Weymouth's New Testament in Modern Speech

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THE AGES DIGITAL LIBRARY

BIBLES

WEYMOUTH’S

THE NEW TESTAMENT IN

MODERN SPEECH

Translated by Richard Francis Weymouth

To the Students of the Words, Works and Ways of God:

AGES Software Albany, OR USA

Version 1.0 © 1996

THE NEW TESTAMENT

IN MODERN SPEECH

RICHARD FRANCIS WEYMOUTH

Initial Publication

1903

AGES Software

Albany, Oregon

© 1996

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

The Translation of the New Testament here offered to English-speaking

Christians is a bona fide translation made directly from the Greek, and is in

no sense a revision. The plan adopted has been the following.

1. An earnest endeavor has been made (based upon more than sixty years’

study of both the Greek and English languages, besides much further

familiarity gained by continual teaching) to ascertain the exact meaning of

every passage not only by the light that Classical Greek throws on the

language used, but also by that which the Septuagint and the Hebrew

Scriptures afford; aid being sought too from Versions and Commentators

ancient and modern, and from the ample et cetera of apparatus

grammaticus and theological and Classical reviews and magazines--or

rather, by means of occasional excursions into this vast prairie.

2. The sense thus seeming to have been ascertained, the next step has been

to consider how it could be most accurately and naturally exhibited in the

English of the present day; in other words, how we can with some

approach to probability suppose that the inspired writer himself would have

expressed his thoughts, had he been writing in our age and country.

3. Lastly it has been evidently desirable to compare the results thus attained

with the renderings of other scholars, especially of course with the

Authorized and Revised Versions. But alas, the great majority of even

“new translations,” so called, are, in reality, only Tyndale’s immortal work

a little — often very little — modernized!

4. But in the endeavor to find in Twentieth Century English a precise

equivalent for a Greek word, phrase, or sentence there are two dangers to

be guarded against. There are a Scylla and a Charybdis. On the one hand

there is the English of Society, on the other hand that of the utterly

uneducated, each of these patois having also its own special, though

expressive, borderland which we name ‘slang.’ But all these salient angles

(as a professor of fortification might say) of our language are forbidden

ground to the reverent translator of Holy Scripture.

5. But again, a modern translation — does this imply that no words or

phrases in any degree antiquated are to be admitted? Not so, for great

numbers of such words and phrases are still in constant use. To be

antiquated is not the same thing as to be obsolete or even obsolescent, and

without at least a tinge of antiquity it is scarcely possible that there should

be that dignity of style that befits the sacred themes with which the

Evangelists and Apostles deal.

6. It is plain that this attempt to bring out the sense of the Sacred Writings

naturally as well as accurately in present-day English does not permit,

except to a limited extent, the method of literal rendering — the verbo

verbum reddere at which Horace shrugs his shoulders. Dr. Welldon,

recently Bishop of Calcutta, in the Preface (p. vii) to his masterly

translation of the Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle, writes, “I have

deliberately rejected the principle of trying to translate the same Greek

word by the same word in English, and where circumstances seemed to call

for it I have sometimes used two English words to represent one word of

the Greek;” — and he is perfectly right. With a slavish literality delicate

shades of meaning cannot be reproduced, nor allowance be made for the

influence of interwoven thought, or of the writer’s ever shifting — not to

say changing — point of view. An utterly ignorant or utterly lazy man, if

possessed of a little ingenuity, can with the help of a dictionary and

grammar give a word-for-word rendering, whether intelligible or not, and

print ‘Translation’ on his title-page. On the other hand it is a melancholy

spectacle to see men of high ability and undoubted scholarship toil and

struggle at translation under a needless restriction to literality, as in

intellectual handcuffs and fetters, when they might with advantage snap the

bonds and fling them away, as Dr. Welldon has done: more melancholy

still, if they are at the same time racking their brains to exhibit the result of

their labors — -a splendid but idle philological tour de force — in what

was English nearly 300 years before.

7. Obviously any literal translation cannot but carry idioms of the earlier

language into the later, where they will very probably not be understood;

and more serious still is the evil when, as in the Jewish Greek of the N T,

the earlier language of the two is itself composite and abounds in forms of

speech that belong to one earlier still. For the N.T. Greek, even in the

writings of Luke, contains a large number of Hebrew idioms; and a literal

rendering into English cannot but partially veil, and in some degree distort,

the true sense, even if it does not totally obscure it (and that too where

perfect clearness should be attained, if possible), by this admixture of

Hebrew as well as Greek forms of expression.

8. It follows that the reader who is bent upon getting a literal rendering,

such as he can commonly find in the R.V. or (often a better one) in Darby’s

New Testament, should always be on his guard against its strong tendency

to mislead.

9. One point however can hardly be too emphatically stated. It is not the

present Translator’s ambition to supplant the Versions already in general

use, to which their intrinsic merit or long familiarity or both have caused all

Christian minds so lovingly to cling. His desire has rather been to furnish a

succinct and compressed running commentary (not doctrinal) to be used

side by side with its elder compeers. And yet there has been something of a

remoter hope. It can scarcely be doubted that some day the attempt will be

renewed to produce a satisfactory English Bible — one in some respects

perhaps (but assuredly with great and important deviations) on the lines of

the Revision of 1881, or even altogether to supersede both the A.V. and

the R.V.; and it may be that the Translation here offered will contribute

some materials that may be built into that far grander edifice.

10. THE GREEK TEXT here followed is that given in the Translator’s

Resultant Greek Testament.

11. Of the VARIOUS READINGS only those are here given which seem the

most important, and which affect the rendering into English. They are in

the footnotes, with V.L. (varia lectio) prefixed. As to the chief modern

critical editions full details will be found in the Resultant Greek Testament,

while for the original authorities — MSS., Versions, Patristic quotations

— the reader must of necessity consult the great works of Lachmann,

Tregelles, Tischendorf, and others, or the numerous monographs on

separate Books. In the margin of the R.V. a distinction is made between

readings supported by “a few ancient authorities,” “some ancient

authorities,” “many ancient authorities,” and so on. Such valuation is not

attempted in this work.

12. Considerable pains have been bestowed on the exact rendering of the

tenses of the Greek verb; for by inexactness in this detail the true sense

cannot but be missed. That the Greek tenses do not coincide, and cannot

be expected to coincide with those of the English verb; that — except in

narrative — the aorist as a rule is more exactly represented in English by

our perfect with “have” than by our simple past tense; and that in this

particular the A.V. is in scores of instances more correct than the R.V.; the

present Translator has contended (with arguments which some of the best

scholars in Britain and in America hold to be “unanswerable” and

“indisputable”) in a pamphlet On the Rendering into English of the Greek

Aorist and Perfect. Even an outline of the argument cannot be given in a

Preface such as this.

13. But he who would make a truly English translation of a foreign book

must not only select the right nouns, adjectives, and verbs, insert the

suitable prepositions and auxiliaries, and triumph (if he can) over the

seductions and blandishments of idioms with which he has been familiar

from his infancy, but which, though forcible or beautiful with other

surroundings, are for all that part and parcel of that other language rather

than of English: he has also to beware of connecting his sentences in an

un-English fashion.

Now a careful examination of a number of authors (including Scottish,

Irish, and American) yields some interesting results. Taking at haphazard a

passage from each of fifty-six authors, and counting on after some full stop

till fifty finite verbs — i.e. verbs in the indicative, imperative, or subjunctive

mood — have been reached (each finite verb, as every schoolboy knows,

being the nucleus of one sentence or clause), it has been found that the

connecting links of the fifty-six times fifty sentences are about one-third

conjunctions, about one-third adverbs or relative and interrogative

pronouns, while in the case of the remaining third there is what the

grammarians call an asyndeton — no formal grammatical connection at all.

But in the writers of the N.T. nearly two-thirds of the connecting links are

conjunctions. It follows that in order to make the style of a translation true

idiomatic English many of these conjunctions must be omitted, and for

others adverbs, etc., must be substituted.

The two conjunctions for and therefore are discussed at some length in

two Appendices to the above-mentioned pamphlet on the Aorist, to which

the reader is referred.

14. The NOTES, with but few exceptions, are not of the nature of a general

commentary. Some, as already intimated, refer to the readings here

followed, but the great majority are in vindication or explanation of the

renderings given. Since the completion of this new version nearly two years

ago, ill-health has incapacitated the Translator from undertaking even the

lightest work. He has therefore been obliged to entrust to other hands the

labor of critically examining and revising the manuscript and of seeing it

through the press. This arduous task has been undertaken by Rev. Ernest

Hampden-Cook, M.A., St. John’s College, Cambridge, of Sandhach,

Cheshire, with some co-operation from one of the Translator’s sons; and

the Translator is under deep obligations to these two gentlemen for their

kindness in the matter. He has also most cordially to thank Mr. Hampden-

Cook for making the existence of the work known to various members of

the OLD MILLHILIANS’ CLUB and other former pupils of the Translator,

who in a truly substantial manner have manifested a generous

determination to enable the volume to see the light. Very grateful does the

Translator feel to them for this signal mark of their friendship.

Mr. Hampden-Cook is responsible for the headings of the paragraphs, and

at my express desire has inserted some additional notes.

I have further to express my gratitude to Rev. Frank Baliard, M.A., B.Sc.,

Lond., at present of Sharrow, Sheffield, for some very valuable assistance

which he has most kindly given in connection with the Introductions to the

several books.

I have also the pleasure of acknowledging the numerous valuable and

suggestive criticisms with which I have been favored on some parts of the

work, by an old friend, Rev. Sydney Thelwall, B.A., of Leamington, a

clergyman of the Church of England, whom I have known for many years

as a painstaking and accurate scholar, a well-read theologian. and a

thoughtful and devout student of Scripture.

I am very thankful to Mr. H. L. Gethin. Mr. S. Hales, Mr. J. A. Latham,

and Rev. T. A. Seed, for the care with which they have read the proof

sheets.

And now this Translation is humbly and prayerfully commended to God’s

gracious blessing.

R.F.W.

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

For the purposes of this edition the whole volume has been re-set in new

type, and, in the hope of increasing the interest and attractiveness of the

Translation, all conversations have been spaced out in accordance with

modern custom. A freer use than before has been made of capital letters,

and by means of small, raised figures, prefixed to words in the text, an

indication has been given whenever there is a footnote. “Capernaum” and

“Philadelphia” have been substituted for the less familiar but more literal

“Capharnahum” and “Philadelpheia.” Many errata have been corrected, and

a very considerable number of what seemed to be infelicities or slight

inaccuracies in the English have been removed. A few additional footnotes

have been inserted, and, for the most part, those for which the Editor is

responsible have now the letters ED. added to them.

Sincere thanks are tendered to the many kind friends who have expressed

their appreciation of this Translation, or have helped to make it better

known, and to the many correspondents who have sent criticisms of the

previous editions, and made useful suggestions for the improvement of the

volume.

E.H.C.

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE NOTES

Aorist. Dr. Weymouth’s Pamphlet on the Rendering of the Greek Aorist

and Perfect Tenses into English.

A.V. Authorized English Version, 1611.

Cp. Compare.

ED. Notes for which the Editor is responsible, wholly or in part.

I.E. That is.

Lit. Literally.

LXX. The Septuagint (Greek) Version of the Old Testament.

n. Note.

nn. Notes.

N.T. New Testament.

O.T. Old Testament.

R.V. Revised English Version, 1881-85.

S.H. Sanday and Headlam’s Commentary on ‘Romans.’

V.L. Varia Lectio. An alternative reading found in some Manuscripts of the

New Testament.

V.V. Verses.

[ ] Verse omitted as unsupported by the earliest or majority of manuscripts

In accordance with modern English custom, ITALICS are used to indicate

emphasis.

Old Testament quotations are printed in SMALL CAPITALS.

During Christ’s earthly ministry even His disciples did not always recognize

His super-human nature and dignity. Accordingly, in the Gospels of this

Translation, it is only when the Evangelists themselves use of Him the

words “He,” “Him,” “His,” that these are spelt with capital initial letters.

The spelling of “me” and “my” with small initial letters, when used by

Christ Himself in the Gospels, is explained by the fact that, before His

Resurrection, He did not always emphasize His own super-human nature

and dignity.

THE GOOD NEWS

AS RECORDED BY

MATTHEW

There are ample reasons for accepting the uniform tradition which from

earliest times has ascribed this Gospel to Levi the son of Alphaeus, who

seems to have changed his name to ‘Matthew’ on becoming a disciple of

Jesus. Our information as to his subsequent life is very scanty. After the

feast which he made for his old friends (<420529>Luke 5:29) his name only

appears in the New Testament in the list of the twelve Apostles. Early

Christian writers add little to our knowledge of him, but his life seems to

have been quiet and somewhat ascetic. He is also generally represented as

having died a natural death. Where his Gospel was written, or where he

himself labored, we cannot say.

Not a little controversy has arisen as to the form in which this Gospel first

appeared, that is, as to whether we have in the Greek MSS. an original

document or a translation from an earlier Aramaic writing. Modern

scholarship inclines to the view that the book is not a translation, but was

probably written in Greek by Matthew himself, upon the basis of a

previously issued collection of “Logia” or discourses, to the existence of

which Papias, Irenaeus, Pantaenus, Origen, Eusebius and Jerome all testify.

The date of the Gospel, as we know it, is somewhat uncertain, but the best

critical estimates are included between 70 and 90, A.D. Perhaps, with

Harnack, we may adopt 75, A.D.

The book was evidently intended for Jewish converts, and exhibits Jesus as

the God-appointed Messiah and King, the fulfiller of the Law and of the

highest expectations of the Jewish nation. This speciality of aim rather

enhances than diminishes its general value. Renan found reason for

pronouncing it “the most important book of Christendom — the most

important book which has ever been written.” Its aim is manifestly didactic

rather than chronological.

MATTHEW

CHAPTER 1

1:1 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of

Abraham.

1:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac; Isaac of Jacob; Jacob of Judah

and his brothers.

1:3 Judah was the father (by Tamar) of Perez and Zerah; Perez of

Hezron; Hezron of Ram;

1:4 Ram of Amminadab; Amminadab of Nahshon; Nahshon of

Salmon;

1:5 Salmon (by Rahab) of Boaz; Boaz (by Ruth) of Obed; Obed of

Jesse;

1:6 Jesse of David — the King. David (by Uriah’s widow) was the

father of Solomon;

1:7 Solomon of Rehoboam; Rehoboam of Abijah; Abijah of Asa;

1:8 Asa of Jehoshaphat; Jehoshaphat of Jehoram; Jehoram of Uzziah;

1:9 Uzziah of Jotham; Jotham of Ahaz; Ahaz of Hezekiah;

1:10 Hezekiah of Manasseh; Manasseh of Amon; Amon of Josiah;

1:11 Josiah of Jeconiah and his brothers at the period of the Removal

to Babylon.

1:12 After the Removal to Babylon Jeconiah had a son Shealtiel;

Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel;

1:13 Zerubbabel of Abiud; Abiud of Eliakim; Eliakim of Azor;

1:14 Azor of Zadok; Zadok of Achim; Achim of Eliud;

1:15 Eliud of Eleazar; Eleazar of Matthan; Matthan of Jacob;

1:16 and Jacob of Joseph the husband of Mary, who was the mother of

JESUS who is called CHRIST.

1:17 There are therefore, in all, fourteen generations from Abraham to

David; fourteen from David to the Removal to Babylon; and

fourteen from the Removal to Babylon to the Christ.

1:18 The circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ were these. After

his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they were united

in marriage, she was found to be with child through the Holy

Spirit.

1:19 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling

publicly to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately

from the betrothal.

1:20 But while he was contemplating this step, an angel of the Lord

appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do

not be afraid to bring home your wife Mary, for she is with child

through the Holy Spirit.

1:21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to call His name JESUS

for He it is who will save His People from their sins.”

1:22 All this took place in fulfilment of what the Lord had spoken

through the Prophet,

1:23 “HARK! THE MAIDEN WILL BE WITH CHILD AND WILL GIVE BIRTH TO

A SON, AND THEY WILL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL” — a word

which signifies ‘GOD WITH US’.

1:24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had

commanded, and brought home his wife,

1:25 but did not live with her until she had given birth to a son. The

child’s name he called JESUS.

CHAPTER 2

2:1 Now after the birth of Jesus, which took place at Bethlehem in

Judaea in the reign of King Herod, excitement was produced in

Jerusalem by the arrival of certain Magi from the east,

2:2 Inquiring, “Where is the newly born king of the Jews? For we

have seen his Star in the east, and have come here to do him

homage.”

2:3 Reports of this soon reached the king, and greatly agitated not

only him but all the people of Jerusalem.

2:4 So he assembled all the High Priests and Scribes of the people,

and anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born.

2:5 “At Bethlehem in Judaea,” they replied; “for so it stands written in

the words of the Prophet,

2:6 “AND THOU, BETHLEHEM IN THE LAND OF JUDAH, BY NO MEANS THE

LEAST HONORABLE ART THOU AMONG PRINCELY PLACES IN JUDAH!

FOR FROM THEE SHALL COME A PRINCE — ONE WHO SHALL BE THE

SHEPHERD OF MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.”

2:7 Thereupon Herod sent privately for the Magi and ascertained

from them the exact time of the star’s appearing.

2:8 He then directed them to go to Bethlehem, adding, “Go and make

careful inquiry about the child, and when you have found him,

bring me word, that I too may come and do him homage.”

2:9 After hearing what the king said, they went to Bethlehem, while,

strange to say, the star they had seen in the east led them on until

it came and stood over the place where the babe was.

2:10 When they saw the star, the sight filled them with intense joy.

2:11 So they entered the house; and when they saw the babe with His

mother Mary, they prostrated themselves and did Him homage,

and opening their treasure-chests offered gifts to Him — gold,

frankincense, and myrrh.

2:12 But being forbidden by God in a dream to return to Herod, they

went back to their own country by a different route.

2:13 When they were gone, and angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph

in a dream and said, “Rise: take the babe and His mother and

escape to Egypt, and remain there till I bring you word. For

Herod is about to make search for the child in order to destroy

Him.”

2:14 So Joseph roused himself and took the babe and His mother by

night and departed into Egypt.

2:15 There he remained till Herod’s death, that what the Lord had said

through the Prophet might be fulfilled, “OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED

MY SON.”

2:16 Then Herod, finding that the Magi had trifled with him, was

furious, and sent and massacred all the boys under two years of

age, in Bethlehem and all its neighborhood, according to the date

he had so carefully ascertained from the Magi.

2:17 Then were these words, spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah, fulfilled,

2:18 “A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WAILING AND BITTER

LAMENTATION: IT WAS RACHEL BEWAILING HER CHILDREN, AND

SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO MORE.”

2:19 But after Herod’s death an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream

to Joseph in Egypt, and said to him,

2:20 “Rise from sleep, and take the child and His mother, and go into the

land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are

dead.”

2:21 So he roused himself and took the child and His mother and came

into the land of Israel.

2:22 But hearing that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod on the

throne of Judaea, he was afraid to go there; and being instructed

by God in a dream he withdrew into Galilee,

2:23 and went and settled in a town called Nazareth, in order that these

words spoken through the Prophets might be fulfilled, “HE SHALL

BE CALLED A NAZARENE.”

CHAPTER 3

3:1 About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching

in the Desert of Judaea.

3:2 “Repent,” he said, “for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at

hand.”

3:3 He it is who was spoken of through the Prophet Isaiah when he

said, “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING ALOUD, ‘IN THE DESERT

PREPARE YE A ROAD FOR THE LORD: MAKE HIS HIGHWAY

STRAIGHT.’”

3:4 This man John wore a garment of camel’s hair, and a loincloth of

leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey.

3:5 Then large numbers of people went out to him — people from

Jerusalem and from all Judaea, and from the whole of the Jordan

valley —

3:6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of

their sins.

3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming

for baptism, he exclaimed, “O vipers’ brood, who has warned you

to flee from the coming wrath?

3:8 Therefore let your lives prove your change of heart;

3:9 and do not imagine that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have

Abraham as our forefather,’ for I tell you that God can raise up

descendants for Abraham from these stones.

3:10 And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every

tree which does not produce good fruit will quickly be hewn

down and thrown into the fire.

3:11 I indeed am baptizing you in water on a profession of repentance;

but He who is coming after me is mightier than I: His sandals I am

not worthy to carry for a moment; He will baptize you in the Holy

Spirit and in fire.

3:12 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a

thorough clearance of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat

into the storehouse, but burning up the chaff in unquenchable

fire.”

3:13 Just at that time Jesus, coming from Galilee to the Jordan,

presents Himself to John to be baptized by him.

3:14 John protested. “It is I,” he said, “who have need to be baptized

by you, and do you come to me?”

3:15 “Let it be so on this occasion,” Jesus replied; “for so we ought to

fulfil every religious duty.” Then he consented;

3:16 and Jesus was baptized, and immediately went up from the water.

At that moment the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God

descending like a dove and alighting upon Him,

3:17 while a voice came from Heaven, saying, “This is My Son, the

dearly loved, in whom is My delight.”

CHAPTER 4

4:1 At that time Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the Desert in order

to be tempted by the Devil.

4:2 There He fasted for forty days and nights; and after that He

suffered from hunger.

4:3 So the Tempter came and said, “If you are the Son of God,

command these stones to turn into loaves.”

4:4 “It is written,” replied Jesus, “‘IT IS NOT ON BREAD ALONE THAT A

MAN SHALL LIVE, BUT ON WHATSOEVER GOD SHALL APPOINT.’”

4:5 Then the Devil took Him to the Holy City and caused Him to

stand on the roof of the Temple,

4:6 and said, “If you are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is

written, “‘TO HIS ANGELS HE WILL GIVE ORDERS CONCERNING

THEE, AND ON THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP, LEST AT

ANY MOMENT THOU SHOULDST STRIKE THY FOOT AGAINST A

STONE.’”

4:7 “Again it is written,” replied Jesus, “‘THOU SHALT NOT PUT THE

LORD THY GOD TO THE PROOF.’”

4:8 Then the Devil took Him to the top of an exceedingly lofty

mountain, from which he caused Him to see all the Kingdoms of

the world and their splendor,

4:9 and said to Him, “All this I will give you, if you will kneel down

and do me homage.”

4:10 “Begone, Satan!” Jesus replied; “for it is written, ‘TO THE LORD

THY GOD THOU SHALT DO HOMAGE, AND TO HIM ALONE SHALT

THOU RENDER WORSHIP.’”

4:11 Thereupon the Devil left Him, and angels at once came and

ministered to Him.

4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John was thrown into prison, He

withdrew into Galilee,

4:13 and leaving Nazareth He went and settled at Capernaum, a town

by the Lake on the frontiers of Zebulun and Naphtali,

4:14 in order that these words, spoken through the Prophet Isaiah,

might be fulfilled,

4:15 “Zebulun’s land and Naphtali’s land; the road by the Lake; the

country beyond the Jordan; Galilee of the Nations!

4:16 THE PEOPLE WHO WERE DWELLING IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A

BRILLIANT LIGHT; AND ON THOSE WHO WERE DWELLING IN THE

REGION OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, ON THEM LIGHT HAS

DAWNED.”

4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach. “Repent,” He said, “for the

Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand.”

4:18 And walking along the shore of the Lake of Galilee He saw two

brothers — Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew —

throwing a drag-net into the Lake; for they were fishers.

4:19 And He said to them, “Come and follow me, and I will make you

fishers of men.”

4:20 So they immediately left their nets and followed Him. As He went

further on,

4:21 He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zabdi and his

brother John, in the boat with their father Zabdi mending their

nets; and He called them.

4:22 And they at once left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

4:23 Then Jesus traveled through all Galilee, teaching in their

synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and

curing every kind of disease and infirmity among the people.

4:24 Thus His fame spread through all Syria; and they brought all the

sick to Him, the people who were suffering from various diseases

and pains — demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He cured them.

4:25 And great crowds followed Him, coming from Galilee, from the

Ten Towns, from Jerusalem, and from beyond the district on the

other side of the Jordan.

CHAPTER 5

5:1 Seeing the multitude of people, Jesus went up the Hill. There He

seated Himself, and when His disciples came to Him,

5:2 He proceeded to teach them, and said:

5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for to them belongs the Kingdom of

the Heavens.

5:4 “Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted.

5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they as heirs shall obtain possession of

the earth.

5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they

shall be completely satisfied.

5:7 “Blessed are the compassionate, for they shall receive compassion.

5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for it is they who will be recognized

as sons of God.

5:10 “Blessed are those who have borne persecution in the cause of

Righteousness, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens.

5:11 “Blessed are you when they have insulted and persecuted you, and

have said every cruel thing about you falsely for my sake.

5:12 Be joyful and triumphant, because your reward is great in the

Heavens; for so were the Prophets before you persecuted.

5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has become tasteless, in

what way can it regain its saltness? It is no longer good for

anything but to be thrown away and trodden on by the passers by.

5:14 You are the light of the world; a town cannot be hid if built on a

hill-top.

5:15 Nor is a lamp lighted to be put under a bushel, but on the

lampstand; and then it gives light to all in the house.

5:16 Just so let your light shine before all men, in order that they may

see your holy lives and may give glory to your Father who is in

Heaven.

5:17 “Do not for a moment suppose that I have come to abrogate the

Law or the Prophets: I have not come to abrogate them but to

give them their completion.

5:18 Solemnly I tell you that until Heaven and earth pass away, not one

iota or smallest detail will pass away from the Law until all has

taken place.

5:19 Whoever therefore breaks one of these least commandments and

teaches others to break them, will be called the least in the

Kingdom of the Heavens; but whoever practises them and teaches

them, he will be acknowledged as great in the Kingdom of the

Heavens.

5:20 For I assure you that unless your righteousness greatly surpasses

that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will certainly not find

entrance into the Kingdom of the Heavens.

5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘THOU SHALT NOT

COMMIT MURDER’, and whoever commits murder will be

answerable to the magistrate.

5:22 But I say to you that every one who becomes angry with his

brother shall be answerable to the magistrate; that whoever says

to his brother ‘Raca,’ shall be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and

that whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be liable to the Gehenna of

Fire.

5:23 If therefore when you are offering your gift upon the altar, you

remember that your brother has a grievance against you,

5:24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go and make friends

with your brother first, and then return and proceed to offer your

gift.

5:25 Come to terms without delay with your opponent while you are

yet with him on the way to the court; for fear he should obtain

judgment from the magistrate against you, and the magistrate

should give you in custody to the officer and you be thrown into

prison.

5:26 I solemnly tell you that you will certainly not be released till you

have paid the very last farthing.

5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT

ADULTERY.’

5:28 But I tell you that whoever looks at a woman and cherishes lustful

thoughts has already in his heart become guilty with regard to her.

5:29 If therefore your eye, even the right eye, is a snare to you, tear it

out and away with it; it is better for you that one member should

be destroyed rather than that your whole body should be thrown

into Gehenna.

5:30 And if your right hand is a snare to you, cut it off and away with

it; it is better for you that one member should be destroyed rather

than that your whole body should go into Gehenna.

5:31 “It was also said, ‘IF ANY MAN PUTS AWAY HIS WIFE, LET HIM GIVE

HER A WRITTEN NOTICE OF DIVORCE.’

5:32 But I tell you that every man who puts away his wife except on

the ground of unfaithfulness causes her to commit adultery, and

whoever marries her when so divorced commits adultery.

5:33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘THOU

SHALT NOT SWEAR FALSELY, BUT SHALT PERFORM THY VOWS TO

THE LORD.’

5:34 But I tell you not to swear at all; neither by Heaven, for it is

God’s throne;

5:35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool under His feet; nor by

Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King.

5:36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair

white or black.

5:37 But let your language be, ‘Yes, yes,’ or ‘No, no.’ Anything in

excess of this comes from the Evil one.

5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘EYE FOR EYE, TOOTH FOR

TOOTH.’

5:39 But I tell you not to resist a wicked man, but if any one strikes

you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.

5:40 If any one wishes to go to law with you and to deprive you of

your under garment, let him take your outer one also.

5:41 And whoever shall compel you to convey his goods one mile, go

with him two.

5:42 To him who asks, give: from him who would borrow, turn not

away.

5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘THOU SHALT LOVE THY

NEIGHBOR and hate thine enemy.’

5:44 But I command you all, love your enemies, and pray for your

persecutors;

5:45 that so you may become true sons of your Father in Heaven; for

He causes His sun to rise on the wicked as well as the good, and

sends rain upon those who do right and those who do wrong.

5:46 For if you love only those who love you, what reward have you

earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that?

5:47 And if you salute only your near relatives, what praise is due to

you? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

5:48 You however are to be complete in goodness, as your Heavenly

Father is complete.

CHAPTER 6

6:1 “But beware of doing your good actions in the sight of men, in

order to attract their gaze; if you do, there is no reward for you

with your Father who is in Heaven.

6:2 ‘When you give in charity, never blow a trumpet before you as the

hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets in order that their

praises may be sung by men. I solemnly tell you that they already

have their reward.

6:3 But when you are giving in charity, let not your left hand perceive

what your right hand is doing,

6:4 that your charities may be in secret; and then your Father — He

who sees in secret — will recompense you.

6:5 “And when praying, you must not be like the hypocrites. They are

fond of standing and praying in the synagogues or at the corners

of the wider streets, in order that men may see them. I solemnly

tell you that they already have their reward.

6:6 But you, whenever you pray, go into your own room and shut the

door: then pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father

— He who sees in secret — will recompense you.

6:7 “And when praying, do not use needless repetitions as the Gentiles

do, for they expect to be listened to because of their multitude of

words.

6:8 Do not, however, imitate them; for your Father knows what

things you need before ever you ask Him.

6:9 “In this manner therefore pray: ‘Our Father who art in Heaven, may

Thy name be kept holy;

6:10 let Thy kingdom come; let Thy will be done, as in Heaven so on

earth;

6:11 give us to-day our bread for the day;

6:12 and forgive us our shortcomings, as we also have forgiven those

who have failed in their duty towards us;

6:13 and bring us not into temptation, but rescue us from the Evil one.’

6:14 “For if you forgive others their offenses, your Heavenly Father will

forgive you also;

6:15 but if you do not forgive others their offenses, neither will your

Father forgive yours.

6:16 “When any of you fast, never assume gloomy looks as the

hypocrites do; for they disfigure their faces in order that it may be

evident to men that they are fasting. I solemnly tell you that they

already have their reward.

6:17 But, whenever you fast, pour perfume on your hair and wash your

face,

6:18 that it may not be apparent to men that you are fasting, but to

your Father who is in secret; and your Father — He who sees in

secret — will recompense you.

6:19 “Do not lay up stores of wealth for yourselves on earth, where the

moth and wear-and-tear destroy, and where thieves break in and

steal.

6:20 But amass wealth for yourselves in Heaven, where neither the

moth nor wear-and-tear destroys, and where thieves do not break

in and steal.

6:21 For where your wealth is, there also will your heart be.

6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eyesight is good,

your whole body will be well lighted;

6:23 but if your eyesight is bad, your whole body will be dark. If

however the very light within you is darkness, how dense must the

darkness be!

6:24 “No man can be the bondservant of two masters; for either he will

dislike one and like the other, or he will attach himself to one and

think slightingly of the other. You cannot be the bondservants

both of God and of gold.

6:25 For this reason I charge you not to be over-anxious about your

lives, inquiring what you are to eat or what you are to drink, nor

yet about your bodies, inquiring what clothes you are to put on. Is

not the life more precious than its food, and the body than its

clothing?

6:26 Look at the birds which fly in the air: they do not sow or reap or

store up in barns, but your Heavenly Father feeds them: are not

you of much greater value than they?

6:27 Which of you by being over-anxious can add a single foot to his

height?

6:28

And why be anxious about clothing? Learn a lesson from the wild

lilies. Watch their growth. They neither toil nor spin,

6:29

and yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his magnificence

could array himself like one of these.

6:30

And if God so clothes the wild herbage which to-day flourishes

and to-morrow is thrown into the oven, is it not much more

certain that He will clothe you, you men of little faith?

6:31 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking ‘What shall we eat?’ or

‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

6:32 For all these are questions that Gentiles are always asking; but

your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things — all of

them.

6:33 But make His Kingdom and righteousness your chief aim, and

then these things shall all be given you in addition.

6:34 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, about to-morrow, for tomorrow

will bring its own cares. Enough for each day are its own

troubles.

CHAPTER 7

7:1 “Judge not, that you may not be judged;

7:2 for your own judgment will be dealt — and your own measure

meted — to yourselves.

7:3 And why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye, and not

notice the beam which is in your own eye?

7:4 Or how say to your brother, ‘Allow me to take the splinter out of

your eye,’ while the beam is in your own eye?

7:5 Hypocrite, first take the beam out of your own eye, and then you

will see clearly how to remove the splinter from your brother’s

eye.

7:6 “Give not that which is holy to the dogs, nor throw your pearls to

the swine; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and

then turn and attack you.

7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock,

and the door will be opened to you.

7:8 For it is always he who asks that receives, he who seeks that

finds, and he who knocks that has the door opened to him.

7:9 What man is there among you, who if his son shall ask him for

bread will offer him a stone?

7:10 Or if the son shall ask him for a fish will offer him a snake?

7:11 If you then, imperfect as you are, know how to give good gifts to

your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give

good things to those who ask Him!

7:12 Everything, therefore, be it what it may, that you would have men

do to you, do you also the same to them; for in this the Law and

the Prophets are summed up.

7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad the road

which leads to ruin, and many there are who enter by it;

7:14 because narrow is the gate and contracted the road which leads to

Life, and few are those who find it.

7:15 “Beware of the false teachers — men who come to you in sheep’s

fleeces, but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves.

7:16 By their fruits you will easily recognize them. Are grapes gathered

from thorns or figs from brambles?

7:17 Just so every good tree produces good fruit, but a poisonous tree

produces bad fruit.

7:18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a poisonous tree good

fruit.

7:19 Every tree which does not yield good fruit is cut down and

thrown aside for burning.

7:20 So by their fruits at any rate, you will easily recognize them.

7:21 “Not every one who says to me, ‘Master, Master,’ will enter the

Kingdom of the Heavens, but only those who are obedient to my

Father who is in Heaven.

7:22 Many will say to me on that day, “‘Master, Master, have we not

prophesied in Thy name, and in Thy name expelled demons, and

in Thy name performed many mighty works?’

7:23 “And then I will tell them plainly, “‘I never knew you: begone from

me, you doers of wickedness.’

7:24 “Every one who hears these my teachings and acts upon them will

be found to resemble a wise man who builds his house upon rock;

7:25 and the heavy rain falls, the swollen torrents come, and the winds

blow and beat against the house; yet it does not fall, for its

foundation is on rock.

7:26 And every one who hears these my teachings and does not act

upon them will be found to resemble a fool who builds his house

upon sand.

7:27 The heavy rain descends, the swollen torrents come, and the

winds blow and burst upon the house, and it falls; and disastrous

is the fall.”

7:28 When Jesus had concluded this discourse, the crowds were filled

with amazement at His teaching,

7:29 for He had been teaching them as one who had authority, and not

as their Scribes taught.

CHAPTER 8

8:1 Upon descending from the hill country He was followed by

immense crowds.

8:2 And a leper came to Him, and throwing himself at His feet, said,

“Sir, if only you are willing you are able to cleanse me.”

8:3 So Jesus put out His hand and touched him, and said, “I am

willing: be cleansed.” Instantly he was cleansed from his leprosy;

8:4 and Jesus said to him, “Be careful to tell no one, but go and show

yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses appointed as

evidence for them.”

8:5 After His entry into Capernaum a Captain came to Him, and

entreated Him.

8:6 “Sir,” he said, “my servant at home is lying ill with paralysis, and is

suffering great pain.”

8:7 “I will come and cure him,” said Jesus.

8:8 “Sir,” replied the Captain, “I am not a fit person to receive you

under my roof: merely say the word, and my servant will be cured.

8:9 For I myself am also under authority, and have soldiers under me.

To one I say ‘Go,’ and he goes, to another ‘Come,’ and he comes,

and to my slave ‘Do this or that,’ and he does it.”

8:10 Jesus listened to this reply, and was astonished, and said to the

people following Him, “I solemnly tell you that in no Israelite

have I found faith as great as this.

8:11 And I tell you that many will come from the east and from the

west and will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the

Kingdom of the Heavens,

8:12 while the natural heirs of the Kingdom will be driven out into the

darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the

gnashing of teeth.”

8:13 And Jesus said to the Captain, “Go, and just as you have believed,

so be it for you.” And the servant recovered precisely at that time.

8:14 After this Jesus went to the house of Peter, whose mother-in-law

he found ill in bed with fever.

8:15 He touched her hand and the fever left her: and then she rose and

waited upon Him.

8:16 In the evening many demoniacs were brought to Him, and with a

word He expelled the demons; and He cured all the sick,

8:17 in order that this prediction of the Prophet Isaiah might be

fulfilled, “HE TOOK ON HIM OUR WEAKNESSES, AND BORE THE

BURDEN OF OUR DISEASES.”

8:18 Seeing great crowds about Him Jesus had given directions to

cross to the other side of the Lake,

8:19 when a Scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you

wherever you go.”

8:20 “Foxes have holes,” replied Jesus, “and birds have nests; but the

Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

8:21 Another of the disciples said to Him, “Sir, allow me first to go and

bury my father.”

8:22 “Follow me,” said Jesus, “and leave the dead to bury their own

dead.”

8:23 Then He went on board a fishing-boat, and His disciples followed

Him.

8:24 But suddenly there arose a great storm on the Lake, so that the

waves threatened to engulf the boat; but He was asleep.

8:25 So they came and woke Him, crying, “Master, save us, we are

drowning!”

8:26 “Why are you so easily frightened,” He replied, “you men of little

faith?” Then He rose and reproved the winds and the waves, and

there was a perfect calm;

8:27 and the men, filled with amazement, exclaimed, “What kind of

man is this? for the very winds and waves obey him!”

8:28 On His arrival at the other side, in the country of the Gadarenes,

there met Him two men possessed by demons, coming from

among the tombs: they were so dangerously fierce that no one

was able to pass that way.

8:29 They cried aloud, “What hast Thou to do with us, Thou Son of

God? Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?”

8:30 Now at some distance from them a vast herd of swine were

feeding.

8:31 So the demons entreated Him. “If Thou drivest us out,” they said,

“send us into the herd of swine.”

8:32 “Go,” He replied. Then they came out from the men and went into

the swine, whereupon the entire herd instantly rushed down the

cliff into the Lake and perished in the water.

8:33 The swineherds fled, and went and told the whole story in the

town, including what had happened to the demoniacs.

8:34 So at once the whole population came out to meet Jesus; and

when they saw Him, they besought Him to leave their country.

CHAPTER 9

9:1 Accordingly He went on board, and crossing over came to His

own town.

9:2 Here they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their

faith Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, my child; your

sins are pardoned.”

9:3 “Such language is impious,” said some of the Scribes among

themselves.

9:4 Knowing their thoughts Jesus said, “Why are you cherishing evil

thoughts in your hearts?

9:5 Why, which is easier? — to say, ‘Your sins are pardoned,’ or to

say ‘Rise up and walk’?

9:6 But, to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth

to pardon sins” — He then says to the paralytic, “Rise, and take

up your bed and go home.”

9:7 And he got up, and went off home.

9:8 And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and ascribed

the glory to God who had entrusted such power to a man.

9:9 Passing on thence Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the

Toll Office, and said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose, and

followed Him.

9:10 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of tax-gathers

and notorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His

disciples.

9:11 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples,

“Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious

sinners?”

9:12 He heard the question and replied, “It is not men in good health

who require a doctor, but the sick.

9:13 But go and learn what this means, ‘IT IS MERCY THAT I DESIRE,

NOT SACRIFICE’; for I did not come to appeal to the righteous, but

to sinners.”

9:14 At that time John’s disciples came and asked Jesus, “Why do we

and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?”

9:15 “Can the bridegroom’s party mourn,” He replied, “as long as the

bridegroom is with them? But other days will come (when the

Bridegroom has been taken from them) and then they will fast.

9:16 No one ever mends an old cloak with a patch of newly woven

cloth. Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away some of the

old, and a worse hole would be made.

9:17 Nor do people pour new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the

skins would split, the wine would escape, and the skins be

destroyed. But they put new wine into fresh skins, and both are

saved.”

9:18 While He was thus speaking, a Ruler came up and profoundly

bowing said, “My daughter is just dead; but come and put your

hand upon her and she will return to life.”

9:19 And Jesus rose and followed him, as did also His disciples.

9:20 But a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with

hemorrhage came behind Him and touched the tassel of His cloak;

9:21 for she said to herself, “If I but touch His cloak, I shall be cured.”

9:22 And Jesus turned and saw her, and said, “Take courage, daughter;

your faith has cured you.” And the woman was restored to health

from that moment.

9:23 Entering the Ruler’s house, Jesus saw the flute-players and the

crowd loudly wailing,

9:24 and He said, “Go out of the room; the little girl is not dead, but

asleep.” And they laughed at Him.

9:25 When however the place was cleared of the crowd, Jesus went in,

and on His taking the little girl by the hand, she rose up.

9:26 And the report of this spread throughout all that district.

9:27 As Jesus passed on, two blind men followed Him, shouting and

saying, “Pity us, Son of David.”

9:28 And when He had gone indoors, they came to Him. “Do you

believe that I can do this?” He asked them. “Yes, Sir,” they

replied.

9:29 So He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it

be to you.”

9:30 Then their eyes were opened. And assuming a stern tone Jesus

said to them, “Be careful to let no one know.”

9:31 But they went out and published His fame in all that district.

9:32 And as they were leaving His presence a dumb demoniac was

brought to Him.

9:33 When the demon was expelled, the dumb man could speak. And

the crowds exclaimed in astonishment, “Never was such a thing

seen in Israel.”

9:34 But the Pharisees maintained, “It is by the power of the Prince of

the demons that he drives out the demons.”

9:35 And Jesus continued His circuits through all the towns and the

villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good

News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and

infirmity.

9:36 And when He saw the crowds He was touched with pity for them,

because they were distressed and were fainting on the ground like

sheep which have no shepherd.

9:37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the

reapers are few;

9:38 therefore entreat the Owner of the Harvest to send out reapers

into His fields.”

CHAPTER 10

10:1 Then He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them

authority over foul spirits, to drive them out; and to cure every

kind of disease and infirmity.

10:2 Now the names of the twelve Apostles were these: first, Simon

called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zabdi, and

his brother John;

10:3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax-gatherer,

James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

10:4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas the Iscariot, who also betrayed

Him.

10:5 These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving them their

instructions: “Go not,” He said, “among the Gentiles, and enter no

Samaritan town;

10:6 but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel’s race.

10:7 And as you go, preach and say, ‘The Kingdom of the Heavens is

close at hand.’

10:8 Cure the sick, raise the dead to life, cleanse lepers, drive out

demons: you have received without payment, give without

payment.

10:9 “Provide no gold, nor even silver nor copper to carry in your

pockets;

10:10 no bag for your journey, nor change of linen, nor shoes, nor stick;

for the laborer deserves his food.

10:11 “Whatever town or village you enter, inquire for some good man;

and make his house your home till you leave the place.

10:12 When you enter the house, salute it;

10:13 and if the house deserves it, the peace you invoke shall come upon

it. If not, your peace shall return to you.

10:14 And whoever refuses to receive you or even to listen to your

Message, as you leave that house or town, shake off the very dust

from your feet.

10:15 I solemnly tell you that it will be more endurable for the land of

Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of Judgment than for that town.

10:16 “Remember it is I who am sending you out, as sheep into the midst

of wolves; prove yourselves as sagacious as serpents, and as

innocent as doves.

10:17 But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to appear before

Sanhedrins, and will flog you in their synagogues;

10:18 and you will even be put on trial before governors and kings for

my sake, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles.

10:19 But when they have delivered you up, have no anxiety as to how

you shall speak or what you shall say; for at that very time it shall

be given you what to say;

10:20 for it is not you who will speak: it will be the Spirit of your

Father speaking through you.

10:21 Brother will betray brother to death, and father, child; and

children will rise against their own parents and will put them to

death.

10:22 And you will be objects of universal hatred because you are called

by my name; but he who holds out to the End — he will be saved.

10:23 Whenever they persecute you in one town, escape to the next; for

I solemnly tell you that you will not have gone the round of all the

towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

10:24 “The learner is never superior to his teacher, and the servant is

never superior to his master.

10:25 Enough for the learner to be on a level with his teacher, and for

the servant to be on a level with his master. If they have called the

master of the house Baal-zebul, how much more will they slander

his servants?

10:26 Fear them not, however; there is nothing veiled which will not be

uncovered, nor secret which will not become known.

10:27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what is

whispered into your ear, proclaim upon the roofs of the houses.

10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul;

but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in

Gehenna.

10:29 Do not two sparrows sell for a halfpenny? Yet not one of them

will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave.

10:30 But as for you, the very hairs on your heads are all numbered.

10:31 Away then with fear; you are more precious than a multitude of

sparrows.

10:32 “Every man who acknowledges me before men I also will

acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven.

10:33 But whoever disowns me before men I also will disown before my

Father who is in Heaven.

10:34 “Do not suppose that I came to bring peace to the earth: I did not

come to bring peace but a sword.

10:35 For I came to set a man against his father, a daughter against her

mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

10:36 AND A MAN’S OWN FAMILY WILL BE HIS FOES.

10:37 Any one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy

of me, and any one who loves son or daughter more than me is

not worthy of me;

10:38 and any one who does not take up his cross and follow where I

lead is not worthy of me.

10:39 To save your life is to lose it, and to lose your life for my sake is

to save it.

10:40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me

receives Him who sent me.

10:41 Every one who receives a prophet, because he is a prophet, will

receive a prophet’s reward, and every one who receives a

righteous man, because he is a righteous man, will receive a

righteous man’s reward.

10:42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold

water to drink because he is a disciple, I solemnly tell you that he

will not lose his reward.”

CHAPTER 11

11:1 When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve

disciples, He left in order to teach and to proclaim His Message in

the neighboring towns.

11:2 Now John had heard in prison about the Christ’s doings, and he

sent some of his disciples to inquire:

11:3 “Are you the Coming One, or is it a different person that we are to

expect?”

11:4 “Go and report to John what you see and hear,” replied Jesus;

11:5 “blind eyes receive sight, and cripples walk; lepers are cleansed, and

deaf ears hear; the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the

Good News proclaimed to them;

11:6 and blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because of

my claims.”

11:7 When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to

say to the multitude concerning John, “What did you go out into

the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind?

11:8 But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed?

Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings’

palaces.

11:9 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and

far more than a prophet.

11:10 This is he of whom it is written, “‘SEE I AM SENDING MY

MESSENGER BEFORE THY FACE, AND HE WILL MAKE THY ROAD

READY BEFORE THEE.’

11:11 “I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no greater has

ever been raised up than John the Baptist; yet one who is of lower

rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he.

11:12 But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the

Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have

been seizing it by force.

11:13 For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John.

11:14 And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah who was to

come.

11:15 Listen, every one who has ears!

11:16 “But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like

children sitting in the open places, who call to their playmates.

11:17 “‘We have played the flute to you,’ they say, ‘and you have not

danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten your

breasts.’

11:18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a

demon.’

11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they exclaim, ‘See

this man! — given to gluttony and tippling, and a friend of tax-

gatherers and notorious sinners!’ And yet Wisdom is vindicated

by her actions.”

11:20 Then began He to upbraid the towns where most of His mighty

works had been done — because they had not repented.

11:21 “Alas for thee, Chorazin!” He cried. “Alas for thee, Bethsaida! For

had the mighty works been done in Tyre and Sidon which have

been done in both of you, they would long ere now have repented,

covered with sackcloth and ashes.

11:22 Only I tell you that it will be more endurable for Tyre and Sidon

on the day of Judgement than for you.

11:23 And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted even to Heaven?

Even to Hades shalt thou descend. For had the mighty works been

done in Sodom which have been done in thee, it would have

remained until now.

11:24 Only I tell you all, that it will be more endurable for the land of

Sodom on the day of Judgment than for thee.”

11:25 About that time Jesus exclaimed, “I heartily praise Thee, Father,

Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou hast hidden these things

from sages and men of discernment, and hast unveiled them to

babes.

11:26 Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will.

11:27 “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one

fully knows the Son except the Father, nor does any one fully

know the Father except the Son and all to whom the Son chooses

to reveal Him.

11:28 “Come to me, all you toiling and burdened ones, and I will give you

rest.

11:29 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.

11:30 For it is good to bear my yoke, and my burden is light.”

CHAPTER 12

12:1 About that time Jesus passed on the Sabbath through the

wheatfields; and His disciples became hungry, and began to gather

ears of wheat and eat them.

12:2 But the Pharisees saw it and said to Him, “Look! your disciples

are doing what the Law forbids them to do on the Sabbath.”

12:3 “Have you never read,” He replied, “what David did when he and

his men were hungry?

12:4 how he entered the House of God and ate the Presented Loaves,

which it was not lawful for him or his men to eat, nor for any

except the priests?

12:5 And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests

in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt?

12:6 But I tell you that there is here that which is greater than the

Temple.

12:7 And if you knew what this means, ‘IT IS MERCY I DESIRE, NOT

SACRIFICE’, you would not have condemned those who are

without guilt.

12:8 For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath.”

12:9 Departing thence He went to their synagogue,

12:10 where there was a man with a shrivelled arm. And they questioned

Him, “Is it right to cure people on the Sabbath?” Their intention

was to bring a charge against Him.

12:11 “Which of you is there,” He replied, “who, if he has but a single

sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it

and lift it out?

12:12 Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is

right to do good on the Sabbath.”

12:13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your arm.” And he

stretched it out, and it was restored quite sound like the other.

12:14 But the Pharisees after leaving the synagogue consulted together

against Him, how they might destroy Him.

12:15 Aware of this, Jesus departed elsewhere; and a great number of

people followed Him, all of whom He cured.

12:16 But He gave them strict injunctions not to blaze abroad His

doings,

12:17 that those words of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled,

12:18 “This is My servant whom I have chosen, My dearly loved One in

whom My soul takes pleasure. I will put My spirit upon Him, and

He will announce justice to the nations.

12:19 He will not wrangle or raise His voice, nor will His voice be heard

in the broadways.

12:20 A crushed reed He will not utterly break, nor will He quench the

still smouldering wick, until He has led on Justice to victory.

12:21 AND ON HIS NAME SHALL THE NATIONS REST THEIR HOPES.”

12:22 At that time a demoniac was brought to Him, blind and dumb; and

He cured him, so that the dumb man could speak and see.

12:23 And the crowds of people were all filled with amazement and

said, “Can this be the Son of David?”

12:24 The Pharisees heard it and said, “This man only expels demons by

the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of demons.”

12:25 Knowing their thoughts He said to them, “Every kingdom in

which civil war has raged suffers desolation; and every city or

house in which there is internal strife will be brought low. 12:26

And if Satan is expelling Satan, he has begun to make war on

himself: how therefore shall his kingdom last?

12:27 And if it is by Baal-zebul’s power that I expel the demons, by

whose power do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall

be your judges.

12:28 But if it is by the power of the Spirit of God that I expel the

demons, it is evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon

you.

12:29 Again, how can any one enter the house of a strong man and carry

off his goods, unless first of all he masters and secures the strong

man: then he will ransack his house.

12:30 “The man who is not with me is against me, and he who is not

gathering with me is scattering abroad.

12:31 This is why I tell you that men may find forgiveness for every

other sin and impious word, but that for impious speaking against

the Holy Spirit they shall find no forgiveness.

12:32 And whoever shall speak against the Son of Man may obtain

forgiveness; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, neither in

this nor in the coming age shall he obtain forgiveness.”

12:33 “Either grant the tree to be wholesome and its fruit wholesome, or

the tree poisonous and its fruit poisonous; for the tree is known

by its fruit. 12:34

O vipers’ brood, how can you speak what is good when you are

evil? For it is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth

speaks.

12:35 A good man from his good store produces good things, and a bad

man from his bad store produces bad things.

12:36 But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak

they will be held accountable on the day of Judgment.

12:37 For each of you by his words shall be justified, or by his words

shall be condemned.”

12:38 Then He was accosted by some of the Scribes and of the

Pharisees who said, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign given by

you.”

12:39 “Wicked and faithless generation!” He replied, “they clamor for a

sign, but none shall be given to them except the sign of the

Prophet Jonah.

12:40 For just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS IN THE SEA-MONSTER’S

BELLY, so will the Son of Man be three days in the heart of the

earth.

12:41 There will stand up men of Nineveh at the Judgment together with

the present generation, and will condemn it; because they

repented at the preaching of Jonah, and mark! there is One greater

than Jonah here.

12:42 The Queen of the south will awake at the Judgment together with

the present generation, and will condemn it; because she came

from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and

mark! there is One greater than Solomon here.

12:43 “No sooner however has the foul spirit gone out of the man, then

he roams about in places where there is no water, seeking rest but

finding none.

12:44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house that I left;’ and he comes

and finds it unoccupied, swept clean, and in good order.

12:45 Then he goes and brings back with him seven other spirits more

wicked than himself, and they come in and dwell there; and in the

end that man’s condition becomes worse than it was at first. So

will it be also with the present wicked generation.”

12:46 While He was still addressing the people His mother and His

brothers were standing on the edge of the crowd desiring to speak

to Him.

12:47 So some one told Him, “Your mother and your brothers are

standing outside, and desire to speak to you.”

12:48 “Who is my mother?” He said to the man; “and who are my

brothers?”

12:49 And pointing to His disciples He added, “See here are my mother

and my brothers.

12:50 To obey my Father who is in Heaven — that is to be my brother

and my sister and my mother.”

CHAPTER 13

13:1 That same day Jesus had left the house and was sitting on the

shore of the Lake,

13:2 when a vast multitude of people crowded round Him. He

therefore went on board a boat and sat there, while all the people

stood on the shore.

13:3 He then spoke many things to them in figurative language. “The

sower goes out,” He said, “to sow.

13:4 As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds

come and peck it up.

13:5 Some falls on rocky ground, where it has but scanty soil. It

quickly shows itself above ground, because it has no depth of

earth;

13:6 but when the sun is risen, it is scorched by the heat, and through

having no root it withers up.

13:7 Some falls among the thorns; but the thorns spring up and stifle it.

13:8 But a portion falls upon good ground, and gives a return, some a

hundred for one, some sixty, some thirty.

13:9 Listen, every one who has ears!”

13:10 (And His disciples came and asked Him, “Why do you speak to

them in figurative language?”

13:11 “Because,” He replied, “while to you it is granted to know the

secrets of the Kingdom of the Heavens, to them it is not.

13:12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he shall have

abundance; but whoever has not, from him even what he has shall

be taken away.

13:13 I speak to them in figurative language for this reason, that while

looking they do not see, and while hearing they neither hear nor

understand.

13:14 And in regard to them the prophecy of Isaiah is receiving signal

fulfillment: “‘You will hear and hear and by no means understand,

and you will look and look and by no means see.

13:15 FOR THIS PEOPLE’S MIND IS STUPEFIED, THEIR HEARING HAS

BECOME DULL, AND THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED; TO PREVENT

THEIR EVER SEEING WITH THEIR EYES, OR HEARING WITH THEIR

EARS, OR UNDERSTANDING WITH THEIR MINDS, AND TURNING

BACK, SO THAT I MIGHT HEAL THEM.’

13:16 “But as for you, blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears,

for they hear.

13:17 For I solemnly tell you that many Prophets and holy men have

longed to see the sights you see, and have not seen them, and to

hear the words you hear, and have not heard them.

13:18 “To you then I will explain the parable of the Sower.

13:19 When a man hears the Message concerning the Kingdom and does

not understand it, the Evil one comes and catches away what has

been sown in his heart. This is he who has received the seed by

the road-side.

13:20 He who has received the seed on the rocky ground is the man

who hears the Message and immediately receives it with joy.

13:21 It has struck no root, however, within him. He continues for a

time, but when suffering comes, or persecution, because of the

Message, he at once stumbles and falls.

13:22 He who has received the seed among the thorns is the man who

hears the Message, but the cares of the present age and the

delusions of riches quite stifle the Message, and it becomes

unfruitful.

13:23 But he who has received the seed on good ground is he who hears

and understands. Such hearers give a return, and yield one a

hundred for one, another sixty, another thirty.”)

13:24 Another parable He put before them. “The Kingdom of the

Heavens,” He said, “may be compared to a man who has sown

good seed in his field,

13:25 but during the night his enemy comes, and over the first seed he

sows darnel among the wheat, and goes away.

13:26 But when the blade shoots up and the grain is formed, then

appears the darnel also.

13:27 “So the farmer’s men come and ask him, “‘Sir, was it not good

seed that you sowed on your land? Where then does the darnel

come from?’

13:28 “‘Some enemy has done this,’ he said. “‘Shall we go, and collect

it?’ the men inquire.

13:29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘for fear that while collecting the darnel you

should at the same time root up the wheat with it.

13:30 Leave both to grow together until the harvest, and at harvest-time

I will direct the reapers, Collect the darnel first, and make it up

into bundles to burn it, but bring all the wheat into my barn.’”

13:31 Another parable He put before them. “The Kingdom of the

Heavens,” He said, “is like a mustard-seed, which a man takes and

sows in his ground.

13:32 It is the smallest of all seeds, and yet when full-grown it is larger

than any herb and forms a tree, so that the birds come and build in

its branches.”

13:33 Another parable He spoke to them. “The Kingdom of the

Heavens,” He said, “is like yeast which a woman takes and buries

in a bushel of flour, for it to work there till the whole mass has

risen.”

13:34 All this Jesus spoke to the people in figurative language, and

except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them,

13:35 in fulfillment of the saying of the Prophet, “I WILL OPEN MY

MOUTH IN FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE, I WILL UTTER THINGS KEPT

HIDDEN SINCE THE CREATION OF ALL THINGS.”

13:36 When He had dismissed the people and had returned to the house,

His disciples came to Him with the request, “Explain to us the

parable of the darnel sown in the field.”

13:37 “The sower of the good seed,” He replied, “is the Son of Man;

13:38 the field is the world; the good seed — these are the sons of the

Kingdom; the darnel, the sons of the Evil one.

13:39 The enemy who sows the darnel is the Devil; the harvest is the

Close of the Age; the reapers are the angels.

13:40 As then the darnel is collected together and burnt up with fire, so

will it be at the Close of the Age.

13:41 The Son of Man will commission His angels, and they will gather

out of His Kingdom all causes of sin and all who violate His laws;

13:42 and these they will throw into the fiery furnace. There will be the

weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth.

13:43 Then will the righteous shine out like the sun in their Father’s

Kingdom. Listen, every one who has ears!

13:44 “The Kingdom of the Heavens is like treasure buried in the open

country, which a man finds, but buries again, and, in his joy about

it, goes and sells all he has and buys that piece of ground.

13:45 “Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a jewel merchant who is

in quest of choice pearls.

13:46

He finds one most costly pearl; he goes away; and though it costs

all he has, he buys it.

13:47 “Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a draw-net let down

into the sea, which encloses fish of all sorts.

13:48 When full, they haul it up on the beach, and sit down and collect

the good fish in baskets, while the worthless they throw away.

13:49 So will it be at the Close of the Age. The angels will go forth and

separate the wicked from among the righteous,

13:50 and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the

weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth.”

13:51 “Have you understood all this?” He asked. “Yes,” they said.

13:52 “Therefore,” He said, “remember that every Scribe well trained for

the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a householder who brings out

of his storehouse new things and old.”

13:53 Jesus concluded this series of parables and then departed.

13:54 And He came into His own country and proceeded to teach in

their synagogue, so that they were filled with astonishment and

exclaimed, “Where did he obtain such wisdom, and these

wondrous powers?

13:55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary?

And are not his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judah?

13:56 And his sisters — are they not all living here among us? Where

then did he get all this?”

13:57 So they turned angrily away from Him. But Jesus said to them,

“There is no prophet left without honor except in his own country

and among his own family.”

13:58 And He performed but few mighty deeds there because of their

want of faith.

CHAPTER 14

14:1 About that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

14:2 and he said to his courtiers, “This is John the Baptist: he has come

back to life — and that is why these miraculous Powers are

working in him.”

14:3 For Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and

imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip’s wife,

14:4 because John had persistently said to him, “It is not lawful for you

to have her.”

14:5 And he would have liked to put him to death, but was afraid of

the people, because they regarded John as a Prophet.

14:6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias

danced before all the company, and so pleased Herod

14:7 that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she asked.

14:8 So she, instigated by her mother, said, “Give me here on a dish

the head of John the Baptist.”

14:9 The king was deeply vexed, yet because of his repeated oath and

of the guests at his table he ordered it to be given her,

14:10 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

14:11 The head was brought on a dish and given to the young girl, and

she took it to her mother.

14:12 Then John’s disciples went and removed the body and buried it,

and came and informed Jesus.

14:13 Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat to an

uninhabited and secluded district; but the people heard of it and

followed Him in crowds from the towns by land.

14:14 So Jesus went out and saw an immense multitude, and felt

compassion for them, and cured those of them who were out of

health.

14:15 But when evening was come, the disciples came to Him and said,

“This is an uninhabited place, and the best of the day is now gone;

send the people away to go into the villages and buy something to

eat.”

14:16 “They need not go away,” replied Jesus; “you yourselves must give

them something to eat.”

14:17 “We have nothing here,” they said, “but five loaves and a couple of

fish.”

14:18 “Bring them here to me,” He said,

14:19 and He told all the people to sit down on the grass. Then He took

the five loaves and the two fish, and after looking up to heaven

and blessing them, He broke up the loaves and gave them to the

disciples, and the disciples distributed them to the people.

14:20 So all ate, and were fully satisfied. The broken portions that

remained over they gathered up, filling twelve baskets.

14:21 Those who had eaten were about 5,000 adult men, without

reckoning women and children.

14:22 Immediately afterwards He made the disciples go on board the

boat and cross to the opposite shore, leaving Him to dismiss the

people.

14:23 When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in solitude.

Night came on, and he was there alone.

14:24 Meanwhile the boat was far out on the Lake, buffeted and tossed

by the waves, the wind being adverse.

14:25 But towards daybreak He went to them, walking over the waves.

14:26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the waves, they were

greatly alarmed. “It is a spirit,” they exclaimed, and they cried out

with terror.

14:27 But instantly Jesus spoke to them, and said, “There is no danger;

it is I; do not be afraid.”

14:28 “Master,” answered Peter, “if it is you, bid me come to you upon

the water.”

14:29 “Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter climbed down from the boat and

walked upon the water to go to Him.

14:30 But when he felt the wind he grew frightened, and beginning to

sink he cried out, “Master, save me.”

14:31 Instantly Jesus stretched out His hand and caught hold of him,

saying to him, “O little faith, why did you doubt?”

14:32 So they climbed into the boat, and the wind lulled;

14:33 and the men on board fell down before him and said, “You are

indeed God’s Son.”

14:34 When they had quite crossed over, they put ashore at Gennesaret;

14:35 and the men of the place, recognizing Him, sent word into all the

country round. So they brought all the sick to Him,

14:36 and they entreated Him that they might but touch the tassel of His

outer garment; and all who did so were restored to perfect health.

CHAPTER 15

15:1 Then there came to Jesus a party of Pharisees and Scribes from

Jerusalem, who inquired,

15:2 “Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders by not

washing their hands before meals?”

15:3 “Why do you, too,” He retorted, “transgress God’s commands for

the sake of your tradition?

15:4 For God said, ‘HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER’; and ‘LET

HIM WHO REVILES FATHER OR MOTHER BE CERTAINLY PUT TO

DEATH’;

15:5 but you — this is what you say: ‘If a man says to his father or

mother, That is consecrated, whatever it is, which otherwise you

should have received from me —

15:6 he shall be absolved from honoring his father’; and so you have

abrogated God’s Word for the sake of your tradition.

15:7 Hypocrites! well did Isaiah prophesy of you,

15:8 “‘This is a People who honor Me with their lips, while their heart is

far away from Me;

15:9 BUT IT IS IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, WHILE THEY LAY DOWN

PRECEPTS WHICH ARE MERE HUMAN RULES.’”

15:10 Then, when He had called the people to Him, Jesus said, “Hear

and understand.

15:11 It is not what goes into a man’s mouth that defiles him; but it is

what comes out of his mouth — that defiles a man.”

15:12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do you know that the

Pharisees were greatly shocked when they heard those words?”

15:13 “Every plant,” He replied, “which my Heavenly Father has not

planted will be rooted up.

15:14 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind; and if a

blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into some pit.”

15:15 “Explain to us this figurative language,” said Peter.

15:16 “Are even you,” He answered, “still without intelligence?

15:17 Do you not understand that whatever enters the mouth passes into

the stomach and is afterwards ejected from the body?

15:18 But the things that come out of the mouth proceed from the heart,

and it is these that defile the man.

15:19 For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery,

fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech.

15:20 These are the things which defile the man; but eating with

unwashed hands does not defile.”

15:21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew into the vicinity of Tyre and

Sidon.

15:22 Here a Canaanitish woman of the district came out and

persistently cried out, “Sir, Son of David, pity me; my daughter is

cruelly harassed by a demon.”

15:23 But He answered her not a word. Then the disciples interposed,

and begged Him, saying, “Send her away because she keeps

crying behind us.”

15:24 “I have only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” He

replied.

15:25 Then she came and threw herself at His feet and entreated Him.

“O Sir, help me,” she said.

15:26 “It is not right,” He said, “to take the children’s bread and throw it

to the dogs.”

15:27 “Be it so, Sir,” she said, “for even the dogs eat the scraps which fall

from their masters’ tables.”

15:28 “O woman,” replied Jesus, “great is your faith: be it done to you as

you desire.” And from that moment her daughter was restored to

health.

15:29 Again, moving thence, Jesus went along by the Lake of Galilee;

and ascending the hill, He sat down there.

15:30 Soon great crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who

were crippled in feet or hands, blind or dumb, and many besides,

and they hastened to lay them at His feet. And He cured them,

15:31

so that the people were amazed to see the dumb speaking, the

maimed with their hands perfect, the lame walking, and the blind

seeing; and they gave the glory to the God of Israel.

15:32 But Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “My heart yearns

over this mass of people, for it is now the third day that they have

been with me and they have nothing to eat. I am unwilling to send

them away hungry, lest they should faint on the road.”

15:33 “Where can we,” asked the disciples, “get bread enough in this

remote place to satisfy so vast a multitude?”

15:34 “How many loaves have you?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they said,

“and a few small fish.”

15:35 So He bade all the people sit down on the ground,

15:36 and He took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks

He broke them up and then distributed them to the disciples, and

they to the people.

15:37 And they all ate and were satisfied. The broken portions that

remained over they took up — seven full hampers.

15:38 Those who ate were 4,000 adult men, without reckoning women

and children.

15:39 He then dismissed the people, went on board the boat, and came

into the district of Magadan.

CHAPTER 16

16:1 Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him; and, to make trial

of Him, they asked Him to show them a sign in the sky.

16:2 He replied, “In the evening you say, ‘It will be fine weather, for

the sky is red;’

16:3 and in the morning, ‘It will be rough weather to-day, for the sky is

red and murky.’ You learn how to distinguish the aspect of the

heavens, but the signs of the times you cannot.

16:4 A wicked and faithless generation are eager for a sign; but none

shall be given to them except the sign of Jonah.” and He left them

and went away.

16:5 When the disciples arrived at the other side of the Lake, they

found that they had forgotten to bring any bread;

16:6 and when Jesus said to them, “See to it: beware of the yeast of the

Pharisees and Sadducees,”

16:7 they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have

not brought any bread.”

16:8 Jesus perceived this and said, “Why are you reasoning among

yourselves, you men of little faith, because you have no bread?

16:9 Do you not yet understand? nor even remember the 5,000 and the

five loaves, and how many basketfuls you carried away,

16:10 nor the 4,000 and the seven loaves, and how many hampers you

carried away?

16:11 How is it you do not understand that it was not about bread that I

spoke to you? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and

Sadducees.”

16:12 Then they perceived that He had not warned them against bread-

yeast, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

16:13 When He arrived in the neighborhood of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus

questioned His disciples. “Who do people say that the Son of Man

is?” He asked.

16:14 “Some say John the Baptist,” they replied; “others Elijah; others

Jeremiah or one of the Prophets.”

16:15 “But you, who do you say that I am?” He asked again.

16:16 “You,” replied Simon Peter, “are the Christ, the Son of the ever-

living God.”

16:17 “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jonah,” said Jesus; “for mere human

nature has not revealed this to you, but my Father in Heaven.

16:18 And I declare to you that you are Peter, and that upon this Rock I

will build my Church, and the might of Hades shall not triumph

over it.

16:19 I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of the Heavens; and

whatever you bind on earth shall remain bound in Heaven, and

whatever you loose on earth shall remain loosed in Heaven.”

16:20 Then He urged His disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ.

16:21 From this time Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He

must go to Jerusalem, and suffer much cruelty from the Elders

and the High Priests and the Scribes, and be put to death, and on

the third day be raised to life again.

16:22 Then Peter took Him aside and began taking Him to task.

“Master,” he said, “God forbid; this will not be your lot.”

16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Adversary; you

are a hindrance to me, because your thoughts are not God’s

thoughts, but men’s.”

16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any one desires to follow me,

let him renounce self and take up his cross, and so be my follower.

16:25 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever

loses his life for my sake shall find it.

16:26 Why, what benefit will it be to a man if he gains the whole world

but forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give to buy back his life?

16:27 For the Son of Man is soon to come in the glory of the Father

with His angels, and then will He requite every man according to

his actions.

16:28 I solemnly tell you that some of those who are standing here will

certainly not taste death till they have seen the Son of Man

coming in His Kingdom.”

CHAPTER 17

17:1 Six day later, Jesus took with Him Peter and the brothers James

and John, and brought them up a high mountain to a solitary

place.

17:2 There in their presence His form underwent a change; His face

shone like the sun, and His raiment became as white as the light.

17:3 And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them conversing with

Him.

17:4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Master, we are thankful to you that we

are here. If you approve, I will put up three tents here, one for

you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

17:5 He was still speaking when a luminous cloud spread over them;

and a voice was heard from within the cloud, which said, “This is

My Son dearly beloved, in whom is My delight. Listen to Him.”

17:6 On hearing this voice, the disciples fell on their faces and were

filled with terror.

17:7 But Jesus came and touched them, and said, “Rouse yourselves

and have no fear.”

17:8 So they looked up, and saw no one but Jesus.

17:9 As they were descending the mountain, Jesus laid a command

upon them. “Tell no one,” He said, “of the sight you have seen till

the Son of Man has risen from among the dead.”

17:10 “Why then,” asked the disciples, “do the Scribes say that Elijah

must first come?”

17:11 “Elijah was indeed to come,” He replied, “and would reform

everything.

17:12 But I tell you that he has already come, and they did not recognize

him, but dealt with him as they chose. And before long the Son of

Man will be treated by them in a similar way.”

17:13 Then it dawned upon the disciples that it was John the Baptist

about whom He had spoken to them.

17:14 When they had returned to the people, there came to Him a man

who fell on his knees before Him and besought Him.

17:15 “Sir,” he said, “have pity on my son, for he is an epileptic and is

very ill. Often he falls into the fire and often into the water.

17:16 I have brought him to your disciples, and they have not been able

to cure him.”

17:17 “O unbelieving and perverse generation!” replied Jesus; “how long

shall I be with you? how long shall I endure you? Bring him to

me.”

17:18 Then Jesus reprimanded the demon, and it came out and left him;

and the boy was cured from that moment.

17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked Him, “Why

could not we expel the demon?”

17:20 “Because your faith is so small,” He replied; “for I solemnly declare

to you that if you have faith like a mustard-seed, you shall say to

this mountain, ‘Remove from this place to that,’ and it will

remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.

17:21 But an evil spirit of this kind is only driven out by prayer and

fasting.”

17:22 As they were travelling about in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The

Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men;

17:23 they will put Him to death, but on the third day He will be raised

to life again.” And they were exceedingly distressed.

17:24 After their arrival at Capernaum the collectors of the half-shekel

came and asked Peter, “Does not your Teacher pay the half-

shekel?”

17:25 “Yes,” he replied, and then went into the house. But before he

spoke a word Jesus said, “What think you, Simon? From whom

do this world’s kings receive customs or capitation tax? from their

own children, or from others?”

17:26 “From others,” he replied. “Then the children go free,” said Jesus.

17:27 “However, lest we cause them to sin, go and throw a hook into the

Lake, and take the first fish that comes up. When you open its

mouth, you will find a shekel in it: bring that coin and give it to

them for yourself and me.”

CHAPTER 18

18:1 Just then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who ranks

higher than others in the Kingdom of the Heavens?”

18:2 So He called a young child to Him, and, bidding him stand in the

midst of them,

18:3 said, “In solemn truth I tell you that unless you turn and become

like little children, you will in no case be admitted into the

Kingdom of the Heavens.

18:4 Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this young child, he it

is who is superior to others in the Kingdom of the Heavens.

18:5 And whoever for my sake receives one young child such as this,

receives me.

18:6 But whoever shall occasion the fall of one of these little ones who

believe in me, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung

round his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

18:7 “Alas for the world because of causes of falling! They cannot but

come, but alas for each man through whom they come!

18:8 If your hand or your foot is causing you to fall into sin, cut it off

and away with it. It is better for you to enter into Life crippled in

hand or foot than to remain in possession of two sound hands or

feet but be thrown into the fire of the Ages.

18:9 And if your eye is causing you to fall into sin, tear it out and away

with it; it is better for you to enter into Life with only one eye,

than to remain in possession of two eyes but be thrown into the

Gehenna of fire.

18:10 “Beware of ever despising one of these little ones, for I tell you that

in Heaven their angels have continual access to my Father who is

in Heaven.

18:11 []

18:12 What do you yourselves think? Suppose a man gets a hundred

sheep and one of them strays away, will he not leave the ninety-

nine on the hills and go and look for the one that is straying?

18:13 And if he succeeds in finding it, in solemn truth I tell you that he

rejoices over it more than he does over the ninety-nine that have

not gone astray.

18:14 Just so it is not the will of your Father in Heaven that one of these

little ones should be lost.

18:15 “If your brother acts wrongly towards you, go and point out his

fault to him when only you and he are there. If he listens to you,

you have gained your brother.

18:16 But if he will not listen to you, go again, and ask one or two to go

with you, that every word spoken may be attested by two or three

witnesses.

18:17 If he refuses to hear them, appeal to the Church; and if he refuses

to hear even the Church, regard him just as you regard a Gentile

or a tax-gatherer.

18:18 I solemnly tell you that whatever you as a Church bind on earth

will in Heaven be held as bound, and whatever you loose on earth

will in Heaven be held to be loosed.

18:19 I also solemnly tell you that if two of you here on earth agree

together concerning anything whatever that they shall ask, the

boon will come to them from my Father who is in Heaven.

18:20 For where there are two or three assembled in my name, there am

I in the midst of them.”

18:21 At this point Peter came to Him with the question, “Master, how

often shall my brother act wrongly towards me and I forgive him?

seven times?”

18:22 “I do not say seven times,” answered Jesus, “but seventy times

seven times.

18:23 “For this reason the Kingdom of the Heavens may be compared to

a king who determined to have a settlement of accounts with his

servants.

18:24 But as soon as he began the settlement, one was brought before

him who owed 10,000 talents,

18:25 and was unable to pay. So his master ordered that he and his wife

and children and everything that he had should be sold, and

payment be made.

18:26 The servant therefore falling down, prostrated himself at his feet

and entreated him. “‘Only give me time,’ he said, ‘and I will pay

you the whole.’

18:27 “Whereupon his master, touched with compassion, set him free and

forgave him the debt.

18:28 But no sooner had that servant gone out, than he met with one of

his fellow servants who owed him 100 shillings; and seizing him

by the throat and nearly strangling him he exclaimed, “‘Pay me all

you owe.’

18:29 “His fellow servant therefore fell at his feet and entreated him,

“‘Only give me time,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you.’

18:30 “He would not, however, but went and threw him into prison until

he should pay what was due.

18:31 His fellow servants, therefore, seeing what had happened, were

exceedingly angry; and they came and told their master without

reserve all that had happened.

18:32 At once his master called him and said, “‘Wicked servant, I

forgave you all that debt, because you entreated me:

18:33 ought not you also to have had pity on your fellow servant, just as

I had pity on you?’

18:34 “So his master, greatly incensed, handed him over to the jailers until

he should pay all he owed him.

18:35 “In the same way my Heavenly Father will deal with you, if you do

not all of you forgive one another from your hearts.”

CHAPTER 19

19:1 When Jesus had finished these discourses, He removed from

Galilee and came into that part of Judaea which lay beyond the

Jordan.

19:2 And a vast multitude followed him, and He cured them there.

19:3 Then came some of the Pharisees to Him to put Him to the proof

by the question, “Has a man a right to divorce his wife whenever

he chooses?”

19:4 “Have you not read,” He replied, “that He who made them ‘MADE

THEM’ from the beginning ‘male and female,

19:5 AND SAID, FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND

MOTHER AND BE UNITED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BE

ONE’?

19:6 Thus they are no longer two, but ‘one’! What therefore God has

joined together, let not man separate.”

19:7 “Why then,” said they, “did Moses command the husband to give

her ‘a written notice of divorce,’ and so put her away?”

19:8 “Moses,” He replied, “in consideration of the hardness of your

nature permitted you to put away your wives, but it has not been

so from the beginning.

19:9 And I tell you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason

except her unfaithfulness, and marries another woman, commits

adultery.”

19:10 “If this is the case with a man in relation to his wife,” said the

disciples to Him, “it is better not to marry.”

19:11 “It is not every man,” He replied, “who can receive this teaching,

but only those on whom the grace has been bestowed.

19:12 There are men who from their birth have been disabled from

marriage, others who have been so disabled by men, and others

who have disabled themselves for the sake of the Kingdom of the

Heavens. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it.”

19:13 Then young children were brought to Him for Him to put His

hands on them and pray; but the disciples interfered.

19:14 Jesus however said, “Let the little children come to me, and do

not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike that the

Kingdom of the Heavens belongs.”

19:15 So He laid His hands upon them and went away.

19:16 “Teacher,” said one man, coming up to Him, “what that is good

shall I do in order to win the Life of the Ages?”

19:17 “Why do you ask me,” He replied, “about what is good? There is

only One who is truly good. But if you desire to enter into Life,

keep the Commandments.”

19:18 “Which Commandments?” he asked. Jesus answered, “‘THOU

SHALT NOT KILL;’ ‘THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY;’ ‘THOU

SHALT NOT STEAL;’ ‘THOU SHALT NOT LIE IN GIVING EVIDENCE;’

19:19 ‘HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER’; AND ‘THOU SHALT LOVE

THY FELLOW MAN AS MUCH AS THYSELF.’”

19:20 “All of these,” said the young man, “I have carefully kept. What do

I still lack?”

19:21 “If you desire to be perfect,” replied Jesus, “go and sell all that you

have, and give to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven;

and come, follow me.”

19:22 On hearing those words the young man went away much cast

down; for he had much property.

19:23 So Jesus said to His disciples, “I solemnly tell you that it is with

difficulty that a rich man will enter the Kingdom of the Heavens.

19:24 Yes, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a

needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”

19:25 These words utterly amazed the disciples, and they asked, “Who

then can be saved?”

19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but

with God everything is possible.”

19:27 Then Peter said to Jesus, “See, we have forsaken everything and

followed you; what then will be our reward?”

19:28 “I solemnly tell you,” replied Jesus, “that in the New Creation,

when the Son of Man has taken His seat on His glorious throne,

all of you who have followed me shall also sit on twelve thrones

and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

19:29 And whoever has forsaken houses, or brothers or sisters, or father

or mother, or children or lands, for my sake, shall receive many

times as much and shall have as his inheritance the Life of the

Ages.

19:30 “But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now

last will be first.

CHAPTER 20

20:1 “For the Kingdom of the Heavens is like an employer who went out

early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard,

20:2 and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a day, sent

them into his vineyard.

20:3 About nine o’clock he went out and saw others loitering in the

market-place.

20:4 To these also he said, “‘You also, go into the vineyard, and

whatever is right I will give you.’

20:5 “So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o’clock, he

went out and did the same.

20:6 And going out about five o’clock he found others loitering, and he

asked them, “‘Why have you been standing here all day long,

doing nothing?’

20:7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they replied. “‘You also, go into

the vineyard,’ he said.

20:8 “When evening came, the master said to his steward, “‘Call the men

and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and finish with

the first.’

20:9 “When those came who had begun at five o’clock, they received a

shilling apiece;

20:10 and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they also

each got the shilling.

20:11 So when they had received it, they grumbled against the

employer, saying,

20:12 “‘These who came last have done only one hour’s work, and you

have put them on a level with us who have worked the whole day

and have borne the scorching heat.’

20:13 “‘My friend,’ he answered to one of them, ‘I am doing you no

injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling?

20:14 Take your money and go. I choose to give this last comer just as

much as I give you.

20:15 Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own property? Or

are you envious because I am generous?’

20:16 “So the last shall be first, and the first last.”

20:17 Jesus was now going up to Jerusalem, and He took the twelve

disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them,

20:18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and there the Son of Man will be

betrayed to the High Priests and Scribes. They will condemn Him

to death,

20:19 and hand Him over to the Gentiles to be made sport of and

scourged and crucified; and on the third day He will be raised to

life.”

20:20 Then the mother of the sons of Zabdi came to Him with her sons,

and knelt before Him to make a request of Him.

20:21 “What is it you desire?” He asked. “Command,” she replied, “that

these my two sons may sit one at your right hand and one at your

left in your Kingdom.”

20:22 “None of you know what you are asking for,” said Jesus; “can you

drink out of the cup from which I am about to drink?” “We can,”

they replied.

20:23 “You shall drink out of my cup,” He said, “but a seat at my right

hand or at my left it is not for me to allot, but it belongs to those

for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

20:24 The other ten heard of this, and their indignation was aroused

against the two brothers.

20:25 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.

20:26 Not so shall it be among you; but whoever desires to be great

among you shall be your servant,

20:27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your

bondservant;

20:28 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to

give His life as the redemption-price for many.”

20:29 As they were leaving Jericho, an immense crowd following Him,

20:30 two blind men sitting by the roadside heard that it was Jesus who

was passing by, and cried aloud, “Sir, Son of David, pity us.”

20:31 The people angrily tried to silence them, but they cried all the

louder. “O Sir, Son of David, pity us,” they said.

20:32 So Jesus stood still and called to them. “What shall I do for you?”

He asked.

20:33 “Sir, let our eyes be opened,” they replied.

20:34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and

immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

CHAPTER 21

21:1 When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at

Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the

disciples on in front,

21:2 saying to them, “Go to the village you see facing you, and as you

enter it you will find a she-ass tied up and a foal with her. Untie

her and bring them to me.

21:3 And if any one says anything to you, say, ‘The Master needs

them,’ and he will at once send them.”

21:4 This took place in order that the Prophet’s prediction might be

fulfilled:

21:5 “TELL THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, ‘SEE, THY KING IS COMING TO

THEE, GENTLE, AND YET MOUNTED ON AN ASS, EVEN ON A COLT

THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.’”

21:6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them:

21:7 they brought the she-ass and the foal, and threw their outer

garments on them. So He sat on them;

21:8 and most of the crowd kept spreading their garments along the

road, while others cut branches from the trees and carpeted the

road with them,

21:9 and the multitudes — some of the people preceding Him and

some following — sang aloud, “GOD SAVE THE SON OF DAVID!

BLESSINGS ON HIM WHO COMES IN THE LORD’S NAME! GOD IN

THE HIGHEST HEAVENS SAVE HIM!”

21:10 When He thus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was thrown into

commotion, every one inquiring, “Who is this?”

21:11 “This is Jesus, the Prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee,” replied the

crowds.

21:12 Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were buying and

selling there, and overturned the money-changers’ tables and the

seats of the pigeon-dealers.

21:13 “It is written,” He said, “‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED THE HOUSE

OF PRAYER’, but you are making it A ROBBERS’ CAVE.”

21:14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the Temple, and He

cured them.

21:15 But when the High Priests and the Scribes saw the wonderful

things that He had done and the children who were crying aloud

in the Temple, “GOD SAVE THE SON OF DAVID,” they were filled

with indignation.

21:16 “Do you hear,” they asked Him, “what these children are saying?”

“Yes,” He replied; “have you never read, ‘OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF

INFANTS AND OF BABES AT THE BREAST THOU HAST BROUGHT

FORTH THE PRAISE WHICH IS DUE’?”

21:17 So He left them and went out of the city to Bethany and passed

the night there.

21:18 Early in the morning as He was on His way to return to the city

He was hungry,

21:19 and seeing a fig-tree on the road-side He went up to it, but found

nothing on it but leaves. “On you,” He said, “no fruit shall ever

again grow.” And immediately the fig-tree withered away.

21:20 When the disciples saw it they exclaimed in astonishment, “How

instantaneously the fig-tree has withered away!”

21:21 “I solemnly tell you,” said Jesus, “that if you have an unwavering

faith, you shall not only perform such a miracle as this of the fig-

tree, but that even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be thou lifted up

and hurled into the sea,’ it shall be done;

21:22 and everything, whatever it be, that you ask for in your prayers, if

you have faith, you shall obtain.”

21:23 He entered the Temple; and while He was teaching, the High

Priests and the Elders of the people came to Him and asked Him,

“By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you

this authority?”

21:24 “And I also have a question to ask you,” replied Jesus, “and if you

answer me, I in turn will tell you by what authority I do these

things.

21:25 John’s Baptism, whence was it? — had it a heavenly or a human

origin?” So they debated the matter among themselves. “If we say

‘a heavenly origin,’” they argued, “he will say, ‘Why then did you

not believe him?’

21:26 and if we say ‘a human origin’ we have the people to fear, for

they all hold John to have been a Prophet.”

21:27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” “Nor do I tell you,”

He replied, “by what authority I do these things.”

21:28 “But give me your judgment. There was a man who had two sons.

He came to the elder of them, and said, “‘My son, go and work in

the vineyard to-day.’

21:29 “‘I will not,’ he replied. “But afterwards he was sorry, and went.

21:30 He came to the second and spoke in the same manner. His answer

was, “‘I will go, Sir.’ “But he did not go.

21:31 Which of the two did as his father desired?” “The first,” they said.

“I solemnly tell you,’ replied Jesus, “that the tax-gatherers and the

notorious sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of

you.

21:32 For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no

faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put

faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were

not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him.

21:33 “Listen to another parable. There was a householder who planted a

vineyard, made a fence round it, dug a wine-tank in it, and built a

strong lodge; then let the place to vine-dressers, and went abroad.

21:34 When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-

dressers to receive his share of the grapes;

21:35 but the vine-dressers seized the servants, and one they cruelly

beat, one they killed, one they pelted with stones.

21:36 Again he sent another party of servants more numerous than the

first; and these they treated in the same manner.

21:37 Later still he sent to them his son, saying, “‘They will respect my

son.’

21:38 “But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one another,

“‘Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.’

21:39 “So they seized him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and killed

him.

21:40 When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to

those vine-dressers?”

21:41 “He will put the wretches to a wretched death,” was the reply, “and

will entrust the vineyard to other vine-dressers who will render

the produce to him at the vintage season.”

21:42 “Have you never read in the Scriptures,” said Jesus, “‘THE STONE

WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BEEN MADE THE

CORNERSTONE: THIS CORNERSTONE CAME FROM THE LORD, AND

IS WONDERFUL IN OUR EYES’?

21:43 “That, I tell you, is the reason why the Kingdom of God will be

taken away from you, and given to a nation that will exhibit the

power of it.

21:44 He who falls on this stone will be severely hurt; but he on whom it

falls will be utterly crushed.”

21:45 After listening to His parables the High Priests and the Pharisees

perceived that He was speaking about them;

21:46 but though they were eager to lay hands upon Him, they were

afraid of the people, for by them He was regarded as a Prophet.

CHAPTER 22

22:1 Again Jesus spoke to them in figurative language.

22:2 “The Kingdom of the Heavens,” He said, “may be compared to a

king who celebrated the marriage of his son,

22:3 and sent his servants to call the invited guests to the wedding, but

they were unwilling to come.

22:4 “Again he sent other servants with a message to those who were

invited. “‘My breakfast is now ready,” he said, ‘my bullocks and

fat cattle are killed, and every preparation is made: come to the

wedding.’

22:5 “They however gave no heed, but went, one to his home in the

country, another to his business;

22:6 and the rest seized the king’s servants, maltreated them, and

murdered them.

22:7 So the king’s anger was stirred, and he sent his troops and

destroyed those murderers and burnt their city.

22:8 Then he said to his servants, “‘The wedding banquet is ready, but

those who were invited were unworthy of it.

22:9 Go out therefore to the crossroads, and everybody you meet

invite to the wedding.’

22:10 “So they went out into the roads and gathered together all they

could find, both bad and good, and the banqueting hall was filled

with guests.

22:11 “Now the king came in to see the guests; and among them he

discovered one who was not wearing a wedding-robe.

22:12 “‘My friend,’ he said, ‘how is it that you came in here without a

wedding robe?’

22:13 “The man stood speechless. Then the king said to the servants,

“‘Bind him hand and foot and fling him into the darkness outside:

there will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth.’

22:14 “For there are many called, but few chosen.”

22:15 Then the Pharisees went and consulted together how they might

entrap Him in His conversation.

22:16 So they sent to Him their disciples together with the Herodians;

who said, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and that you

faithfully teach God’s truth; and that no fear of man misleads you,

for you are not biased by men’s wealth or rank.

22:17 Give us your judgment therefore: is it allowable for us to pay a

poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”

22:18 Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, “Why are you

hypocrites trying to ensnare me?

22:19 Show me the tribute coin.” And they brought Him a shilling.

22:20 “Whose likeness and inscription,” He asked, “is this?”

22:21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Pay therefore,” He rejoined, “what is

Caesar’s to Caesar; and what is God’s to God.”

22:22 They heard this, and were astonished; then left Him, and went

their way.

22:23 On the same day a party of Sadducees came to Him, contending

that there is no resurrection. And they put this case to Him.

22:24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses enjoined, ‘IF A MAN DIE CHILDLESS,

HIS BROTHER SHALL MARRY HIS WIDOW, AND RAISE UP A FAMILY

FOR HIM.’

22:25 Now we had among us seven brothers. The eldest of them

married, but died childless, leaving his wife to his brother.

22:26 So also did the second and the third, down to the seventh,

22:27 till the woman also died, after surviving them all.

22:28 At the Resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she

be? for they all married her.”

22:29 The reply of Jesus was, “You are in error, through ignorance of

the Scriptures and of the power of God.

22:30 For in the Resurrection, men neither marry nor are women given

in marriage, but they are like angels in Heaven.

22:31 But as to the Resurrection of the dead, have you never read what

God says to you,

22:32 ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF

JACOB’? He is not the God of dead, but of living men.”

22:33 All the crowd heard this, and were filled with amazement at His

teaching.

22:34 Now the Pharisees came up when they heard that He had silenced

the Sadducees,

22:35 and one of them, an expounder of the Law, asked Him as a test

question,

22:36 “Teacher, which is the greatest Commandment in the Law?”

22:37

“‘THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD,’” He answered, “‘WITH

THY WHOLE HEART, THY WHOLE SOUL, THY WHOLE MIND.’

22:38 This is the greatest and foremost Commandment.

22:39 And the second is similar to it: ‘Thou shalt love thy fellow man as

much as thyself.’

22:40 The whole of the Law and the Prophets is summed up in these

two Commandments.”

22:41 While the Pharisees were still assembled there, Jesus put a

question to them.

22:42 “What think you about the Christ,” He said, “whose son is He?”

“David’s,” they replied.

22:43 “How then,” He asked, “does David, taught by the Spirit, call Him

Lord, when he says,

22:44

“‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND UNTIL I

HAVE PUT THY FOES BENEATH THY FEET’?

22:45 “If therefore David calls Him Lord, how can He be his son?”

22:46 No one could say a word in reply, nor from that day did any one

venture again to put a question to Him.

CHAPTER 23

23:1 Then Jesus addressed the crowds and His disciples.

23:2 “The Scribes,” He said, “and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses.

23:3 Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but

do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do,

they do not do it themselves.

23:4 Heavy and cumbrous burdens they bind together and load men’s

shoulders with them, while as for themselves, not with one finger

do they choose to lift them.

23:5 And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by

men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large,

23:6 and love the best seats at a dinner party or in the synagogues,

23:7 and like to be bowed to in places of public resort, and to be

addressed by men as ‘Rabbi.’

23:8 “As for you, do not accept the title of ‘Rabbi,’ for one alone is your

Teacher, and you are all brothers.

23:9 And call no one on earth your Father, for One alone is your

Father — the Heavenly Father.

23:10 And do not accept the name of ‘leader,’ for your Leader is one

alone — the Christ.

23:11 He who is the greatest among you shall be your servant;

23:12 and one who exalts himself shall be abased, while one who abases

himself shall be exalted.

23:13 “But alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you lock

the door of the Kingdom of the Heavens against men; you

yourselves do not enter, nor do you allow those to enter who are

seeking to do so.

23:14 []

23:15 “Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you scour sea

and land in order to win one convert — and when he is gained,

you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves.

23:16 “Alas for you, you blind guides, who say, “‘Whoever swears by the

Sanctuary it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the

Sanctuary, is bound by the oath.’

23:17 “Blind fools! Why, which is greater? — the gold, or the Sanctuary

which has made the gold holy?

23:18 And you say, “‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but

whoever swears by the offering lying on it is bound by the oath.’

23:19 “You are blind! Why, which is greater? — the offering, or the altar

which makes the offering holy?

23:20 He who swears by the altar swears both by it and by everything on

it;

23:21 he who swears by the Sanctuary swears both by it and by Him

who dwells in it;

23:22 and he who swears by Heaven swears both by the throne of God

and by Him who sits upon it.

23:23 “Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you pay the

tithe on mint, dill, and cumin, while you have neglected the

weightier requirements of the Law — just judgment, mercy, and

faithful dealing. These things you ought to have done, and yet you

ought not to have left the others undone.

23:24 You blind guides, straining out the gnat while you gulp down the

camel!

23:25 “Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you wash

clean the outside of the cup or dish, while within they are full of

greed and self-indulgence.

23:26 Blind Pharisee, first wash clean the inside of the cup or dish, and

then the outside will be clean also.

23:27 “Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are just

like whitewashed sepulchers, the outside of which pleases the eye,

though inside they are full of dead men’s bones and of all that is

unclean.

23:28 The same is true of you: outwardly you seem to the human eye to

be good and honest men, but, within, you are full of insincerity

and disregard of God’s Law.

23:29 “Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you repair the

sepulchers of the Prophets and keep in order the tombs of the

righteous,

23:30 and your boast is, “‘If we had lived in the time of our forefathers,

we should not have been implicated with them in the murder of

the Prophets.’

23:31 “So that you bear witness against yourselves that you are

descendants of those who murdered the Prophets.

23:32 Fill up the measure of your forefathers’ guilt.

23:33 O serpents, O vipers’ brood, how are you to escape condemnation

to Gehenna?

23:34“For this reason I am sending to you Prophets and wise men and

Scribes. Some of them you will put to death — nay, crucify; some

of them you will flog in your synagogues and chase from town to

town;

23:35 that all the innocent blood shed upon earth may come on you,

from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the

son of Berechiah whom you murdered between the Sanctuary and

the altar.

23:36 I tell you in solemn truth that all these things will come upon the

present generation.

23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! thou who murderest the Prophets and

stonest those who have been sent to thee! how often have I

desired to gather thy children to me, just as a hen gathers her

chickens under her wings, and you would not come!

23:38 See, your house will now be left to you desolate!

23:39 For I tell you that you will never see me again until you say,

‘BLESSED BE HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.’”

CHAPTER 24

24:1 Jesus had left the Temple and was going on His way, when His

disciples came and called His attention to the Temple buildings.

24:2 “You see all these?” He replied; “in solemn truth I tell you that

there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be

pulled down.”

24:3 Afterwards He was on the Mount of Olives and was seated there

when the disciples came to Him, apart from the others, and said,

“Tell us when this will be; and what will be the sign of your

Coming and of the Close of the Age?”

24:4 “Take care that no one misleads you,” answered Jesus;

24:5 “for many will come assuming my name and saying ‘I am the

Christ;’ and they will mislead many.

24:6 And before long you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Do

not be alarmed, for such things must be; but the End is not yet.

24:7 FOR NATION WILL RISE IN ARMS AGAINST NATION, KINGDOM

AGAINST KINGDOM, and there will be famines and earthquakes in

various places;

24:8 but all these miseries are but like the early pains of childbirth.

24:9 “At that time they will deliver you up to punishment and will put

you to death; and you will be objects of hatred to all the nations

because you are called by my name.

24:10 Then WILL MANY STUMBLE AND FALL, and they will betray one

another and hate one another.

24:11 Many false prophets will rise up and lead multitudes astray;

24:12 and because of the prevalent disregard of God’s law the love of

the great majority will grow cold;

24:13 but those who stand firm to the End shall be saved.

24:14 And this Good News of the Kingdom shall be proclaimed

throughout the whole world to set the evidence before all the

Gentiles; and then the End will come.

24:15 “When you have seen (to use the language of the Prophet Daniel)

the ‘ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION’, standing in the Holy Place”

— let the reader observe those words —

24:16 “then let those who are in Judaea escape to the hills;

24:17 let him who is on the roof not go down to fetch what is in his

house;

24:18 nor let him who is outside the city stay to pick up his outer

garment.

24:19 And alas for the women who at that time are with child or have

infants!

24:20 “But pray that your flight may not be in winter, nor on the Sabbath;

24:21 for it WILL BE a time of great SUFFERING, SUCH AS NEVER HAS

BEEN FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TILL NOW, and

assuredly never will be again.

24:22 And if those days had not been cut short, no one would escape;

but for the sake of God’s own People those days will be cut short.

24:23 “If at that time any one should say to you, ‘See, here is the Christ!’

or ‘Here!’ give no credence to it.

24:24 For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets, displaying

wonderful signs and prodigies, so as to deceive, were it possible,

even God’s own People.

24:25 Remember, I have forewarned you.

24:26 If therefore they should say to you, ‘See, He is in the Desert!’ do

not go out there: or ‘See, He is indoors in the room!’ do not

believe it.

24:27 For just as the lightning flashes in the east and is seen to the very

west, so will be the Coming of the Son of Man.

24:28 Wherever the dead body is, there will the vultures flock together.

24:29 “But immediately after those times of distress THE SUN WILL BE

DARKENED, THE MOON WILL NOT SHED HER LIGHT, THE STARS

WILL FALL FROM THE FIRMAMENT, AND THE FORCES WHICH

CONTROL THE HEAVENS WILL BE DISORDERED AND DISTURBED.

24:30 Then will appear the Sign of the Son of Man in the sky; and THEN

WILL ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH LAMENT, when they see the

Son of Man COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with great

power and glory.

24:31 And He will send out His angels WITH A LOUD TRUMPET-BLAST,

and THEY WILL BRING TOGETHER HIS OWN PEOPLE TO HIM FROM

NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST — FROM ONE EXTREMITY OF THE

WORLD TO THE OTHER.

24:32 “Now learn from the fig-tree the lesson it teaches. As soon as its

branches have now become soft and it is bursting into leaf, you all

know that summer is near.

24:33 So you also, when you see all these signs, may be sure that He is

near — at your very door.

24:34 I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly

not pass away without all these things having first taken place.

24:35 Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my words will

not pass away.

24:36 “But as to that day and the exact time no one knows — not even

the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

24:37 ‘For as it was in the time of Noah, so it will be at the Coming of the

Son of Man.

24:38 At that time, before the Deluge, men were busy eating and

drinking, taking wives or giving them, up to the very day when

Noah entered the Ark,

24:39 nor did they realise any danger till the Deluge came and swept

them all away; so will it be at the Coming of the Son of Man.

24:40 Then will two men be in the open country: one will be taken

away, and one left behind.

24:41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken away,

and one left behind.

24:42 Be on the alert therefore, for you do not know the day on which

your Lord is coming.

24:43 But of this be assured, that if the master of the house had known

the hour at which the robber was coming, he would have kept

awake, and not have allowed his house to be broken into.

24:44 Therefore you also must be ready; for it is at a time when you do

not expect Him that the Son of Man will come.

24:45 “Who therefore is the loyal and intelligent servant to whom his

master has entrusted the control of his household to give them

their rations at the appointed time?

24:46 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes shall find

so doing!

24:47 In solemn truth I tell you that he will give him the management of

all his wealth.

24:48 But if the man, being a bad servant, should say in his heart, ‘My

master is a long time in coming,’

24:49 and should begin to beat his fellow servants, while he eats and

drinks with drunkards;

24:50 the master of that servant will arrive on a day when he is not

expecting him and at an hour of which he has not been informed;

24:51 he will treat him with the utmost severity and assign him a place

among the hypocrites: there will be the weeping and the gnashing

of teeth.

CHAPTER 25

25:1 “Then will the Kingdom of the Heavens be found to be like ten

bridesmaids who took their torches and went out to meet the

bridegroom.

25:2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

25:3 For the foolish, when they took their torches, did not provide

themselves with oil;

25:4 but the wise, besides their torches, took oil in their flasks.

25:5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, so that meanwhile

they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

25:6 But at midnight there is a loud cry, “‘The bridegroom! Go out and

meet him!’

25:7 “Then all those bridesmaids roused themselves and trimmed their

torches.

25:8 “‘Give us some of your oil,’ said the foolish ones to the wise, ‘for

our torches are going out.’

25:9 “‘But perhaps,’ replied the wise, ‘there will not be enough for all of

us. Go to the shops rather, and buy some for yourselves.’

25:10 “So they went to buy. But meanwhile the bridegroom came; those

bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the wedding

banquet; and the door was shut.

25:11 “Afterwards the other bridesmaids came and cried, “‘Sir, Sir, open

the door to us.’

25:12 “‘In solemn truth I tell you,’ he replied, ‘I do not know you.’

25:13 “Keep awake therefore; for you know neither the day nor the hour.

25:14 “Why, it is like a man who, when going on his travels, called his

bondservants and entrusted his property to their care.

25:15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one — to

each according to his individual capacity; and then started from

home.

25:16 Without delay the one who had received the five talents went and

employed them in business, and gained five more.

25:17 In the same way he who had the two gained two more.

25:18 But the man who had received the one went and dug a hole and

buried his master’s money.

25:19 “After a long lapse of time the master of those servants returned,

and had a reckoning with them.

25:20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five

more, and said, “‘Sir, it was five talents that you entrusted to me:

see, I have gained five more.’

25:21 “‘You have done well, good and trustworthy servant,’ replied his

master; ‘you have been trustworthy in the management of a little,

I will put you in charge of much: share your master’s joy.’

25:22 “The second, who had received the two talents, came and said,

“‘Sir, it was two talents you entrusted to me: see, I have gained

two more.’

25:23 “‘Good and trustworthy servant, you have done well,’ his master

replied; ‘you have been trustworthy in the management of a little,

I will put you in charge of much: share your master’s joy.’

25:24 “But, next, the man who had the one talent in his keeping came and

said, “‘Sir, I knew you to be a severe man, reaping where you had

not sown and garnering what you had not winnowed.

25:25 So being afraid I went and buried your talent in the ground: there

you have what belongs to you.’

25:26 “‘You wicked and slothful servant,’ replied his master, ‘did you

know that I reap where I have not sown, and garner what I have

not winnowed?

25:27 Your duty then was to deposit my money in some bank, and so

when I came I should have got back my property with interest.

25:28 So take away the talent from him, and give it to the man who has

the ten.’

25:29 (For to every one who has, more shall be given, and he shall have

abundance; but from him who has nothing, even what he has shall

be taken away.)

25:30 ‘But as for this worthless servant, put him out into the darkness

outside: there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.’

25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with

Him, then will He sit upon His glorious throne,

25:32 and all the nations will be gathered into His presence. And He will

separate them from one another, just as a shepherd separates the

sheep from the goats;

25:33 and will make the sheep stand at His right hand, and the goats at

His left.

25:34 “Then the King will say to those at His right, “‘Come, my Father’s

blessed ones, receive your inheritance of the Kingdom which has

been divinely intended for you ever since the creation of the

world.

25:35 For when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty,

you gave me drink; when I was homeless, you gave me a

welcome;

25:36 when I was ill-clad, you clothed me; when I was sick, you visited

me; when I was in prison, you came to see me.’

25:37 “‘When, Lord,’ the righteous will reply, ‘did we see Thee hungry,

and feed Thee; or thirsty, and give Thee drink?

25:38 When did we see Thee homeless, and give Thee a welcome? or ill-

clad, and clothe Thee?

25:39 When did we see Thee sick or in prison, and come to see Thee?’

25:40 “But the King will answer them, “‘In solemn truth I tell you that in

so far as you rendered such services to one of the humblest of

these my brethren, you rendered them to myself.’

25:41 “Then will He say to those at His left, “‘Begone from me, with the

curse resting upon you, into the Fire of the Ages, which has been

prepared for the Devil and his angels.

25:42 For when I was hungry, you gave me nothing to eat; when thirsty,

you gave me nothing to drink;

25:43 when homeless, you gave me no welcome; ill-clad, you clothed

me not; sick or in prison, you visited me not.’

25:44 “Then will they also answer, “‘Lord, when did we see Thee hungry

or thirsty or homeless or ill-clad or sick or in prison, and not come

to serve Thee?’

25:45 “But he will reply, “‘In solemn truth I tell you that in so far as you

withheld such services from one of the humblest of these, you

withheld them from me.’

25:46 “And these shall go away into the Punishment of the Ages, but the

righteous into the Life of the Ages.”

CHAPTER 26

26:1 When Jesus had ended all these discourses, He said to His

disciples,

26:2 “You know that in two days’ time the Passover comes. And the

Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

26:3 Then the High Priests and Elders of the People assembled in the

court of the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas,

26:4 and consulted how to get Jesus into their power by stratagem and

put Him to death.

26:5 But they said, “Not during the Festival, lest there be a riot among

the people.”

26:6 Now when Jesus was come to Bethany and was at the house of

Simon the Leper,

26:7 a woman came to Him with a jar of very costly, sweet-scented

ointment, which she poured over His head as He reclined at table.

26:8 “Why such waste?” indignantly exclaimed the disciples;

26:9 “for this might have been sold for a considerable sum, and the

money given to the poor.”

26:10 But Jesus heard it, and said to them, “Why are you vexing her?

For she has done a most gracious act towards me.

26:11 The poor you always have with you, but me you have not always.

26:12 In pouring this ointment over me, her object was to prepare me

for burial.

26:13 In solemn truth I tell you that wherever in the whole world this

Good News shall be proclaimed, this deed of hers shall be spoken

of in memory of her.”

26:14 At that time one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot,

went to the High Priests

26:15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I betray him to

you?” So they weighed out to him thirty shekels,

26:16 and from that moment he was on the look out for an opportunity

to betray Him.

26:17 On the first day of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to

Jesus with the question, “Where shall we make preparations for

you to eat the Passover?”

26:18 “Go into the city,” He replied, “to a certain man, and tell him, ‘The

Teacher says, My time is close at hand. It is at your house that I

shall keep the Passover with my disciples.’”

26:19 The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and got the Passover

ready.

26:20 When evening came, He was at table with the twelve disciples,

26:21 and the meal was proceeding, when Jesus said, “In solemn truth I

tell you that one of you will betray me.”

26:22 Intensely grieved they began one after another to ask Him, “Can it

be I, Master?”

26:23 “The one who has dipped his fingers in the bowl with me,” He

answered, “is the man who will betray me.

26:24 The Son of Man is indeed going as is written concerning Him; but

alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had

been a happy thing for that man if he had never been born.”

26:25 Then Judas, the disciple who was betraying Him, asked, “Can it

be I, Rabbi?” “It is you,” He replied.

26:26 During the meal Jesus took a Passover biscuit, blessed it and

broke it. He then gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and

eat it: it is my body.”

26:27 And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying,

“Drink from it, all of you;

26:28 for this is my blood which is to be poured out for many for the

remission of sins — the blood which ratifies the Covenant.

26:29 I tell you that I will never again take the produce of the vine till

that day when I shall drink the new wine with you in my Father’s

Kingdom.”

26:30 So they sang the hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

26:31 Then said Jesus, “This night all of you will stumble and fail in your

fidelity to me; for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE THE SHEPHERD, AND

THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK WILL BE SCATTERED IN ALL DIRECTIONS.’

26:32 But after I have risen to life again I will go before you into

Galilee.”

26:33 “All may stumble and fail,” said Peter, “but I never will.”

26:34 “In solemn truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “that this very night,

before the cock crows, you will three times disown me.”

26:35 “Even if I must die with you,” declared Peter, “I will never disown

you.” In like manner protested all the disciples.

26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane. And He

said to the disciples, “Sit down here, whilst I go yonder and there

pray.”

26:37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zabdi. Then He

began to be full of anguish and distress,

26:38 and He said to them, “My soul is crushed with anguish to the very

point of death; wait here, and keep awake with me.”

26:39 Going forward a short distance He fell on His face and prayed.

“My Father,” He said, “if it is possible, let this cup pass away

from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou willest.”

26:40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and He said

to Peter, “Alas, none of you could keep awake with me for even a

single hour!

26:41 Keep awake, and pray that you may not enter into temptation: the

spirit is right willing, but the body is frail.”

26:42 Again a second time He went away and prayed, saying, “My

Father, if it is impossible for this cup to pass without my drinking

it, Thy will be done.”

26:43 He came and again found them asleep, for they were very tired.

26:44 So He left them, and went away once more and prayed a third

time, again using the same words.

26:45 Then He came to the disciples and said, “Sleep on and rest. See,

the moment is close at hand when the Son of Man is to be

betrayed into the hands of sinful men.

26:46 Rouse yourselves. Let us be going. My betrayer is close at hand.”

26:47 He had scarcely finished speaking when Judas came — one of the

Twelve — accompanied by a great crowd of men armed with

swords and bludgeons, sent by the High Priests and Elders of the

People.

26:48 Now the betrayer had agreed upon a sign with them, to direct

them. He had said, “The one whom I kiss is the man: lay hold of

him.”

26:49 So he went straight to Jesus and said, “Peace to you, Rabbi!” And

he kissed Him eagerly.

26:50 “Friend,” said Jesus, “carry out your intention.” Then they came

and laid their hands on Jesus and seized Him firmly.

26:51 But one of those with Jesus drew his sword and struck the High

Priest’s servant, cutting off his ear.

26:52 “Put back your sword again,” said Jesus, “for all who draw the

sword shall perish by the sword.

26:53 Or do you suppose I cannot entreat my Father and He would

instantly send to my help more than twelve legions of angels?

26:54 In that case how are the Scriptures to be fulfilled which declare

that thus it must be?”

26:55 Then said Jesus to the crowds, “Have you come out as if to fight

with a robber, with swords and bludgeons to apprehend me? Day

after day I have been sitting teaching in the Temple, and you did

not arrest me.

26:56 But all this has taken place in order that the writings of the

Prophets may be fulfilled.” At this point the disciples all left Him

and fled.

26:57 But the officers who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to

Caiaphas the High Priest, at whose house the Scribes and the

Elders had assembled.

26:58 And Peter kept following Him at a distance, till he came even to

the court of the High Priest’s palace, where he entered and sat

down among the officers to see the issue.

26:59 Meanwhile the High Priests and the whole Sanhedrin were

seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death;

26:60 but they could find none, although many false witnesses came

forward. At length there came two

26:61 who testified, “This man said, ‘I am able to pull down the

Sanctuary of God and three days afterwards to build a new one.’”

26:62 Then the High Priest stood up and asked Him, “Have you no

answer to make? What is it these men are saying in evidence

against you?”

26:63 Jesus however remained silent. Again the High Priest addressed

Him. “In the name of the ever-living God,” he said, “I now put

you on your oath. Tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of

God.”

26:64 “I am He,” replied Jesus. “But I tell you that, later on, you will see

THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND of Omnipotence,

AND COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY.”

26:65 Then the High Priest tore his robes and exclaimed, “Impious

language! What further need have we of witnesses! See, you have

now heard the impiety.

26:66 What is your verdict?” “He deserves to die,” they replied.

26:67 Then they spat in His face, and struck Him — some with the fist,

some with the open hand —

26:68 while they taunted Him, saying, “Christ, prove yourself a Prophet

by telling us who it was that struck you.”

26:69 Peter meanwhile was sitting outside in the court of the palace,

when one of the maidservants came over to him and said, “You

too were with Jesus the Galilaean.”

26:70 He denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you

mean.”

26:71 Soon afterwards he went out and stood in the gateway, when

another girl saw him, and said, addressing the people there, “This

man was with Jesus the Nazarene.”

26:72 Again he denied it with an oath. “I do not know the man,” he said.

26:73 A short time afterwards the people standing there came and said

to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your brogue

shows it.”

26:74 Then with curses and oaths he declared, “I do not know the man.”

Immediately a cock crowed,

26:75 and Peter recollected the words of Jesus, how He had said,

“Before the cock crows you will three times disown me.” And he

went out and wept aloud, bitterly.

CHAPTER 27

27:1 When morning came all the High Priests and the Elders of the

people consulted together against Jesus to put Him to death;

27:2 and binding Him they led Him away and handed Him over to

Pilate the Governor.

27:3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He was

condemned, smitten with remorse he brought back the thirty

shekels to the High Priests and Elders

27:4 and said, “I have sinned, in betraying to death one who is

innocent.” “What does that matter to us?” they replied; it is your

business.”

27:5 Flinging the shekels into the Sanctuary he left the place, and went

and hanged himself.

27:6 When the High Priests had gathered up the money they said, “It is

illegal to put it into the Treasury, because it is the price of blood.”

27:7 So after consulting together they spent the money in the purchase

of the Potter’s Field as a burial place for people not belonging to

the city;

27:8 for which reason that piece of ground received the name, which it

still bears, of ‘the Field of Blood.’

27:9 Then were fulfilled the words spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah,

“And I took the thirty shekels, the price of the prized one on

whom Israelites had set a price,

27:10 AND GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED

ME.”

27:11 Meanwhile Jesus was brought before the Governor, and the latter

put the question, “Are you the King of the Jews?” “I am their

King,” He answered.

27:12 When however the High Priests and the Elders kept bringing their

charges against Him, He said not a word in reply.

27:13 “Do you not hear,” asked Pilate, “what a mass of evidence they are

bringing against you?”

27:14 But He made no reply to a single accusation, so that the Governor

was greatly astonished.

27:15 “Now it was the Governor’s custom at the Festival to release some

one prisoner, whomsoever the populace desired;

27:16 and at this time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

27:17 So when they were now assembled Pilate appealed to them.

“Whom shall I release to you,” he said, “Barabbas, or Jesus the

so-called Christ?”

27:18 For he knew that it was from envious hatred that Jesus had been

brought before him.

27:19 While he was sitting on the tribunal a message came to him from

his wife. “Have nothing to do with that innocent man,” she said,

“for during the night I have suffered terribly in a dream through

him.”

27:20 The High Priests, however, and the Elders urged the crowd to ask

for Barabbas and to demand the death of Jesus.

27:21 So when the Governor a second time asked them, “Which of the

two shall I release to you?” — they cried, “Barabbas!”

27:22 “What then,” said Pilate, “shall I do with Jesus, the so-called

Christ?” With one voice they shouted, “Let him be crucified!”

27:23 “Why, what crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they kept

on furiously shouting, “Let him be crucified!”

27:24 So when he saw that he could gain nothing, but that on the

contrary there was a riot threatening, he called for water and

washed his hands in sight of them all, saying, “I am not

responsible for this murder: you must answer for it.”

27:25 “His blood,” replied all the people, “be on us and on our children!”

27:26 Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he ordered to be

scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified.

27:27 Then the Governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and

called together the whole battalion to make sport of Him.

27:28 Stripping off His garments, they put on Him a general’s short

crimson cloak.

27:29 They twisted a wreath of thorny twigs and put it on His head, and

they put a sceptre of cane in His right hand, and kneeling to Him

they shouted in mockery, “Long live the King of the Jews!”

27:30 Then they spat upon Him, and taking the cane they repeatedly

struck Him on the head with it.

27:31 At last, having finished their sport, they took off the cloak,

clothed Him again in His own garments, and led Him away for

crucifixion.

27:32 Going out they met a Cyrenaean named Simon; whom they

compelled to carry His cross,

27:33 and so they came to a place called Golgotha, which means ‘Skullground.’

27:34 Here they gave Him a mixture of wine and gall to drink, but

having tasted it He refused to drink it.

27:35 After crucifying Him, they divided His garments among them by

lot,

27:36 and sat down there on guard.

27:37 Over His head they placed a written statement of the charge

against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

27:38 At the same time two robbers were crucified with Him, one at His

right hand and the other at His left.

27:39 And the passers-by reviled Him. They shook their heads at Him

27:40 and said, “You who would pull down the Sanctuary and build a

new one within three days, save yourself. If you are God’s Son,

come down from the cross.”

27:41 In like manner the High Priests also, together with the Scribes and

the Elders, taunted Him.

27:42 “He saved others,” they said, “himself he cannot save! He is the

King of Israel! Let him now come down from the cross, and we

will believe in him.

27:43 His trust is in God: let God deliver him now, if He will have him;

for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’”

27:44 Insults of the same kind were heaped on Him even by the robbers

who were being crucified with Him.

27:45 Now from noon until three o’clock in the afternoon there was

darkness over the whole land;

27:46 but about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “ELI, ELI,

LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is to say, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY

HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?”

27:47 “The man is calling for Elijah,” said some of the bystanders.

27:48 One of them ran forthwith, and filling a sponge with sour wine put

it on the end of a cane and offered it Him to drink;

27:49 while the rest said, “Let us see whether Elijah is coming to deliver

him.”

27:50 But Jesus uttered another loud cry and then yielded up His spirit.

27:51 Immediately the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top

to bottom: the earth quaked; the rocks split;

27:52 the tombs opened; and many of God’s people who were asleep in

death awoke.

27:53 And coming out of their tombs after Christ’s resurrection they

entered the holy city and showed themselves to many.

27:54 As for the Captain and the soldiers who were with Him keeping

guard over Jesus, when they witnessed the earthquake and the

other occurrences they were filled with terror, and exclaimed,

“Assuredly he was God’s Son.”

27:55 And there were a number of women there looking on from a

distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to His

necessities;

27:56 among them being Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James

and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zabdi.

27:57 Towards sunset there came a wealthy inhabitant of Arimathaea,

named Joseph, who himself also had become a disciple of Jesus.

27:58 He went to Pilate and begged to have the body of Jesus, and

Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

27:59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean sheet of fine

linen.

27:60 He then laid it in his own new tomb which he had hewn in the

solid rock, and after rolling a great stone against the door of the

tomb he went home.

27:61 Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were both present there,

sitting opposite to the sepulcher.

27:62 On the next day, the day after the Preparation, the High Priests

and the Pharisees came in a body to Pilate.

27:63 “Sir,” they said, “we recollect that during his lifetime that impostor

pretended that after two days he was to rise to life again.

27:64 So give orders for the sepulcher to be securely guarded till the

third day, for fear his disciples should come by night and steal the

body, and then tell the people that he has come back to life; and

so the last imposture will be more serious than the first.”

27:65 “You can have a guard,” said Pilate: “go and make all safe, as best

you can.”

27:66 So they went and made the sepulcher secure, sealing the stone

besides setting the guard.

CHAPTER 28

28:1 After the Sabbath, in the early dawn of the first day of the week,

Mary of Magdala and the other Mary came to see the sepulcher.

28:2 But to their amazement there had been a great earthquake; for an

angel of the Lord had descended from Heaven, and had come and

rolled back the stone, and was sitting upon it.

28:3 His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

28:4 For fear of him the guards trembled violently, and became like

dead men.

28:5 But the angel said to the women, “As for you, dismiss your fears.

I know that it is Jesus that you are looking for — the crucified

One.

28:6 He is not here: He has come back to life, as He foretold. Come

and see the place where He lay.

28:7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the

dead and is going before you into Galilee: there you shall see Him.

Remember, I have told you.”

28:8 They quickly left the tomb and ran, still terrified but full of

unspeakable joy, to carry the news to His disciples.

28:9 And then suddenly they saw Jesus coming to meet them. “Peace

be to you,” He said. And they came and clasped His feet, bowing

to the ground before Him.

28:10 Then He said, “Dismiss all fear! Go and take word to my brethren

to go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.”

28:11 While they went on this errand, some of the guards came into the

city and reported to the High Priests every detail of what had

happened.

28:12 So the latter held a conference with the Elders, and after

consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers,

28:13 telling them to say, “His disciples came during the night and stole

his body while we were asleep.”

28:14 “And if this,” they added, “is reported to the Governor, we will

satisfy him and screen you from punishment.”

28:15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this

story was noised about among the Jews, and is current to this day.

28:16 As for the eleven disciples, they proceeded into Galilee, to the hill

where Jesus had arranged to meet them.

28:17 There they saw Him and prostrated themselves before Him. Yet

some doubted.

28:18 Jesus however came near and said to them, “All power in Heaven

and over the earth has been given to me.

28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations; baptize them

into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit;

28:20 and teach them to obey every command which I have given you.

And remember, I am with you always, day by day, until the Close

of the Age.”

THE GOOD NEWS

AS RECORDED BY

MARK

This Gospel is at once the briefest and earliest of the four. Modern research

confirms the ancient tradition that the author was Barnabas’s cousin,

“John, whose other name was Mark,” who during Paul’s first missionary

tour “departed from them” at Pamphylia, “and returned to Jerusalem” (see

Acts 12:12,25; 15:37,39; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24;

1 Peter 5:13). His defection appeared to Paul sufficiently serious to

warrant an emphatic refusal to take him with him on a second tour, but in

after years the breach was healed and we find Mark with Paul again when

he writes to Colossae, and he is also mentioned approvingly in the second

Letter to Timothy.

Scholars are now almost unanimous in fixing the date of this Gospel

between 63 and 70, A. D. There is no valid reason for questioning the

usual view that it was written in Rome. Clement, Eusebius, Jerome and

Epiphanius, all assert that this was so. That the book was mainly intended

for Gentiles, and especially Romans, seems probable from internal

evidence. Latin forms not occurring in other Gospels, together with

explanations of Jewish terms and customs, and the omission of all reference

to the Jewish Law, point in this direction. Its vividness of narration and

pictorial minuteness of observation bespeak the testimony of an eyewitness,

and the assertion of Papias, quoted by Eusebius, that Mark was

“the interpreter of Peter” is borne out by the Gospel itself no less than by

what we otherwise know of Mark and Peter.

In a real though not mechanical sense, this is “the Gospel of Peter,” and its

admitted priority to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke affords substantial

reason for the assumption that it is to some extent the source whence they

derive their narratives, although Papias distinctly affirms that Mark made

no attempt at giving a carefully arranged history such as that at which Luke

confessedly aimed.

In spite of the witness of most uncial MSS. and the valiant pleading of

Dean Burgon and others, modern scholars are well nigh unanimous in

asserting that the last twelve verses of this Gospel are an appendix. Yet less

cannot honestly be said than that they “must have been of very early date,”

and that they embody “a true apostolic tradition which may have been

written by some companion or successor of the original author.” In one

Armenian MS. they are attributed to Aristion.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

1:2 As it is written in Isaiah the Prophet, “See, I am sending My

messenger before Thee, Who will prepare Thy way”;

1:3 “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING ALOUD: ‘IN THE DESERT PREPARE A

ROAD FOR THE LORD: MAKE HIS HIGHWAYS STRAIGHT.’”

1:4 So John the Baptizer came, and was in the Desert proclaiming a

baptism of the penitent for forgiveness of sins.

1:5 There went out to him people of all classes from Judaea, and the

inhabitants of Jerusalem of all ranks, and were baptized by him in

the river Jordan, making open confession of their sins.

1:6 As for John, his garment was of camel’s hair, and he wore a

loincloth of leather; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

1:7 His announcement was, “There is One coming after me mightier

than I — One whose sandal-strap I am unworthy to stoop down

and unfasten.

1:8 I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the

Holy Spirit.”

1:9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was

baptized by John in the Jordan;

1:10 and immediately on His coming up out of the water He saw an

opening in the sky, and the Spirit like a dove coming down to

Him;

1:11

and a voice came from the sky, saying, “Thou art My Son dearly

loved: in Thee is My delight.”

1:12

At once the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the Desert,

1:13

where He remained for forty days, tempted by Satan; and He was

among the wild beasts, but the angels waited upon Him.

1:14

Then, after John had been thrown into prison, Jesus came into

Galilee proclaiming God’s Good News.

1:15

“The time has fully come,” He said, “and the Kingdom of God is

close at hand: repent, and believe this Good News.

1:16

One day, passing along the shore of the Lake of Galilee, He saw

Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, throwing their nets in the

Lake; for they were fisherman.

1:17

“Come and follow me,” said Jesus, “and I will make you fishers for

men.”

1:18

At once they left their nets and followed Him.

1:19

Going on a little further He saw James the son of Zabdi and his

brother John: they also were in the boat mending the nets, and He

immediately called them.

1:20

They therefore left their father Zabdi in the boat with the hired

men, and went and followed Him.

1:21

So they came to Capernaum, and on the next Sabbath He went to

the synagogue and began to teach.

1:22

The people listened with amazement to His teaching — for there

was authority about it: it was very different from that of the

Scribes —

1:23

when all at once, there in their synagogue, a man under the power

of a foul spirit screamed out:

1:24

“What have you to do with us, Jesus the Nazarene? Have you come

to destroy us? I know who you are — God’s Holy One.”

1:25

But Jesus reprimanded him, saying, “Silence! come out of him.”

1:26

So the foul spirit, after throwing the man into convulsions, came

out of him with a loud cry.

1:27

And all were amazed and awe-struck, so they began to ask one

another, “What does this mean? Here is a new sort of teaching —

and a tone of authority! And even to foul spirits he issues orders

and they obey him!”

1:28

And His fame spread at once everywhere in all that part of

Galilee.

1:29

Then on leaving the synagogue they came at once, with James and

John, to the house of Simon and Andrew.

1:30

Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill in bed with a fever, and

without delay they informed Him about her.

1:31

So He went to her, and taking her hand He raised her to her feet:

the fever left her, and she began to wait upon them.

1:32

When it was evening, after sunset people came bringing Him all

who were sick and the demoniacs;

1:33

and the whole town was assembled at the door.

1:34

Then He cured numbers of people who were ill with various

diseases, and He drove out many demons; not allowing the

demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

1:35

In the morning He rose early, while it was still quite dark, and

leaving the house He went away to a solitary place and there

prayed.

1:36

And Simon and the others searched everywhere for Him.

1:37

When they found Him they said, “Every one is looking for you.”

1:38

“Let us go elsewhere, to the neighboring country towns,” He

replied, “that I may proclaim my Message there also; because for

that purpose I came from God.”

1:39

And He went through all Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and

expelling the demons.

1:40

One day there came a leper to Jesus entreating Him, and pleading

on his knees. “If you are willing,” he said, “you are able to cleanse

me.”

1:41

Moved with pity Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. “I

am willing,” He said; “be cleansed.”

1:42

The leprosy at once left him, and he was cleansed.

1:43

Jesus at once sent him away, strictly charging him,

1:44

and saying, “Be careful not to tell any one, but go and show

yourself to the Priest, and for your purification present the

offerings that Moses appointed as evidence for them.”

1:45

But the man, when he went out, began to tell every one and to

publish the matter abroad, so that it was no longer possible for

Jesus to go openly into any town; but He had to remain outside in

unfrequented places, where people came to Him from all parts.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

After some days He entered Capernaum again, and it soon

became known that He was at home;

2:2

and such numbers of people came together that there was no

longer room for them even round the door. He was speaking His

Message to them,

2:3

when there came a party of people bringing a paralytic — four

men carrying him.

2:4

Finding themselves unable, however, to bring him to Jesus

because of the crowd, they untiled the roof just over His head,

and after clearing an opening they lowered the mat on which the

paralytic was lying.

2:5

Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins

are pardoned.”

2:6

Now there were some of the Scribes sitting there, and reasoning

in their hearts.

2:7

“Why does this man use such words?” they said; “he is

blaspheming. Who can pardon sins but One — that is, God?”

2:8

At once perceiving by His spirit that they were reasoning within

themselves, Jesus asked them, “Why do you thus argue in your

minds?

2:9

Which is easier? — to say to this paralytic, ‘Your sins are

pardoned,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your mat, and walk?’

2:10

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on

earth to pardon sins” — He turned to the paralytic, and said,

2:11 “To you I say, ‘Rise, take up your mat and go home.’”

2:12

The man rose, and immediately under the eyes of all took up his

mat and went out, so that they were all filled with astonishment,

gave the glory to God, and said, “We never saw anything like

this.”

2:13

Again He went out to the shore of the Lake, and the whole

multitude kept coming to Him, and He taught them.

2:14

And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at

the Toll Office, and said to him, “Follow me.” So he rose and

followed Him.

2:15

When He was sitting at table in Levi’s house, a large number of

tax-gatherers and notorious sinners were at table with Jesus and

His disciples; for there were many such who habitually followed

Him.

2:16

But when the Scribes of the Pharisee sect saw Him eating with the

sinners and the tax-gatherers, they said to His disciples, “He is

eating and drinking with the tax-gatherers and sinners!”

2:17

Jesus heard the words, and He said, “It is not the healthy who

require a doctor, but the sick: I did not come to appeal to the

righteous, but to sinners.”

2:18

(Now John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees were keeping a

fast.) And they came and asked Him, “How is it that John’s

disciples and those of the Pharisees are fasting, and yours are

not?”

2:19

“Can a wedding party fast while the bridegroom is among them?”

replied Jesus. “So long as they have the bridegroom with them,

fasting is impossible.

2:20

But a time will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away

from them; then they will fast.

2:21

No one mends an old garment with a piece of unshrunk cloth.

Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away from it — the new

from the old — and a worse hole would be made.

2:22

And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the

wine would burst the skins, and both wine and skins would be

lost. New wine needs fresh skins!”

2:23

One Sabbath He was walking through the wheatfields when His

disciples began to pluck the ears of wheat as they went.

2:24

So the Pharisees said to Him, “Look! why are they doing what on

the Sabbath is unlawful?”

2:25

“Have you never read,” Jesus replied, “what David did when the

necessity arose and he and his men were hungry:

2:26

how he entered the house of God in the High-priesthood of

Abiathar, and ate the Presented Loaves — which none but the

priests are allowed to eat — and gave some to his men also?”

2:27

And Jesus said to them: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man

for the Sabbath;

2:28

so that the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

CHAPTER 3

3:1

At another time, when He went to the synagogue, there was a

man there with one arm shriveled up.

3:2

They closely watched Him to see whether He would cure him on

the Sabbath — so as to have a charge to bring against Him.

3:3 “Come forward,” said He to the man with the shriveled arm.

3:4

Then He asked them, “Are we allowed to do good on the

Sabbath, or to do evil? to save a life, or to destroy one?” They

remained silent.

3:5

Grieved and indignant at the hardening of their hearts, He looked

round on them with anger, and said to the man, “Stretch out your

arm.” He stretched it out, and the arm was completely restored.

3:6

But no sooner had the Pharisees left the synagogue than they held

a consultation with the Herodians against Jesus, to devise some

means of destroying Him.

3:7

Accordingly Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the Lake, and a

vast crowd of people from Galilee followed Him;

3:8

and from Judaea and Jerusalem and Idumaea and from beyond the

Jordan and from the district of Tyre and Sidon there came to Him

a vast crowd, hearing of all that He was doing.

3:9

So He gave directions to His disciples to keep a small boat in

constant attendance on Him because of the throng — to prevent

their crushing Him.

3:10

For He had cured many of the people, so that all who had any

ailments pressed upon Him, to touch Him.

3:11

And the foul spirits, whenever they saw Him, threw themselves

down at His feet, screaming out: “You are the Son of God.”

3:12

But He many a time checked them, forbidding them to say who

He was.

3:13

Then He went up the hill; and those whom He Himself chose He

called, and they came to Him.

3:14

He appointed twelve of them, that they might be with Him, and

that He might also send them to proclaim His Message,

3:15

with authority to expel the demons.

3:16

These twelve were Simon (to whom He gave the surname of

Peter),

3:17

James the son of Zabdi and John the brother of James (these two

He surnamed Boanerges, that is ‘Sons of Thunder’),

3:18

Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son

of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananaean,

3:19

and Judas Iscariot, the man who also betrayed Him.

3:20

And He went into a house. But again the crowd assembled, so

that there was no opportunity for them even to snatch a meal.

3:21

Hearing of this, His relatives came to seize Him by force, for they

said, “He is out of his mind.”

3:22

The Scribes, too, who had come down from Jerusalem said, “He

has Baal-zebul in him; and it is by the power of the Prince of the

demons that he expels the demons.”

3:23

So He called them to Him, and using figurative language He

appealed to them, saying, “How is it possible for Satan to expel

Satan?

3:24

For if civil war breaks out in a kingdom, nothing can make that

kingdom last;

3:25

and if a family splits into parties, that family cannot continue.

3:26

So if Satan has risen in arms and has made war upon himself,

stand he cannot, but meets his end.

3:27

Nay, no one can go into a strong man’s house and carry off his

property, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will

plunder his house.

3:28

In solemn truth I tell you that all their sins may be pardoned to the

sons of men, and all their blasphemies, however they may have

blasphemed;

3:29

but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, he remains for

ever unabsolved: he is guilty of a sin of the Ages.”

3:30

This was because they said, “He is possessed by a foul spirit.”

3:31

By this time His mother and His brothers arrive, and standing

outside they send a message to Him to call Him.

3:32

Now a crowd was sitting round Him; so they tell Him, “Your

mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, inquiring for

you.”

3:33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He replied.

3:34

And, fixing His eyes on the people who were sitting round Him in

a circle, He said,

3:35

“Here are my mother and my brothers. For wherever there is one

who has been obedient to God, there is my brother — my sister

— and my mother.”

CHAPTER 4

4:1

Once more He began to teach by the side of the Lake, and a vast

multitude of people came together to listen to Him. He therefore

went on board the boat and sat there, a little way from the land;

and all the people were on the shore close to the water.

4:2

Then He proceeded to teach them many lessons in figurative

language; and in His teaching He said,

4:3 “Listen: the sower goes out to sow.

4:4

As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds

come and peck it up.

4:5

Some falls on the rocky ground where it finds but little earth, and

it shoots up quickly because it has no depth of soil;

4:6

but when the sun is risen, it is scorched, and through having no

root it withers away.

4:7

Some, again, falls among the thorns; and the thorns spring up and

stifle it, so that it yields no crop.

4:8

But some of the seed falls into good ground, and gives a return: it

comes up and increases, and yields thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.”

4:9 “Listen,” He added, “every one who has ears to listen with!”

4:10

When He was alone, the Twelve and the others who were about

Him requested Him to explain His figurative language.

4:11

“To you,” He replied, “has been entrusted the secret truth

concerning the Kingdom of God; but to those others outside your

number all this is spoken in figurative language;

4:12

that “‘THEY MAY LOOK AND LOOK BUT NOT SEE, AND LISTEN AND

LISTEN BUT NOT UNDERSTAND, LEST PERCHANCE THEY SHOULD

RETURN AND BE PARDONED.’”

4:13

“Do you all miss the meaning of this parable?” He added; “how

then will you understand the rest of my parables?”

4:14 “What the sower sows is the Message.

4:15

Those who receive the seed by the way-side are those in whom

the Message is sown, but, when they have heard it, Satan comes

at once and carries away the Message sown in them.

4:16

In the same way those who receive the seed on the rocky places

are those who, when they have heard the Message, at once accept

it joyfully,

4:17

but they have no root within them. They last for a time; then,

when suffering or persecution comes because of the Message,

they are immediately overthrown.

4:18

Others there are who receive the seed among the thorns: these are

they who have heard the Message,

4:19

but worldly cares and the deceitfulness of wealth and the

excessive pursuit of other objects come in and stifle the Message,

and it becomes unfruitful.

4:20

Those, on the other hand, who have received the seed on the

good ground, are all who hear the Message and welcome it, and

yield a return of thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold.”

4:21

He went on to say, “Is the lamp brought in in order to be put

under the bushel or under the bed? Is it not rather in order that it

may be placed on the lampstand?

4:22

Why, there is nothing hidden except with a view to its being

ultimately disclosed, nor has anything been made a secret but that

it may at last come to light.

4:23

Listen, every one who has ears to listen with!”

4:24

He also said to them, “Take care what you hear. With what

measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and that with

interest.

4:25

For those who have will have more given them; and from those

who have not, even what they have will be taken away.”

4:26

Another saying of His was this: “The Kingdom of God is as if a

man scattered seed over the ground:

4:27

he spends days and nights, now awake, now asleep, while the seed

sprouts and grows tall, he knows not how.

4:28

Of itself the land produces the crop — first the blade, then the ear;

afterwards the perfect grain is seen in the ear.

4:29

But no sooner is the crop ripe, than he sends the reapers, because

the time of harvest has come.”

4:30 Another saying of His was this: “How are we to picture the

Kingdom of God? or by what figure of speech shall we represent

it?

4:31 It is like a mustard-seed, which, when sown in the earth, is the

smallest of all the seeds in the world;

4:32 yet when sown it springs up and becomes larger than all the herbs,

and throws out great branches, so that the birds build under its

shadow.”

4:33 With many such parables He used to speak the Message to them

according to their capacity for receiving it.

4:34 But except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them; while

to His own disciples He expounded everything, in private.

4:35 The same day, in the evening, He said to them, “Let us cross to

the other side.”

4:36 So they got away from the crowd, and took Him — as He was —

in the boat; and other boats accompanied Him.

4:37 But a heavy squall came on, and the waves were now dashing into

the boat, so that it was fast filling.

4:38 But He Himself was in the stern asleep, with His head on the

cushion: so they woke Him. “Rabbi,” they cried, “is it nothing to

you that we are drowning?”

4:39 So He roused Himself and rebuked the wind, and said to the

waves, “Silence! Be still!” The wind sank, and a perfect calm set

in.

4:40 “Why are you so timid?” He asked; “have you still no faith?”

4:41 Then they were filled with terror, and began to say to one

another, “Who is this, then? For even wind and sea obey Him.”

CHAPTER 5

5:1 So they arrived at the opposite shore of the Lake, in the country

of the Gerasenes.

5:2 At once, on His landing, there came from the tombs to meet Him

a man possessed by a foul spirit.

5:3

This man lived among the tombs, nor could any one now secure

him even with a chain;

5:4

for many a time he had been left securely bound in fetters and

chains, but afterwards the chains lay torn link from link, and the

fetters in fragments, and there was no one strong enough to

master him.

5:5

And constantly, day and night, he remained among the tombs or

on the hills, shrieking, and mangling himself with sharp stones.

5:6

And when he saw Jesus in the distance, he ran and threw himself

at His feet,

5:7

crying out in a loud voice, “What hast Thou to do with me, Jesus,

Son of God Most High? In God’s name I implore Thee not to

torment me.”

5:8

For He had said to him, “Foul spirit, come out of the man.”

5:9

Jesus also questioned him. “What is your name?” He said.

“Legion,” he replied, “for there are a host of us.”

5:10

And he earnestly entreated Him not to send them away out of the

country.

5:11

Feeding there, on the mountain slope, was a great herd of swine.

5:12

So they besought Jesus. “Send us to the swine,” they said, “so

that we may enter into them.”

5:13

He gave them leave; and the foul spirits came out and entered into

the swine, and the herd — about 2,000 in number — rushed

headlong down the cliff into the Lake and were drowned in the

Lake.

5:14

The swineherds fled, and spread the news in town and country. So

the people came to see what it was that had happened;

5:15

and when they came to Jesus, they beheld the demoniac quietly

seated, clothed and of sane mind — the man who had had the

legion; and they were awe-stricken.

5:16

And those who had seen it told them the particulars of what had

happened to the demoniac, and all about the swine.

5:17

Then they began entreating Him to depart from their district.

5:18

As He was embarking, the man who had been possessed asked

permission to accompany Him.

5:19

But He would not allow it. “Go home to your family,” He said,

“and report to them all that the Lord has done for you, and the

mercy He has shown you.”

5:20

So the man departed, and related publicly everywhere in the Ten

Towns all that Jesus had done for him; and all were astonished.

5:21

When Jesus had re-crossed in the boat to the other side, a vast

multitude came crowding to Him; and He was on the shore of the

Lake,

5:22

when there came one of the Wardens of the Synagogue — he was

called Jair — who, on beholding Him, threw himself at His feet,

5:23

and besought Him with many entreaties. “My little daughter,” he

said, “is at the point of death: I pray you come and lay your hands

upon her, that she may recover and live.”

5:24

And Jesus went with him. And a dense crowd followed Him, and

thronged Him on all sides.

5:25

Now a woman who for twelve years had suffered from

haemorrhage,

5:26

and had undergone many different treatments under a number of

doctors and had spent all she had without receiving benefit but on

the contrary growing worse,

5:27

heard of Jesus. And she came in the crowd behind Him and

touched His cloak;

5:28

for she said, “If I but touch His clothes, I shall be cured.”

5:29

In a moment the flow of her blood ceased, and she felt in herself

that her complaint was cured.

5:30

Immediately Jesus, well knowing that healing power had gone

from within Him, turned round in the crowd and asked, “Who

touched my clothes?”

5:31

“You see the multitude pressing you on all sides,” His disciples

exclaimed, “and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

5:32

But He continued looking about to see the person who had done

this,

5:33

until the woman, frightened and trembling, knowing what had

happened to her, came and threw herself at His feet, and told Him

all the truth.

5:34

“Daughter,” He said, “your faith has cured you: go in peace, and be

free from your complaint.”

5:35

While He is yet speaking, men come from the house to the

Warden, and say, “Your daughter is dead: why trouble the Rabbi

further?”

5:36

But Jesus, overhearing the words, said to the Warden, “Do not be

afraid; only have faith.”

5:37

And He allowed no one to accompany Him except Peter and the

brothers James and John.

5:38

So they come to the Warden’s house. Here He gazes on a scene

of uproar, with people weeping aloud and wailing.

5:39

He goes in. “Why all this outcry and loud weeping?” He asks;

“the child is asleep, not dead.”

5:40

To this their reply is a scornful laugh. He, however, puts them all

out, takes the child’s father and mother and those He has brought

with Him, and enters the room where the child lies.

5:41

Then, taking her by the hand, He says to her, “Talitha, koum;”

that is to say, “Little girl, I command you to wake!”

5:42

Instantly the little girl rises to her feet and begins to walk (for she

was twelve years old). They were at once beside themselves with

utter astonishment;

5:43

but He gave strict injunctions that the matter should not be made

known, and directed them to give her something to eat.

CHAPTER 6

6:1

Leaving that place He came into His own country, accompanied

by His disciples.

6:2

On the Sabbath He proceeded to teach in the synagogue; and

many, as they heard Him, were astonished. “Where did he acquire

all this?” they asked. “What is this wisdom that has been given to

him? And what are these marvelous miracles which his hands

perform?

6:3

Is not this the carpenter, Mary’s son, the brother of James and

Joses, Jude and Simon? And do not his sisters live here among

us?” So they turned angrily away.

6:4

But Jesus said to them, “There is no Prophet without honor

except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his

own home.”

6:5

And He could not do any miracle there, except that He laid His

hands on a few who were out of health and cured them; and

6:6

He wondered at their unbelief. So He went round the adjacent

villages, teaching.

6:7

Then summoning the Twelve to Him, He proceeded to send them

out by twos, and gave them authority over the foul spirits.

6:8

He charged them to take nothing for the journey except a stick;

no bread, no bag, and not a penny in their pockets,

6:9

but to go wearing sandals. “And do not,” He said, “put on an

extra under garment.

6:10

Wherever you enter a house, make it your home till you leave that

place.

6:11

But wherever they will not receive you or listen to you, when you

leave shake off the very dust from under your feet to bear witness

concerning them.”

6:12

So they set out, and preached in order that men might repent.

6:13

Many demons they expelled, and many invalids they anointed with

oil and cured.

6:14

King Herod heard of all this (for the name of Jesus had become

widely known), and he kept saying, “John the Baptizer has come

back to life, and that is why these miraculous Powers are working

in him.”

6:15

Others asserted that He was Elijah. Others again said, “He is a

Prophet, like one of the great Prophets.”

6:16

But when Herod heard of Him, he said, “The John, whom I

beheaded, has come back to life.”

6:17

For Herod himself had sent and had had John arrested and had

kept him in prison in chains, for the sake of Herodias, his brother

Philip’s wife; because he had married her.

6:18

For John had repeatedly told Herod, “You have no right to be

living with your brother’s wife.”

6:19

Therefore Herodias hated him and wished to take his life, but

could not;

6:20

for Herod stood in awe of John, knowing him to be an upright

and holy man, and he protected him. After listening to him he was

in great perplexity, and yet he found a pleasure in listening.

6:21

At length Herodias found her opportunity. Herod on his birthday

gave a banquet to the nobles of his court and to the tribunes and

the principal people in Galilee,

6:22

at which Herodias’s own daughter came in and danced, and so

charmed Herod and his guests that he said to her, “Ask me for

anything you please, and I will give it to you.”

6:23

He even swore to her, “Whatever you ask me for I will give you,

up to half my kingdom.”

6:24

She at once went out and said to her mother: “What shall I ask

for?” “The head of John the Baptizer,” she replied.

6:25

The girl immediately came in, in haste, to the King and made her

request. “My desire is,” she said, “that you will give me, here and

now, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist.”

6:26

Then the King, though intensely sorry, yet for the sake of his

oaths, and of his guests, would not break faith with her.

6:27

He at once sent a soldier of his guard with orders to bring John’s

head. So he went and beheaded him in the prison,

6:28

and brought his head on a dish and gave it to the young girl, who

gave it to her mother.

6:29

When John’s disciples heard of it, they came and took away his

body and laid it in a tomb.

6:30

When the Apostles had re-assembled round Jesus, they reported

to Him all they had done and all they had taught.

6:31

Then He said to them, “Come away, all of you, to a quiet place,

and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, so that

they had no time even for meals.

6:32

Accordingly they sailed away in the boat to a solitary place apart.

6:33

But the people saw them going, and many knew them; and

coming by land they ran together there from all the neighboring

towns, and arrived before them.

6:34

So when Jesus landed, He saw a vast multitude; and His heart was

moved with pity for them, because they were like sheep which

have no shepherd, and He proceeded to teach them many things.

6:35

By this time it was late; so His disciples came to Him, and said,

“This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late:

6:36

send them away that they may go to the farms and villages near

here and buy themselves something to eat.”

6:37

“Give them food yourselves,” He replied. “Are we,” they asked, “to

go and buy two hundred shillings’ worth of bread and give them

food?”

6:38

“How many loaves have you?” He inquired; “go and see.” So they

found out, and said, “Five; and a couple of fish.”

6:39

So He directed them to make all sit down in companies on the

green grass.

6:40

And they sat down in rows of hundreds and of fifties.

6:41

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and lifting His eyes

to Heaven He blessed the food. Then He broke the loaves into

portions which He went on handing to the disciples to distribute;

giving pieces also of the two fish to them all.

6:42

All ate and were fully satisfied.

6:43

And they carried away broken portions enough to fill twelve

baskets, besides pieces of the fish.

6:44

Those who ate the bread were 5,000 adult men.

6:45 Immediately afterwards He made His disciples go on board the

boat and cross over to Bethsaida, leaving Him behind to dismiss

the crowd.

6:46 He then bade the people farewell, and went away up the hill to

pray.

6:47 When evening was come, the boat was half way across the Lake,

while he Himself was on shore alone.

6:48 But when He saw them distressed with rowing (for the wind was

against them), towards morning He came towards them walking

on the Lake, as if intending to pass them.

6:49 They saw Him walking on the water, and thinking that it was a

spirit they cried out;

6:50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. He, however, immediately

spoke to them. “There is no danger,” He said; “it is I; be not

alarmed.”

6:51 Then He went up to them on board the boat, and the wind lulled;

and they were beside themselves with silent amazement.

6:52 For they had not learned the lesson taught by the loaves, but their

minds were dull.

6:53 Having crossed over they drew to land in Gennesaret and came to

anchor.

6:54 But no sooner had they gone ashore than the people immediately

recognized Him.

6:55 Then they scoured the whole district, and began to bring Him the

sick on their mats wherever they heard He was.

6:56 And enter wherever He might — village or town or hamlet —

they laid their sick in the open places, and entreated Him to let

them touch were it but the tassel of His robe; and all, whoever

touched Him, were restored to health.

CHAPTER 7

7:1 Then the Pharisees, with certain Scribes who had come from

Jerusalem, came to Him in a body.

7:2

They had noticed that some of His disciples were eating their food

with ‘unclean’ (that is to say, unwashed) hands.

7:3

(For the Pharisees and all the Jews — being, as they are, zealous

for the traditions of the Elders — never eat without first carefully

washing their hands,

7:4

and when they come from market they will not eat without

bathing first; and they have a good many other customs which

they have received traditionally and cling to, such as the rinsing of

cups and pots and of bronze utensils, and the washing of beds.)

7:5

So the Pharisees and Scribes put the question to Him: “Why do

your disciples transgress the traditions of the Elders, and eat their

food with unclean hands?”

7:6

“Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites,” He replied; “as it is

written, “‘This People honor Me with their lips, while their hearts

are far away from Me:

7:7

BUT IDLE IS THEIR DEVOTION WHILE THEY LAY DOWN PRECEPTS

WHICH ARE MERE HUMAN RULES.’

7:8

“You neglect God’s Commandment: you hold fast to men’s

traditions.”

7:9

“Praiseworthy indeed!” He added, “to set at nought God’s

Commandment in order to observe your own traditions!

7:10

For Moses said, ‘HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER’ and

again, ‘HE WHO CURSES FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM DIE THE

DEATH.’

7:11

But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, It is a Korban

(that is, a thing devoted to God), whatever it is, which otherwise

you would have received from me — ‘

7:12

And so you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or

mother,

7:13

thus nullifying God’s precept by your tradition which you have

handed down. And many things of that kind you do.”

7:14

Then Jesus called the people to Him again. “Listen to me, all of

you,” He said, “and understand.

7:15

There is nothing outside a man which entering him can make him

unclean; but it is the things which come out of a man that make

him unclean.”

7:16

[]

7:17

After He had left the crowd and gone indoors, His disciples began

to ask Him about this figure of speech.

7:18

“Have you also so little understanding?” He replied; “do you not

understand that anything whatever that enters a man from outside

cannot make him unclean,

7:19

because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and

passes away ejected from him?” By these words Jesus pronounced

all kinds of food clean.

7:20

“What comes out of a man,” He added, “that it is which makes him

unclean.

7:21

For from within, out of men’s hearts, their evil purposes proceed

— fornication, theft, murder, adultery,

7:22

covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, reviling,

pride, reckless folly:

7:23

all these wicked things come out from within and make a man

unclean.”

7:24

Then He rose and left that place and went into the neighborhood

of Tyre and Sidon. Here He entered a house and wished no one to

know it, but He could not escape observation.

7:25

Forthwith a woman whose little daughter was possessed by a foul

spirit heard of Him, and came and flung herself at His feet.

7:26

She was a Gentile woman, a Syro-phoenician by nation: and again

and again she begged Him to expel the demon from her daughter.

7:27

“Let the children first eat all they want,” He said; “it is not right to

take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

7:28

“True, Sir,” she replied, “and yet the dogs under the table eat the

children’s scraps.”

7:29

“For those words of yours, go home,” He replied; “the demon has

gone out of your daughter.”

7:30

So she went home, and found the child lying on the bed, and the

demon gone.

7:31

Returning from the neighborhood of Tyre, He came by way of

Sidon to the Lake of Galilee, passing through the district of the

Ten Towns.

7:32

Here they brought to Him a deaf man that stammered, on whom

they begged Him to lay His hands.

7:33

So Jesus taking him aside, apart from the crowd, put His fingers

into his ears, and spat, and moistened his tongue;

7:34

and looking up to Heaven He sighed, and said to him,

“Ephphatha!” (that is, “Open!”)

7:35

And the man’s ears were opened, and his tongue became untied,

and he began to speak perfectly.

7:36

Then Jesus charged them to tell no one; but the more He charged

them, all the more did they spread the news far and wide.

7:37

The amazement was extreme. “He succeeds in everything he

attempts,” they exclaimed; “he even makes deaf men hear and

dumb men speak!”

CHAPTER 8

8:1

About that time there was again an immense crowd, and they

found themselves with nothing to eat. So He called His disciples

to Him.

8:2

“My heart yearns over the people,” He said; “for this is now the

third day they have remained with me, and they have nothing to

eat.

8:3

If I were to send them home hungry, they would faint on the way,

some of them having come a great distance.”

8:4

“Where can we possibly get bread here in this remote place to

satisfy such a crowd?” answered His disciples.

8:5 “How many loaves have you?” He asked. “Seven,” they said.

8:6

So He passed the word to the people to sit down on the ground.

Then taking the seven loaves He blessed them, and broke them

into portions and proceeded to give them to His disciples for them

to distribute, and they distributed them to the people.

8:7

They had also a few small fish. He blessed them, and He told His

disciples to distribute these also.

8:8

So the people ate an abundant meal; and what remained over they

picked up and carried away — seven hampers of broken pieces.

8:9

The number fed were about 4,000. Then He sent them away,

8:10

and at once going on board with His disciples He came into the

district of Dalmanutha.

8:11

The Pharisees followed Him and began to dispute with Him,

asking Him for a sign in the sky, to make trial of Him.

8:12

Heaving a deep and troubled sigh, He said, “Why do the men of

to-day ask for a sign? In solemn truth I tell you that no sign will

be given to the men of to-day.”

8:13

So He left them, went on board again, and came away to the other

side.

8:14

Now they had forgotten to take bread, nor had they more than a

single loaf with them in the boat;

8:15

and when He admonished them, “See to it, be on your guard

against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod,”

8:16

they explained His words to one another by saying, “We have no

bread!”

8:17

He perceived what they were saying, and He said to them, “What

is this discussion of yours about having no bread? Do you not yet

see and understand? Are your minds so dull of comprehension?

8:18

YOU HAVE EYES! CAN YOU NOT SEE? YOU HAVE EARS! CAN YOU

NOT HEAR? and have you no memory?

8:19

When I broke up the five loaves for the 5,000 men, how many

baskets did you carry away full of broken portions?” “Twelve,”

they said.

8:20

“And when the seven for the 4,000, how many hampers full of

portions did you take away?” “Seven,” they answered.

8:21 “Do you not yet understand?” He said.

8:22

And they came to Bethsaida. And a blind man was brought to

Jesus and they entreated Him to touch him.

8:23

So He took the blind man by the arm and brought him out of the

village, and spitting into his eyes He put His hands on him and

asked him, “Can you see anything?”

8:24

He looked up and said, “I can see the people: I see them like trees

— only walking.”

8:25

Then for the second time He put His hands on the man’s eyes, and

the man, looking steadily, recovered his sight and saw everything

distinctly.

8:26

So He sent him home, and added, “Do not even go into the

village.”

8:27

From that place Jesus and His disciples went to the villages

belonging to Caesarea Philippi. On the way He began to ask His

disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

8:28

“John the Baptist,” they replied, “but others say Elijah, and others,

that it is one of the Prophets.”

8:29

Then He asked them pointedly, “But you yourselves, who do you

say that I am?” “You are the Christ,” answered Peter.

8:30

And He strictly forbad them to tell this about Him to any one.

8:31

And now for the first time He told them, “The Son of Man must

endure much suffering, and be rejected by the Elders and the High

Priests and the Scribes, and be put to death, and after two days

rise to life.”

8:32

This He told them plainly; whereupon Peter took Him and began

to remonstrate with Him.

8:33

But turning round and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter.

“Get behind me, Adversary,” He said, “for your thoughts are not

God’s thoughts, but men’s.”

8:34

Then calling to Him the crowd and also His disciples, He said to

them, “If any one is desirous of following me, let him ignore self

and take up his cross, and so be my follower.

8:35

For whoever is bent on securing his life will lose it, but he who

loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, will

secure it.

8:36

Why, what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world and

forfeit his life?

8:37

For what could a man give to buy back his life?

8:38

Every one, however, who has been ashamed of me and of my

teachings in this faithless and sinful age, of him the Son of Man

also will be ashamed when He comes in His Father’s glory with

the holy angels.”

CHAPTER 9

9:1

He went on to say, “In solemn truth I tell you that some of those

who are standing here will certainly not taste death till they have

seen the Kingdom of God already come in power.”

9:2

Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and

brought them alone, apart from the rest, up a high mountain; and

in their presence His appearance underwent a change.

9:3

His garments also became dazzling with brilliant whiteness —

such whiteness as no bleaching on earth could give.

9:4

Moreover there appeared to them Elijah accompanied by Moses;

and the two were conversing with Jesus,

9:5

when Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we are thankful to you that we

are here. Let us put up three tents — one for you, one for Moses,

and one for Elijah.”

9:6

For he knew not what to say: they were filled with such awe.

9:7

Then there came a cloud spreading over them, and a voice issued

from the cloud, “This is my Son, dearly loved: listen to Him.”

9:8

Instantly they looked round, and now they could no longer see

any one, but themselves and Jesus.

9:9

As they were coming down from the mountain, He very strictly

forbad them to tell any one what they had seen “until after the Son

of Man has risen from among the dead.”

9:10

So they kept the matter to themselves, although frequently asking

one another what was meant by the rising from the dead.

9:11

They also asked Him, “How is it that the Scribes say that Elijah

must first come?”

9:12

“Elijah,” He replied, “does indeed come first and reforms

everything; but how is it that it is written of the Son of Man that

He will endure much suffering and be held in contempt?

9:13

Yet I tell you that not only has Elijah come, but they have also

done to him whatever they chose, as the Scriptures say about

him.”

9:14

As they came to rejoin the disciples, they saw an immense crowd

surrounding them and a party of Scribes disputing with them.

9:15

Immediately the whole multitude on beholding Him were

astonished and awe-struck, and yet they ran forward and greeted

Him.

9:16 “What is the subject you are discussing?” He asked them.

9:17

“Rabbi,” answered one of the crowd, “I have brought you my son.

He has a dumb spirit in him;

9:18

and wherever it comes upon him, it dashes him to the ground, and

he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth, and he is pining away.

I begged your disciples to expel it, but they had not the power.”

9:19

“O unbelieving generation!” replied Jesus; “how long must I be

with you? how long must I have patience with you? Bring the boy

to me.”

9:20

So they brought him to Jesus. And the spirit, when he saw Jesus,

immediately threw the youth into convulsions, so that he fell on

the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.

9:21

Then Jesus asked the father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From early childhood,” he said;

9:22

“and often it has thrown him into the fire or into pools of water to

destroy him. But, if you possibly can, have pity on us and help

us.”

9:23

“‘If I possibly can!’” replied Jesus; “why, everything is possible to

him who believes.”

9:24

Immediately the father cried out, “I do believe: strengthen my

weak faith.”

9:25

Then Jesus, seeing that an increasing crowd was running towards

Him, rebuked the foul spirit, and said to it, “Dumb and deaf spirit,

I command you, come out of him and never enter into him again.”

9:26

So with a loud cry he threw the boy into fit after fit, and came

out. The boy looked as if he were dead, so that most of them said

he was dead;

9:27

but Jesus took his hand and raised him up, and he stood on his

feet.

9:28

After the return of Jesus to the house His disciples asked Him

privately, “How is it that we could not expel the spirit?”

9:29

“An evil spirit of this kind,” He answered, “can only be driven out

by prayer.”

9:30

Departing thence they passed through Galilee, and He was

unwilling that any one should know it;

9:31

for He was teaching His disciples, and telling them, “The Son of

Man is to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will put

Him to death; and after being put to death, in three days He will

rise to life again.”

9:32

They, however, did not understand what He meant, and were

afraid to question Him.

9:33

So they came to Capernaum; and when in the house He asked

them, “What were you arguing about on the way?”

9:34

But they remained silent; for on the way they had debated with

one another who was the chief of them.

9:35

Then sitting down He called the Twelve, and said to them, “If any

one wishes to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

9:36

And taking a young child He made him stand in their midst, then

threw His arms round him and said,

9:37 “Whoever for my sake receives one such young child as this,

receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not so much me

as Him who sent me.”

9:38 “Rabbi,” said John to Him, “we saw a man making use of your

name to expel demons, and we tried to hinder him, on the ground

that he did not follow us.”

9:39 “You should not have tried to hinder him,” replied Jesus, “for there

is no one who will use my name to perform a miracle and be able

the next minute to speak evil of me.

9:40 He who is not against us is for us;

9:41 and whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you

belong to Christ, I solemnly tell you that he will certainly not lose

his reward.

9:42 “And whoever shall occasion the fall of one of these little ones who

believe, he would be better off if, with a millstone round his neck,

he were lying at the bottom of the sea.

9:43 If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off: it would be better

for you to enter into Life maimed, than remain in possession of

both your hands and go away into Gehenna, into the fire which

cannot be put out.

9:44 []

9:45 Or if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off: it would be

better for you to enter into Life crippled, than remain in

possession of both your feet and be thrown into Gehenna.

9:46 []

9:47 Or if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out. It would be

better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God half-blind than

remain in possession of two eyes and be thrown into Gehenna,

9:48 where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE AND THE FIRE DOES NOT GO

OUT.

9:49 Every one, however, will be salted with fire.

9:50

Salt is a good thing, but if the salt should become tasteless, what

will you use to give it saltness? Have salt within you and live at

peace with one another.”

CHAPTER 10

10:1

Soon on His feet once more, He enters the district of Judaea and

crosses the Jordan: again the people flock to Him, and ere long, as

was usual with Him, He was teaching them once more.

10:2

Presently a party of Pharisees come to Him with the question —

seeking to entrap Him, “May a man divorce his wife?”

10:3 “What rule did Moses lay down for you?” He answered.

10:4

“Moses,” they said, “permitted a man to draw up a written notice

of divorce, and to send his wife away.”

10:5

“It was in consideration of your stubborn hearts,” said Jesus, “that

Moses enacted this law for you;

10:6

but from the beginning of the creation the rule was, ‘Male and

female did God make them.

10:7

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and

shall cling to his wife,

10:8

AND THE TWO SHALL BE ONE’; so that they are two no longer, but

‘ONE.’

10:9

What, therefore, God has joined together let not man separate.”

10:10

Indoors the disciples began questioning Jesus again on the same

subject.

10:11

He replied, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another

woman, commits adultery against the first wife;

10:12

and if a woman puts away her husband and marries another man,

she commits adultery.”

10:13

One day people were bringing young children to Jesus for Him to

touch them, but the disciples interfered.

10:14

Jesus, however, on seeing this, was moved to indignation, and

said to them, “Let the little children come to me: do not hinder

them; for to those who are childlike the Kingdom of God belongs.

10:15

In solemn truth I tell you that no one who does not receive the

Kingdom of God like a little child will by any possibility enter it.”

10:16

Then He took them in His arms and blessed them lovingly, one by

one, laying His hands upon them.

10:17

As He went out to resume His journey, there came a man running

up to Him, who knelt at His feet and asked, “Good Rabbi, what

am I to do in order to inherit the Life of the Ages?”

10:18

“Why do you call me good?” asked Jesus in reply; “there is no one

truly good except One — that is, God.

10:19

You know the Commandments — ‘DO NOT MURDER;’ ‘DO NOT

COMMIT ADULTERY;’ ‘DO NOT STEAL;’ ‘DO NOT LIE IN GIVING

EVIDENCE;’ ‘DO NOT DEFRAUD;’ ‘HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY

MOTHER.’”

10:20

“Rabbi,” he replied, “all these Commandments I have carefully

obeyed from my youth.”

10:21

Then Jesus looked at him and loved him, and said, “One thing is

lacking in you: go, sell all you possess and give the proceeds to

the poor, and you shall have riches in Heaven; and come and be a

follower of mine.”

10:22

At these words his brow darkened, and he went away sad; for he

was possessed of great wealth.

10:23

Then looking round on His disciples Jesus said, “With how hard a

struggle will the possessors of riches enter the Kingdom of God!”

10:24

The disciples were amazed at His words. Jesus, however, said

again, “Children, how hard a struggle is it for those who trust in

riches to enter the Kingdom of God!

10:25

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.”

10:26

They were astonished beyond measure, and said to one another,

“Who then can be saved?”

10:27

Jesus looking on them said, “With men it is impossible, but not

with God; for everything is possible with God.”

10:28

“Remember,” said Peter to Him, “that we forsook everything and

have become your followers.”

10:29

“In solemn truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “that there is no one who

has forsaken house or brothers or sisters, or mother or father, or

children or lands, for my sake and for the sake of the Good News,

10:30

but will receive a hundred times as much now in this present life

— houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, lands — and

persecution with them — and in the coming age the Life of the

Ages.

10:31

But many who are now first will be last, and the last, first.”

10:32

They were still on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was

walking ahead of them; they were full of wonder, and some,

though they followed, did so with fear. Then, once more calling to

Him the Twelve, He began to tell them what was about to happen

to Him.

10:33

“See,” He said, “we are going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of

Man will be betrayed to the High Priests and the Scribes. They

will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the

Gentiles;

10:34

they will insult Him in cruel sport, spit on Him, scourge Him, and

put Him to death; but on the third day He will rise to life again.”

10:35

Then James and John, the sons of Zabdi, came up to Him and

said, “Rabbi, we wish you would grant us whatever request we

make of you.”

10:36 “What would you have me do for you?” He asked.

10:37

“Allow us,” they replied, “to sit one at your right hand and the

other at your left hand, in your glory.”

10:38

“You know not,” said He, “what you are asking. Are you able to

drink out of the cup from which I am to drink, or to be baptized

with the baptism with which I am to be baptized?”

10:39

“We are able,” they replied. “Out of the cup,” said Jesus, “from

which I am to drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with

which I am to be baptized you shall be baptized;

10:40

but as to sitting at my right hand or at my left, that is not mine to

give: it will be for those for whom it is reserved.”

10:41

The other ten, hearing of it, were at first highly indignant with

James and John.

10:42

Jesus, however, called them to Him and said to them, “You are

aware how those who are deemed rulers among the Gentiles lord

it over them, and their great men make them feel their authority;

10:43

but it is not to be so among you. No, whoever desires to be great

among you must be your servant;

10:44

and whoever desires to be first among you must be the

bondservant of all.

10:45

For the Son of Man also did not come to be waited upon, but to

wait on others, and to give His life as the redemption-price for a

multitude of people.”

10:46

They came to Jericho; and as He was leaving that town —

Himself and His disciples and a great crowd — Bartimaeus (the

son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the way-side.

10:47

Hearing that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, “Son

of David, Jesus, have pity on me.”

10:48

Many angrily told him to leave off shouting; but he only cried out

all the louder, “Son of David, have pity on me.”

10:49

Then Jesus stood still. “Call him,” He said. So they called the

blind man. “Cheer up,” they said; “rise, he is calling you.”

10:50

The man flung away his outer garment, sprang to his feet, and

came to Jesus.

10:51

“What shall I do for you?” said Jesus. “Rabboni,” replied the blind

man, “let me recover my sight.”

10:52

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has cured you.” Instantly he regained

his sight, and followed Him along the road.

CHAPTER 11

11:1

When they were getting near Jerusalem and had arrived at

Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two

of his disciples on in front, with these instructions.

11:2

“Go,” He said, “to the village facing you, and immediately on

entering it you will find an ass’s foal tied up which no one has

ever yet ridden: untie him and bring him here.

11:3

And if any one asks you, ‘Why are you doing that?’ say, ‘The

Master needs it, and will send it back here without delay.’”

11:4

So they went and found a young ass tied up at the front door of a

house. They were untying it,

11:5

when some of the bystanders called out, “What are you doing,

untying the foal?”

11:6

But on their giving the answer that Jesus had bidden them give,

they let them take it.

11:7

So they brought the foal to Jesus, and threw their outer garments

over him; and Jesus mounted.

11:8

Then many spread their outer garments to carpet the road, and

others leafy branches which they had cut down in the fields;

11:9

while those who led the way and those who followed kept

shouting “GOD SAVE HIM!” BLESSED BE HE WHO COMES IN THE

LORD’S NAME.

11:10

Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our forefather David! GOD

IN THE HIGHEST HEAVENS SAVE HIM!”

11:11

So He came into Jerusalem and into the Temple; and after looking

round upon everything there, the hour being now late He went

out to Bethany with the Twelve.

11:12

The next day, after they had left Bethany, He was hungry.

11:13

But in the distance He saw a fig-tree in full leaf, and went to see

whether perhaps He could find some figs on it. When however He

came to it, He found nothing but leaves (for it was not fig time);

11:14

and He said to the tree, “Let no one ever again eat fruit from

thee!” And His disciples heard this.

11:15

They reached Jerusalem, and entering the Temple He began to

drive out the buyers and sellers, and upset the money-changers’

tables and the stools of the pigeon-dealers,

11:16

and would not allow any one to carry anything through the

Temple.

11:17

And He remonstrated with them. “Is it not written,” He said,

“‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED THE HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL

THE NATIONS?’ But you have made it what it now is — A

ROBBERS’ CAVE.”

11:18

This the High Priests and Scribes heard, and they began to devise

means to destroy Him. For they were afraid of Him, because of

the deep impression produced on all the people by His teaching.

11:19

When evening came on, Jesus and His disciples used to leave the

city.

11:20

In the early morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig-tree

withered to the roots;

11:21

and Peter, recollecting, said to Him, “Look, Rabbi, the fig-tree

which you cursed is withered up.”

11:22

Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God.

11:23

In solemn truth I tell you that if any one shall say to this mountain,

‘Remove, and hurl thyself into the sea,’ and has no doubt about it

in his heart, but stedfastly believes that what he says will happen,

it shall be granted him.

11:24

That is why I tell you, as to whatever you pray and make request

for, if you believe that you have received it it shall be yours.

11:25

But whenever you stand praying, if you have a grievance against

any one, forgive it, so that your Father in Heaven may also forgive

you your offenses.”

11:26

[]

11:27

They came again to Jerusalem; and as He was walking in the

Temple, the High Priests, Scribes and Elders came to Him

11:28

and asked, “By what authority are you doing these things? and

who gave you authority to do them?”

11:29

“And I will put a question to you,” replied Jesus; “answer me, and

then I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

11:30

John’s Baptism — was it of Heavenly or of human origin?

Answer me.”

11:31

So they debated the matter with one another. “Suppose we say,

‘Heavenly,’” they argued, “he will ask, ‘Why then did you not

believe him?’

11:32

Or should we say, ‘human?’” They were afraid of the people; for

all agreed in holding John to have been really a Prophet.

11:33

So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” “Nor do I tell you,”

said Jesus, “by what authority I do these things.”

CHAPTER 12

12:1

Then He began to speak to them in figurative language. “There

was once a man,” He said, “who planted a vineyard, fenced it

round, dug a pit for the wine-tank, and built a strong lodge. Then

he let the place to vine-dressers and went abroad.

12:2

At vintage-time he sent one of his servants to receive from the

vine-dressers a share of the grapes.

12:3

But they seized him, beat him cruelly and sent him away empty-

handed.

12:4

Again he sent to them another servant: and as for him, they

wounded him in the head and treated him shamefully.

12:5

Yet a third he sent, and him they killed. And he sent many besides,

and them also they ill-treated, beating some and killing others.

12:6

He had still one left whom he could send, a dearly-loved son: him

last of all he sent, saying, “‘They will treat my son with respect.’

12:7

“But those men — the vine-dressers — said to one another, “‘Here

is the heir: come, let us kill him, and then the property will one

day be ours.’

12:8

“So they took him and killed him, and flung his body outside the

vineyard.

12:9

What, therefore, will the owner of the vineyard do?” “He will

come and put the vine-dressers to death,” they said; “and will give

the vineyard to others.”

12:10 “Have you not read even this passage,” He added, “‘The stone

which the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone:

12:11 THIS CORNERSTONE CAME FROM THE LORD, AND IS WONDERFUL

IN OUR ESTEEM?’”

12:12 And they kept looking out for an opportunity to seize Him, but

were afraid of the people; for they saw that in this parable He had

referred to them. So they left Him and went away.

12:13 Their next step was to send to Him some of the Pharisees and of

Herod’s partisans to entrap Him in conversation.

12:14 So they came to Him. “Rabbi,” they said, “we know that you are a

truthful man and you do not fear any one; for you do not

recognize human distinctions, but teach God’s way truly. Is it

allowable to pay poll-tax to Caesar, or not?

12:15 Shall we pay, or shall we refuse to pay?” But He, knowing their

hypocrisy, replied, “Why try to ensnare me? Bring me a shilling

for me to look at.”

12:16 They brought one; and He asked them, “Whose is this likeness

and this inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied.

12:17 “What is Caesar’s,” replied Jesus, “pay to Caesar — and what is

God’s, pay to God.” And they wondered exceedingly at Him.

12:18 Then came to Him a party of Sadducees, a sect which denies that

there is any Resurrection; and they proceeded to question Him.

12:19 “Rabbi,” they said, “Moses made it a law for us: ‘IF A MAN’S

BROTHER SHOULD DIE AND LEAVE A WIFE, BUT NO CHILD, THE

MAN SHALL MARRY THE WIDOW AND RAISE UP A FAMILY FOR HIS

BROTHER.’

12:20 There were once seven brothers, the eldest of whom married a

wife, but at his death left no family.

12:21 The second married her, and died, leaving no family; and the third

did the same.

12:22 And so did the rest of the seven, all dying childless. Finally the

woman also died.

12:23

At the Resurrection whose wife will she be? For they all seven

married her.”

12:24

“Is not this the cause of your error,” replied Jesus — “your

ignorance alike of the Scriptures and of the power of God?

12:25

For when they have risen from among the dead, men do not marry

and women are not given in marriage, but they are as angels are in

Heaven.

12:26

But as to the dead, that they rise to life, have you never read in

the Book of Moses, in the passage about the Bush, how God said

to him, ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND

THE GOD OF JACOB?’

12:27

He is not the God of dead, but of living men. You are in grave

error.”

12:28

Then one of the Scribes, who had heard them disputing and well

knew that Jesus had given them an answer to the point, and a

forcible one, came forward and asked Him, “Which is the chief of

all the Commandments?”

12:29

“The chief Commandment,” replied Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel!

The Lord our God is one Lord;

12:30

AND THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH THY WHOLE

HEART, THY WHOLE SOUL, THY WHOLE MIND, AND THY WHOLE

STRENGTH.’

12:31

“The second is this: ‘THOU SHALT LOVE THY FELLOW MAN AS THOU

LOVEST THYSELF.’ “Other Commandment greater than these there

is none.”

12:32

So the Scribe said to Him, “Rightly, in very truth, Rabbi, have you

said that HE STANDS ALONE, AND THERE IS NONE BUT HE;

12:33

and TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL ONE’S HEART, WITH ALL ONE’S

UNDERSTANDING, AND WITH ALL ONE’S STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE

ONE’S FELLOW MAN NO LESS THAN ONESELF, is far better than all

our WHOLE BURNT-OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES.”

12:34

Perceiving that the Scribe had answered wisely Jesus said to him,

“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” No one from that

time forward ventured to put any question to Him.

12:35

But, while teaching in the Temple, Jesus asked, “How is it the

Scribes say that the Christ is a son of David?

12:36

David himself said, taught by the Holy Spirit, “‘THE LORD SAID TO

MY LORD, SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I HAVE MADE THY FOES

A FOOTSTOOL UNDER THY FEET.’

12:37

“David himself calls Him ‘Lord:’ how then can He be his son?” And

the mass of people found pleasure in listening to Jesus.

12:38

Moreover in the course of His teaching He said, “Be on your

guard against the Scribes who like to walk about in long robes

and to be bowed to in places of public resort,

12:39

and to occupy the best seats in the synagogues and at dinner

parties,

12:40

and who swallow up the property of widows and then mask their

wickedness by making long prayers: these men will receive far

heavier punishment.”

12:41

Having taken a seat opposite the Treasury, He observed how the

people were dropping money into the Treasury, and that many of

the wealthy threw in large sums.

12:42

But there came one poor widow and dropped in two farthings,

equal in value to a halfpenny.

12:43

So He called His disciples to Him and said, “In solemn truth I tell

you that this widow, poor as she is, has thrown in more than all

the other contributors to the Treasury;

12:44

for they have all contributed out of what they could well spare,

but she out of her need has thrown in all she possessed — all she

had to live on.”

CHAPTER 13

13:1

As He was leaving the Temple, one of His disciples exclaimed,

“Look, Rabbi, what wonderful stones! what wonderful buildings!”

13:2

“You see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied; “not one stone

will be left here upon another — not thrown down.”

13:3

He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite to the Temple,

when Peter, James, John, and Andrew, apart from the others

asked Him,

13:4

“Tell us, When will these things be? and what will be the sign when

all these predictions are on the point of being fulfilled?”

13:5

So Jesus began to say to them: “Take care that no one misleads

you.

13:6

Many will come assuming my name and saying, ‘I am He;’ and

they will mislead many.

13:7

But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be

alarmed: come they must, but the End is not yet.

13:8

For NATION WILL RISE IN ARMS AGAINST NATION, AND KINGDOM

AGAINST KINGDOM. There will be earthquakes in various places;

there will be famines. These miseries are but like the early pains of

childbirth.

13:9

“You yourselves must be on your guard. They will deliver you up

to Sanhedrins; you will be brought into synagogues and cruelly

beaten; and you will stand before governors and kings for my

sake, to be witnesses to them for me.

13:10

But the proclamation of the Good News must be carried to all the

Gentiles before the End comes.

13:11

When however they are marching you along under arrest, do not

be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but speak what

is given you when the time comes; for it will not be you who

speak, but the Holy Spirit.

13:12

“Brother will betray brother to be killed, and fathers will betray

children; and CHILDREN WILL RISE AGAINST THEIR PARENTS and

have them put to death.

13:13

You will be objects of universal hatred because you are called by

my name, but those who stand firm to the End will be saved.

13:14

“As soon, however, as you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

standing where he ought not” — let the reader observe these

words — “then let those in Judaea escape to the hills;

13:15 let him who is on the roof not come down and enter the house to

fetch anything out of it;

13:16 and let not him who is in the field turn back to pick up his outer

garment.

13:17 And alas for the women who at that time are with child or have

infants!

13:18 “But pray that it may not come in the winter.

13:19 For those will be times of SUFFERING THE LIKE OF WHICH HAS

NEVER BEEN FROM THE FIRST CREATION OF GOD’S WORLD UNTIL

NOW, and assuredly never will be again;

13:20 and but for the fact that the Lord has cut short those days, no one

would escape; but for the sake of His own People whom He has

chosen for Himself He has cut short the days.

13:21 “At that time if any one says to you, ‘See, here is the Christ!’ or

‘See, He is there!’ do not believe it.

13:22 For THERE WILL RISE UP false Christs and false PROPHETS,

DISPLAYING SIGNS AND PRODIGIES with a view to lead astray — if

indeed that were possible — even God’s own People.

13:23 But as for yourselves, be on your guard: I have forewarned you of

everything.

13:24 “AT THAT TIME, however, after that distress, the sun will be

darkened and the moon will not shed her light;

13:25 THE STARS WILL BE SEEN FALLING FROM THE FIRMAMENT, AND THE

FORCES WHICH ARE IN THE HEAVENS WILL BE DISORDERED AND

DISTURBED.

13:26 And then will they see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with

great power and glory.

13:27 Then He will send forth the angels and gather together His chosen

People from north, south, east and west, from the remotest parts

of the earth and the sky.

13:28 “Learn from the fig-tree the lesson it teaches. As soon as its branch

has become soft and it is bursting into leaf, you know that summer

is near.

13:29

So also do you, when you see these things happening, be sure that

He is near, at your very door.

13:30

I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly

not pass away without all these things having first taken place.

13:31

Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my words will

not pass away.

13:32

“But as to that day or the exact time no one knows — not even the

angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

13:33

Take care, be on the alert, and pray; for you do not know when it

will happen.

13:34

It is like a man living abroad who has left his house, and given the

management to his servants — to each one his special duty — and

has ordered the porter to keep awake.

13:35

Be wakeful therefore, for you know not when the master of the

house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at cock-crow, or

at dawn.

13:36

Beware lest He should arrive unexpectedly and find you asleep.

13:37

Moreover, what I say to you I say to all — Be wakeful!”

CHAPTER 14

14:1

It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of

Unleavened Bread, and the High Priests and Scribes were bent on

finding how to seize Him by stratagem and put Him to death.

14:2

But they said, “Not on the Festival-day, for fear there should be a

riot among the people.”

14:3

Now when He was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the Leper,

while He was at table, there came a woman with a jar of pure,

sweet-scented ointment very costly: she broke the jar and poured

the ointment over His head.

14:4

But there were some who said indignantly among themselves,

“Why has the ointment been thus wasted?

14:5

For that ointment might have been sold for fifteen pounds or

more, and the money have been given to the poor.” And they

were exceedingly angry with her.

14:6

But Jesus said, “Leave her alone: why are you troubling her? She

has done a most gracious act towards me.

14:7

For you always have the poor among you, and whenever you

choose you can do acts of kindness to them; but me you have not

always.

14:8

What she could she did: she has perfumed my body in preparation

for my burial.

14:9

And I solemnly tell you that wherever in the whole world the

Good News shall be proclaimed, this which she has done shall

also be told in remembrance of her.”

14:10

But Judas Iscariot, already mentioned as one of the Twelve, went

to the High Priests to betray Jesus to them.

14:11

They gladly listened to his proposal, and promised to give him a

sum of money. So he looked out for an opportunity to betray

Him.

14:12

On the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread — the day for

killing the Passover lamb — His disciples asked Him, “Where

shall we go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

14:13

So He sent two of His disciples with instructions, saying, “Go into

the city, and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water:

follow him,

14:14

and whatever house he enters, tell the master of the house, ‘The

Rabbi asks, Where is my room where I can eat the Passover with

my disciples?’

14:15

Then he will himself show you a large room upstairs, ready

furnished: there make preparation for us.”

14:16

So the disciples went out and came to the city, and found

everything just as He had told them; and they got the Passover

ready.

14:17

When it was evening, He came with the Twelve.

14:18

And while they were at table Jesus said, “I solemnly tell you that

one of you will betray me — one who is eating with me.”

14:19

They were filled with sorrow, and began asking Him, one by one,

“Not I, is it?”

14:20

“It is one of the Twelve,” He replied; “he who is dipping his fingers

in the dish with me.

14:21

For the Son of Man is going His way as it is written about Him;

but alas for the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had

been a happy thing for that man, had he never been born.”

14:22

Also during the meal He took a Passover biscuit, blessed it, and

broke it. He then gave it to them, saying, “Take this, it is my

body.”

14:23

Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and handed it to them, and

they all of them drank from it.

14:24

“This is my blood,” He said, “which is to be poured out on behalf

of many — the blood which makes the Covenant sure.

14:25

I solemnly tell you that never again will I taste the produce of the

vine till I shall drink the new wine in the Kingdom of God.”

14:26

After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

14:27

Then said Jesus to them, “All of you are about to stumble and fall,

for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE

SHEEP WILL BE SCATTERED IN ALL DIRECTIONS.’

14:28

But after I have risen to life again I will go before you into

Galilee.”

14:29 “All may stumble and fall,” said Peter, “yet I never will.”

14:30

“I solemnly tell you,” replied Jesus, “that to-day — this night —

before the cock crows twice, you yourself will three times disown

me.”

14:31

“Even if I must die with you,” declared Peter again and again, “I

will never disown you.” In like manner protested also all the

disciples.

14:32

So they came to a place called Gethsemane. There He said to His

disciples, “Sit down here till I have prayed.”

14:33

Then He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to

be full of terror and distress,

14:34

and He said to them, “My heart is oppressed with anguish to the

very point of death: wait here and keep awake.”

14:35

Going forward a short distance He threw Himself upon His face

and prayed repeatedly that, if it was possible, He might be spared

that time of agony;

14:36

and He said, “Abba! my Father! all things are possible for Thee:

take this cup of suffering away from me: and yet not what I

desire, but what Thou desirest.”

14:37

Then He came and found them asleep, and He said to Peter,

“Simon, are you asleep? Had you not strength to keep awake a

single hour?

14:38

Be wakeful, all of you, and keep on praying, that you may not

come into temptation: the spirit is right willing, but the body is

frail.”

14:39

He again went away and prayed, using the very same words.

14:40

When He returned He again found them asleep, for they were

very tired; and they knew not how to answer Him.

14:41

A third time He came, and then He said, “Sleep on and rest.

Enough! the hour has come. Even now they are betraying the Son

of Man into the hands of sinful men.

14:42

Rouse yourselves, let us be going: my betrayer is close at hand.”

14:43

Immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the

Twelve, came and with him a crowd of men armed with swords

and cudgels, sent by the High Priests and Scribes and Elders.

14:44

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them. “The one I

kiss,” he said, “is the man: lay hold of him, and take him safely

away.”

14:45

So he came, and going straight to Jesus he said, “Rabbi!” and

kissed Him with seeming affection;

14:46

whereupon they laid hands on Him and held Him firmly.

14:47

But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck a blow

at the High Priest’s servant, cutting off his ear.

14:48

“Have you come out,” said Jesus, “with swords and cudgels to

arrest me, as if you had to fight with a robber?

14:49

Day after day I used to be among you in the Temple teaching, and

you never seized me. But this is happening in order that the

Scriptures may be fulfilled.’

14:50

Then His friends all forsook Him and fled.

14:51

One youth indeed did follow Him, wearing only a linen cloth

round his bare body. Of him they laid hold,

14:52

but he left the linen cloth in their hands and fled without it.

14:53

So they led Jesus away to the High Priest, and with him there

assembled all the High Priests, Elders, and Scribes.

14:54

Peter followed Jesus at a distance, as far as the outer court of the

High Priest’s palace. But there he remained sitting among the

officers, and warming himself by the fire.

14:55

Meanwhile the High Priests and the entire Sanhedrin were

endeavoring to get evidence against Jesus in order to put Him to

death, but could find none;

14:56

for though many gave false testimony against Him, their

statements did not tally.

14:57

Then some came forward as witnesses and falsely declared,

14:58

“We have heard him say, ‘I will pull down this Sanctuary built by

human hands, and three days afterwards I will erect another built

without hands.’”

14:59

But not even in this shape was their testimony consistent.

14:60

At last the High Priest stood up, and advancing into the midst of

them all, asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is the

meaning of all this that these witnesses allege against you?”

14:61

But He remained silent, and gave no reply. A second time the

High Priest questioned Him. “Are you the Christ, the Son of the

Blessed One?” he said.

14:62

“I am,” replied Jesus, “and you and others will see the Son of Man

sitting at the right hand of the divine Power, and coming amid the

clouds of the sky.”

14:63

Rending his garments the High Priest exclaimed, “What need have

we of witnesses after that?

14:64

You all heard his impious words. What is your judgment?” Then

with one voice they condemned Him as deserving of death.

14:65

Thereupon some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him,

while striking Him with their fists and crying, “Prove that you are

a prophet.” The officers too struck Him with open hands as they

took Him in charge.

14:66

Now while Peter was below in the quadrangle, one of the High

Priest’s maidservants came,

14:67

and seeing Peter warming himself she looked at him and said,

“You also were with Jesus, the Nazarene.”

14:68

But he denied it, and said, “I don’t know — I don’t understand —

What do you mean?” And then he went out into the outer court.

Just then a cock crowed.

14:69

Again the maidservant saw him, and again began to say to the

people standing by, “He is one of them.”

14:70

A second time he repeatedly denied it. Soon afterwards the

bystanders again accused Peter, saying, “You are surely one of

them, for you too are a Galilaean.”

14:71

But he broke out into curses and oaths, declaring, “I know

nothing of the man you are talking about.”

14:72

No sooner had he spoken than a cock crowed for the second time,

and Peter recollected the words of Jesus, “Before the cock crows

twice, you will three times disown me.” And as he thought of it,

he wept aloud.

CHAPTER 15

15:1

At earliest dawn, after the High Priests had held a consultation

with the Elders and Scribes, they and the entire Sanhedrin bound

Jesus and took Him away and handed Him over to Pilate.

15:2

So Pilate questioned Him. “Are you the King of the Jews?” he

asked. “I am,” replied Jesus.

15:3

Then, as the High Priests went on heaping accusations on Him,

15:4

Pilate again and again asked Him, “Do you make no reply? Listen

to the many charges they are bringing against you.”

15:5

But Jesus made no further answer: so that Pilate wondered.

15:6

Now at the Festival it was customary for Pilate to release to the

Jews any one prisoner whom they might beg off from punishment;

15:7

and at this time a man named Barabbas was in prison among the

insurgents — persons who in the insurrection had committed

murder.

15:8

So the people came crowding up, asking Pilate to grant them the

usual favor.

15:9 “Shall I release for you the King of the Jews?” answered Pilate.

15:10

For he could see that it was out of sheer spite that the High

Priests had handed Him over.

15:11

But the High Priests urged on the crowd to obtain Barabbas’s

release in preference;

15:12

and when Pilate again asked them, “What then shall I do to the

man you call King of the Jews?”

15:13

they once more shouted out, “Crucify Him!”

15:14

“Why, what crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they

vehemently shouted, “Crucify Him!”

15:15

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the mob, released Barabbas for them,

and after scourging Jesus handed Him over for crucifixion.

15:16

Then the soldiers led Him away into the court of the Palace (the

Praetorium), and calling together the whole battalion

15:17

they arrayed Him in crimson, placed on His head a wreath of

thorny twigs which they had twisted,

15:18

and went on to salute Him with shouts of “Long live the King of

the Jews.”

15:19

Then they began to beat Him on the head with a cane, to spit on

Him, and to do Him homage on bended knees.

15:20

At last, having finished their sport, they took the robe off Him,

put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

15:21

One Simon, a Cyrenaean, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was

passing along, coming from the country: him they compelled to

carry His cross.

15:22

So they brought Him to the place called Golgotha, which, being

translated, means ‘Skull-ground.’

15:23

Here they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He refused it.

15:24

Then they crucified Him. This done, they divided His garments

among them, drawing lots to decide what each should take.

15:25

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified Him.

15:26

Over His head was the notice in writing of the charge against

Him: THE KING OF THE JEWS.

15:27

And together with Jesus they crucified two robbers, one at His

right hand and one at His left.

15:28

[]

15:29

And all the passers-by reviled Him. They shook their heads at Him

and said, “Ah! you who were for destroying the Sanctuary and

building a new one in three days,

15:30

come down from the cross and save yourself.”

15:31

In the same way the High Priests also, as well as the Scribes, kept

on scoffing at Him, saying to one another, “He has saved others:

himself he cannot save!

15:32

This Christ, the King of Israel, let him come down now from the

cross, that we may see and believe.” Even the men who were

being crucified with Him heaped insults on Him.

15:33

At noon there came a darkness over the whole land, lasting till

three o’clock in the afternoon.

15:34

But at three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “ELOHI,

ELOHI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” which means, “My God, My God,

WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?”

15:35

Some of the bystanders, hearing Him, said, “Listen, he is calling

for Elijah!”

15:36

Then a man ran to fill a sponge with sour wine, and he put it on

the end of a cane and placed it to His lips, saying at the same time,

“Wait! let us see whether Elijah will come and take him down.”

15:37

But Jesus uttered a loud cry and yielded up His spirit.

15:38

And the curtain in the Sanctuary was torn in two, from top to

bottom.

15:39

And when the Centurion who stood in front of the cross saw that

He was dead, he exclaimed, “This man was indeed God’s Son.”

15:40

There were also a party of women looking on from a distance;

among them being both Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of

James the Little and of Joses, and Salome —

15:41

all of whom in the Galilaean days had habitually been with Him

and cared for Him, as well as many other women who had come

up to Jerusalem with Him.

15:42

Towards sunset, as it was the Preparation — that is, the day

preceding the Sabbath —

15:43

Joseph of Arimathaea came, a highly respected member of the

Council, who himself also was living in expectation of the

Kingdom of God. He summoned up courage to go in to see Pilate

and beg for the body of Jesus.

15:44

But Pilate could hardly believe that He was already dead. He

called, however, for the Centurion and inquired whether He had

been long dead;

15:45

and having ascertained the fact he granted the body to Joseph.

15:46

He, having bought a sheet of linen, took Him down, wrapped Him

in the sheet and laid Him in a tomb hewn in the rock; after which

he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.

15:47

Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on

to see where He was put.

CHAPTER 16

16:1

When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother

of James, and Salome, bought spices, in order to come and anoint

His body.

16:2 So, very soon after sunrise on the first day of the week, they came

to the tomb;

16:3 and they were saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the

stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”

16:4 But then, looking up, they saw that the stone was already rolled

back: for it was of immense size.

16:5 Upon entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at their

right hand, clothed in a long white robe. They were astonished

and terrified.

16:6 But he said to them, “Do not be terrified. It is Jesus you are

looking for — the Nazarene who has been crucified. He has come

back to life: He is not here: this is the place where they laid Him.

16:7 But go and tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you

into Galilee: and that there you will see Him, as He told you.”

16:8 So they came out, and fled from the tomb, for they were greatly

agitated and surprised; and they said not a word to any one, for

they were afraid.

16:9 But He rose to life early on the first day of the week, and

appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom He had expelled

seven demons.

16:10 She went and brought the tidings to those who had been with

Him, as they were mourning and weeping.

16:11 But they, when they were told that He was alive and that she had

seen Him, could not believe it.

16:12 Afterwards He showed Himself in another form to two of them as

they were walking, on their way into the country.

16:13 These, again, went and told the news to the rest; but not even

them did they believe.

16:14 Later still He showed Himself to the Eleven themselves whilst

they were at table, and He upbraided them with their unbelief and

obstinacy in not having believed those who had seen Him alive.

16:15 Then He said to them, “Go the whole world over, and proclaim

the Good News to all mankind.

16:16

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who

disbelieves will be condemned.

16:17

And signs shall attend those who believe, even such as these. By

making use of my name they shall expel demons. They shall speak

new languages.

16:18

They shall take up venomous snakes, and if they drink any deadly

poison it shall do them no harm whatever. They shall lay their

hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover.”

16:19

So the Lord Jesus after having thus spoken to them was taken up

into Heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

16:20

But they went out and made proclamation everywhere, the Lord

working with them and confirming their Message by the signs

which accompanied it.

THE GOOD NEWS

AS RECORDED BY

LUKE

Modern research has abundantly confirmed the ancient tradition that the

anonymous author of the third Gospel is none other than “Luke the

beloved physician” and the narrator of the “Acts of the Apostles” (see.

Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24). Even Renan

acknowledges this, and the objections of a few extremists appear to have

been sufficiently answered.

The date is not easy to settle. The main problem is whether the book was

written before or after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70, A.D. Not a few

scholars whose views merit great respect still think that it preceded that

event, but the majority of critics believe otherwise. Three principal dates

have been suggested, 63, A.D., 80, A.D., 100, A.D. If we accept 80, A. D.,

we shall be in substantial accord with Harnack, McGiffert, and Plummer,

who fairly represent the best consensus of scholarly opinion.

There is no evidence as to where this Gospel was composed, although its

general style suggests the influence of some Hellenic center. Its special

characteristics are plain. It is written in purer Greek than the other Gospels,

and is manifestly the most historic and artistic. It has also the widest

outlook, having obviously been compiled for Gentiles, and, especially, for

Greeks. The Author was evidently an educated man and probably a

physician, and was also a close observer.

Eighteen of the parables and six of the miracles found here are not

recorded elsewhere. Those “portions of the Gospel narrative which Luke

alone has preserved for us, are among the most beautiful treasures which

we possess, and we owe them in a great measure to his desire to make his

collection as full as possible.” Luke’s object was rather to write history

than construct an “apology” and for this reason his order is generally

chronological.

141

This Gospel is often termed, and not without reason, “the Gospel of Paul.”

Luke’s close association with the great Apostle — an association to which

the record in the Acts and also the Pauline Letters bear testimony — at

once warrants and explains the ancient assumption that we have here a

writing as truly colored by the influence of Paul as that of Mark was by

Peter. This is especially the Gospel of gratuitous and universal salvation.

Its integrity has recently been placed beyond dispute. Marcion’s edition of

it in 140, A.D., was a mutilation of the original!

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Seeing that many have attempted to draw up a narrative of the

facts which are received with full assurance among us

1:2 on the authority of those who were from the beginning eyewitnesses

and were devoted to the service of the divine Message,

1:3 it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the

facts from their commencement, to write for you, most noble

Theophilus, a connected account,

1:4 that you may fully know the truth of the things which you have

been taught by word of mouth.

1:5 There was in the time of Herod, the king of Judaea, a priest of the

name of Zechariah, belonging to the class of Abijah. He had a

wife who was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was

Elizabeth.

1:6 They were both of them upright before God, blamelessly obeying

all the Lord’s precepts and ordinances.

1:7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren; and both of

them were far advanced in life.

1:8 Now while he was doing priestly duty before God in the

prescribed course of his class,

1:9 it fell to his lot — according to the custom of the priesthood — to

go into the Sanctuary of the Lord and burn the incense;

1:10 and the whole multitude of the people were outside praying, at the

hour of incense.

1:11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the

right side of the altar of incense;

1:12

and Zechariah on seeing him was agitated and terrified.

1:13

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your

petition has been heard: and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a

son, and you are to call his name John.

1:14

Gladness and exultant joy shall be yours, and many will rejoice

over his birth.

1:15

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; no wine or fermented

drink shall he ever drink; but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit

from the very hour of his birth.

1:16

Many of the descendants of Israel will he turn to the Lord their

God;

1:17

and he will be His forerunner in the spirit and power of Elijah, to

turn fathers’ hearts to the children, and cause the rebellious to

walk in the wisdom of the upright, to make a people perfectly

ready for the lord.”

1:18

“By what proof,” asked Zechariah, “shall I know this? For I am an

old man, and my wife is far advanced in years.”

1:19

“I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God,” answered the

angel, “and I have been sent to talk with you and tell you this

good news.

1:20

And now you will be dumb and unable to speak until the day

when this has taken place; because you did not believe my words

— words which will be fulfilled at their appointed time.”

1:21

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were

surprised that he stayed so long in the Sanctuary.

1:22

When, however, he came out, he was unable to speak to them;

and they knew that he must have seen a vision in the Sanctuary;

but he kept making signs to them and continued dumb.

1:23

When his days of service were at an end, he went to his home;

1:24

and in course of time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and kept

herself secluded five months.

1:25

“Thus has the Lord dealt with me,” she said, “now that He has

graciously taken away my reproach among men.”

1:26

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a

town in Galilee called Nazareth,

1:27

to a maiden betrothed to a man of the name of Joseph, a

descendant of David. The maiden’s name was Mary.

1:28

So Gabriel went into the house and said to her, “Joy be to you,

favored one! the Lord is with you.”

1:29

She was greatly agitated at his words, and wondered what such a

greeting meant.

1:30

But the angel said, “Do not be frightened, Mary, for you have

found favor with God.

1:31

You will conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you are to

call His name JESUS.

1:32

He will be great and He will be called ‘Son of the Most High.’

And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His forefather

David;

1:33

and He will be King over the House of Jacob for the Ages, and of

His Kingdom there will be no end.”

1:34 “How can this be,” Mary replied, “seeing that I have no husband?”

1:35

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and

the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for this

reason your holy offspring will be called ‘the Son of God.’

1:36

And see, your relative Elizabeth — she also has conceived a son

in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called

barren.

1:37

For no promise from God will be impossible of fulfillment.”

1:38

“I am the Lord’s maidservant,” Mary replied; “may it be with me in

accordance with your words!” And then the angel left her.

1:39

Not long after this, Mary rose up and went in haste into the hill

country to a town in Judah.

1:40

Here she came to the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth;

1:41

and as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the babe leapt

within her. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,

1:42 and uttered a loud cry of joy. “Blest among women are you,” she

said, “and the offspring of your body is blest!

1:43 But why is this honor done me, that the mother of my Lord

should come to me?

1:44 For, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the babe within

me leapt for joy.

1:45 And blessed is she who has believed, for the word spoken to her

from the Lord shall be fulfilled.”

1:46 Then Mary said: “My soul extols the Lord,

1:47 And my spirit triumphs in God my Savior;

1:48 Because He has not turned from His maidservant in her lowly

position; For from this time forward all generations will account

me happy,

1:49 Because the mighty One has done great things for me — Holy is

His name! —

1:50 And His compassion is, generation after generation, Upon those

who fear Him.

1:51 He has manifested His supreme strength. He has scattered those

who were haughty in the thoughts of their hearts.

1:52 He has cast monarchs down from their thrones, And exalted men

of low estate.

1:53 The hungry He has satisfied with choice gifts, But the rich He has

sent empty-handed away.

1:54 His servant Israel He has helped, Remembering His compassion

1:55 In fulfillment of His promises to our forefathers — For Abraham

and his posterity for ever.”

1:56 So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then

returned home.

1:57 Now when Elizabeth’s full time was come, she gave birth to a

son;

1:58 and her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had had great

compassion on her; and they rejoiced with her.

1:59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and were

going to call him Zechariah, after his father.

1:60 His mother, however, said, “No, he is to be called John.”

1:61 “There is not one of your family,” they said, “who has that name.”

1:62 They asked his father by signs what he wished him to be called.

1:63 So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.”

And they all wondered.

1:64 Instantly his mouth and his tongue were set free, and he began to

speak and bless God.

1:65 And all who lived round about them were filled with awe, and

throughout the hill country of Judaea reports of all these things

were spread abroad.

1:66 All who heard the story treasured it in their memories. “What then

will this child be?” they said. For the lord’s hand was indeed with

him.

1:67 And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and

spoke in a rapture of praise.

1:68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,” he said, “Because He has

not forgotten His people but has effected redemption for them,

1:69 And has raised up a mighty Deliverer for us In the house of David

His servant —

1:70 As He has spoken from all time by the lips of His holy Prophets

1:71 To deliver us from our foes and from the power of all who hate

us.

1:72 He dealt pitifully with our forefathers, And remembered His holy

covenant,

1:73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our forefather,

1:74 To grant us to be rescued from the power of our foes And so

render worship to Him free from fear,

1:75

In piety and uprightness before Him all our days.

1:76

And you moreover, O child, shall be called Prophet of the Most

High; For you shall go on in front before the Lord to prepare the

way for Him,

1:77

To give to His People a knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness

of their sins,

1:78

Through the tender compassion of our God, Through which the

daybreak from on high will come to us,

1:79

Dawning on those who now dwell in the darkness and shadow of

death — To direct our feet into the path of peace.”

1:80

And the child grew and became strong in character, and lived in

the Desert till the time came for him to appear publicly to Israel.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

Just at this time an edict was issued by Caesar Augustus for the

registration of the whole Empire.

2:2

It was the first registration made during the governorship of

Quirinius in Syria;

2:3

and all went to be registered — every one to the town to which he

belonged.

2:4

So Joseph went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to

Judaea, to David’s town of Bethlehem, because he was of the

house and lineage of David,

2:5

to have himself registered together with Mary, who was betrothed

to him and was with child.

2:6

But while they were there, her full time came,

2:7

and she gave birth to her first-born son, and wrapped Him round,

and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in

the inn.

2:8

Now there were shepherds in the same part of the country,

keeping watch over their sheep by night in the open fields,

2:9

when suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory

of the Lord shone round them; and they were filled with terror.

2:10 But the angel said to them, “Put away all fear; for I am bringing

you good news of great joy — joy for all the People.

2:11 For a Savior who is the Anointed Lord is born to you to-day, in

the town of David.

2:12 And this is the token for you: you will find a babe wrapped in

swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

2:13 And immediately there was with the angel a multitude of the army

of Heaven praising God and saying,

2:14 “Glory be to God in the highest Heavens, And on earth peace

among men who please Him!”

2:15 Then, as soon as the angels had left them and returned to Heaven,

the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go over as far as

Bethlehem and see this that has happened, which the Lord has

made known to us.”

2:16 So they made haste and came and found Mary and Joseph, with

the babe lying in the manger.

2:17 And when they saw the child, they told what had been said to

them about Him;

2:18 and all who listened were astonished at what the shepherds told

them.

2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things, often dwelling on them in

her mind.

2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all

that they had heard and seen in accordance with the

announcement made to them.

2:21 When eight days had passed and the time for circumcising Him

had come, He was called JESUS, the name given Him by the

angel before His conception in the womb.

2:22 And when the days for their purification appointed by the Law of

Moses had passed, they took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him

to the Lord —

2:23 as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “EVERY FIRST-BORN MALE

SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD.”

2:24

And they also offered a sacrifice as commanded in the Law of the

Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLE DOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”

2:25

Now there was a man in Jerusalem of the name of Symeon, an

upright and God-fearing man, who was waiting for the

consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

2:26

To him it had been revealed by the Holy Spirit that he should not

see death until he had seen the Lord’s Anointed One.

2:27

Led by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents

brought in the child Jesus to do with regard to Him according to

the custom of the Law,

2:28

he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

2:29

“Now, O Sovereign Lord, Thou dost send Thy servant away in

peace, in fulfillment of Thy word,

2:30

Because mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,

2:31

Which Thou hast made ready in the sight of all nations —

2:32

A light to shine upon the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people

Israel.”

2:33

And while the child’s father and mother were wondering at the

words of Symeon concerning Him,

2:34

Symeon blessed them and said to Mary the mother, “This child is

appointed for the falling and the uprising of many in Israel and for

a token to be spoken against;

2:35

and a sword will pierce through your own soul also; that the

reasonings in many hearts may be revealed.”

2:36

There was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel,

belonging to the tribe of Asher. She was of a very great age,

having had after her maidenhood seven years of married life,

2:37

and then being a widow of eighty-four years. She was never

absent from the Temple, but worshipped, by day and by night,

with fasting and prayer.

2:38

And coming up just at that moment, she gave thanks to God, and

spoke about the child to all who were expecting the deliverance of

Jerusalem.

2:39

Then, as soon as they had accomplished all that the Law required,

they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

2:40

And the child grew and became strong and full of wisdom, and the

favor of God rested upon Him.

2:41

Now His parents used to go up year by year to Jerusalem at the

Feast of the Passover.

2:42

And when He was twelve years old they went up as was

customary at the time of the Feast, and,

2:43

after staying the full number of days, when they started back home

the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not

discover this,

2:44

but supposing Him to be in the traveling company, they proceeded

a day’s journey. Then they searched up and down for Him among

their relatives and acquaintances;

2:45

but being unable to find Him they returned to Jerusalem, making

anxious inquiry for Him.

2:46

On the third day they found Him in the Temple sitting among the

Rabbis, both listening to them and asking them questions,

2:47

while all who heard Him were astonished at His intelligence and at

the answers He gave.

2:48

When they saw Him, they were smitten with amazement, and His

mother said to Him, “My child, why have you behaved thus to us?

Your father and I have been searching for you in anguish.”

2:49

“Why is it that you have been searching for me?” He replied; “did

you not know that it is my duty to be engaged upon my Father’s

business?”

2:50

But they did not understand the significance of these words.

2:51

Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was

always obedient to them; but His mother carefully treasured up all

these incidents in her memory.

2:52

And as Jesus grew older He gained in both wisdom and stature,

and in favor with God and man.

CHAPTER 3

3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius

Pilate being Governor of Judaea, Herod Tetrarch of Galilee, his

brother Philip Tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias

Tetrarch of Abilene,

3:2 during the High-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, a message

from God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the Desert.

3:3 John went into all the district about the Jordan proclaiming a

baptism of the penitent for the forgiveness of sins;

3:4 as it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of

one crying aloud! ‘In the Desert prepare ye a road for the Lord:

make His highway straight.

3:5 Every ravine shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill leveled

down, the crooked places shall be turned into straight roads, and

the rugged ways into smooth;

3:6 AND THEN SHALL ALL MANKIND SEE GOD’S SALVATION.’”

3:7 Accordingly John used to say to the crowds who came out to be

baptized by him, “O vipers’ brood, who has warned you to flee

from the coming wrath?

3:8 Live lives which shall prove your change of heart; and do not

begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our forefather,’

for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from

these stones.

3:9 And even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that

every tree which fails to yield good fruit will quickly be hewn

down and thrown into the fire.”

3:10 The crowds repeatedly asked him, “What then are we to do?”

3:11 “Let the man who has two coats,” he answered, “give one to the

man who has none; and let the man who has food share it with

others.”

3:12 There came also a party of tax-gatherers to be baptized, and they

asked him, “Rabbi, what are we to do?”

3:13 “Do not exact more than the legal amount,” he replied.

3:14

The soldiers also once and again inquired of him, “And we, what

are we to do?” His answer was, “Neither intimidate any one nor

lay false charges; and be content with your pay.”

3:15

And while the people were in suspense and all were debating in

their minds whether John might possibly be the Anointed One,

3:16

he answered the question by saying to them all, “As for me, I am

baptizing you with water, but One mightier than I is coming,

whose very sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten: He will

baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire.

3:17

His winnowing-shovel is in His hand to clear out His threshing-

floor, and to gather the wheat into His storehouse; but the chaff

He will burn up in fire unquenchable.”

3:18

With many exhortations besides these he declared the Good News

to the people.

3:19

But Herod the Tetrarch, being repeatedly rebuked by him about

Herodias his brother’s wife, and about all the wicked deeds that

he had done,

3:20

now added this to crown all the rest, that he threw John into

prison.

3:21

Now when all the people had been baptized, and Jesus also had

been baptized and was praying, the sky opened,

3:22

and the Holy Spirit came down in bodily shape, like a dove, upon

Him, and a voice came from Heaven, which said, “Thou art My

Son, dearly loved: in Thee is My delight.”

3:23

And He — Jesus — when He began His ministry, was about thirty

years old. He was the son (it was supposed) of Joseph, son of

Heli,

3:24

son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of

Joseph,

3:25

son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of

Naggai,

3:26

son of Mahath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech,

son of Joda,

3:27 son of Johanan, son of Resa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel,

son of Neri,

3:28 son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son

of Er,

3:29 son of Joshua, son of Eliezar, son of Jorim, son of Maththat, son

of Levi,

3:30 son of Symeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of

Eliakim, son of

3:31 Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of

David,

3:32 son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Salmon, son of

Nahshon,

3:33 son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron,

son of Perez, son of Judah,

3:34 son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of

Nahor,

3:35 son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of

Shelah,

3:36 son of Cainan, son of Arpachshad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son

of Lamech,

3:37 son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalalel,

son of Kenan,

3:38 son of Enosh, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

CHAPTER 4

4:1 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and

was led about by the Spirit in the Desert for forty days,

4:2 tempted all the while by the Devil. During those days He ate

nothing, and at the close of them He suffered from hunger.

4:3 Then the Devil said to Him, “If you are God’s Son, tell this stone

to become bread.”

4:4 “It is written,” replied Jesus, “‘IT IS NOT ON BREAD ALONE THAT A

MAN SHALL LIVE.’”

4:5 The Devil next led Him up and caused Him to see at a glance all

the kingdoms of the world.

4:6 And the Devil said to Him, “To you will I give all this authority

and this splendour; for it has been handed over to me, and on

whomsoever I will I bestow it.

4:7 If therefore you do homage to me, it shall all be yours.’

4:8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘TO THE LORD THY GOD THOU

SHALT DO HOMAGE, AND TO HIM ALONE SHALT THOU RENDER

WORSHIP.’”

4:9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem and caused Him to stand on

the roof of the Temple, and said to Him, “If you are God’s Son,

throw yourself down from here; for it is written,

4:10 ‘HE WILL GIVE ORDERS TO HIS ANGELS CONCERNING THEE, TO

GUARD THEE SAFELY;’

4:11 and ‘ON THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP, LEST AT ANY

MOMENT THOU SHOULDST STRIKE THY FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”

4:12 The reply of Jesus was, “It is said, ‘THOU SHALT NOT PUT THE

LORD THEY GOD TO THE PROOF.’”

4:13 So the Devil, having fully tried every kind of temptation on Him,

left Him for a time.

4:14 Then Jesus returned in the Spirit’s power to Galilee; and His fame

spread through all the adjacent districts.

4:15 And He proceeded to teach in their synagogues, winning praise

from all.

4:16 He came to Nazareth also, where He had been brought up; and, as

was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, and

stood up to read.

4:17 And there was handed to Him the book of the Prophet Isaiah,

and, opening the book, He found the place where it was written,

4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to

proclaim Good News to the poor; He has sent me to announce

release to the prisoners of war and recovery of sight to the blind:

to send away free those whom tyranny has crushed,

4:19

TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF ACCEPTANCE WITH THE LORD.”

4:20

And rolling up the book, He returned it to the attendant, and sat

down — to speak. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed

on Him.

4:21

Then He proceeded to say to them, “To-day is this Scripture

fulfilled in your hearing.”

4:22

And they all spoke well of Him, wondering at the sweet words of

kindness which fell from His lips, while they asked one another,

“Is not this Joseph’s son?”

4:23

“Doubtless,” said He, “you will quote to me the proverb,

‘Physician, cure yourself: all that we hear that you have done at

Capernaum, do here also in your native place.’”

4:24

“I tell you in solemn truth,” He added, “that no Prophet is

welcomed among his own people.

4:25

But I tell you in truth that there was many a widow in Israel in the

time of Elijah, when there was no rain for three years and six

months and there came a severe famine over all the land;

4:26

and yet to not one of them was Elijah sent: he was only sent to a

widow at Zarephath in the Sidonian country.

4:27

And there was also many a leper in Israel in the time of the

Prophet Elisha, and yet not one of them was cleansed, but

Naaman the Syrian was.”

4:28

Then all in the synagogue, while listening to these words, were

filled with fury.

4:29

They rose, hurried Him outside the town, and brought Him to the

brow of the hill on which their town was built, to throw Him

down the cliff;

4:30

but He passed through the midst of them and went His way.

4:31

So He came down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, where He

frequently taught the people on the Sabbath days.

4:32

And they were greatly impressed by His teaching, because He

spoke with the language of authority.

4:33

But in the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of a

foul demon. In a loud voice he cried out,

4:34

“Ha! Jesus the Nazarene, what have you to do with us? I know

who you are — God’s Holy One!”

4:35

But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Silence!” He exclaimed; “come

out of him.” Upon this, the demon hurled the man into the midst

of them, and came out of him without doing him any harm.

4:36

All were astonished and awe-struck; and they asked one another,

“What sort of language is this? For with authority and real power

He gives orders to the foul spirits and they come out.”

4:37

And the talk about Him spread into every part of the neighboring

country.

4:38

Now when He rose and left the synagogue He went to Simon’s

house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from an acute attack

of fever; and they consulted Him about her.

4:39

Then standing over her He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and

she at once rose and waited on them.

4:40

At sunset all who had friends suffering from any illness brought

them to Him, and He laid His hands on them all, one by one, and

cured them.

4:41

Demons also came out of many, loudly calling out, “You are the

Son of God.” But He rebuked them and forbad them to speak,

because they knew Him to be the Christ.

4:42

Next morning, at daybreak, He left the town and went away to a

solitary place; but the people flocked out to find Him, and,

coming to the place where He was, they endeavored to detain

Him that He might not leave them.

4:43

But He said to them, “I have to tell the Good News of the

Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because for this purpose

I was sent.”

4:44

And for some time He preached in the synagogues in Galilee.

CHAPTER 5

5:1 On one occasion the crowd was pressing on Him and listening to

God’s Message, while He was standing by the Lake of

Gennesaret.

5:2 He, however, saw two fishing-boats drawn up on the beach (for

the men had gone away from them and were washing the nets),

5:3 and going on board one of them, which was Simon’s He asked

him to push out a little from land. Then He sat down and taught

the crowd of people from the boat.

5:4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Push out into

deep water, and let down your nets for a haul.”

5:5 “Rabbi,” replied Peter, “all night long we have worked hard and

caught nothing; but at your command I will let down the nets.”

5:6 This they did, and enclosed a vast number of fish; and their nets

began to break.

5:7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and

help them; they came, and they filled both the boats so that they

almost sank.

5:8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at the knees of Jesus,

and exclaimed, “Master, leave my boat, for I am a sinful man.”

5:9 (For he was astonished and terrified — he and all his companions

— at the haul of fish which they had taken;

5:10 and so were Simon’s partners James and John, the sons of Zabdi.)

But Jesus replied to Simon, “Fear not: from this time you shall be

a catcher of men.”

5:11 Then, after bringing their boats to land, they left everything and

followed Him.

5:12 On another occasion, when He was in one of the towns, there was

a man there covered with leprosy, who, seeing Jesus, threw

himself at His feet and implored Him, saying, “Sir, if only you are

willing, you are able to make me clean.”

5:13 Reaching out His hand and touching him, Jesus said, “I am

willing; be cleansed!” And instantly the leprosy left him.

5:14

He ordered him to tell no one. “But go,” He said, “show yourself

to the Priest, and make the offering for your purification which

Moses appointed, as evidence for them.”

5:15

But all the more the report about Him spread abroad, and great

multitudes crowded to hear Him and to be cured of their diseases;

5:16

but Jesus Himself constantly withdrew into the Desert and there

prayed.

5:17

One day He was teaching, and there were Pharisees and teachers

of the Law sitting there who had come from every village in

Galilee and Judaea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the

Lord was present for Him to cure people.

5:18

And a party of men came carrying a palsied man on a bed, and

they endeavored to bring him in and lay him before Jesus.

5:19

But when they could find no way of doing so because of the

crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the

tiling — bed and all — into the midst, in front of Jesus.

5:20

He saw their faith and said to him, “Friend, your sins are

forgiven.”

5:21

Then the Scribes and Pharisees began to cavil, asking, “Who is

this, uttering blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?”

5:22

Well aware of their reasonings, Jesus answered their questions by

asking in turn, “What is this that you are debating in your hearts?

5:23

Which is easier? — to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say,

‘Rise and walk’?

5:24

But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to

forgive sins” — Turning to the paralytic He said, “I bid you, Rise,

take up your bed, and go home.”

5:25

Instantly he stood up in their presence, took up the mattress on

which he had been lying, and went away to his home, giving glory

to God.

5:26

Amazement seized them all. “Glory to God!” was the abiding

feeling. Yet fear flashed through their minds and they said, “We

have seen strange things to-day.”

5:27

After this He went out and noticed a tax-gatherer, Levi by name,

sitting at the Toll office; and He said to him, “Follow me.”

5:28

He rose, left everything, and followed Him.

5:29

Levi also gave a great entertainment at his house in honor of

Jesus, and there was a large party of tax-gatherers and others at

table with them.

5:30

This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate

with His disciples and ask, “Why are you eating and drinking with

these tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?”

5:31

But Jesus replied to them, “It is not men in good health who

require a physician, but the sick.

5:32

I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.”

5:33

Again they said to Him, “John’s disciples fast often and pray, as

do also those of the Pharisees; but yours eat and drink.”

5:34

“Can you compel the bridal party to fast,” replied Jesus, “so long as

they have the bridegroom among them?

5:35

But a time for this will come, when the Bridegroom has been

taken away from them: then, at that time, they will fast.”

5:36

He also spoke in figurative language to them. “No one,” He said,

“tears a piece from a new garment to mend an old one. Otherwise

he would not only spoil the new, but the patch from the new

would not match the old.

5:37

Nor does any one pour new wine into old wine-skins. Otherwise

the new wine would burst the skins, the wine itself would be spilt,

and the skins be destroyed.

5:38

But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.

5:39

Nor does any one after drinking old wine wish for new; for he

says, ‘The old is better.’”

CHAPTER 6

6:1

Now on the second-first Sabbath while He was passing through

the wheatfields, His disciples were plucking the ears and rubbing

them with their hands to eat the grain.

6:2 And some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what the

Law forbids on the Sabbath?”

6:3 “Have you never read so much as this,” answered Jesus — “what

David did when he and his followers were hungry;

6:4 how he entered the house of God and took and ate the Presented

Loaves and gave some to his followers — loaves which none but

the Priests are allowed to eat?”

6:5 “The Son of Man,” He added, “is Lord of the Sabbath also.”

6:6 On another Sabbath He had gone to the synagogue and was

teaching there; and in the congregation was a man whose right

arm was withered.

6:7 The Scribes and the Pharisees were on the watch to see whether

He would cure him on the Sabbath that they might be able to

bring an accusation against Him.

6:8 He knew their thoughts, and said to the man with the withered

arm, “Rise, and stand there in the middle.” And he rose and stood

there.

6:9 Then Jesus said to them, “I put it to you all whether we are

allowed to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil; to save a life, or

to destroy it.”

6:10 And looking round upon them all He said to the man, “Stretch out

your arm.” He did so, and the arm was restored.

6:11 But they were filled with madness, and began to discuss with one

another what they should do to Jesus.

6:12 About that time He went out on one occasion into the hill country

to pray; and He remained all night in prayer to God.

6:13 When it was day, He called His disciples; and He selected from

among them twelve, whom He also named Apostles.

6:14 These were Simon, to whom also He had given the name of Peter,

and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and

Bartholomew;

6:15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon

called the Zealot;

6:16

James’s relative Judas, and Judas Iscariot who proved to be a

traitor.

6:17

With these He came down till He reached a level place, where

there was a great crowd of His disciples, and a multitude of

people from every part of Judaea, from Jerusalem, and from the

sea-side district of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and to

be cured of their diseases;

6:18

and those who were tormented by foul spirits were cured.

6:19

The whole crowd were eager to touch Him, because power went

forth from him and cured every one.

6:20

Then fixing His eyes upon His disciples, Jesus said to them,

“Blessed are you poor, because the Kingdom of God is yours.

6:21

“Blessed are you who hunger now, because your hunger shall be

satisfied. “Blessed are you who now weep aloud, because you

shall laugh.

6:22

“Blessed are you when men shall hate you and exclude you from

their society and insult you, and spurn your very names as evil

things, for the Son of Man’s sake.

6:23

“Be glad at such a time, and dance for joy; for your reward is great

in Heaven; for that is just the way their forefathers behaved to the

Prophets!

6:24

“But alas for you rich men, because you already have your

consolation!

6:25

“Alas for you who now have plenty to eat, because you will be

hungry! “Alas for you who laugh now, because you will mourn

and weep aloud!

6:26

“Alas for you when men shall all have spoken well of you; for that

is just the way their forefathers behaved to the false Prophets!

6:27

“But to you who are listening to me I say, Love your enemies; seek

the welfare of those who hate you;

6:28

bless those who curse you; pray for those who revile you.

6:29

To him who gives you a blow on one side of the face offer the

other side also; and to him who is robbing you of your outer

garment refuse not the under one also.

6:30

To every one who asks, give; and from him who takes away your

property, do not demand it back.

6:31

And behave to your fellow men just as you would have them

behave to you.

6:32

“If you love those who love you, what credit is it to you? Why,

even bad men love those who love them.

6:33

And if you are kind to those who are kind to you, what credit is it

to you? Even bad men act thus.

6:34

And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what

credit is it to you? Even bad men lend to their fellows so as to

receive back an equal amount.

6:35

Nevertheless love your enemies, be beneficent; and lend without

hoping for any repayment. Then your recompense shall be great,

and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the

ungrateful and wicked.

6:36

Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.

6:37

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged; condemn not, and you

shall not be condemned; pardon, and you shall be pardoned;

6:38

give, and gifts shall be bestowed on you. Full measure, pressed,

shaken down, and running over, shall they pour into your laps; for

with the same measure that you use they shall measure to you in

return.”

6:39

He also spoke to them in figurative language. “Can a blind man

lead a blind man?” He asked; “would not both fall into the ditch?

6:40

There is no disciple who is superior to his teacher; but every one

whose instruction is complete will be like his teacher.

6:41

“And why look at the splinter in your brother’s eye instead of

giving careful attention to the beam in your own?

6:42

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take that

splinter out of your eye,’ when all the while you yourself do not

see the beam in your own eye? Vain pretender! take the beam out

of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly to take the

splinter out of your brother’s eye.

6:43

“There is no good tree that yields unsound fruit, nor again any

unsound tree that yields good fruit.

6:44

Every tree is known by its own fruit. It is not from thorns that

men gather figs, nor from the bramble that they can get a bunch of

grapes.

6:45

A good man from the good stored up in his heart brings out what

is good; and an evil man from the evil stored up brings out what is

evil; for from the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

6:46

“And why do you all call me ‘Master, Master’ and yet not do what

I tell you?

6:47

Every one who comes to me and listens to my words and puts

them in practice, I will show you whom he is like.

6:48

He is like a man building a house, who digs and goes deep, and

lays the foundation on the rock; and when a flood comes, the

torrent bursts upon that house, but is unable to shake it, because it

is securely built.

6:49

But he who has heard and not practiced is like a man who has

built a house upon the soft soil without a foundation, against

which the torrent bursts, and immediately it collapses, and terrible

is the wreck and ruin of that house.”

CHAPTER 7

7:1

After He had finished teaching all these things in the hearing of

the people, He went into Capernaum.

7:2

Here the servant of a certain Captain, a man dear to his master,

was ill and at the point of death;

7:3

and the Captain, hearing about Jesus, sent to Him some of the

Jewish Elders, begging Him to come and restore his servant to

health.

7:4

And they, when they came to Jesus, earnestly entreated Him,

pleading, “He deserves to have this favor granted him,

7:5

for he loves our nation, and at his own expense he built our

synagogue for us.”

7:6

Then Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the

house, the Captain sent friends to Him with the message: “Sir, do

not trouble to come. I am not worthy of having you come under

my roof;

7:7

and therefore I did not deem myself worthy to come to you. Only

speak the word, and let my young man be cured.

7:8

For I too am a man obedient to authority, and have soldiers under

me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; to another, ‘Come,’ and

he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this or that,’ and he does it.”

7:9

Jesus listened to the Captain’s message and was astonished at

him, and He turned and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I

tell you that not even in Israel have I found faith like that.”

7:10

And the friends who had been sent, on returning to the house,

found the servant in perfect health.

7:11

Shortly afterwards He went to a town called Nain, attended by

His disciples and a great crowd of people.

7:12

And just as He reached the gate of the town, they happened to be

bringing out for burial a dead man who was his mother’s only son;

and she was a widow; and a great number of the townspeople

were with her.

7:13

The Lord saw her, was moved with pity for her, and said to her,

“Do not weep.”

7:14

Then He went close and touched the bier, and the bearers halted.

“Young man,” He said, “I command you, wake!”

7:15

The dead man sat up and began to speak; and He restored him to

his mother.

7:16

All were awe-struck, and they gave glory to God — some saying,

“A Prophet, a great Prophet, has risen up among us.” Others said,

“God has not forgotten His People.”

7:17

And the report of what Jesus had done spread through the whole

of Judaea and in all the surrounding districts.

7:18

John’s disciples brought him an account of all these things;

7:19

so John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord.

“Are you the Coming One?” he asked, “or is there another that

we are to expect?”

7:20

The men came to Jesus and said, “John the Baptist has sent us to

you with this question: ‘Are you the Coming One, or is there

another that we are to expect?’”

7:21

He immediately cured many of diseases, severe pain, and evil

spirits, and to many who were blind He gave the gift of sight.

7:22

Then He answered the messengers, “Go and report to John what

you have seen and heard. Blind men receive sight, the lame walk,

lepers are purified, deaf persons hear, the dead are raised to life,

the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them.

7:23

And blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because

of my claims.”

7:24

When John’s messengers were gone, He proceeded to say to the

multitude concerning John, “What did you go out into the Desert

to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind?

7:25

But what did you go out to see? A man wearing luxurious

clothes? People who are gorgeously dressed and live in luxury are

found in palaces.

7:26

But what did you go out to see? A Prophet? Aye, I tell you, and

far more than a Prophet.

7:27

John is the man about whom it is written, ‘SEE, I AM SENDING MY

MESSENGER BEFORE THY FACE, AND HE SHALL MAKE READY THY

WAY BEFORE THEE.’

7:28

“I tell you that among all of women born there is not one greater

than John. Yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of God is

greater than he.

7:29

And all the people, including the tax-gatherers, when they listened

to him upheld the righteousness of God, by being baptized with

John’s baptism.

7:30

But the Pharisees and expounders of the Law have frustrated

God’s purpose as to their own lives, by refusing to be baptized.

7:31

“To what then shall I compare the men of the present generation,

and what do they resemble?

7:32

They are like children sitting in the public square and calling out

to one another, ‘We have played the flute to you, and you have

not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not shown

sorrow.’

7:33

For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no

wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’

7:34

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say,

‘Look, there is a man who is overfond of eating and drinking —

he is a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!’

7:35

But wisdom is justified by all who are truly wise.”

7:36

Now one of the Pharisees repeatedly invited Him to a meal at his

house; so He entered the house and reclined at the table.

7:37

And there was a woman in the town who was a notorious sinner.

Having learnt that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee’s house she

brought a flask of perfume,

7:38

and, standing behind close to His feet, weeping, began to wet His

feet with her tears; and with her hair she wiped the tears away

again, while she lovingly kissed His feet and poured the perfume

over them.

7:39

Noticing this, the Pharisee, His host, said to himself, “This man, if

he were really a Prophet, would know who and what sort of

person this woman is who is touching him — and would know

that she is an immoral woman.”

7:40

In answer to his thoughts Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have a

word to say to you.” “Rabbi, say on,” he replied.

7:41

“There were once two men in debt to one money-lender,” said

Jesus; “one owed him five hundred shillings and the other fifty.

7:42

But neither of them could pay anything; so he freely forgave them

both. Tell me, then, which of them will love him most?”

7:43

“I suppose,” replied Simon, “the one to whom he forgave most.”

“You have judged rightly,” Jesus rejoined.

7:44

Then turning towards the woman He said to Simon, “Do you see

this woman? I came into your house: you gave me no water for

my feet; but she has made my feet wet with her tears, and then

wiped the tears away with her hair.

7:45

No kiss did you give me; but she from the moment I came in has

not left off tenderly kissing my feet.

7:46

No oil did you pour even on my head; but she has poured perfume

upon my feet.

7:47

This is the reason why I tell you that her sins, her many sins, are

forgiven — because she has loved much; but he who is forgiven

little, loves little.”

7:48

And He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

7:49

Then the other guests began to say to themselves, “Who can this

man be who even forgives sins?”

7:50

But He said to the woman, “Your faith has cured you: go, and be

at peace.”

CHAPTER 8

8:1

Shortly after this He visited town after town, and village after

village, proclaiming His Message and telling the Good News of

the Kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him,

8:2

and certain women whom He had delivered from evil spirits and

various diseases — Mary of Magdala, out of whom seven demons

had come,

8:3

and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and

many other women, all of whom contributed to the support of

Jesus and His Apostles.

8:4

And when a great crowd was assembling, and was receiving

additions from one town after another, He spoke a parable to

them.

8:5

“The sower,” He said, “goes out to sow his seed; and as he sows,

some of the seed falls by the way-side, and is trodden upon, or the

birds of the air come and peck it up.

8:6

Another part drops upon the rock, and after growing up it withers

away for want of moisture.

8:7

Another part falls among the thorns, and the thorns grow up with

it and stifle it.

8:8

But some of the seed falls into good ground, and grows up and

yields a return of a hundred for one.” While thus speaking, He

cried aloud and said, “Listen, every one who has ears to listen

with!”

8:9

The disciples proceeded to ask Him what this parable meant.

8:10

“To you,” He replied, “it is granted to know the secrets of the

Kingdom of God; but all others are taught by parables, in order

that they may see and yet not see, and may hear and yet not

understand.

8:11

The meaning of the parable is as follows. The seed is God’s

Message.

8:12

Those by the way-side are those who have heard, and then the

Devil comes and carries away the Message from their hearts, lest

they should believe and be saved.

8:13

Those on the rock are the people who on hearing the Message

receive it joyfully; but they have no root: for a time they believe,

but when trial comes they fall away.

8:14

That which fell among the thorns means those who have heard,

but as they go on their way, the Message is stifled by the

anxieties, wealth and gaieties of time, and they yield nothing in

perfection.

8:15

But as for that in the good ground, it means those who, having

listened to the Message with open minds and in a right spirit, hold

it fast, and patiently yield a return.

8:16

“When any one lights a lamp, he does not cover it with a vessel or

hide it under a couch; he puts it on a lampstand, that people who

enter the room may see the light.

8:17

There is nothing hidden, which shall not be openly seen; nor

anything secret, which shall not be known and come into the light

of day.

8:18

Be careful, therefore, how you hear; for whoever has anything, to

him more shall be given, and whoever has nothing, even that

which he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

8:19

Then came to Him His mother and His brothers, but could not get

near Him for the crowd.

8:20

But He was told, “Your mother and brothers are standing on the

edge of the crowd, and want to see you.”

8:21

“My mother and my brothers,” He replied, “are these who hear

God’s Message and obey it.”

8:22

One day He went on board a boat — both He and his disciples;

and He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the

Lake.” So they set sail.

2:23

During the passage He fell asleep, and there came down a squall

of wind on the Lake, so that the boat began to fill and they were

in deadly peril.

8:24

So they came and woke Him, crying, “Rabbi, Rabbi, we are

drowning.” Then He roused Himself and rebuked the wind and

the surging of the water, and they ceased and there was a calm.

8:25

“Where is your faith?” He asked them. But they were filled with

terror and amazement, and said to one another, “Who then is this?

for He gives orders both to wind and waves, and they obey Him.”

8:26

Then they put in to shore in the country of the Gerasenes, which

lies opposite to Galilee.

8:27

Here, on landing, He was met by one of the townsmen who was

possessed by demons — for a long time he had not put on any

garment, nor did he live in a house, but in the tombs.

8:28

When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, and

said in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of

God Most High? Do not torture me, I beseech you.”

8:29

For already He had been commanding the foul spirit to come out

of the man. For many a time it had seized and held him, and they

had repeatedly put him in chains and fetters and kept guard over

him, but he used to break the chains to pieces, and, impelled by

the demon, to escape into the Desert.

8:30 “What is your name?” Jesus asked him. “Legion,” he replied —

because a great number of demons had entered into him;

8:31 and they besought Him not to command them to be gone into the

Bottomless Pit.

8:32 Now there was a great herd of swine there feeding on the hillside;

and the demons begged Him to give them leave to go into

them, and He gave them leave.

8:33 The demons came out of the man and left him, and entered into

the swine; and the herd rushed violently over the cliff into the

Lake and were drowned.

8:34 The swineherds, seeing what had happened, fled and reported it

both in town and country;

8:35 whereupon the people came out to see what had happened. They

came to Jesus, and they found the man from whom the demons

had gone out sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right

mind; and they were terrified.

8:36 And those who had seen it told them how the demoniac was

cured.

8:37 Then the whole population of the Gerasenes and of the adjacent

districts begged Him to depart from them; for their terror was

great. So He went on board and returned.

8:38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out earnestly asked

permission to go with Him; but He sent him away.

8:39 “Return home,” He said, “and tell there all that God has done for

you.” So he went and published through the whole town all that

Jesus had done for him.

8:40 Now when Jesus was returning, the people gave Him a warm

welcome; for they had all been looking out for Him.

8:41 Just then there came a man named Jair, a Warden of the

Synagogue, who threw himself at the feet of Jesus, and entreated

Him to come to his house;

8:42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was

dying. And as He went, the dense throng crowded on Him.

8:43

And a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with

haemorrhage — and had spent on doctors all she had, but none of

them had been able to cure her —

8:44

came close behind Him and touched the tassel of His robe; and

instantly her flow of blood stopped.

8:45

“Who is it touched me?” Jesus asked. And when all denied having

done so, Peter and the rest said, “Rabbi, the crowds are hemming

you in and pressing on you.”

8:46

“Some one has touched me,” Jesus replied, “for I feel that power

has gone out from me.”

8:47

Then the woman, perceiving that she had not escaped notice,

came trembling, and throwing herself down at His feet she stated

before all the people the reason why she had touched Him and

how she was instantly cured.

8:48

“Daughter,” said He, “your faith has cured you; go, and be at

peace.”

8:49

While He was still speaking, some one came to the Warden of the

Synagogue from his house and said, “Your daughter is dead;

trouble the Rabbi no further.”

8:50

Jesus heard the words and said to him, “Have no fear. Only

believe, and she shall be restored to life.”

8:51

So He came to the house, but allowed no one to go in with Him

but Peter and John and James and the girl’s father and mother.

8:52

The people were all weeping aloud and beating their breasts for

her; but He said, “Leave off wailing; for she is not dead, but

asleep.”

8:53

And they jeered at Him, knowing that she was dead.

8:54

He, however, took her by the hand and called aloud, “Child,

awake!”

8:55

And her spirit returned, and instantly she stood up; and He

directed them to give her some food.

8:56

Her parents were astounded; but He forbad them to mention the

matter to any one.

CHAPTER 9

9:1 Then calling the Twelve together He conferred on them power

and authority over all the demons and to cure diseases;

9:2 and sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to cure

the sick.

9:3 And He commanded them, “Take nothing for your journey;

neither stick nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have an

extra under garment.

9:4 Whatever house you enter, make that your home, and from it start

afresh.

9:5 Wherever they refuse to receive you, as you leave that town shake

off the very dust from your feet as a protest against them.”

9:6 So they departed and visited village after village, spreading the

Good News and performing cures everywhere.

9:7 Now Herod the Tetrarch heard of all that was going on; and he

was bewildered because of its being said by some that John had

come back to life,

9:8 by others that Elijah had appeared, and by others that some one of

the ancient Prophets had come back to life.

9:9 And Herod said, “John I have beheaded; but who is this, of whom

I hear such reports?” And he sought for an opportunity of seeing

Jesus.

9:10 The Apostles, on their return, related to Jesus all they had done.

Then He took them and withdrew to a quiet retreat, to a town

called Bethsaida.

9:11 But the immense crowd, aware of this, followed Him; and

receiving them kindly He proceeded to speak to them of the

Kingdom of God, and those who needed to be restored to health,

He cured.

9:12 Now when the day began to decline, the Twelve came to Him and

said, “Send the people away, that they may go to the villages and

farms round about and find lodging and a supply of food; because

here we are in an uninhabited district.”

9:13

“You yourselves,” He said, “must give them food.” “We have

nothing,” they replied, “but five loaves and a couple of fish, unless

indeed we were to go and buy provisions for all this host of

people.”

9:14

(For there were about 5,000 adult men.) But He said to His

disciples, “Make them sit down in parties of about fifty each.”

9:15

They did so, making them all, without exception, sit down.

9:16

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to

Heaven He blessed them and broke them into portions which He

gave to the disciples to distribute to the people.

9:17

So they ate and were fully satisfied, all of them; and what they had

remaining over was gathered up, twelve baskets of fragments.

9:18

One day when He was praying by Himself the disciples were

present; and He asked them, “Who do the people say that I am?”

9:19

“John the Baptist,” they replied; “but others say Elijah; and others

that some one of the ancient Prophets has come back to life.”

9:20

“But you,” He asked, “who do you say that I am?” “God’s

Anointed One,” replied Peter.

9:21

And Jesus strictly forbad them to tell this to any one;

9:22

and He said, “The Son of Man must suffer much cruelty, be

rejected by the Elders and High Priests and Scribes, and be put to

death, and on the third day be raised to life again.”

9:23

And He said to all, “If any one is desirous of following me, let him

ignore self and take up his cross day by day, and so be my

follower.

9:24

For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever

loses his life for my sake shall save it.

9:25

Why, what benefit is it to a man to have gained the whole world,

but to have lost or forfeited his own self.

9:26

For whoever shall have been ashamed of me and my teachings, of

him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own

and the Father’s glory and in that of the holy angels.

9:27

I tell you truly that there are some of those who stand here who

will certainly not taste death till they have seen the Kingdom of

God.”

9:28

It was about eight days after this that Jesus, taking with Him

Peter, John, and James, went up the mountain to pray.

9:29

And while He was praying the appearance of His face underwent

a change, and His clothing became white and radiant.

9:30

And suddenly there were two men conversing with Him, who

were Moses and Elijah.

9:31

They came in glory, and kept speaking about His death, which He

was so soon to undergo in Jerusalem.

9:32

Now Peter and the others were weighed down with sleep; but,

keeping themselves awake all through, they saw His glory, and

the two men standing with Him.

9:33

And when they were preparing to depart from Him, Peter said to

Jesus, “Rabbi, we are thankful to you that we are here. Let us put

up three tents — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

He did not know what he was saying.

9:34

But while he was thus speaking, there came a cloud which spread

over them; and they were awe-struck when they had entered into

the cloud.

9:35

Then there came a voice from within the cloud: “This is My Son,

My Chosen One: listen to Him.”

9:36

After this voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They kept it

to themselves, and said not a word to any one at that time about

what they had seen.

9:37

On the following day, when they were come down from the

mountain, a great crowd came to meet Him;

9:38

and a man from the crowd called out, “Rabbi, I beg you to pity

my son, for he is my only child.

9:39

At times a spirit seizes him and he suddenly cries out. It convulses

him, and makes him foam at the mouth, and does not leave him till

it has well-nigh covered him with bruises.

9:40

I entreated your disciples to expel the spirit, but they could not.”

9:41

“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” replied Jesus; “how long

shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here to

me.”

9:42

Now while the youth was coming, the spirit dashed him to the

ground and cruelly convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the foul

spirit, and cured the youth and gave him back to his father.

9:43

And all were awe-struck at the mighty power of God. And while

every one was expressing wonder at all that He was doing, He

said to his disciples,

9:44

“As for you, store these my sayings in your memory; for, before

long, the Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men.”

9:45

But they did not understand His meaning: it was veiled from them

that they might not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask Him

about it.

9:46

Now there arose a dispute among them, which of them was to be

the greatest.

9:47

And Jesus, knowing the reasoning that was in their hearts, took a

young child and made him stand by His side

9:48

and said to them, “Whoever for my sake receives this little child,

receives me; and whoever receives me, receives Him who sent

me. For the lowliest among you all — he is the greatest.”

9:49

“Rabbi,” replied John, “we have seen a man making use of your

name to expel demons; and we forbad him, because he does not

come with us.”

9:50

“Do not forbid him,” said Jesus, “for he who is not against you is

on your side.”

9:51

Now when the time drew near for Him to be received up again

into Heaven, He proceeded with fixed purpose towards

Jerusalem, and sent messengers before Him.

9:52

They went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready

for Him.

9:53

But the people there would not receive Him, because He was

evidently going to Jerusalem.

9:54

When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Master,

do you wish us to order fire to come down from Heaven and

consume them?”

9:55

But He turned and rebuked them.

9:56

And they went to another village.

9:57

And, as they proceeded on their way, a man came to Him and

said, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

9:58

“The foxes have holes,” said Jesus, “and the birds of the air have

nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

9:59

“Follow me,” He said to another. “Master,” the man replied, “allow

me first to go and bury my father.”

9:60

“Leave the dead,” Jesus rejoined, “to bury their own dead; but you

must go and announce far and wide the coming of the Kingdom of

God.”

9:61

“Master,” said yet another, “I will follow you; but allow me first to

go and say good-bye to my friends at home.”

9:62

Jesus answered him, “No one who has put his hand to the plough,

and then looks behind him, is fit for the Kingdom of God.

CHAPTER 10

10:1

After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them

before Him, by twos, to go to every town or place which He

Himself intended to visit.

10:2

And He addressed them thus: “The harvest is abundant, but the

reapers are few: therefore entreat the Owner of the harvest to

send out more reapers into His fields. And now go.

10:3

Remember that I am sending you out as lambs into the midst of

wolves.

10:4

Carry no purse, bag, nor change of shoes; and salute no one on

your way.”

10:5 “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’

10:6

And if there is a lover of peace there, your peace shall rest upon

it; otherwise come back upon you.

10:7

And in that same house stay, eating and drinking at their table; for

the laborer deserves his wages. Do not move from one house to

another.

10:8

“And whatever town you come to and they receive you, eat what

they put before you.

10:9

Cure the sick in that town, and tell them, “‘The Kingdom of God

is now at your door.’

10:10

“But whatever town you come to and they will not receive you, go

out into the broader streets and say,

10:11

“‘The very dust of your town that hangs about us we wipe off as a

protest. Only be sure of this, that the Kingdom of God is close at

hand.’

10:12

“I tell you that it will be more endurable for Sodom on the great

day than for that town.

10:13

“Alas for thee, Chorazin! Alas for thee, Bethsaida! For had the

miracles been performed in Tyre and Sidon which have been

performed in you, long ere now they would have repented, sitting

in sackcloth and ashes.

10:14

However, for Tyre and Sidon it will be more endurable at the

Judgement than for you.

10:15

And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be lifted high as Heaven? Thou

shalt be driven down as low as Hades.

10:16

“He who listens to you listens to me; and he who disregards you

disregards me, and he who disregards me disregards Him who

sent me.”

10:17

When the Seventy returned, they exclaimed joyfully, “Master,

even the demons submit to us when we utter your name.”

10:18 “I saw Satan fall like a lightning-flash out of Heaven,” He replied.

10:19

“I have given you power to tread serpents and scorpions underfoot,

and to trample on all the power of the Enemy; and in no case shall

anything do you harm.

10:20

Nevertheless rejoice not at this, that the spirits submit to you; but

rejoice that your names are registered in Heaven.”

10:21

On that same occasion Jesus was filled by the Holy Spirit with

rapturous joy. “I give Thee fervent thanks,” He exclaimed, “O

Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou hast hidden these

things from sages and men of understanding, and hast revealed

them to babes. Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will.

10:22

All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows

who the Son is but the Father, nor who the Father is but the Son,

and he to whom the Son may choose to reveal Him.”

10:23

And He turned towards His disciples and said to them apart,

“Blessed are the eyes which see what you see!

10:24

For I tell you that many Prophets and kings have desired to see

the things you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things

you hear, and have not heard them.”

10:25

Then an expounder of the Law stood up to test Him with a

question. “Rabbi,” he asked, “what shall I do to inherit the Life of

the Ages?”

10:26

“Go to the Law,” said Jesus; “what is written there? how does it

read?”

10:27

“‘THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD,’” he replied, “‘WITH THY

WHOLE HEART, THY WHOLE SOUL, THY WHOLE STRENGTH, AND

THY WHOLE MIND; AND THY FELLOW MAN AS MUCH AS THYSELF.’”

10:28 “A right answer,” said Jesus; “do that, and you shall live.”

10:29

But he, desiring to justify himself, said, “But what is meant by my

‘fellow man’?”

10:30

Jesus replied, “A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem

to Jericho when he fell among robbers, who after both stripping

and beating him went away, leaving him half dead.

10:31

Now a priest happened to be going down that way, and on seeing

him passed by on the other side.

10:32

In like manner a Levite also came to the place, and seeing him

passed by on the other side.

10:33

But a certain Samaritan, being on a journey, came where he lay,

and seeing him was moved with pity.

10:34

He went to him, and dressed his wounds with oil and wine and

bound them up. Then placing him on his own mule he brought

him to an inn, where he bestowed every care on him.

10:35

The next day he took out two shillings and gave them to the

innkeeper. “‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and whatever further

expense you are put to, I will repay it you at my next visit.’

10:36

“Which of those three seems to you to have acted like a fellow man

to him who fell among the robbers?”

10:37

“The one who showed him pity,” he replied. “Go,” said Jesus, “and

act in the same way.”

10:38

As they pursued their journey He came to a certain village, where

a woman named Martha welcomed Him to her house.

10:39

She had a sister called Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet

and listened to His teaching.

10:40

Martha meanwhile was busy and distracted in waiting at table, and

she came and said, “Master, do you not care that my sister is

leaving me to do all the waiting? Tell her to assist me.”

10:41

“Martha, Martha,” replied Jesus, “you are anxious and worried

about a multitude of things;

10:42

and yet only one thing is really necessary. Mary has chosen the

good portion and she shall not be deprived of it.”

CHAPTER 11

11:1

At one place where He was praying, when He rose from His

knees one of His disciples said to Him, “Master, teach us to pray,

just as John taught his disciples.”

11:2

So He said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Father may Thy name

be kept holy; let Thy Kingdom come;

11:3

give us day after day our bread for the day;

11:4

and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive every one

who fails in his duty to us; and bring us not into temptation.’”

11:5

And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend and shall

go to him in the middle of the night and say, “‘Friend, lend me

three loaves of bread;

11:6

for a friend of mine has just come to my house from a distance,

and I have nothing for him to eat’?

11:7

“And he from indoors shall answer, “‘Do not pester me. The door

is now barred, and I am here in bed with my children. I cannot get

up and give you bread.’

11:8

“I tell you that even if he will not rise and give him the loaves

because he is his friend, at any rate because of his persistency he

will rouse himself and give him as many as he requires.

11:9

“So I say to you, ‘Ask, and what you ask for shall be given to you;

seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to

you.’

11:10

For every one who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to

him who knocks, the door shall be opened.

11:11

And what father is there among you, who, if his son asks for a

slice of bread, will offer him a stone? or if he asks for a fish, will

instead of a fish offer him a snake?

11:12

or if he asks for an egg, will offer him a scorpion?

11:13

If you then, with all your human frailty, know how to give your

children gifts that are good for them, how much more certainly

will your Father who is in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those

who ask Him!”

11:14

On once occasion He was expelling a dumb demon; and when the

demon was gone out the dumb man could speak, and the people

were astonished.

11:15

But some among them said, “It is by the power of Baal-zebul, the

Prince of the demons, that he expels the demons.”

11:16

Others, to put Him to the test, asked Him for a sign in the sky.

11:17

And, knowing their thoughts, He said to them, “Every kingdom in

which civil war rages goes to ruin: family attacks family and is

overthrown.

11:18

And if Satan really has engaged in fierce conflict with himself,

how shall his kingdom stand? — because you say that I expel

demons by the power of Baal-zebul.

11:19

And if it is by the power of Baal-zebul that I expel the demons, by

whom do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall be your

judges.

11:20

But if it is by the power of God that I drive out the demons, it is

evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

11:21

“Whenever a strong man, fully armed and equipped, is guarding his

own castle, he enjoys peaceful possession of his property;

11:22

but as soon as another stronger than he attacks him and

overcomes him, he takes away that complete armor of his in

which he trusted, and distributes the plunder he has collected.

11:23

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever is not

gathering with me is scattering abroad.

11:24

“When a foul spirit has left a man, it roams about in the Desert,

seeking a resting-place; but, unable to find any, it says, ‘I will

return to the house I have left;”

11:25

and when it comes, it finds the house swept clean and in good

order.

11:26

Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more malignant

than itself, and they enter and dwell there; and in the end that

man’s condition becomes worse than it was at first.

11:27

As He thus spoke a woman in the crowd called out in a loud

voice, “Blessed is the mother who carried you, and the breasts

that you have sucked.”

11:28

“Nay rather,” He replied, “they are blessed who hear God’s

Message and carefully keep it.”

11:29

Now when the crowds came thronging upon Him, He proceeded

to say, “The present generation is a wicked generation: it requires

some sign, but no sign shall be given to it except that of Jonah.

11:30

For just as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so the Son

of Man will be a token to the present generation.

11:31

The Queen of the South will awake at the Judgment together with

the men of the present generation, and will condemn them;

because she came from the extremity of the earth to hear the

wisdom of Solomon; but mark! One greater than Solomon is here.

11:32

There will stand up men of Nineveh at the Judgment together with

the present generation, and will condemn it; because they

repented at the preaching of Jonah; and mark! One greater than

Jonah is here.

11:33

“When any one lights a lamp, he never puts it in the cellar or under

the bushel, but on the lampstand, that people who come in may

see the light.

11:34

The lamp of the body is the eye. When your eyesight is good,

your whole body also is lighted up; but when it is defective, your

body is darkened.

11:35

Consider therefore whether the light that is in you is anything but

mere darkness.

11:36

If, however, your whole body is penetrated with light, and has no

part dark, it will be so lighted, all of it, as when the lamp with its

bright shining gives you light.”

11:37

When He had thus spoken, a Pharisee invited Him to breakfast at

his house; so He entered and took His place at table.

11:38

Now the Pharisee saw to his surprise that He did not wash His

hands before breakfasting.

11:39

The Master however said to him, “Here we see how you

Pharisees clean the outside of the cup or plate, while your secret

hearts are full of greed and selfishness.

11:40

Foolish men! Did not He who made the outside make the inside

also?

11:41

But as to what is within, give alms, and instantly all is clean in

you.

11:42

“But alas for you Pharisees! for you pay tithes on your mint and rue

and every kind of garden vegetable, and are indifferent to justice

and the love of God. These are the things you ought to have

attended to, while not neglecting the others.

11:43

Alas for you Pharisees! for you love the best seats in the

synagogues, and you like to be bowed to in places of public

resort.

11:44

Alas for you! for you are like the tombs which lie hidden, and the

people who walk over them are not aware of their existence.”

11:45

Hereupon one of the expounders of the Law exclaimed, “Rabbi, in

saying such things you reproach us also.”

11:46

“Alas too for you expounders of the Law!” replied Jesus, “for you

load men with cumbrous burdens which you yourselves will not

touch with one of your fingers.

11:47

Alas for you! for you repair the tombs of the Prophets, whom

your forefathers killed.

11:48

It follows that you bear testimony to the actions of your

forefathers and that you fully approve thereof. They slew, you

build.

11:49

“For this reason also the Wisdom of God has said, ‘I will send

Prophets and Apostles to them, of whom they will kill some and

persecute others,’

11:50

so that the blood of all the Prophets, that is being shed from the

creation of the world onwards, may be required from the present

generation.

11:51

Yes, I tell you that, from the blood of Abel down to the blood of

Zechariah who perished between the altar and the House, it shall

all be required from the present generation.

11:52

“Alas for you expounders of the Law! for you have taken away the

key of knowledge: you yourselves have not entered, and those

who wanted to enter you have hindered.”

11:53

After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced

a vehement attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand

answers on numerous points,

11:54

lying in wait to catch some unguarded expression from His lips.

CHAPTER 12

12:1

Meanwhile the people had come streaming towards Him by tens

of thousands, so that they were trampling one another under foot.

And now He proceeded to say to His disciples first, “Beware of

the yeast of the Pharisees, that is to say, beware of hypocrisy.

12:2

There is nothing that is covered up which will not be uncovered,

nor hidden which will not become known.

12:3

Whatever therefore you have said in the dark, will be heard in the

light; and what you have whispered within closed doors will be

proclaimed from the house-tops.

12:4

“But to you who are my friends I say, “‘Be not afraid of those who

kill the body and after that can do nothing further.

12:5

I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who after killing has

power to throw into Gehenna: yes, I say to you, fear him.

12:6

Are not five sparrows sold for a penny? and yet not one of them is

a thing forgotten in God’s sight.

12:7

But the very hairs on your heads are all counted. Away with fear:

you are more precious than a multitude of sparrows.’

12:8

“And I tell you that every man who shall have acknowledged me

before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the

angels of God.

12:9

But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the

angels of God.

12:10

“Moreover every one who shall speak against the Son of Man, may

obtain forgiveness; but he who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will

never obtain forgiveness.

12:11

And when they are bringing you before synagogues and

magistrates and governors, do not anxiously ponder the manner or

matter of your defense, nor what you are to say;

12:12

for the Holy Spirit shall teach you at that very moment what you

must say.”

12:13

Just then a man in the crowd appealed to Him. “Rabbi,” he said,

“tell my brother to give me a share of the inheritance.”

12:14

“Man,” He replied, “who has constituted me a judge or arbitrator

over you?”

12:15

And to the people He said, “Take care, be on your guard against

all covetousness, for no one’s life consists in the superabundance

of his possessions.”

12:16

And He spoke a parable to them. “A certain rich man’s lands,” He

said, “yielded abundant crops,

12:17

and he debated within himself, saying, “‘What am I to do? for I

have no place in which to store my crops.’

12:18

“And he said to himself, “‘This is what I will do: I will pull down

my barns and build larger ones, and in them I will store up all my

harvest and my wealth;

12:19

and I will say to my life, “‘Life, you have ample possessions laid

up for many years to come: take your ease, eat, drink, enjoy

yourself.’

12:20

“But God said to him, “‘Foolish man, this night your life is

demanded from you; and these preparations — for whom shall

they be?’

12:21

“So is it with him who amasses treasure for himself, but has no

riches in God.”

12:22

Then turning to His disciples He said, “For this reason I say to

you, ‘Dismiss all anxious care for your lives, inquiring what you

are to eat, and for your bodies, what you are to put on.’

12:23

For life is a greater gift than food, and the body is a greater gift

than clothing.

12:24

Observe the ravens. They neither sow nor reap, and have neither

store-chamber nor barn. And yet God feeds them. How far more

precious are you than the birds!

12:25

And which of you is able by anxious thought to add a moment to

his life?

12:26

If then you are unable to do even a very little thing, why be overanxious

about other matters?

12:27

Observe the lilies, how they grow. They neither labor nor spin.

And yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was as

beautifully dressed as one of these.

12:28

But if God so clothes the vegetation in the fields, that blooms today

and to-morrow will be thrown into the oven, how much more

certainly will He clothe you, you men of feeble faith!

12:29

“Therefore, do not be asking what you are to eat nor what you are

to drink; and do not waver between hope and fear.

12:30

For though the nations of the world pursue these things, as for

you, your Father knows that you need them.

12:31

But make His Kingdom the object of your pursuit, and these

things shall be given you in addition.

12:32

“Dismiss your fears, little flock: your Father finds a pleasure in

giving you the Kingdom.

12:33

Sell your possessions and give alms. Provide yourselves with

purses that will never wear out, a treasure inexhaustible in

Heaven, where no thief can come nor moth consume.

12:34

For where your wealth is stored, there also will your heart be.

12:35 “Have your girdles on, and let your lamps be alight;

12:36

and be yourselves like men waiting for their master — on the

look-out till he shall return from the wedding feast — that, when

he comes and knocks, they may open the door instantly.

12:37

Blessed are those servants, whom their Master when He comes

shall find on the watch. I tell you in solemn truth, that He will tie

an apron round Him, and will bid them recline at table while He

comes and waits on them.

12:38

And whether it be in the second watch or in the third that He

comes and finds them so, blessed are they.

12:39

Of this be sure, that if the master of the house had known what

time the robber was coming, he would have kept awake and not

have allowed his house to be broken into.

12:40

Be you also ready, for at an hour when you are not expecting Him

the Son of Man will come.”

12:41

“Master,” said Peter, “are you addressing this parable to us, or to

all alike?”

12:42

“Who, then,” replied the Lord, “is the faithful and intelligent

steward whom his Master will put in charge of His household to

serve out their rations at the proper times?

12:43

Blessed is that servant whom his Master when He comes shall find

so doing.

12:44

I tell you truly that He will put him in authority over all His

possessions.

12:45

But if that servant should say in his heart, ‘My Master is a long

time in coming,’ and should begin to beat the menservants and the

maids, and to eat and drink, drinking even to excess;

12:46

that servant’s Master will come on a day when he is not expecting

Him and at an hour that he knows not of, and will punish him

severely, and make him share the lot of the unfaithful.

12:47

And that servant who has been told his Master’s will and yet made

no preparation and did not obey His will, will receive many lashes.

12:48

But he who had not been told it and yet did what deserved the

scourge, will receive but few lashes. To whomsoever much has

been given, from him much will be required; and to whom much

has been entrusted, of him a larger amount will be demanded.

12:49

“I came to throw fire upon the earth, and what is my desire? Oh

that it were even now kindled!

12:50

But I have a baptism to undergo; and how am I pent up till it is

accomplished!

12:51

Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? No, I tell you

that I came to bring dissension.

12:52

For from this time there will be in one house five persons split into

parties. Three will form a party against two and two will form a

party against three;

12:53

father against son and son against father; mother attacking

daughter and daughter her mother, mother-in-law her daughter-inlaw,

and daughter-in-law her mother-in-law.”

12:54

Then He said to the people also, “When you see a cloud rising in

the west, you immediately say, ‘There is to be a shower;’ and it

comes to pass.

12:55

And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be

burning hot;’ and it comes to pass.

12:56

Vain pretenders! You know how to read the aspect of earth and

sky. How is it you cannot read this present time?

12:57 “Why, too, do you not of yourselves arrive at just conclusions?

12:58

For when, with your opponent, you are going before the

magistrate, on the way take pains to get out of his power; for fear

that, if he should drag you before the judge, the judge may hand

you over to the officer of the court, and the officer lodge you in

prison.

12:59

Never, I tell you, will you get free till you have paid the last

farthing.”

CHAPTER 13

13:1

Just at that time people came to tell Him about the Galilaeans

whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

13:2

“Do you suppose,” He asked in reply, “that those Galilaeans were

worse sinners than the mass of the Galilaeans, because this

happened to them?

13:3

I tell you, certainly not. On the contrary, if you are not penitent

you will all perish as they did.

13:4

Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell, do you

suppose they had failed in their duty more than all the rest of the

people who live in Jerusalem?

13:5

I tell you, certainly not. On the contrary, if you do not repent you

will all perish just as they did.”

13:6

And He gave them the following parable. “A man,” He said, “who

had a fig-tree growing in his garden came to look for fruit on it

and could find none.

13:7

So he said to the gardener, “‘See, this is the third year I have

come to look for fruit on this fig-tree and cannot find any. Cut it

down. Why should so much ground be actually wasted?’

13:8

“But the gardener pleaded, “‘Leave it, Sir, this year also, till I have

dug round it and manured it.

13:9

If after that it bears fruit, well and good; if it does not, then you

shall cut it down.’”

13:10

Once He was teaching on the Sabbath in one of the synagogues

13:11

where a woman was present who for eighteen years had been a

confirmed invalid: she was bent double, and was unable to lift

herself to her full height.

13:12

But Jesus saw her, and calling to her, He said to her, “Woman,

you are free from your weakness.”

13:13

And He put His hands on her, and she immediately stood upright

and began to give glory to God.

13:14

Then the Warden of the Synagogue, indignant that Jesus had

cured her on a Sabbath, said to the crowd, “There are six days in

the week on which people ought to work. On those days therefore

come and get yourselves cured, and not on the Sabbath day.”

13:15

But the Lord’s reply to him was, “Hypocrites, does not each of

you on the Sabbath untie his bullock or his ass from the stall and

lead him to water?

13:16

And this woman, daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan had

bound for no less than eighteen years, was she not to be loosed

from this chain because it is the Sabbath day?”

13:17

When He had said this, all His opponents were ashamed, while the

whole multitude was delighted at the many glorious things

continually done by Him.

13:18

This prompted Him to say, “What is the Kingdom of God like?

and to what shall I compare it?

13:19

It is like a mustard seed which a man drops into the soil in his

garden, and it grows and becomes a tree in whose branches the

birds roost.”

13:20

And again He said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of

God?

13:21

It is like yeast which a woman takes and buries in a bushel of

flour, to work there till the whole is leavened.”

13:22

He was passing through town after town and village after village,

steadily proceeding towards Jerusalem,

13:23

when some one asked Him, “Sir, are there but few who are to be

saved?”

13:24

“Strain every nerve to force your way in through the narrow gate,”

He answered; “for multitudes, I tell you, will endeavor to find a

way in and will not succeed.

13:25

As soon as the Master of the house shall have risen and shut the

door, and you have begun to stand outside and knock at the door

and say, “‘Sir, open the door for us’ — “‘I do not know you,’ He

answers; ‘you are no friends of mine.’

13:26

“Then you will plead, “‘We have eaten and drunk in your company

and you have taught in our streets.’

13:27

“But He will reply, “‘I tell you that you are no friends of mine.

Begone from me, all of you, wrongdoers that you are.’

13:28

“There will be the weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see

Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom

of God, and yourselves being driven far away.

13:29

They will come from east and west, from north and south, and

will sit down at the banquet in the Kingdom of God.

13:30

And I tell you that some now last will then be first, and some now

first will then be last.”

13:31

Just at that time there came some Pharisees who warned Him,

saying, “Leave this place and continue your journey; Herod means

to kill you.”

13:32

“Go,” He replied, “and take this message to that fox: “‘See, to-day

and to-morrow I am driving out demons and effecting cures, and

on the third day I finish my course.’

13:33

“Yet I must continue my journey to-day and to-morrow and the day

following; for it is not conceivable that a Prophet should perish

outside of Jerusalem.

13:34

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou who murderest the Prophets and

stonest those who have been sent to thee, how often have I

desired to gather thy children just as a hen gathers her brood

under her wings, and you would not come!

13:35

See, your house is left to you. But I tell you that you will never

see me again until you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE

NAME OF THE LORD!’”

CHAPTER 14

14:1

One day — it was a Sabbath — He was taking a meal at the

house of one of the Rulers of the Pharisee party, while they were

closely watching Him.

14:2

In front of Him was a man suffering from dropsy.

14:3

This led Jesus to ask the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it allowable to

cure people on the Sabbath?”

14:4

They gave Him no answer; so He took hold of the man, cured

him, and sent him away.

14:5

Then He turned to them and said, “Which of you shall have a

child or an ox fall into a well on the Sabbath day, and will not

immediately lift him out?”

14:6

To this they could make no reply.

14:7

Then, when He noticed that the invited guests chose the best

seats, He used this as an illustration and said to them,

14:8

“When any one invites you to a wedding banquet, do not take the

best seat, lest perhaps some more honored guest than you may

have been asked,

14:9

and the man who invited you both will come and will say to you,

‘Make room for this guest,’ and then you, ashamed, will move to

the lowest place.

14:10

On the contrary, when you are invited go and take the lowest

place, that when your host comes round he may say to you, ‘My

friend, come up higher.’ This will be doing you honor in the

presence of all the other guests.

14:11

For whoever uplifts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles

himself will be uplifted.

14:12

Also to His host, who had invited Him, He said, “When you give

a breakfast or a dinner, do not invite your friends or brothers or

relatives or rich neighbors, lest perhaps they should invite you in

return and a requital be made you.

14:13

But when you entertain, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame,

and the blind;

14:14

and you will be blessed, because they have no means of requiting

you, but there will be requital for you at the Resurrection of the

righteous.”

14:15

After listening to this teaching, one of His fellow guests said to

Him, “Blessed is he who shall feast in God’s Kingdom.”

14:16

“A man once gave a great dinner,” replied Jesus, “to which he

invited a large number of guests.

14:17

At dinner-time he sent his servant to announce to those who had

been invited, “‘Come, for things are now ready.’

14:18

“But they all without exception began to excuse themselves. The

first told him, “‘I have purchased a piece of land, and must of

necessity go and look at it. Pray hold me excused.’

14:19

“A second pleaded, “‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and am on

my way to try them. Pray hold me excused.’

14:20 “Another said, “‘I am just married. It is impossible for me to come.’

14:21

“So the servant came and brought these answers to his master, and

they stirred his anger. “‘Go out quickly,’ he said, ‘into the streets

of the city — the wide ones and the narrow. You will see poor

men, and crippled, blind, lame: fetch them all in here.’

14:22

“Soon the servant reported the result, saying, “‘Sir, what you

ordered is done, and there is room still.’

14:23

“‘Go out,’ replied the master, ‘to the high roads and hedge-rows,

and compel the people to come in, so that my house may be filled.

14:24

For I tell you that not one of those who were invited shall taste

my dinner.’”

14:25

On His journey vast crowds attended Him, towards whom He

turned and said,

14:26

“If any one is coming to me who does not hate his father and

mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes and his own

life also, he cannot be a disciple of mine.

14:27

No one who does not carry his own cross and come after me can

be a disciple of mine.

14:28

“Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not sit down first

and calculate the cost, asking if he has the means to finish it? —

14:29

lest perhaps, when he has laid the foundation and is unable to

finish, all who see it shall begin to jeer at him,

14:30

saying, ‘This man began to build, but could not finish.’

14:31

Or what king, marching to encounter another king in war, does

not first sit down and deliberate whether he is able with ten

thousand men to meet the one who is advancing against him with

twenty thousand?

14:32

If not, while the other is still a long way off, he sends messengers

and sues for peace.

14:33

Just as no one of you who does not detach himself from all that

belongs to him can be a disciple of mine.

14:34

“Salt is good: but if even the salt has become tasteless, what will

you use to season it?

14:35

Neither for land nor dunghill is it of any use; they throw it away.

Listen, every one who has ears to listen with!”

CHAPTER 15

15:1

Now the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners were everywhere

in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him;

15:2

and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain,

saying, “He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them

at their meals!”

15:3 So in figurative language He asked them,

15:4 “Which of you men, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of

them, does not leave the ninety-nine in their pasture and go in

search of the lost one till he finds it?

15:5 And when he has found it, he lifts it on his shoulder, glad at heart.

15:6 Then coming home he calls his friends and neighbors together,

and says, ‘Congratulate me, for I have found my sheep — the one

I had lost.’

15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be rejoicing in Heaven

over one repentant sinner — more rejoicing than over ninety-nine

blameless persons who have no need of repentance.

15:8 “Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one of them,

does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully till

she finds it?

15:9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and

neighbors, and says, “‘Congratulate me, for I have found the coin

which I had lost.’

15:10 “I tell you that in the same way there is rejoicing in the presence of

the angels of God over one repentant sinner.”

15:11 He went on to say, “There was a man who had two sons.

15:12 The younger of them said to his father, “‘Father, give me the

share of the property that comes to me.’ “So he divided his wealth

between them.

15:13 No long time afterwards the younger son got all together and

traveled to a distant country, where he wasted his money in

debauchery and excess.

15:14 At last, when he had spent everything, there came a terrible

famine throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch of

want.

15:15 So he went and hired himself to one of the inhabitants of that

country, who sent him on to his farm to tend swine;

15:16 and he longed to make a hearty meal of the pods the swine were

eating, but no one gave him any.

15:17

“But on coming to himself he said, “‘How many of my father’s

hired men have more bread than they want, while I here am dying

of hunger!

15:18

I will rise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have

sinned against Heaven and before you:

15:19

I no longer deserve to be called a son of yours: treat me as one of

your hired men.’

15:20

“So he rose and came to his father. But while he was still a long

way off, his father saw him and pitied him, and ran and threw his

arms round his neck and kissed him tenderly.

15:21

“‘Father,’ cried the son, ‘I have sinned against Heaven and before

you: no longer do I deserve to be called a son of yours.’

15:22

“But the father said to his servants, “‘Fetch a good coat quickly —

the best one — and put it on him; and bring a ring for his finger

and shoes for his feet.

15:23

Fetch the fat calf and kill it, and let us feast and enjoy ourselves;

15:24

for my son here was dead and has come to life again: he was lost

and has been found.’ “And they began to be merry.

15:25

“Now his elder son was out on the farm; and when he returned and

came near home, he heard music and dancing.

15:26

Then he called one of the lads to him and asked what all this

meant.

15:27

“‘Your brother has come,’ he replied; ‘and your father has had the

fat calf killed, because he has got him home safe and sound.’

15:28

“Then he was angry and would not go in. But his father came out

and entreated him.

15:29

“‘All these years,’ replied the son, ‘I have been slaving for you, and

I have never at any time disobeyed any of your orders, and yet

you have never given me so much as a kid, for me to enjoy myself

with my friends;

15:30

but now that this son of yours is come who has eaten up your

property among his bad women, you have killed the fat calf for

him.’

15:31

“‘You my dear son,’ said the father, ‘are always with me, and all

that is mine is also yours.

15:32

We are bound to make merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours

was dead and has come back to life, he was lost and has been

found.’”

CHAPTER 16

16:1

He said also to His disciples: “There was a rich man who had a

steward, about whom a report was brought to him, that he was

wasting his property.

16:2

He called him and said, “‘What is this I hear about you? Render

an account of your stewardship, for I cannot let you hold it any

longer.’

16:3

“Then the steward said within himself, “‘What am I to do? For my

master is taking away the stewardship from me. I am not strong

enough for field labor: to beg, I should be ashamed.

16:4

I see what to do, in order that when I am discharged from the

stewardship they may give me a home in their own houses.’

16:5

“So he called all his master’s debtors, one by one, and asked the

first, ‘How much are you in debt to my master?’

16:6

“‘A hundred firkins of oil,’ he replied. “‘Here is your account,’ said

the steward: ‘sit down quickly and change it into fifty firkins.’

16:7

“To a second he said, “‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A hundred

quarters of wheat,’ was the answer. “‘Here is your account,’ said

he: ‘change it into eighty quarters.’

16:8

“And the master praised the dishonest steward for his shrewdness;

for, in relation to their own contemporaries, the men of this age

are shrewder than the sons of Light.

16:9

“But I charge you, so to use the wealth which is ever tempting to

dishonesty as to win friends who, when it fails, shall welcome you

to the tents that never perish.

16:10

The man who is honest in a very small matter is honest in a great

one also; and he who is dishonest in a very small matter is

dishonest in a great one also.

16:11

If therefore you have not proved yourselves faithful in dealing

with the wealth that is tainted with fraud, who will entrust to you

the true good?

16:12

And if you have not been faithful in dealing with that which is not

your own, who will give you that which is your own?

16:13

“No servant can be in bondage to two masters. For either he will

hate one and love the other, or else he will cling fast to one and

scorn the other. You cannot be bondservants both of God and of

gold.”

16:14

To all this the Pharisees listened, bitterly jeering at Him; for they

were lovers of money.

16:15

“You are they,” He said to them, “who boast of their own goodness

before men, but God sees your hearts; for that which holds a

proud position among men is detestable in God’s sight.

16:16

The Law and the Prophets continued until John came: from that

time the Good News of the Kingdom of God has been spreading,

and all classes have been forcing their way into it.

16:17

But it is easier for earth and sky to pass away than for one

smallest detail of the Law to fall to the ground.

16:18

Every man who divorces his wife and marries another commits

adultery; and he who marries her when so divorced from her

husband commits adultery.

16:19

“There was once a rich man who habitually arrayed himself in

purple and fine linen, and enjoyed a splendid banquet every day,

16:20

while at his outer door there lay a beggar, Lazarus by name,

16:21

covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off the scraps

flung on the floor from the rich man’s table. Nay, the dogs, too,

used to come and lick his sores.

16:22

“But in course of time the beggar died; and he was carried by the

angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and had a

funeral.

16:23

And in Hades, being in torment, he looked and saw Abraham in

the far distance, and Lazarus resting in his arms.

16:24

So he cried aloud, and said, “‘Father Abraham, take pity on me

and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my

tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’

16:25

“‘Remember, my child,’ said Abraham, ‘that you had all your good

things during your lifetime, and that Lazarus in like manner had

his bad things. But, now and here, he is receiving consolation and

you are in agony.

16:26

And, besides all this, a vast chasm is immovably fixed between us

and you, put there in order that those who desire to cross from

this side to you may not be able, nor any be able to cross over

from your side to us.’

16:27

“‘I entreat you then, father,’ said he, ‘to send him to my father’s

house.

16:28

For I have five brothers. Let him earnestly warn them, lest they

also come to this place of torment.’

16:29

“‘They have Moses and the Prophets,’ replied Abraham; ‘let them

hear them.’

16:30

“‘No, father Abraham,’ he pleaded; ‘but if some one goes to them

from the dead, they will repent.’

16:31

“‘If they are deaf to Moses and the Prophets,’ replied Abraham,

‘they would not be led to believe even if some one should rise

from the dead.’”

CHAPTER 17

17:1

Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that causes of

stumbling should come; but alas for him through whom they

come!

17:2

It would be well for him if, with a millstone round his neck, he

were lying at the bottom of the sea, rather than that he should

cause even one of these little ones to fall.

17:3

Be on your guard. “If your brother acts wrongly, reprove him;

and if he is sorry, forgive him;

17:4

and if seven times in a day he acts wrongly towards you, and

seven times turns again to you and says, ‘I am sorry,’ you must

forgive him.”

17:5

And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Give us faith.”

17:6

“If your faith,” replied the Lord, “is like a mustard seed, you might

command this black-mulberry-tree, ‘Tear up your roots and plant

yourself in the sea,’ and instantly it would obey you.

17:7

But which of you who has a servant ploughing, or tending sheep,

will say to him when he comes in from the farm, ‘Come at once

and take your place at table,’

17:8

and will not rather say to him, ‘Get my dinner ready, make

yourself tidy, and wait upon me till I have finished my dinner, and

then you shall have yours’?

17:9

Does he thank the servant for obeying his orders?

17:10

So you also, when you have obeyed all the orders given you, must

say, “‘There is no merit in our service: what we have done is only

what we were in duty bound to do.’”

17:11

As they pursued their journey to Jerusalem, He passed through

Samaria and Galilee.

17:12

And as He entered a certain village, ten men met Him who were

lepers and stood at a distance.

17:13

In loud voices they cried out, “Jesus, Rabbi, take pity on us.”

17:14

Perceiving this, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the

Priests.” And while on their way to do this they were made clean.

17:15

One of them, seeing that he was cured, came back, adoring and

praising God in a loud voice,

17:16

and he threw himself at the feet of Jesus, thanking Him. He was a

Samaritan.

17:17

“Were not all ten made clean?” Jesus asked; “but where are the

nine?

17:18

Have none been found to come back and give glory to God

except this foreigner?”

17:19

And He said to him, “Rise and go: your faith has cured you.”

17:20

Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God was

coming, He answered, “The Kingdom of God does not so come

that you can stealthily watch for it.

17:21

Nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ — for the Kingdom

of God is within you.”

17:22

Then, turning to His disciples, He said, “There will come a time

when you will wish you could see a single one of the days of the

Son of Man, but will not see one.

17:23

And they will say to you, ‘See there!’ ‘See here!’ Do not start off

and go in pursuit.

17:24

For just as the lightning, when it flashes, shines from one part of

the horizon to the opposite part, so will the Son of Man be on His

day.

17:25

But first He must endure much suffering, and be rejected by the

present generation.

17:26

“And as it was in the time of Noah, so will it also be in the time of

the Son of Man.

17:27

Men were eating and drinking, taking wives and giving wives, up

to the very day on which Noah entered the Ark, and the Deluge

came and destroyed them all.

17:28

The same was true in the time of Lot: they were eating and

drinking, buying and selling, planting and building;

17:29

but on the day that Lot left Sodom, God rained fire and brimstone

from the sky and destroyed them all.

17:30

Exactly so will it be on the day that the veil is lifted from the Son

of Man.

17:31

“On that day, if a man is on the roof and his property indoors, let

him not go down to fetch it; and, in the same way, he who is in

the field, let him not turn back.

17:32

Remember Lot’s wife.

17:33

Any man who makes it his object to keep his own life safe, will

lose it; but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

17:34

On that night, I tell you, there will be two men in one bed: one

will be taken away and the other left behind.

17:35

There will be two women turning the mill together: one will be

taken away and the other left behind.”

17:36

[]

17:37

“Where, Master?” they inquired. “Where the dead body is,” He

replied, “there also will the vultures flock together.”

CHAPTER 18

18:1

He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and

never lose heart.

18:2

“In a certain town,” He said, “there was a judge who had no fear of

God and no respect for man.

18:3

And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and

entreated him, saying, “‘Give me justice and stop my oppressor.’

18:4

“For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself,

“‘Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,

18:5

yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent her

from constantly coming to pester me.’”

18:6

And the Lord said, “Hear those words of the unjust judge.

18:7

And will not God avenge the wrongs of His own People who cry

aloud to Him day and night, although He seems slow in taking

action on their behalf?

18:8

Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son of

Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

18:9

And to some who relied on themselves as being righteous men,

and looked down upon all others, He addressed this parable.

18:10

“Two men went up to the Temple to pray,” He said; “one being a

Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.

18:11

The Pharisee, standing erect, prayed as follows by himself: “‘O

God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people — I am not a

thief nor a cheat nor an adulterer, nor do I even resemble this tax-

gatherer.

18:12

I fast twice a week. I pay the tithe on all my gains.’

18:13

“But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift

his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, “‘O

God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.’

18:14

“I tell you that this man went home more thoroughly absolved from

guilt than the other; for every one who uplifts himself will be

humbled, but he who humbles himself will be uplifted.”

18:15

On one occasion people also brought with them their infants, for

Him to touch them; but the disciples, noticing this, proceeded to

find fault with them.

18:16

Jesus however called the infants to Him. “Let the little children

come to me,” He said; “do not hinder them; for it is to those who

are childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs.

18:17

I tell you in solemn truth that, whoever does not receive the

Kingdom of God like a little child will certainly not enter it.”

18:18

The question was put to Him by a Ruler: “Good Rabbi, what shall

I do to inherit the Life of the Ages?”

18:19

“Why do you call me good?” replied Jesus; “there is no one good

but One, namely God.

18:20

You know the Commandments: ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY;’

‘DO NOT MURDER;’ ‘DO NOT STEAL;’ ‘DO NOT LIE IN GIVING

EVIDENCE;’ ‘HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER.’”

18:21 “All of those,” he replied, “I have kept from my youth.”

18:22

On receiving this answer Jesus said to him, “There is still one

thing wanting in you. Sell everything you possess and give the

money to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and then

come, follow me.”

18:23

But on hearing these words he was deeply sorrowful, for he was

exceedingly rich.

18:24

Jesus saw his sorrow, and said, “With how hard a struggle do the

possessors of riches ever enter the Kingdom of God!

18:25

Why, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for

a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”

18:26 “Who then can be saved?” exclaimed the hearers.

18:27 “Things impossible with man,” He replied, “are possible with God.”

18:28

Then Peter said, “See, we have given up our homes and have

followed you.”

18:29

“I solemnly tell you,” replied Jesus, “that there is no one who has

left house or wife, or brothers or parents or children, for the sake

of God’s Kingdom,

18:30

who shall not certainly receive many times as much in this life, and

in the age that is coming the Life of the Ages.”

18:31

Then He drew the Twelve to Him and said, “See, we are going up

to Jerusalem, and everything written in the Prophets which refers

to the Son of Man will be fulfilled.

18:32

For He will be given up to the Gentiles, and be mocked, outraged

and spit upon.

18:33

They will scourge Him and put Him to death, and on the third day

He will rise to life again.”

18:34

Nothing of this did they understand. The words were a mystery to

them, nor could they see what He meant.

18:35

As Jesus came near to Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by

the way-side begging.

18:36

He heard a crowd of people going past, and inquired what it all

meant.

18:37 “Jesus the Nazarene is passing by,” they told him.

18:38

Then, at the top of his voice, he cried out, “Jesus, son of David,

take pity on me.”

18:39

Those in front reproved him and tried to silence him; but he

continued shouting, louder than ever, “Son of David, take pity on

me.”

18:40

At length Jesus stopped and desired them to bring the man to

Him; and when he had come close to Him He asked him,

18:41

“What shall I do for you?” “Sir,” he replied, “let me recover my

sight.”

18:42 “Recover your sight,” said Jesus: “your faith has cured you.”

18:43

No sooner were the words spoken than the man regained his sight

and followed Jesus, giving glory to God; and all the people, seeing

it, gave praise to God.

CHAPTER 19

19:1

So He entered Jericho and was passing through the town.

19:2

There was a man there called Zacchaeus, who was the local

surveyor of taxes, and was wealthy.

19:3

He was anxious to see what sort of man Jesus was; but he could

not because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.

19:4

So he ran on in front and climbed up a mulberry tree to see Him;

for He was about to pass that way.

19:5

As soon as Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him,

“Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for I must stay at your house today.”

19:6

So he came down in haste, and welcomed Him joyfully.

19:7

When they all saw this, they began to complain with indignation.

“He has gone in to be the guest of a notorious sinner!” they said.

19:8

Zacchaeus however stood up, and addressing the Lord said,

“Here and now, Master, I give half my property to the poor, and

if I have unjustly exacted money from any man, I pledge myself to

repay to him four times the amount.”

19:9

Turning towards him, Jesus replied, “To-day salvation has come

to this house, seeing that he too is a son of Abraham.

19:10

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was

lost.”

19:11

As they were listening to His words, He went on to teach them by

a parable, because He was near to Jerusalem and they supposed

that the Kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.

19:12

So He said to them, “A man of noble family traveled to a distant

country to obtain the rank of king, and to return.

19:13

And he called ten of his servants and gave each of them a pound,

instructing them to trade with the money during his absence.

19:14

“Now his countrymen hated him, and sent a deputation after him to

say, ‘We are not willing that he should become our king.’

19:15

And upon his return, after he had obtained the sovereignty, he

ordered those servants to whom he had given the money to be

summoned before him, that he might learn their success in trading.

19:16

“So the first came and said, “‘Sir, your pound has produced ten

pounds more.’

19:17

“‘Well done, good servant,’ he replied; ‘because you have been

faithful in a very small matter, be in authority over ten towns.’

19:18

“The second came, and said, “‘Your pound, Sir, has produced five

pounds.’

19:19

“So he said to this one also, “‘And you, be the governor of five

towns.’

19:20

“The next came. “‘Sir,’ he said, ‘here is your pound, which I have

kept wrapt up in a cloth.

19:21

For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man: you take

up what you did not lay down, and you reap what you did not

sow.’

19:22

“‘By your own words,’ he replied, ‘I will judge you, you bad

servant. You knew me to be a severe man, taking up what I did

not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow:

19:23

why then did you not put my money into a bank, that when I came

I might have received it back with interest?

19:24

“And he said to those who stood by, “‘Take the pound from him

and give it to him who has the ten pounds.’

19:25

(“They said to him, “‘Sir, he already has ten pounds.’)

19:26

“‘I tell you that to every one who has anything, more shall be given;

and from him who has not anything, even what he has shall be

taken away.

19:27

But as for those enemies of mine who were unwilling that I should

become their king, bring them here, and cut them to pieces in my

presence.’”

19:28

After thus speaking, He journeyed onward, proceeding up to

Jerusalem.

19:29

And when he was come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the

Mount called the Oliveyard, He sent two of the disciples on in

front,

19:30

saying to them, “Go into the village facing you. On entering it you

will find an ass’s foal tied up which no one has ever yet ridden:

untie it, and bring it here.

19:31

And if any one asks you, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ simply

say, ‘The Master needs it.’”

19:32

So those who were sent went and found things as He had told

them.

19:33

And while they were untying the colt the owners called out, “Why

are you untying the colt?”

19:34

and they replied, “The Master needs it.”

19:35

Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their outer

garments on the colt they placed Jesus on it.

19:36

So He rode on, while they carpeted the road with their garments.

19:37

And when He was now getting near Jerusalem, and descending

the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began in

their joy to praise God in loud voices for all the mighty deeds they

had witnessed.

19:38

“BLESSED IS the King,” they cried, “WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF

THE LORD: in Heaven peace, and glory in the highest realms.”

19:39

Thereupon some of the Pharisees in the crowd appealed to Him,

saying, “Rabbi, reprove your disciples.”

19:40

“I tell you,” He replied, “that if they became silent, the very stones

would cry out.”

19:41

When He came into full view of the city, He wept aloud over it,

and exclaimed,

19:42

“O that at this time thou hadst known — yes even thou — what

makes peace possible! But now it is hid from thine eyes.

19:43

For the time is coming upon thee when thy foes will throw up

around thee earthworks and a wall, investing thee and hemming

thee in on every side.

19:44

And they will dash thee to the ground and thy children within

thee, and will not leave one stone upon another within thee;

because thou hast not recognized the time of thy visitation.”

19:45

Then Jesus entered the Temple and proceeded to drive out the

dealers.

19:46

“It is written,” He said, “‘AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE THE HOUSE OF

PRAYER,’ but you have made it A ROBBERS’ CAVE.”

19:47

And day after day He taught in the Temple, while the High Priests

and the Scribes were devising some means of destroying Him, as

were also the leading men of the people.

19:48

But they could not find any way of doing it, for the people all

hung upon His lips.

CHAPTER 20

20:1

On one of those days while He was teaching the people in the

Temple and proclaiming the Good News, the High Priests came

upon Him, and the Scribes,

20:2

together with the Elders, and they asked Him, “Tell us, By what

authority are you doing these things? And who is it that gave you

this authority?”

20:3 “I also will put a question to you, “He said;

20:4 “was John’s baptism of Heavenly or of human origin?”

20:5

So they debated the matter with one another. “If we say

‘Heavenly,’” they argued, “he will say, ‘Why did you not believe

him?’

20:6

And if we say, ‘human,’ the people will all stone us; for they are

thoroughly convinced that John was a Prophet.”

20:7

And they answered that they did not know the origin of it.

20:8

“Nor will I tell you,” said Jesus, “by what authority I do these

things.”

20:9

Then He proceeded to speak a parable to the people. “There was

a man,” He said, “who planted a vineyard, let it out to vine-

dressers, and went abroad for a considerable time.

20:10

At vintage-time he sent a servant to the vine-dressers, for them to

give him a share of the crop; but the vine-dressers beat him cruelly

and sent him away empty-handed.

20:11

Then he sent a second servant; and him too they beat and ill

treated and sent away empty-handed.

20:12

Then again he sent a third; and this one also they wounded and

drove away.

20:13

Then the owner of the vineyard said, “‘What am I to do? I will

send my son — my dearly-loved son: they will probably respect

him.’

20:14

“But when the vine-dressers saw him, they discussed the matter

with one another, and said, “‘This is the heir: let us kill him, that

the inheritance may be ours.’

20:15

“So they turned him out of the vineyard and murdered him. What

then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?

20:16

He will come and put these vine-dressers to death, and give the

vineyard to others.” “God forbid!” exclaimed the hearers.

20:17

He looked at them and said, “What then does that mean which is

written, “‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BEEN

MADE THE CORNERSTONE’?

20:18

Every one who falls on that stone will be severely hurt, but on

whomsoever it falls, he will be utterly crushed.”

20:19

At this the Scribes and the High Priests wanted to lay hands on

Him, then and there; only they were afraid of the people. For they

saw that in this parable He had referred to them.

20:20

So, after impatiently watching their opportunity, they sent spies

who were to act the part of good and honest men, that they might

fasten on some expression of His, so as to hand Him over to the

ruling power and the Governor’s authority.

20:21

So they put a question to Him. “Rabbi,” they said, “we know that

you say and teach what is right and that you make no distinctions

between one man and another, but teach God’s way truly.

20:22

Is it allowable to pay a tax to Caesar, or not?”

20:23

But He saw through their knavery and replied,

20:24

“Show me a shilling; whose likeness and inscription does it bear?”

“Caesar’s,” they said.

20:25

“Pay therefore,” He replied, “what is Caesar’s to Caesar — and

what is God’s to God.”

20:26

There was nothing here that they could lay hold of before the

people, and marvelling at His answer they said no more.

20:27

Next some of the Sadducees came forward (who deny that there

is a Resurrection), and they asked Him,

20:28

“Rabbi, Moses made it a law for us that if a man’s brother should

die, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow

and raise up a family for his brother.

20:29

Now there were seven brothers. The first of them took a wife and

died childless.

20:30

The second and the third also took her;

20:31

and all seven, having done the same, left no children when they

died.

20:32

Finally the woman also died.

20:33

The woman, then — at the Resurrection — whose wife shall she

be? for they all seven married her.”

20:34

“The men of this age,” replied Jesus, “marry, and the women are

given in marriage.

20:35

But as for those who shall have been deemed worthy to find a

place in that other age and in the Resurrection from among the

dead, the men do not marry and the women are not given in

marriage.

20:36

For indeed they cannot die again; they are like angels, and are

sons of God through being sons of the Resurrection.

20:37

But that the dead rise to life even Moses clearly implies in the

passage about the Bush, where he calls the Lord ‘THE GOD OF

ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB.’

20:38

He is not a God of dead, but of living men, for to Him are all

living.”

20:39

Then some of the Scribes replied, “Rabbi, you have spoken well.”

20:40

From that time, however, no one ventured to challenge Him with

a single question.

20:41

But He asked them, “How is it they say that the Christ is a son of

David?

20:42

Why, David himself says in the Book of Psalms, “‘The Lord said

to my Lord, Sit at My right hand

20:43

UNTIL I HAVE MADE THY FOES A FOOTSTOOL UNDER THEY FEET.’

20:44

“David himself therefore calls Him Lord, and how can He be his

son?”

20:45

Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to the disciples,

20:46

“Beware of the Scribes, who like to walk about in long robes, and

love to be bowed to in places of public resort and to occupy the

best seats in the synagogues or at a dinner party;

20:47

who swallow up the property of widows and mask their

wickedness by making long prayers. They will be punished far

more severely than others.”

CHAPTER 21

21:1

Looking up He saw the people throwing their gifts into the

Treasury — the rich people.

21:2

He also saw a poor widow dropping in two farthings,

21:3

and He said, “In truth I tell you that this widow, so poor, has

thrown in more than any of them.

21:4

For from what they could well spare they have all of them

contributed to the offerings, but she in her need has thrown in all

she had to live on.”

21:5

When some were remarking about the Temple, how it was

embellished with beautiful stones and dedicated gifts, He said,

21:6

“As to these things which you now admire, the time is coming

when there will not be one stone left here upon another which will

not be pulled down.”

21:7

“Rabbi, when will this be?” they asked Him, “and what will be the

token given when these things are about to take place?”

21:8

“See to it,” He replied, “that you are not misled; for many will

come assuming my name and professing, ‘I am He,’ or saying,

‘The time is close at hand.’ Do not go and follow them.

21:9

But when you hear of wars and turmoils, be not afraid; for these

things must happen first, but the end does not come immediately.”

21:10

Then He said to them, “NATION WILL RISE IN ARMS AGAINST

NATION, AND KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM.

21:11

And there will be great earthquakes, and in places famines and

pestilence; and there will be terrible sights and wonderful tokens

from Heaven.

21:12

“But before all these things happen they will lay hands on you and

persecute you. They will deliver you up to synagogues and to

prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my

sake.

21:13

In the end all this will be evidence of your fidelity.

21:14

“Make up your minds, however, not to prepare a defense

beforehand,

21:15

for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your

opponents will be able to withstand or reply to.

21:16

You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, friends;

and some of you they will put to death.

21:17

You will be the objects of universal hatred because you are called

by my name;

21:18

and yet not a hair of your heads shall perish.

21:19

By your patient endurance you will purchase your lives.

21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem with armies encamping round her on

every side, then be certain that her overthrow is close at hand.

21:21 Then let those who shall be in Judaea escape to the hills; let those

who are in the city leave it, and those who are in the country not

enter in.

21:22 For those are the DAYS OF VENGEANCE and of fulfilling all that is

written.

21:23 “Alas for the women who at that time are with child or who have

infants; for there will be great distress in the land, and anger

towards this People.

21:24 They will fall by the sword, or be carried off into slavery among

all the Gentiles. And Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the

Gentiles, till the appointed times of the Gentiles have expired.

21:25 “There will be signs in sun, moon, and stars; and on earth anguish

among the nations in their bewilderment at the roaring of the sea

and its billows;

21:26 while men’s hearts are fainting for fear, and for anxious

expectation of what is coming on the world. For THE FORCES

WHICH CONTROL THE HEAVENS WILL BE DISORDERED AND

DISTURBED.

21:27 And then will they see the SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with

great power and glory.

21:28 But when all this is beginning to take place, grieve no longer. Lift

up your heads, because your deliverance is drawing near.”

21:29 And He spoke a parable to them. “See,” He said, “the fig-tree and

all the trees.

21:30 As soon as they have shot out their leaves, you know at a glance

that summer is now near.

21:31 So also, when you see these things happening, you may be sure

that the Kingdom of God is near.

21:32 I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly

not pass away without all these things having first taken place.

21:33

Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my words will

not pass away.

21:34

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your souls be weighed down with

self-indulgence and drunkenness or the anxieties of this life, and

that day come upon you, suddenly, like a falling trap;

21:35

for it will come on all dwellers on the face of the whole earth.

21:36

But beware of slumbering; and every moment pray that you may

be fully strengthened to escape from all these coming evils, and to

take your stand in the presence of the Son of Man.”

21:37

His habit at this time was to teach in the Temple by day, but to go

out and spend the night on the Mount called the Oliveyard.

21:38

And all the people came to Him in the Temple, early in the

morning, to listen to Him.

CHAPTER 22

22:1

Meanwhile the Festival of the Unleavened Bread, called the

Passover, was approaching,

22:2

and the High Priests and the Scribes were contriving how to

destroy Him. But they feared the people.

22:3

Satan, however, entered into Judas (the man called Iscariot) who

was one of the Twelve.

22:4

He went and conferred with the High Priests and Commanders as

to how he should deliver Him up to them.

22:5

This gave them great pleasure, and they agreed to pay him.

22:6

He accepted their offer, and then looked out for an opportunity to

betray Him when the people were not there.

22:7

When the day of the Unleavened Bread came — the day for the

Passover lamb to be sacrificed —

22:8

Jesus sent Peter and John with instructions. “Go,” He said, “and

prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.”

22:9 “Where shall we prepare it?” they asked.

22:10

“You will no sooner have entered the city,” He replied, “than you

will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him into the

house to which he goes,

22:11

and say to the master of the house, “‘The Rabbi asks you, Where

is the room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?’

22:12

“And he will show you a large furnished room upstairs. There make

your preparations.”

22:13

So they went and found all as He had told them; and they got the

Passover ready.

22:14

When the time was come, and He had taken His place at table,

and the Apostles with Him,

22:15

He said to them, “Earnestly have I longed to eat this Passover

with you before I suffer;

22:16

for I tell you that I certainly shall not eat one again till its full

meaning has been brought out in the Kingdom of God.”

22:17

Then, having received the cup and given thanks, He said, “Take

this and share it among yourselves;

22:18

for I tell you that from this time I will never drink the produce of

the vine till the Kingdom of God has come.”

22:19

Then, taking a Passover biscuit, He gave thanks and broke it, and

gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is being given on

your behalf: this do in remembrance of me.”

22:20

He gave them the cup in like manner, when the meal was over.

“This cup,” He said, “is the new Covenant ratified by my blood

which is to be poured out on your behalf.

22:21

Yet the hand of him who is betraying me is at the table with me.

22:22

For indeed the Son of Man goes on His way — His pre-destined

way; yet alas for that man who is betraying Him!”

22:23

Thereupon they began to discuss with one another which of them

it could possibly be who was about to do this.

22:24

There arose also a dispute among them which of them should be

regarded as greatest.

22:25

But He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles are their masters,

and those who exercise authority over them are called

Benefactors.

22:26

With you it is not so; but let the greatest among you be as the

younger, and the leader be like him who serves.

22:27

For which is the greater — he who sits at table, or he who waits

on him? Is it not he who sits at table? But my position among you

is that of one who waits on others.

22:28

You however have remained with me amid my trials;

22:29

and I covenant to give you, as my Father has covenanted to give

me, a Kingdom —

22:30

so that you shall eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom, and sit

on thrones as judges over the twelve tribes of Israel.

22:31

“Simon, Simon, I tell you that Satan has obtained permission to

have all of you to sift as wheat is sifted.

22:32

But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and you,

when at last you have come back to your true self, must

strengthen your brethren.”

22:33

“Master,” replied Peter, “with you I am ready to go both to prison

and to death.”

22:34

“I tell you, Peter,” said Jesus, “that the cock will not crow to-day

till you have three times denied that you know me.”

22:35

Then He asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag

or shoes, was there anything you needed?” “No, nothing,” they

replied.

22:36

“But now,” said He, “let the one who has a purse take it, and he

who has a bag must do the same. And let him who has no sword

sell his outer garment and buy one.

22:37

For I tell you that those words of Scripture must yet find their

fulfillment in me: ‘AND HE WAS RECKONED AMONG THE

LAWLESS’; for indeed that saying about me has its

accomplishment.”

22:38

“Master, here are two swords,” they exclaimed. “That is enough,”

He replied.

22:39

On going out, He proceeded as usual to the Mount of Olives, and

His disciples followed Him.

22:40

But when He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you

may not come into temptation.”

22:41

But He Himself withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and

knelt down and prayed repeatedly, saying,

22:42

“Father, if it be Thy will, take this cup away from me; yet not my

will but Thine be done!”

22:43

And there appeared to Him an angel from Heaven, strengthening

Him;

22:44

while He — an agony of distress having come upon Him —

prayed all the more with intense earnestness, and His sweat

became like clots of blood dropping on the ground.

22:45

When He rose from his prayer and came to His disciples, He

found them sleeping for sorrow.

22:46

“Why are you sleeping?” He said; “stand up; and pray that you may

not come into temptation.”

22:47

While He was still speaking there came a crowd with Judas,

already mentioned as one of the Twelve, at their head. He went

up to Jesus to kiss Him.

22:48

“Judas,” said Jesus, “are you betraying the Son of Man with a

kiss?”

22:49

Those who were about Him, seeing what was likely to happen,

asked Him, “Master, shall we strike with the sword?”

22:50

And one of them struck a blow at the High Priest’s servant and

cut off his right ear.

22:51

“Permit me thus far,” said Jesus. And He touched the ear and

healed it.

22:52

Then Jesus said to the High Priests and Commanders of the

Temple and Elders, who had come to arrest Him, “Have you

come out as if to fight with a robber, with swords and cudgels?

22:53

While day after day I was with you in the Temple, you did not lay

hands upon me; but to you belongs this hour — and the power of

darkness.”

22:54

And they arrested Him and led Him away, and brought Him to the

High Priest’s house, while Peter followed a good way behind.

22:55

And when they had lighted a fire in the middle of the court and

had seated themselves in a group round it, Peter was sitting

among them,

22:56

when a maidservant saw him sitting by the fire, and, looking

fixedly at him, she said, “This man also was with him.”

22:57

But he denied it, and declared, “Woman, I do not know him.”

22:58

Shortly afterwards a man saw him and said, “You, too, are one of

them.” “No, man, I am not,” said Peter.

22:59

After an interval of about an hour some one else stoutly

maintained: “Certainly this fellow also was with him, for in fact he

is a Galilaean.”

22:60

“Man, I don’t know what you mean,” replied Peter. No sooner had

he spoken than a cock crowed.

22:61

The Master turned and looked on Peter; and Peter recollected the

Master’s words, how He had said to him, “This very day, before

the cock crows, you will disown me three times.”

22:62

And he went out and wept aloud bitterly.

22:63

Meanwhile the men who held Jesus in custody repeatedly beat

Him in cruel sport,

22:64

or blindfolded Him, and then challenged Him. “Prove to us,” they

said, “that you are a prophet, by telling us who it was that struck

you.”

22:65

And they said many other insulting things to Him.

22:66

As soon as it was day, the whole body of the Elders, both High

Priests and Scribes, assembled. Then He was brought into their

Sanhedrin, and they asked Him,

22:67

“Are you the Christ? Tell us.” “If I tell you,” He replied, “you will

certainly not believe;

22:68

and if I ask you questions, you will certainly not answer.

22:69

But from this time forward the Son of Man will be seated at the

right hand of God’s omnipotence.”

22:70

Thereupon they cried out with one voice, “You, then, are the Son

of God?” “It is as you say,” He answered; “I am He.”

22:71

“What need have we of further evidence?” they said; “for we

ourselves have heard it from his own lips.”

CHAPTER 23

23:1

Then the whole assembly rose and brought Him to Pilate, and

began to accuse Him.

23:2

“We have found this man,” they said, “an agitator among our

nation, forbidding the payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming

to be himself an anointed king.”

23:3

Then Pilate asked Him, “You, then, are the King of the Jews?” “It

is as you say,” He replied.

23:4

Pilate said to the High Priests and to the crowd, “I can find no

crime in this man.”

23:5

But they violently insisted. “He stirs up the people,” they said,

“throughout all Judaea with His teaching — even from Galilee

(where He first started) to this city.”

23:6

On hearing this, Pilate inquired, “Is this man a Galilaean?”

23:7

And learning that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction he sent

Him to Herod, for he too was in Jerusalem at that time.

23:8

To Herod the sight of Jesus was a great gratification, for, for a

long time, he had been wanting to see Him, because he had heard

so much about Him. He hoped also to see some miracle

performed by Him.

23:9

So he put a number of questions to Him, but Jesus gave him no

reply.

23:10

Meanwhile the High Priests and the Scribes were standing there

and vehemently accusing Him.

23:11

Then, laughing to scorn the claims of Jesus, Herod (and his

soldiers with him) made sport of Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous

costume, and sent Him back to Pilate.

23:12

And on that very day Herod and Pilate became friends again, for

they had been for some time at enmity.

23:13

Then calling together the High Priests and the Rulers and the

people, Pilate said,

23:14

“You have brought this man to me on a charge of corrupting the

loyalty of the people. But, you see, I have examined him in your

presence and have discovered in the man no ground for the

accusations which you bring against him.

23:15

No, nor does Herod; for he has sent him back to us; and, you see,

there is nothing he has done that deserves death.

23:16

I will therefore give him a light punishment and release him.”

23:17

[]

23:18

Then the whole multitude burst out into a shout. “Away with this

man,” they said, “and release Barabbas to us”

23:19

— Barabbas! who had been lodged in jail for some time in

connection with a riot which had occurred in the city, and for

murder.

23:20

But Pilate once more addressed them, wishing to set Jesus free.

23:21

They, however, persistently shouted, “Crucify, crucify him!”

23:22

A third time he appealed to them: “Why, what crime has the man

committed? I have discovered in him nothing that deserves death.

I will therefore give him a light punishment and release him.”

23:23

But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic outcries that

He should be crucified; and their clamor prevailed.

23:24

So Pilate gave judgment, yielding to their demand.

23:25

The man who was lying in prison charged with riot and murder

and for whom they clamored he set free, but Jesus he gave up to

be dealt with as they desired.

23:26

As soon as they led Him away, they laid hold on one Simon, a

Cyrenaean, who was coming in from the country, and on his

shoulders they put the cross, for him to carry it behind Jesus.

23:27

A vast crowd of the people also followed Him, and of women

who were beating their breasts and wailing for Him.

23:28

But Jesus turned towards them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem,

weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

23:29

For a time is coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the women

who never bore children, and the breasts which have never given

nourishment.’

23:30

Then will they begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us;’ and to

the hills, ‘Cover us.’

23:31

For if they are doing these things in the case of the green tree,

what will be done in that of the dry?”

23:32

They brought also two others, criminals, to put them to death

with Him.

23:33

When they reached the place called ‘The Skull,’ there they nailed

Him to the cross, and the criminals also, one at His right hand and

one at His left.

23:34

Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they

are doing.” And they divided His garments among them, drawing

lots for them;

23:35

and the people stood looking on. The Rulers, too, repeatedly

uttered their bitter taunts. “This fellow,” they said, “saved others:

let him save himself, if he is God’s Anointed, the Chosen One.”

23:36

And the soldiers also made sport of Him, coming and offering

Him sour wine and saying,

23:37 “Are you the King of the Jews? Save yourself, then!”

23:38

There was moreover a writing over His head: THIS IS THE KING

OF THE JEWS.

23:39

Now one of the criminals who had been crucified insulted Him,

saying, “Are not you the Christ? Save yourself and us.”

23:40

But the other, answering, reproved him. “Do you also not fear

God,” he said, “when you are actually suffering the same

punishment?

23:41

And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving due

requital for what we have done. But He has done nothing amiss.”

23:42

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your

Kingdom.”

23:43

“I tell you in solemn truth,” replied Jesus, “that this very day you

shall be with me in Paradise.”

23:44

It was now about noon, and a darkness came over the whole

country till three o’clock in the afternoon.

23:45

The sun was darkened, and the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn

down the middle,

23:46

and Jesus cried out in a loud voice, and said, “Father, to Thy

hands I entrust my spirit.” And after uttering these words He

yielded up His spirit.

23:47

The Captain, seeing what had happened, gave glory to God,

saying, “Beyond question this man was innocent.”

23:48

And all the crowds that had come together to this sight, after

seeing all that had occurred, returned to the city beating their

breasts.

23:49

But all His acquaintances, and the women who had been His

followers after leaving Galilee, continued standing at a distance

and looking on.

23:50

There was a member of the Council of the name of Joseph, a

kind-hearted and upright man,

23:51

who came from the Jewish town of Arimathaea and was awaiting

the coming of the Kingdom of God. He had not concurred in the

design or action of the Council,

23:52

and now he went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

23:53

Then, taking it down, he wrapped it in a linen sheet and laid it in a

tomb in the rock, where no one else had yet been put.

23:54

It was the Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was near at hand.

23:55

The women — those who had come with Jesus from Galilee —

followed close behind, and saw the tomb and how His body was

placed.

23:56

Then they returned, and prepared spices and perfumes. On the

Sabbath they rested in obedience to the Commandment.

CHAPTER 24

24:1

And, on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the

tomb bringing the spices they had prepared.

24:2

But they found the stone rolled back from the tomb,

24:3

and on entering they found that the body of the Lord Jesus was

not there.

24:4

At this they were in great perplexity, when suddenly there stood

by them two men whose raiment flashed like lightning.

24:5

The women were terrified; but, as they stood with their faces

bowed to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you search

among the dead for Him who is living?

24:6

He is not here. He has come back to life. Remember how He

spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,

24:7

when He told you that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the

hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise

again.”

24:8

Then they remembered His words,

24:9

and returning from the tomb they reported all this to the Eleven

and to all the rest.

24:10

The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother

of James; and they and the rest of the women related all this to the

Apostles.

24:11

But the whole story seemed to them an idle tale; they could not

believe the women.

24:12

Peter, however, rose and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking

in, he saw nothing but the linen cloths: so he went away to his

own home, wondering at what had happened.

24:13

On that same day two of the disciples were walking to Emmaus, a

village seven or eight miles from Jerusalem,

24:14

and were conversing about all these recent events;

24:15

and, in the midst of their conversation and discussion, Jesus

Himself came and joined them,

24:16

though they were prevented from recognizing Him.

24:17

“What is the subject,” He asked them, “on which you are talking so

earnestly, as you walk?” And they stood still, looking full of

sorrow.

24:18

Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered, “Are you a stranger

lodging alone in Jerusalem, that you have known nothing of the

things that have lately happened in the city?”

24:19

“What things?” He asked. “The things about Jesus the Nazarene,”

they said, “who was a Prophet powerful in work and word before

God and all the people;

24:20

and how our High Priests and Rulers delivered Him up to be

sentenced to death, and crucified Him.

24:21

But we were hoping that it was He who was about to ransom

Israel. Yes, and moreover it was the day before yesterday that

these things happened.

24:22

And, besides, some of the women of our company have amazed

us. They went to the tomb at daybreak,

24:23

and, finding that His body was not there, they came and declared

to us that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He

was alive.

24:24

Thereupon some of our party went to the tomb and found things

just as the women had said; but Jesus Himself they did not see.”

24:25

“O dull-witted men,” He replied, “with minds so slow to believe all

that the Prophets have spoken!

24:26

Was there not a necessity for the Christ thus to suffer, and then

enter into His glory?”

24:27

And, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to

them the passages in Scripture which refer to Himself.

24:28

When they had come near the village to which they were going,

He appeared to be going further.

24:29

But they pressed Him to remain with them. “Because,” said they,

“it is getting towards evening, and the day is nearly over.” So He

went in to stay with them.

24:30

But as soon as He had sat down with them, and had taken the

bread and had blessed and broken it, and was handing it to them,

24:31

their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. But He

vanished from them.

24:32

“Were not our hearts,” they said to one another, “burning within us

while He talked to us on the way and explained the Scriptures to

us?”

24:33

So they rose and without an hour’s delay returned to Jerusalem,

and found the Eleven and the rest met together, who said to them,

24:34

“Yes, it is true: the Master has come back to life. He has been seen

by Simon.”

24:35

Then they related what had happened on the way, and how He

had been recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

24:36

While they were thus talking, He Himself stood in their midst and

said, “Peace be to you!”

24:37

Startled, and in the utmost alarm, they thought they were looking

at a spirit;

24:38

but He said to them, “Why such alarm? And why are there such

questionings in your minds?

24:39

See my hands and my feet — it is my very self. Feel me and see,

for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see I have.”

24:40

And then He showed them His hands and His feet.

24:41

But, while they still could not believe it for joy and were full of

astonishment, He asked them, “Have you any food here?”

24:42

And they gave Him a piece of roasted fish,

24:43

and He took it and ate it in their presence.

24:44

And He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still

with you — that everything must be fulfilled that is written in the

Law of Moses and in the Prophets and the Psalms concerning

me.”

24:45

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

24:46

and He said, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and

on the third day rise again from among the dead;

24:47

and that proclamation would be made, in His name, of repentance

and forgiveness of sins to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem.

24:48

You are witnesses as to these things.

24:49

And remember that I am about to send out my Father’s promised

gift to rest upon you. But, as for you, wait patiently in the city

until you are clothed with power from on high.”

24:50

And He brought them out to within view of Bethany, and then

lifted up His hands and blessed them.

24:51

And while He was blessing them, He parted from them and was

carried up into Heaven.

24:52

They worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

24:53

Afterwards they were continually in attendance at the Temple,

blessing God.

THE GOOD NEWS

AS RECORDED BY

JOHN

In spite of its rejection by Marcion and the Alogi, the fourth Gospel was

accepted by most Christians at the end of the second century as having

been written by the Apostle John. In the present day the preponderating

tendency among scholars favors the traditional authorship. On the other

hand the most recent scrutiny asserts: “Although many critics see no

adequate reason for accepting the tradition which assigns the book to the

Apostle John, and there are several cogent reasons to the contrary, they

would hardly deny that nevertheless the volume is Johannine — in the

sense that any historical element throughout its pages may be traced back

directly or indirectly to that Apostle and his school.”

As regards the date, no more definite period can be indicated than that

suggested by Harnack — between 80, A.D., and 110, A.D. But that it was

written in Ephesus is practically certain, and there is evidence that it was

composed at the request of Elders and believers belonging to the Churches

of Roman Asia.

The special characteristics which render the book unique in literature are

unmistakable, but scarcely admit of brief expression. It is manifestly

supplementary to the other Gospels and assumes that they are known and

are true. The differences between the fourth Gospel and the other three

may be easily exaggerated, but it must be acknowledged that they exist.

They relate, (1) to the ministry of Christ, and (2) to His person. As to the

former it is impossible to correlate all the references to distinct events, for

whilst the Synoptics appear to contemplate little more than the life and

work of a single year, from John’s standpoint there can scarcely have been

less than three years concerned. As to the person of Christ, it must be

owned that although the fourth Gospel makes no assertion which

contradicts the character of Teacher and Reformer attributed to Him by the

Synoptics, it presents to us a personage so enwrapped in mystery and

dignity as altogether to transcend ordinary human nature. This transcendent

Personality is indeed the avowed center of the whole record, and His

portrayal is its avowed purpose. Yet whilst the writer never clearly reveals

to us who he himself is, it is equally manifest that his own convictions

constitute the matrix in which the discourses and events are imbedded, and

that there is nothing in this matrix to render that which it contains unreal or

untrustworthy.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and

the Word was God.

1:2 He was in the beginning with God.

1:3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him

nothing that exists came into being.

1:4 In Him was Life, and that Life was the Light of men.

1:5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not

overpowered it.

1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

1:7 He came as a witness, in order that he might give testimony

concerning the Light — so that all might believe through him.

1:8 He was not the Light, but he existed that he might give testimony

concerning the Light.

1:9 The true Light was that which illumines every man by its coming

into the world.

1:10 He was in the world, and the world came into existence through

Him, and the world did not recognize Him.

1:11 He came to the things that were His own, and His own people

gave Him no welcome.

1:12 But all who have received Him, to them — that is, to those who

trust in His name — He has given the privilege of becoming

children of God;

1:13 who were begotten as such not by human descent, nor through an

impulse of their own nature, nor through the will of a human

father, but from God.

1:14

And the Word came in the flesh, and lived for a time in our midst,

so that we saw His glory — the glory as of the Father’s only Son,

sent from His presence. He was full of grace and truth.

1:15

John gave testimony concerning Him and cried aloud, saying,

“This is He of whom I said, ‘He who is coming after me has been

put before me,’ for He was before me.”

1:16

For He it is from whose fullness we have all received, and grace

upon grace.

1:17

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came

through Jesus Christ.

1:18

No human eye has ever seen God: the only Son, who is in the

Father’s bosom — He has made Him known.

1:19

This also is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent to him a

deputation of Priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him who

he was.

1:20

He avowed — he did not conceal the truth, but avowed, “I am

not the Christ.”

1:21

“What then?” they inquired; “are you Elijah?” “I am not,” he said.

“Are you the Prophet?” “No,” he answered.

1:22

So they pressed the question. “Who are you?” they said — “that

we may take an answer to those who sent us. What account do

you give of yourself?”

1:23

“I am THE VOICE,” he replied, “OF ONE CRYING ALOUD, ‘MAKE

STRAIGHT THE LORD’S WAY IN THE DESERT,’ fulfilling the words

of the Prophet Isaiah.”

1:24

They were Pharisees who had been sent.

1:25

Again they questioned him. “Why then do you baptize,” they said,

“if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the Prophet?”

1:26

“I baptize in water only,” John answered, “but in your midst stands

One whom you do not know —

1:27

He who is to come after me, and whose sandal-strap I am not

worthy to unfasten.”

1:28 This conversation took place at Bethany beyond the Jordan,

where John was baptizing.

1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and exclaimed,

“Look, that is the Lamb of God who is to take away the sin of the

world!

1:30 This is He about whom I said, ‘After me is to come One who has

been put before me, because He was before me.’

1:31 I did not yet know Him; but that He may be openly shown to

Israel is the reason why I have come baptizing in water.”

1:32 John also gave testimony by stating: “I have seen the Spirit

coming down like a dove out of Heaven; and it remained upon

Him.

1:33 I did not yet know Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water

said to me, “‘The One on whom you see the Spirit coming down,

and remaining, He it is who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’

1:34 “This I have seen, and I have become a witness that He is the Son

of God.”

1:35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples,

1:36 when he saw Jesus passing by, and said, “Look! that is the Lamb

of God!”

1:37 The two disciples heard his exclamation, and they followed Jesus.

1:38 Then Jesus turned round, and seeing them following He asked

them, “What is your wish?” “Rabbi,” they replied — ‘Rabbi’

means ‘Teacher’ — “where are you staying?”

1:39 “Come and you shall see,” He said. So they went and saw where

He was staying, and they remained and spent that day with Him.

It was then about ten o’clock in the morning.

1:40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard

John’s exclamation and followed Jesus.

1:41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have

found the Messiah!” — that is to say, the Anointed One.

1:42

He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are

Simon, son of John: you shall be called Cephas” — that is to say,

Peter (or ‘Rock’).

1:43

The next day, having decided to leave Bethany and go into

Galilee, Jesus found Philip, and invited him to follow Him.

1:44

(Now Philip came from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and

Peter.)

1:45

Then Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found

him about whom Moses in the Law wrote, as well as the Prophets

— Jesus, the son of Joseph, a man of Nazareth.”

1:46

“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” replied Nathanael.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

1:47

Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, and said of him, “Look! here is

a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceitfulness!”

1:48

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. “Before Philip called

you,” said Jesus, “when you were under the fig-tree I saw you.”

1:49

“Rabbi,” cried Nathanael, “you are the Son of God, you are Israel’s

King!”

1:50

“Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig-tree,’” replied

Jesus, “do you believe? You shall see greater things than that.”

1:51

“I tell you all in most solemn truth,” He added, “that you shall see

Heaven opened wide, and God’s angels going up, and coming

down to the Son of Man.”

CHAPTER 2

2:1

Two days later there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the

mother of Jesus was there,

2:2

and Jesus also was invited and His disciples.

2:3

Now the wine ran short; whereupon the mother of Jesus said to

Him, “They have no wine.”

2:4

“Leave the matter in my hands,” He replied; “the time for me to act

has not yet come.”

2:5

His mother said to the attendants, “Whatever he tells you to do,

do it.”

2:6

Now there were six stone jars standing there (in accordance with

the Jewish regulations for purification), each large enough to hold

twenty gallons or more.

2:7

Jesus said to the attendants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they

filled them to the brim.

2:8

Then He said, “Now, take some out, and carry it to the President

of the feast.”

2:9

So they carried some to him. And no sooner had the President

tasted the water now turned into wine, than — not knowing

where it came from, though the attendants who had drawn the

water knew — he called to the bridegroom

2:10

and said to him, “It is usual to put on the good wine first, and

when people have drunk freely, then that which is inferior. But

you have kept the good wine till now.”

2:11

This, the first of His miracles, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee,

and thus displayed His glorious power; and His disciples believed

in Him.

2:12

Afterwards He went down to Capernaum — He, and His mother,

and His brothers, and His disciples; and they made a short stay

there.

2:13

But the Jewish Passover was approaching, and for this Jesus went

up to Jerusalem.

2:14

And He found in the Temple the dealers in cattle and sheep and in

pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there.

2:15

So He plaited a whip of rushes, and drove all — both sheep and

bullocks — out of the Temple. The small coin of the brokers He

upset on the ground and overturned their tables.

2:16

And to the pigeon-dealers He said, “Take these things away. Do

not turn my Father’s house into a market.”

2:17

This recalled to His disciples the words of Scripture, “MY ZEAL

FOR THY HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”

2:18 So the Jews asked Him, “What proof of your authority do you

exhibit to us, seeing that you do these things?”

2:19 “Demolish this Sanctuary,” said Jesus, “and in three days I will

rebuild it.”

2:20 “It has taken forty-six years,” replied the Jews, “to build this

Sanctuary, and will you rebuild it in three days?”

2:21 But He was speaking of the Sanctuary of His body.

2:22 When however He had risen from among the dead, His disciples

recollected that He had said this; and they believed the Scripture

and the teaching which Jesus had given them.

2:23 Now when He was in Jerusalem, at the Festival of the Passover,

many became believers in Him through watching the miracles He

performed.

2:24 But for His part, Jesus did not trust Himself to them, because He

knew them all,

2:25 and did not need any one’s testimony concerning a man, for He of

Himself knew what was in the man.

CHAPTER 3

3:1 Now there was one of the Pharisees whose name was Nicodemus

— a ruler among the Jews.

3:2 He came to Jesus by night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are

a teacher from God; for no one can do these miracles which you

are doing, unless God is with him.

3:3 “In most solemn truth I tell you,” answered Jesus, “that unless a

man is born anew he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

3:4 “How is it possible,” Nicodemus asked, “for a man to be born when

he is old? Can he a second time enter his mother’s womb and be

born?”

3:5 “In most solemn truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “that unless a man

is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of

God.

3:6 Whatever has been born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever has

been born of the Spirit is spirit.

3:7

Do not be astonished at my telling you, ‘You must all be born

anew.’

3:8

The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear its sound, but you

do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So is it

with every one who has been born of the Spirit.”

3:9 “How is all this possible?” asked Nicodemus.

3:10

“Are you,” replied Jesus, “‘the Teacher of Israel,’ and yet do you

not understand these things?

3:11

In most solemn truth I tell you that we speak what we know, and

give testimony of that of which we were eye-witnesses, and yet

you all reject our testimony.

3:12

If I have told you earthly things and none of you believe me, how

will you believe me if I tell you of things in Heaven?

3:13

There is no one who has gone up to Heaven, but there is One who

has come down from Heaven, namely the Son of Man whose

home is in Heaven.

3:14

And just as Moses lifted high the serpent in the Desert, so must

the Son of Man be lifted up,

3:15

in order that every one who trusts in Him may have the Life of the

Ages.”

3:16

For so greatly did God love the world that He gave His only Son,

that every one who trusts in Him may not perish but may have the

Life of Ages.

3:17

For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world,

but that the world might be saved through Him.

3:18

He who trusts in Him does not come up for judgment. He who

does not trust has already received sentence, because he has not

his trust resting on the name of God’s only Son.

3:19

And this is the test by which men are judged — the Light has

come into the world, and men loved the darkness more than they

loved the Light, because their deeds were wicked.

3:20

For every wrongdoer hates the light, and does not come to the

light, for fear his actions should be exposed and condemned.

3:21

But he who does what is honest and right comes to the light, in

order that his actions may be plainly shown to have been done in

God.

3:22

After this Jesus and His disciples went into Judaea; and there He

made a stay in company with them and baptized.

3:23

And John too was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there

were many pools of water there; and people came and received

baptism.

3:24

(For John was not yet in prison.)

3:25

As the result, a discussion having arisen on the part of John’s

disciples with a Jew about purification,

3:26

they came to John and reported to him, “Rabbi, he who was with

you on the other side of the Jordan and to whom you bore

testimony is now baptizing, and great numbers of people are

resorting to him.”

3:27

“A man cannot obtain anything,” replied John, “unless it has been

granted to him from Heaven.

3:28

You yourselves can bear witness to my having said, ‘I am not the

Christ,’ but ‘I am His appointed forerunner.’

3:29

He who has the bride is the bridegroom; and the bridegroom’s

friend who stands by his side and listens to him, rejoices heartily

on account of the bridegroom’s happiness. Therefore this joy of

mine is now complete.

3:30

He must grow greater, but I must grow less.

3:31

He who comes from above is above all. He whose origin is from

the earth is not only himself from the earth, his teaching also is

from the earth. He who comes from Heaven is above all.

3:32

What He has seen and heard, to that He bears witness; but His

testimony no one receives.

3:33

Any man who has received His testimony has solemnly declared

that God is true.

3:34

For He whom God has sent speaks God’s words; for God does

not give the Spirit with limitations.”

3:35 The Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything to His

hands.

3:36 He who believes in the Son has the Life of the Ages; he who

disobeys the Son will not enter into Life, but God’s anger remains

upon him.

CHAPTER 4

4:1 Now as soon as the Master was aware that the Pharisees had

heard it said, “Jesus is gaining and baptizing more disciples than

John” —

4:2 though Jesus Himself did not baptize them, but His disciples did

4:3 He left Judaea and returned to Galilee.

4:4 His road lay through Samaria,

4:5 and so He came to Sychar, a town in Samaria near the piece of

land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

4:6 Jacob’s Well was there: and accordingly Jesus, tired out with His

journey, sat down by the well to rest. It was about six o’clock in

the evening.

4:7 Presently there came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus

asked her to give Him some water;

4:8 for His disciples were gone to the town to buy provisions.

4:9 “How is it,” replied the woman, “that a Jew like you asks me, who

am a woman and a Samaritan, for water?” (For Jews have no

dealings with Samaritans.)

4:10 “If you had known God’s free gift,” replied Jesus, “and who it is

that said to you, ‘Give me some water,’ you would have asked

Him, and He would have given you living water.”

4:11 “Sir,” she said, “you have nothing to draw with, and the well is

deep; so where can you get the living water from?

4:12 Are you greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us the well,

and himself drank from it, as did also his sons and his cattle?”

4:13

“Every one,” replied Jesus, “who drinks any of this water will be

thirsty again;

4:14

but whoever drinks any of the water that I shall give him will

never, never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become

a fountain within him of water springing up for the Life of the

Ages.”

4:15

“Sir,” said the woman, “give me that water, that I may never be

thirsty, nor continually come all the way here to draw from the

well.”

4:16 “Go and call your husband,” said Jesus; “and come back.”

4:17

“I have no husband,” she replied. “You rightly say that you have no

husband,” said Jesus;

4:18

“for you have had five husbands, and the man you have at present is

not your husband. You have spoken the truth in saying that.”

4:19 “Sir,” replied the woman, “I see that you are a Prophet.

4:20

Our forefathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews say

that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.”

4:21

“Believe me,” said Jesus, “the time is coming when you will

worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

4:22

You worship One of whom you know nothing. We worship One

whom we know; for salvation comes from the Jews.

4:23

But a time is coming — nay, has already come — when the true

worshippers will worship the Father with true spiritual worship;

for indeed the Father desires such worshippers.

4:24

God is Spirit; and those who worship Him must bring Him true

spiritual worship.”

4:25

“I know,” replied the woman, “that Messiah is coming — ‘the

Christ,’ as He is called. When He has come, He will tell us

everything.”

4:26 “I am He,” said Jesus — “I who am now talking to you.”

4:27

Just then His disciples came, and were surprised to find Him

talking with a woman. Yet not one of them asked Him, “What is

your wish?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

4:28

The woman however, leaving her pitcher, went away to the town,

and called the people.

4:29

“Come,” she said, “and see a man who has told me everything I

have ever done. Can this be the Christ, do you think?”

4:30

They left the town and set out to go to Him.

4:31

Meanwhile the disciples were urging Jesus. “Rabbi,” they said,

“eat something.”

4:32 “I have food to eat,” He replied, “of which you do not know.”

4:33

So the disciples began questioning one another. “Can it be,” they

said, “that some one has brought Him something to eat?”

4:34

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to be obedient to Him who sent me, and

fully to accomplish His work.

4:35

Do you not say, ‘It wants four months yet to the harvest’? But

look round, I tell you, and observe these plains — they are

already ripe for the sickle.

4:36

The reaper gets pay and gathers in a crop in preparation for the

Life of the Ages, that so the sower and the reapers may rejoice

together.

4:37

For it is in this that you see the real meaning of the saying, ‘The

sower is one person, and the reaper is another.’

4:38

I sent you to reap a harvest which is not the result of your own

labors. Others have labored, and you are getting benefit from their

labors.”

4:39

Of the Samaritan population of that town a good many believed in

Him because of the woman’s statement when she declared, “He

has told me all that I have ever done.”

4:40

When however the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him on

all sides to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.

4:41

Then a far larger number of people believed because of His own

words,

4:42

and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe in Him simply

because of your statements; for we have now heard for ourselves,

and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

4:43 After the two days He departed, and went into Galilee;

4:44 though Jesus Himself declared that a Prophet has no honor in his

own country.

4:45 When however He reached Galilee, the Galilaeans welcomed Him

eagerly, having been eye-witnesses of all that He had done in

Jerusalem at the Festival; for they also had been to the Festival.

4:46 So He came once more to Cana in Galilee, where He had made

the water into wine. Now there was a certain officer of the King’s

court whose son was ill at Capernaum.

4:47 Having heard that Jesus had come from Judaea to Galilee, he

came to Him and begged Him to go down and cure his son; for he

was at the point of death.

4:48 “Unless you and others see miracles and marvels,” said Jesus,

“nothing will induce you to believe.”

4:49 “Sir,” pleaded the officer, “come down before my child dies.”

4:50 “You may return home,” replied Jesus; “your son has recovered.”

He believed the words of Jesus, and started back home;

4:51 and he was already on his way down when his servants met him

and told him that his son was alive and well.

4:52 So he inquired of them at what hour he had shown improvement.

“Yesterday, about seven o’clock,” they replied, “the fever left

him.”

4:53 Then the father recollected that that was the time at which Jesus

had said to him, “Your son has recovered,” and he and his whole

household became believers.

4:54 This is the second miracle that Jesus performed, after coming

from Judaea into Galilee.

CHAPTER 5

5:1 After this there was a Festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to

Jerusalem.

5:2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, called in

Hebrew ‘Bethesda.’ It has five arcades.

5:3

In these there used to lie a great number of sick persons, and of

people who were blind or lame or paralyzed.

5:4

[]

5:5

And there was one man there who had been an invalid for thirty-

eight years.

5:6

Jesus saw him lying there, and knowing that he had been a long

time in that condition, He asked him, “Do you wish to have health

and strength?”

5:7

“Sir,” replied the sufferer, “I have no one to put me into the pool

when the water is moved; but while I am coming some one else

steps down before me.”

5:8 “Rise,” said Jesus, “take up your mat and walk.”

5:9

Instantly the man was restored to perfect health, and he took up

his mat and began to walk.

5:10

That day was a Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had

been cured, “It is the Sabbath: you must not carry your mat.”

5:11

“He who cured me,” he replied, “said to me, ‘Take up your mat and

walk.’”

5:12

“Who is it,” they asked, “that said to you, ‘Take up your mat and

walk’?”

5:13

But the man who had been cured did not know who it was; for

Jesus had passed out unnoticed, there being a crowd in the place.

5:14

Afterwards Jesus found him in the Temple and said to him, “You

are now restored to health. Do not sin any more, or a worse thing

may befall you.”

5:15

The man went and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had

restored him to health;

5:16

and on this account the Jews began to persecute Jesus — because

He did these things on the Sabbath.

5:17

His reply to their accusation was, “My Father works unceasingly,

and so do I.”

5:18 On this account then the Jews were all the more eager to put Him

to death — because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also

spoke of God as being in a special sense His Father, thus putting

Himself on a level with God.

5:19 “In most solemn truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “that the Son can

do nothing of Himself — He can only do what He sees the Father

doing; for whatever He does, that the Son does in like manner.

5:20 For the Father loves the Son and reveals to Him all that He

Himself is doing. And greater deeds than these will He reveal to

Him, in order that you may wonder.

5:21 For just as the Father awakens the dead and gives them life, so the

Son also gives life to whom He wills.

5:22 The Father indeed does not judge any one, but He has entrusted

all judgement to the Son,

5:23 that all may honor the Son even as they honor the Father. The

man who withholds honor from the Son withholds honor from the

Father who sent Him.

5:24 “In most solemn truth I tell you that he who listens to my teaching

and believes Him who sent me, has the Life of the Ages, and does

not come under judgment, but has passed over out of death into

Life.

5:25 “In most solemn truth I tell you that a time is coming — nay, has

already come — when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of

God, and those who hear it will live.

5:26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He has also given to

the Son to have life in Himself.

5:27 And He has conferred on Him authority to act as Judge, because

He is the Son of Man.

5:28 Wonder not at this. For a time is coming when all who are in the

graves will hear His voice and will come forth —

5:29 they who have done what is right to the resurrection of Life, and

they whose actions have been evil to the resurrection of judgment.

5:30

“I can of my own self do nothing. As I am bidden, so I judge; and

mine is a just judgment, because it is not my own will that guides

me, but the will of Him who sent me.

5:31

“If I give testimony concerning myself, my testimony cannot be

accepted.

5:32

There is Another who gives testimony concerning me, and I know

that the testimony is true which He offers concerning me.

5:33

“You sent to John, and he both was and still is a witness to the

truth.

5:34

But the testimony on my behalf which I accept is not from man;

though I say all this in order that you may be saved.

5:35

He was the lamp that burned and shone, and for a time you were

willing to be gladdened by his light.

5:36

“But the testimony which I have is weightier than that of John; for

the work the Father has assigned to me for me to bring it to

completion — the very work which I am doing — affords

testimony concerning me that the Father has sent me.

5:37

And the Father who sent me, He has given testimony concerning

me. None of you have ever either heard His voice or seen what

He is like.

5:38

Nor have you His word dwelling within you, for you refuse to

believe Him whom He has sent.

5:39

“You search the Scriptures, because you suppose that in them you

will find the Life of the Ages; and it is those Scriptures that yield

testimony concerning me;

5:40

and yet you are unwilling to come to me that you may have Life.

5:41 “I do not accept glory from man,

5:42

but I know you well, and I know that in your hearts you do not

really love God.

5:43

I have come as my Father’s representative, and you do not receive

me. If some one else comes representing only himself, him you

will receive.

5:44

How is it possible for you to believe, while you receive glory from

one another and have no desire for the glory that comes from the

only God?

5:45

“Do not suppose that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one

who accuses you, namely Moses, on whom your hope rests.

5:46

For if you believe Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote

about me.

5:47

But if you disbelieve his writings, how are you to believe my

words?”

CHAPTER 6

6:1

After this Jesus went away across the Lake of Galilee (that is, the

Lake of Tiberias).

6:2

A vast multitude followed Him, because they witnessed the

miracles on the sick which He was constantly performing.

6:3

Then Jesus went up the hill, and sat there with His disciples.

6:4

The Jewish Festival, the Passover, was at hand.

6:5

And when He looked round and saw an immense crowd coming

towards Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for all

these people to eat?”

6:6

He said this to put Philip to the test, for He Himself knew what

He was going to do.

6:7

“Seven pounds’ worth of bread,” replied Philip, “is not enough for

them all to get even a scanty meal.”

6:8

One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,

6:9

“There is a boy here with five barley loaves and a couple of fish:

but what is that among so many?”

6:10

“Make the people sit down,” said Jesus. The ground was covered

with thick grass; so they sat down, the adult men numbering about

5,000.

6:11

Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed

them to those who were resting on the ground; and also the fish in

like manner — as much as they desired.

6:12

When all were fully satisfied, He said to His disciples, “Gather up

the broken portions that remain over, so that nothing be lost.”

6:13

Accordingly they gathered them up; and with the fragments of the

five barley loaves — the broken portions that remained over after

they had done eating — they filled twelve baskets.

6:14

Thereupon the people, having seen the miracle He had performed,

said, “This is indeed the Prophet who was to come into the

world.”

6:15

Perceiving, however, that they were about to come and carry Him

off by force to make Him a king, Jesus withdrew again up the hill

alone by Himself.

6:16

When evening came on, His disciples went down to the Lake.

6:17

There they got on board a boat, and pushed off to cross the Lake

to Capernaum. By this time it had become dark, and Jesus had not

yet joined them.

6:18

The Lake also was getting rough, because a strong wind was

blowing.

6:19

When, however, they had rowed three or four miles, they saw

Jesus walking on the water and coming near the boat.

6:20

They were terrified; but He called to them. “It is I,” He said, “do

not be afraid.”

6:21

Then they were willing to take Him on board; and in a moment

the boat reached the shore at the point to which they were going.

6:22

Next morning the crowd who were still standing about on the

other side of the Lake found that there had been but one small

boat there, and they had seen that Jesus did not go on board with

His disciples, but that His disciples went away without Him.

6:23

Yet a number of small boats came from Tiberias to the

neighborhood of the place where they had eaten the bread after

the Lord had given thanks.

6:24

When however the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples

were there, they themselves also took boats and came to

Capernaum to look for Jesus.

6:25 So when they had crossed the Lake and had found Him, they

asked Him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”

6:26 “In most solemn truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “that you are

searching for me not because you have seen miracles, but because

you ate the loaves and had a hearty meal.

6:27 Bestow your pains not on the food which perishes, but on the

food that remains unto the Life of the Ages — that food which

will be the Son of Man’s gift to you; for on Him the Father, God,

has set His seal.”

6:28 “What are we to do,” they asked, “in order to carry out the things

that God requires?”

6:29 “This,” replied Jesus, “is above all the thing that God requires —

that you should be believers in Him whom He has sent.”

6:30 “What miracle then,” they asked, “do you perform for us to see and

become believers in you? What do you do?

6:31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the Desert, as it is written, ‘HE

GAVE THEM BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN TO EAT’.”

6:32 “In most solemn truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “that Moses did not

give you the bread out of Heaven, but my Father is giving you the

bread — the true bread — out of Heaven.

6:33 For God’s bread is that which comes down out of Heaven and

gives Life to the world.”

6:34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us that bread.”

6:35 “I am the bread of Life,” replied Jesus; “he who comes to me shall

never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never, never thirst.

6:36 But it is as I have said to you: you have seen me and yet you do

not believe.

6:37 Every one whom the Father gives me will come to me, and him

who comes to me I will never on any account drive away.

6:38 For I have left Heaven and have come down to earth not to seek

my own pleasure, but to do the will of Him who sent me.

6:39

And this is the will of Him who sent me, that of all that He has

given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it to life on the

last day.

6:40

For this is my Father’s will, that every one who fixes his gaze on

the Son of God and believes in Him should have the Life of the

Ages, and I will raise him to life on the last day.”

6:41

Now the Jews began to find fault about Him because of His

claiming to be the bread which came down out of Heaven.

6:42

They kept asking, “Is not this man Joseph’s son? Is he not Jesus,

whose father and mother we know? What does he mean by now

saying, ‘I have come down out of Heaven’?”

6:43 “Do not thus find fault among yourselves,” replied Jesus;

6:44

“no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him;

then I will raise him to life on the last day.

6:45

It stands written in the Prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL OF THEM

BE TAUGHT BY GOD’. Every one who listens to the Father and

learns from Him comes to me.

6:46

No one has ever seen the Father — except Him who is from God.

He has seen the Father.

6:47

“In most solemn truth I tell you that he who believes has the Life of

the Ages.

6:48

I am the bread of Life.

6:49

Your forefathers ate the manna in the Desert, and they died.

6:50

Here is the bread that comes down out of Heaven that a man may

eat it and not die.

6:51

I am the living bread come down out of Heaven. If a man eats this

bread, he shall live for ever. Moreover the bread which I will give

is my flesh given for the life of the world.”

6:52

This led to an angry debate among the Jews. “How can this man,”

they argued, “give us his flesh to eat?”

6:53

“In most solemn truth I tell you,” said Jesus, “that unless you eat

the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no Life

in you.

6:54

He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has the Life of the

Ages, and I will raise him up on the last day.

6:55

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

6:56

He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in union with

me, and I remain in union with him.

6:57

As the ever-living Father has sent me, and I live because of the

Father, so also he who eats me will live because of me.

6:58

This is the bread which came down out of Heaven; it is unlike that

which your forefathers ate — for they ate and yet died. He who

eats this bread shall live for ever.”

6:59

Jesus said all this in the synagogue while teaching at Capernaum.

6:60

Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard it, said, “This is

hard to accept. Who can listen to such teaching?”

6:61

But, knowing in Himself that His disciples were dissatisfied about

it, Jesus asked them,

6:62

“Does this seem incredible to you? What then if you were to see the

Son of Man ascending again where He was before?

6:63

It is the spirit which gives Life. The flesh confers no benefit

whatever. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and are Life.

6:64

But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew

from the beginning who those were that did not believe, and who

it was that would betray Him.

6:65

So He added, “That is why I told you that no one can come to me

unless it be granted him by the Father.”

6:66

Thereupon many of His disciples left Him and went away, and no

longer associated with Him.

6:67

Jesus therefore appealed to the Twelve. “Will you go also?” He

asked.

6:68

“Master,” replied Simon Peter, “to whom shall we go? Your

teachings tell us of the Life of the Ages.

6:69

And we have come to believe and know that you are indeed the

Holy One of God.”

6:70

“Did not I choose you — the Twelve?” said Jesus, “and even of

you one is a devil.”

6:71

He alluded to Judas, the son of Simon the Iscariot. For he it was

who, though one of the Twelve, was afterwards to betray Him.

CHAPTER 7

7:1

After this Jesus moved from place to place in Galilee. He would

not go about in Judaea, because the Jews were seeking an

opportunity to kill Him.

7:2

But the Jewish Festival of the Tent-Pitching was approaching.

7:3

So His brothers said to Him, “Leave these parts and go into

Judaea, that not only we but your disciples also may witness the

miracles which you perform.

7:4

For no one acts in secret, desiring all the while to be himself

known publicly. Since you are doing these things, show yourself

openly to the world.”

7:5

For even His brothers were not believers in Him.

7:6

“My time,” replied Jesus, “has not yet come, but for you any time is

suitable.

7:7

It is impossible for the world to hate you; but me it does hate,

because I give testimony concerning it that its conduct is evil.

7:8

As for you, go up to the Festival. I do not now go up to this

Festival, because my time is not yet fully come.”

7:9

Such was His answer, and He remained in Galilee.

7:10

When however His brothers had gone up to the Festival, then He

also went up, not openly, but as it were privately.

7:11

Meanwhile the Jews at the Festival were looking for Him and

were inquiring, “Where is he?”

7:12

Among the mass of the people there was much muttered debate

about Him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so:

he is imposing on the people.”

7:13

Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke out boldly about Him.

7:14

But when the Festival was already half over, Jesus went up to the

Temple and commenced teaching.

7:15

The Jews were astonished. “How does this man know anything of

books,” they said, “although he has never been at any of the

schools?”

7:16

Jesus answered their question by saying, “My teaching does not

belong to me, but comes from Him who sent me.

7:17

If any one is willing to do His will, he shall know about the

teaching, whether it is from God or originates with me.

7:18

The man whose teaching originates with himself aims at his own

glory. He who aims at the glory of Him who sent him teaches the

truth, and there is no deception in him.

7:19

Did not Moses give you the Law? And yet not a man of you

obeys the Law. Why do you want to kill me?”

7:20

“You are possessed by a demon,” replied the crowd; “no one wants

to kill you.”

7:21

“One deed I have done,” replied Jesus, “and you are all full of

wonder.

7:22

Consider therefore. Moses gave you the rite of circumcision (not

that it began with Moses, but with your earlier forefathers), and

even on a Sabbath day you circumcise a child.

7:23

If a child is circumcised even on a Sabbath day, are you bitter

against me because I have restored a man to perfect health on a

Sabbath day?

7:24

Do not form superficial judgments, but form the judgments that

are just.”

7:25

Some however of the people of Jerusalem said, “Is not this the

man they are wanting to kill?

7:26

But here he is, speaking openly and boldly, and they say nothing

to him! Can the Rulers really have ascertained that this man is the

Christ?

7:27

And yet we know this man, and we know where he is from; but as

for the Christ, when He comes, no one can tell where He is from.”

7:28

Jesus therefore, while teaching in the Temple, cried aloud, and

said, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. And

yet I have not come of my own accord; but there is One who has

sent me, an Authority indeed, of whom you have no knowledge.

7:29

I know Him, because I came from Him, and He sent me.”

7:30

On hearing this they wanted to arrest Him; yet not a hand was laid

on Him, because His time had not yet come.

7:31

But from among the crowd a large number believed in Him.

“When the Christ comes,” they said, “will He perform more

miracles than this teacher has performed?”

7:32

The Pharisees heard the people thus expressing their various

doubts about Him, and the High Priests and the Pharisees sent

some officers to apprehend Him.

7:33

So Jesus said, “Still for a short time I am with you, and then I go

my way to Him who sent me.

7:34

You will look for me and will not find me, and where I am you

cannot come.”

7:35

The Jews therefore said to one another, “Where is he about to

betake himself, so that we shall not find him? Will he betake

himself to the Dispersion among the Gentiles, and teach the

Gentiles?

7:36

What do those words of his mean, ‘You will look for me, but will

not find me, and where I am you cannot come’?”

7:37

On the last day of the Festival — the great day — Jesus stood up

and cried aloud. “Whoever is thirsty,” He said, “let him come to

me and drink.

7:38

He who believes in me, from within him — as the Scripture has

said — rivers of living water shall flow.”

7:39

He referred to the Spirit which those who believed in Him were to

receive; for the Spirit was not bestowed as yet, because Jesus had

not yet been glorified.

7:40

After listening to these discourses, some of the crowd began to

say, “This is beyond doubt the Prophet.”

7:41 Others said, “He is the Christ.” But others again, “Not so, for is

the Christ to come from Galilee?

7:42 Has not the Scripture declared that the Christ is to come of the

family of David and from Bethlehem, David’s village?”

7:43 So there was a violent dissension among the people on His

account.

7:44 Some of them wanted at once to arrest Him, but no one laid hands

upon Him.

7:45 Meanwhile the officers returned to the High Priests and Pharisees,

who asked them, “Why have you not brought him?”

7:46 “No mere man has ever spoken as this man speaks,” said the

officers.

7:47 “Are you deluded too?” replied the Pharisees;

7:48 “has any one of the Rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?

7:49 But this rabble who understand nothing about the Law are

accursed!”

7:50 Nicodemus interposed — he who had formerly gone to Jesus,

being himself one of them.

7:51 “Does our Law,” he asked, “judge a man without first hearing what

he has to say and ascertaining what his conduct is?”

7:52 “Do you also come from Galilee?” they asked in reply. “Search and

see for yourself that no Prophet is of Galilaean origin.”

7:53 [So they went away to their several homes;

<430801>CHAPTER 8

8:1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

8:2 At break of day however He returned to the Temple, and there

the people came to Him in crowds. He seated Himself;

8:3 and was teaching them when the Scribes and the Pharisees

brought to Him a woman who had been found committing

adultery. They made her stand in the center of the court, and they

put the case to Him.

8:4

“Rabbi,” they said, “this woman has been found in the very act of

committing adultery.

8:5

Now, in the Law, Moses has ordered us to stone such women to

death. But what do you say?”

8:6

They asked this in order to put Him to the test, so that they might

have some charge to bring against Him. But Jesus leant forward

and began to write with His finger on the ground.

8:7

When however they persisted with their question, He raised His

head and said to them, “Let the sinless man among you be the first

to throw a stone at her.”

8:8

Then He leant forward again, and again began to write on the

ground.

8:9

They listened to Him, and then, beginning with the eldest, took

their departure, one by one, till all were gone. And Jesus was left

behind alone — and the woman in the center of the court.

8:10

Then, raising His head, Jesus said to her, “Where are they? Has no

one condemned you?”

8:11

“No one, Sir,” she replied. “And I do not condemn you either,” said

Jesus; “go, and from this time do not sin any more.”]

8:12

Once more Jesus addressed them. “I am the Light of the world,”

He said; “the man who follows me shall certainly not walk in the

dark, but shall have the light of Life.”

8:13

“You are giving testimony about yourself,” said the Pharisees;

“your testimony is not true.”

8:14

“Even if I am giving testimony about myself,” replied Jesus, “my

testimony is true; for I know where I came from and where I am

going, but you know neither of these two things.

8:15

You judge according to appearances: I am judging no one.

8:16

And even if I do judge, my judgment is just; for I am not alone,

but the Father who sent me is with me.

8:17

In your own Law, too, it is written that THE TESTIMONY OF TWO

MEN IS TRUE.

8:18

I am one giving testimony about myself, and the Father who sent

me gives testimony about me.”

8:19

“Where is your Father?” they asked. “You know my Father as little

as you know me.” He replied; “if you knew me, you would know

my Father also.”

8:20

These sayings He uttered in the Treasury, while teaching in the

Temple; yet no one arrested Him, because His time had not yet

come.

8:21

Again He said to them, “I am going away. Then you will try to

find me, but you will die in your sins. Where I am going, it is

impossible for you to come.”

8:22

The Jews began to ask one another, “Is he going to kill himself,

do you think, that he says, ‘Where I am going, it is impossible for

you to come’?”

8:23

“You,” He continued, “are from below, I am from above: you are

of this present world, I am not of this present world.

8:24

That is why I told you that you will die in your sins; for, unless

you believe that I am He, that is what will happen.”

8:25

“You — who are you?” they asked. “How is it that I am speaking

to you at all?” replied Jesus.

8:26

“Many things I have to speak and to judge concerning you. But He

who sent me is true, and the things which I have heard from Him

are those which I have come into the world to speak.”

8:27

They did not perceive that He was speaking to them of the Father.

8:28

So Jesus added, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then

you will know that I am He. Of myself I do nothing; but as the

Father has taught me, so I speak.

8:29

And He who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone: for I

do always what is pleasing to Him.”

8:30

As He thus spoke, many became believers in Him.

8:31

Jesus therefore said to those of the Jews who had now believed in

Him, “As for you, if you hold fast to my teaching, then you are

truly my disciples;

8:32

and you shall know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free.”

8:33

“We are descendants of Abraham,” they answered, “and have never

at any time been in slavery to any one. What do those words of

yours mean, ‘You shall become free’?”

8:34

“In most solemn truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “that every one

who commits sin is the slave of sin.

8:35

Now a slave does not remain permanently in his master’s house,

but a son does.

8:36

If then the Son shall make you free, you will be free indeed.

8:37

You are descendants of Abraham, I know; but you want to kill

me, because my teaching gains no ground within you.

8:38

The words I speak are those I have learnt in the presence of the

Father. Therefore you also should do what you have heard from

your father.”

8:39

“Our father is Abraham,” they said. “If you were Abraham’s

children,” replied Jesus, “it is Abraham’s deeds that you would be

doing.

8:40

But, in fact, you are longing to kill me, a man who has spoken to

you the truth which I have heard from God. Abraham did not do

that.

8:41

You are doing the deeds of your father.” “We,” they replied, “are

not illegitimate children. We have one Father, namely God.”

8:42

“If God were your Father,” said Jesus, “you would love me; for it is

from God that I came and I am now here. I have not come of

myself, but He sent me.

8:43

How is it you do not understand me when I speak? It is because

you cannot bear to listen to my words.

8:44

The father whose sons you are is the Devil; and you desire to do

what gives him pleasure. He was a murderer from the beginning,

and does not stand firm in the truth — for there is no truth in him.

Whenever he utters his lie, he utters it out of his own store; for he

is a liar, and the father of lies.

8:45

But because I speak the truth, you do not believe me.

8:46

Which of you convicts me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you

not believe me?

8:47

He who is a child of God listens to God’s words. You do not

listen to them: and why? It is because you are not God’s

children.”

8:48

“Are we not right,” answered the Jews, “in saying that you are a

Samaritan and are possessed by a demon?”

8:49

“I am not possessed by a demon,” replied Jesus. “On the contrary I

honor my Father, and you dishonor me.

8:50

I, however, am not aiming at glory for myself: there is One who

aims at glory for me — and who judges.

8:51

In most solemn truth I tell you that if any one shall have obeyed

my teaching he shall in no case ever see death.”

8:52

“Now,” exclaimed the Jews, “we know that you are possessed by a

demon. Abraham died, and so did the Prophets, and yet you say,

‘If any one shall have obeyed my teaching, he shall in no case ever

taste death.’

8:53

Are you really greater than our forefather Abraham? For he died.

And the prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”

8:54

“Were I to glorify myself,” answered Jesus, “I should have no real

glory. There is One who glorifies me — namely my Father, who

you say is your God.

8:55

You do not know Him, but I know Him perfectly; and were I to

deny my knowledge of Him, I should resemble you, and be a liar.

On the contrary I do know Him, and I obey His commands.

8:56

Abraham your forefather exulted in the hope of seeing my day:

and he saw it, and was glad.”

8:57

“You are not yet fifty years old,” cried the Jews, “and have you

seen Abraham?”

8:58

“In most solemn truth,” answered Jesus, “I tell you that before

Abraham came into existence, I am.”

8:59

Thereupon they took up stones with which to stone Him, but He

hid Himself and went away out of the Temple.

CHAPTER 9

9:1 As He passed by, He saw a man who had been blind from his

birth.

9:2 So His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned — this man or his

parents — that he was born blind?”

9:3 “Neither he nor his parents sinned,” answered Jesus, “but he was

born blind in order that God’s mercy might be openly shown in

him.

9:4 We must do the works of Him who sent me while there is

daylight. Night is coming on, when no one can work.

9:5 When I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”

9:6 After thus speaking, He spat on the ground, and then, kneading

the dust and spittle into clay, He smeared the clay over the man’s

eyes and said to him,

9:7 “Go and wash in the pool of Siloam” — the name means ‘Sent.’ So

he went and washed his eyes, and returned able to see.

9:8 His neighbors, therefore, and the other people to whom he had

been a familiar object because he was a beggar, began asking, “Is

not this the man who used to sit and beg?”

9:9 “Yes it is,” replied some of them. “No it is not,” said others, “but

he is like him.” His own statement was, “I am the man.”

9:10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

9:11 “He whose name is Jesus,” he answered, “made clay and smeared

my eyes with it, and then told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I

went and washed and obtained sight.”

9:12 “Where is he?” they inquired, but the man did not know.

9:13 They brought him to the Pharisees — the man who had been

blind.

9:14 Now the day on which Jesus made the clay and opened the man’s

eyes was the Sabbath.

9:15

So the Pharisees renewed their questioning as to how he had

obtained his sight. “He put clay on my eyes,” he replied, “and I

washed, and now I can see.”

9:16

This led some of the Pharisees to say, “That man has not come

from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” “How is it possible

for a bad man to do such miracles?” argued others.

9:17

And there was a division among them. So again they asked the

once blind man, “What is your account of him? — for he opened

your eyes.” “He is a Prophet,” he replied.

9:18

The Jews, however, did not believe the statement concerning him

— that he had been blind and had obtained his sight — until they

called his parents and asked them,

9:19

“Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How is it then that

he can now see?”

9:20

“We know,” replied the parents, “that this is our son and that he

was born blind;

9:21

but how it is that he can now see or who has opened his eyes we

do not know. Ask him himself; he is of full age; he himself will

give his own account of it.”

9:22

Such was their answer, because they were afraid of the Jews; for

the Jews had already settled among themselves that if any one

should acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, he should be excluded

from the synagogue.

9:23

That was why his parents said, “He is of full age: ask him

himself.”

9:24

A second time therefore they called the man who had been blind,

and said, “Give God the praise: we know that that man is a

sinner.”

9:25

“Whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know,” he replied; “one

thing I know — that I was once blind and that now I can see.”

9:26

“What did he do to you?” they asked; “how did he open your

eyes?”

9:27

“I have told you already,” he replied, “and you did not listen to me.

Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also mean to be

disciples of his?”

9:28

Then they railed at him, and said, “You are that man’s disciple,

but we are disciples of Moses.

9:29

We know that God spoke to Moses; but as for this fellow we do

not know where he comes from.”

9:30

“Why, this is marvelous!” the man replied; “you do not know where

he comes from, and yet he has opened my eyes!

9:31

We know that God does not listen to bad people, but that if any

one is a God-fearing man and obeys Him, to him He listens.

9:32

From the beginning of the world such a thing was never heard of

as that any one should open the eyes of a man blind from his birth.

9:33

Had that man not come from God, he could have done nothing.”

9:34

“You,” they replied, “were wholly begotten and born in sin, and do

you teach us?” And they put him out of the synagogue.

9:35

Jesus heard that they had done this. So having found him, He

asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”

9:36

“Who is He, Sir?” replied the man. “Tell me, so that I may believe

in Him.”

9:37

“You have seen Him,” said Jesus; “and not only so: He is now

speaking to you.”

9:38 “I believe, Sir,” he said. And he threw himself at His feet.

9:39

“I came into this world,” said Jesus, “to judge men, that those who

do not see may see, and that those who do see may become

blind.”

9:40

These words were heard by those of the Pharisees who were

present, and they asked Him, “Are we also blind?”

9:41

“If you were blind,” answered Jesus, “you would have no sin; but

as a matter of fact you boast that you see. So your sin remains!”

CHAPTER 10

10:1

“In most solemn truth I tell you that the man who does not enter

the sheepfold by the door, but climbs over some other way, is a

thief and a robber.

10:2

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

10:3

To him the porter opens the door, and the sheep hear his voice;

and he calls his own sheep by their names and leads them out.

10:4

When he has brought out his own sheep — all of them — he

walks at the head of them; and the sheep follow him, because they

know his voice.

10:5

But a stranger they will by no means follow, but will run away

from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

10:6

Jesus spoke to them in this figurative language, but they did not

understand what He meant.

10:7

Again therefore Jesus said to them, “In most solemn truth I tell

you that I am the Door of the sheep.

10:8

All who have come before me are thieves and robbers; but the

sheep would not listen to them.

10:9

I am the Door. If any one enters by me, he will find safety, and

will go in and out and find pasture.

10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come

that they may have Life, and may have it in abundance.

10:11

“I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his very life

for the sheep.

10:12

The hired servant — one who is not a shepherd and does not own

the sheep — no sooner sees the wolf coming than he leaves the

sheep and runs away; and the wolf worries and scatters them.

10:13

For he is only a hired servant and cares nothing for the sheep.

10:14

“I am the Good Shepherd. And I know my sheep and my sheep

know me,

10:15

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I am

laying down my life for the sheep.

10:16

I have also other sheep — which do not belong to this fold. Those

also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice; and they shall

become one flock under one Shepherd.

10:17

For this reason my Father loves me, because I am laying down my

life in order to receive it back again.

10:18

No one is taking it away from me, but I myself am laying it down.

I am authorized to lay it down, and I am authorized to receive it

back again. This is the command I received from my Father.”

10:19

Again there arose a division among the Jews because of these

words.

10:20

Many of them said, “He is possessed by a demon and is mad. Why

do you listen to him?”

10:21

Others argued, “That is not the language of a demoniac: and can a

demon open blind men’s eyes?”

10:22

The Dedication Festival came on in Jerusalem. It was winter,

10:23

and Jesus was walking in the Temple in Solomon’s Portico,

10:24

when the Jews gathered round Him and kept asking Him, “How

long do you mean to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ,

tell us so plainly.”

10:25

“I have told you,” answered Jesus, “and you do not believe. The

deeds that I do in my Father’s name — they give testimony about

me.

10:26

But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep.

10:27

My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow

me.

10:28

I give them the Life of the Ages, and they shall never, never

perish, nor shall any one wrest them from my hand.

10:29

What my Father has given me is more precious than all besides;

and no one is able to wrest anything from my Father’s hand.

10:30

I and the Father are one.”

10:31

Again the Jews brought stones with which to stone Him.

10:32

Jesus remonstrated with them. “Many good deeds,” He said,

“have I shown you as coming from the Father; for which of them

are you going to stone me?”

10:33

“For no good deed,” the Jews replied, “are we going to stone you,

but for blasphemy, and because you, who are only a man, are

making yourself out to be God.”

10:34

“Does it not stand written in your Law,” replied Jesus, “‘I SAID,

YOU ARE GODS’?

10:35

If those to whom God’s word was addressed are called gods (and

the Scripture cannot be annulled),

10:36

how is it that you say to one whom the Father consecrated and

sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am

God’s Son’?

10:37

If the deeds I do are not my Father’s deeds, do not believe me.

10:38

But if they are, then even if you do not believe me, at least believe

the deeds, that you may know and see clearly that the Father is in

me, and that I am in the Father.”

10:39

This made them once more try to arrest Him, but He withdrew

out of their power.

10:40

Then He went away again to the other side of the Jordan, to the

place where John had been baptizing at first; and there He stayed.

10:41

Large numbers of people also came to Him. Their report was,

“John did not work any miracle, but all that John said about this

Teacher was true.”

10:42

And many became believers in Him there.

CHAPTER 11

11:1

Now a certain man, named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill —

Bethany being the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

11:2

(It was the Mary who poured the perfume over the Lord and

wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.)

11:3

So the sisters sent to Him to say, “Master, he whom you hold

dear is ill.”

11:4

Jesus received the message and said, “This illness is not to end in

death, but is to promote the glory of God, in order that the Son of

God may be glorified by it.”

11:5

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

11:6

When, however, He heard that Lazarus was ill, He still remained

two days in that same place.

11:7

Then, after that, He said to the disciples, “Let us return to

Judaea.”

11:8

“Rabbi,” exclaimed the disciples, “the Jews have just been trying to

stone you, and do you think of going back there again?”

11:9

“Are there not twelve hours in the day?” replied Jesus. “If any one

walks in the daytime, he does not stumble — because he sees the

light of this world.

11:10

But if a man walks by night, he does stumble, because the light is

not in him.”

11:11

He said this, and afterwards He added, “Our friend Lazarus is

sleeping, but I will go and wake him.”

11:12 “Master,” said the disciples, “if he is asleep he will recover.”

11:13

Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought He referred

to the rest taken in ordinary sleep.

11:14

So then He told them plainly,

11:15

“Lazarus is dead; and for your sakes I am glad I was not there, in

order that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

11:16

“Let us go also,” Thomas, the Twin, said to his fellow disciples,

“that we may die with him.”

11:17

On His arrival Jesus found that Lazarus had already been three

days in the tomb.

11:18

Bethany was near Jerusalem, the distance being a little less than

two miles;

11:19

and a considerable number of the Jews were with Martha and

Mary, having come to express sympathy with them on the death

of their brother.

11:20

Martha, however, as soon as she heard the tidings, “Jesus is

coming,” went to meet Him; but Mary remained sitting in the

house.

11:21

So Martha came and spoke to Jesus. “Master, if you had been

here,” she said, “my brother would not have died.

11:22

And even now I know that whatever you ask God for, God will

give you.”

11:23 “Your brother shall rise again,” replied Jesus.

11:24

“I know,” said Martha, “that he will rise again at the resurrection,

on the last day.”

11:25

“I am the Resurrection and the Life,” said Jesus; “he who believes

in me, even if he has died, he shall live;

11:26

and every one who is living and is a believer in me shall never,

never die. Do you believe this?”

11:27

“Yes, Master,” she replied; “I thoroughly believe that you are the

Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

11:28

After saying this, she went and called her sister Mary privately,

telling her, “The Rabbi is here and is asking for you.”

11:29

So she, on hearing that, rose up quickly to go to Him.

11:30

Now Jesus was not yet come into the village, but was still at the

place where Martha had met Him.

11:31

So the Jews who were with Mary in the house sympathizing with

her, when they saw that she had risen hastily and had gone out,

followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep

aloud there.

11:32

Mary then, when she came to Jesus and saw Him, fell at His feet

and exclaimed, “Master, if you had been here, my brother would

not have died.”

11:33

Seeing her weeping aloud, and the Jews in like manner weeping

who had come with her, Jesus, curbing the strong emotion of His

spirit,

11:34

though deeply troubled, asked them, “Where have you laid him?”

“Master, come and see,” was their reply.

11:35

Jesus wept.

11:36 “See how dear he held him,” said the Jews.

11:37

But others of them asked, “Was this man who opened the blind

man’s eyes unable to prevent this man from dying?”

11:38

Jesus, however, again restraining His strong feeling, came to the

tomb. It was a cave, and a stone had been laid against the mouth

of it.

11:39

“Take away the stone,” said Jesus. Martha, the sister of the dead

man, exclaimed, “Master, by this time there is a foul smell; for it is

three days since he died.”

11:40

“Did I not promise you,” replied Jesus, “that if you believe, you

shall see the glory of God?”

11:41

So they removed the stone. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes and said,

“Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard me.

11:42

I know that Thou always hearest me; but for the sake of the

crowd standing round I have said this — that they may believe

that Thou didst send me.”

11:43

After speaking thus, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus,

come out.”

11:44

The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped in cloths, and

his face wrapped round with a towel. “Untie him,” said Jesus,

“and let him go free.”

11:45

Thereupon a considerable number of the Jews — namely those

who had come to Mary and had witnessed His deeds — became

believers in Him;

11:46

though some of them went off to the Pharisees and told them

what He had done.

11:47

Therefore the High Priests and the Pharisees held a meeting of the

Sanhedrin. “What steps are we taking?” they asked one another;

“for this man is performing a great number of miracles.

11:48

If we leave him alone in this way, everybody will believe in him,

and the Romans will come and blot out both our city and our

nation.”

11:49

But one of them, named Caiaphas, being High Priest that year,

said, “You know nothing about it.

11:50

You do not reflect that it is to your interest that one man should

die for the people rather than the whole nation perish.”

11:51

It was not as a mere man that he thus spoke. But being High

Priest that year he was inspired to declare that Jesus was to die

for the nation,

11:52

and not for the nation only, but in order to unite into one body all

the far-scattered children of God.

11:53

So from that day forward they planned and schemed in order to

put Him to death.

11:54

Therefore Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but

He left that neighborhood and went into the district near the

Desert, to a town called Ephraim, and remained there with the

disciples.

11:55

The Jewish Passover was coming near, and many from that

district went up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify

themselves.

11:56

They therefore looked out for Jesus, and asked one another as

they stood in the Temple, “What do you think? — will he come to

the Festival at all?”

11:57

Now the High Priests and the Pharisees had issued orders that if

any one knew where He was, he should give information, so that

they might arrest Him.

CHAPTER 12

12:1

Jesus, however, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany,

where Lazarus was whom He had raised from the dead.

12:2

So they gave a dinner there in honor of Jesus, at which Martha

waited at table, but Lazarus was one of the guests who were with

Him.

12:3

Availing herself of the opportunity, Mary took a pound weight of

pure spikenard, very costly, and poured it over His feet, and

wiped His feet with her hair, so that the house was filled with the

fragrance of the perfume.

12:4

Then said Judas (the Iscariot, one of the Twelve — the one who

afterwards betrayed Jesus),

12:5

“Why was not that perfume sold for 300 shillings and the money

given to the poor?”

12:6

The reason he said this was not that he cared for the poor, but

that he was a thief, and that being in charge of the money-box, he

used to steal what was put into it.

12:7

But Jesus interposed. “Do not blame her,” He said, “allow her to

have kept it for the time of my preparation for burial.

12:8

For the poor you always have with you, but you have not me

always.”

12:9

Now it became widely known among the Jews that Jesus was

there; but they came not only on His account, but also in order to

see Lazarus whom He had brought back to life.

12:10

The High Priests, however, consulted together to put Lazarus also

to death,

12:11

for because of him many of the Jews left them and became

believers in Jesus.

12:12

The next day a great crowd of those who had come to the

Festival, hearing that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

12:13

took branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him,

shouting as they went, “God save him! BLESSINGS ON HIM WHO

COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD — even on the King of Israel!”

12:14

And Jesus, having procured a young ass, sat upon it, just as the

Scripture says,

12:15

“FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION! SEE, THY KING IS COMING RIDING

ON AN ASS’S COLT.”

12:16

The meaning of this His disciples did not understand at the time;

but after Jesus was glorified they recollected that this was written

about Him, and that they had done this to Him.

12:17

The large number of people, however, who had been present

when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and brought him back to

life, related what they had witnessed.

12:18

This was also why the crowd came to meet Him, because they had

heard of His having performed that miracle.

12:19

The result was that the Pharisees said among themselves,

“Observe how idle all your efforts are! The world is gone after

him!”

12:20

Now some of those who used to come up to worship at the

Festival were Greeks.

12:21

They came to Philip, of Bethsaida in Galilee, with the request,

“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

12:22

Philip came and told Andrew: Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

12:23

His answer was, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be

glorified.

12:24

In most solemn truth I tell you that unless the grain of wheat falls

into the ground and dies, it remains what it was — a single grain;

but that if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.

12:25

He who holds his life dear, is destroying it; and he who makes his

life of no account in this world shall keep it to the Life of the

Ages.

12:26

If a man wishes to be my servant, let him follow me; and where I

am, there too shall my servant be. If a man wishes to be my

servant, the Father will honor him.

12:27

Now is my soul full of trouble; and what shall I say? Father, save

me from this hour. But for this purpose I have come to this hour.

12:28

Father, glorify Thy name.” Thereupon there came a voice from

the sky, “I have glorified it and will also glorify it again.”

12:29

The crowd that stood by and heard it, said that there had been

thunder. Others said, “An angel spoke to him.”

12:30

“It is not for my sake,” said Jesus, “that that voice came, but for

your sakes.

12:31

Now is a judgment of this world: now will the Prince of this world

be driven out.

12:32

And I — if I am lifted up from the earth — will draw all men to

me.”

12:33 He said this to indicate the kind of death He would die.

12:34 The crowd answered Him, “We have heard out of the Law that

the Christ remains for ever. In what sense do you say that the Son

of Man must be lifted up? Who is that Son of Man?”

12:35 “Yet a little while,” He replied, “the light is among you. Be faithful

to the light that you have, for fear darkness should overtake you;

for a man who walks in the dark does not know where he is

going.

12:36 In the degree that you have light, believe in the Light, so that you

may become sons of Light.” Jesus said this, and went away and

hid Himself from them.

12:37 But though He had performed such great miracles in their

presence, they did not believe in Him —

12:38 in order that the words of Isaiah the Prophet might be fulfilled,

“LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR PREACHING? AND THE ARM OF

THE LORD — TO WHOM HAS IT BEEN UNVEILED?”

12:39 For this reason they were unable to believe — because Isaiah said

again,

12:40 “HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND MADE THEIR MINDS CALLOUS,

LEST THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH

THEIR MINDS, AND SHOULD TURN, AND I SHOULD HEAL THEM.”

12:41 Isaiah uttered these words because he saw His glory; and he

spoke of Him.

12:42 Nevertheless even from among the Rulers many believed in Him.

But because of the Pharisees they did not avow their belief, for

fear they should be shut out from the synagogue.

12:43 For they loved the glory that comes from men rather than the

glory that comes from God.

12:44 But Jesus cried aloud, “He who believes in me, believes not so

much in me, as in Him who sent me;

12:45 and he who sees me sees Him who sent me.

12:46 I have come like light into the world, in order that no one who

believes in me may remain in the dark.

12:47

And if any one hears my teachings and regards them not, I do not

judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the

world.

12:48

He who sets me at naught and does not receive my teachings is

not left without a judge: the Message which I have spoken will

judge him on the last day.

12:49

Because I have not spoken on my own authority; but the Father

who sent me, Himself gave me a command what to say and in

what words to speak.

12:50

And I know that His command is the Life of the Ages. What

therefore I speak, I speak just as the Father has bidden me.”

CHAPTER 13

13:1

Now just before the Feast of the Passover this incident took place.

Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world

and go to the Father; and having loved His own who were in the

world, He loved them to the end.

13:2

While supper was proceeding, the Devil having by this time

suggested to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, the thought of

betraying Him, Jesus,

13:3

although He knew that the Father had put everything into His

hands, and that He had come forth from God and was now going

to God,

13:4

rose from the table, threw off His upper garments, and took a

towel and tied it round Him.

13:5

Then He poured water into a basin, and proceeded to wash the

feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel which He

had put round Him.

13:6

When He came to Simon Peter, Peter objected. “Master,” he said,

“are you going to wash my feet?”

13:7

“What I am doing,” answered Jesus, “for the present you do not

know, but afterwards you shall know.”

13:8

“Never, while the world lasts,” said Peter, “shall you wash my

feet.” “If I do not wash you,” replied Jesus, “you have no share

with me.”

13:9

“Master,” said Peter, “wash not only my feet, but also my hands

and my head.”

13:10

“Any one who has lately bathed,” said Jesus, “does not need to

wash more than his feet, but is clean all over. And you my

disciples are clean, and yet this is not true of all of you.”

13:11

For He knew who was betraying Him, and that was why He said,

“You are not all of you clean.”

13:12

So after He had washed their feet, put on His garments again, and

returned to the table, He said to them, “Do you understand what I

have done to you?

13:13

You call me ‘The Rabbi’ and ‘The Master,’ and rightly so, for

such I am.

13:14

If I then, your Master and Rabbi, have washed your feet, it is also

your duty to wash one another’s feet.

13:15

For I have set you an example in order that you may do what I

have done to you.

13:16

In most solemn truth I tell you that a servant is not superior to his

master, nor is a messenger superior to him who sent him.

13:17

If you know all this, blessed are you if you act accordingly.

13:18

I am not speaking of all of you. I know whom I have chosen, but

things are as they are in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled,

which says, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL

AGAINST ME.’

13:19

From this time forward I tell you things before they happen, in

order that when they do happen you may believe that I am He.

13:20

In most solemn truth I tell you that he who receives whoever I

send receives me, and that he who receives me receives Him who

sent me.”

13:21

After speaking thus Jesus was troubled in spirit and said with deep

earnestness, “In most solemn truth I tell you that one of you will

betray me.”

13:22

The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know to

which of them He was referring.

13:23

There was at table one of His disciples — the one Jesus loved —

reclining with his head on Jesus’s bosom.

13:24

Making a sign therefore to him, Simon Peter said, “Tell us to

whom he is referring.”

13:25

So he, having his head on Jesus’s bosom, leaned back and asked,

“Master, who is it?”

13:26

“It is the one,” answered Jesus, “for whom I shall dip this piece of

bread and to whom I shall give it.” Accordingly He dipped the

piece of bread, and took it and gave it to Judas, the son of the

Iscariot Simon.

13:27

Then, after Judas had received the piece of bread, Satan entered

into him. “Lose no time about it,” said Jesus to him.

13:28

But why He said this no one else at the table understood.

13:29

Some, however, supposed that because Judas had the money-box

Jesus meant, “Buy what we require for the Festival,” or that he

should give something to the poor.

13:30

So Judas took the piece of bread and immediately went out. And

it was night.

13:31

So when he was gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man

glorified, and God is glorified in Him.

13:32

Moreover God will glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him

without delay.

13:33

Dear children, I am still with you a little longer. You will seek me,

but, as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going you cannot come,’

so for the present I say to you.

13:34

A new commandment I give you, to love one another; that as I

have loved you, you also may love one another.

13:35

It is by this that every one will know that you are my disciples —

if you love one another.”

13:36

“Master,” inquired Simon Peter, “where are you going?” “Where I

am going,” replied Jesus, “you cannot be my follower now, but

you shall be later.”

13:37

“Master,” asked Peter again, “why cannot I follow you now? I will

lay down my life on your behalf.

13:38

“You say you will lay down your life on my behalf!” said Jesus; “in

most solemn truth I tell you that the cock will not crow before

you have three times disowned me.”

CHAPTER 14

14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God: trust in me also.

14:2

In my Father’s house there are many resting-places. Were it

otherwise, I would have told you; for I am going to make ready a

place for you.

14:3

And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will return and take

you to be with me, that where I am you also may be.

14:4

And where I am going, you all know the way.”

14:5

“Master,” said Thomas, “we do not know where you are going. In

what sense do we know the way?”

14:6

“I am the Way,” replied Jesus, “and the Truth and the Life. No one

comes to the Father except through me.

14:7

If you — all of you — knew me, you would fully know my Father

also. From this time forward you know Him and have seen Him.”

14:8

“Master,” said Philip, “cause us to see the Father: that is all we

need.”

14:9

“Have I been so long among you,” Jesus answered, “and yet you,

Philip, do not know me? He who has seen me has seen the Father.

How can you ask me, ‘Cause us to see the Father’?

14:10

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in

me? The things that I tell you all I do not speak on my own

authority: but the Father dwelling within me carries on His own

work.

14:11

Believe me, all of you, that I am in the Father and that the Father

is in me; or at any rate, believe me because of what I do.

14:12

In most solemn truth I tell you that he who trusts in me — the

things which I do he shall do also; and greater things than these he

shall do, because I am going to the Father.

14:13

And whatever any of you ask in my name, I will do, in order that

the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14:14

If you make any request of me in my name, I will do it.

14:15 “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.

14:16

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate

to be for ever with you — the Spirit of truth.

14:17

That Spirit the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him

or know Him. You know Him, because He remains by your side

and is in you.

14:18

I will not leave you bereaved: I am coming to you.

14:19

Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will

see me: because I live, you also shall live.

14:20

At that time you will know that I am in my Father, and that you

are in me, and that I am in you.

14:21

He who has my commandments and obeys them — he it is who

loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I

will love him and will clearly reveal myself to him.”

14:22

Judas (not the Iscariot) asked, “Master, how is it that you will

reveal yourself clearly to us and not to the world?”

14:23

“If any one loves me,” replied Jesus, “he will obey my teaching; and

my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our

home with him.

14:24

He who has no love for me does not obey my teaching; and yet

the teaching to which you are listening is not mine, but is the

teaching of the Father who sent me.

14:25 “All this I have spoken to you while still with you.

14:26

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at

my request, will teach you everything, and will bring to your

memories all that I have said to you.

14:27

Peace I leave with you: my own peace I give to you. It is not as

the world gives its greetings that I give you peace. Let not your

hearts be troubled or dismayed.

14:28

“You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and yet I am coming

to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced because I am

going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I am.

14:29

I have now told you before it comes to pass, that when it has

come to pass you may believe.

14:30

In future I shall not talk much with you, for the Prince of this

world is coming. And yet in me he has nothing;

14:31

but it is in order that the world may know that I love the Father,

and that it is in obedience to the command which the Father gave

me that I thus act. Rise, let us be going.”

CHAPTER 15

15:1 “I am the Vine — the True Vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser.

15:2

Every branch in me — if it bears no fruit, He takes away; and

every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more

fruit.

15:3

Already you are cleansed — through the teaching which I have

given you.

15:4

Continue in me, and let me continue in you. Just as the branch

cannot bear fruit of itself — that is, if it does not continue in the

vine — so neither can you if you do not continue in me.

15:5

I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who continues in me and

in whom I continue bears abundant fruit, for apart from me you

can do nothing.

15:6

If any one does not continue in me, he is like the unfruitful branch

which is at once thrown away and then withers up. Such branches

they gather up and throw into the fire and they are burned.

15:7

“If you continue in me and my sayings continue in you, ask what

you will and it shall be done for you.

15:8

By this is God glorified — by your bearing abundant fruit and

thus being true disciples of mine.

15:9

As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you: continue in my

love.

15:10

If you obey my commands, you will continue in my love, as I have

obeyed my Father’s commands and continue in His love.

15:11

“These things I have spoken to you in order that I may have joy in

you, and that your joy may become perfect.

15:12

This is my commandment to you, to love one another as I have

loved you.

15:13

No one has greater love than this — a man laying down his life for

his friends.

15:14

You are my friends, if you do what I command you.

15:15

No longer do I call you servants, because a servant does not know

what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all

that I have heard from the Father I have made known to you.

15:16

It is not you who chose me, but it is I who chose you and

appointed you that you might go and be fruitful and that your fruit

might remain; so that whatever petition you present to the Father

in my name He may give you.

15:17 “Thus I command you to love one another.

15:18

If the world hates you, remember that it has first had me as the

fixed object of its hatred.

15:19

If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own

property. But because you do not belong to the world, and I have

chosen you out of the world — for that reason the world hates

you.

15:20

Bear in mind what I said to you, ‘A servant is not superior to his

master.’ If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you:

if they have obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

15:21

But they will inflict all this suffering upon you on account of your

bearing my name — because they do not know Him who sent me.

15:22

“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have had no sin;

but as the case stands they are without excuse for their sin.

15:23

He who hates me hates my Father also.

15:24

If I had not done among them, as I have, such miracles as no one

else ever did, they would have had no sin; but they have in fact

seen and also hated both me and my Father.

15:25

But this has been so, in order that the saying may be fulfilled

which stands written in their Law, ‘THEY HAVE HATED ME

WITHOUT ANY REASON.’

15:26

“When the Advocate is come whom I will send to you from the

Father’s presence — the Spirit of Truth who comes forth from the

Father’s presence — He will be a witness concerning me.

15:27

And you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from

the first.

CHAPTER 16

16:1

“These things I have spoken to you in order to clear stumbling-

blocks out of your path.

16:2

You will be excluded from the synagogues; nay more, the time is

coming when any one who has murdered one of you will suppose

he is offering service to God.

16:3

And they will do these things because they have failed to

recognize the Father and to discover who I am.

16:4

But I have spoken these things to you in order that when the time

for their accomplishment comes you may remember them, and

may recollect that I told you. I did not, however, tell you all this

at first, because I was still with you.

16:5

But now I an returning to Him who sent me; and not one of you

asks me where I am going.

16:6

But grief has filled your hearts because I have said all this to you.

16:7

“Yet it is the truth that I am telling you — it is to your advantage

that I go away. For unless I go away, the Advocate will not come

to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

16:8

And He, when He comes, will convict the world in respect of sin,

of righteousness, and of judgment; —

16:9

of sin, because they do not believe in me;

16:10

of righteousness, because I am going to the Father, and you will

no longer see me;

16:11

of judgment, because the Prince of this world is under sentence.

16:12

“I have much more to say to you, but you are unable at present to

bear the burden of it.

16:13

But when He has come — the Spirit of Truth — He will guide

you into all the truth. For He will not speak as Himself originating

what He says, but all that He hears He will speak, and He will

make known the future to you.

16:14

He will glorify me, because He will take of what is mine and will

make it known to you.

16:15

Everything that the Father has is mine; that is why I said that the

Spirit of Truth takes of what is mine and will make it known to

you.

16:16

“A little while and you see me no more, and again a little while and

you shall see me.”

16:17

Some of His disciples therefore said to one another, “What does

this mean which He is telling us, ‘A little while and you do not see

me, and again a little while and you shall see me,’ and ‘Because I

am going to the Father’?”

16:18

So they asked one another repeatedly, “What can that ‘little

while’ mean which He speaks of? We do not understand His

words.”

16:19

Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask Him, and He said, “Is this

what you are questioning one another about — my saying, ‘A

little while and you do not see me, and again a little while and you

shall see me’?

16:20

In most solemn truth I tell you that you will weep aloud and

lament, but the world will be glad. You will mourn, but your grief

will be turned into gladness.

16:21

A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow, because her time has

come. But when she has given birth to the babe, she no longer

remembers the pain, because of her joy at a child being born into

the world.

16:22

So you also now have sorrow; but I shall see you again, and your

hearts will be glad, and your gladness no one will take away from

you.

16:23

You will put no questions to me then. “In most solemn truth I tell

you that whatever you ask the Father for in my name He will give

you.

16:24

As yet you have not asked for anything in my name: ask, and you

shall receive, that your hearts may be filled with gladness.

16:25

“All this I have spoken to you in veiled language. The time is

coming when I shall no longer speak to you in veiled language,

but will tell you about the Father in plain words.

16:26

At that time you will make your requests in my name; and I do

not promise to ask the Father on your behalf,

16:27

for the Father Himself holds you dear, because you have held me

dear and have believed that I came from the Father’s presence.

16:28

I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again I am

leaving the world and am going to the Father.”

16:29

“Ah, now you are using plain language,” said His disciples, “and are

uttering no figure of speech!

16:30

Now we know that you have all knowledge, and do not need to

be pressed with questions. Through this we believe that you came

from God.”

16:31 “Do you at last believe?” replied Jesus.

16:32

“Remember that the time is coming, nay, has already come, for you

all to be dispersed each to his own home and to leave me alone.

And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

16:33

“I have spoken all this to you in order that in me you may have

peace. In the world you have affliction. But keep up your

courage: I have won the victory over the world.”

CHAPTER 17

17:1

When Jesus had thus spoken, He raised his eyes towards Heaven

and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Thy Son that the

Son may glorify Thee;

17:2

even as Thou hast given Him authority over all mankind, so that

on all whom Thou hast given Him He may bestow the Life of the

Ages.

17:3

And in this consists the Life of the Ages — in knowing Thee the

only true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.

17:4

I have glorified Thee on earth, having done perfectly the work

which by Thine appointment has been mine to do.

17:5

And now, Father, do Thou glorify me in Thine own presence,

with the glory that I had in Thy presence before the world existed.

17:6

“I have revealed Thy perfections to the men whom Thou gavest me

out of the world. Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to me,

and they have obeyed Thy message.

17:7

Now they know that whatever Thou hast given me is from Thee.

17:8

For the truths which Thou didst teach me I have taught them. And

they have received them, and have known for certain that I came

out from Thy presence, and have believed that Thou didst send

me.

17:9

“I am making request for them: for the world I do not make any

request, but for those whom Thou hast given me. Because they

are Thine,

17:10

and everything that is mine is Thine, and everything that is Thine

is mine; and I am crowned with glory in them.

17:11

I am now no longer in the world, but they are in the world and I

am coming to Thee. “Holy Father, keep them true to Thy name —

the name which Thou hast given me to bear — that they may be

one, even as we are.

17:12

While I was with them, I kept them true to Thy name — the name

Thou hast given me to bear — and I kept watch over them, and

not one of them is lost but only he who is doomed to destruction

— that the Scripture may be fulfilled.

17:13

“But now I am coming to Thee, and I speak these words while I am

in the world, in order that they may have my gladness within them

filling their hearts.

17:14

I have given them Thy Message, and the world has hated them,

because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong

to the world.

17:15

I do not ask that Thou wilt remove them out of the world, but

that Thou wilt protect them from the Evil one.

17:16

They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the

world.

17:17

Make them holy in the truth: Thy Message is truth.

17:18

Just as Thou didst send me into the world, I also have sent them;

17:19

and on their behalf I consecrate myself, in order that they may

become perfectly consecrated in truth.

17:20

“Nor is it for them alone that I make request. It is also for those

who trust in me through their teaching;

17:21

that they may all be one, even as Thou art in me, O Father, and I

am in Thee; that they also may be in us; that the world may

believe that Thou didst send me.

17:22

And the glory which Thou hast given me I have given them, that

they may be one, just as we are one:

17:23

I in them and Thou in me; that they may stand perfected in one;

that the world may come to understand that Thou didst send me

and hast loved them with the same love as that with which Thou

hast loved me.

17:24

“Father, those whom Thou hast given me — I desire that where I

am they also may be with me, that they may see the glory — my

glory — my gift from Thee, which Thou hast given me because

Thou didst love me before the creation of the world.

17:25

And, righteous Father, though the world has failed to recognize

Thee, I have known Thee, and these have perceived that Thou

didst send me.

17:26

And I have made known Thy name to them and will make it

known, that the love with which Thou hast loved me may be in

them, and that I may be in them.”

CHAPTER 18

18:1

After offering this prayer Jesus went out with His disciples to a

place on the further side of the Ravine of the Cedars, where there

was a garden which He entered — Himself and His disciples.

18:2

Now Judas also, who at that very time was betraying Him, knew

the place, for Jesus had often resorted there with His disciples.

18:3

So Judas, followed by the battalion and by a detachment of the

Temple police sent by the High Priests and Pharisees, came there

with torches and lamps and weapons.

18:4

Jesus therefore, knowing all that was about to befall Him, went

out to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” He asked them.

18:5

“For Jesus the Nazarene,” was the answer. “I am he,” He replied.

(Now Judas who was betraying Him was also standing with

them.)

18:6

As soon then as He said to them, “I am he,” they went backwards

and fell to the ground.

18:7

Again therefore He asked them, “Who are you looking for?” “For

Jesus the Nazarene,” they said.

18:8

“I have told you,” replied Jesus, “that I am he. If therefore you are

looking for me, let these my disciples go their way.”

18:9

He made this request in order that the words He had spoken

might be fulfilled, “As for those whom Thou hast given me, I have

not lost one.”

18:10

Simon Peter, however, having a sword, drew it, and, aiming at the

High Priest’s servant, cut off his right ear. The servant’s name

was Malchus.

18:11

Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put back your sword. Shall I refuse

to drink the cup of sorrow which the Father has given me to

drink?”

18:12

So the battalion and their tribune and the Jewish police closed in,

and took Jesus and bound Him.

18:13

They then brought Him to Annas first; for Annas was the fatherin-

law of Caiaphas who was High Priest that year.

18:14

(It was this Caiaphas who had advised the Jews, saying, “It is to

your interest that one man should die for the People.”)

18:15

Meanwhile Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so also was

another disciple. The latter was known to the High Priest, and

went in with Jesus into the court of the High Priest’s palace.

18:16

But Peter remained standing outside the door, till the disciple who

was acquainted with the High Priest came out and induced the

portress to let Peter in.

18:17

This led the girl, the portress, to ask Peter, “Are you also one of

this man’s disciples?” “No, I am not,” he replied.

18:18

Now because it was cold the servants and the police had lighted a

charcoal fire, and were standing and warming themselves; and

Peter too remained with them, standing and warming himself.

18:19

So the High Priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His

teaching.

18:20

“As for me,” replied Jesus, “I have spoken openly to the world. I

have continually taught in some synagogue or in the Temple

where all the Jews are wont to assemble, and I have said nothing

in secret.

18:21

Why do you question me? Question those who heard what it was

I said to them: these witnesses here know what I said.”

18:22

Upon His saying this, one of the officers standing by struck Him

with his open hand, asking Him as he did so, “Is that the way you

answer the High Priest?”

18:23

“If I have spoken wrongly,” replied Jesus, “bear witness to it as

wrong; but if rightly, why that blow?”

18:24

So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the High Priest.

18:25

But Simon Peter remained standing and warming himself, and this

led to their asking him, “Are you also one of his disciples?” He

denied it, and said, “No, I am not.”

18:26

One of the High Priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear

Peter had cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with

him?”

18:27

Once more Peter denied it, and immediately a cock crowed.

18:28

So they brought Jesus from Caiaphas’s house to the Praetorium.

It was the early morning, and they would not enter the Praetorium

themselves for fear of defilement, and in order that they might be

able to eat the Passover.

18:29

Accordingly Pilate came out to them and inquired, “What

accusation have you to bring against this man?”

18:30

“If the man were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have

handed him over to you.”

18:31

“Take him yourselves,” said Pilate, “and judge him by your Law.”

“We have no power,” replied the Jews, “to put any man to death.”

18:32

They said this that the words might be fulfilled in which Jesus

predicted the kind of death He was to die.

18:33

Re-entering the Praetorium, therefore, Pilate called Jesus and

asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

18:34

“Do you say this of yourself, or have others told it you about me?”

replied Jesus.

18:35

“Am I a Jew?” exclaimed Pilate; “it is your own nation and the

High Priests who have handed you over to me. What have you

done?”

18:36

“My kingdom,” replied Jesus, “does not belong to this world. If my

kingdom did belong to this world, my subjects would have

resolutely fought to save me from being delivered up to the Jews.

But, as a matter of fact, my kingdom has not this origin.”

18:37

“So then you are a king!” rejoined Pilate. “Yes,” said Jesus, “you

say truly that I am a king. For this purpose I was born, and for

this purpose I have come into the world — to give testimony for

the truth. Every one who is a friend of the truth listens to my

voice.”

18:38

“What is truth?” said Pilate. But no sooner had he spoken the

words than he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find

no crime in him.

18:39

But you have a custom that I should release one prisoner to you

at the Passover. So shall I release to you the King of the Jews?”

18:40

With a roar of voices they again cried out, saying, “Not this man,

but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

CHAPTER 19

19:1

Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.

19:2

And the soldiers, twisting twigs of thorn into a wreath, put it on

His head, and threw round Him a crimson cloak.

19:3

Then they began to march up to Him, saying in a mocking voice,

“Hail King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with the palms of

their hands.

19:4

Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “See, I am

bringing him out to you to let you clearly understand that I find no

crime in him.”

19:5

So Jesus came out, wearing the wreath of thorns and the crimson

cloak. And Pilate said to them, “See, there is the man.”

19:6

As soon then as the High Priests and the officers saw Him, they

shouted “To the cross! To the cross!” “Take him yourselves and

crucify him,” said Pilate; “for I, at any rate, find no crime in him.”

19:7

“We,” replied the Jews, “have a Law, and in accordance with that

Law he ought to die, for having claimed to be the Son of God.”

19:8

More alarmed than ever, Pilate no sooner heard these words than

he re-entered the Praetorium and began to question Jesus.

19:9 “What is your origin?” he asked. But Jesus gave him no answer.

19:10

“Do you refuse to speak even to me?” asked Pilate; “do you not

know that I have it in my power either to release you or to crucify

you?”

19:11

“You would have had no power whatever over me,” replied Jesus,

“had it not been granted you from above. On that account he who

has delivered me up to you is more guilty than you are.”

19:12

Upon receiving this answer, Pilate was for releasing Him. But the

Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of

Caesar’s. Every one who sets himself up as king declares himself a

rebel against Caesar.”

19:13

On hearing this, Pilate brought Jesus out, and sat down on the

judge’s seat in a place called the Pavement — or in Hebrew,

Gabbatha.

19:14

It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about six o’clock

in the morning. Then he said to the Jews, “There is your king!”

19:15

This caused a storm of outcries, “Away with him! Away with him!

Crucify him!” “Am I to crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We

have no king, except Caesar,” answered the High Priests.

19:16

Then Pilate gave Him up to them to be crucified. Accordingly

they took Jesus;

19:17

and He went out carrying His own cross, to the place called Skull-

place — or, in Hebrew, Golgotha —

19:18

where they nailed Him to a cross, and two others at the same

time, one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

19:19

And Pilate wrote a notice and had it fastened to the top of the

cross. It ran thus: JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

19:20

Many of the Jews read this notice, for the place where Jesus was

crucified was near the city, and the notice was in three languages

— Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.

19:21

This led the Jewish High Priests to remonstrate with Pilate. “You

should not write ‘The King of the Jews,’” they said, “but that he

claimed to be King of the Jews.”

19:22 “What I have written I have written,” was Pilate’s answer.

19:23

So the soldiers, as soon as they had crucified Jesus, took His

garments, including His tunic, and divided them into four parts —

one part for each soldier. The tunic was without seam, woven

from the top in one piece.

19:24

So they said to one another, “Do not let us tear it. Let us draw

lots for it.” This happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled

which says, “THEY SHARED MY GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND

DREW LOTS FOR MY CLOTHING.” That was just what the soldiers

did.

19:25

Now standing close to the cross of Jesus were His mother and His

mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.

19:26

So Jesus, seeing His mother, and seeing the disciple whom He

loved standing near, said to His mother, “Behold, your son!”

19:27

Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from

that time the disciple received her into his own home.

19:28

After this, Jesus, knowing that everything was now brought to an

end, said — that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “I am thirsty.”

19:29

There was a jar of wine standing there. With this wine they filled a

sponge, put it on the end of a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His

mouth.

19:30

As soon as Jesus had taken the wine, He said, “It is finished.” And

then, bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.

19:31

Meanwhile the Jews, because it was the day of Preparation for the

Passover, and in order that the bodies might not remain on the

crosses during the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was one of special

solemnity), requested Pilate to have the legs of the dying men

broken, and the bodies removed.

19:32

Accordingly the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man

and also of the other who had been crucified with Jesus.

19:33

Then they came to Jesus Himself: but when they saw that He was

already dead, they refrained from breaking His legs.

19:34

One of the soldiers, however, made a thrust at His side with a

lance, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

19:35

This statement is the testimony of an eye-witness, and it is true.

He knows that he is telling the truth — in order that you also may

believe.

19:36

For all this took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled which

declares, “NOT ONE OF HIS BONES SHALL BE BROKEN.”

19:37

And again another Scripture says, “THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM

WHOM THEY HAVE PIERCED.”

19:38

After this, Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but

for fear of the Jews a secret disciple, asked Pilate’s permission to

carry away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him leave. So he

came and removed the body.

19:39

Nicodemus too — he who at first had visited Jesus by night —

came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, in weight about

seventy or eighty pounds.

19:40

Taking down the body they wrapped it in linen cloths along with

the spices, in accordance with the Jewish mode of preparing for

burial.

19:41

There was a garden at the place where Jesus had been crucified,

and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been

buried.

19:42

Therefore, because it was the day of Preparation for the Jewish

Passover, and the tomb was close at hand, they put Jesus there.

CHAPTER 20

20:1

On the first day of the week, very early, while it was still dark,

Mary of Magdala came to the tomb and saw that the stone had

been removed from it.

20:2

So she ran, as fast as she could, to find Simon Peter and the other

disciple — the one who was dear to Jesus — and to tell them,

“They have taken the Master out of the tomb, and we do not

know where they have put Him.”

20:3

Peter and the other disciple started at once to go to the tomb,

both of them running,

20:4

but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached it before

he did.

20:5

Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there on the

ground, but he did not go in.

20:6

Simon Peter, however, also came, following him, and entered the

tomb. There on the ground he saw the cloths;

20:7

and the towel, which had been placed over the face of Jesus, not

lying with the cloths, but folded up and put by itself.

20:8

Then the other disciple, who had been the first to come to the

tomb, also went in and saw and was convinced.

20:9

For until now they had not understood the inspired teaching, that

He must rise again from among the dead.

20:10

Then they went away and returned home.

20:11

Meanwhile Mary remained standing near the tomb, weeping

aloud. She did not enter the tomb, but as she wept she stooped

and looked in,

20:12

and saw two angels clothed in white raiment, sitting one at the

head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been.

20:13

They spoke to her. “Why are you weeping?” they asked.

“Because,” she replied, “they have taken away my Lord, and I do

not know where they have put him.”

20:14

While she was speaking, she turned round and saw Jesus standing

there, but did not recognize Him.

20:15

“Why are you weeping?” He asked; “who are you looking for?”

She, supposing that He was the gardener, replied, “Sir, if you

have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will

remove him.”

20:16

“Mary!” said Jesus. She turned to Him. “Rabboni!” she cried in

Hebrew: the word means ‘Teacher!’

20:17

“Do not cling to me,” said Jesus, “for I have not yet ascended to

the Father. But take this message to my brethren: ‘I am ascending

to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

20:18

Mary of Magdala came and brought word to the disciples. “I have

seen the Master,” she said. And she told them that He had said

these things to her.

20:19

On that same first day of the week, when it was evening and, for

fear of the Jews, the doors of the house where the disciples were,

were locked, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to

them, “Peace be to you!”

20:20

Having said this He showed them His hands and also His side; and

the disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Master.

20:21

A second time, therefore, He said to them, “Peace be to you! As

the Father sent me, I also now send you.”

20:22

Having said this He breathed upon them and said, “Receive the

Holy Spirit.

20:23

If you remit the sins of any persons, they remain remitted to them.

If you bind fast the sins of any, they remain bound.”

20:24

Thomas, one of the twelve — surnamed ‘the Twin’ — was not

among them when Jesus came.

20:25

So the rest of the disciples told him, “We have seen the Master!”

His reply was, “Unless I see in his hands the wound made by the

nails and put my finger into the wound, and put my hand into his

side, I will never believe it.”

20:26

A week later the disciples were again in the house, and Thomas

was with them, when Jesus came — though the doors were

locked — and stood in their midst, and said, “Peace be to you.”

20:27

Then He said to Thomas, “Bring your finger here and feel my

hands; bring you hand and put it into my side; and do not be ready

to disbelieve but to believe.”

20:28 “My Lord and my God!” replied Thomas.

20:29

“Because you have seen me,” replied Jesus, “you have believed.

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

20:30

There were also a great number of other signs which Jesus

performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not recorded

in this book.

20:31

But these have been recorded in order that you may believe that

He is the Christ, the Son of God, and that, through believing, you

may have Life through His name.

CHAPTER 21

21:1

After this, Jesus again showed Himself to the disciples. It was at

the Lake of Tiberias. The circumstances were as follows.

21:2

Simon Peter was with Thomas, called the Twin, Nathanael of

Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zabdi, and two others of the Master’s

disciples.

21:3

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” “We will go too,”

said they. So they set out and went on board their boat; but they

caught nothing that night.

21:4

When, however, day was now dawning, Jesus stood on the beach,

though the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

21:5

He called to them. “Children,” He said, “have you any food

there?” “No,” they answered.

21:6

“Throw the net in on the right hand side,” He said, “and you will

find fish.” So they threw the net in, and now they could scarcely

drag it along for the quantity of fish.

21:7

This made the disciple whom Jesus loved say to Peter, “It is the

Master.” Simon Peter therefore, when he heard the words, “It is

the Master,” drew on his fisherman’s shirt — for he had not been

wearing it — put on his girdle, and sprang into the water.

21:8

But the rest of the disciples came in the small boat (for they were

not far from land — only about a hundred yards off), dragging the

net full of fish.

21:9

As soon as they landed, they saw a charcoal fire burning there,

with fish broiling on it, and bread close by.

21:10

Jesus told them to fetch some of the fish which they had just

caught.

21:11

So Simon Peter went on board the boat and drew the net ashore

full of large fish, 153 in number; and yet, although there were so

many, the net had not broken.

21:12

“Come this way and have breakfast,” said Jesus. But not one of the

disciples ventured to question Him as to who He was, for they felt

sure that it was the Master.

21:13

Then Jesus came and took the bread and gave them some, and the

fish in the same way.

21:14

This was now the third occasion on which Jesus showed Himself

to the disciples after He had risen from among the dead.

21:15

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter,

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?”

“Yes, Master,” was his answer; “you know that you are dear to

me.” “Then feed my lambs,” replied Jesus.

21:16

Again a second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you

love me?” “Yes, Master,” he said, “you know that you are dear to

me.” “Then be a shepherd to my sheep,” He said.

21:17

A third time Jesus put the question: “Simon, son of John, am I

dear to you?” It grieved Peter that Jesus asked him the third time,

“Am I dear to you?” “Master,” he replied, “you know everything,

you can see that you are dear to me.” “Then feed my much-loved

sheep,” said Jesus.

21:18

“In most solemn truth I tell you that whereas, when you were

young, you used to put on your girdle and walk whichever way

you chose, when you have grown old you will stretch out your

arms and some one else will put a girdle round you and carry you

where you have no wish to go.”

21:19

This He said to indicate the kind of death by which that disciple

would bring glory to God; and after speaking thus He said to him,

“Follow me.”

21:20

Peter turned round and noticed the disciple whom Jesus loved

following — the one who at the supper had leaned back on His

breast and had asked, “Master, who is it that is betraying you?”

21:21

On seeing him, Peter asked Jesus, “And, Master, what about

him?”

21:22

“If I desire him to remain till I come,” replied Jesus, “what concern

is that of yours? You, yourself, must follow me.”

21:23

Hence the report spread among the brethren that that disciple

would never die. Yet Jesus did not say, “He is not to die,” but, “If

I desire him to remain till I come, what concern is that of yours?”

21:24

That is the disciple who gives his testimony as to these matters,

and has written this history; and we know that his testimony is

true.

21:25

But there are also many other things which Jesus did — so vast a

number indeed that if they were all described in detail, I suppose

that the world itself could not contain the books that would have

to be written.

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

The authorship of this book has been much discussed, but it may now be

affirmed with certainty that the writer of our third Gospel is also the author

of “the Acts,” and that he speaks from the standpoint of an eye-witness in

the four we sections (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1 — 28:16), and

is known in Paul’s Letters as “Luke the beloved physician” (Colossians

4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24). The date necessarily depends upon

that of the third Gospel. If the latter was written before the destruction of

Jerusalem, then Luke’s second work may well have been issued between

66 and 70, A.D. But the tendency, in the present day, is to date the Gospel

somewhere between 75 and 85, A.D., after the destruction of the city. In

that case “the Acts” may be assigned to any period between 80 and 90,

A.D. The latter conclusion, though by no means certain, is perhaps the

more probable.

The familiar title of the book is somewhat unfortunate, for it is manifestly

not the intention of the writer to describe the doings of the Apostles

generally, but rather just so much of the labors of Peter and Paul — and

especially the latter — as will serve to illustrate the growth of the early

Church, and at the same time exhibit the emancipation of Christianity from

its primitive Judaic origin and environment.

It is plain that the writer was contemporary with the events he describes,

and although his perfect ingenuousness ceaselessly connects his narrative

with history, in no case has he been proved to be in error. The intricacy of

the connections between this record and the Pauline Letters will be best

estimated from a study of Paley’s Horae Paulinae. We know nothing

definite as to the place where the Acts was written, nor the sources whence

the information for the earlier portion of the narrative was obtained. But it

may be truthfully affirmed that from the modern critical ordeal the work

emerges as a definite whole, and rather confirmed than weakened in regard

to its general authenticity.

CHAPTER 1

1:1

My former narrative, Theophilus, dealt with all that Jesus did and

taught as a beginning, down to the day on which,

1:2

after giving instruction through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles

whom He had chosen, He was taken up to Heaven.

1:3

He had also, after He suffered, shown Himself alive to them with

many sure proofs, appearing to them at intervals during forty

days, and speaking of the Kingdom of God.

1:4

And while in their company He charged them not to leave

Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promised gift. “This you

have heard of,” He said, “from me.

1:5

For John indeed baptized with water, but before many days have

passed you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

1:6

Once when they were with Him, they asked Him, “Master, is this

the time at which you are about to restore the kingdom of Israel?”

1:7

“It is not for you,” He replied, “to know times or epochs which the

Father has reserved within His own authority;

1:8

and yet you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come

upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all

Judaea and Samaria and to the remotest parts of the earth.”

1:9

When He had said this, and while they were looking at Him, He

was carried up, and a cloud closing beneath Him hid Him from

their sight.

1:10

But, while they stood intently gazing into the sky as He went,

suddenly there were two men in white garments standing by them,

1:11

who said, “Galilaeans, why stand looking into the sky? This same

Jesus who has been taken up from you into Heaven will come in

just the same way as you have seen Him going into Heaven.”

1:12

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the

Oliveyard, which is near Jerusalem, about a mile off.

1:13

They entered the city, and they went up to the upper room which

was now their fixed place for meeting. Their names were Peter

and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew

and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and

Judas the brother of James.

1:14

All of these with one mind continued earnest in prayer, together

with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His

brothers.

1:15

It was on one of these days that Peter stood up in the midst of the

brethren — the entire number of persons present being about 120

— and said,

1:16

“Brethren, it was necessary that the Scripture should be fulfilled —

the prediction, I mean, which the Holy Spirit uttered by the lips of

David, about Judas, who acted as guide to those who arrested

Jesus.

1:17

For Judas was reckoned as one of our number, and a share in this

ministry was allotted to him.”

1:18

(Now having bought a piece of ground with the money paid for

his wickedness he fell there with his face downwards, and, his

body bursting open, he became disembowelled.

1:19

This fact became widely known to the people of Jerusalem, so

that the place received the name, in their language, of Acheldamach,

which means ‘The Field of Blood.’)

1:20

“For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘LET HIS ENCAMPMENT BE

DESOLATE: LET THERE BE NO ONE TO DWELL THERE’; and “‘HIS

WORK LET ANOTHER TAKE UP.’

1:21

“It is necessary, therefore, that of the men who have been with us

all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us —

1:22

beginning from His baptism by John down to the day on which He

was taken up again from us into Heaven — one should be

appointed to become a witness with us as to His resurrection.”

1:23

So two names were proposed, Joseph called Bar-sabbas — and

surnamed Justus — and Matthias.

1:24

And the brethren prayed, saying, “Thou, Lord, who knowest the

hearts of all, show clearly which of these two Thou hast chosen

1:25

to occupy the place in this ministry and Apostleship from which

Judas through transgression fell, in order to go to his own place.”

1:26

Then they drew lots between them. The lot fell on Matthias, and a

place among the eleven Apostles was voted to him.

CHAPTER 2

2:1 At length, on the day of the Harvest Festival, they had all met in

one place;

2:2 when suddenly there came from the sky a sound as of a strong

rushing blast of wind. This filled the whole house where they were

sitting;

2:3 and they saw tongues of what looked like fire distributing

themselves over the assembly, and on the head of each person a

tongue alighted.

2:4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in

foreign languages according as the Spirit gave them words to

utter.

2:5 Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from

every part of the world.

2:6 So when this noise was heard, they came crowding together, and

were amazed because everyone heard his own language spoken.

2:7 They were beside themselves with wonder, and exclaimed, “Are

not all these speakers Galilaeans?

2:8 How then does each of us hear his own native language spoken by

them?

2:9 Some of us are Parthians, Medes, Elamites. Some are inhabitants

of Mesopotamia, of Judaea or Cappadocia, of Pontus or the Asian

Province, of Phrygia or Pamphylia,

2:10 of Egypt or of the parts of Africa towards Cyrene. Others are

visitors from Rome — being either Jews or converts from

heathenism — and others are Cretans or Arabians.

2:11 Yet we all alike hear these Galilaeans speaking in our own

language about the wonderful things which God has done.”

2:12 They were all astounded and bewildered, and asked one another,

“What can this mean?”

2:13 But others, scornfully jeering, said, “They are brim-full of sweet

wine.”

2:14

Peter however, together with the Eleven, stood up and addressed

them in a loud voice. “Men of Judaea, and all you inhabitants of

Jerusalem,” he said, “be in no uncertainty about this matter but

pay attention to what I say.

2:15

For this is not intoxication, as you suppose, it being only the third

hour of the day.

2:16

But that which was predicted through the Prophet Joel has

happened:

2:17

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, God says, that I will

pour out My Spirit upon all mankind; and your sons and your

daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall have dreams;

2:18

and even upon My bondservants, both men and women, at that

time, I will pour out My Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

2:19

I will display marvels in the sky above, and signs on the earth

below, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke.

2:20

The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, to

usher in the day of the Lord — that great and illustrious day;

2:21

AND EVERY ONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE

SAVED.’

2:22

“Listen, Israelites, to what I say. Jesus, the Nazarene, a man

accredited to you from God by miracles and marvels and signs

which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know,

Him —

2:23

delivered up through God’s settled purpose and foreknowledge

— you by the hands of Gentiles have nailed to a cross and have

put to death.

2:24

But God has raised Him to life, having terminated the throes of

death, for in fact it was not possible for Him to be held fast by

death.

2:25

For David says in reference to Him, “‘I constantly fixed my eyes

upon the Lord, because He is at my right hand in order that I may

continue unshaken.

2:26

For this reason my heart is glad and my tongue exults. My body

also shall rest in hope.

2:27

For Thou wilt not leave me in the Unseen World forsaken, nor

give up Thy holy One to undergo decay.

2:28

THOU HAST MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE: THOU WILT

FILL ME WITH GLADNESS IN THY PRESENCE.’

2:29

“As to the patriarch David, I need hardly remind you, brethren, that

he died and was buried, and that we still have his tomb among us.

2:30

Being a Prophet, however, and knowing that God had solemnly

sworn to him to seat a descendant of his upon his throne,

2:31

with prophetic foresight he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,

to the effect that He was not left forsaken in the Unseen World,

nor did His body undergo decay.

2:32

This Jesus, God has raised to life — a fact to which all of us

testify.

2:33

“Being therefore lifted high by the mighty hand of God, He has

received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured

out this which you see and hear.

2:34

For David did not ascend into Heaven, but he says himself, “‘The

Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand

2:35

UNTIL I MAKE THY FOES A FOOTSTOOL UNDER THY FEET.’

2:36

“Therefore let the whole House of Israel know beyond all doubt

that God has made Him both LORD and CHRIST — this Jesus

whom you crucified.”

2:37

Stung to the heart by these words, they said to Peter and the rest

of the Apostles, “Brethren, what are we to do?”

2:38

“Repent,” replied Peter, “and be baptized, every one of you, in the

name of Jesus Christ, with a view to the remission of your sins,

and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2:39

For to you belongs the promise, and to your children, and to all

who are far off, whoever the Lord our God may call.”

2:40

And with many more appeals he solemnly warned and entreated

them, saying, “Escape from this crooked generation.”

2:41

Those, therefore, who joyfully welcomed his Message were

baptized; and on that one day about three thousand persons were

added to them;

2:42

and they were constant in listening to the teaching of the Apostles

and in their attendance at the Communion, that is, the Breaking of

the Bread, and at prayer.

2:43

Fear came upon every one, and many marvels and signs were

done by the Apostles.

2:44

And all the believers kept together, and had everything in

common.

2:45

They sold their lands and other property, and distributed the

proceeds among all, according to every one’s necessities.

2:46

And, day by day, attending constantly in the Temple with one

accord, and breaking bread in private houses, they took their

meals with great happiness and single-heartedness,

2:47

praising God and being regarded with favor by all the people.

Also, day by day, the Lord added to their number those whom He

was saving.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

One day Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the hour

of prayer — the ninth hour — and, just then,

3:2

some men were carrying there one who had been lame from birth,

whom they were wont to place every day close to the Beautiful

Gate (as it was called) of the Temple, for him to beg from the

people as they went in.

3:3

Seeing Peter and John about to go into the Temple, he asked them

for alms.

3:4

Peter fixing his eyes on him, as John did also, said, “Look at us.”

3:5

So he looked and waited, expecting to receive something from

them.

3:6

“I have no silver or gold,” Peter said, “but what I have, I give you.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene — walk!”

3:7

Then taking his hand Peter lifted him up, and immediately his feet

and ankles were strengthened.

3:8

Leaping up, he stood upright and began to walk, and went into

the Temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God.

3:9

All the people saw him walking and praising God;

3:10

and recognizing him as the man who used to sit at the Beautiful

Gate of the Temple asking for alms, they were filled with awe and

amazement at what had happened to him.

3:11

While he still clung to Peter and John, the people, awe-struck, ran

up crowding round them in what was known as Solomon’s

Portico.

3:12

Peter, seeing this, spoke to the people. “Israelites,” he said, “why

do you wonder at this man? Or why gaze at us, as though by any

power or piety of our own we had enabled him to walk?

3:13

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our

forefathers, has conferred this honor on His Servant Jesus, whom

you delivered up and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he

had decided to let Him go.

3:14

Yes, you disowned the holy and righteous One, and asked as a

favor the release of a murderer.

3:15

The Prince of Life you put to death; but God has raised Him from

the dead, and we are witnesses as to that.

3:16

It is His name — faith in that name being the condition — which

has strengthened this man whom you behold and know; and the

faith which He has given has made this man sound and strong

again, as you can all see.

3:17

“And now, brethren, I know that it was in ignorance that you did it,

as was the case with your rulers also.

3:18

But in this way God has fulfilled the declarations He made

through all the Prophets, that His Christ would suffer.

3:19

Repent, therefore, and reform your lives, so that the record of

your sins may be cancelled, and that there may come seasons of

revival from the Lord,

3:20 and that He may send the Christ appointed beforehand for you —

even Jesus.

3:21 Heaven must receive Him until those times of which God has

spoken from the earliest ages through the lips of His holy

Prophets — the times of the reconstitution of all things.

3:22 Moses declared, “‘The Lord your God will raise up a Prophet for

you from among your brethren as He has raised me. In all that He

says to you, you must listen to Him.

3:23 AND EVERY ONE, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, WHO REFUSES TO LISTEN

TO THAT PROPHET SHALL BE UTTERLY DESTROYED FROM AMONG

THE PEOPLE.’

3:24 Yes, and all the Prophets, from Samuel onwards — all who have

spoken — have also announced the coming of this present time.

3:25 “You are the heirs of the Prophets, and of the Covenant which God

made with your forefathers when He said to Abraham, ‘AND

THROUGH YOUR POSTERITY ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE WORLD

SHALL BE BLESSED.’

3:26 It is to you first that God, after raising His Servant from the

grave, has sent Him to bless you, by causing every one of you to

turn from your wickedness.”

CHAPTER 4

4:1 While they were saying this to the people, the Priests, the

Commander of the Temple Guard, and the Sadducees came upon

them,

4:2 highly incensed at their teaching the people and proclaiming in the

case of Jesus the Resurrection from among the dead.

4:3 They arrested the two Apostles and lodged them in custody till

the next day; for it was already evening.

4:4 But many of those who had listened to their preaching believed;

and the number of the adult men had now grown to be about

5,000.

4:5 The next day a meeting was held in Jerusalem of their Rulers,

Elders, and Scribes,

4:6

with Annas the High Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the

other members of the high-priestly family.

4:7

So they made the Apostles stand in the center, and demanded of

them, “By what power or in what name have you done this?”

4:8

Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he replied, “Rulers

and Elders of the people,

4:9

if we to-day are under examination concerning the benefit

conferred on a man helplessly lame, as to how this man has been

cured;

4:10

be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that through

the name of Jesus the Anointed, the Nazarene, whom you

crucified, but whom God has raised from among the dead —

through that name this man stands here before you in perfect

health.

4:11

This Jesus is THE STONE TREATED WITH CONTEMPT BY YOU THE

BUILDERS, BUT IT HAS BEEN MADE THE CORNERSTONE.

4:12

And in no other is the great salvation to be found; for, in fact,

there is no second name under Heaven that has been given among

men through which we are to be saved.”

4:13

As they looked on Peter and John so fearlessly outspoken — and

also discovered that they were illiterate persons, untrained in the

schools — they were surprised; and now they recognized them as

having been with Jesus.

4:14

And seeing the man standing with them — the man who had been

cured — they had no reply to make.

4:15

So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin while they

conferred among themselves.

4:16

“What are we to do with these men?” they asked one another; for

the fact that a remarkable miracle has been performed by them is

well known to every one in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

4:17

But to prevent the matter spreading any further among the people,

let us stop them by threats from speaking in the future in this

name to any one whatever.”

4:18 So they recalled the Apostles, and ordered them altogether to give

up speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus.

4:19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge whether it is right in God’s

sight to listen to you instead of listening to God.

4:20 As for us, what we have seen and heard we cannot help speaking

about.”

4:21 The Court added further threats and then let them go, being quite

unable to find any way of punishing them on account of the

people, because all gave God the glory for the thing that had

happened.

4:22 For the man was over forty years of age on whom this miracle of

restoration to health had been performed.

4:23 After their release the two Apostles went to their friends, and told

them all that the High Priests and Elders had said.

4:24 And they, upon hearing the story, all lifted up their voices to God

and said, “O Sovereign Lord, it is Thou who didst make Heaven

and earth and sea, and all that is in them,

4:25 and didst say through the Holy Spirit by the lips of our forefather

David Thy servant, “‘Why have the nations stamped and raged,

and the peoples formed futile plans?

4:26 THE KINGS OF THE EARTH CAME NEAR, AND THE RULERS

ASSEMBLED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS

ANOINTED.’”

4:27 “They did indeed assemble in this city in hostility to Thy holy

Servant Jesus whom Thou hadst anointed — Herod and Pontius

Pilate with the Gentiles and also the tribes of Israel —

4:28 to do all that Thy power and Thy will had predetermined should

be done.

4:29 And now, Lord, listen to their threats, and enable Thy servants to

proclaim Thy Message with fearless courage,

4:30 whilst Thou stretchest out Thine arm to cure men, and to give

signs and marvels through the name of Thy holy Servant Jesus.”

4:31

When they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled

shook, and they were, one and all, filled with the Holy Spirit, and

proceeded to tell God’s Message with boldness.

4:32

Among all those who had embraced the faith there was but one

heart and soul, so that none of them claimed any of his

possessions as his own, but everything they had was common

property;

4:33

while the Apostles with great force of conviction delivered their

testimony as to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace

was upon them all.

4:34

And, in fact, there was not a needy man among them, for all who

were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the

money which they realized,

4:35

and gave it to the Apostles, and distribution was made to every

one according to his wants.

4:36

In this way Joseph, whom the Apostles gave the name of

Barnabas — signifying ‘Son of Encouragement’ — a Levite, a

native of Cyprus,

4:37

sold a farm which he had, and brought the money and gave it to

the Apostles.

CHAPTER 5

5:1

There was a man of the name of Ananias who, with his wife

Sapphira, sold some property but,

5:2

with her full knowledge and consent, dishonestly kept back part of

the price which he received for it, though he brought the rest and

gave it to the Apostles.

5:3

“Ananias,” said Peter, “why has Satan taken possession of your

heart, that you should try to deceive the Holy Spirit and

dishonestly keep back part of the price paid you for this land?

5:4

While it remained unsold, was not the land your own? And when

sold, was it not at your own disposal? How is it that you have

cherished this design in your heart? It is not to men you have told

this lie, but to God.”

5:5 Upon hearing these words Ananias fell down dead, and all who

heard the words were awe-struck.

5:6 The younger men, however, rose, and wrapping the body up,

carried it out and buried it.

5:7 About three hours had passed, when his wife came in, knowing

nothing of what had happened.

5:8 Peter at once questioned her. “Tell me,” he said, “whether you

sold the land for so much.” “Yes,” she replied, “for so much.”

5:9 “How was it,” replied Peter, “that you two agreed to try an

experiment upon the Spirit of the Lord? The men who have buried

your husband are already at the door, and they will carry you

out.”

5:10 Instantly she fell down dead at his feet, and the young men came

in and found her dead. So they carried her out and buried her by

her husband’s side.

5:11 This incident struck terror into the whole Church, and into the

hearts of all who heard of it.

5:12 Many signs and marvels continued to be done among the people

by the Apostles; and by common consent they all met in

Solomon’s Portico.

5:13 But none of the others dared to attach themselves to them. Yet

the people held them in high honor —

5:14 and more and more believers in the Lord joined them, including

great numbers both of men and women —

5:15 so that they would even bring out their sick friends into the streets

and lay them on light couches or mats, in order that when Peter

came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or other of them.

5:16 The inhabitants, too, of the towns in the neighborhood of

Jerusalem came in crowds, bringing sick persons and some who

were harassed by foul spirits, and they were cured, one and all.

5:17 This roused the High Priest. He and all his party — the sect of the

Sadducees — were filled with angry jealousy

5:18

and laid hands upon the Apostles, and put them into the public

jail.

5:19

But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors

and brought them out, and said,

5:20

“Go and stand in the Temple, and go on proclaiming to the people

all this Message of Life.”

5:21

Having received that command they went into the Temple, just

before daybreak, and began to teach: So when the High Priest and

his party came, and had called together the Sanhedrin as well as

all the Elders of the descendants of Israel, they sent to the jail to

fetch the Apostles.

5:22

But the officers went and could not find them in the prison. So

they came back and brought word,

5:23

saying, “The jail we found quite safely locked, and the warders

were on guard at the doors, but upon going in we found no one

there.”

5:24

When the Commander of the Temple Guards and the High Priests

heard this statement, they were utterly at a loss with regard to it,

wondering what would happen next.

5:25

And some one came and brought them word, saying, “The men

you put in prison are actually in the Temple, standing there,

teaching the people.”

5:26

Upon this the Commander went with the officers, and brought the

Apostles; but without using violence; for they were afraid of being

stoned by the people.

5:27

So they brought them and made them stand in front of the

Sanhedrin. And then the High Priest questioned them.

5:28

“We strictly forbad you to teach in that name — did we not?” he

said. “And see, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and

are trying to make us responsible for that man’s death!”

5:29

Peter and the other Apostles replied, “We must obey God rather

than man.

5:30

The God of our forefathers has raised Jesus to life, whom you

crucified and put to death.

5:31

God has exalted Him to His right hand as Chief Leader and as

Savior, to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.

5:32

And we — and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who

obey Him — are witnesses as to these things.”

5:33

Infuriated at getting this answer, they were disposed to kill the

Apostles.

5:34

But a Pharisee of the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, held

in honor by all the people, rose from his seat and requested that

they should be sent outside the court for a few minutes.

5:35

“Israelites,” he said, “be careful what you are about to do in dealing

with these men.

5:36

Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of

importance, and a body of men, some four hundred in number,

joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and

annihilated.

5:37

After him, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean,

and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all his

followers were scattered.

5:38

And now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave them

alone — for if this scheme or work is of human origin, it will

come to nothing.

5:39

But if it is really from God, you will be powerless to put them

down — lest perhaps you find yourselves to be actually fighting

against God.”

5:40

His advice carried conviction. So they called the Apostles in, and

— after flogging them — ordered them not to speak in the name

of Jesus, and then let them go.

5:41

They, therefore, left the Sanhedrin and went their way, rejoicing

that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace on behalf of

the NAME.

5:42

But they did not desist from teaching every day, in the Temple or

in private houses, and telling the Good News about Jesus, the

Christ.

CHAPTER 6

6:1

About this time, as the number of disciples was increasing,

complaints were made by the Greek-speaking Jews against the

Hebrews because their widows were habitually overlooked in the

daily ministration.

6:2

So the Twelve called together the general body of the disciples

and said, “It does not seem fitting that we Apostles should neglect

the delivery of God’s Message and minister at tables.

6:3

Therefore, brethren, pick out from among yourselves seven men

of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, and we will

appoint them to undertake this duty.

6:4

But, as for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the

delivery of the Message.”

6:5

The suggestion met with general approval, and they selected

Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip,

Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of

Antioch.

6:6

These men they brought to the Apostles, and, after prayer, they

laid their hands upon them.

6:7

Meanwhile God’s Message continued to spread, and the number

of the disciples in Jerusalem very greatly increased, and very many

priests obeyed the faith.

6:8

And Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great marvels

and signs among the people.

6:9

But some members of the so-called ‘Synagogue of the Freedmen,’

together with some Cyrenaeans, Alexandrians, Cilicians and

men from Roman Asia, were roused to encounter Stephen in

debate.

6:10

They were quite unable, however, to resist the wisdom and the

Spirit with which he spoke.

6:11

Then they privately put forward men who declared, “We have

heard him speak blasphemous things against Moses and against

God.”

6:12

In this way they excited the people, the Elders, and the Scribes.

At length they came upon him, seized him with violence, and took

him before the Sanhedrin.

6:13

Here they brought forward false witnesses who declared, “This

fellow is incessantly speaking against the Holy Place and the Law.

6:14

For we have heard him say that Jesus, the Nazarene, will pull this

place down to the ground and will change the customs which

Moses handed down to us.”

6:15

At once the eyes of all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin were

fastened on him, and they saw his face looking just like the face of

an angel.

CHAPTER 7

7:1

Then the High Priest asked him, “Are these statements true?”

7:2

The reply of Stephen was, “Sirs — brethren and fathers — listen

to me. God Most Glorious appeared to our forefather Abraham

when he was living in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran,

7:3

and said to him, “‘Leave your country and your relatives, and go

into whatever land I point out to you.’

7:4

“Thereupon he left Chaldaea and settled in Haran till after the death

of his father, when God caused him to remove into this country

where you now live.

7:5

But he gave him no inheritance in it, no, not a single square yard

of ground. And yet He promised to bestow the land as a

permanent possession on him and his posterity after him — and

promised this at a time when Abraham was childless.

7:6

And God declared that Abraham’s posterity should for four

hundred years make their home in a country not their own, and be

reduced to slavery and be oppressed.

7:7

“‘And the nation, whichever it is, that enslaves them, I will judge,’

said God; ‘and afterwards they shall come out, and they shall

worship Me in this place.’

7:8

“Then He gave him the Covenant of circumcision, and under this

Covenant he became the father of Isaac — whom he circumcised

on the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob

became the father of the twelve Patriarchs.

7:9

“The Patriarchs were jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery in

Egypt. But God was with him

7:10

and delivered him from all his afflictions, and gave him favor and

wisdom when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who

appointed him governor over Egypt and all the royal household.

7:11

But there came a famine throughout the whole of Egypt and

Canaan — and great distress — so that our forefathers could find

no food.

7:12

When, however, Jacob heard that there was wheat to be had, he

sent our forefathers into Egypt; that was the first time.

7:13

On their second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers,

and Pharaoh was informed of Joseph’s parentage.

7:14

Then Joseph sent and invited his father Jacob and all his family,

numbering seventy-five persons, to come to him,

7:15

and Jacob went down into Egypt. There he died, and so did our

forefathers,

7:16

and they were taken to Shechem and were laid in the tomb which

Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a

sum of money paid in silver.

7:17

“But as the time drew near for the fulfillment of the promise which

God had made to Abraham, the people became many times more

numerous in Egypt,

7:18

until there arose a foreign king over Egypt who knew nothing of

Joseph.

7:19

He adopted a crafty policy towards our race, and oppressed our

forefathers, making them cast out their infants so that they might

not be permitted to live.

7:20

At this time Moses was born — a wonderfully beautiful child; and

for three months he was cared for in his father’s house.

7:21

At length he was cast out, but Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him,

and brought him up as her own son.

7:22

So Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and

possessed great influence through his eloquence and his

achievements.

7:23

“And when he was just forty years old, it occurred to him to visit

his brethren the descendants of Israel.

7:24

Seeing one of them wrongfully treated he took his part, and

secured justice for the ill-treated man by striking down the

Egyptian.

7:25

He supposed his brethren to be aware that by him God was

sending them deliverance; this, however, they did not understand.

7:26

The next day, also, he came and found two of them fighting, and

he endeavored to make peace between them. “‘Sirs,’ he said, ‘you

are brothers. Why are you wronging one another?’

7:27

“But the man who was doing the wrong resented his interference,

and asked, “‘Who appointed you magistrate and judge over us?

7:28

Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’

7:29

“Alarmed at this question, Moses fled from the country and went to

live in the land of Midian. There he became the father of two sons.

7:30

“But at the end of forty years there appeared to him in the Desert of

Mount Sinai an angel in the middle of a flame of fire in a bush.

7:31

When Moses saw this he wondered at the sight; but on his going

up to look further, the voice of the Lord was heard, saying,

7:32

“‘I am the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac,

and of Jacob.’ “Quaking with fear Moses did not dare gaze.

7:33

“‘Take off your shoes,’ said the Lord, ‘for the spot on which you

are standing is holy ground.

7:34

I have seen, yes, I have seen the oppression of My people who are

in Egypt and have heard their groans, and I have come down to

deliver them. And now I will send you to Egypt.’

7:35

“The Moses whom they rejected, asking him, ‘Who appointed you

magistrate and judge?’ — that same Moses we find God sending

as a magistrate and a deliverer by the help of the angel who

appeared to him in the bush.

7:36 This was he who brought them out, after performing marvels and

signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea, and in the Desert for forty

years.

7:37 This is the Moses who said to the descendants of Israel, “‘GOD

WILL RAISE UP A PROPHET FOR YOU, FROM AMONG YOUR

BRETHREN, JUST AS HE RAISED ME UP.’

7:38 ‘This is he who was among the Congregation in the Desert,

together with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and

with our forefathers, who received ever-living utterances to hand

on to us.

7:39 “Our forefathers, however, would not submit to him, but spurned

his authority and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

7:40 They said to Aaron, “‘Make gods for us, to march in front of us;

for as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we

do not know what has become of him.’

7:41 “Moreover they made a calf at that time, and offered a sacrifice to

the idol and kept rejoicing in the gods which their own hands had

made.

7:42 So God turned from them and gave them up to the worship of the

Host of Heaven, as it is written in the Book of the Prophets,

“‘Were they victims and sacrifices which you offered Me, forty

years in the Desert, O House of Israel?

7:43 YES, YOU LIFTED UP MOLOCH’S TENT AND THE STAR OF THE GOD

REPHAN — THE IMAGES WHICH YOU MADE IN ORDER TO WORSHIP

THEM; AND I WILL REMOVE YOU BEYOND BABYLON.’

7:44 “Our forefathers had the Tent of the Testimony in the Desert, built

as He who spoke to Moses had instructed him to make it in

imitation of the model which he had seen.

7:45 That Tent was bequeathed to the next generation of our

forefathers. Under Joshua they brought it with them when they

were taking possession of the land of the Gentile nations, whom

God drove out before them. So it continued till David’s time.

7:46 David obtained favor with God, and asked leave to provide a

dwelling-place for the God of Jacob.

7:47

But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.

7:48

Yet the Most High does not dwell in buildings erected by men’s

hands. But, as the Prophet declares,

7:49

“‘The sky is My throne, and earth is the footstool for My feet.

What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what

resting place shall I have?

7:50

DID NOT MY HAND FORM THIS UNIVERSE.’

7:51

“O stiff-necked men, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you also are

continually at strife with the Holy Spirit — just as your forefathers

were.

7:52

Which of the Prophets did not your forefathers persecute? Yes,

they killed those who announced beforehand the advent of the

righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now

become —

7:53

you who received the Law given through angels, and yet have not

obeyed it.”

7:54

As they listened to these words, they became infuriated and

gnashed their teeth at him.

7:55

But, full of the Holy Spirit and looking up to Heaven, Stephen

saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand.

7:56

“I can see Heaven wide open,” he said, “and the Son of Man

standing at God’s right hand.”

7:57

Upon this, with a loud outcry they stopped their ears, rushed upon

Stephen in a body,

7:58

dragged him out of the city, and stoned him, the witnesses

throwing off their outer garments and giving them into the care of

a young man called Saul.

7:59

So they stoned Stephen, while he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my

spirit.”

7:60

Then, rising on his knees, he cried aloud, “Lord, do not reckon

this sin against them.” And with these words he fell asleep.

CHAPTER 8

8:1

And Saul fully approved of his murder. At this time a great

persecution broke out against the Church in Jerusalem, and all

except the Apostles were scattered throughout Judaea and

Samaria.

8:2

A party of devout men, however, buried Stephen, and made loud

lamentation over him.

8:3

But Saul cruelly harassed the Church. He went into house after

house, and, dragging off both men and women, threw them into

prison.

8:4

Those, however, who were scattered abroad went from place to

place spreading the Good News of God’s Message;

8:5

while Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed

Christ there.

8:6

Crowds of people, with one accord, gave attention to what they

heard from him, listening, and witnessing the signs which he did.

8:7

For, with a loud cry, foul spirits came out of many possessed by

them, and many paralytics and lame persons were restored to

health.

8:8

And there was great joy in that city.

8:9

Now for some time past there had been a man named Simon living

there, who had been practicing magic and astonishing the

Samaritans, pretending that he was more than human.

8:10

To him people of all classes paid attention, declaring, “This man is

the Power of God, known as the great Power.”

8:11

His influence over them arose from their having been, for a long

time, bewildered by his sorceries.

8:12

But when Philip began to tell the Good News about the Kingdom

of God and about the Name of Jesus Christ, and they embraced

the faith, they were baptized, men and women alike.

8:13

Simon himself also believed, and after being baptized remained in

close attendance on Philip, and was full of amazement at seeing

such signs and such great miracles performed.

8:14

When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had

accepted God’s Message, they sent Peter and John to visit them.

8:15

They, when they came down, prayed for them that they might

receive the Holy Spirit:

8:16

for He had not as yet fallen upon any of them. They had only been

baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

8:17

Then the Apostles placed their hands upon them, and they

received the Holy Spirit.

8:18

When, however, Simon saw that it was through the laying on of

the Apostles’ hands that the Spirit was bestowed, he offered them

money.

8:19

“Give me too,” he said, “that power, so that every one on whom I

place my hands will receive the Holy Spirit.”

8:20

“Perish your money and yourself,” replied Peter, “because you have

imagined that you can obtain God’s free gift with money!

8:21

No part or lot have you in this matter, for your heart is not right

in God’s sight.

8:22

Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the

Lord, in the hope that the purpose which is in your heart may

perhaps be forgiven you.

8:23

For I perceive that you have fallen into the bitterest bondage of

unrighteousness.”

8:24

“Pray, both of you, to the Lord for me,” answered Simon, “that

nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

8:25

So the Apostles, after giving a solemn charge and delivering the

Lord’s Message, traveled back to Jerusalem, making known the

Good News also in many of the Samaritan villages.

8:26

And an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and proceed south

to the road that runs down from Jerusalem to Gaza, crossing the

Desert.”

8:27

Upon this he rose and went. Now, as it happened, an Ethiopian

eunuch who was in a position of high authority with Candace,

queen of the Ethiopians, as her treasurer, had visited Jerusalem to

worship there,

8:28 and was now on his way home; and as he sat in his chariot he was

reading the Prophet Isaiah.

8:29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go and enter that chariot.”

8:30 So Philip ran up and heard the eunuch reading the Prophet Isaiah.

“Do you understand what you are reading?” he asked.

8:31 “Why, how can I,” replied the eunuch, “unless some one explains it

to me?” And he earnestly invited Philip to come up and sit with

him.

8:32 The passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “Like a

sheep He was led to slaughter, and just as a lamb before its

shearer is dumb so He opened not His mouth.

8:33 IN HIS HUMILIATION JUSTICE WAS DENIED HIM. WHO WILL MAKE

KNOWN HIS POSTERITY? FOR HE IS DESTROYED FROM AMONG

MEN.”

8:34 “Pray, of whom is the Prophet speaking?” inquired the eunuch; “of

himself or of some one else?”

8:35 Then Philip began to speak, and, commencing with that same

portion of Scripture, told him the Good News about Jesus.

8:36 So they proceeded on their way till they came to some water; and

the eunuch exclaimed, “See, here is water; what is there to

prevent my being baptized?”

8:37 []

8:38 So he stopped the chariot; and both of them — Philip and the

eunuch — went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

8:39 But no sooner had they come up out of the water than the Spirit

of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him

again. With a glad heart he resumed his journey;

8:40 but Philip found himself at Ashdod. Then visiting town after town

he everywhere made known the Good News until he reached

Caesarea.

CHAPTER 9

9:1

Now Saul, whose every breath was a threat of destruction for the

disciples of the Lord,

9:2

went to the High Priest and begged from him letters addressed to

the synagogues in Damascus, in order that if he found any

believers there, either men or women, he might bring them in

chains to Jerusalem.

9:3

But on the journey, as he was getting near Damascus, suddenly

there flashed round him a light from Heaven;

9:4

and falling to the ground he heard a voice which said to him,

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

9:5

“Who art thou, Lord?” he asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are

persecuting,” was the reply.

9:6

“But rise and go to the city, and you will be told what you are to

do.

9:7

Meanwhile the men who traveled with Saul were standing dumb

with amazement, hearing a sound, but seeing no one.

9:8

Then he rose from the ground, but when he had opened his eyes,

he could not see, and they led him by the arm and brought him to

Damascus.

9:9

And for two days he remained without sight, and did not eat or

drink anything.

9:10

Now in Damascus there was a disciple of the name of Ananias.

The Lord spoke to him in a vision, saying, “Ananias!” “I am here,

Lord,” he answered.

9:11

“Rise,” said the Lord, “and go to Straight Street, and inquire at the

house of Judas for a man called Saul, from Tarsus, for he is

actually praying.

9:12

He has seen a man called Ananias come and lay his hands upon

him so that he may recover his sight.”

9:13

“Lord,” answered Ananias, “I have heard about that man from

many, and I have heard of the great mischief he has done to Thy

people in Jerusalem;

9:14

and here he is authorized by the High Priests to arrest all who call

upon Thy name.”

9:15

“Go,” replied the Lord; “he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry

My name to the Gentiles and to kings and to the descendants of

Israel.

9:16

For I will let him know the great sufferings which he must pass

through for My sake.”

9:17

So Ananias went and entered the house; and, laying his two hands

upon Saul, said, “Saul, brother, the Lord — even Jesus who

appeared to you on your journey — has sent me, that you may

recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

9:18

Instantly there dropped from his eyes what seemed to be scales,

and he could see once more. Upon this he rose and received

baptism;

9:19

after which he took food and regained his strength. Then he

remained some little time with the disciples in Damascus.

9:20

And in the synagogues he began at once to proclaim Jesus as the

Son of God;

9:21

and his hearers were all amazed, and began to ask one another, “Is

not this the man who in Jerusalem tried to exterminate those who

called upon that Name, and came here on purpose to carry them

off in chains to the High Priests?”

9:22

Saul, however, gained more and more influence, and as for the

Jews living in Damascus, he bewildered them with his proofs that

Jesus is the Christ.

9:23

At length the Jews plotted to kill Saul;

9:24

but information of their intention was given to him. They even

watched the gates, day and night, in order to murder him;

9:25

but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the

wall, lowering him in a hamper.

9:26

So he came to Jerusalem and made several attempts to associate

with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, being in doubt

as to whether he himself was a disciple.

9:27

Barnabas, however, came to his assistance. He brought Saul to

the Apostles, and related to them how, on his journey, he had seen

the Lord, and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in

Damascus he had fearlessly taught in the name of Jesus.

9:28

Henceforth Saul was one of them, going in and out of the city,

9:29

and speaking fearlessly in the name of the Lord. And he often

talked with the Hellenists and had discussions with them.

9:30

But they kept trying to take his life. On learning this, the brethren

brought him down to Caesarea, and then sent him by sea to

Tarsus.

9:31

The Church, however, throughout the whole of Judaea, Galilee

and Samaria, had peace and was spiritually built up; and grew in

numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and receiving

encouragement from the Holy Spirit.

9:32

Now Peter, as he went to town after town, came down also to

God’s people at Lud.

9:33

There he found a man of the name of Aeneas, who for eight years

had kept his bed, through being paralysed.

9:34

Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you. Rise and make

your own bed.” He at once rose to his feet.

9:35

And all the people of Lud and Sharon saw him; and they turned to

the Lord.

9:36

Among the disciples at Jaffa was a woman called Tabitha, or, as

the name may be translated, ‘Dorcas.’ Her life was wholly

devoted to the good and charitable actions which she was

constantly doing.

9:37

But, as it happened, just at that time she was taken ill and died.

After washing her body they laid it out in a room upstairs.

9:38

Lud, however, being near Jaffa, the disciples, who had heard that

Peter was at Lud, sent two men to him with an urgent request that

he would come across to them without delay.

9:39

So Peter rose and went with them. On his arrival they took him

upstairs, and the widow women all came and stood by his side,

weeping and showing him the underclothing and cloaks and

garments of all kinds which Dorcas used to make while she was

still with them.

9:40 Peter, however, putting every one out of the room, knelt down

and prayed, and then turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, rise.”

Dorcas at once opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, sat up.

9:41 Then, giving her his hand, he raised her to her feet and, calling to

him God’s people and the widows, he gave her back to them

alive.

9:42 This incident became known throughout Jaffa, and many believed

in the Lord;

9:43 and Peter remained for a considerable time at Jaffa, staying at the

house of a man called Simon, a tanner.

CHAPTER 10

10:1 Now a Captain of the Italian Regiment, named Cornelius, was

quartered at Caesarea.

10:2 He was religious and God-fearing — and so was every member of

his household. He was also liberal in his charities to the people,

and continually offered prayer to God.

10:3 About three o’clock one afternoon he had a vision, and distinctly

saw an angel of God enter his house, who called him by name,

saying, “Cornelius!”

10:4 Looking steadily at him, and being much alarmed, he said, “What

do you want, Sir?” “Your prayers and charities,” he replied, “have

gone up and have been recorded before God.

10:5 And now send to Jaffa and fetch Simon, surnamed Peter.

10:6 He is staying as a guest with Simon, a tanner, who has a house

close to the sea.”

10:7 So when the angel who had been speaking to him was gone,

Cornelius called two of his servants and a God-fearing soldier

who was in constant attendance on him,

10:8 and, after telling them everything, he sent them to Jaffa.

10:9

The next day, while they were still on their journey and were

getting near the town, about noon Peter went up on the house-top

to pray.

10:10

He had become unusually hungry and wished for food; but, while

they were preparing it, he fell into a trance.

10:11

The sky had opened to his view, and what seemed to be an

enormous sail was descending, being let down to the earth by

ropes at the four corners.

10:12

In it were all kinds of quadrupeds, reptiles and birds,

10:13

and a voice came to him which said, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.”

10:14

“On no account, Lord,” he replied; “for I have never yet eaten

anything unholy and impure.”

10:15

Again a second time a voice was heard which said, “What God

has purified, you must not regard as unholy.”

10:16

This was said three times, and immediately the sail was drawn up

out of sight.

10:17

While Peter was greatly perplexed as to the meaning of the vision

which he had seen, just then the men sent by Cornelius, having by

inquiry found out Simon’s house,

10:18

had come to the door and had called the servant, and were asking,

“Is Simon, surnamed Peter, staying here?”

10:19

And Peter was still earnestly thinking over the vision, when the

Spirit said to him, “Three men are now inquiring for you.

10:20

Rise, go down, and go with them without any misgivings; for it is

I who have sent them to you.”

10:21

So Peter went down and said to the men, “I am the Simon you are

inquiring for. What is the reason of your coming?”

10:22

Their reply was, “Cornelius, a Captain, an upright and God-

fearing man, of whom the whole Jewish nation speaks well, has

been divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come

to his house and listen to what you have to say.”

10:23

Upon hearing this, Peter invited them in, and gave them a lodging.

The next day he set out with them, some of the brethren from

Jaffa going with him,

10:24

and the day after that they reached Caesarea. There Cornelius was

awaiting their arrival, and had invited all his relatives and intimate

friends to be present.

10:25

When Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him, and threw

himself at his feet to do him homage.

10:26

But Peter lifted him up. “Stand up,” he said; “I myself also am but

a man.”

10:27

So Peter went in and conversed with him, and found a large

company assembled.

10:28

He said to them, “You know better than most that a Jew is strictly

forbidden to associate with a Gentile or visit him; but God has

taught me to call no one unholy or unclean.

10:29

So for this reason, when sent for, I came without raising any

objection. I therefore ask why you sent for me.”

10:30

“Just at this hour, three days ago,” replied Cornelius, “I was

offering afternoon prayer in my house, when suddenly a man in

shining raiment stood in front of me,

10:31

who said, “‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your

charities have been put on record before God.

10:32

Send therefore to Jaffa, and invite Simon, surnamed Peter, to

come here. He is staying as a guest in the house of Simon, a

tanner, close to the sea.’

10:33

“Immediately, therefore, I sent to you, and I thank you heartily for

having come. That is why all of us are now assembled here in

God’s presence, to listen to what the Lord has commanded you to

say.”

10:34

Then Peter began to speak. “I clearly see,” he said, “that God

makes no distinctions between one man and another;

10:35

but that in every nation those who fear Him and live good lives

are acceptable to Him.

10:36

The Message which He sent to the descendants of Israel, when He

announced the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ — He is

Lord of all — that Message you cannot but know;

10:37

the story, I mean, which has spread through the length and

breadth of Judaea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism which

John proclaimed.

10:38

It tells how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit

and with power, so that He went about everywhere doing acts of

kindness, and curing all who were being continually oppressed by

the Devil — for God was with Jesus.

10:39

“And we are witnesses as to all that He did both in the country of

the Jews and in Jerusalem. But they even put Him to death, by

crucifixion.

10:40

That same Jesus God raised to life on the third day, and permitted

Him to appear unmistakably,

10:41

not to all the people, but to witnesses — men previously chosen

by God — namely, to us, who ate and drank with Him after He

rose from the dead.

10:42

And He has commanded us to preach to the people and solemnly

declare that this is He who has been appointed by God to be the

Judge of the living and the dead.

10:43

To Him all the Prophets bear witness, and testify that through His

name all who believe in Him receive the forgiveness of their sins.”

10:44

While Peter was speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all

who were listening to the Message.

10:45

And all the Jewish believers who had come with Peter were

astonished that on the Gentiles also the gift of the Holy Spirit was

poured out.

10:46

For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling the majesty

of God. Then Peter said,

10:47

“Can any one forbid the use of water, and object to these persons

being baptized — men who have received the Holy Spirit just as

we did?”

10:48

And he directed that they should be baptized in the name of Jesus

Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for a time.

CHAPTER 11

11:1

Now the Apostles, and the brethren in various parts of Judaea,

heard that the Gentiles also had received God’s Message;

11:2

and, when Peter returned to Jerusalem, the champions of

circumcision found fault with him.

11:3

“You went into the houses of men who are not Jews,” they said,

“and you ate with them.”

11:4

Peter, however, explained the whole matter to them from the

beginning.

11:5

“While I was in the town of Jaffa, offering prayer,” he said, “in a

trance I saw a vision. There descended what seemed to be an

enormous sail, being let down from the sky by ropes at the four

corners, and it came close to me.

11:6

Fixing my eyes on it, I examined it closely, and saw various kinds

of quadrupeds, wild beasts, reptiles and birds.

11:7

I also heard a voice saying to me, “‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat.’

11:8

“‘On no account, Lord,’ I replied, ‘for nothing unholy or impure

has ever gone into my mouth.’

11:9

“But a voice answered, speaking a second time from the sky,

“‘What God has purified, you must not regard as unholy.’

11:10

“This was said three times, and then everything was drawn up again

out of sight.

11:11

“Now at that very moment three men came to the house where we

were, having been sent from Caesarea to find me.

11:12

And the Spirit told me to accompany them without any

misgivings. There also went with me these six brethren who are

now present, and we reached the Centurion’s house.

11:13

Then he described to us how he had seen the angel come and

enter his house and say, “‘Send to Jaffa and fetch Simon,

surnamed Peter.

11:14

He will teach you truths by which you and all your family will be

saved.’”

11:15

“And,” said Peter, “no sooner had I begun to speak than the Holy

Spirit fell upon them, just as He fell upon us at the first.

11:16

Then I remembered the Lord’s words, how He used to say,

“‘John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy

Spirit.’

11:17

“If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we

first believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, why, who was I to be able

to thwart God?”

11:18

This statement of Peter’s silenced his opponents. They extolled

the goodness of God, and said, “So, then, to the Gentiles also

God has given the repentance which leads to Life.”

11:19

Those, however, who had been driven in various directions by the

persecution which broke out on account of Stephen made their

way to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, delivering the Message to

none but Jews.

11:20

But some of them were Cyprians and Cyrenaeans, who, on

coming to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks also and told them the

Good News concerning the Lord Jesus.

11:21

The power of the Lord was with them, and there were a vast

number who believed and turned to the Lord.

11:22

When tidings of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,

they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch.

11:23

On getting there he was delighted to see the grace which God had

bestowed; and he encouraged them all to remain, with fixed

resolve, faithful to the Lord.

11:24

For he was a good man, and was full of the Holy Spirit and of

faith; and the number of believers in the Lord greatly increased.

11:25

Then Barnabas paid a visit to Tarsus to try to find Saul.

11:26

He succeeded, and brought him to Antioch; and for a whole year

they attended the meetings of the Church, and taught a large

number of people. And it was in Antioch that the disciples first

received the name of ‘Christians.’

11:27

At that time certain Prophets came down from Jerusalem to

Antioch,

11:28

one of whom, named Agabus, being instructed by the Spirit,

publicly predicted the speedy coming of a great famine throughout

the world. (It came in the reign of Claudius.)

11:29

So the disciples decided to send relief, every one in proportion to

his means, to the brethren living in Judaea.

11:30

This they did, forwarding their contributions to the Elders by

Barnabas and Saul.

CHAPTER 12

12:1

Now, about that time, King Herod arrested certain members of

the Church, in order to ill-treat them;

12:2

and James, John’s brother, he beheaded.

12:3

Finding that this gratified the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter

also; these being the days of Unleavened Bread.

12:4

He had him arrested and lodged in jail, handing him over to the

care of sixteen soldiers; and intended after the Passover to bring

him out again to the people.

12:5

So Peter was kept in prison; but long and fervent prayer was

offered to God by the Church on his behalf.

12:6

Now when Herod was on the point of taking him out of prison,

that very night Peter was asleep between two soldiers, bound with

two chains, and guards were on duty outside the door.

12:7

Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in

the cell; and, striking Peter on the side, he woke him and said,

“Rise quickly.” Instantly the chains dropped off his wrists.

12:8

“Fasten your girdle,” said the angel, “and tie on your sandals.” He

did so. Then the angel said, “Throw your cloak round you, and

follow me.”

12:9

So Peter went out, following him, yet could not believe that what

the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he saw a vision.

12:10

And passing through the first ward and the second, they came to

the iron gate leading into the city. This opened to them of itself;

and, going out, they passed on through one of the streets, and

then suddenly the angel left him.

12:11 Peter coming to himself said, “Now I know for certain that the

Lord has sent His angel and has rescued me from the power of

Herod and from all that the Jewish people were anticipating.”

12:12 So, after thinking things over, he went to the house of Mary, the

mother of John surnamed Mark, where a large number of people

were assembled, praying.

12:13 When he knocked at the wicket in the door, a maidservant named

Rhoda came to answer the knock;

12:14 and recognizing Peter’s voice, for very joy she did not open the

door, but ran in and told them that Peter was standing there.

12:15 “You are mad,” they said. But she strenuously maintained that it

was true. “It is his guardian angel,” they said.

12:16 Meanwhile Peter went on knocking, until at last they opened the

door and saw that it was really he, and were filled with

amazement.

12:17 But he motioned with his hand for silence, and then described to

them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Tell all

this to James and the brethren,” he added. Then he left them, and

went to another place.

12:18 When morning came, there was no little commotion among the

soldiers, as to what could possibly have become of Peter.

12:19 And when Herod had had him searched for and could not find

him, after sharply questioning the guards he ordered them away to

execution. He then went down from Judaea to Caesarea and

remained there.

12:20 Now the people of Tyre and Sidon had incurred Herod’s violent

displeasure. So they sent a large deputation to wait on him; and

having secured the good will of Blastus, his treasurer, they begged

the king to be friendly with them again, because their country was

dependent on his for its food supply.

12:21 So, on an appointed day, Herod, having arrayed himself in royal

robes, took his seat on the tribunal, and was haranguing them;

12:22

and the assembled people kept shouting, “It is the voice of a god,

and not of a man!”

12:23

Instantly an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not

given the glory to God, and being eaten up by worms, he died.

12:24

But God’s Message prospered, and converts were multiplied.

12:25

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having

discharged their mission, and they brought with them John,

surnamed Mark.

CHAPTER 13

13:1

Now there were in Antioch, in the Church there — as Prophets

and teachers — barnabas, Symeon surnamed ‘the black,’ Lucius

the Cyrenaean, Manaen (who was Herod the Tetrarch’s foster-

brother), and Saul.

13:2

While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit

said, “Set apart for Me, now at once, Barnabas and Saul, for the

work to which I have called them.”

13:3

So, after fasting and prayer and the laying on of hands, they let

them go.

13:4

They therefore, being thus sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down

to Seleuceia, and from there sailed to Cyprus.

13:5

Having reached Salamis, they began to announce God’s Message

in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John as their

assistant.

13:6

When they had gone through the whole length of the island as far

as Paphos, they there met with a Jewish magician and false

prophet, Bar-Jesus by name,

13:7

who was a friend of the Proconsul Sergius Paulus. The Proconsul

was a man of keen intelligence. He sent for Barnabas and Saul,

and asked to be told God’s Message.

13:8

But Elymas (or ‘the Magician,’ for such is the meaning of the

name) opposed them, and tried to prevent the Proconsul from

accepting the faith.

13:9

Then Saul, who is also called Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit,

and, fixing his eyes on Elymas,

13:10

said, “You who are full of every kind of craftiness and

unscrupulous cunning — you son of the Devil and foe to all that is

right — will you never cease to misrepresent the straight paths of

the Lord?

13:11

The Lord’s hand is now upon you, and you will be blind for a time

and unable to see the light of day.” Instantly there fell upon him a

mist and a darkness, and, as he walked about, he begged people to

lead him by the hand.

13:12

Then the Proconsul, seeing what had happened, believed, being

struck with amazement at the teaching of the Lord.

13:13

From Paphos, Paul and his party put out to sea and sailed to

Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to

Jerusalem.

13:14

But they themselves, passing through from Perga, came to

Antioch in Pisidia. Here, on the Sabbath day, they went into the

synagogue and sat down.

13:15

After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the Wardens of the

synagogue sent word to them. “Brethren,” they said, “if you have

anything encouraging to say to the people, speak.”

13:16

So Paul rose, and motioning with his hand for silence, said,

“Israelites, and you others who fear God, pay attention to me.

13:17

The God of this people of Israel chose our forefathers, and made

the people great during their stay in Egypt, until with wondrous

power He brought them out from that land.

13:18

For a period of about forty years, He fed them, like a nurse, in the

Desert.

13:19

Then, after overthrowing seven nations in the land of Canaan, He

divided that country among them as their inheritance for about

four hundred and fifty years;

13:20

and afterwards He gave them judges down to the time of the

Prophet Samuel.

13:21

Next they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of

Kish, a Benjamite, who reigned forty years.

13:22

After removing him, He raised up David to be their king, to whom

He also bore witness when He said, “‘I have found David the son

of Jesse, a man I love, who will obey all My commands.’

13:23

“It is from among David’s descendants that God, in fulfillment of

His promise, has raised up a Savior for Israel, even Jesus.

13:24

Before the coming of Jesus, John had proclaimed to all the people

of Israel a baptism of repentance.

13:25

But John, towards the end of his career, repeatedly asked the

people, “‘What do you suppose me to be? I am not the Christ.

But there is One coming after me whose sandal I am not worthy

to unfasten.’

13:26

“Brethren, descendants of the family of Abraham, and all among

you who fear God, to us has this Message of salvation been sent.

13:27

For the people of Jerusalem and their rulers, by the judgment they

pronounced on Jesus, have actually fulfilled the predictions of the

Prophets which are read Sabbath after Sabbath, through ignorance

of those predictions and of Him.

13:28

Without having found Him guilty of any capital offense they urged

Pilate to have Him put to death;

13:29

and when they had carried out everything which had been written

about Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a

tomb.

13:30 “But God raised Him from the dead.

13:31

And, after a few days, He appeared to the people who had gone

up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem and are now witnesses

concerning Him to the Jews.

13:32

And we bring you the Good News about the promise made to our

forefathers,

13:33

that God has amply fulfilled it to our children in raising up Jesus;

as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘THOU ART MY SON: TODAY

I HAVE BECOME THY FATHER.’

13:34 And as to His having raised Him from among the dead, never

again to be in the position of one soon to return to decay, He

speaks thus: ‘I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY AND TRUSTWORTHY

PROMISES MADE TO DAVID.’

13:35 Because in another Psalm also He says, ‘THOU WILT NOT GIVE UP

THY HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.’

13:36 For David, after having been useful to his own generation in

accordance with God’s purpose, did fall asleep, was gathered to

his forefathers, and did undergo decay.

13:37 But He whom God raised to life underwent no decay.

13:38 “Understand therefore, brethren, that through this Jesus forgiveness

of sins is announced to you;

13:39 and in Him every believer is absolved from all offenses, from

which you could not be absolved under the Law of Moses.

13:40 Beware, then, lest what is spoken in the Prophets should come

true of you:

13:41 ‘BEHOLD, YOU DESPISERS, BE ASTONISHED AND PERISH, BECAUSE I

AM CARRYING ON A WORK IN YOUR TIME — A WORK WHICH YOU

WILL UTTERLY REFUSE TO BELIEVE, THOUGH IT BE FULLY

DECLARED TO YOU.’”

13:42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people

earnestly begged to have all this repeated to them on the

following Sabbath.

13:43 And, when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and

of the devout converts from heathenism continued with Paul and

Barnabas, who talked to them and urged them to hold fast to the

grace of God.

13:44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole population of the city came

together to hear the Lord’s Message.

13:45 Seeing the crowds, the Jews, filled with angry jealousy, opposed

Paul’s statements and abused him.

13:46 Then, throwing off all reserve, Paul and Barnabas said, “We were

bound to proclaim God’s Message to you first. But since you

spurn it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of the Life of the

Ages — well, we turn to the Gentiles.

13:47 For such is the Lord’s command to us. “‘I HAVE PLACED THEE,’

He says of Christ, ‘AS A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, IN ORDER THAT

THOU MAYEST BE A SAVIOR AS FAR AS THE REMOTEST PARTS OF

THE EARTH.’”

13:48 The Gentiles listened with delight and extolled the Lord’s

Message; and all who were pre-destined to the Life of the Ages

believed.

13:49 So the Lord’s Message spread through the whole district.

13:50 But the Jews influenced the gentlewomen of rank who

worshipped with them, and also the leading men in the city, and

stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them

out of the district.

13:51 But they shook off the dust from their feet as a protest against

them and came to Iconium;

13:52 and as for the disciples, they were more and more filled with joy

and with the Holy Spirit.

CHAPTER 14

14:1 At Iconium the Apostles went together to the Jewish synagogue

and preached, with the result that a great number both of Jews

and Greeks believed.

14:2 But the Jews who had refused obedience stirred up the Gentiles

and embittered their minds against the brethren.

14:3 Yet Paul and Barnabas remained there for a considerable time,

speaking freely and relying on the Lord, while He bore witness to

the Message of His grace by permitting signs and marvels to be

done by them.

14:4 At length the people of the city split into parties, some siding with

the Jews and some with the Apostles.

14:5 And when a hostile movement was made by both Gentiles and

Jews, with the sanction of their magistrates, to maltreat and stone

them,

14:6

the Apostles, having become aware of it, made their escape into

the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe, and the neighboring

country.

14:7

And there they continued to tell the Good News.

14:8

Now a man who had no power in his feet used to sit in the streets

of Lystra. He had been lame from his birth and had never walked.

14:9

After this man had listened to one of Paul’s sermons, the Apostle,

looking steadily at him and perceiving that he had faith to be

cured,

14:10

said in a loud voice, “Stand upright upon your feet!”

14:11

So he sprang up and began to walk about. Then the crowds,

seeing what Paul had done, rent the air with their shouts in the

Lycaonian language, saying, “The gods have assumed human form

and have come down to us.”

14:12

They called Barnabas ‘Zeus,’ and Paul, as being the principal

speaker, ‘Hermes.’

14:13

And the priest of Zeus — the temple of Zeus being at the entrance

to the city — brought bullocks and garlands to the gates, and in

company with the crowd was intending to offer sacrifices to them.

14:14

But the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it; and tearing their

clothes they rushed out into the middle of the crowd, exclaiming,

“Sirs, why are you doing all this?

14:15

We also are but men, with natures kindred to your own; and we

bring you the Good News that you are to turn from these unreal

things, to worship the ever-living God, the Creator of earth and

sky and sea and of everything that is in them.

14:16

In times gone by He allowed all the nations to go their own ways;

14:17

and yet by His beneficence He has not left His existence

unattested — His beneficence, I mean, in sending you rain from

Heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and

joyfulness.”

14:18

Even with words like these they had difficulty in preventing the

thronging crowd from offering sacrifices to them.

14:19

But now a party of Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and,

having won over the crowd, they stoned Paul and dragged him

out of the town, believing him to be dead.

14:20

When, however, the disciples had collected round him, he rose

and went back into the town. The next day he went with Barnabas

to Derbe;

14:21

and, after proclaiming the Good News to the people there and

gaining a large number of converts, they retraced their steps to

Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.

14:22

Everywhere they strengthened the disciples by encouraging them

to hold fast to the faith, and warned them saying, “It is through

many afflictions that we must make our way into the Kingdom of

God.”

14:23

And in every Church, after prayer and fasting, they selected Elders

by show of hands, and commended them to the Lord on whom

their faith rested.

14:24

Then passing through Pisidia they came into Pamphylia;

14:25

and after telling the Message at Perga they came down to

Attaleia.

14:26

Thence they sailed to Antioch, where they had previously been

commended to the grace of God in connection with the work

which they had now completed.

14:27

Upon their arrival they called the Church together and proceeded

to report in detail all that God, working with them, had done, and

how He had opened for the Gentiles the door of faith.

14:28

And they remained a considerable time in Antioch with the

disciples.

CHAPTER 15

15:1

But certain persons who had come down from Judaea tried to

convince the brethren, saying, “Unless you are circumcised in

accordance with the Mosaic custom, you cannot be saved.”

15:2

Between these new comers and Paul and Barnabas there was no

little disagreement and controversy, until at last it was decided

that Paul and Barnabas and some other brethren should go up to

consult the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem on this matter.

15:3

So they set out, being accompanied for a short distance by some

other members of the Church; and as they passed through

Phoenicia and Samaria, they told the whole story of the

conversion of the Gentiles and inspired all the brethren with great

joy.

15:4

Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they were cordially received by the

Church, the Apostles, and the Elders; and they reported in detail

all that God, working with them, had done.

15:5

But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees but

were now believers, stood up in the assembly, and said, “Yes,

Gentile believers ought to be circumcised and be ordered to keep

the Law of Moses.”

15:6

Then the Apostles and Elders met to consider the matter;

15:7

and after there had been a long discussion Peter rose to his feet.

“It is within your own knowledge,” he said, “that God originally

made choice among you that from my lips the Gentiles were to

hear the Message of the Good News, and believe.

15:8

And God, who knows all hearts, gave His testimony in their favor

by bestowing the Holy Spirit on them just as He did on us;

15:9

and He made no difference between us and them, in that He

cleansed their hearts by their faith.

15:10

Now, therefore, why try an experiment upon God, by laying on

the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers

nor we have been able to bear?

15:11

On the contrary, we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord

Jesus that we, as well as they, shall be saved.”

15:12

Then the whole assembly remained silent while they listened to the

statement made by Paul and Barnabas as to all the signs and

marvels that God had done among the Gentiles through their

instrumentality.

15:13

When they had finished speaking, James said, “Brethren, listen to

me.

15:14

Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the

Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His

name.

15:15

And this is in harmony with the language of the Prophets, which

says:

15:16

“‘“Afterwards I will return, and will rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its

ruins I will rebuild, and I will set it up again;

15:17

In order that the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord —

even all the nations which are called by My name,”

15:18

SAYS THE LORD, WHO HAS BEEN MAKING THESE THINGS KNOWN

FROM AGES LONG PAST.’

15:19

“My judgment, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance

on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God.

15:20

Yet let us send them written instructions to abstain from things

polluted by connection with idolatry, from fornication, from meat

killed by strangling, and from blood.

15:21

For Moses from the earliest times has had his preachers in every

town, being read, as he is, Sabbath after Sabbath, in the various

synagogues.”

15:22

Thereupon it was decided by the Apostles and Elders, with the

approval of the whole Church, to choose suitable persons from

among themselves and send them to Antioch, with Paul and

Barnabas. Judas, called Bar-sabbas, and Silas, leading men among

the brethren, were selected,

15:23

and they took with them the following letter: “The Apostles and

the elder brethren send greeting to the Gentile brethren

throughout Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.

15:24

As we have been informed that certain persons who have gone

out from among us have disturbed you by their teaching and have

unsettled your minds, without having received any such

instructions from us;

15:25

we have unanimously decided to select certain men and send them

to you in company with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,

15:26 who have endangered their very lives for the sake of our Lord

Jesus Christ.

15:27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who are themselves

bringing you the same message by word of mouth.

15:28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon

you no burden heavier than these necessary requirements —

15:29 You must abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from

things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear of

these things, and it will be well with you. Farewell.”

15:30 They, therefore, having been solemnly sent, came down to

Antioch, where they called together the whole assembly and

delivered the letter.

15:31 The people read it, and were delighted with the comfort it brought

them.

15:32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also Prophets, gave them a

long and encouraging talk, and strengthened them in the faith.

15:33 After spending some time there they received an affectionate

farewell from the brethren to return to those who had sent them.

15:34 []

15:35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and, in

company with many others, telling the Good News of the Lord’s

Message.

15:36 After a while Paul said to Barnabas, “Suppose we now revisit the

brethren in the various towns in which we have made known the

Lord’s Message — to see whether they are prospering!”

15:37 Barnabas, however, was bent on taking with them John, whose

other name was Mark,

15:38 while Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one

who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with

them to the work.

15:39 So there arose a serious disagreement between them, which

resulted in their parting from one another, Barnabas taking Mark

and setting sail for Cyprus.

15:40

But Paul chose Silas as his traveling companion; and set out, after

being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord;

15:41

and he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the

Churches.

CHAPTER 16

16:1

He also came to Derbe and to Lystra. At Lystra he found a

disciple, Timothy by name — the son of a Christian Jewess,

though he had a Greek father.

16:2

Timothy was well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and

Iconium,

16:3

and Paul desiring that he should accompany him on his journey,

took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in those

parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

16:4

As they journeyed on from town to town, they handed to the

brethren for their observance the decisions which had been arrived

at by the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem.

16:5

So the Churches went on gaining a stronger faith and growing in

numbers from day to day.

16:6

Then Paul and his companions passed through Phrygia and

Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the

Message in the province of Asia.

16:7

When they reached the frontier of Mysia, they were about to enter

Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit this.

16:8

So, passing along Mysia, they came to Troas.

16:9

Here, one night, Paul saw a vision. There was a Macedonian who

was standing, entreating him and saying, “Come over into

Macedonia and help us.”

16:10

So when he had seen the vision, we immediately looked out for an

opportunity of passing on into Macedonia, confidently inferring

that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to the people

there.

16:11

Accordingly we put out to sea from Troas, and ran a straight

course to Samothrace. The next day we came to Neapolis,

16:12

and thence to Philippi, which is a city in Macedonia, the first in its

district, a Roman colony. And there we stayed some little time.

16:13

On the Sabbath we went beyond the city gate to the riverside,

where we had reason to believe that there was a place for prayer;

and sitting down we talked with the women who had come

together.

16:14

Among our hearers was one named Lydia, a dealer in purple

goods. She belonged to the city of Thyateira, and was a

worshipper of the true God. The Lord opened her heart, so that

she gave attention to what Paul was saying.

16:15

When she and her household had been baptized, she urged us,

saying, “If in your judgment I am a believer in the Lord, come and

stay at my house.” And she made us go there.

16:16

One day, as we were on our way to the place of prayer, a slave

girl met us who claimed to be inspired and was accustomed to

bring her owners large profits by telling fortunes.

16:17

She kept following close behind Paul and the rest of us, crying

aloud, “These men are the bondservants of the Most High God,

and are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.”

16:18

This she persisted in for a considerable time, until Paul, wearied

out, turned round and said to the spirit, “I command you in the

name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out

immediately.

16:19

But when her owners saw that their hopes of gain were gone, they

seized Paul and Silas and dragged them off to the magistrates in

the public square.

16:20

Then they brought them before the praetors. “These men,” they

said, “are creating a great disturbance in our city.

16:21

They are Jews, and are teaching customs which we, as Romans,

are not permitted to adopt or practice.”

16:22

The crowd, too, joined in the outcry against them, till at length

the praetors ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods;

16:23

and, after severely flogging them, they threw them into jail and

bade the jailer keep them safely.

16:24

He, having received an order like that, lodged them in the inner

prison, and secured their feet in the stocks.

16:25

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to

God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

16:26

when suddenly there was such a violent shock of earthquake that

the prison shook to its foundations. Instantly the doors all flew

open, and the chains fell off from every prisoner.

16:27

Starting up from sleep and seeing the doors of the jail wide open,

the jailer drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself,

supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

16:28

But Paul shouted loudly to him, saying, “Do yourself no injury:

we are all here.

16:29

Then, calling for lights, he sprang in and fell trembling at the feet

of Paul and Silas;

16:30

and, bringing them out of the prison, he exclaimed, “O sirs, what

must I do to be saved?”

16:31

“Believe on the Lord Jesus,” they replied, “and both you and your

household will be saved.”

16:32

And they told the Lord’s Message to him as well as to all who

were in his house.

16:33

Then he took them, even at that time of night, washed their

wounds, and he and all his household were immediately baptized;

16:34

and bringing the Apostles up into his house, he spread a meal for

them, and was filled with gladness, with his whole household, his

faith resting on God.

16:35

In the morning the praetors sent their lictors with the order,

“Release those men.”

16:36

So the jailer brought Paul word, saying, “The praetors have sent

orders for you to be released. Now therefore you can go, and

proceed on your way in peace.”

16:37

But Paul said to them, “After cruelly beating us in public, without

trial, Roman citizens though we are, they have thrown us into

prison, and are they now going to send us away privately? No,

indeed! Let them come in person and fetch us out.”

16:38

This answer the lictors took back to the praetors, who were

alarmed when they were told that Paul and Silas were Roman

citizens.

16:39

Accordingly they came and apologized to them; and, bringing

them out, asked them to leave the city.

16:40

Then Paul and Silas, having come out of the prison, went to

Lydia’s house; and, after seeing the brethren and encouraging

them, they left Philippi.

CHAPTER 17

17:1

Then, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they went to

Thessalonica. Here there was a synagogue of the Jews.

17:2

Paul — following his usual custom — betook himself to it, and

for three successive Sabbaths reasoned with them from the

Scriptures,

17:3

which he clearly explained, pointing out that it had been necessary

for the Christ to suffer and rise again from the dead, and insisting,

“The Jesus whom I am announcing to you is the Christ.”

17:4

Some of the people were won over, and attached themselves to

Paul and Silas, including many God-fearing Greeks and not a few

gentlewomen of high rank.

17:5

But the jealousy of the Jews was aroused, and, calling to their aid

some ill-conditioned and idle fellows, they got together a riotous

mob and filled the city with uproar. They then attacked the house

of Jason and searched for Paul and Silas, to bring them out before

the assembly of people.

17:6

But, failing to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the

other brethren before the magistrates of the city, loudly accusing

them. “These men,” they said, “who have raised a tumult

throughout the Empire, have come here also.

17:7

Jason has received them into his house; and they all set Caesar’s

authority at defiance, declaring that there is another Emperor —

one called Jesus.”

17:8

Great was the excitement among the crowd, and among the

magistrates of the city, when they heard these charges.

17:9

They required Jason and the rest to find substantial bail, and after

that they let them go.

17:10

The brethren at once sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea,

and they, on their arrival, went to the synagogue of the Jews.

17:11

The Jews at Beroea were of a nobler disposition than those in

Thessalonica, for they very readily received the Message, and day

after day searched the Scriptures to see whether it was as Paul

stated.

17:12

As the result many of them became believers, and so did not a few

of the Greeks — gentlewomen of good position, and men.

17:13

As soon, however, as the Jews of Thessalonica learnt that God’s

Message had been proclaimed by Paul at Beroea, they came there

also, and incited the mob to a riot.

17:14

Then the brethren promptly sent Paul down to the sea-coast, but

Silas and Timothy remained behind.

17:15

Those who were caring for Paul’s safety went with him as far as

Athens, and then left him, taking a message from him to Silas and

Timothy, asking them to join him as speedily as possible.

17:16

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was stirred

within him when he noticed that the city was full of idols.

17:17

So he had discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the

other worshippers, and in the market place, day after day, with

those whom he happened to meet.

17:18

A few of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also encountered

him. Some of them asked, “What has this beggarly babbler to

say?” “His business,” said others, “seems to be to cry up some

foreign gods.” This was because he had been telling the Good

News of Jesus and the Resurrection.

17:19

Then they took him and brought him up to the Areopagus, asking

him, “May we be told what this new teaching of yours is?

17:20

For the things you are saying sound strange to us. We should

therefore like to be told exactly what they mean.”

17:21

(For all the Athenians and their foreign visitors used to devote

their whole leisure to telling or hearing about something new.)

17:22

So Paul, taking his stand in the center of the Areopagus, spoke as

follows: “Men of Athens, I perceive that you are in every respect

remarkably religious.

17:23

For as I passed along and observed the things you worship, I

found also an altar bearing the inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN

GOD.’ “The Being, therefore, whom you, without knowing Him,

revere, Him I now proclaim to you.

17:24

GOD who made the universe and everything in it — He, being

Lord of Heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries built by

men.

17:25

Nor is He ministered to by human hands, as though He needed

anything — but He Himself gives to all men life and breath and all

things.

17:26

He caused to spring from one forefather people of every race, for

them to live on the whole surface of the earth, and marked out for

them an appointed span of life and the boundaries of their homes;

17:27

that they might seek God, if perhaps they could grope for Him

and find Him. Yes, though He is not far from any one of us.

17:28

For it is in closest union with Him that we live and move and have

our being; as in fact some of the poets in repute among yourselves

have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

17:29

Since then we are God’s offspring, we ought not to imagine that

His nature resembles gold or silver or marble, or anything

sculptured by the art and inventive faculty of man.

17:30

Those times of ignorance God viewed with indulgence. But now

He commands all men everywhere to repent,

17:31

seeing that He has appointed a day on which, before long, He will

judge the world in righteousness, through the instrumentality of a

man whom He has pre-destined to this work, and has made the

fact certain to every one by raising Him from the dead.”

17:32

When they heard Paul speak of a resurrection of dead men, some

began to scoff. But others said, “We will hear you again on that

subject.”

17:33

So Paul went away from them.

17:34

A few, however, attached themselves to him and believed, among

them being Dionysius a member of the Council, a gentlewoman

named Damaris, and some others.

CHAPTER 18

18:1

After this he left Athens and came to Corinth.

18:2

Here he found a Jew, a native of Pontus, of the name of Aquila.

He and his wife Priscilla had recently come from Italy because of

Claudius’s edict expelling all the Jews from Rome. So Paul paid

them a visit;

18:3

and because he was of the same trade — that of tent-maker — he

lodged with them and worked with them.

18:4

But, Sabbath after Sabbath, he preached in the synagogue and

tried to win over both Jews and Greeks.

18:5

Now at the time when Silas and Timothy came down from

Macedonia, Paul was preaching fervently and was solemnly telling

the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

18:6

But upon their opposing him with abusive language, he shook his

clothes by way of protest, and said to them, “Your ruin will be

upon your own heads. I am not responsible: in future I will go

among the Gentiles.”

18:7

So he left the place and went to the house of a person called

Titius Justus, a worshipper of the true God. His house was next

door to the synagogue.

18:8

And Crispus, the Warden of the synagogue, believed in the Lord,

and so did all his household; and from time to time many of the

Corinthians who heard Paul believed and received baptism.

18:9

And, in a vision by night, the Lord said to Paul, “Dismiss your

fears: go on speaking, and do not give up.

18:10

I am with you, and no one shall attack you to injure you; for I

have very many people in this city.”

18:11

So Paul remained in Corinth for a year and six months, teaching

among them the Message of God.

18:12

But when Gallio became Proconsul of Greece, the Jews with one

accord made a dead set at Paul, and brought him before the court.

18:13

“This man,” they said, “is inducing people to offer unlawful

worship to God.”

18:14

But, when Paul was about to begin his defense, Gallio said to the

Jews, “If it had been some wrongful act or piece of cunning

knavery I might reasonably have listened to you Jews.

18:15

But since these are questions about words and names and your

Law, you yourselves must see to them. I refuse to be a judge in

such matters.”

18:16

So he ordered them out of court.

18:17

Then the people all set upon Sosthenes, the Warden of the

synagogue, and beat him severely in front of the court. Gallio did

not concern himself in the least about this.

18:18

After remaining a considerable time longer in Corinth, Paul took

leave of the brethren and set sail for Syria; and Priscilla and

Aquila were with him. He had shaved his head at Cenchreae,

because he was bound by a vow.

18:19

They put in at Ephesus, and there Paul left his companions behind.

As for himself, he went to the synagogue and had a discussion

with the Jews.

18:20

When they asked him to remain longer he did not consent,

18:21

but took leave of them with the promise, “I will return to you,

God willing.” So he set sail from Ephesus.

18:22

Landing at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and inquired after

the welfare of the Church, and then went down to Antioch.

18:23

After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out on a tour,

visiting the whole of Galatia and Phrygia in order, and

strengthening all the disciples.

18:24

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was a

native of Alexandria, a man of great learning and well versed in

the Scriptures.

18:25

He had been instructed by word of mouth in the way of the Lord,

and, being full of burning zeal, he used to speak and teach

accurately the facts about Jesus, though he knew of no baptism

but John’s.

18:26

He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and Priscilla and

Aquila, after hearing him, took him home and explained God’s

way to him more accurately.

18:27

Then, as he had made up his mind to cross over into Greece, the

brethren wrote to the disciples in Corinth begging them to give

him a kindly welcome. Upon his arrival he rendered valuable help

to those who through grace had believed;

18:28

for he powerfully and in public overcame the Jews in argument,

proving to them from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

CHAPTER 19

19:1

During the stay of Apollos in Corinth, Paul, after passing through

the inland districts, came to Ephesus, where he found a few

disciples.

19:2

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you first believed?” he asked

them. “No,” they replied, “we did not even hear that there is a

Holy Spirit.”

19:3

“Into what then were you baptized?” he asked. “Into John’s

baptism,” they replied.

19:4

“John,” he said, “administered a baptism of repentance, bidding the

people believe on One who was to come after him; namely, on

Jesus.”

19:5

On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord

Jesus;

19:6

and when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on

them, and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.

19:7

They numbered in all about twelve men.

19:8

Afterwards he went into the synagogue. There for three months

he continued to preach fearlessly, explaining in words which

carried conviction the truths which concern the Kingdom of God.

19:9

But some grew obstinate in unbelief and spoke evil of the new

faith before all the congregation. So Paul left them, and, taking

with him those who were disciples, held discussions daily in

Tyrannus’s lecture-hall.

19:10

This went on for two years, so that all the inhabitants of the

province of Asia, Jews as well as Greeks, heard the Lord’s

Message.

19:11

God also brought about extraordinary miracles through Paul’s

instrumentality.

19:12

Towels or aprons, for instance, which Paul had handled used to be

carried to the sick, and they recovered from their ailments, or the

evil spirits left them.

19:13

But there were also some wandering Jewish exorcists who

undertook to invoke the name of Jesus over those who had the

evil spirits, saying, “I command you by that Jesus whom Paul

preaches.”

19:14

There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew of high-priestly

family, who were doing this.

19:15

“Jesus I know,” the evil spirit answered, “and Paul I have heard of,

but who are you?”

19:16

And the man in whom the evil spirit was sprang on two of them,

over-mastered them both, and treated them with such violence,

that they fled from the house stripped of their clothes and

wounded.

19:17

All the people of Ephesus, Jews as well as Greeks, came to know

of this. There was widespread terror, and they began to hold the

name of the Lord Jesus in high honor.

19:18

Many also of those who believed came confessing without reserve

what their conduct had been,

19:19

and not a few of those who had practised magical arts brought

their books together and burnt them in the presence of all. The

total value was reckoned and found to be 50,000 silver coins.

19:20

Thus mightily did the Lord’s Message spread and triumph!

19:21

When matters had reached this point, Paul decided in his own

mind to travel through Macedonia and Greece, and go to

Jerusalem. “After that,” he said, “I must also see Rome.”

19:22

But he sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, to

Macedonia, while he himself remained for a while in Roman Asia.

19:23

Now just at that time there arose no small commotion about the

new faith.

19:24

There was a certain Demetrius, a silversmith, who made miniature

silver sanctuaries of Diana, a business which brought great gain to

the mechanics in his employ.

19:25

He called his workmen together, and others who were engaged in

similar trades, and said to them, “You men well know that our

prosperity depends on this business of ours;

19:26

and you see and hear that, not in Ephesus only but throughout

almost the whole province of Asia, this fellow Paul has led away a

vast number of people by inducing them to believe that they are

not gods at all that are made by men’s hands.

19:27

There is danger, therefore, not only that this our trade will

become of no account, but also that the temple of the great

goddess Diana will fall into utter disrepute, and that before long

she will be actually deposed from her majestic rank — she who is

now worshipped by the whole province of Asia; nay, by the whole

world.”

19:28

After listening to this harangue, they became furiously angry and

kept calling out, “Great is the Ephesian Diana!”

19:29

The riot and uproar spread through the whole city, till at last with

one accord they rushed into the Theatre, dragging with them

Gaius and Aristarchus, two Macedonians who were fellow

travelers with Paul.

19:30

Then Paul would have liked to go in and address the people, but

the disciples would not let him do so.

19:31

A few of the public officials, too, who were friendly to him, sent

repeated messages entreating him not to venture into the Theatre.

19:32

The people, meanwhile, kept shouting, some one thing and some

another; for the assembly was all uproar and confusion, and the

greater part had no idea why they had come together.

19:33

Then some of the people crowded round Alexander, whom the

Jews had pushed forward; and Alexander, motioning with his

hand to get silence, was prepared to make a defense to the people.

19:34

No sooner, however, did they see that he was a Jew, than there

arose from them all one roar of shouting, lasting about two hours.

“Great is the Ephesian Diana,” they said.

19:35

At length the Recorder quieted them down. “Men of Ephesus,” he

said, “who is there of all mankind that needs to be told that the

city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Diana

and of the image which fell down from Zeus?

19:36

These facts, then, being unquestioned, it becomes you to maintain

your self-control and not act recklessly.

19:37

For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of

temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.

19:38

If, however, Demetrius and the mechanics who support his

contention have a grievance against any one, there are Assize-

days and there are Proconsuls: let the persons interested accuse

one another.

19:39

But if you desire anything further, it will have to be settled in the

regular assembly.

19:40

For in connection with to-day’s proceedings there is danger of our

being charged with attempted insurrection, there having been no

real reason for this riot; nor shall we be able to justify the behavior

of this disorderly mob.”

19:41

With these words he dismissed the assembly.

CHAPTER 20

20:1

When the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and, after

speaking words of encouragement to them, he took his leave, and

started for Macedonia.

20:2

Passing through those districts he encouraged the disciples in

frequent addresses, and then came into Greece, and spent three

months there.

20:3

The Jews having planned to waylay him whenever he might be on

the point of taking ship for Syria, he decided to travel back by

way of Macedonia.

20:4

He was accompanied as far as the province of Asia by Sopater the

Beroean, the son of Pyrrhus; by the Thessalonians, Aristarchus

and Secundus; by Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and by the

Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.

20:5

These brethren had gone on and were waiting for us in the Troad.

20:6

But we ourselves sailed from Philippi after the days of

Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined them in the Troad,

where we remained for a week.

20:7

On the first day of the week, when we had met to break bread,

Paul, who was going away the next morning, was preaching to

them, and prolonged his discourse till midnight.

20:8

Now there were a good many lamps in the room upstairs where

we all were,

20:9

and a youth of the name of Eutychus was sitting at the window.

This lad, gradually sinking into deep sleep while Paul preached at

unusual length, overcome at last by sleep, fell from the second

floor and was taken up dead.

20:10

Paul, however, went down, threw himself upon him, and folding

him in his arms said, “Do not be alarmed; his life is still in him.”

20:11

Then he went upstairs again, broke bread, and took some food;

and after a long conversation which was continued till daybreak,

at last he parted from them.

20:12

They had taken the lad home alive, and were greatly comforted.

20:13

The rest of us had already gone on board a ship, and now we set

sail for Assos, intending to take Paul on board there; for so he had

arranged, he himself intending to go by land.

20:14

Accordingly, when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and

came to Mitylene.

20:15

Sailing from there, we arrived the next day off Chios. On the next

we touched at Samos; and on the day following reached Miletus.

20:16

For Paul’s plan was to sail past Ephesus, so as not to spend much

time in the province of Asia; since he was very desirous of being

in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of the Harvest Festival.

20:17

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the Elders of the Church to

come to him.

20:18

Upon their arrival he said to them, “You Elders well know, from

the first day of my setting foot in the province of Asia, the kind of

life I lived among you the whole time,

20:19

serving the Lord in all humility, and with tears, and amid trials

which came upon me through the plotting of the Jews —

20:20

and that I never shrank from declaring to you anything that was

profitable, or from teaching you in public and in your homes,

20:21

and urging upon both Jews and Greeks the necessity of turning to

God and of believing in Jesus our Lord.

20:22

“And now, impelled by a sense of duty, I am on my way to

Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,

20:23

except that the Holy Spirit, at town after town, testifies to me that

imprisonment and suffering are awaiting me.

20:24

But even the sacrifice of my life I count as nothing, if only I may

perfect my earthly course, and be faithful to the duty which the

Lord Jesus has entrusted to me of proclaiming, as of supreme

importance, the Good News of God’s grace.

20:25

“And now, I know that none of you among whom I have gone in

and out proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom will any longer

see my face.

20:26

Therefore I protest to you to-day that I am not responsible for the

ruin of any one of you.

20:27

For I have not shrunk from declaring to you God’s whole truth.

20:28

“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock among which the

Holy Spirit has placed you to take the oversight for Him and act

as shepherds to the Church of God, which He has bought with His

own blood.

20:29

I know that, when I am gone, cruel wolves will come among you

and will not spare the flock;

20:30

and that from among your own selves men will rise up who will

seek with their perverse talk to draw away the disciples after

them.

20:31

Therefore be on the alert; and remember that, night and day, for

three years, I never ceased admonishing every one, even with

tears.

20:32

“And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace.

He is able to build you up and to give you your inheritance among

His people.

20:33

No one’s silver or gold or clothing have I coveted.

20:34

You yourselves know that these hands of mine have provided for

my own necessities and for the people with me.

20:35

In all things I have set you an example, showing you that, by

working as I do, you ought to help the weak, and to bear in mind

the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, “‘It is more

blessed to give than to receive.’”

20:36

Having spoken thus, Paul knelt down and prayed with them all;

20:37

and with loud lamentation they all threw their arms round his

neck, and kissed him lovingly,

20:38

grieved above all things at his having told them that after that day

they were no longer to see his face. And they went with him to

the ship.

CHAPTER 21

21:1 When, at last, we had torn ourselves away and had set sail, we ran

in a straight course to Cos; the next day to Rhodes, and from

there to Patara.

21:2 Finding a ship bound for Phoenicia, we went on board and put to

sea.

21:3 After sighting Cyprus and leaving that island on our left, we

continued our voyage to Syria and put in at Tyre; for there the

ship was to unload her cargo.

21:4 Having searched for the disciples and found them, we stayed at

Tyre for seven days; and, taught by the Spirit, they repeatedly

urged Paul not to proceed to Jerusalem.

21:5 When, however, our time was up, we left and went on our way,

all the disciples and their wives and children coming to see us off.

Then, after kneeling down on the beach and praying,

21:6 we took leave of one another; and we went on board, while they

returned home.

21:7 As for us, our voyage was over when having sailed from Tyre we

reached Ptolemais. here we inquired after the welfare of the

brethren, and remained a day with them.

21:8 On the morrow we left Ptolemais and went on to Caesarea, where

we came to the house of Philip the Evangelist, who was one of

the seven, and stayed with him.

21:9 Now Philip had four unmarried daughters who were prophetesses;

21:10 and during our somewhat lengthy stay a Prophet of the name of

Agabus came down from Judaea.

21:11 When he arrived he took Paul’s loincloth, and bound his own feet

and arms with it, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So will the

Jews in Jerusalem bind the owner of this loincloth, and will hand

him over to the Gentiles.’”

21:12 As soon as we heard these words, both we and the brethren at

Caesarea entreated Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

21:13

His reply was, “What can you mean by thus breaking my heart

with your grief? Why, as for me, I am ready not only to go to

Jerusalem and be put in chains, but even to die there for the sake

of the Lord Jesus.”

21:14

So when he was not to be dissuaded, we ceased remonstrating

with him and said, “The Lord’s will be done!”

21:15

A few days afterwards we loaded our baggage-cattle and

continued our journey to Jerusalem.

21:16

Some of the disciples from Caesarea also joined our party, and

brought with them Mnason, a Cyprian, one of the early disciples,

at whose house we were to lodge.

21:17

At length we reached Jerusalem, and there the brethren gave us a

hearty welcome.

21:18

On the following day we went with Paul to call on James, and all

the Elders of the Church came also.

21:19

After exchanging friendly greetings, Paul told in detail all that

God had done among the Gentiles through his instrumentality.

21:20

And they, when they had heard his statement, gave the glory to

God. Then they said, “You see, brother, how many tens of

thousands of Jews there are among those who have accepted the

faith, and they are all zealous upholders of the Law.

21:21

Now what they have been repeatedly told about you is that you

teach all the Jews among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, and that

you forbid them to circumcise their children or observe old-

established customs.

21:22

What then ought you to do? They are sure to hear that you have

come to Jerusalem;

21:23

so do this which we now tell you. We have four men here who

have a vow resting on them.

21:24

Associate with these men and purify yourself with them, and pay

their expenses so that they can shave their heads. Then everybody

will know that there is no truth in these stories about you, but that

in your own actions you yourself scrupulously obey the Law.

21:25

But as for the Gentiles who have accepted the faith, we have

communicated to them our decision that they are carefully to

abstain from anything sacrificed to an idol, from blood, from what

is strangled, and from fornication.”

21:26

So Paul associated with the men; and the next day, having purified

himself with them, he went into the Temple, giving every one to

understand that the days of their purification were finished, and

there he remained until the sacrifice for each of them was offered.

21:27

But, when the seven days were nearly over, the Jews from the

province of Asia, having seen Paul in the Temple, set about

rousing the fury of all the people against him.

21:28

They laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, help! help!

This is the man who goes everywhere preaching to everybody

against the Jewish people and the Law and this place. And

besides, he has even brought Gentiles into the Temple and has

desecrated this holy place.”

21:29

(For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in

the city, and imagined that Paul had brought him into the

Temple.)

21:30

The excitement spread through the whole city, and the people

rushed in crowds to the Temple, and there laid hold of Paul and

began to drag him out; and the Temple gates were immediately

closed.

21:31

But while they were trying to kill Paul, word was taken up to the

Tribune in command of the battalion, that all Jerusalem was in a

ferment.

21:32

He instantly sent for a few soldiers and their officers, and came

down among the people with all speed. At the sight of the Tribune

and the troops they ceased beating Paul.

21:33

Then the Tribune, making his way to him, arrested him, and,

having ordered him to be secured with two chains, proceeded to

ask who he was and what he had been doing.

21:34

Some of the crowd shouted one accusation against Paul and some

another, until, as the uproar made it impossible for the truth to be

ascertained with certainty, the Tribune ordered him to be brought

into the barracks.

21:35

When Paul was going up the steps, he had to be carried by the

soldiers because of the violence of the mob;

21:36

for the whole mass of the people pressed on in the rear, shouting,

“Away with him!”

21:37

When he was about to be taken into the barracks, Paul said to the

Tribune, “May I speak to you?” “Do you know Greek?” the

Tribune asked.

21:38

“Are you not the Egyptian who some years ago excited the riot of

the 4,000 cut-throats, and led them out into the Desert?”

21:39

“I am a Jew,” replied Paul, “belonging to Tarsus in Cilicia, and am

a citizen of no unimportant city. Give me leave, I pray you, to

speak to the people.”

21:40

So with his permission Paul stood on the steps and motioned with

his hand to the people to be quiet; and when there was perfect

silence he addressed them in Hebrew.

CHAPTER 22

22:1

“Brethren and fathers,” he said, “listen to my defense which I now

make before you.”

22:2

And on hearing him address them in Hebrew, they kept all the

more quiet; and he said,

22:3

“I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I

was carefully trained at the feet of Gamaliel in the Law of our

forefathers, and, like all of you to-day, was zealous for God.

22:4

I persecuted to death this new faith, continually binding both men

and women and throwing them into prison;

22:5

as the High Priest also and all the Elders can bear me witness. It

was, too, from them that I received letters to the brethren in

Damascus, and I was already on my way to Damascus, intending

to bring those also who had fled there, in chains to Jerusalem, to

be punished.

22:6

“But on my way, when I was now not far from Damascus, about

noon a sudden blaze of light from Heaven shone round me.

22:7

I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, “‘Saul, Saul, why

are you persecuting Me?’

22:8

“‘Who art thou, Lord?’ I asked. “‘I am Jesus, the Nazarene,’ He

replied, ‘whom you are persecuting.’

22:9

“Now the men who were with me, though they saw the light, did

not hear the words of Him who spoke to me.

22:10

And I asked, “‘What am I to do, Lord?’ “And the Lord said to

me, “‘Rise, and go into Damascus. There you shall be told of all

that has been appointed for you to do.’

22:11

“And as I could not see because the light had been so dazzling,

those who were with me had to lead me by the arm, and so I came

to Damascus.

22:12

“And a certain Ananias, a pious man who obeyed the Law and bore

a good character with all the Jews of the city,

22:13

came to me and standing at my side said, “‘Brother Saul, recover

your sight.’ “I instantly regained my sight and looked up at him.

22:14

Then he said, ‘The God of our forefathers has appointed you to

know His will, and to see the righteous One and hear Him speak.

22:15

For you shall be a witness for Him, to all men, of what you have

seen and heard.

22:16

And now why delay? Rise, get yourself baptized, and wash off

your sins, calling upon His name.’

22:17

“After my return to Jerusalem, and while praying in the Temple, I

fell into a trance.

22:18

I saw Jesus, and He said to me, “‘Make haste and leave Jerusalem

quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’

22:19

“‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘they themselves well know how active I was in

imprisoning, and in flogging in synagogue after synagogue those

who believe in Thee;

22:20

and when they were shedding the blood of Stephen, Thy witness,

I was standing by, fully approving of it, and I held the clothes of

those who were killing him.’

22:21

“‘Go,’ He replied; ‘I will send you as an Apostle to nations far

away.’”

22:22

Until they heard this last statement the people listened to Paul, but

now with a roar of disapproval they cried out, “Away with such a

fellow from the earth! He ought not to be allowed to live.”

22:23

And when they continued their furious shouts, throwing their

clothes into the air and flinging dust about,

22:24

the Tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and be

examined by flogging, in order to ascertain the reason why they

thus cried out against him.

22:25

But, when they had tied him up with the straps, Paul said to the

Captain who stood by, “Does the Law permit you to flog a

Roman citizen — and one too who is uncondemned?”

22:26

On hearing this question, the Captain went to report the matter to

the Tribune. “What are you intending to do?” he said. “This man

is a Roman citizen.”

22:27

So the Tribune came to Paul and asked him, “Tell me, are you a

Roman citizen?” “Yes,” he said.

22:28

“I paid a large sum for my citizenship,” said the Tribune. “But I

was born free,” said Paul.

22:29

So the men who had been on the point of putting him under

torture immediately left him. And the Tribune, too, was frightened

when he learnt that Paul was a Roman citizen, for he had had him

bound.

22:30

The next day, wishing to know exactly what charge was being

brought against him by the Jews, the Tribune ordered his chains to

be removed; and, having sent word to the High Priests and all the

Sanhedrin to assemble, he brought Paul down and made him stand

before them.

CHAPTER 23

23:1 Then Paul, fixing a steady gaze on the Sanhedrin, said, “Brethren,

it is with a perfectly clear conscience that I have discharged my

duties before God up to this day.”

23:2 On hearing this the High Priest Ananias ordered those who were

standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.

23:3 “Before long,” exclaimed Paul, “God will strike you, you whitewashed

wall! Are you sitting there to judge me in accordance with

the Law, and do you yourself actually break the Law by ordering

me to be struck?”

23:4 “Do you rail at God’s High Priest?” cried the men who stood by

him.

23:5 “I did not know, brethren,” replied Paul, “that he was the High

Priest; for it is written, ‘THOU SHALT NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER

OF THY PEOPLE.’”

23:6 Noticing, however, that the Sanhedrin consisted partly of

Sadducees and partly of Pharisees, he called out loudly among

them, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees. It is

because of my hope of a resurrection of the dead that I am on my

trial.”

23:7 These words of his caused an angry dispute between the Pharisees

and the Sadducees, and the assembly took different sides.

23:8 For the Sadducees maintain that there is no resurrection, and

neither angel nor spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge the

existence of both.

23:9 So there arose a great uproar; and some of the Scribes belonging

to the sect of the Pharisees sprang to their feet and fiercely

contended, saying, “We find no harm in the man. What if a spirit

has spoken to him, or an angel — — !”

23:10 But when the struggle was becoming violent, the Tribune, fearing

that Paul would be torn to pieces by the people, ordered the

troops to go down and take him from among them by force and

bring him into the barracks.

23:11

The following night the Lord came and stood at Paul’s side, and

said, “Be of good courage, for as you have borne faithful witness

about me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”

23:12

Now, when daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and

solemnly swore not to eat or drink till they had killed Paul.

23:13

There were more than forty of them who bound themselves by

this oath.

23:14

They went to the High Priests and Elders and said to them, “We

have bound ourselves under a heavy curse to take no food till we

have killed Paul.

23:15

Now therefore you and the Sanhedrin should make

representations to the Tribune for him to bring him down to you,

under the impression that you intend to inquire more minutely

about him; and we are prepared to assassinate him before he

comes near the place.”

23:16

But Paul’s sister’s son heard of the intended attack upon him. So

he came and went into the barracks and told Paul about it;

23:17

and Paul called one of the Captains and said, “Take this young

man to the Tribune, for he has information to give him.”

23:18

So he took him and brought him to the Tribune, and said, “Paul,

the prisoner, called me to him and begged me to bring this youth

to you, because he has something to say to you.”

23:19

Then the Tribune, taking him by the arm, withdrew out of the

hearing of others and asked him, “What have you to tell me?”

23:20

“The Jews,” he replied, “have agreed to request you to bring Paul

down to the Sanhedrin to-morrow for the purpose of making

yourself more accurately acquainted with the case.

23:21

I beg you not to comply; for more than forty men among them are

lying in wait for him, who have solemnly vowed that they will

neither eat nor drink till they have assassinated him; and even now

they are ready, in anticipation of receiving that promise of you.”

23:22

So the Tribune sent the youth home, cautioning him. “Do not let

any one know that you have given me this information,” he said.

23:23

Then, calling to him two of the Captains, he gave his orders. “Get

ready two hundred men,” he said, “to march to Caesarea, with

seventy cavalry and two hundred light infantry, starting at nine

o’clock to-night.”

23:24

He further told them to provide horses to mount Paul on, so as to

bring him safely to Felix the Governor.

23:25

He also wrote a letter of which these were the contents:

23:26

“Claudius Lysias to his Excellency, Felix the Governor: all good

wishes.

23:27

This man Paul had been seized by the Jews, and they were on the

point of killing him, when I came upon them with the troops and

rescued him, for I had been informed that he was a Roman citizen.

23:28

And, wishing to know with certainty the offense of which they

were accusing him, I brought him down into their Sanhedrin,

23:29

and I discovered that the charge had to do with questions of their

Law, but that he was accused of nothing for which he deserves

death or imprisonment.

23:30

But now that I have received information of an intended attack

upon him, I immediately send him to you, directing his accusers

also to state before you the case they have against him.”

23:31

So, in obedience to their orders, the soldiers took Paul and

brought him by night as far as Antipatris.

23:32

The next day the infantry returned to the barracks, leaving the

cavalry to proceed with him;

23:33

and, the cavalry having reached Caesarea and delivered the letter

to the Governor, they brought Paul also to him.

23:34

Felix, after reading the letter, inquired from what province he was;

and being told “from Cilicia,”

23:35

he said, “I will hear all you have to say, when your accusers also

have come.” And he ordered him to be detained in custody in

Herod’s Palace.

CHAPTER 24

24:1

Five days after this, Ananias the High Priest came down to

Caesarea with a number of Elders and a pleader called Tertullus.

They stated to the Governor the case against Paul.

24:2

So Paul was sent for, and Tertullus began to impeach him as

follows: “Indebted as we are,” he said, “to you, most noble Felix,

for the perfect peace which we enjoy, and for reforms which your

wisdom has introduced to this nation,

24:3

in every instance and in every place we accept them with

profound gratitude.

24:4

But — not to detain you too long — I beg you in your

forbearance to listen to a brief statement from us.

24:5

For we have found this man Paul a source of mischief and a

disturber of the peace among all the Jews throughout the Empire,

and a ringleader in the heresy of the Nazarenes.

24:6

He even attempted to profane the Temple, but we arrested him.

24:7

[]

24:8

You, however, by examining him, will yourself be able to learn the

truth as to all this which we allege against him.”

24:9

The Jews also joined in the charge, maintaining that these were

facts.

24:10

Then, at a sign from the Governor, Paul answered, “Knowing, Sir,

that for many years you have administered justice to this nation, I

cheerfully make my defense.

24:11

For you have it in your power to ascertain that it is not more than

twelve days ago that I went up to worship in Jerusalem;

24:12

and that neither in the Temple nor in the synagogues, nor

anywhere in the city, did they find me disputing with any

opponent or collecting a crowd about me.

24:13

Nor can they prove the charges which they are now bringing

against me.

24:14

But this I confess to you — that in the way which they style a

heresy, I worship the God of our forefathers, believing everything

that is taught in the Law or is written in the Prophets,

24:15

and having a hope directed towards God, which my accusers

themselves also entertain, that before long there will be a

resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous.

24:16

This too is my own earnest endeavor — always to have a clear

conscience in relation to God and man.

24:17

“Now after an interval of several years I came to bring alms to my

nation, and to offer sacrifices.

24:18

While I was busy about these, they found me in the Temple

purified, with no crowd around me and no uproar; but there were

certain Jews from the province of Asia.

24:19

They ought to have been here before you, and to have been my

prosecutors, if they have any charge to bring against me.

24:20

Or let these men themselves say what misdemeanor they found me

guilty of when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

24:21

unless it was in that one expression which I made use of when I

shouted out as I stood among them, “‘The resurrection of the

dead is the thing about which I am on my trial before you today.’”

24:22

At this point Felix, who was fairly well informed about the new

faith, adjourned the trial, saying to the Jews, “When the Tribune

Lysias comes down, I will enter carefully into the matter.”

24:23

And he gave orders to the Captain that Paul was to be kept in

custody, but be treated with indulgence, and that his personal

friends were not to be prevented from showing him kindness.

24:24

Not long after this, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, a Jewess,

and sending for Paul, listened to him as he spoke about faith in

Christ Jesus.

24:25

But when he dealt with the subjects of justice, self-control, and

the judgment which was soon to come, Felix became alarmed and

said, “For the present leave me, and when I can find a convenient

opportunity I will send for you.”

24:26

At the same time he hoped that Paul would give him money; and

for this reason he sent for him the oftener to converse with him.

24:27

But after the lapse of fully two years Felix was succeeded by

Porcius Festus; and being desirous of gratifying the Jews, Felix

left Paul still in prison.

CHAPTER 25

25:1

Festus, having entered on his duties as governor of the province,

two days later went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

25:2

The High Priests and the leading men among the Jews

immediately made representations to him against Paul, and begged

him —

25:3

asking it as a favor, to Paul’s prejudice — to have him brought to

Jerusalem. They were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.

25:4

Festus, however, replied that Paul was in custody in Caesarea,

and that he was himself going there very soon.

25:5

“Therefore let those of you,” he said, “who can come, go down

with me, and impeach the man, if there is anything amiss in him.”

25:6

After a stay of eight or ten days in Jerusalem — not more — he

went down to Caesarea; and the next day, taking his seat on the

tribunal, he ordered Paul to be brought in.

25:7

Upon Paul’s arrival, the Jews who had come down from

Jerusalem stood round him, and brought many grave charges

against him which they were unable to substantiate.

25:8

But, in reply, Paul said, “Neither against the Jewish Law, nor

against the Temple, nor against Caesar, have I committed any

offense whatever.”

25:9

Then Festus, being anxious to gratify the Jews, asked Paul, “Are

you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there stand your trial

before me on these charges?”

25:10

“I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal,” replied Paul, “where alone

I ought to be tried. The Jews have no real ground of complaint

against me, as in fact you yourself are beginning to see more

clearly.

25:11

If, however, I have done wrong and have committed any offense

for which I deserve to die, I do not ask to be excused that penalty.

But if there is no truth in what these men allege against me, no

one has the right to give me up to them as a favor. I appeal to

Caesar.”

25:12

Then, after conferring with the Council, Festus replied, “To

Caesar you have appealed: to Caesar you shall go.”

25:13

A short time after this, Agrippa the king and Bernice came to

Caesarea to pay a complimentary visit to Festus;

25:14

and, during their rather long stay, Festus laid Paul’s case before

the king. “There is a man here,” he said, “whom Felix left a

prisoner,

25:15

about whom, when I went to Jerusalem, the High Priests and the

Elders of the Jews made representations to me, begging that

sentence might be pronounced against him.

25:16

My reply was that it is not the custom among the Romans to give

up any one for punishment before the accused has had his

accusers face to face, and has had an opportunity of defending

himself against the charge which has been brought against him.

25:17

“When, therefore, a number of them came here, the next day I took

my seat on the tribunal, without any loss of time, and ordered the

man to be brought in.

25:18

But, when his accusers stood up, they did not charge him with the

misdemeanors of which I had been suspecting him.

25:19

But they quarreled with him about certain matters connected with

their own religion, and about one Jesus who had died, but — so

Paul persistently maintained — is now alive.

25:20

I was at a loss how to investigate such questions, and asked Paul

whether he would care to go to Jerusalem and there stand his trial

on these matters.

25:21

But when Paul appealed to have his case kept for the Emperor’s

decision, I ordered him to be kept in prison until I could send him

up to Caesar.”

25:22

“I should like to hear the man myself,” said Agrippa. “to-morrow,”

replied Festus, “you shall.” Accordingly, the next day, Agrippa

and Bernice came in state

25:23

and took their seats in the Judgment Hall, attended by the

Tribunes and the men of high rank in the city; and, at the

command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

25:24

Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us,

you see here the man about whom the whole nation of the Jews

made suit to me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out that he

ought not to live any longer.

25:25

I could not discover that he had done anything for which he

deserved to die; but as he has himself appealed to the Emperor, I

have decided to send him to Rome.

25:26

I have nothing very definite, however, to tell our Sovereign about

him. So I have brought the man before you all — and especially

before you, King Agrippa — that after he has been examined I

may find something which I can put into writing.

25:27

For, when sending a prisoner to Rome, it seems to me to be

absurd not to state the charges against him.”

CHAPTER 26

26:1

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak about

yourself.” So Paul, with outstretched arm, proceeded to make his

defense.

26:2

“As regards all the accusations brought against me by the Jews,” he

said, “I think myself fortunate, King Agrippa, in being about to

defend myself to-day before you,

26:3

who are so familiar with all the customs and speculations that

prevail among the Jews; and for this reason, I pray you, give me a

patient hearing.

26:4

“The kind of life I have lived from my youth upwards, as

exemplified in my early days among my nation and in Jerusalem, is

known to all the Jews.

26:5

For they all know me of old — if they would but testify to the fact

— how, being an adherent of the strictest sect of our religion, my

life was that of a Pharisee.

26:6

And now I stand here impeached because of my hope in the

fulfillment of the promise made by God to our forefathers —

26:7

the promise which our twelve tribes, worshipping day and night

with intense devotedness, hope to have made good to them. It is

on the subject of this hope, Sir, that I am accused by the Jews.

26:8

Why is it deemed with all of you a thing past belief if God raises

the dead to life?

26:9

“I myself, however, thought it a duty to do many things in hostility

to the name of Jesus, the Nazarene.

26:10

And that was how I acted in Jerusalem. Armed with authority

received from the High Priests I shut up many of God’s people in

various prisons, and when they were about to be put to death I

gave my vote against them.

26:11

In all the synagogues also I punished them many a time, and tried

to make them blaspheme; and in my wild fury I chased them even

to foreign towns.

26:12

“While thus engaged, I was traveling one day to Damascus armed

with authority and a commission from the High Priests,

26:13

and on the journey, at noon, Sir, I saw a light from Heaven —

brighter than the brightness of the sun — shining around me and

around those who were traveling with me.

26:14

We all fell to the ground; and I heard a voice which said to me in

Hebrew, “‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? You are

finding it painful to kick against the ox-goad.’

26:15

“‘Who art Thou, Lord?’ I asked. “‘I am Jesus whom you are

persecuting,’ the Lord replied.

26:16

‘But rise, and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for the

very purpose of appointing you My servant and My witness both

as to the things you have already seen and as to those in which I

will appear to you.

26:17

I will save you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to

whom I send you to open their eyes,

26:18

that they may turn from darkness to light and from the obedience

to Satan to God, in order to receive forgiveness of sins and an

inheritance among those who are sanctified through faith in Me.’

26:19

“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly

vision;

26:20

but I proceeded to preach first to the people in Damascus, and

then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judaea, and to the Gentiles,

that they must repent and turn to God, and live lives consistent

with such repentance.

26:21

“It was on this account that the Jews seized me in the Temple and

tried to kill me.

26:22

Having, however, obtained the help which is from God, I have

stood firm until now, and have solemnly exhorted rich and poor

alike, saying nothing except what the Prophets and Moses

predicted as soon to happen,

26:23

since the Christ was to be a suffering Christ, and by coming back

from the dead was then to be the first to proclaim a message of

light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

26:24

As Paul thus made his defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice,

“You are raving mad, Paul; and great learning is driving you

mad.”

26:25

“I am not mad, most noble Festus,” replied Paul; “I am speaking

words of sober truth.

26:26

For the King, to whom I speak freely, knows about these matters.

I am not to be persuaded that any detail of them has escaped his

notice; for these things have not been done in a corner.

26:27

King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you

believe them.”

26:28

Agrippa answered, “In brief, you are doing your best to persuade

me to become a Christian.”

26:29

“My prayer to God, whether briefly or at length,” replied Paul,

“would be that not only you but all who are my hearers to-day,

might become such as I am — except these chains.”

26:30

So the King rose, and the Governor, and Bernice, and those who

were sitting with them;

26:31

and, having withdrawn, they talked to one another and said, “This

man is doing nothing for which he deserves death or

imprisonment.”

26:32

And Agrippa said to Festus, “He might have been set at liberty, if

he had not appealed to Caesar.”

CHAPTER 27

27:1

Now when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they

handed over Paul and a few other prisoners into the custody of

Julius, a Captain of the Augustan battalion;

27:2

and going on board a ship of Adramyttium which was about to

sail to the ports of the province of Asia, we put to sea;

Aristarchus, the Macedonian, from Thessalonica, forming one of

our party.

27:3

The next day we put in at Sidon. There Julius treated Paul with

thoughtful kindness and allowed him to visit his friends and profit

by their generous care.

27:4

Putting to sea again, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because

the winds were against us;

27:5

and, sailing the whole length of the sea that lies off Cilicia and

Pamphylia, we reached Myra in Lycia.

27:6

There Julius found an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy, and put us

on board of her.

27:7

It took several days of slow sailing for us to come with difficulty

off Cnidus; from which point, as the wind did not allow us to get

on in the direct course, we ran under the lee of Crete by Salmone.

27:8

Then, coasting along with difficulty, we reached a place called

‘Fair Havens,’ near the town of Lasea.

27:9

Our voyage thus far had occupied a considerable time, and the

navigation being now unsafe and the Fast also already over, Paul

warned them.

27:10

“Sirs,” he said, “I perceive that before long the voyage will be

attended with danger and heavy loss, not only to the cargo and

the ship but to our own lives also.”

27:11

But Julius let himself be persuaded by the pilot and by the owner

rather than by Paul’s arguments;

27:12

and as the harbor was inconvenient for wintering in, the majority

were in favor of putting out to sea, to try whether they could get

to Phoenix — a harbor on the coast of Crete facing north-east and

south-east — to winter there.

27:13

And a light breeze from the south sprang up, so that they

supposed they were now sure of their purpose. So weighing

anchor they ran along the coast of Crete, hugging the shore.

27:14

But it was not long before a furious north-east wind, coming

down from the mountains, burst upon us and carried the ship out

of her course.

27:15

She was unable to make headway against the gale; so we gave up

and let her drive.

27:16

Then we ran under the lee of a little island called Cauda, where

we managed with great difficulty to secure the boat;

27:17

and, after hoisting it on board, they used frapping-cables to

undergird the ship, and, as they were afraid of being driven on the

Syrtis quicksands, they lowered the gear and lay to.

27:18

But, as the storm was still violent, the next day they began to

lighten the ship;

27:19

and, on the third day, with their own hands they threw the ship’s

spare gear overboard.

27:20

Then, when for several days neither sun nor stars were seen and

the terrific gale still harassed us, the last ray of hope was now

vanishing.

27:21

When for a long time they had taken but little food, Paul, standing

up among them, said, “Sirs, you ought to have listened to me and

not have sailed from Crete. You would then have escaped this

suffering and loss.

27:22

But now take courage, for there will be no destruction of life

among you, but of the ship only.

27:23

For there stood by my side, last night, an angel of the God to

whom I belong, and whom also I worship,

27:24

and he said, “‘Dismiss all fear, Paul, for you must stand before

Caesar; and God has granted you the lives of all who are sailing

with you.’

27:25

“Therefore, Sirs, take courage; for I believe God, and am

convinced that things will happen exactly as I have been told.

27:26

But we are to be stranded on a certain island.”

27:27

It was now the fourteenth night, and we were drifting through the

Sea of Adria, when, about midnight, the sailors suspected that

land was close at hand.

27:28

So they hove the lead and found twenty fathoms of water; and

after a short time they hove again and found fifteen fathoms.

27:29

Then for fear of possibly running on rocks, they threw out four

anchors from the stern and waited impatiently for daylight.

27:30

The sailors, however, wanted to make their escape from the ship,

and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they were

going to lay out anchors from the bow.

27:31

But Paul, addressing Julius and the soldiers, said, “Your lives will

be sacrificed, unless these men remain on board.”

27:32

Then the soldiers cut the ropes of the ship’s boat and let her fall

off.

27:33

And continually, up till daybreak, Paul kept urging all on board to

take some food. “This is the fourteenth day,” he said, “that you

have been anxiously waiting for the storm to cease, and have

fasted, eating little or nothing.

27:34

I therefore strongly advise you to take some food. This is essential

for your safety. For not a hair will perish from the head of any one

of you.”

27:35 Having said this he took some bread, and, after giving thanks to

God for it before them all, he broke it in pieces and began to eat

it.

27:36 This raised the spirits of all, and they too took food.

27:37 There were 276 of us, crew and passengers, all told.

27:38 After eating a hearty meal they lightened the ship by throwing the

wheat overboard.

27:39 When daylight came, they tried in vain to recognize the coast. But

an inlet with a sandy beach attracted their attention, and now their

object was, if possible, to run the ship aground in this inlet.

27:40 So they cut away the anchors and left them in the sea, unloosing

at the same time the bands which secured the paddle-rudders.

Then, hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.

27:41 But coming to a place where two seas met, they stranded the ship,

and her bow sticking fast remained immovable, while the stern

began to go to pieces under the heavy hammering of the sea.

27:42 Now the soldiers recommended that the prisoners should be

killed, for fear some one of them might swim ashore and effect his

escape.

27:43 But their Captain, bent on securing Paul’s safety, kept them from

their purpose and gave orders that those who could swim should

first jump overboard and get to land;

27:44 and that the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on

various things from the ship. In this way they all got safely to

land.

CHAPTER 28

28:1 Our lives having been thus preserved, we discovered that the

island was called Malta.

28:2 The strange-speaking natives showed us remarkable kindness, for

they lighted a fire and made us all welcome because of the pelting

rain and the cold.

28:3

Now, when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and had thrown

them on the fire, a viper, driven by the heat, came out and

fastened itself on his hand.

28:4

When the natives saw the creature hanging to his hand, they said

to one another, “Beyond doubt this man is a murderer, for,

though saved from the sea, unerring Justice does not permit him

to live.”

28:5

He, however, shook the reptile off into the fire and was unhurt.

28:6

They expected him soon to swell with inflammation or suddenly

fall down dead; but, after waiting a long time and seeing no harm

come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

28:7

Now in the same part of the island there were estates belonging to

the Governor, whose name was Publius. He welcomed us to his

house, and for three days generously made us his guests.

28:8

It happened, however, that his father was lying ill of dysentery

aggravated by attacks of fever; so Paul went to see him, and, after

praying, laid his hands on him and cured him.

28:9

After this, all the other sick people in the island came and were

cured.

28:10

They also loaded us with honors, and when at last we sailed they

put supplies on board for us.

28:11

Three months passed before we set sail in an Alexandrian vessel,

called the ‘Twin Brothers,’ which had wintered at the island.

28:12

At Syracuse we put in and stayed for two days.

28:13

From there we came round and reached Rhegium; and a day later,

a south wind sprang up which brought us by the evening of the

next day to Puteoli.

28:14

Here we found brethren, who invited us to remain with them for a

week; and so we reached Rome.

28:15

Meanwhile the brethren there, hearing of our movements, came as

far as the Market of Appius and the Three Huts to meet us; and

when Paul saw them he thanked God and felt encouraged.

28:16

Upon our arrival in Rome, Paul received permission to live by

himself, guarded by a soldier.

28:17

After one complete day he invited the leading men among the

Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to

them, “As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing

prejudicial to our people or contrary to the customs of our

forefathers, I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into

the power of the Romans.

28:18

They, after they had sharply questioned me, were willing to set me

at liberty, because they found no offense in me for which I deserve

to die.

28:19

But, at last, the opposition of the Jews compelled me to appeal to

Caesar; not however that I had any charge to bring against my

nation.

28:20

For these reasons, then, I have invited you here, that I might see

you and speak to you; for it is for the sake of Him who is the hope

of Israel that this chain hangs upon me.”

28:21

“For our part,” they replied, “we have not received any letters from

Judaea about you, nor have any of our countrymen come here and

reported or stated anything to your disadvantage.

28:22

But we should be glad to hear from you what it is that you

believe; for as for this sect all we know is that it is everywhere

spoken against.”

28:23

So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable

numbers at the house of the friends who were entertaining him.

And then, with solemn earnestness, he explained to them the

subject of the Kingdom of God, endeavoring from morning till

evening to convince them about Jesus, both from the Law of

Moses and from the Prophets.

28:24

Some were convinced; others refused to believe.

28:25

Unable to agree among themselves, they at last left him, but not

before Paul had spoken a parting word to them, saying, “Right

well did the Holy Spirit say to your forefathers through the

Prophet Isaiah:

28:26

“‘Go to this people and tell them, you will hear and hear, and by no

means understand; and will look and look, and by no means see.

28:27

FOR THIS PEOPLE’S MIND HAS GROWN CALLOUS, THEIR HEARING

HAS BECOME DULL, AND THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED; TO

PREVENT THEIR EVER SEEING WITH THEIR EYES, OR HEARING WITH

THEIR EARS, OR UNDERSTANDING WITH THEIR MINDS, AND

TURNING BACK, SO THAT I MIGHT CURE THEM.’

28:28 “Be fully assured, therefore, that this salvation — God’s salvation

— has now been sent to the Gentiles, and that they, at any rate,

will give heed.”

28:29

[]

28:30

After this Paul lived for fully two years in a hired house of his

own, receiving all who came to see him.

28:31

He announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, and taught

concerning the Lord Jesus Christ without let or hindrance.

PAUL’S LETTER

TO THE ROMANS

The four books of the New Testament known as the Letters to the

Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians, are allowed by practically all critics,

including some of the most “destructive,” to be genuine productions of the

Apostle Paul. Opinions vary as to the order of their composition. The latest

research tends to put ‘Galatians’ first, and ‘Romans’ last, in the period

between 53 and 58 A. D. The date generally assigned to the Roman Letter

is 58 A.D., but recently Harnack, McGiffert, Clemen and others have

shown cause for putting it some four years earlier. The chronology of the

period is necessarily very complicated. It must suffice, therefore, to regard

this Letter as having been written, at either of these dates, from Corinth,

where Paul was staying in the course of his third missionary tour. He was

hoping to go to Rome, by way of Jerusalem, and then proceed to Spain

(15:24; Acts 24:21).

The object of this Letter was to prepare the Christians in Rome for his

visit, and make a clear statement of the new doctrines which he taught. It is

probable that the crisis in Galatia, to which the Letter sent thither bears

witness, had driven the Apostle’s thoughts in the direction of the subject of

Justification, and he was apparently much troubled by the persistence of

Jewish unbelief. Hence the present Letter has been well termed “the Gospel

according to Paul.”

We know really nothing about the Christians then in Rome beyond what

we find here. It is, however, fairly certain that reports concerning the

Savior would be taken to that city by proselytes, both before and after the

events described in Acts 2, and we know that there was a large Jewish

population there amongst whom the seed would be sown. Some critics

have thought “that a note addressed to Ephesus lies embedded in the 16th

chapter,” because, they say, it is “inconceivable that Paul could have

intimately known so many individuals in a Church like that in Rome to

which he was personally a stranger.” But this is by no means demonstrated,

nor is there evidence that the Church there was founded by any other

Apostle.

CHAPTER 1

1:1

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, set

apart to proclaim God’s Good News,

1:2

which God had already promised through His Prophets in Holy

Writ, concerning His Son,

1:3

who, as regards His human descent, belonged to the posterity of

David,

1:4

but as regards the holiness of His Spirit was decisively proved by

His Resurrection to be the Son of God — I mean concerning

Jesus Christ our Lord,

1:5

through whom we have received grace and Apostleship in His

service in order to win men to obedience to the faith, among all

Gentile peoples,

1:6

among whom you also, called, as you have been, to belong to

Jesus Christ, are numbered:

1:7

To all God’s loved ones who are in Rome, called to be saints.

May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and

the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:8

First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for what He has

done for all of you; for the report of your faith is spreading

through the whole world.

1:9

I call God to witness — to whom I render priestly and spiritual

service by telling the Good News about His Son — how

unceasingly I make mention of you in His presence,

1:10

always in my prayers entreating that now, at length, if such be His

will, the way may by some means be made clear for me to come

to you.

1:11

For I am longing to see you, in order to convey to you some

spiritual help, so that you may be strengthened;

1:12

in other words that while I am among you we may be mutually

encouraged by one another’s faith, yours and mine.

1:13

And I desire you to know, brethren, that I have many a time

intended to come to you — though until now I have been

disappointed — in order that among you also I might gather some

fruit from my labors, as I have already done among the rest of the

Gentile nations.

1:14

I am already under obligations alike to Greek-speaking races and

to others, to cultured and to uncultured people:

1:15

so that for my part I am willing and eager to proclaim the Good

News to you also who are in Rome.

1:16

For I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is God’s power

which is at work for the salvation of every one who believes —

the Jew first, and then the Gentile.

1:17

For in the Good News a righteousness which comes from God is

being revealed, depending on faith and tending to produce faith;

as the Scripture has it, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY

FAITH.”

1:18

For God’s anger is being revealed from Heaven against all impiety

and against the iniquity of men who through iniquity suppress the

truth. God is angry:

1:19

because what may be known about Him is plain to their inmost

consciousness; for He Himself has made it plain to them.

1:20

For, from the very creation of the world, His invisible perfections

— namely His eternal power and divine nature — have been

rendered intelligible and clearly visible by His works, so that these

men are without excuse.

1:21

For when they had come to know God, they did not give Him

glory as God nor render Him thanks, but they became absorbed in

useless discussions, and their senseless minds were darkened.

1:22

While boasting of their wisdom they became utter fools,

1:23

and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they

worshipped images resembling perishable man or resembling birds

or beasts or reptiles.

1:24

For this reason, in accordance with their own depraved cravings,

God gave them up to uncleanness, allowing them to dishonor their

bodies among themselves with impurity.

1:25

For they had bartered the reality of God for what is unreal, and

had offered divine honors and religious service to created things,

rather than to the Creator — He who is for ever blessed. Amen.

1:26

This then is the reason why God gave them up to vile passions.

For not only did the women among them exchange the natural use

of their bodies for one which is contrary to nature, but the men

also,

1:27

in just the same way — neglecting that for which nature intends

women — burned with passion towards one another, men

practising shameful vice with men, and receiving in their own

selves the reward which necessarily followed their misconduct.

1:28

And just as they had refused to continue to have a full knowledge

of God, so it was to utterly worthless minds that God gave them

up, for them to do things which should not be done.

1:29

Their hearts overflowed with all sorts of dishonesty, mischief,

greed, malice. They were full of envy and murder, and were

quarrelsome, crafty, and spiteful.

1:30

They were secret backbiters, open slanderers; hateful to God,

insolent, haughty, boastful; inventors of new forms of sin,

disobedient to parents, destitute of common sense,

1:31

faithless to their promises, without natural affection, without

human pity.

1:32

In short, though knowing full well the sentence which God

pronounces against actions such as theirs, as things which deserve

death, they not only practise them, but even encourage and

applaud others who do them.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

You are therefore without excuse, O man, whoever you are who

sit in judgment upon others. For when you pass judgment on your

fellow man, you condemn yourself; for you who sit in judgment

upon others are guilty of the same misdeeds;

2:2

and we know that God’s judgment against those who commit

such sins is in accordance with the truth.

2:3

And you who pronounce judgment upon those who do such

things although your own conduct is the same as theirs — do you

imagine that you yourself will escape unpunished when God

judges?

2:4

Or is it that you think slightingly of His infinite goodness,

forbearance and patience, unaware that the goodness of God is

gently drawing you to repentance?

2:5

The fact is that in the stubbornness of your impenitent heart you

are treasuring up against yourself anger on the day of Anger —

the day when the righteousness of God’s judgments will stand

revealed.

2:6

TO EACH MAN HE WILL MAKE AN AWARD CORRESPONDING TO HIS

ACTIONS;

2:7

to those on the one hand who, by lives of persistent right-doing,

are striving for glory, honor and immortality, the Life of the Ages;

2:8

while on the other hand upon the self-willed who disobey the truth

and obey unrighteousness will fall anger and fury, affliction and

awful distress,

2:9

coming upon the soul of every man and woman who deliberately

does wrong — upon the Jew first, and then upon the Gentile;

2:10

whereas glory, honor and peace will be given to every one who

does what is good and right — to the Jew first and then to the

Gentile.

2:11

For God pays no attention to this world’s distinctions.

2:12

For all who have sinned apart from the Law will also perish apart

from the Law, and all who have sinned whilst living under the

Law, will be judged by the Law.

2:13

It is not those that merely hear the Law read who are righteous in

the sight of God, but it is those that obey the Law who will be

pronounced righteous.

2:14

For when Gentiles who have no Law obey by natural instinct the

commands of the Law, they, without having a Law, are a Law to

themselves;

2:15

since they exhibit proof that a knowledge of the conduct which

the Law requires is engraven on their hearts, while their

consciences also bear witness to the Law, and their thoughts, as if

in mutual discussion, accuse them or perhaps maintain their

innocence —

2:16

on the day when God will judge the secrets of men’s lives by

Jesus Christ, as declared in the Good News as I have taught it.

2:17

And since you claim the name of Jew, and find rest and

satisfaction in the Law, and make your boast in God,

2:18

and know the supreme will, and can test things that differ —

being a man who receives instruction from the Law —

2:19

and have persuaded yourself that, as for you, you are a guide to

the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,

2:20

a schoolmaster for the dull and ignorant, a teacher of the young,

because in the Law you possess an outline of real knowledge and

an outline of the truth:

2:21

you then who teach your fellow man, do you refuse to teach

yourself? You who cry out against stealing, are you yourself a

thief?

2:22

You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who

loathe idols, do you plunder their temples?

2:23

You who make your boast in the Law, do you offend against its

commands and so dishonor God?

2:24

FOR THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILE

NATIONS BECAUSE OF YOU, as Holy Writ declares.

2:25

Circumcision does indeed profit, if you obey the Law; but if you

are a Law-breaker, the fact that you have been circumcised counts

for nothing.

2:26

In the same way if an uncircumcised man pays attention to the just

requirements of the Law, shall not his lack of circumcision be

overlooked, and,

2:27

although he is a Gentile by birth, if he scrupulously obeys the

Law, shall he not sit in judgment upon you who, possessing, as

you do, a written Law and circumcision, are yet a Law-breaker?

2:28

For the true Jew is not the man who is simply a Jew outwardly,

and true circumcision is not that which is outward and bodily.

2:29

But the true Jew is one inwardly, and true circumcision is heart-

circumcision — not literal, but spiritual; and such people receive

praise not from men, but from God.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

What special privilege, then, has a Jew? Or what benefit is to be

derived from circumcision?

3:2

The privilege is great from every point of view. First of all,

because the Jews were entrusted with God’s truth.

3:3

For what if some Jews have proved unfaithful? Shall their

faithlessness render God’s faithfulness worthless?

3:4

No, indeed; let us hold God to be true, though every man should

prove to be false. As it stands written, “THAT THOU MAYEST BE

SHOWN TO BE JUST IN THE SENTENCE THOU PRONOUNCEST, AND

GAIN THY CAUSE WHEN THOU CONTENDEST.”

3:5

But if our unrighteousness sets God’s righteousness in a clearer

light, what shall we say? (Is God unrighteous — I speak in our

everyday language — when He inflicts punishment?

3:6

No indeed; for in that case how shall He judge all mankind?)

3:7

If, for instance, a falsehood of mine has made God’s truthfulness

more conspicuous, redounding to His glory, why am I judged all

the same as a sinner?

3:8

And why should we not say — for so they wickedly misrepresent

us, and so some charge us with arguing — “Let us do evil that

good may come”? The condemnation of those who would so

argue is just.

3:9

What then? Are we Jews more highly estimated than they? Not in

the least; for we have already charged all Jews and Gentiles alike

with being in thraldom to sin.

3:10

Thus it stands written, “There is not one righteous man.

3:11

There is not one who is really wise, nor one who is a diligent

seeker after God.

3:12

All have turned aside from the right path; they have every one of

them become corrupt. There is no one who does what is right —

no, not so much as one.”

3:13

“Their throats resemble an opened grave; with their tongues they

have been talking deceitfully.” “The venom of vipers lies hidden

behind their lips.”

3:14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

3:15 “Their feet move swiftly to shed blood.

3:16

Ruin and misery mark their path;

3:17

and the way to peace they have not known.”

3:18 “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”

3:19

But it cannot be denied that all that the Law says is addressed to

those who are living under the Law, in order that every mouth

may be stopped, and that the whole world may await sentence

from God.

3:20

For on the ground of obedience to Law no man living will be

declared righteous before Him. Law simply brings a sure

knowledge of sin.

3:21

But now a righteousness coming from God has been brought to

light apart from any Law, both Law and Prophets bearing witness

to it —

3:22

a righteousness coming from God, which depends on faith in

Jesus Christ and extends to all who believe. No distinction is

made;

3:23

for all alike have sinned, and all consciously come short of the

glory of God,

3:24

gaining acquittal from guilt by His free unpurchased grace

through the deliverance which is found in Christ Jesus.

3:25

He it is whom God put forward as a Mercy-seat, rendered

efficacious through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His

righteousness — because of the passing over, in God’s

forbearance, of the sins previously committed —

3:26

with a view to demonstrating, at the present time, His

righteousness, that He may be shown to be righteous Himself, and

the giver of righteousness to those who believe in Jesus.

3:27

Where then is there room for your boasting? It is for ever shut

out. On what principle? On the ground of merit? No, but on the

ground of faith.

3:28

For we maintain that it is as the result of faith that a man is held to

be righteous, apart from actions done in obedience to Law.

3:29

Is God simply the God of the Jews, and not of the Gentiles also?

He is certainly the God of the Gentiles also,

3:30

unless you can deny that it is one and the same God who will

pronounce the circumcised to be acquitted on the ground of faith,

and the uncircumcised to be acquitted through the same faith.

3:31

Do we then by means of this faith abolish the Law? No, indeed;

we give the Law a firmer footing.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

What then shall we say that Abraham, our earthly forefather, has

gained?

4:2

For if he was held to be righteous on the ground of his actions, he

has something to boast of; but not in the presence of God.

4:3

For what says the Scripture? “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD,

AND THIS WAS PLACED TO HIS CREDIT AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

4:4

But in the case of a man who works, pay is not reckoned a favor

but a debt;

4:5

whereas in the case of a man who pleads no actions of his own,

but simply believes in Him who declares the ungodly free from

guilt, his faith is placed to his credit as righteousness.

4:6

In this way David also tells of the blessedness of the man to

whose credit God places righteousness, apart from his actions.

4:7 “BLESSED,” he says, “are those whose iniquities have been forgiven,

and whose sins have been covered over.

4:8 BLESSED IS THE MAN OF WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE

ACCOUNT.”

4:9 This declaration of blessedness, then, does it come simply to the

circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well? For ABRAHAM’S

FAITH — so we affirm — WAS PLACED TO HIS CREDIT AS

RIGHTEOUSNESS.

4:10 What then were the circumstances under which this took place?

Was it after he had been circumcised, or before?

4:11 Before, not after. And he received circumcision as a sign, a mark

attesting the reality of the faith-righteousness which was his while

still uncircumcised, that he might be the forefather of all those

who believe even though they are uncircumcised — in order that

this righteousness might be placed to their credit;

4:12 and the forefather of the circumcised, namely of those who not

merely are circumcised, but also walk in the steps of the faith

which our forefather Abraham had while he was as yet

uncircumcised.

4:13 Again, the promise that he should inherit the world did not come

to Abraham or his posterity conditioned by Law, but by faith-

righteousness.

4:14 For if it is the righteous through Law who are heirs, then faith is

useless and the promise counts for nothing.

4:15 For the Law inflicts punishment; but where no Law exists, there

can be no violation of Law.

4:16 All depends on faith, and for this reason — that acceptance with

God might be an act of pure grace,

4:17 so that the promise should be made sure to all Abraham’s true

descendants; not merely to those who are righteous through the

Law, but to those who are righteous through a faith like that of

Abraham. Thus in the sight of God in whom he believed, who

gives life to the dead and makes reference to things that do not

exist, as though they did, Abraham is the forefather of all of us.

As it is written, “I HAVE APPOINTED YOU TO BE THE FOREFATHER

OF MANY NATIONS.”

4:18 Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so

that he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement

with the words “EQUALLY NUMEROUS SHALL YOUR POSTERITY

BE.”

4:19 And, without growing weak in faith, he could contemplate his

own vital powers which had now decayed — for he was nearly

100 years old — and Sarah’s barrenness.

4:20 Nor did he in unbelief stagger at God’s promise, but became

mighty in faith, giving glory to God,

4:21 and being absolutely certain that whatever promise He is bound by

He is able also to make good.

4:22 For this reason also his faith WAS PLACED TO HIS CREDIT AS

RIGHTEOUSNESS.

4:23 Nor was the fact of its being placed to his credit put on record for

his sake only;

4:24 it was for our sakes too. Faith, before long, will be placed to the

credit of us also who are believers in Him who raised Jesus, our

Lord, from the dead,

4:25 who was surrendered to death because of the offenses we had

committed, and was raised to life because of the acquittal secured

for us.

CHAPTER 5

5:1 Standing then acquitted as the result of faith, let us enjoy peace

with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

5:2 through whom also, as the result of faith, we have obtained an

introduction into that state of favor with God in which we stand,

and we exult in hope of some day sharing in God’s glory.

5:3 And not only so: we also exult in our sufferings, knowing as we

do, that suffering produces fortitude;

5:4 fortitude, ripeness of character; and ripeness of character, hope;

5:5 and that this hope never disappoints, because God’s love for us

floods our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to

us.

5:6 For already, while we were still helpless, Christ at the right

moment died for the ungodly.

5:7 Why, it is scarcely conceivable that any one would die for a

simply just man, although for a good and lovable man perhaps

some one, here and there, will have the courage even to lay down

his life.

5:8 But God gives proof of His love to us in Christ’s dying for us

while we were still sinners.

5:9 If therefore we have now been pronounced free from guilt

through His blood, much more shall we be delivered from God’s

anger through Him.

5:10 For if while we were hostile to God we were reconciled to Him

through the death of His Son, it is still more certain that now that

we are reconciled, we shall obtain salvation through Christ’s life.

5:11 And not only so, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus

Christ, through whom we have now obtained that reconciliation.

5:12 What follows? This comparison. Through one man sin entered

into the world, and through sin death, and so death passed to all

mankind in turn, in that all sinned.

5:13 For prior to the Law sin was already in the world; only it is not

entered in the account against us when no Law exists.

5:14 Yet Death reigned as king from Adam to Moses even over those

who had not sinned, as Adam did, against Law. And in Adam we

have a type of Him whose coming was still future.

5:15 But God’s free gift immeasurably outweighs the transgression.

For if through the transgression of the one individual the mass of

mankind have died, infinitely greater is the generosity with which

God’s grace, and the gift given in His grace which found

expression in the one man Jesus Christ, have been bestowed on

the mass of mankind.

5:16

And it is not with the gift as it was with the results of one

individual’s sin; for the judgment which one individual provoked

resulted in condemnation, whereas the free gift after a multitude

of transgressions results in acquittal.

5:17

For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death

made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the

more shall those who receive God’s overflowing grace and gift of

righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual,

Jesus Christ.

5:18

It follows then that just as the result of a single transgression is a

condemnation which extends to the whole race, so also the result

of a single decree of righteousness is a life-giving acquittal which

extends to the whole race.

5:19

For as through the disobedience of the one individual the mass of

mankind were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience

of the One the mass of mankind will be constituted righteous.

5:20

Now Law was brought in later on, so that transgression might

increase. But where sin increased, grace has overflowed;

5:21

in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death, so

grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness

which results in the Life of the Ages through Jesus Christ our

Lord.

CHAPTER 6

6:1

To what conclusion, then, shall we come? Are we to persist in

sinning in order that the grace extended to us may be the greater?

6:2

No, indeed; how shall we who have died to sin, live in it any

longer?

6:3

And do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into

Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

6:4

Well, then, we by our baptism were buried with Him in death, in

order that, just as Christ was raised from among the dead by the

Father’s glorious power, we also should live an entirely new life.

6:5

For since we have become one with Him by sharing in His death,

we shall also be one with Him by sharing in His resurrection.

6:6

This we know — that our old self was nailed to the cross with

Him, in order that our sinful nature might be deprived of its

power, so that we should no longer be the slaves of sin;

6:7

for he who has paid the penalty of death stands absolved from his

sin.

6:8

But, seeing that we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall

also live with Him;

6:9

because we know that Christ, having come back to life, is no

longer liable to die.

6:10

Death has no longer any power over Him. For by the death which

He died He became, once for all, dead in relation to sin; but by the

life which He now lives He is alive in relation to God.

6:11

In the same way you also must regard yourselves as dead in

relation to sin, but as alive in relation to God, because you are in

Christ Jesus.

6:12

Let not Sin therefore reign as king in your mortal bodies, causing

you to be in subjection to their cravings;

6:13

and no longer lend your faculties as unrighteous weapons for Sin

to use. On the contrary surrender your very selves to God as

living men who have risen from the dead, and surrender your

several faculties to God, to be used as weapons to maintain the

right.

6:14

For Sin shall not be lord over you, since you are subjects not of

Law, but of grace.

6:15

Are we therefore to sin because we are no longer under the

authority of Law, but under grace? No, indeed!

6:16

Do you not know that if you surrender yourselves as bondservants

to obey any one, you become the bondservants of him whom you

obey, whether the bondservants of Sin (with death as the result)

or of Duty (resulting in righteousness)?

6:17

But thanks be to God that though you were once in thraldom to

Sin, you have now yielded a hearty obedience to that system of

truth in which you have been instructed.

6:18

You were set free from the tyranny of Sin, and became the

bondservants of Righteousness —

6:19

your human infirmity leads me to employ these familiar figures —

and just as you once surrendered your faculties into bondage to

Impurity and ever-increasing disregard of Law, so you must now

surrender them into bondage to Righteousness ever advancing

towards perfect holiness.

6:20

For when you were the bondservants of sin, you were under no

sort of subjection to Righteousness.

6:21

At that time, then, what benefit did you get from conduct which

you now regard with shame? Why, such things finally result in

death.

6:22

But now that you have been set free from the tyranny of Sin, and

have become the bondservants of God, you have your reward in

being made holy, and you have the Life of the Ages as the final

result.

6:23

For the wages paid by Sin are death; but God’s free gift is the Life

of the Ages bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

CHAPTER 7

7:1

Brethren, do you not know — for I am writing to people

acquainted with the Law — that it is during our lifetime that we

are subject to the Law?

7:2

A wife, for instance, whose husband is living is bound to him by

the Law; but if her husband dies the law that bound her to him has

now no hold over her.

7:3

This accounts for the fact that if during her husband’s life she lives

with another man, she will be stigmatized as an adulteress; but

that if her husband is dead she is no longer under the old

prohibition, and even though she marries again, she is not an

adulteress.

7:4

So, my brethren, to you also the Law died through the incarnation

of Christ, that you might be wedded to Another, namely to Him

who rose from the dead in order that we might yield fruit to God.

7:5

For whilst we were under the thraldom of our earthly natures,

sinful passions — made sinful by the Law — were always being

aroused to action in our bodily faculties that they might yield fruit

to death.

7:6

But seeing that we have died to that which once held us in

bondage, the Law has now no hold over us, so that we render a

service which, instead of being old and formal, is new and

spiritual.

7:7

What follows? Is the Law itself a sinful thing? No, indeed; on the

contrary, unless I had been taught by the Law, I should have

known nothing of sin as sin. For instance, I should not have

known what covetousness is, if the Law had not repeatedly said,

“THOU SHALT NOT COVET.”

7:8

Sin took advantage of this, and by means of the Commandment

stirred up within me every kind of coveting; for apart from Law

sin would be dead.

7:9

Once, apart from Law, I was alive, but when the Commandment

came, sin sprang into life, and I died;

7:10

and, as it turned out, the very Commandment which was to bring

me life, brought me death.

7:11

For sin seized the advantage, and by means of the Commandment

it completely deceived me, and also put me to death.

7:12

So that the Law itself is holy, and the Commandment is holy, just

and good.

7:13

Did then a thing which is good become death to me? No, indeed,

but sin did; so that through its bringing about death by means of

what was good, it might be seen in its true light as sin, in order

that by means of the Commandment the unspeakable sinfulness of

sin might be plainly shown.

7:14

For we know that the Law is a spiritual thing; but I am unspiritual

— the slave, bought and sold, of sin.

7:15

For what I do, I do not recognize as my own action. What I desire

to do is not what I do, but what I am averse to is what I do.

7:16 But if I do that which I do not desire to do, I admit the excellence

of the Law,

7:17 and now it is no longer I that do these things, but the sin which

has its home within me does them.

7:18 For I know that in me, that is, in my lower self, nothing good has

its home; for while the will to do right is present with me, the

power to carry it out is not.

7:19 For what I do is not the good thing that I desire to do; but the evil

thing that I desire not to do, is what I constantly do.

7:20 But if I do that which I desire not to do, it can no longer be said

that it is I who do it, but the sin which has its home within me

does it.

7:21 I find therefore the law of my nature to be that when I desire to

do what is right, evil is lying in ambush for me.

7:22 For in my inmost self all my sympathy is with the Law of God;

7:23 but I discover within me a different Law at war with the Law of

my understanding, and leading me captive to the Law which is

everywhere at work in my body — the Law of sin.

7:24 (Unhappy man that I am! who will rescue me from this death-

burdened body?

7:25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!) To sum up

then, with my understanding, I — my true self — am in servitude

to the Law of God, but with my lower nature I am in servitude to

the Law of sin.

CHAPTER 8

8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in

Christ Jesus;

8:2 for the Spirit’s Law — telling of Life in Christ Jesus — has set me

free from the Law that deals only with sin and death.

8:3 For what was impossible to the Law — powerless as it was

because it acted through frail humanity — God effected. Sending

His own Son in a body like that of sinful human nature and as a

sacrifice for sin, He pronounced sentence upon sin in human

nature;

8:4

in order that in our case the requirements of the Law might be

fully met. For our lives are regulated not by our earthly, but by

our spiritual natures.

8:5

For if men are controlled by their earthly natures, they give their

minds to earthly things. If they are controlled by their spiritual

natures, they give their minds to spiritual things.

8:6

Because for the mind to be given up to earthly things means

death; but for it to be given up to spiritual things means Life and

peace.

8:7

Abandonment to earthly things is a state of enmity to God. Such a

mind does not submit to God’s Law, and indeed cannot do so.

8:8

And those whose hearts are absorbed in earthly things cannot

please God.

8:9

You, however, are not devoted to earthly, but to spiritual things,

if the Spirit of God is really dwelling in you; whereas if any man

has not the Spirit of Christ, such a one does not belong to Him.

8:10

But if Christ is in you, though your body must die because of sin,

yet your spirit has Life because of righteousness.

8:11

And if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead is

dwelling in you, He who raised up Christ from the dead will give

Life also to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who dwells

in you.

8:12

Therefore, brethren, it is not to our lower natures that we are

under obligation that we should live by their rule.

8:13

For if you so live, death is near; but if, through being under the

sway of the spirit, you are putting your old bodily habits to death,

you will live.

8:14

For those who are led by God’s Spirit are, all of them, God’s

sons.

8:15

You have not for the second time acquired the consciousness of

being — a consciousness which fills you with terror. But you have

acquired a deep inward conviction of having been adopted as sons

— a conviction which prompts us to cry aloud, “Abba! our

Father!”

8:16

The Spirit Himself bears witness, along with our own spirits, to

the fact that we are children of God;

8:17

and if children, then heirs too — heirs of God and co-heirs with

Christ; if indeed we are sharers in Christ’s sufferings, in order that

we may also be sharers in His glory.

8:18

Why, what we now suffer I count as nothing in comparison with

the glory which is soon to be manifested in us.

8:19

For all creation, gazing eagerly as if with outstretched neck, is

waiting and longing to see the manifestation of the sons of God.

8:20

For the Creation fell into subjection to failure and unreality (not of

its own choice, but by the will of Him who so subjected it).

8:21

Yet there was always the hope that at last the Creation itself

would also be set free from the thraldom of decay so as to enjoy

the liberty that will attend the glory of the children of God.

8:22

For we know that the whole of Creation is groaning together in

the pains of childbirth until this hour.

8:23

And more than that, we ourselves, though we possess the Spirit as

a foretaste and pledge of the glorious future, yet we ourselves

inwardly sigh, as we wait and long for open recognition as sons

through the deliverance of our bodies.

8:24

It is in hope that we have been saved. But an object of hope is

such no longer when it is present to view; for when a man has a

thing before his eyes, how can he be said to hope for it?

8:25

But if we hope for something which we do not see, then we

eagerly and patiently wait for it.

8:26

In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we

do not know what prayers to offer nor in what way to offer them.

But the Spirit Himself pleads for us in yearnings that can find no

words,

8:27

and the Searcher of hearts knows what the Spirit’s meaning is,

because His intercessions for God’s people are in harmony with

God’s will.

8:28

Now we know that for those who love God all things are working

together for good — for those, I mean, whom with deliberate

purpose He has called.

8:29

For those whom He has known beforehand He has also predestined

to bear the likeness of His Son, that He might be the

Eldest in a vast family of brothers;

8:30

and those whom He has pre-destined He also has called; and those

whom He has called He has also declared free from guilt; and

those whom He has declared free from guilt He has also crowned

with glory.

8:31

What then shall we say to this? If God is on our side, who is there

to appear against us?

8:32

He who did not withhold even His own Son, but gave Him up for

all of us, will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

8:33

Who shall impeach those whom God has chosen? God declares

them free from guilt.

8:34

Who is there to condemn them? Christ Jesus died, or rather has

risen to life again. He is also at the right hand of God, and is

interceding for us.

8:35

Who shall separate us from Christ’s love? Shall affliction or

distress, persecution or hunger, nakedness or danger or the

sword?

8:36

As it stands written in the Scripture, “FOR THY SAKE THEY ARE,

ALL DAY LONG, TRYING TO KILL US. WE HAVE BEEN LOOKED UPON

AS SHEEP DESTINED FOR SLAUGHTER.”

8:37

Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors through

Him who has loved us.

8:38

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither the lower

ranks of evil angels nor the higher, neither things present nor

things future, nor the forces of nature,

8:39

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to

separate us from the love of God which rests upon us in Christ

Jesus our Lord.

CHAPTER 9

9:1 I am telling you the truth as a Christian man — it is no falsehood,

for my conscience enlightened, as it is, by the Holy Spirit adds its

testimony to mine —

9:2 when I declare that I have deep grief and unceasing anguish of

heart.

9:3 For I could pray to be accursed from Christ on behalf of my

brethren, my human kinsfolk — for such the Israelites are.

9:4 To them belongs recognition as God’s sons, and they have His

glorious Presence and the Covenants, and the giving of the Law,

and the Temple service, and the ancient Promises.

9:5 To them the Patriarchs belong, and from them in respect of His

human lineage came the Christ, who is exalted above all, God

blessed throughout the Ages. Amen.

9:6 Not however that God’s word has failed; for all who have sprung

from Israel do not count as Israel,

9:7 nor because they are Abraham’s true children. But the promise

was “THROUGH ISAAC SHALL YOUR POSTERITY BE RECKONED.”

9:8 In other words, it is not the children by natural descent who count

as God’s children, but the children made such by the promise are

regarded as Abraham’s posterity.

9:9 For the words are the language of promise and run thus, “ABOUT

THIS TIME NEXT YEAR I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A

SON.”

9:10 Nor is that all: later on there was Rebecca too. She was soon to

bear two children to her husband, our forefather Isaac —

9:11 and even then, though they were not then born and had not done

anything either good or evil, yet in order that God’s electing

purpose might not be frustrated, based, as it was, not on their

actions but on the will of Him who called them, she was told,

9:12 “THE ELDER OF THEM WILL BE BONDSERVANT TO THE YOUNGER.”

9:13 This agrees with the other Scripture which says, “JACOB I HAVE

LOVED, BUT ESAU I HAVE HATED.”

9:14 What then are we to infer? That there is injustice in God?

9:15 No, indeed; the solution is found in His words to Moses,

“WHEREVER I SHOW MERCY IT SHALL BE NOTHING BUT MERCY,

AND WHEREVER I SHOW COMPASSION IT SHALL BE SIMPLY

COMPASSION.”

9:16 And from this we learn that everything is dependent not on man’s

will or endeavor, but upon God who has mercy. For the Scripture

said to Pharaoh,

9:17 “IT IS FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE THAT I HAVE LIFTED YOU SO HIGH —

THAT I MAY MAKE MANIFEST IN YOU MY POWER, AND THAT MY

NAME MAY BE PROCLAIMED FAR AND WIDE IN ALL THE EARTH.”

9:18 This is a proof that wherever He chooses He shows mercy, and

wherever he chooses He hardens the heart.

9:19 “Why then does God still find fault?” you will ask; “for who is

resisting His will?”

9:20 Nay, but who are you, a mere man, that you should cavil against

GOD? SHALL THE THING MOULDED SAY TO HIM WHO MOULDED IT,

“WHY HAVE YOU MADE ME THUS?”

9:21 Or has not the potter rightful power over the clay to make out of

the same lump one vessel for more honorable and another for less

honorable uses?

9:22 And what if God, while choosing to make manifest the terrors of

His anger and to show what is possible with Him, has yet borne

with long-forbearing patience with the subjects of His anger who

stand ready for destruction,

9:23 in order to make known His infinite goodness towards the

subjects of His mercy whom He has prepared beforehand for

glory,

9:24 even towards us whom He has called not only from among the

Jews but also from among the Gentiles?

9:25 So also in Hosea He says, “I will call that nation My People which

was not My People, and I will call her beloved who was not

beloved.

9:26 AND IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, ‘NO PEOPLE OF

MINE ARE YOU,’ THERE SHALL THEY BE CALLED SONS OF THE

EVERLIVING GOD.”

9:27 And Isaiah cries aloud concerning Israel, “Though the number of

the sons of Israel be like the sands of the sea, only a remnant of

them shall be saved;

9:28 FOR THE LORD WILL HOLD A RECKONING UPON THE EARTH,

MAKING IT EFFICACIOUS AND BRIEF.”

9:29 Even as Isaiah says in an earlier place, “WERE IT NOT THAT THE

LORD, THE GOD OF HOSTS, HAD LEFT US SOME FEW

DESCENDANTS, WE SHOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM, AND

HAVE COME TO RESEMBLE GOMORRAH.”

9:30 To what conclusion does this bring us? Why, that the Gentiles,

who were not in pursuit of righteousness, have overtaken it — a

righteousness, however, which arises from faith;

9:31 while the descendants of Israel, who were in pursuit of a Law that

could give righteousness, have not arrived at one.

9:32 And why? Because they were pursuing a righteousness which

should arise not from faith, but from what they regarded as merit.

They stuck their foot against the stone which lay in their way;

9:33 in agreement with the statement of Scripture, “SEE, I AM PLACING

ON MOUNT ZION A STONE FOR PEOPLE TO STUMBLE AT, AND A

ROCK FOR THEM TO TRIP OVER, AND YET HE WHOSE FAITH RESTS

UPON IT SHALL NEVER HAVE REASON TO FEEL ASHAMED.”

CHAPTER 10

10:1 Brethren, the longing of my heart, and my prayer to God, on

behalf of my countrymen is for their salvation.

10:2 For I bear witness that they possess an enthusiasm for God, but it

is an unenlightened enthusiasm.

10:3 Ignorant of the righteousness which God provides and building

their hopes upon a righteousness of their own, they have refused

submission to God’s righteousness.

10:4 For as a means of righteousness Christ is the termination of Law

to every believer.

10:5 Moses says that he whose actions conform to the righteousness

required by the Law shall live by that righteousness.

10:6 But the righteousness which is based on faith speaks in a different

tone. “Say not in your heart,” it declares, “‘Who shall ascend to

Heaven?’” — that is, to bring Christ down;

10:7 “nor ‘Who shall go down into the abyss?’” — that is, to bring

Christ up again from the grave.

10:8 But what does it say? “The Message is close to you, in your

mouth and in your heart;” that is, the Message which we are

publishing about the faith —

10:9 that if with your mouth you confess Jesus as Lord and in your

heart believe that God brought Him back to life, you shall be

saved.

10:10

For with the heart men believe and obtain righteousness, and with

the mouth they make confession and obtain salvation.

10:11

The Scripture says, “NO ONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL HAVE

REASON TO FEEL ASHAMED.”

10:12

Jew and Gentile are on precisely the same footing; for the same

Lord is Lord over all, and is infinitely kind to all who call upon

Him for deliverance.

10:13

For “EVERY ONE, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, WHO CALLS ON THE NAME

OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.”

10:14

But how are they to call on One in whom they have not believed?

And how are they to believe in One whose voice they have never

heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?

10:15

And how are men to preach unless they have been sent to do so?

As it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO

BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD!”

10:16

But, some will say, they have not all hearkened to the Good

News. No, for Isaiah asks, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED THE

MESSAGE THEY HAVE HEARD FROM US?”

10:17

And this proves that faith comes from a Message heard, and that

the Message comes through its having been spoken by Christ.

10:18

But, I ask, have they not heard? Yes, indeed: “TO THE WHOLE

WORLD THE PREACHERS’ VOICES HAVE SOUNDED FORTH, AND

THEIR WORDS TO THE REMOTEST PARTS OF THE EARTH.”

10:19

But again, did Israel fail to understand? Listen to Moses first. He

says, “I WILL FIRE YOU WITH JEALOUSY AGAINST A NATION WHICH

IS NO NATION, AND WITH FURY AGAINST A NATION DEVOID OF

UNDERSTANDING.”

10:20

And Isaiah, with strange boldness, exclaims, “I HAVE BEEN FOUND

BY THOSE WHO WERE NOT LOOKING FOR ME, I HAVE REVEALED

MYSELF TO THOSE WHO WERE NOT INQUIRING OF ME.”

10:21

While as to Israel he says, “ALL DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED

OUT MY ARMS TO A SELF-WILLED AND FAULT-FINDING PEOPLE.”

CHAPTER 11

11:1

I ask then, Has God cast off His People? No, indeed. Why, I

myself am an Israelite, of the posterity of Abraham and of the

tribe of Benjamin.

11:2

God has not cast off His People whom He knew beforehand. Or

are you ignorant of what Scripture says in speaking of Elijah —

how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying,

11:3

“LORD, THEY HAVE PUT THY PROPHETS TO DEATH, AND HAVE

OVERTHROWN THY ALTARS; AND, NOW THAT I ALONE REMAIN,

THEY ARE THIRSTING FOR MY BLOOD”?

11:4

But what did God say to him in reply? “I HAVE RESERVED FOR

MYSELF 7,000 MEN WHO HAVE NEVER BENT THE KNEE TO BAAL.”

11:5

In the same way also at the present time there has come to be a

remnant whom God in His grace has selected.

11:6

But if it is in His grace that He has selected them, then His choice

is no longer determined by human actions. Otherwise grace would

be grace no longer.

11:7

How then does the matter stand? It stands thus. That which Israel

are in earnest pursuit of, they have not obtained; but God’s

chosen servants have obtained it, and the rest have become

hardened.

11:8 And so Scripture says, “GOD HAS GIVEN THEM A SPIRIT OF

DROWSINESS — EYES TO SEE NOTHING WITH AND EARS TO HEAR

NOTHING WITH — EVEN UNTIL NOW.”

11:9 And David says, “Let their very food become a snare and a trap to

them, a stumbling-block and a retribution.

11:10 LET DARKNESS COME OVER THEIR EYES THAT THEY MAY BE

UNABLE TO SEE, AND MAKE THOU THEIR BACKS CONTINUALLY TO

STOOP.”

11:11 I ask, however, “Have they stumbled so as to be finally ruined?”

No, indeed; but by their lapse salvation has come to the Gentiles

in order to arouse the jealousy of the descendants of Israel;

11:12 and if their lapse is the enriching of the world, and their overthrow

the enriching of the Gentiles, will not still greater good follow

their restoration?

11:13 But to you Gentiles I say that, since I am an Apostle specially sent

to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry,

11:14 trying whether I can succeed in rousing my own countrymen to

jealousy and thus save some of them.

11:15 For if their having been cast aside has carried with it the

reconciliation of the world, what will their being accepted again

be but Life out of death?

11:16 Now if the firstfruits of the dough are holy, so also is the whole

mass; and if the root of a tree is holy, so also are the branches.

11:17 And if some of the branches have been pruned away, and you,

although you were but a wild olive, have been grafted in among

them and have become a sharer with others in the rich sap of the

root of the olive tree,

11:18 beware of glorying over the natural branches. Or if you are so

glorying, do not forget that it is not you who uphold the root: the

root upholds you.

11:19 “Branches have been lopped off,” you will say, “for the sake of my

being grafted in.”

11:20 This is true; yet it was their unbelief that cut them off, and you

only stand through your faith.

11:21

Do not be puffed up with pride. Tremble rather — for if God did

not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.

11:22

Notice therefore God’s kindness and God’s severity. On those

who have fallen His severity has descended, but upon you His

kindness has come, provided that you do not cease to respond to

that kindness. Otherwise you will be cut off also.

11:23

Moreover, if they turn from their unbelief, they too will be grafted

in. For God is powerful enough to graft them in again;

11:24

and if you were cut from that which by nature is a wild olive and

contrary to nature were grafted into the good olive tree, how

much more certainly will these natural branches be grafted on

their own olive tree?

11:25

For there is a truth, brethren, not revealed hitherto, of which I do

not wish to leave you in ignorance, for fear you should attribute

superior wisdom to yourselves — the truth, I mean, that partial

blindness has fallen upon Israel until the great mass of the Gentiles

have come in;

11:26

and so all Israel will be saved. As is declared in Scripture, “From

Mount Zion a Deliverer will come: He will remove all ungodliness

from Jacob;

11:27

AND THIS SHALL BE MY COVENANT WITH THEM; WHEN I HAVE

TAKEN AWAY THEIR SINS.”

11:28

In relation to the Good News, the Jews are God’s enemies for

your sakes; but in relation to God’s choice they are dearly loved

for the sake of their forefathers.

11:29

For God does not repent of His free gifts nor of His call;

11:30

but just as you were formerly disobedient to Him, but now have

received mercy at a time when they are disobedient,

11:31

so now they also have been disobedient at a time when you are

receiving mercy; so that to them too there may now be mercy.

11:32

For God has locked up all in the prison of unbelief, that upon all

alike He may have mercy.

11:33

Oh, how inexhaustible are God’s resources and God’s wisdom

and God’s knowledge! How impossible it is to search into His

decrees or trace His footsteps!

11:34

“Who has ever known the mind of the Lord, or shared His

counsels?”

11:35

“WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN GOD ANYTHING, SO AS TO RECEIVE

PAYMENT IN RETURN?”

11:36

For the universe owes its origin to Him, was created by Him, and

has its aim and purpose in Him. To Him be the glory throughout

the Ages! Amen.

CHAPTER 12

12:1

I plead with you therefore, brethren, by the compassions of God,

to present all your faculties to Him as a living and holy sacrifice

acceptable to Him. This with you will be an act of reasonable

worship.

12:2

And do not follow the customs of the present age, but be

transformed by the entire renewal of your minds, so that you may

learn by experience what God’s will is — that will which is good

and beautiful and perfect.

12:3

For through the authority graciously given to me I warn every

individual among you not to value himself unduly, but to cultivate

sobriety of judgment in accordance with the amount of faith which

God has allotted to each one.

12:4

For just as there are in the one human body many parts, and these

parts have not all the same function;

12:5

so collectively we form one body in Christ, while individually we

are linked to one another as its members.

12:6

But since we have special gifts which differ in accordance with the

diversified work graciously entrusted to us, if it is prophecy, let

the prophet speak in exact proportion to his faith;

12:7

if it is the gift of administration, let the administrator exercise a

sound judgment in his duties.

12:8

The teacher must do the same in his teaching; and he who exhorts

others, in his exhortation. He who gives should be liberal; he who

is in authority should be energetic and alert; and he who succors

the afflicted should do it cheerfully.

12:9 Let your love be perfectly sincere. Regard with horror what is

evil; cling to what is right.

12:10 As for brotherly love, be affectionate to one another; in matters of

worldly honor, yield to one another.

12:11 Do not be indolent when zeal is required. Be thoroughly warmhearted,

the Lord’s own servants,

12:12 full of joyful hope, patient under persecution, earnest and

persistent in prayer.

12:13 Relieve the necessities of God’s people; always practice

hospitality.

12:14 Invoke blessings on your persecutors — blessings, not curses.

12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

12:16 Have full sympathy with one another. Do not give your mind to

high things, but let humble ways content you. DO NOT BE WISE IN

YOUR OWN CONCEITS.

12:17 Pay back to no man evil for evil. TAKE THOUGHT FOR WHAT IS

RIGHT AND SEEMLY IN EVERY ONE’S ESTEEM.

12:18 If you can, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with all the

world.

12:19 Do not be revengeful, my dear friends, but give way before anger;

for it is written, “‘REVENGE BELONGS TO ME: I WILL PAY BACK,’

says the Lord.”

12:20 On the contrary, therefore, IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, GIVE HIM

FOOD; IF HE IS THIRSTY, QUENCH HIS THIRST. FOR BY DOING THIS

YOU WILL BE HEAPING BURNING COALS UPON HIS HEAD.

12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome the evil with

goodness.

CHAPTER 13

13:1 Let every individual be obedient to those who rule over him; for

no one is a ruler except by God’s permission, and our present

rulers have had their rank and power assigned to them by Him.

13:2 Therefore the man who rebels against his ruler is resisting God’s

will; and those who thus resist will bring punishment upon

themselves.

13:3 For judges and magistrates are to be feared not by right-doers but

by wrong-doers. You desire — do you not? — to have no reason

to fear your ruler. Well, do the thing that is right, and then he will

commend you.

13:4 For he is God’s servant for your benefit. But if you do what is

wrong, be afraid. He does not wear the sword to no purpose: he

is God’s servant — an administrator to inflict punishment upon

evil-doers.

13:5 We must obey therefore, not only in order to escape punishment,

but also for conscience’ sake.

13:6 Why, this is really the reason you pay taxes; for tax-gatherers are

ministers of God, devoting their energies to this very work.

13:7 Pay promptly to all men what is due to them: taxes to those to

whom taxes are due, toll to those to whom toll is due, respect to

those to whom respect is due, honor to those to whom honor is

due.

13:8 Owe nothing to any one except mutual love; for he who loves his

fellow man has satisfied the demands of Law.

13:9 For the precepts, “THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” “THOU

SHALT DO NO MURDER,” “THOU SHALT NOT STEAL,” “THOU SHALT

NOT COVET,” and all other precepts, are summed up in this one

command, “THOU SHALT LOVE THY FELLOW MAN AS MUCH AS

THOU LOVEST THYSELF.”

13:10 Love avoids doing any wrong to one’s fellow man, and is

therefore complete obedience to Law.

13:11 Carry out these injunctions because you know the critical period

at which we are living, and that it is now high time, to rouse

yourselves from sleep; for salvation is now nearer to us than when

we first became believers.

13:12

The night is far advanced, and day is about to dawn. We must

therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness, and clothe ourselves

with the armor of Light.

13:13

Living as we do in broad daylight, let us conduct ourselves

becomingly, not indulging in revelry and drunkenness, nor in lust

and debauchery, nor in quarrelling and jealousy.

13:14

On the contrary, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and

make no provision for gratifying your earthly cravings.

CHAPTER 14

14:1

I now pass to another subject. Receive as a friend a man whose

faith is weak, but not for the purpose of deciding mere matters of

opinion.

14:2

One man’s faith allows him to eat anything, while a man of

weaker faith eats nothing but vegetables.

14:3

Let not him who eats certain food look down upon him who

abstains from it, nor him who abstains from it find fault with him

who eats it; for God has received both of them.

14:4

Who are you that you should find fault with the servant of

another? Whether he stands or falls is a matter which concerns his

own master. But stand he will; for the Master can give him power

to stand.

14:5

One man esteems one day more highly than another; another

esteems all days alike. Let every one be thoroughly convinced in

his own mind.

14:6

He who regards the day as sacred, so regards it for the Master’s

sake; and he who eats certain food eats it for the Master’s sake,

for he gives thanks to God; and he who refrains from eating it

refrains for the Master’s sake, and he also gives thanks to God.

14:7

For not one of us lives to himself, and not one dies to himself.

14:8

If we live, we live to the Lord: if we die, we die to the Lord. So

whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

14:9

For this was the purpose of Christ’s dying and coming to life —

namely that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living.

14:10

But you, why do you find fault with your brother? Or you, why

do you look down upon your brother? We shall all stand before

God to be judged;

14:11

for it is written, “‘AS I LIVE,’ says the Lord, ‘TO ME EVERY KNEE

SHALL BOW, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL MAKE CONFESSION TO

GOD.’”

14:12

So we see that every one of us will give account of himself to

God.

14:13

Therefore let us no longer judge one another; but, instead of that,

you should come to this judgment — that we must not put a

stumbling-block in our brother’s path, nor anything to trip him up.

14:14

As one who lives in union with the Lord Jesus, I know and am

certain that in its own nature no food is ‘impure’; but if people

regard any food as impure, to them it is.

14:15

If your brother is pained by the food you are eating, your conduct

is no longer controlled by love. Take care lest, by the food you

eat, you lead to ruin a man for whom Christ died.

14:16

Therefore do not let the boon which is yours in common be

exposed to reproach.

14:17

For the Kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking,

but of right conduct, peace and joy, through the Holy Spirit;

14:18

and whoever in this way devotedly serves Christ, God takes

pleasure in him, and men highly commend him.

14:19

Therefore let us aim at whatever makes for peace and mutual

upbuilding of character.

14:20

Do not for food’s sake be throwing down God’s work. All food is

pure; but a man is in the wrong if his food is a snare to others.

14:21

The right course is to forego eating meat or drinking wine or

doing anything that tends to your brother’s fall.

14:22 As for you and your faith, keep your faith to yourself in the

presence of God. The man is to be congratulated who does not

pronounce judgment on himself in what his actions sanction.

14:23 But he who has misgivings and yet eats meat is condemned

already, because his conduct is not based on faith; for all conduct

not based on faith is sinful.

CHAPTER 15

15:1 As for us who are strong, our duty is to bear with the weaknesses

of those who are not strong, and not seek our own pleasure.

15:2 Let each of us endeavor to please his fellow Christian, aiming at a

blessing calculated to build him up.

15:3 For even the Christ did not seek His own pleasure. His principle

was, “THE REPROACHES WHICH THEY ADDRESSED TO THEE HAVE

FALLEN ON ME.”

15:4 For all that was written of old has been written for our instruction,

so that we may always have hope through the power of endurance

and the encouragement which the Scriptures afford.

15:5 And may God, the giver of power of endurance and of that

encouragement, grant you to be in full sympathy with one another

in accordance with the example of Christ Jesus,

15:6 so that with oneness both of heart and voice you may glorify the

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15:7 Habitually therefore give one another a friendly reception, just as

Christ also has received you, and thus promote the glory of God.

15:8 My meaning is that Christ has become a servant to the people of

Israel in vindication of God’s truthfulness — in showing how sure

are the promises made to our forefathers —

15:9 and that the Gentiles also have glorified God in acknowledgment

of His mercy. So it is written, “FOR THIS REASON I WILL PRAISE

THEE AMONG THE GENTILES, AND SING PSALMS IN HONOR OF THY

NAME.”

15:10 And again the Psalmist says, “BE GLAD, YE GENTILES, IN

COMPANY WITH HIS PEOPLE.”

15:11

And again, “PRAISE THE LORD, ALL YE GENTILES, AND LET ALL

THE PEOPLE EXTOL HIM.”

15:12

And again Isaiah says, “THERE SHALL BE THE ROOT OF JESSE AND

ONE WHO RISES UP TO RULE THE GENTILES. ON HIM SHALL THE

GENTILES BUILD THEIR HOPES.”

15:13

May God, the giver of hope, fill you with continual joy and peace

because you trust in Him — so that you may have abundant hope

through the power of the Holy Spirit.

15:14

But as to you, brethren, I am convinced — yes, I Paul am

convinced — that, even apart from my teaching, you are already

full of goodness of heart, and enriched with complete Christian

knowledge, and are also competent to instruct one another.

15:15

But I write to you the more boldly — partly as reminding you of

what you already know — because of the authority graciously

entrusted to me by God,

15:16

that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus among the Gentiles,

doing priestly duties in connection with God’s Good News so that

the sacrifice — namely the Gentiles — may be acceptable to Him,

being (as it is) an offering which the Holy Spirit has made holy.

15:17

I can therefore glory in Christ Jesus concerning the work for God

in which I am engaged.

15:18

For I will not presume to mention any of the results that Christ

has brought about by other agency than mine in securing the

obedience of the Gentiles by word or deed,

15:19

with power manifested in signs and marvels, and through the

power of the Holy Spirit. But — to speak simply of my own

labors — beginning in Jerusalem and the outlying districts, I have

proclaimed without reserve, even as far as Illyricum, the Good

News of the Christ;

15:20

making it my ambition, however, not to tell the Good News

where Christ’s name was already known, for fear I should be

building on another man’s foundation.

15:21

But, as Scripture says, “THOSE SHALL SEE, TO WHOM NO REPORT

ABOUT HIM HAS HITHERTO COME, AND THOSE WHO UNTIL NOW

HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND.”

15:22

And it is really this which has again and again prevented my

coming to you.

15:23

But now, as there is no more unoccupied ground in this part of

the world, and I have for years past been eager to pay you a visit,

15:24

I hope, as soon as ever I extend my travels into Spain, to see you

on my way and be helped forward by you on my journey, when I

have first enjoyed being with you for a time.

15:25

But at present I am going to Jerusalem to serve God’s people,

15:26

for Macedonia and Greece have kindly contributed a certain sum

in relief of the poor among God’s people, in Jerusalem.

15:27

Yes, they have kindly done this, and, in fact, it was a debt they

owed them. For seeing that the Gentiles have been admitted in to

partnership with the Jews in their spiritual blessings, they in turn

are under an obligation to render sacred service to the Jews in

temporal things.

15:28

So after discharging this duty, and making sure that these kind

gifts reach those for whom they are intended, I shall start for

Spain, passing through Rome on my way there;

15:29

and I know that when I come to you it will be with a vast amount

of blessing from Christ.

15:30

But I entreat you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

and by the love which His Spirit inspires, to help me by wrestling

in prayer to God on my behalf,

15:31

asking that I may escape unhurt from those in Judaea who are

disobedient, and that the service which I am going to Jerusalem to

render may be well received by the Church there,

15:32

in order that if God be willing I may come to you with a glad

heart, and may enjoy a time of rest with you.

15:33

May God, who gives peace be with you all! Amen.

CHAPTER 16

16:1

Herewith I introduce our sister Phoebe to you, who is a servant of

the Church at Cenchreae,

16:2

that you may receive her as a fellow Christian in a manner worthy

of God’s people, and may assist her in any matter in which she

may need help. For she has indeed been a kind friend to many,

including myself.

16:3

Greetings to Prisca and Aquila my fellow laborers in the work of

Christ Jesus —

16:4

friends who have endangered their own lives for mine. I am

grateful to them, and not I alone, but all the Gentile Churches

also.

16:5

Greetings, too, to the Church that meets at their house. Greetings

to my dear Epaenetus, who was the earliest convert to Christ in

the province of Asia;

16:6

to Mary who has labored strenuously among you;

16:7

and to Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen, who once shared

my imprisonment. They are of note among the Apostles, and are

Christians of longer standing than myself.

16:8

Greetings to Ampliatus, dear to me in the Lord;

16:9

to Urban, our fellow laborer in Christ, and to my dear Stachys.

16:10

Greetings to Apella, that veteran believer; and to the members of

the household of Aristobulus.

16:11

Greetings to my countryman, Herodion; and to the believing

members of the household of Narcissus.

16:12

Greetings to those Christian workers, Tryphaena and Tryphosa;

also to dear Persis, who has labored strenuously in the Lord’s

work.

16:13

Greetings to Rufus, who is one of the Lord’s chosen people; and

to his mother, who has also been a mother to me.

16:14

Greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and

to the brethren associated with them;

16:15

to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister and Olympas, and to

all God’s people associated with them.

16:16

Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the Churches of Christ

send greetings to you.

16:17

But I beseech you, brethren, to keep a watch on those who are

causing the divisions among you, and are leading others into sin,

in defiance of the instruction which you have received; and

habitually to shun them.

16:18

For men of that stamp are not bondservants of Christ our Lord,

but are slaves to their own appetites; and by their plausible words

and their flattery they utterly deceive the minds of the simple.

16:19

Your fidelity to the truth is everywhere known. I rejoice over you,

therefore, but I wish you to be wise as to what is good, and

simple-minded as to what is evil.

16:20

And before long, God the giver of peace will crush Satan under

your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

16:21

Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, and so do my

countrymen Lucius, Jason and Sosipater.

16:22

I, Tertius, who write this letter, send you Christian greetings.

16:23

Gaius, my host, who is also the host of the whole Church, greets

you. So do Erastus, the treasurer of the city, and Quartus our

brother.

16:24

[]

16:25

To Him who has it in His power to make you strong, as declared

in the Good News which I am spreading, and the proclamation

concerning Jesus Christ, in harmony with the unveiling of the

Truth which in the periods of past Ages remained unuttered,

16:26

but has now been brought fully to light, and by the command of

the God of the Ages has been made known by the writings of the

Prophets among all the Gentiles to win them to obedience to the

faith —

16:27

to God, the only wise, through Jesus Christ, even to Him be the

glory through all the Ages! Amen.

PAUL’S FIRST LETTER

TO THE CORINTHIANS

The genuineness of the two Letters to the Corinthians has never been

seriously disputed. The first was written by the Apostle Paul, probably in

the early spring of 56 A.D., just before he left Ephesus for Troas in the

course of his third missionary tour (Acts 19). The Church in Corinth had

been founded by him during his previous tour (Acts 18). After some

hesitation he had been induced to preach in Corinth, and in spite of the

opposition of the Jews such great success attended his efforts that he

remained there for more than eighteen months. The furious attack upon

him which was frustrated by Gallio gave impetus to the new cause, so that

when the Apostle left, there was a comparatively strong Church there,

consisting mostly of Greeks, but including not a few Jews also. The

dangers, however, arising out of the temperament and circumstances of the

Corinthians soon manifested themselves. The city was the capital of Roman

Greece, a wealthy commercial center, and the home of a restless,

superficial intellectualism. Exuberant verbosity, selfish display, excesses at

the Lord’s table, unseemly behavior of women at meetings for worship,

and also abuse of spiritual gifts, were complicated by heathen influences

and the corrupting customs of idolatry. Hence the Apostle’s pleas, rebukes,

and exhortations. Most noteworthy of all is his forceful treatment of the

subject of the Resurrection of Christ; and this only a quarter of a century

after the event. Of the Letter mentioned in 5:9 we know nothing.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Paul, called to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of

God — and our brother Sosthenes:

1:2 To the Church of God in Corinth, men and women consecrated in

Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all in every place who call on

the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord as well as ours.

1:3

May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and

the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:4

I thank my God continually on your behalf for the grace of God

bestowed on you in Christ Jesus —

1:5

that you have been so richly blessed in Him, with readiness of

speech and fullness of knowledge.

1:6

Thus my testimony as to the Christ has been confirmed in your

experience,

1:7

so that there is no gift of God in which you consciously come

short while patiently waiting for the reappearing of our Lord Jesus

Christ,

1:8

who will also keep you stedfast to the very End, so that you will

be free from reproach on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1:9

God is ever true to His promises, and it was by Him that you

were, one and all, called into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ,

our Lord.

1:10

Now I entreat you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus

Christ, to cultivate a spirit of harmony — all of you — and that

there be no divisions among you, but rather a perfect union

through your having one mind and one judgment.

1:11

For I have been distinctly informed, my brethren, about you by

Chloe’s people, that there are dissensions among you.

1:12

What I mean is that each of you is a partisan. One man says “I

belong to Paul;” another “I belong to Apollos;” a third “I belong

to Peter;” a fourth “I belong to Christ.”

1:13

Is the Christ in fragments? Is it Paul who was crucified on your

behalf? Or were you baptized to be Paul’s adherents?

1:14

I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and

Gaius —

1:15

for fear people should say that you were baptized to be my

adherents.

1:16

I did, however, baptize Stephanas’ household also: but I do not

think that I baptized any one else.

1:17

Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim the Good

News; and not in merely wise words — lest the Cross of Christ

should be deprived of its power.

1:18

For the Message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are on

the way to perdition, but it is the power of God to those whom

He is saving.

1:19

For so it stands written, “I WILL EXHIBIT THE NOTHINGNESS OF THE

WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE INTELLIGENT

I WILL BRING TO NOUGHT.”

1:20

Where is your wise man? Where your expounder of the Law?

Where your investigator of the questions of this present age? Has

not God shown the world’s wisdom to be utter foolishness?

1:21

For after the world by its wisdom — as God in His wisdom had

ordained — had failed to gain the knowledge of God, God was

pleased, by the apparent foolishness of the Message which we

preach, to save those who accepted it.

1:22

Seeing that Jews demand miracles, and Greeks go in search of

wisdom,

1:23

while we proclaim a Christ who has been crucified — to the Jews

a stumbling-block, to Gentiles foolishness,

1:24

but to those who have received the Call, whether Jews or Greeks,

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1:25

Because that which the world deems foolish in God is wiser than

men’s wisdom, and that which it deems feeble in God is mightier

than men’s might.

1:26

For consider, brethren, God’s call to you. Not many who are wise

with merely human wisdom, not many of position and influence,

not many of noble birth have been called.

1:27

But God has chosen the things which the world regards as foolish,

in order to put its wise men to shame; and God has chosen the

things which the world regards as destitute of influence, in order

to put its powerful things to shame;

1:28

and the things which the world regards as base, and those which it

sets utterly at nought — things that have no existence — God has

chosen in order to reduce to nothing things that do exist;

1:29

to prevent any mortal man from boasting in the presence of God.

1:30

But you — and it is all God’s doing — are in Christ Jesus: He has

become for us a wisdom which is from God, consisting of

righteousness and sanctification and deliverance;

1:31

in order that it may be as Scripture says, “HE WHO BOASTS — LET

HIS BOAST BE IN THE LORD.”

CHAPTER 2

2:1

And as for myself, brethren, when I came to you, it was not with

surpassing power of eloquence or earthly wisdom that I came,

announcing to you that which God had commanded me to bear

witness to.

2:2

For I determined to be utterly ignorant, when among you, of

everything except of Jesus Christ, and of Him as having been

crucified.

2:3

And so far as I myself was concerned, I came to you in conscious

feebleness and in fear and in deep anxiety.

2:4

And my language and the Message that I proclaimed were not

adorned with persuasive words of earthly wisdom, but depended

upon truths which the Spirit taught and mightily carried home;

2:5

so that your trust might rest not on the wisdom of man but on the

power of God.

2:6

Yet when we are among mature believers we do speak words of

wisdom; a wisdom not belonging, however, to the present age nor

to the leaders of the present age who are soon to pass away.

2:7

But in dealing with truths hitherto kept secret we speak of God’s

wisdom — that hidden wisdom which, before the world began,

God pre-destined, so that it should result in glory to us;

2:8

a wisdom which not one of the leaders of the present age

possesses, for if they had possessed it, they would never have

crucified the Lord of glory.

2:9

But — to use the words of Scripture — we speak of THINGS

WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN NOR EAR HEARD, and which have never

entered the heart of man: ALL THAT GOD HAS IN READINESS FOR

THEM THAT LOVE HIM.

2:10

For us, however, God has drawn aside the veil through the

teaching of the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, including

the depths of the divine nature.

2:11

For, among human beings, who knows a man’s inner thoughts

except the man’s own spirit within him? In the same way, also,

only God’s Spirit is acquainted with God’s inner thoughts.

2:12

But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit

which comes forth from God, that we may know the blessings

that have been so freely given to us by God.

2:13

Of these we speak — not in language which man’s wisdom

teaches us, but in that which the Spirit teaches — adapting, as we

do, spiritual words to spiritual truths.

2:14

The unspiritual man rejects the things of the Spirit of God, and

cannot attain to the knowledge of them, because they are

spiritually judged.

2:15

But the spiritual man judges of everything, although he is himself

judged by no one.

2:16

For WHO HAS PENETRATED THE MIND OF THE LORD, AND WILL

INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

And as for myself, brethren, I found it impossible to speak to you

as spiritual men. It had to be as to worldlings — mere babes in

Christ.

3:2

I fed you with milk and not with solid food, since for this you

were not yet strong enough. And even now you are not strong

enough:

3:3

you are still unspiritual. For so long as jealousy and strife continue

among you, can it be denied that you are unspiritual and are living

and acting like mere men of the world?

3:4

For when some one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another says, “I

belong to Apollos,” is not this the way men of the world speak?

3:5

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are just God’s

servants, through whose efforts, and as the Lord granted power to

each, you accepted the faith.

3:6

I planted and Apollos watered; but it was God who was, all the

time, giving the increase.

3:7

So that neither the planter nor the waterer is of any importance.

God who gives the increase is all in all.

3:8

Now in aim and purpose the planter and the waterer are one; and

yet each will receive his own special reward, answering to his own

special work.

3:9

Apollos and I are simply fellow workers for and with God, and

you are God’s field — God’s building.

3:10

In discharge of the task which God graciously entrusted to me, I

— like a competent master-builder — have laid a foundation, and

others are building upon it. But let every one be careful how and

what he builds.

3:11

For no one can lay any other foundation in addition to that which

is already laid, namely Jesus Christ.

3:12

And whether the building which any one is erecting on that

foundation be of gold or silver or costly stones, of timber or hay

or straw —

3:13

the true character of each individual’s work will become manifest.

For the day of Christ will disclose it, because that day is soon to

come upon us clothed in fire, and as for the quality of every one’s

work — the fire is the thing which will test it.

3:14

If any one’s work — the building which he has erected — stands

the test, he will be rewarded.

3:15

If any one’s work is burnt up, he will suffer the loss of it; yet he

will himself be rescued, but only, as it were, by passing through

the fire.

3:16

Do you not know that you are God’s Sanctuary, and that the

Spirit of God has His home within you?

3:17

If any one is marring the Sanctuary of God, him will God mar; for

the Sanctuary of God is holy, which you all are.

3:18

Let no one deceive himself. If any man imagines that he is wise,

compared with the rest of you, with the wisdom of the present

age, let him become “foolish” so that he may be wise.

3:19

This world’s wisdom is “foolishness” in God’s sight; for it is

written, “HE SNARES THE WISE WITH THEIR OWN CUNNING.”

3:20

And again, “THE LORD TAKES KNOWLEDGE OF THE REASONINGS

OF THE WISE — HOW USELESS THEY ARE.”

3:21

Therefore let no one boast about his human teachers.

3:22

For everything belongs to you — be it Paul or Apollos or Peter,

the world or life or death, things present or future — everything

belongs to you;

3:23

and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

As for us Apostles, let any one take this view of us — we are

Christ’s officers, and stewards of God’s secret truths.

4:2

This being so, it follows that fidelity is what is required in

stewards.

4:3

I however am very little concerned at undergoing your scrutiny,

or that of other men; in fact I do not even scrutinize myself.

4:4

Though I am not conscious of having been in any way unfaithful,

yet I do not for that reason stand acquitted; but He whose

scrutiny I must undergo is the Lord.

4:5

Therefore form no premature judgments, but wait until the Lord

returns. He will both bring to light the secrets of darkness and will

openly disclose the motives that have been in people’s hearts; and

then the praise which each man deserves will come to him from

God.

4:6

In writing this much, brethren, with special reference to Apollos

and myself, I have done so for your sakes, in order to teach you

by our example what those words mean, which say, “Nothing

beyond what is written!” — so that you may cease to take sides in

boastful rivalry, for one teacher against another.

4:7

Why, who gives you your superiority, my brother? Or what have

you that you did not receive? And if you really did receive it, why

boast as if this were not so?

4:8

Every one of you already has all that heart can desire; already you

have grown rich; without waiting for us, you have ascended your

thrones! Yes indeed, would to God that you had ascended your

thrones, that we also might reign with you!

4:9

God, it seems to me, has exhibited us Apostles last of all, as men

condemned to death; for we have come to be a spectacle to all

creation — alike to angels and to men.

4:10

We, for Christ’s sake, are labeled as “foolish”; you, as Christians,

are men of shrewd intelligence. We are mere weaklings: you are

strong. You are in high repute: we are outcasts.

4:11

To this very moment we endure both hunger and thirst, with

scanty clothing and many a blow.

4:12

Homes we have none. Wearily we toil, working with our own

hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we bear it

patiently;

4:13

when slandered, we try to conciliate. We have come to be

regarded as the mere dirt and filth of the world — the refuse of

the universe, even to this hour.

4:14

I am not writing all this to shame you, but I am offering you

advice as my dearly-loved children.

4:15

For even if you were to have ten thousand spiritual instructors —

for all that you could not have several fathers. It is I who in Christ

Jesus became your father through the Good News.

4:16

I entreat you therefore to become like me.

4:17

For this reason I have sent Timothy to you. Spiritually he is my

dearly-loved and faithful child. He will remind you of my habits as

a Christian teacher — the manner in which I teach everywhere in

every Church.

4:18

But some of you have been puffed up through getting the idea

that I am not coming to Corinth.

4:19

But, if the Lord is willing, I shall come to you without delay; and

then I shall know not the fine speeches of these conceited people,

but their power.

4:20

For Apostolic authority is not a thing of words, but of power.

4:21

Which shall it be? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in a loving

and tender spirit?

CHAPTER 5

5:1

It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and of a

kind unheard of even among the Gentiles — a man has his father’s

wife!

5:2

And you, instead of mourning and removing from among you the

man who has done this deed of shame, are filled with self-

complacency!

5:3

I for my part, present with you in spirit although absent in body,

have already, as though I were present, judged him who has so

acted.

5:4

In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are all assembled and

my spirit is with you, together with the power of our Lord Jesus,

5:5

I have handed over such a man to Satan for the destruction of his

body, that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord Jesus.

5:6

It is no good thing — this which you make the ground of your

boasting. Do you not know that a little yeast corrupts the whole

of the dough?

5:7

Get rid of the old yeast so that you may be dough of a new kind;

for in fact you are free from corruption. For our Passover Lamb

has already been offered in sacrifice — even Christ.

5:8

Therefore let us keep our festival not with old yeast nor with the

yeast of what is evil and mischievous, but with bread free from

yeast — the bread of transparent sincerity and of truth.

5:9

I wrote to you in that letter that you were not to associate with

fornicators;

5:10

not that in this world you are to keep wholly aloof from such as

they, any more than from people who are avaricious and greedy of

gain, or from worshippers of idols. For that would mean that you

would be compelled to go out of the world altogether.

5:11

But what I meant was that you were not to associate with any one

bearing the name of “brother,” if he was addicted to fornication or

avarice or idol-worship or abusive language or hard-drinking or

greed of gain. With such a man you ought not even to eat.

5:12

For what business of mine is it to judge outsiders? Is it not for you

to judge those who are within the Church

5:13

while you leave to God’s judgment those who are outside?

Remove the wicked man from among you.

CHAPTER 6

6:1

If one of you has a grievance against an opponent, does he dare to

go to law before irreligious men and not before God’s people?

6:2

Do you not know that God’s people will sit in judgment upon the

world? And if you are the court before which the world is to be

judged, are you unfit to deal with these petty matters?

6:3

Do you not know that we are to sit in judgment upon angels — to

say nothing of things belonging to this life?

6:4

If therefore you have things belonging to this life which need to be

decided, is it men who are absolutely nothing in the Church — is

it they whom you make your judges?

6:5

I say this to put you to shame. Has it come to this, that there does

not exist among you a single wise man competent to decide

between a man and his brother,

6:6

but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?

6:7

To say no more, then, it is altogether a defect in you that you

have law-suits with one another. Why not rather endure injustice?

Why not rather submit to being defrauded?

6:8

On the contrary you yourselves inflict injustice and fraud, and

upon brethren too.

6:9

Do you not know that unrighteous men will not inherit God’s

Kingdom? Cherish no delusion here. Neither fornicators, nor

idolaters, nor adulterers, nor any who are guilty of unnatural

crime,

6:10

nor thieves, nor avaricious people, nor any who are addicted to

hard drinking, to abusive language or to greed of gain, will inherit

God’s Kingdom.

6:11

And all this describes what some of you were. But now you have

had every stain washed off: now you have been set apart as holy:

now you have been pronounced free from guilt; in the name of

our Lord Jesus Christ and through the Spirit of our God.

6:12

Everything is allowable to me, but not everything is profitable.

Everything is allowable to me, but to nothing will I become a

slave.

6:13

Food of all kinds is meant for the stomach, and the stomach is

meant for food, and God will cause both of them to perish. Yet

the body does not exist for the purpose of fornication, but for the

Master’s service, and the Master exists for the body;

6:14

and as God by His power raised the Master to life, so He will also

raise us up.

6:15

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I

then take away the members of Christ and make them the

members of a prostitute? No, indeed.

6:16

Or do you not know that a man who has to do with a prostitute is

one with her in body? For God says, “THE TWO SHALL BECOME

ONE.”

6:17

But he who is in union with the Master is one with Him in spirit.

6:18

Flee from fornication. Any other sin that a human being commits

lies outside the body; but he who commits fornication sins against

his own body.

6:19

Or do you not know that your bodies are a sanctuary of the Holy

Spirit who is within you — the Spirit whom you have from God?

6:20

And you are not your own, for you have been redeemed at infinite

cost. Therefore glorify God in your bodies.

CHAPTER 7

7:1

I now deal with the subjects mentioned in your letter. It is well for

a man to abstain altogether from marriage.

7:2

But because there is so much fornication every man should have a

wife of his own, and every woman should have a husband.

7:3

Let a man pay his wife her due, and let a woman also pay her

husband his.

7:4

A married woman is not mistress of her own person: her husband

has certain rights. In the same way a married man is not master of

his own person: his wife has certain rights.

7:5

Do not refuse one another, unless perhaps it is just for a time and

by mutual consent, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer

and may then associate again; lest the Adversary begin to tempt

you because of your deficiency in self-control.

7:6

Thus much in the way of concession, not of command.

7:7

Yet I would that everybody lived as I do; but each of us has his

own special gift from God — one in one direction and one in

another.

7:8

But I tell the unmarried, and women who are widows, that it is

well for them to remain as I am.

7:9

If, however, they cannot maintain self-control, by all means let

them marry; for marriage is better than the fever of passion.

7:10

But to those already married my instructions are — yet not mine,

but the Lord’s — that a wife is not to leave her husband;

7:11

or if she has already left him, let her either remain as she is or be

reconciled to him; and that a husband is not to send away his wife.

7:12

To the rest it is I who speak — not the Lord. If a brother has a

wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let

him not send her away.

7:13

And a woman who has an unbelieving husband — if he consents

to live with her, let her not separate from him.

7:14

For, in such cases, the unbelieving husband has become — and is

— holy through union with a Christian woman, and the

unbelieving wife is holy through union with a Christian brother.

Otherwise your children would be unholy, but in reality they have

a place among God’s people.

7:15 If, however, the unbeliever is determined to leave, let him or her

do so. Under such circumstances the Christian man or woman is

no slave; God has called us to live lives of peace.

7:16 For what assurance have you, O woman, as to whether you will

save your husband? Or what assurance have you, O man, as to

whether you will save your wife?

7:17 Only, whatever be the condition in life which the Lord has

assigned to each individual — and whatever the condition in

which he was living when God called him — in that let him

continue.

7:18 This is what I command in all the Churches. Was any one already

circumcised when called? Let him not have recourse to the

surgeons. Was any one uncircumcised when called? Let him

remain uncircumcised.

7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing: obedience

to God’s commandments is everything.

7:20 Whatever be the condition in life in which a man was, when he

was called, in that let him continue.

7:21 Were you a slave when God called you? Let not that weigh on

your mind. And yet if you can get your freedom, take advantage

of the opportunity.

7:22 For a Christian, if he was a slave when called, is the Lord’s freed

man, and in the same way a free man, if called, becomes the slave

of Christ.

7:23 You have all been redeemed at infinite cost: do not become slaves

to men.

7:24 Where each one stood when he was called, there, brethren, let him

still stand — close to God.

7:25 Concerning unmarried women I have no command to give you

from the Lord; but I offer you my opinion, which is that of a man

who, through the Lord’s mercy, is deserving of your confidence.

7:26 I think then that, taking into consideration the distress which is

now upon us, it is well for a man to remain as he is.

7:27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to get free. Are you free

from the marriage bond? Do not seek for a wife.

7:28 Yet if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a maiden marries,

she has not sinned. Such people, however, will have outward

trouble. But I am for sparing you.

7:29 Yet of this I warn you, brethren: the time has been shortened —

so that henceforth those who have wives should be as though they

had none,

7:30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice

as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did

not possess,

7:31 and those who use the world as not using it to the full. For the

world as it now exists is passing away.

7:32 And I would have you free from worldly anxiety. An unmarried

man concerns himself with the Lord’s business — how he shall

please the Lord;

7:33 but a married man concerns himself with the business of the world

— how he shall please his wife.

7:34 There is a difference too between a married and an unmarried

woman. She who is unmarried concerns herself with the Lord’s

business — that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but the

married woman concerns herself with the business of the world —

how she shall please her husband.

7:35 Thus much I say in your own interest; not to lay a trap for you,

but to help towards what is becoming, and enable you to wait on

the Lord without distraction.

7:36 If, however, a father thinks he is acting unbecomingly towards his

still unmarried daughter if she be past the bloom of her youth, and

so the matter is urgent, let him do what she desires; he commits

no sin; she and her suitor should be allowed to marry.

7:37 But if a father stands firm in his resolve, being free from all

external constraint and having a legal right to act as he pleases,

and in his own mind has come to the decision to keep his daughter

unmarried, he will do well.

7:38

So that he who gives his daughter in marriage does well, and yet

he who does not give her in marriage will do better.

7:39

A woman is bound to her husband during the whole period that he

lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to marry whom she

will, provided that he is a Christian.

7:40

But in my judgment, her state is a more enviable one if she

remains as she is; and I also think that I have the Spirit of God.

CHAPTER 8

8:1

Now as to things which have been sacrificed to idols. This is a

subject which we already understand — because we all have

knowledge of it. Knowledge, however, tends to make people

conceited; it is love that builds us up.

8:2

If any one imagines that he already possesses any true knowledge,

he has as yet attained to no knowledge of the kind to which he

ought to have attained;

8:3

but if any one loves God, that man is known by God.

8:4

As to eating things which have been sacrificed to idols, we are

fully aware that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is

no God but One.

8:5

For if so-called gods do exist, either in Heaven or on earth — and

in fact there are many such gods and many such lords —

8:6

yet we have but one God, the Father, who is the source of all

things and for whose service we exist, and but one Lord, Jesus

Christ, through whom we and all things exist.

8:7

But all believers do not recognize these facts. Some, from force of

habit in relation to the idol, even now eat idol sacrifices as such,

and their consciences, being but weak, are polluted.

8:8

It is true that a particular kind of food will not bring us into God’s

presence; we are neither inferior to others if we abstain from it,

nor superior to them if we eat it.

8:9

But take care lest this liberty of yours should prove a hindrance to

the progress of weak believers.

8:10

For if any one were to see you, who know the real truth of this

matter, reclining at table in an idol’s temple, would not his

conscience (supposing him to be a weak believer) be emboldened

to eat the food which has been sacrificed to the idol?

8:11

Why, your knowledge becomes the ruin of the weak believer —

your brother, for whom Christ died!

8:12

Moreover when you thus sin against the brethren and wound their

weak consciences, you are, in reality, sinning against Christ.

8:13

Therefore if what I eat causes my brother to fall, never again to

the end of my days will I touch any kind of animal food, for fear I

should cause my brother to fall.

CHAPTER 9

9:1

Am I not free? Am I not an Apostle? Can it be denied that I have

seen Jesus, our Lord? Are not you yourselves my work in the

Lord?

9:2

If to other men I am not an Apostle, yet at any rate I am one to

you; for your very existence as a Christian Church is the seal of

my Apostleship.

9:3

That is how I vindicate myself to those who criticize me.

9:4

Have we not a right to claim food and drink?

9:5

Have we not a right to take with us on our journeys a Christian

sister as our wife, as the rest of the Apostles do — and the Lord’s

brothers and Peter?

9:6

Or again, is it only Barnabas and myself who are not at liberty to

give up working with our hands?

9:7

What soldier ever serves at his own cost? Who plants a vineyard

and yet does not eat any of the grapes? Or who tends a herd of

cattle and yet does not taste their milk?

9:8

Am I making use of merely worldly illustrations? Does not the

Law speak in the same tone?

9:9

For in the Law of Moses it is written, “THOU SHALT NOT MUZZLE

AN OX WHILE IT IS TREADING OUT THE GRAIN.”

9:10

Is God simply thinking about the oxen? Or is it really in our

interest that He speaks? Of course, it was written in our interest,

because it is His will that when a plough-man ploughs, and a

thresher threshes, it should be in the hope of sharing that which

comes as the result.

9:11

If it is we who sowed the spiritual grain in you, is it a great thing

that we should reap a temporal harvest from you?

9:12

If other teachers possess that right over you, do not we possess it

much more? Yet we have not availed ourselves of the right, but

we patiently endure all things rather than hinder in the least degree

the progress of the Good News of the Christ.

9:13

Do you not know that those who perform the sacred rites have

their food from the sacred place, and that those who serve at the

altar all alike share with the altar?

9:14

In the same way the Lord also directed those who proclaim the

Good News to maintain themselves by the Good News.

9:15

But I, for my part, have not used, and do not use, my full rights in

any of these things. Nor do I now write with that object so far as I

myself am concerned, for I would rather die than have anybody

make this boast of mine an empty one.

9:16

If I go on preaching the Good News, that is nothing for me to

boast of; for the necessity is imposed upon me; and alas for me, if

I fail to preach it!

9:17

And if I preach willingly, I receive my wages; but if against my

will, a stewardship has nevertheless been entrusted to me.

9:18

What are my wages then? The very fact that the Good News

which I preach will cost my hearers nothing, so that I cannot be

charged with abuse of my privileges as a Christian preacher.

9:19

Though free from all human control, I have made myself the slave

of all in the hope of winning as many converts as possible.

9:20

To the Jews I have become like a Jew in order to win Jews; to

men under the Law as if I were under the Law — although I am

not — in order to win those who are under the Law;

9:21

to men without Law as if I were without Law — although I am

not without Law in relation to God but am abiding in Christ’s

Law — in order to win those who are without Law.

9:22

To the weak I have become weak, so as to gain the weak. To all

men I have become all things, in the hope that in every one of

these ways I may save some.

9:23

And I do everything for the sake of the Good News, that I may

share with my hearers in its benefits.

9:24

Do you not know that in the foot-race the runners all run, but that

only one gets the prize? You must run like him, in order to win

with certainty.

9:25

But every competitor in an athletic contest practices

abstemiousness in all directions. They indeed do this for the sake

of securing a perishable wreath, but we for the sake of securing

one that will not perish.

9:26

That is how I run, not being in any doubt as to my goal. I am a

boxer who does not inflict blows on the air,

9:27

but I hit hard and straight at my own body and lead it off into

slavery, lest possibly, after I have been a herald to others, I should

myself be rejected.

CHAPTER 10

10:1

For I would have you remember, brethren, how our forefathers

were all of them sheltered by the cloud, and all got safely through

the Red Sea.

10:2

All were baptized in the cloud and in the sea to be followers of

Moses.

10:3

All ate the same spiritual food,

10:4

and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they long drank the

water that flowed from the spiritual rock that went with them —

and that rock was the Christ.

10:5

But with most of them God was not well pleased; for they were

laid low in the Desert.

10:6

And in this they became a warning to us, to teach us not to be

eager, as they were eager, in pursuit of what is evil.

10:7

And you must not be worshippers of idols, as some of them were.

For it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND

STOOD UP TO DANCE.”

10:8

Nor may we be fornicators, like some of them who committed

fornication and on a single day 23,000 of them fell dead.

10:9

And do not let us test the Lord too far, as some of them tested

Him and were destroyed by the serpents.

10:10

And do not be discontented, as some of them were, and they were

destroyed by the Destroyer.

10:11

All this kept happening to them with a figurative meaning; but it

was put on record by way of admonition to us upon whom the

ends of the Ages have come.

10:12

So then let him who thinks he is standing securely beware of

falling.

10:13

No temptation has you in its power but such as is common to

human nature; and God is faithful and will not allow you to be

tempted beyond your strength. But, when the temptation comes,

He will also provide the way of escape; so that you may be able to

bear it.

10:14

Therefore, my dear friends, avoid all connection with the worship

of idols.

10:15

I speak as to men of sense: judge for yourselves of what I say.

10:16

The cup of blessing, which we bless, does it not mean a joint-

participation in the blood of Christ? The loaf of bread which we

break, does it not mean a joint-participation in the body of Christ?

10:17

Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; we, all of

us, share in that one loaf.

10:18

Look at the Israelites — the nation and their ritual. Are not those

who eat the sacrifices joint-partakers in the altar?

10:19 Do I mean that a thing sacrificed to an idol is what it claims to be,

or that an idol is a real thing?

10:20 No, but that which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons,

not to God; and I would not have you have fellowship with one

another through the demons.

10:21 You cannot drink the Lord’s cup and the cup of demons: you

cannot be joint-partakers both in the table of the Lord and in the

table of demons.

10:22 Or are we actually arousing the Lord to jealousy. Are we stronger

than He is?

10:23 Everything is allowable, but not everything is profitable.

Everything is allowable, but everything does not build others up.

10:24 Let no one be for ever seeking his own good, but let each seek

that of his fellow man.

10:25 Anything that is for sale in the meat market, eat, and ask no

questions for conscience’ sake;

10:26 for THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL THAT IT CONTAINS.

10:27 If an unbeliever gives you an invitation and you are disposed to

accept it, eat whatever is put before you, and ask no questions for

conscience’ sake.

10:28 But if any one tells you, “This food has been offered in sacrifice;”

abstain from eating it — out of respect for him who warned you,

and, as before, for conscience’ sake.

10:29 But now I mean his conscience, not your own. “Why, on what

ground,” you may object, “is the question of my liberty of action

to be decided by a conscience not my own?

10:30 If, so far as I am concerned, I partake with a grateful heart, why

am I to be found fault with in regard to a thing for which I give

thanks?”

10:31 Whether, then, you are eating or drinking, or whatever you are

doing, let everything be done to the glory of God.

10:32 Do not be causes of stumbling either to Jews or to Gentiles, nor

to the Church of God.

10:33 That is the way that I also seek in everything the approval of all

men, not aiming at my own profit, but at that of the many, in the

hope that they may be saved.

CHAPTER 11

11:1 Be imitators of me, in so far as I in turn am an imitator of Christ.

11:2 Now I commend you for remembering me in everything, and

because you hold fast truths and practices precisely as I have

taught them to you.

11:3 I would have you know, however, that of every man, Christ is the

Head, that of a woman her husband is the Head, and that God is

Christ’s Head.

11:4 A man who wears a veil when praying or prophesying dishonors

his Head;

11:5 but a woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered

dishonors her Head, for it is exactly the same as if she had her hair

cut short.

11:6 If a woman will not wear a veil, let her also cut off her hair. But

since it is a dishonor to a woman to have her hair cut off or her

head shaved, let her wear a veil.

11:7 For a man ought not to have a veil on his head, since he is the

image and glory of God; while woman is the glory of man.

11:8 Man does not take his origin from woman, but woman takes hers

from man.

11:9 For man was not created for woman’s sake, but woman for

man’s.

11:10 That is why a woman ought to have on her head a symbol of

subjection, because of the angels.

11:11 Yet, in the Lord, woman is not independent of man nor man

independent of woman.

11:12 For just as woman originates from man, so also man comes into

existence through woman, but everything springs originally from

God.

11:13

Judge of this for your own selves: is it seemly for a woman to

pray to God when she is unveiled?

11:14

Does not Nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair it is a

dishonor to him,

11:15

but that if a woman has long hair it is her glory, because her hair

was given her for a covering?

11:16

But if any one is inclined to be contentious on the point, we have

no such custom, nor have the Churches of God.

11:17

But while giving you these instructions, there is one thing I cannot

praise — your meeting together, with bad rather than good

results.

11:18

for, in the first place, when you meet as a Church, there are

divisions among you. This is what I am told, and I believe that

there is some truth in it.

11:19

For there must of necessity be differences of opinion among you,

in order that it may be plainly seen who are the men of sterling

worth among you.

11:20

When, however, you meet in one place, there is no eating the

Supper of the Lord;

11:21

for it is his own supper of which each of you is in a hurry to

partake, and one eats like a hungry man, while another has already

drunk to excess.

11:22

Why, have you no homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you

wish to show your contempt for the Church of God and make

those who have no homes feel ashamed? What shall I say to you?

Shall I praise you? In this matter I certainly do not praise you.

11:23

For it was from the Lord that I received the facts which, in turn, I

handed on to you; how that the Lord Jesus, on the night He was

to be betrayed, took some bread,

11:24

and after giving thanks He broke it and said, “This is my body

which is about to be broken for you. Do this in memory of me.”

11:25

In the same way, when the meal was over, He also took the cup.

“This cup,” He said, “is the new Covenant of which my blood is

the pledge. Do this, every time that you drink it, in memory of

me.”

11:26

For every time that you eat this bread and drink from the cup, you

are proclaiming the Lord’s death — until He returns.

11:27

Whoever, therefore, in an unworthy manner, eats the bread or

drinks from the cup of the Lord sins against the body and blood of

the Lord.

11:28

But let a man examine himself, and, having done that, then let him

eat the bread and drink from the cup.

11:29

For any one who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to

himself, if he fails to estimate the body aright.

11:30

That is why many among you are sickly and out of health, and

why not a few die.

11:31

If, however, we estimated ourselves aright, we should not be

judged.

11:32

But when we are judged by the Lord, chastisement follows, to

save us from being condemned along with the world.

11:33

Therefore, brethren, when you come together for this meal, wait

for one another.

11:34

If any one is hungry, let him eat at home; so that your coming

together may not lead to judgment. The other matters I will deal

with whenever I come.

CHAPTER 12

12:1

It is important, brethren, that you should have clear knowledge on

the subject of spiritual gifts.

12:2

You know that when you were heathens you went astray after

dumb idols, wherever you happened to be led.

12:3

For this reason I would have you understand that no one speaking

under the influence of The Spirit of God ever says, “Jesus is

accursed,” and that no one is able to say, “Jesus is Lord,” except

under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

12:4

Now there are various kinds of gifts, but there is one and the same

Spirit;

12:5

various forms of official service, and yet one and the same Lord;

12:6

diversities in work, and yet one and the same God — He who in

each person brings about the whole result.

12:7

But to each of us a manifestation of the Spirit has been granted

for the common good.

12:8

To one the utterance of wisdom has been granted through the

Spirit; to another the utterance of knowledge in accordance with

the will of the same Spirit;

12:9

to a third man, by means of the same Spirit, special faith; to

another various gifts of healing, by means of the one Spirit;

12:10

to another the exercise of miraculous powers; to another the gift

of prophecy; to another the power of discriminating between

prophetic utterances; to another varieties of the gift of ‘tongues;’

to another the interpretation of tongues.

12:11

But these results are all brought about by one and the same Spirit,

who bestows His gifts upon each of us in accordance with His

own will.

12:12

For just as the human body is one and yet has many parts, and all

its parts, many as they are, constitute but one body, so it is with

the Church of Christ.

12:13

For, in fact, in one Spirit all of us — whether we are Jews or

Gentiles, slaves or free men — were baptized to form but one

body; and we were all nourished by that one Spirit.

12:14

For the human body does not consist of one part, but of many.

12:15

Were the foot to say, “Because I am not a hand I am not a part of

the body,” that would not make it any the less a part of the body.

12:16

Or were the ear to say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part

of the body,” that would not make it any the less a part of the

body.

12:17

If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the

whole body were an ear, where would the nostrils be?

12:18

But, as a matter of fact, God has arranged the parts in the body —

every one of them — as He has seen fit.

12:19

If they were all one part, where would the body be?

12:20

But, as a matter of fact, there are many parts and but one body.

12:21

It is also impossible for the eye to say to the hand, “I do not need

you;” or again for the head to say to the feet, “I do not need you.”

12:22

No, it is quite otherwise. Even those parts of the body which are

apparently somewhat feeble are yet indispensable;

12:23

and those which we deem less honorable we clothe with more

abundant honor; and so our ungraceful parts come to have a more

abundant grace, while our graceful parts have everything they

need.

12:24

But it was God who built up the body, and bestowed more

abundant honor on the part that felt the need,

12:25

that there might be no disunion in the body, but that all the

members might entertain the same anxious care for one another’s

welfare.

12:26

And if one part is suffering, every other part suffers with it; or if

one part is receiving special honor, every other part shares in the

joy.

12:27

As for you, you are the body of Christ, and individually you are

members of it.

12:28

And by God’s appointment there are in the Church — first

Apostles, secondly Prophets, thirdly teachers. Then come

miraculous powers, and then ability to cure diseases or render

loving service, or powers of organization, or varieties of the gift

of ‘tongues.’

12:29

Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all teachers?

12:30

Have all miraculous powers? Have all ability to cure diseases? Do

all speak in ‘tongues’? Do all interpret?

12:31

But always seek to excel in the greater gifts. And now I will point

out to you a way of life which transcends all others.

CHAPTER 13

13:1

If I can speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but am

destitute of Love, I have but become a loud-sounding trumpet or

a clanging cymbal.

13:2

If I possess the gift of prophecy and am versed in all mysteries and

all knowledge, and have such absolute faith that I can remove

mountains, but am destitute of Love, I am nothing.

13:3

And if I distribute all my possessions to the poor, and give up my

body to be burned, but am destitute of Love, it profits me nothing.

13:4

Love is patient and kind. Love knows neither envy nor jealousy.

Love is not forward and self-assertive, nor boastful and conceited.

13:5

She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize

herself, nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs.

13:6

She finds no pleasure in injustice done to others, but joyfully sides

with the truth.

13:7

She knows how to be silent. She is full of trust, full of hope, full

of patient endurance.

13:8

Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be done

away with; if there are languages, they will cease; if there is

knowledge, it will be brought to an end.

13:9

For our knowledge is imperfect, and so is our prophesying;

13:10

but when the perfect state of things is come, all that is imperfect

will be brought to an end.

13:11

When I was a child, I talked like a child, felt like a child, reasoned

like a child: when I became a man, I put from me childish ways.

13:12

For the present we see things as if in a mirror, and are puzzled;

but then we shall see them face to face. For the present the

knowledge I gain is imperfect; but then I shall know fully, even as

I am fully known.

13:13

And so there remain Faith, Hope, Love — these three; and of

these the greatest is Love.

CHAPTER 14

14:1

Be eager in your pursuit of this Love, and be earnestly ambitious

for spiritual gifts, but let it be chiefly so in order that you may

prophesy.

14:2

For he who speaks in an unknown tongue is not speaking to men,

but to God; for no one understands him. Yet in the Spirit he is

speaking secret truths.

14:3

But he who prophesies speaks to men words of edification,

encouragement and comfort.

14:4

He who speaks in an unknown tongue does good to himself, but

he who prophesies does good to the Church.

14:5

I should be right glad were you all to speak in ‘tongues,’ but yet

more glad were you all to prophesy. And, in fact, the man who

prophesies is superior to him who speaks in ‘tongues,’ except

when the latter can interpret in order that the Church may get a

blessing.

14:6

But, brethren, as things are, if I come to you speaking in

‘tongues,’ what benefit shall I confer on you, if the utterance is

neither in the form of a revelation nor of additional knowledge nor

of prophecy nor of teaching?

14:7

Even inanimate things — flutes or harps, for instance — when

yielding a sound, if they make no distinction in the notes, how

shall the tune which is played on the flute or the harp be known?

14:8

If the bugle — to take another example — gives an uncertain

sound, who will prepare for battle?

14:9

And so with you; if with the living voice you fail to utter

intelligible words, how will people know what you are saying?

You will be talking to the winds.

14:10

There are, we will suppose, a great number of languages in the

world, and no creature is without a language.

14:11

If, however, I do not know the meaning of the particular

language, I shall seem to the speaker of it, and he to me, to be

merely talking some foreign tongue.

14:12

Therefore, seeing that you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, seek to

excel in them so as to benefit the Church.

14:13

Therefore let a man who has the gift of tongues pray for the

power of interpreting them.

14:14

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my

understanding is barren.

14:15

How then does the matter stand? I will pray in spirit, and I will

pray with my understanding also. I will praise God in spirit, and I

will praise Him with my understanding also.

14:16

Otherwise, if you bless God in spirit only, how shall he who is in

the position of an ungifted man say the ‘Amen’ to your giving of

thanks, when he does not know what your words mean?

14:17

Rightly enough you are giving thanks, and yet your neighbor is

not benefited.

14:18

I speak in a tongue, thank God, more than all of you;

14:19

but in the Church I would rather speak five words with my

understanding — so as to instruct others also — than ten

thousand words in an unknown tongue.

14:20

Brethren, do not prove yourselves to be children in your minds.

As regards evil, indeed, be utter babes, but as regards your minds

prove yourselves to be men of ripe years.

14:21

In the Law it stands written, “‘BY MEN OF UNKNOWN TONGUES

AND BY THE LIPS OF AN UNKNOWN NATION WILL I SPEAK TO THIS

PEOPLE, BUT EVEN THEN THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME’, says the

Lord.”

14:22

This shows that the gift of tongues is intended as a sign not to

those who believe but to unbelievers, but prophecy is intended not

for unbelievers but for those who believe.

14:23

Accordingly if the whole Church has assembled and all are

speaking in ‘tongues,’ and there come in ungifted men, or

unbelievers, will they not say that you are all mad?

14:24

If, on the other hand, every one is prophesying and an unbeliever

or an ungifted man comes in, he is convicted by all and closely

examined by all,

14:25

and the hidden evils of his heart are brought to light. And, as the

result, he will fall on his face and worship God, and will report to

others that of a truth God is among you.

14:26

What then, brethren? Whenever you assemble, there is not one of

you who is not ready either with a song of praise, a sermon, a

revelation, a ‘tongue,’ or an interpretation. Let everything be done

with a view to the building up of faith and character.

14:27

If there is speaking in an unknown tongue, only two or at the

most three should speak, and they should do so one at a time, and

one should interpret;

14:28

or if there is no interpreter, let the man with the gift be silent in

the Church, speaking to himself and to God.

14:29

But if there are Prophets, let two or three speak and let the rest

judge.

14:30

And if anything is revealed to some one else who is seated there,

let the first be silent.

14:31

For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all

be encouraged:

14:32

and the spirits of Prophets yield submission to Prophets.

14:33

For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace, as He is in all the

Churches of His people.

14:34

Let married women be silent in the Churches, for they are not

permitted to speak. They must be content with a subordinate

place, as the Law also says;

14:35

and if they wish to ask questions, they should ask their own

husbands at home. For it is disgraceful for a married woman to

speak at a Church assembly.

14:36

Was it from you that God’s Message first went forth, or is it to

you only that it has come?

14:37

If any one deems himself to be a Prophet or a man with spiritual

gifts, let him recognize as the Lord’s command all that I am now

writing to you.

14:38

But if any one is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

14:39

The conclusion, my brethren, is this. Be earnestly ambitious to

prophesy, and do not check speaking with tongues;

14:40

only let everything be done in a becoming and orderly manner.

CHAPTER 15

15:1

But let me recall to you, brethren, the Good News which I

brought you, which you accepted, and on which you are standing,

15:2

through which also you are obtaining salvation, if you bear in

mind the words in which I proclaimed it — unless indeed your

faith has been unreal from the very first.

15:3

For I repeated to you the all-important fact which also I had been

taught, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the

Scriptures;

15:4

that He was buried; that He rose to life again on the third day in

accordance with the Scriptures,

15:5

and was seen by Peter, and then by the Twelve.

15:6

Afterwards He was seen by more than five hundred brethren at

once, most of whom are still alive, although some of them have

now fallen asleep.

15:7

Afterwards He was seen by James, and then by all the Apostles.

15:8

And last of all, as to one of untimely birth, He appeared to me

also.

15:9

For I am the least of the Apostles, and am not fit to be called an

Apostle — because I persecuted the Church of God.

15:10

But what I am I am by the grace of God, and His grace bestowed

upon me did not prove ineffectual. But I labored more strenuously

than all the rest — yet it was not I, but God’s grace working with

me.

15:11

But whether it is I or they, this is the way we preach and the way

that you came to believe.

15:12

But if Christ is preached as having risen from the dead, how is it

that some of you say that there is no such thing as a resurrection

of the dead?

15:13 If there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead, then Christ

Himself has not risen to life.

15:14 And if Christ has not risen, it follows that what we preach is a

delusion, and that your faith also is a delusion.

15:15 Nay more, we are actually being discovered to be bearing false

witness about God, because we have testified that God raised

Christ to life, whom He did not raise, if in reality none of the dead

are raised.

15:16 For if none of the dead are raised to life, then Christ has not risen;

15:17 and if Christ has not risen, your faith is a vain thing — you are

still in your sins.

15:18 It follows also that those who have fallen asleep in Christ have

perished.

15:19 If in this present life we have a hope resting on Christ, and

nothing more, we are more to be pitied than all the rest of the

world.

15:20 But, in reality, Christ has risen from among the dead, being the

first to do so of those who are asleep.

15:21 For seeing that death came through man, through man comes also

the resurrection of the dead.

15:22 For just as through Adam all die, so also through Christ all will be

made alive again.

15:23 But this will happen to each in the right order — Christ having

been the first to rise, and afterwards Christ’s people rising at His

return.

15:24 Later on, comes the End, when He is to surrender the Kingship to

God, the Father, when He shall have overthrown all other

government and all other authority and power.

15:25 For He must continue King until He shall have put all His enemies

under His feet.

15:26 The last enemy that is to be overthrown is Death;

15:27 for He will have put all things in subjection under His feet. And

when He shall have declared that “All things are in subjection,” it

will be with the manifest exception of Him who has reduced them

all to subjection to Him.

15:28

But when the whole universe has been made subject to Him, then

the Son Himself will also become subject to Him who has made

the universe subject to Him, in order that GOD may be all in all.

15:29

Otherwise what will become of those who got themselves

baptized for the dead? If the dead do not rise at all, why are these

baptized for them?

15:30

Why also do we Apostles expose ourselves to danger every hour?

15:31

I protest, brethren, as surely as I glory over you — which I may

justly do in Christ Jesus our Lord — that I die day by day.

15:32

If from merely human motives I have fought with wild beasts in

Ephesus, what profit is it to me? If the dead do not rise, let us eat

and drink, for tomorrow we are to die.

15:33

Do not deceive yourselves: “Evil companionships corrupt good

morals.”

15:34

Wake from this drunken fit; live righteous lives, and cease to sin;

for some have no knowledge of God: I speak thus in order to

move you to shame.

15:35

But some one will say, “How can the dead rise? And with what

kind of body do they come back?”

15:36

Foolish man! the seed you yourself sow has no life given to it

unless it first dies;

15:37

and as for what you sow, it is not the plant which is to be that you

are sowing, but a bare grain, of wheat (it may be) or of something

else, and God gives it a body as He has seen fit,

15:38

and to each kind of seed a body of its own.

15:39

All flesh is not the same: there is human flesh, and flesh of cattle,

of birds, and of fishes.

15:40

There are bodies which are celestial and there are bodies which

are earthly, but the glory of the celestial ones is one thing, and

that of the earthly ones is another.

15:41

There is one glory of the sun, another of the moon, and another of

the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

15:42

It is the same with the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown

in a state of decay, it is raised free from decay;

15:43

it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness,

it is raised in power;

15:44

an animal body is sown, a spiritual body is raised. As surely as

there is an animal body, so there is also a spiritual body.

15:45

In the same way also it is written, “THE FIRST MAN ADAM BECAME

A LIVING ANIMAL”; the last Adam is a life-giving Spirit.

15:46

Nevertheless, it is not what is spiritual that came first, but what is

animal; what is spiritual came afterwards.

15:47

The first man is a man of earth, earthy; the second man is from

Heaven.

15:48

What the earthy one is, that also are those who are earthy; and

what the heavenly One is, that also are those who are heavenly.

15:49

And as we have borne a resemblance to the earthy one, let us see

to it that we also bear a resemblance to the heavenly One.

15:50

But this I tell you, brethren: our mortal bodies cannot inherit the

Kingdom of God, nor will what is perishable inherit what is

imperishable.

15:51

I tell you a truth hitherto kept secret: we shall not all sleep, but we

shall all be changed,

15:52

in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sounding of the last

trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised

incapable of decay, and we shall be changed.

15:53

For so it must be: this perishable nature must clothe itself with

what is imperishable, and this mortality must clothe itself with

immortality.

15:54

But when this perishable nature has put on what is imperishable,

and this mortality has put on immortality, then will the words of

Scripture be fulfilled, “DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP IN

VICTORY.”

15:55

“WHERE, O DEATH, IS THY VICTORY? WHERE, O DEATH, IS THY

STING?”

15:56

Now sin is the sting of death, and sin derives its power from the

Law;

15:57

but God be thanked who gives us the victory through our Lord

Jesus Christ!

15:58

Therefore, my dear brethren, be firm, unmovable, busily occupied

at all times in the Lord’s work, knowing that your toil is not

fruitless in the Lord.

CHAPTER 16

16:1

As to the collection for God’s people, what I have directed the

Churches of Galatia to do, you must do also.

16:2

On the first day of every week let each of you put on one side and

store up at his home whatever gain has been granted to him; so

that whenever I come, there may then be no collections going on.

16:3

And when I am with you, whatever brethren you accredit by letter

I will send to carry your kind gift to Jerusalem.

16:4

And if it is worth while for me also to make the journey, they shall

go as my companions.

16:5

I shall come to you after passing through Macedonia; for my plan

will be to pass through Macedonia;

16:6

and I shall make some stay with you perhaps, or even spend the

winter with you, in order that you may help me forward,

whichever way I travel.

16:7

For I do not wish to see you on this occasion merely in passing;

but if the Lord permits, I hope to remain some time with you.

16:8

I shall remain in Ephesus, however, until the time of the Harvest

Festival,

16:9

for a wide door stands open before me which demands great

efforts, and we have many opponents.

16:10

If Timothy pays you a visit, see that he is free from fear in his

relations with you; for he is engaged in the Master’s work just as I

am.

16:11

Therefore let no one slight him, but all of you should help him

forward in peace to join me; for I am waiting for him and others

of the brethren.

16:12

As for our brother Apollos, I have repeatedly urged him to

accompany the brethren who are coming to you: but he is quite

resolved not to do so at present. He will come, however, when he

has a good opportunity.

16:13

Be on the alert; stand firm in the faith; acquit yourselves like men;

be strong.

16:14

Let all that you do be done from motives of love.

16:15

And I beseech you, brethren — you know the household of

Stephanas, how they were the earliest Greek converts to Christ,

and have devoted themselves to the service of God’s people —

16:16

I beseech you, on your part, to show deference to such men, and

to every one who participates in their work and toils hard.

16:17

It is a joy to me that Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus have

now arrived, because what was wanting so far as you are

concerned they have supplied.

16:18

They have refreshed my spirit, and yours. Acknowledge such men

as these.

16:19

The Churches in the province of Asia send you greetings; and

Aquila and Prisca, in hearty Christian love, do the same, together

with the Church which meets at their house.

16:20

The brethren all send greetings to you. Greet one another with a

holy kiss.

16:21

The final greeting of me — Paul — with my own hand.

16:22

If any one is destitute of love to the Lord, let him be accursed.

OUR LORD IS COMING.

16:23

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

16:24

My love in Christ Jesus be with you all.

PAUL’S SECOND LETTER

TO THE CORINTHIANS

The second Letter to the Corinthians was probably written in the autumn

of 56 A.D., the first Letter to them having been sent in the spring of that

year. But there are other letters of which we have no clear account. One,

lost to us, evidently preceded the first Letter (1 Corinthians 5:9). In our

“second” Letter we find mention (2:2,4) of a severe communication which

could not but give pain. Can this have been our “first” to the Corinthians?

Some think not, in which case there must have been an “intermediate”

letter. This some students find in 2 Corinthians 10 1-8:10. If so, there must

have been four letters. Some have thought that in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1,

and 8, 9, yet another is embedded, making possibly five in all. The reader

must form his own conclusions, inasmuch as the evidence is almost entirely

internal. On the whole it would seem that our first Letter, conveyed by

Titus, had produced a good effect in the Corinthian Church, but that this

wore off, and that Titus returned to the Apostle in Ephesus with such

disquieting news that a visit of Paul just then to Corinth would have been

very embarrassing, alike for the Church and the Apostle. Hence, instead of

going, he writes a “painful” letter and sends it by the same messenger,

proceeding himself to Troas and thence to Macedonia, where, in great

tension of spirit, he awaits the return of Titus. At last there comes a

reassuring account, the relief derived from which is so great that our

second Letter is written, with the double purpose of comforting those who

had been so sharply rebuked and of preventing the recurrence of the evils

which had called forth the remonstrance. In this way both the tenderness

and the severity of the present Letter may be explained.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God — and our

brother Timothy: To the Church of God in Corinth, with all God’s

people throughout Greece.

1:2 May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and

the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3 Heartfelt thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ — the Father who is full of compassion and the God who

gives all comfort.

1:4 He comforts us in our every affliction so that we may be able to

comfort those who are in any kind of affliction by means of the

comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

1:5 For just as we have more than our share of suffering for the

Christ, so also through the Christ we have more than our share of

comfort.

1:6 But if, on the one hand, we are enduring affliction, it is for your

comfort and salvation; and if, on the other hand, we are receiving

comfort, it is for your comfort which is produced within you

through your patient fortitude under the same sufferings as those

which we also are enduring.

1:7 And our hope for you is stedfast; for we know that as you are

partners with us in the sufferings, so you are also partners in the

comfort.

1:8 For as for our troubles which came upon us in the province of

Asia, we would have you know, brethren, that we were

exceedingly weighed down, and felt overwhelmed, so that we

renounced all hope even of life.

1:9 Nay, we had, as we still have, the sentence of death within our

own selves, in order that our confidence may repose, not on

ourselves, but on God who raised the dead to life.

1:10 He it is who rescued us from so imminent a death, and will do so

again; and we have a firm hope in Him that He will also rescue us

in all the future,

1:11

while you on your part lend us your aid in entreaty for us, so that

from many lips thanksgivings may rise on our behalf for the boon

granted to us at the intercession of many.

1:12

For the reason for our boasting is this — the testimony of our

own conscience that it was in holiness and with pure motives

before God, and in reliance not on worldly wisdom but on the

gracious help of God, that we have conducted ourselves in the

world, and above all in our relations with you.

1:13

For we are writing to you nothing different from what we have

written before, or from what indeed you already recognize as

truth and will, I trust, recognize as such to the very end;

1:14

just as some few of you have recognized us as your reason for

boasting, even as you will be ours, on the day of Jesus our Lord.

1:15

It was because I entertained this confidence that I intended to visit

you before going elsewhere — so that you might receive a

twofold proof of God’s favor —

1:16

and to pass by way of Corinth into Macedonia. Then my plan was

to return from Macedonia to you, and be helped forward by you

to Judaea.

1:17

Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? Or the purposes

which I form — do I form them on worldly principles, now crying

“Yes, yes,” and now “No, no”?

1:18

As certainly as God is faithful, our language to you is not now

“Yes” and now “No.”

1:19

For Jesus Christ the Son of God — He who was proclaimed

among you by us, that is by Silas and Timothy and myself — did

not show Himself a waverer between “Yes” and “No.” But it was

and always is “Yes” with Him.

1:20

For all the promises of God, whatever their number, have their

confirmation in Him; and for this reason through Him also our

“Amen” acknowledges their truth and promotes the glory of God

through our faith.

1:21

But He who is making us as well as you stedfast through union

with the Anointed One, and has anointed us, is God,

1:22

and He has also set His seal upon us, and has put His Spirit into

our hearts as a pledge and foretaste of future blessing.

1:23

But as for me, as my soul shall answer for it, I appeal to God as

my witness, that it was to spare you pain that I gave up my visit to

Corinth.

1:24

Not that we want to lord it over you in respect of your faith —

we do, however, desire to help your joy — for in the matter of

your faith you are standing firm.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

But, so far as I am concerned, I have resolved not to have a

painful visit the next time I come to see you.

2:2

For if I of all men give you pain, who then is there to gladden my

heart, but the very persons to whom I give pain?

2:3

And I write this to you in order that when I come I may not

receive pain from those who ought to give me joy, confident as I

am as to all of you that my joy is the joy of you all.

2:4

For with many tears I write to you, and in deep suffering and

depression of spirit, not in order to grieve you, but in the hope of

showing you how brimful my heart is with love for you.

2:5

Now if any one has caused sorrow, it has been caused not so

much to me, as in some degree — for I have no wish to

exaggerate — to all of you.

2:6

In the case of such a person the punishment which was inflicted by

the majority of you is enough.

2:7

So that you may now take the opposite course, and forgive him

rather and comfort him, for fear he should perhaps be driven to

despair by his excess of grief.

2:8

I beg you therefore fully to reinstate him in your love.

2:9

For in writing to you I have also this object in view — to discover

by experience whether you are prepared to be obedient in every

respect.

2:10

When you forgive a man an offense I also forgive it; for in fact

what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has always been

for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

2:11

for fear Satan should gain an advantage over us. For we are not

ignorant of his devices.

2:12

Now when I came into the Troad to spread there the Good News

about the Christ, even though in the Lord’s providence a door

stood open before me,

2:13

yet, obtaining no relief for my spirit because I did not find our

brother Titus, I bade them farewell and went on into Macedonia.

2:14

But to God be the thanks who in Christ ever heads our triumphal

procession, and by our hands waves in every place that sweet

incense, the knowledge of Him.

2:15

For we are a fragrance of Christ grateful to God in those whom

He is saving and in those who are perishing;

2:16

to the last-named an odor of death predictive of death, and to the

others an odor of life predictive of life. And for such service as

this who is competent?

2:17

We are; for, unlike most teachers, we are not fraudulent hucksters

of God’s Message; but with transparent motives, as commissioned

by God, in God’s presence and in communion with Christ, so we

speak.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

Do you say that this is self-recommendation once more? Or do we

need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you?

3:2

Our letter of recommendation is yourselves — a letter written on

our hearts and everywhere known and read.

3:3

For all can see that you are a letter of Christ entrusted to our care,

and written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the ever-living God

— and not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts as tablets.

3:4

Such is the confidence which we have through Christ in the

presence of God;

3:5

not that of ourselves we are competent to decide anything by our

own reasonings, but our competency comes from God.

3:6

It is He also who has made us competent to serve Him in

connection with a new Covenant, which is not a written code but

a Spirit; for the written code inflicts death, but the Spirit gives

Life.

3:7

If, however, the service that proclaims death — its code being

engraved in writing upon stones — came with glory, so that the

children of Israel could not look steadily on the face of Moses

because of the brightness of his face — a vanishing brightness;

3:8

will not the service of the Spirit be far more glorious?

3:9

For if the service which pronounces doom had glory, far more

glorious still is the service which tells of righteousness.

3:10

For, in fact, that which was once resplendent in glory has no glory

at all in this respect, that it pales before the glory which surpasses

it.

3:11

For if that which was to be abolished came with glory, much more

is that which is permanent arrayed in glory.

3:12

Therefore, cherishing a hope like this, we speak without reserve,

and we do not imitate Moses,

3:13

who used to throw a veil over his face to hide from the gaze of

the children of Israel the passing away of what was but transitory.

3:14

Nay, their minds were made dull; for to this very day during the

reading of the book of the ancient Covenant, the same veil

remains unlifted, because it is only in Christ that it is to be

abolished.

3:15

Yes, to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their

hearts.

3:16

But whenever the heart of the nation shall have returned to the

Lord, the veil will be withdrawn.

3:17

Now by “the Lord” is meant the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the

Lord is, freedom is enjoyed.

3:18

And all of us, with unveiled faces, reflecting like bright mirrors the

glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same likeness,

from one degree of radiant holiness to another, even as derived

from the Lord the Spirit.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

Therefore, being engaged in this service and being mindful of the

mercy which has been shown us, we are not cowards.

4:2

Nay, we have renounced the secrecy which marks a feeling of

shame. We practice no cunning tricks, nor do we adulterate God’s

Message. But by a full clear statement of the truth we strive to

commend ourselves in the presence of God to every human

conscience.

4:3

If, however, the meaning of our Good News has been veiled, the

veil has been on the hearts of those who are on the way to

perdition,

4:4

in whom the god of this present age has blinded their unbelieving

minds so as to shut out the sunshine of the Good News of the

glory of the Christ, who is the image of God.

4:5

(For we do not proclaim ourselves, but we proclaim Christ Jesus

as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for the sake of

Jesus.)

4:6

For God who said, “Out of darkness let light shine,” is He who

has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of

God’s glory, which is radiant on the face of Christ.

4:7

But we have this treasure in a fragile vase of clay, in order that the

surpassing greatness of the power may be seen to belong to God,

and not to originate in us.

4:8

We are hard pressed, yet never in absolute distress; perplexed, yet

never utterly baffled;

4:9

pursued, yet never left unsuccored; struck to the ground, yet

never slain;

4:10

always, wherever we go, carrying with us in our bodies the

putting to death of Jesus, so that in our bodies it may also be

clearly shown that Jesus lives.

4:11

For we, alive though we are, are continually surrendering

ourselves to death for the sake of Jesus, so that in this mortal

nature of ours it may also be clearly shown that Jesus lives.

4:12

Thus we are constantly dying, while you are in full enjoyment of

Life.

4:13

But possessing the same Spirit of faith as he who wrote, “I

BELIEVED, AND THEREFORE I HAVE SPOKEN,” we also believe, and

therefore we speak.

4:14

For we know that He who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead

will raise us also to be with Jesus, and will cause both us and you

to stand in His own presence.

4:15

For everything is for your sakes, in order that grace, being more

richly bestowed because of the thanksgivings of the increased

number, may more and more promote the glory of God.

4:16

Therefore we are not cowards. Nay, even though our outward

man is wasting away, yet our inward man is being renewed day by

day.

4:17

For this our light and transitory burden of suffering is achieving

for us a preponderating, yes, a vastly preponderating, and eternal

weight of glory;

4:18

while we look not at things seen, but things unseen; for things

seen are temporary, but things unseen are eternal.

CHAPTER 5

5:1

For we know that if this poor tent, our earthly house, is taken

down, we have in Heaven a building which God has provided, a

house not built by human hands, but eternal.

5:2

For in this one we sigh, because we long to put on over it our

dwelling which comes from Heaven —

5:3

if indeed having really put on a robe we shall not be found to be

unclothed.

5:4

Yes, we who are in this tent certainly do sigh under our burdens,

for we do not wish to lay aside that with which we are now

clothed, but to put on more, so that our mortality may be

absorbed in Life.

5:5

And He who formed us with this very end in view is God, who

has given us His Spirit as a pledge and foretaste of that bliss.

5:6

We have therefore a cheerful confidence. We know that while we

are at home in the body we are banished from the Lord;

5:7

for we are living a life of faith, and not one of sight.

5:8

So we have a cheerful confidence, and we anticipate with greater

delight being banished from the body and going home to the Lord.

5:9

And for this reason also we make it our ambition, whether at

home or in exile, to please Him perfectly.

5:10

For we must all of us appear before Christ’s judgment-seat in our

true characters, in order that each may then receive an award for

his actions in this life, in accordance with what he has done,

whether it be good or whether it be worthless.

5:11

Therefore, because we realize how greatly the Lord is to be

feared, we are endeavoring to win men over, and God recognizes

what our motives are, and I hope that you, in your hearts,

recognize them too.

5:12

We are not again commending ourselves to your favor, but are

furnishing you with a ground of boasting on our behalf, so that

you may have a reply ready for those with whom superficial

appearances are everything and sincerity of heart counts for

nothing.

5:13

For if we have been beside ourselves, it has been for God’s glory;

or if we are now in our right senses, it is in order to be of service

to you.

5:14

For the love of Christ overmasters us, the conclusion at which we

have arrived being this — that One having died for all, His death

was their death,

5:15

and that He died for all in order that the living may no longer live

to themselves, but to Him who died for them and rose again.

5:16

Therefore for the future we know no one simply as a man. Even if

we have known Christ as a man, yet now we do so no longer.

5:17

So that if any one is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old state

of things has passed away; a new state of things has come into

existence.

5:18

And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself

through Christ, and has appointed us to serve in the ministry of

reconciliation.

5:19

We are to tell how God was in Christ reconciling the world to

Himself, not charging men’s transgressions to their account, and

that He has entrusted to us the Message of this reconciliation.

5:20

On Christ’s behalf therefore we come as ambassadors, God, as it

were, making entreaty through our lips: we, on Christ’s behalf,

beseech men to be reconciled to God.

5:21

He has made Him who knew nothing of sin to be sin for us, in

order that in Him we may become the righteousness of God.

CHAPTER 6

6:1

And you also we, as God’s fellow workers, entreat not to be

found to have received His grace to no purpose.

6:2

For He says, “AT A TIME OF WELCOME I HAVE LISTENED TO YOU,

AND ON A DAY OF SALVATION I HAVE SUCCORED YOU.” Now is

the time of loving welcome! Now is the day of salvation!

6:3

We endeavor to give people no cause for stumbling in anything,

lest the work we are doing should fall into discredit.

6:4

On the contrary, as God’s servants, we seek their full approval —

by unwearied endurance, by afflictions, by distress, by

helplessness;

6:5

by floggings, by imprisonments; by facing riots, by toil, by

sleepless watching, by hunger and thirst;

6:6

by purity of life, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the

Holy Spirit, by sincere love;

6:7

by the proclamation of the truth, by the power of God; by the

weapons of righteousness, wielded in both hands;

6:8

through honor and ignominy, through calumny and praise. We are

looked upon as impostors and yet are true men;

6:9

as obscure persons, and yet are well known; as on the point of

death, and yet, strange to tell, we live; as under God’s discipline,

and yet we are not deprived of life;

6:10

as sad, but we are always joyful; as poor, but we bestow wealth

on many; as having nothing, and yet we securely possess all

things.

6:11

O Corinthians, our lips are unsealed to you: our heart is expanded.

6:12

There is no narrowness in our love to you: the narrowness is in

your own feelings.

6:13

And in just requital — I speak as to my children — let your hearts

expand also.

6:14

Do not come into close association with unbelievers, like oxen

yoked with asses. For what is there in common between

righteousness and lawlessness? Or what partnership has light with

darkness?

6:15

Where can harmony between Christ and Belial be found? Or what

participation has a believer with an unbeliever?

6:16

And what compact has the Temple of God with idols? For we are

the Temple of the ever-living God; as God has said, “I WILL

DWELL AMONG THEM, AND WALK ABOUT AMONG THEM; AND WILL

BE THEIR GOD, AND IT IS THEY WHO SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”

6:17

Therefore, “‘Come out from among them and separate

yourselves,’ says the Lord, ‘and touch nothing impure; and I will

receive you, and will be a Father to you,

6:18

AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS,’ SAYS THE LORD

THE RULER OF ALL.”

CHAPTER 7

7:1

Having therefore these promises, beloved friends, let us purify

ourselves from all defilement of body and of spirit, and secure

perfect holiness through the fear of God.

7:2

Make room for us in your hearts. There is not one of you whom

we have wronged, not one to whom we have done harm, not one

over whom we have gained any selfish advantage.

7:3

I do not say this to imply blame, for, as I have already said, you

have such a place in our hearts that we would die with you or live

with you.

7:4

I have great confidence in you: very loudly do I boast of you. I am

filled with comfort: my heart overflows with joy amid all our

affliction.

7:5

For even after our arrival in Macedonia we could get no relief

such as human nature craves. We were greatly harassed; there

were conflicts without and fears within.

7:6

But He who comforts the depressed — even God — comforted

us by the coming of Titus, and not by his coming only,

7:7

but also by the fact that he had felt comforted on your account,

and by the report which he brought of your eager affection, of

your grief, and of your jealousy on my behalf, so that I rejoiced

more than ever.

7:8

For if I gave you pain by that letter, I do not regret it, though I

did regret it then. I see that that letter, even though for a time it

gave you pain, had a salutary effect.

7:9

Now I rejoice, not in your grief, but because the grief led to

repentance; for you sorrowed with a godly sorrow, which

prevented you from receiving injury from us in any respect.

7:10

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, a

repentance not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world finally

produces death.

7:11

For mark the effects of this very thing — your having sorrowed

with a godly sorrow — what earnestness it has called forth in you,

what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm,

what longing affection, what jealousy, what meting out of justice!

You have completely wiped away reproach from yourselves in the

matter.

7:12

Therefore, though I wrote to you, it was not to punish the

offender, nor to secure justice for him who had suffered the

wrong, but it was chiefly in order that your earnest feeling on our

behalf might become manifest to yourselves in the sight of God.

7:13

For this reason we feel comforted; and — in addition to this our

comfort — we have been filled with all the deeper joy at Titus’s

joy, because his spirit has been set at rest by you all.

7:14

For however I may have boasted to him about you, I have no

reason to feel ashamed; but as we have in all respects spoken the

truth to you, so also our boasting to Titus about you has turned

out to be the truth.

7:15

And his strong and tender affection is all the more drawn out

towards you when he recalls to mind the obedience which all of

you manifested by the timidity and nervous anxiety with which

you welcomed him.

7:16

I rejoice that I have absolute confidence in you.

CHAPTER 8

8:1

But we desire to let you know, brethren, of the grace of God

which has been bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia;

8:2

how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even

amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous

liberality.

8:3

For I can testify that to the utmost of their power, and even

beyond their power, they have of their own free will given help.

8:4

With earnest entreaty they begged from us the favor of being

allowed to share in the service now being rendered to God’s

people.

8:5

They not only did this, as we had expected, but first of all in

obedience to God’s will they gave their own selves to the Lord

and to us.

8:6

This led us to urge Titus that, as he had previously been the one

who commenced the work, so he should now go and complete

among you this act of beneficence also.

8:7

Yes, just as you are already very rich in faith, readiness of speech,

knowledge, unwearied zeal, and in the love that is in you,

implanted by us, see to it that this grace of liberal giving also

flourishes in you.

8:8

I am not saying this by way of command, but to test by the

standard of other men’s earnestness the genuineness of your love

also.

8:9

For you know the condescending goodness of our Lord Jesus

Christ — how for your sakes He became poor, though He was

rich, in order that you through His poverty might grow rich.

8:10

But in this matter I give you an opinion; for my doing this helps

forward your own intentions, seeing that not only have you begun

operations, but a year ago you already had the desire to do so.

8:11

And now complete the doing also, in order that, just as there was

then the eagerness in desiring, there may now be the

accomplishment in proportion to your means.

8:12

For, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable

according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he

has not.

8:13

I do not urge you to give in order that others may have relief

while you are unduly pressed,

8:14

but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having in the

present emergency supplied their deficiency, their superfluity may

in turn be a supply for your deficiency later on, so that there may

be equalization of burdens.

8:15

Even as it is written, “HE WHO GATHERED MUCH HAD NOT TOO

MUCH, AND HE WHO GATHERED LITTLE HAD NOT TOO LITTLE.”

8:16

But thanks be to God that He inspires the heart of Titus with the

same deep interest in you;

8:17

for Titus welcomed our request, and, being thoroughly in earnest,

comes to you of his own free will.

8:18

And we send with him the brother whose praises for his

earnestness in proclaiming the Good News are heard throughout

all the Churches.

8:19

And more than that, he is the one who was chosen by the vote of

the Churches to travel with us, sharing our commission in the

administration of this generous gift to promote the Lord’s glory

and gratify our own strong desire.

8:20

For against one thing we are on our guard — I mean against

blame being thrown upon us in respect to these large and liberal

contributions which are under our charge.

8:21

For we seek not only God’s approval of our integrity, but man’s

also.

8:22

And we send with them our brother, of whose zeal we have had

frequent proof in many matters, and who is now more zealous

than ever through the strong confidence which he has in you.

8:23

As for Titus, remember that he is a partner with me, and is my

comrade in my labors for you. And as for our brethren, remember

that they are delegates from the Churches, and are men in whom

Christ is glorified.

8:24

Exhibit therefore to the Churches a proof of your love, and a

justification of our boasting to these brethren about you.

CHAPTER 9

9:1

As to the services which are being rendered to God’s people, it is

really unnecessary for me to write to you.

9:2

For I know your earnest willingness, on account of which I

habitually boast of you to the Macedonians, pointing out to them

that for a whole year you in Greece have been ready; and the

greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardor.

9:3

Still I send the brethren in order that in this matter our boast

about you may not turn out to have been an idle one; so that, as I

have said, you may be ready;

9:4

for fear that, if any Macedonians come with me and find you

unprepared, we — not to say you yourselves — should be put to

the blush in respect to this confidence.

9:5

I have thought it absolutely necessary therefore to request these

brethren to visit you before I myself come, and to make sure

beforehand that the gift of love which you have already promised

may be ready as a gift of love, and may not seem to have been

something which I have extorted from you.

9:6

But do not forget that he who sows with a niggardly hand will

also reap a niggardly crop, and that he who sows bountifully will

also reap bountifully.

9:7

Let each contribute what he has decided upon in his own mind,

and not do it reluctantly or under compulsion. “IT IS A CHEERFUL

GIVER THAT GOD LOVES.”

9:8

And God is able to bestow every blessing on you in abundance, so

that richly enjoying all sufficiency at all times, you may have

ample means for all good works.

9:9

As it is written, “HE HAS SCATTERED ABROAD, HE HAS GIVEN TO

THE POOR, HIS ALMSGIVING REMAINS FOR EVER.”

9:10

And God who continually supplies seed for the sower and bread

for eating, will supply you with seed and multiply it, and will

cause your almsgiving to yield a plentiful harvest.

9:11

May you be abundantly enriched so as to show all liberality, such

as through our instrumentality brings thanksgiving to God.

9:12

For the service rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to

relieve the wants of God’s people, but it is also rich in its results

and awakens a chorus of thanksgiving to God.

9:13

For, by the practical proof of it which you exhibit in this service,

you cause God to be extolled for your fidelity to your professed

adherence to the Good News of the Christ, and for the liberality

of your contributions for them and for all who are in need,

9:14

while they themselves also in supplications on your behalf pour

out their longing love towards you because of God’s surpassing

grace which is resting upon you.

9:15

Thanks be to God for His unspeakably precious gift!

CHAPTER 10

10:1

But as for me Paul, I entreat you by the gentleness and self-

forgetfulness of Christ — I who when among you have not an

imposing personal presence, but when absent am fearlessly

outspoken in dealing with you.

10:2

I beseech you not to compel me when present to make a bold

display of the confidence with which I reckon I shall show my

‘courage’ against some who reckon that we are guided by worldly

principles.

10:3

For, though we are still living in the world, it is no worldly

warfare that we are waging.

10:4

The weapons with which we fight are not human weapons, but are

mighty for God in overthrowing strong fortresses.

10:5

For we overthrow arrogant ‘reckonings,’ and every stronghold

that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we

carry off every thought as if into slavery — into subjection to

Christ;

10:6

while we hold ourselves in readiness to punish every act of

disobedience, as soon as ever you as a Church have fully shown

your obedience.

10:7

Is it outward appearances you look to? If any man is confident as

regards himself that he specially belongs to Christ, let him

consider again and reflect that just as he belongs to Christ, so also

do we.

10:8

If, however, I were to boast more loudly of our Apostolic

authority, which the Lord has given us that we may build you up,

not pull you down, I should have no reason to feel ashamed.

10:9

Let it not seem as if I wanted to frighten you by my letters.

10:10

For they say “His letters are authoritative and forcible, but his

personal presence is unimpressive, and as for eloquence, he has

none.”

10:11

Let such people take this into their reckoning, that whatever we

are in word by our letters when absent, the same are we also in

act when present.

10:12

For we have not the ‘courage’ to rank ourselves among, or

compare ourselves with, certain persons distinguished by their

self-commendation. Yet they are not wise, measuring themselves,

as they do, by one another and comparing themselves with one

another.

10:13

We, however, will not exceed due limits in our boasting, but will

keep within the limits of the sphere which God has assigned to us

as a limit, which reaches even to you.

10:14

For there is no undue stretch of authority on our part, as though it

did not extend to you. We pressed on even to Corinth, and were

the first to proclaim to you the Good News of the Christ.

10:15

We do not exceed our due limits, and take credit for other men’s

labors; but we entertain the hope that, as your faith grows, we

shall gain promotion among you — still keeping within our own

sphere — promotion to a larger field of labor,

10:16

and shall tell the Good News in the districts beyond you, not

boasting in another man’s sphere about work already done by

him.

10:17

But “WHOEVER BOASTS, LET HIS BOAST BE IN THE LORD.”

10:18

For it is not the man that commends himself who is really

approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

CHAPTER 11

11:1

I wish you could have borne with a little foolish boasting on my

part. Nay, do bear with me.

11:2

I am jealous over you with God’s own jealousy. For I have

betrothed you to Christ to present you to Him like a faithful bride

to her one husband.

11:3

But I am afraid that, as the serpent in his craftiness deceived Eve,

so your minds may be led astray from their single-heartedness and

their fidelity to Christ.

11:4

If indeed some visitor is proclaiming among you another Jesus

whom we did not proclaim, or if you are receiving a Spirit

different from the One you have already received or a Good News

different from that which you have already welcomed, your

toleration is admirable!

11:5

Why, I reckon myself in no respect inferior to those superlatively

great Apostles.

11:6

And if in the matter of speech I am no orator, yet in knowledge I

am not deficient. Nay, we have in every way made that fully

evident to you.

11:7

Is it a sin that I abased myself in order for you to be exalted, in

that I proclaimed God’s Good News to you without fee or

reward?

11:8

Other Churches I robbed, receiving pay from them in order to do

you service.

11:9

And when I was with you and my resources failed, there was no

one to whom I became a burden — for the brethren when they

came from Macedonia fully supplied my wants — and I kept

myself from being in the least a burden to you, and will do so still.

11:10

Christ knows that it is true when I say that I will not be stopped

from boasting of this anywhere in Greece.

11:11

And why? Because I do not love you? God knows that I do.

11:12

But I will persist in the same line of conduct in order to cut the

ground from under the feet of those who desire an opportunity of

getting themselves recognized as being on a level with us in the

matters about which they boast.

11:13

For men of this stamp are sham apostles, dishonest workmen,

assuming the garb of Apostles of Christ.

11:14

And no wonder. Satan, their master, can disguise himself as an

angel of light.

11:15

It is therefore no great thing for his servants also to disguise

themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be in

accordance with their actions.

11:16

To return to what I was saying. Let no one suppose that I am

foolish. Or if you must, at any rate make allowance for me as

being foolish, in order that I, as well as they, may boast a little.

11:17

What I am now saying, I do not say by the Lord’s command, but

as a fool in his folly might, in this reckless boasting.

11:18

Since many boast for merely human reasons, I too will boast.

11:19

Wise as you yourselves are, you find pleasure in tolerating fools.

11:20

For you tolerate it, if any one enslaves you, lives at your expense,

makes off with your property, gives himself airs, or strikes you on

the face.

11:21

I use the language of self-disparagement, as though I were

admitting our own feebleness. Yet for whatever reason any one is

‘courageous’ — I speak in mere folly — I also am courageous.

11:22

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are

they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

11:23

Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if I were out of my mind.)

Much more am I His servant; serving Him more thoroughly than

they by my labors, and more thoroughly also by my

imprisonments, by excessively cruel floggings, and with risk of life

many a time.

11:24

From the Jews I five times have received forty lashes all but one.

11:25

Three times I have been beaten with Roman rods, once I have

been stoned, three times I have been shipwrecked, once for full

four and twenty hours I was floating on the open sea.

11:26

I have served Him by frequent travelling, amid dangers in crossing

rivers, dangers from robbers; dangers from my own countrymen,

dangers from the Gentiles; dangers in the city, dangers in the

Desert, dangers by sea, dangers from spies in our midst;

11:27

with labor and toil, with many a sleepless night, in hunger and

thirst, in frequent fastings, in cold, and with insufficient clothing.

11:28

And besides other things, which I pass over, there is that which

presses on me daily — my anxiety for all the Churches.

11:29

Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led astray into sin, and I

am not aflame with indignation?

11:30

If boast I must, it shall be of things which display my weakness.

11:31

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ — He who is

blessed throughout the Ages — knows that I am speaking the

truth.

11:32

In Damascus the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the

gates of the city in order to apprehend me,

11:33

but through an opening in the wall I was let down in a basket, and

so escaped his hands.

CHAPTER 12

12:1

I am compelled to boast. It is not a profitable employment, but I

will proceed to visions and revelations granted me by the Lord.

12:2

I know a Christian man who fourteen years ago — whether in the

body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know; God

knows — was caught up (this man of whom I am speaking) even

to the highest Heaven.

12:3

And I know that this man — whether in the body or apart from

the body I do not know;

12:4

God knows — was caught up into Paradise and heard

unspeakable things which no human being is permitted to repeat.

12:5

Of such a one I will boast; but of myself I will not boast, except in

my weaknesses.

12:6

If however I should choose to boast, I should not be a fool for so

doing, for I should be speaking the truth. But I forbear, lest any

one should be led to estimate me more highly than what his own

eyes attest, or more highly than what he hears from my lips.

12:7

And judging by the stupendous grandeur of the revelations —

therefore lest I should be over-elated there has been sent to me,

like the agony of impalement, Satan’s angel dealing blow after

blow, lest I should be over-elated.

12:8

As for this, three times have I besought the Lord to rid me of him;

12:9

but His reply has been, “My grace suffices for you, for power

matures in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I boast of my

infirmities rather than complain of them — in order that Christ’s

power may overshadow me.

12:10

In fact I take pleasure in infirmities, in the bearing of insults, in

distress, in persecutions, in grievous difficulties — for Christ’s

sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

12:11

It is foolish of me to write all this, but you have compelled me to

do so. Why, you ought to have been my vindicators; for in no

respect have I been inferior to these superlatively great Apostles,

even though in myself I am nothing.

12:12

The signs that characterize the true Apostle have been done

among you, accompanied by unwearied fortitude, and by tokens

and marvels and displays of power.

12:13

In what respect, therefore, have you been worse dealt with than

other Churches, except that I myself never hung as a dead weight

upon you? Forgive the injustice I thus did you!

12:14

See, I am now for the third time prepared to visit you, but I will

not be a dead weight to you. I desire not your money, but

yourselves; for children ought not to put by for their parents, but

parents for their children.

12:15

And as for me, most gladly will I spend all I have and be utterly

spent for your salvation.

12:16

If I love you so intensely, am I the less to be loved? Be that as it

may: I was not a burden to you. But being by no means

scrupulous, I entrapped you, they say!

12:17

Have I gained any selfish advantage over you through any one of

the messengers I have sent to you?

12:18

I begged Titus to visit you, and sent our other brother with him.

Did Titus gain any selfish advantage over you? Were not he and I

guided by one and the same Spirit, and did we not walk in the

same steps?

12:19

You are imagining, all this time, that we are making our defense

at your bar. In reality it is as in God’s presence and in communion

with Christ that we speak; but, dear friends, it is all with a view to

your progress in goodness.

12:20

For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may not find you to be

what I desire, and that you may find me to be what you do not

desire; that perhaps there may be contention, jealousy, bitter

feeling, party spirit, ill-natured talk, backbiting, undue eulogy,

unrest;

12:21

and that upon re-visiting you I may be humbled by my God in

your presence, and may have to mourn over many whose hearts

still cling to their old sins, and who have not repented of the

impurity, fornication, and gross sensuality, of which they have

been guilty.

CHAPTER 13

13:1

This intended visit of mine is my third visit to you. “ON THE

EVIDENCE OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY CHARGE SHALL BE

SUSTAINED.”

13:2

Those who cling to their old sins, and indeed all of you, I have

forewarned and still forewarn (as I did on my second visit when

present, so I do now, though absent) that, when I come again, I

shall not spare you;

13:3

since you want a practical proof of the fact that Christ speaks by

my lips — He who is not feeble towards you, but powerful among

you.

13:4

For though it is true that He was crucified through weakness, yet

He now lives through the power of God. We also are weak,

sharing His weakness, but with Him we shall be full of life to deal

with you through the power of God.

13:5

Test yourselves to discover whether you are true believers: put

your own selves under examination. Or do you not know that

Jesus Christ is within you, unless you are insincere?

13:6

But I trust that you will recognize that we are not insincere.

13:7

And our prayer to God is that you may do nothing wrong; not in

order that our sincerity may be demonstrated, but that you may do

what is right, even though our sincerity may seem to be doubtful.

13:8

For we have no power against the truth, but only for the

furtherance of the truth;

13:9

and it is a joy to us when we are powerless, but you are strong.

This we also pray for — the perfecting of your characters.

13:10

For this reason I write thus while absent, that when present I may

not have to act severely in the exercise of the authority which the

Lord has given me for building up, and not for pulling down.

13:11

Finally, brethren, be joyful, secure perfection of character, take

courage, be of one mind, live in peace. And then God who gives

love and peace will be with you.

13:12 Salute one another with a holy kiss.

13:13 All God’s people here send greetings to you.

13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the

fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

PAUL’S LETTER

TO THE GALATIANS

There is no question as to the genuineness of this Pauline Letter, but unlike

most other writings of the Apostle i was addressed to “Churches” rather

than to a single community.

Formerly it was not easy to decide the precise meaning of the term

“Galatia.” Opinions differed on the subject. The “North Galatian theory,”

contended for by some German scholars, maintained that the Letter was

addressed to the Churches of Ancyra, Tavium, Pessinus and possibly to

those in other cities. The “South Galatian theory,” which now holds the

field in English-speaking countries, is to the effect that the congregations

intended were those of Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Derbe and Lystra; and

this is strongly supported by the unique resemblance between this Letter

and Paul’s sermon in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:14-41). In any case the

population was very mixed, consisting of Phrygians, Greeks, Romans,

Gauls and Jews.

The date of the Letter cannot be exactly fixed. The periods assigned by

recent scholarship vary from 46 A.D. to 58 A.D., but the medium estimate

of 53 A.D., adopted by Harnack and Ramsay, satisfies all the requirements

of the case.

The Apostle certainly visited Galatia during his second missionary tour,

perhaps about 51 A. D., and, although suffering from illness, was received

with enthusiasm. After a short stay he departed cherishing a joyful

confidence as to his converts there. But when, less than three years

afterwards, he came again, he found that the leaven of Judaism had

produced a definite apostasy, insomuch that both the freedom of individual

believers and his own Apostolic authority were in danger.

Even his personal presence (Acts 18:23) did not end the difficulty. Hence,

possibly during his journey between Macedonia and Achaia, he sent this

Letter. Its rugged and incoherent style shows that it was dictated under

great stress of feeling, and the doctrine of justification by faith is stated

more emphatically than in any other of his writings. But his earnest

insistence upon the “fruit borne by the Spirit” proves that his ideal of

practical holiness was rather strengthened than impaired by his plea for

Faith as the mainspring of Christian life.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Paul, an Apostle sent not from men nor by any man, but by Jesus

Christ and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from among the

dead —

1:2 and all the brethren who are with me: To the Churches of Galatia.

1:3 May grace and peace be granted to you from God the Father, and

from our Lord Jesus Christ,

1:4 who gave Himself to suffer for our sins in order to rescue us from

the present wicked age in accordance with the will of our God

and Father.

1:5 To Him be the glory to the Ages of the Ages! Amen.

1:6 I marvel that you are so readily leaving Him who called you by the

grace of Christ, and are adhering to a different Good News.

1:7 For other “Good News” there is none; but there are some persons

who are troubling you, and are seeking to distort the Good News

concerning Christ.

1:8 But if even we or an angel from Heaven should bring you a Good

News different from that which we have already brought you, let

him be accursed.

1:9 What I have just said I repeat — if any one is preaching to you a

Good News other than that which you originally received, let him

be accursed.

1:10 For is it man’s favor or God’s that I aspire to? Or am I seeking to

please men? If I were still a man-pleaser, I should not be Christ’s

bondservant.

1:11 For I must tell you, brethren, that the Good News which was

proclaimed by me is not such as man approves of.

1:12 For, in fact, it was not from man that I received or learnt it, but by

a revelation from Jesus Christ.

1:13 For you have heard of my early career in Judaism — how I

furiously persecuted the Church of God, and made havoc of it;

1:14 and how in devotion to Judaism I outstripped many men of my

own age among my people, being far more zealous than they on

behalf of the traditions of my forefathers.

1:15 But when He who set me apart even from my birth, and called me

by His grace,

1:16 saw fit to reveal His Son within me in order that I might tell

among the Gentiles the Good News concerning Him, at once I did

not confer with any human being,

1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were my seniors in the

Apostleship, but I went away into Arabia, and afterwards came

back to Damascus.

1:18 Then, three years later, I went up to Jerusalem to inquire for

Peter, and I spent a fortnight with him.

1:19 I saw none of the other Apostles, except James, the Lord’s

brother.

1:20 In making these assertions I am speaking the truth, as in the sight

of God.

1:21 Afterwards I visited Syria and Cilicia.

1:22 But to the Christian Churches in Judaea I was personally

unknown.

1:23 They only heard it said, “He who was once our persecutor is now

telling the Good News of the faith of which he formerly made

havoc.”

1:24 And they gave glory to God on my account.

CHAPTER 2

2:1 Later still, after an interval of fourteen years, I again went up to

Jerusalem in company with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.

2:2

I went up in obedience to a revelation of God’s will; and I

explained to them the Good News which I proclaim among the

Gentiles. To the leaders of the Church this explanation was made

in private, lest by any means I should be running, or should

already have run, in vain.

2:3

But although my companion Titus was a Greek they did not insist

upon even his being circumcised.

2:4

Yet there was danger of this through the false brethren secretly

introduced into the Church, who had stolen in to spy out the

freedom which is ours in Christ Jesus, in order to rob us of it.

2:5

But not for an hour did we give way and submit to them; in order

that the Good News might continue with you in its integrity.

2:6

From those leaders I gained nothing new. Whether they were men

of importance or not, matters nothing to me — God recognizes

no external distinctions. To me, at any rate, the leaders imparted

nothing new.

2:7

Indeed, when they saw that I was entrusted with the preaching of

the Good News to the Gentiles as Peter had been with that to the

Jews —

2:8

for He who had been at work within Peter with a view to his

Apostleship to the Jews had also been at work within me with a

view to my Apostleship to the Gentiles —

2:9

and when they perceived the mission which was graciously

entrusted to me, they (that is to say, James, Peter, and John, who

were considered to be the pillars of the Church) welcomed

Barnabas and me to their fellowship on the understanding that we

were to go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews.

2:10

Only they urged that we should remember their poor — a thing

which was uppermost in my own mind.

2:11

Now when Peter visited Antioch, I remonstrated with him to his

face, because he had incurred just censure.

2:12

For until certain persons came from James he had been

accustomed to eat with Gentiles; but as soon as these persons

came, he withdrew and separated himself for fear of the

Circumcision party.

2:13

And along with him the other Jews also concealed their real

opinions, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their lack of

straightforwardness.

2:14

As soon as I saw that they were not walking uprightly in the spirit

of the Good News, I said to Peter, before them all, “If you,

though you are a Jew, live as a Gentile does, and not as a Jew,

how can you make the Gentiles follow Jewish customs?

2:15

You and I, though we are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners,

2:16

know that it is not through obedience to Law that a man can be

declared free from guilt, but only through faith in Jesus Christ. We

have therefore believed in Christ Jesus, for the purpose of being

declared free from guilt, through faith in Christ and not through

obedience to Law. For through obedience to Law no human being

shall be declared free from guilt.

2:17

But if while we are seeking in Christ acquittal from guilt we

ourselves are convicted of sin, Christ then encourages us to sin!

No, indeed.

2:18

Why, if I am now rebuilding that structure of sin which I had

demolished, I am thereby constituting myself a transgressor;

2:19

for it is by the Law that I have died to the Law, in order that I

may live to God.

2:20

I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live,

but Christ that lives in me; and the life which I now live in the

body I live through faith in the Son of God who loved me and

gave Himself up to death on my behalf.

2:21

I do not nullify the grace of God; for if acquittal from guilt is

obtainable through the Law, then Christ has died in vain.”

CHAPTER 3

3:1

You foolish Galatians! Whose sophistry has bewitched you —

you to whom Jesus Christ has been vividly portrayed as on the

Cross?

3:2

Answer me this one question, “Is it on the ground of your

obedience to the Law that you received the Spirit, or is it because,

when you heard, you believed?”

3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now

going to reach perfection through what is external?

3:4 Have you endured such sufferings to no purpose — if indeed it

has been to no purpose?

3:5 He who gives you His Spirit and works miracles among you —

does He do so on the ground of your obedience to the Law, or is

it the result of your having heard and believed:

3:6 even as ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND HIS FAITH WAS PLACED TO

HIS ACCOUNT AS RIGHTEOUSNESS?

3:7 Notice therefore that those who possess faith are true sons of

Abraham.

3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that in consequence of faith God

would declare the nations to be free from guilt, sent beforehand

the Good News to Abraham, saying, “IN YOU ALL THE NATIONS

SHALL BE BLESSED.”

3:9 So we see that it is those who possess faith that are blessed with

believing Abraham.

3:10 All who are depending upon their own obedience to the Law are

under a curse, for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERY ONE WHO DOES

NOT REMAIN FAITHFUL TO ALL THE PRECEPTS OF THE LAW, AND

PRACTISE THEM.”

3:11 It is evident, too, that no one can find acceptance with God simply

by obeying the Law, because “THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL LIVE BY

FAITH,”

3:12 and the Law has nothing to do with faith. It teaches that “HE WHO

DOES THESE THINGS SHALL LIVE BY DOING THEM.”

3:13 Christ has purchased our freedom from the curse of the Law by

becoming accursed for us — because “CURSED IS EVERY ONE

WHO IS HANGED UPON A TREE.”

3:14 Our freedom has been thus purchased in order that in Christ Jesus

the blessing belonging to Abraham may come upon the nations, so

that through faith we may receive the promised Spirit.

3:15

Brethren, even a covenant made by a man — to borrow an

illustration from daily life — when once formally sanctioned is not

liable to be set aside or added to.

3:16

(Now the promises were given to Abraham and to his seed. God

did not say “and to seeds,” as if speaking of many, but “and to

your seed,” since He spoke of only one — and this is Christ.)

3:17

I mean that the Covenant which God had already formally made is

not abrogated by the Law which was given four hundred and

thirty years later — so as to annul the promise.

3:18

For if the inheritance comes through obedience to Law, it no

longer comes because of a promise. But, as a matter of fact, God

has granted it to Abraham in fulfilment of a promise.

3:19

Why then was the Law given? It was imposed later on for the

sake of defining sin, until the seed should come to whom God had

made the promise; and its details were laid down by a mediator

with the help of angels.

3:20

But there cannot be a mediator where only one individual is

concerned.

3:21

God, however, is only one. Is the Law then opposed to the

promises of God? No, indeed; for if a Law had been given which

could have conferred Life, righteousness would certainly have

come by the Law.

3:22

But Scripture has shown that all mankind are the prisoners of sin,

in order that the promised blessing, which depends on faith in

Jesus Christ, may be given to those who believe.

3:23

Before this faith came, we Jews were perpetual prisoners under

the Law, living under restraints and limitations in preparation for

the faith which was soon to be revealed.

3:24

So that the Law has acted the part of a tutor-slave to lead us to

Christ, in order that through faith we may be declared to be free

from guilt.

3:25

But now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor-

slave.

3:26

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus;

3:27

for all of you who have been baptized into Christ, have clothed

yourselves with Christ.

3:28

In Him the distinctions between Jew and Gentile, slave and free

man, male and female, disappear; you are all one in Christ Jesus.

3:29

And if you belong to Christ, then you are indeed true descendants

of Abraham, and are heirs in fulfilment of the promise.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

Now I say that so long as an heir is a child, he in no respect differs

from a slave, although he is the owner of everything,

4:2

but he is under the control of guardians and trustees until the time

his father has appointed.

4:3

So we also, when spiritually we were children, were subject to the

world’s rudimentary notions, and were enslaved.

4:4

But, when the time was fully come, God sent forth His Son, born

of a woman, born subject to Law,

4:5

in order to purchase the freedom of all who were subject to Law,

so that we might receive recognition as sons.

4:6

And because you are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of His Son

to enter your hearts and cry “Abba! our Father!”

4:7

Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then

an heir also through God’s own act.

4:8

But at one time, you Gentiles, having no knowledge of God, were

slaves to gods which in reality do not exist.

4:9

Now, however, having come to know God — or rather to be

known by Him — how is it you are again turning back to weak

and worthless rudimentary notions to which you are once more

willing to be enslaved?

4:10

You scrupulously observe days and months, special seasons, and

years.

4:11

I am alarmed about you, and am afraid that I have perhaps

bestowed labor upon you to no purpose.

4:12

Brethren, become as I am, I beseech you; for I have also become

like you. In no respect did you behave badly to me.

4:13

And you know that in those early days it was on account of bodily

infirmity that I proclaimed the Good News to you,

4:14

and yet the bodily infirmity which was such a trial to you, you did

not regard with contempt or loathing, but you received me as if I

had been an angel of God or Christ Jesus Himself!

4:15

I ask you, then, what has become of your self-congratulations?

For I bear you witness that had it been possible you would have

torn out your own eyes and have given them to me.

4:16

Can it be that I have become your enemy through speaking the

truth to you?

4:17

These men pay court to you, but not with honorable motives.

They want to exclude you, so that you may pay court to them.

4:18

It is always an honorable thing to be courted in an honorable

cause; always, and not only when I am with you, my children —

4:19

you for whom I am again, as it were, undergoing the pains of

childbirth, until Christ is fully formed within you.

4:20

Would that I were with you and could change my tone, for I am

perplexed about you.

4:21

Tell me — you who want to continue to be subject to Law — will

you not listen to the Law?

4:22

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave-girl

and one by the free woman.

4:23

But we see that the child of the slave-girl was born in the common

course of nature; but the child of the free woman in fulfilment of

the promise.

4:24

All this is allegorical; for the women represent two Covenants.

One has its origin on Mount Sinai, and bears children destined for

slavery.

4:25

This is Hagar; for the name Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in

Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, which is in

bondage together with her children.

4:26 But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and she is our mother.

4:27 For it is written, “REJOICE, THOU BARREN WOMAN THAT BEAREST

NOT, BREAK FORTH INTO A JOYFUL CRY, THOU THAT DOST NOT

TRAVAIL WITH CHILD. FOR THE DESOLATE WOMAN HAS MANY

CHILDREN — MORE INDEED THAN SHE WHO HAS THE HUSBAND.”

4:28 But you, brethren, like Isaac, are children born in fulfilment of a

promise.

4:29 Yet just as, at that time, the child born in the common course of

nature persecuted the one whose birth was due to the power of

the Spirit, so it is now.

4:30 But what says the Scripture? “SEND AWAY THE SLAVE-GIRL AND

HER SON, FOR NEVER SHALL THE SLAVE-GIRL’S SON SHARE THE

INHERITANCE WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.”

4:31 Therefore, brethren, since we are not the children of a slave-girl,

but of the free woman —

CHAPTER 5

5:1 Christ having made us gloriously free — stand fast and do not

again be hampered with the yoke of slavery.

5:2 Remember that it is I Paul who tell you that if you receive

circumcision Christ will avail you nothing.

5:3 I once more protest to every man who receives circumcision that

he is under obligation to obey the whole Law of Moses.

5:4 Christ has become nothing to any of you who are seeking

acceptance with God through the Law: you have fallen away from

grace.

5:5 We have not, for through the Spirit we wait with longing hope for

an acceptance with God which is to come through faith.

5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of

any importance; but only faith working through love.

5:7 You were running the race nobly! Who has interfered and caused

you to swerve from the truth?

5:8 No such teaching ever proceeded from Him who is calling you.

5:9

A little yeast corrupts the whole of the dough.

5:10

For my part I have strong confidence in you in the Lord that you

will adopt my view of the matter. But the man — be he who he

may — who is troubling you, will have to bear the full weight of

the judgment to be pronounced on him.

5:11

As for me, brethren, if I am still a preacher of circumcision, how is

it that I am still suffering persecution? In that case the Cross has

ceased to be a stumbling-block!

5:12

Would to God that those who are unsettling your faith would

even mutilate themselves.

5:13

You however, brethren, were called to freedom. Only do not turn

your freedom into an excuse for giving way to your lower natures;

but become bondservants to one another in a spirit of love.

5:14

For the entire Law has been obeyed when you have kept the

single precept, which says, “YOU ARE TO LOVE YOUR FELLOW

MAN EQUALLY WITH YOURSELF.”

5:15

But if you are perpetually snarling and snapping at one another,

beware lest you are destroyed by one another.

5:16

This then is what I mean. Let your lives be guided by the Spirit,

and then you will certainly not indulge the cravings of your lower

natures.

5:17

For the cravings of the lower nature are opposed to those of the

Spirit, and the cravings of the Spirit are opposed to those of the

lower nature; because these are antagonistic to each other, so that

you cannot do everything to which you are inclined.

5:18

But if the Spirit is leading you, you are not subject to Law.

5:19

Now you know full well the doings of our lower natures.

Fornication, impurity, indecency, idol-worship, sorcery;

5:20

enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of passion, intrigues,

dissensions, factions, envyings;

5:21

hard drinking, riotous feasting, and the like. And as to these I

forewarn you, as I have already forewarned you, that those who

are guilty of such things will have no share in the Kingdom of

God.

5:22

The Spirit, on the other hand, brings a harvest of love, joy, peace;

patience towards others, kindness, benevolence;

5:23

good faith, meekness, self-restraint.

5:24

Against such things as these there is no law. Now those who

belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their lower nature with its

passions and appetites.

5:25

If we are living by the Spirit’s power, let our conduct also be

governed by the Spirit’s power.

5:26

Let us not become vain-glorious, challenging one another,

envying one another.

CHAPTER 6

6:1

Brethren, if anybody be detected in any misconduct, you who are

spiritual should restore such a one in a spirit of meekness. And let

each of you keep watch over himself, lest he also fall into

temptation.

6:2

Always carry one another’s burdens, and so obey the whole of

Christ’s Law.

6:3

For if there is any one who thinks himself to be somebody when

he is nobody, he is deluding himself.

6:4

But let every man scrutinize his own conduct, and then he will

find out, not with reference to another but with reference to

himself, what he has to boast of.

6:5

For every man will have to carry his own load.

6:6

But let those who receive instruction in Christian truth share with

their instructors all temporal blessings.

6:7

Do not deceive yourselves. God is not to be scoffed at. For

whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

6:8

He who sows in the field of his lower nature, will from that nature

reap destruction; but he who sows to serve the Spirit will from the

Spirit reap the Life of the Ages.

6:9

Let us not abate our courage in doing what is right; for in due

time we shall reap a reward, if we do not faint.

6:10

So then, as we have opportunity, let us labor for the good of all,

and especially of those who belong to the household of the faith.

6:11

See in what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

6:12

All who desire to display their zeal for external observances try to

compel you to receive circumcision, but their real object is simply

to escape being persecuted for the Cross of Christ.

6:13

For these very men do not really keep the Law of Moses, but they

would have you receive circumcision in order that they may glory

in your bodies.

6:14

But as for me, God forbid that I should glory in anything except

the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, upon which the world is

crucified to me, and I am crucified to the world.

6:15

For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any importance;

but only a renewed nature.

6:16

And all who shall regulate their lives by this principle — may

peace and mercy be given to them — and to the true Israel of

God.

6:17

From this time onward let no one trouble me; for, as for me, I

bear, branded on my body, the scars of Jesus as my Master.

6:18

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits,

brethren. Amen.

PAUL’S LETTER

TO THE EPHESIANS

This appears to have been a kind of circular Letter to the Churches in

Roman Asia, and was not addressed exclusively t the Church in Ephesus.

Ephesus was a well-known seaport and the principal city in Roman Asia. It

was famous alike for its wonderful temple, containing the shrine of

Artemis, and for its vast theatre, which was capable of accommodating

50,000 persons.

Paul was forbidden at first to preach in Roman Asia (Acts 16:6), but he

afterwards visited Ephesus in company with Priscilla and Aquila (Acts

18:19). About three years later (Acts 19:1) he came again and remained for

some time — probably from 54 to 57 A. D. — preaching and arguing in

the school of Tyrannus, until driven away through the tumult raised by

Demetrius. He then went to Jerusalem, by way of Miletus, but was arrested

in the uproar created by the Jews and was taken first to Caesarea (Acts

23:23), and thence to Rome (Acts 28:16). This was probably in the spring

of 61 A.D.

Late in 62 or early in 63 A.D., this Letter was written together with the

companion Letters to the Colossians and Philemon.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God: To God’s

people who are in Ephesus — believers in Christ Jesus.

1:2 May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and

the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has

crowned us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in

Christ;

1:4

even as, in His love, He chose us as His own in Christ before the

creation of the world, that we might be holy and without blemish

in His presence.

1:5

For He pre-destined us to be adopted by Himself as sons through

Jesus Christ — such being His gracious will and pleasure —

1:6

to the praise of the splendour of His grace with which He has

enriched us in the beloved One.

1:7

It is in Him, and through the shedding of His blood, that we have

our deliverance — the forgiveness of our offenses — so abundant

was God’s grace,

1:8

the grace which He, the possessor of all wisdom and

understanding, lavished upon us,

1:9

when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in

harmony with God’s merciful purpose

1:10

for the government of the world when the times are ripe for it —

the purpose which He has cherished in His own mind of restoring

the whole creation to find its one Head in Christ; yes, things in

Heaven and things on earth, to find their one Head in Him.

1:11

In Him we Jews have been made heirs, having been chosen

beforehand in accordance with the intention of Him whose might

carries out in everything the design of His own will,

1:12

so that we should be devoted to the extolling of His glorious

attributes — we who were the first to fix our hopes on Christ.

1:13

And in Him you Gentiles also, after listening to the Message of

the truth, the Good News of your salvation — having believed in

Him — were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit;

1:14

that Spirit being a pledge and foretaste of our inheritance, in

anticipation of its full redemption — the inheritance which He has

purchased to be specially His for the extolling of His glory.

1:15

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus

which prevails among you, and of your love for all God’s people,

1:16

offer never ceasing thanks on your behalf while I make mention of

you in my prayers.

1:17

For I always beseech the God of our Lord Jesus Christ — the

Father most glorious — to give you a spirit of wisdom and

penetration through an intimate knowledge of Him,

1:18

the eyes of your understanding being enlightened so that you may

know what is the hope which His call to you inspires, what the

wealth of the glory of His inheritance in God’s people,

1:19

and what the transcendent greatness of His power in us believers

as seen in the working of His infinite might

1:20

when He displayed it in Christ by raising Him from the dead and

seating Him at His own right hand in the heavenly realms,

1:21

high above all other government and authority and power and

dominion, and every title of sovereignty used either in this Age or

in the Age to come.

1:22

God has put all things under His feet, and has appointed Him

universal and supreme Head of the Church, which is His Body,

1:23

the completeness of Him who everywhere fills the universe with

Himself.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

To you Gentiles also, who were dead through your offenses and

sins,

2:2

which were once habitual to you while you walked in the ways of

this world and obeyed the Prince of the powers of the air, the

spirits that are now at work in the hearts of the sons of

disobedience — to you God has given Life.

2:3

Among them all of us also formerly passed our lives, governed by

the inclinations of our lower natures, indulging the cravings of

those natures and of our own thoughts, and were in our original

state deserving of anger like all others.

2:4

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the intense love which

He bestowed on us,

2:5

caused us, dead though we were through our offenses, to live

with Christ — it is by grace that you have been saved —

2:6

raised us with Him from the dead, and enthroned us with Him in

the heavenly realms as being in Christ Jesus,

2:7

in order that, by His goodness to us in Christ Jesus, He might

display in the Ages to come the transcendent riches of His grace.

2:8

For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith; and that

not of yourselves. It is God’s gift, and is not on the ground of

merit —

2:9

so that it may be impossible for any one to boast.

2:10

For we are God’s own handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for

good works which He has pre-destined us to practise.

2:11

Therefore, do not forget that formerly you were Gentiles as to

your bodily condition. You were called the Uncircumcision by

those who style themselves the Circumcised — their circumcision

being one which the knife has effected.

2:12

At that time you were living apart from Christ, estranged from the

Commonwealth of Israel, with no share by birth in the Covenants

which are based on the Promises, and you had no hope and no

God, in all the world.

2:13

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were so far away have

been brought near through the death of Christ.

2:14

For He is our peace — He who has made Jews and Gentiles one,

and in His own human nature has broken down the hostile

dividing wall,

2:15

by setting aside the Law with its commandments, expressed, as

they were, in definite decrees. His design was to unite the two

sections of humanity in Himself so as to form one new man,

2:16

thus effecting peace, and to reconcile Jews and Gentiles in one

body to God, by means of His cross — slaying by it their mutual

enmity.

2:17

So He came and proclaimed good news of peace to you who were

so far away, and peace to those who were near;

2:18

because it is through Him that Jews and Gentiles alike have access

through one Spirit to the Father.

2:19

You are therefore no longer mere foreigners or persons excluded

from civil rights. On the contrary you share citizenship with God’s

people and are members of His family.

2:20

You are a building which has been reared on the foundation of the

Apostles and Prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus

Himself,

2:21

in union with whom the whole fabric, fitted and closely joined

together, is growing so as to form a holy sanctuary in the Lord;

2:22

in whom you also are being built up together to become a fixed

abode for God through the Spirit.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

For this reason I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of

you Gentiles —

3:2

if, that is, you have heard of the work which God has graciously

entrusted to me for your benefit,

3:3

and that by a revelation the truth hitherto kept secret was made

known to me as I have already briefly explained it to you.

3:4

By means of that explanation, as you read it, you can judge of my

insight into the truth of Christ

3:5

which in earlier ages was not made known to the human race, as it

has now been revealed to His holy Apostles and Prophets through

the Spirit —

3:6

I mean the truth that the Gentiles are joint heirs with us Jews, and

that they form one body with us, and have the same interest as we

have in the promise which has been made good in Christ Jesus

through the Good News,

3:7

in which I have been appointed to serve, in virtue of the work

which God, in the exercise of His power within me, has graciously

entrusted to me.

3:8

To me who am less than the least of all God’s people has this

work been graciously entrusted — to proclaim to the Gentiles the

Good News of the exhaustless wealth of Christ,

3:9

and to show all men in a clear light what my stewardship is. It is

the stewardship of the truth which from all the Ages lay concealed

in the mind of God, the Creator of all things —

3:10

concealed in order that the Church might now be used to display

to the powers and authorities in the heavenly realms the

innumerable aspects of God’s wisdom.

3:11

Such was the eternal purpose which He had formed in Christ

Jesus our Lord,

3:12

in whom we have this bold and confident access through our faith

in Him.

3:13

Therefore I entreat you not to lose heart in the midst of my

sufferings on your behalf, for they bring you honor.

3:14

For this reason, on bended knee I beseech the Father,

3:15

from whom the whole family in Heaven and on earth derives its

name,

3:16

to grant you — in accordance with the wealth of His glorious

perfections — to be strengthened by His Spirit with power

penetrating to your inmost being.

3:17

I pray that Christ may make His home in your hearts through your

faith; so that having your roots deep and your foundations strong,

in love, you may become mighty to grasp the idea,

3:18

as it is grasped by all God’s people, of the breadth and length, the

height and depth —

3:19

yes, to attain to a knowledge of the knowledge-surpassing love of

Christ, so that you may be made complete in accordance with

God’s own standard of completeness.

3:20

Now to Him who, in exercise of His power that is at work within

us, is able to do infinitely beyond all our highest prayers or

thoughts —

3:21

to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all

generations, world without end! Amen.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

I, then, the prisoner for the Master’s sake, entreat you to live and

act as becomes those who have received the call that you have

received —

4:2

with all lowliness of mind and unselfishness, and with patience,

bearing with one another lovingly, and earnestly striving to

maintain,

4:3

in the uniting bond of peace, the unity given by the Spirit.

4:4

There is but one body and but one Spirit, as also when you were

called you had one and the same hope held out to you.

4:5

There is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

4:6

and one God and Father of all, who rules over all, acts through

all, and dwells in all.

4:7

Yet to each of us individually grace was given, measured out with

the munificence of Christ.

4:8

For this reason Scripture says: “HE RE-ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE

LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”

4:9

(Now this “re-ascended” — what does it mean but that He had

first descended into the lower regions of the earth?

4:10

He who descended is the same as He who ascended again far

above all the Heavens in order to fill the universe.)

4:11

And He Himself appointed some to be Apostles, some to be

Prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors and

teachers,

4:12

in order fully to equip His people for the work of serving — for

the building up of Christ’s body —

4:13

till we all of us arrive at oneness in faith and in the knowledge of

the Son of God, and at mature manhood and the stature of full-

grown men in Christ.

4:14

So we shall no longer be babes nor shall we resemble mariners

tossed on the waves and carried about with every changing wind

of doctrine according to men’s cleverness and unscrupulous

cunning, making use of every shifting device to mislead.

4:15

But we shall lovingly hold to the truth, and shall in all respects

grow up into union with Him who is our Head, even Christ.

4:16

Dependent on Him, the whole body — its various parts closely

fitting and firmly adhering to one another — grows by the aid of

every contributory link, with power proportioned to the need of

each individual part, so as to build itself up in a spirit of love.

4:17

Therefore I warn you, and I implore you in the name of the

Master, no longer to live as the Gentiles in their perverseness live,

4:18

with darkened understandings, having by reason of the ignorance

which is deep-seated in them and the insensibility of their moral

nature, no share in the Life which God gives.

4:19

Such men being past feeling have abandoned themselves to

impurity, greedily indulging in every kind of profligacy.

4:20

But these are not the lessons which you have learned from Christ;

4:21

if at least you have heard His voice and in Him have been taught

— and this is true Christian teaching —

4:22

to put away, in regard to your former mode of life, your original

evil nature which is doomed to perish as befits its misleading

impulses,

4:23

and to get yourselves renewed in the temper of your minds and

clothe yourselves

4:24

with that new and better self which has been created to resemble

God in the righteousness and holiness which come from the truth.

4:25

For this reason, laying aside falsehood, every one of you should

speak the truth to his fellow man; for we are, as it were, parts of

one another.

4:26

If angry, beware of sinning. Let not your irritation last until the

sun goes down;

4:27

and do not leave room for the Devil.

4:28

He who has been a thief must steal no more, but, instead of that,

should work with his own hands in honest industry, so that he

may have something of which he can give the needy a share.

4:29

Let no unwholesome words ever pass your lips, but let all your

words be good for benefiting others according to the need of the

moment, so that they may be a means of blessing to the hearers.

4:30

And beware of grieving the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you have

been sealed in preparation for the day of Redemption.

4:31

Let all bitterness and all passionate feeling, all anger and loud

insulting language, be unknown among you — and also every

kind of malice.

4:32

On the contrary learn to be kind to one another, tender-hearted,

forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has also forgiven you.

CHAPTER 5

5:1

Therefore be imitators of God, as His dear children.

5:2

And live and act lovingly, as Christ also loved you and gave

Himself up to death on our behalf as an offering and sacrifice to

God, yielding a fragrant odor.

5:3

But fornication and every kind of impurity, or covetousness, let

them not even be mentioned among you, for they ought not to be

named among God’s people.

5:4

Avoid shameful and foolish talk and low jesting — they are all

alike discreditable — and in place of these give thanks.

5:5

For be well assured that no fornicator or immoral person and no

money-grubber — or in other words idol-worshipper — has any

share awaiting him in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

5:6

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is on account of

these very sins that God’s anger is coming upon the disobedient.

5:7

Therefore do not become sharers with them.

5:8

There was a time when you were nothing but darkness. Now, as

Christians, you are Light itself.

5:9

Live and act as sons of Light — for the effect of the Light is seen

in every kind of goodness, uprightness and truth —

5:10

and learn in your own experiences what is fully pleasing to the

Lord.

5:11 Have nothing to do with the barren unprofitable deeds of

darkness, but, instead of that, set your faces against them;

5:12 for the things which are done by these people in secret it is

disgraceful even to speak of.

5:13 But everything can be tested by the light and thus be shown in its

true colors; for whatever shines of itself is light.

5:14 For this reason it is said, “Rise, sleeper; rise from among the dead,

and Christ will shed light upon you.”

5:15 Therefore be very careful how you live and act. Let it not be as

unwise men, but as wise.

5:16 Buy up your opportunities, for these are evil times.

5:17 On this account do not prove yourselves wanting in sense, but try

to understand what the Lord’s will is.

5:18 Do not over-indulge in wine — a thing in which excess is so easy

5:19 but drink deeply of God’s Spirit. Speak to one another with

psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and offer praise in

your hearts to the Lord.

5:20 Always and for everything let your thanks to God the Father be

presented in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

5:21 and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

5:22 Married women, submit to your own husbands as if to the Lord;

5:23 because a husband is the Head of his wife as Christ also is the

Head of the Church, being indeed the Savior of this His Body.

5:24 And just as the Church submits to Christ, so also married women

should be entirely submissive to their husbands.

5:25 Married men, love your wives, as Christ also loved the Church

and gave Himself up to death for her;

5:26 in order to make her holy, cleansing her with the baptismal water

by the word,

5:27 that He might present the Church to Himself a glorious bride,

without spot or wrinkle or any other defect, but to be holy and

unblemished.

5:28 So too married men ought to love their wives as much as they

love themselves. He who loves his wife loves himself.

5:29 For never yet has a man hated his own body. On the contrary he

feeds and cherishes it, just as Christ feeds and cherishes the

Church;

5:30 because we are, as it were, parts of His Body.

5:31 “FOR THIS REASON A MAN IS TO LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER

AND BE UNITED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BE AS ONE.”

5:32 That is a great truth hitherto kept secret: I mean the truth

concerning Christ and the Church.

5:33 Yet I insist that among you also, each man is to love his own wife

as much as he loves himself, and let a married woman see to it

that she treats her husband with respect.

CHAPTER 6

6:1 Children, be obedient to your parents as a Christian duty, for it is

a duty.

6:2 “HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER” — this is the first

Commandment which has a promise added to it —

6:3 “SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE

LONG ON THE EARTH.”

6:4 And you, fathers, do not irritate your children, but bring them up

tenderly with true Christian training and advice.

6:5 Slaves, be obedient to your earthly masters, with respect and

eager anxiety to please and with simplicity of motive as if you

were obeying Christ.

6:6 Let it not be in acts of eye-service as if you had but to please men,

but as Christ’s bondservants who are doing God’s will from the

heart.

6:7 With right good will, be faithful to your duty as service rendered

to the Lord and not to man.

6:8

You well know that whatever right thing any one does, he will

receive a requital for it from the Lord, whether he is a slave or a

free man.

6:9

And you masters, act towards your slaves on the same principles,

and refrain from threats. For you know that in Heaven there is

One who is your Master as well as theirs, and that merely earthly

distinctions there are none with Him.

6:10

In conclusion, strengthen yourselves in the Lord and in the power

which His supreme might imparts.

6:11

Put on the complete armour of God, so as to be able to stand firm

against all the stratagems of the Devil.

6:12

For ours is not a conflict with mere flesh and blood, but with the

despotisms, the empires, the forces that control and govern this

dark world — the spiritual hosts of evil arrayed against us in the

heavenly warfare.

6:13

Therefore put on the complete armour of God, so that you may be

able to stand your ground on the day of battle, and, having fought

to the end, to remain victors on the field.

6:14

Stand therefore, first fastening round you the girdle of truth and

putting on the breastplate of uprightness

6:15

as well as the shoes of the Good News of peace — a firm

foundation for your feet.

6:16

And besides all these take the great shield of faith, on which you

will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the Wicked one;

6:17

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which

is the word of God.

6:18

Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion

in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for

doing so, with unwearied persistence and entreaty on behalf of all

God’s people,

6:19

and ask on my behalf that words may be given to me so that,

outspoken and fearless, I may make known the truths (hitherto

kept secret) of the Good News —

6:20

to spread which I am an ambassador in chains — so that when

telling them I may speak out boldly as I ought.

6:21

But in order that you also may know how I am doing, Tychicus

our dearly-loved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s service

will tell you everything.

6:22

I have sent him to you for the very purpose — that you may know

about us and that he may encourage you.

6:23

Peace be to the brethren, and love combined with faith, from God

the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

6:24

May grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with perfect

sincerity.

PAUL’S LETTER

TO THE PHILIPPIANS

This Letter was written shortly before that to the Ephesians, probably late

in 61 or early in 62 A.D. Epaphroditus had been sent to Rome to assure the

Apostle, in his imprisonment, of the tender and practical sympathy of the

Philippian disciples (Philippians 2:25; 4:15,16). The messenger, however,

fell ill upon his arrival, and only on his recovery could Paul, as in this Letter

express his appreciation of the thoughtful love of the Philippians.

The Apostle appears to have visited the city three times. In 52 A.D. it was

the place of his first preaching in Europe (Act 16:12); but he came again in

57 and in 58 A.D. (Acts 20:2,6), on the last occasion spending the

Passover season there.

Two special traits in the Macedonian character are recognized by the

Apostle in this Letter; the position and influence of women, and the

financial liberality of the Philippians. It is remarkable that a Church

displaying such characteristics, and existing in a Roman “colonia,” should

have lived, as this one did, “without a history, and have perished without a

memorial.”

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Christ Jesus: To all God’s

people in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the ministers of

the Church and their assistants.

1:2 May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and

the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3 I thank my God at my every remembrance of you —

1:4 always when offering any prayer on behalf of you all, finding a joy

in offering it.

1:5 I thank my God, I say, for your cooperation in spreading the

Good News, from the time it first came to you even until now.

1:6

For of this I am confident, that He who has begun a good work

within you will go on to perfect it in preparation for the day of

Jesus Christ.

1:7

And I am justified in having this confidence about you all,

because, both during my imprisonment and when I stand up in

defense of the Good News or to confirm its truth, I have you in

my heart, sharers as you all are in the same grace as myself.

1:8

For God is my witness how I yearn over all of you with tender

Christian affection.

1:9

And it is my prayer that your love may be more and more

accompanied by clear knowledge and keen perception, for testing

things that differ,

1:10

so that you may be men of transparent character, and may be

blameless, in preparation for the day of Christ,

1:11

being filled with these fruits of righteousness which come through

Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.

1:12

Now I would have you know, brethren, that what I have gone

through has turned out to the furtherance of the Good News

rather than otherwise.

1:13

And thus it has become notorious among all the Imperial Guards,

and everywhere, that it is for the sake of Christ that I am a

prisoner;

1:14

and the greater part of the brethren, made confident in the Lord

through my imprisonment, now speak of God’s Message without

fear, more boldly than ever.

1:15

Some indeed actually preach Christ out of envy and

contentiousness but there are also others who do it from good

will.

1:16

These latter preach Him from love to me, knowing that I am here

for the defense of the Good News;

1:17

while the others proclaim Him from motives of rivalry, and

insincerely, supposing that by this they are embittering my

imprisonment.

1:18

What does it matter, however? In any case Christ is preached —

either perversely or in honest truth; and in that I rejoice, yes, and

will rejoice.

1:19

For I know that it will result in my salvation through your prayers

and a bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

1:20

in fulfilment of my eager expectation and hope that I shall never

have reason to feel ashamed, but that by my perfect freedom of

speech Christ will be glorified in me, now as always, either by my

life or by my death.

1:21

For, with me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

1:22

But since to live means a longer stay on earth, that implies more

labor for me — and not unsuccessful labor; and which I am to

choose I cannot tell.

1:23

I am in a dilemma, my earnest desire being to depart and be with

Christ, for that is far, far better.

1:24

But for your sakes it is more important that I should still remain in

the body.

1:25

I am convinced of this, and I know that I shall remain, and shall

go on working side by side with you all, to promote your progress

and joy in the faith;

1:26

so that, as Christians, you may have additional reason for glorying

about me as the result of my being with you again.

1:27

Only let the lives you live be worthy of the Good News of the

Christ, in order that, whether I come and see you or, being absent,

only hear of you, I may know that you are standing fast in one

spirit and with one mind, fighting shoulder to shoulder for the

faith of the Good News.

1:28

Never for a moment quail before your antagonists. Your

fearlessness will be to them a sure token of impending destruction,

but to you it will be a sure token of your salvation — a token

coming from God.

1:29

For you have had the privilege granted you on behalf of Christ —

not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf;

1:30

maintaining, as you do, the same kind of conflict that you once

saw in me and which you still hear that I am engaged in.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

If then I can appeal to you as the followers of Christ, if there is

any persuasive power in love and any common sharing of the

Spirit, or if you have any tender-heartedness and compassion,

make my joy complete by being of one mind,

2:2

united by mutual love, with harmony of feeling giving your minds

to one and the same object.

2:3

Do nothing in a spirit of factiousness or of vainglory, but, with

true humility, let every one regard the rest as being of more

account than himself;

2:4

each fixing his attention, not simply on his own interests, but on

those of others also.

2:5

Let the same disposition be in you which was in Christ Jesus.

2:6

Although from the beginning He had the nature of God He did not

reckon His equality with God a treasure to be tightly grasped.

2:7

Nay, He stripped Himself of His glory, and took on Him the

nature of a bondservant by becoming a man like other men.

2:8

And being recognized as truly human, He humbled Himself and

even stooped to die; yes, to die on a cross.

2:9

It is in consequence of this that God has also so highly exalted

Him, and has conferred on Him the Name which is supreme above

every other,

2:10

in order that in the Name of JESUS every knee should bow, of

beings in Heaven, of those on the earth, and of those in the

underworld,

2:11

and that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD,

to the glory of God the Father.

2:12

Therefore, my dearly-loved friends, as I have always found you

obedient, labor earnestly with fear and trembling — not merely as

though I were present with you, but much more now since I am

absent from you — labor earnestly, I say, to make sure of your

own salvation.

2:13 For it is God Himself whose power creates within you the desire

to do His gracious will and also brings about the accomplishment

of the desire.

2:14 Be ever on your guard against a grudging and contentious spirit,

2:15 so that you may always prove yourselves to be blameless and

spotless — irreproachable children of God in the midst of a

crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as

heavenly lights in the world,

2:16 holding out to them a Message of Life. It will then be my glory on

the day of Christ that I did not run my race in vain nor toil in vain.

2:17 Nay, even if my life is to be poured as a libation upon the

sacrificial offering of your faith, I rejoice, and I congratulate you

all.

2:18 And I bid you also share my gladness, and congratulate me.

2:19 But, if the Lord permits it, I hope before long to send Timothy to

you, that I, in turn, may be cheered by getting news of you.

2:20 For I have no one likeminded with him, who will cherish a

genuine care for you.

2:21 Everybody concerns himself about his own interests, not about

those of Jesus Christ.

2:22 But you know Timothy’s approved worth — how, like a child

working with his father, he has served with me in furtherance of

the Good News.

2:23 So it is he that I hope to send as soon as ever I see how things go

with me;

2:24 but trusting, as I do, in the Lord, I believe that I shall myself also

come to you before long.

2:25 Yet I deem it important to send Epaphroditus to you now — he is

my brother and comrade both in labor and in arms, and is your

messenger who has ministered to my needs.

2:26 I send him because he is longing to see you all and is distressed at

your having heard of his illness.

2:27 For it is true that he has been ill, and was apparently at the point

of death; but God had pity on him, and not only on him, but also

on me, to save me from having sorrow upon sorrow.

2:28 I am therefore all the more eager to send him, in the hope that

when you see him again you may be glad and I may have the less

sorrow.

2:29 Receive him therefore with heartfelt Christian joy, and hold in

honor men like him;

2:30 because it was for the sake of Christ’s work that he came so near

death, hazarding, as he did, his very life in endeavouring to make

good any deficiency that there might be in your gifts to me.

CHAPTER 3

3:1 In conclusion, my brethren, be joyful in the Lord. For me to give

you the same warnings as before is not irksome to me, while so

far as you are concerned it is a safe precaution.

3:2 Beware of ‘the dogs,’ the bad workmen, the self-mutilators.

3:3 For we are the true circumcision — we who render to God a

spiritual worship and make our boast in Christ Jesus and have no

confidence in outward ceremonies:

3:4 although I myself might have some excuse for confidence in

outward ceremonies. If any one else claims a right to trust in

them, far more may I:

3:5 circumcised, as I was, on the eighth day, a member of the race of

Israel and of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from

Hebrews; as to the Law a Pharisee;

3:6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the Church; as to the righteousness

which comes through Law, blameless.

3:7 Yet all that was gain to me — for Christ’s sake I have reckoned it

loss.

3:8 Nay, I even reckon all things as pure loss because of the priceless

privilege of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. And for His sake I

have suffered the loss of everything, and reckon it all as mere

refuse, in order that I may win Christ and be found in union with

Him,

3:9

not having a righteousness of my own, derived from the Law, but

that which arises from faith in Christ — the righteousness which

comes from God through faith.

3:10

I long to know Christ and the power which is in His resurrection,

and to share in His sufferings and die even as He died;

3:11

in the hope that I may attain to the resurrection from among the

dead.

3:12

I do not say that I have already won the race or have already

reached perfection. But I am pressing on, striving to lay hold of

the prize for which also Christ has laid hold of me.

3:13

Brethren, I do not imagine that I have yet laid hold of it. But this

one thing I do — forgetting everything which is past and

stretching forward to what lies in front of me,

3:14

with my eyes fixed on the goal I push on to secure the prize of

God’s heavenward call in Christ Jesus.

3:15

Therefore let all of us who are mature believers cherish these

thoughts; and if in any respect you think differently, that also God

will make clear to you.

3:16

But whatever be the point that we have already reached, let us

persevere in the same course.

3:17

Brethren, vie with one another in imitating me, and carefully

observe those who follow the example which we have set you.

3:18

For there are many whom I have often described to you, and I

now even with tears describe them, as being enemies to the Cross

of Christ.

3:19

Their end is destruction, their bellies are their God, their glory is

in their shame, and their minds are devoted to earthly things.

3:20

We, however, are free citizens of Heaven, and we are waiting

with longing expectation for the coming from Heaven of a Savior,

the Lord Jesus Christ,

3:21

who, in the exercise of the power which He has even to subject all

things to Himself, will transform this body of our humiliation until

it resembles His own glorious body.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

Therefore, my brethren, dearly loved and longed for, my joy and

crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my dearly-loved ones.

4:2

I entreat Euodia, and I entreat Syntyche, to be of one mind, as

sisters in Christ.

4:3

Yes, and I beg you also, my faithful yoke-fellow, to help these

women who have shared my toil in connection with the Good

News, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow laborers,

whose names are recorded in the Book of Life.

4:4

Always be glad in the Lord: I will repeat it, be glad.

4:5

Let your forbearing spirit be known to every one — the Lord is

near.

4:6

Do not be over-anxious about anything, but by prayer and earnest

pleading, together with thanksgiving, let your request be

unreservedly made known in the presence of God.

4:7

And then the peace of God, which transcends all our powers of

thought, will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in

union with Christ Jesus.

4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever wins respect,

whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovable, whatever

is of good repute — if there is any virtue or anything deemed

worthy of praise — cherish the thought of these things.

4:9

The doctrines and the line of conduct which I taught you — both

what you heard and what you saw in me — hold fast to them; and

God who gives peace will be with you.

4:10

But I rejoice with a deep and holy joy that now at length you have

revived your thoughtfulness for my welfare. Indeed you have

always been thoughtful for me, although opportunity failed you.

4:11

I do not refer to this through fear of privation, for (for my part) I

have learned, whatever be my outward experiences, to be content.

4:12

I know both how to live in humble circumstances and how to live

amid abundance. I am fully initiated into all the mysteries both of

fulness and of hunger, of abundance and of want.

4:13

I have strength for anything through Him who gives me power.

4:14

Yet I thank you for taking your share in my troubles.

4:15

And you men and women of Philippi also know that at the first

preaching of the Good News, when I had left Macedonia, no

other Church except yourselves held communication with me

about giving and receiving;

4:16

because even in Thessalonica you sent several times to minister to

my needs.

4:17

Not that I crave for gifts from you, but I do want to see abundant

fruit bring you honor.

4:18

I have enough of everything — and more than enough. My wants

are fully satisfied now that I have received from the hands of

Epaphroditus the generous gifts which you sent me — they are a

fragrant odor, an acceptable sacrifice, truly pleasing to God.

4:19

But my God — so great is His wealth of glory in Christ Jesus —

will fully supply every need of yours.

4:20

And to our God and Father be the glory throughout the Ages of

the Ages! Amen.

4:21

My Christian greetings to every one of God’s people. The

brethren who are with me send their greetings.

4:22

All God’s people here greet you — especially the members of

Caesar’s household.

4:23

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.

PAUL’S LETTER

TO THE COLOSSIANS

This Letter belongs to the same group as those to the Ephesians and

Philemon, and was probably written from Rome about 63 A. D. Colossae

was a town in Phrygia (Roman Asia), on the river Lycus, and was

destroyed by an earthquake in the seventh year of Nero’s reign. The

Church there was not founded by Paul himself (Colossians 2:1), but by

Epaphras (Colossians 1:7; 4:12), and this Letter arose out of a visit which

Epaphras paid to the Apostle, for the purpose of discussing with him the

development, at Colossae, of certain strange doctrines which may possibly

have been a kind of early Gnosticism. Paul here writes to support the

authority and confirm the teaching of Epaphras.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God — and

Timothy our brother:

1:2 To the people of God and the believing brethren at Colossae who

are in Christ. May grace and peace be granted to you from God

our Father.

1:3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

constantly praying for you as we do,

1:4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the

love which you cherish towards all God’s people,

1:5 on account of the hope treasured up for you in Heaven. Of this

hope you have already heard in the Message of the truth of the

Good News.

1:6 For it has reached you, and remains with you, just as it has also

spread through the whole world, yielding fruit there and

increasing, as it has done among you from the day when first you

heard it and came really to know the grace of God,

1:7

as you learned it from Epaphras our dearly-loved fellow servant.

He is to you a faithful minister of Christ in our stead,

1:8

and moreover he has informed us of your love, which is inspired

by the Spirit.

1:9

For this reason we also, from the day we first received these

tidings, have never ceased to pray for you and to entreat that you

may be filled with a clear knowledge of His will accompanied by

thorough wisdom and discernment in spiritual things;

1:10

so that your lives may be worthy of the Lord and perfectly

pleasing to Him, while you exhibit the results of right action of

every sort and grow into a fuller knowledge of God.

1:11

Since His power is so glorious, may you be strengthened with

strength of every kind, and be prepared for cheerfully enduring all

things with patience and long-suffering;

1:12

and give thanks to the Father who has made us fit to receive our

share of the inheritance of God’s people in Light.

1:13

It is God who has delivered us out of the dominion of darkness,

and has transferred us into the Kingdom of His dearly-loved Son,

1:14

in whom we have our redemption — the forgiveness of our sins.

1:15

Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God, the

Firstborn and Lord of all creation.

1:16

For in Him was created the universe of things in heaven and on

earth, things seen and things unseen, thrones, dominions,

princedoms, powers — all were created, and exist through and for

Him.

1:17

And HE IS before all things and in and through Him the universe is

a harmonious whole.

1:18

Moreover He is the Head of His Body, the Church. He is the

Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, in order that He

Himself may in all things occupy the foremost place.

1:19

For it was the Father’s gracious will that the whole of the divine

perfections should dwell in Him.

1:20

And God purposed through Him to reconcile the universe to

Himself, making peace through His blood, which was shed upon

the Cross — to reconcile to Himself through Him, I say, things on

earth and things in Heaven.

1:21

And you, estranged as you once were and even hostile in your

minds, amidst your evil deeds,

1:22

He has now, in His human body, reconciled to God by His death,

to bring you, holy and faultless and irreproachable, into His

presence;

1:23

if, indeed, you are still firmly holding to faith as your foundation,

without ever shifting from your hope that rests on the Good News

that you have heard, which has been proclaimed in the whole

creation under Heaven, and in which I Paul have been appointed

to serve.

1:24

Now I can find joy amid my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my

own person whatever is lacking in Christ’s afflictions on behalf of

His Body, the Church.

1:25

I have been appointed to serve the Church in the position of

responsibility entrusted to me by God for your benefit, so that I

may fully deliver God’s Message —

1:26

the truth which has been kept secret from all ages and

generations, but has now been revealed to His people,

1:27

to whom it was His will to make known how vast a wealth of

glory for the Gentile world is implied in this truth — the truth that

‘Christ is in you, the hope of glory.’

1:28

Him we preach, admonishing every one and instructing every one,

with all possible wisdom, so that we may bring every one into

God’s presence, made perfect through Christ.

1:29

To this end, like an earnest wrestler, I exert all my strength in

reliance upon the power of Him who is mightily at work within

me.

CHAPTER 2

2:1 For I would have you know in how severe a struggle I am

engaged on behalf of you and the brethren in Laodicea and of all

who have not known me personally,

2:2 in order that their hearts may be cheered, they themselves being

welded together in love and enjoying all the advantages of a

reasonable certainty, till at last they attain the full knowledge of

God’s truth, which is Christ Himself.

2:3 In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are stored up,

hidden from view.

2:4 I say this to prevent your being misled by any one’s plausible

sophistry.

2:5 For although, as you say, I am absent from you in body, yet in

spirit I am present with you and am delighted to witness your

good discipline and the solid front presented by your faith in

Christ.

2:6 As therefore you have received the Christ, even Jesus our Lord,

live and act in vital union with Him;

2:7 having the roots of your being firmly planted in Him, and

continually building yourselves up in Him, and always being

increasingly confirmed in the faith as you were taught it, and

abounding in it with thanksgiving.

2:8 Take care lest there be some one who leads you away as prisoners

by means of his philosophy and idle fancies, following human

traditions and the world’s crude notions instead of following

Christ.

2:9 For it is in Christ that the fulness of God’s nature dwells

embodied, and in Him you are made complete,

2:10 and He is the Lord of all princes and rulers.

2:11 In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not

performed by hand, when you threw off your sinful nature in true

Christian circumcision;

2:12

having been buried with Him in your baptism, in which you were

also raised with Him through faith produced within you by God

who raised Him from among the dead.

2:13

And to you — dead as you once were in your transgressions and

in the uncircumcision of your natural state — He has nevertheless

given Life with Himself, having forgiven us all our transgressions.

2:14

The bond, with its requirements, which was in force against us

and was hostile to us, He cancelled, and cleared it out of the way,

nailing it to His Cross.

2:15

And the hostile princes and rulers He shook off from Himself, and

boldly displayed them as His conquests, when by the Cross He

triumphed over them.

2:16

Therefore suffer no one to sit in judgment on you as to eating or

drinking or with regard to a festival, a new moon or a sabbath.

2:17

These were a shadow of things that were soon to come, but the

substance belongs to Christ.

2:18

Let no one defraud you of your prize, priding himself on his

humility and on his worship of the angels, and taking his stand on

the visions he has seen, and idly puffed up with his unspiritual

thoughts.

2:19

Such a one does not keep his hold upon Christ, the Head, from

whom the Body, in all its parts nourished and strengthened by its

points of contact and its connections, grows with a divine growth.

2:20

If you have died with Christ and have escaped from the world’s

rudimentary notions, why, as though your life still belonged to the

world, do you submit to such precepts as

2:21

“Do not handle this;” “Do not taste that;” “Do not touch that other

thing” —

2:22

referring to things which are all intended to be used up and perish

— in obedience to mere human injunctions and teachings?

2:23

These rules have indeed an appearance of wisdom where self-

imposed worship exists, and an affectation of humility and an

ascetic severity. But not one of them is of any value in combating

the indulgence of our lower natures.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

If however you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are

above, where Christ is, enthroned at God’s right hand.

3:2

Give your minds to the things that are above, not to the things

that are on the earth.

3:3

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

3:4

When Christ appears — He is our true Life — then you also will

appear with Him in glory.

3:5

Therefore put to death your earthward inclinations — fornication,

impurity, sensual passion, unholy desire, and all greed, for that is a

form of idolatry.

3:6

It is on account of these very sins that God’s anger is coming,

3:7

and you also were once addicted to them, while you were living

under their power.

3:8

But now you must rid yourselves of every kind of sin — angry

and passionate outbreaks, ill-will, evil speaking, foul-mouthed

abuse — so that these may never soil your lips.

3:9

Do not speak falsehoods to one another, for you have stripped off

the old self with its doings,

3:10

and have clothed yourselves with the new self which is being

remoulded into full knowledge so as to become like Him who

created it.

3:11

In that new creation there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision

nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free man, but

Christ is everything and is in all of us.

3:12

Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own people holy and dearly

loved, with tender-heartedness, kindness, lowliness of mind,

meekness, long-suffering;

3:13

bearing with one another and readily forgiving each other, if any

one has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven

you, you also must forgive.

3:14

And over all these put on love, which is the perfect bond of union;

3:15

and let the peace which Christ gives settle all questionings in your

hearts, to which peace indeed you were called as belonging to His

one Body; and be thankful.

3:16

Let the teaching concerning Christ remain as a rich treasure in

your hearts. In all wisdom teach and admonish one another with

psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and sing with grace in your

hearts to God.

3:17

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the

name of the Lord Jesus, and let it be through Him that you give

thanks to God the Father.

3:18

Married women, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in

the Lord.

3:19

Married men, be affectionate to your wives, and do not treat them

harshly.

3:20

Children be obedient to your parents in everything; for that is

right for Christians.

3:21

Fathers, do not fret and harass your children, or you may make

them sullen and morose.

3:22

Slaves, be obedient in everything to your earthly masters; not in

acts of eye service, as aiming only to please men, but with

simplicity of purpose, because you fear the Lord.

3:23

Whatever you are doing, let your hearts be in your work, as a

thing done for the Lord and not for men.

3:24

For you know that it is from the Lord you will receive the

inheritance as your reward. Christ is the Master whose

bondservants you are.

3:25

The man who perpetrates a wrong will find the wrong repaid to

him; and with God there are no merely earthly distinctions.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

Masters, deal justly and equitably with your slaves, knowing that

you too have a Master in Heaven.

4:2

Be earnest and unwearied in prayer, being on the alert in it and in

your giving of thanks.

4:3

And pray at the same time for us also, that God may open for us a

door for preaching, for us to tell the truth concerning Christ for

the sake of which I am even a prisoner.

4:4

Then I shall proclaim it fully, as it is my duty to do.

4:5

Behave wisely in relation to the outside world, buying up your

opportunities.

4:6

Let your language be always seasoned with the salt of grace, so

that you may know how to give every man a fitting answer.

4:7

Tychicus, our much-loved brother, a trusty assistant and fellow

servant with us in the Lord’s work, will give you every

information about me.

4:8

And for this very purpose I send him to you that you may know

how we are faring; and that he may cheer your hearts.

4:9

And with him I send our dear and trusty brother Onesimus, who is

one of yourselves. They will inform you of everything here.

4:10

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner sends greeting to you, and so does

Barnabas’s cousin Mark. You have received instructions as to

him; if he comes to you, give him a welcome.

4:11

Jesus, called Justus, also sends greeting. These three are Hebrew

converts. They alone among such have worked loyally with me

for the Kingdom of God — they are men who have been a

comfort to me.

4:12

Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a bondservant of Jesus

Christ, sends greetings to you, always wrestling on your behalf in

his prayers, that you may stand firm — Christians of ripe

character and of clear conviction as to everything which is God’s

will.

4:13

For I can bear witness to the deep interest he takes in you and in

the brethren at Laodicea and in those at Hierapolis.

4:14

Luke, the dearly-loved physician, salutes you, and so does Demas.

4:15

Christian greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, especially to

Nymphas, and to the Church that meets at their house.

4:16

And when this Letter has been read among you, let it be read also

in the Church of the Laodiceans, and you in turn must read the

one I am sending to Laodicea.

4:17

And tell Archippus to discharge carefully the duties devolving

upon him as a servant of the Lord.

4:18

I Paul add with my own hand this final greeting. Be mindful of me

in my imprisonment. Grace be with you.

PAUL’S FIRST LETTER

TO THE THESSALONIANS

During his second missionary tour (Acts 17), Paul came to Thessalonica

and preached the Good News there with no little success. The city —

which had had its name given it by Cassander, after his wife, the sister of

Alexander the Great — was the most populous in Macedonia, besides

being a “free city” and the seat of the Roman pro-consular administration.

Its modern name is Saloniki.

Very soon the unbelieving Jews stirred up the mob against Paul and Silas,

and dragged Jason before the magistrates. Hence the brethren sent the

missionaries away by night to Beroea, being alarmed for their safety. As

the Apostle was naturally anxious about the persecuted flock which he had

been obliged to leave behind, he made two attempts to return to them, but

these being frustrated (1Thessalonians 2:18), he then sent Timothy, from

Athens, to inquire after their welfare and encourage them.

The report brought back was on the whole satisfactory, but left occasion

for the self-defense, the warnings and the exhortations of this Letter, which

was then sent from Corinth, probably in 53 A.D.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Paul, Silas, and Timothy: To the Church of the Thessalonians

which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May grace

and peace be granted to you.

1:2 We continually give thanks to God because of you all, while we

make mention of you in our prayers.

1:3

For we never fail to remember your works of faith and labors of

love and your persistent and unwavering hope in our Lord Jesus

Christ in the presence of our God and Father;

1:4

knowing as we do, brethren, that you are beloved by God and that

He has chosen you.

1:5

The Good News that we brought you did not come to you in

words only, but also with power and with the Holy Spirit and with

much certainty, for you know the sort of men we became among

you, as examples for your sakes.

1:6

And you followed the pattern set you by us and by the Master,

after you had received the Message amid severe persecution, and

yet with the joy which the Holy Spirit gives,

1:7

so that you became a pattern to all the believers throughout

Macedonia and Greece.

1:8

For it was not only from you that the Master’s Message sounded

forth throughout Macedonia and Greece; but everywhere your

faith in God has become known, so that it is unnecessary for us to

say anything about it.

1:9

For when others speak of us they report the reception we had

from you, and how you turned from your idols to God, to be

bondservants of the true and ever-living God,

1:10

and to await the return from Heaven of His Son, whom He raised

from among the dead — even Jesus, our Deliverer from God’s

coming anger.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

For you yourselves, brethren, know that our visit to you did not

fail of its purpose.

2:2

But, as you will remember, after we had already met with

suffering and outrage at Philippi, we summoned up boldness, by

the help of our God, to tell you God’s Good News amid much

opposition.

2:3

For our preaching was not grounded on a delusion, nor prompted

by mingled motives, nor was there fraud in it.

2:4

But as God tested and approved us before entrusting us with His

Good News, so in what we say we are seeking not to please men

but to please God, who tests and approves our motives.

2:5

For, as you are well aware, we have never used the language of

flattery nor have we found pretexts for enriching ourselves —

God is our witness;

2:6

nor did we seek glory either from you or from any other mere

men, although we might have stood on our dignity as Christ’s

Apostles.

2:7

On the contrary, in our relations to you we showed ourselves as

gentle as a mother is when she tenderly nurses her own children.

2:8

Seeing that we were thus drawn affectionately towards you, it

would have been a joy to us to have imparted to you not only

God’s Good News, but to have given our very lives also, because

you had become very dear to us.

2:9

For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil: how, working

night and day so as not to become a burden to any one of you, we

came and proclaimed among you God’s Good News.

2:10

You yourselves are witnesses — and God is witness — how holy

and upright and blameless our dealings with you believers were.

2:11

For you know that we acted towards every one of you as a father

does towards his own children, encouraging and cheering you,

2:12

and imploring you to live lives worthy of fellowship with God

who is inviting you to share His own Kingship and glory.

2:13

And for this further reason we render unceasing thanks to God,

that when you received God’s Message from our lips, it was as no

mere message from men that you embraced it, but as — what it

really is — God’s Message, which also does its work in the hearts

of you who believe.

2:14

For you, brethren, followed the example of the Churches of God

in Christ Jesus which are in Judaea; seeing that you endured the

same ill-treatment at the hands of your countrymen, as they did at

the hands of the Jews.

2:15

Those Jewish persecutors killed both the Lord Jesus and the

Prophets, and drove us out of their midst. They are displeasing to

God, and are the enemies of all mankind;

2:16

for they still try to prevent our preaching to the Gentiles so that

they may find salvation. They thus continually fill up the measure

of their own sins, and God’s anger in its severest form has

overtaken them.

2:17

But we, brethren, having been for a short time separated from you

in bodily presence, though not in heart, endeavored all the more

earnestly, with intense longing, to see you face to face.

2:18

On this account we wanted to come to you — at least I Paul

wanted again and again to do so — but Satan hindered us.

2:19

For what is our hope or joy, or the crown of which we boast? Is it

not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His

Coming?

2:20

Yes, you are our glory and our joy.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

So when we could endure it no longer, we decided to remain

behind in Athens alone;

3:2

and sent Timothy our brother and God’s minister in the service of

Christ’s Good News, that he might help you spiritually and

encourage you in your faith;

3:3

that none of you might be unnerved by your present trials: for you

yourselves know that they are our appointed lot.

3:4

For even when we were with you, we forewarned you, saying,

“We are soon to suffer affliction;” and this actually happened, as

you well know.

3:5

For this reason I also, when I could no longer endure the

uncertainty, sent to know the condition of your faith, lest

perchance the Tempter might have tempted you and our labor

have been lost.

3:6

But now that Timothy has recently come back to us from you,

and has brought us the happy tidings of your faith and love, and

has told us how you still cherish a constant and affectionate

recollection of us, and are longing to see us as we also long to see

you —

3:7

for this reason in our distress and trouble we have been comforted

about you, brethren, by your faith.

3:8

For now life is for us life indeed, since you are standing fast in the

Lord.

3:9

For what thanksgiving on your behalf can we possibly offer to

God in return for all the joy which fills our souls before our God

for you,

3:10

while night and day, with intense earnestness, we pray that we

may see your faces, and may bring to perfection whatever may be

still lacking in your faith?

3:11

But may our God and Father Himself — and our Lord Jesus —

guide us on our way to you;

3:12

and as for you, may the Lord teach you to love one another and

all men, with a growing and a glowing love, resembling our love

for you.

3:13

Thus He will build up your characters, so that you will be

faultlessly holy in the presence of our God and Father at the

Coming of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

Moreover, brethren, as you learnt from our lips the lives which

you ought to live, and do live, so as to please God, we beg and

exhort you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live them more and

more truly.

4:2

For you know the commands which we laid upon you by the

authority of the Lord Jesus.

4:3

For this is God’s will — your purity of life, that you abstain from

fornication;

4:4

that each man among you shall know how to procure a wife who

shall be his own in purity and honor;

4:5

that you be not overmastered by lustful cravings, like the Gentiles

who have no knowledge of God;

4:6

and that in this matter there be no encroaching on the rights of a

brother Christian and no overreaching him. For the Lord is an

avenger in all such cases, as we have already taught you and

solemnly warned you.

4:7

God has not called us to an unclean life, but to one of purity.

4:8

Therefore a defiant spirit in such a case provokes not man but

God, who puts His Holy Spirit into your hearts.

4:9

But on the subject of love for the brotherhood it is unnecessary

for me to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by

God to love one another;

4:10

and indeed you do love all the brethren throughout Macedonia.

And we exhort you to do so more and more,

4:11

and to vie with one another in eagerness for peace, every one

minding his own business and working with his hands, as we

ordered you to do:

4:12

so as to live worthy lives in relation to outsiders, and not be a

burden to any one.

4:13

Now, concerning those who from time to time pass away, we

would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, lest you should

mourn as others do who have no hope.

4:14

For if we believe that Jesus has died and risen again, we also

believe that, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who

shall have passed away.

4:15

For this we declare to you on the Lord’s own authority — that we

who are alive and continue on earth until the Coming of the Lord,

shall certainly not forestall those who shall have previously passed

away.

4:16

For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven with a loud

word of command, and with an archangel’s voice and the trumpet

of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

4:17

Afterwards we who are alive and are still on earth will be caught

up in their company amid clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

4:18

And so we shall be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage

one another with these words.

CHAPTER 5

5:1

But as to times and dates it is unnecessary that anything be

written to you.

5:2

For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord

comes like a thief in the night.

5:3

While they are saying “Peace and safety!” then in a moment

destruction falls upon them, like birth-pains on a woman who is

with child; and escape there is none.

5:4

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that daylight should

surprise you like a thief;

5:5

for all of you are sons of Light and sons of the day. We belong

neither to the night nor to darkness.

5:6

So then let us not sleep, like the rest of the world, but let us keep

awake and be sober.

5:7

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who drink freely,

drink at night.

5:8

But let us, belonging — as we do — to the day, be sober, putting

on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of

salvation.

5:9

For God has not pre-destined us to meet His anger, but to obtain

salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ;

5:10

who died on our behalf, so that whether we are awake or are

sleeping we may share His Life.

5:11

Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to

strengthen his friend, as in fact you do.

5:12

Now we beg you, brethren, to show respect for those who labor

among you and are your leaders in Christian work, and are your

advisers;

5:13

and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be

at peace among yourselves.

5:14

And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the

timid, sustain the weak, and be patient towards all.

5:15

See to it that no one ever repays another with evil for evil; but

always seek opportunities of doing good both to one another and

to all the world.

5:16

Be always joyful.

5:17

Be unceasing in prayer.

5:18

In every circumstance of life be thankful; for this is God’s will in

Christ Jesus respecting you.

5:19

Do not quench the Spirit.

5:20

Do not think meanly of utterances of prophecy;

5:21

but test all such, and retain hold of the good.

5:22

Hold yourselves aloof from every form of evil.

5:23

And may God Himself who gives peace, make you entirely holy;

and may your spirits, souls and bodies be preserved complete and

be found blameless at the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

5:24

Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also perfect His work.

5:25

Brethren, pray for us.

5:26

Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

5:27

I solemnly charge you in the Lord’s name to have this Letter read

to all the brethren.

5:28

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

PAUL’S SECOND LETTER

TO THE THESSALONIANS

This Letter was written from Corinth not long after the preceding one, and

probably in the year 54 A.D. Its occasion was the reception of tidings from

Thessalonica which showed that there had been a measure of

misapprehension of the Apostle’s teaching in regard to the Return of the

Lord Jesus, and also that there was a definitely disorderly section in the

Church there, capable of doing great harm.

Hence Paul writes to correct the error into which his converts had fallen,

and at the same time he uses strong language as to the treatment to be

dealt out to those members of the Church who were given to idleness and

insubordination.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Paul, Silas, and Timothy: To the Church of the Thessalonians

which is in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:2 May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and

the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3 Unceasing thanks are due from us to God on your behalf,

brethren. They are appropriate because your faith is growing

greatly, and the love of every one of you for all the others goes on

increasing.

1:4 It so increases that we ourselves make honorable mention of you

among the Churches of God because of your patience and faith

amid all your persecutions and amid the afflictions which you are

enduring.

1:5

For these are a plain token of God’s righteous judgment, which

has in view your being deemed worthy of admission to God’s

Kingdom, for the sake of which, indeed, you are sufferers.

1:6

A plain token of God’s righteous judgment, I say, since it is a

righteous thing for Him to requite with affliction those who are

now afflicting you;

1:7

and to requite with rest you who are suffering affliction now —

rest with us at the re-appearing of the Lord Jesus from Heaven,

attended by His mighty angels.

1:8

He will come in flames of fire to take vengeance on those who

have no knowledge of God, and do not obey the Good News as

to Jesus, our Lord.

1:9

They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, being banished

from the presence of the Lord and from His glorious majesty,

1:10

when He comes on that day to be glorified in His people and to be

wondered at among all who have believed, including you —

because you believed the testimony which we brought for your

acceptance.

1:11

It is with this view also that we continually pray to our God for

you, asking that He will count you worthy of His call, and by His

mighty power fully gratify your every desire for what is truly good

and make your work of faith complete;

1:12

in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,

and that you may be glorified in Him — so wonderful is the grace

of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ!

CHAPTER 2

2:1

But with respect to the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our

being gathered to meet Him, we entreat you, brethren,

2:2

not readily to become unsettled in mind or troubled — either by

any pretended spiritual revelation or by any message or letter

claiming to have been sent by us — through fancying that the day

of the Lord is now here.

2:3

Let no one in any way deceive you, for that day cannot come

without the coming of the apostasy first, and the appearing of the

man of sin, the son of perdition, who sets himself against,

2:4

and exalts himself above, every so-called ‘god’ or object of

worship, and goes the length of taking his seat in the very temple

of God, giving it out that he himself is God.

2:5

Do you not remember that while I was still with you I used to tell

you all this?

2:6

And now you know what restrains him, in order that his true

character may be revealed at his appointed time.

2:7

For lawlessness is already at work in secret; but only until the man

who is now exercising a restraining influence is removed,

2:8

and then the Lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus

will sweep away with the tempest of His anger, and utterly

overwhelm by the awful splendour of His Coming.

2:9

The appearing of the Lawless one will be attended by various

miracles and tokens and delusive marvels — for so Satan works

2:10

and by every kind of wicked deception for those who are on the

way to perdition because they did not welcome into their hearts

the love of the truth, so that they might be saved.

2:11

And for this reason God sends them a misleading influence that

they may believe the lie;

2:12

in order that all may come under judgment who have refused to

believe the truth and have taken pleasure in unrighteousness.

2:13

And from us thanks are always due to God on your behalf —

brethren whom the Lord loves — because God from the

beginning has chosen you for salvation through the Spirit’s

sanctifying influence and your belief in the truth.

2:14

To this blessing God has called you by our Good News, so that

you may have a share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2:15

So then, brethren, stand your ground, and hold fast to the

teachings which you have received from us, whether by word of

mouth or by letter.

2:16

And may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself — and God our Father

who has loved us and has given us in His grace eternal

consolation and a bright hope —

2:17

comfort your hearts and make you stedfast in every good work

and word.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

Finally, brethren, pray for us, asking that the Lord’s Message may

be spread rapidly and its glory be displayed, as it was displayed

among you;

3:2

and that we may be delivered from wrong-headed and wicked

men; for it is not everybody who has faith.

3:3

But the Lord is faithful, and He will make you stedfast and will

guard you from the Evil one.

3:4

And we have confidence in the Lord in regard to you that you are

doing, and will do, what we command.

3:5

And may the Lord guide your hearts into the love of God and into

the patience of Christ.

3:6

But, by the authority of the Lord, we command you, brethren, to

stand aloof from every brother whose life is disorderly and not in

accordance with the teaching which all received from us.

3:7

For you yourselves know that it is your duty to follow our

example. There was no disorder in our lives among you,

3:8

nor did we eat any one’s bread without paying for it, but we

labored and toiled, working hard night and day in order not to be

a burden to any of you.

3:9

This was not because we had not a claim upon you, but it arose

from a desire to set you an example — for you to imitate us.

3:10

For even when we were with you, we laid down this rule for you:

“If a man does not choose to work, neither shall he eat.”

3:11

For we hear that there are some of you who live disorderly lives

and are mere idle busybodies.

3:12

To persons of that sort our injunction — and our command by the

authority of the Lord Jesus Christ — is that they are to work

quietly and eat their own honestly-earned bread.

3:13

But you, brethren, must not grow weary in the path of duty;

3:14

and if any one refuses to obey these our written instructions, mark

that man and hold no communication with him — so that he may

be made to feel ashamed.

3:15

And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but caution him as a

brother.

3:16

And may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in

every sense. The Lord be with you all.

3:17

I Paul add the greeting with my own hand, which is the credential

in every letter of mine.

3:18

This is my handwriting. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be

with you all.

PAUL’S FIRST LETTER

TO TIMOTHY

There has never been any real doubt among Christian people as to the

authorship of the three “pastoral” Letters. But definite objections to their

genuineness have been made in recent times upon the ground of such

internal evidence as their style, the indications they present of advanced

organization, their historic standpoint and their references to developed

heresy.

Says one scholar, “While there is probably nothing in them to which the

Apostle would have objected, they must be regarded on account of their

style as the product of one who had been taught by Paul and now desired

to convey certain teachings under cover of his name. The date need not be

later than 80 A.D.”

Yet a thorough examination of the matter does not support such

objections. It is certain that the three Letters stand or fall together, and

there is no sufficient reason for dismissing the ancient conclusion that they

are all the genuine work of Paul, and belong to the last years of his life, 6667

A.D.

This first Letter was probably written from Macedonia.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God our Savior and

Christ Jesus our hope:

1:2 To Timothy, my own true son in the faith. May grace, mercy and

peace be granted to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our

Lord.

1:3

When I was on my journey to Macedonia I begged you to remain

on in Ephesus that you might remonstrate with certain persons

because of their erroneous teaching

1:4

and the attention they bestow on mere fables and endless

pedigrees, such as lead to controversy rather than to a true

stewardship for God, which only exists where there is faith. And I

make the same request now.

1:5

But the end sought to be secured by exhortation is the love which

springs from a pure heart, a clear conscience and a sincere faith.

1:6

From these some have drifted away, and have wandered into

empty words.

1:7

They are ambitious to be teachers of the Law, although they do

not understand either their own words or what the things are

about which they make such confident assertions.

1:8

Now we know that the Law is good, if a man uses it in the way it

should be used,

1:9

and remembers that a law is not enacted to control a righteous

man, but for the lawless and rebellious, the irreligious and sinful,

the godless and profane — for those who strike their fathers or

their mothers, for murderers,

1:10

fornicators, sodomites, slave-dealers, liars and false witnesses; and

for whatever else is opposed to wholesome teaching

1:11

and is not in accordance with the Good News of the blessed God

with which I have been entrusted.

1:12

I am thankful to Him who made me strong — even Christ Jesus

our Lord — because He has judged me to be faithful and has put

me into His service,

1:13

though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and had

been insolent in outrage. Yet mercy was shown me, because I had

acted ignorantly, not having as yet believed;

1:14

and the grace of our Lord came to me in overflowing fulness,

conferring faith on me and the love which is in Christ Jesus.

1:15

Faithful is the saying, and deserving of universal acceptance, that

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; among whom I

stand foremost.

1:16

But mercy was shown me in order that in me as the foremost of

sinners Christ Jesus might display the fulness of His long-suffering

patience as an example to encourage those who would afterwards

be resting their faith on Him with a view to the Life of the Ages.

1:17

Now to the immortal and invisible King of the Ages, who alone is

God, be honor and glory to the Ages of the Ages! Amen.

1:18

This is the charge which I entrust to you, my son Timothy, in

accordance with the inspired instructions concerning you which

were given me long ago, that being equipped with them as your

armour you may be continually fighting the good fight,

1:19

holding fast to faith and a clear conscience, which some have cast

aside and have made shipwreck of their faith.

1:20

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have

delivered to Satan so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

I exhort then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions

and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men;

2:2

including kings and all who are in high station, in order that we

may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity.

2:3

This is right, and is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

2:4

who is willing for all mankind to be saved and come to a full

knowledge of the truth.

2:5

For there is but one God and but one Mediator between God and

men — Christ Jesus, Himself man;

2:6

who gave Himself as the redemption price for all — a fact

testified to at its own appointed time,

2:7

and of which I have been appointed a herald and an Apostle (I am

speaking the truth: it is not a fiction), a teacher of the Gentiles in

faith and truth.

2:8

So then I would have the men everywhere pray, lifting to God

holy hands which are unstained with anger or strife;

2:9

and I would have the women dress becomingly, with modesty and

self-control, not with plaited hair or gold or pearls or costly

clothes,

2:10

but — as befits women making a claim to godliness — with the

ornament of good works.

2:11

A woman should quietly learn from others with entire

submissiveness.

2:12

I do not permit a woman to teach, nor have authority over a man,

but she must remain silent.

2:13

For Adam was formed first, and then Eve;

2:14

and Adam was not deceived, but his wife was thoroughly

deceived, and so became involved in transgression.

2:15

Yet a woman will be brought safely through childbirth if she and

her husband continue to live in faith and love and growing

holiness, with habitual self-restraint.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

Faithful is the saying, “If any one is eager to have the oversight of

a Church, he desires a noble work.”

3:2

A minister then must be a man of irreproachable character, true to

his one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved, hospitable

to strangers, and with a gift for teaching;

3:3

not a hard drinker nor given to blows; not selfish or quarrelsome

or covetous;

3:4

but ruling his own household wisely and well, with children kept

under control with true dignity.

3:5

(If a man does not know how to rule his own household, how

shall he have the Church of God given into his care?)

3:6

He ought not to be a new convert, for fear he should be blinded

with pride and come under the same condemnation as the Devil.

3:7

It is needful also that he bear a good character with people

outside the Church, lest he fall into reproach or a snare of the

Devil.

3:8

Deacons, in the same way, must be men of serious demeanour,

not double-tongued, nor addicted to much wine, nor greedy of

base gain,

3:9

but holding the secret truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

3:10

And they must also be well-tried men, and when found to be of

unblemished character then let them serve as deacons.

3:11

Deaconesses, in the same way, must be sober-minded women, not

slanderers, but in every way temperate and trustworthy.

3:12

A deacon must be true to his one wife, and rule his children and

his own household wisely and well.

3:13

For those who have filled the deacon’s office wisely and well, are

already gaining for themselves an honorable standing, and are

acquiring great freedom of speech in proclaiming the faith which

rests on Christ Jesus.

3:14

All this I write to you, though I am hoping before long to come to

see you.

3:15

But, for fear I may be hindered, I now write, so that you may have

rules to guide you in dealing with God’s household. For this is

what the Church of the ever-living God is, and it is the pillar and

foundation-stone of the truth.

3:16

And, beyond controversy, great is the mystery of our religion —

that Christ appeared in human form, and His claims justified by

the Spirit, was seen by angels and proclaimed among Gentile

nations, was believed on in the world, and received up again into

glory.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

Now the Spirit expressly declares that in later times some will fall

away from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the

teachings of demons;

4:2

through the hypocrisy of men who teach falsely and have their

own consciences seared as with a hot iron;

4:3

forbidding people to marry, and insisting on abstinence from

foods which God has created to be partaken of, with thankfulness,

by those who believe and have a clear knowledge of the truth.

4:4

For everything that God has created is good, and nothing is to be

cast aside, if only it is received with thanksgiving.

4:5

For it is made holy by the word of God and by prayer.

4:6

If you warn the brethren of these dangers you will be a good and

faithful servant of Christ Jesus, inwardly feeding on the lessons of

the faith and of the sound teaching of which you have been, and

are, so close a follower.

4:7

But worldly stories, fit only for credulous old women, have

nothing to do with.

4:8

Train yourself in godliness. Exercise for the body is not useless,

but godliness is useful in every respect, possessing, as it does, the

promise of Life now and of the Life which is soon coming.

4:9

Faithful is this saying and deserving of universal acceptance:

4:10

and here is the motive of our toiling and wrestling, because we

have our hopes fixed on the ever-living God, who is the Savior of

all mankind, and especially of believers.

4:11

Command this and teach this.

4:12

Let no one think slightingly of you because you are a young man;

but in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, be an example for

your fellow Christians to imitate.

4:13

Till I come, bestow your attention on reading, exhortation and

teaching.

4:14

Do not be careless about the gifts with which you are endowed,

which were conferred on you through a divine revelation when

the hands of the elders were placed upon you.

4:15

Habitually practise these duties, and be absorbed in them; so that

your growing proficiency in them may be evident to all.

4:16

Be on your guard as to yourself and your teaching. Persevere in

these things; for by doing this you will make certain your own

salvation and that of your hearers.

CHAPTER 5

5:1

Never administer a sharp reprimand to a man older than yourself;

but entreat him as if he were your father, and the younger men as

brothers;

5:2

the elder women too as mothers, and the younger women as

sisters, with perfect modesty.

5:3

Honor widows who are really in need.

5:4

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these learn first

to show piety towards their own homes and to prove their

gratitude to their parents; for this is well pleasing in the sight of

God.

5:5

A widow who is really in need, friendless and desolate, has her

hopes fixed on God, and continues at her supplications and

prayers, night and day;

5:6

but a pleasure-loving widow is dead even while still alive.

5:7

Press these facts upon them, so that they may live lives free from

reproach.

5:8

But if a man makes no provision for those dependent on him, and

especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is

behaving worse than an unbeliever.

5:9

No widow is to be put on the roll who is under sixty years of age.

5:10

She must have been true to her one husband, and well reported of

for good deeds, as having brought up children, received strangers

hospitably, washed the feet of God’s people, given relief to the

distressed, and devoted herself to good works of every kind.

5:11

But the younger widows you must not enrol; for as soon as they

begin to chafe against the yoke of Christ, they want to marry,

5:12

and they incur disapproval for having broken their original vow.

5:13

And at the same time they also learn to be idle as they go round

from house to house; and they are not only idle, but are gossips

also and busybodies, speaking of things that ought not to be

spoken of.

5:14

I would therefore have the younger women marry, bear children,

rule in domestic matters, and furnish the Adversary with no

excuse for slander.

5:15

For already some of them have gone astray, following Satan.

5:16

If a believing woman has widows dependent on her, she should

relieve their wants, and save the Church from being burdened —

so that the Church may relieve the widows who are really in need.

5:17

Let the Elders who perform their duties wisely and well be held

worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching

and teaching.

5:18

For the Scripture says, “YOU ARE NOT TO MUZZLE THE OX WHILE

IT IS TREADING OUT THE GRAIN;” and the workman deserves his

pay.

5:19

Never entertain an accusation against an Elder except on the

evidence of two of three witnesses.

5:20

Those who persist in sin reprove in the presence of all, so that it

may also be a warning to the rest.

5:21

I solemnly call upon you, in the presence of God and of Christ

Jesus and of the elect angels, to carry out these instructions of

mine without prejudice, and to do nothing from partiality.

5:22

Do not ordain any one hastily; and do not be a partaker in the sins

of others; keep yourself pure.

5:23

(No longer be a water-drinker; but take a little wine for the sake

of your digestion and your frequent ailments.)

5:24

The sins of some men are evident to the world, leading the way to

your estimate of their characters, but the sins of others lag behind.

5:25

So also the right actions of some are evident to the world, and

those that are not cannot remain for ever out of sight.

CHAPTER 6

6:1

Let all who are under the yoke of slavery hold their own masters

to be deserving of honor, so that the name of God and the

Christian teaching may not be spoken against.

6:2

And those who have believing masters should not be wanting in

respect towards them because they are their brethren, but should

serve them all the more willingly because those who profit by the

faithful service rendered are believers and are friends.

6:3

So teach and exhort. If any one is a teacher of any other kind of

doctrine, and refuses assent to wholesome instructions — those of

our Lord Jesus Christ — and the teaching that harmonizes with

true godliness,

6:4

he is puffed up with pride and has no true knowledge, but is crazy

over discussions and controversies about words which give rise to

envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured suspicions,

6:5

and persistent wranglings on the part of people whose intellects

are disordered and they themselves blinded to all knowledge of

the truth; who imagine that godliness means gain.

6:6

And godliness is gain, when associated with contentment;

6:7

for we brought nothing into the world, nor can we carry anything

out of it;

6:8

and if we have food and clothing, with these we will be satisfied.

6:9

But people who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and

a snare, and into many unwise and pernicious ways which sink

mankind in destruction and ruin.

6:10

For from love of money all sorts of evils arise; and some have so

hankered after money as to be led astray from the faith and be

pierced through with countless sorrows.

6:11

But you, O man of God, must flee from these things; and strive

for uprightness, godliness, good faith, love, fortitude, and a

forgiving temper.

6:12

Exert all your strength in the honorable struggle for the faith; lay

hold of the Life of the Ages, to which you were called, when you

made your noble profession of faith before many witnesses.

6:13

I charge you — as in the presence of God who gives life to all

creatures, and of Christ Jesus who at the bar of Pontius Pilate

made a noble profession of faith —

6:14

that you keep God’s commandments stainlessly and without

reproach till the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

6:15

For, as its appointed time, this will be brought about by the

blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

6:16

who alone possesses immortality, dwelling in unapproachable

light, and whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be eternal

honor and power! Amen.

6:17

Impress on those who are rich in the present age that they must

not be haughty nor set their hopes on riches — that unstable

foundation — but on God who provides us richly with all things

for our enjoyment.

6:18

They must be beneficent, rich in noble deeds, open-handed and

liberal;

6:19

storing up for themselves that which shall be a solid foundation

for the future, that they may lay hold of the Life which is life

indeed.

6:20

O Timothy, guard the truths entrusted to you, shunning irreligious

and frivolous talk, and controversy with what is falsely called

‘knowledge’;

6:21

of which some have spoken boastfully in connexion with the true

faith, and have erred. Grace be with you all.

PAUL’S SECOND LETTER

TO TIMOTHY

The marks of genuineness in this Letter are very pronounced. For instance,

the thanksgiving, the long list of proper names — twenty-three in number

— the personal details and the manifest tone of sincerity and earnestness.

Hence it is accepted as Paul’s even by some who reject the former Letter

and that addressed to Titus. But it is inseparable from the others, and was

probably written from Rome during the Apostle’s second imprisonment. It

is his last Letter known to us, and its apparent date is 67 A.D.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, for

proclaiming the promise of the Life which is in Christ Jesus:

1:2 To Timothy my dearly-loved child. May grace, mercy and peace

be granted to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience — as my

forefathers did — that night and day I unceasingly remember you

in my prayers,

1:4 being always mindful of your tears, and longing to see you that I

may be filled with joy.

1:5 For I recall the sincere faith which is in your heart — a faith which

dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and then in your mother

Eunice, and, I am fully convinced, now dwells in you also.

1:6 For this reason let me remind you to rekindle God’s gift which is

yours through the laying on of my hands.

1:7 For the Spirit which God has given us is not a spirit of cowardice,

but one of power and of love and of sound judgment.

1:8

Do not be ashamed then to bear witness for our Lord and for me

His prisoner; but rather share suffering with me in the service of

the Good News, strengthened by the power of God.

1:9

For He saved us and called us with a holy call, not in accordance

with our desserts, but in accordance with His own purpose and

the free grace which He bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before the

commencement of the Ages,

1:10

but which has now been plainly revealed through the Appearing of

our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has put an end to death and has

brought Life and Immortality to light through the Good News,

1:11

of which I have been appointed a preacher, Apostle and teacher,

to the Gentiles.

1:12

That indeed is the reason why I suffer as I do. But I am not

ashamed, for I know in whom my trust reposes, and I am

confident that He has it in His power to keep what I have

entrusted to Him safe until that day.

1:13

Provide yourself with an outline of the sound teaching which you

have heard from my lips, and be true to the faith and love which

are in Christ Jesus.

1:14

That precious treasure which is in your charge, guard through the

Holy Spirit who has His home in our hearts.

1:15

Of this you are aware, that all the Christians in Roman Asia have

deserted me: and among them Phygelus and Hermogenes.

1:16

May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus; for

many a time he cheered me and he was not ashamed of my chain.

1:17

Nay, when he was here in Rome, he took great pains to inquire

where I was living, and at last he found me.

1:18

(The Lord grant that he may obtain mercy at His hands on that

day!) And you yourself well know all the services which he

rendered me in Ephesus.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

You then, my child, must be strong in the grace that is in Christ

Jesus.

2:2

All that you have been taught by me in the hearing of many

witnesses, you must hand on to trusty men who shall themselves,

in turn, be competent to instruct others also.

2:3

As a good soldier of Christ Jesus accept your share of suffering.

2:4

Every one who serves as a soldier keeps himself from becoming

entangled in the world’s business — so that he may satisfy the

officer who enlisted him.

2:5

And if any one takes part in an athletic contest, he gets no prize

unless he obeys the rules.

2:6

The harvestman who labors in the field must be the first to get a

share of the crop.

2:7

Mark well what I am saying: the Lord will give you discernment

in everything.

2:8

Never forget that Jesus Christ has risen from among the dead and

is a descendant of David, as is declared in the Good News which I

preach.

2:9

For preaching the Good News I suffer, and am even put in chains,

as if I were a criminal: yet the word of God is not imprisoned.

2:10

For this reason I endure all things for the sake of God’s own

people; so that they also may obtain salvation — even the

salvation which is in Christ Jesus — and with it eternal glory.

2:11

Faithful is the saying: “If we died with Him, we shall also live with

Him;

2:12

“If we patiently endure pain, we shall also share His Kingship; “If

we disown Him, He will also disown us;

2:13

“And even if our faith fails, He remains true — He cannot prove

false to Himself.”

2:14

Bring all this to men’s remembrances, solemnly charging them in

the presence of God not to waste time in wrangling about mere

words, a course which is altogether unprofitable and tends only to

the ruin of the hearers.

2:15

Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God as a servant who,

because of his straightforward dealing with the word of truth, has

no reason to feel any shame.

2:16

But from irreligious and frivolous talk hold aloof, for those who

indulge in it will proceed from bad to worse in impiety,

2:17

and their teaching will spread like a running sore. Hymenaeus and

Philetus are men of that stamp.

2:18

In the matter of the truth they have gone astray, saying that the

Resurrection is already past, and so they are overthrowing the

faith of some.

2:19

Yet God’s solid foundation stands unmoved, bearing this

inscription, “THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO REALLY BELONG TO

HIM.” And this also, “LET EVERY ONE WHO NAMES THE NAME OF

THE LORD RENOUNCE ALL WICKEDNESS.”

2:20

Now in a great house there are not only articles of gold and silver,

but also others of wood and of earthenware; and some are for

specially honorable, and others for common use.

2:21

If therefore a man keeps himself clear of these latter, he himself

will be for specially honorable use, consecrated, fit for the

Master’s service, and fully equipped for every good work.

2:22

Keep a strong curb, however, on your youthful cravings; and

strive for integrity, good faith, love, peace, in company with all

who pray to the Lord with pure hearts.

2:23

But avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, knowing — as

you do — that these lead to quarrels;

2:24

and a bondservant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be

inoffensive towards all men, a skilful teacher, and patient under

wrongs.

2:25

He must speak in a gentle tone when correcting the errors of

opponents, in the hope that God will at last give them repentance,

for them to come to a full knowledge of the truth

2:26

and recover sober-mindedness and freedom from the Devil’s

snare, though they are now entrapped by him to do his will.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

But of this be assured: in the last days grievous times will set in.

3:2

For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty,

profane. They will be disobedient to parents, thankless, irreligious,

3:3

destitute of natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers. They will

have no self-control, but will be brutal, opposed to goodness,

3:4

treacherous, headstrong, self-important. They will love pleasure

instead of loving God,

3:5

and will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet live in defiance

of its power. Turn away from people of this sort.

3:6

Among them are included the men who make their way into

private houses and carry off weak women as their prisoners —

women who, weighed down by the burden of their sins, are led by

ever-changing caprice,

3:7

and are always learning something new, and yet are never able to

arrive at real knowledge of the truth.

3:8

And just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also these

false teachers withstand the truth — being, as they are, men of

debased intellects, and of no real worth so far as faith is

concerned.

3:9

But they will have no further success; for their folly will be as

clearly manifest to all men, as that of the opponents of Moses

came to be.

3:10

But you have intimately known my teaching, life, aims, faith,

patience, love, resignation,

3:11

and the persecutions and sufferings which I have endured; the

things which happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra.

You know the persecutions I endured, and how the Lord

delivered me out of them all.

3:12

And indeed every one who is determined to live a godly life as a

follower of Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

3:13

But bad men and impostors will go on from bad to worse,

misleading and being misled.

3:14

But you must cling to the things which you have learnt and have

been taught to believe, knowing who your teachers were,

3:15

and that from infancy you have known the sacred writings which

are able to make you wise to obtain salvation through faith in

Christ Jesus.

3:16

Every Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for

convincing, for correction of error, and for instruction in right

doing;

3:17

so that the man of God may himself be complete and may be

perfectly equipped for every good work.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

I solemnly implore you, in the presence of God and of Christ

Jesus who is about to judge the living and the dead, and by His

Appearing and His Kingship:

4:2

proclaim God’s message, be zealous in season and out of season;

convince, rebuke, encourage, with the utmost patience as a

teacher.

4:3

For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome

instruction, but, wanting to have their ears tickled, they will find a

multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies;

4:4

and will turn away from listening to the truth and will turn aside

to fables.

4:5

But as for you, you must exercise habitual self-control, and not

live a self-indulgent life, but do the duty of an evangelist and fully

discharge the obligations of your office.

4:6

I for my part am like a drink-offering which is already being

poured out; and the time for my departure is now close at hand.

4:7

I have gone through the glorious contest; I have run the race; I

have guarded the faith.

4:8

From this time onward there is reserved for me the crown of

righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to

me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who love the

thought of His Appearing.

4:9

Make an effort to come to me speedily.

4:10

For Demas has deserted me — loving, as he does, the present age

— and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia,

and Titus to Dalmatia.

4:11

Luke is the only friend I now have with me. Call for Mark on your

way and bring him with you, for he is a great help to me in my

ministry.

4:12

Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

4:13

When you come, bring with you the cloak which I left behind at

Troas at the house of Carpus, and the books, but especially the

parchments.

4:14

Alexander the metal-worker showed bitter hostility towards me:

the Lord will requite him according to his doings.

4:15

You also should beware of him; for he has violently opposed our

preaching.

4:16

At my first defense I had no one at my side, but all deserted me.

May it not be laid to their charge.

4:17

The Lord, however, stood by me and filled me with inward

strength, that through me the Message might be fully proclaimed

and that all the Gentiles might hear it; and I was rescued from the

lion’s jaws.

4:18

The Lord will deliver me from every cruel attack and will keep me

safe in preparation for His heavenly Kingdom. To Him be the

glory until the Ages of the Ages! Amen.

4:19

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

4:20

Erastus stayed in Corinth; Trophimus I left behind me at Miletus,

ill.

4:21

Make an effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so

do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

4:22

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

PAUL’S LETTER

TO TITUS

This Letter was probably written from Ephesus in 67 A.D. Titus, who was

a Greek by birth, is mentioned in eleven other places in the Pauline Letters

and always with marked approval (2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6,13,14;

8:6,16,23; 12:18; Galatians 2:1,3; 2 Timothy 4:10). He was often a trusted

messenger to the Churches, his last errand being to Dalmatia. Tradition

confirms the inference commonly drawn from this Letter that he was long

the Bishop of the Church in Crete, and regards Candia as having been his

birthplace.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an Apostle of Jesus Christ for

building up the faith of God’s own people and spreading a full

knowledge of the truths of religion,

1:2 in hope of the Life of the Ages which God, who is never false to

His word, promised before the commencement of the Ages.

1:3 And at the appointed time He clearly made known His Message in

the preaching with which I was entrusted by the command of God

our Savior:

1:4 To Titus my own true child in our common faith. May grace and

peace be granted to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our

Savior.

1:5 I have left you behind in Crete in order that you may set right the

things which still require attention, and appoint Elders in every

town, as I directed you to do;

1:6

wherever there is a man of blameless life, true to his one wife,

having children who are themselves believers and are free from

every reproach of profligacy or of stubborn self-will.

1:7

For, as God’s steward, a minister must be of blameless life, not

over-fond of having his own way, not a man of a passionate

temper nor a hard drinker, not given to blows nor greedy of gain,

1:8

but hospitable to strangers, a lover of goodness, sober-minded,

upright, saintly, self-controlled;

1:9

holding fast to the faithful Message which he has received, so that

he may be well qualified both to encourage others with sound

teaching and to reply successfully to opponents.

1:10

For there are many that spurn authority — idle, talkative and

deceitful persons, who, for the most part, are adherents of the

Circumcision.

1:11

You must stop the mouths of such men, for they overthrow the

faith of whole families, teaching what they ought not, just for the

sake of making money.

1:12

One of their own number — a Prophet who is a countryman of

theirs — has said, “Cretans are always liars, dangerous animals,

idle gluttons.”

1:13

This testimony is true. Therefore sternly denounce them, that they

may be robust in their faith,

1:14

and not give attention to Jewish legends and the maxims of men

who turn their backs on the truth.

1:15

To the pure everything is pure; but to the polluted and unbelieving

nothing is pure, but on the contrary their very minds and

consciences are polluted.

1:16

They profess to know God; but in their actions they disown Him,

and are detestable and disobedient men, and for any good work

are utterly useless.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

But as for you, you must speak in a manner that befits wholesome

teaching.

2:2

Exhort aged men to be temperate, grave, sober-minded, robust in

their faith, their love and their patience.

2:3

In the same way exhort aged women to let their conduct be such

as becomes consecrated persons. They must not be slanderers nor

enslaved to wine-drinking. They must be teachers of what is right.

2:4

They should school the young women to be affectionate to their

husbands and to their children, to be sober-minded, pure in their

lives,

2:5

industrious in their homes, kind, submissive to their husbands, so

that the Christian teaching may not be exposed to reproach.

2:6

In the same way exhort the younger men to be discreet,

2:7

and above all make your own life a pattern of right conduct,

having in your teaching no taint of insincerity, but a serious tone,

2:8

and healthy language which no one can censure, so that our

opponents may feel ashamed at having nothing evil to say against

us.

2:9

Exhort slaves to be always obedient to their owners, and to give

them satisfaction in everything, not contradicting and not

pilfering,

2:10

but manifesting perfect fidelity and kind feeling, in order to bring

honor to the teaching of our Savior, God, in all things.

2:11

For the grace of God has displayed itself with healing power to all

mankind,

2:12

training us to renounce ungodliness and all the pleasures of this

world, and to live sober, upright, and pious lives at the present

time,

2:13

in expectation of the fulfilment of our blessed hope — the

Appearing in glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ;

2:14

who gave Himself for us to purchase our freedom from all

iniquity, and purify for Himself a people who should be specially

His own, zealous for doing good works.

2:15

Thus speak, exhort, reprove, with all impressiveness. Let no one

make light of your authority.

CHAPTER 3

3:1 Remind people that they must submit to the rulers who are in

authority over them; that they must obey the magistrates, be

prepared for every right action,

3:2 not speak evil of any one, nor be contentious, but yield unselfishly

to others and constantly manifest a forgiving spirit towards all

men.

3:3 For there was a time when we also were deficient in

understanding, obstinate, deluded, the slaves of various cravings

and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy, hateful

ourselves and hating one another.

3:4 But when the goodness of God our Savior, and His love to man,

dawned upon us, not in consequence of things which we,

3:5 as righteous men, had done, but as the result of His own mercy

He saved us by means of the bath of regeneration and the renewal

of our natures by the Holy Spirit,

3:6 which He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our

Savior;

3:7 in order that having been declared righteous through His grace we

might become heirs to the Life of the Ages in fulfilment of our

hopes.

3:8 This is a faithful saying, and on these various points I would have

you insist strenuously, in order that those who have their faith

fixed on God may be careful to set an example of good actions.

For these are not only good in themselves, but are also useful to

mankind.

3:9 But hold yourself aloof from foolish controversies and pedigrees

and discussions and wrangling about the Law, for they are useless

and vain.

3:10 After a first and second admonition, have nothing further to do

with any one who will not be taught;

3:11 for, as you know, a man of that description has turned aside from

the right path and is a sinner self-condemned.

3:12

After I have sent Artemas or Tychicus to you, lose no time in

joining me at Nicopolis; for I have decided to pass the winter

there.

3:13

Help Zenas the lawyer forward on his journey with special care,

and Apollos, so that they may have all they require.

3:14

And let our people too learn to set a good example in following

honest occupations for the supply of their necessities, so that they

may not live useless lives.

3:15

Every one here sends you greeting. Greet the believers who hold

us dear. May grace be with you all.

PAUL’S LETTER

TO PHILEMON

This Letter (63 A.D.) was written as the result of Paul’s deep interest in

Onesimus, a slave who had fled from Colossae to Rome to get free from

Philemon his master (Colossians 4:9).

“A Phrygian slave was one of the lowest known types to be found in the

Roman world, displaying all the worst features of character which the

servile condition developed. Onesimus had proved no exception. He ran

away from his master, and, as Paul thought probable (verses 18,19), not

without helping himself to a share of his master’s possessions. By the help

of what he had stolen, and by the cleverness which afterwards made him so

helpful to Paul, he made his way to Rome, naturally drawn to the great

centre, and prompted both by a desire to hide himself and by a youthful

yearning to see the utmost the world could show of glory and of vice.

“But whether feeling his loneliness, or wearied with a life of vice, or

impoverished and reduced to want, or seized with a fear of detection, he

made his way to Paul, or unbosomed himself to some Asiatic he saw on the

street. And as he stepped out of the coarse debauchery and profanity of the

crowded resorts of the metropolis into the room hallowed by the presence

of Paul, he saw the foulness of the one life and the beauty of the other, and

was persuaded to accept the gospel he had so often heard in his master’s

house.

“How long he remained with Paul does not appear, but it was long enough

to impress on the Apostle’s mind that this slave was no common man. Paul

had devoted and active friends by him, but this slave, trained to watch his

master’s wants and to execute promptly all that was entrusted to him,

became almost indispensable to the Apostle. But to retain him, he feels,

would be to steal him, or at any rate to deprive Philemon of the pleasure of

voluntarily sending him to minister to him (verse 14). He therefore sends

him back with this Letter, so exquisitely worded that it cannot but have

secured the forgiveness and cordial reception of Onesimus” (Marcus Dods,

D.D., New Testament Introduction).

CHAPTER 1

1:1

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother: To

Philemon our dearly-loved fellow laborer —

1:2

and to our sister Apphia and our comrade Archippus — as well as

to the Church in your house.

1:3

May grace be granted to you all, and peace, from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:4

I give continual thanks to my God while making mention of you,

my brother, in my prayers,

1:5

because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have

towards the Lord Jesus and which you manifest towards all God’s

people;

1:6

praying as I do, that their participation in your faith may result in

others fully recognizing all the right affection that is in us toward

Christ.

1:7

For I have found great joy and comfort in your love, because the

hearts of God’s people have been, and are, refreshed through you,

my brother.

1:8

Therefore, though I might with Christ’s authority speak very

freely and order you to do what is fitting,

1:9

it is for love’s sake that — instead of that — although I am none

other than Paul the aged, and am now also a prisoner for Christ

Jesus,

1:10

I entreat you on behalf of my own child whose father I have

become while in my chains — I mean Onesimus.

1:11

Formerly he was useless to you, but now — true to his name —

he is of great use to you and to me.

1:12

I am sending him back to you, though in so doing I send part of

myself.

1:13 It was my wish to keep him at my side for him to attend to my

wants, as your representative, during my imprisonment for the

Good News.

1:14 Only I wished to do nothing without your consent, so that his

kind action of yours might not be done under pressure, but might

be a voluntary one.

1:15 For perhaps it was for this reason he was parted from you for a

time, that you might receive him back wholly and for ever yours;

1:16 no longer as a slave, but as something better than a slave — a

brother peculiarly dear to me, and even dearer to you, both as a

servant and as a fellow Christian.

1:17 If therefore you regard me as a comrade, receive him as if he were

I myself.

1:18 And if he was ever dishonest or is in your debt, debit me with the

amount.

1:19 I Paul write this with my own hand — I will pay you in full. (I say

nothing of the fact that you owe me even your own self.)

1:20 Yes, brother, do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Refresh my

heart in Christ.

1:21 I write to you in the full confidence that you will meet my wishes,

for I know you will do even more than I say.

1:22 And at the same time provide accommodation for me; for I hope

that through your prayers I shall be permitted to come to you.

1:23 Greetings to you, my brother, from Epaphras my fellow prisoner

for the sake of Christ Jesus;

1:24 and from Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow

workers.

1:25 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with the spirit of every

one of you.

THE LETTER

TO THE HEBREWS

As regards the date of this Letter, the only sure conclusion appears to be

that it was before 70 A.D. The book itself claims to have been written at

the end of the Jewish Age (1:2; 9:26), whilst the earthly temple was still in

existence (9:8), and it is inconceivable that such an overwhelming comment

upon the writer’s whole position as that afforded by the destruction of

Jerusalem would have been overlooked, had it been available. Hence 67-68

A.D. may with probability be alleged as the time of composition. The only

fact clear as to the author is that he was not the Apostle Paul. The early

Fathers did not attribute the book to Paul, nor was it until the seventh

century that the tendency to do this, derived from Jerome, swelled into an

ecclesiastical practice. From the book itself we see that the author must

have been a Jew and a Hellenist, familiar with Philo as well as with the Old

Testament, a friend of Timothy and well-known to many of those whom he

addressed, and not an Apostle but decidedly acquainted with Apostolic

thoughts; and that he not only wrote before the destruction of Jerusalem

but apparently himself was never in Palestine. The name of Barnabas, and

also that of Priscilla, has been suggested, but in reality all these distinctive

marks appear to be found only in Apollos. So that with Luther, and not a

few modern scholars, we must either attribute it to him or give up the

quest.

There has never been any question as to the canonicity of this Letter, nor

can there be any doubt as to its perennial value to the Church of Christ.

Where it was written cannot be decided. “The brethren from Italy” (13:24)

proves nothing. Nor is it possible to decide to whom it was sent. “The

Hebrews,” to whom it was addressed, may have been resident in Jerusalem,

Alexandria, Ephesus, or Rome. The most remarkable feature of the Letter

is manifestly its references to the old Covenant. Here there is a mingling of

reverence and iconoclasm. The unquestionably divine origin of the Jewish

dispensation is made use of for laying emphasis upon the infinitely superior

glory of the Christian order. Thus an a fortiori argument pervades the

whole — if the shadow was divine, how much more must the substance be!

“The language of the Epistle, both in vocabulary and style, is purer and

more vigorous than that of any other book of the New Testament”

(Westcott).

CHAPTER 1

1:1 God, who in ancient days spoke to our forefathers in many

distinct messages and by various methods through the Prophets,

1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us through a Son, who is

the pre-destined Lord of the universe, and through whom He

made the Ages.

1:3 He brightly reflects God’s glory and is the exact representation of

His being, and upholds the universe by His all-powerful word.

After securing man’s purification from sin He took His seat at the

right hand of the Majesty on high,

1:4 having become as far superior to the angels as the Name He

possesses by inheritance is more excellent than theirs.

1:5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “MY SON ART THOU:

I HAVE THIS DAY BECOME THY FATHER;” and again, “I WILL BE A

FATHER TO HIM, AND HE SHALL BE MY SON”?

1:6 But speaking of the time when He once more brings His Firstborn

into the world, He says, “AND LET ALL GOD’S ANGELS WORSHIP

HIM.”

1:7 Moreover of the angels He says, “HE CHANGES HIS ANGELS INTO

WINDS, AND HIS MINISTERING SERVANTS INTO A FLAME OF FIRE.”

1:8 But of His Son, He says, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and for

ever, and the sceptre of Thy Kingdom is a sceptre of absolute

justice.

1:9 THOU HAST LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS;

THEREFORE GOD, THY GOD, HAS ANOINTED THEE WITH THE OIL

OF GLADNESS BEYOND THY COMPANIONS.”

1:10 It is also of His Son that God says, “Thou, O Lord, in the

beginning didst lay the foundations of the earth, and the heavens

are the work of Thy hands.

1:11 The heavens will perish, but Thou remainest; and they will all

grow old like a garment,

1:12 AND, AS THOUGH THEY WERE A MANTLE THOU WILT ROLL THEM

UP; YES, LIKE A GARMENT, AND THEY WILL UNDERGO CHANGE.

BUT THOU ART THE SAME, AND THY YEARS WILL NEVER COME TO

AN END.”

1:13 To which of the angels has He ever said, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND

TILL I MAKE THY FOES A FOOTSTOOL FOR THY FEET”?

1:14 Are not all angels spirits that serve Him — whom He sends out to

render service for the benefit of those who, before long, will

inherit salvation?

CHAPTER 2

2:1 For this reason we ought to pay the more earnest heed to the

things which we have heard, for fear we should drift away from

them.

2:2 For if the message delivered through angels proved to be true, and

every transgression and act of disobedience met with just

retribution,

2:3 how shall we escape if we are indifferent to a salvation as great as

that now offered to us? This, after having first of all been

announced by the Lord Himself, had its truth made sure to us by

those who heard Him,

2:4 while God corroborated their testimony by signs and marvels and

various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed in

accordance with His own will.

2:5 It is not to angels that God has assigned the sovereignty of that

coming world, of which we speak.

2:6 But, as we know, a writer has solemnly said, “How poor a

creature is man, and yet Thou dost remember him, and a son of

man, and yet Thou dost come to him!

2:7

Thou hast made him only a little inferior to the angels; with glory

and honor Thou hast crowned him, and hast set him to govern the

works of Thy hands.

2:8

THOU HAST PUT EVERYTHING IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.”

For this subjecting of the universe to man implies the leaving

nothing not subject to him. But we do not as yet see the universe

subject to him.

2:9

But Jesus — who was made a little inferior to the angels in order

that through God’s grace He might taste death for every human

being — we already see wearing a crown of glory and honor

because of His having suffered death.

2:10

For it was fitting that He for whom, and through whom, all things

exist, after He had brought many sons to glory, should perfect by

suffering the Prince Leader who had saved them.

2:11

For both He who sanctifies and those whom He is sanctifying

have all one Father; and for this reason He is not ashamed to

speak of them as His brothers;

2:12

as when He says: “I WILL PROCLAIM THY NAME TO MY

BROTHERS: IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL HYMN

THY PRAISES;”

2:13

and again, “AS FOR ME, I WILL BE ONE WHOSE TRUST REPOSES IN

GOD;” and again, “HERE AM I, AND HERE ARE THE CHILDREN GOD

HAS GIVEN ME.”

2:14

Since then the children referred to are all alike sharers in

perishable human nature, He Himself also, in the same way, took

on Him a share of it, in order that through death He might render

powerless him who had authority over death, that is, the Devil,

2:15

and might set at liberty all those who through fear of death had

been subject to lifelong slavery.

2:16

For assuredly it is not to angels that He is continually reaching a

helping hand, but it is to the descendants of Abraham.

2:17

And for this purpose it was necessary that in all respects He

should be made to resemble His brothers, so that He might

become a compassionate and faithful High Priest in things relating

to God, in order to atone for the sins of the people.

2:18 For inasmuch as He has Himself felt the pain of temptation and

trial, He is also able instantly to help those who are tempted and

tried.

CHAPTER 3

3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, sharers with others in a heavenly

invitation, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest

whose followers we profess to be.

3:2 How faithful He was to Him who appointed Him, just as Moses

also was faithful in all God’s house!

3:3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses,

in so far as he who has built a house has higher honor than the

house itself.

3:4 For every house has had a builder, and the builder of all things is

God.

3:5 Moreover, Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant in

delivering the message given him to speak;

3:6 but Christ was faithful as a Son having authority over God’s

house, and we are that house, if we hold firm to the End the

boldness and the hope which we boast of as ours.

3:7 For this reason — as the Holy Spirit warns us, “To-day, if you

hear His voice,

3:8 do not harden your hearts as your forefathers did in the time of

the provocation on the day of the temptation in the Desert,

3:9 where your forefathers so sorely tried My patience and saw all

that I did during forty years.

3:10 Therefore I was greatly grieved with that generation, and I said,

‘They are ever going astray in heart, and have not learnt to know

My paths.’

3:11 AS I SWORE IN MY ANGER, THEY SHALL NOT BE ADMITTED TO MY

REST” —

3:12 see to it, brethren, that there is never in any one of you — as

perhaps there may be — a sinful and unbelieving heart,

manifesting itself in revolt from the ever-living God.

3:13 On the contrary encourage one another, day after day, so long as

To-day lasts, so that not one of you may be hardened through the

deceitful character of sin.

3:14 For we have, all alike, become sharers with Christ, if we really

hold our first confidence firm to the End;

3:15 seeing that the warning still comes to us, “TO-DAY, IF YOU HEAR

HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS YOUR FOREFATHERS

DID IN THE TIME OF THE PROVOCATION.”

3:16 For who were they that heard, and yet provoked God? Was it not

the whole of the people who had come out of Egypt under the

leadership of Moses?

3:17 And with whom was God so greatly grieved for forty years? Was

it not with those who had sinned, and whose dead bodies fell in

the Desert?

3:18 And to whom did He swear that they should not be admitted to

His rest, if it was not to those who were disobedient?

3:19 And so we see that it was owing to lack of faith that they could

not be admitted.

CHAPTER 4

4:1 Therefore let us be on our guard lest perhaps, while He still leaves

us a promise of being admitted to His rest, some one of you

should be found to have fallen short of it.

4:2 For Good News has been brought to us as truly as to them; but

the message they heard failed to benefit them, because they were

not one in faith with those who gave heed to it.

4:3 We who have believed are soon to be admitted to the true rest; as

He has said, “AS I SWORE IN MY ANGER, THEY SHALL NOT BE

ADMITTED TO MY REST,” although God’s works had been going

on ever since the creation of the world.

4:4 For, as we know, when speaking of the seventh day He has used

the words, “AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL

HIS WORKS;”

4:5 and He has also declared, “THEY SHALL NOT BE ADMITTED TO MY

REST.”

4:6 Since, then, it is still true that some will be admitted to that rest,

and that because of disobedience those who formerly had Good

News proclaimed to them were not admitted,

4:7 He again definitely mentions a certain day, “To-day,” saying long

afterwards, by David’s lips, in the words already quoted, “TODAY,

IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.”

4:8 For if Joshua had given them the true rest, we should not

afterwards hear God speaking of another still future day.

4:9 It follows that there still remains a sabbath rest for the people of

God.

4:10 For He who has been admitted to His rest, has rested from His

works as God did from His.

4:11 Let it then be our earnest endeavour to be admitted to that rest, so

that no one may perish through following the same example of

unbelief.

4:12 For God’s Message is full of life and power, and is keener than

the sharpest two-edged sword. It pierces even to the severance of

soul from spirit, and penetrates between the joints and the

marrow, and it can discern the secret thoughts and purposes of

the heart.

4:13 And no created thing is able to escape its scrutiny; but everything

lies bare and completely exposed before the eyes of Him with

whom we have to do.

4:14 Inasmuch, then, as we have in Jesus, the Son of God, a great High

Priest who has passed into Heaven itself, let us hold firmly to our

profession of faith.

4:15 For we have not a High Priest who is unable to feel for us in our

weaknesses, but one who was tempted in every respect just as we

are tempted, and yet did not sin.

4:16 Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may

receive mercy and find grace to help us in our times of need.

CHAPTER 5

5:1

For every High Priest is chosen from among men, and is

appointed to act on behalf of men in matters relating to God, in

order to offer both gifts and sin-offerings,

5:2

and must be one who is able to bear patiently with the ignorant

and erring, because he himself also is beset with infirmity.

5:3

And for this reason he is required to offer sin-offerings not only

for the people but also for himself.

5:4

And no one takes this honorable office upon himself, but only

accepts it when called to it by God, as Aaron was.

5:5

So Christ also did not claim for Himself the honor of being made

High Priest, but was appointed to it by Him who said to Him,

“MY SON ART THOU: I HAVE TO-DAY BECOME THY FATHER;”

5:6

as also in another passage He says, “THOU ART A PRIEST FOR

EVER, BELONGING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

5:7

For Jesus during his earthly life offered up prayers and entreaties,

crying aloud and weeping as He pleaded with Him who was able

to bring Him in safety out of death, and He was delivered from

the terror from which He shrank.

5:8

Although He was God’s Son, yet He learned obedience from the

sufferings which He endured;

5:9

and so, having been made perfect, He became to all who obey

Him the source and giver of eternal salvation.

5:10

For God Himself addresses Him as a High Priest for ever,

belonging to the order of Melchizedek.

5:11

Concerning Him we have much to say, and much that it would be

difficult to make clear to you, since you have become so dull of

apprehension.

5:12

For although, considering the long time you have been believers,

you ought now to be teachers of others, you really need some one

to teach you over again the very rudiments of the truths of God,

and you have come to require milk instead of solid food.

5:13

By people who live on milk I mean those who are imperfectly

acquainted with the teaching concerning righteousness.

5:14

Such persons are mere babes. But solid food is for adults — that

is, for those who through constant practice have their spiritual

faculties carefully trained to distinguish good from evil.

CHAPTER 6

6:1

Therefore leaving elementary instruction about the Christ, let us

advance to mature manhood and not be continually re-laying a

foundation of repentance from lifeless works and of faith in God,

6:2

or of teaching about ceremonial washings, the laying on of hands,

the resurrection of the dead, and the last judgment.

6:3

And advance we will, if God permits us to do so.

6:4

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once for all

been enlightened, and have tasted the sweetness of the heavenly

gift, and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

6:5

and have realized how good the word of God is and how mighty

are the powers of the coming Age, and then fell away —

6:6

it is impossible, I say, to keep bringing them back to a new

repentance, for, to their own undoing, they are repeatedly

crucifying the Son of God afresh and exposing Him to open

shame.

6:7

For land which has drunk in the rain that often falls upon it, and

brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sakes, indeed, it

is tilled, has a share in God’s blessing.

6:8

But if it only yields a mass of thorns and briers, it is considered

worthless, and is in danger of being cursed, and in the end will be

destroyed by fire.

6:9

But we, even while we speak in this tone, have a happier

conviction concerning you, my dearly-loved friends — a

conviction of things which point towards salvation.

6:10

For God is not unjust so that He is unmindful of your labor and of

the love which you have manifested towards Himself in having

rendered services to His people and in still rendering them.

6:11

But we long for each of you to continue to manifest the same

earnestness, with a view to your enjoying fulness of hope to the

very End;

6:12

so that you may not become half-hearted, but be imitators of

those who through faith and patient endurance are now heirs to

the promises.

6:13

For when God gave the promise to Abraham, since He had no one

greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,

6:14

saying, “ASSUREDLY I WILL BLESS YOU AND BLESS YOU, I WILL

INCREASE YOU AND INCREASE YOU.”

6:15

And so, as the result of patient waiting, our forefather obtained

what God had promised.

6:16

For men swear by what is greater than themselves; and with them

an oath in confirmation of a statement always puts an end to a

dispute.

6:17

In the same way, since it was God’s desire to display more

convincingly to the heirs of the promise how unchangeable His

purpose was,

6:18

He added an oath, in order that, through two unchangeable things,

in which it is impossible for Him to prove false, we may possess

mighty encouragement — we who, for safety, have hastened to

lay hold of the hope set before us.

6:19

That hope we have as an anchor of the soul — an anchor that can

neither break nor drag. It passes in behind the veil,

6:20

where Jesus has entered as a forerunner on our behalf, having

become, like Melchizedek, a High Priest for ever.

CHAPTER 7

7:1

For this man, Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the Most

High God — he who when Abraham was returning after defeating

the kings met him and pronounced a blessing on him —

7:2

to whom also Abraham presented a tenth part of all — being first,

as his name signifies, King of righteousness, and secondly King of

Salem, that is, King of peace:

7:3

with no father or mother, and no record of ancestry: having

neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made a type of the

Son of God — this man Melchizedek remains a priest for ever.

7:4

Now think how great this priest-king must have been to whom

Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth part of the best of the spoil.

7:5

And those of the descendants of Levi who receive the priesthood

are authorized by the Law to take tithes from the people, that is,

from their brethren, though these have sprung from Abraham.

7:6

But, in this instance, one who does not trace his origin from them

takes tithes from Abraham, and pronounces a blessing on him to

whom the promises belong.

7:7

And beyond all dispute it is always the inferior who is blessed by

the superior.

7:8

Moreover here frail mortal men receive tithes: there one receives

them about whom there is evidence that he is alive.

7:9

And Levi too — if I may so speak — pays tithes through

Abraham:

7:10

for Levi was yet in the loins of his forefather when Melchizedek

met Abraham.

7:11

Now if the crowning blessing was attainable by means of the

Levitical priesthood — for as resting on this foundation the

people received the Law, to which they are still subject — what

further need was there for a Priest of a different kind to be raised

up belonging to the order of Melchizedek instead of being said to

belong to the order of Aaron?

7:12

For when the priesthood changes, a change of Law also of

necessity takes place.

7:13

He, however, to whom that prophecy refers is associated with a

different tribe, not one member of which has anything to do with

the altar.

7:14

For it is undeniable that our Lord sprang from Judah, a tribe of

which Moses said nothing in connection with priests.

7:15 And this is still more abundantly clear when we read that it is as

belonging to the order of Melchizedek that a priest of a different

kind is to arise,

7:16 and hold His office not in obedience to any temporary Law, but

by virtue of an indestructible Life.

7:17 For the words are in evidence, “THOU ART A PRIEST FOR EVER,

BELONGING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

7:18 On the one hand we have here the abrogation of an earlier code

because it was weak and ineffective —

7:19 for the Law brought no perfect blessing — but on the other hand

we have the bringing in of a new and better hope by means of

which we draw near to God.

7:20 And since it was not without an oath being taken —

7:21 for these men hold office without any oath having been taken, but

He holds it attested by an oath from Him who said to Him, “THE

LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT RECALL HIS WORDS, THOU ART

A PRIEST FOR EVER” —

7:22 so much the more also is the Covenant of which Jesus has become

the guarantor, a better covenant.

7:23 And they have been appointed priests many in number, because

death prevents their continuance in office:

7:24 but He, because He continues for ever, has a priesthood which

does not pass to any successor.

7:25 Hence too He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to

God through Him, seeing that He ever lives to plead for them.

7:26 Moreover we needed just such a High Priest as this — holy,

guileless, undefiled, far removed from sinful men and exalted

above the heavens;

7:27 who, unlike other High Priests, is not under the necessity of

offering up sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and

afterwards for those of the people; for this latter thing He did

once for all when He offered up Himself.

7:28

For the Law constitutes men High Priests — men with all their

infirmity — but the utterance of the oath, which came later than

the Law, constitutes High Priest a Son who has been made for

ever perfect.

CHAPTER 8

8:1

Now in connexion with what we have been saying the chief point

is that we have a High Priest who has taken His seat at the right

hand of the throne of God’s Majesty in the heavens,

8:2

and ministers in the Holy place and in the true tabernacle which

not man, but the Lord pitched.

8:3

Every High Priest, however, is appointed to offer both bloodless

gifts and sacrifices. Therefore this High Priest also must have

some offering to present.

8:4

If then He were still on earth, He would not be a priest at all,

since here there are already those who present the offerings in

obedience to the Law,

8:5

and serve a copy and type of the heavenly things, just as Moses

was divinely instructed when about to build the tabernacle. For

God said, “SEE THAT YOU MAKE EVERYTHING IN IMITATION OF THE

PATTERN SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.”

8:6

But, as a matter of fact, the ministry which Christ has obtained is

all the nobler a ministry, in that He is at the same time the

negotiator of a sublimer covenant, based upon sublimer promises.

8:7

For if that first Covenant had been free from imperfection, there

would have been no attempt to introduce another.

8:8

For, being dissatisfied with His people, God says, “‘There are

days coming,’ says the Lord, ‘When I will establish with the house

of Israel and with the house of Judah a new Covenant —

8:9

a Covenant unlike the one which I made with their forefathers on

the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out from the

land of Egypt; for they would not remain faithful to that.’ ‘So I

turned from them,’ says the Lord.

8:10

‘But this is the Covenant that I will covenant with the house of

Israel after those days,’ says the Lord: I will put My laws into

their minds and will write them upon their hearts. And I will

indeed be their God and they shall be My People.

8:11 And there shall be no need for them to teach each one his fellow

citizen and each one his brother, saying, Know the Lord. For all

will know Me from the least of them to the greatest;

8:12 BECAUSE I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR WRONGDOINGS, AND

THEIR SINS I WILL REMEMBER NO LONGER.’”

8:13 By using the words, “a new Covenant,” He has made the first one

obsolete; but whatever is decaying and showing signs of old age is

not far from disappearing altogether.

CHAPTER 9

9:1 Now even the first Covenant had regulations for divine worship,

and had also its sanctuary — a sanctuary belonging to this world.

9:2 For a sacred tent was constructed — the outer one, in which were

the lamp and the table and the presented loaves; and this is called

the Holy place.

9:3 And behind the second veil was a sacred tent called the Holy of

holies.

9:4 This had a censer of gold, and the ark of the Covenant lined with

gold and completely covered with gold, and in it were a gold vase

which held the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded and the

tables of the Covenant.

9:5 And above the ark were the Cherubim denoting God’s glorious

presence and overshadowing the Mercy-seat. But I cannot now

speak about all these in detail.

9:6 These arrangements having long been completed, the priests,

when conducting the divine services, continually enter the outer

tent.

9:7 But into the second, the High Priest goes only on one day of the

year, and goes alone, taking with him blood, which he offers on

his own behalf and on account of the sins which the people have

ignorantly committed.

9:8

And the lesson which the Holy Spirit teaches is this — that the

way into the true Holy place is not yet open so long as the outer

tent still remains in existence.

9:9

And this is a figure — for the time now present — answering to

which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, unable though they are

to give complete freedom from sin to him who ministers.

9:10

For their efficacy depends only on meats and drinks and various

washings, ceremonies pertaining to the body and imposed until a

time of reformation.

9:11

But Christ appeared as a High Priest of the blessings that are soon

to come by means of the greater and more perfect Tent of

worship, a tent which has not been built with hands — that is to

say does not belong to this material creation —

9:12

and once for all entered the Holy place, taking with Him not the

blood of goats and calves, but His own blood, and thus procuring

eternal redemption for us.

9:13

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer

sprinkling those who have contracted defilement make them holy

so as to bring about ceremonial purity,

9:14

how much more certainly shall the blood of Christ, who

strengthened by the eternal Spirit offered Himself to God, free

from blemish, purify your consciences from lifeless works for you

to serve the ever-living God?

9:15

And because of this He is the negotiator of a new Covenant, in

order that, since a life has been given in atonement for the

offenses committed under the first Covenant, those who have

been called may receive the eternal inheritance which has been

promised to them.

9:16

For where there is a legal ‘will,’ there must also be a death

brought forward in evidence — the death of him who made it.

9:17

And a will is only of force in the case of a deceased person, being

never of any avail so long as he who made it lives.

9:18

Accordingly we find that the first Covenant was not inaugurated

without blood.

9:19

For when Moses had proclaimed to all the people every

commandment contained in the Law, he took the blood of the

calves and of the goats and with them water, scarlet wool and

hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,

9:20

saying, “THIS IS THE BLOOD WHICH CONFIRMS THE COVENANT

THAT GOD HAS MADE BINDING UPON YOU.”

9:21

And in the same way he also sprinkled blood upon the Tent of

worship and upon all the vessels used in the ministry.

9:22

Indeed we may almost say that in obedience to the Law

everything is sprinkled with blood, and that apart from the

outpouring of blood there is no remission of sins.

9:23

It was needful therefore that the copies of the things in Heaven

should be cleansed in this way, but that the heavenly things

themselves should be cleansed with more costly sacrifices.

9:24

For not into a Holy place built by men’s hands — a mere copy of

the reality — did Christ enter, but He entered Heaven itself, now

to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

9:25

Nor did He enter for the purpose of many times offering Himself

in sacrifice, just as the High Priest enters the Holy place, year

after year, taking with him blood not his own.

9:26

In that case Christ would have needed to suffer many times, from

the creation of the world onwards; but as a matter of fact He has

appeared once for all, at the Close of the Ages, in order to do

away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

9:27

And since it is reserved for all mankind once to die, and

afterwards to be judged;

9:28

so the Christ also, having been once offered in sacrifice in order

that He might bear the sins of many, will appear a second time,

separated from sin, to those who are eagerly expecting Him, to

make their salvation complete.

CHAPTER 10

10:1

For, since the Law exhibits only an outline of the blessings to

come and not a perfect representation of the things themselves,

the priests can never, by repeating the same sacrifices which they

continually offer year after year, give complete freedom from sin

to those who draw near.

10:2 For then would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered,

because the consciences of the worshippers — who in that case

would now have been cleansed once for all — would no longer be

burdened with sins?

10:3 But in those sacrifices sins are recalled to memory year after year.

10:4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away

sins.

10:5 That is why, when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice

and offering Thou has not desired, but a body Thou hast prepared

for Me.

10:6 In whole burnt-offerings and in sin-offerings Thou hast taken no

pleasure.

10:7 THEN I SAID, ‘I HAVE COME — IN THE ROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS

WRITTEN CONCERNING ME — TO DO THY WILL, O GOD.’”

10:8 After saying the words I have just quoted, “SACRIFICES AND

OFFERINGS OR WHOLE BURNT-OFFERINGS AND SIN-OFFERINGS

THOU HAST NOT DESIRED OR TAKEN PLEASURE IN” — all such

being offered in obedience to the Law —

10:9 He then adds, “I HAVE COME TO DO THY WILL.” He does away

with the first in order to establish the second.

10:10 It is through that divine will that we have been set free from sin,

through the offering of Jesus Christ as our sacrifice once for all.

10:11 And while every priest stands ministering, day after day, and

constantly offering the same sacrifices — though such can never

rid us of our sins —

10:12 this Priest, on the contrary, after offering for sins a single sacrifice

of perpetual efficacy, took His seat at God’s right hand,

10:13 waiting from that time onward until His enemies be put as a

footstool under His feet.

10:14 For by a single offering He has for ever completed the blessing for

those whom He is setting free from sin.

10:15 And the Holy Spirit also gives us His testimony; for when He had

said,

10:16 “‘THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER

THOSE DAYS,’ SAYS THE LORD: ‘I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR

HEARTS AND WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR MINDS;’”

10:17 He adds, “AND THEIR SINS AND OFFENSES I WILL REMEMBER NO

LONGER.”

10:18 But where these have been forgiven no further offering for sin is

required.

10:19 Since then, brethren, we have free access to the Holy place

through the blood of Jesus,

10:20 by the new and ever-living way which He opened up for us

through the rending of the veil — that is to say, of His earthly

nature —

10:21 and since we have a great Priest who has authority over the house

of God,

10:22 let us draw near with sincerity and unfaltering faith, having had

our hearts sprinkled, once for all, from consciences oppressed

with sin, and our bodies bathed in pure water.

10:23 Let us hold firmly to an unflinching avowal of our hope, for He is

faithful who gave us the promises.

10:24 And let us bestow thought on one another with a view to arousing

one another to brotherly love and right conduct;

10:25 not neglecting — as some habitually do — to meet together, but

encouraging one another, and doing this all the more since you

can see the day of Christ approaching.

10:26 For if we wilfully persist in sin after having received the full

knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains in reserve any

other sacrifice for sins.

10:27 There remains nothing but a certain awful expectation of

judgment, and the fury of a fire which before long will devour the

enemies of the truth.

10:28

Any one who bids defiance to the Law of Moses is put to death

without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

10:29

How much severer punishment, think you, will he be held to

deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, has not

regarded as holy that Covenant-blood with which he was set free

from sin, and has insulted the Spirit from whom comes grace?

10:30

For we know who it is that has said, “VENGEANCE BELONGS TO

ME: I WILL PAY BACK;” and again, “THE LORD WILL BE HIS

PEOPLE’S JUDGE.”

10:31

It is an awful thing to fall into the hands of the ever-living God.

10:32

But continually recall to mind the days now past, when on being

first enlightened you went through a great conflict and many

sufferings.

10:33

This was partly through allowing yourselves to be made a public

spectacle amid reproaches and persecutions, and partly through

coming forward to share the sufferings of those who were thus

treated.

10:34

For you not only showed sympathy with those who were

imprisoned, but you even submitted with joy when your property

was taken from you, being well aware that you have in your own

selves a more valuable possession and one which will remain.

10:35

Therefore do not cast from you your confident hope, for it will

receive a vast reward.

10:36

For you stand in need of patient endurance, so that, as the result

of having done the will of God, you may receive the promised

blessing.

10:37

For there is still but a short time and then “The coming One will

come and will not delay.

10:38

BUT IT IS BY FAITH THAT MY RIGHTEOUS SERVANT SHALL LIVE;

AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL TAKES NO PLEASURE IN HIM.”

10:39

But we are not people who shrink back and perish, but are among

those who believe and gain possession of their souls.

CHAPTER 11

11:1 Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we

hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not

see.

11:2 For by it the saints of old won God’s approval.

11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds came into being, and

still exist, at the command of God, so that what is seen does not

owe its existence to that which is visible.

11:4 Through faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice

than Cain did, and through this faith he obtained testimony that he

was righteous, God giving the testimony by accepting his gifts;

and through it, though he is dead, he still speaks.

11:5 Through faith Enoch was taken from the earth so that he did not

see death, and he could not be found, because God had taken him;

for before he was taken we have evidence that he truly pleased

God.

11:6 But where there is no faith it is impossible truly to please Him; for

the man who draws near to God must believe that there is a God

and that He proves Himself a rewarder of those who earnestly try

to find Him.

11:7 Through faith Noah, being divinely taught about things as yet

unseen, reverently gave heed and built an ark for the safety of his

family, and by this act he condemned the world, and became an

heir of the righteousness which depends on faith.

11:8 Through faith Abraham, upon being called to leave home and go

into a land which he was soon to receive for an inheritance,

obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he was going to.

11:9 Through faith he came and made his home for a time in a land

which had been promised to him, as if in a foreign country, living

in tents together with Isaac and Jacob, sharers with him in the

same promise;

11:10 for he continually looked forward to the city which has the

foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11:11

Through faith even Sarah herself received strength to become a

mother — although she was past the time of life for this —

because she judged Him faithful who had given the promise.

11:12

And thus there sprang from one man, and him practically dead, a

nation like the stars of the sky in number, and like the sands on

the sea shore which cannot be counted.

11:13

All these died in the possession of faith. They had not received the

promised blessings, but had seen them from a distance and had

greeted them, and had acknowledged themselves to be foreigners

and strangers here on earth;

11:14

for men who acknowledge this make it manifest that they are

seeking elsewhere a country of their own.

11:15

And if they had cherished the remembrance of the country they

had left, they would have found an opportunity to return;

11:16

but, as it is, we see them eager for a better land, that is to say, a

heavenly one. For this reason God is not ashamed to be called

their God, for He has now prepared a city for them.

11:17

Through faith Abraham, as soon as God put him to the test,

offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had joyfully welcomed the promises

was on the point of sacrificing his only son

11:18

with regard to whom he had been told, “IT IS THROUGH ISAAC

THAT YOUR POSTERITY SHALL BE TRACED.”

11:19

For he reckoned that God is even able to raise a man up from

among the dead, and, figuratively speaking, it was from among

the dead that he received Isaac again.

11:20

Through faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even in connexion

with things soon to come.

11:21

Through faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons,

and, leaning on the top of his staff, worshipped God.

11:22

Through faith Joseph, when he was near his end, made mention of

the departure of the descendants of Israel, and gave orders about

his own body.

11:23

Through faith the child Moses was hid for three months by his

parents, because they saw his rare beauty; and the king’s edict had

no terror for them.

11:24

Through faith Moses, when he grew to manhood, refused to be

known as Pharaoh’s daughter’s son,

11:25

having determined to endure ill-treatment along with the people of

God rather than enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin;

11:26

because he deemed the reproaches which he might meet with in

the service of the Christ to be greater riches than all the treasures

of Egypt; for he fixed his gaze on the coming reward.

11:27

Through faith he left Egypt, not being frightened by the king’s

anger; for he held on his course as seeing the unseen One.

11:28

Through faith he instituted the Passover, and the sprinkling with

blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the

Israelites.

11:29

Through faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they

were passing over dry land, but the Egyptians, when they tried to

do the same, were swallowed up.

11:30

Through faith the walls of Jericho fell to the ground after being

surrounded for seven days.

11:31

Through faith the notorious sinner Rahab did not perish along

with the disobedient, for she had welcomed the spies and had

sheltered them.

11:32

And why need I say more? For time will fail me if I tell the story

of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, and of David and Samuel

and the Prophets;

11:33

men who, as the result of faith, conquered whole kingdoms,

brought about true justice, obtained promises from God, stopped

lions’ mouths,

11:34

deprived fire of its power, escaped being killed by the sword, out

of weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put to

flight foreign armies.

11:35

Women received back their dear ones alive from the dead; and

others were put to death with torture, refusing the deliverance

offered to them — that they might secure a better resurrection.

11:36

Others again were tested by cruel mockery and by scourging; yes,

and by chains and imprisonment.

11:37

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tried by

temptation, they were killed with the sword. They went from

place to place in sheepskins or goatskins, enduring want,

oppression and cruelty.

11:38

(They were men of whom the world was not worthy.) They

wandered across deserts and mountains, or hid themselves in

caves and in holes in the ground.

11:39

And although by their faith all these people won God’s approval,

none of them received the fulfilment of His great promise;

11:40

for God had provided for them and us something better, so that

apart from us they were not to attain to full blessedness.

CHAPTER 12

12:1

Therefore, surrounded as we are by such a vast cloud of

witnesses, let us fling aside every encumbrance and the sin that so

readily entangles our feet. And let us run with patient endurance

the race that lies before us,

12:2

simply fixing our gaze upon Jesus, our Prince Leader in the faith,

who will also award us the prize. He, for the sake of the joy which

lay before Him, patiently endured the cross, looking with

contempt upon its shame, and afterwards seated Himself — where

He still sits — at the right hand of the throne of God.

12:3

Therefore, if you would escape becoming weary and faint-hearted,

compare your own sufferings with those of Him who endured

such hostility directed against Him by sinners.

12:4

In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted so as to

endanger your lives;

12:5

and you have quite forgotten the encouraging words which are

addressed to you as sons, and which say, “My son, do not think

lightly of the Lord’s discipline, and do not faint when He corrects

you;

12:6

FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES: AND HE

SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE ACKNOWLEDGES.”

12:7

The sufferings that you are enduring are for your discipline. God

is dealing with you as sons; for what son is there whom his father

does not discipline?

12:8

And if you are left without discipline, of which every true son has

had a share, that shows that you are bastards, and not true sons.

12:9

Besides this, our earthly fathers used to discipline us and we

treated them with respect, and shall we not be still more

submissive to the Father of our spirits, and live?

12:10

It is true that they disciplined us for a few years according as they

thought fit; but He does it for our certain good, in order that we

may become sharers in His own holy character.

12:11

Now, at the time, discipline seems to be a matter not for joy, but

for grief; yet it afterwards yields to those who have passed

through its training a result full of peace — namely, righteousness.

12:12

Therefore strengthen the drooping hands and paralysed knees,

12:13

and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may

not be put entirely out of joint

12:14

but may rather be restored. Persistently strive for peace with all

men, and for that growth in holiness apart from which no one will

see the Lord.

12:15

Be carefully on your guard lest there be any one who falls back

from the grace of God; lest any root bearing bitter fruit spring up

and cause trouble among you, and through it the whole

brotherhood be defiled;

12:16

lest there be a fornicator, or an ungodly person like Esau, who, in

return for a single meal, parted with the birthright which belonged

to him.

12:17

For you know that even afterwards, when he wished to secure the

blessing, he was rejected; for he found no opportunity for undoing

what he had done, though he sought the blessing earnestly with

tears.

12:18 For you have not come to a material object all ablaze with fire,

and to gloom and darkness and storm and trumpet-blast and the

sound of words —

12:19 a sound of such a kind that those who heard it entreated that no

more should be added.

12:20 For they could not endure the order which had been given, “EVEN

A WILD BEAST, IF IT TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, SHALL BE STONED

TO DEATH;”

12:21 and so terrible was the scene that Moses said, “I TREMBLE WITH

FEAR.”

12:22 On the contrary you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of

the ever-living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to countless hosts of

angels,

12:23 to the great festal gathering and Church of the first-born, whose

names are recorded in Heaven, and to a Judge who is God of all,

and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,

12:24 and to Jesus the negotiator of a new Covenant, and to the

sprinkled blood which speaks in more gracious tones than that of

Abel.

12:25 Be careful not to refuse to listen to Him who is speaking to you.

For if they of old did not escape unpunished when they refused to

listen to him who spoke on earth, much less shall we escape who

turn a deaf ear to Him who now speaks from Heaven.

12:26 His voice then shook the earth, but now we have His promise,

“YET AGAIN I WILL, ONCE FOR ALL, CAUSE NOT ONLY THE EARTH

TO TREMBLE, BUT HEAVEN ALSO.”

12:27 Here the words “Yet again, once for all” denote the removal of

the things which can be shaken — created things — in order that

the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

12:28 Therefore, receiving, as we now do, a kingdom which cannot be

shaken, let us cherish thankfulness so that we may ever offer to

God an acceptable service, with godly reverence and awe.

12:29

For our God is also a consuming fire.

CHAPTER 13

13:1

Let brotherly love always continue.

13:2

Do not neglect to show kindness to strangers; for, in this way,

some, without knowing it, have had angels as their guests.

13:3

Remember prisoners, as if you were in prison with them; and

remember those suffering ill-treatment, for you yourselves also are

still in the body.

13:4

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed

be unpolluted; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

13:5

Your lives should be untainted by love for money. Be content

with what you have; for God Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER,

NEVER LET GO YOUR HAND: I WILL NEVER NEVER FORSAKE YOU.”

13:6

So that we fearlessly say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT

BE AFRAID: WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?”

13:7

Remember your former leaders — it was they who brought you

God’s Message. Bear in mind how they ended their lives, and

imitate their faith.

13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day — yes, and to the

ages to come.

13:9

Do not be drawn aside by all sorts of strange teaching; for it is

well to have the heart made stedfast through God’s grace, and not

by special kinds of food, from which those who scrupulously

attend to them have derived no benefit.

13:10

We Christians have an altar from which the ministers of the

Jewish Tent have no right to eat.

13:11

For the bodies of those animals of which the blood is carried by

the High Priest into the Holy place as an offering for sin, are

burned outside the camp.

13:12

And for this reason Jesus also, in order, by His own blood, to set

the people free from sin, suffered outside the gate.

13:13

Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp, sharing the insults

directed against Him.

13:14

For we have no permanent city here, but we are longing for the

city which is soon to be ours.

13:15

Through Him, then, let us continually lay on the altar a sacrifice of

praise to God, namely, the utterance of lips that give thanks to His

Name.

13:16

And do not forget to be kind and liberal; for with sacrifices of that

sort God is greatly pleased.

13:17

Obey your leaders and be submissive to them. For they are

keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give

account; that they may do this with joy and not with lamentation.

For that would be of no advantage to you.

13:18

Keep on praying for us; for we are sure that we have clear

consciences, and we desire to live nobly in every respect.

13:19

I specially urge this upon you in order that I may be the more

speedily restored to you.

13:20

Now may God who gives peace, and brought Jesus, our Lord, up

again from among the dead — even Him who, by virtue of the

blood of the eternal Covenant, is the great Shepherd of the sheep

13:21

fully equip you with every grace that you may need for the doing

of His will, producing in us that which will truly please Him

through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory to the Ages of the

Ages! Amen.

13:22

Bear with me, brethren, when I thus exhort you; for, in fact, it is

but a short letter that I have written to you.

13:23

You will rejoice to hear that our brother Timothy has been set at

liberty. If he comes soon, I will see you with him.

13:24

Greet all your leaders and all God’s people. The brethren from

Italy send you greetings.

13:25

Grace be with you all! Amen.

JAMES’S LETTER

Four persons bearing the name of ‘James’ are mentioned in the New

Testament.

(1) The Apostle, the son of Zabdi.

(2) The Apostle, the son of Alphaeus.

(3) The son of Mary the wife of Clopas.

(4) The Lord’s brother, mentioned as such along with Joses, Simon and

Judah, and prominent in the Acts (12:17; 15:13; 21:18).

The last-named was also known as ‘James the Just’ and is represented by

tradition as having led an ascetic life, which ended in martyrdom. He was

undoubtedly Bishop, or President, of the Church in Jerusalem and in all

probability this Letter was written by him from that city.

There has been some difference of opinion as to the date of the book. The

majority of scholars insist that both the internal and external evidence point

to its having been written between 44 and 50 A. D., before the earliest of

Paul’s Letters. But, on the other hand, the solemn emphasis which the

author lays upon the immediateness of the Lord’s Return (5:7,8,9) may be

regarded as a moral proof of a date very much nearer the winding up of the

Mosaic dispensation in 70 A. D.

The Letter may have been a Jewish one, addressed to the Christian

converts from Judaism who were scattered abroad, within or beyond the

limits of the Roman Empire. Luther deemed it “an Epistle of straw,” by

reason of its insistence upon the vital importance of ‘works.’ But its

practical ideal assumes the same basis of Christian faith as is found in the

Letters of Paul. The opening references to severe trial seem to show that

the persecution begun by Herod Agrippa had already been repeated

elsewhere. If the later date of the book be admitted, the persecution must

then, of course, have been that under Nero.

CHAPTER 1

1:1

James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: to the

twelve tribes who are scattered over the world. All good wishes.

1:2

Reckon it nothing but joy, my brethren, whenever you find

yourselves hedged in by various trials.

1:3

Be assured that the testing of your faith leads to power of

endurance.

1:4

Only let endurance have perfect results so that you may become

perfect and complete, deficient in nothing.

1:5

And if any one of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask God for

it, who gives with open hand to all men, and without upbraiding;

and it will be given him.

1:6

But let him ask in faith and have no doubts; for he who has doubts

is like the surge of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed into

spray.

1:7

A person of that sort must not expect to receive anything from the

Lord —

1:8

such a one is a man of two minds, undecided in every step he

takes.

1:9

Let a brother in humble life rejoice when raised to a higher

position;

1:10

but a rich man should rejoice in being brought low, for like

flowers among the herbage rich men will pass away.

1:11

The sun rises with his scorching heat and dries up the herbage, so

that its flowers drop off and the beauty of its appearance perishes,

and in the same way rich men with all their prosperity will fade

away.

1:12

Blessed is he who patiently endures trials; for when he has stood

the test, he will gain the victor’s crown — even the crown of Life

— which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1:13

Let no one say when passing through trial, “My temptation is

from God;” for God is incapable of being tempted to do evil, and

He Himself tempts no one.

1:14

But when a man is tempted, it is his own passions that carry him

away and serve as a bait.

1:15

Then the passion conceives, and becomes the parent of sin; and

sin, when fully matured, gives birth to death.

1:16

Do not be deceived, my dearly-loved brethren.

1:17

Every gift which is good, and every perfect boon, is from above,

and comes down from the Father, who is the source of all Light.

In Him there is no variation nor the slightest suggestion of

change.

1:18

In accordance with His will He made us His children through the

Message of the truth, so that we might, in a sense, be the

Firstfruits of the things which He has created.

1:19

You know this, my dearly-loved brethren. But let every one be

quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to be angry.

1:20

For a man’s anger does not lead to action which God regards as

righteous.

1:21

Ridding yourselves, therefore, of all that is vile and of the evil

influences which prevail around you, welcome in a humble spirit

the Message implanted within you, which is able to save your

souls.

1:22

But prove yourselves obedient to the Message, and do not be

mere hearers of it, imposing a delusion upon yourselves.

1:23

For if any one listens but does not obey, he is like a man who

carefully looks at his own face in a mirror.

1:24

Although he has looked carefully at himself, he goes away, and

has immediately forgotten the sort of man he is.

1:25

But he who looks closely into the perfect Law — the Law of

freedom — and continues looking, he, being not a hearer who

forgets, but an obedient doer, will as the result of his obedience be

blessed.

1:26

If a man thinks that he is scrupulously religious, although he is not

curbing his tongue but is deceiving himself, his religious service is

worthless.

1:27

The religious service which is pure and stainless in the sight of our

God and Father is to visit fatherless children and widowed women

in their time of trouble, and to keep one’s own self unspotted

from the world.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

My brethren, you must not make distinctions between one man

and another while you are striving to maintain faith in the Lord

Jesus Christ, who is our glory.

2:2

For suppose a man comes into one of your meetings wearing gold

rings and fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man

wearing shabby clothes,

2:3

and you pay court to the one who wears the fine clothes, and say,

“Sit here; this is a good place;” while to the poor man you say,

“Stand there, or sit on the floor at my feet;”

2:4

is it not plain that in your hearts you have little faith, seeing that

you have become judges full of wrong thoughts?

2:5

Listen, my dearly-loved brethren. Has not God chosen those

whom the world regards as poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the

Kingdom which He has promised to those that love Him?

2:6

But you have put dishonor upon the poor man. Yet is it not the

rich who grind you down? Are not they the very people who drag

you into the Law courts? —

2:7

and the very people who speak evil of the noble Name by which

you are called?

2:8

If, however, you are keeping the Law as supreme, in obedience to

the Commandment which says “YOU ARE TO LOVE YOUR FELLOW

MAN JUST AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF,” you are acting rightly.

2:9

But if you are making distinctions between one man and another,

you are guilty of sin, and are convicted by the Law as offenders.

2:10

A man who has kept the Law as a whole, but has failed to keep

some one command, has become guilty of violating all.

2:11

For He who said, “DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “DO

NOT COMMIT MURDER,” and if you are a murderer, although not

an adulterer, you have become an offender against the Law.

2:12

Speak and act as those should who are expecting to be judged by

the Law of freedom.

2:13

For he who shows no mercy will have judgment given against him

without mercy; but mercy triumphs over judgment.

2:14

What good is it, my brethren, if a man professes to have faith, and

yet his actions do not correspond? Can such faith save him?

2:15

Suppose a Christian brother or sister is poorly clad or lacks daily

food,

2:16

and one of you says to them, “I wish you well; keep yourselves

warm and well fed,” and yet you do not give them what they

need; what is the use of that?

2:17

So also faith, if it is unaccompanied by obedience, has no life in it

— so long as it stands alone.

2:18

Nay, some one will say, “You have faith, I have actions: prove to

me your faith apart from corresponding actions and I will prove

mine to you by my actions.

2:19

You believe that God is one, and you are quite right: evil spirits

also believe this, and shudder.”

2:20

But, idle boaster, are you willing to be taught how it is that faith

apart from obedience is worthless? Take the case of Abraham our

forefather.

2:21

Was it, or was it not, because of his actions that he was declared

to be righteous as the result of his having offered up his son Isaac

upon the altar?

2:22

You notice that his faith was co-operating with his actions, and

that by his actions his faith was perfected;

2:23

and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM

BELIEVED GOD, AND HIS FAITH WAS PLACED TO HIS CREDIT AS

RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he received the name of ‘God’s friend.’

2:24

You all see that it is because of actions that a man is pronounced

righteous, and not simply because of faith.

2:25

In the same way also was not the notorious sinner Rahab declared

to be righteous because of her actions when she welcomed the

spies and hurriedly helped them to escape another way?

2:26

For just as a human body without a spirit is lifeless, so also faith is

lifeless if it is unaccompanied by obedience.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

Do not be eager, my brethren, for many among you to become

teachers; for you know that we teachers shall undergo severer

judgment.

3:2

For we often stumble and fall, all of us. If there is any one who

never stumbles in speech, that man has reached maturity of

character and is able to curb his whole nature.

3:3

Remember that we put the horses’ bit into their mouths to make

them obey us, and so we turn their whole bodies round.

3:4

So too with ships, great as they are, and often driven along by

strong gales, yet they can be steered with a very small rudder in

whichever direction the caprice of the man at the helm chooses.

3:5

In the same way the tongue is an insignificant part of the body,

but it is immensely boastful. Remember how a mere spark may set

a vast forest in flames.

3:6

And the tongue is a fire. That world of iniquity, the tongue, is

placed within us spotting and soiling our whole nature, and setting

the whole round of our lives on fire, being itself set on fire by

Gehenna.

3:7

For brute nature under all its forms — beasts and birds, reptiles

and fishes — can be subjected and kept in subjection by human

nature.

3:8

But the tongue no man or woman is able to tame. It is an ever-

busy mischief, and is full of deadly poison.

3:9

With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men,

who are made in God’s likeness.

3:10

Out of the same mouth there proceed blessing and cursing. My

brethren, this ought not to be.

3:11

In a fountain, are fresh water and bitter sent forth from the same

opening?

3:12

Can a fig-tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine yield figs? No;

and neither can salt water yield sweet.

3:13

Which of you is a wise and well-instructed man? Let him prove it

by a right life with conduct guided by a wisely teachable spirit.

3:14

But if in your hearts you have bitter feelings of envy and rivalry,

do not speak boastfully and falsely, in defiance of the truth.

3:15

That is not the wisdom which comes down from above: it belongs

to earth, to the unspiritual nature, and to evil spirits.

3:16

For where envy and rivalry are, there also are unrest and every

vile deed.

3:17

The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceful,

courteous, not self-willed, full of compassion and kind actions,

free from favoritism and from all insincerity.

3:18

And peace, for those who strive for peace, is the seed of which

the harvest is righteousness.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

What causes wars and contentions among you? Is it not the

cravings which are ever at war within you for various pleasures?

4:2

You covet things and yet cannot get them; you commit murder;

you have passionate desires and yet cannot gain your end; you

begin to fight and make war. You have not, because you do not

pray;

4:3

or you pray and yet do not receive, because you pray wrongly,

your object being to waste what you get on some pleasure or

another.

4:4

You unfaithful women, do you not know that friendship with the

world means enmity to God? Therefore whoever is bent on being

friendly with the world makes himself an enemy to God.

4:5

Or do you suppose that it is to no purpose that the Scripture says,

“The Spirit which He has caused to dwell in our hearts yearns

jealously over us”?

4:6 But He gives more abundant grace, as is implied in His saying,

“GOD SETS HIMSELF AGAINST THE HAUGHTY, BUT TO THE LOWLY

HE GIVES GRACE.”

4:7 Submit therefore to God: resist the Devil, and he will flee from

you.

4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your

hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are halfhearted

towards God.

4:9 Afflict yourselves and mourn and weep aloud; let your laughter be

turned into grief, and your gladness into shame.

4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt

you.

4:11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. The man who speaks

evil of a brother-man or judges his brother-man speaks evil of the

Law and judges the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are no

longer one who obeys the Law, but one who judges it.

4:12 The only real Lawgiver and Judge is He who is able to save or to

destroy. Who are you to sit in judgment on your fellow man?

4:13 Come, you who say, “To-day or to-morrow we will go to this or

that city, and spend a year there and carry on a successful

business,”

4:14 when, all the while, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.

For what is the nature of your life? Why, it is but a mist,

which appears for a short time and then is seen no more.

4:15 Instead of that you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we shall

live and do this or that.”

4:16 But, as the case stands, it is in mere self-confidence that you

boast: all such boasting is evil.

4:17 If, however, a man knows what it is right to do and yet does not

do it, he commits a sin.

CHAPTER 5

5:1 Come, you rich men, weep aloud and howl for your sorrows

which will soon be upon you.

5:2

Your treasures have rotted, and your piles of clothing are moth-

eaten;

5:3

your gold and your silver have become covered with rust, and the

rust on them will give evidence against you, and will eat your

flesh like fire. You have hoarded up wealth in these last days.

5:4

I tell you that the pay of the laborers who have gathered in your

crops — pay which you are keeping back — is calling out against

you; and the outcries of those who have been your reapers have

entered into the ears of the Lord of the armies of Heaven.

5:5

Here on earth you have lived self-indulgent and profligate lives.

You have stupefied yourselves with gross feeding; but a day of

slaughter has come.

5:6

You have condemned — you have murdered — the righteous

man: he offers no resistance.

5:7

Be patient therefore, brethren, until the Coming of the Lord.

Notice how eagerly a farmer waits for a valuable crop! He is

patient over it till it has received the early and the later rain.

5:8

So you also must be patient: keeping up your courage; for the

Coming of the Lord is now close at hand.

5:9

Do not cry out in condemnation of one another, brethren, lest you

come under judgment. I tell you that the Judge is standing at the

door.

5:10

In illustration, brethren, of persecution patiently endured take the

Prophets who have spoken as messengers from the Lord.

5:11

Remember that we call those blessed who endured what they did.

You have also heard of Job’s patient endurance, and have seen the

issue of the Lord’s dealings with him — how full of tenderness

and pity the Lord is.

5:12

But above all things, my brethren, do not swear, either by Heaven

or by the earth, or with any other oath. Let your ‘yes’ be simply

‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be simply ‘no;’ that you may not come under

condemnation.

5:13

Is one of you suffering? Let him pray. Is any one in good spirits?

Let him sing a psalm.

5:14 Is any one ill? Let him send for the Elders of the Church, and let

them pray over him, after anointing him with oil in the name of the

Lord.

5:15 And the prayer of faith will restore the sick man, and the Lord will

raise him up to health; and if he has committed sins, they shall be

forgiven.

5:16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one

another, so that you may be cured. The heartfelt supplication of a

righteous man exerts a mighty influence.

5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature similar to ours, and he earnestly

prayed that there might be no rain: and no rain fell on the land for

three years and six months.

5:18 Again he prayed, and the sky gave rain and the land yielded its

crops.

5:19 My brethren, if one of you strays from the truth and some one

brings him back,

5:20 let him know that he who brings a sinner back from his evil ways

will save the man’s soul from death and throw a veil over a

multitude of sins.

PETER’S FIRST LETTER

The state of things described in this Letter answers to what we find in the

first Letter to Timothy, and points to the same period. The “fiery trial”

referred to is probably the persecution which, begun by Nero, in 64 A.D.,

in order to divert attention from himself, was continued throughout the

Roman Empire.

The Letter seems to be primarily addressed to those who regarded Peter as

the Apostle to the Jews, although it is manifest that he did not think of

these alone. The fact that it is “full of Pauline thought and Pauline

language,” is accounted for by the well-grounded supposition that Peter

arrived in Rome shortly before Paul was released. So that this Letter,

probably written about 65-66 A.D., was definitely intended to set before

the Churches of Roman Asia “the inspiring vision of the two Apostles

working and planning together in the capital.”

This would be at once the clearest lesson the Churches could have

concerning their unity, and a great encouragement to those then

undergoing tribulation and persecution on behalf of Christ.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ: To God’s own people scattered

over the earth, who are living as foreigners in Pontus, Galatia,

Cappadocia, Roman Asia, and Bithynia,

1:2 chosen in accordance with the foreknowledge of God the Father,

through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, with a view to their

obedience and to their being sprinkled with the blood of Jesus

Christ. May more and more grace and peace be granted to you.

1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in

His great mercy has begotten us anew to an ever-living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1:4 to an inheritance imperishable, undefiled and unfading, which has

been reserved in Heaven for you,

1:5 whom God in His power is guarding through faith for a salvation

that even now stands ready for unveiling at the End of the Age.

1:6

Rejoice triumphantly in the prospect of this, even if now, for a

short time, you are compelled to sorrow amid various trials.

1:7

The sorrow comes in order that the testing of your faith — being

more precious than that of gold, which perishes and yet is proved

by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at

the re-appearing of Jesus Christ.

1:8

Him you love, though your eyes have never looked on Him. In

Him, though at present you cannot see Him, you nevertheless

trust, and triumph with a joy which is unspeakable and is crowned

with glory,

1:9

while you are securing as the outcome of your faith the salvation

of your souls.

1:10

There were Prophets who earnestly inquired about that salvation,

and closely searched into it — even those who spoke beforehand

of the grace which was to come to you.

1:11

They were eager to know the time which the Spirit of Christ

within them kept indicating, or the characteristics of that time,

when they solemnly made known beforehand the sufferings that

were to come upon Christ and the glories which would follow.

1:12

To them it was revealed that they were serving not themselves but

you, when they foretold the very things which have now been

openly declared to you by those who, having been taught by the

Holy Spirit which had been sent from Heaven, brought you the

Good News. Angels long to stoop and look into these things.

1:13

Therefore gird up your minds and fix your hopes calmly and

unfalteringly upon the boon that is soon to be yours, at the reappearing

of Jesus Christ.

1:14

And, since you delight in obedience, do not shape your lives by

the cravings which used to dominate you in the time of your

ignorance,

1:15

but — in imitation of the holy One who has called you — you

also must be holy in all your habits of life.

1:16

Because it stands written, “YOU ARE TO BE HOLY, BECAUSE I AM

HOLY.”

1:17

And if you address as your Father Him who judges impartially in

accordance with each man’s actions, then spend in fear the time of

your stay here on earth,

1:18

knowing, as you do, that it was not with a ransom of perishable

wealth, such as silver or gold, that you were set free from your

frivolous habits of life which had been handed down to you from

your forefathers,

1:19

but with the precious blood of Christ — as of an unblemished and

spotless lamb.

1:20

He was pre-destined indeed to this work, even before the creation

of the world, but has been plainly manifested in these last days for

the sake of you who, through Him,

1:21

are faithful to God, who raised Him from among the dead and

gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are resting upon God.

1:22

Now that, through your obedience to the truth, you have purified

your souls for cherishing sincere brotherly love, you must love

another heartily and fervently.

1:23

For you have been begotten again by God’s ever-living and

enduring word from a germ not of perishable, but of imperishable

life.

1:24

“All mankind resemble the herbage, and all their beauty is like its

flowers. The herbage dries up, and its flowers drop off;

1:25

BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD REMAINS FOR EVER.” And that

means the Message which has been proclaimed among you in the

Good News.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

Rid yourselves therefore of all ill-will and all deceitfulness, of

insincerity and envy, and of all evil speaking.

2:2

Thirst, like newly-born infants, for pure milk for the soul, that by

it you may grow up to salvation;

2:3

if you have had any experience of the goodness of the Lord.

2:4

Come to Him, the ever-living Stone, rejected indeed by men as

worthless, but in God’s esteem chosen and held in honor.

2:5

And be yourselves also like living stones that are being built up

into a spiritual house, to become a holy priesthood to offer

spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

2:6

For it is contained in Scripture, “SEE, I AM PLACING ON MOUNT

ZION A CORNERSTONE, CHOSEN, AND HELD IN HONOR, AND HE

WHOSE FAITH RESTS ON HIM SHALL NEVER HAVE REASON TO FEEL

ASHAMED.”

2:7

To you believers, therefore, that honor belongs; but for

unbelievers — “A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS

BEEN MADE THE CORNERSTONE,”

2:8

and “A STONE FOR THE FOOT TO STRIKE AGAINST, AND A ROCK TO

STUMBLE OVER.” Their foot strikes against it because they are

disobedient to God’s Message, and to this they were appointed.

2:9

But you are a chosen race, a priesthood of kingly lineage, a holy

nation, a people belonging specially to God, that you may make

known the perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into

His marvellous light.

2:10

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God.

Once you had not found mercy, but now you have.

2:11

Dear friends, I entreat you as pilgrims and foreigners not to

indulge the cravings of your lower natures: for all such cravings

wage war upon the soul.

2:12

Live honorable lives among the Gentiles, in order that, although

they now speak against you as evil-doers, they may yet witness

your good conduct, and may glorify God on the day of reward

and retribution.

2:13

Submit, for the Lord’s sake, to every authority set up by man,

whether it be to the Emperor as supreme ruler,

2:14

or to provincial Governors as sent by him for the punishment of

evil-doers and the encouragement of those who do what is right.

2:15

For it is God’s will that by doing what is right you should thus

silence the ignorant talk of foolish persons.

2:16

Be free men, and yet do not make your freedom an excuse for

base conduct, but be God’s bondservants.

2:17

Honor every one. Love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the

Emperor.

2:18

Household servants, be submissive to your masters, and show

them the utmost respect — not only if they are kind and

thoughtful, but also if they are unreasonable.

2:19

For it is an acceptable thing with God, if, from a sense of duty to

Him, a man patiently submits to wrong, when treated unjustly.

2:20

If you do wrong and receive a blow for it, what credit is there in

your bearing it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it

you bear it patiently, this is an acceptable thing with God.

2:21

And it is to this you were called; because Christ also suffered on

your behalf, leaving you an example so that you should follow in

His steps.

2:22

He never sinned, and no deceitful language was ever heard from

His mouth.

2:23

When He was reviled, He did not answer with reviling; when He

suffered He uttered no threats, but left His wrongs in the hands of

the righteous Judge.

2:24

The burden of our sins He Himself carried in His own body to the

Cross and bore it there, so that we, having died so far as our sins

are concerned, may live righteous lives. By His wounds yours

have been healed.

2:25

For you were straying like lost sheep, but now you have come

back to the Shepherd and Protector of your souls.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

Married women, in the same way, be submissive to your

husbands, so that even if some of them disbelieve the Message,

they may, apart from the Message, be won over by the daily life of

their wives, after watching your daily life —

3:2

so full of reverence, and so blameless!

3:3

Your adornment ought not to be a merely outward thing — one

of plaiting the hair, putting on jewelry, or wearing beautiful

dresses.

3:4

Instead of that, it should be a new nature within — the

imperishable ornament of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is

indeed precious in the sight of God.

3:5

For in ancient times also this was the way the holy women who

set their hopes upon God used to adorn themselves, being

submissive to their husbands.

3:6

Thus, for instance, Sarah obeyed Abraham, acknowledging his

authority over her. And you have become Sarah’s children if you

do what is right and permit nothing whatever to terrify you.

3:7

Married men, in the same way, live with your wives with a clear

recognition of the fact that they are weaker than you. Yet, since

you are heirs with them of God’s free gift of Life, treat them with

honor; so that your prayers may not be hindered.

3:8

In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to

sympathize, kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded,

3:9

not requiting evil with evil nor abuse with abuse, but, on the

contrary, giving a blessing in return, because a blessing is what

you have been called by God to inherit.

3:10

For “He who wishes to be well-satisfied with life and see happy

days — let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from

deceitful words;

3:11

Let him turn from evil, and do good; Let him inquire for peace

and go in pursuit of it.

3:12

FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE UPON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS

EARS ARE OPEN TO THEIR SUPPLICATION; BUT THE FACE OF THE

LORD IS SET AGAINST EVIL-DOERS.”

3:13

And who will be able to harm you, if you show yourselves zealous

for that which is good?

3:14

But even if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are to be

envied. So do not be alarmed by their threats, nor troubled;

3:15

but in your hearts consecrate Christ as Lord, being always ready

to make your defense to any one who asks from you a reason for

the hope which you cherish.

3:16

Yet argue modestly and cautiously, keeping your consciences free

from guilt, so that, when you are spoken against, those who

slander your good Christian lives may be put to shame.

3:17

For it is better that you should suffer for doing right, if such be

God’s will, than for doing evil;

3:18

because Christ also once for all died for sins, the innocent One for

the guilty many, in order to bring us to God. He was put to death

in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,

3:19

in which He also went and proclaimed His Message to the spirits

that were in prison,

3:20

who in ancient times had been disobedient, while God’s

longsuffering was patiently waiting in the days of Noah during the

building of the Ark, in which a few persons — eight in number —

were brought safely through the water.

3:21

And, corresponding to that figure, the water of baptism now saves

you — not the washing off of material defilement, but the craving

of a good conscience after God — through the resurrection of

Jesus Christ,

3:22

who is at God’s right hand, having gone into Heaven, angels and

authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

CHAPTER 4

4:1

Since, then, Christ has suffered in the flesh, you also must arm

yourselves with a determination to do the same — because he

who has suffered in the flesh has done with sin —

4:2

that in future you may spend the rest of your earthly lives,

governed not by human passions, but by the will of God.

4:3

For you have given time enough in the past to the doing of the

things which the Gentiles delight in — pursuing, as you did, a

course of habitual licence, debauchery, hard drinking, noisy

revelry, drunkenness and unholy image-worship.

4:4

At this they are astonished — that you do not run into the same

excess of profligacy as they do; and they speak abusively of you.

4:5

But they will have to give account to Him who stands ready to

pronounce judgment on the living and the dead.

4:6

For it is with this end in view that the Good News was proclaimed

even to some who were dead, that they may be judged, as all

mankind will be judged, in the body, but may be living a godly life

in the spirit.

4:7

But the end of all things is now close at hand: therefore be sober-

minded and temperate, so that you may give yourselves to prayer.

4:8

Above all continue to love one another fervently, for love throws

a veil over a multitude of faults.

4:9

Extend ungrudging hospitality towards one another.

4:10

Whatever be the gifts which each has received, you must use them

for one another’s benefit, as good stewards of God’s many-sided

kindness.

4:11

If any one preaches, let it be as uttering God’s truth; if any one

renders a service to others, let it be in the strength which God

supplies; so that in everything glory may be given to God in the

name of Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the might to

the Ages of the Ages. Amen.

4:12

Dear friends, do not be surprised at finding that that scorching

flame of persecution is raging among you to put you to the test —

as though some surprising thing were accidentally happening to

you.

4:13

On the contrary, in the degree that you share in the sufferings of

the Christ, rejoice, so that at the unveiling of His glory you may

also rejoice with triumphant gladness.

4:14

You are to be envied, if you are being reproached for bearing the

name of Christ; for in that case the Spirit of glory — even the

Spirit of God — is resting upon you.

4:15

But let not one of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer,

or as a spy upon other people’s business.

4:16

If, however, any one suffers because he is a Christian, let him not

be ashamed, but let him glorify God for being permitted to bear

that name.

4:17

For the time has come for judgment to begin, and to begin at the

house of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of

those who reject God’s Good News?

4:18

And if it is difficult even for a righteous man to be saved, what

will become of irreligious men and sinners?

4:19

Therefore also, let those who are suffering in accordance with the

will of God entrust their souls in well-doing to a faithful Creator.

CHAPTER 5

5:1

So I exhort the Elders among you — I who am their fellow Elder

and have been an eye-witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and

am also a sharer in the glory which is soon to be revealed.

5:2

Be shepherds of God’s flock which is among you. Exercise the

oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will

of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds;

5:3

not lording it over your Churches but proving yourselves patterns

for the flock to imitate.

5:4

And then, when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the

never-withering wreath of glory.

5:5

In the same way you younger men must submit to your elders;

and all of you must gird yourselves with humility towards one

another, for God sets Himself against the proud, but gives grace

to the humble.

5:6

Humble yourselves therefore beneath the mighty hand of God, so

that at the right time He may set you on high.

5:7

Throw the whole of your anxiety upon Him, because He Himself

cares for you.

5:8

Curb every passion, and be on the alert. Your great accuser, the

Devil, is going about like a roaring lion to see whom he can

devour.

5:9

Withstand him, firm in your faith; knowing that your brethren in

other parts of the world are passing through just the same

experiences.

5:10

And God, the giver of all grace, who has called you to share His

eternal glory, through Christ, after you have suffered for a short

time, will Himself make you perfect, firm, and strong.

5:11

To Him be all power unto the Ages of the Ages! Amen.

5:12

I send this short letter by Silas, our faithful brother — for such I

regard him — in order to encourage you, and to bear witness that

what I have told you is the true grace of God. In it stand fast.

5:13

The Church in Babylon, chosen like yourselves by God, sends

greetings, and so does Mark my son.

5:14

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with all of you

who are in Christ.

PETER’S SECOND LETTER

It is impossible to speak with any certainty as to either the date or the

authorship of this Letter. From the beginning there have been doubts as to

its genuineness and canonicity, and these are represented to-day in the

differing judgments of critics equally able and sincere.

It has, however, unquestionably had a place in the canon of the New

Testament since the Council of Laodicea in 372 A.D., and there is certainly

no such decisive evidence against it as to warrant our omitting it from the

New Testament.

It would appear that the writer, whoever he was, had seen the Letter from

Jude, and bore it in mind in this his plea for such character and conduct on

the part of believers as were worthy of their faith and would prepare them

for the Coming of the Lord. The whole Letter constitutes an earnest appeal

for practical holiness.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and Apostle of Jesus Christ: To those

to whom there has been allotted the same precious faith as that

which is ours through the righteousness of our God and of our

Savior Jesus Christ.

1:2 May more and more grace and peace be granted to you in a full

knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

1:3 seeing that His divine power has given us all things that are

needful for life and godliness, through our knowledge of Him who

has appealed to us by His own glorious perfections.

1:4 It is by means of these that He has granted us His precious and

wondrous promises, in order that through them you may, one and

all, become sharers in the very nature of God, having completely

escaped the corruption which exists in the world through earthly

cravings.

1:5 But for this very reason — adding, on your part, all earnestness

— along with your faith, manifest also a noble character: along

with a noble character, knowledge;

1:6

along with knowledge, self-control; along with self-control,

power of endurance;

1:7

along with power of endurance, godliness; along with godliness,

brotherly affection; and along with brotherly affection, love.

1:8

If these things exist in you, and continually increase, they prevent

your being either idle or unfruitful in advancing towards a full

knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1:9

For the man in whom they are lacking is blind and cannot see

distant objects, in that he has forgotten that he has been cleansed

from his old sins.

1:10

For this reason, brethren, be all the more in earnest to make sure

that God has called you and chosen you; for it is certain that so

long as you practise these things, you will never stumble.

1:11

And so a triumphant admission into the eternal Kingdom of our

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be freely granted to you.

1:12

For this reason I shall always persist in reminding you of these

things, although you know them and are stedfast believers in truth

which you already possess.

1:13

But I think it right, so long as I remain in the body, my present

dwelling-place, to arouse you by such reminders.

1:14

For I know that the time for me to lay aside my body is now

rapidly drawing near, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed

to me.

1:15

So on every possible occasion I will also do my best to enable you

to recall these things after my departure.

1:16

For when we made known to you the power and Coming of our

Lord Jesus Christ, we were not eagerly following cleverly devised

legends, but we had been eye-witnesses of His majesty.

1:17

He received honor and glory from God the Father, and out of the

wondrous glory words such as these were spoken to Him, “This is

My dearly-loved Son, in whom I take delight.”

1:18

And we ourselves heard these words come from Heaven, when

we were with Him on the holy mountain.

1:19

And in the written word of prophecy we have something more

permanent; to which you do well to pay attention — as to a lamp

shining in a dimly-lighted place — until day dawns and the

morning star rises in your hearts.

1:20

But, above all, remember that no prophecy in Scripture will be

found to have come from the prophet’s own prompting;

1:21

for never did any prophecy come by human will, but men sent by

God spoke as they were impelled by the Holy Spirit.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

But there were also false prophets among the people, as there will

be teachers of falsehood among you also, who will cunningly

introduce fatal divisions, disowning even the Sovereign Lord who

has redeemed them, and bringing on themselves swift destruction.

2:2

And in their immoral ways they will have many eager disciples,

through whom religion will be brought into disrepute.

2:3

Thirsting for riches, they will trade on you with their canting talk.

From of old their judgment has been working itself out, and their

destruction has not been slumbering.

2:4

For God did not spare angels when they had sinned, but hurling

them down to Tartarus consigned them to caves of darkness,

keeping them in readiness for judgment.

2:5

And He did not spare the ancient world, although He preserved

Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when He

brought a deluge on the world of the ungodly.

2:6

He reduced to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and

condemned them to overthrow, making them an example to

people who might in future be living godless lives.

2:7

But when righteous Lot was sore distressed by the gross

misconduct of immoral men He rescued him.

2:8

(For their lawless deeds were torture, day after day, to the pure

soul of that righteous man — all that he saw and heard whilst

living in their midst.)

2:9

Since all this is so, the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from

temptation, and on the other hand how to keep the unrighteous

under punishment in readiness for the Day of Judgment,

2:10

and especially those who are abandoned to sensuality — craving,

as they do, for polluted things, and scorning control. Fool-hardy

and self-willed, they do not tremble when speaking evil of

glorious beings;

2:11

while angels, though greater than they in might and power, do not

bring any insulting accusation against such in the presence of the

Lord.

2:12

But these men, like brute beasts, created (with their natural

instincts) only to be captured or destroyed, are abusive in matters

of which they are ignorant, and in their corruption will perish,

2:13

being doomed to receive a requital for their guilt. They reckon it

pleasure to feast daintily in broad daylight. They are spots and

blemishes, while feeding luxuriously at their love-feasts, and

banqueting with you.

2:14

Their very eyes are full of adultery — being eyes which never

cease from sin. These men set traps to catch unstedfast souls,

their own hearts being well trained in greed. They are foredoomed

to God’s curse!

2:15

Forsaking the straight road, they have gone astray, having eagerly

followed in the steps of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was bent

on securing the wages of unrighteousness.

2:16

But he was rebuked for his transgression: a dumb ass spoke with

a human voice and checked the madness of the Prophet.

2:17

These people are wells without water, mists driven along by a

storm, men for whom the dense darkness has been reserved.

2:18

For, while they pour out their frivolous and arrogant talk, they use

earthly cravings — every kind of immorality — as a bait to entrap

men who are just escaping from the influence of those who live in

error.

2:19

And they promise them freedom, although they are themselves the

slaves of what is corrupt. For a man is the slave of any one by

whom he has been worsted in fight.

2:20

For if, after escaping from the pollutions of the world through a

full knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, people are

once more entangled in these pollutions and are overcome, their

last state has become worse than their first.

2:21

For it would have been better for them not to have fully known

the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back

from the holy commandments in which they were instructed.

2:22

Their case is that described in the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS

TO WHAT HE HAS VOMITED,” and also in the other proverb, “The

sow has washed itself and now goes back to roll in its filth.”

CHAPTER 3

3:1

This letter which I am now writing to you, dear friends, is my

second letter. In both my letters I seek to revive in your honest

minds the memory of certain things,

3:2

so that you may recall the words spoken long ago by the holy

Prophets, and the commandments of our Lord and Savior given

you through your Apostles.

3:3

But, above all, remember that, in the last days, men will come

who make a mock at everything — men governed only by their

own passions,

3:4

and, asking, “What has become of His promised Return? For from

the time our forefathers fell asleep all things continue as they have

been ever since the creation of the world.”

3:5

For they are wilfully blind to the fact that there were heavens

which existed of old, and an earth, the latter arising out of water

and extending continuously through water, by the command of

God;

3:6

and that, by means of these, the then existing race of men was

overwhelmed with water and perished.

3:7

But the present heavens and the present earth are, by the

command of the same God, kept stored up, reserved for fire in

preparation for a day of judgment and of destruction for the

ungodly.

3:8

But there is one thing, dear friends, which you must not forget.

With the Lord one day resembles a thousand years and a thousand

years resemble one day.

3:9

The Lord is not slow in fulfilling His promise, in the sense in

which some men speak of slowness. But He bears patiently with

you, His desire being that no one should perish but that all should

come to repentance.

3:10

The day of the Lord will come like a thief — it will be a day on

which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, the

elements be destroyed in the fierce heat, and the earth and all the

works of man be utterly burnt up.

3:11

Since all these things are thus pre-destined to dissolution, what

sort of men ought you to be found to be in all holy living and

godly conduct,

3:12

eagerly looking forward to the coming of the day of God, by

reason of which the heavens, all ablaze, will be destroyed, and the

elements will melt in the fierce heat?

3:13

But in accordance with His promise we are expecting new

heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness will dwell.

3:14

Therefore, dear friends, since you have these expectations,

earnestly seek to be found in His presence, free from blemish or

reproach, in peace.

3:15

And always regard the patient forbearance of our Lord as

salvation, as our dear brother Paul also has written to you in

virtue of the wisdom granted to him.

3:16

That is what he says in all his letters, when speaking in them of

these things. In those letters there are some statements hard to

understand, which ill-taught and unprincipled people pervert, just

as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own ruin.

3:17

You, therefore, dear friends, having been warned beforehand,

must continually be on your guard so as not to be led astray by

the false teaching of immoral men nor fall from your own

stedfastness.

3:18

But be always growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be all glory, both now and to the

day of Eternity!

JOHN’S FIRST LETTER

That this Letter was the actual work of the Apostle John, the son of Zabdi,

has been abundantly testified from the very earliest times.

Some modern critics have doubted it, on the ground of internal evidence.

But a calm survey of the whole case does not bear out their objections. Dr.

Salmon well says that no explanation of the origin of the Epistle fits the

facts so well as the one which has always prevailed. It seems to have been

addressed to the Church at large, with perhaps special reference to the

Churches in Roman Asia.

The connection between this Letter and the fourth Gospel is “intimate and

organic. The Gospel is objective and the Epistle subjective. The Gospel

suggests principles of conduct which the Epistle lays down explicitly. The

Epistle implies facts which the Gospel states as historically true.”

This Letter appears to have been written from Ephesus, and critics have

usually assigned 95 A. D., or some other year equally late in the

Apostolic age, as the probable date of its composition. On the

other hand the internal evidence points to a date immediately

preceding the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. See 2:8 (last

clause); 2:18; 4:3; and note the expectation of a speedy Coming

of Christ (2:28; 3:2) — an expectation which seems almost to

have ceased in the early Church after that date.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have listened to,

which we have seen with our own eyes, and our own hands have

handled concerning the Word of Life —

1:2 the Life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness, and

we declare unto you the Life of the Ages which was with the

Father and was manifested to us —

1:3 that which we have seen and listened to we now announce to you

also, in order that you also may have fellowship in it with us, and

this fellowship with us is fellowship with the Father and with His

Son Jesus Christ.

1:4

And we write these things in order that our joy may be made

complete.

1:5

This is the Message which we have heard from the Lord Jesus and

now deliver to you — God is Light, and in Him there is no

darkness.

1:6

If, while we are living in darkness, we profess to have fellowship

with Him, we speak falsely and are not adhering to the truth.

1:7

But if we live in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship

with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us

from all sin.

1:8

If we claim to be already free from sin, we lead ourselves astray

and the truth has no place in our hearts.

1:9

If we confess our sins, He is so faithful and just that He forgives

us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

1:10

If we deny that we have sinned, we make Him a liar, and His

Message has no place in our hearts.

CHAPTER 2

2:1

Dear children, I write thus to you in order that you may not sin. If

any one sins, we have an Advocate with the Father — Jesus

Christ the righteous;

2:2

and He is an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only,

but also for the sins of the whole world.

2:3

And by this we may know that we know Him — if we obey His

commands.

2:4

He who professes to know Him, and yet does not obey His

commands, is a liar, and the truth has no place in his heart.

2:5

But whoever obeys His Message, in him love for God has in very

deed reached perfection. By this we can know that we are in Him.

2:6

The man who professes to be continuing in Him is himself also

bound to live as He lived.

2:7

My dearly-loved friends, it is no new command that I am now

giving you, but an old command which you have had from the

very beginning. By the old command I mean the teaching which

you have already received.

2:8

And yet I am giving you a new command, for such it really is, so

far as both He and you are concerned: because the darkness is

now passing away and the light, the true light, is already beginning

to shine.

2:9

Any one who professes to be in the light and yet hates his brother

man is still in darkness.

2:10

He who loves his brother man continues in the light, and his life

puts no stumbling-block in the way of others.

2:11

But he who hates his brother man is in darkness and is walking in

darkness; and he does not know where he is going — because the

darkness has blinded his eyes.

2:12

I am writing to you, dear children, because for His sake your sins

are forgiven you.

2:13

I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has

existed from the very beginning. I am writing to you, young men,

because you have overcome the Evil one. I have written to you,

children, because you know the Father.

2:14

I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has

existed from the very beginning. I have written to you, young

men, because you are strong and God’s Message still has a place

in your hearts, and you have overcome the Evil one.

2:15

Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If any one

loves the world, there is no love in his heart for the Father.

2:16

For the things in the world — the cravings of the earthly nature,

the cravings of the eyes, the show and pride of life — they all

come, not from the Father, but from the world.

2:17

And the world, with its cravings, is passing away, but he who

does God’s will continues for ever.

2:18

Dear children, the last hour has come; and as you once heard that

there was to be an anti-Christ, so even now many anti-Christs

have appeared. By this we may know that the last hour has come.

2:19

They have gone forth from our midst, but they did not really

belong to us; for had they belonged to us, they would have

remained with us. But they left us that it might be manifest that

professed believers do not all belong to us.

2:20

As for you, you have an anointing from the holy One and have

perfect knowledge.

2:21

I have written to you, not because you are ignorant of the truth,

but because you know it, and you know that nothing false comes

from the truth.

2:22

Who is a liar compared with him who denies that Jesus is the

Christ? He who disowns the Father and the Son is the anti-Christ.

2:23

No one who disowns the Son has the Father. He who

acknowledges the Son has also the Father.

2:24

As for you, let the teaching which you have received from the

very beginning continue in your hearts. If that teaching does

continue in your hearts, you also will continue to be in union with

the Son and with the Father.

2:25

And this is the promise which He Himself has given us — the Life

of the Ages.

2:26

I have thus written to you concerning those who are leading you

astray.

2:27

And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him

remains within you, and there is no need for any one to teach you.

But since His anointing gives you instruction in all things — and

is true and is no falsehood — you are continuing in union with

Him even as it has taught you to do.

2:28

And now, dear children, continue in union with Him; so that, if He

re-appears, we may have perfect confidence, and may not shrink

away in shame from His presence at His Coming.

2:29

Since you know that He is righteous, be assured also that the man

who habitually acts righteously is a child of His.

CHAPTER 3

3:1

See what marvellous love the Father has bestowed upon us —

that we should be called God’s children: and that is what we are.

For this reason the world does not recognize us — because it has

not known Him.

3:2 Dear friends, we are now God’s children, but what we are to be in

the future has not yet been fully revealed. We know that if Christ

reappears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.

3:3 And every man who has this hope fixed on Him, purifies himself

so as to be as pure as He is.

3:4 Every one who is guilty of sin is also guilty of violating Law; for

sin is the violation of Law.

3:5 And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in

Him there is no sin.

3:6 No one who continues in union with Him lives in sin: no one who

lives in sin has seen Him or knows Him.

3:7 Dear children, let no one lead you astray. The man who acts

righteously is righteous, just as He is righteous.

3:8 He who is habitually guilty of sin is a child of the Devil, because

the Devil has been a sinner from the very beginning. The Son of

God appeared for the purpose of undoing the work of the Devil.

3:9 No one who is a child of God is habitually guilty of sin. A God-

given germ of life remains in him, and he cannot habitually sin —

because he is a child of God.

3:10 By this we can distinguish God’s children and the Devil’s

children: no one who fails to act righteously is a child of God, nor

he who does not love his brother man.

3:11 For this is the Message you have heard from the beginning — that

we are to love one another.

3:12 We are not to resemble Cain, who was a child of the Evil one and

killed his own brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own

actions were wicked and his brother’s actions righteous.

3:13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.

3:14 As for us, we know that we have already passed out of death into

Life — because we love our brother men. He who is destitute of

love continues dead.

3:15 Every one who hates his brother man is a murderer; and you

know that no murderer has the Life of the Ages continuing in him.

3:16 We know what love is — through Christ’s having laid down His

life on our behalf; and in the same way we ought to lay down our

lives for our brother men.

3:17 But if any one has this world’s wealth and sees that his brother

man is in need, and yet hardens his heart against him — how can

such a one continue to love God?

3:18 Dear children, let us not love in words only nor with the lips, but

in deed and in truth.

3:19 And in this way we shall come to know that we are loyal to the

truth, and shall satisfy our consciences in His presence

3:20 in whatever matters our hearts condemn us — because God is

greater than our hearts and knows everything.

3:21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have perfect

confidence towards God;

3:22 and whatever we ask for we obtain from Him, because we obey

His commands and do the things which are pleasing in His sight.

3:23 And this is His command — that we are to believe in His Son

Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us

to do.

3:24 The man who obeys His commands continues in union with God,

and God continues in union with him; and through His Spirit

whom He has given us we can know that He continues in union

with us.

CHAPTER 4

4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but put the spirits to the

test to see whether they are from God; for many false teachers

have gone out into the world.

4:2 The test by which you may recognize the Spirit of God is that

every spirit which acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come as

man is from God,

4:3 and that no spirit is from God which does not acknowledge this

about Jesus. Such is the spirit of the anti-Christ; of whose coming

you have heard, and it is already in the world.

4:4 As for you, dear children, you are God’s children, and have

successfully resisted them; for greater is He who is in you than he

who is in the world.

4:5 They are the world’s children, and so their language is that of the

world, and the world listens to them. We are God’s children.

4:6 The man who is beginning to know God listens to us, but he who

is not a child of God does not listen to us. By this test we can

distinguish the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error.

4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another; for love has its origin in

God, and every one who loves has become a child of God and is

beginning to know God.

4:8 He who is destitute of love has never had any knowledge of God;

because God is love.

4:9 God’s love for us has been manifested in that He has sent His only

Son into the world so that we may have Life through Him.

4:10 This is love indeed — we did not love God, but He loved us and

sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

4:11 Dear friends, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one

another.

4:12 No one has ever yet seen God. If we love one another, God

continues in union with us, and His love in all its perfection is in

our hearts.

4:13 We can know that we are continuing in union with Him and that

He is continuing in union with us, by the fact that He has given us

a portion of His Spirit.

4:14 And we have seen and bear witness that the Father has sent the

Son to be the Savior of the world.

4:15 Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God — God

continues in union with him, and he continues in union with God.

4:16 And, as for us, we know the love which God has for us, and we

confide in it. God is love, and he who continues to love continues

in union with God, and God continues in union with him.

4:17 Our love will be manifested in all its perfection by our having

complete confidence on the day of the Judgment; because just

what He is, we also are in the world.

4:18 Love has in it no element of fear; but perfect love drives away

fear, because fear involves pain, and if a man gives way to fear,

there is something imperfect in his love.

4:19 We love because God first loved us.

4:20 If any one says that he loves God, while he hates his brother man,

he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother man whom he has

seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

4:21 And the command which we have from Him is that he who loves

God must love his brother man also.

CHAPTER 5

5:1 Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God;

and every one who loves the Father loves also Him who is the

Father’s Child.

5:2 The fact that we love God Himself, and obey His commands, is a

proof that we love God’s children.

5:3 Love for God means obedience to His commands; and His

commands are not irksome.

5:4 For every child of God overcomes the world; and the victorious

principle which has overcome the world is our faith.

5:5 Who but the man that believes that Jesus is the Son of God

overcomes the world?

5:6 Jesus Christ is He who came with water and blood; not with the

water only, but with the water and with the blood. And it is the

Spirit who gives testimony — because the Spirit is the Truth.

5:7 For there are three that give testimony — the Spirit, the water,

and the blood;

5:8 and there is complete agreement between these three.

5:9 If we accept the testimony of men, God’s testimony is greater: for

God’s testimony consists of the things which He has testified

about His Son.

5:10 He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in his own

heart: he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, in that

he has refused to accept the testimony which God has given about

His Son.

5:11 And that testimony is to the effect that God has given us the Life

of the Ages, and that this Life is in His Son.

5:12 He who has the Son has the Life: he who has not the Son of God

has not the Life.

5:13 I write all this to you in order that you who believe in the Son of

God may know for certain that you already have the Life of the

Ages.

5:14 And we have an assured confidence that whenever we ask

anything in accordance with His will, He listens to us.

5:15 And since we know that He listens to us, then whatever we ask,

we know that we have the things which we have asked from Him.

5:16 If any one sees a brother man committing a sin which is not unto

death, he shall ask and God shall give him life — for those who

do not sin unto death. There is such a thing as sin unto death; for

that I do not bid him make request.

5:17 Any kind of wrongdoing is sin; but there is sin which is not unto

death.

5:18 We know that no one who is a child of God lives in sin, but He

who is God’s Child keeps him, and the Evil one cannot touch him.

5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world

lies in the power of the Evil one.

5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us

understanding so that we know the true One, and are in union

with the true One — that is, we are in union with His Son Jesus

Christ. He is the true God and the Life of the Ages.

5:21 Dear children, guard yourselves from idols.

JOHN’S SECOND LETTER

Although we are unable to fix the exact date of this Letter or the place at

which it was written, there is sufficient evidence, both external and internal,

to warrant our acceptance of it as a genuine work of the Apostle John.

Some have thought that the “lady” addressed stands for an unknown

Church, but upon careful consideration it appears more reasonable and

natural to regard the Letter as having been a private one. It is impossible to

discover the name of the individual to whom it was sent, but both this and

the following Letter may be taken as “precious specimens of the private

correspondence of the beloved Apostle.”

CHAPTER 1

1:1 The Elder to the elect lady and her children. Truly I love you all,

and not I alone, but also all who know the truth,

1:2 for the sake of the truth which is continually in our hearts and will

be with us for ever.

1:3 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us from God the Father, and

from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

1:4 It is an intense joy to me to have found some of your children

living true Christian lives, in obedience to the command which we

have received from the Father.

1:5 And now, dear lady, I pray you — writing to you, as I do, not a

new command, but the one which we have had from the very

beginning — let us love one another.

1:6 The love of which I am speaking consists in our living in

obedience to God’s commands. God’s command is that you

should live in obedience to what you all heard from the very

beginning.

1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world — men who do

not acknowledge Jesus as Christ who has come in human nature.

Such a one is ‘the deceiver’ and ‘the anti-Christ.’

1:8

Keep guard over yourselves, so that you may not lose the results

of your good deeds, but may receive back a full reward.

1:9

No one has God, who instead of remaining true to the teaching of

Christ, presses on in advance: but he who remains true to that

teaching has both the Father and the Son.

1:10

If any one who comes to you does not bring this teaching, do not

receive him under your roof nor bid him Farewell.

1:11

He who bids him Farewell is a sharer in his evil deeds.

1:12

I have a great deal to say to you all, but will not write it with

paper and ink. Yet I hope to come to see you and speak face to

face, so that your happiness may be complete.

1:13

The children of your elect sister send greetings to you.

JOHN’S THIRD LETTER

There can be no doubt that this Letter was addressed to an individual

person. We cannot affix to it a definite date, or place, but the most natural

supposition — which there is nothing to contradict — is that it came from

the Apostle in Ephesus, about the same time as the preceding Letter.

The special mention of Diotrephes and his behaviour points indeed to a

somewhat advanced development in the Church to which Galus belonged,

but such characters are all too possible at any juncture to afford in this

instance any guarantee of a later date.

In this, as in the preceding Letters, the writer’s great concern is that

transcendental truth should be embodied in practical holiness.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 The Elder to his dear friend Gaius. Truly I love you.

1:2 My dear friend, I pray that you may in all respects prosper and

enjoy good health, just as your soul already prospers.

1:3 For it is an intense joy to me when brethren come and bear

witness to your fidelity to the truth — that you live in obedience

to the truth.

1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are living in

obedience to the truth.

1:5 My dear friend, you are acting faithfully in all your behaviour

towards the brethren, even when they are strangers to you.

1:6 They have testified, in the presence of the Church, to your love;

and you will do well to help them on their journey in a manner

worthy of your fellowship with God.

1:7 For it is for Christ that they have gone forth, accepting nothing

from the Gentiles.

1:8 It is therefore our duty to show hospitality to such men, so that

we may be fellow workers in promoting the truth.

1:9

I wrote to the Church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first

place among them, refuses to listen to us.

1:10

For this reason, if I come, I shall not forget his conduct, nor his

idle and mischievous talk against us. And he does not stop there:

he not only will not receive the brethren, but those who desire to

do this he hinders, and excludes them from the Church.

1:11

My dear friend, do not follow wrong examples, but right ones. He

who habitually does what is right is a child of God: he who

habitually does what is wrong has not seen God.

1:12

The character of Demetrius has the approval of all men, and of the

truth itself. We also express our approval of it, and you know that

we only give our approval to that which is true.

1:13

I have a great deal to say to you, but I do not wish to go on

writing it with ink and pen.

1:14

But I hope to see you very soon, and then we will speak face to

face. Peace be with you. Our friends send greetings to you. Greet

our friends individually.

JUDE’S LETTER

Of the time and place of the composition of this Letter we know nothing

beyond what may be inferred from its contents. These seem to show that it

was written in Palestine, and the absence of any reference to so striking an

event as the destruction of Jerusalem points to a date earlier than 70 A. D.

It has, however, been thought that such a rebuke of error and

licentiousness as that which this Letter contains can only apply to the forms

of Gnosticism known to have existed in the first quarter of the second

century. But there is no reason to doubt that the author was the man he

asserts he was, the brother of James, the head of the Church in Jerusalem.

He was, therefore, not an Apostle but one of the Lord’s brothers.

The abiding value of the Letter consists in its severe condemnation of

merely professional Christianity, and its remarkably beautiful doxology.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James: To

those who are in God the Father, enfolded in His love, and kept

for Jesus Christ, and called.

1:2 May mercy, peace and love be abundantly granted to you.

1:3 Dear friends, since I am eager to begin a letter to you on the

subject of our common salvation, I find myself constrained to

write and cheer you on to the vigorous defense of the faith

delivered once for all to God’s people.

1:4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed — men spoken of in

ancient writings as pre-destined to this condemnation — ungodly

men, who pervert the grace of our God into an excuse for

immorality, and disown Jesus Christ, our only Sovereign and

Lord.

1:5 I desire to remind you — although the whole matter is already

familiar to you — that the Lord saved a people out of the land of

Egypt, but afterwards destroyed those who had no faith.

1:6

And angels — those who did not keep the position originally

assigned to them, but deserted their own proper abode — He

reserves in everlasting bonds, in darkness, in preparation for the

judgment of the great day.

1:7

So also Sodom and Gomorrah — and the neighboring towns in

the same manner — having been guilty of gross fornication and

having gone astray in pursuit of unnatural vice, are now before us

as a specimen of the fire of the Ages in the punishment which they

are undergoing.

1:8

Yet in just the same way these dreamers also pollute the body,

while they set authority at naught and speak evil of dignities.

1:9

But Michael the Archangel, when contending with the Devil and

arguing with him about the body of Moses, did not dare to

pronounce judgment on him in abusive terms, but simply said,

“The Lord rebuke you.”

1:10

Yet these men are abusive in matters of which they know nothing,

and in things which, like the brutes, they understand instinctively

— in all these they corrupt themselves.

1:11

Alas for them; for they have followed in the steps of Cain; for the

sake of gain they have rushed on headlong in the evil ways of

Balaam; and have perished in rebellion like that of Korah!

1:12

These men — sunken rocks! — are those who share the pleasure

of your love-feasts, unrestrained by fear while caring only for

themselves; clouds without water, driven away by the winds; trees

that cast their fruit, barren, doubly dead, uprooted;

1:13

wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering

stars, for whom is reserved dense darkness of age-long duration.

1:14

It was also about these that Enoch, who belonged to the seventh

generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “The Lord has come,

attended by myriads of His people, to execute judgment upon all,

1:15

and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly deeds which in

their ungodliness they have committed, and of all the hard words

which they, ungodly sinners as they are, have spoken against

Him.”

1:16

These men are murmurers, ever bemoaning their lot. Their lives

are guided by their evil passions, and their mouths are full of big,

boastful words, while they treat individual men with admiring

reverence for the sake of the advantage they can gain.

1:17

But as for you, my dearly-loved friends, remember the words that

before now were spoken by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ

1:18

how they declared to you, “In the last times there shall be

scoffers, obeying only their own ungodly passions.”

1:19

These are those who cause divisions. They are men of the world,

wholly unspiritual.

1:20

But you, my dearly-loved friends, building yourselves up on the

basis of your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

1:21

must keep yourselves safe in the love of God, waiting for the

mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which will result in the Life of the

Ages.

1:22

Some, when they argue with you, you must endeavor to convince;

1:23

others you must try to save, as brands plucked from the flames;

and on others look with pity mingled with fear, while you hate

every trace of their sin.

1:24

But to Him who is able to keep you safe from stumbling, and

cause you to stand in the presence of His glory free from blemish

and full of exultant joy —

1:25

to the only God our Savior — through Jesus Christ our Lord, be

ascribed glory, majesty, might, and authority, as it was before all

time, is now, and shall be to all the Ages! Amen.

THE REVELATION

OF JOHN

The Apocalypse was written either in 67, or in 96, A.D. An oft-quoted

statement of Irenaeus that it, or its author — there is no word inserted to

indicate which of the two he meant — “was seen” about the end of the

reign of Domitian, is regarded by many as a conclusive proof of the later

date. On the other hand, the “internal evidence” — the evidence, that is,

furnished by the contents of the book itself — appears to point even more

unmistakably to the earlier date. E.g-., in 11:1,2,8, the Holy City and the

earthly Temple are spoken of as being still in existence, and as about to be

trodden under foot by the Gentiles.

The language of the book has also a bearing upon the problem of its date.

Although other explanations have been suggested, the many Hebrew

idioms that it contains as compared with the much purer Greek of the

fourth Gospel — which was probably by the same author — seem to

indicate that it was written long before that Gospel, at a time when the

Apostle had as yet only an imperfect acquaintance with the Greek

language.

Dr. Stuart Russell, in his work The Parousia, has contended for the belief

that the fall of Jerusalem and Judaism in 70 A.D. marked a stupendous

epoch in the unseen world, a personal — although unrecorded — return of

the Savior to the earth then taking place (cp. Acts 7:55; 9:7; 1 Corinthians

9:1), accompanied by a spiritual judgment of bygone generations, a

resurrection from Hades to Heaven of the faithful of past ages, and an

ingathering of saints then on earth into the Father’s House of many

mansions (Matthew 24:31; John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2

Thessalonians 2:1).

If this belief ever obtains general acceptance the earlier date of the

Apocalypse will also be regarded as fully established. For it will then be

seen that the book describes beforehand events which took place in 70

A.D. and the years immediately preceding, partly on earth and partly in the

spiritual world, and is mainly concerned with the downfall of the earthly

Jerusalem and the setting up of Christ’s heavenly Kingdom — the new

Jerusalem. And its many mysterious symbols will be seen to have been a

cipher of which the first Christians held the key, but which hid its meaning

from their enemies.

Many scholars, however, regard the book as a document of Nero’s time

carefully incorporated in one written about 90 A.D.: “a Jewish Apocalypse

in a Christian framework;” both perhaps being by the same author. —

EDITOR.

CHAPTER 1

1:1 The revelation given by Jesus Christ, which God granted Him,

that He might make known to His servants certain events which

must shortly come to pass: and He sent His angel and

communicated it to His servant John.

1:2 This is the John who taught the truth concerning the Word of God

and the truth told us by Jesus Christ — a faithful account of what

he had seen.

1:3 Blessed is he who reads and blessed are those who listen to the

words of this prophecy and lay to heart what is written in it; for

the time for its fulfillment is now close at hand.

1:4 John sends greetings to the seven Churches in the province of

Asia. May grace be granted to you, and peace, from Him who is

and was and evermore will be; and from the seven Spirits which

are before His throne;

1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the truthful witness, the first of the dead to

be born to Life, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him

who loves us and has freed us from our sins with His own blood,

1:6 and has formed us into a Kingdom, to be priests to God, His

Father — to Him be ascribed the glory and the power until the

Ages of the Ages. Amen.

1:7 He is coming in the clouds, and every eye will see Him, and so

will those who pierced Him; and all the nations of the earth will

gaze on Him and mourn. Even so. Amen.

1:8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “He who is

and was and evermore will be — the Ruler of all.”

1:9

I John, your brother, and a sharer with you in the sorrows and

Kingship and patient endurance of Jesus, found myself in the

island of Patmos, on account of the Word of God and the truth

told us by Jesus.

1:10

In the Spirit I found myself present on the day of the Lord, and I

heard behind me a loud voice which resembled the blast of a

trumpet.

1:11

It said, “Write forthwith in a roll an account of what you see, and

send it to the seven Churches — to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum,

Thyateira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

1:12

I turned to see who it was that was speaking to me; and then I

saw seven golden lampstands,

1:13

and in the center of the lampstands some One resembling the Son

of Man, clothed in a robe which reached to His feet, and with a

girdle of gold across His breast.

1:14

His head and His hair were white, like white wool — as white as

snow; and His eyes resembled a flame of fire.

1:15

His feet were like silver-bronze, when it is white-hot in a furnace;

and His voice resembled the sound of many waters.

1:16

In His right hand He held seven stars, and a sharp, two-edged

sword was seen coming from His mouth; and His glance

resembled the sun when it is shining with its full strength.

1:17

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid

His right hand upon me and said, “Do not be afraid: I am the First

and the Last, and the ever-living One.

1:18

I died; but I am now alive until the Ages of the Ages, and I have

the keys of the gates of Death and of Hades!

1:19

Write down therefore the things you have just seen, and those

which are now taking place, and those which are soon to follow:

1:20

the secret meaning of the seven stars which you have seen in My

right hand, and of the seven lampstands of gold. The seven stars

624

are the ministers of the seven Churches, and the seven lampstands

are the seven Churches.

CHAPTER 2

2:1 “To the minister of the Church in Ephesus write as follows: “‘This

is what He who holds the seven stars in the grasp of His right

hand says — He who walks to and fro among the seven

lampstands of gold.

2:2 I know your doings and your toil and patient suffering. And I

know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, but have put to the

test those who say that they themselves are Apostles but are not,

and you have found them to be liars.

2:3 And you endure patiently and have borne burdens for My sake

and have never grown weary.

2:4 Yet I have this against you — that you no longer love Me as you

did at first.

2:5 Be mindful, therefore, of the height from which you have fallen.

Repent at once, and act as you did at first, or else I will surely

come and remove your lampstand out of its place — unless you

repent.

2:6 Yet this you have in your favor: you hate the doings of the

Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

2:7 “‘Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the

Churches. To him who overcomes I will give the privilege of

eating the fruit of the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of

God.’

2:8 “To the minister of the Church at Smyrna write as follows: “‘This is

what the First and the Last says — He who died and has returned

to life.

2:9 Your sufferings I know, and your poverty — but you are rich —

and the evil name given you by those who say that they

themselves are Jews, and are not, but are Satan’s synagogue.

2:10 Dismiss your fears concerning all that you are about to suffer. I

tell you that the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison

that you may be put to the test, and for ten days you will have to

endure persecution. Be faithful to the End, even if you have to

die, and then I will give you the victor’s Wreath of Life.

2:11 “‘Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the

Churches. He who overcomes shall be in no way hurt by the

Second Death.’

2:12 “To the minister of the Church at Pergamum write as follows:

“‘This is what He who has the sharp, two-edged sword says. I

know where you dwell.

2:13 Satan’s throne is there; and yet you are true to Me, and did not

deny your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas My witness and

faithful friend, who was put to death among you, in the place

where Satan dwells.

2:14 Yet I have a few things against you, because you have with you

some that cling to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to

put a stumbling-block in the way of the descendants of Israel —

to eat what had been sacrificed to idols, and commit fornication.

2:15 So even you have some that cling in the same way to the teaching

of the Nicolaitans.

2:16 Repent, at once; or else I will come to you quickly, and will make

war upon them with the sword which is in My mouth.

2:17 “‘Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the

Churches. He who overcomes — to him I will give some of the

hidden Manna, and a white stone; and — written upon the stone

and known only to him who receives it — a new name.’

2:18 “To the minister of the Church at Thyateira write as follows: “‘This

is what the Son of God says — He who has eyes like a flame of

fire, and feet resembling silver-bronze.

2:19 I know your doings, your love, your faith, your service, and your

patient endurance; and that of late you have toiled harder than you

did at first.

2:20 Yet I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel,

who calls herself a prophetess and by her teaching leads astray My

servants, so that they commit fornication and eat what has been

sacrificed to idols.

2:21

I have given her time to repent, but she is determined not to

repent of her fornication.

2:22

I tell you that I am about to cast her upon a bed of sickness, and I

will severely afflict those who commit adultery with her, unless

they repent of conduct such as hers.

2:23

Her children too shall surely die; and all the Churches shall come

to know that I am He who searches into men’s inmost thoughts;

and to each of you I will give a requital which shall be in

accordance with what your conduct has been.

2:24

But to you, the rest of you in Thyateira, all who do not hold this

teaching and are not the people who have learnt the “deep

things,” as they call them (the deep things of Satan!) — to you I

say that I lay no other burden on you.

2:25

Only that which you already possess, cling to until I come.

2:26

“‘And to him who overcomes and obeys My commands to the very

end, I will give authority over the nations of the earth.

2:27

And he shall be their shepherd, ruling them with a rod of iron, just

as earthenware jars are broken to pieces; and his power over them

shall be like that which I Myself have received from My Father;

2:28

and I will give him the Morning Star.

2:29

Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the

Churches.’

CHAPTER 3

3:1

“To the minister of the Church at Sardis write as follows: “‘This is

what He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars

says. I know your doings — you are supposed to be alive, but in

reality you are dead.

3:2

Rouse yourself and keep awake, and strengthen those things

which remain but have well-nigh perished; for I have found no

doings of yours free from imperfection in the sight of My God.

3:3

Be mindful, therefore, of the lessons you have received and heard.

Continually lay them to heart, and repent. If, however, you fail to

rouse yourself and keep awake, I shall come upon you suddenly

like a thief, and you will certainly not know the hour at which I

shall come to judge you.

3:4

Yet you have in Sardis a few who have not soiled their garments;

and they shall walk with Me in white; for they are worthy.

3:5

“‘In this way he who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments;

and I will certainly not blot out his name from the Book of Life,

but will acknowledge him in the presence of My Father and His

angels.

3:6

Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the

Churches.’

3:7

“To the minister of the Church at Philadelphia write as follows:

“‘This is what the holy One and the true says — He who has the

key of David — He who opens and no one shall shut, and shuts

and no one shall open.

3:8

I know your doings. I have put an opened door in front of you,

which no one can shut; because you have but a little power, and

yet you have guarded My word and have not disowned Me.

3:9

I will cause some belonging to Satan’s synagogue who say that

they themselves are Jews, and are not, but are liars — I will make

them come and fall at your feet and know for certain that I have

loved you.

3:10

Because in spite of suffering you have guarded My word, I in turn

will guard you from that hour of trial which is soon coming upon

the whole world, to put to the test the inhabitants of the earth.

3:11

I am coming quickly: cling to that which you already possess, so

that your wreath of victory be not taken away from you.

3:12

“‘He who overcomes — I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of

My God, and he shall never go out from it again. And I will write

on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God,

the new Jerusalem, which is to come down out of Heaven from

My God, and My own new name.

3:13

Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the

Churches.’

3:14

“And to the minister of the Church at Laodicea write as follows:

“‘This is what the Amen says — the true and faithful witness, the

Beginning and Lord of God’s Creation.

3:15

I know your doings — you are neither cold nor hot; I would that

you were cold or hot!

3:16

Accordingly, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold,

before long I will vomit you out of My mouth.

3:17

You say, I am rich, and have wealth stored up, and I stand in need

of nothing; and you do not know that if there is a wretched

creature it is you — pitiable, poor, blind, naked.

3:18

Therefore I counsel you to buy of Me gold refined in the fire that

you may become rich, and white robes to put on, so as to hide

your shameful nakedness, and eye-salve to anoint your eyes with,

so that you may be able to see.

3:19

All whom I hold dear, I reprove and chastise; therefore be in

earnest and repent.

3:20

I am now standing at the door and am knocking. If any one listens

to My voice and opens the door, I will go in to be with him and

will feast with him, and he shall feast with Me.

3:21

“‘To him who overcomes I will give the privilege of sitting down

with Me on My throne, as I also have overcome and have sat

down with My Father on His throne.

3:22

Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the

Churches.’”

CHAPTER 4

4:1

After all this I looked and saw a door in Heaven standing open,

and the voice that I had previously heard, which resembled the

blast of a trumpet, again spoke to me and said, “Come up here,

and I will show you things which are to happen in the future.”

4:2

Immediately I found myself in the Spirit, and saw a throne in

Heaven, and some One sitting on the throne.

4:3

The appearance of Him who sat there was like jasper or sard; and

encircling the throne was a rainbow, in appearance like an

emerald.

4:4

Surrounding the throne there were also twenty-four other thrones,

on which sat twenty-four Elders clothed in white robes, with

victors’ wreaths of gold upon their heads.

4:5

Out from the throne there came flashes of lightning, and voices,

and peals of thunder, while in front of the throne seven blazing

lamps were burning, which are the seven Spirits of God.

4:6

And in front of the throne there seemed to be a sea of glass,

resembling crystal. And midway between the throne and the

Elders, and surrounding the throne, were four living creatures, full

of eyes in front and behind.

4:7

The first living creature resembled a lion, the second an ox, the

third had a face like that of a man, and the fourth resembled an

eagle flying.

4:8

And each of the four living creatures had six wings, and in every

direction, and within, are full of eyes; and day after day, and night

after night, they never cease saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God,

the Ruler of all, who wast and art and evermore shalt be.”

4:9

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and

thanks to Him who is seated on the throne, and lives until the

Ages of the Ages,

4:10

the twenty-four Elders fall down before Him who sits on the

throne and worship Him who lives until the Ages of the Ages, and

they cast their wreaths down in front of the throne,

4:11

saying, “It is fitting, O our Lord and God, That we should ascribe

unto Thee the glory and the honor and the power; For Thou didst

create all things, And because it was Thy will they came into

existence, and were created.”

CHAPTER 5

5:1

And I saw lying in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a

book written on both sides and closely sealed with seven seals.

5:2

And I saw a mighty angel who was exclaiming in a loud voice,

“Who is worthy to open the book and break its seals?”

5:3

But no one in Heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, was able to

open the book or look into it.

5:4

And while I was weeping bitterly, because no one was found

worthy to open the book or look into it,

5:5

one of the Elders said to me, “Do not weep. The Lion which

belongs to the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed,

and will open the book and break its seven seals.”

5:6

Then, midway between the throne and the four living creatures, I

saw a Lamb standing among the Elders. He looked as if He had

been offered in sacrifice, and He had seven horns and seven eyes.

The last-named are the seven Spirits of God, and have been sent

far and wide into all the earth.

5:7

So He comes, and now He has taken the book out of the right

hand of Him who is seated on the throne.

5:8

And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and

the twenty-four Elders fell down before the Lamb, having each of

them a harp and bringing golden bowls full of incense, which

represent the prayers of God’s people.

5:9

And now they sing a new song. “It is fitting,” they say, “that Thou

shouldst be the One to take the book And break its seals; Because

Thou hast been offered in sacrifice, And hast purchased for God

with Thine own blood Some out of every tribe and language and

people and nation,

5:10

And hast formed them into a Kingdom to be priests to our God,

And they reign over the earth.”

5:11

And I looked, and heard what seemed to be the voices of

countless angels on every side of the throne, and of the living

creatures and the Elders. Their number was myriads of myriads

and thousands of thousands,

5:12

and in loud voices they were singing, “It is fitting that the Lamb

which has been offered in sacrifice should receive all power and

riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

5:13

And as for every created thing in Heaven and on earth and under

the earth and on the sea, and everything that was in any of these, I

heard them say, “To Him who is seated on the throne, And to the

631

Lamb, Be ascribed all blessing and honor And glory and might,

Until the Ages of the Ages!”

5:14 Then the four living creatures said “Amen,” and the Elders fell

down and worshipped.

CHAPTER 6

6:1 And when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals I saw it, and I

heard one of the four living creatures say, as if in a voice of

thunder, “Come.”

6:2 And I looked and a white horse appeared, and its rider carried a

bow; and a victor’s wreath was given to him; and he went out

conquering and in order to conquer.

6:3 And when the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second

living creature say, “Come.”

6:4 And another horse came out — a fiery-red one; and power was

given to its rider to take peace from the earth, and to cause men

to kill one another; and a great sword was given to him.

6:5 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living

creature say, “Come.” I looked, and a black horse appeared, its

rider carrying a balance in his hand.

6:6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice speaking in the midst of

the four living creatures, and saying, “A quart of wheat for a

shilling, and three quarts of barley for a shilling; but do not injure

either the oil or the wine.”

6:7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal I heard the voice of the

fourth living creature say, “Come.”

6:8 I looked and a pale-colored horse appeared. Its rider’s name was

Death, and Hades came close behind him; and authority was given

to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword or

with famine or pestilence or by means of the wild beasts of the

earth.

6:9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw at the foot of the altar

the souls of those whose lives had been sacrificed because of the

word of God and of the testimony which they had given.

6:10

And now in loud voices they cried out, saying, “How long, O

Sovereign Lord, the holy One and the true, dost Thou delay

judgment and the taking of vengeance upon the inhabitants of the

earth for our blood?”

6:11

And there was given to each of them a long white robe, and they

were bidden to wait patiently for a short time longer, until the full

number of their fellow bondservants should also complete —

namely of their brethren who were soon to be killed just as they

had been.

6:12

When the Lamb broke the sixth seal I looked, and there was a

great earthquake, and the sun became as dark as sackcloth, and

the whole disc of the moon became like blood.

6:13

The stars in the sky also fell to the earth, as when a fig-tree, upon

being shaken by a gale of wind, casts its unripe figs to the ground.

6:14

The sky too passed away, as if a scroll were being rolled up, and

every mountain and island was removed from its place.

6:15

The kings of the earth and the great men, the military chiefs, the

wealthy and the powerful — all, whether slaves or free men —

hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,

6:16

while they called to the mountains and the rocks, saying, “Fall on

us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne

and from the anger of the Lamb;

6:17

for the day of His anger — that great day — has come, and who

is able to stand?”

CHAPTER 7

7:1

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the

earth, and holding back the four winds of the earth so that no

wind should blow over the earth or the sea or upon any tree.

7:2

And I saw another angel coming from the east and carrying a seal

belonging to the ever-living God. He called in a loud voice to the

four angels whose work it was to injure the earth and the sea.

7:3

“Injure neither land nor sea nor trees,” he said, “until we have

sealed the bondservants of our God upon their foreheads.”

7:4

When the sealing was finished, I heard how many were sealed out

of the tribes of the descendants of Israel. They were 144,000.

7:5

Of the tribe of Judah, 12,000 were sealed; Of the tribe of Reuben,

12,000; Of the tribe of Gad, 12,000;

7:6

Of the tribe of Asher, 12,000; Of the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000; Of

the tribe of Manasseh, 12,000;

7:7

Of the tribe of Symeon, 12,000; Of the tribe of Levi, 12,000; Of

the tribe of Issachar, 12,000;

7:8

Of the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000; Of the tribe of Joseph, 12,000; Of

the tribe of Benjamin, 12,000.

7:9

After this I looked, and a vast host appeared which it was

impossible for anyone to count, gathered out of every nation and

from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the

throne and before the Lamb, clothed in long white robes, and

carrying palm-branches in their hands.

7:10

In loud voices they were exclaiming, “It is to our God who is

seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, that we owe our

salvation!”

7:11

All the angels were standing in a circle round the throne and

round the Elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on

their faces in front of the throne and worshipped God.

7:12

“Even so!” they cried: “The blessing and the glory and the wisdom

and the thanks and the honor and the power and the might are to

be ascribed to our God, until the Ages of the Ages! Even so!”

7:13

Then, addressing me, one of the Elders said, “Who are these

people clothed in the long white robes? And where have they

come from?”

7:14

“My lord, you know,” I replied. “They are those,” he said, “who

have just passed through the great distress, and have washed their

robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

7:15

For this reason they stand before the very throne of God, and

render Him service, day after day and night after night, in His

sanctuary, and He who is sitting upon the throne will shelter them

in His tent.

7:16

They will never again be hungry or thirsty, and never again will

the sun or any scorching heat trouble them.

7:17

For the Lamb who is in front of the throne will be their Shepherd,

and will guide them to watersprings of Life, and God will wipe

every tear from their eyes.”

CHAPTER 8

8:1

When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in

Heaven for about half an hour.

8:2

Then I saw the seven angels who are in the presence of God, and

seven trumpets were given to them.

8:3

And another angel came and stood close to the altar, carrying a

censer of gold; and abundance of incense was given to him that he

might place it with the prayers of all God’s people upon the

golden altar which was in front of the throne.

8:4

And the smoke of the incense rose into the presence of God from

the angel’s hand, and mingled with the prayers of His people.

8:5

So the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar

and flung it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder, and

voices, and flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

8:6

Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets made

preparations for blowing them.

8:7

The first blew his trumpet; and there came hail and fire, mixed

with blood, falling upon the earth; and a third part of the earth

was burnt up, and a third part of the trees and all the green grass.

8:8

The second angel blew his trumpet; and what seemed to be a

great mountain, all ablaze with fire, was hurled into the sea; and a

third part of the sea was turned into blood.

8:9

And a third part of the creatures that were in the sea — those that

had life — died; and a third part of the ships were destroyed.

8:10

The third angel blew his trumpet; and there fell from Heaven a

great star, which was on fire like a torch. It fell upon a third part

of the rivers and upon the springs of water.

8:11

The name of the star is ‘Wormwood;’ and a third part of the

waters were turned into wormwood, and vast numbers of the

people died from drinking the water, because it had become bitter.

8:12

Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet; and a curse fell upon a

third part of the sun, a third part of the moon, and a third part of

the stars, so that a third part of them were darkened and for a

third of the day, and also of the night, there was no light.

8:13

Then I looked, and I heard a solitary eagle crying in a loud voice,

as it flew across the sky, “Alas, alas, alas, for the inhabitants of

the earth, because of the significance of the remaining trumpets

which the three angels are about to blow!”

CHAPTER 9

9:1

The fifth angel blew his trumpet; and I saw a Star which had fallen

from Heaven to the earth; and to him was given the key of the

depths of the bottomless pit,

9:2

and he opened the depths of the bottomless pit. And smoke came

up out of the pit resembling the smoke of a vast furnace, so that

the sun was darkened, and the air also, by reason of the smoke of

the pit.

9:3

And from the midst of the smoke there came locusts on to the

earth, and power was given to them resembling the power which

earthly scorpions possess.

9:4

And they were forbidden to injure the herbage of the earth, or any

green thing, or any tree. They were only to injure human beings

— those who have not the seal of God on their foreheads.

9:5

Their mission was not to kill, but to cause awful agony for five

months; and this agony was like that which a scorpion inflicts

when it stings a man.

9:6

And at that time people will seek death, but will by no possibility

find it, and will long to die, but death evades them.

9:7

The appearance of the locusts was like that of horses equipped for

war. On their heads they had wreaths which looked like gold.

9:8

Their faces seemed human and they had hair like women’s hair,

but their teeth resembled those of lions.

9:9

They had breast-plates which seemed to be made of steel; and the

noise caused by their wings was like that of a vast number of

horses and chariots hurrying into battle.

9:10

They had tails like those of scorpions, and also stings; and in their

tails lay their power of injuring mankind for five months.

9:11

The locusts had a king over them — the angel of the bottomless

pit, whose name in Hebrew is ‘Abaddon,’ while in the Greek he is

called ‘Apollyon.’

9:12

The first woe is past; two other woes have still to come.

9:13

The sixth angel blew his trumpet; and I heard a single voice

speaking from among the horns of the golden incense altar which

is in the presence of God.

9:14

It said to the sixth angel — the angel who had the trumpet, “Set

at liberty the four angels who are prisoners near the great river

Euphrates.”

9:15

And the four angels who had been kept in readiness for that hour,

day, month, and year, were set at liberty, so that they might kill a

third part of mankind.

9:16

The number of the cavalry was two hundred millions; I heard their

number.

9:17

And this was the appearance of the horses which I saw in my

vision — and of their riders. The body-armour of the riders was

red, blue and yellow; and the horses’ heads were shaped like the

heads of lions, while from their mouths there came fire and smoke

and sulphur.

9:18

By these three plagues a third part of mankind were destroyed —

by the fire and the smoke, and by the sulphur which came from

their mouths.

9:19

For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails;

their tails being like serpents, and having heads, and it is with

them that they inflict injury.

9:20

But the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues, did

not even then repent and leave the things they had made, so as to

cease worshipping the demons, and the idols of gold and silver,

bronze, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear, nor

move.

9:21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their practice of magic, their

fornication, or their thefts.

CHAPTER 10

10:1 Then I saw another strong angel coming down from Heaven. He

was robed in a cloud, and over his head was the rainbow. His face

was like the sun, and his feet resembled pillars of fire.

10:2 In his hand he held a small scroll unrolled; and, planting his right

foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,

10:3 he cried out in a loud voice which resembled the roar of a lion.

And when he had cried out, each of the seven peals of thunder

uttered its own message.

10:4 And when the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to

write down what they had said; but I heard a voice from Heaven

which told me to keep secret all that the seven peals of thunder

had said, and not write it down.

10:5 Then the angel that I saw standing on the sea and on the land,

lifted his right hand toward Heaven.

10:6 And in the name of Him who lives until the Ages of the Ages, the

Creator of Heaven and all that is in it, of the earth and all that is in

it, and of the sea and all that is in it, he solemnly declared,

10:7 “There shall be no further delay; but in the days when the seventh

angel blows his trumpet — when he begins to do so — then the

secret purposes of God are realized, in accordance with the good

news which He gave to His servants the Prophets.”

10:8 Then the voice which I had heard speaking from Heaven once

more addressed me. It said, “Go and take the little book which

lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and

on the land.”

10:9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little book.

“Take it,” he said, “and eat the whole of it. You will find it bitter

when you have eaten it, although in your mouth it will taste as

sweet as honey.”

10:10

So I took the roll out of the angel’s hand and ate the whole of it;

and in my mouth it was as sweet as honey, but when I had eaten it

I found it very bitter.

10:11

And a voice said to me, “You must prophesy yet further

concerning peoples, nations, languages, and many kings.”

CHAPTER 11

11:1

Then a reed was given me to serve as a measuring rod; and a

voice said, “Rise, and measure God’s sanctuary — and the altar

— and count the worshipers who are in it.

11:2

But as for the court which is outside the sanctuary, pass it over.

Do not measure it; for it has been given to the Gentiles, and for

forty-two months they will trample the holy city under foot.

11:3

And I will authorize My two witnesses to prophesy for 1,260

days, clothed in sackcloth.

11:4

“These witnesses are the two olive-trees, and they are the two

lamps which stand in the presence of the Lord of the earth.

11:5

And if any one seeks to injure them — fire comes from their

mouths and devours their enemies; and if any one seeks to injure

them, he will in this way certainly be killed.

11:6

They have power given to them to seal up the sky, so that no rain

may fall so long as they continue to prophesy; and power over the

waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with

various plagues whenever they choose to do so.

11:7

“And when they have fully delivered their testimony, the Wild Beast

which is to rise out of the bottomless pit will make war upon them

and overcome them and kill them.

11:8

And their dead bodies are to lie in the broad street of the great

city which spiritually is designated ‘Sodom’ and ‘Egypt,’ where

indeed their Lord was crucified.

11:9

And men belonging to all peoples, tribes, languages and nations

gaze at their dead bodies for three days and a half, but they refuse

to let them be laid in a tomb.

11:10

The inhabitants of the earth rejoice over them and are glad and

will send gifts to one another; for these two Prophets had greatly

troubled the inhabitants of the earth.”

11:11

But at the end of the three days and a half the breath of life from

God entered into them, and they rose to their feet; and all who

saw them were terrified.

11:12

Then they heard a loud voice calling to them out of Heaven, and

bidding them come up; and they went up to Heaven in the cloud,

and their enemies saw them go.

11:13

And just as that time there was a great earthquake, and a tenth

part of the city was overthrown. 7,000 people were killed in the

earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God

of Heaven.

11:14

The second Woe is past; the third Woe will soon be here.

11:15

The seventh angel blew his trumpet; and there followed loud

voices in Heaven which said, “The sovereignty of the world now

belongs to our Lord and His Christ; and He will be King until the

Ages of the Ages.”

11:16

Then the twenty-four Elders, who sit on thrones in the presence

of God, fell on their faces and worshipped God,

11:17

saying, “We give thee thanks, O Lord God, the Ruler of all, Who

art and wast, because Thou hast exerted Thy power, Thy great

power, and hast become King.

11:18

The nations grew angry, and Thine anger has come, and the time

for the dead to be judged, and the time for Thee to give their

reward to Thy servants the Prophets and to Thy people, and to

those who fear Thee, the small and the great, and to destroy those

who destroy the earth.”

11:19

Then the doors of God’s sanctuary in Heaven were opened, and

the Ark, in which His Covenant was, was seen in His sanctuary;

and there came flashes of lightning, and voices, and peals of

thunder, and an earthquake, and heavy hail.

CHAPTER 12

12:1

And a great marvel was seen in Heaven — a woman who was

robed with the sun and had the moon under her feet, and had also

a wreath of stars round her head, was with child,

12:2

and she was crying out in the pains and agony of childbirth.

12:3

And another marvel was seen in Heaven — a great fiery-red

Dragon, with seven heads and ten horns; and on his heads were

seven kingly crowns.

12:4

His tail was drawing after it a third part of the stars of Heaven,

and it dashed them to the ground. And in front of the woman who

was about to become a mother, the Dragon was standing in order

to devour the child as soon as it was born.

12:5

She gave birth to a son — a male child, destined before long to

rule all nations with an iron scepter. But her child was caught up

to God and His throne,

12:6

and the woman fled into the Desert, there to be cared for, for

1,260 days, in a place which God had prepared for her.

12:7

And war broke out in Heaven, Michael and his angels engaging in

battle with the Dragon.

12:8

The Dragon fought and so did his angels; but they were defeated,

and there was no longer any room found for them in Heaven.

12:9

The great Dragon, the ancient serpent, he who is called ‘the

Devil’ and ‘the Adversary’ and leads the whole earth astray, was

hurled down: he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels

were hurled down with him.

12:10

Then I heard a loud voice speaking in Heaven. It said, “The

salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God have now

come, and the sovereignty of His Christ; for the accuser of our

brethren has been hurled down — he who, day after day and night

after night, was wont to accuse them in the presence of God.

12:11

But they have gained the victory over him because of the blood of

the Lamb and of the testimony which they have borne, and

because they held their lives cheap and did not shrink even from

death.

12:12 For this reason be glad, O Heaven, and you who live in Heaven!

Alas for the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to

you; full of fierce anger, because he knows that his appointed time

is short.”

12:13 And when the Dragon saw that he was hurled down to the earth,

he went in pursuit of the woman who had given birth to the male

child.

12:14 Then, the two wings of a great eagle were given to the woman to

enable her to fly away into the Desert to the place assigned her,

there to be cared for, for a period of time, two periods of time,

and half a period of time, beyond the reach of the serpent.

12:15 And the serpent poured water from his mouth — a very river it

seemed — after the woman, in the hope that she would be carried

away by its flood.

12:16 But the earth came to the woman’s help: it opened its mouth and

drank up the river which the Dragon had poured from his mouth.

12:17 This made the Dragon furiously angry with the woman, and he

went elsewhere to make war upon her other children — those

who keep God’s commandments and hold fast to the testimony of

Jesus.

CHAPTER 13

13:1 And he took up a position upon the sands of the sea-shore. Then I

saw a Wild Beast coming up out of the sea, and he had ten horns

and seven heads. On his horns were ten kingly crowns, and

inscribed on his heads were names full of blasphemy.

13:2 The Wild Beast which I saw resembled a leopard, and had feet

like the feet of a bear, and his mouth was like the mouth of a lion;

and it was to the Dragon that he owed his power and his throne

and his wide dominion.

13:3 I saw that one of his heads seemed to have been mortally

wounded; but his mortal wound was healed, and the whole world

was amazed and followed him.

13:4 And they offered worship to the Dragon, because it was to him

that the Wild Beast owed his dominion; and they also offered

worship to the Wild Beast, and said, “Who is there like him? And

who is able to engage in battle with him?”

13:5 And there was given him a mouth full of boastful and

blasphemous words; and liberty of action was granted him for

forty-two months.

13:6 And he opened his mouth to utter blasphemies against God, to

speak evil of His name and of His dwelling-place — that is to say,

of those who dwell in Heaven.

13:7 And permission was given him to make war upon God’s people

and conquer them; and power was given him over every tribe,

people, language and nation.

13:8 And all the inhabitants of the earth will be found to be

worshipping him: every one whose name is not recorded in the

Book of Life — the Book of the Lamb who has been offered in

sacrifice ever since the creation of the world.

13:9 Let all who have ears give heed.

13:10 If any one is eager to lead others into captivity, he must himself

go into captivity. If any one is bent on killing with the sword, he

must himself be killed by the sword. Here is an opportunity for

endurance, and for the exercise of faith, on the part of God’s

people.

13:11 Then I saw another Wild Beast, coming up out of the earth. He

had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon.

13:12 And the authority of the first Wild Beast — the whole of that

authority — he exercises in his presence, and he causes the earth

and its inhabitants to worship the first Wild Beast, whose mortal

wound had been healed.

13:13 He also works great miracles, so as even to make fire come down

from Heaven to earth in the presence of human beings.

13:14 And his power of leading astray the inhabitants of the earth is due

to the marvels which he has been permitted to work in the

presence of the Wild Beast. And he told the inhabitants of the

earth to erect a statue to the Wild Beast who had received the

sword-stroke and yet had recovered.

13:15

And power was granted him to give breath to the statue of the

Wild Beast, so that the statue of the Wild Beast could even speak

and cause all who refuse to worship it to be put to death.

13:16

And he causes all, small and great, rich and poor, free men and

slaves, to have stamped upon them a mark on their right hands or

on their foreheads,

13:17

in order that no one should be allowed to buy or sell unless he had

the mark — either the name of the Wild Beast or the number

which his name represents.

13:18

Here is scope for ingenuity. Let people of shrewd intelligence

calculate the number of the Wild Beast; for it indicates a certain

man, and his number is 666.

CHAPTER 14

14:1

Then I looked, and I saw the Lamb standing upon Mount Zion,

and with Him 144,000 people, having His name and His Father’s

name written on their foreheads.

14:2

And I heard music from Heaven which resembled the sound of

many waters and the roar of loud thunder; and the music which I

heard was like that of harpists playing upon their harps.

14:3

And they were singing what seemed to be a new song, in front of

the throne and in the presence of the four living creatures and the

Elders; and no one was able to learn that song except the 144,000

people who had been redeemed out of the world.

14:4

These are those who had not defiled themselves with women: they

are as pure as virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

They have been redeemed from among men, as firstfruits to God

and to the Lamb.

14:5

And no lie has ever been found upon their lips: they are faultless.

14:6

And I saw another angel flying across the sky, carrying the Good

News of the Ages to tell to every nation, tribe, language and

people, among those who live on the earth.

14:7

He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because

the time of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made

sky and earth, the sea and the water-springs.”

14:8

And another, a second angel, followed, exclaiming, “Great

Babylon has fallen, has fallen — she who made all the nations

drink the wine of the anger provoked by her fornication.”

14:9

And another, a third angel, followed them, exclaiming in a loud

voice, “If any one worships the Wild Beast and his statue, and

receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,

14:10

he shall drink the wine of God’s anger which stands ready,

undiluted, in the cup of His fury, and he shall be tormented with

fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and of the

Lamb.

14:11

And the smoke of their torment goes up until the Ages of the

Ages; and the worshipers of the Wild Beast and his statue have no

rest day or night, nor has any one who receives the mark of his

name.

14:12

Here is an opportunity for endurance on the part of God’s people,

who carefully keep His commandments and the faith of Jesus!”

14:13

And I heard a voice speaking from Heaven. It said, “Write as

follows: “‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from this time

onward. Yes, says the Spirit, let them rest from their sorrowful

labors; for what they have done goes with them.’”

14:14

Then I looked, and a white cloud appeared, and sitting on the

cloud was some One resembling the Son of Man, having a wreath

of gold upon His head and in His hand a sharp sickle.

14:15

And another, an angel, came out of the sanctuary, calling in a loud

voice to Him who sat on the cloud, and saying, “Use your sickle

and reap the harvest, for the hour for reaping it has come: the

harvest of the earth is over-ripe.”

14:16

Then He who sat on the cloud flung His sickle on the earth, and

the earth had its harvest reaped.

14:17

And another angel came out from the sanctuary in Heaven, and he

too carried a sharp sickle.

14:18

And another angel came out from the altar — he who had power

over fire — and he spoke in a loud voice to him who had the

sharp sickle, saying, “Use your sharp sickle, and gather the

bunches from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are now quite

ripe.”

14:19

And the angel flung his sickle down to the earth, and reaped the

vine of the earth and threw the grapes into the great winepress of

God’s anger.

14:20

And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and out of it

came blood reaching the horses’ bridles for a distance of 200

miles.

CHAPTER 15

15:1

Then I saw another marvel in Heaven, great and wonderful —

there were seven angels bringing seven plagues. These are the last

plagues, because in them God’s anger has found full expression.

15:2

And I saw what seemed to be a sea of glass mingled with fire, and

those who had gained the victory over the Wild Beast and over

his statue and the number of his name, standing by the sea of glass

and having harps which belonged to God.

15:3

And they were singing the song of Moses, God’s servant, and the

song of the Lamb. Their words were, “Great and wonderful are

Thy works, O Lord God, the Ruler of all. Righteous and true are

Thy ways, O King of the nations.

15:4

Who shall not be afraid, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou

alone art holy. All nations shall come and shall worship Thee,

because the righteousness of all that Thou hast done has been

made manifest.”

15:5

After this, when the doors of the sanctuary of the tent of witness

in Heaven were opened, I looked;

15:6

and there came out of the sanctuary the seven angels who were

bringing the seven plagues. The angels were clad in pure, bright

linen, and had girdles of gold across their breasts.

15:7

And one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven

bowls of gold, full of the anger of God who lives until the Ages of

the Ages.

15:8

And the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God

and from His power; and no one could enter the sanctuary till the

seven plagues brought by the seven angels were at an end.

CHAPTER 16

16:1

Then I heard a loud voice from the sanctuary say to the seven

angels, “Go and pour on to the earth the seven bowls of the anger

of God.”

16:2

So the first angel went away and poured his bowl on to the earth;

and it brought a bad and painful sore upon the men who had on

them the mark of the Wild Beast and worshipped his statue.

16:3

The second angel poured his bowl into the sea, and it became

blood, like a dead man’s blood, and every living creature in the

sea died.

16:4

The third angel poured his bowl into the rivers and springs of

water, and they became blood.

16:5

And I heard the angel of the waters say, “Righteous art Thou,

who art and wast, the holy One, because Thou hast thus taken

vengeance.

16:6

For they poured out the blood of Thy people and of the Prophets,

and in return Thou hast given them blood to drink. And this they

deserved.”

16:7

And I heard a voice from the altar say, “Even so, O Lord God, the

Ruler of all, true and righteous are Thy judgments.”

16:8

Then the fourth angel poured his bowl on to the sun, and power

was given to it to scorch men with fire.

16:9

And the men were severely burned; and yet they spoke evil of

God who had power over the plagues, and they did not repent so

as to give Him glory.

16:10

The fifth angel poured his bowl on to the throne of the Wild

Beast; and his kingdom became darkened. People gnawed their

tongues because of the pain,

16:11

and they spoke evil of the God in Heaven because of their pains

and their sores, and did not repent of their misconduct.

16:12

The sixth angel poured his bowl into that great river, the

Euphrates; and its stream was dried up in order to clear the way

for the kings who are to come from the east.

16:13

Then I saw three foul spirits, resembling frogs, issue from the

mouth of the Dragon, from the mouth of the Wild Beast, and from

the mouth of the false Prophet.

16:14

For they are the spirits of demons working marvels — spirits that

go out to control the kings of the whole earth, to assemble them

for the battle which is to take place on the great day of God, the

Ruler of all.

16:15

(“I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the man who keeps awake

and guards his raiment for fear he walk about ill-clad, and his

uncomeliness become manifest.”)

16:16

And assemble them they did at the place called in Hebrew ‘Har-

Magedon.’

16:17

Then the seventh angel poured his bowl into the air; and a loud

voice came out of the sanctuary from the throne, saying,

“Everything is now ready.”

16:18

Flashes of lightning followed, and voices, and peals of thunder,

and an earthquake more dreadful than there had ever been since

there was a man upon the earth — so terrible was it, and so great!

16:19

The great city was split into three parts; the cities of the nations

fell; and great Babylon came into remembrance before God, for

Him to make her drink from the wine-cup of His fierce anger.

16:20

Every island fled away, and there was not a mountain anywhere to

be seen.

16:21

And heavy hail, that seemed to be a talent in weight, fell from the

sky upon the people; and they spoke evil of God on account of

the plague of the hail — because the plague of it was exceedingly

severe.

CHAPTER 17

17:1

Then one of the seven angels who were carrying the seven bowls

came and spoke to me. “Come with me,” he said, “and I will show

you the doom of the great Harlot who sits upon many waters.

17:2 The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and

the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine

of her fornication.”

17:3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into a desert, and there I saw

a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored Wild Beast which was

covered with names of blasphemy and had seven heads and ten

horns.

17:4 The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and was brilliantly

attired with gold and jewels and pearls. She held in her hand a cup

of gold, full of abominations, and she gave filthy indications of her

fornication.

17:5 And on her forehead was a name written: “I am a symbol of great

Babylon, the mother of the harlots and of the abominations of the

earth.”

17:6 And I saw the woman drinking herself drunk with the blood of the

saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. And when I

saw her I was filled with utter astonishment.

17:7 Then the angel said to me, “Why are you so astonished? I will

explain to you the secret meaning of the woman and of the seven-

headed, ten-horned Wild Beast which carries her.

17:8 “The Wild Beast which you have seen was, and is not, and yet is

destined to re-ascend, before long, out of the bottomless pit and

go his way into perdition. And the inhabitants of the earth will be

filled with amazement — all whose names are not in the Book of

Life, having been recorded there ever since the creation of the

world — when they see the Wild Beast: because he was, and is

not, and yet is to come.

17:9 Here is scope for the exercise of a mind that has wisdom! The

seven heads are the seven hills on which the woman sits.

17:10

And they are seven kings: five of them have fallen, and the one is

still reigning. The seventh has not yet come, but when he comes

he must continue for a short time.

17:11

And the Wild Beast which once existed but does not now exist —

he is an eighth king and yet is one of the seven and he goes his

way into perdition.

17:12

“And the ten horns which you have seen are ten kings who have not

yet come to the throne, but for a single hour they are to receive

authority as kings along with the Wild Beast.

17:13

They have one common policy, and they are to give their power

and authority to the Wild Beast.

17:14

They will make war upon the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph

over them; for He is Lord of lords and King of kings. And those

who accompany Him — called, as they are, and chosen, and

faithful — shall share in the victory.”

17:15

He also said to me, “The waters which you have seen, on which

the Harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes, nations and languages.

17:16

And the ten horns that you have seen — and the Wild Beast —

these will hate the Harlot, and they will cause her to be laid waste

and will strip her bare. They will eat her flesh, and burn her up

with fire.

17:17

For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose, and

to carry out a common purpose and to give their kingdom to the

Wild Beast until God’s words have come to pass.

17:18

And the woman whom you have seen is the great city which has

kingly power over the kings of the earth.”

CHAPTER 18

18:1

After these things I saw another angel coming down from

Heaven, armed with great power. The earth shone with his

splendor,

18:2

and with a mighty voice he cried out, saying, “Great Babylon has

fallen, has fallen, and has become a home for demons and a

stronghold for every kind of foul spirit and for every kind of foul

and hateful bird.

18:3

For all the nations have drunk the wine of the anger provoked by

her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed

fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown

rich through her excessive luxury.”

18:4

Then I heard another voice from Heaven, which said, “Come out

of her, My people, that you may not become partakers in her sins,

nor receive a share of her plagues.

18:5

For her sins are piled up to the sky, and God has called to mind

her unrighteous deeds.

18:6

Give back to her as she has given; repay her in accordance with

her doings, twice as much; in the bowl that she has mixed, mix

twice as much for her.

18:7

She has freely glorified herself and revelled in luxury; equally

freely administer torment to her, and woe. For in her heart she

boasts, saying, ‘I sit enthroned as Queen: no widow am I: I shall

never know sorrow.’

18:8

“For this reason calamities shall come thick upon her on a single

day — death and sorrow and famine — and she shall be burned to

the ground. For strong is the Lord God who has judged her.

18:9

The kings of the earth who have committed fornication with her,

and have revelled in luxury, shall weep aloud and lament over her

when they see the smoke of her burning,

18:10

while they stand afar off because of their terror at her heavy

punishment, and say, ‘Alas, alas, thou great city, O Babylon, the

mighty city! For in one short hour thy doom has come!’

18:11

And the merchants of the earth weep aloud and lament over her,

because now there is no sale for their cargoes —

18:12

cargoes of gold and silver, of jewels and pearls, of fine linen,

purple and silk, and of scarlet stuff; all kinds of rare woods, and

all kinds of goods in ivory and in very costly wood, in bronze,

steel and marble.

18:13

Also cinnamon and amomum; odors to burn as incense or for

perfume; frankincense, wine, oil; fine flour, wheat, cattle and

sheep; horses and carriages and slaves; and the lives of men.

18:14

The dainties that thy soul longed for are gone from thee, and all

thine elegance and splendor have perished, and never again shall

they be found.

18:15

Those who traded in these things, who grew wealthy through her,

will stand afar off, struck with terror at her punishment,

18:16

weeping aloud and sorrowing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, for this

great city, which was brilliantly arrayed in fine linen, and purple

and scarlet stuff, and beautified with gold, jewels and pearls;

18:17

because in one short hour all this great wealth has been laid

waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger by sea and the

crews and all who ply their trade on the sea,

18:18

stood afar off, and cried aloud when they saw the smoke of her

burning. And they said, ‘What city is like this great city?’

18:19

And they threw dust upon their heads, and cried out, weeping

aloud and sorrowing. ‘Alas, alas,’ they said, ‘for this great city, in

which, through her vast wealth, the owners of all the ships on the

sea have grown rich; because in one short hour she has been laid

waste!’

18:20

Rejoice over her, O Heaven, and you saints and Apostles and

Prophets; for God has taken vengeance upon her because of you.”

18:21

Then a single angel of great strength took a stone which

resembled a huge millstone, and hurled it into the sea, saying, “So

shall Babylon, that great city, be violently hurled down and never

again be found.

18:22

No harp or song, no flute or trumpet, shall ever again be heard in

thee; no craftsman of any kind shall ever again be found in thee;

nor shall the grinding of the mill ever again be heard in thee.

18:23

Never again shall the light of a lamp shine in thee, and never again

shall the voice of a bridegroom or of a bride be heard in thee. For

thy merchants were the great men of the earth, and with the magic

which thou didst practise all nations were led astray.

18:24

And in her was found the blood of Prophets and of God’s people

and of all who had been put to death on the earth.”

CHAPTER 19

19:1

After this I seemed to hear the far-echoing voices of a great

multitude in Heaven, who said, “Hallelujah! The salvation and the

glory and the power belong to our God.

19:2

True and just are His judgments, because He has judged the great

Harlot who was corrupting the whole earth with her fornication,

and He has taken vengeance for the blood of His bondservants

which her hands have shed.”

19:3

And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! For her smoke ascends

until the Ages of the Ages.”

19:4

And the twenty-four Elders and the four living creatures fell down

and worshipped God who sits upon the throne. “Even so,” they

said; “Hallelujah!”

19:5

And from the throne there came a voice which said, “Praise our

God, all you His bondservants — you who fear Him, both the

small and the great.”

19:6

And I seemed to hear the voices of a great multitude and the

sound of many waters and of loud peals of thunder, which said,

“Hallelujah! Because the Lord our God, the Ruler of all, has

become King.

19:7

Let us rejoice and triumph and give Him the glory; for the time for

the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made

herself ready.”

19:8

And she was permitted to array herself in fine linen, shining and

spotless; the fine linen being the righteous actions of God’s

people.

19:9

And he said to me, “Write as follows: ‘Blessed are those who

receive an invitation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.’” And

he added, still addressing me, “These are truly the words of God.”

19:10

Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he exclaimed, “Oh, do

not do that. I am a fellow bondservant of yours and a fellow

bondservant of your brethren who have borne testimony to Jesus.

Worship God.” Testimony to Jesus is the spirit which underlies

Prophecy.

19:11

Then I saw a door open in Heaven, and a white horse appeared.

Its rider was named “Faithful and True” — being One who in

righteousness acts as Judge, and makes war.

19:12

His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many

kingly crowns; and He has a name written upon Him which no

one but He Himself knows.

19:13

The outer garment in which He is clad has been dipped in blood

and His name is THE WORD OF GOD.

19:14

The armies in Heaven followed Him — mounted on white horses

and clothed in fine linen, white and spotless.

19:15

From His mouth there comes a sharp sword with which He will

smite the nations; and He will Himself be their Shepherd, ruling

them with a scepter of iron; and it is His work to tread the

winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Ruler of all.

19:16

And on His outer garment and on His thigh He has a name

written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

19:17

And I saw a single angel standing in the full light of the sun, who

cried in a loud voice to all the birds that flew across the sky,

“Come and be present at God’s great supper,

19:18

that you may feast on the flesh of kings and the flesh of generals

and the flesh of mighty men, on the flesh of horses and their

riders, and on the flesh of all mankind, whether they are free men

or slaves, great men or small.”

19:19

And I saw the Wild Beast, and the kings of the earth, and their

armies, all assembled to make war, once for all, against the Rider

upon the horse and against His army. And the Wild Beast was

captured, and with him the false Prophet

19:20

who had done the miracles in his presence with which he had led

astray those who had received the mark of the Wild Beast, and

those who worshipped his statue. Both of them were thrown alive

into the Lake of fire that was all ablaze with sulphur.

19:21

But the rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth

of the Rider on the horse. And the birds all fed ravenously upon

their flesh.

CHAPTER 20

20:1

Then I saw an angel coming down from Heaven, having the key

of the bottomless pit, and upon his arm he carried a great chain.

20:2

He laid hold of the Dragon — the ancient serpent — who is the

Devil and the Adversary, and bound him for a thousand years, and

hurled him into the bottomless pit.

20:3

He closed the entrance and put a seal upon him in order that he

might be unable to lead the nations astray any more until the

thousand years were at an end. Afterwards he is to be set at

liberty for a short time.

20:4

And I saw thrones, and some who were seated on them, to whom

judgment was entrusted. And I saw the souls of those who had

been beheaded on account of the testimony that they had borne to

Jesus and on account of God’s Message, and also the souls of

those who had not worshipped the Wild Beast or his statue, nor

received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands; and they

came to Life and were kings with Christ for a thousand years.

20:5

No one else who was dead rose to Life until the thousand years

were at an end. This is the First Resurrection.

20:6

Blessed and holy are those who share in the First Resurrection.

The Second Death has no power over them, but they shall be

priests to God and to Christ, and shall be kings with Christ for the

thousand years.

20:7

But when the thousand years are at an end, the Adversary will be

released from his imprisonment,

20:8

and will go out to lead astray the nations in all the four corners of

the earth, Gog and Magog, and assemble them for war, and they

are like the sands on the seashore in number.

20:9

And they went up over the whole breadth of the earth and

surrounded the encampment of God’s people and the beloved

city. But fire came down from Heaven and consumed them;

20:10

and the Devil, who had been leading them astray, was thrown into

the Lake of fire and sulphur where the Wild Beast and the false

Prophet were, and day and night they will suffer torture until the

Ages of the Ages.

20:11

Then I saw a great white throne and One who was seated on it,

from whose presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was

found for them.

20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing in front of

the throne. And books were opened; and so was another book —

namely, the Book of Life; and the dead were judged by the things

recorded in the books in accordance with what their conduct had

been.

20:13 Then the sea yielded up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades

yielded up the dead who were in them, and each man was judged

in accordance with what his conduct had been.

20:14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of fire; this is

the Second Death — the Lake of fire.

20:15 And if any one’s name was not found recorded in the Book of

Life he was thrown into the Lake of fire.

CHAPTER 21

21:1 And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth; for the first Heaven

and the first earth were gone, and the sea no longer exists.

21:2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of

Heaven from God and made ready like a bride attired to meet her

husband.

21:3 And I heard a loud voice, which came from the throne, say,

“God’s dwelling place is among men and He will dwell among

them and they shall be His peoples. Yes, God Himself will be

among them.

21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death shall be no more;

nor sorrow, nor wail of woe, nor pain; for the first things have

passed away.”

21:5 Then He who was seated on the throne said, “I am re-creating all

things.” And He added, “Write down these words, for they are

trustworthy and true.”

21:6 He also said, “They have now been fulfilled. I am the Alpha and

the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To those who are thirsty I

will give the privilege of drinking from the well of the Water of

Life without payment.

21:7 All this shall be the heritage of him who overcomes, and I will be

his God and he shall be one of My sons.

21:8

But as for cowards and the unfaithful, and the polluted, and

murderers, fornicators, and those who practise magic or worship

idols, and all liars — the portion allotted to them shall be in the

Lake which burns with fire and sulphur. This is the Second

Death.”

21:9

Then there came one of the seven angels who were carrying the

seven bowls full of the seven last plagues. “Come with me,” he

said, “and I will show you the Bride, the Lamb’s wife.”

21:10

So in the Spirit he carried me to the top of a vast, lofty mountain,

and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of

Heaven from God,

21:11

and bringing with it the glory of God. It shone with a radiance like

that of a very precious stone — such as a jasper, bright and

transparent.

21:12

It has a wall, massive and high, with twelve large gates, and in

charge of the gates were twelve angels. And overhead, above the

gates, names were inscribed which are those of the twelve tribes

of the descendants of Israel.

21:13

There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on

the south, and three on the west.

21:14

The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and engraved

upon them were twelve names — the names of the twelve

Apostles of the Lamb.

21:15

Now he who was speaking to me had a measuring-rod of gold,

with which to measure the city and its gates and its wall.

21:16

The plan of the city is a square, the length being the same as the

breadth; and he measured the city furlong by furlong, with his

measuring rod — it is twelve hundred miles long, and the length

and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

21:17

And he measured the wall of it — a wall of a hundred and forty-

four cubits, according to human measure, which was also that of

the angel.

21:18

The solid fabric of the wall was jasper; and the city itself was

made of gold, resembling transparent glass.

21:19

As for the foundation-stones of the city wall, which were

beautified with various kinds of precious stones, the first was

jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth

emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius,

21:20

the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth

chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.

21:21

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each of them consisting

of a single pearl. And the main street of the city was made of pure

gold, resembling transparent glass.

21:22

I saw no sanctuary in the city, for the Lord God, the Ruler of all,

is its Sanctuary, and so is the Lamb.

21:23

Nor has the city any need of the sun or of the moon, to give it

light; for the glory of God has shone upon it and its lamp is the

Lamb.

21:24

The nations will live their lives by its light; and the kings of the

earth are to bring their glory into it.

21:25

And in the daytime (for there will be no night there) the gates will

never be closed;

21:26

and the glory and honor of the nations shall be brought into it.

21:27

And no unclean thing shall ever enter it, nor any one who is guilty

of base conduct or tells lies, but only they whose names stand

recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

CHAPTER 22

22:1

Then he showed me the river of the Water of Life, bright as

crystal, issuing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

22:2

On either side of the river, midway between it and the main street

of the city, was the Tree of Life. It produced twelve kinds of fruit,

yielding a fresh crop month by month, and the leaves of the tree

served as medicine for the nations.

22:3

“In future there will be no curse,” he said, “but the throne of God

and of the Lamb will be in that city. And His servants will render

Him holy service and will see His face,

22:4

and His name will be on their foreheads.

22:5

And there will be no night there; and they have no need of

lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will shine upon them, and

they will be kings until the Ages of the Ages.”

22:6

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true; and

the Lord, the God of the spirits of the Prophets, sent His angel to

make known to His servants the things which must soon happen.

22:7

‘I am coming quickly.’ Blessed is he who is mindful of the

predictions contained in this book.”

22:8

I John heard and saw these things; and when I had heard and seen

them, I fell at the feet of the angel who was showing me them —

to worship him.

22:9

But he said to me, “Oh, do not do that. I am a fellow bondservant

of yours, and a fellow bondservant of your brethren the Prophets

and of those who are mindful of the teachings of this book.

Worship God.”

22:10

“Make no secret,” he added, “of the meaning of the predictions

contained in this book; for the time for their fulfillment is now

close at hand.

22:11

Let the dishonest man act dishonestly still; let the filthy make

himself filthy still; let the righteous practise righteousness still; and

let the holy be made holy still.”

22:12

“I am coming quickly; and My reward is with Me, that I may

requite every man in accordance with what his conduct has been.

22:13

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the

Beginning and the End.

22:14

Blessed are those who wash their robes clean, that they may have

a right to the Tree of Life, and may go through the gates into the

city.

22:15

The unclean are shut out, and so are all who practise magic, all

fornicators, all murderers, and those who worship idols, and every

one who loves falsehood and tells lies.

22:16

“I Jesus have sent My angel for him solemnly to declare these

things to you among the Churches. I am the Root and the

offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.

22:17

The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come;’ and whoever hears, let him

say, ‘Come;’ and let those who are thirsty come. Whoever will, let

him take the Water of Life, without payment.

22:18

“I solemnly declare to every one who hears the words of the

prophecy contained in this book, that if any one adds to those

words, God will add to him the plagues spoken of in this book;

22:19

and that if any one takes away from the words of the book of this

prophecy, God will take from him his share in the Tree of Life and

in the holy city — the things described in this book.

22:20

“He who solemnly declares all this says, “‘Yes, I am coming

quickly.’” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

22:21

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.

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