The New Testament Part 13

4 [8:4]And a great mult.i.tude having come together, and persons having come to him from every city, he said in a parable, [8:5]A sower went out to sow his seed; and in his sowing, some fell by the way, and was trodden down, and the birds of heaven devoured it; [8:6]and some fell on the rock, and springing up it was dried up, because it had no moisture; [8:7]and some fell in the midst of thorns, and the thorns springing up choked it; [8:8]and some fell on good ground, and growing up bore fruit a hundred fold. Having said these things, he cried, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

5 [8:9]And his disciples asked him, What does this parable mean?

[8:10]And he said, It is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of G.o.d, but to others in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. [8:11]But the parable signifies this; the seed is the word of G.o.d; [8:12]those by the way are those who hear, then comes the devil and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved; [8:13]those on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, and they have no root; they believe for a time, and in a time of trial fall away; [8:14] and that which fell among thorns signifies those who hear, and going away are choked by cares and riches and the pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. [8:15]But that on the good ground signifies those who, with a n.o.ble and good heart, hearing the word retain it, and bear fruit persistently.

6 [8:16]But no one lights a candle and covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it in a candlestick, that those coming in may see the light. [8:17]For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifest, nor concealed which shall not be known and come to light.

[8:18]See therefore how you hear; for whoever has, to him shall be given, and whoever has not, from him shall be taken away even what he seems to have.

7 [8:19]And his mother and brothers came to him, and were not able to approach him on account of the mult.i.tude. [8:20]And it was told him by some, saying, Your mother and your brothers stand without, wis.h.i.+ng to see you. [8:21]And he answered and said to them, My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of G.o.d and perform it.

CHAPTER XI.

CHRIST STILLING A TEMPEST, CURING A DEMONIAC, RAISING THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS.

1 [8:22]AND on one of those days both he and his disciples went into the s.h.i.+p; and he said to them, Let us cross over to the other side of the lake. And they set sail; [8:23]and as they were sailing he fell asleep. And a tempest of wind came down on the lake, and they were flooded with water, and in peril. [8:24] And they came and awoke him, saying, Master! Master! we are peris.h.i.+ng! And he arose, and rebuked the wind and the waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. [8:25]And he said to them, Where is your faith? And they were afraid, and wondered, saying one to another, What man then is this, that he commands the winds and the water and they obey him?

2 [8:26]And they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite to Galilee. [8:27]And as he went out on the land, there met him a certain man from the city who had had demons for a long time; and he wore no clothes, and remained not in a house, but in the tombs.

[8:28]And seeing Jesus, he cried out, and wors.h.i.+pped him, and said with a loud voice, What have you to do with me, Jesus, son of the Most High G.o.d? I beg of you not to torment me; [8:29]for he had commanded the impure spirit to go out of the man; for it had often seized him; and he had been bound with chains, and confined with fetters; and breaking his bonds he had been driven by the demon into solitary places. [8:30]And Jesus asked him, saying, What is your name? And he said, Legion; because many demons had entered into him. [8:31]And he besought him not to command them to go into the abyss. [8:32]And there was a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain, and they besought him to permit them to enter into them; and be permitted them. [8:33]And the demons going out of the man entered into the swine; and the herd rushed down the precipice into the lake and were drowned.

3 [8:34]And those who fed them, seeing what was done, fled and reported it in the city and in the country places. [8:35]And they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out sitting, clothed and of a sound mind, at the feet of Jesus; and they were afraid. [8:36]And those who had seen related to them how the demoniac had been cured. [8:37]And all the mult.i.tude of the region about the Gerasenes requested him to depart from them, because they were seized with great fear. And entering into the s.h.i.+p, he returned. [8:38]And the man from whom the demons had gone out desired to be with him; but he sent him away, saying, [8:39]Return to your house, and declare how great things G.o.d has done for you. And he went away proclaiming in all the city what great things Jesus had done for him.

4 [8:40]And when Jesus returned the mult.i.tude received him; for they were all waiting for him. [8:41]And behold, a man by the name of Jairus came; and he was the ruler of a synagogue. And falling at the feet of Jesus, he besought him to come to his house, [8:42]for he had an only daughter twelve years old, and she was dying. And when he was going, the mult.i.tudes thronged him. [8:43]And a woman having a hemorrhage of twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians, and could not be cured by any one, [8:44]coming up behind, touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her flow of blood was stopped. [8:45] And Jesus said, Who touched me? And all denying, Peter and those with him said, Master, the mult.i.tudes press upon and throng you, and do you say, Who touched me? [8:46]And Jesus said, Some one touched me; for I perceived a power going from me. [8:47]And the woman seeing that she was not concealed, came trembling, and falling down related to him in the presence of all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was immediately cured. [8:48]And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has cured you; go in peace.

5 [8:49]While he was yet speaking some one came from the synagogue ruler's house and said to him, Your daughter has died; trouble not the teacher. [8:50] But Jesus hearing it answered him, Fear not; only believe, and she shall be cured. [8:51]And when he entered into the house, he permitted no one to go in with him, except Peter, and John, and James, and the father and mother of the child. [8:52]And all wept and lamented her. But he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleeps.

[8:53]And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. [8:54]And taking her hand, he called, saying, Child, arise! [8:55]And her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And he commanded food to be given her. [8:56]And her parents were astonished; and he commanded them to tell no one what was done.

CHAPTER XII.

CHRIST ENDOWING THE TWELVE APOSTLES WITH MIRACULOUS POWERS, THE PERPLEXITY OF HEROD, THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND, PETER'S CONFESSION, ETC.

1 [9:1]AND calling together the twelve, he gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases, [9:2]and sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of G.o.d, and to cure the sick. [9:3]And he said to them, Take for the way neither a staff nor a provision sack, nor bread, nor silver, and have not two coats apiece. [9:4]And into whatever house you enter, there remain and thence depart. [9:5]And whoever does not receive you, when you go out of that city shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony to them. [9:6]And they went out and pa.s.sed through the villages, everywhere proclaiming the good news and performing cures.

2 [9:7]And Herod the tetrarch heard all things which were done, and was perplexed, because it was said by some that John was raised from the dead, [9:8] and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had arisen. [9:9]And Herod said, John I beheaded; but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.

3 [9:10]And the apostles returned and reported to him all things which they had done. And taking them aside, he departed privately to the city called Bethsaida. [9:11]And the mult.i.tudes knowing it followed him. And having received them, he spoke to them of the kingdom of G.o.d, and cured those having need of cure. [9:12] And the day began to decline; and the twelve came and said to him, Dismiss the mult.i.tude, that they may go to the villages and farms around, and lodge, and find provisions; for we are here in a solitary place. [9:13]And he said to them, Give them something to eat. And they said, We have not more than five loaves and two fishes, unless we go and buy provisions for all this mult.i.tude; [9:14]for they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them recline in companies of fifty each; [9:15]and they did so, and caused them all to recline. [9:16]And taking the five loaves and two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and broke, and gave to the disciples to set before the mult.i.tude. [9:17]And they eat and were all filled; and there was taken up what remained over to them, twelve traveling-baskets of fragments.

4 [9:18]And when he was praying alone, the disciples came to him, and he asked them, saying, Who do the mult.i.tudes say that I am? [9:19]And they answered and said, John the Baptist; and some Elijah, and others that one of the old prophets has arisen. [9:20]And he said to them, Who do you say that I am? And Peter answered and said, The Christ of G.o.d. [9:21]And he charged and commanded them to tell this to no one; [9:22]saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day.

5 [9:23]And he said to all, If any one wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. [9:24]For whoever wishes to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it. [9:25]For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and destroys himself, or loses his life?

[9:26]For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in his glory, and that of the Father, and of the holy angels. [9:27]And I tell you of a truth, there are some of those standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of G.o.d.

CHAPTER XIII.

CHRIST TRANSFIGURED, CURING A DEMONIAC, AND REPROVING AMBITION.

1 [9:28]AND about eight days after these words, taking Peter, and James, and John, he went up on the mountain to pray. [9:29]And while he was praying, the appearance of his face was changed, and his clothes became white and s.h.i.+ning; [9:30]and behold, two men conversed with him, who were Moses and Elijah, [9:31] who appearing in glory spoke of his departure which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. [9:32]And Peter and those with him were oppressed with sleep; and when they awoke they saw his glory, and the two men standing with him. [9:33] And when they were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah; not knowing what he said. [9:34]And when he had said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid when they entered into the cloud. [9:35]And there was a voice from the cloud, saying, This is my chosen Son; hear him.

[9:36]And when the voice had pa.s.sed, Jesus was found alone. And they were silent and told no man in those days any thing of what they had seen.

2 [9:37]And on the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a great mult.i.tude met him. [9:38]And behold, a man from the mult.i.tude cried, saying, Teacher, I desire you to look upon my son, for he is my only child; [9:39]and behold a spirit takes him, and suddenly cries out and convulses him, with foam and crus.h.i.+ng him departs from him with difficulty; [9:40]and I desired your disciples to cast it out, and they could not. [9:41]And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation! How long shall I be with you, and suffer you! Bring your son hither. [9:42]And while he was coming, the demon tore him with spasms and convulsed him. And Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, and cured the child, and gave him back to his father. [9:43]And they were all astonished at the majesty of G.o.d.

3 And while all wondered at all things which he did, he said to his disciples, [9:44]Commit these words to your ears; for the Son of man is about to be delivered into the hands of men. [9:45]But they understood not this saying; and it was concealed from them, that they might not perceive it; and they feared to ask him concerning this saying.

4 [9:46]And there arose a debate among them, which of them should be the greatest. [9:47]And Jesus perceiving the debate in their minds, took a little child and set it by him, [9:48]and said to them, Whoever receives this little child in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives him that sent me. For he that is least among you all, he shall be the greatest. [9:49]And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he follows not with us. [9:50]And Jesus said to him, Forbid him not; for whoever is not against us is for us.

CHAPTER XIV.

CHRIST ON HIS LAST JOURNEY FROM GALILEE TO JERUSALEM.

1 [9:51]AND when the days were completed for his being taken up, he set his face firmly to go to Jerusalem. [9:52]And he sent messengers before him; and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for him. [9:53]And they did not receive him, because he was going to Jerusalem. [9:54] And his disciples James and John seeing it, said, Lord, do you wish us to call fire to come down from heaven and consume them? [9:55]And he turned around and rebuked them; and they went to another village.

2 [9:57]And as they were traveling on the way, one said to him, I will follow you wherever you go. [9:58]And Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of heaven places of shelter; but the Son of man has not where to lay his head. [9:59]And he said to another, Follow me.

And he said, Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father. [9:60]But he said to him, Let the dead bury their dead, but do you go and proclaim abroad the kingdom of G.o.d. [9:61]And another also said, Lord, I will follow you, but permit me first to bid farewell to those in my house. [9:62]But Jesus said, No man putting his hand on the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of G.o.d.

3 [10:1]And after these things the Lord designated seventy others also, and sent them out, two by two, before his face, into every city and place where he was about to come. [10:2]And he said to them, The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers few; pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to thrust out laborers into his harvest. [10:3]Go; behold I send you as lambs in the midst of wolves. [10:4]Carry neither a purse, nor provision sack, nor sandals; and salute no one by the way.

[10:5]And into whatever house you enter, first say, Peace to this house! [10:6]And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. [10:7]And in the same house remain, eating and drinking the things with them; for the laborer is worthy of his reward. Go not about from house to house. [10:8]And into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat what is set before you; [10:9]and cure the sick in it, and say to them, The kingdom of G.o.d has come nigh to you. [10:10] And into whatever city you enter, and they receive you not, going out into its streets, say, [10:11]Even the dust of your city which adheres to our feet we wipe off for you; but know this, that the kingdom of G.o.d is at hand. [10:12]I tell you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in that day than for that city.

[10:13]Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in you, they would long ago have changed their minds, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. [10:14]But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment, than for you. [10:15]And you, Capernaum, even to heaven will you be exalted? even to hades shall you be cast down. [10:16]He that hears you, hears me; and he that rejects you, rejects me; and he that rejects me, rejects him that sent me.

4 [10:17]And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us by your name. [10:18]And he said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. [10:19]Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and on all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means injure you; [10:20]but in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

5 [10:21]In the same hour he rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to babes. Yes, Father, for so it has seemed good in thy sight. [10:22]And turning to his disciples, he said, All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is but the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. [10:23]And turning around to his disciples he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see what you see! [10:24]For I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which you hear, and have not heard them.

CHAPTER XV.

THE WAY OF SALVATION, MARY'S CHOICE, AND LESSONS ON PRAYER.

1 [10:25]AND behold, a certain lawyer stood up to try him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [10:26]And he said to him, What is written in the law? how do you read? [10:27]And he answered and said, You shall love the Lord your G.o.d with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. [10:28] And he said to him, You have answered well; do this, and you shall live.

2 [10:29]But he, wis.h.i.+ng to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? [10:30]And Jesus replied and said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who both stripped him and inflicted blows upon him, and went away leaving him half dead.

[10:31]And, providentially, a certain priest went down that way, and seeing him pa.s.sed by on the other side. [10:32]And in like manner a Levite also, being at the place, came and saw him, and pa.s.sed by on the other side. [10:33]But a certain Samaritan, on a journey, came where he was, and seeing him had compa.s.sion on him; [10:34]and he came and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and putting him on his own beast, brought him to a khan, and took care of him. [10:35]And on the next day, putting out two denarii [28 cents], he gave them to the khan-keeper, and said, Take care of him, and whatever you expend more, when I return I will pay you. [10:36]Which of these three think you was a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers? [10:37]And he said, He that had mercy on him. Then said Jesus to him, Do you go and do likewise.

3 [10:38]And as they were pursuing their journey he entered into a certain village. And a woman by the name of Martha received him into her house. [10:39] And she had a sister called Mary, and she sat at the feet of the Lord and heard his word. [10:40]But Martha was distracted with much serving, and came and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her, therefore, to help me.

[10:41]And the Lord answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and disturbed about many things, [10:42]but of one thing there is need; and Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

4 [11:1]And as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. [11:2]And he said to them, When you pray, say, Father, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; [11:3]give us daily our essential bread; [11:4]and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive every one who is indebted to us; and bring us not into trial.

5 [11:5]And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight, and say, Friend, lend me three loaves, [11:6]for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; [11:7]and he will answer from within, and say, Trouble me not, for the door is already shut, and my little children are with me in bed, I cannot arise and give you; [11:8]I tell you if he will not arise and give him on account of being his friend, yet, on account of his importunity, he will arise and give him as many as he needs.

[11:9]And I tell you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you; [11:10]for every one that asks, receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. [11:11] And what father is there of you, who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? or if he asks also for a fish, will for a fish give him a serpent? [11:12]or if he asks also for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [11:13]If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.