that it may assist those who are real widows.
17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of
double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 For the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading
out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." 19 Do not receive
an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three
witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so
that the rest also may be fearful of sinning. 21 I charge you, in the
presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, to keep these
instructions without partiality, doing nothing out of favoritism. 22 Do not
be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others;
keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine
for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24 The sins of some men are obvious, going before them to
judgment; for others, their sins appear later. 25 In the same way, good
deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.
6
1 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters
as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not
be spoken against. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be
disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but they must serve them
all the better, because those who benefit by their service are believers and
beloved.
Teach and urge these duties. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and
does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the
teaching which accords with godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands
nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and
disputes about words, which produce envy, strife, malicious talk, evil
suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and
deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a means of gain. 6
But godliness with contentment is itself great gain. 7 For we brought
nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of it. 8 But if we
have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who
want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and
harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love
of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have
wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight
the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were
called when you made the good confession in the presence of many
witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all
things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession before Pontius
Pilate, 14 to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will bring about at the
proper timeóhe who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings
and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality and dwells in
unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be
honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be
conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God,
who richly supplies us with everything to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do
good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and ready to share, 19
storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future,
so that they may take hold of that life which is life indeed.
20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid
godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called
knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered
from the faith.
Grace be with you.
First Timothy, page 1
The Second Letter of Paul to Timothy
1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according
to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy, my beloved
son: grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our
Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my
forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.
4 As I recall your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
5 For I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your
grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you as
well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God
which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not
give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self-
discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed to testify of our Lord or of me his
prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the
power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to his own purpose and the grace
which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but has now
been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has
abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the
gospel. 11 For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a
teacher. 12 For this reason I also suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for
I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that he is able to guard
what I have entrusted to him until that day. 13 Follow the pattern of
sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which
are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us,
the treasure that has been entrusted to you.
15 You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away
from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord
grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me
and was not ashamed of my chains; 17 but when he was in Rome, he
eagerly searched for me and found meó18 may the Lord grant him to find
mercy from the Lord on that Dayóand you know very well all the service
he rendered at Ephesus.
2
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ
Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard from me in the presence of many
witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3
Share in hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active
service gets entangled in civilian affairs, since his aim is to please the one
who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he
does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The
hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in
everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from
David according to my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the
point of wearing chains like a criminal. But the word of God is not
chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that
they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal
glory. 11 Here is a trustworthy saying:
if we died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them in the presence
of God to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only
ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one
approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling
the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, for it will lead people into
more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene.
Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have gone astray from
the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and upset
the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God's firm foundation stands, having
this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who
names the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." 20 In a
large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood
and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble. 21 If anyone
cleanses himself from what is ignoble, he will be a vessel for noble
purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good
work. 22 Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith,
love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because
you know that they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not
be quarrelsome, but he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, patient
when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in
opposition, if perhaps God will grant them repentance leading to the
knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape
from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
3
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times
of stress. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful,
arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3
unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, haters of
good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God, 5 holding a form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid
such people. 6 For among them are those who make their way into
households and capture weak women, weighed down with sins and
swayed by various impulses, 7 always learning and never able to come to
the knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,
so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in
regard to the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be
plain to all, as was that of those two men.
10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my conduct, my
purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings,
such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what
persecutions I endured, yet the Lord rescued me from them all. 12 Indeed
all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13
while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and
being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and
have become convinced of, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and
how from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able
to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All
scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God
may be complete, equipped for every good work.
4
1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ
Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and
his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but having
itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their
own desires, 4 and will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside
to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work
of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the
time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have
finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 In the future there is laid up for
me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have
loved his appearing.
9 Do your best to come to me soon; 10 for Demas, having loved
this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens
has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get
Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in my ministry. 12
But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak
that I left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him
for his deeds. 15 Be on guard against him yourself, for he strongly
opposed our message.
16 At my first defense no one came to my support, but all
deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood at
my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be
fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued
from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack
and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for
ever and ever. Amen.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. 21
Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do
Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren. 22 The Lord be with
your spirit. Grace be with you.
Second Timothy, page 1
The Letter of Paul to Titus
1
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the
faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth which leads to
godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie,
promised long ages ago, 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word
through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command
of God our Savior, 4 to Titus, my true child in a common faith: grace and
peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might straighten
out what was left unfinished, and appoint elders in every town as I
directed you, 6 namely, if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife,
and his children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild or
rebellious. 7 For the overseer must be blameless as God's steward, not
self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not
fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, master of
himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled; 9 he must hold firm to the sure
word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound
doctrine and also to refute those who contradict it.
10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and
deceivers, especially those of the circumcision.11 They must be silenced,
because they are upsetting whole families by teaching things they ought
not to teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet
of their own, said,
"Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
13 This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they
may be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or
to the commands of men who reject the truth. 15 To the pure, all things
are pure; but to those who are corrupted and unbelieving, nothing is pure,
but both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They profess to
know God, but they deny him by their deeds; they are detestable and
disobedient, unfit for any good deed.
2
1 But as for you, teach what befits sound doctrine. 2 The older
men are to be temperate, serious, sensible, sound in faith, in love, and in
endurance. 3 The older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not
to be slanderers or slaves to much wine, but they are to teach what is
good, 4 so they can train the young women to love their husbands and
children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to
their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. 6
Likewise urge the young men to be sensible. 7 Show yourself in all
respects an example of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity,
seriousness, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an
opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. 9
Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to be well-
pleasing, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal, but to show that
they can be fully trusted, so that in everything they will adorn the doctrine
of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all
men, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to
live sober, upright, and godly lives in this present age, 13 looking for the
blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior,
Christ Jesus, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,
zealous for good deeds. 15 Speak these things; exhort and reprove with
all authority. Let no one disregard you.
3
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be
obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be
peaceable and gentle, and to show true humility toward all men. 3 For we
ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various
passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by
men and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God
our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we
have done in righteousness, but because of his own mercy, by the washing
of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out
upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that we might be
justified by his grace and become heirs according to the hope of eternal
life.
8 This is a trustworthy saying; and concerning these things I
want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may
be careful to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent
and profitable for men. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies
and strife and quarrels about the Law, for they are unprofitable and
useless. 10 Warn a man who is factious once, and then warn him a second
time. After that, have nothing to do with him, 11 knowing that such a man
is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to
come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13
Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that
they lack nothing. 14 Our people must also learn to devote themselves to
good deeds, so that they may help cases of urgent need, and not be
unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love
us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
Titus, page 1
The Letter of Paul to Philemon
1
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to
Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, 2 and to Apphia our
sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your
house: 3 grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5
because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the
Lord Jesus and all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith
may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing that is
ours in Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love,
my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through
you.
8 Therefore, though I am bold enough in Christ to order you to
do what is proper, 9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to youósince I am
such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ
Jesusó10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have
become in my imprisonment. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now
he is useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back to you,
sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, so
that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the
gospel; 14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that
your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own
free will. 15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a
while, that you might have him back for ever, 16 no longer as a slave, but
more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much
more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would
welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything,
charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I
will pay it backónot to mention that you owe me even your own self. 20
Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my
heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that
you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest
room for me, for I hope through your prayers to be granted to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you
greetings, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow
workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philemon, page 1
The Letter to the Hebrews
1
1 In the past God spoke to our fathers by the prophets at many
times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by
his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he
made the world. 3 He is the radiance of his glory and the exact
representation of his being, and upholds all things by the word of his
power. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right
hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,
"You are my son,
today I have begotten you"?
And again,
"I will be a father to him
and he shall be a son to me"?
6 And again, when God brings the first-born into the world, he says,
"Let all God's angels worship him."
7 Of the angels he says,
"Who makes his angels winds,
and his servants flames of fire."
8 But of the Son he says,
"Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever,
and the righteous scepter
is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
therefore God, your God,
has anointed you with the oil of gladness
above your companions."
10 And,
"You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11 they will perish, but you remain;
they will all grow old like a garment,
12 you will roll them up like a mantle;
and like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
and your years will never end."
13 But to which of the angels has he ever said,
"Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies a stool for your feet"?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to serve for the sake of
those who will inherit salvation?
2
1 Therefore we must pay more careful attention to what we have
heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For if the message spoken by angels
was valid, and every transgression and disobedience received a just
punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It
was declared at first by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who
heard him, 4 while God also bore witness, by signs and wonders and
various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to
his own will.
5 For it is not to angels that he subjected the world to come,
about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has
testified,
"What is man that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man that you care for him?
7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor,
8 and put everything in subjection under his feet."
Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing that is not
subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subject to him. 9 But
we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels,
crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that
by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all
things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the author of
their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For both he who sanctifies
and those who are being sanctified are all of one. That is why he is not
ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying,
"I will declare your name to my brethren,
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."
13 And again,
"I will put my trust in him."
And again,
"Here am I, and the children God has given me."
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself
likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy
him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those
who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For
surely it is not with angels that he is concerned, but with the descendants
of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every
respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the
service of God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For
because he himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to help those
who are tempted.
3
1 Therefore, holy brethren, who share in a heavenly calling,
consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. 2 He was
faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all
God's house. 3 Yet Jesus has been counted worthy of as much more glory
than Moses as the builder of a house has more honor than the house. 4
For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.
5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the
things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful as a son over
God's house. And we are his house, if we hold fast to our confidence and
the hope of which we boast.
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you will hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your fathers put me to the test
and saw my works for forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that generation,
and said, 'They always go astray in their hearts;
and they have not known my ways.'
11 As I swore in my wrath,
'They shall never enter my rest.'"
12 Take care, brethren, lest there be in any one of you an evil,
unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But
exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "Today," so that none
of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come
to share in Christ if we hold our first confidence firm to the end, 15 while
it is said,
"Today, if you will hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."
16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those
Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years?
Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom did he swear that they would never enter his rest, but to
those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were not able to
enter because of unbelief.
4
1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest remains, let us
fear lest any one of you be judged to have come short of it. 2 For we also
have had the good news preached to us, just as they did; but the message
they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not
combine it with faith. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he
has said,
"As I swore in my wrath,
'They shall never enter my rest,'"
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For
he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: "And God
rested on the seventh day from all his works." 5 And again in this place
he said, "They shall never enter my rest." 6 Since therefore it remains for
some to enter it, and those who formerly had the good news preached to
them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 God again set a certain
day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been
said before,
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later of
another day. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of
God; 10 for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work,
just as God did from his. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest,
so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience.
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints
and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13
And there is no creature hidden from his sight, but all things are open and
laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed
through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our
confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to
sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been
tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw
near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to
help in time of need.
5
1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to
act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for
sins. 2 He can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray,
since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he has to offer
sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no
one takes the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron
was.
5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest,
but it was he who said to him,
"You are my son,
today I have begotten you";
6 as he says also in another place,
"You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek."
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with
loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and
he was heard because of his godly fear. 8 Although he was a Son, he
learned obedience from what he suffered; 9 and, once made perfect, he
became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 being
designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
11 About this we have much to say which is hard to explain,
since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you
ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first
principles of God's word. You need milk, not solid food; 13 for every one
who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a
babe. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their sense
trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.
6
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ
and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from
dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 with instruction about baptisms,
the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And this we will do, if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those
who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and
have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness
of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have
fallen away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again
for themselves the Son of God, and put him to an open shame. 7 For land
which drinks the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation
useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from
God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being
cursed; its end is to be burned.
9 Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are confident of
better things in your case, things that accompany salvation. 10 For God is
not so unjust as to forget your work and the love which you have shown
for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each
one of you to show the same diligence in realizing the full assurance of
hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of
those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no
one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "I will
surely bless you and multiply you." 15 And so Abraham, having patiently
endured, obtained the promise. 16 Men swear by one greater than
themselves, and in all their disputes the oath is final for confirmation. 17
So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the
promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an
oath, 18 so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for
God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement
to take hold of the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and
steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner sanctuary
behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner on our
behalf, having become a high priest forever according to the order of
Melchizedek.
7
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High
God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed
him. 2 And to him Abraham gave a tenth part of everything. He is first, by
translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of
Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without
genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like
the Son of God, he remains a priest continually.
4 See how great he was! Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a
tenth of the spoils. 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the
priestly office have a commandment in the law to take a tenth from the
people, that is, from their brethren, though these also are descended from
Abraham. 6 But this man whose genealogy is not derived from them
received a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7
And without dispute the lesser person is blessed by the greater. 8 In this
case tithes are received by mortal men, but in that case by one of whom it
is witnessed that he lives on. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who
receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the
loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
11 Now if perfection could have been through the Levitical
priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what
further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of
Melchizedek, and not one designated according to the order of Aaron? 12
For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change
of the law. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to
another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is
evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in regard to that
tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 This becomes even more
evident if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has
become a priest not on the basis of a law of carnal requirement, but
according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared of
him,
"You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek."
18 On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its
weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); and on
the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near
to God. 20 And it was not without an oath. 21 Those who formerly
became priests took their office without an oath, but he became a priest
with an oath through the One who said to him,
"The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
'You are a priest forever.'"
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better
covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were
prevented by death from continuing in office; 24 but he holds his
priesthood forever, because he continues for ever. 25 Therefore he is able
also to save forever those who draw near to God through him, since he
always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy,
blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
27 He does not need, like those high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices,
first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people, because he did
this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the Law appoints
men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came
after the Law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
8
1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a
high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the
Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle which
is set up by the Lord, not by man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to
offer both gifts and sacrifices; and so it is necessary for this priest also to
have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a
priest at all, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the
law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary; for when
Moses was about to erect the tabernacle, he was instructed by God,
saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern which was
shown you on the mountain." 6 But as it is, he has obtained a ministry
which is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates
is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have
been no place sought for a second. 8 For he finds fault with them when he
says:
"The days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;
9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers
on the day when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of the land of Egypt;
for they did not continue in my covenant,
and so I paid no heed to them, says the Lord.
10 This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and I will write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach every one his fellow
or every one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'
for all shall know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more."
13 When he said, "A new covenant," he has made the first obsolete. And
what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
9
1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and
an earthly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first one,
in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is
called the holy place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a tabernacle called
the Holy of Holies, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the
covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden jar
holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the
covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the
mercy seat. But of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go
continually into the outer tabernacle, performing their ritual duties. 7 But
into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not
without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the
people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this
that the way into the holy place had not yet been disclosed as long as the
outer tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is symbolic for the present
time. According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered which
cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 since they relate only
to food and drink and various washings ñ regulations for the flesh
imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things
that have come, he entered through the greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation. 12 He
did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but he entered
the holy place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal
redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a
heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of
the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your
conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, that
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now
that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the transgressions
committed under the first covenant. 16 For where a will is, there must of
necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a will is in force
only when somebody has died, since it never takes effect while the one
who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not
ratified without blood. 19 For when every commandment of the law had
been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and
goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the
book itself and all the people, 20 saying, "This is the blood of the
covenant which God has commanded you." 21 And in the same way he
sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels used in
worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is cleansed with
blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to
be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with
better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made
with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear
in the presence of God for us. 25 Nor was it that he should offer himself
again and again, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with
blood not his own. 26 For then he would have had to suffer repeatedly
since the foundation of the world. But now, he has appeared once for all
at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And
just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment,
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will
appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who
are eagerly waiting for him.
10
1 For since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not
the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which
are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near.
2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers
had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of
sins. 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year. 4
For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, 'Behold,
I have come to do your will, O God,'
as it is written of me in the roll of the book."
8 When he said above, "You did not desire, nor did you take pleasure in
sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are
offered according to the law), 9 then he said, "Behold, I have come to do
your will." He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10
And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body
of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering time after
time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when he
had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right
hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies be made a stool
for his feet. 14 For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who
are sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
16 "This is the covenant that I will make
with them after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws into their hearts,
and in their minds I will write them,"
17 then he adds,
"Their sins and their lawless deeds
I will remember no more."
18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for
sin.
19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the
holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which he
opened for us through the curtain, that is, his flesh, 21 and since we have
a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart
in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil
conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast
the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is
faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and
good works, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit
of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the
Day drawing near.
26 For if we sin deliberately after we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but
a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume
the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected the law of Moses dies
without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much
severer punishment do you think a man will deserve who has trampled
under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as an unclean thing the
blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the
Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said,
"Vengeance is mine, I will repay."
And again,
"The Lord will judge his people."
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But remember the former days when, after you were
enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes
being publicly exposed to insult and persecution; and at other times
standing side by side with those who were so treated. 34 For you had
compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of
your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession
and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence,
which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that
when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
37 "For yet in a very little while,
he who is coming will come and will not delay.
38 But my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him."
39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of
those who have faith and keep their souls.
11
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction
of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old received divine approval.
3 By faith we understand that the world was created by the word
of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered God a more acceptable sacrifice than
Cain, through which he was commended as a righteous man, when God
spoke well of his gifts. And through faith he still speaks, even though he
is dead. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death;
and he was not found, because God had taken him. For before he was
taken he was attested as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is
impossible to please God, for anyone who comes to him must believe that
he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 7 By faith
Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in godly fear
prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he
condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which
comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a
place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not
knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived in the land of promise,
as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him
of the same promise; 10 for he was looking forward to the city which has
foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah
herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age,
because she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore
from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many
as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the
seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but
having seen them and greeted them from a distance, and having
acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For
people who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country
of their own. 15 And if they had been thinking of that country from which
they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it
is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is
not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and
he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, 18
of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your descendants be called."
19 He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead;
from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith
Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. 21 By faith Jacob,
when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped
as he leaned on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was at
the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites, and gave
orders concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three
months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and
they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was
grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing
rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the
fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered abuse suffered for the Christ
greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his
reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king; for he
endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover
and the sprinkling of the blood, so the destroyer of the firstborn would
not touch them. 29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on
dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. 30
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for
seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who
were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of justice,
received promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of
fire, escaped the edge of the sword, whose weakness was turned to
strength, who became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. 35
Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were
tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better
resurrection. 36 And others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes,
also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in
two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep
and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated ñ 38 of whom the world was not
worthy ñ wandering in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in
the ground.
39 And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not
receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something
better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
12
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before
us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider
him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you
may not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the
point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation
which addresses you as sons? ñ
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor lose courage when you are rebuked by him.
6 For those whom the Lord loves he disciplines,
and he scourges every son whom he receives."
7 It is for discipline that you endure. God is treating you as sons; for what
son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without
discipline, in which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate
children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had fathers of our flesh to
discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject
to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short
time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we
may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful
rather than pleasant; but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore lift your feeble hands and strengthen your weak
knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may
not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
14 Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without
which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of
the grace of God; that no root of bitterness spring up and cause trouble,
and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one be immoral or godless like
Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that
afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he
found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and
to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and the
blast of a trumpet, and the sound of a voice whose words made the hearers
beg that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure
the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be
stoned." 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling
with fear." 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the
living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the joyful
assembly 23 and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and
to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled
blood that speaks better than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if
they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth,
how much less shall we escape, if we turn away from him who warns us
from heaven? 26 Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has
promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also
heaven." 27 This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removing of
those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order that what
cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a
kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and offer to God
acceptable worship with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a
consuming fire.
13
1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to show
hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained
angels without knowing it. 3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison
with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves are also in
the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage
bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous. 5 Keep
your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,
for God has said, "I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you." 6 So we
say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of
God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried
away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be
strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so
occupied were not benefited. 10 We have an altar from which those who
serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those
animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as
an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also
suffered outside the city gate to sanctify the people through his own
blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace
he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking
for the city which is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually
offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that
acknowledge his name. 16 Do not forget to do good and to share with
others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping
watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do
this with joy, and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience,
desiring to live honorably in all things. 19 I urge you all the more to do
this so that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead
our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the
eternal covenant, 21 equip you with every good thing to do his will,
working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to
whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 I urge you, brethren, bear with my word of exhortation, for I
have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy
has been released, with whom I will see you if he comes soon.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come
from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with you all.
Hebrews, page 2
The Letter of James
1
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the
twelve tribes in the Dispersion: greetings.
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various
trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of
God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be
given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who
doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7
For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the
Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high
position; 10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like
the flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its
scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls and its beauty is
destroyed. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for when he
has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised
to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being
tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself does
not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away
and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then when desire has conceived, it
gives birth to sin; and when sin is full-grown, it brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good
thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the
Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should
be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be
quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger, 20 for the anger of man
does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside
all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness, in humility receive the
implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely
hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word
and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;
24 for he looks at himself and goes away, and immediately forgets what
he was like. 25 But one who looks intently into the perfect law, the law of
liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer
that acts, this man will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not
bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is
worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled in the sight of our God
and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to
keep oneself unstained by the world.
2
1 My brethren, show no favoritism as you hold your faith in our
glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with
a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor
man in shabby clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is
wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here in a good place," and
you say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit by my feet," 4 have
you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil
thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brethren: has not God chosen those who
are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which
he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the
poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you
into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the honorable name by which
you have been called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law, according to the
scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.
9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law
as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in
one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, "Do not
commit adultery," said also, "Do not murder." If you do not commit
adultery but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the
law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of
liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to one who has shown no
mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
14 What good is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but
has no works? Can such faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without
clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go
in peace, be warmed and filled," and yet you do not give them what is
necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has
no works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works."
Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by
my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons
believeóand shudder. 20 But are you willing to know, O foolish man,
that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father
justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You
see that faith was working with his works, and faith was completed by
works, 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed
God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness", and he was called the
friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by
faith alone. 25 In the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by
works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another
way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works
is dead also.
3
1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you
know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we
all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he
is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 If we put bits
into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, we guide their whole
bodies. 4 Look at the ships also; though they are so great and are driven
by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will
of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and
yet it boasts of great things.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And
the tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the members of the body. The
tongue corrupts our whole person, sets the whole course of our life on
fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and
birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by
the human race. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil,
full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it
we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God. 10 From the
same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be
so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and
bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a grapevine
produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life
let him show his deeds in the humility of wisdom. 14 But if you have
bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be
false to the truth. 15 This wisdom is not such as comes down from above,
but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish
ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the
wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason,
full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or hypocrisy. 18 And
the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
4
1 What causes quarrels and fights among you? Is it not your
passions that are at war in your members? 2 You desire and do not have;
so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.
You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive,
because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your
pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the
world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of
the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the
Scripture says without reason: "He jealously desires the Spirit which he
has made to dwell in us"? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says,
"God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble."
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee
from you. 8 Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your
hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be
miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning
and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will
exalt you.
11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks
against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges
the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a
judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able
to save and destroy. But youówho are you to judge your neighbor?
13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to
such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and
make a profit." 14 Yet you do not know what will happen tomorrow.
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then
vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and
do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such
boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and
does not do it, to him it is sin.
5
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are
coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-
eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence
against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in
the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields,
which you kept back by fraud, cry out against you; and the cries of the
harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on
the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day
of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous man;
he does not resist you.
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient
over it, until it receives the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient;
strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Do not
grumble, brethren, against one another, that you may not be judged;
behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example, brethren, of
suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the
Lord. 11 Behold, we call those blessed who endured. You have heard of
the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the
Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or
by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no,
that you may not fall under condemnation.
13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone
cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is any among you sick? Let him call for
the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with
oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will save
the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed
sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another,
and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a
righteous man is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a man with a
nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did
not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed
again, and the heavens gave rain and the earth produced its fruit.
19 My brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth
and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever turns a
sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will
cover a multitude of sins.
James, page 1
The First Letter of Peter
1
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen exiles in the
Dispersion, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and
Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God
the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus
Christ and sprinkling with his blood: may grace and peace be yours in
abundance.
3 Blessed be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In
his great mercy he has caused us to be born again into a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an
inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away,
kept in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by God's power through faith
for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly
rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials,
7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is
perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise
and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have
not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you
believe in him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 as
you obtain the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace
that would come to you inquired and searched carefully, 11 seeking to
know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating
when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It
was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in
these things which now have been announced to you through those who
preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heavenóthings
into which angels long to look.
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober in spirit,
set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus
Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts
which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy,
be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16 because it is written, "You
shall be holy, for I am holy."
17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges
according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time
of your exile on earth. 18 You know that you were redeemed from the
futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable
things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ,
like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was destined before the
foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your
sake. 21 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from
the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22 Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth
for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the
heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of
imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
"All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord stands forever."
And this is the word which was preached to you.
2
1 Therefore, put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and
envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual
milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 for you have
tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4 As you come to him, the living Stoneó
rejected by men but chosen and precious in the sight of Godó5 you also,
like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy
priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus
Christ. 6 For it stands in scripture:
"Behold, I lay in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
7 To you therefore who believe, this is precious, but for those who do not
believe,
"The very stone which the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone,"
8 and,
"A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall;"
they stumble because they disobey the wordóas they were desstined to
do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people for God's own possession, that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people,
but now you are the people of God;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from
fleshly lusts which wage war against your soul. 12 Maintain good
conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as
wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of
visitation.
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human
institution, whether to a king as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors
as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do
right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the
ignorance of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your
freedom as a covering for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Honor all
people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not
only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are
overbearing. 19 For a man is approved if, mindful of God, he bears up
under pain while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it, if when you
do wrong and are beaten for it you patiently endure? But if when you do
right and suffer for it you patiently endure, you have favor with God. 21
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 "He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth;"
23 when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he
uttered no threats, but he trusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He
himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sin
and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For
you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd
and Guardian of your souls.
3
1 You wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so
that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over
without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see your
chaste and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely
outwardóbraiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on fine
clothing; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the
imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in
God's sight. 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who
hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, and were submissive to their
own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And
you are her children if you do what is right and are not frightened by any
fear.
7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with
your wives, and treat them with honor as the weaker partner, since you are
joint heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be
sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble in spirit. 9
Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but give a blessing instead;
for to this you were called, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
"He who would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 He must turn away from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are open to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
13 Who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are
blessed. Do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but in
your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a
defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is
in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect; 16 and keep a clear
conscience, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good
behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for
doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong. 18 For
Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous,
that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made
alive in the spirit; 19 in which also he went and preached to the spirits in
prison, 20 who formerly did not obey, when the patience of God waited in
the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is,
eight persons, were saved through water. 21 And corresponding to that,
baptism now saves youónot the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an
appeal to God for a good conscienceóthrough the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with
angels and authorities and powers subject to him.
4
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm
yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in
the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the
flesh no longer for human lusts, but for the will of God. 3 For you have
spent enough time in the past doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in
debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4
In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same
flood of dissipation, and they abuse you; 5 but they will give account to
him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the
gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though they are
judged in the flesh as men, they might live in the spirit according to the
will of God.
7 The end of all things is near; therefore be clear minded and
sober for your prayers. 8 Above all, hold unfailing your love for one
another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to
one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a special
gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of God's varied
grace. 11 Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking the
utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the
strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ. To him belongs the glory and dominion for ever and
ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes
upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may
also be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted
because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and
of God rests on you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a
thief, or a wrongdoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 yet if one suffers as a
Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify
God. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;
and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not
obey the gospel of God? 18 And
"if it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the godless man and the sinner?"
19 Therefore, let those who suffer according to God's will do right and
entrust their souls to a faithful Creator.
5
1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ and a partaker in the glory that is to be
revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God that is under your care, serving as
overseersónot under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will
of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 not as lording it
over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when
the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 Likewise you that are younger men be subject to the elders.
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for
"God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble."
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because
he cares for you.
8 Be sober, be alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like
a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your
faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being
accomplished by your brethren throughout the world. 10 And after you
have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his
eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.
11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 With the help of Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I
have written to you briefly, exhorting you and testifying that this is the
true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen
together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in
Christ.
First Peter, page 1
The Second Letter of Peter
1
1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those
who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness
of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 grace and peace be multiplied to
you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3 His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life
and godliness, through the true knowledge of him who called us by his
own glory and excellence. 4 By these he has granted to us his precious
and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the
corruption that is in the world because of lust, and become partakers of
the divine nature. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your
faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge, 6 and to knowledge, self-control,
and to self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness, 7 and to
godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if
these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being
ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For
whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted, and has forgotten
that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the
more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these
things, you will never fall; 11 so there will be an entrance richly provided
for you into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even
though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now
have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way
of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting aside of my body will be
soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will see to
it that after my departure you will be able at any time to call these things
to mind.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made
known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we
were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory
from God the Father when the voice came to him by the Majestic Glory,
saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." 18 We
ourselves heard this voice coming from heaven when we were with him on
the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word made more sure,
and you will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark
place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20
First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a
matter of one's own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by
the act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2
1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there
will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce
destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing
swift destruction upon themselves. 2 And many will follow their
licentiousness, and because of them the way of truth will be reviled. 3
And in their greed they will exploit you with false words; from long ago
their condemnation has not been idle, and their destruction has not been
asleep.
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast
them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved for
judgment; 5 and if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved
Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a
flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 and if he condemned the cities of
Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having
made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter; 7 and
if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives
of lawless men 8 (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while
living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their
lawless deeds), 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial,
and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desire and
despise authority.
Bold and willful, they are not afraid to revile the glorious ones,
11 whereas angels, though greater in power and might, do not bring a
reviling judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like
irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed,
reviling in matters of which they are ignorant, will be destroyed in the
same destruction with them, 13 suffering wrong for their wrongdoing.
They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and
blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you. 14 They
have eyes full of adultery, that never cease from sin; they entice unstable
souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 Forsaking
the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam,
the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was
rebuked for his own transgression by a donkeyóa beast without
speechówho spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's
madness.
17 These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm;
for them the blackest darkness has been reserved. 18 For speaking out
arrogant words of vanity, they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality,
those who barely escape from the ones who live in error. 19 They promise
them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for
whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they
have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are
overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For
it would have been better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy
commandment handed on to them. 22 It has happened to them according
to the true proverb,
"A dog turns back to its own vomit,"
and,
"A sow, after having washed, returns to wallowing in the mire."
3
1 This is now the second letter that I have written to you,
beloved, and in both of them I have aroused your sincere mind by way of
reminder; 2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by
the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken
through your apostles. 3 First of all you must understand this, that
scoffers will come in the last days, with scoffing, following their own
lusts 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since
the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning
of creation." 5 They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God
heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and by
means of water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed,
being deluged with water. 7 But by the same word the present heavens
and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and
destruction of ungodly men.
8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one
day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The
Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is
patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to
repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the
heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed
with fire, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people
ought you to be in holy lives and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening
the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be
destroyed by fire, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But
according to his promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth,
in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be
diligent to be found by him in peace, spotless and blameless. 15 And
regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved
brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you. 16 He
writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters.
His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which
ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to
their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this
beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error
of lawless men and fall from your own steadfastness. 18 But grow in the
grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the
glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Second Peter, page 1
The First Letter of John
1
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard,
which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our
hands have touched, concerning the Word of lifeó2 the life was
manifested, and we have seen it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the
eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to usó3 that
which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may
have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with
his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we write this that our joy may be complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to
you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have
fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not live
according to the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son
cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just,
and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If
we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in
us.
2
1 My little children, I write this to you so that you may not sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous. 2 And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for
ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 Now by this we
know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He who says, "I
know him," but does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth
is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps his word, truly the love of God is
perfected in him. By this we know that we are in him: 6 he who says he
abides in him ought to walk as he walked.
7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old
commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is
the word that you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new
commandment, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is
passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in
the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still. 10 He who loves his
brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11
But he who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness,
and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded
his eyes.
12 I write to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven you
for his name's sake.
13 I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him
who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
14 I wrote to you, little children,
because you have known the Father.
I wrote to you, fathers,
because you have known him
who is from the beginning.
I wrote to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone
loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in
the worldóthe lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
lifeóis not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing
away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that
the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come; by this
we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were
not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us;
but they went out that it might be plain that none of them were of us. 20
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. 21 I
write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you
know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who
denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the
Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father;
whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 Let that abide in
you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the
beginning abides in you, then you also will abide in the Son and in the
Father. 25 And this is what he has promised usóeternal life.
26 These things I have written to you about those who try to
deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from him
abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as his
anointing teaches you about all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and
just as it has taught you, abide in him.
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he
appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his
coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who
does right is born of him.
3
1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called
children of God! And so we are! The reason why the world does not know
us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God;
and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when
he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 And
everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
4 Everyone who commits sin also commits lawlessness; sin is
lawlessness. 5 And you know that he appeared to take away our sins, and
in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him sins. No one who sins
has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive
you. He who does right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 He who
commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the
devil. 9 No one who is of God practices sin, for God's seed remains in
him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it
may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the
devil: whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love
his brother.
11 For this is the message which you heard from the beginning,
that we should love one another, 12 and not be like Cain who was of the
evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because
his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my
brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from
death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides
in death. 15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know
that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 By this we know love,
that he laid down his life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives
for the brethren. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his
brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does the love of
God abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or tongue
but in deed and in truth.
19 By this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our
hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater
than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not
condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and we receive from him
whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what
pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment: that we should believe in
the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he has
commanded us. 24 Now those who keep his commandments abide in him,
and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit
whom he has given us.
4
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see
whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into
the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every Spirit that
confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every
spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of the
Antichrist, of which you have heard that it was coming, and now it is in
the world already. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome
them, because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5
They are of the world and therefore speak as of the world, and the world
listens to them. 6 We are of God. Whoever knows God listens to us; he
who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of
truth and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and
everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not
love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was
made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so
that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God
but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our
sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God abides in
us and his love is perfected in us.
13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because
he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the
Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses
that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we
know and believe the love God has for us.
God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God
in him. 17 In this love is perfected among us, that we may have
confidence for the Day of Judgment, because as he is so are we in this
world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because
fear has to do with punishment. And he who fears is not made perfect in
love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, "I love
God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his
brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21
And this commandment we have from him: that he who loves God must
love his brother also.
5
1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,
and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we know that
we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his
commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his
commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For
whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that
has overcome the worldóour faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world
but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he who came by water and bloodóJesus Christ; not
only by water, but by water and blood. 7 And it is the Spirit who bears
witness, because the Spirit is the truth. 8 There are three witnesses, the
Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we receive the
testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the
testimony of God which he has borne witness of his Son. 10 He who
believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who does not
believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the
testimony that God has given of his Son. 11 And this is the testimony:
that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who
has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have
life.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son
of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is
the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to
his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask,
we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to
death, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not
leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should
pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not
lead to death.
18 We know that anyone born of God does not sin; but he who
was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We
know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the power of the
evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us
understanding, that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who
is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
First John, page 1
The Second Letter of John
1
1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in
the truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the
truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 grace, mercy, and
peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the
Father's Son, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the
truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask
you, lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the
one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this
is love, that we walk according to his commandments. This is the
commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you
should walk in love. 7 For many deceivers, who do not acknowledge
Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any
such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, that
you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may receive a full
reward. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not abide in the teaching of
Christ does not have God; he who abides in the teaching has both the
Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this
teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting; 11
for he who greets him shares in his wicked work.
12 Though I have much to write to you, I do not want to use
paper and ink, but I hope to come to see you and talk with you face to
face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your chosen
sister greet you.
Second John, page 1
The Third Letter of John
1
1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that you may be in good health and that all may
go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 For I greatly
rejoiced when some of the brethren arrived and testified to the truth of
your life, and how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than
this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish
for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have
testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on
their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they went out for the sake of
the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to
support such men, so that we may be fellow workers in the truth.
9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to
be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10 So if I come, I will
call attention to what he is doing, gossiping against us with evil words.
And not satisfied with that, he refuses himself to welcome the brethren,
and also stops those who want to welcome them and puts them out of the
church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The
one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. 12
Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the
truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is
true.
13 I had much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen
and ink; 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to
you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by
name.
Third John, page 1
The Letter of Jude
1
1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those
who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2
may mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write you about our
common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you
contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For
certain persons have crept in secretly, those who were long ago marked
out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our
God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
5 Now I desire to remind you, though you were once for all fully
informed, that the Lord who saved a people out of the land of Egypt,
afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did
not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, he has
kept in eternal chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7
just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise
acted immorally and indulged in strange flesh, serve as an example by
undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
8 Yet in the same way these men in their dreamings defile the
flesh, reject authority, and revile the glorious ones. 9 But Michael the
archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of
Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a reviling judgment, but said,
"The Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these men revile whatever they do not
understand; and the things that they know by instinct, like unreasoning
animals do, by these things they are destroyed. 11 Woe to them! For they
have gone the way of Cain, and for the sake of gain they have rushed
headlong into the Balaam's error, and perished in Korah's rebellion. 12
These are the men who are blemishes in your love feasts when they feast
with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water,
carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted;
13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam;
wandering stars, for whom the blackest darkness has been reserved
forever.
14 It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh
generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with
many thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all, and to
convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in
an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have
spoken against him." 16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following
after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for their own
advantage.
17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the
apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 they said to you, "In the last time
there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly lusts." 19 These are
the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20
But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the
Holy Spirit; 21 keep yourselves in the love of God; wait anxiously for the
mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on
some, who doubt; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on
some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to
present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with great
joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be
glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and
forever. Amen.
Jude, page 1
The Revelation to John
1
1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to
his servants what must soon take place. And he made it known by sending
his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and
to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is he
who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear,
and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near.
4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: grace to you
and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from
the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who
is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the
kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his
blood, 6 and has made us a kingdom and priests to his God and Father, to
him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and all tribes of the earth will mourn because of him.
Even so. Amen.
8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is,
and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
9 I, John, your brother and companion in the tribulation and
kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island
called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice
like a trumpet, 11 saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to
the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to
Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. And
having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the
lampstands one like a Son of Man, clothed with a robe down to the feet
and girded round his chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were
white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like a flame of fire;
15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his
voice was like the sound of many waters; 16 he held in his right hand
seven stars, out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and his face
was like the sun shining in its strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he
laid his right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the
Last, 18 and the Living One; I was dead, and behold, I am alive for
evermore! And I have the keys of death and Hades. 19 Write, therefore,
what you have seen, what is now and what will take place after this. 20
The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the
seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
2
1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
'These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his
right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your
works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot bear
evil men, but you have tested those who call themselves apostles and are
not, and have found them to be false; 3 I know you have persevered and
have endured for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I
have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember then
from where you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If
not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless
you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the
Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to
eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.'
8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
'These are the words of the First and the Last, who died, and
came to life: 9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)
and I know the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not,
but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer.
Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may
be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful even until
death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be
hurt at all by the second death.'
12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
'These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword:
13 I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And
you hold fast to my name, and did not deny my faith even in the days of
Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan
dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who
hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block
before the sons of Israel, to eat food sacrificed to idols and to practice
sexual immorality. 15 So you also have those who hold to the teaching of
the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore, or else I will soon come to you and
will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an
ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna. And I will give him a
white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows
except him who receives it.'
18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
'These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a
flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze: 19 I know your
works, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that your
works are now more than at the first. 20 Nevertheless I have this against
you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess
and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice sexual immorality
and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she
refuses to repent of her immorality. 22 So I will cast her on a sickbed, and
I will throw those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation,
unless they repent of her ways. 23 And I will strike her children dead.
And all the churches shall know that I am he who searches minds and
hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to
the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not
learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I will not
lay upon you any other burden; 25 only hold fast what you have until I
come. 26 He who overcomes, and keeps my works until the end,
to him I will give power over the nationsó
27 "He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
as when potter's vessels are broken in pieces"
28ójust as I also have received from my Father; and I will give him the
morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to
the churches.'
3
1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write:
'These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God
and the seven stars: I know your works; you have a name of being alive,
but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to
die, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. 3
Remember therefore what you have received and heard; keep it, and
repent. But if you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will
not know at what hour I will come upon you. 4 Yet you have a few names
in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments; and they shall walk
with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be
clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book
of Life; but I will confess his name before my Father and before his
angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.'
7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
'These are the words of him who is holy, who is true,
who has the key of David,
who opens and no one shuts,
and shuts and no one opens:
8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one
can shut it. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my
word, and have not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make those of the
synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lieólook,
I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and know that I
have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my command to persevere, I
also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole
world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon; hold
fast to what you have, so that no one may take your crown. 12 He who
overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall
never go out of it. And I will write on him the name of my God and the
name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out
of heaven from my God. And I will write on him my new name. 13 He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
14 "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
'These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the beginning of God's creation: 15 I know your works, that you are
neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot! 16 So then,
because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of
my mouth. 17 You say, "I am rich; I have become wealthy, and have need
of nothing"óand do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor,
blind, and naked, 18 Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined
in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments to clothe you, and to
keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint
your eyes, that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I rebuke and chasten.
So be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any
one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with
him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with
me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his
throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.'"
4
1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in
heaven. And the voice, which I had first heard speaking to me like a
trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place
after this." 2 At once I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was
standing in heaven, with one sitting on the throne. 3 And he who sat there
was like jasper and carnelian in appearance, and round the throne was a
rainbow that looked like an emerald. 4 Round the throne were twenty-
four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed
in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne
come flashes of lightning, and voices and peals of thunder. And before
the throne were seven lamps of fire, which are the seven spirits of God; 6
and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
And in the center, around the throne, are four living creatures,
full of eyes in front and behind. 7 The first living creature was like a lion,
the second creature like an ox, the third creature had a face like that of a
man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living
creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and
within, and day and night they never cease to sing,
"Holy, holy, holy,
is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come."
9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to
him who sits on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-
four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him
who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne,
saying,
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and our God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created."
5
1 I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll
written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a
strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the
scroll and break its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under
the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4 And I wept
greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look
into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Weep not; behold, the Lion
of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can
open the scroll and its seven seals."
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and
among the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as if it had been slain, with
seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent
out into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the scroll from the right
hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll,
the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the
Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which
are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
"Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals;
for you were slain, and with your blood purchased men for God
from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they will reign on the earth."
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around
the throne and the living creatures and the elders, numbering myriads of
myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!"
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth
and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
14 And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the elders fell down
and worshipped.
6
1 Then I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals. And
I heard one of the four living creatures say, as with a voice of thunder,
"Come!" 2 I looked, and behold, a white horse, and its rider had a bow;
and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to
conquer.
3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living
creature say, "Come!" 4 And out came a horse, bright red; its rider was
permitted to take peace from the earth, so that men should slay one
another; and to him was given a great sword.
5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature
say, "Come." And I looked, and behold, a black horse; and its rider had a
pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard what sounded like a voice in the
center of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a
denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the
oil and the wine!"
7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the
fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8 I looked, and behold, a pale horse;
and its rider's name was Death, and Hades was following him. And they
were given power over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with
famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls
of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the
testimony they had maintained; 10 they cried out with a loud voice, "O
Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge and avenge our
blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then each of them were given
a white robe, and they were told to rest a little longer, until the number of
their fellow servants and their brethren should be completed, who were to
be killed as they had been.
12 I looked when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great
earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the
whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the
earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14
The sky vanished like a scroll that is rolled up, and every mountain and
island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the
great men and the generals and the rich and the strong, and every one,
slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16
and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us
from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the
Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
7
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the
earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind would blow
on the earth or the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascend
from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God, and he called
out with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to
harm the earth and sea, 3 saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the
trees until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." 4
And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-
four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
5 From the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed,
from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,
6 from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,
7 from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one
could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues,
standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes,
and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud
voice, saying,
"Salvation belongs to our God
who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the
elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the
throne and worshipped God, 12 saying,
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor and power and might
be to our God for ever and ever!
Amen."
13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these,
clothed in white robes, and where have they come from?" 14 I said to him,
"Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are they who have come out
of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore, they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
will spread his tent over them.
16 They will hunger no more, nor thirst anymore;
the sun will not beat down on them,
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water;
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
8
1 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in
heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand
before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the
altar. And he was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the
saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the
incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the
angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from
the altar and threw it on the earth; and there were peals of thunder, voices,
flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.
6 The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to
sound them.
7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and
fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of
the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all
the green grass was burned up.
8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a
great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of
the sea became blood, 9 and a third of the living creatures in the sea died;
and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star fell from
heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the
springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the
waters became Wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because
they were made bitter.
12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun
was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of
them darkened. And a third of the day was without light, and also a third
of the night.
13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven,
saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the
earth, because of the blasts of the other trumpets of the three angels who
are about to sound!"
9
1 And the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star which
had fallen from heaven to earth; and he was given the key of the shaft of
the bottomless pit. 2 He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up
from the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air
were darkened by the smoke from the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke came
locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of
scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth
or any green growth or any tree, but only those of mankind who have not
the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were allowed to torture them
for five months, but not to kill them, and their torture was like the torture
of a scorpion, when it stings a man. 6 And in those days men will seek
death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death will fly from
them.
7 In appearance the locusts were like horses prepared for battle.
On their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; and their faces were
like human faces, 8 their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were
like lions' teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the
sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots
rushing into battle. 10 They have tails like scorpions, and stings, and their
power to hurt men for five months lies in their tails. 11 They have as king
over them the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in
Greek he has the name Apollyon.
12 The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still to come.
13 Then the sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice
from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to
the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are
bound at the great river Euphrates." 15 And the four angels, who had been
held ready for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill
a third of mankind. 16 The number of the troops of cavalry was two
hundred million; I heard their number. 17 And this was how I saw the
horses in my vision: the riders wore breastplates the color of fire and of
sapphire and of sulfur, and the heads of the horses were like the heads of
lions, and out of their mouths came fire and smoke and sulfur. 18 A third
of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke
and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses
is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and
have heads, and with them they do harm.
20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues,
did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshipping
demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood,
which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21 nor did they repent of their
murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
10
1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven,
wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head; and his face was like
the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little scroll which was
open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on
the land, 3 and he cried out with a loud voice, like the roar of a lion.
When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. 4 And when the
seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from
heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not
write it down." 5 Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on
the land
lifted up his right hand to heaven,
6 and swore by him who lives for ever and ever,
who created heaven and the things in it, the earth and the things in it, and
the sea and the things in it, that there will be no more delay, 7 but in the
days of the trumpet of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then
the mystery of God will be finished, as he announced to his servants the
prophets.
8 Then the voice which I had heard from heaven spoke to me
again, saying, "Go, take the scroll which is open in the hand of the angel
who is standing on the sea and on the land." 9 So I went to the angel,
telling him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, "Take it and eat
it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as
honey." 10 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it, and in
my mouth it was sweet as honey; but when I had eaten it, my stomach was
made bitter. 11 And I was told, "You must again prophesy about many
peoples and nations and tongues and kings."
11
1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told,
"Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship
there. 2 But leave out the court outside the temple and do not measure it,
for it has been given over to the nations; and they will trample over the
holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant power to my two
witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days,
clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive trees and the two
lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants
to harm them, fire flows out from their mouth and devours their enemies;
so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6 These
have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the
days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn
them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they
desire. 7 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up
from the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill
them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which
mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was
crucified. 9 For three days and a half men from the peoples and tribes and
tongues and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them
be placed in a tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice
over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because
these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 But after
the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they
stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 Then
they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And
they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. 13 And
at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell;
seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were
terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is coming
soon.
15 Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were
loud voices in heaven, saying,
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord
and of his Christ,
and he will reign for ever and ever."
16 And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell
on their faces and worshipped God, 17 saying,
"We give thanks to you, O Lord God, the Almighty,
who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign.
18 And the nations raged,
and your wrath came,
and the time for the dead to be judged,
for rewarding your servants the prophets
and the saints and those who fear your name,
both small and great,
and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was
seen the ark of his covenant; and there were flashes of lightning, voices,
peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
12
1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the
sun, and with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve
stars; 2 and she was with child, and she cried out in labor and in pain to
give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great
red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven
diadems. 4 And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven, and
threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was
about to give birth, so that he might devour her child when it was born. 5
And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations
with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared
by God, in which to be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty
days.
7 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought
against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but they
were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them
in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole worldóhe
was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with
him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,
"Now the salvation, and the power,
and the kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Christ have come,
for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down,
who accuses them before our God
day and night.
11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
and they did not love their lives even to the death.
12 Rejoice then, O heavens
and you that dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
for the devil has come down to you
in great wrath,
because he knows that his time is short!"
13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to
the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14
But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she
might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is to be nourished
for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15
And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the
woman, to sweep her away with the flood. 16 But the earth helped the
woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the
dragon had poured out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged
with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on
those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of
Jesus.
13
1 And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a
beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten
diadems on his horns, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 The
beast that I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear,
and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his
power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to
have a fatal wound, but its fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth
followed the beast with wonder. 4 Men worshipped the dragon, because
he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshipped the beast,
saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can make war against him?"
5 And the beast was given a mouth speaking arrogant words and
blasphemies, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two
months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to
blaspheme his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
7 Also it was given power to make war on the saints and to conquer them.
And authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and
nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, every one whose
name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book
of life of the Lamb that was slain.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
10 If anyone is destined for captivity,
to captivity he goes;
if anyone kills with the sword,
with the sword he must be killed.
Here is the endurance and faith of the saints.
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he
had two horns like a lamb and he spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercises all
the authority of the first beast in his presence, and makes the earth and its
inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He
performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth
in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth
because of the signs which he was given power to do in the presence of
the beast. He ordered them to make an image in honor of the beast who
was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And it was given to him to
give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast should
even speak, and to cause those who would not worship the image of the
beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and
poor, free and slave, to be given a mark on their right hand or the
forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, which
is the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 This calls for
wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the
beast, for it is the number of a man; its number is six hundred and sixty-
six.
14
1 Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount
Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name
and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 I heard a voice from
heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder,
and the voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their
harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four
living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn the song except
the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the
earth. 4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for
they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the
Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among men as
first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their
mouth; they are blameless.
6 Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an
eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth, and to every
nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and he said with a loud voice,
"Fear God, and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has
come; worship him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and
springs of water."
8 And another angel, a second, followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen
is Babylon the great, she who made all the nations drink the wine of her
impure passion."
9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud
voice, "If any one worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark
on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of God's
wrath, which is poured in full strength into the cup of his anger, and he
will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels
and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes
up for ever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship
the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." 12
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the
commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are
the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that
they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them."
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the
cloud was one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a
sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple,
crying out with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your
sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the
earth is ripe." 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle over the
earth, and the earth was reaped.
17 And another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he
too had a sharp sickle. 18 Then another angel came out from the altar, the
one who has power over fire, and he called with a loud voice to him who
had the sharp sickle, "Put in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters
from the vine of the earth, because its grapes are ripe." 19 So the angel
swung his sickle on the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of
the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God.
20 And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed
from the wine press, as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of one
thousand six hundred stadia.
15
1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven
angels with seven plagues, which are the last, because with them the
wrath of God is finished. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass
mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea of glass, those who had been
victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name.
They held harps of God 3 and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of
God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
"Great and marvelous are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the ages!
4 Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All the nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed."
5 After this I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of
testimony in heaven was opened, 6 and the seven angels who had the
seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright,
and girded around their chests with golden sashes. 7 Then one of the four
living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the
wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled
with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could
enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were
completed.
16
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven
angels, "Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of
God."
2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth,
and foul and loathsome sores broke out on the people who had the mark
of the beast and worshipped his image.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it
became blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea
died.
4 The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the
springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the
waters say,
"Righteous are you, who are and who were, O Holy One,
because you judged these things;
6 for they shed the blood of saints and prophets,
and you have given them blood to drink.
They deserve it."
7 And I heard the altar saying,
"Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty,
true and just are your judgments."
8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was
given to it to scorch men with fire. 9 Men were scorched by the fierce
heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues,
and they did not repent and give him glory.
10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the
beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness; men gnawed their
tongues in agony 11 and they cursed the God of heaven because of their
pains and their sores, and they did not repent of their deeds.
12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river
Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings
from the East. 13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and
out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet,
three unclean spirits like frogs; 14 for they are spirits of demons,
performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole
world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. 15
("Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and
keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be
shamefully exposed.") 16 And they gathered them together at the place
which in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of
the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 And
there were flashes of lightning and voices and peals of thunder; and there
was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be
on the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. 19 The great
city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon
the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of
the fury of his wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains
were not found. 21 Huge hailstones, about a hundred pounds each, fell
from heaven upon men. And men cursed God for the plague of hail,
because the plague was so terrible.
17
1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came
and said to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot
who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed
fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the
wine of her fornication." 3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a
wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of
blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman
was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious
stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations
and of the unclean things of her immorality, 5 And on her forehead was
written a name of mystery,
"BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF
THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and
with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered
greatly. 7 And the angel said to me, "Why do you wonder? I will tell you
the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the
seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not,
and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those
who dwell on the earth, whose names have not been written in the book of
life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the
beast, because he was and is not and will come. 9 This calls for a mind
with wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman
sits. 10 And they are also seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other
has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. 11
The beast who was, and is not, is an eighth. He belongs to the seven and
he goes to destruction. 12 And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings,
who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings
with the beast for one hour. 13 These have one purpose and they give
their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war against the
Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because he is Lord of lords and
King of kings, and those who are with him are the called and chosen and
faithful."
15 And he said to me, "The waters you saw where the harlot sits,
are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. 16 And the ten horns
you saw, they and the beast will hate the harlot; they will make her
desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and burn her up with fire, 17
for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of
one mind and giving over their royal power to the beast, until the words of
God shall be fulfilled. 18 The woman that you saw is the great city which
has dominion over the kings of the earth."
18
1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven,
having great authority; and the earth was made bright with his splendor. 2
And he called out with a mighty voice,
"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
She has become a dwelling place of demons,
a haunt of every unclean spirit,
a haunt of every unclean
and hateful bird.
3 For all nations have drunk the wine
of her impure passion,
and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her,
and the merchants of the earth have grown rich
with the wealth of her wantonness."
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven, saying,
"Come out of her, my people,
so that you will not share in her sins
and receive of her plagues;
5 for her sins are piled up as high as heaven,
and God has remembered her iniquities.
6 Pay her back even as she has paid,
and give back to her double according to her deeds;
in the cup which she has mixed,
mix a double portion for her.
7 As she glorified herself and played the wanton,
so give her a like measure of torment and mourning;
for she says in her heart,
'A queen I sit,
and I am not a widow,
mourning I will never see.'
8 Therefore in one day her plagues will come,
pestilence and mourning and famine,
and she will be burned with fire;
for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
9 And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and
were wanton with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the
smoke of her burning; 10 they will stand far off, in fear of her torment,
and say,
'Woe, woe, the great city,
the mighty city, Babylon!
In one hour has your judgment come.'
11 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her,
because no one buys their cargoes any moreó12 cargoes of gold, silver,
precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every
sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood,
bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense,
myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat;
cattle and sheep; horses and chariots; and slaves and human souls.
14 The fruit you longed for
has gone from you,
and all your riches and splendor
have vanished,
never to be recovered.
15 The merchants of these things, who gained wealth from her, will stand
far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, 16 saying,
'Woe, woe, the great city,
she who was clothed in fine linen
and purple and scarlet,
and adorned with gold
and precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!'
And every shipmaster and all passengers and sailors, and all who
make their living by the sea, stood far off, 18 and cried out as they saw
the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What city is like the great city?' 19
And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and
mourning, saying,
'Woe, woe, the great city,
where all who had ships at sea
became rich by her wealth,
for in one hour she has been laid waste!'
20 Rejoice over her, O heaven,
and you saints and apostles and prophets,
because God has pronounced judgment for you against her!"
21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone
and threw it into the sea, saying,
"So will Babylon, the great city,
be thrown down with violence,
and will not be found any longer.
22 And the sound of harpists and musicians
and flute-players and trumpeters
will not be heard in you any longer;
and no craftsman of any craft
will be found in you any longer;
and the sound of a millstone
will not be heard in you any longer;
23 and the light of a lamp
will not shine in you any longer;
and the voice of the bridegroom and bride
will not be heard in you any longer;
for your merchants were the great men of the earth,
because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,
and of all who have been slain on the earth."
19
1 After this I heard what sounded like the loud voice of a great
multitude in heaven, crying,
"Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2 for his judgments are true and just;
he has judged the great harlot
who corrupted the earth with her fornication,
and he has avenged on her
the blood of his servants."
3 And again they shouted,
"Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."
4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and
worshipped God who is seated on the throne, saying,
"Amen. Hallelujah!"
5 And a voice came from the throne, saying,
"Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
both small and great."
6 Then I heard what sounded like the voice of a great multitude, like the
sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder,
crying,
"Hallelujah!
For the Lord
our God the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him the glory!
For the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen,
bright and clean";
for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then the angel said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are
invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These
are true words of God." 10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he
said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and
your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He
who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges
and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are
many diadems; and he has a name written on him which no one knows but
himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is
called the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him,
riding on white horses, and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15
From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the
nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he treads the wine press
of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 And he has on his robe
and on his thigh a name written,
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud
voice he cried to all the birds that fly in midheaven, "Come, gather for the
great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of
captains, and the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders,
and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." 19
And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered
to make war against him who sits on the horse and against his army. 20
And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had
performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had
received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image.
These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with sulfur.
21 And the rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of
him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.
20
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his
hand the key of the abyss and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon,
that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a
thousand years, 3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed
it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any more, until the
thousand years were ended. After these things he must be released for a
short time.
4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom
judgment was given. Also I saw the souls of those who had been
beheaded because of their testimony to Jesus and because of the word of
God, and who had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not
received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life, and
reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come
to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6
Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over
these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and
of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
7 When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released
from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are at
the four corners of the earth, that is, Gog and Magog, to gather them for
battle; their number is like the sand of the seashore. 9 And they marched
up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints
and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and devoured them.
10 And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire
and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be
tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat upon it;
from his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for
them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne,
and books were opened. Also another book was opened, which is the
book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books,
according to what they had done. 13 The sea gave up the dead which were
in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them, and all
were judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades
were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of
fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he
was thrown into the lake of fire.
21
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven
and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from
God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud
voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men.
And he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God
himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
and death will be no more, neither will there be mourning nor crying nor
pain any more, for the former things have passed away."
5 And he who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all
things new." And he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and
true." 6 Then he said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who is thirsty from the
spring of the water of life without cost. 7 He who overcomes will inherit
all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the
cowardly, the unbelieving, the immoral, as for murderers, fornicators,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot will be in the lake that burns
with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls
full of the seven last plagues, and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will
show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." 10 And he carried me away in
the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city,
Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of
God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper,
clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the
gates twelve angels, and on the gates were written the names of the twelve
tribes of the sons of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three
gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the
twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 The one who talked with me had a gold measuring rod to
measure the city, and its gates and its walls. 16 The city is laid out as a
square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city
with the rod, twelve thousand stadia; its length and width and height are
equal. 17 He also measured its wall, a hundred and forty-four cubits by a
man's measure, which is also an angel's. 18 The wall was made of jasper,
and the city of pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the city
wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation
was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the
eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth,
and the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls,
each of the gates made of a single pearl. And the street of the city was
pure gold, like transparent glass.
22 And I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty
and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of the sun or of
the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is
the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth
will bring their glory into it. 25 In the daytime (for there will be no night
there) its gates will never be shut; 26 they will bring into it the glory and
the honor of the nations. 27 Nothing unclean shall enter it, nor any one
who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those whose names are
written in the Lamb's book of life.
22
1 Then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal,
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 through the middle of
the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life
bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the
leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no
longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it,
and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name
will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no more night. They will
not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will
give them light; and they will reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And
the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show
his servants the things which must soon take place."
7 "And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is he who keeps the
words of the prophecy of this book."
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when
I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who
showed them to me. 9 But he said to me, "Do not do that! I am a fellow
servant with you and your brethren the prophets, and with those who keep
the words of this book. Worship God." 10 And he said to me, "Do not
seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 He
who does wrong, let him do wrong still; and he who is filthy, let him be
filthy still; and he who does right, let him do right still; and he who is
holy, let him be holy still."
12 "Behold, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to
render to every man according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and
the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may
have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and
the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices
falsehood.
16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for
the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright
Morning Star." 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let him
who hears say, "Come." And let him who is thirsty come; let him who
wishes take the water of life without price.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this
book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described
in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of
this prophecy, God will take away his share from the tree of life and from
the holy city, which are described in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming
soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Revelation, page 1
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