The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Part 9

(40)And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him: If thou wilt, thou canst cleanse me.

(41)And Jesus, moved with compa.s.sion, stretched forth his hand and touched him, and says to him: I will; be thou cleansed. (42)And immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

(43)And sternly charging him, he forthwith sent him away; (44)and says to him: See thou say nothing to any one; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them. (45)But he, going forth, began to publish it much, and to spread abroad the report; so that he could no longer openly enter into a city, but was without in desert places. And they came to him from every quarter.

II.

AND again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was heard that he is in the house. (2)And straightway many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even at the door; and he spoke the word to them.

(3)And they come to him, bringing one that was palsied, borne by four.

(4)And not being able to come near him, on account of the mult.i.tude, they uncovered the roof where he was; and having broken it up, they let down the bed whereon the palsied man lay. (5)And Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the palsied man: Child, thy sins are forgiven.

(6)But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts: (7)Why does this man speak thus? He blasphemes. Who can forgive sins but one, G.o.d? (8)And Jesus, immediately perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them: Why reason ye these things in your hearts? (9)Which is easier, to say to the palsied man, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? (10)But that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he says to the palsied man,) (11)I say to thee, arise, take up thy bed, and go to thy house. (12)And he arose, and immediately taking up the bed went forth before all; so that all were amazed, and glorified G.o.d, saying: We never saw it thus.

(13)And he went forth again by the sea-side; and all the mult.i.tude came to him, and he taught them.

(14)And pa.s.sing along, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the place of receiving custom, and said to him: Follow me. And rising up he followed him. (15)And it came to pa.s.s, as he reclined at table in his house, that many publicans and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many, and they followed him. (16)And the scribes and the Pharisees, seeing him eating with the sinners and publicans, said to his disciples: How is it that he eats and drinks with the sinners and the publicans? (17)And Jesus, hearing it, says to them: They who are well need not a physician, but they who are sick. I came not to call righteous men, but sinners.

(18)And the disciples of John, and the Pharisees, were fasting[2:18]; and they come and say to him: Why do the disciples of John and the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? (19)And Jesus said to them: Can the sons of the bridechamber fast[2:19], while the bridegroom is with them? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can not fast. (20)But days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken from them; and then they will fast in that day. (21)No one sews a piece of unfulled cloth upon an old garment; else the new filling up of the old takes from it, and a worse rent is made. (22)And no one puts new wine into old skins; else the wine bursts the skins, and the wine is destroyed, and the skins[2:22].

(23)And it came to pa.s.s, that he went through the grain-fields on the sabbath; and his disciples began to go forward[2:23], plucking the ears of grain. (24)And the Pharisees said to him: Behold, why do they on the sabbath that which is not lawful? (25)And he said to them: Did ye never read what David did, when he had need and hungered, himself and they who were with him; (26)how he went into the house of G.o.d, in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show-bread, which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him? (27)And he said to them: The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath. (28)So that the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

III.

AND he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there, having his hand withered. (2)And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath; that they might accuse him. (3)And he says to the man having the withered hand: Arise, and come into the midst.

(4)And he says to them: Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill? But they were silent. (5)And looking round on them with anger, being grieved for their hardness of heart, he says to the man: Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and his hand was restored.

(6)And going out, the Pharisees immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. (7)And Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great mult.i.tude from Galilee followed; and from Judaea, (8)and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond the Jordan, and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great mult.i.tude, hearing what great things he did, came to him. (9)And he spoke to his disciples, that a small s.h.i.+p should wait on him because of the mult.i.tude, that they might not throng him. (10)For he healed many, so that they pressed upon him to touch him, as many as had plagues. (11)And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying: Thou art the Son of G.o.d. (12)And he strictly charged them that they should not make him known.

(13)And he goes up into the mountain, and calls to him whom he would; and they went to him. (14)And he appointed twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, (15)and to have authority to heal sicknesses, and to cast out demons. (16)And Simon he surnamed Peter; (17)and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder; (18)and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Cananite[3:18], (19)and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

And they come into the house. (20)And the mult.i.tude comes together again, so that they could not even eat bread. (21)And hearing of it, his kinsmen went out to lay hold of him; for they said: He is beside himself.

(22)And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said: He has Beelzebul, and through the prince of the demons he casts out the demons. (23)And calling them to him, he said to them in parables: How can Satan cast out Satan? (24)And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom can not stand. (25)And if a house be divided against itself, that house can not stand. (26)And if Satan rose up against himself, and is divided, he can not stand, but has an end.

(27)No one can enter into a strong man's house, and plunder his goods, except he first bind the strong man; and then he will plunder his house. (28)Verily I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies wherewith they shall blaspheme. (29)But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit has no forgiveness forever, but is guilty of eternal sin; (30)because they said: He has an unclean spirit.

(31)And his brothers and his mother come; and standing without they sent to him, calling him. (32)And a crowd was sitting about him; and they say to him: Behold, thy mother and thy brothers without are seeking thee. (33)And he answered them, saying: Who is my mother, or my brothers? (34)And looking round on those who sat about him, he said: Behold my mother, and my brothers! (35)For whoever shall do the will of G.o.d, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.

IV.

AND he began again to teach by the sea-side. And there was gathered to him a very great mult.i.tude, so that he entered into a s.h.i.+p, and sat down in the sea; and all the mult.i.tude was by the sea on the land.

(2)And he taught them many things in parables, and said to them in his teaching:

(3)Hearken; behold, the sower went forth to sow. (4)And it came to pa.s.s, as he sowed, one fell by the way-side, and the birds came and devoured it. (5)And another fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had not depth of earth. (6)But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had not root, it withered away. (7)And another fell among the thorns; and the thorns came up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. (8)And another fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, thirty, and sixty, and a hundredfold. (9)And he said: He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

(10)And when he was alone, they who were about him with the twelve asked him concerning the parables. (11)And he said to them: To you is given the mystery of the kingdom of G.o.d, but to those who are without, all things are done in parables; (12)that seeing they may see, and not perceive, and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest haply they should turn, and be forgiven. (13)And he says to them: Know ye not this parable? And how will ye know all the parables?

(14)The sower sows the word. (15)And these are they by the way-side; where the word is sown, and when they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in them. (16)And these are they likewise that are sown on the rocky places; who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; (17)and have no root in themselves, but are only for a time. Afterward, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they are offended.

(18)And others are they that are sown among the thorns. These are they that hear the word, (19)and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the l.u.s.ts of other things, entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (20)And these are they that are sown on the good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, in thirty, and in sixty, and in a hundredfold.

(21)And he said to them: Is the lamp brought that it may be put under the bushel, or under the bed? Is it not, that it may be put on the lamp-stand? (22)For nothing is hidden, but it shall be manifested; nor was done in secret, but that it should come abroad. (23)If any one has ears to hear, let him hear.

(24)And he said to them: Take heed what ye hear. With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you, and there shall be added to you.

(25)For he that has, to him shall be given; and he that has not, even what he has shall be taken from him.

(26)And he said: So is the kingdom of G.o.d, as when a man has cast the seed upon the earth, (27)and sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows up, he knows not how. (28)For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. (29)But when the fruit permits, immediately he puts forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.

(30)And he said: How shall we liken the kingdom of G.o.d, or in what comparison shall we set it forth? (31)As a grain of mustard; which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the earth. (32)And when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and shoots out great branches; so that the birds of the air can lodge under its shadow.

(33)And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear. (34)But without a parable he spoke not to them; and in private he explained all things to his disciples.

(35)And on that day, when evening was come, he says to them: Let us pa.s.s over to the other side. (36)And dismissing the mult.i.tude, they take him as he was in the s.h.i.+p. And there were also other s.h.i.+ps with him. (37)And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the s.h.i.+p, so that the s.h.i.+p was already becoming filled. (38)And he was in the stern, on the cus.h.i.+on, sleeping. And they awake him, and say to him: Teacher, carest thou not that we perish? (39)And awaking, he rebuked the wind, and said to the sea: Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (40)And he said to them: Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? (41)And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another: Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

V.

AND they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. (2)And when he had come out of the s.h.i.+p, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, (3)who had his dwelling in the tombs; and no one could any longer bind him, not even with chains. (4)Because he had often been bound with fetters and chains; and the chains had been torn asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces, and no one could tame him. (5)And always, night and day, he was in the tombs, and in the mountains, crying out, and cutting himself with stones. (6)But seeing Jesus afar off, he ran and bowed down to him, (7)and cried with a loud voice, and said: What have I to do with thee, Jesus, Son of the most high G.o.d? I adjure thee by G.o.d, do not torment me. (8)For he said to him: Come forth, unclean spirit, out of the man. (9)And he asked him: What is thy name? And he says to him: My name is Legion; because we are many. (10)And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

(11)And there was there, by the mountain, a great herd of swine feeding. (12)And all the demons besought him, saying: Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. (13)And immediately Jesus gave them leave. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered into the swine. And the herd rushed down the steep into the sea, about two thousand, and were choked in the sea. (14)And they who fed them fled, and reported it in the city and in the country. And they came to see what it was that was done. (15)And they come to Jesus, and see him who was possessed with demons, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, him who had the legion, and they were afraid. (16)And they who saw it related to them how it befell him who was possessed with demons, and concerning the swine. (17)And they began to beseech him to depart from their borders.

(18)And as he was entering into the s.h.i.+p, he that had been possessed with demons besought him that he might be with him. (19)And he suffered him not; but says to him: Go into thy house, to thy friends, and announce to them how great things the Lord has done for thee, and had compa.s.sion on thee. (20)And he departed, and began to publish in the Decapolis how great things Jesus did for him; and all wondered.

(21)And Jesus having pa.s.sed over again in the s.h.i.+p to the other side, a great mult.i.tude was gathered to him; and he was by the sea. (22)And there comes one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name. And seeing him, he fell at his feet, (23)and besought him much, saying: My little daughter lies at the point of death. I pray thee come, and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed and live. (24)And he went with him; and a great mult.i.tude was following him, and thronging him.

(25)And a certain woman, who had a flow of blood twelve years, (26)and had suffered much by many physicians, and spent all that she had, and was not at all benefited but rather grew worse, (27)hearing of Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment. (28)For she said: If I touch even his garments, I shall be made whole. (29)And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she perceived in her body that she was healed of that plague. (30)And immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, turned about in the crowd, and said: Who touched my garments? (31)And his disciples said to him: Thou seest the mult.i.tude thronging thee, and sayest thou: Who touched me? (32)And he looked around to see her who had done this. (33)But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what was done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. (34)And he said to her: Daughter, thy faith has made thee whole; go in peace, and be healed of thy plague.

(35)While he was yet speaking, they come from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying: Thy daughter is dead; why troublest thou the Teacher any further? (36)And Jesus, overhearing the word that was spoken, says to the ruler of the synagogue: Be not afraid; only believe. (37)And he suffered no one to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. (38)And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he sees a tumult, and those who wept and wailed greatly. (39)And entering in, he says to them: Why do ye make a tumult, and weep? The child is not dead, but is sleeping.

(40)And they laughed him to scorn. But he, putting them all out, takes the father of the child, and the mother, and those who were with him, and enters in where the child was. (41)And taking the hand of the child, he says to her: Talitha k.u.mi; which is interpreted, Damsel, I say to thee, arise. (42)And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. (43)And he charged them strictly that no one should know this. And he commanded that something should be given her to eat.

VI.

AND he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. (2)And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing were astonished, saying: From whence has this man these things? And what is the wisdom which is given him, and such miracles wrought by his hands? (3)Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. (4)And Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kindred, and in his own house. (5)And he was not able to do any miracle there, save that he laid his hands on a few sick, and healed them. (6)And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about the surrounding villages, teaching.

(7)And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; (8)and commanded them that they should take nothing for the way, save a staff only; no bread, no bag, no money, in their girdle; (9)but that they be shod with sandals and, Put not on two coats. (10)And he said to them: Wherever ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart from thence. (11)And whatever place shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony to them[6:11].

(12)And they went out, and preached that men should repent. (13)And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

(14)And the king, Herod, heard of it, for his name was spread abroad; and he said: John the Immerser is risen from the dead, and therefore do these powers work in him. (15)Others said: It is Elijah. And others said: It is a prophet, like any one of the prophets. (16)But Herod hearing of it, said: John, whom I beheaded, is risen from the dead.

(17)For he, Herod, sent forth and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison, for the sake of Herodias the wife of Philip, his brother; because he had married her. (18)For John said to Herod: It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. (19)And Herodias was angry with him, and desired to put him to death; and she could not, (20)for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man; and he observed him[6:20], and hearing him did many things, and heard him gladly.

(21)And a convenient day having come, when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his n.o.bles, and for the chief captains, and the first men of Galilee; (22)and the daughter of Herodias having come in and danced, it pleased Herod and those reclining at table with him; and the king said to the damsel: Ask of me whatever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. (23)And he swore to her: Whatever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. (24)And she, going out, said to her mother: What shall I ask? And she said: The head of John the Immerser. (25)And straightway she came in with haste to the king, and asked, saying: I will that immediately thou give me, on a platter, the head of John the Immerser. (26)And the king became very sorrowful; but for the sake of his oath, and of those reclining with him, he would not reject her. (27)And immediately the king sent one of the guard, and commanded to bring his head. And he went and beheaded him in the prison, (28)and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother. (29)And his disciples hearing of it came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.