Chapter 44

And he went out again unto the sea, and all the people resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as Iesus passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphey, sit at the receipt of custom and said unto him: follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, as Iesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat at meat also with Iesus and his disciples. For there were many that followed him. And when the scribes and pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples: how is it, that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Iesus heard that, he said unto them. The whole have no need of the Physician: but the sick. I came to call the sinners to repentance, and not the just.

And the disciples of Ihon and of the pharisees did fast, and they came and said unto him: Why do the disciples of Ihon and of the pharisees fast, and thy disciples fast not. And Iesus said unto them: can the children of a wedding fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them and then shall they fast in those days.

Also no man soweth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for then taketh he away the new piece from the old, and so is the rent worse.

In like wise, no man poureth new wine into old vessels, for if he do the new wine breaketh the vessels, and the wine runneth out, and the vessels are marred. But new wine must be poured into new vessels.

And it chanced that he went thorow the corn fields on the sabboth day, and his disciples as they went on their way, began to pluck the ears of corn. And the pharisees said unto him: Take heed why do they on the sabboth day that which is unlawful? And he said to them: have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungered both he and they that were with him? How they went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the hallowed loaves, which is not lawful but for the priests only to eat: and gave also to them which were with him? And he said to them: the saboth day was made for man, and not man for the saboth day. Wherefore is the son of man lord even of the saboth day.

The .iij. Chapter.

And he entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man which had a withered hand: and they watched him to see, if he would heal him on the saboth day, that they might accuse him. And he said unto the man which had the withered hand: arise and stand in the midst. And he said to them: whether is it lawful to do a good deed on the sabboth day, or an evil? to save a man's life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And he looked round about on them angerly mourning on the blindness of their hearts. And said to the man: stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth: And the hand was restored, even as whole as the other.

The pharisees departed, and straightway gathered a counsel with them that belonged to Herode against him, that they might destroy him. And Iesus avoided with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude followed him from Galilee and from Iewry, and from Hierusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond Iordan: and they that dwelled about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude: which when they had heard what things he did, came unto him.

And he commanded his disciples, that a ship should wait on him, because of the people, lest they should throng him. For he had healed many, in so much that they pressed upon him, for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And when the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him, and cried saying: thou art the son of God: And he straightly charged them that they should not utter him.

And he went up into a mountain, and called unto him whom he would, and they came unto him. And he ordained the twelve that they should be with him, and that he might send them to preach. And that they might have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out devils. And he gave Simon, to name, Peter. And he called Iames the son of Zebedee, and Ihon Iames brother, and gave them Bonargs to name, which is to say the sons of thunder. And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartelemew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and Iames the son of Alphey, and Taddeus, and Simon of Cane, and Iudas Iscarioth, which same also betrayed him.

And they came unto house, and the people assembled together again, so greatly that they had not leisure so much as to eat bread. And when they that longed unto him heard of it, they went out to hold him. For they said, he is too fervent. And the scribes which came from Ierusalem, said: he hath Beelzebub, and by the power of the chief devil, casteth out devils. And he called them unto him, and in similitudes said unto them.

How can Satan drive out Satan? For if a realm be divided against itself, that realm cannot endure. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot continue: So if Satan make insurrection against himself, and be divided, he cannot continue, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and take away his goods, except he first bind that strong man and then spoil his house.

Verily I say unto you all sins shall be forgiven unto men's children: and blasphemy, wherewith they blaspheme: but he that blasphemeth the holy ghost, shall never have forgiveness: but is in danger of eternal damnation. For they said, he had an unclean spirit.

And there came his mother and his brethren, and stood without, and sent unto him and called him: And the people sat about him, and said unto him: behold thy mother and thy brethren seek for thee without. And he answered them, saying: who is my mother, and my brethren? And he looked round about on his disciples, which sat in compass about him, and said: behold my mother, and my brethren:

For whosoever doeth the will of God, he is my brother, my sister and mother.

The .iiij. Chapter.

And he began again to teach by the seaside. And there gathered together unto him much people, so greatly that he entered in to a ship, and sat in the sea, and all the people was by the seaside on the shore: And he taught them many things in similitudes, and said unto them in his doctrine. Hearken to. Behold, The sower went out to sow, and it fortuned as he sowed, that some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. Some fell on a stony ground: where it had not much earth: and by and by sprang up, because it had not depth of earth: and as soon as the sun was up it caught heat: and because it had not rooting it withered away. And some fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, so that it gave no fruit. And some fell upon good ground: and did yield fruit that sprang and grew: and brought forth some thirty fold, some forty {or sixty} fold, and some an hundred fold. And he said unto them: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

When he was alone, they that were, about him with the twelve asked him of the similitude. And he said unto them: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: But unto them that are without, shall all things be done in similitudes: that when they see, they shall see, and not discern: and when they hear they shall hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should turn, and their sins should be forgiven them. And he said unto them: Perceive ye not this similitude. And how ye shall know all similitudes?

The sower soweth the word. These be they which are by the ways side, where the word is sown, to whom as soon as they have heard it, cometh the devil and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these also are they that are sown on the stony ground: which when they have heard the word, at once they receive it with joy, yet have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a season: afterward as soon as any trouble or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, anon they fall. And these are they that are sown among the thorns, which hear the word of God, and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things enter in, and choke the word, and it is made unfruitful. And these that were sown in good ground, are they that hear the word and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty fold some sixty fold, some an hundred fold.

And he said unto them: is the candle lighted, to be put under a bushel, or under the bord: is it not therefore lighted that it should be put on a candlestick? For there is nothing so privy, that shall not be opened: neither so secret, but that it shall come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them: take heed what ye hear. With what measure ye mete, with the same shall it be measured unto you again. And unto you that have shall more be given. For unto him that hath, shall it be given: And unto him that hath not, shall be taken away, even that he hath.

And he said: so is the kingdom of God, even as if a man should sow seed in the ground, and should sleep and rise up night and day: and the seed should spring, and grow up while he is not ware. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself, first the blade, then the ears, after that full corn in the ears. And as soon as the fruit is brought forth, anon he thrusteth in the sickle because that harvest is come.

And he said: whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the earth, is the least of all seeds that be in the earth: And after that it is sown it groweth up, and is greatest of all herbs: and beareth great branches so that the fowls of the air may dwell under the shadow of it.

And with many such similitudes he preached the word unto them, after as they might hear it. And without similitude spake he nothing unto them. But when they were apart, he expounded all things to his disciples. And the same day when even was come he said unto them: let us pass over into the other side. And they late the people depart and took him even as he was in the ship. There were also with him other ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and dashed the waves into the ship, so that it was full. And he was in the stern asleep on a pillow. And they awoke him, and said to him: Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he rose up and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea: peace and be still. And the wind allayed, and there followed a great calm: and he said unto them: why are ye fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another: what fellow is this? for both wind and sea obey him.

The .v. Chapter.

And they came over to the other side of the sea into the country of the Gaderens. And when he was come out of the ship, anon met him out of the graves a man possessed of an unclean spirit, which had his abiding among the graves. And no man could bind him with chains, because that when he was often bound with fetters and chains, he plucked the chains asunder, and brake the fetters in pieces: Neither could any man tame him. And always both night and day he cried in the mountains and in the graves and beat himself with stones. When he had spied Iesus afar off, he ran, and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice and said: what have I to do, with thee Iesus the son of the most highest God? I require thee in the name of God, that thou torment me not. For he had said unto him: Come forth of the man thou foul spirit. And he asked him: what is thy name? and he answered him, my name is legion, for we are many. And he prayed him instantly, that he would not send them away out of that region.

There was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding, and all the devils besought him saying: send us into the herd of swine, that we may enter into them. And anon Iesus gave them leave, And the unclean spirits went out and entered into the swine. And the herd startled, and ran headlong into the sea. They were about ijM. swine, and they were drowned in the sea. And the swine herders fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they came out for to see, what had happened, And they came out to Iesus, and they saw him that was vexed with the fiend and had the Legion sit, both clothed and in his right mind, and were afraid. And they that saw it told them, how it had happened unto him that was possessed with the devil: and also of the swine. And they began to pray him, that he would depart from their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Iesus would not suffer him but said unto him: go home into thine own house and to thy friends, and shew them what things the lord hath done unto thee, and how he had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in the ten cities, what things Iesus had done unto him, and all men did marvel.

And when Iesus was come over again in the ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him, and he was nigh unto the sea. And behold, there came unto him one of the rulers of the Synagogue, whose name was Iairus: and when he saw him, he fell down at his feet, and besought him greatly saying: my daughter lieth at point of death, I would thou wouldst come and lay thy hand on her, that she might be safe and live. And he went with him, and much people followed him, and thronged him.

And there was a woman, which was diseased of an issue of blood twelve year, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and felt none amendment at all: But waxed worse and worse. When she had heard of Iesus: she came into the press behind him, and touched his garment. For she said: If I may but touch his clothing, I shall be whole. And straight way her fountain of blood was dried up, and she felt in her body, that she was healed of the plague.

And Iesus immediately felt in himself, the vertue that went out of him, and turned him round about in the press, and said: Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him: thou seest the people thrusting thee on every side, and yet sayest: who did touch me? And he looked round about, for to see her that had done that thing. The woman feared and trembled, for she knew what was done within her. And she came and fell down before him and told him the truth of everything. And he said unto her: Daughter, thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogi's house, certain which said: thy daughter is dead: why diseasest thou the Master any further? As soon as Iesus heard that word spoken, he said unto the ruler of the Synagogue: Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him more than Peter, and Iames and Ihon Iames brother. And he came unto the house of the ruler of the Synagogue, and saw the wondering and them that wept and wailed greatly,

And he went in and said unto them: Why make ye this ado and weep? The maiden is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. Then he put them all out, and took the father and the mother of the maiden, and them that were with him, and entered in where the maiden lay, And took the maiden by the hand, and said unto her: Tabitha, cumi: which is by interpretation: maiden I say unto thee, arise. And straight the maiden arose, and went on her feet. For she was of the age of twelve year. And they were astonied at it out of measure. And he charged them straitly that no man should know of it. And commanded to give her meat.

The .vj. Chapter.

And he departed thence, and came into his own country, and his disciples followed him. And when the saboth day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue. And many that heard him were astonied, and said: From whence hath he these things? and what wisdom is this that is given unto him? and such virtues that are wrought by his hands? Is not this that carpenter Marys son, the brother of Iames, and Ioses and Iuda and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were hurt by the reason of him. And Iesus said unto them: a prophet is not despised but in his own country, and among his own kin, and among them that are of the same household. And he could there shew no miracles but laid his hands upon a few sick folk and healed them. And he marvelled at their unbelief.

And he went about by the towns that lie in circuit, teaching. And he called the twelve, and began to send them, two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. And commanded them, that they should take nothing unto their Iourney, save a rod only: Neither scrip, neither bread, neither money in their purses: but should be shod with sandals. And that they should not put on two coats. And said unto them: wheresoever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart thence. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet, for a remembrance unto them. I say verily unto you, it shallbe easier for Sodom and Gomor, at the day of judgement, than for that city.

And they went out and preached, that they should repent: and they cast out many devils. And they anointed, many that were sick with oil and healed them.

And king Herode heard of him, for his name was spread abroad, And he said: Ihon Baptist is risen again from death, and therefore miracles are wrought in him. Other said, it is Helias: and some said: it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herode heard of him, he said: it is Ihon whom I beheaded, he is risen from death again.

For Herode himself, had sent forth, and had taken Ihon, and bound him and cast him into prison for Herodias' sake which was his brother Philip's wife. For he had married her. Ihon said unto Herode: It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Herodias laid wait for him, and would have killed him, but she could not. For Herode feared Ihon, knowing that he was just and holy, and gave him reverence, And when he heard him he did many things, and heard him gladly.

And when a convenient day was come: Herode on his birthday made a supper to the lords, captains, and chief estates of Galile. And the daughter of the same Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herode and them that sat at board also. Then the king said unto the maiden: ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, even unto the one half of my kingdom. And she went forth and said to her mother: what shall I ask? And she said: Ihon baptist's head. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked saying: I will, that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of Ihon baptist. And the king was sorry yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat at supper also, he would not put her beside her purpose. And immediately the king sent the hangman and commanded his head to be brought in. And he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a charger and gave it to the maiden, and the maiden gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his body, and put it in a tomb.

And the apostles gathered themselves together to Iesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them: come ye apart into the wilderness, and rest awhile. For there were many comers and goers. And they had no leisure wos for to eat. And he went by ship aside out of the way into a desert place. And the people spied them when they departed: and many knew him, and they hasted afoot thither out of every city, and came thither before them, And came together unto him. And Iesus went out and saw much people, and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep which had no shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him saying: this is a desert place, and now the day is far passed, let them depart, that they may go into the country round about, and into the towns, and buy them bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them: give ye them to eat. And they said unto him: shall we go and buy ij.C. pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? He said unto them: how many loaves have ye? Go and look. And when they had searched, they said: v. and ij. fishes. And he commanded them to make them all sit down, by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down here a row and there a row, by hundreds and by fifties. And he took the v. loaves and the ij. fishes And looked up to heaven and blest, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to put before them, and the ij. fishes he divided among them all. And they all ate, and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the gobbets and of the fishes. And they that ate were about five thousand men.

And straightway he caused his disciples to go into the ship, and to go over the water before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And as soon as he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land, and he saw them troubled in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them. And about the fourth quarter of the night, he came unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. When they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were afraid. And anon he talked with them, and said unto them: be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship, and the wind ceased, and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marvelled. For they remembered not of the loaves, because their hearts were blinded.

And they came over, and went into the land of Genazareth, and drew up into the haven. And as soon as they were come out of the ship, straight they knew him, and ran forth throughout all the region round a about, and began to carry about in beds all that were sick, when they heard tell that he was there. And whithersoever he entered into the towns, or cities, or villages, they laid their sick in the streets, and prayed him, that they might touch and it were but the edge of his vesture. And as many as touched him were safe.

The .vij. Chapter.

And the pharisees came together unto him, and divers of the scribes which came from Ierusalem. And when they saw certain of his disciples eat bread with common hands (that is to say, with unwashen hands) they complained. For the pharisees, and all the jews, except they wash their hands often, eat not, observing the traditions of the seniors. And when they come from the market, except they wash themselves they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have taken upon them to observe, as the washing of cups and cruses, and of brazen vessels, and of tables.

Then asked him the pharisees and scribes: why walk not thy disciples according to the traditions of the seniors, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them: well prophesied hath Esaias of you hypocrites as it is written: This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me: In vain they worship me, teaching doctrines which are nothing but the commandments of men, for ye lay the commandment of God apart, and ye observe the traditions of men as the washing of cruses and of cups, and many other such like things ye do.