Prologue

1- 1 Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us, 2 exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, 3 I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus, 4 so that Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received.

The birth of John the Baptist foretold

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both were worthy in the sight of God, and scrupulously observed all the commandments and observances of the Lord. 7 But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both getting on in years.

8 Now it was the turn of Zechariah's section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God 9 when it fell on him by lot, as the ritual custom was, to enter the Lord"s sanctuary and burn incense there. 10 And at the hour of incense the whole congregation was outside, praying.

11 Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. 12 The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him, "Zechariah, do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you must name him John. 14 He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink. Even from his mother's womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, 16 and he will bring back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 With the spirit and power of Elijah, he will go before him to turn the hearts of fathers toward their children and the disobedient back to wisdom that the virtuous have, preparing for the Lord a people fit for him." 18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this?! I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years." 19 The angel replied, "I am Gabriel who stand in God's presence, and I have been sent to you and bring you this good news. 20 Listen! Since you have not believed my words, which will come true at their appointed time, you will be silenced and have no power of speech until this has happened." 21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he stayed in the sanctuary so long. 22 When he came out he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had received a vision in the sanctuary. But he would only make signs to them, and remained dumb.

23 When his time of service came to an end he returned home. 24 Some time later his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept to herself. 25 "The Lord has done this for me," she said, "now that it has pleased him to take away the humiliation I suffered among men."

The annunciation

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 He went in and said to her, "Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you." 29 She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, 30 but the angel said to her, "Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. 31 Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor avid; 33 he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end." 34 Mary said to the angel, "But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?" 35 "The Holy Spirit will come upon you," the angel answered, "and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called on of God. 36 Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, 37 for nothing is impossible to God." 38 I am the handmaid of the Lord," Mary said, "let what you have said be done to me." And the angel left her.

The visitation

39 Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. 40 She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in er womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She gave a loud cry and said, "Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of the Lord? 44 For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled."

The Magnificat

46 And Mary said:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

47 and my spirit exults in God my saviour;

48 because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.

Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,

49 for the Almighty has done great things for me.

Holy is his name,

50 and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.

51 He has shown the power of his arm,

he has routed the proud of heart.

52 He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.

53 The hungry he has filed with good things, the rich sent empty away.

54 He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy

55 - according to the promise he made to our ancestors -

of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever."

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

The birth of John the Baptist and visit of the neighbours

57 Meanwhile the time for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; 58 and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.

The circumcision of John the Baptist

59 Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60 but her mother spoke up. "No," she said, "he is to be called John." 61 They said to her, "But no one in your family has that name," 62 and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. 63 The father asked for a tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they were astonished. 64 At that moment his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. 65 All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. "What will this child turn out to be?" They wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

The benedictus

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:

68 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue

69 and he has raised up for us a power for salvation

in the House of his servant David,

70 even as he proclaimed,

by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,

71 that he would save us from our enemies

and from the hands of all who hate us.

72 Thus he shows mercy to our ancestors,

thus he remembers his holy covenant,

73 the oath he swore

to our father Abraham

74 that he would grant us, free from fear,

to be delivered from the hands of our enemies,

75 to serve him n holiness and virtue

in his presence, all our days.

76 And you, little child,

you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord

to prepare the way for him.

77 To give his people knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins;

78 This is the tender mercy of our God

who from on high will bring the rising Sun to visit us,

79 to give light to those who live

in darkness and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet

into the way of peace."

The hidden life of John the Baptist

80 Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit matured. And he lived out in the wilderness until the day he appeared openly to Israel.

The birth of Jesus and visit of the shepherds

2- 1 Now at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. 2 This censes - the first - took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, 3 and everyone went to his own town to be registered. 4 So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to Judea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, since he was of David's House and line, 5 in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 While they were there the time came for her to have her child, 7 and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn. 8 In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night. 9 The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel said, "Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. 11 Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing:

14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and peace to men who enjoy his favour."

15 Now when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, 18 and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. 19 As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back glorifying God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.

The circumcision of Jesus

21 When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.

Jesus is presented in the Temple

22 And when the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord - 23 observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord; Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord - 24 also to offer a sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. 25 Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel's comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. 27 Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for im what the Law required, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

The Nunc Dimittis

29 "Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,

just as you promised;

30 because my eyes have seen the salvation

31 which you have prepared for all the nations to see,

32 a light to enlighten the pagans

and the glory of your people Israel."

The prophecy of Simeon

33 As the child's father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected - 35 And a sword will pierce your own soul too - so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare."

The prophecy of Anna

36 There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years 37 before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 She came by just at the moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

The hidden life of Jesus at Nazareth

39 When they had done everything the Law required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was with him.

Jesus among the doctors of the Law

41 Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. 43 When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. 44 They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day's journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. 45 When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.

46 Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; 47 and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. 48 They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, "My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you." 49 "Why were you looking for me?" He replied. "Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father's affairs?" 50 But they did not understand what he meant.

The hidden life at Nazareth resumed

51 He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased i wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.

The preaching of John the Baptist

3- 1 I the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar's reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. 3 He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice cries in the wilderness:

Prepare the way for the Lord,

make his paths straight.

5 Every valley will be filled in,

every mountain and hill be laid low,

winding ways will be straightened

and rough roads made smooth.

6 And all mankind shall see the wisdom of God.

7 He said, therefore, to the crowds who came to be baptized by him, "Blood of vipers, who warned you to fly from the retribution that is coming? 8 But if you are repentant, produce the appropriate fruits, and do not think of telling yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' because, I tell you, God can raise children for Abraham from these stones. 9 Yes, even now the ax is laid to the roots of the trees, so that any tree which fails to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown on the fire."

10 When all the people asked him, "What must we do then?" 11 he answered, "If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same." 12 There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said to him, "Master, what must we do?" 13 He said to them, "Exact no more than your rate." 14 Some soldiers asked him in their turn, "What about us? What must we do?" He said to them, "No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!"

15 A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, 16 so John declared before them all, "I baptize you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out." 18 As well as this, there were many other things he said to exhort the people and to announce the Good News to them.

John the Baptist imprisoned

19 But Herod the tetrarch, whom he criticized for his relations with his brother's wife Herodias and for all the other crimes Herod had committed, 20 added a further crime to all the rest by shutting John up in prison.

Jesus is baptized

21 Now when all the people had been baptized and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you."

The ancestry of Jesus

23 When he started to teach, Jesus was about thirty years old, being the son, 24 as it was thought, of Joseph son of Heli, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, 25 son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, 26 son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, 27 son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, so of Neri, 28 son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, 29 son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, 30 son of Symeon, son of Judah, son ofJoseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, 31 son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, 32 son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, son of Nahshon, 33 son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, 34 son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, 35 son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, 36 son of Cainan, son of Arphaad, son of shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, 37 son of Methusselah, sonof Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan, 38 son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

Temptation in the wilderness

4- 1 Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness, 2 being tempted by the devil for forty days. 3 During that time he ate nothing and at the end he was hungry. 3 Then the devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to turn into a loaf." 4 But Jesus replied, "Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone."

5 Then leading him to a height, the devil showed him in a moment of time all the kingdoms of the world 6 and said to him, "I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, for it has been committed to me and I give it to anyone I choose. 7 Worship me. Then it shall all be yours." 8 But Jesus answered him, "Scripture says:

You must worship the Lord your God,

and serve him alone."

9 Then he led him to Jerusalem and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said to him, "throw yourself down from here, 10 for the Scripture says:

He will put his angels in charge of you

to guard you,

and again:

11 They will hold you up on their hands

in case you hurt your foot against a stone."

12 But Jesus answered him, "It has been said:

You must not put the Lord your God to the test."

13 Having exhausted all these ways of tempting him, the devil left him, to return at the appointed time.

Jesus begins to preach

14 Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him.

Jesus at Nazareth

16 He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read, 17 and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:

18 The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,

for he has anointed me.

He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,

to proclaim liberty to captives

and to the blind new sight,

to set the downtrodden free,

19 to proclaim the Lord's year of favour.

20 He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistat and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to speak to them, "This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen." 22 And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips.

They said, "This is Joseph's son, surely?" 23 But he replied, "No doubt you will quote me the saying, 'Physician, heal yourself,' and tell me, 'We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside.'" 24 And he went on, "I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.

25 "There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah's day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six month and a great famine raged throughout the land, 26 but Elijah was not sent to any of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. 27 And in the prophet Elijah's time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman."

28 When they heard this everyone on the synagogue was enraged. 29 They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, 30 but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.

Jesus teaches in Capernaum and cures a demoniac

31 He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath. 32 And his teaching made a deep impression on them because he spoke with authority.

33 In the synagogue there was a man who was possessed by the spirit of an unclean devil, and it shouted at the top of his voice, 34 "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God." 35 But Jesus said sharply, "Be quiet! Come out of him!" And the devil, throwing the man down in front of everyone, went out of him without hurting him at all. 36 Astonishment seized them and they were all saying to one another, "What teaching! He gives orders to unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out." 37 And reports of him went all through the surrounding countryside.

Cure of Simon's mother-in-law

38 Leaving the synagogue he went to Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from high fever and they asked him to do something for her. 39 Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And immediately got up and began to wait on them.

A number of cures

40 At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them. 41 Devils too came out of many people, howling, "You are the Son of God." But he rebuked them and would nor allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.

Jesus quietly ;eaves Capernaum and travels through Judea

42 When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, 43 but he answered, "I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do." 44 And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

The first four disciples are called

5- 1 Now he was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing around him listening to the word of God, 2 when he caught sight of two boas close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats - it was Simon's - and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

4 When he was finished speaking he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and pay out yours nets for a catch." 5 "Master," Simon replied, "we have worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets." 6 And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, 7 so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when they came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.

8 When Simon Peter saw this he fell at his knees of Jesus saying, "Leave me, Lord, I am a sinful man." 9 For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; 10 so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. But Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch." 11 Then bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

Cure of a leper

12 Now Jesus was in one of the towns when a man appeared, covered with leprosy. Seeing Jesus he fell on his face and implored him. "Sir," he said, "if you want to, you can cure me." 13 Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, "Of course I want to! Be cured!" And the leprosy left him at once. 14 He ordered him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering for you healing as Moses prescribed it, as evidence for them."

15 His reputation continued to grow, and large crowds would gather to hear him and to have their sickness cured, 16 but he would always go off to some place where he could be alone and pray.

Cure of a paralytic

17 Now he was teaching one day, and among the audience there were Pharisees and doctors of the Law who had come from every village in Galilee, from Judea and from Jerusalem. And the Power of the Lord was behind his works of healing. 18 Then some men appeared, carrying on a bed a paralysed man whom they were trying to bring in and lay down in front of him. 19 But as the crowd made it impossible to find a way to getting him in, they went up on to the flat roof and lowered him and his stretcher down throw the tile into the middle of the gathering, in front of Jesus, 20 Seeing their faith he said, "My friend, your sins are forgiven you." 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to think this over. "Who is this man talking blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 22 But Jesus aware of their thoughts, made them this reply, "What are these thoughts you have in your hearts? 23 Which of these is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you' or to say, 'Get up and walk?' 24 But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," - he said to the paralysed man - "I order you: get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home." 25 And immediately before their very eyes he got up, picked up what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

26 They were astounded and praised God, and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today."

The call of Levi

27 When he went out after this, he noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, "Follow me." 28 And leaving everything he got up and followed him.

Eating with sinners in Levi's house

29 In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of ax collectors and others. 30 The Pharisees and the scribes complained to his disciples and said, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31 Jesus said to the in reply, "It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the virtuous, but the sinners to repentance."

Discussion on fasting

33 They then said to him, "John's disciples are always fasting and saying prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees too, but yours go on eating and drinking." 34 Jesus replied, "Surely you cannot make the bridegroom's attendants fast while the bridegroom is still with them? 35 But the time will come, the time for the bridegroom to be taken away from them; that will be the time when they will fast."

36 He also told them this parable, "No one tears a piece from a new cloak to put on an old cloak; if he does, not only will he have torn the new one, but the piece taken from the new will not match the old.

37 "And nobody puts new wine into old skins, the new wine will burst the skins and then run out, and the skins will be lost. 38 No new wine must be put into fresh skins. 39 And nobody who has been drinking old wine wants new. The old is good,' he says."

Picking corn on the sabbath

6- 1 Now one sabbath he happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples were picking ears of corn, rubbing them in their hands and eating them. 2 Some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath day'" 3 Jesus answered them, "So you have not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry - 4 how he went into the hose of God, took the loaves of offering and ate them and gave them to his followers, loaves which only the priests are allowed to eat?" 5 And he said to them, "The Son of Man is master of the sabbath."

Cure of the man with withered hand

6 Now on another sabbath he went into the synagogue and began to teach, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would cure a man on the sabbath, hoping to find something to use against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts; and he said tp the man with the withered hand, "Standup! Come out into the middle." And he came out and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, "I put it to you: is it against the law on the sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save a life, or to destroy it?" 10 Then he looked around at them all and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was better. 11 But they were furious, and began to discus the best way of dealing with Jesus.

The choice of the Twelve

12 Now it was about this time that he went into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. 13 When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them; he called them; he called them "apostles": 14 Simon whom he called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor.

The crowds follow Jesus

17 He then came down with them and stopped as a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and from Jerusalem and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon 18 who had come to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. People tormented by unclean spirits were also cured, 19 and everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him because power came out of him that cured them all.

The inaugural discourse. The Beatitudes

20 Then fixing his eyes on his disciples he said:

"How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.

Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.

22 "Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as a criminal, on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.

The curses

24 "But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.

25 Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.

Alas for you who laugh now; You shall mourn and weep.

26 "Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.

Love of enemies

27 "But I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. 29 To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. 31 Treat others as you would like them to treat you. 32 If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. 35 Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

Compassion and generosity

36 "Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. 37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you shall not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. 38 Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure,, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into you lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back."

Integrity

39 He also told a parable to them, "Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit? 40 The disciple is not superior to the teacher; the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher. 41 Why do you observe the splinter in your brother's eye and never notice the plank in your own? 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,' when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother's eye.

43 "There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. 44 For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. 45 A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store od badness. For a man's words flow out of what fills his heart.

The true disciple

46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord' and not do what I tell you?

47 "Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them - I will show you what he his like. 48 He is like the man who when he built his house dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. 49 But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man who built his house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!"

Cure of the centurion's servant

7- 1 When he had come to the end of all he wanted the people to hear, he went into Capernaum. 2 A centurion there had a servant, a favourite of his, who was sick and near death. 3 Having heard about Jesus he sent some Jewish elders to him to ask him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus they pleaded earnestly with him, "He deserves this of you," they said, 5 "because he is friendly toward our people; in fact, he is the one who built the synagogue." 6 So Jesus went with them, and he was not very far from the house when the centurion sent word to him by some friends: "Sir," he said, "do not put yourself to trouble; because I am not worthy to have you under my roof; 7 and for this same reason I did not presume to come to you myself; but give the word and let my servant be cured. 8 For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it." 9 When Jesus heard these words he was astonished at him and, turning around, said to the crowd following him, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found faith like this." 10 And when the messengers got back to the house they found the servant in perfect health.

The son of the widow of Nain restored to life

11 Now soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. 12 When he was near the gate of the town it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her. 13 When he Lord saw her he felt sorry for her, "Do not cry," he said. 14 Then he went up and put his hand on the brier and the bearers stood still, and he said, "Young man, I tell you to get up." 15 And the dead man sat up and begin to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, "A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people" 17 And this opinion of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.

The Baptist's question. Jesus commends him

18 The disciples of John gave him all this news, and John, summoning two of his disciples, 19 sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who his to come, or must we wait for someone else?" 20 When the men reached Jesus they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you, to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come or have we to wait for someone else?'" 21 It was then that he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind. 22 Then he ave the messengers their answer, "Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor 23 and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me."

24 When John's messengers had gone he began to talk to the people about John, 25 "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those who go in for the clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at courts! 26 Then what did you go out and see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: 27 he is the one of whom scripture says:

See, I am going to send my messenger before you;

he will prepare the way before you.

28 "I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is." 29 All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God's plan by accepting baptism from John; 30 but by refusing baptism from the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.

Jesus condemns his contemporaries

31 "What description, then, can I find for the men of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children shouting to one another while they sit in the market place:

'We played the pipes for you,

and you wouldn't dance;

we sang dirges,

and you wouldn't cry.'

33 "For John the Baptist comes, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you say, 'He is possessed.' 34 The Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' 35 Yet Wisdom has been proved right by all her children."

The woman who was a sinner

36 One of the Pharisees invited him to a meal. Hen he arrived at the Pharisee's house and took his place at table, 37 a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. 38 She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has." 40 Then Jesus took him up and said, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Speak Master," was the reply, 41 "There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. 42 They were unable to pay, so he pardon them both. Which of them will love him more?" 43 "The one who was pardon more, I suppose," answered Simon. Jesus said, "You are right."

44 Then he turned to the woman. "Simon," he said, "you see this woman? I came you house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love." 48 Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, "Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?" 50 But he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

The women accompanying Jesus

8- 1 Now after this he made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good news of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, 2 as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments; Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 Joanna the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.

Parable of the sower

4 With a large crowd gathering and people from every town finding their way to him, he used this parable:

5 "A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell on the edge of the path and was trampled on; and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some seed fell rock, and when it came up it withered away, having no moisture. 7 Some seed fell among thorns and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 And some seed fell into rich soil and grew and produced its crop a hundredfold." Saying this he cried, "Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!"

Why Jesus speaks in parables

9 His disciples asked him what this parable might mean, 10 and he said "The mysteries of the kingdom of God are revealed to you; for the rest there are only parables, so that

They may see but not perceive,

listen but not understand.

The parable of the sower explained

11 "This, then, is what the parable means: the seed is the word of God. 12 Those on the edge of the path are people who have heard it, and the devil comes and carries away the word from their hearts in case they should believe and be save. 13 Those on the rock are people who, when they first hear it, welcome the word with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of trial they give up. 14 As for the part that fell into thorns, this is the people who have heard, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life and do not reach maturity. 15 As for the part in the rich soil, this is people with noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.

Parable of the lamp

16 "No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or to put it under the bed. No, he puts it on a lampstand so that people may see the light when they come in. 17 For nothing is hidden but it will be made clear, nothing secret but it will be known and brought to light. 18 So take care how you hear; for anyone who has will be given more; but anyone who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away."

The true kinsmen of Jesus

19 His mother and his brothers came looking for him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd. 20 He was told, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you." 21 But he said in answer, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice."

The calming of the storm

22 One day, he got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake." So they put to sea, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. When a squall came down on the lake the boat started taking water and they found themselves in danger. 24 So they went to rouse him saying, "Master! Master! E are going down!" Then he woke up rebuked the wind and the rough water; and they subsided and it was calm again. 25 He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They answered awestruck and astonished and said to one another, "Who can this be, that gives orders even to winds and waves and they obey him?"

The Gerasene demoniac

26 They came to land in the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 He was stepping ashore when a man from the town who was possessed by devils came toward him; for a long time the man had worn no clothes, nor did he live in a house, but in the tombs.

28 Catching sight of Jesus he gave a shout, fell at his feet and cried out at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I implore you, do not torture me." 29 - For Jesus had been telling the unclean spirit to come out of the man. It was a devil that had seized on him a great many times, and they used to secure him with chains and fetters to restrain him but he would always break the fastenings, and the devil would drive him out into the wilds. 30 "What is your name?" Jesus asked. "Legion," he said - because many devils had gone into him. 31 And these pleaded with him not to order them to depart into the Abyss.

32 Now there was a large herd of pigs feeding there on the mountain, and the devils pleaded with him to let them go into these. So he gave them leave. 33 The devils came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd charged down the cliff into the lake and were drowned.

34 When the swineherds saw what had happened they ran off and told their story in the town and in the countryside around about, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus they found the man from whom the devils had gone out sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his full senses; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had witnessed it told them how the man who had been possessed came to be healed. 37 The entire population of the Garasene territory was in a state of panic and asked Jesus to leave them. So he got into the boat and went back.

38 The man from whom the devils had gone out asked to be allowed to stay with him, but he sent him away. 39 "Go back home," he said, "and report all that God has done for you." So the man went off and spread throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him.

Cure of the woman with a haemorrhage. Jairus' daughter raised to life

40 On his return Jesus was welcomed by the crowd, for they were all there waiting for h im. 41 And now there came a man named Jairus, who was an official of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus's feet and pleaded with him to come to his house, 42 because he had an only daughter about twelve years old, who was dying. And the crowds were almost stifling Jesus as he went.

43 Now there was a woman suffering from haemorrhage for twelve years, whom no one had been able to cure. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak; and the haemorrhage stopped at that instant. 45 Jesus said, "Who touched me?" When they all denied that they had, Peter and his companions said, "Master, it is the crowds around you, pushing." 46 But Jesus said, "Somebody touched me. I felt that power had gone out of me." 47 Seeing herself discovered, the woman came forward trembling and falling at his feet explained in front of all the 48 people why she had touched him and how she had been cured as that very moment. "My daughter," he said, "your faith has restored you to health; go in peace."

49 While he was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, "Your daughter has died. Do not trouble the Master any further." 50 But Jesus heard this, and he spoke to the man, "Do not be afraid, only have faith and she will be safe." 51 When he came to the house he allowed no one to go in with him except Peter and John and James, and the child's father and mother. 52 They were all weeping and mourning for her, but Jesus said, "Stop crying; she is not dead, but asleep." 53 But they laughed at him, knowing she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called to her, "Child, get up." 55 And her spirit returned and she got p at once. Then he told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

The mission of the Twelve

9- 1 He called the Twelve together and gave them authority over all devils and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey; neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. 4 Whatever hose you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there. 5 As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them." 6 So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.

Herod and Jesus

7 Meanwhile Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was going on; and he was puzzled, because some were saying that John had risen from the dead, 8 others Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. 9 But Herod said, "John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?" And he was anxious to see him.

The return of the apostles. Miracle of the loaves

10 On their return the apostles gave an account of all they had done. Then he took them with him and withdrew to a town called Bethsaida where they could be by themselves. 11 But the crowds got to know and they went after him. He made them welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing.

12 It was late afternoon when the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms around about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here." 13 He replied, "Give them something to eat yourselves." But they said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go ourselves and buy food for all these people." 14 For there were about five thousand men. But he said to his disciples, "Get them to sit down i parties of about fifty." 15 They did so and made them all sit down. 16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd. 17 They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps remaining were collected they filled twelve baskets.

Peter's profession of faith

18 Now one day when he was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he pt this question to them, "Who do the crowds say I am? 19 And they answered, "John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life." 20 "But you," he said, "who do you say I am?" It was Peter who speaks up, "The Christ of God," he said. 21 But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this.

First prophecy of the Passion

22 "The on of Man," he said, "Is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day."

The condition of following Christ

23 Then to all he said, "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. 24 For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. 25 What gain, then, is it for a man to have the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self? 26 For anyone is ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his own glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

The kingdom will come soon

27 "I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."

The transfiguration

28 Now about eight days after this had been said, he took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. 29 As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. 30 Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah 31 appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplishing Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." - He did not now what he was saying. 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with a shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. 35 And a voice came from the cloud saying, "This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him." 36 And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen.

The epileptic demoniac

37 Now on the following day when they were coming down from the mountain a large crowd came to meet him. 38 Suddenly a man in the crowd cried out, "Master," he said, "I implore you to look at my son: he is my only child. 39 All at once a spirit will take hold of him, and give a sudden cry and throw the body into convulsions with foaming at the mouth; it is slow to leave him, but when it does it leaves the body worn out. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they could not." 41 "Faithless and perverse generation!" Jesus said in reply, "How much longer must I be among you and put up with you? Bring your son here." 42 The boy was still moving toward Jesus when the devil threw him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and cured the boy and gave him back to his father, 43 and everyone was awestruck by the greatness of God.

Second prophecy of he Passion

At that time when everyone was full of admiration for all he did, he said to his disciples, 44 "For your part, you must have these words constantly in your mind: The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men." 45 But they did not understand him when he said this; it was hidden from them so that they should not see the meaning of it, and they were afraid too ask him about what he had just said.

Who is the greatest?

46 An argument started between them about which of them was the greatest. 47 Jesus knew what thoughts were going through their minds, and he took a little child and set him by his side, 48 and then said to them, "Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is the greatest."

On using the name of Jesus

49 John spoke up, "Master," he said, "we saw a man casting out devils in your name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him." 50 But Jesus said to him, "You must not stop im: anyone who is not against you is for you."

A Samaritan village is inhospitable

51 Now as the time grew near for him to be taken up to heaven, he resolutely took the road for Jerusalem 52 and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him, 53 but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem. 54 Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?" 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they said went off to another village.

Hardships of the apostolic calling

57 As they travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58 Jesus answered, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

59 Another to whom he said, "Follow me," replied, "Let me go and bury my father first." 60 But he answered, "Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God."

61 Another said, "I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say good-by to my people at home." 62 Jesus said to him, "Once the hand is laid on the plow, no one who looks ack is fit for the kingdom of God."

The mission of the seventy-two disciples

10- 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. 2 He said to them, "The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so sk the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. 3 Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, 'Peace to this house!" 6 And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. 7 Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. 8 Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. 9 Cure those in it who are sick, and say, 'The kingdom of God is very near to you.' 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not make you welcome, go out into the streets and say, 11 'We wipe off the very dust of your town that clings to our feet, and leave it with you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is very near.' 12 I tell you, an that day it will not go as hard with Sodom as with that town.

13 "Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 And still, it will not go as hard with Tyre and Sidon at the Judgment as with you. 15 And as for you Capernaum, did you want to be exalted high in heaven? You shall be thrown down to hell.

16 "Anyone who listens to you listens to me; anyone who rejects you rejects me, and those who reject me reject the one who sent me."

True cause for the apostles to rejoice

17 The seventy-two came back rejoicing. "Lord," they said, "even the devils submit to us when we use your name." 18 He said to them, "I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpens and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you. 20 Yet do not rejoice that the Spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven."

The Good News revealed to the simple. The Father and the Son

21 It was then that, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, he said, "I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. 22 Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

The privilege of the disciples

23 Then turning to his disciples he spoke to them in private, "Happy the eyes that you see what you see, 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it."

The great commandment

25 There was a lawyer who, to disconcert him, stood up and said to him, "Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the Law? What do you read there?" 27 He replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself." 28 "You have answered right," said Jesus "do this and life is yours."

Parable of the good Samaritan

29 But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" 30 Jesus replied, "A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and they made off, leaving him half dead. 31 Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. 34 He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. 35 Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands' hands?" 37 "The one who took pity on him," he replied. Jesus said to him, "Go, and do the same yourself."

Martha and Mary

38 In the course of their journey he came to a village, and a woman namd Marha welcomed him into her house. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking. 40 Now Matha who was distracted with all the serving said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to elp me.' 41 But the Lord answered; "Marthe, Martha,' he said, 'You worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her."

he Lord's prayer

11- 1 Now once he was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished one of his disciples said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as Johntaught his disciples." 2 He said to them, "Say this when you pray:

'Father, may you name be held holy,

Your kingdom come;

3 give us each day our daily bread,

and forgive us or sins,

4 for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us.

And do not put us to the teast.'"

The importunate friend

5 He also said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, 'My friend, lend me three loaves, 6 because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him'; 7 and the man answers from inside the ouse, 'Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.' 8 I tell you, if a man does not get up and give it him for friendship's sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.

Effective prayer

9 "So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. 11 Whet father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Jesus and Beelzebul

14 He was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. 15 But some of them said, "It is through Beelzebul, he prince of devils, that he casts out devils." 16 Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; 17 but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a houehold divided against itself collapses. 18 So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? - Since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils. 19 Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges, then. 20 But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. 21 So long as a dtrong man fully armed guards is own palace, his goods are undisturbed; 22 but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out the spoil.

No compromise

23 "He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.

Return of the unclean spirit

24 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man it wanders through waterless country for a place to rest, and not finding one it says, 'I will go back to the home I came from.' 25 But on arrival, finding it swept and tidied, 26 it then goes off and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and set up house there. So that the man ends up by being worse than he was before."

The truly happy

27 Now as he was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, "Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!" 28 But he replied, "Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

The sign of Jonah

29 The crowd got even bigger and he addressed them, "This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 On Judgment day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. 32 On Judgment day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.

The parable of the lamp repeated

33 "No one lights a lamp and puts it in some hidden place or under a tub, but on the lampstand so that people may see the light when they come in. 34 The lamp of your body is your eye. When your eye is sound, your whole body too is filled with light; but when it is diseased your body too will be all darkness. 35 See to it that the light inside you is not darkness. 36 If, therefore, your whole body is filled with light, and no trace of darkness, it will be light entirely, as when the lamp shines on you with its rays."

The Pharisees and the lawyers attacked

37 He had finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at the table. 38 The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal. 39 But the Lord said to im, "Oh, you Pharisees! You clean the outside of the cup and plate, while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion ans wickedness. 40 Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside too? 41 Instead, give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you. 42 But alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God! These you should have practice, without leaving the others undone. 43 Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour in the synagogue and being greeted obsequiously in the market squares! 44 Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that men walk on without knowing it!

45 A lawyer then spoke up. 'Master," he said, "when you speak like this you insult us too." 46 Alas for you lawyers also," he replied, "because you load on men burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not move a finger to lift.

47 "Alas for you who build the tombs of the prophets, the men your ancestors killed! 48 In this way you both witness what your ancestors did and approve it; they did the killing, you do the building.

49 "And that is why the Wisdom of God said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles; some they will slaughter and persecute, 50 so that this generation will have to answer for every prophet's blood that has been shed since the foundation of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the sanctuary.' Yes, I tell you, this generation will have to answer for it all.

52 "Alas for you lawyers who have taken away the key of knowledge! You have not gone in yourselves, and have prevented others going in who wanted to."

53 When he left the house, the scribes and the Pharisees began a furious attack on him and tried to force answers from him on innumerable questions, 54 setting traps to catch him out in something he might say.

Open and fearless speech

12- 1 Meanwhile the people had gathered in their thousands so hat the were treading on one another. And he began to speak, first of all to his disciples. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees - that is, their hypocrisy. 2 Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. 3 For this reason, whatever you have said in the dark will he heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places will be proclaimed on the housetops.

4 "To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. Yes, tell you, fear him. 6 Can you not buy five sparrows for two pennies? And yet not one is forgotten in God's sight. 7 Why, every hair on your head has been counted. There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.

8 "I tell you, if anyone openly declares himself for me in the presence of men, the Son of Man will declare himself for him in the presence of God's angels. 9 But the man who disowns me in the presence of men will be disowned in the presence of God's angels.

10 "Everyone who sys a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

11 "When they take you before synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do ot worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say, 12 because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say."

On hoarding possessions

13 A man in the crowd said to him, "Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance." 14 "My friend," he replied, "who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?" 15 Then he said o them, "Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man's life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs."

16 Then he told them a parable: "There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his hand, 17 thought to himself, 'What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops.' 18 Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them, 19 and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take it easy, eat, drink, have a good time.' 20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?' 21 So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God."

Trust the Providence

22 Then he said to his disciples, "That is why I am telling you not to worry about you life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to clothe it. 23 For life means more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Think of the ravens. They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouses and no barns; yet God feeds them. And how much more are you worth than the birds! 25 Can any of you, for all his worrying, add a single cubit to his span of life? 26 If the smallest things, therefore, are outside your control, why worry about the rest? 27 Think of the flowers; they never have to spin or weave; yet I assure you, not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. 28 Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he look after you, you men of little faith! 29 But you, you must not set your hearts on things to eat and things to drink; nor must you worry. 30 It is the pagans of this world who set their hearts on all these things. Your Father well knows you need them. 31 No; set your hearts on his kingdom, and these other things will be given you as well.

32 "There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.

On almsgiving

33 "Sell your possessions and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

On being ready for the Master's return

35 "See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. 36 Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. 37 Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. 38 It may be i the second watch he comes or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready. 39 You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the will of his house. 40 You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an our you do not expect."

41 Peter said, "Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?" 42 The Lord replied, "What sort of steward, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place im over his household to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 43 Happy that servant if his master's arrival finds him at this employment. 44 I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns. 45 But as for the servant who says to himself, 'My master is taking his time coming,' and sets about beating the menservants and the maids, and eating and drinking and getting drunk, 46 his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

47 "The servant who knows what his master wants, but has not even started to carry out those wishes, will receive very many strokes of the lash. 48 The one who did not know, but deserves to be beaten for what he has done, will receive fewer strokes. When a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.

Jesus and his Passion

49 "I have come to bring fire to earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! 50 There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!

Jesus the cause of dissension

51 "Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on a household of five will be divided; three against two and two against three; 53 the father against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-i-law against mother-in-law."

On reading the signs of the times

54 He said again to the crowd, "When you see a cloud looing up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. 55 And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?

57 "Why not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 For example: when you go to court with your opponent, try to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the bailiff and the bailiff have you thrown into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very penny."

Examples inviting repentance

13- 1 It was just about this time that some people arrived and told im about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. 2 At this time he said to them, "Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? 3 They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? 5 They were not, I tell you. No, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did."

Parable of the barren fig tree

6 He told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. 7 He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, 'Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on tis tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?" 8 "Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it one more year and give me time to dig around it and manure it: 9 it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.'"

Healing of a crippled woman on a sabbath

10 One sabbath day he was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that left her enfeebled; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright. 12 When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, "Woman, you are rid of your infirmity," 13 and he laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God.

14 But the synagogue official was indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, and he addressed the people present. "There are six days," he said, "when work is to be done. Come and be healed on one of those days and not on the sabbath." 15 But the Lord answered him. "Hypocrites! He said, "Is there one you who does not untie his ox or his donkey from the manger on the sabbath and take it out for watering? 16 And this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has held bound these eighteen years - was it not right to untie her bonds on the sabbath day?" 17 When he said this, all the adversaries were covered with confusion, and all the people overjoyed a all the wonders he worked.

Parable of the mustard seed

18 He went on to say, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? 19 It is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw it into his garden: it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches."

Parable of the east

20 Another thing he said, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God with? 21 It is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through."

The narrow door; rejection of the Jews, call of the Gentiles

22 Through towns and villages he went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone said to him, "Sir, will there be only a few saved?" He said to them, 24 Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.

25 "Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' but he will answer, 'I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then you will find yourself saying, 'We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets,' 27 But he will reply, 'I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men!'

28 "Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. 29 And men from the east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

30 "Yes there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last."

Herod the fox

31 Just at this time some Pharisees came up. "Go away," they said. "Leave this place, because Herod means to kill you." 32 He replied, "You may go and give that fox this message: Learn that today and tomorrow I cast out devils and on the third day attain my end, 33 But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.

Jerusalem admonished

34 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! 35 So be it! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me until the time comes when you say:

Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Healing of a dropsical man on the sabbath

14- 1 Now on a sabbath day he had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. 2 There in front of him was a man with dropsy, 3 and Jesus addressed the lawyers and Pharisees. "Is it against the law," he asked, "to cure a man on the sabbath, or not?" 4 But they remained silent, so he took the man and cured him and sent him away. 5 Then he said to them, "Which of you here, if his son falls into a well, or his ox, will not pull him out on a sabbath day without hesitation?" 6 And to this they could find no answer.

On choosing places at table

7 He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, 8 "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, 9 and the person who invited you both may come and say, 'Give up your place to this man.' And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take a lowest place. 10 No, when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, 'My friend, come up higher.' In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted."

On choosing guests to be invited

12 Then he said to his host, "When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in returned. 13 No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; 14 that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again."

The invited guests who made excuses

15 On hearing this, one of those gathered around the table said to him, "Happy is the man who will be at the feast in the kingdom of God!" 16 But he said to him, "There was a man who gave a great banquet, and he invited a large number of people. 17 When the time for the banquet came, he sent his servants to say to those who had been invited, 'Come along: everything is ready now.' 18 But all alike started to make excuses. The first said, 'I have bought a piece of land and must go and see it. Please accept my apologies.' 19 Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.' 20 Yet another said, 'I have just got married and so am unable to come.'

21 "he servant returned and reported this to his master. Then the householder, in a rage, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind ans the lame.' 22 'Sir,' said the servant, 'your orders have been carried out and there is still room.' Then the master said to his servant, 23 'Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and force the people to come in to make sure my house is full; 24 because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet.'"

Renouncing all that one holds dear

25 Great crowds accompanied him on his way and he turned and spoke to them, 26 "If a man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Renouncing possessions

28 "And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers would all start making fun of him and saying, 30 Here is a man who started to build and was unable to finish.' 31 Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who advances against him with twenty thousand? 32 If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for peace. 33 So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.

On loss of enthusiasm in a disciple

34 "Salt is a useful thing. But if the salt loses its taste, how can it be seasoned again? 35 It is good for neither soil nor manure heap. People throw it out. Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!"

The three parables of God's mercy

15- 1 The tax collectors and the sinners, meanwhile, were all seeking his company to hear what he had to say, 2 and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. "This man, they said, "welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 o he spoke this parable to them:

The lost sheep

4 "What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would e not joyfully take it on his shoulders 5 and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? 6 Rejoice with me,' he would say, 'I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.

The lost drachma

8 "Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? 9 And then, when she had found it, call together er friends and neighbours? 'Rejoice with me,' she would say, 'I have found the drachma I lost.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner."

The lost son (the "prodigal") and the dutiful son

11 He also said, "A man had two sons. 12 The younger said to his father, 'Father, let me have my share of the estate that would come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. 13 A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.

14 "When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch, 15 so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. 16 And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything.17 hen he came to his senses and said, 'How many of my father's paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger! 18 I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.' 20 So e left the place and went back to his father.

"While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. 21 Then his son said, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finer and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, 24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found,' And they began to celebrate.

25 "Now the other son was out n the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. 26 Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. 27 'Your brother has come,' replied the servant, 'and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.' 28 He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him; 29 but he answered his father, 'Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. 30 But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property - he and his women - you kill the calf we had been fattening.'

31 "The father said, 'My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. 32 But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and he is found.'"

The crafty steward

16- 1 He also said to his disciples, "There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. 2 He called for the man and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.' 3 Then the steward said to himself, 'Now that master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. 4 Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their home.'

5 "Then he called his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master? 6 One hundred measure of oil,' was the reply. The steward said, 'Here, take your bond; sit down straightaway and write fifty.' 7 To the other he said, 'And you, sir, how much do you owe?' 'One hundred measure of wheat,' was the reply. The steward said, 'Here take your bond and write eighty.'

8 "The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own than are the children of light."

The right use of money

9 "And so I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity. 10 The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. 11 If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? 12 And f you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?

13 "No servant can be the slave of two masters; he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money."

Against the Pharisees and their love of money

14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard this and laughed at him. 15 He said to them, "You are the very ones who pass yourselves off as virtuous in people's sight, but God knows your hearts. For what is thought highly of by me is loathsome in the sight of God.

The kingdom stormed

16 "Up to the time of John it was the Law and the Prophets; since then, the kingdom of God has been preached, and by violence everyone is getting in.

The Law remains

17 "It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for one little stroke to drop out of the Law.

Marriage indissoluble

18 "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries and other is guilty of adultery, and the man who marries a woman divorced by her husband commits adultery.

The rich man and Lazarus

19 "There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. 20 And at his gate there was a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to fill himself with scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even came and licked his sores. 22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.

23 "In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom. 24 So he cried out, 'Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.' 25 'My son, Abraham replied, 'remember that during your life good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. 26 But that is not all; between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop anyone, if he wanted to, crossing from our side to yours, and to stop any crossing from your side to ours.'

27 "The rich man replied, 'Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father's hose, 28 since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.' 29 "They have Moses and the prophets,' said Abraham, 'let them listen to them.' 30 'Ah o, father Abraham,' said the rich man, 'but if someone comes to tem from the dead, they will repent.' 31 Then Abraham said to him, 'If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.'"

On leading others astray

17- 1 He said to his disciples, "Obstacles are sure to come, but alas for the one who provides the! 2 It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone put around his neck than that he should lead astray a single one of these little ones. 3 Watch yourselves!

Brotherly correction

"If your brother does something wrong, reprove him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. 4 And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says 'I am sorry,' you must forgive him."

The power of faith

5 The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith." 6 The Lord replied, 'Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

Humble service

7 "Which of you, with a servant plowing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, 'Come and have your meal immediately?' 8 Would he not more likely to say, 'Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterward?' 9 Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? 10 So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, 'We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.'"

The ten lepers

11 Now on the way to Jerusalem he travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off 13 and called to him, "Jesus! Master! Take pity on us." 14 When he saw them he said, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." Now as they were going away cleansed. 15 Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice 16 and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. 17 This made Jesus say, "Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? 18 It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner." 19 And he said to the man, "Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you."

The coming of the kingdom of God

20 Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, he gave them this answer, "The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation 21 and there will be no one to say, "Look here! Look there!' For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you."

The day of the Son of Man

22 He said to his disciples, "A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. 23 They will say to you, 'Look there!' Or, 'Look here!' Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; 24 for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes. 25 But first he must suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.

26 "As it was in Noah's day, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating and drinking, marrying wives and husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and the Flood came and destroyed them all. 28 It will be the same as it was in Lot's day: people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but the day Lot left Sodom, God rained fire and brimstone from heaven and it destroyed them all. 30 It will be the same when the day comes for the Son of Man to be revealed.

31 "When that day comes, anyone on the housetop, with his possessions in the house must not come down to collect them, nor must anyone in the fields turn back either. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it; and anyone who loses it will keep it safe. 34 I tell you, on that night two will be in one bed: one will be taken, the other left; 35 two women will be grinding corn together: one will be taken, the other left." 36 The disciples interrupted. 'Where, Lord?" They asked. He said, "Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather."

The unscrupulous judge and he importunate widow

18- 1 Then he told them a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. 2 "There was a judge in a certain town," he said, "who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. 3 In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, 'I want justice from you against my enemy!' 4 For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, 'Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, 5 but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.'"

6 And the Lord said, "You notice what the unjust judge has to say? 7 Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? 8 I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son pf Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?"

The Pharisee and the publican

9 He spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else, 10 "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, 'I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest on mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.' 13 The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' 14 This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted."

Jesus and the children

15 People even brought little children to him, for him to touch them; but when the disciples saw this they turned them away. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 17 I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."

The rich aristocrat

18 A member of one of the leading families put this question to him, "Good Master, what have I to do to inherit eternal life?" 19 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments: You shall not commit adultery; You must not kill; You must not steal; You must not bring false witness; Honour your father and mother." 21 He replied, "I have kept all these from my earliest days till now." 22 And when Jesus heard this he said, "There is still one thing you lack. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." 23 But when he heard this he was filled with adness, for he was very rich.

The danger of riches

24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to make their way into the kingdom of God! 25 Yes, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 "In that case," said the listeners, "Who can be saved?" 27 "Things that are impossible for men," he replied, "are possible for God."

The reward of renunciation

28 Then Peter said, "What about us? We left all we had to follow you." 29 He said to them, "I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, wife brothers, parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 who will not be given repayment many times over in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life."

Third prophecy of the Passion

31 Then taking the Twelve aside he said to them, "Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man is to come true. 32 For he will be handed over to the pagans and will be mocked, maltreated and spat on, 33 and when they have scourged him they will put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again." 34 But they could make nothing of this; what he said was quite obscure to them, they had no idea what it meant.

Entering Jericho: the blind man

35 Now as he drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about, 37 and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. 38 So he called out, "Jesus Son of David, have pity on me." 39 The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, "Son of David, have pity on me." 40 Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" "Sir," he replied, "let me see again." 42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you." 43 And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God for what had happened.

Zacchaeus

19- 1 He entered Jericho and was going through the town 2 when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance; he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. 3 He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd; 4 so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: "Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today." 6 And he hurried down and welcomed his joyfully. 7 They all complained when they saw what was happening. "He has gone to stay at a sinner's house," they said. 8 But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, "Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay back four times the amount." 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost."

Parable of the pounds

11 While the people were listening to this he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they imagined that the kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there. 12 Accordingly he said, "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and afterward return. 13 He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds. 'Do business with these,' he told them, 'until I get back.' 14 But his compatriots detested him and sent a delegation to follow him with this message, 'We do not want that man to be our king.'

15 "Now on his return, having received his appointment as king, he sent for those servants to whom he had given money, to find out what profit each had made. 16 The first came in and said, 'Sir your one pound has brought in ten.' 17 Well done, my good servant!' He replied. 'Since you have proved yourself faithful in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities.' 18 Then came the second and said, 'Sir, your one pound has made five.' 19 To this one also he said, 'And you shall be in charge of five cities.' 20 Next, came the other and said, 'Sir, here is your pound. I put it away safely in piece of linen 21 because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man: you pick up what you have not put down and reap what you have not sown.' 22 You wicked servant!' He said, 'Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew I was an exacting man, picking up what I have not put down and reaping what I have not sown? 23 Then why did you not put the money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest.' 24 And he said to those standing by, 'Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has ten pounds.' 25 And they said to him, 'But, sir, he has ten pounds . . . ' 26 "I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

27 'But as for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence.'"

The Messiah enters Jerusalem

28 When he had said this he went ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 Now when he was near Bethphage and Bethany, close by the Mount of Olives as it is called, he sent two of the disciples, telling them, 30 "Go off to the village opposite, and as you enter it you will find a tethered colt that no one has yet ridden. Untie it and bring them here. 31 If anyone asks you, "Why are you untying it?' You are to say this, 'The Master needs it.'" 32 The messengers went off and found everything just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owner said, 'Why are you untying that colt?" 34 and they answered, "The Master needs it."

35 So they took the colt to Jesus, and throwing their garments over its back they helped Jesus onto it. 36 As he moved off, people spread their cloaks in the road, 37 and now, as he was approaching the downward slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole group of disciples joyfully began to praise God at the top of their voice for all the miracles they had seen. 38 hey cried out:

"Blessings on the King who comes,

in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven

and glory in the highest heaven!"

Jesus defends his disciples for acclaiming him

39 Some Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Master, check your disciples," 40 but he answered, "Yes I tell you, if these keep silent the stones will cry out."

Lament for Jerusalem

41 As he drew near and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it 42 and said, "If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! 43 Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortification all around you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; 44 they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will have not one stone standing on another within you - and all because you did not recognize your opportunity when God offered it!"

The expulsion of the dealers from the Temple

45 Then he went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling. 46 "According to scripture," he said, "my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers' den."

Jesus teaches in the Temple

47 He taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, with the support of the leading citizens, tried to do away with him, 48 but they did not see how they could carry this out because the people as a whole hung on his words.

The Jews question the authority of Jesus

20- 1 Now one day when he was teaching the people in the Temple and proclaiming the Good News, the chief priests and the scribes came up, together with the elders, 2 and spoke to him. "Tell us," they said, "what authority have you for acting like this? Or who is it that gave you this authority?" 3 And I," replied Jesus, "will ask you a question. Tell me: 4 John baptism: did it come from heaven, or from man?" 5 And they argued it out this way among themselves, "If we say from heaven, he will say, 'Why did you refuse to believe him?' 6 and if we say from man, the people will all stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet." 7 So their reply was that they did not know where it came from. 8 And Jesus said to them, "Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this."

Parable of the wicked husbandmen

9 And he went on to tell the people a parable: "A man planted a vineyard and leased it to tenants, and went abroad for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get his share of the produce of the vineyard from them. But the tenants thrashed him, and sent him away empty-handed. 11 But he persevered and sent a second servant; they thrashed him too and treated him shamefully and sent him away empty-handed. 12 He still persevered and sent a third; they wounded this one also, and threw him out. 13 hen the owner of the vineyard said, 'What am I to do? I will end them my dear son. Perhaps they will respect him.' 14 But when the tenants saw him they put their heads together. 'This is the heir,' they said, 'let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.' 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

"Now what will the owner of the vineyard do to them" 16 He will come and make an end of these tenants and give the vineyard to others." Hearing this they said, 'God forbid!" 17 But he looked hard at them and said, "Then what does this text in the scriptures mean:

It was the stone rejected by the builders

that became the keystone?

18 Anyone who falls on that stone will be dashed to pieces; anyone it falls on will be crushed."

19 But for their fear of the people, the scribes and the chief priests would have liked to lay hands on him that very moment, because they realized that this parable was aimed at them.

On tribute to Caesar

20 So they waited their opportunity and sent agents to pose as men devoted to the Law, and to fasten on something he might say and so enable them to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. 21 They put to him this question, "Master, we know that you say ans teach what is right; you favour no one, but teach the way of God in all honesty. 22 Is it permissible for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 23 But he was aware of their cunning and said, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose head and name are on it?" "Caesar's," they said. 25 "Well then," he said to them, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar - and to God what belongs to God."

26 As a result, they were unable to find fault with anything he had to say in public; his answer took them by surprise and they were silenced.

The resurrection of the dead

27 Some Sadducees - those who say that there is no resurrection - approached him and they put this question to him, 28 "Master, we have it from Moses in writing, that if a man's married brother dies childless, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother. 29 Well then, there were seven brothers. The first, having married a wife, died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third married the widow. And the same with all seven, they died leaving no children. 32 Finally the woman herself died. 33 Now, at the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife since she had been married to all seven?"

34 Jesus replied, "The children of this world take wives and husbands, 35 but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in resurrection from the dead do not marry 36 because they can no longer die, for they are the same as angels, and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God. 37 And Moses himself implies that the dead rise again, in the passage about the bush where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive."

39 Some scribes then spoke up. "Well put, Master," they said - 40 because they would not dare to ask him any more questions.

Christ, not only son but also Lord of David

41 He then said o them, "How can people maintain that Christ is son of David? 42 Why, David himself says in the Book of Psalms:

The Lord said to my Lord:

Sit at my right hand

43 and I will make your enemies

a footstool for your feet.

44 David here calls him Lord; how then can he be his son?"

The scribes condemned by Jesus

45 While all the people were listening he said to the disciples, 46 "Beware of the scribes who walk about in long robes and love to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets, 47 who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive."

The widow's mite

21- 1 As he looked p he saw rich people putting their offerings into the treasury; 2 then he happened to notice a poverty-stricken widow putting in two coins, 3 and he said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them; 4 for these have all contributed money they had over, but she from the little she had put in all she had to live on."

Discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem; Introduction

5 hen some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, he said, 6 All these things you are staring at now - the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another; everything will be destroyed." 7 And they put to him this question: "Master," they said, "when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?"

The warning signs

8 "Take care not to be deceived," he said, "because many will come using my name and saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near at hand.' Refuse to join tem. 9 And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon." 10 Then he said to them, "Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

12 "But before all this happens, men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name 13 and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Keep tis carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, 15 because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. 17 You will be hated by all men on account of my name, 18 but not a hair of your head will be lost. 19 Your endurance will win you your lives.

The siege

20 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you must realize that she will soon be laid desolate. 21 Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it. 22 For this is the time of vengeance when all that scripture says must be fulfilled. 23 Alas for those with child, or with babies at their breast, when these days come!

The disaster and the age of the pagans

"For great misery will descend on the land and wrath on this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every pagan country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the age of the pagans is completely over.

Cosmic disasters and the coming of the Son of Man

25 "There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; 26 men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When thee things begin to take place, stand erect, hold you heads high, because your liberation is near at hand."

The time of is coming

29 And he told them a parable, "Think of the fig tree and indeed every tree. 30 As soon as you see them bud, you know that summer is now near. 31 So with you when you see these things happening: know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all will have taken place. 33 Heave and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Be on the alert

34 "Watch yourselves, or your hearts, will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. 35 For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. 36 Stay awake, praying at all time for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and stand with confidence before the Son of Man."

The last days of Jesus

37 In the day time he would be in the Temple teaching, but would spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives. 38 And from early morning the people would gather around him in the Temple to listen to him.

The conspiracy against Jesus; Judas betrays him

22- 1 The feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was now drawing near, 2 and the chief priests and the scribes were looking for some way of doing away with him, because they mistrusted the people.

3 Then Satan entered Judas, surname Iscariot, who was numbered among the Twelve. 4 He went to the chief priests and the officers of the guard to discuss a scheme for handing Jesus over to them. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He accepted, and looked for an opportunity to betray him to them without the people knowing.

Preparation for the Passover supper

7 The day of Unleavened Bread came around, the day on which the passover had to be sacrificed, 8 and he sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make the preparations for us to eat the passover." 9 "Where do you want us to prepare it?" they asked. 10 "Listen," he said, "as you go into the city you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him into the house he enters 11 and tell the owner of the house. 'The Master has this to say to you: Where is the dining room in which I can eat the passover with my disciples?" 12 The man will show you a large upper room furnished with couches. Make the preparations there." 13 They set off and found everything as he had told them, and prepared the passover.

The supper

14 When the hour came he took his place at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said o them, "I have longed to eat this passover with you before I suffer; 16 because, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

17 Then, taking a cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and share it among you, 18 because from now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the kingdom of God comes."

The institution of the Eucharist

19 Then he took some bread and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which will be given for you; do this as a memorial of me." 20 He did te same with the cup after supper, and said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood which will be poured out for you.

The treachery of Judas foretold

21 "And yet, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who betrays me. 22 The Son of Man does indeed go to his fate even as it has been decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!" 23 And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this thing.

Who is the greatest?

24 A dispute arose also between them about which should be reckoned the greatest, 25 but he said to them, "Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor. 26 This must not happen with you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. 27 For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves!

The reward promised to the apostles

28 "You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials; 29 and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: 30 you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

Peter's denial and repentance foretold

31 "Simon, Simon! Satan, you must know, has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers." 33 "Lord," he answered, "I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death." 34 Jesus replied, "I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three time that you know me."

A time of crisis

35 He said to them, "When I sent you out without purse or haversack or sandals, were you short of anything? 36 "No," they said. He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it; if you have a haversack, do te same; if you have no sword, sell your cloak and by one, 37 because I tell you these words of scriptures have to be fulfilled in me: He let himself be taken for a criminal. Yes, what scripture says about me is even now reaching its fulfilment." 38 "Lord ," they said, "there are two swords here now." He said to them, "That is enough!"

The Mount of Olives

39 He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following. 40 When they reach the place e said to them, "Pray not to be put to the test."

41 Then he withdrew from them, about a stone's throw away, and knelt down and prayed. 42 "Father," he said, "if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine." 43 Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

45 When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief. 46 "Why are you sleeping?" He said to them. "Get up and pray not to be put to the test."

The arrest

47 He was still speaking when a number of men appeared, and at the head of them the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, who went up to Jesus to kiss him. 48 Jesus said, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" 49 His followers, seeing what was happening, said, "Lord, shall we use our swords" 50 And one of them struck out at the high priest's servant and cut off is right hear. 51 But atthis Jesus spoke. "Leave off!" He said, "That will do!" And touching the man's ear he healed him.

52 Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guard and elders who ad come for him. "Am I a brigand," he said, "that you had to set out with swords and clubs? 53 When I was among you in the Temple day after day you never moved to lay hands on me. But this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness."

Peter's denials

54 They seized him then led him away, and they took him to the high priest's house. Peter followed at a distance. 55 They had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and Peter sat down among them, 56 and as he was sitting there by the blaze a servant girl saw him, peered at him, and said, "This person was with him too." 57 But he denied it. "Woman," he said, "I do not know him." 58 Shortly afterward someone else saw him and said, "You are another of them," But Peter replied, "I am not, my friend." 59 About an hour later another man insisted, saying, "This fellow was certainly with him. Why, he is a Galilean." 60 "My friend," said Peter, "I do not know what you are talking about." At that instant, while he was still speaking, the cock crew, 61 and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered what the Lord had said to him. "Before the cock crows today, you will have disowned me three times." 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Jesus mocked by the guards

63 Meanwhile the men who guarded Jesus were mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and questioned him. "Play the prophet," they said, "Who hit you then?" 65 And they continued heaping insults on him.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

66 When day broke there was a meeting of the elders of the people, attended by the chief priests and scribes. He was brought before their council, 67 and they said to him, "If you are the Christ, tell us." "If I tell you," he replied, "you will not believe me, 68 and if I question you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of he Power of God." 70 Then they all said, "So you are the Son of God then?" He answered, "It is you who say I am." 71 "What need of witnesses have we now?" They said, "We have heard it for ourselves from his own lips." 23- 1 The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate.

Jesus before Pilate

2 They began their accusations by saying, "We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king." 3 Pilate put to him this question, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "It is you who say it." He replied. 4 Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no case against this man." 5 But they persisted, "He is inflaming the people with teaching all over Judaea; it has come all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here." 6 When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean; 7 and finding that he came under Herod's jurisdiction he passed him over to Herod who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Jesus before Herod

8 Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length; but without getting any reply. 10 Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, violently pressing their accusations. 11 Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate. 12 And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.

Jesus before Pilate again

13 Pilate the summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people. 14 "You brought this man before me," he said, "as a political agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no case against the man in respect of all the charges you bring against him. 15 Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death, 16 so I shall have him flogged and then let him go." 18 But as one man they howled, "Away with him! Give us Barabbas!" 19 (This man had been thrown into prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.)

20 Pilate was anxious to see Jesus free and addressed him again, 21 but they shouted back, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" 22 And for the third time he spoke to them, "Why? What harm has this man done? I have found ne case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him punished and then let him go." 23 But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts were growing louder.

24 Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted. 25 He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.

The way to Calvary

26 As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. 27 Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, mourned and lamented for him. 28 But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days will surely come when people will say, 'Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!' 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us!; to the hill, 'Cover us!' 31 For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?" 32 Now with him they were also leading out two other criminals to be crucified.

The crucifixion

33 When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing." Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.

The crucified Christ is mocked

35 The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him. "He saved others," they said, "let him save himself if he is Christ of God, the Chosen One." 36 The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer him vinegar 37 they said, "If you are king of the Jews, save yourself." 38 Above him there was an inscription: "This is the King of the Jews."

The good thief

39 One of the criminals hanging there abused him. "Are you not the Christ?" he said. "Save yourself and us as well." 40 But the other spoke up and rebuked him. "Have you no fear of God at all?" he said. "You got the same sentence as he did, 41 but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. 42 Jesus," he said, "remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 "Indeed, I promise you," he replied, "today you will be with me in paradise."

The death of Jesus

44 It was ow about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 45 The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle; 46 and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said, "Father, into your hands I commit my soul." With these words he breathed his last.

After the death

47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said, "This was a great and good man." 48 And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.

49 All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.

The burial

50 Then a member of the council arrived, an upright and virtuous man named Joseph. 51 He had not consented to what the others had planned and carried out. He came from Arimathaea, a Jewish town, and he lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 He then took it down, wrapped it in a shroud and put him in a tomb which was hewn in stone in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day and the sabbath was imminent.

55 Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and of the position of the body.

56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath day they rested, as the Law required.

The empty tomb. He angel's message

24- 1 On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, 3 but on entering discovered that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there. 4 As they stood there not knowing what to think, two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side. 5 Terrified, the women lowered their eyes. But the two men said to them, 'Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He is not here; he has risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee: 7 that the Son of Man had to be handed over into the power of sinful men and be crucified, and rise again on the third day." 8 And they remembered his words.

The apostles refuse to believe the women

9 When the women returned from the tomb they told all this to the Eleven and to all others. 10 The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them also told the apostles, 11 but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense, and they did not believe them.

Peter at the tomb

12 Peter, however, went running to the tomb. He went down and saw the binding cloths but nothing else; he then went back home, amazed at what happened.

The road to Emmaus

13 That very same day, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking together about all that had happened. 15 Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; 16 but something prevented them from recognizing him. 17 He said to them, "What matters are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped short, their faces downcast.

18 Then one of them, call Cleopas, answered him, "You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days." 19 "What tings?" he asked. "All about Jesus of Nazareth," they answered, "who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; 20 and how the chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. 21 Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. 22 And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astonished us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, 23 and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. 24 Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing."

25 Then he said to them, "You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! 26 Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?" 27 Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.

28 When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; 29 but pressed him to stay with them. "It is nearly evening" they said, "and the day is almost over." So he went to stay with them. 30 Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; but he had vanished from their sight. 32 Then they said to each other, "Did not out hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?"

33 They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, 34 who said to them, "Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35 Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognized him at the breaking of the bread.

Jesus appears to the apostles

36 They were still talking about all this when he himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you!" 37 In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 But he said, "Why are you agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have." 40- And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. 41 Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumfounded; so he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 42 And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, 43 which he took and ate before their eyes.

Last instructions to the apostles

44 Then he told them, "This is what I meant when i said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms, has to be fulfilled." 45 He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, "So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witness to his.

49 "AND NOW I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high."

The ascension

50 Then he took them as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands be blessed them. 51 Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and 52 was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy; 53 and they were continually in the Temple praising God.