Chapter 14

(25)And great multitudes followed him about: and he turned, and spoke to them, (26)If any man cometh after me, and hateth not father, and mother, and wife and children, and brothers, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (27)And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, he cannot be my disciple. (28)For what man of you designing to erect a tower, doth not first sitting down calculate the expence, if he have sufficient to complete the work? (29)lest haply, after having laid the foundation, and being unable to finish it, all who look upon it begin to ridicule him, (30)saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. (31)Or what king, going forth to encounter another king in battle, doth not sit down first, and consult if he is able with ten thousand men to meet him who is coming against him with twenty thousand? (32)and if he be not, whilst he is still at a distance, he sendeth an embassy, and desires terms of peace. (33)So then, every one of you who will not part with all his possessions, cannot be my disciple.

(34)Salt is good: but if the salt become insipid, by what shall it be seasoned? (35)It is neither fit for the land, nor for manure; but they cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

CHAP. XV.

THEN drew nigh unto him all the tax-farmers and the sinners to hear him. (2)And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man entertains sinners, and eateth with them. (3)Then spake he unto them this parable, saying, (4)What man is there of you, possessing an hundred sheep, though he lose but one of them, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (5)and when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (6)And coming home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Congratulate me; for I have found that sheep of mine which was lost. (7)I tell you, that just so will there be joy in heaven over one repentant sinner, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who hold not their need of repentance. (8)Or what woman having ten pieces of silver coin, if she lose one of them, doth she not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and make diligent search until she find it? (9)And having found it, she calleth her female friends and neighbours together, saying, Congratulate me; for I have found the silver piece I had lost. (10)Even so, I tell you, there is joy among the angels of God, over one repentant sinner.

(11)Then he said, A certain man had two sons: (12)and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of substance which falls to my share. And he divided with them his fortune. (13)And not many days after, the younger son, collecting his all, travelled into a far distant country, and there dissipated his substance in a life of debauchery. (14)But when he had spent all, there came a terrible famine in that region; and he began to know want. (15)And he went and connected himself with one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. (16)And he eagerly longed to fill his belly with the charob berries which the swine did eat: and no person gave him _a morsel_. (17)Then coming to himself, he said, How many hirelings of my father abound with loaves of bread, and I am pining away with famine! (18)I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, (19)and I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hirelings. (20)And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet at a considerable distance, his father discovered him, and was moved with compassion, and running, fell on his neck, and kissed him again and again. (21)Then said the son unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. (22)But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe, and clothe him; and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet: (23)and bring hither the stall-fed steer, and kill it; and let us eat, and be joyous. (24)For this my son was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. And they began to be joyous. (25)Now his elder brother had been in the field: and when coming home he drew near the house, he heard a concert of music, and the chorus. (26)And calling one of the servants, he inquired what these things meant. (27)And he said, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed for him the stall-fed steer, because he hath received him in health. (28)Then he was in great wrath, and would not enter the doors: therefore his father came out, and entreated him. (29)But he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years I am serving thee, and never have transgressed thy command: yet to me thou hast never once given a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: (30)but no sooner is this son of thine come, who hath devoured thy substance with whores, than thou hast killed for him the stall-fed steer. (31)And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all my possessions are thine. (32)But it was right that we should rejoice, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

CHAP. XVI.

THEN said he also to his disciples, There was a certain rich man, who had a steward; and he received an information against him, as having dissipated his treasures. (2)And calling him, he said to him, What is this report I hear of thee? give up the account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer in that office. (3)Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? because my master is taking away the stewardship from me: to dig, I have not the strength; to beg, I am ashamed. (4)I know what I will do, that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may entertain me at their houses. (5)So calling upon every one of his master's debtors, he said to the first, How much owest thou to my master? (6)And he said, A hundred baths of oil. And he said, Take thy account, and sit down directly, and write fifty. (7)Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred core of wheat. And he saith to him, Take thy account, and write fourscore. (8)And the master praised the unjust steward, because he had acted providently: for the children of this world are more provident among their own generation of men, than the children of light. (9)And I say unto you, Make yourselves friends with the unrighteous mammon that when ye fail, they may receive you into the eternal mansions.

(10)He that is faithful in the least thing, is faithful also in much: and he who is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much. (11)If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust you with the true? (12)and if ye have not been faithful in that which belongs to another, who will give up to you that which is your own? (13)No domestic can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or he will cleave to the one, and neglect the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

(14)Then the Pharisees also, who were dear lovers of money, heard all these things, and they sneered at him. (15)And he said unto them, Ye are they who affect to be righteous persons before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination in the sight of God. (16)The law and the prophets were until John: since that the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. (17)But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one tittle of the law to fail. (18)Every one who putteth away his wife and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and every one who marrieth a woman divorced from her husband, committeth adultery.

(19)Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, making splendid entertainments every day: (20)and there was a certain pauper, named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate covered with ulcers, (21)and importunately desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: yea even the dogs came and licked his ulcers. (22)Now it came to pass that the poor man died, and was carried up by angels into the bosom of Abraham. Then the rich man also died, and was buried: (23)and in hell, lifting up his eyes, being in torments, he seeth Abraham at a vast distance, and Lazarus in his bosom. (24)And crying out, he said, Father Abraham, have compassion on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented with this flame. (25)But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou hast received thy good things during thy life, and Lazarus, in like manner, what was afflictive: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. (26)And besides all these considerations, between us and you there is a vast chasm fixed: so that they who might be willing to pass from hence to you, cannot; neither can they pass through to us, from thence. (27)And he said, I entreat thee then, father, that thou wouldest send him to my paternal mansion: (28)for I have five brothers: that he may testify to them, that they also come not into this place of torment. (29)Abraham saith to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hearken to them. (30)But he said, Ah no, father Abraham! but if one came to them from the dead, they will repent. (31)Then he said to him, If they hearken not to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.

CHAP. XVII.

THEN he said to his disciples, It is impossible that offences should not come; but wo to him through whom they come! (2)It would be advantageous for him, if a milstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea, rather than offend one of these little ones. (3)Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin against thee, reprove him; and if he repent, forgive him. (4)And if seven times in the day he sin against thee, and seven times in the day return to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

(5)And the disciples said unto the Lord, increase our faith. (6)And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard, ye might say to that sycamore-tree, Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea; and it would obey you.

(7)But which of you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, when he cometh from the field, will say immediately, Come, sit down at table? (8)And will he not rather say, Prepare for me to sup, and gird thyself, and wait upon me, till I eat and drink; and after that, thou shalt eat and drink thyself? (9)Doth he hold it as a favour from that servant, that he did the things which were ordered him? I think not. (10)So also ye, when ye have done all things commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: for we have but done what was our duty to do.

(11)And it came to pass, as he was going towards Jerusalem, he passed also through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. (12)And as he was entering a certain village, ten leprous men met him, who stood at a distance: (13)and they lift up their voice, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! (14)And looking towards them, he said, Go, shew yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that as they were on the road, they were made clean. (15)Then one of them, seeing that he was cured, returned, and with a loud voice gave glory to God, (16)and fell prostrate at his feet giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. (17)Then Jesus spake and said, were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? (18)There are none found returning to give glory to God, but this alien. (19)And he said to him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath saved thee.

(20)And being asked by one of the Pharisees, When cometh the kingdom of God? he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: (21)neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (22)Then said he to the disciples, The days will come when ye shall eagerly desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and shall not see it. (23)And they will say to you, Lo here! and lo there! go not after them, nor follow them. (24)For as the lightning flashing from one quarter under heaven, shineth to another quarter under heaven; so shall the Son of man also be at his day. (25)But he must first suffer many things, and be rejected by this generation. (26)And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it also be in the days of the coming of the Son of man. (27)They did eat, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the deluge came, and destroyed them all.

(28)Even so, likewise, it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; (29)but the day Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. (30)Just so will it be in the day when the Son of man shall be revealed. (31)In that day, let not the man who is upon the roof, and his goods in the house, go down to carry them away: and he that is in the field, in like manner, let him not return for any things behind him. (32)Remember Lot's wife. (33)Whosoever seeketh to preserve his life shall lose it; and whosoever would lose it, shall preserve it. (34)I tell you, in that night two shall be in the same bed; the one shall be seized, and the other dismissed. Two women shall be grinding together: the one shall be seized, and the other dismissed. (35)Two shall be in the field; the one shall be seized, and the other dismissed. (36)TEXT OMITTED (37)And they answering, said to him, Where, Lord? And he said, Wherever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

CHAP. XVIII.

THEN he spake also to them a parable, to shew that we ought to pray always, and not faint; (2)saying, There was a certain judge in a particular city, having no fear of God, nor respect for man: (3)and there was a certain widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Do me justice against my adversary. (4)And he would not for a long while: but after this he said, Though I fear not God, nor respect man; (5)yet because this woman is so troublesome to me, I will do her justice, lest by her perpetual coming she stun me with her importunity, (6)Then said the Lord, Hear what the unjust judge saith. (7)And shall not God execute vengeance for his own elect, who cry out to him day and night, though he bear long with them? (8)Yes, I tell you, that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, ah! shall he find faith on the earth?

(9)Then he spake also this parable to certain persons, who had confidence in themselves, that they were righteous, and despised others: (10)Two men went up to the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, the other a tax-farmer. (11)The Pharisee, standing by himself, made this prayer: God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of mankind, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or as this tax-gatherer. (12)I keep a fast twice a week, I pay the tenth of all things I possess. (13)And the tax-gatherer standing at a distance, would not even so much as lift his eyes heaven-ward, but smote on his breast, saying, May God accept the atonement for me a sinner! (14)I say to you, Went this man down to his house justified, or the other? for every one who exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

(15)Then they brought him infants also, that he should touch them: but the disciples, when they saw it, rebuked them. (16)But Jesus calling them to him, said, Permit little children to come to me, and hinder them not for of such is the kingdom of God. (17)Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

(18)And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, by doing what shall I inherit eternal life? (19)Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good, but one, even God.

(20)Thou knowest the commandments, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. (21)Then he said, All these things have I observed from my youth. (22)Then Jesus hearing this, said to him, Yet one thing thou lackest: sell all whatsoever thou hast, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. (23)But he, on hearing these things, was exceeding sorrowful: for he was very rich. (24)Then Jesus, observing that he was very sorrowful, said, How difficultly shall they who have riches, enter into 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 those who heard it said, Who then can be saved? (27)And he said, The things impossible with men, are possible with God. (28)Then said Peter, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. (29)And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that there is no man who hath left family, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, (30)who shall not receive back manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

(31)Then taking aside the twelve, he said to them, Lo, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things written by the prophets concerning the Son of man will be fulfilled. (32)For he shall be delivered up to the Gentiles, and they shall insult him, and treat him with indignity, and spit upon him: (33)and after scourging, shall slay him: and the third day he shall rise again. (34)And they understood none of these things: and the saying was concealed from them, and they knew not the things which were spoken.

(35)And it came to pass, as he drew nigh to Jerusalem, a certain blind man sat by the road-side begging: (36)and hearing the multitude passing by, he inquired what was the cause. (37)And they told him, that Jesus the Nazarean is going by. (38)And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me! (39)And they who were going before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Son of David, have mercy on me! (40)Then Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be brought to him: and when he was come near, he asked him, (41)saying, What wist thou that I should do for thee? Then he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. (42)And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. (43)And instantly he received sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

CHAP. XIX.

AND entering into Jericho, he passed through. (2)And there was a person whose name was Zaccheus, and he was a principal farmer of the taxes, and the man was rich. (3)And he was desirous to have a sight of Jesus, what sort of person he was; and he could not, because of the crowd, for he was short of stature. (4)So running before, he climbed up a sycamore-tree, in order to get a sight of him: for he was about to pass that way. (5)And when he was come to the spot, Jesus looking up, saw him, and said to him, Zaccheus, come down speedily; for to-day I must abide at thy house. (6)And he hastened to come down, and entertained him gladly. (7)And when they all saw it, they murmured, saying, That he is gone to lodge with a man, a notorious sinner. (8)Then Zaccheus standing up, said unto the Lord, Behold, the half of my goods, Lord, I give unto the poor; and if I have got any thing from any man, by laying false informations, I am ready to restore fourfold. (9)Then said Jesus unto him, To-day is salvation come to this house, because that he also is a son of Abraham. (10)For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

(11)And as they were hearkening to these things, he proceeded on, and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and they supposed that immediately the kingdom of God would openly appear. (12)He said therefore, A certain man of noble family went into a distant region, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. (13)And calling his ten servants, he gave them ten manehs[15], and said unto them, Employ yourselves in traffic, till I come back. (14)But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We will not have this man to rule over us. (15)And it came to pass, at his return, after receiving the kingdom, that he ordered the servants to be called, to whom he had given the money, that he might know what every one had gained by his traffic. (16)Then came the first, and said, Sir, thy maneh has gained ten manehs. (17)And he said unto him, Well done, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in the least matter, hold thou dominion over ten cities. (18)And the second came, saying, Lord, thy maneh hath gained five manehs. (19)Then said he also to this man, Be thou also over five cities. (20)And another came, saying, Master, there is thy maneh, which I have kept wrapt up in a napkin: (21)for I was afraid of thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up where thou hadst laid nothing down, and reapest where thou didst not sow. (22)And he said to him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow; (23)why then gavest thou not my money to the bank, so when I came I might have required it with interest? (24)And he said to those who stood by, Take from him the maneh, and give it to him who hath the ten manehs. (25)(And they say unto him, Sir, he hath ten manehs.) (26)For I say unto you, That to every one who hath, shall more be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him. (27)But as for these enemies of mine, who would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me.

(28)And having thus spoken, he proceeded forward, going up to Jerusalem. (29)And it came to pass, as he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, to the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, (30)saying, Go into the opposite village; in which, as ye are at the entrance, ye will find a foal tied, on which no man hath ever yet sat: loose, and bring him. (31)And if any man ask you, Why ye loose it? thus shall ye say to him, That the Lord hath need of him. (32)Then they who were sent, going, found it just as he had described to them. (33)And as they were untying the foal, the owners of it said to them, Why loose ye the foal? (34)And they said, The Lord hath need of him. (35)And they brought him to Jesus: and throwing their cloaks on the foal, they set Jesus thereon. (36)And as he went, they spread under him their garments on the road. (37)And when he was now approaching, at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples rejoicing began to praise God with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen; (38)saying, Blessed is the King, who cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

(39)And some of the Pharisees from the crowd said unto him, Master, reprove thy disciples. (40)And he replying said to them. I tell you that, should these be silent, the very stones would cry out.

(41)And as he drew near, beholding the city, he wept over it, (42)saying, Oh that thou hadst known, even in this thy day, the things that are for thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. (43)For the days will come upon thee, when thy enemies shall cast up a trench around thee, and encircle thee about, and straiten thee on every side, (44)and will dash thee on the ground, and thy children within thee; and will not leave in thee one stone upon another: because thou knewest not the season of thy visitation.