Chapter 2

006:030 And if God so clothes the wild herbage which to-day flourishes and to-morrow is thrown into the oven, is it not much more certain that He will clothe you, you men of little faith?

006:031 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?'

006:032 For all these are questions that Gentiles are always asking; but your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things-- all of them.

006:033 But make His Kingdom and righteousness your chief aim, and then these things shall all be given you in addition.

006:034 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, about to-morrow, for to-morrow will bring its own cares. Enough for each day are its own troubles.

007:001 "Judge not, that you may not be judged;

007:002 for your own judgement will be dealt--and your own measure meted--to yourselves.

007:003 And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, and not notice the beam which is in your own eye?

007:004 Or how say to your brother, `Allow me to take the splinter out of your eye,' while the beam is in your own eye?

007:005 Hypocrite, first take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to remove the splinter from your brother's eye.

007:006 "Give not that which is holy to the dogs, nor throw your pearls to the swine; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and then turn and attack you.

007:007 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

007:008 For it is always he who asks that receives, he who seeks that finds, and he who knocks that has the door opened to him.

007:009 What man is there among you, who if his son shall ask him for bread will offer him a stone?

007:010 Or if the son shall ask him for a fish will offer him a snake?

007:011 If you then, imperfect as you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

007:012 Everything, therefore, be it what it may, that you would have men do to you, do you also the same to them; for in this the Law and the Prophets are summed up.

007:013 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad the road which leads to ruin, and many there are who enter by it;

007:014 because narrow is the gate and contracted the road which leads to Life, and few are those who find it.

007:015 "Beware of the false teachers--men who come to you in sheep's fleeces, but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves.

007:016 By their fruits you will easily recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from brambles?

007:017 Just so every good tree produces good fruit, but a poisonous tree produces bad fruit.

007:018 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a poisonous tree good fruit.

007:019 Every tree which does not yield good fruit is cut down and thrown aside for burning.

007:020 So by their fruits at any rate, you will easily recognize them.

007:021 "Not every one who says to me, `Master, Master,' will enter the Kingdom of the Heavens, but only those who are obedient to my Father who is in Heaven.

007:022 Many will say to me on that day, "`Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Thy name, and in Thy name expelled demons, and in Thy name performed many mighty works?'

007:023 "And then I will tell them plainly, "`I never knew you: begone from me, you doers of wickedness.'

007:024 "Every one who hears these my teachings and acts upon them will be found to resemble a wise man who builds his house upon rock;

007:025 and the heavy rain falls, the swollen torrents come, and the winds blow and beat against the house; yet it does not fall, for its foundation is on rock.

007:026 And every one who hears these my teachings and does not act upon them will be found to resemble a fool who builds his house upon sand.

007:027 The heavy rain descends, the swollen torrents come, and the winds blow and burst upon the house, and it falls; and disastrous is the fall."

007:028 When Jesus had concluded this discourse, the crowds were filled with amazement at His teaching,

007:029 for He had been teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their Scribes taught.

008:001 Upon descending from the hill country He was followed by immense crowds.

008:002 And a leper came to Him, and throwing himself at His feet, said, "Sir, if only you are willing you are able to cleanse me."

008:003 So Jesus put out His hand and touched him, and said, "I am willing: be cleansed." Instantly he was cleansed from his leprosy;

008:004 and Jesus said to him, "Be careful to tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses appointed as evidence for them."

008:005 After His entry into Capernaum a Captain came to Him, and entreated Him.

008:006 "Sir," he said, "my servant at home is lying ill with paralysis, and is suffering great pain."

008:007 "I will come and cure him," said Jesus.

008:008 "Sir," replied the Captain, "I am not a fit person to receive you under my roof: merely say the word, and my servant will be cured.

008:009 For I myself am also under authority, and have soldiers under me. To one I say `Go,' and he goes, to another `Come,' and he comes, and to my slave `Do this or that,' and he does it."

008:010 Jesus listened to this reply, and was astonished, and said to the people following Him, "I solemnly tell you that in no Israelite have I found faith as great as this.

008:011 And I tell you that many will come from the east and from the west and will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of the Heavens,

008:012 while the natural heirs of the Kingdom will be driven out into the darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth."

008:013 And Jesus said to the Captain, "Go, and just as you have believed, so be it for you." And the servant recovered precisely at that time.

008:014 After this Jesus went to the house of Peter, whose mother-in-law he found ill in bed with fever.

008:015 He touched her hand and the fever left her: and then she rose and waited upon Him.

008:016 In the evening many demoniacs were brought to Him, and with a word He expelled the demons; and He cured all the sick,

008:017 in order that this prediction of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, "He took on Him our weaknesses, and bore the burden of our diseases."

008:018 Seeing great crowds about Him Jesus had given directions to cross to the other side of the Lake,

008:019 when a Scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

008:020 "Foxes have holes," replied Jesus, "and birds have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

008:021 Another of the disciples said to Him, "Sir, allow me first to go and bury my father."

008:022 "Follow me," said Jesus, "and leave the dead to bury their own dead."

008:023 Then He went on board a fishing-boat, and His disciples followed Him.

008:024 But suddenly there arose a great storm on the Lake, so that the waves threatened to engulf the boat; but He was asleep.

008:025 So they came and woke Him, crying, "Master, save us, we are drowning!"

008:026 "Why are you so easily frightened," He replied, "you men of little faith?" Then He rose and reproved the winds and the waves, and there was a perfect calm;

008:027 and the men, filled with amazement, exclaimed, "What kind of man is this? for the very winds and waves obey him!"

008:028 On His arrival at the other side, in the country of the Gadarenes, there met Him two men possessed by demons, coming from among the tombs: they were so dangerously fierce that no one was able to pass that way.

008:029 They cried aloud, "What hast Thou to do with us, Thou Son of God? Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?"

008:030 Now at some distance from them a vast herd of swine were feeding.

008:031 So the demons entreated Him. "If Thou drivest us out," they said, "send us into the herd of swine."

008:032 "Go," He replied. Then they came out from the men and went into the swine, whereupon the entire herd instantly rushed down the cliff into the Lake and perished in the water.

008:033 The swineherds fled, and went and told the whole story in the town, including what had happened to the demoniacs.

008:034 So at once the whole population came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they besought Him to leave their country.

009:001 Accordingly He went on board, and crossing over came to His own town.

009:002 Here they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, my child; your sins are pardoned."

009:003 "Such language is impious," said some of the Scribes among themselves.

009:004 Knowing their thoughts Jesus said, "Why are you cherishing evil thoughts in your hearts?

009:005 Why, which is easier?--to say, `Your sins are pardoned,' or to say `Rise up and walk'?

009:006 But, to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to pardon sins"--He then says to the paralytic, "Rise, and take up your bed and go home."

009:007 And he got up, and went off home.

009:008 And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and ascribed the glory to God who had entrusted such power to a man.

009:009 Passing on thence Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the Toll Office, and said to him, "Follow me." And he arose, and followed Him.

009:010 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of tax-gathers and notorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His disciples.

009:011 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?"

009:012 He heard the question and replied, "It is not men in good health who require a doctor, but the sick.

009:013 But go and learn what this means, `It is mercy that I desire, not sacrifice'; for I did not come to appeal to the righteous, but to sinners."

009:014 At that time John's disciples came and asked Jesus, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?"

009:015 "Can the bridegroom's party mourn," He replied, "as long as the bridegroom is with them? But other days will come (when the Bridegroom has been taken from them) and then they will fast.

009:016 No one ever mends an old cloak with a patch of newly woven cloth. Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away some of the old, and a worse hole would be made.

009:017 Nor do people pour new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins would split, the wine would escape, and the skins be destroyed. But they put new wine into fresh skins, and both are saved."

009:018 While He was thus speaking, a Ruler came up and profoundly bowing said, "My daughter is just dead; but come and put your hand upon her and she will return to life."

009:019 And Jesus rose and followed him, as did also His disciples.

009:020 But a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with haemorrhage came behind Him and touched the tassel of His cloak;

009:021 for she said to herself, "If I but touch His cloak, I shall be cured."

009:022 And Jesus turned and saw her, and said, "Take courage, daughter; your faith has cured you." And the woman was restored to health from that moment.

009:023 Entering the Ruler's house, Jesus saw the flute-players and the crowd loudly wailing,

009:024 and He said, "Go out of the room; the little girl is not dead, but asleep." And they laughed at Him.

009:025 When however the place was cleared of the crowd, Jesus went in, and on His taking the little girl by the hand, she rose up.

009:026 And the report of this spread throughout all that district.

009:027 As Jesus passed on, two blind men followed Him, shouting and saying, "Pity us, Son of David."

009:028 And when He had gone indoors, they came to Him. "Do you believe that I can do this?" He asked them. "Yes, Sir," they replied.

009:029 So He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be to you."

009:030 Then their eyes were opened. And assuming a stern tone Jesus said to them, "Be careful to let no one know."

009:031 But they went out and published His fame in all that district.

009:032 And as they were leaving His presence a dumb demoniac was brought to Him.

009:033 When the demon was expelled, the dumb man could speak. And the crowds exclaimed in astonishment, "Never was such a thing seen in Israel."

009:034 But the Pharisees maintained, "It is by the power of the Prince of the demons that he drives out the demons."

009:035 And Jesus continued His circuits through all the towns and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and infirmity.

009:036 And when He saw the crowds He was touched with pity for them, because they were distressed and were fainting on the ground like sheep which have no shepherd.

009:037 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant, but the reapers are few;

009:038 therefore entreat the Owner of the Harvest to send out reapers into His fields."

010:001 Then He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over foul spirits, to drive them out; and to cure every kind of disease and infirmity.

010:002 Now the names of the twelve Apostles were these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zabdi, and his brother John;

010:003 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax-gatherer, James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

010:004 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas the Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

010:005 These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving them their instructions: "Go not," He said, "among the Gentiles, and enter no Samaritan town;

010:006 but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel's race.

010:007 And as you go, preach and say, `The Kingdom of the Heavens is close at hand.'

010:008 Cure the sick, raise the dead to life, cleanse lepers, drive out demons: you have received without payment, give without payment.

010:009 "Provide no gold, nor even silver nor copper to carry in your pockets;

010:010 no bag for your journey, nor change of linen, nor shoes, nor stick; for the labourer deserves his food.

010:011 "Whatever town or village you enter, inquire for some good man; and make his house your home till you leave the place.

010:012 When you enter the house, salute it;

010:013 and if the house deserves it, the peace you invoke shall come upon it. If not, your peace shall return to you.

010:014 And whoever refuses to receive you or even to listen to your Message, as you leave that house or town, shake off the very dust from your feet.

010:015 I solemnly tell you that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of Judgement than for that town.

010:016 "Remember it is I who am sending you out, as sheep into the midst of wolves; prove yourselves as sagacious as serpents, and as innocent as doves.

010:017 But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to appear before Sanhedrins, and will flog you in their synagogues;

010:018 and you will even be put on trial before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles.

010:019 But when they have delivered you up, have no anxiety as to how you shall speak or what you shall say; for at that very time it shall be given you what to say;

010:020 for it is not you who will speak: it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

010:021 Brother will betray brother to death, and father, child; and children will rise against their own parents and will put them to death.

010:022 And you will be objects of universal hatred because you are called by my name; but he who holds out to the End-- he will be saved.

010:023 Whenever they persecute you in one town, escape to the next; for I solemnly tell you that you will not have gone the round of all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

010:024 "The learner is never superior to his teacher, and the servant is never superior to his master.

010:025 Enough for the learner to be on a level with his teacher, and for the servant to be on a level with his master. If they have called the master of the house Baal-zebul, how much more will they slander his servants?

010:026 Fear them not, however; there is nothing veiled which will not be uncovered, nor secret which will not become known.

010:027 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what is whispered into your ear, proclaim upon the roofs of the houses.

010:028 "And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

010:029 Do not two sparrows sell for a halfpenny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's leave.

010:030 But as for you, the very hairs on your heads are all numbered.

010:031 Away then with fear; you are more precious than a multitude of sparrows.

010:032 "Every man who acknowledges me before men I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven.

010:033 But whoever disowns me before men I also will disown before my Father who is in Heaven.

010:034 "Do not suppose that I came to bring peace to the earth: I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

010:035 For I came to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

010:036 and a man's own family will be his foes.

010:037 Any one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and any one who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

010:038 and any one who does not take up his cross and follow where I lead is not worthy of me.

010:039 To save your life is to lose it, and to lose your life for my sake is to save it.

010:040 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives Him who sent me.

010:041 Every one who receives a prophet, because he is a prophet, will receive a prophet's reward, and every one who receives a righteous man, because he is a righteous man, will receive a righteous man's reward.

010:042 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink because he is a disciple, I solemnly tell you that he will not lose his reward."

011:001 When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve disciples, He left in order to teach and to proclaim His Message in the neighbouring towns.

011:002 Now John had heard in prison about the Christ's doings, and he sent some of his disciples to inquire:

011:003 "Are you the Coming One, or is it a different person that we are to expect?"

011:004 "Go and report to John what you see and hear," replied Jesus;

011:005 "blind eyes receive sight, and cripples walk; lepers are cleansed, and deaf ears hear; the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them;

011:006 and blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because of my claims."

011:007 When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind?

011:008 But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed? Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings' palaces.

011:009 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.

011:010 This is he of whom it is written, "`See I am sending My messenger before Thy face, and he will make Thy road ready before Thee.'

011:011 "I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no greater has ever been raised up than John the Baptist; yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he.

011:012 But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force.

011:013 For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John.

011:014 And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah who was to come.

011:015 Listen, every one who has ears!

011:016 "But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like children sitting in the open places, who call to their playmates.

011:017 "`We have played the flute to you,' they say, `and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten your breasts.'

011:018 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon.'

011:019 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they exclaim, `See this man!--given to gluttony and tippling, and a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!' And yet Wisdom is vindicated by her actions."

011:020 Then began He to upbraid the towns where most of His mighty works had been done--because they had not repented.

011:021 "Alas for thee, Chorazin!" He cried. "Alas for thee, Bethsaida! For had the mighty works been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in both of you, they would long ere now have repented, covered with sackcloth and ashes.

011:022 Only I tell you that it will be more endurable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of Judgement than for you.

011:023 And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted even to Heaven? Even to Hades shalt thou descend. For had the mighty works been done in Sodom which have been done in thee, it would have remained until now.

011:024 Only I tell you all, that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom on the day of Judgement than for thee."

011:025 About that time Jesus exclaimed, "I heartily praise Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from sages and men of discernment, and hast unveiled them to babes.

011:026 Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will.

011:027 "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one fully knows the Son except the Father, nor does any one fully know the Father except the Son and all to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

011:028 "Come to me, all you toiling and burdened ones, and *I* will give you rest.