Chapter 1

1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2. As it is written in the prophets, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you,” and

3.“A voice crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!’ ”

4. John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,

5.and all the territory of Judea went out to him, and those of Jerusalem, and they were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

6. And John was clothed with camel hair and a leather girdle about his loins, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

7. And he preached, saying, “After me, there is coming one mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am unworthy to stoop to loosen.

8.I indeed baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with holy spirit.”

9. And it was in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

10. And just as he was coming up from the water, he saw heaven being opened, and the spirit like a dove descending upon him,

11.and there came a voice out of heaven, saying, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. ”

12. And the spirit immediately sent him out into the wilderness.

13. And he was there in the wilderness, tempted forty days by Satan, and he was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

14. Now, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, preaching the good news of the kingdom of God,

15.and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near! Repent, and believe the gospel! ”

16. Then, while walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting Simon’s net into the sea, for they were fishermen,

17.and Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

18. And immediately leaving their nets, they followed him.

19. And going on a little from there, he saw James ben Zebedee and John his brother as they were mending nets in the boat,

20.and he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went away after him.

21. And they went into Capernaum. And on the Sabbath day, he went directly into the synagogue and taught.

22. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

23. And in their synagogue, there was a man with an unclean spirit, and it cried out,

24.saying, “What have we to do with you, Jesus, Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you, who you are, holy one of God!”

25. Then Jesus commanded it, saying, “Shut up, and come out of him!”

26. And when the unclean spirit had shaken him and had cried out with a loud voice, it came out of him.

27. And everyone was so amazed that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new teaching is this, that he commands with authority even unclean spirits, and they obey him?”

28. And the news about him immediately went out into the entire region around Galilee.

29. And when they had gone out of the synagogue, they came to the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

30. And Simon’s mother-in-law was lying down, stricken with a fever. And right away, they spoke to him about her.

31. And when he came to her, he raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever immediately left her, and she served them.

32. And at evening, when the sun went down, they brought him all who were ill and who were demon-possessed,

33.and the whole city was gathered at the door.

34. And he healed many who were ill with various diseases, and he cast out many demons, and he did not allow the demons to speak, for they knew him.

35. And early in the morning, while it was yet very dark, he got up and went out, and he came to a secluded place, and there he prayed.

36. And Simon and those who were with him looked for him,

37.and when they found him, they told him, “Everybody is looking for you.”

38. And he said to them, “Let’s go to the neighboring cities so that I can preach there, too, for that’s why I’ve come.”

39. And he began preaching in their synagogues throughout Galilee, and casting out demons.

40. And a leper came to him, pleading with him, and falling on his knees before him, and saying to him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.”

41. And Jesus, deeply moved, reached out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do want to. Be cleansed!”

42. And when he had said that, the leprosy immediately departed from him, and he was made clean.

43. And he immediately sent him away, when he had given him a stern directive

44.and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.”

45. But after he went out, he began to proclaim it greatly and to spread the news so widely that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town but stayed out in desolate places, and they came to him from every quarter.

Chapter 2

1. After some days, he entered again into Capernaum, and it was heard that he was at home.

2. And very soon, so many were gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he began to preach to them.

3. And they came to him, bringing a paralytic carried by four men.

4. But being unable to get close to him because of the crowd, they removed the roof where he was, and when they had dug an opening, they lowered the pallet on which the paralyzed man lay.

5. Then Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

6. Now, there were some scribes sitting there, reasoning in their hearts,

7. “Why does this man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God?”

8. Jesus perceived immediately in his spirit that they were reasoning this way within themselves, and he said to them, “Why do you think those things in your hearts?

9.Which is easier, to say to the paralytic ‘Your sins are forgiven’, or to say, ‘Rise, and take up your pallet and walk’?

10.But so that you might know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” he said to the paralytic,

11.“I say to you, get up; pick up your pallet, and go to your house.”

12. And immediately, he got up, and when he had picked up his pallet, he went out before them all, so that they all were astonished, and they glorified God, saying, “We have never seen the like!”

13. And he went out again by the sea, and the whole multitude came to him, and he taught them.

14. And passing on, he saw Levi ben Alphaeus sitting in the tax collector’s booth, and he said to him, “You follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

15. And then, Jesus reclined for a meal in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him.

16. And the scribes and the Pharisees, seeing him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, said to his disciples, “Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

17. But when Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

18. And disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and said to him, “Why is it that the disciples of John and disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

19. And Jesus said to them, “Can the bridegroom’s attendants fast while the bridegroom is with them? No, as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can’t fast.

20.The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then, in those days, they will fast.

21.No one sews a patch of new cloth on an old garment; otherwise, the new patch that fills in the hole tears away from the old, and the tear is made worse.

22.And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the new wine bursts the wineskins, and the wine is spilled, and the wineskins, ruined; but new wine is put into new wineskins.”

23. And it happened that he passed through some standing grain on the Sabbath, and as his disciples made their way, they began plucking heads of grain.

24. And the Pharisees kept saying to him, “Look! Why are they doing what is not allowed on the Sabbath day?”

25. And so, he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need, and hungry, he and those with him,

26.how he entered into the house of God during the time of Abiathar the high priest and ate the Bread of Presentation, which is unlawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he even gave some of the Bread to those who were with them?”

27. And then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

28. Therefore, the Son of man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Chapter 3

1. And again, he went into the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand.

2. And some were watching him closely, to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might bring charges against him.

3. But he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Get up to the middle.”

4. And then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill? ” But they remained silent.

5. Then, looking around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardness of their heart, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.

6. And the Pharisees went out immediately and began to plot against him with the Herodians, how they might destroy him.

7. And so, Jesus returned with his disciples to the sea, and there followed him a great multitude from Galilee, and from Judea,

8.and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and the other side of the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon; a great multitude came to him, having heard of the things he did.

9. And he told his disciples that a small boat should be made ready for him because of the crowd, lest they should crush him,

10.for he had healed so many that everyone with illnesses pressed upon him, to touch him.

11. And when unclean spirits saw him, they fell before him and cried out, saying, “You are the son of God! ”

12. But he rebuked them, lest they should make him known.

13. And then, he went up on the mountain and summoned those he wanted, and they went to him.

14. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him and that he should send them out to preach

15.and to have authority to heal diseases and to cast out demons:

16.even Simon (whom he surnamed Peter),

17.and James ben Zebedee and John the brother of James (whom he surnamed Boanerges), which means, “sons of thunder”,

18.and Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James ben Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,

19.and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him, and they went home.

20. And the multitude came together again, so that they could not even eat bread.

21. And when his kinsmen heard of it, they came out to take him, for they were saying, “He’s lost his mind.”

22. And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul” and “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

23. And when he had called for them, he talked to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?

24And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

25.And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

26.And, if Satan is risen up against himself, he is likewise divided; he cannot stand, but is finished.

27.No one who enters a strong man’s house can plunder his goods unless he first ties up the strong man; then he can plunder his house.

28.Amen, I tell you that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies that they might utter,

29.but whoever blasphemes against the holy spirit has no forgiveness, but is deserving of eternal damnation. ”

30. (He said this because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”)

31. Then his brothers and his mother came, and standing outside, they sent word to him, calling for him.

32. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Look! Your mother, and your brothers, and your sisters are outside, looking for you.”

33. And he answered them, saying, “Who is my mother, or my brothers?”

34. And then, looking at those seated all around him, he said, “Behold my mother and my brothers!

35.For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”

Chapter 4

1. And he began to teach by the sea again. And such a large crowd was gathered around him that he boarded a boat on the sea to sit down, and the whole multitude was on land, facing the sea.

2. And he taught them with many parables, and he said to them in his teaching,

3.“Listen! The sower went out to sow,

4.and it happened that as he sowed, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and gobbled them up.

5.But other seed fell on a rocky place, where it didn’t have much soil, and it immediately sprang up because it had no depth of soil.

6.Then, after the sun arose, it was scorched, and because it had no root, it withered.

7.And other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it out, and it produced no crop.

8.And other seed fell on good soil; and it produced a crop when it sprouted and grew, and it bore, some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some a hundredfold.”

9. And then he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

10. And when he was alone, those around him, with the twelve, questioned him about the parable.

11. And he said to them, “To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, everything is in parables

12.so that ‘They will surely see, but they will not perceive, and they will surely hear, but they will not understand, lest they repent, and their sins be forgiven.’”

13. And then he said to them, “You don’t understand this parable? Then, how will you understand any parables at all?

14.The sower sows the word.

15.Now, these are the ones where the word is sown beside the road; when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word sown in their hearts.

16.And they are similar who are sown on rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy,

17.but having no root within themselves, they last but a while; then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they are quickly offended.

18.And these are the ones sown among the thorns, who hear the word,

19.and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

20.And these are the ones sown on good ground, who hear the word and welcome it, and bear fruit, by thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold.”

21. And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a bushel or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand?

22.Yes. There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, neither is there any secret thing but that it will come to light.

23.If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

24. And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By what measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and to you who hear, more will be added.

25.For whoever has, it will be given to him, and he who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. ”

26. And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man throws seed on the ground,

27.and though he sleeps and rises night and day, how the seed sprouts and grows, he doesn’t know.

28.For the earth bears fruit by itself; first a blade, then a head, and then ripe grain in the head.

29.But as soon as the crop allows, he sends in the sickle because the harvest has come.”

30. Then he said, “To what should we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison should we compare it?

31.It’s like mustard seed, which, when scattered on the earth, is smallest of all the seeds that are on the earth;

32.but when it is sown, it grows and becomes the greatest of all the garden plants, and it produces branches so large that the birds of the air can nest in its shade.”

33. And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.

34. And without a parable He did not speak to them, but when alone with his disciples, he explained everything.

35. And that same day, when it was evening, he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side. ”

36. And dismissing the crowd, they took him as he was, in the boat. And other little boats were there with it.

37. And there was a great windstorm, and the waves broke over into the boat so that it was now filling up.

38. But he was in the stern, sleeping on a pillow, and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?”

39. And getting up, he commanded the wind and said to the sea, “Silence! Be quiet!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40. And he said to them, “Why are you afraid like this? How is it that you don’t have faith?”

41. And they were terrified, and said to one other, “Who is this man, that even the wind and sea obey him? ”

Chapter 5

1. And they went to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gadarenes.

2. And as soon as he got out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit came out of the tombs and met him,

3.who made his home among the tombs, and no one could bind him, not even with chains

4.because, many times, when he was bound with fetters and chains, the chains were torn apart by him, and the fetters were broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to control him.

5. And continually, night and day, on the mountains and in the tombs, he was crying out and cutting himself with stones.

6. But seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell down before him,

7.and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the most high God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!”

8. (For he had started to say to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”)

9. And he asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “Legion is my name, because we are many!”

10. And he begged him earnestly, that he would not send them out of the region.

11. Now, a large herd of swine was there, feeding near the mountain,

12.and all the demons begged him, saying, “Send us into the pigs, so that we might go into them.”

13. And at once, Jesus gave them permission. And when the unclean spirits had come out, they entered the pigs (there were about two thousand), and the herd rushed headlong down the steep bank into the sea, and they drowned in the sea.

14. Now those who were tending the pigs fled, and they reported it in the city and in the countryside, and they came to see what it was that had happened.

15. And coming to Jesus, they saw the possessed man – the one who had the Legion – sitting, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

16. And those who had seen how it happened to the demon-possessed man described it to them, and about the pigs.

17. And they began to beg him to leave their borders.

18. And as he climbed into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed kept begging him, that he might be with him.

19. But Jesus did not allow him, but told him, “Go home to your relatives and tell them what the Lord has done for you, and showed you mercy.”

20. And so, he left and began to preach in Decapolis what Jesus did for him, and everyone was amazed.

21. Then, when Jesus had again crossed over in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he was by the sea.

22. And one of the synagogue rulers named Jairus came, and seeing him, fell at his feet.

23. And he begged him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death! Please come and lay hands on her, that she may be healed and live!”

24. And so he left with him, and a large crowd followed him, and they pressed in upon him.

25. And there was a certain woman who had lived with a hemorrhage for twelve years.

26. And after suffering much at the hands of many physicians, and when all of her possessions were spent, and she was not helped at all, but rather grew worse,

27.she heard of Jesus, and came through the crowd from behind and touched his garment,

28.for she kept saying, “If I but touch his garments, I will be healed.”

29. And immediately, her hemorrhage dried up, and she felt in her body that she had been healed of her disease.

30. And straightway, knowing in himself that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?”

31. And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you, and you say, ‘Who touched me’?”

32. But he kept looking around to see her who had done this.

33. Then the woman, fearful and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before him, and she told him the whole truth.

34.And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace, and be well of your disease. ”

35. While he was still speaking, people came from the house of the ruler of the synagogue, saying, “Your daughter has died. Why bother the teacher any longer?”

36. When Jesus heard the message delivered, he immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37. And he did not permit anyone to come along with him except Peter, and James, and John, the brother of James.

38. Then he came to the ruler’s house, and he saw a tumult, much weeping and loud wailing.

39. And when he went in, he said to them, “Why are you making a racket, and weeping? The child is not dead; she’s asleep.”

40. And they laughed at him. But when he had put them all out, he took the father of the child, and the mother, and those with him, and went in to where the child lay.

41. And he grasped the hand of the child and said to her, “Talitha Cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”

42. And immediately, the girl stood up and walked around (for she was twelve years old), and they were completely beside themselves with amazement.

43. And he commanded them sternly not to let anyone know about it, and then he said to give her something to eat.

Chapter 6

1. And he left there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.

2. And when the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were shocked, saying, “Where does he get these things? And what is this wisdom given to him, and such miracles that are done by his hands?

3.Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? And aren't his sisters here with us?” And they were offended in him.

4. But Jesus said to them, “No prophet is without honor, except in his hometown, and among relatives, and in his own house.”

5. And he was unable to do any miracle there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick folk and healed them.

6. And he marveled at their unbelief. And he went about the surrounding villages, teaching.

7. Then, summoning the twelve, he began to send them out two by two, and he gave them authority over unclean spirits.

8. And he commanded them that they should take nothing for the journey except a staff; no sack, no bread, no coin in their belt,

9.and to put on sandals but, “You shall not wear two tunics.”

10. And he said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place.

11.And whoever doesn’t receive you, or hear you, go away from there and shake off the dust beneath your feet for a testimony against them. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable in the Day of Judgment for Sodom or Gomorrah than for that city.”

12. So, they went out and preached that people should repent.

13. And they cast out many demons, and they anointed many sick folk with olive oil and healed them.

14. Now, King Herod heard of Jesus (for his reputation was widespread), and he said, “John the Baptizer has been raised from the dead, and that is why miracles are wrought by him.”

15. Some were saying, “He’s Elijah”, but others were saying, “He’s a prophet like one of the prophets.”

16. But when Herod heard, he said, “This is the same John whom I beheaded; he is raised from the dead. ”

17. For Herod had sent and arrested John, and bound him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her.

18. And John had told Herod, “It is unlawful for you to have your brother's wife.”

19. Then, Herodias began to hold a grudge against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not

20.because Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and he was protecting him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and he liked to hear him.

21. But an opportunity arose when Herod, on his birthday, made a feast for his chief officials, the captains of a thousand, and the leading men of Galilee,

22.and the daughter of this Herodias came in and danced, and she pleased Herod and those banqueting with him. And the king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you desire, and I will grant it to you.”

23. And he made an oath to her: “Whatever you ask of me, I will grant you, up to half of my kingdom! ”

24. So when she went out, she said to her mother, “What shall I ask for myself?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptizer.”

25. And immediately, she hurried in to the king and made her request, saying, “I want you to give me, right now, the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”

26. And the king was deeply grieved, but because of the oaths and those feasting with him, he would not refuse her.

27. And so, the king sent an executioner and commanded that his head be brought in at once.

28. And he went out and beheaded him in the prison, and carried his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.

29. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took the corpse away, and laid it in a tomb.

30. Then the ones Jesus sent out came together to Jesus, and they brought him a report about everything, what they had done and what they had taught.

31. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while.” (For many were coming and going, and they had no time even to eat.)

32. So they left, by boat, for a secluded place by themselves.

33. But many saw them leaving, and recognized him, and they rushed out together on foot from all the near-by towns and went ahead of them, and they came together to him.

34. And when Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a large multitude, and he was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So, he began to teach them many things.

35. The hour being late by this time, his disciples approached him saying, “This place is isolated, and the hour is now late.

36. Send them away so they can go to the surrounding farms and villages to buy bread for themselves, for they don’t have anything to eat.”

37. But he answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” But they said to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?”

38. But he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they told him, “Five, and two fish.”

39. And he commanded them to have everyone sit down by groups on the green grass.

40. And they sat in groups of hundreds and fifties.

41. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up toward heaven, gave thanks, and broke the loaves into pieces, and then he began handing it to his disciples so that they could set it before them. The two fish, he also divided to everyone.

42. And everyone ate, and they were satisfied,

43.and there were left over twelve little baskets full of broken pieces, and of the fish.

44. And there were five thousand men who ate the loaves.

45. Then, immediately, he compelled his disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

46. And bidding them farewell, he went away to the mountain to pray.

47. By evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the shore.

48. And he saw them struggling as they rowed, for the wind was against them, and about the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea, and he intended to pass them by.

49. But they, when they saw him walking on the sea, thought it was a ghost and screamed,

50.for they all saw him, and they were terrified. And immediately, he spoke to them and told them, “Have courage! It is I! Don't be afraid!”

51. And he went up into the boat with them, and the wind ceased, and they were utterly astonished within themselves, and marveled,

52.for they did not understand about the loaves, for their heart had been hardened.

53. So, crossing over, they came to the land of Gennesaret, and they drew to shore.

54. And when they had gotten out of the boat, people immediately recognized him,

55.and throughout the surrounding area, they began running, carrying the sick on pallets to the place they heard he was.

56. And wherever he would go, to villages, or cities, or the countryside, they laid the feeble down in the market- places, and they begged him that they might touch the hem of his garment, and as many as touched it were made whole.

Chapter 7

1. Then, the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him.

2. And when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is, unwashed hands, they found fault.

3. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat if they have not washed their hands up to the elbow, keeping the tradition of the elders,

4.and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they have washed themselves. And besides this, there are many other rituals they have received to observe, such as the cleansing of cups, and pots, and copper vessels, and dining couches.)

5. Then, the Pharisees and scribes asked him, “Why are your disciples not walking according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

6. He answered and said to them, “Isaiah prophesied well about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with the lips, but their heart is far from me.

7. In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

8. For leaving off the commandment of God, you hold fast the tradition of men, such as the washing of pots and cups, and you do a lot of things like that.”

9. And then he told them, “How neatly you set aside the commandment of God to keep your tradition.

10. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother, and, ‘He who curses father or mother must surely die.’

11. But you say, ‘A man is innocent if a man tells father or mother, “Whatever I have that might have benefitted you is Korban, (that is, ‘devoted to God’).” ’

12. And so, you no longer allow him do anything for his father or his mother,

13. making the word of God of no effect by your tradition that you hand down. And you do a lot of things like that!”

14. And when he had called all the multitude to him, he told them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand!

15.There is nothing outside a man that, entering into him, can defile him; on the contrary, the things that come from him, these are what defiles a man.

16. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

17. And when he had entered into a house away from the crowd, his disciples began questioning him about this parable.

18. And he said to them, “And are you that foolish? Don’t you understand that whatever goes into a man from the outside can’t defile him,

19.for it doesn’t enter into his heart but into the belly, and then it goes out into the latrine?” (Thus, he was declaring all foods to be clean.)

20. And he said, “That which comes out of the man, that is what defiles the man.

21. For from within, out of the heart of men, come evil thoughts, adulteries, promiscuous acts, murders,

22. thefts, covetous acts, evil deeds, deceitfulness, indecent conduct, an evil eye, blasphemy, arrogance, foolishness.

23. All of these evil things come from within, and they defile the man!”

24. Then he rose up and left that place for the regions of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house, not wanting anyone to know, but he could not be hidden.

25. And after a woman heard about him whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, she came and fell at his feet.

26. She was a Gentile, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept pleading with him to cast the demon out of her daughter.

27. But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.”

28. Then she answered and said to him, “That’s right, Master. But even the little dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.”

29. And he said to her, “Because of this saying, go! The demon has gone out of your daughter.”

30. And going away to her house, she found that the demon was gone out, and her daughter was laid on a bed.

31. Then, departing from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, he came again to the Sea of Galilee, within the borders of Decapolis.

32. And they brought him a deaf man who had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.

33. And taking him away from the crowd by himself, he put his fingers in his ears, and after spitting, he touched his tongue,

34. and looking up toward heaven, he groaned, and he said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”)

35. And immediately, his ears were opened, and the bond of his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak perfectly.

36. And he commanded them to say nothing, but as much as he commanded them, all the more they proclaimed it.

37. And they were completely astounded, saying, “He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak!”

Chapter 8

1. In those days, there was an unusually large multitude, and seeing they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples and said to them,

2.“I feel compassion for the people because they have continued with me three days now, and they have nothing to eat,

3.and if I send them away to their home fasting, they will give out on the way, for some of them have come from a great distance.”

4. And his disciples answered him, “How can anyone, here in an isolated place, satisfy these people with bread?”

5. And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven”.

6. And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And when he had taken the seven loaves, he gave thanks, broke the bread, and began giving it to his disciples so they might set it before them, and they set it before the people.

7. They also had a few small fish, and when he had blessed them, he told his disciples to set them out, too.

8. Then they ate and were filled. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven large baskets full.

9. Those who ate were about four thousand, and then he sent them away.

10. And he immediately entered the boat with his disciples and went to the territory of Dalmanutha.

11. And the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, testing him.

12. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek after a sign? Truly, I tell you, I’ll be damned if a sign will be given to this generation.”

13. And then he left them, got into the boat again, and went away to the other side.

14. Now, they had forgotten to take bread, and except for one loaf, they had none with them in the boat.

15. And he warned them, saying, “Watch out. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. ”

16. And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “We have no bread.”

17. And knowing that, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Don’t y ou get it yet, or understand? Is your heart still hardened?

18.Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?

19.When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? ” They said to him, “Twelve.”

20. And when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.”

21. Then he said to them, “How is it you don’t understand?”

22. And he came to Bethsaida. Then they brought him a blind man, and they begged him to touch him.

23. And taking the blind man’s hand, he led him out of the village. And he spat into his eyes, and when he had laid his hands on him, he asked him if he could see anything.”

24. And when he looked up, he said, “I see men, for I see something like trees walking around.”

25. Then he laid hands on his eyes again, and made him look up. And his sight was restored, and he saw everyone very clearly.

26. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Don’t go into the village or tell anyone in the village. ”

27. Then Jesus and his disciples went out to the villages of Caesarea Philippi, and on the way, he questioned his disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”

28. They answered, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah, but others, one of the prophets.”

29. And he said to them, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered and said to him, “You are the Christ.”

30. And he commanded them to tell no one about him.

31. And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days, rise again;

32.and he spoke this plainly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

33. Then, turning around and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, “You get behind me, Satan! You have no mind for the things of God but for the things of men!”

34. And summoning the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “Whoever wants to follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35.For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it.

36.For what good will it do a man if he gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

37.Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

38.For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Chapter 9

1. And he said to them, “Truly, I tell you, there are some standing here who will by no means taste of death until they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

2. Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John only, and led them privately up on a high mountain. And he was transformed before them,

3.and his garments became radiant, bright white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten.

4. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.

5. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. So, let’s make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah!”

6. (He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.)

7. And there was a cloud overshadowing them, and out of the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son; hear him!”

8. And all of a sudden, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus, alone.

9. And as they were coming down from the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one what they saw until the Son of Man rose from the dead.

10. And so, they kept the matter to themselves, debating with one another what it means to rise from the dead.

11. And they asked him, saying, “Do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

12. He answered and said to them, “Elijah certainly does come first, and restores all things. And how it is written about the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt!

13.But then, I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.”

14. And when he came to his disciples, he saw a large crowd around them, and scribes disputing with them.

15. And when they saw him, the whole crowd immediately became very excited, and running up, they began to greet him.

16. Then he asked the scribes, “What are you debating with them?”

17. And out of the crowd one answered and said, “Teacher, I brought you my son who has a dumb spirit.

18.And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and gnashes his teeth, and gets stiff. And I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

19. And he answered him, saying, “O faithless generation! How long must I be with you? How long will I put up with you? Bring him to me.”

20. And they brought him to him. And when it saw him, the spirit immediately threw him into a convulsion, and he fell on the ground and began rolling about, foaming at the mouth.

21. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “Since he was a child,

22.and it has often thrown him into the fire and into water to destroy him. But if you can do something, please help us! Have compassion on us!”

23. Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

24. And the father of the child immediately cried out with tears, “Sir, I believe! Help my unbelief!”

25. Now, when Jesus saw that a multitude was running together toward them, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you to go out of him, and enter into him no more!”

26. And when it had cried out and shaken him terribly, it went out, and he became like a dead man, so that many said that he was dead.

27. But Jesus took his hand and lifted him up, and he stood up.

28. And when he had entered into a house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?”

29. And he said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

30. And they went out from there, traveling throughout Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know.

31. For he was teaching his disciples and saying to them, “The Son of man is to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill him, but after he is killed, he will rise up the third day.

32. But they did not understand this saying, and they were afraid to ask him.

33. And he went to Capernaum, and when he was home, he asked them, “What were you discussing among yourselves on the way?”

34. But they remained silent, for on the way, they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest.

35. So, sitting down, he called the twelve, and he said to them, “Whoever wants to be greatest must become least of all, and servant to everyone.”

36. Then, taking a little child, he stood it in their midst, and when he had taken the child in his arms, he said to them,

37. “Whoever receives one of such children for my name’s sake, receives me, and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but the One who sent me.”

38. Then John answered him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name who isn’t following us, and we stopped him because he doesn’t follow us.”

39. Jesus said, “Don’t hinder him, for there is no one who will work a miracle by my name and then be able to quickly speak evil of me.

40.Whoever is not against you is for you.

41.Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, truly I tell you, he will by no means lose his reward.

42.And whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if he had been cast into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck.

43.And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire,

44.where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

45.And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire,

46.where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

47.And if your eye causes you to sin, cast it out! It is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than to be cast into the fire of Gehenna with two eyes,

48.where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

49.Everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.

50.Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Chapter 10

1. And from there, he got up and went into the borders of Judea, by way of the other side of Jordan. And again, crowds came together to him; and again, as was his custom, he began to teach them.

2. And Pharisees came up to him and, testing him, asked if it was permissible for a man to divorce his wife.

3. He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

4. They said, “Moses allowed for the writing of a certificate of dismissal, and to divorce.”

5. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “He wrote that commandment for you because of the hardness of your heart,

6.but from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female:

7.‘For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife

8.and they two shall be one flesh.’ So then, they are no longer two but one flesh.

9.Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

10. And, when he was at home again, his disciples asked him about this.

11. And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman is committing adultery against her,

12.and if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”

13. And some brought children to him so that he might touch them, but his disciples rebuked those who brought them.

14. But when Jesus saw that, he became indignant, and said to them, “Let children come to me! Do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God.

15.I tell you truly, unless one receives the kingdom of God as a little child, he will by no means enter into it.”

16. And then he took them up in his arms, placed his hands on them, and blessed them.

17. And as he was setting out on a journey, one ran up to him, and fell on his knees, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18. But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God alone.

19.You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; Do not murder; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Do not defraud; Honor your father and mother.”

20. He answered and said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.”

21. Then Jesus, looking intently at him, loved him, and he said to him, “One thing in you is lacking. Go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

22. But he was appalled at this statement, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

23. Then looking around, Jesus said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have possessions to enter into the kingdom of God!”

24. The disciples were astonished at his words. Then Jesus again answered and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God.

25.It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. ”

26. And they were utterly astonished, saying to each other, “Then, who can be saved?”

27. But Jesus, looking straight at them, said, “With men, it is impossible, but not with God. All things are possible with God.”

28. Peter began to say to him, “Look, we’ve left everything, and have followed you!”

29. Jesus answered and said, “Truly, I tell you, there is no one who has forsaken home, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel,

30.who will not receive a hundredfold now, in this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands – with persecutions – and in the world to come, eternal life.

31.Many of the most prominent will be the least, and the least, most prominent.”

32. Then, they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going on ahead of them, and they marveled, and were afraid as they followed. And taking the twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him:

33. “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and turn him over to the Gentiles.

34.And they will ridicule him, beat him, spit on him, and kill him, but on the third day, he will rise again.”

35. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us what we ask.”

36. He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

37. They said to him, “Let us sit, one on your right and one on your left, in your glory.”

38. But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?

39. They said to him, “We are able!” And Jesus said to them, “You will surely drink the cup that I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,

40.but to sit on my right or my left is not mine to give; it is for those for whom it is prepared.”

41. And when the ten heard this, they started to get angry with James and John,

42.but Jesus summoned them and told them, “You know that those who seem to rule the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men tyrannize them.

43.It will not be that way among you; on the contrary, whoever wants to be great among you shall be yours, for a servant,

44.and whoever among you who wants to become the greatest must be everyone’s slave.

45.For even the Son of man didn’t come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. ”

46. And they came to Jericho, and as he and his disciples, with a considerable crowd, went out of Jericho, Bartimaeus the blind man, son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road begging.

47. And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “O Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me!”

48. And many rebuked him, to make him quiet, but he cried out all the more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49. Then Jesus stood still and said for him to be called. So, they called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up! He’s calling for you.”

50. Then he threw off his garment, stood up, and came to Jesus.

51. And Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?’ And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, I want to see again.”

52. Jesus said to him, “Go! Your faith has made you whole.” And he immediately received his sight, and he followed Jesus on the road.

Chapter 11

1. And when they drew near to Jerusalem, at Bethsphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

2.and said to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and as soon as you enter into it, you will find a donkey tied up, that no man has sat on. Untie him, and lead him back here.

3.And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’, you say, ‘His owner needs him. ’ And he will send him here at once.”

4. Then they went away, and they found a donkey tied by a door outside in the street, and they untied him.

5. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the donkey?”

6. They answered them just as Jesus had commanded, and they gave them permission.

7. And they led the donkey to Jesus, and they put their garments on him, and he sat on him.

8. And many spread their garments on the road, but others cut branches from trees and strewed them on the road.

9. And those who went before, and those following, started crying out, saying, “Hosannah! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

10.Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosannah in the highest! ”

11. And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and then the temple. And when he had looked all around, it already being evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

12. And the next day, as they came from Bethany, he was hungry.

13. And seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he came, if by chance he might find something on it. But when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it wasn’t time for figs.

14. And Jesus answered and said to it, “Let no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples were listening.

15. And they came into Jerusalem, and when Jesus had entered the temple, he began to cast out those buying and selling in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves,

16.and he would not let anyone carry a vessel through the temple.

17. And he began teaching them, saying, “Isn’t it written, ‘My house will be called a House of Prayer for all nations?’ But you have made it a hideout for robbers!”

18. And the scribes and chief priests heard him, and they continued looking for a way to destroy him, but they were afraid of him because all the multitude were astonished at his teaching.

19. And when it was evening, he went out of the city.

20. And early in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.

21. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed is dried up!”

22. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.

23.For I tell you, truly, that whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, then whatever he says will happen for him.

24.Therefore, I say to you that all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive them, and they will be yours.

25.And when you stand, praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven might forgive you for your trespasses.

26.But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

27. And they came again into Jerusalem, and as he walked about in the temple, the high priests, and the scribes, and the elders came to him,

28.and they said to him, “By what authority do you do these things? And who gave you the authority to do these things?”

29. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you something, and you answer me, and then, I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

30.Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer me!”

31. And they began reasoning with each other, saying, “If we say of heaven, he is going to say, ‘Why then didn’t you believe him?’

32.But if we say of men. . .” (They were afraid of the people, for everyone held John to truly be a prophet.)

33. And so, they answered, saying to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Nor do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Chapter 12

1. And he began to speak to them in parables, “A man planted a vineyard and put up a fence around it, and he dug a vat for the winepress, and built a watchtower, and then he leased it to vine-dressers and went on a journey.

2.And in due season, he sent a slave to the vine-dressers so that he might collect from the vine-dressers a share of the fruit of the vineyard.

3.But seizing him, they beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

4.And again, he sent another slave to them, and they threw stones at that one, wounding him in the head, and they sent him away shamefully treated.

5. And again, he sent another, and they killed that one; and some of the many others he sent, they beat, and some they killed.

6.Yet, still having one son, his beloved, he at last sent him also to them, saying, ‘They will honor my son. ’

7.But those vine-dressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’

8.So, they seized him, and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

9.What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those vine-dressers, and he will give the vineyard to others.

10.Have you never read this scripture, ‘The stone which the builders rejected the same has become the head of the corner.

11.This is from the Lord, and it is astonishing in our eyes’?”

12. And they wanted to arrest him for they knew that he spoke the parable against them, but they feared the multitude, and so, leaving him, they went away.

13. And they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to him, to trap him in conversation.

14. Those who came to him said, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and partial to no one, for you do not court men’s favor, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay tax to Caesar or not?

15.Should we pay, or should we not pay?” But he, discerning their play-acting, said to them, “Why do you put me to the test? Bring me a denarius so I can look at it.”

16. So, they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”

17. Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and to God, the things that belong to God.” And they were amazed at him.

18. Then, Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and questioned him, saying,

19. “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife, but leaves no children, that his brother should take his wife and raise up seed for his brother.

20.There were seven brothers, and the first took a wife, and when he died, he left no seed.

21.And then the second took her, and he died, and he left no seed either, and the third likewise.

22.And the seven took her, and left no seed. Last of all, the woman also died.

23.In the resurrection, when they are resurrected, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had her as a wife.”

24. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Aren’t you deceived, not knowing either the scriptures or the power of God?

25. When people rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven.

26.But concerning the dead, that they are raised, haven’t you read in the book of Moses how God spoke to him at the bush, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

27.God is not the God of the dead, but God of the living! So, you are badly deceived.”

28. And when one of the scribes drew near, he heard them questioning him, and knowing that he had answered them well, he asked him, “What is the most important commandment of all?”

29. Jesus answered him, “The most important of all the commandments is ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God; the Lord is one!

30.And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind, and all your strength.’ This is the most important commandment.

31.And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

32. And the scribe said to him, “Well said, Teacher! You have spoken truthfully, for He is one, and there is no other but He,

33.and to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love a neighbor as oneself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34. And when Jesus saw that he had answered with discretion, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to put a question to him any more.

35. And Jesus answered and said as he taught in the temple, “Why do the scribes say that the Messiah is David’s son?

36.For in the holy spirit, David himself said, ‘The Lord said to my Master, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’

37.So, if David himself called him ‘Master’, how is he his son?” And many people heard him gladly.

38. And in his teaching, he said to them, “Beware the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and salutations in the marketplaces,

39.and the most prominent seats in the synagogues, and the best couches at dinners,

40.who devour the property of widows, and for appearance’ sake make long prayers. These men will receive greater damnation.”

41. And Jesus sat down, across from the offering box, watching how the people put money into the offering box, and many rich men put in much.

42. And when one poverty-stricken woman came, she put in two small copper coins (which equals a penny).

43. And he summoned his disciples and said to them, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put more in than all who are putting money into the treasury.

44.For they all are giving out of their surplus, but she, in her poverty, has put in all she has, her whole livelihood. ”

Chapter 13

1. And as he left the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What tremendous stones and wonderful buildings!”

2. And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not a stone will be left upon a stone, which will not be torn down.”

3. And as he sat on the Mount of Olives, opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked of him privately,

4. “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign that all these things are about to take place? ”

5. Then Jesus answered them and began to speak, “See to it that no one deceive you.

6.Many will come, using my name, saying that I am the anointed, and they will deceive many.

7.When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be alarmed, for that must happen, but the end is not yet.

8.Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and uprisings. These are the beginnings of labor pains.

9.“Take heed to yourselves, for they will turn you over to councils, and you will be beaten in places of assembly, and you will be made to stand before rulers and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them.

10.But first, the gospel must be preached to all nations.

11.Now, when they lead you away to hand you over, don’t fret about what you will say, nor even think about it, but whatever is given you in that hour, say that, for it is not you who are speaking, but the holy spirit.

12.Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise up against parents and will put them to death,

13.and you will be hated by everyone because of my name, but he who endures until the end, the same will be saved.

14.“But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him who reads understand), those in Judea should flee to the mountains.

15.And let not him who is on the roof come down into the house, or enter to take any thing out of his house.

16.And let not him who is in the field return for things left behind, to pick up his garment.

17.Woe to women who are pregnant, and those who are breast-feeding in those days!

18.And pray that your flight be not in winter.

19.Those will be days of tribulation such as have not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until this moment, and will never be.

20.And except the Lord shorten those days, no flesh will be saved; however, for the sake of the elect whom He has chosen, He has shortened the days.

21.At that time, if anyone should tell you, ‘Look! The Messiah is here’ or ‘Look! Over here’, do not believe it.

22.For false Messiahs and false prophets will rise up, and they will perform signs and wonders which will deceive, if it were possible, even the elect.

23.Take heed to yourselves. Behold, I have forewarned you of all things.

24.“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light,

25.and the stars will be falling out of the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.

26.And then, they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

27.And he will send his angels and will gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

28.“Now, learn a parable from the fig tree. When its branch has grown tender and it puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.

29.Likewise, you also, when you see these things taking place, know that it is near, even at the doors.

30.Truly I tell you, this generation will by no means pass away until all these things take place.

31.Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

32.But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, neither the angels who are in heaven, nor the Son; only the Father.

33.Take heed; stay alert and pray; you do not know when the appointed time is.

34.The Son of man is as a man making a journey, who left his home and gave his slaves authority, to each one his job, and commanded the doorkeeper to be watchful.

35.Therefore, be watchful, for you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming, at evening, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning,

36.lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.

37.What I say to you, I say to all: be watchful.”

Chapter 14

1. Now, the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the high priests and the scribes were considering how they might stealthily arrest and kill him,

2.for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

3. And while he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the house of Simon the leper, there came a woman having an alabaster flask of expensive perfume of pure spikenard, and she broke the flask and poured it on his head.

4. But some were indignant within themselves, and said, “Why has this perfume been wasted?

5.It could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they began to scold her.

6. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She’s done a good deed for me.

7.You always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good, but you don’t always have me.

8.She’s done what she could; she’s come beforehand to perfume my body for its burial.

9.Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”

10. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went away to the high priests to betray him to them.

11. And they were happy when they heard him, and promised to give him money. And he began to look for a good time to betray him.

12. And then, on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover was killed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

13. And he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him,

14.and wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’

15.And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

16. And his disciples went out and came into the city, and they found it all just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

17. And when it was evening, he came with the twelve.

18. And as they reclined and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I tell you that one of you who is eating with me will betray me.”

19. And they began to be troubled and to say to him, one by one, “I’m not the one, am I?” And then another, “I’m not the one, am I?”

20. But he answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping with me in the bowl.

21.The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It were good for that man if he had not been born.”

22. And as they were eating, when Jesus had taken bread and given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; eat. This is my body.”

23. And when he had taken the cup and given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.

24. And he said to them, “This is my blood, the blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.

25.Truly, I tell you that I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new form in the kingdom of God.”

26. And after they sang a song of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

27. And Jesus said to them, “All of you, this night, will fall away because of me, for it is written, ‘I will strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.’

28.But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”

29. Then Peter said to him, “Even if everyone falls away, I won’t!”

30. But Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you that today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny me three times.”

31. But he said, all the more vehemently, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” Then, they all began to talk the same way.

32. And they came to a parcel of land which was called Gethsemene. And he said to his disciples, “Sit down here while I go pray.”

33. But he took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to feel overwhelmed and distressed.

34. And he said to them, “My soul is grieved to death. Stay here and watch.”

35. Then, going on a little farther, he fell to the ground and began praying that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from him.

36. And he said, “Abba (which is, Father), all things are possible with you. Take this cup away from me! Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”

37. And then he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch for one hour?

38.Watch and pray, so that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit certainly is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39. Then again, he left them and began praying, saying the same thing.

40. And when he returned, he found them sleeping again, for their eyes were heavy, and they did not know what to answer him.

41. Then he came a third time, and he said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. It’s over. The hour has come. The Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

42.Get up, and let’s go. Look! The one who betrayed me is approaching.”

43. And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, appeared, and with him, with swords and clubs, was a large crowd sent by the high priests, and the scribes, and the elders.

44. Now, the one betraying him had given them a signal saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Arrest him, and lead him away, with security.”

45. And once he came, he immediately went to him and said to him, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” And he kissed him affectionately.

46. Then they grabbed him, and arrested him.

47. But one of those who were standing by pulled out a sword and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his ear.

48. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out to arrest me, as against a rebel, with swords and clubs?

49.I was with you every day, teaching in the temple, and you didn’t arrest me. But it must be, so that the scriptures might be fulfilled.”

50.And they all forsook him, and fled.

51. But a certain young man followed him, his body clothed with nothing but a linen garment. And the young men seized him,

52.but leaving behind the linen garment, he fled from them, naked.

53. And they led Jesus away to the high priests, and all the chief priests, and the elders and scribes, came to him together.

54. And Peter followed him from a distance, to the inner courtyard of the high priest, and he was there, sitting with the officers, and warming himself by the fire.

55. Now, the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were looking for, but not finding evidence against Jesus, to put him to death.

56. Actually, many were giving false testimony against him, but the testimonies were not consistent.

57. Some men, in bearing false witness against him, even said,

58.“We heard him saying, ‘I will tear down this temple made with hands, and within three days, I will build up another made without hands.’”

59. Yet, not even in this was their testimony consistent.

60. And when the high priest had stood up in the midst, he questioned Jesus saying, “Do you answer nothing? Why are these men testifying against you?”

61. But he was silent, and answered nothing. Again, the high priest asked him, and said to him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

62. Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

63. Then the high priest rent his clothes and said, “What further need have we of witnesses?

64.You have heard the blasphemy! What is your decision?” And they all judged him to be worthy of death.

65. Then some began to spit on him, and to cover his face and punch him with their fists, and then say to him, “Prophesy!” And the officers slapped him as they shoved him around.

66. Now, while Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came,

67.and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, “You were with that Nazarene, Jesus, too.”

68. But he denied it saying, “I don’t know him, and I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Then he went outside to the forecourt, and a rooster crowed.

69. And when the servant girl saw him again, she began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them. ”

70. But again he denied it. And after a little while, the bystanders also started saying to Peter, “You are definitely one of them. Yes, you are a Galilean, for your accent is like theirs.”

71. But he began to curse and swear, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”

72. Then the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered the saying that Jesus had said to him: “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Chapter 15

1. And then, as soon as it was morning, the chief priest convened a council with the elders and scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin, and they bound Jesus and led him away, and they handed him over to Pilate.

2. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “You are saying it.”

3. And the chief priests began to accuse him of many things.

4. Then Pilate questioned him again, saying, “You answer nothing? Look at how many things they are witnessing against you.”

5. But Jesus still answered him nothing, which caused Pilate to marvel.

6. Now at that Feast, it was his custom to release to them one prisoner, whomever they requested.

7. (One called Barabbas was there, bound with his fellow-insurrectionists, which men had committed murder in the insurrection.)

8. And the multitude, raising a cry, began to ask him to do as he had always done.

9. Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you desire that I shall release to you the King of the Jews?”

10. (He said this because he knew it was for envy that the chief priests had handed him over.)

11. But the chief priests incited the crowd so that he would release Barabbas instead.

12. Then Pilate answered again and said to them, “What, then, do you desire that I shall do to him whom you call ‘King of the Jews’?”

13. They again cried out, “Crucify him!”

14. Pilate then said to them, “Oh, but what evil has he done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify him!”

15. So, Pilate, willing to pacify the crowd, released Barabbas to them and turned Jesus over to be crucified, after he had him flogged.

16. Then the soldiers led him out into the courtyard, which is the Praetorium, and they called together the whole cohort.

17. And then they dressed him up in purple, and they plaited a crown of thorns and put it on him,

18.and then they began to salute him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

19. And they began to beat his head with a staff and to spit on him, and bending their knees, they began to do him homage.

20. And when they had mocked him, they took the purple off him and put his own clothes on him. And they led him away to crucify him.

21. And they forced a certain passer-by into service, to carry his cross, as he was coming in from a field. (It was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.)

22. And they led him to a place called Golgotha (which means, “Place of a Skull”).

23. And they offered him myrrh-flavored wine to drink, but he did not take it.

24. And they crucified him, dividing up his garments, casting lots for them, to determine who should take what.

25. It was the third hour when they crucified him.

26. And above, was written the inscription declaring the charge against him: “The King of the Jews.”

27. And with him, they crucified two insurrectionists, one on his right, and one on his left.

28. And the scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was numbered with the lawless.”

29. And those going by hurled abuse at him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Aha! The man who was going to tear down the temple, and then raise it up in three days!

30.Save yourself, and come down from the cross!”

31. Likewise, the chief priests also, with the scribes, were making mockery together, saying, “He saved others; himself, he cannot save.

32.Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross so that we may see and believe in him. ” Even those being crucified with him reviled him.

33. Then it was the sixth hour, and darkness came upon the whole land until the ninth hour.

34. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi! Eloi! Lama sabachthani?” (which means, “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?”)

35. And when they heard it, some of the bystanders began saying, “Look, he is calling Elijah!”

36. Then one man ran and filled a sponge with wine vinegar, and when he had put it on a reed, he gave it to him to drink, saying, “Let him be! Let’s see if Elijah is coming to take him down.”

37. Then Jesus, letting out a great cry, gave up the spirit.

38. (And the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.)

39. Now, when the centurion, who had been standing in front of him, saw him cry out like this and give up the spirit, he said, “Truly, this man was the son of a god.”

40. Now, there were women also looking on from a distance, among whom were both Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of little James and of Joses, and Salome,

41. who also followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him, and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

42. And as it was already late, since it was the day of Preparation, which is the day before the Sabbath,

43. Joseph, who was from Arimathea, a prominent member of the council, who himself also was awaiting the kingdom of God, came and entered in boldly to Pilate, and requested Jesus’ body.

44. But Pilate was amazed that he was already dead, and he summoned the centurion and asked him if he had been dead long.

45. And when he had ascertained it from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

46. And having purchased fine linen, when he had taken him down, he wrapped him up in the linen and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of a rock, and he rolled a stone up to the entrance of the tomb.

47. And Mary the Magdelene and Mary, mother of Joses, were watching where he was laid.

Chapter 16

1. And when the Sabbath was over, Mary the Magdelene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, purchased fragrant oils that they might come and anoint him.

2. And very early in the morning of the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they came to the tomb.

3. And they were saying to each other, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb for us? ”

4. (For it was very large.) But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had already been rolled away.

5. And when they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, clothed in a long white robe, sitting to their right, and they were alarmed.

6. But he said to them, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He is risen. He is not here. See the place where they laid him.

7.But now, go. Tell his disciples, including Peter, ‘He is going before you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you.’”

8. Then, going out, they fled away from the tomb, and trembling and amazement gripped them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

9. Now, after he arose, early in the morning the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary the Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven demons.

10. She was the one who went and gave the report to those who had been with him, as they were mourning and weeping.

11. And when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it.

12. After these things, he appeared to two of them in another form as they were walking, going into the country.

13. And they came back and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them, either.

14. Afterward, he appeared to the eleven themselves as they reclined at the table, and he rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

15. And he said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16.He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be damned.

17.These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

18.they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will by no means harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”

19. Then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sat down at the right hand of God.

20. Then those men went out preaching everywhere, the Lord working with them, confirming the word with accompanying signs. Amen.