Chapter 51

And it chanced as he went to Ierusalem, that he passed thorow Samaria and Galile. And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men, that were lepers, which stood afar off, and put forth their voices, and said: Iesu master, have mercy on us. When he saw them, he said unto them: Go and shew yourselves to the priests. And it chanced as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was cleansed, turned back again, and with a loud voice praised God, and fell down on his face at his feet, and gave him thanks. And the same was a Samaritan. Iesus answered and said: Are there not ten cleansed? But where are those nine? There are not found that returned again, to give God praise, save only this stranger. And he said unto him: Arise, and go thy way, thy faith hath saved thee.

When he was demanded of the pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come: he answered them and said: The kingdom of God cometh not with waiting for. Neither shall men say, Lo here, lo there. For behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

And he said unto the disciples: The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one day of the son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you: See here, See there. Go not after them, nor follow them, for as the lightning that appeareth out of the one part of the heaven, and shineth unto the other part of heaven. So shall the son of man be in his days. But first must he suffer many things, and be reproved of this nation.

As it happened in the time of Noe So shall it be in the time of the son of man. They ate, they drank, they married wives and were married even unto the same day that Noe went into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also, as it chanced in the days of Lot. They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built. And even the same day that Lot went out of Zodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. After these ensamples, shall the day be, when the son of man shall appear. At that day he that is on the house top, and his stuff in the house: let him not come down to take it out. And likewise let not him that is in the fields, turn back again to that he left behind. Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever will go about to save his life, shall lose it: And whosoever shall lose his life, shall quicken it.

I tell you: In that night, there shall be two in one bed, the one shall be received, and the other shall be forsaken. Two shall be also a grinding together: the one shall be received, and the other forsaken. And they answered, and said to him: where lord? And he said unto them: wheresoever The body shall be, thither will the eagles resort.

The .xviij. Chapter.

He put forth a similitude unto them, signifying that men ought always to pray, and not to be weary, saying: There was a Judge in a certain city, which feared not God neither regarded man. And there was a certain widow in the same city, which came unto him saying: Avenge me of mine adversary. And a great while he would not. Afterward he said unto himself: Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest at the last she come, and rail on me.

And the lord said: hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye, that he shall find faith on earth.

And he put forth this similitude, unto certain which trusted in themselves, that they were perfect, and despised other. Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a pharisee, and the other a publican. The pharise stood and prayed thus with himself. God I thank thee that I am not as other are, extortioners, unjust, advoutrers, and even as the publican is. I fast twice in the week. I give tithe of all that I possess. And the publican stood afar off, and would not lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast, saying: God be mercyfull to me a sinner. I tell you: this man departed home to his house justified more than the other. For every man that exalteth himself, shall be brought low: And he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.

They brought unto him also babes, that he should touch them. When his disciples saw that, they rebuked them. But Iesus called them unto him, and said: Suffer children to come unto me, and forbid them not. For unto such, belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you: whosoever receiveth not the kingdom of God, as a child: he shall not enter therein.

And a certain ruler asked him: saying: Good Master: what ought I to do, to obtain eternal life? Iesus said unto him: Why callest thou me good? No man is good, save God only. Thou knowest the commandments: Thou shalt not commit advoutry, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father, and thy mother. And he said: All these have I kept from my youth. When Iesus heard that, he said unto him: Yet lackest thou one thing. Sell all that thou hast, and distribute it unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, and follow me. When he heard that, he was heavy, for he was rich.

When Iesus saw him mourn, he said: with what difficulty shall they that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God: Easier it is for a camel to pass thorow a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Then said they that heard that: And who shall then be saved? He said: Things which are unpossible with men: are possible with God.

Then Peter said: Lo we have forsaken all, and have followed thee. He said unto them: Verily I say unto you, there is no man that forsaketh house, other father and mother, other brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, which same shall not receive much more in this world: and in the world to come, life everlasting.

He took unto him twelve, and said unto them: Lo we go up to Ierusalem, and all shall be fulfilled that are written by the prophets of the son of man. He shall be delivered unto the gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shall be despitefully entreated, and shall be spitted on: and when they have scourged him, they will put him to death, and the third day, shall he arise again. They understood none of these things. And this saying was hid from them. And they perceived not the things which were spoken.

It came to pass, as they were come nigh unto Iericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging. And when he heard the people pass by, he asked what it meant. They said unto him that Iesus of Nazareth, went by. And he cried, saying: Iesus the son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, because he should hold his peace. And he much the more cried, The son of David, have mercy on me. Iesus stood still, and commanded him, to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him saying: What wilt thou, that I do unto thee? And he said: lord, that I may receive my sight. Iesus said unto him: Receive thy sight: Thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he saw, and followed him, praising God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave laud to God.

The .xix. Chapter.

And he entered in, and went thorow Iericho. And behold, there was a man named Zacheus, which was a ruler among the publicans, and rich also. And he made means to see Iesus, what he should be: and he could not for the press, because he was of a low stature. And he ran before, and ascended up, into a sycomore tree, to see him. For he would come that same way. And when Iesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him: Zache, come down at once, for today I must abide at thy house. And hastily he came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw that, they all grudged saying: He is gone, into tarry with a man that is a sinner.

Zache stood forth and said unto the lord: Behold lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have done any man wrong, I will restore him four fold. Iesus said to him: This day is health come unto this house, forasmuch as it also is become the child of Abraham. For the son of man is come to seek, and to save that which was lost.

As they heard these things, he added thereto a similitude, because he was nigh to Ierusalem, And because also, they thought that the kingdom of God should shortly appear. He said therefore: A certain noble man, went into a far country, to receive a kingdom, and then to come again. He called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds saying unto them: Buy and sell till I come: But his citizens hated him, and sent messengers after him, saying: We will not have this man to reign over us.

And it came to pass, when he was come again and had received his kingdom, he commanded his servants, to be called to him (to whom he gave his money) to wit what every man had done. Then came the first saying: lord, thy pound hath increased ten pounds. And he said unto him: Well good servant, because thou wast faithful in a very little thing, Take thou authority over ten cities. And the other came saying: lord thy pound, hath increased five pounds. And to the same he said: And be thou also ruler over five cities. And the third came, and said: lord, behold here thy pound, which I have kept in a napkin, for I feared thee, because thou art a strait man: thou takest up that thou laidst not down, And reapest that thou didst not sow. And he said unto him: Of thine own mouth judge I thee thou evil servant. Knewest thou that I am a strait man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow? Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank? And then at my coming should I have required mine own, with vantage. And he said to them that stood by: Take from him that pound, and give it him that hath ten pounds. And they said unto him: lord he hath ten pounds. I say unto you, that unto all them that have, it shall be given: and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away. Moreover those mine enemies, which would not, that should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. And when he had thus spoken, he proceeded forth before them, and went up to Ierusalem.

And it fortuned, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, besides mount Olivete, he sent two of his disciples saying: Go ye in to the town which is over against you. In the which as soon as ye are come, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon, yet never man sat. Loose him and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, why that ye loose him: thus say unto him, The lord hath need of him.

They that were sent went their way, and found, even as he had said unto them. And as they were a loosing the colt, the owners said unto them: why loose ye the colt? And they said: for the lord hath need of him. And they brought him to Iesus. And they cast their raiment on the colt, and set Iesus thereon. And as he went they spread their clothes in the way.

When he was come where he should go down from the mount Olivete, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice, and to laud God with a loud voice, for all the miracles that they had seen, saying: Blessed be the king that cometh in the name of the lord: Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the pharisees of the company, said unto him: Master rebuke thy disciples. He answered, and said unto them: I tell you, if these hold their peace, the stones will cry.

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept on it saying: If thou hadst known those things which belong unto thy peace, even at this day? But now are they hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, And thine enemies shall compass thee about with a bank. And shall besiege thee round about, and keep thee in on every side, And make thee even with the ground, with thy children which are in thee. And they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another, because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought saying unto them, It is written, my house is the house of prayer: But ye have made it a den of thieves. And he taught daily in the temple. The high priests and the scribes and the chief of the people, went about to destroy him: But could not find what to do. For all the people stuck by him. And gave him audience.

The .xx. Chapter.

And it fortuned in one of those days, As he taught the people in the temple, And preached the gospel. The high priests and the scribes came unto him with the seniors, And spake unto him, saying: Tell us by what authority thou doest these things? Other who is he that gave thee this authority? He answered and said unto them: I also will ask you a question, and answer me: was the baptism of Ihon, from heaven, or of men? They thought within themselves saying: If we shall say from heaven: he will say: Why then believed ye him not? But and if we shall say of men, all the people will stone us. For they surely believe that Ihon was a prophet. And they answered that they could not tell whence it was. And Iesus said unto them: Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Then began he to put forth to the people, this similitude: A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to farmers, and went himself into a strange country for a great season. And when the time came, he sent a servant to his tenants that they should give him of the fruits, of the vineyard. The tenants beat him: and sent him away empty. And he ceased not thereby but sent yet another servant. And they beat him, and foul entreated him also, and sent him away empty. Moreover, he sent the third Also, And him they wounded, and cast him out. Then said the lord of the vineyard: what shall I do? I will send my dear son, him peradventure they will reverence, when they see him.

When the farmers saw him, they thought in themselves, saying: this is the heir, come let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. And they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now what shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? He will come and destroy those farmers, and will let out his vineyard to other. When they heard that, they said: God forbid.

He beheld them and said: what meaneth this then that is written: The stone that the builders refused, is made the head cornerstone? whosoever stumble at that stone, shall be bruised: but on whosoever it fall, it will also break him. And the high priests and the scribes, the same hour went about to lay hands on him, but they feared the people. For they perceived that he had spoken this similitude against them.

And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves perfect, to take him in his words, and to deliver him unto the power, and authority of the president. And they asked him saying: Master, we know that thou sayest, and teachest right, neither considerest thou any man's degree, but teachest the way of God truly. Is it lawful for us to give Cesar tribute, or no? He perceived their craftiness, and said unto them: Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said: Cesar's. And he said unto them: Give then unto Cesar, that which belongeth unto Cesar: And to God, that which pertaineth to God. And they could not reprove his saying before the people. And they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Then came to him certain of the Sadduces which deny that there is any resurrection. And they asked him saying: Master Moses wrote unto us, if any man's brother die having a wife, And the same die without issue: that then his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were seven brethren, and the first took a wife, and died without children. And the second took the wife, and he died childless. And the third took her, and in like wise the residue of the seven, And left no children behind them, and died. Last of all the woman died also. Now at the resurrection whose wife of them shall she be? for vij had her to wife.

Iesus answered and said unto them: The children of this world marry wives, and are married, but they which shall be worthy of that world, and the resurrection from death, neither marry wives, neither are married, nor yet can die any more. For they are equal unto the angels: and are the sons of God, inasmuch as they are the children of the resurrection. And that the dead shall rise again, even Moses signified besides the bush, when he said: the lord God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob. For he is not the God of the dead, but of them which live. For all live in him. Certain of the pharisees answered and said: Master, thou hast well said. And after that durst they not ask him any question at all.

Then said he unto them: how say they that Christ is David's son? And David him self saith in the book of the Psalms: The lord said unto my lord, Sit on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy foot stool. David then calleth him lord: How is he also his son?

Then in the audience of all the people, he said unto his disciples, beware of the scribes, which desire to go in long clothing: and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and chief rooms at feasts, which devour widows' houses, and pray long under a colour: The same shall receive greater damnation.

The .xxj. Chapter.

As he beheld, he saw the rich men, how they cast in their offerings into the treasury. He saw also a certain poor widow, which cast in thither two mites. And he said: of a truth I say unto you, this poor widow hath put in more than they all. For they all have of their superfluity added unto the offering of God: But she, of her penury, hath cast in all the substance that she had.

As some spake of the temple, how it was garnished with goodly stones, and jewels, he said. The days will come, when of these things which ye see, shall not be left stone upon stone that shall not be thrown down. And they asked him, saying: Master when shall these things be. And what signs will there be, when such things shall come to pass.

And he said: take heed, that ye be not deceived. For many will come in my name, saying of themselves, I am he. And the time draweth near. Follow ye not them therefore. But when ye hear of war, and of dissension: be not afraid, for these things must first come: but the end followeth not by and by. Then said he unto them: Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and great earthquakes shall be in all quarters, and hunger, and pestilence, and fearful things. And great signs shall there be from heaven.

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up, to the synagogues, and into prison, and bring you before kings, And rulers for my name's sake. And this shall chance you for a testimonial. Let it stick therefore fast in your hearts, not once to study before, what ye shall answer for yourselves: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, where against, all your adversaries shall not be able to speak nor resist. Yea and ye shall be betrayed of your fathers and mothers, and of your brethren, and kinsmen, and lovers. And some of you shall they put to death. And hated shall ye be of all men for my name's sake. Yet there shall not one hair of your heads perish. With your patience, possess your souls.

And when ye see Ierusalem besieged with an host, then understand, that the desolation of the same is nigh. Then let them which are in jewry fly to the mountains. And let them which are in the midst of it, depart out. And let not them that are in other countries, enter there in. For these be the days of vengeance, to fulfil all that are written. But woe be to them that be with child, and to them that give suck in those days, for there shall be great trouble in the land: and wrath over all this people. And they shall fall on the edge of the sword. And they shall be led captive into all nations. And Ierusalem shall be trodden underfoot of the gentiles, until the time of the gentiles be fulfilled.

And there shall be signs, in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars: and in the earth the people shall be in such perplexity, that they shall not tell which way to turn themselves. The sea and the waves shall roar, and men's hearts shall fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which shall come on the earth. For the powers of heaven shall move. And then shall they see the son of man come in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to come to pass: then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.

And he shewed them a similitude: behold the fig tree, and all other trees, when they shoot forth their buds, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is then nigh at hand. So likewise ye (when ye see these things come to pass) understand, that the kingdom of God is nigh. Verily I say unto you: this generation shall not pass, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass: but my words shall not pass.

Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be overcome, with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this world: and that, that day come on you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that sit on the face of the earth. Watch therefore continually and pray, that ye may scape all this that shall come. And that ye may stand before the son of man. In the day time taught he in the temple, and at night, he went out, and had abiding in the mount olivete. And all the people came in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

The .xxij. Chapter.

The feast of sweet bread drew nigh which is called ester, and the high priests, and scribes sought how to kill Iesus, but they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Iudas, whose sur name was Iscariot (which was of the number of the twelve) and he went his way, and communed with the high priests and officers, how he would betray him to them. And they were glad: and promised to give him money. And he consented, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them, when the people were away.

Then came the day of sweet bread, when of necessity the ester lamb must be offered. And he sent Peter, and Ihon saying: Go and prepare us the ester lamb, that we may eat. They said to him. Where wilt thou, that we prepare? And he said unto them. Behold as ye be entered into the city, there shall a man meet you bearing a pitcher of water, him follow into the same house that he entereth in, and ye shall say unto the good man of the house. The master sayeth: Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat mine ester lamb with my disciples? And he shall shew you a great parlour paved. There make ready. They went and found, as he had said unto them: and made ready the ester lamb.

And when the hour came, he sat down and the twelve Apostles with him. And he said unto them: I have inwardly desired to eat this ester lamb with you before that I suffer. For I say unto you: henceforth, I will not eat of it any more, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said: Receive this, and divide it among you. For I say unto you: I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God be come.

And he took bread, gave thanks, and brake it, and gave it unto them, saying: This is my body which is given for you. This do in the remembrance of me. Likewise also, when they had supped, he took the cup saying: This is the cup, the new testament, in my blood, which shall for you be shed.

Yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me, is with me on the table. And the son of man goeth as it is appointed: But woe be to that man by whom he is betrayed. And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it should be, that should do that.