Chapter 3

011:029 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

011:030 For it is good to bear my yoke, and my burden is light."

012:001 About that time Jesus passed on the Sabbath through the wheatfields; and His disciples became hungry, and began to gather ears of wheat and eat them.

012:002 But the Pharisees saw it and said to Him, "Look! your disciples are doing what the Law forbids them to do on the Sabbath."

012:003 "Have you never read," He replied, "what David did when he and his men were hungry?

012:004 how he entered the House of God and ate the Presented Loaves, which it was not lawful for him or his men to eat, nor for any except the priests?

012:005 And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt?

012:006 But I tell you that there is here that which is greater than the Temple.

012:007 And if you knew what this means, `It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned those who are without guilt.

012:008 For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath."

012:009 Departing thence He went to their synagogue,

012:010 where there was a man with a shrivelled arm. And they questioned Him, "Is it right to cure people on the Sabbath?" Their intention was to bring a charge against Him.

012:011 "Which of you is there," He replied, "who, if he has but a single sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?

012:012 Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is right to do good on the Sabbath."

012:013 Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your arm." And he stretched it out, and it was restored quite sound like the other.

012:014 But the Pharisees after leaving the synagogue consulted together against Him, how they might destroy Him.

012:015 Aware of this, Jesus departed elsewhere; and a great number of people followed Him, all of whom He cured.

012:016 But He gave them strict injunctions not to blaze abroad His doings,

012:017 that those words of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled,

012:018 "This is My servant whom I have chosen, My dearly loved One in whom My soul takes pleasure. I will put My spirit upon Him, and He will announce justice to the nations.

012:019 He will not wrangle or raise His voice, nor will His voice be heard in the broadways.

012:020 A crushed reed He will not utterly break, nor will He quench the still smouldering wick, until He has led on Justice to victory.

012:021 And on His name shall the nations rest their hopes."

012:022 At that time a demoniac was brought to Him, blind and dumb; and He cured him, so that the dumb man could speak and see.

012:023 And the crowds of people were all filled with amazement and said, "Can this be the Son of David?"

012:024 The Pharisees heard it and said, "This man only expels demons by the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of demons."

012:025 Knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Every kingdom in which civil war has raged suffers desolation; and every city or house in which there is internal strife will be brought low.

012:026 And if Satan is expelling Satan, he has begun to make war on himself: how therefore shall his kingdom last?

012:027 And if it is by Baal-zebul's power that I expel the demons, by whose power do your disciples expel them? They therefore shall be your judges.

012:028 But if it is by the power of the Spirit of God that I expel the demons, it is evident that the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

012:029 Again, how can any one enter the house of a strong man and carry off his goods, unless first of all he masters and secures the strong man: then he will ransack his house.

012:030 "The man who is not with me is against me, and he who is not gathering with me is scattering abroad.

012:031 This is why I tell you that men may find forgiveness for every other sin and impious word, but that for impious speaking against the Holy Spirit they shall find no forgiveness.

012:032 And whoever shall speak against the Son of Man may obtain forgiveness; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, neither in this nor in the coming age shall he obtain forgiveness."

012:033 "Either grant the tree to be wholesome and its fruit wholesome, or the tree poisonous and its fruit poisonous; for the tree is known by its fruit.

012:034 O vipers' brood, how can you speak what is good when you are evil? For it is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth speaks.

012:035 A good man from his good store produces good things, and a bad man from his bad store produces bad things.

012:036 But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak they will be held accountable on the day of Judgement.

012:037 For each of you by his words shall be justified, or by his words shall be condemned."

012:038 Then He was accosted by some of the Scribes and of the Pharisees who said, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign given by you."

012:039 "Wicked and faithless generation!" He replied, "they clamour for a sign, but none shall be given to them except the sign of the Prophet Jonah.

012:040 For just as Jonah was three days in the sea-monster's belly, so will the Son of Man be three days in the heart of the earth.

012:041 There will stand up men of Nineveh at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and mark! there is One greater than Jonah here.

012:042 The Queen of the south will awake at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and mark! there is One greater than Solomon here.

012:043 "No sooner however has the foul spirit gone out of the man, then he roams about in places where there is no water, seeking rest but finding none.

012:044 Then he says, `I will return to my house that I left;' and he comes and finds it unoccupied, swept clean, and in good order.

012:045 Then he goes and brings back with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they come in and dwell there; and in the end that man's condition becomes worse than it was at first. So will it be also with the present wicked generation."

012:046 While He was still addressing the people His mother and His brothers were standing on the edge of the crowd desiring to speak to Him.

012:047 So some one told Him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and desire to speak to you."

012:048 "Who is my mother?" He said to the man; "and who are my brothers?"

012:049 And pointing to His disciples He added, "See here are my mother and my brothers.

012:050 To obey my Father who is in Heaven--that is to be my brother and my sister and my mother."

013:001 That same day Jesus had left the house and was sitting on the shore of the Lake,

013:002 when a vast multitude of people crowded round Him. He therefore went on board a boat and sat there, while all the people stood on the shore.

013:003 He then spoke many things to them in figurative language. "The sower goes out," He said, "to sow.

013:004 As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up.

013:005 Some falls on rocky ground, where it has but scanty soil. It quickly shows itself above ground, because it has no depth of earth;

013:006 but when the sun is risen, it is scorched by the heat, and through having no root it withers up.

013:007 Some falls among the thorns; but the thorns spring up and stifle it.

013:008 But a portion falls upon good ground, and gives a return, some a hundred for one, some sixty, some thirty.

013:009 Listen, every one who has ears!"

013:010 (And His disciples came and asked Him, "Why do you speak to them in figurative language?"

013:011 "Because," He replied, "while to you it is granted to know the secrets of the Kingdom of the Heavens, to them it is not.

013:012 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.

013:013 I speak to them in figurative language for this reason, that while looking they do not see, and while hearing they neither hear nor understand.

013:014 And in regard to them the prophecy of Isaiah is receiving signal fulfilment: "`You will hear and hear and by no means understand, and you will look and look and by no means see.

013:015 For this people's mind is stupefied, their hearing has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears, or understanding with their minds, and turning back, so that I might heal them.'

013:016 "But as for you, blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.

013:017 For I solemnly tell you that many Prophets and holy men have longed to see the sights you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the words you hear, and have not heard them.

013:018 "To you then I will explain the parable of the Sower.

013:019 When a man hears the Message concerning the Kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil one comes and catches away what has been sown in his heart. This is he who has received the seed by the road-side.

013:020 He who has received the seed on the rocky ground is the man who hears the Message and immediately receives it with joy.

013:021 It has struck no root, however, within him. He continues for a time, but when suffering comes, or persecution, because of the Message, he at once stumbles and falls.

013:022 He who has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears the Message, but the cares of the present age and the delusions of riches quite stifle the Message, and it becomes unfruitful.

013:023 But he who has received the seed on good ground is he who hears and understands. Such hearers give a return, and yield one a hundred for one, another sixty, another thirty.")

013:024 Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "may be compared to a man who has sown good seed in his field,

013:025 but during the night his enemy comes, and over the first seed he sows darnel among the wheat, and goes away.

013:026 But when the blade shoots up and the grain is formed, then appears the darnel also.

013:027 "So the farmer's men come and ask him, "`Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed on your land? Where then does the darnel come from?'

013:028 "`Some enemy has done this,' he said. "`Shall we go, and collect it?' the men inquire.

013:029 "`No,' he replied, `for fear that while collecting the darnel you should at the same time root up the wheat with it.

013:030 Leave both to grow together until the harvest, and at harvest-time I will direct the reapers, Collect the darnel first, and make it up into bundles to burn it, but bring all the wheat into my barn.'"

013:031 Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "is like a mustard-seed, which a man takes and sows in his ground.

013:032 It is the smallest of all seeds, and yet when full-grown it is larger than any herb and forms a tree, so that the birds come and build in its branches."

013:033 Another parable He spoke to them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "is like yeast which a woman takes and buries in a bushel of flour, for it to work there till the whole mass has risen."

013:034 All this Jesus spoke to the people in figurative language, and except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them,

013:035 in fulfilment of the saying of the Prophet, "I will open my mouth in figurative language, I will utter things kept hidden since the creation of all things."

013:036 When He had dismissed the people and had returned to the house, His disciples came to Him with the request, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel sown in the field."

013:037 "The sower of the good seed," He replied, "is the Son of Man;

013:038 the field is the world; the good seed--these are the sons of the Kingdom; the darnel, the sons of the Evil one.

013:039 The enemy who sows the darnel is *the Devil*; the harvest is the Close of the Age; the reapers are the angels.

013:040 As then the darnel is collected together and burnt up with fire, so will it be at the Close of the Age.

013:041 The Son of Man will commission His angels, and they will gather out of His Kingdom all causes of sin and all who violate His laws;

013:042 and these they will throw into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth.

013:043 Then will the righteous shine out like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Listen, every one who has ears!

013:044 "The Kingdom of the Heavens is like treasure buried in the open country, which a man finds, but buries again, and, in his joy about it, goes and sells all he has and buys that piece of ground.

013:045 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a jewel merchant who is in quest of choice pearls.

013:046 He finds one most costly pearl; he goes away; and though it costs all he has, he buys it.

013:047 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a draw-net let down into the sea, which encloses fish of all sorts.

013:048 When full, they haul it up on the beach, and sit down and collect the good fish in baskets, while the worthless they throw away.

013:049 So will it be at the Close of the Age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from among the righteous,

013:050 and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth."

013:051 "Have you understood all this?" He asked. "Yes," they said.

013:052 "Therefore," He said, "remember that every Scribe well trained for the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a householder who brings out of his storehouse new things and old."

013:053 Jesus concluded this series of parables and then departed.

013:054 And He came into His own country and proceeded to teach in their synagogue, so that they were filled with astonishment and exclaimed, "Where did he obtain such wisdom, and these wondrous powers?

013:055 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judah?

013:056 And his sisters--are they not all living here among us? Where then did he get all this?"

013:057 So they turned angrily away from Him. But Jesus said to them, "There is no prophet left without honour except in his own country and among his own family."

013:058 And He performed but few mighty deeds there because of their want of faith.

014:001 About that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

014:002 and he said to his courtiers, "This is John the Baptist: he has come back to life--and that is why these miraculous Powers are working in him."

014:003 For Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip's wife,

014:004 because John had persistently said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."

014:005 And he would have liked to put him to death, but was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a Prophet.

014:006 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before all the company, and so pleased Herod

014:007 that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she asked.

014:008 So she, instigated by her mother, said, "Give me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist."

014:009 The king was deeply vexed, yet because of his repeated oath and of the guests at his table he ordered it to be given her,

014:010 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

014:011 The head was brought on a dish and given to the young girl, and she took it to her mother.

014:012 Then John's disciples went and removed the body and buried it, and came and informed Jesus.

014:013 Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat to an uninhabited and secluded district; but the people heard of it and followed Him in crowds from the towns by land.

014:014 So Jesus went out and saw an immense multitude, and felt compassion for them, and cured those of them who were out of health.

014:015 But when evening was come, the disciples came to Him and said, "This is an uninhabited place, and the best of the day is now gone; send the people away to go into the villages and buy something to eat."

014:016 "They need not go away," replied Jesus; "you yourselves must give them something to eat."

014:017 "We have nothing here," they said, "but five loaves and a couple of fish."

014:018 "Bring them here to me," He said,

014:019 and He told all the people to sit down on the grass. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and after looking up to heaven and blessing them, He broke up the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples distributed them to the people.

014:020 So all ate, and were fully satisfied. The broken portions that remained over they gathered up, filling twelve baskets.

014:021 Those who had eaten were about 5,000 adult men, without reckoning women and children.

014:022 Immediately afterwards He made the disciples go on board the boat and cross to the opposite shore, leaving Him to dismiss the people.

014:023 When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in solitude. Night came on, and he was there alone.

014:024 Meanwhile the boat was far out on the Lake, buffeted and tossed by the waves, the wind being adverse.

014:025 But towards daybreak He went to them, walking over the waves.

014:026 When the disciples saw Him walking on the waves, they were greatly alarmed. "It is a spirit," they exclaimed, and they cried out with terror.

014:027 But instantly Jesus spoke to them, and said, "There is no danger; it is I; do not be afraid."

014:028 "Master," answered Peter, "if it is you, bid me come to you upon the water."

014:029 "Come," said Jesus. Then Peter climbed down from the boat and walked upon the water to go to Him.

014:030 But when he felt the wind he grew frightened, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Master, save me."

014:031 Instantly Jesus stretched out His hand and caught hold of him, saying to him, "O little faith, why did you doubt?"

014:032 So they climbed into the boat, and the wind lulled;

014:033 and the men on board fell down before him and said, "You are indeed God's Son."

014:034 When they had quite crossed over, they put ashore at Gennesaret;

014:035 and the men of the place, recognizing Him, sent word into all the country round. So they brought all the sick to Him,

014:036 and they entreated Him that they might but touch the tassel of His outer garment; and all who did so were restored to perfect health.

015:001 Then there came to Jesus a party of Pharisees and Scribes from Jerusalem, who inquired,

015:002 "Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders by not washing their hands before meals?"

015:003 "Why do you, too," He retorted, "transgress God's commands for the sake of your tradition?

015:004 For God said, `Honour thy father and thy mother'; and `Let him who reviles father or mother be certainly put to death';

015:005 but you--this is what you say: `If a man says to his father or mother, That is consecrated, whatever it is, which otherwise you should have received from me--

015:006 he shall be absolved from honouring his father'; and so you have abrogated God's Word for the sake of your tradition.

015:007 Hypocrites! well did Isaiah prophesy of you,

015:008 "`This is a People who honour Me with their lips, while their heart is far away from Me;

015:009 but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'"

015:010 Then, when He had called the people to Him, Jesus said, "Hear and understand.

015:011 It is not what goes into a man's mouth that defiles him; but it is what comes out of his mouth--that* defiles a man."

015:012 Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were greatly shocked when they heard those words?"

015:013 "Every plant," He replied, "which my Heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.

015:014 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind; and if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into some pit."

015:015 "Explain to us this figurative language," said Peter.

015:016 "Are even you," He answered, "still without intellingence?

015:017 Do you not understand that whatever enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is afterwards ejected from the body?

015:018 But the things that come out of the mouth proceed from the heart, and it is these that defile the man.

015:019 For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech.

015:020 These are the things which defile the man; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile."

015:021 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew into the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon.

015:022 Here a Canaanitish woman of the district came out and persistently cried out, "Sir, Son of David, pity me; my daughter is cruelly harassed by a demon."

015:023 But He answered her not a word. Then the disciples interposed, and begged Him, saying, "Send her away because she keeps crying behind us."

015:024 "I have only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel," He replied.

015:025 Then she came and threw herself at His feet and entreated Him. "O Sir, help me," she said.

015:026 "It is not right," He said, "to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

015:027 "Be it so, Sir," she said, "for even the dogs eat the scraps which fall from their masters' tables."

015:028 "O woman," replied Jesus, "great is your faith: be it done to you as you desire." And from that moment her daughter was restored to health.

015:029 Again, moving thence, Jesus went along by the Lake of Galilee; and ascending the hill, He sat down there.

015:030 Soon great crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were crippled in feet or hands, blind or dumb, and many besides, and they hastened to lay them at His feet. And He cured them,