

Augmented Bible

Michael Rajnarine Sawh MA (Cantab)

Copyright Michael Rajnarine Sawh 2020

Smashwords Edition

About this book

The Augmented Bible is a modern translation of New & Old Testament Scriptures from ancient Hebrew & Greek using the Textus Receptus. References to 'God' and 'Lord' are restored to Elohim and Yahweh within the Psalms and Proverbs.

The Textus Receptus manuscript was favoured by the creators of the Geneva version, the most popular bible of the Elizabethan age of reformation, and the publishers of the King James. Academics have estimated that over eighty percent of both the Geneva and King James versions are almost identical to William Tyndale's 1526 New Testament, the father of reliable English translations on the foundation of the Textus Receptus.

The Augmented Bible is a not for profit publication: available free of charge or at cost of distribution only. This text may be quoted for non-commercial purposes in good faith, with attribution as 'AB'. All rights reserved. Giving thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I commit the fruit of this work to His grace and glory. Amen.

Cover Art: 'Galaxy Rose' by Michael Sawh

About the author

Michael is a musician & author of several books on spirituality & leadership. He holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Cambridge.

Visit mystarflowers.com for the latest news & publications:

- Father's New Testament (2019): a precise translation of the Holy Scriptures.

- Song of Songs (2019): a musical arrangement of the Song of Solomon.

- The Menorah Bride (2018): a collection of meditations & poems.

- Healthy Business (2018): applying biological systems to leadership.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks for proofing & encouragement to Charles, Colin, Derek, Duncan, Edna, John, Julia, Lynne, Martin, Mary, Maureen, Mike, Paul & Suzanne.

Table of Contents

Book \- Page

New Testament

Matthew: on Christ the King \- 4

Mark: on Christ the Servant \- 45

Luke: on Christ the Man - 72

John: on Christ the Son of God - 118

Acts: the School of the Kingdom - 151

Romans: the School of Grace \- 195

1 Corinthians: the School of Holiness \- 212

2 Corinthians: the School of Glory \- 229

Galatians: the School of Freedom - 240

Ephesians: the School of Destiny - 247

Philippians: the School of Joy \- 253

Colossians: the School of Hope - 257

1 Thessalonians: the School of Endurance \- 261

2 Thessalonians: the School of Peace - 264

1 Timothy: the School of Leadership \- 266

2 Timothy: the School of Ministry - 271

Titus: the School of Governance - 274

Philemon: the School of Friendship - 276

Hebrews: the School of Faith \- 277

James: the School of Wisdom \- 290

1 Peter: the School of Inheritance \- 294

2 Peter: the School of Fruitfulness \- 299

1 John: the School of Love - 302

2 John: the School of Truth - 306

3 John: the School of Fathering \- 307

Jude: the School of Judgement - 307

Revelation: the School of Mystery - 309

Old Testament

Psalms: the School of Prayer \- 329

Proverbs: the School of Prosperity - 417

Song of Songs: the School of Lovers - 446

Helpful Verses \- 451

Matthew: on Christ the King

Chapter 1

1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham fathered Isaac; and Isaac fathered Jacob; and Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers;

3 and Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar; and Perez fathered Hezron; and Hezron fathered Aram;

4 and Aram fathered Aminadab; and Aminadab fathered Nahshon; and Nahshon fathered Salmon;

5 and Salmon fathered Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz fathered Obed of Ruth; and Obed fathered Jesse;

6 and Jesse fathered David the king; and David the king fathered Solomon by the wife of Uriah;

7 and Solomon fathered Rehoboam; and Rehoboam fathered Abijah; and Abijah fathered Asa;

8 and Asa fathered Josaphat; and Josaphat fathered Joram; and Joram fathered Uzziah;

9 and Uzziah fathered Jotham; and Jotham fathered Ahaz; and Ahaz fathered Hezekiah;

10 and Hezekiah fathered Manasseh; and Manasseh fathered Amon; and Amon fathered Josiah;

11 and Josiah fathered Jechoniah and his brothers, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

12 and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechoniah fathered Shealtiel; and Shealtiel fathered Zerubabel;

13 and Zerubabel fathered Abiud; and Abiud fathered Eliakim; and Eliakim fathered Azor;

14 and Azor fathered Zadok; and Zadok fathered Akim; and Akim fathered Eliud;

15 and Eliud fathered Eleazar; and Eleazar fathered Matthan; and Matthan fathered Jacob;

16 and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the exile into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the exile into Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations.

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this way: when his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child by the Holy Spirit.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 And she will give birth to a son, and you will call his name Jesus: for he will save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying:

23 'Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,' which being interpreted means 'God with us.'

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had instructed, and married his wife,

25 and did not know her until she had given birth to her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Matthew - Chapter 2

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 saying: 'Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him.'

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said to him: 'In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet -

6 And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a Governor, who will rule my people Israel.'

7 Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said: 'Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

11 And when they came into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country by another way.

13 And when they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: 'Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.'

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt,

15 and was there until the death of Herod - that it might be fulfilled that which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying: 'Out of Egypt I have called my son.'

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was outwitted by the wise men, was greatly enraged, and sent men who slaughtered all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the surrounding area, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:

18 'A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and weeping, and many mourning - Rachel weeping for her children, and inconsolable because they are not.'

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20 saying: 'Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for they are dead which sought the young child's life.'

21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Yet, being warned in a dream, he turned aside to the region of Galilee,

23 and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth - so it might be fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophets: He shall be called a Nazarene.

Matthew - Chapter 3

1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

2 saying: 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'

3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah: 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness - Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'

4 And the same John was clothed in camel hair, and a leather belt about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then the people of Jersualem went out to him, and all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan,

6 And they were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: 'O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Produce therefore fruits worthy of repentance;

9 and do think to say within yourselves 'we have Abraham as our father'; for I say to you, that God is able to raise up children of Abraham out of these stones.

10 And now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree which does not produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.

11 I indeed baptize you with water into repentance: but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandles I am not worthy to carry: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire;

12 whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him.

14 But John prevented him, saying: 'I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?'

15 And Jesus answering said to him: 'Permit it to be so now, for it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.' Then he permitted him,

16 and Jesus, when he was baptized, went up immediately out of the water: and, behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and coming upon him:

17 And behold, a voice from heaven, saying: 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'

Matthew - Chapter 4

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said: 'If you are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.'

4 But he answered and said: 'It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'

5 Then the devil took him into the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 and said to him: 'If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down: for it is written - He shall give his angels charge concerning you, and in their hands they shall bear you up, in case you should dash your foot against a stone.'

7 Jesus said to him: 'It is written again - You shall not test the Lord your God.'

8 Again, the devil took him up into an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,

9 and said to him: 'All these things I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.'

10 Then said Jesus to him: 'Away with you, Satan, for it is written - You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'

11 Then the devil left him, and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was thrown into prison, he departed to Galilee.

13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, within the borders of Zabulon and Naphali,

14 that it might be fulfilled, that which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

15 'The land of Zabulon, and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

16 the people which sat in darkness saw a great light; and to those who sat in the region and shadow of death a light is risen.'

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say: 'Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is near.'

18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

19 And he said to them: 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'

20 And they immediately left their nets, and followed him.

21 And going on from there, he saw two other brothers, Jacob the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

23 And Jesus went about all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of diseases among the people.

24 And his fame went throughout all of Syria, and they brought to him all the sick people suffering diverse diseases and pains, and those who were oppressed by devils, and those which were lunatic, and the paralysed; and he healed them.

25 And there followed him a great crowd of people from Galilee, and from the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Matthew - Chapter 5

1 And seeing the crowd, he went up into a mountain; and when he was sat down, his disciples came to him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying:

3 'Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you, when men will revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its flavour, how shall it be salted? It is therefore good for nothing, but to be thrown out, and to be trampled by the feet of men.

14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a basket, but upon a lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

17 Do not think that I have come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I have not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 Truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall pass from the law, until all is fulfilled.

19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men to do so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no way enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 You have heard that it was said by them of old: you shall not kill; and whoever shall kill will be in danger of the judgment.

22 But I say to you, that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother 'Raca', shall be in danger of the council; but whoever shall say 'You fool' shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,

24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way: first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, unless at any time the adversary delivers you to the judge, and the judge delivers you to the officer, and you are thrown into prison.

26 Truly I say to you, you shall by no means come out of there, until you have paid the last penny.

27 You have heard that it was said by them of old: you shall not commit adultery;

28 but I say to you, that whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29 And if your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and throw it from you, for it is better for you that one of your members should be destroyed, rather than your whole body should be thrown into hell.

30 And if your right hand cause you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it from you: for it is better for you that one of your members should be destroyed, rather than your whole body should be thrown into hell.

31 It has been said, whoever shall divorce his wife, let him give her the certificate of divorce;

32 but I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

33 Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old, you shall not make a false oath, but perform your oaths to the Lord;

34 but I say to you: do not swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne,

35 nor by the earth; for it is his footstool, neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.

37 But let your word be: yes, yes; no, no. For whatever is more than this comes from the evil one.

38 You have heard that it has been said: an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;

39 but I say to you, do not stand against the evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other one also.

40 And if any man will sue you and take away your coat, let him also have your cloak.

41 And whoever shall compel you to go one mile, go with him two.

42 Give to him who asks, and from him who seeks to borrow from you do not turn away.

43 You have heard that it has been said: you shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.

44 But I say to you: love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for them who falsely accuse you, and persecute you:

45 that you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and upon the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 And if you greet only your brothers, what do you more than others? Do not even the tax collectors?

48 Therefore, be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew - Chapter 6

1 Be careful that you do not give to the poor before men, to be seen by them; otherwise, you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

2 Therefore, when you give, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward.

3 But when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4 that your giving may be in secret, and your Father, who sees what is in secret, himself shall reward you openly.

5 And when you pray, do not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward.

6 But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees what is in secret shall reward you openly.

7 But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the gentiles do, for they think that they shall be heard by their many words.

8 Therefore, do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.

9 Therefore, pray like this: our Father who is in the heavens, hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven;

11 give us this day our daily bread;

12 and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;

13 and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;

15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

16 Moreover, when you fast, do not have a sad face like the hypocrites; for they disfigure their faces, so that they may appear to fast to men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward.

17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

18 that you appear not to fast to men, but to your Father who is in secret: and your Father, who sees what is in secret, shall reward you openly.

19 Do not lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break in and steal;

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break in nor steal:

21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.

22 The light of the body is the eye; therefore, if your eye is single, your whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. Therefore, if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness.

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say to you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; neither for your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

26 Behold the birds of the air: they do not sow, neither do they reap nor gather into barns - yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than these?

27 Which of you by worrying can add one inch to his stature?

28 And why are you anxious for clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, neither do they spin;

29 and yet I say to you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.

30 If, however, God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven: shall he not much more clothe you, o you of little faith?

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we drink?' or 'how shall we be clothed?' -

32 for the Gentiles seek after all these things - for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.

34 Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious about the things of itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil of it.

Matthew - Chapter 7

1 Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

2 For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with what measure you use, it shall be measured against you.

3 And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the beam that is in your own eye?

4 Or how will you say to your brother: let me pull out the speck out of your eye, and, look, a beam is in your own eye?

5 You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye, and then shall you see clearly to pull out the speck out of your brother's eye.

6 Do not give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before pigs, unless they trample them under their feet, and turn again and tear you apart.

7 Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you:

8 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, if his son asks for bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?

12 Therefore, all things that you want men to do to you, do so for them: for this is the law and the prophets.

13 Enter in by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many that go in through it;

14 because narrow is the gate, and challenging is the way which leads to life and there are few that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but are ravenous wolves on the inside.

16 You shall know them by their fruits; do men gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?

17 Even so every good tree produces good fruit, but a corrupt tree produces evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.

21 Not everyone who said to me 'Lord, Lord' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me on that day 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name have cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works?'

23 And then I will confess to them: 'I never knew you: depart from me, you who work iniquity.'

24 Therefore, whoever hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon a rock;

25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And everyone that hears these words of mine, and does not do them, he shall be compared to a foolish man who built his house upon the sand.

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the people were astonished at his teaching;

29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Matthew - Chapter 8

1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowd followed him.

2 And, behold, there came a leper and he worshipped him, saying: 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'

3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying: 'I am willing, be clean' and immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

4 And Jesus said to him: 'See that you tell no man, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.

5 And when Jesus entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, imploring him,

6 and saying: 'Lord, my servant lies paralysed at home in terrible pain.'

7 And Jesus said to him: 'I will come and heal him.'

8 The centurion answered and said: 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof; but speak only the word and my servant shall be healed.

9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this man 'go' and he goes, and to another 'come' and he comes; and to my servant 'do this' and he does.'

10 When Jesus heard this, he marvelled, and said to those following: 'Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.

11 And I say to you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the children of the kingdom shall be thrown out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13 And Jesus said to the centurion: 'Go, and as you have believed, so let it be done to you.' And his servant was healed that very hour.

14 And when Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying down and sick with a fever.

15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she rose up and ministered to them.

16 When the even came, they brought to him many that were oppressed with devils, and he expelled the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick,

17 so that it might be fulfilled that which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 'He took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.'

18 Now, when Jesus saw the great crowd around him, he gave a command to leave for the other side.

19 And a certain scribe came and said to him: 'Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.'

20 And Jesus said to him: 'The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.'

21 And another of his disciples said to him: 'Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.'

22 But Jesus said to him: 'Follow me and let the dead bury their dead.'

23 And when he entered into a boat, his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea such that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him and awoke him, saying: 'Lord, save us, we perish.'

26 And he said to them: 'Why are you fearful, you of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying: 'What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?'

28 And when he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, there he was met by by two men possessed by devils, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

29 And, behold, they cried out, saying: 'What have we to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?'

30 And there was far from them a herd of many pigs feeding.

31 So the devils begged him, saying: 'If you cast us out, allow us to go into the herd of pigs.'

32 And he said to them: 'Go.' And when they came out, they went into the herd of pigs; and, behold, the whole herd of pigs ran violently down a steep place into the sea and perished in the waters.

33 And those who kept them fled, and went into the city, and told everything, and what had happened to those possessed by the devils.

34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they begged him that he would depart from their region.

Matthew - Chapter 9

1 And he entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city.

2 And, behold, they brought to him a paralysed man, lying on a bed; and Jesus, seeing their faith said to the paralysed man: 'Son, take courage, your sins are forgiven.'

3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves: 'This man blasphemes.'

4 And Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said: 'Why do you think evil in your hearts?

5 For which is easier to say: 'Your sins are forgiven' or to say: 'Arise and walk'?

6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins' - then he said to the paralysed man - 'Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.'

7 And he arose and departed to his house.

8 But when the crowd saw it, they marvelled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

9 And as Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew, sitting at the tax collector's booth and he said to him: 'Follow me'; and he arose and followed him.

10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat for a meal in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples: 'Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?'

12 But when Jesus heard this, he said to them: 'They who are whole do need not a physician, but those who are sick.'

13 But go you and learn what this means 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice' for I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.'

14 Then disciples of John came to him the, saying: 'Why do we and the Pharisees fast often but your disciples do not fast?'

15 And Jesus said to them: 'Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast.

16 No one puts a piece of new cloth on an old garment, for the patch pulls away from the garment and the tear is made worse.

17 Neither do men put new wine into old wineskins, since the wineskins break, and the wine runs out, and the wineskins are destroyed; but they put new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved.'

18 While he said these things to them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and he knelt down before him, saying: 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand upon her, and she will live.'

19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

20 And, behold, a woman, with a flow of blood for twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment.

21 For she said within herself: 'If I can only touch his garment, I will be made whole.'

22 But Jesus turned around, and when he saw her, he said: 'Daughter, take courage: your faith has made you whole; and the woman was made whole from that hour.

23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house, he saw the flutists and the crowd making a noise;

24 He said to them: 'Go away, for the girl is not dead but asleep'; and they laughed at him.

25 But when the crowd was expelled, he went inside and took her by the hand, and the girl rose up.

26 And this report went out across all the land.

27 And when Jesus left there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying: 'Son of David, have mercy on us.'

28 And when he came into the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them: 'Do you believe you that I am able to do this?' They said to him: 'Yes, Lord.'

29 Then he touched their eyes, saying: 'According to your faith let it be done to you.'

30 And their eyes were opened and Jesus strictly instructed them, saying: See that no man knows this.'

31 But they, when they were departed, spread this report in all that country.

32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man oppressed by a devil.

33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowd marvelled, saying: 'This has never been seen in Israel.'

34 But the Pharisees said: 'He casts out devils by the prince of the devils.'

35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

36 But when he saw the crowd, he was moved with compassion for them, because they fainted, and were scattered, as sheep having no shepherd.

37 Then he said to his disciples: 'Truly, the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few:

38 pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he will send out labourers into his harvest.

Matthew - Chapter 10

1 And when he had called his twelve disciples to him, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: the first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; Jacob the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; Jacob the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out, and commanded them, saying: 'Do not go to the Gentiles, and do not enter into any city of the Samaritans:

6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 And as you go, preach, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.

9 Take neither gold, nor silver, nor copper in your purses,

10 Nor provisions for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor even walking sticks: for the workman is worthy of his food.

11 And whatever city or town you shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go from there.

12 And when you come into a house, greet it.

13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but, if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14 And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

15 Truly I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement, than for that city.

16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore, be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves.

17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will whip you in their synagogues;

18 And you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you will say; for it shall be given to you in that same hour what you shall speak.

20 For it is not you that speaks, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.

21 And brother shall betray brother to death, and the father the child; and children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22 And you will be hated by all men for my name's sake; but he who endures to the end shall be saved.

23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee into another; for truly I say to you: you shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man comes.

24 The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant above his master.

25 It is enough for the disciple that he is like his teacher, and the servant as his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them in his household?

26 Therefore, do not fear them, for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and hidden, which shall not be known.

27 What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach upon the housetops.

28 And do not fear those who kill the body, yet are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them shall fall to the ground apart from your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Therefore, do not be afraid, you are more valuable than many sparrows.

32 Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.

33 But whoever will deny me before men, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

34 Do not think that I have come to send peace upon earth, I did not come to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36 And a man's enemies shall be those of his own household.

37 He who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.

39 He who finds his life shall lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake shall find it.

40 He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.

41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

42 And whoever will give to drink to one of these little ones, a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.

Matthew - Chapter 11

1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve disciples, he left there to teach and to preach in their cities.

2 Now when John the Baptist heard in prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

3 And they said to him: 'Are you the one who is to come, or do we look for another?

4 Jesus answered and said to them: 'Go and tell John that which you hear and see:

5 the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them;

6 and blessed are those who will not be offended by me.

7 And as they left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd concerning John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in fine clothing? Behold, those who wear fine clothings are in kings' houses.

9 But what did you go to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

10 For this is the one of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.'

11 Truly I say to you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen a greater one than John the Baptist; yet, he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent seize it by force.

13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John;

14 and if you will receive it, this is Elijah, who was to come.

15 The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16 But how shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the markets and calling to others,

17 and saying: 'We have piped for you and you have not danced; we have mourned for you, and you have not lamented.

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking and they say: 'He has a devil.'

19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say: 'Behold a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is justified by her children.'

20 Then he began to speak against the cities where most of his miracles were performed, because they did not repent:

21 'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

22 But I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgement, than for you.

23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, shall be brought down to hell; for if the miracles which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

24 But I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgement, than for you.

25 At that time Jesus answered and said: 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and insightful, and have revealed them to babes.

26 Yes, Father, for this seemed good in your sight.

27 All things are delivered to me by my Father and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither does any man the know Father, except the Son, and the one to whomever the Son will reveal him.

28 Come to me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me: for I am meek and humble in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls,

30 for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'

Matthew - Chapter 12

1 At that time, Jesus went through the corn on the Sabbath day; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn and eat.

2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him: 'Behold, your disciples are doing what is unlawful upon the Sabbath day.'

3 But he said to them: 'Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him,

4 how he entered the house of God, and ate the holy bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor those who were with him, but only for the priests?

5 Or have you not read in the law, how on the Sabbath days, the priests in the temple break the Sabbath, and are blameless?

6 But I say to you, that in this place is one greater than the temple.

7 But if you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent.

8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.'

9 And when he left there, he went into their synagogue:

10 And, behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And they asked him, saying: 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days?' in order that they might accuse him.

11 And he said to them: 'What man is there among you, that having one sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath day: will he not lay hold of it and lift it out?

12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath days.'

13 Then he said to the man: 'Stretch out your hand'; and he stretched it out and it was restored whole, like the other.

14 Then the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.

15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from there, and a great crowd followed him, and he healed them all;

16 and instructed them that they should not make him known,

17 so it might be fulfilled that which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

18 'Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased; I will put my spirit upon him and he shall announce judgement to the Gentiles.

19 He shall not strive nor cry out; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

20 A bruised reed he will not break, and smoking flax he will not quench, until he casts out judgment into victory.

21 And in his name the Gentiles shall trust.'

22 Then one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb, was brought to him: and he healed him, so that the blind and dumb man both spoke and saw.

23 And all the people were amazed, and said: 'Is this not the son of David?'

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said: 'This one does not throw out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.'

25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: 'Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself will not stand;

26 and if Satan throws out Satan, he is divided against himself: how shall then his kingdom stand?

27 And if I by Beelzebub throw out devils, by whom do your children throw them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges.

28 But if I throw out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and plunder his goods, except that he first bind the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

30 He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.

31 Therefore I say to you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven of men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven of men.

32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come.

33 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit.

34 Generation of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings out good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure bring out evil things.

36 But I say to you, that for every idle word which men shall speak, they shall give an account on the day of judgement.

37 For by your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned.'

38 Then certain of the scribes and the Pharisees answered, saying: 'Teacher, we would like to see a sign from you.'

39 But he answered and said to them: 'An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and no sign shall be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah:

40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

42 The Queen of the South shall rise up at the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and, behold, one greater than Solomon is here.

43 When an unclean spirit has come out of a man, he goes through dry places seeking rest and finds none.

44 Then he says: 'I will return to my house from where I came out'; and when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.

45 Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worst than the first. Even so shall it be also to this evil generation.'

46 While he was talking to the crowd, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, desiring to speak with him.

47 Then one said to him: 'Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to speak with you.'

48 But he answered and said to him that told him: 'Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?'

49 And he stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said: 'Behold, my mother and my brothers!

50 For whoever does the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.'

Matthew - Chapter 13

1 The same day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the lake.

2 And a great crowd gathered around him, so he went into a boat and sat down; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

3 And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying: 'Behold, a sower went out to sow;

4 and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them;

5 some fell upon stony places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up because they had no depth of earth.

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched and, because they had no root, they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up and choked them;

8 But others fell onto good ground, and produced fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

9 Who has ears to hear, let him hear.'

10 And the disciples came and said to him: 'Why do you speak to them in parables?'

11 He answered and said to them: 'Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but it is not given to them.

12 For whoever has, more shall be given to him, and he shall have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.

13 Therefore, I speak to them in parables, because they are seeing but do not see, and hearing, they do not hear, neither do they understand.

14 And the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in them, which said Hearing you shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive;

15 For this people's heart has grown fat, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, in case at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return, and I would heal them.

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.

17 For truly I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men desired to see those things which you see, and did not see them; and to hear those things which you hear, and did not hear them.

18 Therefore, hear the parable of the sower.

19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the evil one comes and snatches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

20 But he who received the seed into stony places, the same is he who hears the word, and immediately receives it;

21 Yet he does not have a root in himself, but endures for a while; for when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he is offended.

22 Also, he who received the seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

23 But he who received the seed into the good ground is he who hears the word, and understands it, who also bears fruit, and produces, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.'

24 He laid out another parable before them, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;

25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26 But when the blade sprang up and produced fruit, then the tares also appeared.

27 So the servants of the master of the household came and said to him: 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where has its tares come from?'

28 He said to them: 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him: 'Then, shall we go and gather them up?'

29 But he said: 'No, in case while you gather up the tares, you also uproot the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers 'First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.''

31 He laid out another parable before them, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;

32 which is indeed the least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.'

33 He spoke another parable to them: 'The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hidden in three measures of flour until the whole was leavened.'

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables, and without a parable he did not speak to them,

35 so it might be fulfilled that was spoken by the prophet, saying: 'I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.'

36 Then Jesus sent the crowd away, and went into the house; and his disciples came to him, saying: 'Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.'

37 He answered and said to them: 'He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man;

38 the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the evil one.

39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40 Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this age.

41 The Son of Man shall send out his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those which commit iniquity;

42 and shall throw them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then the righteous will shine out as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who has ears to hear, let him hear.

44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field; which a man hides having found it, and for the joy of it goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls;

46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind;

48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but throw the bad away.

49 So shall it be at the end of the age: the angels shall go out and separate the evil from among the righteous,

50 and shall throw them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.'

51 Jesus said to them: 'Have you understood all these things?' They say to him: 'Yes, Lord.'

52 Then he said to them: 'Therefore, every scribe who is discipled into the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is master of a house, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.'

53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.

54 And when he came into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said: 'From where did this man get this wisdom, and these miracles?

55 Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers, Jacob and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? From where then has this man gotten all these things?'

57 And they were offended by him. But Jesus said to them: 'A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and in his own house.'

58 And he did not perform many miracles there because of their unbelief.

Matthew - Chapter 14

1 At that time, Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

2 and said to his servants: 'This is John the Baptist, he is risen from the dead and because of this miracles are working through him.'

3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, the wife of his brother Philip.

4 For John said to him: 'It is not lawful for you to have her.'

5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the crowd because they considered him to be a prophet.

6 But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and she pleased Herod.

7 Therefore, he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said: 'Give me here John Baptist's head on a plate.'

9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless for the oath's sake and those who sat with him to dine, he commanded it to be given her.

10 And he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

11 And his head was brought on a plate and given to the girl and she brought it to her mother.

12 And his disciples came and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

13 When Jesus heard about it, he left there by boat by himself to a desert place; and when the people heard about this, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

14 And Jesus went out, and saw a great crowd, and was moved with compassion towards them, and he healed their sick.

15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying: 'This is a desert place, and the time is now past: send the crowd away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.'

16 But Jesus said to them: 'They do not need to leave; you give them something to eat.

17 And they said to him: 'We have here only five loaves and two fish.'

18 He said: 'Bring them here to me.'

19 And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke them, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowd.

20 And they all ate and were filled; and they took up the fragments that remained: twelve baskets full.

21 And those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

22 And immediately Jesus compelled his disciples to get into a boat, and to go before him to the other side, while he sent the crowd away.

23 And when he had sent the crowd away, he went up on a mountain by himself to pray; and when the evening came, he was there alone.

24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by waves; for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the lake.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were troubled, saying: 'It is a phantom!' and they cried out with fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: 'take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.'

28 And Peter answered him and said: 'Lord, if it be you, ask me come to you on the water.'

29 And he said: 'Come.' And when Peter came down out of the ship, he walked on the water and came to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink; he cried out, saying: 'Lord, save me!'

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, and caught him and said to him: 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?'

32 And when they came onto the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying: 'Truly, you are the Son of God.'

34 And when they crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.

35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent word into all the surrounding country and brought all that were diseased to him;

36 and they begged him to only touch the hem of his garment; and as many as touched were made whole.

Matthew - Chapter 15

1 Then scribes and Pharisees came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying:

2 'Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.'

3 But he answered and said to them: 'Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

4 For God commanded, saying: 'Honour your father and mother'; and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death';

5 but you say, whoever shall say to his father or his mother 'it is a gift' which otherwise you might have profited from me;

6 and do not honour his father or his mother; so, you have made void the commandment of God by your tradition.

7 You hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying:

8 'This people draws near to me with their mouth, and honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;

9 but in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.''

10 And he called the crowd, and said to them: 'Hear and understand:

11 it is not that which goes into the mouth which defiles a man, but that which comes out of the mouth: this defiles a man.'

12 Then his disciples came and said to him: 'Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?'

13 But he answered and said: 'Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be uprooted.

14 Leave them alone, they are blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into the ditch.'

15 Then answered Peter and said to him: 'Explain this parable to us.'

16 And Jesus said: 'Are you also still without understanding?

17 Do you still not understand, that whatever enters in through the mouth goes into the belly, and is passed out?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come out from the heart; and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies;

20 these are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands do not defile a man.'

21 Then Jesus left that place and departed to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same region, and cried out to him, saying: 'Have mercy on me Lord, Son of David: my daughter is severely afflicted by a devil.'

23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and asked him: 'Send her away, for she cries out after us.'

24 But he answered and said: 'I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'

25 Then she came and knelt down before him, saying: 'Lord, help me.'

26 But he answered and said: 'It is not right to take the children's bread, and to throw it to dogs.'

27 And she said: 'Truly, Lord; yet the dogs eat from the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.'

28 Then Jesus answered and said to her: 'Woman, great is your faith: let it be to you even as you desire.' And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

29 And Jesus left that place and came near to the Sea of Galilee; and went up on a mountain, and sat down there.

30 And a great crowd came to him, having with them those who were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and laid them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

31 Therefore the crowd was amazed when they saw the dumb able to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see; and they glorified the God of Israel.

32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him, and said: 'I have compassion on the crowd, because they continue with me now for three days, and have nothing to eat; and I will not send them away fasting, in case they faint on the way.'

33 And his disciples said to him: 'From where can we get so much bread in the wilderness to fill so great a crowd?'

34 And Jesus said to them: 'How many loaves do you have?' And they said: 'Seven, and a few small fish.'

35 And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground.

36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and broke them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the crowd.

37 And they all ate, and were filled; and they gathered up the remaining fragments which filled seven baskets.

38 And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

39 And he sent the crowd away, entered a boat and went into the region of Magdala.

Matthew - Chapter 16

1 And the Pharisees came with the Sadducees to test him, desiring that he would show them a sign from heaven.

2 He answered and said to them: 'When it is evening, you say it will be fair weather, for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning: it will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and overcast. You hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky, but can you not discern the signs of the times?

4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there no sign shall be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah.' And he left them and departed.

5 And when his disciples came to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

6 Then Jesus said to them: 'Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.'

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying: 'It is because we have taken no bread.'

8 When Jesus perceived this, he said to them: 'You of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves, because you have brought no bread?

9 Do you still not understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up?

10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up?

11 How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread, but that you should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?'

12 Then they understood how that he warned them not to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying: 'Whom do men say that the Son of Man is?'

14 And they said: 'Some say that you are John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.'

15 He said to them: 'But whom say you that I am?'

16 And Simon Peter answered and said: 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'

17 And Jesus answered and said to him: 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

18 And I also say to you, that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Ekklesia; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.'

20 Then he instructed his disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.

21 From that time on, began Jesus to show to his disciples how that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying: 'Far be it from you, Lord; this will not happen to you.'

23 But he turned, and said to Peter: 'Get behind me, Satan: you are an offence to me; for you do not think the things that are of God, but those that are of men.'

24 Then said Jesus to his disciples: 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whoever will save his life shall lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what does a man profit, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

28 Truly I say to you, there are some standing here, who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.'

Matthew - Chapter 17

1 And after six days Jesus took Peter, Jacob, and John his brother, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves;

2 and he was transfigured before them, and his face shone as the sun, and his clothing was white as the light.

3 And, behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.

4 Then Peter answered, and said to Jesus: 'Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you desire, let us make here three tabernacles: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'

5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said: 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him.'

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were exceedingly afraid.

7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said: 'Arise, and do not be afraid.'

8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus only.

9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus instructed them, saying: 'Tell the vision to no one, until the Son of Man is risen again from the dead.'

10 And his disciples asked him, saying: 'Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?'

11 And Jesus answered and said to them: 'Elijah shall certainly come first and restore all things.

12 But I say to you, that Elijah has already come and they did not know him, but have done to him whatever they desired. Likewise, the Son of Man will also suffer by them.'

13 Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptist.

14 And when they came to the crowd, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying:

15 'Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and greatly afflicted; he often falls into the fire, and often into the water;

16 and I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.'

17 Then Jesus answered and said: 'O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him here to me.'

18 And Jesus rebuked the devil and it went out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus by themselves, and said: 'Why could we not throw it out?'

20 And Jesus said to them: 'Because of your unbelief, for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Be moved from here to there' and it shall be moved; and nothing will be impossible to you.

21 However, this kind do not go out except by prayer and fasting.'

22 And while they dwelt in Galilee, Jesus said to them: 'The Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

23 And they shall kill him, and on the third day he shall be raised again.' And they were exceedingly mournful.

24 And when they came to Capernaum, those who collected tribute money came to Peter, and said: 'Doesn't your teacher pay tribute?'

25 He said: 'Yes.' And when he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying: 'What do you think, Simon? Whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute from? From their own children or of strangers?'

26 Peter said to him: 'From strangers.' Jesus said to him: 'Then the children are free.

27 Nevertheless, in case we should offend them, go to the sea, throw a hook, and take up the fish that comes up first; and when you have opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money: take that and give it to them for me and you.'

Matthew - Chapter 18

1 At the same time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'

2 And Jesus called a little child to him, and set him in the middle of them;

3 And said: 'Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Therefore, whoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoever shall receive one such little child in my name receives me.

6 But whoever shall offend one of these little ones which believes in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hung about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea.

7 Woe to the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come, but woe to that man by whom the offence comes!

8 Therefore, if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut them off and throw them away from you; it is better for you to enter into life crippled or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet and to be thrown into everlasting fire.

9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and throw it away from you: it is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be thrown into hell fire.

10 Watch that you not despise one of these little ones; for I say to you, that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.

11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety nine, and go into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray?

13 And if he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices more for that sheep, than for the ninety nine which did not go astray.

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should be destroyed.

15 Moreover, if your brother trespasses against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone; if he hears you, you have gained your brother.

16 But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the Ekklesia; but if he refuses to hear the Ekklesia, let him be to you as a pagan and a tax collector.

18 Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say to you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as concerning anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.'

21 Then Peter came to him, and said: 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Until seven times?'

22 Jesus said to him: 'I do not say to you, until seven times; but, until seventy times seven.

23 Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who would take account of his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But since as he could not pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and the payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down, and entreated him, saying: 'Lord, be patient with me, and I will pay you all.'

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and released him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him a hundred pennies; and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying: 'Pay me what you owe.'

29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and begged him, saying: 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you all.'

30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly grieved, and came and told their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said to him: 'You evil servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me;

33 should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?'

34 And his lord was furious and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you do not forgive from your hearts the transgressions of your brother.'

Matthew - Chapter 19

1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the regions of Judea beyond the Jordan;

2 and great crowd followed him and he healed them there.

3 The Pharisees also came to him, testing him, and saying to him: 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?'

4 And he answered and said to them: 'Have you not read, that he who made them at the beginning made them male and female;

5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh'?

6 Therefore, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man set apart.'

7 They said to him: 'Why did Moses then command to give a certificate of divorce, and to divorce her?'

8 He said to them: 'Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it was not so.

9 And I say to you, whoever shall divorce his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.'

10 His disciples said to him: 'If this is the situation of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.

11 But he said to them: 'All men cannot receive this saying, except those to whom it is given.

12 For some are eunuchs who were so born from their mother's womb; and there are some eunuchs who made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.'

13 Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said: 'Permit the little children, and do not forbid them, to come to me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'

15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed from there.

16 And, behold, one came and said to him: 'Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?'

17 And he said to him: 'Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God; but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments.'

18 He said to him: 'Which?' Jesus said: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do bear false witness,

19 honour your father and your mother; and, you shall love your neighbour as yourself.'

20 The young man said to him: 'All these things have I kept from my youth: what do I still lack?'

21 Jesus said to him: 'If you will be perfect, go and sell your possessions, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me.'

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away grieving, for he had great possessions.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Truly I say to you, that a rich man shall with difficulty enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.'

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying: 'Who then can be saved?'

26 But Jesus looked upon them, and said to them: 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'

27 Then answered Peter and said to him: 'Behold, we have left all, and followed you; therefore what shall we have?'

28 And Jesus said to them: 'Truly I say to you, that you who have followed me, at the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit on the throne of his glory, you shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 And everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Matthew - Chapter 20

1 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is the master of a house, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard.

2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

4 and said to them: 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give to you.' And they went their way.

5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

6 And at about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and said to them: 'Why did you stand you here all the day idle?'

7 They said to him: 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them: 'You also go into the vineyard; and whatever is right, that you will receive.'

8 So when even came, the master of the vineyard said to his steward: 'Call the labourers, and give them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.'

9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, every man received a penny.

10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and, likewise, every man received a penny.

11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the master of the house,

12 saying: 'These last have worked but one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden and heat of the day.'

13 But he answered one of them, and said: 'Friend, I do you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a penny?

14 Take what is yours and go; I will give to this last one the same as to you.

15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I desire with my own? Is your eye evil, because I am good?'

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few are chosen.'

17 And going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the twelve disciples aside on the way, and said to them:

18 'Behold, we go up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man shall be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death;

19 and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him; and on the third day he shall rise again.'

20 Then the mother of Zebedee's children came to him with her sons, kneeling down before him, and desiring something from him.

21 And he said to her: 'What do you desire?' She said to him: 'Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right hand, and the other on the left, in your kingdom.'

22 But Jesus answered and said: 'You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?' They said to him: 'We are able.'

23 And he said to them: 'You shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.'

24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brothers.

25 But Jesus called them to him, and said: 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.

26 But it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant;

27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave;

28 Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'

29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great crowd followed him.

30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the wayside, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying: 'Have mercy on us Lord, Son of David.'

31 And the crowd rebuked them, that they should be silent; but they cried out even more, saying: 'Have mercy on us Lord, Son of David.'

32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said: 'What do you desire that I do for you?'

33 They say to him: 'Lord, that our eyes may be opened.'

34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Matthew - Chapter 21

1 And when they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

2 saying to them: 'Go into the village before you, and immediately you shall find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; loose them and bring them to me.

3 And if any man speaks to you, you shall say 'The Lord has need of them' and immediately he will send them.'

4 All this was done, so it might be fulfilled that was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5 'Say to the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, meek, and sitting upon a donkey, and a colt, the offspring of one under a yoke.'

6 And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them,

7 and brought the donkey, and the colt, and laid their cloaks over these, and they sat him upon them.

8 And a very great crowd spread their cloaks on the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and spread them on the way.

9 And the crowd that went before, and those who followed, cried out, saying: 'Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.'

10 And when he came into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying: 'Who is this?'

11 And the crowd said: 'This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.'

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and threw out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of those who sold doves;

13 and said to them: 'It is written, 'My house shall be called the house of prayer' but you have made it a den of thieves.'

14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.

15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, and saying: 'Hosanna to the Son of David', they were indignant,

16 and said to him: 'Do you hear what these are saying?' And Jesus said to them: 'Yes, have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and infants you have perfected praise?''

17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

18 Now, in the morning as he returned into the city, he was hungry.

19 And when he saw a fig tree on the way, he came to it, and found nothing upon it, but only leaves, and said to it: 'Let no fruit ever grow on you.' And the fig tree suddenly withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying: 'How quickly has the fig tree withered away!'

21 Jesus answered and said to them: 'Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you shall not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but also if you will say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and be thrown into the sea'; it shall be done.

22 And all things, whatever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.'

23 And when he came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said: 'By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?'

24 And Jesus answered and said to them: 'I will also ask you one thing, which if you tell me, then likewise I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

25 The baptism of John, where was was it from? From heaven, or of men?' And they reasoned with themselves, saying: 'If we say from heaven, he will say to us, 'Then, why did you not believe him?'

26 But if we say 'of men', we fear the people, for all regard John as a prophet.'

27 And they answered Jesus, and said: 'We cannot say.' And he said to them: 'Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

28 But what do you think? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said: 'Son, go work today in my vineyard.'

29 He answered and said: 'I will not'; but afterwards he repented and went.

30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said: 'I will go, Lord' and did not go.

31 Which of those two did the will of his father?' They say to him: 'The first.' Jesus said to them: 'Truly I say to you, that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God before you.

32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and you, when you had seen it, did not repent afterwards, that you might believe him.

33 Hear another parable: there was a certain master of a house who planted a vineyard, and hedged around it and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to farmers, and went to a far country:

34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers, that they might receive the fruits of it.

35 And the farmers took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

36 Again, he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did likewise to them.

37 But last of all, he sent his son to them, saying: 'They will respect my son.'

38 But when the farmers saw the son, they said among themselves: 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and let us seize his inheritance.'

39 And they caught him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

40 Therefore, when the master of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?'

41 They said to him: 'He will destroy those wicked wretches, and will let out his vineyard to other farmers, who shall give over the fruits to him in their seasons.'

42 Jesus said to them: 'Did you ever at all read in the scriptures, 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes?'

43 Therefore I say to you: 'The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation producing its fruits.

44 And whoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but upon whomever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.'

45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them.

46 But seeking to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude because they held him to be a prophet.

Matthew - Chapter 22

1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again in parables, and said:

2 'The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who arranged a marriage for his son,

3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they would not come.

4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying: 'Tell those who are invited, 'Behold, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fattened calves are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage.'

5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his field, another to his business;

6 and the remnant took his servants, and abused them and killed them.

7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious; and he sent out his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned down their city.

8 Then he said to his servants: 'The wedding is ready, but they which were invited were not worthy.

9 Therefore, go into the highways, and as many as you shall find, invite to the marriage.'

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding was filled with guests.

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have a wedding garment on;

12 And he said to him: 'Friend, how did you come in here not having a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.

13 Then the king said to the servants: 'Bind his feet and hands, and take him away and throw him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.'

15 Then the Pharisees went and took counsel together how they might entrap him in his speech.

16 And they sent out to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: 'Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God in truth, neither do you care for any man, for you do not regard the person of men.

17 Therefore, tell us, what do you think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?'

18 But Jesus knew their evil and said: 'Why do you test me, you hypocrites?

19 Show me the tribute money.' And they brought to him a penny.

20 And he said to them: 'Whose is this image and the inscription upon it?'

21 They said to him: 'Caesar's.' Then he said to them: 'Therefore, give to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.'

22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled and left him, and went their way.

23 The same day, the Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, came and questioned him,

24 saying: 'Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed to his brother.'

25 Now, there were with us seven brothers: and the first, when he had married a wife, died, and, having no issue, left his wife to his brother;

26 likewise the second also, and the third, to the seventh.

27 And last of all the woman also died.

28 Therefore, at the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seven? For they all had her.'

29 Jesus answered and said to them: 'You are in error, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

30 For in the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying:

32 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.'

33 And when the crowd heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

35 Then one of them, who was a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him, and saying:

36 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?'

37 Jesus said to him: ''You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.'

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

42 saying: 'What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?' They said to him: 'The Son of David.'

43 He said to them: 'How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying:

44 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand until until I make your enemies your footstool?'

45 If David then calls him Lord, how is he his son?'

46 And no one was able to answer him a word, neither from that day on did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Matthew - Chapter 23

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowd, and to his disciples,

2 saying: 'The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat,

3 therefore, all things that they say to you to observe, those things observe and do; but do not do after their works, for they say and do not do.

4 For they bind heavy burdens and difficult to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

5 But all their works they do to be seen by men; they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

6 and love the most important places at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

7 and greetings in the markets, and to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

8 But you are not to be called Rabbi: for one is your Teacher, the Christ; and all of you are brothers.

9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, who is in heaven.

10 Neither be called leaders, for one is your leader, the Christ.

11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted.

13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men, for you neither go in yourselves, nor permit those who are entering to go in.

14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make a long prayer; therefore, you shall receive the greater condemnation.

15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, you make him twice a son of hell as yourselves.

16 Woe to you, you blind guides, who say: 'Whoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!'

17 You fools and blind ones; for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

18 And whoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

19 You fools and blind ones; for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?

20 Therefore, who shall swear by the altar, swears by it, and by all the things upon it.

21 And shall swear by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells within it.

22 And he who shall swear by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits upon it.

23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay a tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these things you ought to have done and not left the others undone.

24 You blind guides, which strain a gnat and swallow a camel.

25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of greed and uncleanness.

26 You blind Pharisee, first cleanse that which is within the cup and dish, that the outside of them may also be clean.

27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but are full of dead men's bones within and all uncleanness.

28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the tombs of the righteous,

30 and say, 'If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have shared with them in the blood of the prophets.'

31 Therefore, you are witnesses to yourselves, that you are the children of those who killed the prophets.

32 And you fill you up the measure of your fathers.

33 You serpents, you generation of vipers, how can you escape the judgement of hell?

34 Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets, and wise men, and scribes; and some of them you shall kill and crucify; and some of them you shall scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city;

35 that may come upon you all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the temple and the altar.

36 Truly I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation.

37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You who kill the prophets, and stone those who are sent to you, how often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her young beneath her wings, but you were not willing;

38 behold, your house is left to you desolate.

39 For I say to you, you shall not see me from now on until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.''

Matthew - Chapter 24

1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple; and his disciples came to show him the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said to them: 'Do you see all these things? Truly I say to you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.'

3 And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying: 'Tell us, when will these things happen? And what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?'

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: 'Watch that no man deceives you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying: 'I am the Christ' and shall deceive many;

6 and you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that you are not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but it is not yet the end.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and plagues, and earthquakes, in diverse places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and you shall be hated by all nations for my name's sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

13 But he who shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.

14 And this good news of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.

15 Therefore, when you shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (let the reader understand),

16 then let those in Judea flee into the mountains;

17 let the one on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house;

18 neither let the one who is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe to those who are with child, and to those who nurse in those days!

20 But pray that your flight is not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day;

21 for then there shall be great affliction, the like of which has not occurred since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be.

22 And if those days had not been shortened, then no flesh would have been saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.

23 Then if anyone shall say to you: 'Look, here is Christ,' or 'There'; do not believe it.

24 For false Christs will arise, and false prophets, and they shall perform great signs and wonders; so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

26 Therefore, if they shall say to you: 'Behold, he is in the desert'; do not go out, 'Behold, he is in the secret chambers'; do not believe it.

27 For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even to the west; so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

28 For wherever the carcass, there the eagles will be gathered together.

29 Immediately after the affliction of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken;

30 and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven; and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And he shall send his angels with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

32 Now learn a parable from the fig tree: when its branch is still tender, and puts out leaves, you know that summer is near;

33 So likewise you, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

34 Truly I say to you, this generation shall not pass away until all these things are fulfilled.

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

36 But of that day and hour, no man know, neither the angels of heaven, but only my Father.

37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark;

39 and did not know until the flood came, and took them all away; so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

40 Then two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

42 Therefore, watch: for you do not know at what hour your Lord comes.

43 But know this: if the master of the house had known the time of the watch when the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken in.

44 Therefore, you also be ready; for at the hour you do not think, the Son of Man comes.

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has appointed over his household, to give them food in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord finds doing so when he comes.

47 Truly I say to you, he shall appoint him over all his possessions.

48 But if that evil servant shall say in his heart: 'My lord delays his coming'

49 and begins to strike his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with drunkards;

50 the lord of that servant shall come on a day when he does not expect him, and in an hour that he does not know;

51 and shall cut him apart, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew - Chapter 25

1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 Those that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them;

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry: 'Behold, the bridegroom comes; go out to meet him.'

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said to the wise: 'Give us some of your oil; for our lamps have gone out.'

9 But the wise answered, saying: 'Not at all, in case there is not enough for us and you; but rather go to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.

11 Afterwards the other virgins also came, saying: 'Lord, Lord, open to us.'

12 But he answered and said: 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'

13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man comes.

14 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man travelling to a far country, who called his own servants, and gave over his possessions to them.

15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his own ability; and immediately went on his journey.

16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made another five talents.

17 And likewise he who had received two, he also gained another two.

18 But he who had received one went and dug in the earth, and hid away his lord's money.

19 After a long time, the lord of those servants came and called them to account.

20 And so he who had received five talents came and brought another five talents, saying: 'Lord, you gave over to me five talents: look, I have gained five talents more besides them.'

21 His lord said to him: 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will appoint you over many things: enter into the joy of your lord.'

22 He who had received two talents also came and said: 'Lord, you gave over to me two talents; look, I have gained two other talents beside them.'

23 His lord said to him: 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will appoint you over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord.'

24 Then he who had received the one talent came and said: 'Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not sown;

25 and I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: look, have what is yours.'

26 His lord answered and said to him: 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not sown;

27 therefore, you ought to have put my money with the brokers, and then at my coming I would have received what is mine with interest.

28 Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 For to everyone who has more shall be given, and he shall have an abundance; but from him who has not, even that which he has shall be taken away.

30 And throw the unprofitable servant into outer darkness, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

31 When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit upon the throne of his glory;

32 and all nations shall be gathered before him; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then the King will say to them on his right hand: 'Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in;

36 naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.'

37 Then the righteous shall answer him, saying: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and fed you? Or thirsty, and gave you a drink?

38 When did we see you a stranger and took you in? Or naked, and clothed you?

39 Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came to you?'

40 And the King shall answer and say to them: 'Truly I say to you, as you have done this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you have done this to me.'

41 Then he will also say to them on the left hand: 'Depart from me, you cursed ones, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels;

42 for I was hungry, and you gave me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink;

43 I was a stranger, and you did not take me in; naked, and you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me.'

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you?'

45 Then shall he answer them, saying: 'Truly I say to you, as you have not done this to one of the least of these, you have not done this to me.'

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into everlasting life.'

Matthew - Chapter 26

1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples:

2 'You know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of Man is betrayed to be crucified.'

3 Then the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled together in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;

4 and they took counsel how they might lay hold of Jesus by craftiness and kill him.

5 But they said: 'Not on the feast day, in case there an uproar among the people.'

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

7 a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, and poured it on his head, as he sat at the table.

8 But when his disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying: 'For what purpose is this?

9 For this perfume might have been sold for much and given to the poor.'

10 When Jesus knew this, he said to them: 'Why do you trouble the woman? For she has performed a good work for me.

11 For you always have the poor with you; but me you do not always have.

12 For in pouring this perfume upon my body, she has done it for my burial.

13 Truly I say to you, wherever this good news shall be preached in the whole world, also what this woman has done shall be spoken of as a memorial for her.'

14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests,

15 and said to them: 'What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you?' And they agreed with him for thirty pieces of silver.

16 And from that time on, he searched for an opportunity to betray him.

17 Now on the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him: 'Where do you desire that we prepare for you to eat the Passover?'

18 And he said: 'Go into the city to such a man, and say to him, 'The Teacher said: My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.''

19 And the disciples did as Jesus had instructed them; and they made the Passover ready.

20 Now when the even came, he sat down with the twelve.

21 And as they ate, he said: 'Truly I say to you that one of you will betray me.'

22 And they were exceedingly grieved, and each one of them began to say to him: 'Lord, is it I?'

23 And he answered and said: 'He who dips his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me.

24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.'

25 Then Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said: 'Rabbi, is it I?' He said to him: 'You have said it.'

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said: 'Take, eat; this is my body.'

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: 'Drink from it all of you;

28 for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine, from now until that day when I drink it with you new in my Father's kingdom.'

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out upon the Mount of Olives.

31 Then said Jesus to them: 'All of you shall be offended because of me this night; for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.'

32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.'

33 Peter answered and said to him: 'Though all men shall be offended because of you, yet I will never be offended.'

34 Jesus said to him: Truly I say to you, that this night, before the cock crows, you shall deny me three times.'

35 Peter said to him: 'Though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you.' And all the disciples also said likewise.

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples: 'Sit here, while I go and pray over there.'

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and deeply distressed.

38 Then he said to them: 'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death: remain here and watch with me.'

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying: 'O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'

40 And he came to the disciples, and found them asleep, and said to Peter: 'What, could you not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, that you do not enter into temptation' the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying: 'O my Father, if this cup cannot pass away from me, unless I drink it, let your will be done.'

43 And he came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45 Then he came to his disciples, and said to them: 'Sleep on now and rest: behold, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is near that betrays me.'

47 And while he was speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: 'Whomever I shall kiss, it is he: hold him secure.'

49 And immediately he came to Jesus, and said: 'Greetings, Teacher' and kissed him.

50 And Jesus said to him: 'Friend, why have you come?' Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

51 And, behold, one of them who was with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.

52 Then said Jesus to him: 'Put your sword back in its place, for all those who take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53 Or do you think that I cannot now call upon my Father, and he shall give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then will the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be like this?'

55 In that same hour said Jesus to the crowd: 'Have you come out as against a thief with swords and clubs to take me? I sat with you by day teaching in the temple, and you did not take hold of me.

56 But all this was done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.' Then all the disciples left him and fled.

57 And those who had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58 But Peter followed him from a distance to the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, searched for false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

60 but none were found none; and many false witnesses came, yet they found none in agreement. Eventually, two false witnesses came forward,

61 and said: 'This one said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.''

62 And the high priest arose, and said to him: 'Do you answer nothing? What is it that these witness against you?'

63 But Jesus was silent. And the high priest answered and said to him: 'I charge you by the Living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.'

64 Jesus said to him: 'You have said it. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.'

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying: 'He has spoken blasphemy, what further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard his blasphemy.

66 What do you think?' They answered and said: 'He is guilty of death.'

67 Then they spat in his face, and struck him; and others slapped him,

68 saying: 'Prophesy to us, Christ, who hit you?'

69 Now Peter sat outside in the palace, and a servant girl came to him, saying: 'You were also with Jesus of Galilee.'

70 But he denied before them all, saying: 'I do not know what you say.'

71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said to those who were there: 'This one was also with Jesus of Nazareth.'

72 And again he denied it with an oath: 'I do not know the man.'

73 And after a while those who stood by came to him, and said to Peter: 'Surely you are also one of them; for your speech betrays you.'

74 Then he began to curse and to swear, saying: 'I do not know the man.' And immediately the cock crowed.

75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who said to him: 'Before the cock crows, you shall deny me three times.' And he went out and wept bitterly.

Matthew - Chapter 27

1 When the morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death;

2 and when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

3 Then Judas, who had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented and brought the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

4 saying: 'I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood.' And they said: 'What is that to us? You see to that.'

5 And he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said: 'It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.'

7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers within.

8 Therefore that field was called 'the field of blood' to this day.

9 Then it was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: 'And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him who was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

10 and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.'

11 And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying: 'Are you the King of the Jews?' And Jesus said to him: 'You say it.'

12 And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

13 Then said Pilate to him: 'Do you not hear how many things they are witnessing against you?'

14 And he answered not one word to him, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

15 Now at that feast the governor was in the habit of releasing a prisoner to the people, whom they desired.

16 And they had then a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.

17 Therefore, when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them: 'Whom do you wish that I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called the Christ?'

18 For he knew that it was because of envy they had delivered him over.

19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying: 'Have nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.'

20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

21 The governor answered and said to them: 'Which of the two do you want me to release to you?' They said: 'Barabbas.'

22 Pilate said to them: 'What shall I do then with Jesus who is called the Christ?' They all said to him: 'Let him be crucified!'

23 And the governor said: 'Why? What evil has he done?' But they cried out all the more, saying: 'Let him be crucified!'

24 When Pilate saw that there was no profit in continuing, but that rather a riot was growing, he took water, and washed his hands before the crowd, saying: 'I am innocent of the blood of this one: you see to it.'

25 Then answered all the people, and said: 'His blood be on us, and on our children.'

26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had whipped Jesus, he delivered him over to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and gathered the whole band of soldiers.

28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

29 And when they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying: 'Hail, King of the Jews!'

30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and beat him on the head.

31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own clothing on him, and led him away to crucify him.

32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon; they compelled him to bear his cross.

33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, 'the place of the skull';

34 they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall; and when he had tasted it, he would not drink.

35 And they crucified him, and divided his garments, casting lots; so it might be fulfilled that was spoken by the prophet, 'they divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.'

36 And sitting down they guarded him there;

37 and set up over his head the accusation written: 'This is Jesus the King of the Jews.'

38 At that time two thieves were crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

39 And those who passed by vilified him, shaking their heads,

40 and saying: 'You who destroys the temple, and builds it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.'

41 Likewise the chief priests were also mocking him, with the scribes and elders, who said:

42 'He saved others, himself he cannot save. If he is the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in him.

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him; for he said, 'I am the Son of God.''

44 The thieves, who were crucified with him, also vilified him.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.

46 And at about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?' that is to say, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'

47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said: 'This man calls for Elijah.'

48 And immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink.

49 The rest said: 'Let alone, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.'

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, released his spirit.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth was shaken, and the rocks split;

52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many.

54 Now when the centurion, and those who were with him guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying: 'Truly this one was the Son of God.'

55 And many women were there looking on from a distance, who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him;

56 among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jacob and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

57 When the even came, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who was also Jesus' disciple.

58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given over.

59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock; and he rolled a great stone on the door of the tomb and departed.

61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

62 Now the next day, which followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together before Pilate,

63 saying: 'Sir, we remember what that deceiver said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise again.'

64 Therefore, command that the tomb be made sure until the third day, in case his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say to the people, 'He is risen from the dead'; so the last deception shall be worse than the first.'

65 Pilate said to them: 'You have a guard: go, make it as secure as you can.'

66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone with the guard.
Matthew - Chapter 28

1 At the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3 His face was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow;

4 and for fear of him those standing guard did shake, and became as dead men.

5 And the angel answered and said to the women: 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who was crucified.

6 He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you shall see him: behold, I have told you.'

8 And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to report to his disciples.

9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying: 'Greetings.' And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

10 Then said Jesus to them: 'Do not be afraid: go tell my brothers so that they go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.'

11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and reported to the chief priests all the things that had been done.

12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of money to the soldiers,

13 saying: 'Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

14 And if this is heard by the governor, we will persuade him, and make you secure.'

15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this word is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, upon a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying: 'All authority is given to me in heaven and upon earth.

19 Go therefore, and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;

20 teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and, behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.'

Mark: on Christ the Servant

Chapter 1

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

2 just as it is written in the prophets: 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.

3 A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'

4 John came baptizing in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

5 And everyone in the land of Judea went out to him, and those of Jerusalem, and they were all baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a leather belt around his loins, and he ate locusts and wild honey;

7 and he preached, saying: 'There comes one stronger than I after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to bend down and untie.

8 I have indeed baptized you in water, but he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit.'

9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

10 And immediately coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting open, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him;

11 and there came a voice from heaven, saying: 'You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.'

12 And immediately the Spirit compelled him out into the wilderness.

13 And he was there in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news of the kingdom of God,

15 and saying: 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near: repent, and believe the good news.'

16 Now, as he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

17 And Jesus said to them: 'Come after me, and I will make you into fishers of men.'

18 And immediately they let go of their nets, and followed him.

19 And having gone a little further from there, he saw Jacob the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, and they were in the boat repairing their nets.

20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers, and went after him.

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately, on the Sabbath day, he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

22 And they were amazed at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,

24 saying: 'Leave us alone, what is there between us and you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God.'

25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying: 'Be silent and come out of him.'

26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

27 And they were all awestruck, so that they questioned among themselves, saying: 'What thing is this? What new teaching is this? For with authority he even commands the unclean spirits, and they obey him.'

28 And immediately news about him spread everywhere, into all the region surrounding Galilee.

29 And then, when they had come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with Jacob and John.

30 But Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and at once they told him about her.

31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered to them.

32 And that evening, when the sun set, they brought to him all who were afflicted, and those who were oppressed by devils.

33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

34 And he healed many who were afflicted with various diseases, and threw out many devils; and did not tolerate the devils to speak, because they knew him.

35 And early in the morning, rising up well before daybreak, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and prayed there.

36 And he was pursued by Simon and those who were with him.

37 And when they had found him, they said to him: 'Everyone is searching for you.'

38 And he said to them: 'Let us go away into the neighbouring towns, that I may preach there also; for this reason I came out.'

39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and threw out devils.

40 And a leper came to him, begging him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him: 'If you are willing, you can make me clean.'

41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out his hand, and touched him, and said to him: 'I am willing; be clean.'

42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

43 And he sternly warned him, and at once sent him away,

44 and said to him: 'See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a witness to them.'

45 But he went out, and began to preach it a lot, and to spread the word, so that Jesus was no longer able to visibly enter into the city, but was outside in desert places; and they came to him from everywhere.

Mark - Chapter 2

1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that he was in the house.

2 And immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no space to let them in, not even at the door; and he spoke the word to them.

3 And some came to him, carrying a paralytic, lifted by four.

4 And when they could not come near to him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was; and when they had dug it out, they lowered the mat where the paralytic was lying.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic: 'Child, your sins are forgiven.'

6 But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and thinking in their hearts:

7 'Why does this man speak blasphemy in this way? Who can forgive sins but God alone?'

8 And at once, when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they reasoned like this within themselves, he said to them: 'Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?

9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic 'your sins are forgiven' or to say 'rise up, and take up your mat, and walk'?

10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,' he said to the paralytic:

11 'I say to you, rise up, and take up your mat, and go to your house.'

12 And immediately he rose up, took up the mat, and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying: 'We have never seen anything like this.'

13 And he went out again by the lakeside, and all the crowd came to him, and he taught them.

14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth, and said to him: 'Follow me.' And he rose up and followed him.

15 And it came to pass, as Jesus was reclining for a meal in his house, many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many, and they followed him.

16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and sinners, they said to his disciples: 'Why does he eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'

17 When Jesus heard it, he said to them: 'Those who are strong have no need of a physician, but those who are afflicted; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners into repentance.'

18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to him: 'Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?'

19 And Jesus said to them: 'Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they are not able to fast.'

20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be lifted away from them, and then will they fast in those days.

21 And no one sews a piece of new cloth upon an old garment; otherwise the filling piece lifts away from the old, and the split is made worse.

22 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine breaks the wineskins, and the wine is poured out, and the bottles will be destroyed; but new wine must be poured into new wineskins.

23 And it came to pass, that he went through the cornfields on the Sabbath, and his disciples began, as they went along, to pluck the heads of grain.

24 And the Pharisees said to him: 'Behold, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?'

25 And he said to them: 'Have you never read what David did, when he had a need, and was hungry, he and those who were with him?

26 How he entered into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests; and he also gave 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 Therefore, the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.'

Mark - Chapter 3

1 And he entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand.

2 And they watched him carefully, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him.

3 And he said to the man who had the withered hand: 'Rise up into the middle.'

4 And he said to them: 'Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbaths, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill?' But they were silent.

5 And when he had looked them over with intense anger, being grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man: 'Stretch out your hand.' And he stretched it out; and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.

6 And the Pharisees went out, and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples towards the lake, and a great crowd from Galilee followed him, and from Judea,

8 and from Jerusalem, and from Edom, and from beyond the Jordan, and from around Tyre and Sidon, a great crowd, when they had heard how much he did, came to him.

9 And he spoke to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the crowd, in case they should press upon him.

10 For he had healed many, so that they fell upon him in order to touch him, as many as had severe afflictions.

11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried out, saying: 'You are the Son of God.'

12 And he rebuked many that they should not make him known.

13 And he went upon a mountain, and called to himself those he desired; and they came to him.

14 And he made twelve, so that they should be with him, and so that he might send them out to preach,

15 and to have authority to heal sicknesses, and to throw out devils;

16 and on Simon he laid the name Peter;

17 and Jacob the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of Jacob; and on them he laid the name Boanerges, which is, 'the sons of thunder';

18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and Jacob the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,

19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him; and they went into a house.

20 And the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat bread.

21 And when his relatives heard about it, they went out to lay hold of him; for they said: 'He's beside himself.'

22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said: 'He has Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils he casts out devils.'

23 And he called them to him, and said to them in parables: 'How is Satan able to throw out Satan?

24 And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.

25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.

26 And if Satan rises up against himself, and is divided, he is not able to stand, but has an end.

27 No one can enter into a strong man's house, and seize away his vessels, unless he first binds the strong man; and then he will plunder his house.

28 Truly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven concerning the sons of men, and blasphemies as many which have blasphemed;

29 but he who has blasphemed against the Holy Spirit is never forgiven, but is liable to eternal judgement,

30 because they said: 'He has an unclean spirit.'

31 Then, his brothers and his mother came, and, standing outside, sent to him, calling him.

32 And the crowd sat about him, and they said to him: 'Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, searching for you.'

33 And he answered them, saying: 'Who is my mother, or my brothers?'

34 And he looked upon on those who sat around him, and said: 'Behold my mother and my brothers.

35 For whoever will perform the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Mark - Chapter 4

1 And he began again to teach by the lakeside; and there was gathered to him a huge crowd, so that he entered into a boat, and sat upon the lake; and the whole crowd was by the lake upon the land.

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

3 'Listen, behold, there went out a sower to sow,

4 and it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the birds of the air came and ate it all up.

5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth, and immediately it rose up, because it had no depth of earth;

6 but when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it produced no fruit.

8 And others fell on good ground, and produced fruit that rose up and increased; and one carried thirtyfold, and one sixtyfold, and one a hundredfold.'

9 And he said to them: 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear.'

10 And when he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parable.

11 And he said to them: 'To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all these things are done in parables;

12 that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; in case at any time they should turn around, and their sins should be forgiven them.

13 And he said to them: 'Do you not know this parable? And how then will you know all parables?

14 The sower sows the word.

15 And these are those by the wayside, where the word is sown, but when those have heard, Satan comes at once, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 And, likewise, these are those who are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 but have no root in themselves, and endure only for a time; afterwards, when affliction or persecution follows because of the word, at once they stumble.

18 And these are those which are sown among thorns; these hear the word,

19 and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things enter in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

20 And these are those which are sown on good ground: these ones hear the word, and receive it, and bring out fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some a hundredfold.'

21 And he said to them: 'Is a lamp brought to be laid under a basket, or under a bed? And not to be set upon a menorah lampstand?

22 For there is nothing hidden, which will not be made visible; neither has anything been kept secret, but that it should come into full view.

23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

24 And he said to them: 'Pay attention to what you hear: with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear more shall be given.

25 For whoever has, it shall be given to him; and whoever does not have, it shall be lifted from him even what he has.

26 And he said: 'So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should throw seed upon the earth;

27 and sleep and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring and lengthen, he does not know how.

28 For the earth brings out fruit by herself: first the green blade, then the head, after that the full wheat in the head.

29 But when the fruit is yielded, at once he sends out the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.

30 And he said: 'To what shall we compare the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we lay it out?

31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is smaller than all the seeds that are in the earth;

32 but when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all garden plants, and makes great branches; so that the birds of the air are able to perch under its shadow.

33 And with many such parables, he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

34 And without a parable he did not speak to them; and when they were in private, he explained all things to his disciples.

35 And the same day, when the evening came, he said to them: 'Let us cross over to the other side.'

36 And when they had released the crowd, they took him since he was in the boat. Now other little boats were also with him.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves battered into the boat, so that it was already filling up.

38 And he was in the back end of the boat, asleep on a pillow; and they woke him up, and said to him: 'Teacher, don't you care that we are being destroyed?'

39 And he rose up, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea: 'Be silent, be still.' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said to them: 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?'

41 And they were afraid with great fear, and said one to another: 'Who is this then, that the wind and the water obey him?'

Mark - Chapter 5

1 And they came over to the other side of the lake, into the country of the Gadarenes.

2 And when he came out of the boat, at once there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

3 who had his dwelling among the tombs, and no one was able bind him with chains any longer;

4 because he had been often bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been broken apart by him, and the shattered in pieces; neither was anyone strong enough to tame him.

5 And constantly, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying out, and cutting himself with stones.

6 But when he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and fell on his knees before him,

7 and cried out with a loud voice, and said: 'What is there between me and you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I charge you by God, that you do not torment me.'

8 For he said to him: 'Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.'

9 And he asked him: 'What is your name?' And he answered, saying: 'My name is Legion, for we are many.'

10 And he begged him profusely that he would not send them away out of the country.

11 Now, near to the mountains, there was a great herd of pigs feeding.

12 And all the devils begged him, saying: 'Send us into the pigs, so that we may enter into them.'

13 And immediately Jesus permitted them. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the pigs; and the herd rushed down a steep place into the lake; they were about two thousand and they were drowned in the sea.

14 And those who fed the pigs fled, and reported it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had been done.

15 And they came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by devils, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and sound of mind; and they were afraid.

16 And those who saw it related to them what had happened to the one that was possessed by devils, and also concerning the pigs.

17 And they began to beg him to depart out of their region.

18 And when he came into the boat, he who had been possessed by devils begged that he might be with him.

19 But Jesus did not permit him, but said to him: 'Go home to your own, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and has had mercy upon you.'

20 And he departed, and began to preach in the Ten Cities what great things Jesus had done for him, and all were amazed.

21 And when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a huge crowd of people gathered to him; and he was beside the lake.

22 And behold, there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, named Jairus, and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

23 and begged him profusely, saying: 'My little daughter is at the point of death; come and lay your hands upon her, that she may be saved and she will live.'

24 And he went with him; and a huge crowd followed him, and pressed him.

25 And a certain woman, who had a flow of blood for twelve years,

26 and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and in no way improved, but rather grew worse,

27 when she had heard of Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment.

28 For she said: 'If I can only touch his garment, I shall be saved.'

29 And immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that affliction.

30 And Jesus, at once knowing in himself that power had gone out of him, turned about in the crowd, and said: 'Who touched my garment?'

31 And his disciples said to him: 'You see the crowd pressing on you, and you say you: 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 within her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

34 And he said to her: 'Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace, and be whole from your affliction.'

35 While he was speaking, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house someone who said: 'Your daughter is dead, why trouble the Teacher any more?'

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said to the ruler of the synagogue: 'Do not be afraid, only believe.'

37 And he permitted no one to follow him, except Peter, and Jacob, and John, the brother of Jacob.

38 And he came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and sees the uproar, and those who wept and wailed much.

39 And when he came in, he said to them: 'Why this uproar and weeping? The child is not dead, but sleeps.'

40 And they laughed at him. But when he had thrown them all out, he took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with him, and entered into where the child was lying.

41 And he took the child by the hand, and said to her: 'Talitha cumi' which, being interpreted, is 'Little girl, I say to you, rise up.'

42 And immediately, the little girl rose up, and walked; for she was twelve years old, and they were amazed with great ecstasy.

43 And at once he strictly ordered them that no one should know about this, and said that something should be given to her to eat.

Mark - Chapter 6

1 And he went out from there, and came into his own country, and his disciples followed him.

2 And when the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were awestruck, saying: 'From where did this man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to him, and such miracles are performed through his hands?

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of Jacob, and Joseph, and of Judah, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?' And they were offended by him.

4 But Jesus said to them: 'A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.'

5 And he was not able perform any miracle there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick ones, and healed them.

6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went around the villages, teaching.

7 And he called the twelve to himself, and began to send them out by two and two, and gave them authority over unclean spirits;

8 and commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only; no bag, no bread, no money in their purse;

9 but wear sandals, and not be clothed with two tunics.

10 And he said to them: 'Wherever you enter into a house, there remain until you depart from that place.

11 And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust from under your feet for a witness against them. Truly I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement, than for that city.'

12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

13 And they threw out many devils, and anointed many that were sick with oil, and healed them.

14 And King Herod heard of him, for his name became well known, and he said: 'It is because John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and therefore these miracles are energised in him.'

15 Others said: 'It is Elijah.' And others said: 'It is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.'

16 But when Herod heard these, he said: 'It is John, whom I beheaded; he is risen from the dead.'

17 For Herod himself had sent out and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife, since he had married her.

18 For John had said to Herod: 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.'

19 Therefore, Herodias held this against him, and desired to kill him, but she was not able.

20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous man and holy, and preserved him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

21 And when a suitable day came, when Herod held a banquet on his birthday for his noblemen, captains, and the leading men of Galilee;

22 and when the daughter of Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and those who reclined with him, the king said to the little girl: 'Ask of me whatever you desire, and I will give it to you.'

23 And he swore to her: 'Whatsoever you shall ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom.'

24 And she went out, and said to her mother: 'What shall I ask?' And she said: 'The head of John the Baptist.'

25 And she came in immediately with speed to the king, and asked, saying: 'I desire that you give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.'

26 And the king was exceedingly grieved, yet for the sake of his oath, and those who sat with him, he did not desire to refuse her.

27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought; and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the little girl, and the little girl gave it to her mother.

29 And when his disciples heard about it, they came and took away his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

30 And the apostles gathered together with Jesus, and reported all things to him, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

31 And he said to them: 'Come away by yourselves into a desert place, and rest a little while.' For there were many coming and going, and they had no opportunity to eat.

32 And they departed into a desert place by boat on their own.

33 And the people saw them leaving, and many recognised him, and ran there by foot out of all cities, and went ahead of them, and came together towards him.

34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw a huge crowd, and was moved with compassion towards them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

35 And when the hour was late, his disciples came to him, and said: 'This place is a wilderness, and now the hour is late;

36 send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.'

37 He answered and said to them: 'You give them something to eat.' And they say to him: 'Shall we go and buy two hundred pennies of bread, and give them to eat?'

38 He said to them: 'How many loaves do you have? Go and see.' And when they knew, they said: 'Five, and two fishes.'

39 And he commanded them to make all sit down in parties upon the green grass.

40 And they sat down in groups, in hundreds, and in fifties.

41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to lay before them; and he divided the two fishes among them all.

42 And they all ate and were filled.

43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

44 And those who ate of the loaves were around five thousand men.

45 And immediately he compelled his disciples to get into the boat, and to go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

46 And when he had sent them away, he departed to a mountain to pray.

47 And when even came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land.

48 And he saw them struggle in rowing, for the wind was against them; and at about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed them by.

49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it was a phantom, and cried out.

50 For they all saw him, and were disturbed. And at once he talked with them, and said to them: 'Take courage, it is I: do not be afraid.'

51 And he went towards them, into the ship and the wind ceased; and they exceedingly overflowed with amazement among themselves, and marveled.

52 For they did not understand the miracle of the loaves, for their hearts were hardened.

53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew near to the shore.

54 And when they had come out of the boat, immediately they recognised him,

55 and ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on mats those who were afflicted, wherever they heard he was.

56 And wherever he entered, into villages, or cities, or fields, they laid the sick on the streets, and begged him that they might only touch the hem of his garment; and as many as touched him were healed.

Mark - Chapter 7

1 Then the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem, came together to see him.

2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled hands, that is, unwashed, they found fault.

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, unless they often wash their hands, do not eat, holding to the tradition of the elders.

4 And when they come from the market, unless they wash, they do not eat. And there are many other things, which they received to hold, such as the washing of cups, and pots, bronze vessels, and couches.

5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him: 'Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?'

6 He answered and said to them: 'Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written: this people honours me with their lips, but their heart is held away from me;

7 in vain they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.'

8 For letting go of the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, such as the washing of pots and cups; and you do many other similar things.'

9 And he said to them: 'Well do you set aside the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.

10 For Moses said 'Honour your father and your mother' and 'Whoever speaks evil of his father or mother, let him be killed';

11 but you say 'If a man shall say to his father or mother, it is Corban (that is to say, a gift), in whatever you might have benefited from me, he shall be free.

12 And you do not permit him to do anything for his father or his mother;

13 voiding the word of God through your tradition, which you have passed on; and you do many other similar things.'

14 And when he had called all the people to him, he said to them: 'Listen to me each one of you, and understand:

15 there is nothing from outside a man, which entering into him, is able to defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are they which defile the man.

16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.'

17 And when he had entered into the house away from the crowd, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

18 And he said to them: 'So, are you also without understanding? Do you not perceive, that whatever enters into the man from outside, it is not able to defile him;

19 because it does not enter into his heart, but into the stomach, and goes out into the latrine, purifying all food?'

20 And he said: 'For that which comes out of the man, going out, this defiles the man.

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 thefts, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful indulgence, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness;

23 all these evil things go out from within, and defile the man.'

24 And from there he rose up, and went into the region of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into a house, and desired no one to know it, but he could not be hidden.

25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard about him, and came and fell at his feet.

26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by nation; and she begged him that he would cast the devil out of her daughter.

27 But Jesus said to her: 'Permit the children first be filled, for it is not good to take the children's bread, and to throw it to the dogs.'

28 But she answered and said to him: 'Yes, Lord, but the dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs.'

29 And he said to her: 'Because of this word, go: the devil has gone out of your daughter.'

30 And when she came to her house, she found the devil had gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

31 And again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, he came to the Sea of Galilee, passing through the middle of the region of the Ten Cities.

32 And they brought to him one who was deaf and barely able to speak, and they asked him to lay his hand upon him.

33 And he took him aside from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue;

34 and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him: 'Ephphatha,' that is 'Be opened.'

35 And immediately his ears were opened, and the chain on his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.

36 And he ordered them that they should tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more abundantly they proclaimed it,

37 and were awestruck beyond measure, saying: 'He has done everything well: he makes both the deaf to hear, and the mute to speak.'

Mark - Chapter 8

1 In those days the crowd being vast, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him, and said to them:

2 'I have compassion on the crowd, because they have now been with me for three days, and have nothing to eat;

3 and if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way for some of them came from a long way off.'

4 And his disciples answered him: 'From where are we able to satisfy these with bread here in the wilderness?'

5 And he asked them: 'How many loaves do you have?' And they said: 'Seven.'

6 And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and broke them, and gave to his disciples to lay before them; and they laid them before the crowd.

7 And they had a few small fishes; and he blessed them, and commanded to lay these also before them.

8 So they ate, and were filled; and they gathered the fragments that were leftover: seven baskets.

9 And those who had eaten were around four thousand, and he sent them away.

10 And at once he entered into a boat with his disciples, and came into the region of Dalmanutha.

11 And the Pharisees came out, and began to debate with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, testing him.

12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said: 'Why does this generation seek after a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.'

13 And he left them, and entering into the boat again departed to the other side.

14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither did they have more than one loaf with them in the boat.

15 And he ordered them, saying: 'Pay attention, be careful of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.'

16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying: 'It is because we have no bread.'

17 And when Jesus knew it, he said to them: 'Why do you reason: because you have no bread? Do you still not perceive, nor understand? Are your ears still hardened?

18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?

19 When I broke the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you gather up?' They said to him: 'Twelve.'

20 'And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you gather up?' And they said: 'Seven.'

21 And he said to them: 'How is it that you do not understand?'

22 And he came to Bethsaida, and they brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him.

23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit into his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw anything.

24 And he looked up, and said: 'I see men as trees, walking.'

25 After that he laid his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up; and he was restored, and saw everyone clearly.

26 And he sent him away to his house, saying: 'Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.'

27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, saying to them: 'Whom do men say that I am?'

28 And they answered: 'John the Baptist'; but some say 'Elijah'; and others 'one of the prophets.'

29 And he said to them: 'But whom do you say that I am?' And Peter answered and said to him: 'You are the Christ.'

30 And he warned them that they should tell no one concerning him.

31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

32 And he spoke that word boldly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

33 But when he had turned about and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying: 'Get behind me, Satan, for you do not consider the things of God, but the things of men.'

34 And when he had called the people to him, with his disciples also, he said to them: 'Whoever desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35 For whoever will save his life shall lose it; but whoever shall lose his life for my sake and the good news, this one will save it.

36 For what will it profit a man, if he will gain the whole world, but lose his own soul?

37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

38 Whoever therefore will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.'

Mark - Chapter 9

1 And he said to them: 'Truly I say to you, there are some of those who stand here, who shall not taste of death, until they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.'

2 And after six days Jesus took Peter, and Jacob, and John with him and led them up onto a high mountain by themselves, and he was transformed before them.

3 And his clothing became shining, exceedingly white as snow, so as no soap on earth is able to whiten them.

4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.

5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus: 'Rabbi, 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.

6 For he did not know what to say, for they were deeply afraid.

7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying: 'This is my beloved Son: hear him.'

8 And suddenly, when they had looked around, they no longer saw anyone, except Jesus only with themselves.

9 And as they came down from the mountain, he ordered them that they should tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man was risen from the dead.

10 And they kept that saying to themselves, debating with one another what rising from the dead could mean.

11 And they asked him, saying: 'Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?'

12 And he answered and told them: 'Elijah truly comes first, and restores all things, and how it is written of the Son of Man, that he must suffer many things, and be despised as nothing?

13 But I say to you, that Elijah has indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they desired, as it is written of him.'

14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a huge crowd around them, and the scribes debating with them.

15 And immediately all the people, when they saw him, were exceedingly amazed, and running towards him, greeted him.

16 And he asked the scribes: 'What are you debating with them?'

17 And one of the crowd answered and said: 'Teacher, I have brought my son to you, who has a dumb spirit;

18 and whenever it overtakes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth and gnashes his teeth, and is withering away; and I spoke to your disciples so that they should cast it out, but they do not have the strength.'

19 He answered him, and said: 'O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I tolerate you? Bring him to me.'

20 And they brought him towards him; and when he saw him, at once the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground, and rolled around foaming.

21 And he asked his father: 'How long has this happened to him?' And he said: 'Since childhood.

22 And it has often thrown him into the fire, and into water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.'

23 Jesus said to him: 'If you can believe, all things are possible to the one who believes.'

24 And immediately the father of the child cried out, and said with tears: 'Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.'

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: 'You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and no longer enter into him.'

26 And the spirit cried out, and convulsed him much, and came out of him; and he was as one dead, so that many said: 'He is dead.'

27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up, and he rose up.

28 And when he came into the house, his disciples asked him privately: 'Why could we not throw it out?'

29 And he said to them: 'This kind is able to come out by nothing except in prayer and fasting.'

30 And they departed from there, and passed through Galilee, and he desired that no one should know.

31 For he taught his disciples, and said to them: 'The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of men, and they shall kill him, and after he is killed, he shall rise on the third day.'

32 But they did not understand this word, and were afraid to ask him.

33 And he came to Capernaum, and being in the house he asked them: 'What was it that you debated among yourselves on the way?'

34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued among themselves, who should be the most important.

35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and said to them: 'If any one desires to be first, he will be the last of all, and servant of all.'

36 And he took a child, and set him in the middle of them; and when he had embraced him, he said to them:

37 'Whoever shall receive one of these children in my name, receives me; and whoever shall receive me, does not receive me, but him who sent me.'

38 And John answered him, saying: 'Teacher, we saw one casting out devils in your name, and he does not follow us; and we were forbidding him, because he does not follow us.'

39 But Jesus said: 'Do not forbid him, for there is no one who will do a miracle in my name and is able to quickly speak evil of me.'

40 For who is not against us is for us.

41 For whoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.

42 And whoever shall cause one of these little ones to stumble who believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hung about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

43 And if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire;

44 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter lame into life, than having two feet to be thrown into hell, into the unquenchable fire,

46 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be thrown into hell fire,

48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

49 For everyone shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

50 Salt is good, but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.'

Mark - Chapter 10

1 And he rose up from there, and came into the region of Judea by the far side of the Jordan, and the crowd gathered to him again; and, as his custom, he taught them again.

2 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him: 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?' testing him.

3 And he answered and said to them: 'What did Moses command you?'

4 And they said: 'Moses permitted us to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away.'

5 And Jesus answered and said to them: 'For the hardness of your heart he wrote this command.

6 But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.

7 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife;

8 and these two will be one flesh; so then they are no more two, but one flesh.

9 Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate.

10 And in the house his disciples asked him again concerning the same matter.

11 And he said to them: 'Whoever shall divorce his wife, and marry another, commits adultery against her.'

12 And if a woman shall divorce her husband, and be married to another, she commits adultery.'

13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those who brought them.

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant, and said to them: 'Permit the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them: for of these ones is the kingdom of God.

15 Truly I say to you, whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter into it.'

16 And he embraced them, placed his hands upon them, and blessed them.

17 And when he was going into the way, one came running, and kneeled before him, and asked him: 'Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit everlasting life?'

18 And Jesus said to him: 'Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.

19 You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honour your father and mother.'

20 And he answered and said to him: 'Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.'

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said to him: 'One thing you lack: go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me.'

22 And he was sad at the word, and went away grieved: for he had many possessions.

23 And Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples: 'How difficult for those having riches to enter into the kingdom of God!'

24 And the disciples marvelled at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said to them: 'Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

26 And they were awestruck beyond measure, saying among themselves: 'Who then can be saved?'

27 And Jesus looking upon them said: 'With men it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible.'

28 Then Peter began to say to him: 'Look, we have left all, and have followed you.'

29 And Jesus answered and said: 'Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the good news,

30 but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the age to come, everlasting life.

31 But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.'

32 And they were on the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went before them, and they marveled; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things were about to happen to him,

33 saying: 'Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests, and to the scribes; and they will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles.

34 And they will mock him, and will scourge him, and will spit upon him, and will kill him; and the third day he will rise again.'

35 And Jacob and John, the sons of Zebedee, came towards him, saying: 'Teacher, we desire that you would do for us whatever we might ask.'

36 And he said to them: 'What do you desire that I should do for you?'

37 They said to him: 'Grant to us that we may sit, one on your right hand, and the other on your left hand, in your glory.'

38 But Jesus said to them: 'You do not know what you ask: can you drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?'

39 And they said to him: 'We can.' And Jesus said to them: 'You shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized with you shall be baptized;

40 but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to those for whom it is prepared.'

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant with Jacob and John.

42 But Jesus called them to him, and said to them: 'You know that those who are considered to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority over them.

43 But so it shall not be among you; but whoever will be great among you, shall be your servant;

44 and whoever of you desires to be the first, shall be slave of all.

45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.'

46 And they came to Jericho; and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the wayside begging.

47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say: 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.'

48 And many ordered him that he should be silent, but he cried even more: 'Son of David, have mercy on me.'

49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they called the blind man, saying to him: 'Take courage, rise: he calls you.'

50 And he, throwing away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

51 And Jesus answered and said to him: 'What do you desire that I should do for you?' The blind man said to him: 'Lord, that I might receive my sight.'

52 And Jesus said to him: 'Go, your faith has saved you.' And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus on the way.

Mark - Chapter 11

1 And when they came near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, towards the Mount of Olives, he sent out two of his disciples,

2 and said to them: 'Go into the village opposite you, and as soon as you have entered into it, you will find a colt tied-up, upon which a man has never sat; untie him, and bring him.

3 And if anyone says to you 'Why are you doing this?' say that 'the Lord has need of him; and immediately he will send him here.'

4 And they departed, and found the colt tied by the door outside a place where two ways met; and they untied him.

5 And some of those who were standing there said to them: 'What are you doing, untying the colt?'

6 And they spoke just as Jesus had commanded, and they let them go.

7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and threw their garments upon him, and he sat upon him.

8 And many spread their garments upon the way, and others cut off branches from the trees, and spread them upon the way.

9 And those who went before, and those who followed, cried out, saying: 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David, that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'

11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple; and when he had looked around upon all things, and the hour already being late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

12 And on the next day, when they were coming from Bethany, he was hungry;

13 and seeing a fig tree a long way off having leaves, he came, as if he might find something upon it; and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not yet the season for figs.

14 And Jesus answered and said to it: 'Let no one ever eat fruit from you.' And his disciples heard it.

15 And they came to Jerusalem, and Jesus went into the temple, and began to throw out those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of those who sold doves;

16 and would not permit anyone to carry a vessel through the temple.

17 And he taught, saying to them: 'Is it not written: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves.'

18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and were seeking how they might destroy him; for they feared him, because all the people were awestruck by his teaching.

19 And when evening came, he went out of the city.

20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered up from the roots.

21 And Peter reminded him: 'Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which you cursed is withered away.'

22 And Jesus answering, said to them: 'Have faith in God.

23 For truly I say to you, that whoever shall say to this mountain: 'Be lifted, and be thrown into the sea' and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he said shall come to pass; he shall have whatever he said.'

24 Therefore I say to you: all things that you ask, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.

25 And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who also is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

27 And they came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, there came to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,

28 and said to him: 'By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority to do these things?'

29 And Jesus answered and said to them: 'I will also ask one question of you, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? Answer me.'

31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying: 'If we shall say, 'from heaven' he will say 'why then did you not believe him?'

32 But if we shall say 'of men' - they feared the crowd, for all men esteemed John, that he was truly a prophet.

33 And they answered and said to Jesus: 'We don't know.' And Jesus answering said to them: 'Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Mark - Chapter 12

1 And he began to speak to them in parables: 'A certain man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a place for the winepress, and built a tower, and hired it out to farmers, and went into a far country.

2 And at the due season, he sent a servant to the farmers, that he might receive the fruit of the vineyard from the farmers.

3 And they laid hold of him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.

4 And again he sent to them another servant, and at him they threw stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away dishonoured.

5 And again he sent another, and they killed him, and many others; beating some, and killing some.

6 Therefore, still having one son, his beloved, he sent him to them last of all, saying: 'They will respect my son.'

7 But those farmers said among themselves: 'This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.'

8 And they took him, and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

9 Therefore, what shall the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.

10 And have you not read this scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner;

11 this was from the Lord, and it is marvellous in our eyes?'

12 And they sought to lay hold of him, but were afraid of the people; for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them; and they left him, and went away.

13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

14 And when they had come, they say to him: 'Teacher, we know that you are true, and care for no one, for you do not consider the appearance of men, but teach the way of God in truth; is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?' But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them: 'Why do you test me? Bring me a penny, that I may look at it.'

16 And they brought it. And he said to them: 'Whose is this image and inscription?' And they said to him: 'Caesar's.'

17 And Jesus answering said to them: 'Repay to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' And they marvelled at him.

18 Then, the Sadducees came to him, who say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying:

19 'Teacher, Moses wrote for us, if a man's brother dies, and leaves his wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.

20 Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and dying, left no seed.

21 And the second took her, and died, neither did he leave any seed; and the third likewise.

22 And the seven had her, and left no seed; last of all, the woman died also.

23 Therefore, in the resurrection, when they shall rise: to which of them will she be the wife? For the seven had her as wife.

24 And Jesus answering said to them: 'Are you not in error, because you do not know the scriptures, neither the power of God?

25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

26 And, as concerning the dead, that they rise: have you not read in the book of Moses, how on the bush, God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?

27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living, therefore you are in much error.

28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them debating together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him: 'Which is the first commandment of all?'

29 And Jesus answered him: 'The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is one;

30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is similar to it: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.'

32 And the scribe said to him: 'Well said, Teacher, you have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but he;

33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.'

34 And when Jesus saw that he answered thoughtfully, he said to him: 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' And no one after that dared ask him any questions.

35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple: 'How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?

36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'

37 Therefore, David himself calls him Lord, and how is he then his son?' And the huge crowd listened to him gladly.

38 And he said to them in his teaching: 'Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk around in robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces,

39 and the first seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost places at feasts;

40 who devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: these ones shall receive more severe judgement.'

41 And Jesus sat opposite the treasury, and looked at how the crowd threw money into the treasury; and many rich ones threw in much.

42 And there came a poor widow, and she threw in two copper bits, worth the least of Roman coins.

43 And he called to him his disciples, and said to them: 'Truly I say to you, that this poor widow has thrown more in than all those who have thrown into the treasury;

44 for out of their abundance, they all threw in; but she, out of her poverty, threw in all that she had, all of her provision.'

Mark - Chapter 13

1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him: 'Teacher, look what kind of stones and buildings are here!'

2 And Jesus answering said to him: 'Do you see these great buildings? There is certainly no stone which shall be left upon another stone, that shall not be thrown down.'

3 And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and Jacob and John and Andrew asked him privately:

4 'Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?'

5 And Jesus answering them, began to say: 'Take care in case anyone deceives you;

6 for many will come in my name, saying 'I am Christ'; and will deceive many.

7 But when you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be troubled, for these things must occur, but it is not yet the end.

8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be earthquakes in various places, and there shall be famines and troubles; these are the beginnings of birth pains.

9 But pay attention to yourselves, for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in the synagogues; and you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.

10 And the good news must first be preached into all nations.

11 But when they will lead you away, handing you over, do not be worry beforehand what you shall speak, neither meditate; but whatever shall be given to you in that hour, that speak: for it is not you that speaks, but the Holy Spirit.

12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and will cause them to be put to death.

13 And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake; but he who shall endure to the end, this one will be saved.

14 But when you shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let the one who reads understand) then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains;

15 and let him who is on the roof not go down into the house, neither enter into it, to take anything out of his house.

16 And let him who is in the field not turn back again in order to lift up his garment.

17 But woe to those who are with child, and to those who nurse in those days!

18 And pray that your flight is not in the winter.

19 For in those days there will be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created to the present time, neither will be.

20 And if the Lord had not shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the sake of the chosen, whom he has chosen, he has shortened the days.

21 And then if anyone shall say to you: 'Look, here is the Christ; or, look, he is there: do not believe him.

22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise up, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if possible, even the chosen.

23 But you pay attention: behold, I have told you all things beforehand.

24 But in those days, after that affliction, the sun will be darkened, and the will not give her light,

25 and the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers that are in heaven will be shaken.

26 And then shall they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with immense power and glory.

27 And then he will send his angels, and will gather together his chosen from the four winds, from the extremity of the earth to the extremity of heaven.

28 Now learn a parable from the fig tree: when her branch is still tender, and puts out leaves, you know that summer is near;

29 so you in like manner, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that it is near, even at the doors.

30 Truly I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, until all these things be done.

31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

32 But concerning that day and that hour no one knows, neither the angels which are in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father.

33 Pay attention, be awake and pray, for you do not know when the time is.

34 For the Son of Man is like a man who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and commanded the doorman to watch.

35 Therefore watch, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning:

36 unless coming suddenly, he finds you sleeping.

37 And what I say to you, I say to all: watch.'

Mark - Chapter 14

1 After two days was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might seize him by craftiness, and put him to death.

2 But they said: 'Not on the feast day, in case there is an uproar of the people.'

3 And being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he reclined for meal, there came a woman having an alabaster jar of extremely expensive spikenard perfume; and she broke the jar, and poured it on his head.

4 And some were indignant within themselves, and said: 'Why this waste of the ointment?

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarius, and have been given to the poor.' And they were angry with her.

6 And Jesus said: 'Leave her alone, why do you trouble her? She has performed a good work on me.

7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you desire you are able to do them good, but me you do not have always.

8 She has done what she could, she has come beforehand to anoint my body for the burial.

9 Truly I say to you, wherever this good news shall be preached throughout the whole world, also what she has done shall be spoken of in remembrance of her.

10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to betray him to them.

11 And when they heard it, they rejoiced and promised to give him money. And he was seeking how he might betray him at an opportune time.

12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him: 'Where do you desire that we go and prepare, so that you may eat the Passover?'

13 And he sent out two of his disciples, and said to them: 'Go into the city, and there you shall meet a man carrying a jar of water: follow him.

14 And wherever he shall go in, say to the master of the house: 'The Teacher said, where is the guestroom, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?'

15 And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.

16 And his disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things just as he had said to them; and they made the Passover ready.

17 And in the evening he came with the twelve.

18 And as they sat and ate, Jesus said: 'Truly I say to you, one of you who eats with me shall betray me.'

19 And they began to be grieved, and to say to him one by one: 'Is it I?' and another said: 'Is it I?'

20 And he answered and said to them: 'It is one of the twelve, who dips with me in the bowl.

21 The Son of Man indeed goes, just as it is written of him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.'

22 And as they ate, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave to them, and said: 'Take, eat, this is my body.'

23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24 And he said to them: 'This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.

25 Truly I say to you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

26 And having sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.

27 And Jesus said to them: 'All you will stumble because of me this night, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.'

29 But Peter said to him: 'Even if all will stumble, yet I will not.'

30 And Jesus said to him: 'Truly I say to you, that today, in this night, before the cock crows twice, you shall deny me three times.'

31 But he spoke even more intensely: 'If I must die with you, I certainly will not deny you. And likewise said all of them.

32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples: 'Sit here, while I shall pray.'

33 And he took with him Peter and Jacob and John, and began to be exceedingly amazed, and to be deeply distressed;

34 and said to them: 'My soul is profoundly grieved as far as death; remain here, and watch.'

35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36 And he said: 'Abba Father, all things are possible for you; take this cup away from me, but not what I desire, but what you desire.'

37 And he came, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter: 'Simon, do you sleep? Could you not watch one hour?

38 Watch and pray, in case you enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.'

39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spoke the same words.

40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy, and did not know what to answer him.

41 And he came the third time, and said to them: 'Sleep on now and take your rest; it is enough, the hour has come: behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

42 Rise up, let us go: look, he who betrays me is near.'

43 And at once, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

44 And he who betrayed him had given them a signal, saying: 'Whomever I shall kiss, it is he; seize him, and lead him away securely.'

45 And as soon as he came, he went immediately to him, and said: 'Rabbi, Rabbi,' and kissed him.

46 And they laid their hands upon him and seized him.

47 And one of those who stood by drew a sword, and struck a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

48 And Jesus answered and said to them: 'Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and with clubs to take me?

49 I was with you every day teaching in the temple, and you did not seize me, but the scriptures must be fulfilled.'

50 And they all left him and fled.

51 And a young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown about his naked body, and the young men seized him;

52 and he left the linen cloth, and fled away from them naked.

53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest, and with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled.

54 And Peter followed him from a long way off, until within the courtyard of the high priest; and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

55 And the chief priests and all the council searched for a witness against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.

56 For many bore false witness against him, but their witnesses did not agree.

57 And some rose up also bearing false witness against him, saying:

58 'We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'

59 But neither was their witness consistent.

60 And the high priest stood up in the middle, and asked Jesus, saying: 'Do you answer nothing? What is it that these witness against you?'

61 But he was silent, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said to him: 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?'

62 And Jesus said: 'I am, and you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.'

63 Then the high priest tore his clothes, and said: 'What need do we have of witnesses?

64 You have heard the blasphemy, what do you think?' And they all condemned him as guilty of death.

65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to punch him, and to say to him: 'Prophesy' and the servants struck him with the palms of their hands.

66 And while Peter was below in the courtyard, there comes one of the maidservants of the high priest;

67 and when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said; 'You were also with Jesus of Nazareth.'

68 But he denied it, saying: 'I do not know, neither understand what you are saying.' And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by: 'This is one of them.'

70 And he denied it again. And after a little while, those who stood by said again to Peter: 'Truly, you are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech is the same.'

71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying: 'I do not know this man of whom you speak.'

72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus said to him: 'Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.' And he broke down and wept.

Mark - Chapter 15

1 And at once in the morning the chief priests held a council with the elders and scribes and the whole Sanhedrin, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and handed him over to Pilate.

2 And Pilate asked him: 'Are you the King of the Jews?' And answering, he said to him: 'You say it.'

3 And the chief priests accused him of many things, but he answered nothing.

4 And Pilate asked him again, saying: 'Do you answer nothing? Look how many things they witness against you.'

5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marvelled.

6 Now at this feast he released to them one prisoner, whoever they desired.

7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with those involved with him in an insurrection, who had committed murder during the uprising.

8 And the crowd began crying aloud to petition him to do just as he usually did for them.

9 But Pilate answered them, saying: 'Do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?'

10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed him over because of envy.

11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, that he should rather release Barabbas to them.

12 And Pilate answered and said again to them: 'Therefore, what do you want me to do with the one whom you call the King of the Jews?'

13 And they cried out again: 'Crucify him.'

14 Then Pilate said to them: 'Why, for what evil has he done?' And they cried out more abundantly: 'Crucify him.'

15 And so Pilate, purposing to do enough for the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, having been flogged, to be crucified.

16 And the soldiers led him away into the courtyard, called the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort.

17 And they clothed him with purple, and entwined a crown of thorns, and set it upon his head,

18 And began to greet him: 'Hail, King of the Jews!'

19 And they struck him on the head with a reed, and spat upon him, and bowing their knees, paid homage to him.

20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

21 And they compelled one Simon, a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

22 And they brought him to the place Golgotha, which, being interpreted, is 'the place of a skull.'

23 And they gave him to drink wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not receive it.

24 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments, throwing lots upon them, for each one would take.

25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

26 And the inscription of his accusation was written above: 'The King of the Jews.'

27 And with him they crucified two thieves: the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which said: 'And he was accounted with the lawless.'

29 And those who passed by vilified him, shaking their heads, and saying: 'Aha! The one destroying the temple, and building it in three days,

30 save yourself, and come down from the cross.'

31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves, with the scribes: 'He saved others, he cannot save himself!

32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel now descend from the cross, that we may see and believe.' And those who were crucified with him accused him.

33 And when the sixth hour came, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' which, being interpreted, is 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'

35 And some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said: 'Look, he calls Elijah.'

36 And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying: 'Leave him alone, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.'

37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and breathed out his spirit.

38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.

39 And when the centurion, who stood opposite him, saw that he so cried out, and breathed out his spirit, he said: 'Truly this man was the Son of God.'

40 There were also women looking on from a long way off; among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jacob the less and of Joseph, and Salome;

41 who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered to him, and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

42 And now, when the evening came, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath,

43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly to Pilate, and requested the body of Jesus.

44 And Pilate wondered if he was already dead, and calling the centurion to himself, he asked him whether he was indeed dead.

45 And when he knew it from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a tomb which was cut out of a rock, and rolled a stone over the door of the tomb.

47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

Mark - Chapter 16

1 And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jacob, and Salome, had bought aromatic spices, that they might come and anoint him.

2 And very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb at the rising of the sun.

3 And they said among themselves: 'Who shall roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?'

4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away, for it was exceedingly great.

5 And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white robe, and they were astonished.

6 And he said to them: 'Do not be astonished: you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, he is risen, he is not here; behold the place where they laid him.

7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you into Galilee; there shall you see him, just as he told you.'

8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the tomb and were trembling and ecstatic; neither did they say anything to anyone, for they were afraid.

9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had thrown out seven devils.

10 And she went and reported it to those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

12 After that, he appeared in another form to two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

13 And they went and reported it to the ones remaining; neither did they believe.

14 Afterwards, he appeared to the eleven as they reclined for a meal, and found fault with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he was risen.

15 And he said to them: 'Go into all the world, and preach the good news to every creation.

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: in my name they will throw out devils; they will speak with new tongues;

18 they will take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will be well.'

19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following after. Amen.

Luke: on Christ the Man

Chapter 1

1 Given that many have taken in hand to set out an orderly narrative concerning those things of which we are fully persuaded,

2 as they have delivered them to us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

3 it seemed good also to me, most noble Theophilus, as soon as I had searched out precisely all things from the beginning, to write to you from point to point,

4 that you might truly know the certainty of those things of which you have been instructed.

5 In the days of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord without fault.

7 And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now advanced in years.

8 And it came to pass, as he performed the priest's office before God, when his division came in the order,

9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside, at the hour of incense.

11 Then appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zechariah saw him, he was troubled and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah: for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

14 And you shall have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

16 And many of the children of Israel he shall turn to the Lord their God.

17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.'

18 And Zechariah said to the angel: 'By what shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife advanced in years.'

19 And the angel answered: 'I am Gabriel who stands in the presence of God, and am sent to speak to you, and to proclaim this good news.

20 And, behold, you shall be mute, and not able to speak, until the day that these things are done, because you did not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.'

21 Now the people waited for Zechariah, and marvelled that he delayed so long in the temple.

22 And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he made signs to them, and remained mute.

23 And it came to pass, when the days of his office were fulfilled, he departed to his own house.

24 And after those days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying:

25 'Thus has the Lord dealt with me, in the days in which he looked upon me, to take away my insult among men.'

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in towards her, and said: 'Greetings, you who are graciously favoured, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women.'

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his word, and thought what manner of greeting this should be.

30 And the angel said to her: 'Do not be afraid, Mary: for you have found favour with God.

31 And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and shall call his name Jesus.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David.

33 And he shall reign over the House of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.'

34 Then said Mary to the angel: 'How shall this be, seeing I know no man?'

35 And the angel answered, and said to her: 'The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy one who shall be born of you will be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, your cousin Elizabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said: 'Behold, the servant of the Lord: let it be to me according to your word.' So, the angel departed from her.

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah;

40 and entered into the house of Zechariah, and greeted Elizabeth.

41 And it came to pass, as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leapt in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit:

42 and she cried out with a loud voice, and said: 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

43 And from where is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For look, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby leapt in my womb for joy.

45 And blessed is she who believed, for those things shall be performed which were told her from the Lord.'

46 And Mary said: 'My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

48 For he has looked upon the lowliness of his servant: for, behold, from now on all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he who is powerful has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.

51 He has exercised the power of dominion with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He has put down the ruling powers from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent away the rich empty.

54 He has helped Israel, his servant, in remembrance of his mercy;

55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.'

56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

57 Now Elizabeth's time was fulfilled that she should deliver, and she gave birth to a son.

58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shown great mercy upon her, and they rejoiced with her.

59 And it was so, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the baby, and called him Zechariah, after the name of his father.

60 But his mother answered, and said: 'Not so, but he shall be called John.'

61 And they said to her: 'There is none of your relatives that is called by this name.'

62 Then they made signs to his father, how he desired to have him called.

63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying: 'His name is John.' And they all marvelled.

64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, and praised God.

65 And fear came upon all those dwelling around them, and all these words were spread throughout all the hill country of Judea.

66 And all those who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying: 'What manner of child shall this be!' And the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

68 'Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people,

69 and has raised up the horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David,

70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who have been since the world began)

71 salvation from our enemies, and from the hands of all who hate us;

72 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

73 the oath which he swore to our father Abraham,

74 that he would grant to us, that we being rescued out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,

75 all the days of our life, in holiness and righteousness before him.

76 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High: for you shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins,

78 through the compassionate mercy of our God, by which the sunrise from on high has visited us,

79 to give light to those who sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.'

80 And the child grew, and his spirit became strong in the power of dominion, and was in the deserts until the day came, that he should show himself to Israel.

Luke - Chapter 2

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there came a commandment from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be registered for tax.

2 This registration was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

3 Therefore all went to be registered, each one to his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of a city called Nazareth, into Judea, into the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David)

5 to be registered with Mary his betrothed, who was with child.

6 And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should give birth.

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds, remaining in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

9 And, behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid.

10 And the angel said to them: 'Do not be afraid: for, behold, I proclaim good news of great joy, which shall be to all the people:

11 that to you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign to you: you shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.'

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly soldiers praising God, and saying:

14 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men!'

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: 'Let us go then into Bethlehem, and see this word which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.'

16 And they came quickly, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known the word which was told to them concerning this child.

18 And all those who heard it, marvelled at these things which were told to them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these words, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was spoken to them.

21 And when the eight days were accomplished, that they should circumcise the child, his name was called Jesus, who was named by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord.

23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: 'Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,'

24 and to offer a sacrifice as it is commanded in the law of the Lord: 'A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.'

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; this same man was just, and feared God, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 And a revelation was given to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him acccording to the custom of the law.

28 Then he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said:

29 'Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word:

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared before the face of all people;

32 a light to be unveiled to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.'

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at these things which were spoken concerning him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: 'Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against,

35 (and a sword shall also pierce through your own soul) that the thoughts of many hearts may be unveiled.'

36 And there was a prophetess, one Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity.

37 And she was a widow of about eighty four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers, night and day.

38 And she coming at the same instant gave praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40 And the child grew, and his spirit became strong in the power of dominion, and was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.

43 And when they had completed the days, as they returned, the child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph did not know of it, nor his mother.

44 But they were supposing that he had been in the company, went a day's journey; and they searched for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45 And when they did not find him, they turned back again to Jerusalem, and searched for him.

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said to him: 'Son, why have done so to us? Behold, your father and I have searched for you with heavy hearts.'

49 And he said to them: 'How is it that you searched for me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?'

50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them: but his mother kept all these words in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Luke - Chapter 3

1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea, and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

2 when Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.

3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, which says: 'The voice of one who cries in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'

7 Then he said to the crowd that came out to be baptized by him: 'O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Produce therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say within yourselves 'We have Abraham for our father' for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

9 And now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which does not produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.'

10 Then the people asked him, saying: 'What shall we do then?'

11 And he answered and said to them: 'He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.'

12 Then came the tax collectors also to be baptized, and said to him: 'Teacher, what shall we do?'

13 And he said to them: 'Require no more than that which is appointed to you.'

14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying: 'And what shall we do?' And he said to them: 'Do violence to no one, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.'

15 As the people waited, and all men mused in their hearts concerning John, whether he was the Christ, or not;

16 John answered, saying to them all: 'I indeed baptize you with water; but one stronger than I is coming, the knots of his sandles I am not worthy to untie: he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire:

17 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.'

18 Therefore, strongly encouraging with many other things, he preached to the people.

19 But when Herod the tetrarch was rebuked by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

20 he added also this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

21 Now it came to pass, as all the people were baptized, and that Jesus was baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and there was a voice from heaven, which said: 'You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.'

23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being, as men supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli,

24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph,

25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Nagge,

26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,

27 the son of Joanna, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zorobabel, the son of Salathiel, the son of Neri,

28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,

29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,

31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

33 the son of Aminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Ezrom, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nachor,

35 the son of Saruch, the son of Ragau, the son of Phalec, the son of Heber, the son of Sala,

36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan,

38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Luke - Chapter 4

1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

2 and was tempted by the devil for forty days. And in those days he ate nothing: but when they were completed, afterwards he was hungry.

3 Then the devil said to him: 'If you are the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.'

4 And Jesus answered him, saying: 'It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'

5 Then the devil, took him up into a high mountain, and showed to him all the kingdoms of the world, in the twinkling of an eye.

6 And the devil said to him: 'All this authority I will give to you, and the glory of those kingdoms: for it has been handed over to me; and to whomever I desire, I give it.

7 If you therefore will worship me, they will all be yours.'

8 But Jesus answered him, and said: 'Get behind me, Satan, for it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'

9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said to him: 'If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,

10 for it is written, he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you;

11 and in their hands they shall lift you up, in case at any time you should dash your foot against a stone.'

12 And Jesus answered him and said: 'You shall not test the Lord your God.'

13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and a report of him went out through all the surrounding region.

15 For he taught in their synagogues, and was honoured by all.

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.

17 And there was handed to him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the scroll, he found the place where it was written:

18 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor; he has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed,

19 to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.'

20 And he closed the scroll, and gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all those who were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21 And he began to say to them: 'This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.'

22 And all witnessed to him and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said: 'Isn't this Joseph's son?'

23 And he said to them: 'Surely you will say to me this proverb, physician, heal yourself; whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, also do here in your own country.'

24 And he said, 'Truly I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.

25 In truth, now I say to you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

26 but to none of them was Elijah sent, save to Sarepta, a city of Sidon, to a certain widow.

27 Also many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet none of them was cleansed, except Naaman the Syrian.'

28 Then all that were in the synagogue, when they heard it, were filled with anger,

29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him onto the edge of the hill, upon which their city was built, to throw him down headlong.

30 But he passed through the middle of them, and went his way.

31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the Sabbath days.

32 And they were astonished at his teaching: for his word was with authority.

33 And in the synagogue there was a man, who had a spirit of an unclean devil, which cried out with a loud voice,

34 saying: 'O, what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God.'

35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying: 'Hold your peace, and come out of him.' And the devil, throwing him in the midst, came out of him and did not hurt him.

36 And they were all amazed, and spoke among themselves, saying: 'What a word is this! For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.'

37 And the report of him spread throughout every place of the surrounding country.

38 And he rose up and went out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's mother-in-law was taken with a great fever; and they asked him for her.

39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered to them.

40 Now when the sun was down, all those who had any sick with diverse diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each one of them, and healed them.

41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying: 'You are Christ the Son of God.' But he rebuked them and did not permit them to speak, for they knew that he was the Christ.

42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place, and the people searched for him, and came to him, and held onto him, that he should not depart from them.

43 But he said to them: 'Surely I must also preach the kingdom of God to other cities: for I am sent for this.'

44 And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
Luke - Chapter 5

1 And it came to pass, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

2 and saw two boats standing by the lakeside, but the fishermen had left them, and were washing their nets.

3 And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him that he would put out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the boat.

4 Now when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon: 'Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets to make a catch.'

5 And Simon answering said to him: 'Teacher, we have laboured all night, and have taken nothing, yet, at your word, I will let down the net.'

6 And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fish, so that their net broke.

7 And they beckoned to their partners, who were in the other ship, that they should come and help them; who then came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying: 'Lord, go from me, for I am a sinful man.'

9 For he was utterly astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken.

10 And so was also Jacob, and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon: 'Do not be afraid, from now on you shall catch men.'

11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

12 Now it came to pass, as he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy, and when he saw Jesus fell on his face, and begged him, saying: 'Lord, if you desire, you can make me clean.'

13 And he put out his hand, and touched him, saying: 'I desire: be clean.' And immediately the leprosy departed from him.

14 And he commanded him to tell no one: 'But go, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing, as Moses has commanded, for a witness to them.'

15 But so much the more a report of him spread out, and great crowds came together to hear, and to be healed of their sicknesses by him.

16 But he kept himself apart in the wilderness, and prayed.

17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was in him to heal them.

18 Then, behold, men brought man lying in a bed, who was paralysed: and they searched for a means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.

19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the crowd, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling, bed and all, into the middle before Jesus.

20 And when he saw their faith, he said to him: 'Man, your sins are forgiven you.'

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to think, saying: 'Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?'

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said to them: 'What do you think in your hearts?

23 Which is easier, to say 'your sins are forgiven' or to say 'rise and walk?

24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority upon earth to forgive sins (he said to the one paralysed) I say to you: arise, and take up your bed, and go to your house.'

25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up the mat upon which he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying: 'We have seen strange things today.'

27 And after these things he went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the custom booth: and he said to him: 'Follow me.'

28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of tax collectors and of others who sat at table with them.

30 But those who were scribes and Pharisees among them, murmured against his disciples, saying: 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'

31 And Jesus answered, and said to them: 'Those who are whole do not need a physician, but those who are sick.'

32 I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'

33 Then they said to him: 'Why do the disciples of John often fast, and make prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees also; but yours eat and drink?'

34 And he said to them: 'Can you make the children of the wedding chamber fast, as long as the bridegroom is with them?

35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.'

36 And he spoke also a parable to them: 'No one puts a piece of a new garment upon an old; for then the new tears it, and the piece that was taken out of the new does not agree with the old.

37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; for then the new wine will break the wineskins, and it will run out, and the wineskins shall perish.

38 But new wine must be put into new wineskins; and both are preserved.

39 Also no one having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says: 'The old is better.'

Luke - Chapter 6

1 And it came to pass on the second Sabbath, after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and ate, rubbing them in their hands.

2 And certain of the Pharisees said to them: 'Why do you that what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath days?'

3 And Jesus answered them, and said: 'Have you not read this, what David did, when he himself was hungry, and those who were with him;

4 how he went into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them who were with him; which was not lawful to eat, but for the priests only?'

5 And he said to them: 'The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath day.'

6 And it came to pass also on another Sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the Sabbath; that they might find an accusation against him.

8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand: 'Rise up, and stand up in the middle.' And he arose and stood up.

9 Then said Jesus to them: 'I will ask you a question, is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it?'

10 And looking around upon them all, he said to the man: 'Stretch out your hand.' And he did so, and his hand was restored again as whole as the other.

11 And they were filled with madness, and discussed among themselves what they might do to Jesus.

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went onto a mountain to pray, and spent the night in prayer to God.

13 And when it was day, he called his disciples, and he chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles;

14 Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, Jacob and John, Philip and Bartholomew,

15 Matthew and Thomas, Jacob the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zealous,

16 and Judas the brother of Jacob, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

17 And he came down with them, and stood on a plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great crowd of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

18 and those who were vexed with unclean spirits, and they were healed.

19 And the whole crowd sought to touch him, for there power went out of him, and healed them all.

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: 'Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh.

22 Blessed are you, when men hate you, and when they separate you, and insult you, and throw out your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.

23 Rejoice in that day, and be glad: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in this manner their fathers treated the prophets.

24 But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation.

25 Woe to you that are full! For you shall hunger. Woe to you that laugh now! For you shall wail and weep.

26 Woe to you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so their fathers treated the false prophets.

27 But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who abuse you.

29 And to him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also; and him who took away your cloak, do not forbid to take your coat also.

30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and of him who takes away your goods, do not ask them again.

31 And as you desire that men should do to you, so do to them likewise.

32 For if you love those who love you, what thanks shall you have? For sinners also love those who love them.

33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks have you? For even the sinners also do the same.

34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks do you have? For even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35 But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, looking for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the sons of the Most High: for he is kind to the unkind and to the evil.

36 Be therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37 Do not judge, and you shall not be judged; do not condemn, and you shall not be condemned: forgive, and you shall be forgiven.

38 Give, and it shall be given to you, a good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with what measure that you measure with, it shall be measured to you again.

39 And he spoke a parable to them: 'Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?

40 The disciple is not above his teacher, but whoever will be a perfected disciple shall be as his teacher.

41 And why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the beam that is in your own eye?

42 Or how can you say to your brother: 'Brother, let me pull out the speck that is in your eye' when you yourself do not see the beam that is in your own eye? Hypocrite, throw out the beam out of your own eye first, and then shall you see clearly to pull out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

43 For it is not a good tree which produces corrupt fruit; neither a corrupt tree produces good fruit.

44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For neither from thorns do men not gather figs, nor from briars do they gather grapes.

45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

46 And why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

47 Whoever comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you to whom he is like:

48 he is like a man who built a house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on a rock; and when the waters arose, the flood beat upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was grounded upon a rock.

49 But he who hears, and does not do them, is like a man who built a house upon the earth without a foundation, which the flood beat against, and immediately it fell; and the fall of that house was great.

Luke - Chapter 7

1 Now when he had ended all his words in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and ready to die.

3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent the elders of the Jews to him, asking him that he would come and heal his servant.

4 So when they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying that he was worthy that he should do this for him:

5 'For he loves our nation, and he has built us a synagogue.'

6 Then Jesus went with them. But when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him: 'Lord, do not trouble yourself: for I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.

7 Therefore neither did I think myself worthy to come to you: but say the word, and my servant shall be healed.

8 For I am also a man set under authority, and have soldiers under me, and I say to one 'Go' and he goes; and to another 'Come' and he comes; and to my servant 'Do this' and he does it.

9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned around, and said to the people that followed him: 'I say to you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.'

10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole who had been sick.

11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and a huge crowd.

12 Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, who was a widow; and many people of the city were with her.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her: 'Do not weep.'

14 And he came and touched the coffin: and those who carried him stood still. And he said: 'Young man, I say to you: arise.'

15 And he who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he handed him over to his mother.

16 And there came a fear on them all, and they glorified God, saying: 'A great prophet is risen up among us' and 'God has visited his people.'

17 And this rumour of him went out through all Judea, and throughout all the surrounding region.

18 And the disciples of John told him of all these things.

19 And John called to him two of his disciples, and sent them to Jesus, saying: 'Are you he who should come? Or shall we wait for another?

20 And when the men had come to him, they said: 'John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, Are you he who should come, or shall we wait for another?'

21 And at that time, he cured many of their sicknesses and afflictions and evil spirits; and to many blind men he gave sight.

22 And Jesus answered, saying to them: 'Go, and tell John what things you have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the good news is preached to the poor.

23 And blessed is he, who shall not be offended by me.'

24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak to the crowd concerning John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

25 But what did you out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who are gorgeously clothed, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and far beyond a prophet.

27 This is he, of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.'

28 For I say to you, there is no greater prophet than John the Baptist, among those who are born of women: but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.'

29 Then all the people who heard him, and the tax collectors, proved God right, being baptized with the baptism of John.

30 But the Pharisees and lawyers despised the counsel of God against themselves, and were not baptized by him.

31 And the Lord said: 'How shall I compare the men of this generation? And to what are they like?

32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying: 'We have piped to you, and you have not danced; we have mourned to you, and you have not wept.'

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and you say: 'He has a devil.'

34 The Son of Man has come, and eats and drinks, and you say: 'Behold a gluttonous man, and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'

35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.

36 And one of the Pharisees desired that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down at table.

37 And, behold, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of perfume,

38 and she stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying 'If this man were a prophet, he would surely know who, and what manner of woman this is who touches him: for she is a sinner.'

40 And Jesus answered, and said to him: 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' And he said: 'Teacher, speak on.'

41 There was a certain lender who had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 When they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him most?'

43 Simon answered and said: 'I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.' And he said to him: 'You have judged rightly.'

44 Then he turned to the woman, and said to Simon: 'Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, you gave me no water for my feet: but she has washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.

45 You gave me no kiss: but since the time I came in, she has not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 You did not anoint my head with oil: but this woman has anointed my feet with perfume.

47 Therefore I say to you, her many sins are forgiven: for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.

48 And he said to her: 'Your sins are forgiven.'

49 And they who sat at table with him began to say within themselves: 'Who is this who even forgives sins?

50 And he said to the woman: 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'

Luke - Chapter 8

1 And it came to pass afterwards, that he went through every city and village, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God, and the twelve were with him,

2 and certain women, who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom seven devils went out,

3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered to him from their possessions.

4 Now when much people were gathered together, and came to him out of all the cities, he spoke by a parable:

5 'A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of heaven devoured it.

6 And some fell on the stones, and when it had sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

8 And some fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bore fruit a hundredfold.' And when he had said these things, he cried: 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear.'

9 And his disciples asked him, saying: 'What parable was that?'

10 And he said: 'To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables, that when they see, they should not see, and when they hear, they should not understand.

11 Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.

12 And those by the wayside are those who hear; afterwards comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, in case they should believe and be saved.

13 Those that are on the stones are those, who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; but these have no roots, who for a while believe, and in time of testing fall away.

14 And that which fell among thorns are those, who have heard and after their departure are choked with worries and riches, and pleasures of this life, and produce no fruit to completion.

15 But that which fell on the good ground are those, who with a noble and good heart, hear the word, and keep hold of it, and produce fruit with endurance.

16 No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed; but sets it on a menorah lampstand, that those who enter in may see the light.

17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made clearly visible; neither anything hidden, that shall not be known and come to light.

18 Pay attention therefore how you hear: for whoever has, to him shall be given; and whoever has not, from him shall be taken even that which he seems to have.

19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, and could not come near to him for the crowd.

20 And it was told him by a certain person who said: 'Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.'

21 And he answered and said to them: 'My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it.'

22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a boat with his disciples; and he said to them: 'Let us go over to the other side of the lake.' And they launched out.

23 But as they sailed he fell asleep, and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in danger.

24 Then they came to him, and woke him, saying: 'Master, master, we perish.' Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the waves of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

25 And he said to them: 'Where is your faith? And they were afraid and wondered among themselves, saying, 'Who is this that commands both the winds and water, and they obey him!'

26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.

27 And as he went out to land, there met him a certain man out of the city, who had a devil for a long time, and wore no clothes, neither dwelled in a house, but in the graves.

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said: 'What have I to do with you, Jesus the Son of God, the Most High? I beg you, do not torment me.'

29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For often it had caught him, therefore he was bound with chains and kept in fetters; but he broke the bands, and was driven by the devil into the wilderness.

30 And Jesus asked him, saying: 'What is your name?' And he said: 'Legion' because many devils had entered into him.

31 And they begged him that he would not command them to go out into the Abyss.

32 And nearby, there was a herd of many pigs feeding on the mountain, and they begged him that he would permit them to enter into them. And he permitted them.

33 Then the devils went out of the man, and entered into the pigs: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were drowned.

34 When those who fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city, and in the country.

35 Then they came out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

36 Those who also saw it, told them by what means he who had been possessed by the devils was healed.

37 Then the whole multitude of the country around the Gadarenes begged him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the boat, and returned back.

38 Then the man out of whom the devils were departed begged him that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying:

39 'Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.' And he went his way, and preached throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

40 And it came to pass, that when Jesus was returned, the people received him, for they were all waiting for him.

41 And, behold, a man came named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue, who fell down at Jesus' feet, and begged him that he would come into his house:

42 for he had a daughter only, about twelve years of age, and she lay dying. And as he went the people thronged about him.

43 And a woman having an issue of blood, for twelve years, who had spent all her possessions upon physicians, and could not be healed by any;

44 when she came behind him, she touched the border of his garment, and immediately her issue of blood ceased.

45 And Jesus said: 'Who is it that touched me?' When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said: 'Master, the crowd throngs about you and presses you, and you say: 'Who has touched me?''

46 And Jesus said: 'Somebody has touched me: for I perceive that power has gone out of me.'

47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and fell down before him, she told him before all the people for what reason she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

48 And he said to her: 'Daughter, be of good comfort: your faith has made you whole, go in peace.'

49 And while he was still speaking, there came one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, who said to him: 'Your daughter is dead, do not trouble the Teacher.'

50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying: 'Do not be afraid: only believe, and she shall be made whole.'

51 And when he came into the house, he permitted no one to go in, except Peter, and Jacob, and John, and the father and the mother of the child;

52 and all wept, and mourned for her, but he said: 'Do not weep, she is not dead, but sleeps.'

53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.

54 So he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called out, saying: 'Child, arise.'

55 And her spirit returned, and she arose immediately: and he commanded to give her something to eat.

56 And her parents were astonished, but he commanded them that they should tell no one what had happened.

Luke - Chapter 9

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

3 And he said to them: 'Take nothing for your journey, neither staffs, nor bag, neither bread, nor money; neither have two coats.

4 And whatever house you enter into, there dwell, and from there depart.

5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a witness against them.

6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the good news, and healing everywhere.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him, and he was perplexed, because it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

8 and of some, that Elijah had appeared, and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

9 And Herod said: 'I beheaded John, but who is this, of whom I hear such things?' And he desired to see him.'

10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him, and he received them, and spoke to them concerning the kingdom of God, and healed those in need of healing.

12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said to him: 'Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge, and get food: for we are here in a desert place.'

13 But he said to them: 'You give them to eat.' And they said: 'We have no more than five loaves and two fishes, except we should go and buy food for all this people.'

14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples: 'Make them sit down by fifties in a company.'

15 And they did so, and caused them all to sit down.

16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke them, and gave to the disciples to set before the crowd.

17 And they ate, and were all filled; and twelve baskets of fragments were taken up of what remained to them.

18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying: 'Whom do the people say that I am?'

19 They answered, and said: 'John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.'

20 He said to them: 'But whom do you say that I am?' Peter answered, and said: 'The Christ of God.'

21 And he warned, and commanded them that they should tell this to no one,

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 the third day.'

23 And he said to them all: 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For how is a man advantaged, if he gains the whole world, and destroys himself, or loses himself?

26 For whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.

27 And I tell you a truth, there are some standing here, who shall not taste of death, until they see the kingdom of God.

28 And it came to pass about eight days after these words, he took Peter and John and Jacob, and went up onto a mountain to pray.

29 And as he prayed, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing was white and as lightning.

30 And, behold, two men talked with him, who were Moses and Elijah;

31 who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure which he was about to fulfil in Jerusalem.

32 But Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they awoke, they saw his glory, and the two men standing with him.

33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said to Jesus: 'Master, it is good for us to be here: let us make three tabernacles: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah' and did not know what he saying.

34 While he was speaking, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud.

35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying: 'This is my beloved Son: listen to him.'

36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it undisclosed, and told no one in those days any of those things which they had seen.

37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they came down from the hill, many people met him.

38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying: 'Teacher, I ask you, look upon my son: for he is my only child.

39 And, look, a spirit takes him, and he suddenly cries out; and it convulses him so that he foams, and with much pain departs from him when it has bruised him.

40 And I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.'

41 And Jesus answered, and said: 'O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you! Bring your son here.'

42 And while he was coming, the devil threw him down, and convulsed him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and handed him over again to his father.

43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. But while they wondered at all things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples:

44 'Mark these word diligently: for the Son of Man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

45 But they did not understand this word, for it was hidden from them, that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him concerning that saying.

46 Then there arose a dispute among them, which of them should be greatest.

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thoughts of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

48 And said to them: 'Whoever shall receive this child in my name receives me, and whoever shall receive me, receives him who sent me, for he who is least among you all, he shall be great.'

49 And John answered and said: 'Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name; and we forbid him, because he does not follow with us.'

50 And Jesus said to him: 'Do not forbid him: for he who is not against us is for us.'

51 And it came to pass, when the time came that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52 and sent messengers before him: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to prepare a lodging for him.

53 And would not receive him, because his behaviour was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples Jacob and John saw this, they said: 'Lord, do you desire that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did?'

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said: 'You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.

56 For the Son of Man has not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.' And they went to another village.

57 And it came to pass, that as they went in the way, a certain man said to him: 'I will follow you Lord, wherever you go.'

58 And Jesus said to him: 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.'

59 And he said to another: 'Follow me.' But he said: 'Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.'

60 Jesus said to him: 'Let the dead bury their dead: but go and preach the kingdom of God.'

61 Then another said: 'I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say a goodbye to those who are in my house.'

62 And Jesus said to him: 'No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'

Luke - Chapter 10

1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two and two before him into every city and place, where he himself would come.

2 Therefore he said to them: 'The harvest is great, but the labourers are few: pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, to send out labourers into his harvest.

3 Go: behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

4 Carry neither bag, nor purse, nor shoes: and greet no one on the way.

5 And into whatever house you enter, first say: 'Peace to this house.'

6 And if the son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him: if not, it shall return to you again.

7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Do not go from house to house.

8 And into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:

9 and heal the sick that are in it, and say to them: 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'

10 But into whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go your way out into the streets of the same, and say:

11 'Even the very dust of your city, which clings to us, we wipe off against you: yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near to you.'

12 But I say to you, that it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom, than for that city.

13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they would have repented in times long past, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.

15 And you, Capernaum, which are exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell.

16 He who hears you hears me; and he who despises you despises me; and he who despises me despises him who sent me.

17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying: 'Lord, even the devils are subject to us through your name.'

18 And he said to them: 'I saw Satan, like lightning, fall from heaven.

19 Behold, I give to you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall hurt you.

20 However, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.'

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the spirit, and said: 'I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and have revealed them to infants: even so, Father, because it so pleased you.

22 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 whom the Son will unveil him.'

23 And he turned to his disciples, and said privately: 'Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see:

24 for I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them.'

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tested him, saying: 'Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'

26 He said to him: 'What is written in the law? How do you read it?'

27 And he answered, and said: 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.'

28 And he said to him: 'You have answered right: this do, and you shall live.'

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus: 'And who is my neighbour?'

30 And Jesus answered, and said: 'A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his garment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked upon him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And the next day, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him: 'Take care of him; and whatever you spend more, when I come again, I will repay you.'

36 Now which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to him who fell among the thieves?'

37 And he said: 'He having mercy upon him.' Then said Jesus to him: 'Go, and do likewise.'

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was burdened with much serving, and came to him, and said: 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her so that she helps me.'

41 And Jesus answered and said to her: 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things:

42 but one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.'

Luke - Chapter 11

1 And it came to pass, that as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.'

2 And he said to them: 'When you pray, say, Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come: let your will be done, as it is in heaven, also in the earth.

3 Give us our daily bread for the day.

4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.'

5 And he said to them: 'Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;

6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him?'

7 And he from inside shall answer and say: 'Do not trouble me: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you.'

8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him, because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

9 And I say to you: ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.

10 For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened.

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask for an egg, will he give him a scorpion?

13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?'

14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the mute person spoke; and the crowd marvelled.

15 But some of them said: 'He casts out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

16 And others, testing him, were seeking from him a sign from heaven.

17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them: 'Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falls.

18 If Satan is also divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? Because you say that I throw out devils through Beelzebub.

19 And if I by Beelzebub throw out devils, by whom do your sons throw them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.

20 But if I with the finger of God throw out devils, certainly the kingdom of God has come upon you.

21 When a strong man armed keeps his palace, the things that he possesses are in peace:

22 but when one stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he takes from him all his armour in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.

23 He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.

24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says: 'I will return to my house from where I came out.'

25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and set in order.

26 Then he goes, and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

27 And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said to him: 'Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you.'

28 But he said: 'But indeed, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.'

29 And when the crowd was gathered together in larger numbers, he began to say: 'This is an evil generation: they seek a sign, and no sign shall be given to it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet.

30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of Man be to this generation.

31 The Queen of the South shall rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, one greater than Solomon is here.

32 The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, one greater than Jonah is here.

33 No one, when he has lighted a lamp, puts it in a secret place, neither under a basket, but on a menorah lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.

34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when your eye is single, your whole body is also full of light; but if your eye is evil, then your body is dark.

35 Pay attention therefore that the light which is in you is not darkness.

36 If therefore your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, then all shall be light, even as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.

37 And as he spoke, a certain Pharisee asked him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down at table.

38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

39 And the Lord said to him: 'Now you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the plate; but the inner part is full of greed and wickedness.

40 You fools, did not he who made that which is outside make that which is inside also?

41 But rather give charity of those things which are within; and, behold, all things shall be clean to you.

42 But woe to you, Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these you ought to have done, and not to have left the others undone.

43 Woe to you, Pharisees! For you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are as graves which are unseen and the men that walk over them do not perceive them.

45 Then one of the lawyers answered, and said to him: 'Teacher, saying this you rebuke us also.'

46 And he said: 'Woe to you also, you lawyers! For you burden men with burdens difficult to be carried, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.

47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

48 Truly you bear witness and approvingly consent with the works of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs.

49 Therefore the wisdom of God said: 'I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall kill and persecute,'

50 that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the temple: truly I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.

52 Woe to you, lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge: you have not entered in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.'

53 And as he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to come against him fiercely, and to provoke him to speak concerning many things:

54 lying in wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, by which they might accuse him.

Luke - Chapter 12

1 In the mean time, when a vast crowd of people was gathered together, so much so that they tread upon one another, he began to say to his disciples first of all: 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be unveiled; neither hidden, that shall not be known.

3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which you have spoken in the ear in secret places shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

4 And I say to you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that are not able to do any more.

5 But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: fear him, whom after he has killed has authority to thrown into hell; yes, I say to you, fear him.

6 Are not five sparrows bought for two pennies, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

7 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.

8 Also I say to you, whoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God:

9 but he who denies me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

10 And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven.

11 And when they bring you to the synagogues, and to rulers, and authorities, take no thought how or what thing you shall answer, or what you shall say.

12 For the Holy Spirit shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say.

13 And one of the company said to him: 'Teacher, speak to my brother, so that he divides the inheritance with me.'

14 And he said to him: 'Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?'

15 And he said to them: 'Pay attention, and beware of greed: for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things which he possesses.'

16 And he spoke a parable to them, saying: 'The ground of a certain rich man produced plentifully:

17 and he thought within himself, saying: 'What shall I do, because I have no room where I may lay up my fruits?'

18 And he said: 'This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I gather all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul: Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; live at ease, eat, drink, and be merry.'

20 But God said to him: 'O fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have prepared?'

21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.

22 And he said to his disciples: 'Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your soul, what you shall eat; neither about the body, what you shall put on.

23 The soul is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them: how much more are you better than the birds?

25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his height?

26 If you then are not able to do the least thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they do not labour, they do not spin, yet I say to you, that Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as one of these.

28 If then God so clothes grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?

29 And do not seek what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither stand in doubt.

30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you have need of these things.

31 But rather seek the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added to you.

32 Do not be afraid, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33 Sell what you have, and give charity; provide yourselves bags which do not grow old, a treasure that can never fail, in the heavens, where no thief comes near, neither moth corrupts.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

35 Let your loins be girded around, and your lamps burning;

36 and you yourselves like men who wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he comes shall find watching: truly I say to you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down at table, and will come out and serve them.

38 And if he comes in the second watch, or comes in the third watch, and finds them so, blessed are those servants.

39 Now know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have permitted his house to be dug through.

40 Therefore, also be ready: for the Son of Man comes at an hour when you not think to expect.

41 Then Peter said to him: 'Lord, do you speak this parable to us, or even to all?'

42 And the Lord said: 'Who then is a faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of grain in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord shall find so doing when he comes.

44 Truly I say to you, that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

45 But if that servant says in his heart: 'My master delays his coming,' and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunk;

46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not look for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in pieces, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant, who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself, neither acted according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he who did not know, and committed acts worthy of blows, shall be beaten with few blows. For to whomever much is given, of him much shall be required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

49 I have come to throw fire into the earth; and how I desire it were already kindled.

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how distressed I am until it is accomplished.

51 Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you: no, but rather division.

52 For from now on there shall be five in one house, divided, three against two, and two against three.

53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in law-against her mother-in-law.'

54 And he also said to the people: 'When you see a cloud rise out of the west, immediately you say: a shower comes; and this happens.

55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say that it will be hot; and it comes to pass.

56 You hypocrites, you can discern the face of the earth and of the sky; but how is it that you do not discern this time?

57 Indeed, and why from yourselves do you not judge what is right?

58 When you go with your adversary to the ruler, while you are on the way, be diligent that you may be set free from him; in case he drags you to the judge, and the judge delivers you to the officer, and the officer throws you into prison.

59 I tell you, you shall not depart from there, until you have paid the very last penny.'

Luke - Chapter 13

1 There were certain present at the same season who told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answered, saying to them: 'Do you suppose that these Galilaeans were greater sinners than all the other Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you: no, but unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

4 Or do you think those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, were sinners above all the men who dwell in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you: no, but unless you repent, you all shall likewise perish.'

6 He also spoke this parable: 'A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and searched for fruit upon it, and found none.

7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard: 'Behold, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and found none: cut it down, why does it even use up the ground?'

8 And he answered, saying to him: 'Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it, and fertilize it with dung:

9 and if it bears fruit, good; if not, then afterwards you shall cut it down.'

10 And he taught in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.

11 And, behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed down, and could in no way lift herself up.

12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said to her: 'Woman, you are loosed from your disease.'

13 And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight again, and glorified God.

14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said to the people: 'There are six days on which men ought to work: on them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.'

15 The Lord then answered him, and said: 'Hypocrite, does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his donkey from the stall, and lead him away to water?

16 And ought not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, look, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?'

17 And when he said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced at the glorious things that were done by him.

18 Then he said: 'What is the kingdom of God like? Or how shall I compare it?

19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his garden; and it grew, and became a great tree; and the birds of the air nested in the branches of it.'

20 And again he said: 'How shall shall I liken the kingdom of God?

21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until all was leavened.'

22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and travelling towards Jerusalem.

23 Then one said to him: 'Lord, are there few that shall be saved?' And he said to them:

24 'Strive to enter in at the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and has shut to the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying: 'Lord, Lord, open to us,' and he shall answer and say to you: 'I do not know where you are from.'

26 Then shall you begin to say: 'We have eaten and drunk in your presence, and you have taught in our streets.'

27 But he shall say: 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.'

28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

29 Then shall many come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit at table in the kingdom of God.

30 And, behold, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last.

31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying to him: 'Leave, and go from here: for Herod desires to kill you.'

32 And he said to them: 'Go and tell that fox: behold, I throw out devils, and I will heal today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

33 Yet, I must walk today, and tomorrow, and the following day: for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to you; how often I have desired to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you did not desire it.

35 Behold, your house is left to you desolate: and truly I say to you, you shall not see me, until the time comes when you shall say: blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'

Luke - Chapter 14

1 And it came to pass, that when he had come into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath day, that they watched him.

2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him who had the dropsy.

3 And Jesus answering spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying: 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?'

4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

5 and answered them, saying: 'Which of you shall have a donkey or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?'

6 And they could not answer him again concerning these things.

7 And he also spoke a parable to the guests, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats; saying to them:

8 'When you are invited by anyone to a wedding, do not sit in the highest seat, in case a more honourable man than you is invited by him;

9 and he who invited both you and him, come and say to you: 'Give this man place,' and you then begin with shame to take the lowest place.

10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest seat; that when he who invited you comes, he may say to you: 'Friend, go up higher': then shall you have glory in the presence of those who sit at table with you.

11 For whoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.

12 Then he also said to him who invited him: 'When you make a dinner or a supper, do not call your friends, nor your brothers, neither your relatives, nor your rich neighbours; in case they also invite you again, and you are repaid.

13 But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind:

14 and you shall be blessed; for they cannot repay you: for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.

15 And when one of them who sat at table with him heard these things, he said to him: 'Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.'

16 Then he said to him: 'A certain man made a great supper, and invited many:

17 and sent his servant at supper-time to say to those who were invited: 'Come, for all things are now ready.'

18 But they all with one mind began to make excuses. The first said to him: 'I have bought a farm, and I must go and see it: I ask that you excuse me.'

19 And another said: 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try them: I ask that you excuse me.'

20 And another said: 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'

21 So that servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house was furious and said to his servant: 'Go out quickly into the broad places and streets of the city, and bring in here the poor, and the maimed, and the crippled, and the blind.'

22 And the servant said: 'Lord, it is done as you have commanded, and there is still room.'

23 And the lord said to the servant: 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

24 For I say to you, that none of those who were invited shall taste of my supper.'

25 Now huge crowds went along with him: and he turned, and said to them:

26 'If any man comes to me, and does not hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, indeed, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down beforehand, and count the cost, whether he has sufficient to complete it?

29 Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 saying: 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.'

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down beforehand, and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends an embassy, and asks for terms of peace.

33 So likewise, everyone of you who does not forsake all his possessions, he cannot be my disciple.

34 Salt is good: but if the salt has lost its flavour, with what shall it be seasoned?

35 It is fit for neither the land, nor manure; but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke - Chapter 15

1 Then drew near to him all the tax collectors and sinners to hear him.

2 Therefore the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying: 'He receives sinners, and eats with them.'

3 Then he spoke this parable to them, saying:

4 'Which man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he finds it?

5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders with joy.

6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them: 'Rejoice with me: for I have found my sheep which was lost.'

7 I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety nine just persons, which need no repentance.

8 Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it?

9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbours together, saying: 'Rejoice with me: for I have found the piece which I had lost.'

10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.'

11 And he said: 'A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father: 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided his substance to them.

13 So not long after, when the younger son had gathered all together, he took his journey into a far country, and there he wasted his goods with wild living.

14 Now when he had spent all, there arose a strong famine throughout that land, and he began to be in need.

15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16 And he was longing to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, but no one gave to him.

17 Then he came to himself, and said: 'How many hired servants of my father have bread enough, and I perish with hunger?

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you,

19 and am no longer worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants.'

20 So he arose, and came to his father, and when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said to him: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

22 Then the father said to his servants: 'Bring out the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet,

23 and bring the fattened calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field, and when he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said to him: 'Your brother has come; and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him safe and sound.'

28 And he was furious, and would not go in; therefore came his father out, and begged him.

29 And he answering said to his father: 'Look, these many years I have served you, neither did I transgress your commandment at any time, and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.

30 But as soon as this your son came, who has devoured your substance with prostitutes, you have killed the fattened calf for him.'

31 And he said to him: 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.

32 It was necessary that we should make merry, and be glad: for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.'

Luke - Chapter 16

1 And he said also to his disciples: 'There was a certain rich man, who had a steward; and he was accused that he had wasted his goods.

2 And he called him, and said to him: 'How is it that I hear this of you? Give an account of your stewardship; for you may no longer steward.'

3 Then the steward said within himself: 'What shall I do? For my lord will take away the stewardship from me: I cannot dig, I am ashamed to beg.

4 I know what I will do, so that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.'

5 So he called each one of his lord's debtors to him, and said to the first: 'How much do you owe to my lord?'

6 And he said: 'A hundred measures of oil.' And he said to him: 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.'

7 Then he said to another: 'And how much do you owe?' And he said: 'A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him: 'Take your bill, and write forty.'

8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely. For the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

9 And I say to you, make for yourselves friends from the riches of unrighteousness; that, when you shall want, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

10 He who is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he who is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore you have not been faithful with unrighteous riches, who will trust you with the true riches?

12 And if you have not been faithful in another man's goods, who shall give you that which is yours?

13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he shall lean to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

14 And the Pharisees, who were covetous, also heard all these things, and they mocked him.

15 And he said to them: 'You are those who justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

16 The law and the prophets were until John: and since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forcefully presses into it.

17 Now it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

18 Whoever puts away his wife, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is put away from her husband, commits adultery.

19 There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, making merry each day in luxury.

20 There was also there a certain beggar named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: indeed, the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and sees Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 Then he cried and said: 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.'

25 But Abraham said: 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; now therefore he is comforted, and you are tormented.

26 Besides all this, between you and us there is a great gulf: so that those who desire to pass from here to you cannot; neither can they come from there to us.'

27 Then he said: 'I pray you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house:

28 for I have five brothers, that he may witness to them, in case they also come into this place of torment.'

29 Abraham said to him: 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.'

30 And he said: 'No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will repent.'

31 And he said to him: 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rise from the dead again.'

Luke - Chapter 17

1 Then he said to the disciples: 'It cannot be avoided, but that offences will come: but woe to him by whom they come.

2 It would be better for him that a millstone were hung about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.

3 Pay attention to yourselves: if your brother trespass against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

4 And if he trespasses against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to you, saying: 'I repent,' you shall forgive him.'

5 And the apostles said to the Lord: 'Increase our faith.'

6 And the Lord said: 'If you have faith as much as a grain of mustard seed, you would say to this sycamore tree, 'Be plucked up by the root, and be planted in the sea' and it would obey you.

7 Now which of you, having a servant ploughing or feeding cattle, will say to him immediately, when he has come from the field: 'Go and sit down at table?'

8 And will not rather say to him: 'Make ready so that I may dine, and clothe yourself about, and serve me, until I have eaten and drunk; and afterwards you shall eat and drink?'

9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.

10 So likewise you, when you shall have done all those things which you are commanded, say: 'We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.'

11 And so it was, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the middle of Samaria and Galilee.

12 And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men who were lepers, who stood far off,

13 and they lifted up their voices, and said: 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.'

14 And when he saw them, he said to them: 'Go show yourselves to the priests.' And it came to pass, that as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

16 and fell down on his face at his feet, and gave him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.

17 And Jesus answering said: 'Were not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?

18 There are none found who returned to give glory to God, except this stranger.'

19 And he said to him: 'Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole.'

20 And when he was asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said: 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation.

21 Neither shall they say: 'look here' or 'look there' for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.'

22 And he said to the disciples: 'The days will come, when you shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you shall not see it.

23 Then they shall say to you: 'behold here' or 'behold there': but do not go after them, neither follow them.

24 For as the lightning, that flashes out of one part under heaven, shines into the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of Man be in his day.

25 But first he must suffer many things, and be rejected by this generation.

26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man.

27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, and gave in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

28 Likewise also, as it was in the days of Lot; they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built.

29 But in the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

30 After these examples shall it be in the day when the Son of Man shall be unveiled.

31 In that day, he who is upon the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he who is in the field, likewise let him not return back.

32 Remember Lot's wife.

33 Whoever shall seek to save his soul shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

37 And they answered and said to him: 'Where, Lord?' And he said to them: 'Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.'

Luke - Chapter 18

1 And he also spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to grow weary,

2 saying: 'There was in a city a judge, who neither feared God, nor regarded man.

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying: 'Avenge me against my adversary.'

4 And he would not for a time, but afterwards he said within himself: 'Though I do not fear God, nor regard man,

5 yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, in case by her continual coming she wearies me.'

6 And the Lord said: 'Hear what the unjust judge says.

7 And shall not God avenge his elect, who cry day and night to him, though he is patient with them?

8 I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Yet when the Son of Man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?'

9 And he spoke this parable to certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed like this with himself: 'God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are: extortionate thieves, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I ever possess.'

13 And the tax collector, standing far off, would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but struck upon his breast, saying: 'God be merciful to me a sinner.'

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.'

15 And they also brought to him infants, so that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them to him, and said: 'Permit the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them: for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall certainly not enter in it.'

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying: 'Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'

19 And Jesus said to him: 'Why do you call me good? None is good, except one, that is, God.

20 You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honour your father and your mother.'

21 And he said: 'All these I have kept from my youth.'

22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said to him: 'You still lack one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me.'

23 But when he heard these things, he was very sorrowful, for he was exceedingly rich.

24 And when Jesus saw him sorrowful, he said: 'With what difficulty shall those who have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

25 Surely it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.'

26 And those who heard it said: 'Who then can be saved?'

27 And he said: 'The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.'

28 Then Peter said: 'Look, we have left all, and followed you.'

29 And he said to them: 'Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

30 who shall not receive much more in this present time, and in the world to come, life everlasting.'

31 Then he took the twelve aside, and said to them: 'Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be fulfilled.

32 For he shall be delivered to the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and abused, and spat on:

33 and when they have whipped him, they will put him to death, and the third day he shall rise again.'

34 But they understood none of these things, and this word was hidden from them, neither did they perceive the things which were spoken.

35 And it came to pass, that as he came near to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the wayside begging,

36 and when he heard the crowd pass by, he asked what it meant.

37 And they said to him that Jesus of Nazareth passed by.

38 And he cried, saying: 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.'

39 And they who went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more: 'Son of David, have mercy on me.'

40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought to him: and when he came near, he asked him,

41 saying: 'What do you desire that I shall do for you?' And he said: 'Lord, that I may receive my sight.'

42 And Jesus said to him: 'Receive your sight: your faith has saved you.'

43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Luke - Chapter 19

1 Now when Jesus entered and passed through Jericho,

2 behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, who the chief tax collectors, and he was rich.

3 And he sought to see Jesus, who he was, and could not for the crowd, because he was a tiny man.

4 Therefore he ran ahead, and climbed up a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said to him: 'Zacchaeus, come down at once; for today I must remain at your house.'

6 Then he came down quickly, and received him joyfully.

7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, that he had gone in to lodge with a sinful man.

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said to the Lord: 'Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.'

9 And Jesus said to him: 'This day salvation has come to this house, for indeed he is also a son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.'

11 And while they heard these things, he continued and spoke a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should appear immediately.

12 Therefore, he said: 'A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

13 And he called his ten servants, and handed over ten minas to them, and said to them: 'Trade until I come.'

14 But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying: 'We do not desire to have this man to reign over us.'

15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called to him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much everyone had gained by trading.

16 Then came the first, saying: 'Lord, your mina has gained ten minas.'

17 And he said to him: 'Well done, good servant: because you have been faithful in very little, you have authority over ten cities.'

18 And the second came, saying: 'Lord, your mina has gained five minas.'

19 And he said likewise to him: 'You also be over five cities.'

20 And another came, saying: 'Lord, behold, here is your mina, which I have kept laid up in a napkin.

21 For I feared you, because you are an austere man: you take up what you have not laid down, and reap what you did not sow.'

22 And he said to him: 'Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, taking up what I have not laid down, and reaping what I did not sow?

23 Therefore, why did you not give my money to the bank, so that at my coming I might have received my own with interest?'

24 And he said to those who stood by: 'Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.'

25 And they said to him: 'Lord, he has ten minas.'

26 'For I say to you, that to all who have, it shall be given; and from him who does not have, even that he has shall be taken from him.

27 But those my enemies, who did not desire that I should reign over them, bring here, and kill them before me.'

28 And when he had spoken thus, he went out before them, ascending up to Jerusalem.

29 And it came to pass, when he came near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

30 saying: 'Go into the village which is before you, in which, as soon as you enter, you shall find a colt tied, upon which a man never sat: untie him, and bring him here.

31 And if any man asks you, 'Why do you loose him?' you shall say this to him: 'Because the Lord has need of him.'

32 And those who were sent went their way, and found it as he had said to them.

33 And as they were untying the colt, the owners of it said to them: 'Why do you untie the colt?'

34 And they said: 'The Lord has need of him.'

35 And they brought him to Jesus, and they threw their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus upon it.

36 And as he went, they spread their clothes on the way.

37 And when he now came near to the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the powerful works that they had seen,

38 saying: 'Blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.'

39 Then some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said to him: 'Teacher, rebuke your disciples.'

40 And he answered and said to them: 'I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would cry out.'

41 And when he came near, he looked at the city, and wept over it,

42 saying: 'If you had known, even you, indeed in this your day, the things for your peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes.

43 For the days shall come upon you, that your enemies shall cast a trench around you, and surround you, and hold you in on every side,

44 and shall make you even with the ground, and your children within you; and they shall not leave in you a stone upon a stone; because you did not know the time of your visitation.'

45 And he went into the temple, and began to throw out those who sold in it, and those who bought;

46 saying to them: 'It is written, my house is the house of prayer: but you have made it a den of thieves.'

47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the leaders of the people sought to destroy him,

48 but they could not find what they might do to him: for all the people hung upon him when they heard him.

Luke - Chapter 20

1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

2 and spoke to him, saying: 'Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Or who is he who gave you this authority?'

3 And he answered and said to them: 'I will also ask you one thing, and answer me:

4 the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?

5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying: 'If we shall say, from heaven; he will say, why then did you not believe him?

6 But if we say, from men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.'

7 And they answered, that they could not tell from where it was.

8 And Jesus said to them: 'Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.'

9 Then he began to speak to the people this parable: 'A certain man planted a vineyard, and rented it out to farmers, and went into a far country for a long time.

10 And at the season he sent a servant to the farmers, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the farmers beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.

11 And again he sent another servant, and they beat him also, and treated him dishonourably, and sent him away empty-handed.

12 And again he sent a third, and they wounded him also, and threw him out.

13 Then said the lord of the vineyard: 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will respect him when they see him.'

14 But when the farmers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying: 'This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.'

15 So they threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Therefore, what shall the lord of the vineyard do to them?

16 He shall come and destroy these farmers, and shall give the vineyard to others.' And when they heard it, they said: 'Let it not be.'

17 And he looked them, and said: 'Why then is it written, 'The stone which the builders rejected, that is made the head of the corner'?

18 Whoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.'

19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him but they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

20 And they watched him, and sent out spies, who should pretend themselves just men, to take him in his words, to deliver him into the rule and authority of the governor.

21 And they asked him, saying: 'Teacher, we know that you say and teach rightly, neither do you show partiality, but teach the way of God truly:

22 is it lawful for us to pay tax to Caesar, or not?'

23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them: 'Why do you test me?

24 Show me a penny. Whose image and inscription has it?' They answered and said: 'Caesar's.'

25 And he said to them: 'Give then to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God those things which are God's.'

26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people, and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

27 Then certain of the Sadducees came to him, who deny that there is any resurrection, and they asked him:

28 saying: 'Teacher, Moses wrote to us, 'If any man's brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.

29 There were therefore seven brothers, and the first took a wife, and died without children.

30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

31 And the third took her, and so likewise the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

32 Last of all the woman died also.

33 Therefore, at the resurrection whose wife of these shall she be? For seven had her as wife.'

34 And Jesus answered, and said to them: 'The children of this world marry wives, and are married:

35 but those who shall be counted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage,

36 neither can they die any longer: for they are equal to the angels, and are the sons of God, since they are the children of the resurrection.

37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him.'

39 Then certain of the scribes answering said: 'Teacher, you have spoken well.'

40 And after that they did not dare to ask him anything at all.

41 And he said to them: 'How do they say that the Christ is David's son?

42 But David himself says in the book of Psalms, 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand,

43 until I make your enemies your footstool.'

44 Seeing David calls him Lord, how is he then his son?'

45 Then in the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples:

46 'Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief places at feasts;

47 who devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: these shall receive greater judgement.'

Luke - Chapter 21

1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men throwing their gifts into the treasury.

2 And he also saw a certain poor widow throwing two pennies in there.

3 And he said: 'Truly I say to you, that this poor widow has thrown in more than them all.

4 For all these out of their abundance have thrown into the offerings of God: but she out of her poverty has thrown in all the living that she had.

5 And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts, he said:

6 'As for these things which you behold, the days will come, when there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.'

7 And they asked him, saying: 'Teacher, but when shall these things be? And what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?'

8 And he said: 'Pay attention that you are not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, 'I am'; and the time draws near: therefore do not follow after them.

9 But when you shall hear of wars and uprisings, do not be terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not imminent.'

10 Then he said to them: 'Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

11 and great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful things and there shall be great signs from heaven.

12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

14 Therefore, settle it in your hearts, not to meditate before what you shall answer.

15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to speak against nor resist.

16 And you shall be betrayed both by parents, and brothers, and relatives, and friends; and some of you they shall cause to be put to death.

17 And you shall be hated by all for my name's sake.

18 But not one hair of your head shall perish.

19 By your endurance possess your souls.

20 And when you shall see Jerusalem surrounded with armies, then know that the desolation of it is near.

21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let those who are in the midst of it, leave; and let not those who are in the country enter into it.

22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23 But woe to those who are with child, and to those who nurse, in those days. For there shall be great distress upon the land, and fury among the people.

24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled.

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress among the nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves shall roar;

26 and men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and immense glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.

29 And he spoke to them a parable: 'Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

30 when they now shoot out, you see and know of your own selves that summer is now near.

31 So likewise you, when you see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 Truly I say to you, this age shall not pass away, until all these things are done.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

34 And pay attention to yourselves, in case at any time your hearts are burdened with excess, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day comes upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare it shall come upon all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Therefore, watch, and pray continually, that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

37 Now in the daytime he taught in the temple, and at night he went out, and stayed on the mount that is called the Mount of Olives.

38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him.

Luke - Chapter 22

1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew near, which is called the Passover.

2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him, for they feared the people.

3 Then Satan entered into Judas, who was called Iscariot, and was one of the twelve.

4 And he went his way, and discussed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him to them.

5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.

6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the crowd.

7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed.

8 And he sent Peter and John, saying: 'Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.'

9 And they said to him: 'Where do you desire that we prepare?'

10 And he said to them: 'Behold, when you have entered into the city, there a man shall meet you, carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he enters in.

11 And you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?'

12 And he shall show you a large, furnished upper room: there make ready.'

13 And they went, and found it as he had said to them: and they made the Passover ready.

14 And when the hour came, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

15 And he said to them: 'I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer:

16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it, until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.'

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said: 'Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.'

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave to them, saying: 'This is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me.'

20 Likewise he also took the cup after supper, saying: 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.

21 But, behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.

22 And truly the Son of Man goes, as it was determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.'

23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be esteemed the greatest.

25 And he said to them: 'The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors.

26 But you shall not be so: but let the greatest among you, be as the least; and he who is chief, as he who serves.

27 For who is greater, he who sits at table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at table? But I am among you as he who serves.

28 You are those who have continued with me in my trials.

29 And I appoint to you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed to me;

30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'

31 And the Lord said: 'Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith does not fail, and when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.'

33 And he said to him: 'Lord, I am ready to go with you, both into prison, and to death.'

34 And he said: 'I tell you, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before you shall deny that you know me three times.'

35 And he said to them: 'When I sent you without purse, and bag, and shoes, did you lack anything?' And they said: 'Nothing.'

36 Then he said to them: 'But now, he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his bag: and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

37 For I say to you, that the same which is written must still be accomplished in me, even with the transgressors he was numbered; for the things concerning me have an end.'

38 And they said: 'Lord, behold, here are two swords.' And he said to them: 'It is enough.'

39 And he came out, and went, as he was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

40 And when he was at the place, he said to them: 'Pray that you do not enter into temptation.'

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 saying: 'Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me: yet not my will, but yours be done.'

43 And there appeared an angel to him from heaven, strengthening him.

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood trickling down to the ground.

45 And when he rose up from prayer, and came to his disciples, he found them sleeping from sorrow,

46 and said to them: 'Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, in case you enter into temptation.'

47 And while he yet spoke, behold a crowd, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him.

48 But Jesus said to him: 'Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?'

49 When those who were around him saw what would follow, they said to him: 'Lord, shall we strike with the sword?'

50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

51 And Jesus answered and said: 'Permit as far as this.' And he touched his ear, and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, who had come to him: 'Do you come out, as against a thief, with swords and sticks?

53 When I was daily with you in the temple, you stretched out no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the authority of darkness.'

54 Then they took him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed from far off.

55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and were sat down together, Peter sat down among them.

56 But a certain maid looked at him as he sat by the fire, and having looked at him intently, said: 'This man was also with him.'

57 But he denied him, saying: 'Woman, I do not know him.'

58 And after a little while another saw him, and said: 'You are also one of them.' And Peter said: 'Man, I am not.'

59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying: 'Truly this one also was with him: for he is a Galilean.'

60 And Peter said: 'Man, I do not know what you are saying.' And immediately, while he was still speaking, the cock crew.

61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, before the cock crows, you shall deny me three times.

62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

63 And the men who held Jesus mocked him, and struck him.

64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying: 'Prophesy, who is it that struck you?'

65 And many other things they spoke blasphemously against him.

66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying:

67 'Are you the Christ? Tell us.' And he said to them: 'If I tell you, you will not believe:

68 and if also I ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go.

69 After this time the Son of Man shall sit on the right hand of the power of God.'

70 Then they all said: 'Are you then the Son of God?' And he said to them: 'You say that I am.'

71 And they said: 'What need have we of any further witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth.'

Luke - Chapter 23

1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him to Pilate.

2 And they began to accuse him, saying: 'We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.'

3 And Pilate asked him, saying: 'Are you the King of the Jews?' And he answered him and said: 'You say it.'

4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and to the people: 'I find no fault in this man.'

5 But they were the more fierce, saying: 'He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.'

6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad: for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard many things concerning him; and he hoped to have seen some miraculous sign performed by him.

9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

11 And Herod with his men of war despised him, and mocked him, and clothed him in white, and sent him again to Pilate.

12 And the same day Pilate and Herod became friends, for before they were enemies with one another.

13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

14 said to them: 'You have brought this man to me, as one who perverts the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man concerning those things of which you accuse him.

15 No, nor even Herod: for I sent you to him; and, look, nothing worthy of death has been done by him.

16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.'

17 For by necessity he must release one to them at the feast.

18 The crowd all cried out at once, saying: 'Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas.'

19 Who for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder, was thrown into prison.

20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spoke again to them.

21 But they cried, saying: 'Crucify him, crucify him.'

22 And he said to them the third time: 'Why, what evil has he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.'

23 And they were insistent with loud voices, requiring that he should be crucified. And their voices and those of the chief priests prevailed.

24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

25 And he released to them him that on account of insurrection and murder was thrown into prison, whom they desired; but he handed over Jesus to their will.

26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and they laid the cross on him, that he might bear it after Jesus.

27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also mourned and lamented for him.

28 But Jesus turning to them said: 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

29 For, behold, the days are coming, when they shall say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs which never bore, and the breasts which never nursed.

30 Then they shall begin to say to the mountains: fall on us, and to the hills, cover us.

31 For if they do these things to a green tree, what shall be done to the dry?'

32 And there were also two others, who were evildoers, led with him to be put to death.

33 And when they had come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the evildoers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

34 Then said Jesus: 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided his clothing, and cast lots.

35 And the people stood, and looked on. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying: 'He saved others; let him save himself, if he is Christ, the chosen of God.'

36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

37 and saying: 'If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.'

38 And an inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: 'This is the King of the Jews.'

39 And one of the evildoers who was hanged railed at him, saying: 'If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.'

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying: 'Do you not fear God, seeing you are in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our actions: but this man has done nothing amiss.'

42 And he said to Jesus: 'Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'

43 And Jesus said to him: 'Truly I say to you, today shall you be with me in paradise.'

44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn through the middle.

46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said: 'Father, into your hands I commend my spirit: and having said so, he yielded the spirit.

47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying: 'Certainly this was a righteous man.'

48 And all the people who came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, struck their breasts, and returned.

49 And all his acquaintances, and the women who followed him from Galilee, stood far off, beholding these things.

50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just one.

51 The same had not consented to the counsel and action of them; he was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews: who himself also waited for the kingdom of God.

52 This man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.

53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that was cut out of a rock, into which a man was never before laid.

54 And that day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath approached.

55 And the women also, who came with him from Galilee, followed after, and looked at the tomb, and how his body was laid.

56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.

Luke - Chapter 24

1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

3 And they entered in, and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it came to pass, as they were amazed by this, behold, two men suddenly stood by them in shining garments:

5 and as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to them: 'Why do you seek the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee,

7 saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.''

8 And they remembered his words,

9 and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.

10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of Jacob, and other women that were with them, who told these things to the apostles.

11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they did not believe them.

12 Then Peter arose, and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he looked upon the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering within himself at what had happened.

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was about sixty stadia from Jerusalem.

14 And they talked together concerning all these things which had happened.

15 And it came to pass, that while they talked together and debated, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

16 But their eyes were held that they should not know him.

17 And he said to them: 'What are these words you are exchanging with one another, as you walk, and are sad?'

18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said to him: 'Are you only a stranger in Jerusalem, and have not known the things which have come to pass there in these days?'

19 And he said to them: 'What things?' And they said to him: 'Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and word before God and all the people,

20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

21 But we were hoping that it had been he who would have redeemed Israel, and besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done.

22 Yet also certain women among us made us astonished, who came early to the tomb;

23 and when they did not find his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

24 Therefore certain of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but they did not see him.'

25 Then he said to them: 'O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26 ought not the Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?'

27 And he began with Moses and all the prophets, and interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 And they drew near to the village, where they went: but he made as though he would have gone further.

29 But they urged him, saying: 'Remain with us: for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent.' And he went in to remain with them.

30 And it came to pass, as he sat at table with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to them.

31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him, but he vanished out of their sight.

32 And they said one to another: 'Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us on the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?'

33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them,

34 saying: 'Truly the Lord has risen, and has appeared to Simon.'

35 And they told what things were done on the way, and how he was known by them in the breaking of bread.

36 And as they spoke so, Jesus himself stood in the middle of them, and said to them: 'Peace to you.'

37 But they were terrified and afraid, and supposed that they were seeing a spirit.

38 And he said to them: 'Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?

39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see me have.

40 And when he had spoken so, he showed them his hands and his feet.

41 And while they still did not believe for joy and were wondering, he said to them: 'Have you here something to eat?'

42 And they gave him a piece of a roasted fish, and from a honeycomb.

43 And he took it, and ate before them.

44 And he said to them: 'These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.'

45 Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46 and said to them: 'Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day,

47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48 And you are witnesses of these things.

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but be seated in the city of Jerusalem, until you are clothed with power from on high.'

50 Afterwards he led them out into Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

John: on Christ the Son of God

Chapter 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him, and without him nothing was made that has been made.

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 He came for a witness, to bear witness concerning the light that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness concerning that light.

9 That was the true light, which lights every man that comes into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world did not know him.

11 He came to his own, but his own did not receive him.

12 But as many as received him, to them he gave authority to become the sons of God, to those who believe in his name:

13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the only begotten son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John bore witness of him, and cried, saying: 'This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.''

16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.

19 This then is the witness of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him: 'Who are you?'

20 And he confessed, and did not deny, and said plainly: 'I am not the Christ.'

21 And they asked him: 'Who then? Are you Elijah?' And he said: 'I am not.'

'Are you the prophet?' And he answered: 'No.'

22 Then they said to him: 'Who are you? That we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do say you of yourself?'

23 He said: 'I am the voice of him who cries in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.'

24 Now they who were sent were of the Pharisees.

25 And they asked him, and said to him: 'Why do you baptize then, if you are not the Christ, neither Elijah, nor the prophet?

26 John answered them, saying: 'I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you do not know;

27 it is he, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoelaces I am not worthy to untie.

28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said: 'Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who is preferred before me: for he was before me.'

31 And I did not know him: but because he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore I have come baptizing with water.'

32 And John bore witness, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained upon him.

33 And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water, he said to me: 'Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, that is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

34 And I saw, and bore witness that this is the Son of God.

35 The next day John stood again, and two of his disciples;

36 and looking upon Jesus walking by, he said: 'Behold the Lamb of God!'

37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them: 'What do you seek?' They said to him: 'Rabbi, (which is to say, by interpretation, Teacher) where are you staying?'

39 He said to them: 'Come and see.' They came and saw where he was staying, and remained with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John speak, and followed him.

41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him: 'We have found the Messiah' (which is by interpretation, the Christ).

42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus looked upon him, he said: 'You are Simon the son of Jonah: you shall be called Cephas' (which is by interpretation, a stone).

43 The following day Jesus desired to go out into Galilee, and found Philip, and said to him: 'Follow me.'

44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him: 'We have found him, of whom Moses wrote in the law, and the prophets, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.'

46 And Nathaniel said to him: 'Can there anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him: 'Come and see.'

47 Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to him, and said of him: 'Behold a true Israelite, in whom there is no guile.'

48 Nathaniel said to him: 'Where do know me from?' Jesus answered and said to him: 'Before that Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.'

49 Nathaniel answered and said to him: 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.'

50 Jesus answered and said to him: Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.'

51 And he said to him: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, from now on you shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.'

John - Chapter 2

1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana, a town of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.

2 And Jesus was called also, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3 Now when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him: 'They have no wine.'

4 Jesus said to her: 'Woman, what have I to do with you? My hour is not yet come.'

5 His mother said to the servants: 'Whatever he says to you, do it.'

6 And there were set there six stone water jars, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing eighteen or twenty six gallons each.

7 Jesus said to them: 'Fill the jars with water.' And they filled them up to the brim.

8 And he said to them: 'Draw out now, and carry to the master of the feast.' And they carried it.

9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know from where it was, but the servants who drew the water knew, the master of the feast called the bridegroom,

10 And said to him: 'Every man at the beginning sets out good wine, and when men might be drunk, then that which is worse: but you have kept back the good wine until now.'

11 This beginning of miracles Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he and his mother, and his brothers, and his disciples: but they remained there not many days.

13 And the Jews' Passover was near, therefore Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

14 and found in the temple those who sold oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting there.

15 Then he made a whip of small cords and drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

16 and said to those who sold doves: 'Take these things from here, do not make my Father's house a house of merchandise.'

17 And his disciples remembered that it was written: 'The zeal of your house has consumed me.'

18 Then answered the Jews and said to him: 'What sign do you show to us, given that you do these things?'

19 Jesus answered and said to them: 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.'

20 Then said the Jews: 'Forty six years was this temple in building, and will you raise it up in three days?'

21 But he spoke of the temple of his body.

22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this to them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

24 But Jesus did not commit himself to them, because he knew them all,

25 and had no need that any should witness concerning man: for he knew what was in man.

John - Chapter 3

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

2 He came to Jesus by night, and said to him: 'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no man could do these miracles that you do, unless God is with him.'

3 Jesus answered and said to him: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'

4 Nicodemus said to him: 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?'

5 Jesus answered: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

8 The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell from where it comes, and where it goes: so it is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said to him: 'How can these things be?'

10 Jesus answered and said to him: 'Are you a teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

11 Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of that we do know, and witness of that we have seen; but you do not receive our witness.

12 If when I tell you earthly things, you do not believe, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13 And no one has ascended up to heaven, but he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up:

15 that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world that he should condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He who believes in him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their acts were evil.

20 For everyone who does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, in case his actions should be put right.

21 But he who performs the truth comes to the light, that his works may be made clearly visible, that they are worked in God.

22 After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea, and there he stayed with them, and baptized.

23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

24 For John was not yet thrown into prison.

25 Then there arose a debate between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

26 And they came to John, and said to him: 'Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, look, he baptizes, and all men come to him.'

27 John answered and said: 'A man can receive nothing, unless it is given to him from heaven.

28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but that I am sent before him.

29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, greatly rejoices because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

31 He who comes from above is above all: he who is of the earth is of the earth, and speaks of the earth: he who comes from heaven is above all.

32 And what he has seen and heard, that he testifies; but no one receives his witness.

33 He who has received his witness has approvingly sealed that God is true.

34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God does not give the Spirit by measure to him.

35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.

36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life: and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God remains on him.

John - Chapter 4

1 Now when the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

2 (though Jesus himself did not baptize, but his disciples)

3 he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.

4 And it was necesarry for him to go through Samaria.

5 Then he came to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the possession that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

6 And Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down on the well: it was about the sixth hour.

7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water; Jesus said to her: 'Give me to drink.'

8 For his disciples were gone away to the city to buy food.

9 Then said the woman of Samaria to him: 'How is it that you, being a Jew, ask a drink of me, being a woman of Samaria?' For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered and said to her: 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, 'Give me to drink,' you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.

11 The woman said to him: 'Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from where then have you this living water?

12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his children, and his cattle?'

13 Jesus answered and said to her: 'Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again,

14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; but the water that I shall give him will be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.'

15 The woman said to him: 'Sir, give me this water, so that I do not thirst, neither come here to draw.'

16 Jesus said to her: 'Go, call your husband, and come here.'

17 The woman answered and said: 'I have no husband.' Jesus said to her: 'You have well said, I have no husband;

18 for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband: that you spoke in truth.

19 The woman said to him: 'Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.

20 Our fathers worshipped on this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.'

21 Jesus said to her: 'Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall worship the Father neither on this mountain, nor at Jerusalem.

22 You worship one you do not know; we worship one we know: for salvation is out of the Jews.

23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

25 The woman said to him: 'I know that Messiah is coming (who is called Christ): when he has come, he will tell us all things.'

26 Jesus said to her: 'I who speak to you am he.'

27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no one said: 'What do you seek?' Or 'Why do you talk with her?'

28 The woman then left her water jar, and went her way into the city, and said to the men:

29 'Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: is this not the Christ?'

30 Then they went out of the city, and came to him.

31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, saying: 'Rabbi, eat.'

32 But he said to them: 'I have food to eat which you do not know about.'

33 Therefore, the disciples said one to another: 'Has anyone brought him something to eat?

34 Jesus said to them: 'My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work.

35 Do you not say, there are still four months, and then comes harvest? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields: for they are already white to harvest.

36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit to life eternal: that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.

37 For in this the word is true: one sows, and another reaps.

38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour: other men laboured, and you have entered into their labours.'

39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him through the word of the woman, who witnessed: 'He told me all that ever I did.'

40 So when the Samaritans had come to him, they urged him to remain with them; and he remained there two days.

41 And many more believed because of his own word;

42 and said to the woman: 'Now we believe, not because of your speech: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is truly the Christ, the saviour of the world.'

43 So after two days he departed from there, and went into Galilee.

44 For Jesus himself witnessed, that a prophet has no honour in his own country.

45 Then when he came to Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went to the feast.

46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and urged him to come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

48 Then said Jesus to him: 'Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.'

49 The nobleman said to him: 'Sir, come down before my child dies.'

50 Jesus said to him: 'Go: your son lives.' And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken to him, and he went his way.

51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying: 'Your son lives.'

52 Then he enquired of them the hour when he began to improve. And they said to him: 'Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.'

53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, at which Jesus said to him: 'Your son lives,' and himself believed, and his whole house.'

54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he came out of Judea into Galilee.

John - Chapter 5

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep gate, a pool, which is called in the Hebrew language Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these lay a huge number of sick, of blind, lame, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whoever was then first, after the troubling of the water, stepped in, was made whole of whatever disease he had.

5 And a certain man was there, which had a sickness thirty eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lying down, and knew that he had now been a long time in that situation, he said to him: 'Do you desire to be made whole?'

7 The sick man answered him: 'Sir, I have no one, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steps down before me.'

8 Jesus said to him: 'Rise, take up your bed, and walk.'

9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked; and on the same day was the Sabbath.

10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured: 'It is the Sabbath day: it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.'

11 He answered them: 'He who made me whole, the same said to me, 'Take up your bed, and walk.'

12 Then they asked him: 'What man is that who said to you, take up your bed, and walk?'

13 And he who was healed did not know who it was: for Jesus had withdrawn himself, a crowd being in that place.

14 Afterwards Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him: 'Behold, you are made whole: sin no more, in case a worse thing come to you.'

15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole.

16 And therefore the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.

17 But Jesus answered them: 'My Father is working until now, and I am working.

18 Therefore the Jews sought to kill him all the more, because not only had he broken the Sabbath, but also said that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

19 Then answered Jesus and said to them: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of himself, except what he sees the Father do: for whatever things he does, these the Son does also.

20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things, whatever he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

21 For as the Father raises up the dead, and gives life to them; even so the Son gives life to whom he desires.

22 For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son:

23 so that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He who does not honour the Son, does not honour the Father who has sent him.

24 Amen, amen, I say to you, he who hears my word, and believes in him who sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but has passed from death to life.

25 Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they who hear shall live.

26 For as the Father has life in himself, so has he given to the Son to have life in himself;

27 and has also given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.

28 Do not marvel at this: for the hour is coming, when all who are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29 and shall come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgement.

30 I can do nothing of my own self: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father who has sent me.

31 If I bear witness concerning myself, my witness is not true.

32 There is another who bears witness concerning me; and I know that the witness which he witnesses of me is true.

33 You sent to John, and he bore witness to the truth.

34 But I do not receive witness from man: but these things I say, that you might be saved.

35 He was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father has given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me.

37 And the Father himself, who has sent me, has borne witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

38 And you do not have his word remaining in you: for whom he has sent, him you do not believe.

39 Search the scriptures: for in them you think to have eternal life, and they are those which witness of me.

40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

41 I do not receive praise from men.

42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.

43 I am come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.

44 How can you believe, who receive praise from one of another, and do not seek the praise that comes from God only?

45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father; there is one that accuses you: Moses, in whom you trust.

46 For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me, for he wrote concerning me.

47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?

John - Chapter 6

1 After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.

2 And a huge crowd followed him, because they saw his miracles which he performed on those who were diseased.

3 And Jesus went up onto a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

4 And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.

5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company coming to him, he said to Philip,: 'From where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?'

6 And this he said to test him: for he himself knew what he would do.

7 Philip answered him: 'Two hundred pennies of bread is not sufficient for them, that everyone of them may take a little.'

8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him:

9 'There is a lad here, who has five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?'

10 And Jesus said: 'Make the men sit down.' Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he gave to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were sat down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they desired.

12 When they were filled, he said to his disciples: 'Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing is lost.'

13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained to them who had eaten.

14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said: 'This is truly the prophet that was to come into the world.'

15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again onto a mountain himself alone.

16 And when evening was now come, his disciples went down to the sea,

17 And entered into a boat, and went over the sea towards Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them.

18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

19 So when they had rowed about twenty five or thirty stadia (three or four miles), they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near to the boat, and they were afraid.

20 But he said to them: 'It is I, do not be afraid.'

21 Then they willingly received him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

22 The following day, the people, who stood on the other side of the sea saw, that no other boat was there, except that one into which his disciples had entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone,

23 and there came other boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate bread, after the Lord had given thanks.

24 Now when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they also took boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him: 'Rabbi, when did you come here?'

26 Jesus answered them and said: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled.

27 Do not labour for food which perishes, but for that food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give to you: for him God the Father has approvingly sealed.

28 Then they said to him: 'What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?'

29 Jesus answered and said to them: 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.'

30 Therefore, they said to him: 'What sign do you show then, that we may see, and believe you? What do you work?

31 Our fathers ate manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'

32 Then Jesus said to them: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, Moses did not give you that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.'

34 Then they said to him: 'Lord, always give us this bread.'

35 And Jesus said to them: 'I am the bread of life: he who comes to me shall never hunger; and he who believes in me shall never thirst.

36 But I said to you, that you also have seen me, and do not believe.

37 All who the Father gives me shall come to me; and him who comes to me I will certainly not throw out.

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

39 And this is the Father's will who has sent me, that of all whom he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again on the last day.

40 And this is the will of him who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up on the last day.

41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said 'I am the bread which came down from heaven.'

42 And they said: 'Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he said 'I came down from heaven'?

43 Therefore Jesus answered and said to them: 'Do not murmur among yourselves.'

44 No one can come to me, except the Father who has sent me draws him: and I will raise him up on the last day.

45 It is written in the prophets: 'And they shall be all taught of God,' Therefore everyone who has heard, and has learned from the Father, comes to me.

46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God, he has seen the Father.

47 Amen, amen, I say to you, he who believes in me has everlasting life.

48 I am the bread of life.

49 Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness and are dead.

50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it, and not die.

51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eats of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

52 The Jews therefore argued among themselves, saying: 'How can this man give us his flesh to eat?'

53 Then Jesus said to them: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

54 Whoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has everlasting life; and I will raise him up on the last day.

55 For my flesh is truly food, and my blood is truly drink.

56 He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, remains in me, and I in him.

57 As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he who eats me, even he shall live by me.

58 This is the bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers ate manna, and are dead: he who eats of this bread shall live forever.

59 These things he spoke in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60 Therefore many of his disciples, when they had heard this, said: 'This is a hard word; who can hear it?

61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured about it, he said to them: 'Does this offend you?

62 Then what if you shall see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before?

63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you are spirit and life.

64 But there are some of you that do not believe.' For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were that did not believe, and who would betray him.

65 And he said: 'Therefore I said to you, that no one is able to come to me, except it has been given to him out of my Father.

66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and no longer walked with him.

67 Then said Jesus to the twelve: 'Will you also go away?'

68 Then Simon Peter answered him: 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life:

69 and we believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

70 Jesus answered them: 'Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for it was he that would betray him, though he was one of the twelve.

John - Chapter 7

1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him.

2 Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was near.

3 Therefore, his brothers said to him: 'Move from here, and go into Judea, that your disciples may also see the works that you do.

4 For there is no one that does anything in secret, and he himself seeks to be known in public. If you are doing these things, make yourself clearly visible to the world.

5 For as yet his brothers did not believe in him.

6 Then Jesus said to them: 'My time has not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

7 The world cannot hate you, but me it hates, because I witness concerning it, that its works are evil.

8 You go up to this feast: I am not yet going to this feast, for my time is not yet fulfilled.

9 When he had said these words to them, he remained still in Galilee.

10 But when his brothers had gone up, then he went also up to the feast, not openly, but as in secret.

11 Then the Jews searched for him at the feast, and said: 'Where is he?'

12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said 'He is a good man' others said 'No, but he deceives the people.'

13 Yet no one spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.

14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

15 And the Jews marvelled, saying: 'How does this man know letters, having never learned?

16 Jesus answered them, and said: 'My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.'

17 If anyone desires to do his will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.

18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him, the same is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you performs the law? Why are you seeking to kill me?'

20 The people answered and said: 'You have a devil: who is seeking to kill you?

21 Jesus answered and said to them: 'I have done one work, and you all marvel.'

22 Moses therefore gave circumcision to you (not because it is out of Moses, but out of the fathers) and you on the Sabbath day circumcise a man.

23 If a man on the Sabbath day receives circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken: are you angry with me, because I have made a man entirely whole on the Sabbath day?

24 Do not judge according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem: 'Is not this he, whom they are seeking to kill?

26 But, look, he speaks boldly, and they say nothing to him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?

27 Yet we know this man, where he is from: but when Christ comes, no one knows where he is from.

28 Then Jesus cried out in the temple as he taught, saying: 'You both know me, and you know where I am from: and I am not come from myself, but he who sent me is true, whom you do not know.

29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he has sent me.'

30 Then they were seeking to seize him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

31 And many of the people believed in him, and said: 'When Christ comes, will he do more miracles than these which this man has done?'

32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to seize him.

33 Then said Jesus to them: 'Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go to him who sent me.

34 You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, there you cannot come.'

35 Then said the Jews among themselves: 'Where will he go, that we will not find him? Will he go to those dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

36 What manner of saying is this that he said, you shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, there you cannot come?'

37 On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying: 'If any man thirsts, let him come to me, and drink.

38 He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of water of life.

39 But this he spoke of the Spirit, which those who believed in him would receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

40 Therefore, many of the people, when they heard this word, said: 'Truly this is the Prophet.'

41 Others said: 'This is the Christ.' But some said: 'Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

42 Does the scripture not say that Christ comes out of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?'

43 So there was a division among the people because of him.

44 And some of them desired to seize him, but no one laid hands on him.

45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them: 'Why have you not brought him?'

46 The officers answered: 'No one ever spoke like this man.'

47 Then the Pharisees answered them: 'Are you also deceived?'

48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?

49 But this people who does not know the law is cursed.

50 Nicodemus said to them, he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them:

51 'Does our law judge a man, before it hears him, and knows what he has done?'

52 They answered and said to him: 'Are you also out of Galilee? Search, and look: for no prophet arises out of Galilee.

53 And each one went to his own house.

John - Chapter 8

1 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and he sat down, and taught them.

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman caught in adultery; and set her in the middle,

4 and said to him: 'Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.

5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: therefore what do you say?'

6 And this they said to test him, that they might have the means to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he did not hear them.

7 And while they continued asking him, he lifted himself up, and said to them: 'Let him among you who is without sin, throw the first stone at her.'

8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9 And when they heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, they went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even to the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the middle.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said to her: 'Woman, where are those your accusers? Has no one condemned you?'

11 She said: 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said to her: 'Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more.'

12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying: 'I am the light of the world: he who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.'

13 The Pharisees therefore said to him: 'You bear witness of yourself; your witness is not true.'

14 Jesus answered and said to them: 'Though I bear witness of myself, yet my witness is true: for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you cannot tell where I come from, and where I am going.

15 You judge according to the flesh; I am judging no one.

16 And also if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent me.

17 And it is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

18 I am one who bears witness of myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness of me.

19 Then they said to him: 'Where is your Father?' Jesus answered: 'You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you would have known my Father also.'

20 Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no one laid hands on him, for his hour had not yet come.

21 Then said Jesus again to them: 'I am going away, and you shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: where I am going, you cannot come.'

22 Then said the Jews: 'Will he kill himself? Because he said 'Where I go, you cannot come.'

23 And he said to them: 'You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for unless you believe that I am he, you shall die in your sins.'

25 Then they said to him: 'Who are you?' And Jesus said to them: 'Even the same that I said to you from the beginning.

26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you: but he who sent me is true, and the things that I have heard from him, those I speak to the world.

27 They did not understand that he spoke to them of the Father.

28 Then said Jesus to them: 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you shall know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.

29 And he who sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I always do those things that please him.'

30 As he spoke these words, many believed in him.

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed in him: 'If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples;

32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.'

33 They answered him: 'We are Abraham's seed, and have never been enslaved by anyone: how can you 'you shall be set free'?

34 Jesus answered them: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever commits sin is the slave of sin.

35 And the slave does not remain in the house forever: but the Son remains ever.

36 Therefore, if the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.

37 I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.

38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.'

39 They answered and said to him: 'Abraham is our father.' Jesus said to them: 'If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.'

40 But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard from God: Abraham did not do this.

41 You perform the acts of your father.' Then they said to him: 'We are not born of fornication; we have one Father, who is God.'

42 Jesus said to them: 'If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither did I come from myself, but he sent me.

43 Why do you not understand my speech? Because you cannot hear my word.

44 You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me.

46 Which of you can rebuke me of sin? And if I speak the truth, why do you not believe me?

47 He who is out of God hears God's words: therefore you do not hear them, because you are not out of God.'

48 Then answered the Jews, and said to him: 'Do we not rightly say that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil?'

49 Jesus answered: 'I do not have a devil; but I honour my Father, and you dishonour me.

50 And I do not seek my own glory: there is one that seeks and judges.

51 Amen, amen, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he shall never see death.'

52 Then said the Jews to him: 'Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say 'If anyone keeps my word, he shall never taste of death.'

53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead: who do you make yourself?'

54 Jesus answered: 'If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father who honours me, whom you say, that he is your God.

55 Yet you have not known him, but I know him: and if I should say, I do not know him, I would be a liar like you: but I know him, and keep his word.

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.'

57 Then said the Jews to him: 'You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?'

58 Jesus said to them: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.'

59 Then they took up stones to throw at him: but Jesus hid himself, and left the temple, going through the middle of them, and so went away.

John - Chapter 9

1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man who was blind from his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying: 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?'

3 Jesus answered: 'Neither this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made clearly visible in him.

4 I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no one can work.

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.'

6 When he had spoken so, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

7 and said to him: 'Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which by interpretation is 'Sent').' Therefore, he went away, and washed, and became able to see.

8 The neighbours therefore, and those who before had seen him that he was blind, said: 'Is this not he who sat and begged?'

9 Some said: 'This is he,' others said; 'He is like him.' But he said: 'I am he.'

10 Therefore they said to him: 'How were your eyes opened?'

11 He answered and said: 'A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash,' and I went and washed, and I received sight.

12 Then they said to him: 'Where is he?' He said: 'I do not know.'

13 They brought to the Pharisees him who used to be blind.

14 And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said to them: 'He put clay upon my eyes, and I washed, and can see.'

16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said: 'This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath day.' Others said: 'How can a man who is a sinner do such miracles?' And there was a division among them.

17 They said to the blind man again: 'What do you say concerning him, because he has opened your eyes?' He said: 'He is a prophet.'

18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight.

19 And they asked them, saying: 'Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?'

20 His parents answered them and said: 'We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

21 but by what means he now sees, we do not know; or who has opened his eyes, we do not know: he is of age, ask him: he shall speak for himself.'

22 His parents spoke these words because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had already agreed, that if anyone confessed that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

23 Therefore his parents said, 'He is of age, ask him.'

24 Then they called again the man who was blind, and said to him: 'Give glory to God: we know that this man is a sinner.'

25 He answered and said: 'Whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know: one thing I know, that I was blind, now I see.'

26 Then they said to him again: 'What did he to you? How did he open your eyes?'

27 He answered them: 'I have told you already, and you did not listen: therefore do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to be his disciples?'

28 Then they vilified him, and said: 'You are his disciple, we are Moses' disciples.

29 We know that God spoke to Moses: as for this fellow, we do not know where he is from.'

30 The man answered and said to them: 'Surely this is an amazing thing, that you do not know where he is from, and yet he has opened my eyes.

31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners: but if any man is a worshipper of God, and does his will, him he hears.

32 Since the world began, it was not heard that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.

33 If this man were not from God, he could have done nothing.'

34 They answered and said to him: 'You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?' And they threw him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out; and when he had found him, he said to him: 'Do you believe in the Son of God?'

36 He answered and said: 'Who is he, Lord, that I might believe in him?'

37 And Jesus said to him: 'You have both seen him, and it is he who talks with you.'

38 And he said: 'Lord, I believe.' And he worshipped him.

39 And Jesus said: 'For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see might see; and that those who see might be made blind.

40 And some of the Pharisees who were with him heard these words, and said to him: 'Are we blind also?'

41 Jesus said to them: 'If you were blind, you would have no sin: but now you say 'we see' therefore your sin remains.

John - Chapter 10

1 Amen, amen, I say to you, He who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.

2 But he who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the doorman opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.

4 And when he has sent out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger they will not follow, but they flee from him: for they do not know the voice of strangers.'

6 Jesus spoke this parable to them: but they did not understand what things these were which he spoke to them.

7 Then Jesus said to them again: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief comes only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it in abundance.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

12 But a hired hand, and he who is not the shepherd, neither are the sheep his own, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep.

13 The hired hand flees, because he is a hired hand, and does not care for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known by mine.

15 As the Father knows me, so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep.

16 And I have other sheep, who are not of this fold: those I must bring also, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one sheepfold, and one shepherd.

17 Therefore, my Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down from myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. This commandment I have received of my Father.

19 Then there was a division again among the Jews because of these words.

20 And many of them said: 'He has a devil, and is mad; why listen to him?'

21 Others said: 'These are not the words of one who has a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?'

22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.

24 Then the Jews surrounded him, and said to him: 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.'

25 Jesus answered them: 'I told you, and you do not believe: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

26 But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I said to you.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 and I give to them everlasting life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any seize them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to seize them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

31 Then the Jews again took up stones to stone him.

32 Jesus answered them: 'Many good works I have shown you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me?'

33 The Jews answered him, saying: 'We do not stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy, and because you, being a man, make yourself God.'

34 Jesus answered them: 'Is it not written in your law, 'I said, You are gods'?'

35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

36 do you say of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, 'You blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God?

37 If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe me.

38 But if I do, though you do not believe me, believe the works: that you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

39 Therefore they sought again to take him, but he escaped out of their hands,

40 and went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John first baptized; and there he remained.

41 And many came to him, and said: 'John indeed peformed no miraculous sign, but all the things that John spoke concerning this man were true.'

42 And there many believed in him.

John - Chapter 11

1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.

3 Therefore his sisters sent to him, saying: 'Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.'

4 When Jesus heard it, he said: 'This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified by it.

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6 When he had heard that he was sick, he remained two days still in the same place where he was.

7 Then after that he said to his disciples: 'Let us go into Judea again.'

8 His disciples said to him: 'Rabbi, the Jews recently sought to stone you, and are you going there again?'

9 Jesus answered: 'Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.

10 But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.

11 He spoke these things, and afterwards he said to them: 'Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go to wake him out of sleep.'

12 Then said his disciples: 'Lord, if he sleeps, he shall be made whole.'

13 Yet Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of natural sleep.

14 Then said Jesus to them plainly: Lazarus is dead.

15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe; nevertheless let us go to him.'

16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, to his fellow disciples: 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'

17 Then Jesus came, and found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

18 Now Bethany was near to Jerusalem, about two miles off:

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet him: but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha to Jesus: 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have not died.

22 But now I also know, that whatever you desire to ask of God, God will give it to you.'

23 Jesus said to her: 'Your brother shall rise again.'

24 Martha said to him: 'I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection on the last day.'

25 Jesus said to her: 'I am the resurrection and the life: he who believes in me, though he were dead, yet he will live:

26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'

27 She said to him: 'Yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who would come into the world.'

28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying: 'The Teacher has come, and calls for you.'

29 And when she heard it, she arose quickly, and came to him.

30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met him.

31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying: 'She goes to the grave to weep there.'

32 Then when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him: 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.'

33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping, who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

34 and said: 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him: 'Lord, come and see.'

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said: 'Behold how he loved him.'

37 And some of them said: 'Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind, have also made this man not to have died?'

38 Therefore, Jesus again groaned in himself, and came to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone laid upon it.

39 Jesus said: 'Take away the stone.' Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him: 'Lord, by this time he smells: for he has been dead four days.'

40 Jesus said to her: 'Did I not say to you, that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?'

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said: 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me.

42 And I know that you always hear me: but because of the people who stand by, I said it, that they may believe that you have sent me.

43 And when he had spoken these things, he cried with a loud voice: 'Lazarus, come out!'

44 And he who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with bandages: and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them: 'Loose him, and let him go.'

45 Then many of the Jews who came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed in him.

46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said: 'What shall do we? For this man does many miraculous signs.

48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place, and the nation.'

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was the high priest that same year, said to them: 'You know nothing at all,

50 nor yet do you consider that it is profitable for us, that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.'

51 And this he spoke not from himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation;

52 and not only for that nation, but that he should also gather together into one the children of God who were scattered.

53 Then from that day on they consulted together to put him to death.

54 Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews; but went from there to a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there remained with his disciples.

55 And the Jews' Passover was near: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.

56 Then they searched for Jesus, and spoke among themselves, as they stood in the temple: 'What do you think, will he not come to the feast?'

57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if any man knew where he were, he should disclose it, that they might seize him.

John - Chapter 12

1 Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had died, whom he raised from the dead.

2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him.

3 Then Mary took a pound of very expensive spikenard perfume and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray him, said:

5 'Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?'

6 Now he said this, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and carried all that was given.

7 Then said Jesus: 'Leave her alone: for the day of my burial she has kept this.

8 For the poor you always have with you; but me you do not have always.'

9 Then many people of the Jews knew that he was there, and they came not only for Jesus' sake, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

10 Therefore the chief priests consulted how they might put Lazarus to death also,

11 because on account of him, many of the Jews went away, and believed in Jesus.

12 On the next day a huge crowd had come to the feast; when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13 they took branches of palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried: 'Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord!'

14 And Jesus found a young donkey, and sat upon it; as it is written:

15 'Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion: behold, your King comes, sitting on an donkey's colt.'

16 But his disciples did not understand these things at first: but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things to him.

17 Therefore, the people that were with him bore witness that he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead.

18 For this reason the people also met him, because they heard that he had performed this miraculous sign.

19 And the Pharisees therefore said among themselves: 'Do you see how we are gaining nothing? Behold, the world has gone after him.'

20 Now there were certain Greeks among them who came up to worship at the feast,

21 and they came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying: 'Sir, we would see Jesus.'

22 Philip came and told Andrew, and again Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

23 And Jesus answered them, saying: 'The hour has come, that the Son of Man must be glorified.

24 Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone: but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

25 He who loves his life shall lose it, and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it into life eternal.

26 If any man serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there my servant shall also be: if any man serves me, my Father will honour him.

27 Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour, but for this reason I came to this hour.

28 Father, glorify your name.' Then there came a voice from heaven, saying: 'I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.'

29 Then people that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered; others said: 'An angel spoke to him.'

30 Jesus answered and said: 'This voice did not come because of me, but for your sakes.

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now the prince of this world shall be thrown out.

32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me.'

33 Now he said this, signifying what death he would die.

34 The people answered him: 'We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever: and why do you say, the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?'

35 Then Jesus said to them: 'Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, in case darkness comes upon you: for he who walks in darkness does not know where he goes.

36 While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light.' Jesus spoke these things and departed, and hid himself from them.

37 But though he had done so many miraculous signs before them, yet they did not believe in him:

38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: 'Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?'

39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah says again:

40 'He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I would heal them.'

41 These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.

42 However, even among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, in case they should be thrown out of the synagogue.

43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

44 Jesus cried out and said: 'He who believes in me, does not believe in me, but in him who sent me.

45 And he who sees me sees him who sent me.

46 I have come a light into the world, that whoever believes in me should not remain in darkness.

47 And if any man hears my words, and does not believe, I do not judge him: for I did not come not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48 He who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has one who judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him on the last day.

49 For I have not spoken from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: the things therefore that I say, I speak so as the Father has spoken to me.

John - Chapter 13

1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come that he should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 And when supper was done, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God, and was going to God;

4 he rose from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and wrapped himself.

5 After that he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was wrapped.

6 Then he came to Simon Peter: and Peter said to him: 'Lord, do you wash my feet?'

7 Jesus answered and said to him: 'What I do, you do not know now; but you shall know after this.'

8 Peter said to him: 'You shall never wash my feet.' Jesus answered him: 'If I do not wash you, you have no portion with me.'

9 Simon Peter said to him: 'Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.'

10 Jesus said to him: 'He who is washed needs only to wash his feet, but is entirely: and you are clean, but not all.'

11 For he knew who would betray him, therefore he said: 'You are not all clean.'

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had put on his garments, and was set down again, he said to them: 'Do you know what I have done for you?

13 You call me Teacher and Lord: and you say rightly, for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feets you also ought to wash one another's feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

16 Amen, amen, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his master, neither an apostle greater than he who sent him.'

17 If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.

18 I do not speak of you all, I know whom I have chosen, but that the scripture may be fulfilled: 'He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.'

19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it has come to pass, you may believe that I am he.

20 Amen, amen, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me.'

21 When Jesus had said these things, he was troubled in spirit, and witnessed, and said: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, that one of you shall betray me.'

22 Then the disciples looked one on another, perplexed concerning whom he spoke.

23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it would be of whom he spoke.

25 He then lying on Jesus' breast said to him: 'Lord, who is it?'

26 Jesus answered: 'It is he, to whom I shall give a piece of bread, after I have dipped it.' And when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

27 And after the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus to him: 'That you do, do quickly.'

28 Now no one at the table knew for what reason he spoke this to him.

29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said to him 'buy those things that we have need of for the feast' or, that he should give something to the poor.

30 As soon as he had received the piece of bread, he went out immediately: and it was night.

31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said: 'Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall immediately glorify him.

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me, and as I said to the Jews, where I go, you cannot come; so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one among one another.

36 Simon Peter said to him: 'Lord, where do you go? Jesus answered him: 'Where I go, you cannot follow me now, but you shall follow me afterwards.'

37 Peter said to him: 'Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake.'

38 Jesus answered him: 'Will you lay down your life for my sake? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock shall not crow, until you have denied me three times.
John - Chapter 14

1 And he said to his disciples: 'Do not let your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.

5 Thomas said to him: 'Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?'

6 Jesus said to him: 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father, but by me.

7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also: and from now on you know him, and have seen him.

8 Philip said to him: 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.'

9 Jesus said to him: 'Have I been so long a time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; and how then do you say you, show us the Father?

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do speak not from myself: but the Father who dwells in me, he does the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

12 Amen, amen, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he shall also do; and greater works than these he shall do, because I go to my Father.

13 And whatever you shall ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.

15 If you love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may remain with you forever,

17 the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see him, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

19 Yet a little while, and the world shall see me no more; but you shall see me: because I live, you shall live also.

20 On that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

21 He who has my commandments, and keeps them, it is he who loves me: and he who loves me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will make myself clearly visible to him.

22 Judas said to him, not Iscariot: 'Lord, how is it that you will make yourself clearly visible to us, and not to the world?'

23 Jesus answered and said to him: 'If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our dwelling with him.

24 He who does not love me, does not keep my words: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.

25 These things have I spoken to you, being present with you.

26 But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

28 You have heard how I said to you, I go away, and come again to you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go to the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

29 And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it has come to pass, you might believe.

30 After this, I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me.

31 But that the world may know that I love my Father; and as the Father has commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

John - Chapter 15

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.

2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it, that it may produce more fruit.

3 Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you.

4 Remain in me, and I in you: as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.

5 I am the vine, you are the branches: he who remains in me, and I in him, the same produces much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.

6 If a man does not remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you shall ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

8 In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and be made my disciples.

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: remain in my love.

10 If you keep my commandments, you shall remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love.

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12 This is my commandment: that you love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love has no one than this, that anyone lay down his life for his friends.

14 You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.

15 From now on, I do not call you servants; for the servant does not know what his master does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.

16 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and appointed you, that you should go and produce fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

20 Remember the word that I said to you, the servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my word, they will also keep yours.

21 But all these things they will do to you for my name's sake, because they do not know him who sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.

23 He who hates me hates my Father also.

24 If I had not done works among them which no one else did, they would not have had sin: but they have now both seen and hated both me and my Father.

25 But it is that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law: 'They hated me without a cause.'

26 But when the Comforter shall come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he shall witness concerning me.

27 And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

John - Chapter 16

1 These things have I spoken to you, that you should not be offended.

2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time comes, that whoever kills you will think that he is serving God.

3 And they will do these things to you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

4 But I have told you these things, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

5 But now I go away to him who sent me; and none of you asks me: 'Where do you go?

6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is profitable for you that I go away: for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.

8 And when he is come, he will persuade the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment:

9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;

10 concerning righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you shall see me no more;

11 concerning judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

13 Yet when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak from himself: but whatever he shall hear, that he will speak: and he will show you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive out of mine, and shall declare it to you.

15 All things that the Father has are mine: therefore I said, that he shall take out of mine, and shall declare it to you.

16 A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me, because I go to the Father.

17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves: 'What is this that he says to us, a little while, and you shall not see me; and again, a little while, and you shall see me; and, because I go to the Father?'

18 Therefore, they said: 'What is this that he said, a little while? We do not know what he is saying.'

19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask him, and said to them: 'Do you enquire among yourselves concerning that I said, a little while, and you shall not see me; and again, a little while, and you shall see me?'

20 Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21 A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour has come: but as soon as she has delivered the child, she remembers the anguish no more, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22 And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one shall take from you.

23 And in that day you shall ask me for nothing. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

24 Until now, you have asked for nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.

25 These things have I spoken to you in parables: but the time comes, when I shall speak to you in parables no more, but I shall plainly declare to you concerning the Father.

26 On that day you shall ask in my name, and I do not say to you, that I will ask the Father concerning you:

27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

28 I came out from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

29 His disciples said to him: 'Look, now speak you plainly, and speak no parable.

30 Now we know that you know all things, and do not need that any man should ask you: by this we believe that you came out from God.'

31 Jesus answered them: 'Do you now believe?

32 Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, each one into his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have affliction: but take courage: I have overcome the world.'

John - Chapter 17

1 Jesus spoke these things, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said: 'Father, the hour has come: glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you;

2 as you have given him authority over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

4 I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify me with your own self, with the glory which I had with you before the world was.

6 I have made your name clearly visible to the men which you gave me out of the world: they were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

7 Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you.

8 For I have given to them the words which you gave me; and they have received them, and have known truly that I came out from you, and have believed that you have sent me.

9 I ask concerning them: I do not ask concerning the world, but for those whom you have given to me; for they are yours.

10 And all mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, those whom you have given me, that they may be one, as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name: those that you gave to me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world.

15 I do not ask that you should take them out of the world, but that you keep them out of evil.

16 They are not of the world, as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.

18 As you have sent me into the world, so I have also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither do I ask concerning these alone, but for those who shall also believe in me through their word;

21 that they all may be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me.

22 And the glory which you gave me I have given them; that they may be one, as we are one:

23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be made complete into one; and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me.

24 Father, I desire that those whom you have given me, be also with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father, the world has not known you: but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me.

26 And I have made your name known to them, and will make it known: that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.

John - Chapter 18

1 When Jesus had spoken these things, he went out with his disciples over the Kidron Brook, where there was a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples.

2 And Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus often gathered there with his disciples.

3 Then Judas, after he had received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

4 Therefore, Jesus, knowing all things that should come upon him, went out, and said to them: 'Whom do you seek?

5 They answered him: 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus said to them: 'I am he.' And Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them.

6 As soon then as he had said to them 'I am he,' they went backwards, and fell to the ground.

7 Then he asked them again: 'Whom do you seek?' And they said: 'Jesus of Nazareth.'

8 Jesus answered: 'I said to you that I am he: therefore, if you seek me, let these go away.'

9 This was so that the word might be fulfilled, which he spoke: 'Of those whom you gave me, I have lost none.'

10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

11 Then said Jesus to Peter: 'Put up your sword into the sheath: shall I not drink the cup which my Father has given me?'

12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

13 and led him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the high priest that same year.

14 Now Caiaphas was he who gave counsel to the Jews, that it was profitable that one man should die for the people.

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then went out that other disciple, who was known to the high priest, and spoke to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

17 Then said the maid that kept the door said to Peter: 'Are not you also one of this man's disciples?' He said: 'I am not.'

18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood among them, and warmed himself.

19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his teaching.

20 Jesus answered him: 'I spoke openly to the world, I always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always gather; and in secret I have said nothing.

21 Why do you question me? Question those who heard me, what I have said to them: behold, they know what I said.'

22 And when he had spoken so, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying: 'Do you answer the high priest so?'

23 Jesus answered him: 'If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if rightly, why did you strike me?'

24 Now Annas had sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him: 'Are you not also one of his disciples?' He denied it, and said: 'I am not.'

26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off, said: 'Did not I see you in the garden with him?'

27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crowed.

28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves did not go into the judgment hall, in case they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover.

29 Pilate then went out to them, and said: 'What accusation do you bring against this man?'

30 They answered and said to him: 'If he were not a criminal, we would not have delivered him over to you.'

31 Then said Pilate to them: 'You take him, and judge him according to your law.' The Jews therefore said to him: 'It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.'

32 This was so that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying what death he should die.

33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said to him: 'Are you the King of the Jews?'

34 Jesus answered him: 'Do you say this from yourself, or did others tell it to you concerning me?'

35 Pilate answered: 'Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you to me: what have you done?'

36 Jesus answered: 'My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from here.'

37 Pilate therefore said to him: 'Are you a king then?' Jesus answered: 'You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hears my voice.'

38 Pilate said to him: 'What is truth?' And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them: 'I find in him no fault at all.

39 But you have a custom, that I should release to you one at the Passover: therefore, do you desire that I release to you the King of the Jews?'

40 Then they all cried again, saying: 'Not this one, but Barabbas.' Now Barabbas was a robber.

John - Chapter 19

1 Then Pilate took Jesus, and whipped him.

2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple garment,

3 and said: 'Hail, King of the Jews!' And they struck him with their hands.

4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them: 'Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in him.'

5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them: 'Behold the man!'

6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw him, they cried out, saying: 'Crucify him, crucify him.' Pilate said to them: 'You take him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.'

7 The Jews answered him: 'We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.'

8 When Pilate then heard that word, he was more afraid,

9 and went again into the judgment hall, and said to Jesus: 'Where are you from?' But Jesus gave him no answer.

10 Then said Pilate to him: 'Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to crucify you, and have authority to release you?'

11 Jesus answered: 'You could have no authority at all over me, unless it was given to you from above; therefore, he who delivered me to you has the greater sin.'

12 And from then on Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying: 'If you let this man go, you are not Caesar's friend: whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.'

13 When Pilate heard that word, he brought Jesus out, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

14 And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he said to the Jews: 'Behold your King!'

15 But they cried out: 'Away with him, away with him, crucify him.' Pilate said to them: 'Shall I crucify your King?' The chief priests answered: 'We have no king but Caesar.'

16 Then he delivered him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

17 And he carried his own cross, and came into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha:

18 where they crucified him, and two others with him, one on either side, and Jesus in the middle.

19 And Pilate also wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was: 'Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.'

20 Then many of the Jews read this title: for the place where Jesus was crucified was near to the city, and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

21 Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: 'Do not write, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.'

22 Pilate answered: 'What I have written, I have written.'

23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garment, and made four parts, to each soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

24 They said therefore among themselves: 'Let us not tear it, but throw lots for it, whose it shall be.' This was so that the scripture might be fulfilled, which says: 'They divided my garments among them, and for my coat they cast lots.' These things therefore the soldiers did.

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.

26 And when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said to his mother: 'Woman, behold your son!'

27 Then he said to the disciple: 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: 'I thirst.'

29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

30 Now when Jesus had received the vinegar, he said: 'It is finished' and he bowed his head, and gave up the spirit.

31 Then the Jews, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, for that Sabbath day was a high day, asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

32 Then the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him.

33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they did not break not his legs.

34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

35 And he who saw it bore witness, and his witness is true: and he knows that he speaks truth, so that you might believe.

36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled: 'Not a bone of him shall be broken.'

37 And again another scripture said: 'They shall look on him whom they pierced.'

38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take down the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him permission. Therefore, he came and took the body of Jesus.

39 And Nicodemus also came, who at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds.

40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as it is the manner of the Jews to bury.

41 Now in the place where Jesus was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.

42 There they then laid Jesus because of the Jews' preparation day; for the tomb was near.

John - Chapter 20

1 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb.

2 Then she ran, and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them: 'They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.'

3 Peter therefore went out, and that other disciple, and came to the tomb.

4 So they both ran together, but the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb.

5 And he stooped down, and saw the linen clothes lying; yet he did not go in.

6 Then Simon Peter came following him, and went into the tomb, and saw the linen clothes lying,

7 and the facecloth, that was around his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

8 Then the other disciple also went in, who came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed.

9 For as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

10 Then the disciples went away again to their own home.

11 But Mary stood outside at the tomb weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the tomb,

12 and saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13 And they said to her: 'Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them: 'Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.'

14 And when she had spoken so, she turned around, and saw Jesus standing, but did not know that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus said to her: 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?' She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him: 'Sir, if you have carried him from here, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.'

16 Jesus said to her: 'Mary.' She turned around, and said to him: 'Rabboni' which is to say, Teacher.

17 Jesus said to her: 'Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brothers, and say to them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.'

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things to her.

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the middle, and said to them: 'Peace to you.'

20 And when he had so said, he showed to them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad, when they saw the Lord.

21 Then said Jesus to them again: 'Peace to you: as my Father has sent me, so I send you.'

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: 'Receive the Holy Spirit:

23 the sins of anyone you forgive, they are forgiven them; and the sins of anyone you retain, they are retained.'

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 The other disciples therefore said to him: 'We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them: 'Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.'

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the middle, and said: 'Peace to you.'

27 Then he said to Thomas: 'Put your finger here, and see my hands; and reach here your hand, and put it into my side: and do not be faithless, but faithful.'

28 And Thomas answered and said to him: 'My Lord and my God.'

29 Jesus said to him: 'Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.'

30 And indeed Jesus did many other many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 but these things are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that in believing you might have life through his name.

John - Chapter 21

1 After these things Jesus made himself clearly visible again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and in this way he made himself clearly visible.

2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

3 Simon Peter said to them: 'I am going fishing.' They said to him: 'We also go with you.' They went out, and immediately entered into a boat, and that night they caught nothing.

4 But when the morning came, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

5 Then Jesus said to them: 'Sirs, have you any food? They answered him: 'No.'

6 And he said to them: 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you shall find.' They cast out and they were not able at all to draw it, for the multitude of fish.

7 Therefore, the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter: 'It is the Lord.' Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer garment about him, for he was naked, and threw himself into the sea.

8 And the other disciples came by boat, for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits, and they dragged the net with fish.

9 As soon then as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals, and fish laid upon it, and bread.

10 Jesus said to them: 'Bring of the fish which you have now caught.'

11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, a hundred and fifty and three: and although there were so many, still the net was not broken.

12 Jesus said to them: 'Come and have breakfast.' And none of the disciples dared ask him 'who are you?' knowing that it was the Lord.

13 Jesus then came, and took bread, and gave to them, and the fish likewise.

14 This was now the third time that Jesus made himself clearly visible to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead.

15 So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter: 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?' He said to him: 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' He said to him: 'Feed my lambs.'

16 He said to him again the second time: 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?' He said to him: 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' He said to him: 'Shepherd my sheep.'

17 He said to him the third time: 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time 'do you love me?' And he said to him: 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him: 'Feed my sheep.'

18 Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were young, you clothed yourself, and walked where you desired: but when you shall be old, you shall stretch out your hands, and another shall cloth you, and carry you where you do not desire.'

19 This he spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he said to him: 'Follow me.'

20 Then Peter, turning around, and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who also leaned upon his breast at supper, and said: 'Lord, which is he who betrays you?'

21 Peter seeing him said to Jesus: 'Lord, and what shall this man do?'

22 Jesus said to him: 'If I desire that he remains until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.'

23 Then this word was spread among the brothers, that this disciple would not die: yet Jesus did not say to him 'he shall not die' but: 'If I desire that he remains until I come, what is that to you?'

24 This is the disciple who witnesses concerning these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

25 Now there are also many other things which Jesus did, if they should be written, each one, I suppose the world could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Acts: the School of the Kingdom

Chapter 1

1 I have made the former account, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 until the day in which he was taken up, after he, through the Holy Spirit, had given commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen:

3 to whom he also presented himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen by them over forty days, and speaking of those things concerning the kingdom of God.

4 And when he had gathered them together, he commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said: 'You have heard from me.

5 For John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'

6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked of him, saying: 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?'

7 And he said to them: 'It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has laid down in his own authority.'

8 But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they looked, he was taken up: for a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked steadfastly towards heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing;

11 who also said: 'You men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.'

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is a Sabbath day's journey from Jerusalem.

13 And when they had come in, they went up into an upper room, where they were staying: both Peter, and Jacob, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, Jacob the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of Jacob.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples, the number of names together were about a hundred and twenty, and said:

16 'Men and brothers, this scripture must of necessity have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, who was a guide to those who took Jesus.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained a portion of this ministry.'

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst apart in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it was known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; therefore this field is called in their own tongue: 'Akeldama' that is 'The field of blood.'

20 'For it is written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his habitation be desolate, and let no one dwell in it, and let another take his oversight.'

21 Therefore of these men which have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 beginning from the baptism of John, to that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be made a witness with us of his resurrection.'

23 And they presented two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, and said: 'You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which of these two you have chosen,

25 that he may take the portion of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, to go to his own place.

26 And they gave out their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts - Chapter 2

1 And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a violent rushing wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared to them divided tongues, like fire, and they sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, men who feared God, out of every nation under heaven.

6 Now when this sound was made, the multitude came together, and were astonished, because each man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were wondered and marvelled, saying one to another: 'Behold, are not all these who speak Galileans?

8 How then do we hear each man in our own tongue, in which we were born?

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, and of Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, of Egypt, and in the parts of Libya which are beside Cyrene, and foreigners from Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians: we hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.'

12 And they were all amazed, and perplexed, saying one to another: 'What does this mean?'

13 Others mocked, and said: 'They are full of new wine.'

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said to them: 'You men of Judea, and all you who inhabit Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel,

17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out of my Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke.

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

21 And it shall be, that whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

22 You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know:

23 him, you have taken by the hands of the wicked, being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, and have crucified and slain;

24 whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be held by it.

25 For David speaks concerning him, 'I beheld the Lord always before my face, for he is at my right hand, that I should not be shaken;

26 therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad, and moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope,

27 because you will not leave my soul in hell, neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption.

28 You have made known to me the ways of life, and shall make me full of joy with your face.'

29 Men and brothers, let me boldly speak to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb remains with us to this day.

30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to set him upon his throne;

31 he, seeing this before, spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither did his flesh see corruption.

32 This Jesus has God raised up, of whom we are all witnesses.

33 Since he then by the right hand of God has been exalted, and has received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.

34 For David has not ascended into the heavens: but he said himself, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,

35 until I make your foes your footstool.'

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for sure, that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus, whom you have crucified.'

37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced in their hearts, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles: 'Men and brothers, what shall we do?'

38 Then Peter said to them: 'Repent, and be baptized each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.'

40 And with many other words he witnessed and strongly encouraged, saying: 'Save yourselves from this perverse generation.'

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added some three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all who believed were in one place, and had all things shared;

45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them to all, as any had need.

46 And they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, ate their food together with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 praising God, and had favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the Ekklesia daily, those being saved.

Acts - Chapter 3

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of those who entered into the temple;

3 who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked for alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said: 'Look at us.'

5 And he took notice of them, expecting to receive something from them.

6 Then Peter said: 'Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have, I give to you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.'

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leapt up, stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

10 And they knew him, that it was he who sat for charitable giving at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were amazed and greatly astonished at what had happened to him.

11 And as the lame man who was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's.

12 And when Peter saw it, he answered to the people: 'You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look you so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or godliness we have made this man walk?

13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his son Jesus; whom you betrayed, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had judged to let him go.

14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be given to you;

15 and killed the founding leader of life, whom God has raised from the dead; of which we are witnesses.

16 And his name has made this man sound, whom you see and know, through faith in his name; and the faith which is by him has given to him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

17 And now, brothers, I know that through ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers.

18 But those things, which God before had foretold by the mouth of all his prophets, that the Christ should suffer, he has so fulfilled.

19 Therefore, repent and turn, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before:

21 whom heaven must receive until the time that all things are restored, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

22 For Moses truly said to the fathers: 'A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you of your brothers, like me; him shall you hear in all things whatever he shall say to you.

23 For it shall be, that every soul, who will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.'

24 Also all the prophets from Samuel and those who follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

25 You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed.'

26 First to you, has God raised up his Son Jesus, and him he has sent to bless you, in turning away, each one of you, from your iniquities.'

Acts - Chapter 4

1 And as they spoke to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2 being grieved that they taught the people, and preached in Jesus name the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day: for it was now evening.

4 Yet many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5 And it came to pass on the following day, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6 and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the tribe of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked: 'By what power, or in what name, have you done this?'

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: 'You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9 if we are examined this day upon the good work done to the lame man, by what means he is made whole:

10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised again from the dead, by him does this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was cast aside by you builders, which has become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved.'

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and recognised them, that they had been with Jesus.

14 And beholding also the man who was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it.

15 Then they commanded them to go outside of the council, and conferred among themselves,

16 saying: 'What shall we do to these men? For surely a notable sign has been done by them is clearly visible to all those who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us threaten and order them that, from now on, they speak to no one in this name.

18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said to them: 'Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21 So they threatened them, and let them go, not finding how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for what had been done.

22 For the man was about forty years old, on whom this sign of healing was perfomed.

23 Then as soon as they were let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord, and said: 'O Lord, you are God, who has made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them:

25 who by the mouth of your servant David have said, 'Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the earth assembled, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.'

27 For truly against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, gathered themselves together,

28 to do whatever your hand and your counsel determined before to be done.

29 And now, Lord, behold their threats: and grant to your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word,

30 so that you stretch out your hand, that healing, and signs, and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus.'

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God boldly.

32 And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither did any of them say that anything which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common.

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them who lacked: for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the price of the things that were sold,

35 and laid it down at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each man according as he had need.

36 And Joseph, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (which is, by interpretation, the son of consolation): a Levite, of the country of Cyprus,

37 having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Acts - Chapter 5

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 and kept back part of the price, his wife also with knowledge of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 Then Peter said: 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own authority? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.'

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and his soul departed: and great fear came upon all those who heard these things.

6 And the young men rose up, wrapped him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it came to pass about three hours later, that his wife came in, not knowing what was done.

8 And Peter said to her: 'Tell me, did you sell the land for so much?' And she said: 'Yes, for so much.'

9 Then Peter said to her: 'Why have you agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and shall carry you out.'

10 Then fell she down immediately at his feet, and her soul departed: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her out, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the Ekklesia, and upon as many as heard these things.

12 So by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were worked among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

13 And of the others, no one dared join himself to them: yet the people spoke great things of them.

14 Also the number of those who believed in the Lord, both of men and women, grew more and more.

15 So it was that they brought out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter, when he passed by, might overshadow some of them.

16 There also came a multitude out of the cities surrounding Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented with unclean spirits, who were all healed.

17 Then the chief priest rose up, and all those who were with him, which was the sect of the Sadducees, and were filled with indignation,

18 and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

19 But the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out, and said:

20 'Go and stand in the temple, and speak to the people all the words of this life.'

21 So when they heard this, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. And the chief priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, and all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

22 But when the officers came, and found they were not in the prison, they returned, and reported,

23 saying: 'We found the prison certainly shut as secure as was possible, and the keepers standing outside before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no one within.'

24 Then when the chief priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they were perplexed concerning them, what they would become.

25 Then came one and told them, saying: 'Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.'

26 Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, in case they should have been stoned.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the chief priest asked them,

28 saying: 'Did we not at once command you that you should not teach in this name? And, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.'

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said: 'We ought rather to obey God than men.

30 The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus, whom you killed and hung on a tree.

31 God has exalted Him with his right hand, a founding leader and a saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are his witnesses concerning these things which we say, and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.'

33 When they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to kill them.

34 Then one stood up in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honoured by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out a short while;

35 and said to them: 'Men of Israel, pay attention to yourselves, what you intend to do concerning these men.

36 For before these days Theudas rose up, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men joined themselves, about four hundred, who was slain: and all who obeyed him were scattered, and brought to nothing.

37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished, and all that obeyed him, were scattered.

38 And now I say to you, withdraw from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel, or this work is of men, it will come to nothing:

39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it; in which case you are found even to fight against God.'

40 And they agreed with them, and they called the apostles, and when they had beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for his name.

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Acts - Chapter 6

1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministry.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said: 'It is not fitting that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.'

3 Therefore, brothers, look over among yourselves for seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4 And we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5 And this word pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch;

6 whom they set before the apostles, and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples exceedingly multiplied in Jerusalem; and a huge company of the priests was obedient to the faith.

8 Now Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and of Asia, debating with Stephen.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.

11 Then they instigated men, who said: 'We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.'

12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him to the council,

13 and put forward false witnesses, who said: 'This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law.

14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered to us.'

15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly upon him, saw his face as though it was the face of an angel.

Acts - Chapter 7

1 Then the chief priest said: 'Are these things so?'

2 And he said: 'Men, brothers, and fathers, listen; the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,

3 and said to him: 'Get out of your country, and from your tribe, and come into the land which I shall show you.'

4 Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran: and from there, when his father was dead, he moved into this land, in which you now dwell.

5 And he gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot upon: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.

6 And God spoke in this way, that his seed should dwell in a strange land; and that they would bring them into slavery, and afflict them four hundred years.

7 'And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage I will judge,' says God. 'And after that they shall come out, and serve me in this place.'

8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham fathered Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac fathered Jacob; and Jacob fathered the twelve patriarchs.

9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

10 and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

11 Now there came a famine over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.

12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.

13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Joseph's tribe was made known to Pharaoh.

14 Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob to him, and all his tribe, seventy-five souls.

15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,

16 and were carried over into Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem.

17 But when the time of the promise drew near, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

18 until another king arose, who did not know Joseph.

19 The same dealt craftily with our tribe, and afflicted our fathers, so that they threw out their young children, to the end they might not live.

20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceedingly fair, and was brought up in his father's house three months.

21 And when he was thrown out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and brought him up as her own son.

22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was powerful in words and in deeds.

23 Now when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers the children of Israel.

24 And when he saw one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him who had the harm done to him, and struck the Egyptian.

25 For he supposed his brothers would have understood that God by his hand would deliver them: but they did not understand.

26 And the next day he showed himself to them as they fought, and would have set them at one again, saying: 'Sirs, you are brothers; why do you wrong one another?'

27 But he who did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying: 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?

28 Will you kill me, as you did the Egyptian yesterday?'

29 Then Moses fled at that saying, and was a stranger in the land of Midian, where he fathered two sons.

30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to consider it, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying:

32 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' Then Moses trembled, and did not dare to look.

33 Then the Lord said to him: 'Put off your shoes from your feet: for the place where you stand is holy ground.'

34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you into Egypt.'

35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?' Him God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

36 He brought them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

37 This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, 'The Lord your God shall raise up a prophet for you, of your brothers, like me; him shall you hear.'

38 This is he, who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the living words to give to us.

39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but refused, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

40 saying to Aaron: 'Make us gods to go before us: for we do not know what has become of this Moses, who brought us out of the land of Egypt.'

41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

42 Then God turned himself away, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, 'O you house of Israel, have you offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices over forty years in the wilderness?'

43 But you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which you made to worship them: therefore I will carry you away beyond Babylon.'

44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking to Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

45 Which tabernacle also our fathers who came after brought in with Joshua into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David;

46 who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

47 But Solomon built him a house.

48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands; as the prophet said:

49 'Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will you build for me?' Says the Lord: 'Or what place is it that I should rest?

50 Has not my hand made all these things?'

51 You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you have always resisted the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do you.

52 Which of the prophets have your fathers not persecuted? And they have killed those who foretold of the coming of the Just One; of whom you have now become the betrayers and murderers.

53 Who have received the law by the instituted arrangement of messengers, and have not kept it.'

54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 and said: 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.'

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58 and threw him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen, who called upon God, and said: 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice: 'Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts - Chapter 8

1 And Saul consented to his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the Ekklesia which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made a great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he worked to eliminate the Ekklesia, and entered into every house, and dragged out both men and women, and put them into prison.

4 Therefore those who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.

6 And the people paid attention to those things which Philip spoke, with one accord, hearing and seeing the signs which he performed.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many who were possessed by them: and many paralysed, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, who practiced sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was some great one:

10 to whom they all paid attention, from the least to the greatest, saying: 'This man is the great power of God.'

11 And they paid attention to him, because for a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

12 But as soon as they believed Philip, who preached the things concerning the kingdom of God, and in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13 Then Simon himself also believed: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and was amazed, when he saw the signs and great miracles which were done.

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

15 Who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

16 For as yet, he had fallen upon none of them: they were baptized only in the name of the Lord Jesus.

17 Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

19 saying: 'Give me also this authority, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.'

20 But Peter said to him: 'Your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 You have neither a part nor allotted share in this business: for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God, that if it be possible the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

23 For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.'

24 Then Simon answered, and said: 'Pray to the Lord for me, that none of these things which you have spoken come upon me.'

25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the good news in many villages of the Samaritans.

26 And the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: 'Arise, and go towards the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is a wilderness.'

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a powerful eunuch under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship.

28 And as he returned, he was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said to Philip: 'Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.'

30 And Philip ran there to him, and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said: 'Do you understand what you read?'

31 And he said: 'How can I, except I have a guide?' And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, 'He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb mute before his shearer, so he did not open his mouth.

33 In his humility his judgment has been exalted: but who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth.'

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said: 'I pray you, concerning whom does the prophet speak? Of himself, or of some other man?'

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached to him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water: and the eunuch said: 'See, here is water; what prevents me to be baptized?'

37 And Philip said: 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' Then he answered and said: 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'

38 Then he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And as soon as they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no longer: so he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and he passed through, preaching in all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.

Acts - Chapter 9

1 And Saul, still breathing out threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

2 and desired from him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, either men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 And as he travelled, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shone around him a light from heaven:

4 and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'

5 And he said: 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said: 'I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

6 Then, trembling and astonished, he said: 'Lord, what will you have me to do?' And the Lord said to him: 'Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told to you what you must do.'

7 And the men who travelled with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no one.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision: 'Ananias.' And he said: 'Behold, here I am, Lord.'

11 And the Lord said to him: 'Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prays,

12 and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.'

13 Then Ananias answered: 'Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem:

14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name.'

15 But the Lord said to him: 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.

16 For I will show him how he must suffer many things for my name's sake.'

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said: 'Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, even Jesus, who appeared to you in the way as you came, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as though it had been scales: and he immediately received sight, and arose, and was baptized.

19 And when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul was certain days with the disciples who were in Damascus.

20 And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21 But all who heard him were amazed, and said: 'Isn't this he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and came here for this, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?'

22 But Saul increased more in power, and bewildered the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this one is the Christ.

23 And after many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him.

24 But their lying in wait was known by Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

26 And when Saul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly in Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Greeks: but they went about to kill him.

30 But when the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him out to Tarsus.

31 Then the Ekklesias had rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and were multiplied by the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all regions, he came down also to the saints who dwelt at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years, and was paralysed.

34 And Peter said to him: 'Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole: arise, and make your bed.' And he arose immediately.

35 And all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and charitable giving which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, laid her in an upper room.

38 Now as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent to him two men, desiring that he would not delay to come to them.

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he came, they brought him into the upper room: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

40 But Peter put them all out, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body said: 'Tabitha, arise.' And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41 Then he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

43 And it came to pass, that he remained many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Acts - Chapter 10

1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort called the Italian cohort,

2 a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave much charity to the people, and always prayed to God.

3 He saw in a clear vision (about the ninth hour of the day) an angel of God coming in to him, and saying to him: 'Cornelius.'

4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said: 'What is it, Lord?' And he said to him: 'Your prayers and your giving have come up for a memorial before God.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter.

6 He lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside: he shall tell you what you ought to do.'

7 And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius had departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually,

8 and when he had declared all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 The next day, as they went on their journey, and drew near to the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour.

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance.

11 And he saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending to him, as a great sheet held at the four corners, and let down to the earth;

12 in which were all manner of four-footed animals of the earth, and wild creatures, and creeping things, and birds of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him: 'Rise, Peter, kill and eat.'

14 But Peter said: 'Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.'

15 And the voice spoke to him again the second time: 'The things that God has purified, do not you call common.'

16 This was done three times: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17 Now while Peter was perplexed in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had enquired for Simon's house, and stood at the gate,

18 and called, and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him: 'Behold, three men are seeking you.

20 Arise therefore, and go down, and go with them, and doubt nothing: for I have sent them.'

21 Then Peter went down to the men who were sent to him from Cornelius, and said: 'Behold, I am he whom you seek: what is the reason for which you have come?'

22 And they said: 'Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one who fears God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for you into his house, and to hear words from you.'

23 Then he called them in, and lodged them. And on the next day Peter went away with them, and certain brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

24 And the day after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter took him up, saying: 'Stand up; I myself am also a man.'

27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many who had come together.

28 And he said to them: 'You know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to keep company, or come near to one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

29 Therefore, I came to you without debate, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intention have you sent for me?'

30 And Cornelius said: 'Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your giving has been remembered in the sight of God.

32 Therefore, send to Joppa, and call here Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the seaside: who, when he comes, shall speak to you.

33 Immediately, therefore, I sent to you; and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all here present before God, to hear all things that you are commanded by God.'

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said: 'Truly, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 but in every nation he who fears him, and works righteousness, is acceptable to him.

36 You know the word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all:

37 the word which came through all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they killed and hung on a tree.

40 Him God raised up the third day, and caused that he was shown openly.

41 Not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to witness that it is he who was ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and dead.

43 To him all the prophets give witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive forgiveness of sins.

44 While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.

45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and declare the greatness of God. Then Peter answered:

47 'Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit also as we?'

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to remain several days.
Acts - Chapter 11

1 And the apostles and brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended against him,

3 saying: 'You went in with uncircumcised men, and ate with them.'

4 Then Peter reported the matter from the beginning, and described it by order to them, saying:

5 'I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain vessel coming down, as a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.

6 Upon which when I had fastened my eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed animals of the earth, and wild creatures, and creeping things, and birds of the air.

7 And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Arise, Peter, kill and eat.'

8 But I said: 'Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean has at any time entered into my mouth.'

9 But the voice answered me again from heaven: 'What God has cleansed, do not you call common.'

10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11 And, behold, immediately there were already three men who had come to the house where I was, sent from Caesarea to me.

12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brothers accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house.

13 And he reported to us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said to him: 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

14 who shall tell you words, by which you and all your house shall be saved.'

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

17 For then as God gave them the same gift as he did to us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, that I could withstand God?

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying: 'Then God has granted repentance also to the Gentiles into life.'

19 Now those who were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose concerning Stephen travelled as far as Phoenix, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but to the Jews only.

20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they came to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned to the Lord.

22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the Ekklesia which was in Jerusalem: and they sent out Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and strongly encouraged them all, that with purpose of heart they would remain close to the Lord.

24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and many people were added to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas departed to Tarsus, to seek Saul:

26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the Ekklesia, and taught many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.

28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great famine throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

29 Then the disciples, each man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers who dwelt in Judea:

30 which they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts - Chapter 12

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hands to afflict certain of the Ekklesia.

2 And he killed Jacob the brother of John with the sword.

3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also (then were the days of unleavened bread).

4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four sqauds of soldiers to keep him; intending after Passover to bring him out to the people.

5 So Peter was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing by the Ekklesia to God for him.

6 And when Herod would have brought him out, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the guards before the door guarded the prison.

7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shone in the prison: and he struck Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying: 'Rise up quickly.' And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the angel said to him: 'Gird yourself, and bind on your sandals.' And so he did. And he said to him: 'Throw your garment around you, and follow me.'

9 And he went out, and followed him; and did not know that it was real what was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter came to himself, he said: 'Now I know for certain, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.'

12 And when he had considered, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl came to listen, named Rhoda.

14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she did not open the gate for joy, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

15 And they said to her: 'You are mad.' But she affirmed constantly that it was so. Then they said: 'It is his angel.'

16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

17 But he, beckoning to them with the hand to hold their peace, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said: 'Go report these things to Jacob, and to the brothers.' And he departed, and went into another place.

18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small trouble among the soldiers, what had become of Peter.

19 And when Herod had sought for him, and did not find him, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there he stayed.

20 Then Herod intended to make war with those of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

21 And upon an appointed day Herod, clothed in royal garments, sat upon his throne, and made an oration to them.

22 And the people gave a shout, saying: 'It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.'

23 And immediately the angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory: and he was eaten by worms, and his soul departed.

24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Acts - Chapter 13

1 Now there were in the Ekklesia that was in Antioch certain prophets and teachers: both Barnabas and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said: 'Separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'

3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

4 So they, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, departed to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they also had John as an assistant.

6 And when they had gone through the isle to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, being a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus;

7 who was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas the sorcerer, for so is his name by interpretation, opposed them, seeking to turn the deputy away from the faith.

9 Then Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him,

10 and said: 'O full of all deceit and all mischief, you child of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the straight ways of the Lord?

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season.' And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

13 Now when Paul and his company departed by ship from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: then John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.

14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.

15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying: 'You men and brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, speak on.'

16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said: 'Men of Israel, and you that fear God, listen.

17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm he brought them out of it.

18 And for about the time of forty years he suffered their manners in the wilderness.

19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

20 Then afterwards, he gave judges to them for about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until the time of Samuel the prophet.

21 So after that they desired a king: and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up for them David to be their king; to whom he also witnessed, and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all things that I will.'

23 Of this man's seed, according to his promise, God has raised for Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

24 when John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And when John fulfilled his race, he said: 'Who do you think that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.'

26 Men and brothers, sons of the generation of Abraham, and whoever among you fears God, to you the word of this salvation is sent.

27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know him, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet they desired of Pilate that he should be killed.

29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.

30 But God raised him from the dead:

31 and he was seen many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.

32 And we declare to you, how the promise which was made to the fathers,

33 God has fulfilled it to us their children, in that he has raised up Jesus; as it is also written in the second psalm, 'You are my Son, this day I have fathered you.'

34 Now as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said thus: 'I will give you the holy things of David, which are faithful.'

35 Therefore he also said in another psalm, 'You shall not suffer your Holy One to see corruption.'

36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw corruption.

37 But he whom God raised up, saw no corruption.

38 Let it be known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man the forgiveness of sins is preached to you.

39 And by him all who believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

40 Beware therefore, in case that comes upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets:

41 'Behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which you shall certainly not believe, though a man declare it to you.'

42 And when the Jews had gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

44 And when the next Sabbath day came, almost the whole city gathered together to hear the word of God.

45 But when the Jews saw the crowd, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, and said: 'It was necessary that the word of God should have first been spoken to you: but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, look, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, 'I have made you a light of the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.''

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to everlasting life believed.

49 And the word of the Lord was spread throughout all the country.

50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the leading men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their region.

51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.

52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts - Chapter 14

1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and corrupted their minds against the brothers.

3 So therefore they stayed there a long time, and spoke boldly in the Lord, who gave witness to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be performed by their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and some were with the Jews, and some with the apostles.

5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to do them violence, and to stone them,

6 they were aware of it, and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lyconia, and to the surrounding region,

7 and there were preaching the good news.

8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, lame in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked.

9 The same heard Paul speak: who looked at him steadfastly, and perceived that he had faith to be healed,

10 said with a loud voice: 'Stand upright on your feet.' And he leapt up and walked.

11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lyconia: 'The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.'

12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.

13 Then the priest of Jupiter, who was before their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have performed sacrifice with the people.

14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

15 and saying: 'Sirs, why do you these things? We are also men, subject to the same passions as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in it:

16 who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

17 Yet he did not leave himself without a witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.'

18 And with these words they barely restrained the people from performing sacrifice to them.

19 And there came there certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, dragged him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20 Yet, as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 And when they had preached the good news to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, and strongly encouraging them to continue in the faith, and that we must through many afflictions enter into the kingdom of God.

23 And when they had ordained the elders by election in every Ekklesia, and had prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord, in whom they believed.

24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

26 and from there sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.

27 And when they had come, and had gathered the Ekklesia together, they reported all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Acts - Chapter 15

1 Then certain men who came down from Judea taught the brothers, and said: 'Unless you are circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.'

2 And when there was great division, and argument by Paul and Barnabas against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

3 And being sent out by the Ekklesia, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they brought great joy to all the brothers.

4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the Ekklesia, and by the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying it was necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

6 And the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

7 And when there had been much debate, Peter rose up, and said to them: 'Men and brothers, you know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the good news, and believe.

8 And God, who knows the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did to us;

9 and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10 Now therefore why do you test God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.'

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what signs and wonders God had performed among the Gentiles by them.

13 And after they had held their peace, Jacob answered, saying: 'Men and brothers, listen to me.

14 Simeon has declared how God at first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

15 And to this the words of the prophets agree; as it is written:

16 'After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins of it, and I will set it up,

17 that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, says the Lord, who does all these things.'

18 From eternity, God knows all his works.

19 Therefore my sentence is that we do not trouble them, those from among the Gentiles who have turned to God:

20 but that we write to them, that they abstain from defilement of idols, and from fornication, and from strangled things, and from blood.

21 For Moses since ancient times has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole Ekklesia, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers.

23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner: 'The apostles and elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

24 as we have heard, that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, disturbing your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law' - to whom we gave no such command.

25 It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29 that you abstain from food offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled things, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Farewell.'

30 Now when they were departed, they came to Antioch, and after they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

31 And when they had read the letter, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32 And Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, strongly encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.

33 And after they had remained there for a time, they were let go in peace from the brothers to the apostles.

34 Yet it pleased Silas to continue to remain there.

35 Paul and Barnabas also continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36 And some days after Paul said to Barnabas: 'Let us go again and visit our brothers in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.'

37 And Barnabas purposed to take John with them, called Mark.

38 But Paul did not think it good to take him with them, who had departed from them at Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they separated from each other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus.

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being committed by the brothers to the grace of God.

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Ekklesias.

Acts - Chapter 16

1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain woman, who was a Jewess and believed, but his father was a Greek,

2 of whom the brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium reported well.

3 Therefore Paul desired that he should go out with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those quarters: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, that were ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.

5 And so the Ekklesias were established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.

7 Then they came to Mysia and tried to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit did not permit them.

8 Therefore they passed through Mysia and came down to Troas,

9 where a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia, who implored him, saying: 'Come over into Macedonia, and help us.'

10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assured that the Lord had called us to preach the good news to them.

11 Therefore sailing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

12 and from there to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we remained in that city certain days.

13 And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a riverside, where prayers were usually made; and we sat down, and spoke to the women who had come together.

14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she paid attention to the things which were spoken by Paul.

15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she begged us, saying: 'If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and remain.' And she urged us.

16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain girl possessed with a python spirit met us, who brought her masters much profit by divination.

17 She followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying: 'These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.'

18 And she did this many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit: 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And it came out the same hour.

19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their profit was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace to the magistrates,

20 and brought them to the governors, saying: 'These men, being Jews, trouble our city,

21 and proclaim customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.'

22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates tore off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

23 And when they had laid many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailor to keep them safely:

24 who, having received such an order, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet secure in the stocks.

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains were loosed.

27 And the keeper of the prison woke out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.

28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying: 'Do yourself no harm: for we are all here.'

29 Then he called for a light, and leapt in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 and brought them out, and said: 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'

31 And they said: 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your household.

32 And they preached to him the word of the Lord, and to all who were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds; and was baptized with all who belonged to him, immediately.

34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them, and rejoiced that he with all his household believed in God.

35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying: 'Let those men go.'

36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul: 'The governors have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.'

37 But Paul said to them: 'They have beaten us openly uncondemned, who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now do they put us out privately? No truly; but let them come and bring us out.'

38 And the sergeants told these words to the magistrates: and they were afraid, when they heard that they were Romans.

39 And they came and begged them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brothers, they comforted them and departed.

Acts - Chapter 17

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews:

2 And Paul, as his manner was, went to them, and reasoned with them on three Sabbath days out of the scriptures,

3 opening and laying out, that it was necessary for the Christ to have suffered, and rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach to you, is Christ.

4 And some of them believed, and joined company with Paul and Silas; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the chief women.

5 But the Jews who did not believe, moved with envy, took to themselves certain unsavoury and evil characters, and gathered a company, and set all the city in an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

6 And when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers to the rulers of the city, crying: 'These who have turned the world upside down have come here also;

7 whom Jason has received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.'

8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

9 And when they had taken bail from Jason, and from the other, they let them go.

10 And the brothers immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea: who arriving there entered into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

12 Therefore many of them believed, also of the honourable women who were Greeks, and of the men, not a few.

13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also, and stirred up the people.

14 And then immediately the brothers sent away Paul to go to the sea: but Silas and Timothy still remained there.

15 And those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens: and receiving a command to Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

17 Therefore he disputed in the synagogue with the Jews, and with devout persons, and daily in the market with whomever he met.

18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And some said: 'What will this babbler say?' Others said: 'He seems to be a proclaimer of strange gods' because he preached to them Jesus, and the resurrection.

19 And they took him, and brought him to Areopagus, saying: 'May we know what this new teaching is, of which you speak?

20 For you bring certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.'

21 For all the Athenians and strangers who dwelled there, gave themselves to nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Ares Hill, and said: 'You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious.

23 For as I passed by, and looked upon your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown God.' Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I declare to you.

24 God who made the world and all things in it, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;

25 neither is he worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he gives life to all and breath and all things.

26 And he has made of one blood all the nation of mankind to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times appointed beforehand, and the boundaries of their habitation;

27 that they should seek the Lord, if so they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as also certain of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.'

29 So then, as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Being is like gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and the invention of man.

30 And the time of this ignorance God did not regard; but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

31 because he has appointed a day, when he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said: 'We will hear you again concerning this matter.'

33 So Paul departed from among them.

34 Yet certain men joined to him, and believed: among them was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Acts - Chapter 18

1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

2 and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) and came to them.

3 And because he was of the same trade, he dwelled with them, and worked: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

4 And he debated in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

5 And when Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and witnessed to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his garment, and said to them: 'Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from now on I will go to the Gentiles.'

7 And he departed from there, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one who worshipped God, whose house was next to the synagogue.

8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

9 Then the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision: 'Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not hold your peace:

10 for I am with you, and no one shall lay hands on you to hurt you: for I have many people in this city.'

11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made an insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

13 saying: 'This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.'

14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: 'If it were a matter of wrong or an evil deed, O you Jews, I would according to reason bear with you.

15 But if it is a question of words and names, and of your law, you look to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.'

16 And he drove them from the judgment seat.

17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

18 But when Paul had remained there a good while, he took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shaved his head in Cenchrea: for he had made a vow.

19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and debated with the Jews.

20 When they desired him to remain longer with them, he did not consent;

21 but took his leave, saying: 'I must by all means keep this feast which comes in Jerusalem: but I will return again to you, if God wills.' And he sailed from Ephesus.

22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and greeted the Ekklesia, he went down to Antioch.

23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born in Alexandria, an eloquent man, and powerful in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and spoke fervently in the spirit and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him aside, and explained to him the way of God more perfectly.

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brothers wrote, strongly encouraging the disciples to receive him: who, when he came, helped those much who had believed through grace:

28 for he powerfully convinced the Jews, and publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Acts - Chapter 19

1 And it came to pass, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul passed through the upper coasts and came to Ephesus, and finding certain disciples,

2 he said to them: 'Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?' And they said to him: 'We have not even heard whether there is any Holy Spirit.'

3 And he said to them: 'Then into what were you baptized?' And they said: 'Into John's baptism.'

4 Then Paul said: 'John truly baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, that they should believe in him who would come after him, that is, in Christ Jesus.'

5 So when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.

7 And all the men numbered about twelve.

8 And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, debating and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

9 But when certain ones were hardened, and did not believe, but spoke evil of this way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, debating daily in the school of Tyrannus.

10 And this continued for the space of two years; so that all those who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

11 And God performed exceptional miracles by the hands of Paul,

12 so that from his body handkerchiefs or aprons were brought to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

13 Then certain of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over those who had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying,: 'We order you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.'

14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, who did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said: 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?'

16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leapt upon them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18 And many who believed came, and confessed, and declared their activities.

19 Many of them also who used occultic arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20 So the word of God grew powerfully and prevailed.

21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying: 'After I have been there, I must also see Rome.'

22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

23 And at the same time there arose no small trouble about this way.

24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines for Diana, brought great gain to the craftsmen;

25 whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said: 'Sirs, you know that by this craft we have our wealth.

26 Moreover you see and hear, that not only in Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods, which are made with hands,

27 so that not only this our craft is in danger to be held in contempt; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be reckoned worthless, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.'

28 And when they heard these words, they were full of rage, and cried out, saying: 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians.'

29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

30 And when Paul would have entered in to the people, the disciples did not permit him.

31 And certain of the prominent men of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him, desiring that he would not present himself into the theatre.

32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the majority did not know why they had come together.

33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews thrusting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence to the people.

34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out: 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians' for about two hours.

35 And when the townclerk had quietened the people, he said: 'You men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know how the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

37 For you have brought here these men, who are neither robbers of assemblies, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

38 Therefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen who are with him, have a matter against any man, the court is open, and there are deputies: let them acuse one another.

39 But if you enquire anything concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

40 For we are in danger to be accused for this day's uproar, there being no cause by which we may give an account of this disorder.

41 And when he had spoken so, he dismissed the assembly.

Acts - Chapter 20

1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called the disciples to him, and embraced them, and departed to go into Macedonia.

2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much strong encouragement, he came into Greece,

3 and stayed there three months. And when the Jews laid in wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

5 These going before waited for us at Troas.

6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came to those at Troas in five days; where we stayed seven days.

7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them, ready to depart the next day; and he continued his speech until midnight.

8 And there were many lamps in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he was overcome with sleep, and fell down from the third floor, and was taken up dead.

10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said: 'Do not trouble yourselves; for his life is in him.'

11 When he therefore came up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even until break of day, so he departed.

12 And they brought the young man alive, and were comforted not a little.

13 And we went before to ship, and sailed to Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so he had arranged, preparing himself to go on foot.

14 Now when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

15 And we sailed from there, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and stayed at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hastened, if it were possible, to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the Ekklesia.

18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: 'You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all times,

19 serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and trials, which came to me by the lying in wait of the Jews.

20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable for you, but have declared to you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

21 witnessing both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.

22 And now, behold, I go chained in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there:

23 except that the Holy Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that chains and afflictions wait for me.

24 But none of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my race with joy, and the ministry, which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to witness to the good news of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that you all, through whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26 Therefore I witness to you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have kept nothing back but declared to you all the counsel of God.

28 Pay attention therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the Ekklesia of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departure vicious wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that over the space of three years I did not cease to warn each one, night and day, with tears.

32 And now, brothers, I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

34 Yes, you yourselves know, that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me.

35 I have shown you all things, how so labouring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

36 And when he had spoken so, he knelt down, and prayed with them all.

37 And they all wept exceedingly, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

38 grieving most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Acts - Chapter 21

1 And as we launched out, and departed from them, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.

2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set out.

3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed towards Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unload her cargo.

4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

5 And when we had completed those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, until we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

6 And when we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship; and they returned home again.

7 And when we had finished our passage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day.

8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came to Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven; and stayed with him.

9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied.

10 And as we stayed there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And when he came to us, he took Paul's belt, and bound his own hands and feet, and said: 'Thus says the Holy Spirit, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this belt, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and those of that place, begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered: 'What do you mean to weep and to break my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying: 'The will of the Lord be done.'

15 And after those days we packed our things, and went up to Jerusalem.

16 There also went with us certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

17 And when we came to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.

18 And the following day Paul went in with us to Jacob; and all the elders were present.

19 And when he had embraced them, he declared in order what things God had performed among the Gentiles by his ministry.

20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him: 'You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who believe; and they are all zealous for the law:

21 now they are informed concerning you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

22 What is to be done then? The multitude must necessarily come together: for they will hear that you have come.

23 Therefore do this that we say to you: we have four men who have made a vow;

24 take them, and purify yourself with them, and contribute with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, of which they were informed concerning you, are nothing; but that you yourself also walk orderly, and keep the law.

25 As concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, except only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled things, and from fornication.'

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the completion of the days of purification, until an offering should be offered for each one of them.

27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews who were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

28 crying out: 'Men of Israel, help: this is the man, who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and has defiled this holy place.'

29 For they had seen him before in the city with Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and immediately the doors were shut.

31 And as they went about to kill him, news came to the commander of the cohort, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them: and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they ceased beating Paul.

33 Then the commander came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34 And one cried this, another that, among the people: and when he could not know for certain because of the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the barracks.

35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the people.

36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying: 'Away with him.'

37 And as Paul was to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander: 'May I speak to you?' Who said: 'Can you speak Greek?

38 Are not you that Egyptian, who before these days caused a riot, and lead out four thousand men into the wilderness who were murderers?'

39 But Paul said: 'I am a man who is a Jew, a citizen of Tarsus, a famous city in Cilicia: and, I ask you, permit me to speak to the people.'

40 And when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand to the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying:
Acts - Chapter 22

1 'Men, brothers, and fathers, hear my defence which I now make to you.'

2 And when they heard that he spoke in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept silence all the more, and he said:

3 'I am truly a man who is a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous towards God, as you all are this day.

4 And I persecuted this way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

5 As also the high priest bears me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom I also received letters to the brothers, and went to Damascus, to bring those who were bound there to Jerusalem, that they might be punished.

6 And it came to pass, that as I made my journey, and came near to Damascus about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.

7 And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'

8 And I answered: 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me: 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.'

9 And those who were with me indeed saw the light, and were afraid; but they did not hear the voice of him who spoke to me.

10 And I said: 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me: 'Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told to you concerning all the things which are appointed for you to do.'

11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.

12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews who dwelt there,

13 came to me, and stood, and said to me: 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And the same hour I looked upon him.

14 And he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you, that you should know his will, and see the Just One, and should hear the voice of his mouth.

15 For you shall be his witness to all men of the things which you have seen and heard.

16 Therefore why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

17 And it came to pass, that when I came again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

18 and saw him saying to me: 'Make haste, and get quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive your witness concerning me.'

19 And I said: 'Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you:

20 and when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I was also standing by, and consented to his death, and kept the garments of those who killed him.'

21 And he said to me: 'Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.'

22 And they gave him an audience until this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said: 'Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.'

23 And as they cried out, and threw off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined by whipping; that he might know why they cried so against him.

25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion that stood by: 'Is it lawful for you to whip a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?'

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying: 'Pay attention what you do: for this man is a Roman.'

27 Then the commander came, and said to him: 'Tell me, are you a Roman?' He said: 'Yes.'

28 And the commander answered: 'With a great sum I obtained this freedom.' And Paul said: 'But I was born free.'

29 Then immediately they departed from him who would have examined him: and the commander was also afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

30 On the next day, because he would know the certainty of why he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him from the chains and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

Acts - Chapter 23

1 And Paul, gazing steadfastly at the council, said: 'Men and brothers, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.'

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

3 Then Paul said to him: 'God shall strike you, you whitewashed wall: for do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?'

4 And those who stood by said: 'Do you insult God's high priest?

5 Then said Paul: 'I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest: for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.''

6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council: 'Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: I am accused of the hope and resurrection of the dead.'

7 And when he had spoken so, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, so that the multitude was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and argued vehemently, saying: 'We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.'

10 And when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing in case Paul should have been pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the barracks.

11 And the following night, the Lord stood by him, and said: 'Be of good courage, Paul: for as you have witnessed of me in Jerusalem, so must you bear witness also in Rome.'

12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews joined together, and bound themselves with an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

13 And they were more than forty who formed this conspiracy.

14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said: 'We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath, that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.

15 Now therefore you with the council signify to the commander that he should bring him out to you tomorrow, as though you would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, before he comes near, are ready to kill him.'

16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the barracks, and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him, and said: 'Bring this young man to the commander: for he has a certain thing to tell him.'

18 So he took him, and brought him to the commander, and said: 'Paul the prisoner called me to him, and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to say to you.'

19 Then the commander took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him: 'What is that you have to tell me?'

20 And he said: 'The Jews have agreed to desire that you would bring out Paul tomorrow into the council, as though they would enquire something of him more perfectly.

21 But do not yield to them: for there lie in wait for him more than forty men of them, who have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink until they have killed him: and now they are ready, and wait for your promise.'

22 So the commander then let the young man depart, and ordered him: 'See you tell no one that you have disclosed these things to me.'

23 And he called to him two centurions, saying: 'Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and forty horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night;

24 and let them make ready a horse, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.'

25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:

26 'Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix sends greetings.

27 This man was taken by the Jews, and would have been killed by them: then I came with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

28 And when I would have known the cause why they accused him, I brought him out into their council:

29 whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of chains.

30 And when it was told me how the Jews laid in wait for the man, I sent immediately to you, and gave command to his accusers also to say before you what they have against him. Farewell.'

31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

32 The next day, they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks:

33 who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia:

35 'I will hear you,' he said, 'When your accusers have also come.' And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

Acts - Chapter 24

1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who appeared before the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called out, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: 'Seeing that by you we have obtained great quietness, and that many worthy reforms are enacted for this nation by your forward thinking,

3 we acknowledge it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 Yet, so that I am not tedious to you, I pray you that you would hear us from your courtesy a few words.

5 For we have found this man a pest, and a stirrer of uprising among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,

6 and has gone about to defile the temple: therefore we took, and would have judged according to our law.

7 But the commander Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

8 commanding his accusers to come to you, of whom you may, if you enquire, know all these things, of which we accuse him.'

9 And the Jews also agreed, saying that these things were so.

10 Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered: 'I do the more gladly answer for myself, as I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years:

11 seeing that you may know, that there are but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 And they found me neither in the temple debating with anyone, nor making the people riot, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.

13 Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

14 But this I confess to you, that after the way which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

15 and have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16 And in this I endeavour to always have a conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men.

17 Now after many years I came and brought charitable gifts and offerings to my nation.

18 At what time, certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple

19 neither with a crowd, nor with an uproar.

20 Who ought to have been present before you, and accuse me, if they had anything against me.

21 Or let themselves say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood in the council,

22 except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, concerning the resurrection of the dead I am accused by you this day.'

23 And when Felix heard these things, he deferred them, and said: 'When I shall have more perfect knowledge concerning the things of this way, by the coming of Lysias the commander, I will decide your matter.'

24 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintances to minister or come to him.

25 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

26 And as he spoke in detail concerning righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered: 'Go at this time; when I have a convenient time, I will call for you.'

27 He also hoped that money might have been given to him by Paul, that he might set him free: therefore he sent for him more often, and talked with him.

28 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix's office: and Felix, desiring to earn favour with the Jews, left Paul bound.

Acts - Chapter 25

1 Now when Festus came into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

2 Then the high priest and the chiefs of the Jews appeared before him against Paul, and begged him,

3 and desired a favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, lying in wait on the way to kill him.

4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would shortly depart there.

5 'Let those therefore,' he said, 'Who among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there is any wickedness in him.'

6 And when he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought.

7 And when he came, the Jews who came down from Jerusalem stood around, and laid many and serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

8 While he answered for himself: 'Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I offended anything.'

9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a favour, answered Paul, and said: 'Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these things before me?'

10 Then Paul said: 'I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as you very well know.

11 For if I have done wrong, or have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die: but if there is none of these things of which these accuse me, no one may deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.'

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered: 'Have you appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go.'

13 And after certain days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.

14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause to the king, saying: 'There is a certain man left in prison by Felix,

15 concerning whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, and desired to have judgment against him.

16 To whom I answered: 'It is not the manner of the Romans for a favour to deliver any man to die, before he who is accused has the accusers before him, and has place to defend himself concerning the crime.'

17 Therefore, when they came here, without any delay on the following day I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought out.

18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation of such things as I supposed,

19 but had certain questions against him concerning their own superstition, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved for the examination of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept until I might send him to Caesar.'

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus: 'I would also hear the man myself.'

'Tomorrow,' he said, 'You shall hear him.'

23 And on the next day, when Agrippa came, and Bernice, with great pomp, and had entered into the place of hearing, with the commanders, and leaders of the city, at Festus' command Paul was brought out.

24 And Festus said, 'King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have called upon me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself has appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore, I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, O King Agrippa, that after examination, I might have something to write.

27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not to declare the charges laid against him.'

Acts - Chapter 26

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul: 'You are permitted to speak for yourself.' Then Paul stretched out the hand, and answered for himself:

2 'I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews:

3 especially because I know you are an expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: therefore I ask you to hear me patiently.

4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know;

5 who knew me from the beginning, if they would witness, that according to the most strict sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.

7 To which promise our twelve tribes, in zeal serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.

8 Why should it be thought an incredible thing with you, that God should raise the dead?

9 I also truly thought in myself, that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem, for many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the high priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my sentence.

11 And I punished them throughout all the synagogues, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

12 At which time, even as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the high priests,

13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute you me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

15 And I said: 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said: 'I am Jesus whom you persecute.

16 But rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things which I will make apparent to you;

17 delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send you,

18 to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

19 Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision:

20 but showed first to those of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.

21 For this reason the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

22 Having therefore obtained help from God, I continue to this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said should come:

23 that the Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first who should rise from the dead, and should show light to the people, and to the Gentiles.'

24 And as he spoke so for himself, Festus said with a loud voice: 'Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning has made you mad.'

25 But he said: 'I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak out the words of truth and sobriety.

26 For the King knows of these things, before whom I also speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.'

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul: 'You almost persuade me to be a Christian.'

29 And Paul said: 'I pray to God, that not only you, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.'

30 And when he had spoken so, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying: 'This man does nothing worthy of death or of chains.'

32 Then Agrippa said to Festus: 'This man might have been set free, if he had not appealed to Caesar.'

Acts - Chapter 27

1 Now when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the cohort of Augustus.

2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

3 And the next day we arrived at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him freedom to go to his friends to refresh himself.

4 And from there we launched, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy; and he put us in it.

7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and were hardly come opposite Cnidus, the wind not permitting us, we sailed under Crete, opposite Salmone;

8 and, scarcely passing it, came to a place which is called The Fair Havens, near to the city of Lasea.

9 Now when much time was spent, and sailing was now dangerous, because the fast of the Day of Atonement was now already past, Paul cautioned them,

10 and said to them: 'Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives.'

11 However, the centurion believed the captain and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

12 And because the haven was not convenient to winter in, the majority advised to depart from there also, if by any means they might attain to Phoenix, and there to winter; which is a haven of Crete, and lies towards the southwest and northwest.

13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, setting off from there, they sailed close by Crete.

14 But not long after there arose a stormy wind, called Euroclydon.

15 And when the ship was caught, and could not resist the wind, we let her drift.

16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we were hardly able to control the lifeboat:

17 which when they had taken it up, they used ropes, undergirding the ship; and, fearing in case they should fall into the sandbars of Syrtis, let down the sail, and so were driven.

18 The next day, when we were exceedingly tossed with a tempest, they lightened the ship;

19 and the third day we threw out with our own hands the ship's tackle.

20 And when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

21 But after a long time without food, Paul stood up in the midst of them, and said: 'Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

22 And now I encourage you to be of good courage: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

24 saying: 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar: and, look, God has given you all those who sail with you.

25 Therefore, sirs, be of good courage: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

26 Yet we must be thrown upon a certain island.'

27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were carried to and fro in the Adriatic, about midnight the sailors supposed that they drew near to some country;

28 and sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29 Then fearing in case we should have fallen upon rocks, they throw four anchors out of the stern, and prayed for the day.

30 And as the sailors were about to escape out of the ship, when they had let down the lifeboat into the sea, under the guise as though they would have thrown anchors out of the foreship,

31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers: 'Unless these remain on the ship, you cannot be saved.'

32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the lifeboat, and let her fall off.

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take food, saying: 'This day is the fourteenth day that you have waited and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

34 Therefore I encourage you to take some food: for this is for your health, for not a hair shall fall from the head of any of you.'

35 And when he had spoken so, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

36 Then they were all of good courage, and they also took some food.

37 And we in the ship were in all two hundred and seventy souls.

38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and threw out the wheat into the sea.

39 And when it was day, they did not know the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made towards shore.

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and could not be moved, but the rear part was broken by the violence of the waves.

42 Then the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, in case any of them should swim out, and escape.

43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves into the sea first, and get to land:

44 and the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all came safely to land.

Acts - Chapter 28

1 And when they had escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

2 And the Barbarians showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us each one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4 And when the Barbarians saw the beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves: 'Surely this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance has not permitted to live.'

5 But he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

6 Yet they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

7 In the same area were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days hospitably.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a flow of blood: to whom Paul entered in, and when he prayed, laid his hands on him, and healed him.

9 So when this was done, others also, who had diseases on the island, came, and were healed:

10 who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they supplied us with such things as were necessary.

11 Now after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered on the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

13 And from there we went around, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli,

14 where we found brothers, and desired to stay with them seven days: and so we went towards Rome.

15 And from there, when the brothers heard of us, they came to meet us at the market of Appius, and at The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with a soldier who guarded him.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the leaders of the Jews together; and when they came together, he said to them: 'Men and brothers, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause for death with me.

19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar; not that I had anything to accuse my nation of.

20 For this reason, therefore, I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.'

21 And they said to him: 'We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, neither any of the brothers who came reported or spoke any harm of you.

22 But we desire to hear from you what you think: for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.'

23 And when they had appointed him a day, many came to him into his lodging; to whom he laid out and witnessed to the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning until evening.

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some did not believe.

25 And when they did not agree among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word: 'Well spoke the Holy Spirit by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

26 saying, 'Go to this people, and say, hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive:

27 for the heart of this people has grown fat, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; in case they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I would heal them.'

28 Let it be known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.'

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, with much debate among themselves.

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all who came to him,

31 preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all boldness, without hindrance.
Romans: the School of Grace
Chapter 1

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the good news of God,

2 which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures,

3 concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

4 and declared to be the Son of God in power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection out of the dead;

5 by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all the Gentiles, for his name:

6 among whom you are also the called of Jesus Christ.

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is being declared throughout the whole world.

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the good news of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

10 making request, that by some means at one time or another I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you.

11 For I long to see you, that I might bestow among you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established;

12 that is, that I may be comforted together with you, through our mutual faith, both of you and me.

13 Now my brothers, I would not have you ignorant that I often purposed to come to you, but was hindered until now, that I might have some fruit also among you, as I have among the other Gentiles.

14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15 Therefore, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the good news to you who are also in Rome.

16 For I am not ashamed of the good news of Christ: for it is the power of God into salvation to everyone who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 For by it the righteousness of God is unveiled, from faith to faith, as it is written: 'The just shall live by faith.'

18 For the wrath of God is unveiled from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who withhold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 because that which may be known of God is clearly visible among them; for God has made it clearly visible to them.

20 For the invisible things of him, his eternal power and Divine Being, are seen from the creation of the world, being understood in his works, to the intent that they should be without excuse:

21 because that, when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God, neither were they thankful; but became worthlessly futile in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 When they professed themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 for they turned the glory of the incorruptible God to the resemblance of the image of a corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.

24 Therefore, God also gave them over to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to defile their own bodies among themselves;

25 who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creation, forsaking the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them over to vile affections: for even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature;

27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust towards one another; male with male performing that which is indecent, and receiving in themselves such recompence of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not approve to hold God in their knowledge, God gave them over to an unapproved mind, to do those things which are not proper;

29 being full of all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, greed, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 backbiters, haters of God, wrongdoers, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, such as never can be appealed, unmerciful.

32 Who knowing the law of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but are also pleased with those who do them.

Romans - Chapter 2

1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judges: for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judge do the same things.

2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who commit such things.

3 And do you think this, O man, who judges those who do such things, and do the same, that you shall escape the judgment of God?

4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience; not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

5 But you, according to your hard and unrepentant heart are storing up to yourself wrath against the day of wrath and unveiled revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

6 who will reward each man according to his deeds;

7 to those who by enduring in well-doing, seek for glory, and honour and immortality: eternal life.

8 But to those who are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, anger and wrath,

9 affliction and anguish, upon every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

10 but glory, honour, and peace, to every man who works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek;

11 for there is no partiality with God.

12 For as many as have sinned without the law, shall also perish without the law; and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

13 (for the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

14 For when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves;

15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts accusing one another or defending)

16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my good news.

17 Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the law, and boast in God,

18 and know his will, and approve the things that are excellent, in that you are instructed by the law;

19 and are persuaded that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light of those who are in darkness,

20 an instructor of those who lack discretion, a teacher of the unlearned, who has the form of knowledge, and of the truth in the law.

21 You, therefore, who teaches another, do you not teach yourself? You that preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?

22 You that say a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You that hate idols, do you commit sacrilege?

23 You that boast in the law, through breaking the law, do you dishonour God?

24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

25 For circumcision truly profits, if you perform the law; but if you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision.

26 Therefore, if the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it keeps the law, judge you, who by the letter and circumcision are a transgressor the law?

28 For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh;

29 but he is a Jew, who is one inwardly; and the circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.

Romans - Chapter 3

1 What then is the advantage of the Jew? Or, what is the profit of circumcision?

2 Much in every way: chiefly, because to them were committed the words of God.

3 For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

4 Let it not be: yes, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written: 'That you might be justified in your words, and overcome when you are judged.'

5 Now if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who punishes? (I speak as a man)

6 Let it not be: otherwise, how shall God judge the world?

7 For if the truth of God has more abounded through my lie to his glory; why am I still judged as a sinner?

8 And (as we are vilified, and as some affirm that we say,) let us do evil, that good may come? Whose damnation is just.

9 What then? Are we more excellent than they? Not at all: for we have already proved that all, both Jews and Gentiles, are under sin;

10 As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one.

11 There is none who understands, there is none who seeks God.

12 They have all gone out of the way, they have been made altogether unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.

13 Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips;

14 whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness;

15 their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 destruction and calamity are in their ways;

17 and the way of peace they have not known;

18 the fear of God is not before their eyes.'

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore, by the works of the law, no flesh shall be justified in his sight: for by the law comes the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is made clearly visible, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 the righteousness of God by the faith of Jesus Christ to all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference:

23 for all have sinned, and are deprived of the glory of God;

24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;

25 whom God has set out to be a merciful atonement of reconciliation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness by the forgiveness of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 to show at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and a justifier of him who is of the faith of Jesus.

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law.

29 Is he only the God of the Jews? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, even of the Gentiles also.

30 For it is one God, who shall justify the circumcision of faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31 Do we then put away the law through faith? Let it not be. Yes, we establish the law.

Romans - Chapter 4

1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father found concerning the flesh?

2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast, but not with God.

3 For what says the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

4 Now to him who works, the wages are not accounted according to grace, but according to debt.

5 But to him who does not work, but believe in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also declares the blessedness of the man, to whom God accounts righteousness without works, saying:

7 'Blessed are those whose lawlessness acts are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not account sin.'

9 Does this blessedness, then, only come upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How was it then accounted? When he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not when he was circumcised, but when he was uncircumcised.

11 After he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had when he was uncircumcised, that he should be the father of all those who believe, not being circumcised, that righteousness might be accounted to them also.

12 And the father of circumcision, not to those only who are of the circumcision, but to those who also walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham, which he had when he was uncircumcised.

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not given to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise put away:

15 for the law causes wrath: for where there is no law, there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is by faith, that it might come by grace; and the promise might be sure to all the seed, not to those only who are of the law: but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,

17 (as it is written: 'I have made you a father of many nations') before God whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead, and calls those things which are not as though they were.

18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he should be the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken to him: 'So shall your seed be.'

19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, which was now dead, being almost a hundred years old, neither the deadness of Sarah's womb.

20 Neither did he doubt the promise of God through unbelief, but was empowered in faith and gave glory to God;

21 and being fully assured that he who had promised, was also able to do it.

22 And therefore it was accounted to him for righteousness.

23 Now it is not written for him only, that it was accounted to him for righteousness;

24 but also for us, to whom it shall be accounted, who believe in him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25 who was delivered to death for our transgressions, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans - Chapter 5

1 Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace towards God through our Lord Jesus Christ;

2 by whom we also have access through faith into this grace, in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we boast in afflictions also: knowing that affliction fashions endurance;

4 and endurance, a tested character; and a tested character, hope;

5 and hope does not make ashamed, because the love of God is outpoured in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to us.

6 For Christ, when we were yet without strength, in due time, died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will someone die, yet perhaps for a good man someone might even dare to die.

8 But God commends his love towards us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 So much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, so much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12 Therefore, as by one man, sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed through into all men, for all have sinned;

13 for until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not accounted when there is no law.

14 Yet, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him who was to come.

15 But the gift is not also as the offence. For if through the offence of one many are dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, has abounded to many.

16 And so neither is the gift as that which entered by one who sinned: for the judgment was indeed by one offence to condemnation, but the gift is of many offences to justification.

17 For if by the offence of one, death reigned by one, so much more shall those who receive the abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, reign in life through one: Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation, so by the righteousness of one, the gift came to all men for justification of life.

19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many also be made righteous.

20 Now the law entered that the transgression should abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more;

21 that as sin had reigned to death, so grace might also reign through righteousness into eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans - Chapter 6

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue still in sin, that grace may abound? Let it not be.

2 How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer in it?

3 Do you not know, that all we who have been baptized into Jesus Christ have been baptized into his death?

4 Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into his death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we should also walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been grafted with him to the likeness of his death, even so we shall be in the likeness of his resurrection.

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin.

7 For he who is dead is freed from sin.

8 Therefore, if we are dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;

9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion of lordship over him.

10 For in that he died, he died to sin once: but in that he lives, he lives to God.

11 Likewise count yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts of it.

13 Neither yield your members as weapons of unrighteousness to sin, but yield yourselves to God, as those who are alive from the dead, and your members as weapons of righteousness to God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? Let it not be.

16 Do you not know, that to whom you yield yourselves as servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey: whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?

17 But thanks be to God, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of teaching which was handed over to you.

18 Now, being set free from sin, you are made the servants of righteousness.

19 I speak after the manner of men because of the weakness of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to lawlessness into lawlessness; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness into holiness.

20 For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit did you have then in those things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

22 But now being set free from sin, and made servants to God, you have your fruit into holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans - Chapter 7

1 Do you not know, brothers, for I speak to those who know the law, how that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?

2 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband while he lives; but if the husband is dead, she is put away from the law of her husband.

3 So then, if while her husband lives, she takes another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband is dead, she is free from the law; so that she is not an adulteress, though she takes another man.

4 Therefore, my brothers, you are also dead to the law by the body of Christ; that you should be married to another, to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.

5 For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were by the law, were energetically at work in our members to bear fruit to death.

6 But now we are put away from the law, being dead to it, in which we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Let it not be. No, I did not know sin, but by the law: for I did not know lust, unless the law had said: 'You shall not lust.'

8 But sin took an occasion by the commandment, and worked in me all manner of lust. For without the law sin was dead.

9 For I once was alive without the law: but when the commandment came, sin revived,

10 but I died; and the commandment, which was ordained to life, was found to me to be death.

11 For sin, took occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.

12 Therefore, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, and just, and good.

13 Was that which is good made death to me? Let it not be. But sin, that it might appear sin, worked death in me by that which is good, that sin might become exceeding sinful by the commandment.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do, I do not know: for what I desire, that I do not; but what I hate, that I do.

16 If then I do that which I desire not, I consent to the law that it is good.

17 Now then, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me.

18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but I find no means to perform that which is good.

19 For the good that I desire I do not, but the evil which I do not desire, that I do.

20 Now if I do that which I do not desire, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me.

21 I find then by the law, that when I desire to do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inner man:

23 but I see another law in my members, rebelling against the law of my mind, and bringing me captive into the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am, who shall rescue me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, I myself with the mind serve the law of God, but in my flesh the law of sin.

Romans - Chapter 8

1 Now then, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and of death.

3 For what the law was powerless to do, in that it was weak because of the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh,

4 that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

5 For those who are according to the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but those who are according the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

6 For the wisdom of the flesh is death; but the wisdom of the Spirit is life and peace.

7 Because the wisdom of the flesh is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, because the Spirit of Gods dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this one is not his.

10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin: but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies by his Spirit who dwells in you.

12 Therefore, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

13 For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if you put the acts of the body to death through the Spirit, you shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For you have not received the spirit of slavery again into fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, by which we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our own spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 if children, we are also heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if we suffer with him, so that we may also be glorified with him.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy of the glory which shall be unveiled in us.

19 For the eager expectation of the creation waits for the unveiling of the sons of God;

20 because the creation was made subject to worthless futility, not of its own will, but by reason of him who has subjected it in hope,

21 because the creation itself shall also be set free from the slavery of decaying corruption into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groans together and travails together in pain until the present time.

23 And not only the creation, but we also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for how can anyone hope for what he sees?

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our weaknesses: for we do not know how to pray as we ought: but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be expressed.

27 And he who searches the hearts knows what is the meaning of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints, according to the will of God.

28 Also we know that all things work together into good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.

29 For those which he knew before, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30 Now, whom he predestined, those he also called; and whom he called, those he also justified; and whom he justified, those he also glorified.

31 What shall we say then to these things? If God is on our side, who can be against us?

32 He who did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all, how shall he not with him also graciously give us all things?

33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's chosen? It is God who justifies.

34 Who shall condemn? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who is risen again, who is also at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall affliction, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written: 'For your sake we are killed all day long, we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.'

37 Yet, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans - Chapter 9

1 I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,

2 that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

3 For I could desire myself to be accursed from Christ for my brothers, my relatives according to the flesh;

4 who are Israelites; to whom relates the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

5 of whom are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

6 Now, it cannot be that the word of God has fallen away. For they are not all Israel, who are of Israel:

7 neither are they all children, because they are the seed of Abraham: but, 'In Isaac shall your seed be called.'

8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

9 For this is the word of promise: 'At this same time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.'

10 And not only this: but when Rebecca had also conceived by one, by our father Isaac;

11 for the children being not yet born, and when they had done neither good or evil (that the purpose of God might remain according to election, not of works, but by him who calls);

12 it was said to her: 'The elder shall serve the younger.'

13 As it is written: 'I have loved Jacob, and have hated Esau.'

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Let it not be.

15 For he says to Moses: 'I will have mercy on him, on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on him, on whom I will have compassion.'

16 So then it is not of him who desires, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh: 'For this same purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.'

18 Therefore, he has mercy on whom he desires to have mercy, and whom he desires he hardens.

19 You will say then to me, why does he still find fault? For who has resisted his will?

20 But indeed, O man, who are you that pleads against God? Shall the thing formed say to him who formed it: 'Why have you made me thus?'

21 Has not the potter authority over the clay, to make of the same lump: one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour?

22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, suffered with much patience the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction;

23 and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory,

24 even us, whom he has called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

25 As he says also in Hosea: 'I will call them my people, who were not my people; and her, beloved, who was not beloved.

26 And it shall be in the place where it was said to them 'You are not my people' that there they shall be called the children of the living God.'

27 Isaiah also cries concerning Israel: 'Though the number of the children of Israel is as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved;

28 for he will complete the work, and cut it short in righteousness: for the Lord will make a short count upon the earth.'

29 And as Isaiah said before: 'Except the Lord of Hosts had left us a seed, we would have been as Sodom, and would have been like Gomorrah.'

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is out of faith.

31 But Israel, which pursued the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.

32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were by the works of the law; for they stumbled at the stone of stumbling;

33 as it is written: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and rock to make men fall; but everyone who believes in him shall not be ashamed.'

Romans - Chapter 10

1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.

2 For I witness that they have the zeal of God, but not according to real knowledge.

3 For being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and going about to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the completion of the law into righteousness for everyone who believes.

5 For Moses describes the righteousness which is out of the law: 'That the man who does those things shall live by them.'

6 But the righteousness which is out of faith speaks like this: 'Do not say in your heart, who shall ascend into heaven? (That is, to bring down Christ from above)

7 or, who shall descend into the deep?' (That is, to bring up Christ again from the dead)

8 but what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart.' This is the word of faith, which we preach:

9 so that if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him up from the dead, you shall be saved.

10 For with the heart man believes into righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made into salvation.

11 For the scripture says: 'Whoever believes in him shall not be ashamed.'

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all, is rich to all, who call upon him.

13 For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 But how shall they call on him, in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news of peace, and preach the good news of good things!'

16 For they have not all obeyed the good news. For Isaiah says: 'Lord, who has believed our report?'

17 So then, faith comes out of hearing, and hearing through the word of God.

18 But I say: have they not heard? Yes indeed, their sound went into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

19 But I say: did Israel not know God? First Moses says: 'I will provoke you to jealousy by a nation that is not my nation, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.'

20 And Isaiah is bold, and says: 'I was found by those who did not seek me; I was made clearly visible to those who did not ask after me.'

21 And to Israel he said: 'All day long I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contentious people.'

Romans - Chapter 11

1 I say then: has God cast away his people? Let it not be. For I am also an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God has not cast away his people whom he knew before. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah? How he makes intercession to God against Israel, saying:

3 'Lord, they have killed your prophets, and dug down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.'

4 But what says the answer of God to him? 'I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.'

5 Even so then at this present time there is also a remnant according to the election of grace.

6 And if by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise, grace is no more grace. But if it is of works, it is no more grace: otherwise, work is no more work.

7 What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest have been hardened,

8 according as it is written: 'God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear to this day.'

9 And David says: 'Let their table be made a snare, and a net, and a stumbling block, even for a repayment to them;

10 let their eyes be darkened, that they do not see, and always bow down their backs.'

11 I say then: have they stumbled that they should fall? Let it not be: but through their transgression, salvation comes to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.

12 Therefore, if the transgression of them is the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more shall their fullness be?

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, as far as I am indeed the apostle of the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry,

14 if by any means I might provoke those who are my flesh to jealousy, and might save some of them.

15 For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving be, but life from the dead?

16 For if the firstfruits are holy, so is the whole lump; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 And though some of the branches are broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and made a partner of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 do not boast against the branches; and if you boast, you do not bear the root, but the root you.

19 You will say then: 'The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.'

20 Well, through unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be high-minded, but fear;

21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, pay attention in case he does not spare you.

22 Behold therefore the kindness and severity of God: towards those who fell, severity; but towards you, kindness, if you continue in his kindness: otherwise you shall also be cut off.

23 And they also, if they do not remain in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree, which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall they who are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 For I do not desire, brothers, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, in case you should be arrogant in yourselves, that hardness in part has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written: 'The deliverer shall come out of Zion, and shall turn away the ungodliness from Jacob.

27 And this is my covenant to them, when I shall take away their sins.'

28 As concerning the good news, they are enemies for your sake; but as concerning the election, they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

30 For even as you in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief;

31 even so now, they have not believed, that through the mercy shown to you, they may also obtain mercy.

32 For God has shut up all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?

35 Or who has given to him first, and it shall be repayed to him?

36 For out of him, and through him, and into him, are all things: to him be glory forever. Amen.

Romans - Chapter 12

1 I ask you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well-pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service of God.

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may test what is the good will of God, and well-pleasing, and perfect.

3 For I say, through the grace that is given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think more of himself than he ought to think; but think according to a sound mind, as God has apportioned to each one a measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members do not have the same action:

5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and each one, members of one another.

6 Seeing then that we have gifts that are diverse, according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 or ministry, let us serve in our ministry: or he who teaches, in teaching;

8 or he who strongly encourages, in strong encouragement; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Hate that which is evil; join to that which is good.

10 Be affectionate to one to another with brotherly love; in giving honour, prefer one another to go ahead;

11 not lazy in service; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12 rejoicing in hope; enduring in affliction; persevering in prayer;

13 partnering with the needs of saints; giving yourselves to hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you: bless, and do not curse.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16 Be of the same mind one towards one another. Do not be high-minded, but fellowship with the lowly. Do not be wise in yourselves.

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Think ahead for what is good in the sight of all men.

18 If possible, in that which comes out of you, have peace with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but give place to wrath, for it is written: 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'

20 Therefore, if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink: for in doing so you shall heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans - Chapter 13

1 Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but from God, and the existing authorities are ordained by God.

2 Whoever therefore resists the authority, resists the ordained arrangement of God: and those who resist shall receive to themselves judgement.

3 For princes are not to be feared for good works, but for evil. Do you desire then to be without fear of the authority? Do well: you shall have praise of the same.

4 For he is the minister of God for your good. But if you do evil, be afraid: for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, to take vengeance on him who does evil.

5 Therefore, you must be subject, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.

6 Now for this reason you also pay tribute; for they are God's ministers, applying themselves for the same thing.

7 Give to all, therefore, their dues: tribute to whom you owe tribute; custom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear; honour, to whom honour.

8 Owe nothing to any man, but to love one another: for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

9 For this: 'You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not covet' and if there is any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, in this: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'

10 Love does no evil to his neighbour: therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

11 And that, considering the season, that now it is time that we should arise out of sleep: for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed it.

12 The night is past, and the day is near: let us therefore throw away the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

13 Let us walk decently, as in the day; not in wild parties and drunkenness, neither in promiscuity and lustful indulgence, not in strife and envying.

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and take no thought for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts of it.
Romans - Chapter 14

1 Receive him who is weak in the faith, but not for controversial debates.

2 For one believes that he may eat all things, and another, who is weak, eats vegetables.

3 Let him who eats not despise him who does not eat; and let him who does not eat, not judge him who eats: for God has received him.

4 Who are you that judges another man's servant? He stands or falls to his own master. Indeed, he shall be established: for God is able to make him stand.

5 This man esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.

8 For whether we live, we live to the Lord; or whether we die, we die to the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

9 For Christ therefore died and rose again, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written: 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.'

12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Therefore, let us not judge one another any more: but use your judgement rather in this, not to put a stumbling block or an opportunity to fall before his brother.

14 I know and am persuaded through the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him who reckons anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15 But if your brother is grieved with your food, you no longer walk according to love. Do not destroy him with your food, for whom Christ died.

16 Therefore, do not let your good be vilified:

17 for the kingdom of God is not food and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 For whoever in these things serves Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.

19 Let us therefore pursue the things which make for peace, and things which may build up one another.

20 For the sake of food, do not destroy the work of God. All things indeed are clean; but it is evil for the man who eats with offence.

21 It is good neither to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor anything by which your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak.

22 Do you have faith? Have it with yourself before God. Blessed is he who does not condemn himself in that thing which he approves.

23 And he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat out of faith: and whatever is not out of faith is sin.
Romans - Chapter 15

1 We who are powerful ought to bear with the powerlessness of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2 Let each one of us please his neighbour for his good towards building up.

3 For even Christ did not please himself, but, as it is written: 'The insults of those who insulted you fell on me.'

4 For whatever things were written beforehand were written for our learning, that we through the endurance and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus;

6 that you with one mind and one mouth may glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Therefore receive one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers;

9 and that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: 'For this reason I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.'

10 And again he said: 'Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.'

11 And again: 'Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; and praise him, all you people.'

12 And again, Isaiah said: 'There shall be a root of Jesse, and he who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.'

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

14 Now I am myself persuaded of you, my brothers, that you are also full of goodness, and filled with all knowledge, and are able to caution one another.

15 Yet, brothers, I have written more boldly to you, in part, as one who reminds you, through the grace that is given to me by God,

16 that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, priestly ministering the good news of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being made holy by the Holy Spirit.

17 I have therefore something that I may boast in Jesus Christ concerning those things which relate to God.

18 For I will not dare to speak of anything which Christ has not worked by me, towards making the Gentiles obedient, in word and deed,

19 in powerful signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about to Illyricum, I have fully preached the good news of Christ.

20 Yes, so have I strived to preach the good news, not where Christ was named, in case I should have built upon another man's foundation.

21 But as it is written: 'To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see him, and those who have not heard shall understand.'

22 Therefore, I have often been hindered from coming to you.

23 But now seeing that I have no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you;

24 whenever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I hope to see you on my journey, and to be sent forward on my way by you, after I have been filled in part by your company.

25 But now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.

26 For it has pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints who are in Jerusalem.

27 It has pleased them and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partners of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in carnal things.

28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will pass by you into Spain.

29 And I know when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the good news of Christ.

30 Now I ask you, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you would strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

31 that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea; and that my service which I have to do for Jerusalem may be accepted by the saints;

32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed with you.

33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Romans - Chapter 16

1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the Ekklesia which is in Cenchrea:

2 that you receive her in the Lord, as is worthy of saints, and that you assist her in whatever business she has need of your aid: for she has given hospitality to many, and to me also.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my co-workers in Christ Jesus;

4 who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the Ekklesias of the Gentiles.

5 Likewise greet the Ekklesia that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia into Christ.

6 Greet Mary, who laboured much for us.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives, and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, and who were in Christ before me.

8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbane, my co-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

10 Greet Apelles approved in Christ. Greet those who are of Aristobulus' household.

11 Greet Herodion my relative. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who laboured much in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brothers who are with them.

15 Greet Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The Ekklesias of Christ greet you.

17 Now I ask you, brothers, mark those diligently who cause divisions and offences contrary to the teaching which you have learned, and avoid them.

18 For those who are such, do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and with nice speech and flattery deceive the hearts of the innocent.

19 For your obedience has reached to all. Therefore, I am glad on your behalf, but yet I desire you to be wise concerning that which is good, and innocent concerning evil.

20 And the God of peace shall smash Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

21 Timothy my co-worker, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives, greet you.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius my host, and of the whole Ekklesia, greet you. Erastus the steward of the city greets you, and Quartus a brother.

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to him who is powerful to establish you according to my good news, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the unveiled revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 but now is made clearly visible, and made known to all nations by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for the obedience of faith:

27 to God, only wise, be the glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

1 Corinthians: the School of Holiness

Chapter 1

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God, and brother Sosthenes,

2 to the Ekklesia of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord in every place, both theirs and ours:

3 grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given to you in Jesus Christ;

5 that in all things you are enriched by him, in all kinds of speech, and in all knowledge;

6 as the witness of Christ was confirmed in you,

7 so that you are not destitute of any gift; waiting for the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

8 who shall also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called to the partnership of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 Now I strongly encourage you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there is no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

11 For it has been made clear to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

12 Now this I say, that each one of you says: I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 in case any should say that I had baptized into my own name.

16 And I also baptized the household of Stephanas, besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the good news: not with wisdom of words, in case the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness; but to us, who are saved, it is the power of God.

19 For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will throw away the understanding of the prudent.'

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of this age?

21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom did not know God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe;

22 seeing also that the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom;

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness;

24 but to those who are called, both of the Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For you see your calling, brothers, how that not many wise men according to the flesh, not many powerful, not many well-born, are called:

27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are strong;

28 and vile things of the world, and things which are despised, God has chosen, and things which are not, to bring to nothing the things which are:

29 that no flesh should boast in his presence.

30 But you are of him in Christ Jesus, who from God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 that, according as it is written: 'He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.'

1 Corinthians - Chapter 2

1 And I, brothers, when I came to you, I did not come with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the witness of God.

2 For I judged not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was among you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of man's wisdom, but in the plain evidence of the Spirit and of power;

5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 But we speak wisdom among those who are mature; yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this world, which are coming to nothing.

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God determined before the world, to our glory;

8 which none of the rulers of this world knew, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But, as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, neither ear has heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love him.'

10 But God has revealed them to us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knows the things of a man, except the spirit of man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is out of God; that we might know the things that are graciously given to us of God.

13 Which things we also speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches: comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.

14 But the soulish man does not perceive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged by no one.

16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 3

1 And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to carnal, as to infants in Christ.

2 I gave you milk to drink, and not meat: for you were not able to bear it, yet neither now are you able.

3 For you are still carnal, for where there is envy, and strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal, and walking as men?

4 For when one says: I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal?

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but the ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one?

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then, neither he who plants is anything, neither he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9 For we are co-labourers with God, you are God's field, you are God's building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds upon it. But let each one pay attention to how he builds upon it.

11 For another foundation no one can lay besides what is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if anyone builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 each one's work shall be made clearly visible: for the day shall make it clear, because it shall be unveiled by fire; and the fire shall test every man's work, of what sort it is.

14 If anyone's work remains which he has built upon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If anyone's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet in this manner as through fire.

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

17 If anyone destroys the temple of God, God shall destroy him; for the temple of God is holy, which you are.

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written: 'He took the wise in their own cunning craftiness.'

20 And again: 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are worthless futility.'

21 Therefore, let no one boast in men. For all things are yours;

22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all things are yours;

23 and you of Christ; and Christ of God.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 4

1 Let a man so reckon of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 And as for the rest, it is required in stewards, that every man is found faithful.

3 As concerning me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or of man's judgment; no, I do not judge my own self.

4 For I know nothing by myself; yet I am not justified in this: but he who judges me is the Lord.

5 Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both illuminate the hidden things of darkness, and will make the counsels of the hearts clearly visible; and then each one shall have praise from God.

6 Now these things, brothers, I have figuratively applied to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; so that you might learn by us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you will be puffed up for one against another.

7 For who determines the difference between you? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now, if you did receive it, why do you boast, as if you had not received it?

8 Now you are full, now you are made rich, you have reigned as kings without us; and I desire you truly did reign, that we also might reign with you.

9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men.

10 We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honourable, but we are despised.

11 Up to this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are struck, and have no certain dwelling place;

12 and labour, working with our own hands; being vilified, we bless; being persecuted, we bear it;

13 being spoken evil of, we strongly encourage; we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things up to the present time.

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I caution you.

15 For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you have not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have birthed you through the good news.

16 Therefore I ask you, be followers of me.

17 For this reason have I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways in Christ, which I teach everywhere, in every Ekklesia.

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and will know, not the words of those who are puffed up, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of gentle humility?

1 Corinthians - Chapter 5

1 It is heard certainly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has performed this act might be put away from among you.

3 For indeed I, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him who has so committed this act.

4 When you are gathered together, and my spirit, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 hand over such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?

7 Purge out, therefore, the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

8 Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and evil; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

9 I wrote to you in a letter not to associate with fornicators;

10 yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the greedy, or extortioniate robbers, or with idolators; for then you must go out of the world.

11 But now I have written to you not to associate with them, if anyone called a brother is a fornicator, or greedy, or an idolator, or an insulting abuser, or a drunkard, or an extortionate robber; with such a one do not eat.

12 For what have I to do to judge those also who are outside? Do not you judge those who are within?

13 But God judges those who are outside. Therefore, put away from among yourselves that evil person.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 6

1 Do any of you dare, having a matter against another, to seek judgement before the unjust, and not before the saints?

2 Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?

4 If then you have court cases of things related to this life, seat those to judge who are least esteemed in the Ekklesia.

5 I speak this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? No, not one that shall be able to judge between his brothers?

6 But a brother goes to court with a brother, and that before the unbelievers.

7 Now therefore there is altogether a defeat among you, because you go to court with one another. Why do you not rather suffer the wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?

8 No, you yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and that to your brothers.

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,

10 nor thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, nor insulting abusers, nor extortionate robbers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

12 All things are lawful to me, but not all things are profitable. I may do all things, but I will not be brought under the authority of anything.

13 Food is for the belly, and the belly for foods: but God shall put away both. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

14 And God has both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

15 Do you not know that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a prostitute? Let it not be.

16 Do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For two, said He, shall be one flesh.

17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man commits is outside the body; but he who commits fornication sins against his own body.

19 Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, which you have from God, and you are not your own?

20 For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 7

1 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2 However, to avoid fornication, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband give to the wife due benevolence, and likewise also the wife to the husband.

4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband; and likewise the husband also does not authority of his own body, but the wife.

5 Do not defraud one another, except by harmonious consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan does not tempt you through absence of self-control.

6 But I speak this by permission, and not by commandment.

7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man has his own gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I.

9 But if they cannot abstain, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn.

10 And to the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, let not the wife depart from her husband;

11 but and if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband, and let not the husband put away his wife.

12 But to the remnant, I speak, not the Lord: if any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not forsake her.

13 And the woman who has a husband who does not believe, and if he is content to dwell with her, let her not forsake him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not enslaved in such cases: but God has called us to peace.

16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you shall save your husband? Or how do you know, O man, whether you shall save your wife?

17 But as God has distributed to each man, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I order in all the Ekklesias.

18 Is anyone called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Is anyone called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.

21 Were you called being a slave? Do not care for it, but if you can be made free, rather use it.

22 For he who is called in the Lord, being a slave, is the Lord's freeman; likewise also he who is called, being free, is a slave of Christ.

23 You are bought with a price, do not become the slaves of men.

24 Brothers, let each man, in what he is called, in this remain with God.

25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord; yet, I give my advice, as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

26 I suppose then that this is good for the present necessity, that it is good for a man so to be.

27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

28 But and if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet, such shall have affliction in the flesh: but I am sparing you.

29 But this I say, brothers, the time is short: from now on, that both those who have wives be as though they had none;

30 and those who weep, as though they do not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they do not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they do not possess;

31 and those who use this world, as not abusing it: for the form of this world passes away.

32 But I would have you without worry. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

33 but he who is married cares for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

34 There is a difference also between a virgin and a wife. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; but she who is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 And this I speak for your own advantage; not that I may throw a snare upon you, but for that which is decent, and that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

36 But if anyone thinks that he behaves himself improperly towards his virgin, if she passes the flower of her age, and so it ought to be, let him do what he desires, he does not sin: let them marry.

37 Yet, he who stands steadfast in his heart, that he has not need, but has authority over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.

38 So then he who gives her in marriage does well; but he who does not give her in marriage does better.

39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to marry whom she desires, only in the Lord.

40 But she is more blessed if she so remains, in my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 8

1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

2 Now, if any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by him.

4 Concerning therefore food sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

5 For though there are those which are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth; as there are many gods and many lords;

6 yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7 But every man does not have knowledge: for some having conscience of the idol, to this hour, eat it as a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8 But food does not make us acceptable to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we do not eat, are we the worse.

9 But pay attention in case by any means this authority of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.

10 For if anyone sees you who has knowledge sit at a table in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to idols.

11 And through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 Now when you sin so against the brothers, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

13 Therefore, if food offends my brother, I will eat no meat while the world stands, so that I do not cause my brother to stumble.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 9

1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord?

2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet surely I am to you: for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defence to those who examine me is this,

4 have we not authority to eat and to drink?

5 Have we not authority to lead about a wife, being a sister, as well as the rest of apostles, and as the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

6 Or only I and Barnabas, have we not authority not to work?

7 Who goes to warfare at any time at his own cost? Who plants a vineyard, and does not eat of the fruit of it? Or who feeds a flock, and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

8 Do I say these things as a man? Or does the law not say the same also?

9 For it is written in the law of Moses: 'You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox who treads out the corn.' Does God take care for oxen?

10 Or did he not say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, surely, this is written: that he who ploughs should plough in hope; and that he who threshes in hope should be a participant of his hope.

11 If we have sown into you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things?

12 If others participate in this authority over you, rather not we? Yet, we have not used this authority; but bear all things, so that we should not hinder the good news of Christ.

13 Do you not know that those who minister about holy things, eat of the things of the temple? And those who wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14 So has the Lord also ordained that those who preach the good news should live from the good news.

15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done to me; for it would be better for me to die, than that anyone should make my boasting empty.

16 For though I preach the good news, I have nothing to boast of; for necessity is laid upon me; and woe to me, if I do not preach the good news!

17 For if I do it willingly, I have a reward; but if I do it against my will (a stewardship of the good news is committed to me)

18 what is my reward then? Truly, that when I preach the good news, I may make the good news of Christ free of charge, that I do not abuse my authority in the good news.

19 For though I am free from all men, yet I have made myself servant to all, that I might win the more.

20 And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I may win the Jews; to those who are under the law, as though under the law, that I may win those who are under the law;

21 to those who are without law, as though I were without law (not being without law pertaining to God, but in the law of Christ) that I might win those who are without law.

22 To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak: I am made all things to all men, so that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the sake of the good news, that I might be partner in it with you.

24 Do you not know you that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain.

25 And everyone who wrestles exercises dominion over himself in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 Therefore, I run so, not as uncertainly; so I fight, not as one who beats the air;

27 But I beat down my body, and bring it into subjection: in case that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be unapproved.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 10

1 Brothers, I do not desire that you should be ignorant, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 and all ate the same spiritual food;

4 And all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well-pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these are examples to us, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7 Neither be idolators, as were some of them; as it is written: 'The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.'

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty three thousand fell.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents.

10 Neither murmur, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened to them for examples, and they are written for our caution, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands pay attention in case he fall.

13 There has no temptation taken you but such as relates to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.

14 Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to those having understanding; you judge what I say.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the partnership of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the partnership of the body of Christ?

17 For we that are many, are one bread, and one body, because we are all partakers of one bread.

18 Look at Israel according to the flesh: are not they who eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar?

19 What do I say then? That the idol is anything, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything?

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I do not desire that you should have partnership with devils.

21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; you cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not profitable; all things are lawful for me, but all things do not build up.

24 Let no one seek his own, but each one another's profit.

25 Whatever is sold in the market, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience:

26 for the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness of it.

27 If any of those who do not believe invite you to a feast, and you are disposed to go; whatever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28 But if anyone says to you 'this is offered in sacrifice to idols,' do not eat for his sake who declared it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness of it.

29 Conscience, I say, not your own, but of the other; for why is my freedom judged by another man's conscience?

30 For if I am partaker by grace, why am I spoken evil of, for that for which I give thanks?

31 Therefore, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Greeks, nor to the Ekklesia of God.

33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 11

1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

2 Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I handed them over to you.

3 But I desire that you know that Christ is the head of every man; and the head of the woman is the man; and God is the head of Christ.

4 Every man praying or prophesying, having anything on his head, dishonours his head.

5 But every woman who prays or prophesises with her head uncovered dishonours her head: for it is even one and the same as if she were shaven.

6 Therefore, if the woman is not covered, let her hair also be cut; and if it is a shame for a woman to be sheared or shaven, let her be covered.

7 For a man ought not to cover his head, for he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

8 For the man is not out of the woman but the woman out of the man.

9 For the man was not created for the sake of the woman, but the woman for the sake of the man.

10 Therefore, the woman ought to have authority over her head because of the angels.

11 Yet neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

12 For as the woman is out of the man, so the man is also by the woman; but all things are out of God.

13 Judge among yourselves: is it proper that a woman pray to God uncovered?

14 Does not nature itself teach you, that if a man has long hair, it is a shame to him?

15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given to her for a covering.

16 But if any man thinks to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the Ekklesias of God.

17 Now in this that I declare, I do not praise you, that you come together not for the better, but for the worse.

18 For first of all, when you come together in the Ekklesia, I hear that there are divisions among you, and I believe it in part.

19 For there must also be heresies among you, that those who are approved might be known.

20 Therefore, when you come together into one place, it is not to eat the Lord's supper.

21 For each one when they should eat takes his own supper beforehand: and one is hungry, and another is drunk.

22 Do you not have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise the Ekklesia of God, and shame those who have not? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

23 For I have received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, the night in which he was betrayed, took bread:

24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said: 'Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.'

25 In the same manner, he also took the cup when he had eaten, saying: 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'

26 For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you declare the Lord's death until he comes.

27 Therefore, whoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

28 Therefore, let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of this bread, and drink of this cup.

29 For he who eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks condemnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 Yet being judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, because we should not be condemned with the world.

33 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

34 And if any man hungers, let him eat at home; that you do not come together into condemnation. And the other things I will set in order when I come.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 12

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I would not have you ignorant.

2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to the dumb idols, as you were led.

3 Therefore, I declare to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God can call Jesus accursed; and that no one can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are diversities of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but God is the same who works all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one to profit all.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit;

9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 and to another the working of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another diversities of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues.

11 And all these things the selfsame Spirit works, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

12 For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, which is one, though they be many, are one body: even so is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slave or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is also not one member, but many.

15 If the foot would say: 'Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body' is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear would say: 'Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body' is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where is the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where is the smelling?

18 But now has God arranged the members, each one of them in the body, at his own pleasure.

19 For if they were all one member, where is the body?

20 But now there are many members, yet, but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble, are much more necessary.

23 And upon those members of the body which we think to be less honourable, these we put around more abundant honour; and our indecent parts have more abundant decency.

24 For our decent parts have no need; but God has combined the body together, and has given more abundant honour to that part which lacked;

25 that there should be no division in the body; but that the members should have the same care for one another.

26 Therefore, if one member suffers, all suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members for your part.

28 And God has laid down some in the Ekklesia, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then those who perform miracles, after that, gifts of healings, helps, governors, diversities of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

31 But earnestly desire the best gifts, and I will yet show you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 13

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am as a sounding bronze, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

3 And though I feed the poor with all my goods, and though I give my body that I be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love is patient, and is kind; love does not envy; love does not boast, is not puffed up,

5 is not discourteous, does not seek its own things, is not provoked to anger, does not keep accounts of wrongs;

6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth;

7 it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never falls away: but whether there are prophecies, they will be put away; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will be put away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be put away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass darkly; but then, face to face. Now I know in part; but then I shall really know even as also I am really known.

13 And now remains: faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 14

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, and rather that you may prophesy.

2 For he who speaks in a strange tongue does not speak to men, but to God, for no one hears him: though in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for building up, and strong encouragement, and comfort.

4 He who speaks in a strange tongue builds up himself; but he who prophesies builds up the Ekklesia.

5 I desire that you all speak with tongues, but rather that you prophesied: for greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the Ekklesia may receive building up.

6 And now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by unveiled revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by teaching?

7 And even things without life which give a sound, whether a pipe or a harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

8 And if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for the battle?

9 So likewise with you, unless you utter words that have clear significance, how shall it be understood what is spoken? For you shall speak into the air.

10 There are so many kinds of voices in the world, as it comes to pass, and none of them is without clarity.

11 Unless I know the power of the voice, I shall be a barbarian to him who speaks, and he who speaks shall be a barbarian to me.

12 Even so, for as much as you earnestly desire spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel in the building up of the Ekklesia.

13 Therefore, let him who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in a strange tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

16 Otherwise, when you bless with the spirit, how shall he who occupies the place of the unlearned say 'Amen' at your giving of thanks, seeing that he does not understand what you are saying?

17 For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not built up.

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all;

19 yet, in the Ekklesia, I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a strange tongue.

20 Brothers, do not be children in understanding: but as concerning evil be children, but in understanding be of mature age.

21 In the law it is written: 'By men of other tongues and other languages I will speak to this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, says the Lord.'

22 Therefore, strange tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who do not believe: but prophesying, does not serve those who do not believe, but for those who believe.

23 Therefore, if the whole Ekklesia has come together into one place, and all speak with strange tongues, and there comes in those who are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

24 But if all prophesy, and there comes in one who does not believe, or one unlearned, he is rebuked by all, he is judged by all;

25 and so the secrets of his heart are made clearly visible; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, and say plainly that God is indeed among you.

26 What is to be done then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has an unveiled revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

27 If anyone speaks in a strange tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that in turn, and let one interpret.

28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the Ekklesia; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge.

30 If anything is revealed to another who is seated, let the first one hold his peace.

31 For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may have comfort.

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all Ekklesias of the saints.

34 Let your women keep silence in the Ekklesias: for it is not permitted for them to speak, but to be in submission, as also the law says.

35 And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is a shame for women to speak in the Ekklesia.

36 Came the word of God out from you? Or did it come to you only?

37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Therefore, brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 15

1 Now, brothers, I declare to you the good news which I preached to you, which you have also received, and in which you stand;

2 by which you are also saved, if you keep in memory what I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain.

3 For first of all, I delivered to you that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

6 After that, he was seen by more than five hundred brothers at once, of whom many remain to the present time, but some have also fallen asleep.

7 After that, he was seen by Jacob; then by all the apostles.

8 And last of all he was seen also by me, as one born out of due time.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, who is not qualified to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Ekklesia of God.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace which is in me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than all of them: yet not I, but the grace of God which is with me.

11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach, and so you have believed.

12 Now if Christ is preached that he rose from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

14 and if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty;

15 and we are also found false witnesses of God; because we have witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he did not raise up, if it be so that the dead do not rise.

16 For if the dead do not rise, then is Christ not raised;

17 and if Christ is not raised, your faith is worthless futility; you are still in your sins.

18 And also those who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.

19 If only in this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and was made the firstfruits of those who slept.

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

23 But each man in his own order: the firstfruits in Christ; afterwards those who are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then comes the end, when he has delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be put away is death.

27 For he has put down all things under his feet. And when he says all things are subdued to him, it is clear that he is excepted, who did put down all things under him.

28 And when all things shall be subdued to him, then shall the Son himself also be subject to him who put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise what shall they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead do not rise at all, why then are they baptized for the dead?

30 And why also are we in danger every hour?

31 By our boasting which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 If I have fought with beasts at Ephesus after the manner of men, what advantage it is to me, if the dead do not rise? Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.

33 Do not be deceived: evil conversation corrupts good manners.

34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

35 But some one will say: 'How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?'

36 O fool, that which you sow is not made alive, unless it dies;

37 and that which you sow, you do not sow that body which shall be, but naked grain, as it happens, of wheat, or of some other.

38 But God gives it a body at his pleasure, and to each seed his own body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

40 There are also heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies: but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.

41 There is another glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.

43 It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

45 As it is also written, 'The first man Adam was made a living soul.' The last Adam was made a life-giving spirit.

46 Yet, that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterwards that which is spiritual.

47 The first man is of the earth, of dust; the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As is the dusty, such are they also who are dusty; and as is the heavenly, such are they also who are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the dusty, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50 Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall blow, and the dead shall be raised up incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?'

56 The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, unmoveable, always abundant in the work of the Lord, for as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians - Chapter 16

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have ordered in the Ekklesias of Galatia, so you also do.

2 Each first day of the week, let each one of you put aside by himself and store up as God has prospered him, so that there is no collections when I come.

3 And when I come, whomever you shall approve by your letters, those I will send to bring your gracious gift to Jerusalem.

4 And if it is worthy that I also go, they shall go with me.

5 Now I will come to you, after I have gone through Macedonia, for I will pass through Macedonia.

6 And it may be that I will remain, yes, or winter with you, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go.

7 For I do not desire to see you now in passing on the way; but I trust to remain a while with you, if the Lord permits.

8 But I will remain at Ephesus until Pentecost.

9 For a great and energetically effectual door is opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is without fear towards you: for he works the work of the Lord, even as I do.

11 Therefore, let no one despise him, but send him out in peace, that he may come to me: for I wait for him with the brothers.

12 As concerning our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come to you with the brothers, but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have a convenient time.

13 Watch, stand firm in the faith, be like men, be strong in exercising dominion.

14 Let all your things be done with love.

15 I ask you, brothers (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have given themselves to the ministry of the saints)

16 that you are obedient to such, and to everyone that helps with us, and labours.

17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for they have supplied what was lacking on your part.

18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore, acknowledge such as these.

19 The Ekklesias of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla, with the Ekklesia that is in their house, greet you much in the Lord.

20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 My greeting with my own hand: Paul.

22 If anyone does not affectionately love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Maranatha.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

2 Corinthians: the School of Glory

Chapter 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and brother Timothy, to the Ekklesia of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

2 grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion, and the God of all comfort;

4 who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5 For just as the sufferings of Christ abound towards us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ.

6 And whether we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is energetically working in endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer; or whether we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 And our hope for you is steadfast, knowing, that as you are partners of the sufferings, so shall you also be of the comfort.

8 For we do not desire, brothers, you to be ignorant of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were weighed down beyond measure, above our power, that we even despaired of life.

9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not be confidently persuaded in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;

10 who rescued us from so terrible a death, and does rescue, in whom we have hope that he will rescue us even now;

11 you also joining together in petition for us, that for the gracious gift into us out of many persons, thanks may be given through many on our behalf.

12 For our boasting is this, the witness of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly towards you.

13 For we write no other things to you, than what you read or have real knowledge of, and I hope you will have real knowledge of until the end;

14 just as you also have real knowledge of us in part, that we are your boast, even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 And in this confident persuasion I purposed to come to you before, that you might have a second grace;

16 and to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia to you, and by you to be sent forward on my way towards Judea.

17 Therefore, when I purposed this, did I use lightness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yes, yes and no, no?

18 But as God is faithful, our word towards you was not yes and no.

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, through me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yes and no, but in him was yes.

20 For all the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

21 Now he who establishes us with you, into Christ, and has anointed us, is God;

22 who has also sealed us, and given the guaranteeing pledge of the Spirit in our hearts.

23 Now I call upon God as a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I have not yet come into Corinth.

24 Not that we exercise lordship over your faith, but are co-workers of your joy: for by faith you stand.

2 Corinthians - Chapter 2

1 But I judged this within myself, that I would not come again to you in grief.

2 For if I grieve you, who then is the one who gladdens me, but the same who is grieved by me?

3 And I wrote this same thing to you, in case, when I came, I should have grief from those of whom I ought to rejoice; having confident persuasion in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

4 For out of much affliction and distress of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly towards you.

5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but in part (not to overstress this) all of you.

6 Sufficient to such a one is this punishment, which is by the majority.

7 So that, on the contrary, you ought rather to graciously forgive him, and comfort him, in case perhaps such a one should be swallowed by an abundance of grief.

8 Therefore I strongly encourage you that you would confirm your love towards him.

9 For also to this end I wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.

10 Now whoever you graciously forgive anything, I also. For if I graciously forgave anything, whoever I graciously forgave, for your sakes I forgave in the person of Christ;

11 so that Satan should not take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his scheming thoughts.

12 Now, when I came to Troas to preach the good news of Christ, and a door was opened to me by the Lord;

13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I had not found Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went from there into Macedonia.

14 Now thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes clearly visible the fragrance of his knowledge through us in every place.

15 For we are to God a sweet scent of Christ, among those who are saved, and among those who perish:

16 to the one we are the fragrance out of death into death; and to the other the fragrance out of life into life. And who is qualified for these things?

17 For we are not as many, who trade the word of God for profit; but out of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

2 Corinthians - Chapter 3

1 Are we beginning to recommend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some others, letters of recommendation to you, or letters of recommendation from you?

2 You are our letter written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

3 being clearly visible that you are a letter of Christ, ministered to by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God; not in tablets of stone, but in fleshly tablets of the heart.

4 And such confident persuasion we have through Christ towards God,

5 not that we are qualified in ourselves to account anything as from ourselves; but our qualification is from God;

6 who has qualified us as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

7 But if the ministry of death, in letters, engraved on stones, was imparted in glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; a glory which is made void.

8 How will the ministry the Spirit not be more glorious?

9 For if the ministry of condemnation is glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.

10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, for the sake of the surpassing glory.

11 For if that which is made void was glorious, so much more that which remains is glorious.

12 Therefore, having such hope, we use much boldness of speech;

13 and not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not look steadily into the end of that which is neutralised:

14 but their minds were blinded, for until this day, the same veil remains upon the reading of the old covenant, not being unveiled: the one which is abolished in Christ.

15 But until this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies upon their heart.

16 Yet, whenever one shall have turned to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

18 But we all, with an unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are tranformed into the same image from glory into glory, just as from the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians - Chapter 4

1 Therefore, having this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart;

2 but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in cunning craftiness, nor using the word of God as a deceitful snare, but by manifestation of the truth recommending ourselves towards the conscience of everyone in the presence of God.

3 But if our good news is veiled, it is veiled to those who are lost.

4 In whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, in case the light of the glorious good news of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for the sake of Jesus.

6 For God, who said 'light will shine out of darkness' has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in vessels of clay, so that the surpassing excellence of the power may be of God, and not out of us.

8 We are afflicted in everything, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not despairing;

9 persecuted, but not forsaken; thrown down, but not destroyed;

10 always carrying around, in the body, the death of the Lord Jesus, so that also the life of Jesus should be clearly visible in our body.

11 For we who live are always handed over into death for the sake of Jesus, so that also the life of Jesus should be clearly visible in our mortal flesh.

12 So then death energetically works in us, but life in you.

13 We having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written: 'I believed, therefore I have spoke,' we also believe, and therefore speak;

14 knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us through Jesus, and will present us with you.

15 For all things are for your sake, so that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many abound to the glory of God.

16 Therefore, we do not lose heart, but even if our outward man is perishing, yet the inner man is being renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is only for a moment, fashions for us an even more surpassingly excellent and everlasting weight of glory;

18 we do not look at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are for a season, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians - Chapter 5

1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, yearning to be properly clothed with our dwelling which is from heaven:

3 and if, indeed, having been clothed, we will not be found naked.

4 For we who are in this tabernacle groan, being burdened, not because we desire to be unclothed, but to be properly clothed, that mortality might be swallowed up by life.

5 Now he who has fashioned us for this very thing is God, who also has given to us the guaranteeing pledge of the Spirit.

6 Therefore, we are always courageous, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord;

7 for we walk by faith, not by sight;

8 we are courageous, I say, and consider it good, rather to be away from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

9 Therefore, we eagerly desire, that whether being at home or away, we may be well-pleasing to him.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done through his body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or evil.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made clearly visible to God, and I hope are also made clearly visible in your consciences.

12 For we do not recommend ourselves again to you, but give you an opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in the heart.

13 For whether we are astonished, it is to God; or whether we are sound-minded, it is for your benefit.

14 For the love of Christ presses us together, having judged this: that if one died for all, therefore all have died;

15 and that he died for all, so that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who died for them, and rose again.

16 Therefore, we no longer know anyone according to the flesh; and even though we have known Christ according the flesh, yet from now on, we no longer know him that way.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.

18 And all things are out of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 so that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not accounting their transgressions to them; and has appointed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are elder ambassadors for Christ, as though God strongly encourages you through us, we beg you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God.

21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians - Chapter 6

1 We then, as workers together with him, also strongly encourage you not to receive the grace of God in worthless futility.

2 For he said: 'I have heard you in an acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

3 Giving no cause for offence in anything, that the ministry should not be blemished.

4 But in all things recommending ourselves as ministers of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5 in wounds, in prisons, in disorderly riots, in labours, in sleepless watches, in fastings;

6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love without hypocrisy,

7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand, and on the left,

8 by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;

10 as grieving, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

11 O Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart is made wide.

12 You are not confined by us, but you are confined in your affections.

13 Now for the same reward, I speak as to my children, you also be enlarged.

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what partnership has light with darkness?

15 And what harmony has Christ with Belial? Or what part has the believer with the unbeliever?

16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; just as God has said, I will dwell among them, and walk there; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.

17 Therefore, come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing, and I will receive you,

18 and will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians - Chapter 7

1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Receive us: we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have defrauded no one.

3 I do not speak this to condemn you: for I have said before, that you are in our hearts, to die with you and live together with you.

4 Much is my boldness of speech towards you, much is my boasting of you; I am filled with comfort, I abundantly overflow with joy in all our affliction.

5 For, when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but were afflicted in everything: outside were fights, inside were fears.

6 But God, who comforts the abject, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7 and not by his coming only, but by the consolation with which he was comforted by you, when he told us of your yearning, your mourning, your zeal towards me; so that I rejoiced much more.

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same letter made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were sorry into repentance: for you were sorry in a godly way, so that in nothing you suffered loss from us.

10 For godly grief causes repentance into salvation, not to be repented of; but the sorrowful grief of the world works death.

11 For behold this very thing, that you have been grieved in a godly way, what diligence it worked in you, yes, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing desire, yes, what zeal, yes, what vindication. In all things you have shown yourselves to be pure in this matter.

12 Therefore, though I wrote to you, I did not do so for his cause who had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care towards you in the sight of God might appear to you.

13 Therefore we were comforted, because you were comforted; but rather we rejoiced much more abundantly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14 For if I have boasted anything to him of you, I have not been ashamed; but as we have spoken everything to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus came true.

15 And his heart of compassion is more abundant towards you, when he remembers the obedience of you all, as with fear and trembling you received him.

16 Therefore, I rejoice that I have confidence in you in all things.

2 Corinthians - Chapter 8

1 Now, brothers, we make known to you of the grace of God bestowed among the Ekklesias of Macedonia;

2 so that in an immense trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded into the riches of their generosity.

3 For according to their power, I witness, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

4 begging us with much strong encouragement that we would receive the grace, and the partnership of the ministry into the saints.

5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.

6 So we strongly encouraged Titus, that as he had already begun, so also he would accomplish in you the same grace also.

7 Therefore, as you abound in everything, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love towards us, even so, see that you abound in this grace also.

8 I do not speak according to an order, but through the eager desire of others, and testing the genuine sincerity of your love.

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich, for your sake he became poor, that you, through his poverty might be made rich.

10 And I give my judgement in this: for this is profitable for you, who have begun beforehand, not only to do, but also to desire, a year ago.

11 Therefore, now also accomplish the doing of it, just as there was an eagerness to desire, even so accomplish it also out of what you have.

12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what someone has, and not according to what he does not have.

13 Neither is it for others to be relieved, and you afflicted,

14 but out of equality, that now at this time your abundance is towards their poverty, that their abundance may also be towards your poverty, so that there may be equality;

15 as it is written: 'He who had gathered much had no excess and he who gathered little did not have less.'

16 But thanks be to God, which put the same diligent care into the heart of Titus for you.

17 For indeed he accepted the strong encouragement, but more diligent, of his own accord he went to you.

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the good news throughout all the Ekklesias;

19 and not only that, but who was also chosen by the Ekklesias to travel with us with this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind;

20 avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is ministered by us;

21 thinking ahead for what is good, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22 And we have sent our brother with them, whom we have often approved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, given the immense confidence which I have in you.

23 If any enquire of Titus, he is my partner and co-worker concerning you, or our brothers, they are the apostles of the Ekklesias, and the glory of Christ.

24 Therefore, show towards them, and before the Ekklesias, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

2 Corinthians - Chapter 9

1 For indeed concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you.

2 For I know the readiness of your mind, which I boast of, on your behalf, to those of Macedonia, that Achaia was prepared a year ago; and your zeal has provoked many.

3 Now, I have sent the brothers, in case our boasting on your behalf should be empty in this part; so that, as I said, you may be prepared;

4 in case, those of Macedonia should come with me and find you unprepared, so that we (that we might not say, you) should be ashamed in this confident boasting.

5 Therefore I thought it necessary to strongly encourage the brothers, that they should go before to you, and complete beforehand your benevolent blessing, which you promised before, that it might be ready, in this way as a blessing, and not as of greed.

6 Yet remember this, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows plentiful blessings shall also reap plentiful blessings.

7 As each one intends in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound towards you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound into every good work.

9 As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad; he has given to the poor: his righteousness remains forever.'

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower will also supply bread for your food, and will multiply your sown seed, and will increase the fruits of your righteousness;

11 being enriched in everything into all generosity, which causes through us thanksgiving to God.

12 For the ministry of this service not only supplies the poverty of the saints, but also abundantly causes many to give thanks to God;

13 through the proof of this service, they glorify God for your confessed submission to the good news of Christ, and for your generous partnership with them, and towards all;

14 and by their petition on your behalf, yearning for you, through the surpassing grace of God in you.

15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.
2 Corinthians - Chapter 10

1 Now I, Paul myself, strongly encourage you by the humility and gentleness of Christ, who in presence is lowly among you, but being absent, is courageously bold towards you;

2 but I ask you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confident persuasion, with which I think to be daring against some, who consider us as if we walked according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh;

4 for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but powerful through God to throw down strongholds;

5 throwing down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and taking captive every thought into the obedience of Christ;

6 and holding in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

7 Do you look on things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is persuaded in himself that he is of Christ, let him consider this again of himself, that as he is of Christ, so we also are of Christ.

8 For though I should boast somewhat more abundantly of our authority, which the Lord has given us for building up, and not for your destruction, I will not be ashamed;

9 this I say, that I might not seem to terrorise you through letters.

10 For his letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is of no value.

11 Let such a one think this: that such as we are in word by letters, when we are absent, so we will be, also, in action when we are present.

12 For we do not dare to reckon ourselves among the number, or compare ourselves with those, who recommend themselves; but those measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

13 But we will not boast of things which are beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the boundary which God has apportioned to us, a measure to attain even to you.

14 For we do not stretch ourselves beyond our measure, as though we did not attain to you; for we also came as far as to you in preaching the good news of Christ;

15 not boasting of things beyond our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our boundary into abundance,

16 to preach the good news in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's boundary, of things prepared already.

17 But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.

18 For it is not the one recommending himself, who is approved, but the one whom the Lord recommends.

2 Corinthians - Chapter 11

1 I desire that you would bear with me a little in my folly, and indeed you do bear with me.

2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy, for I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

3 But I fear, in case by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve through his cunning craftiness, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, whom you have not received, or another good news, which you have not received, you might well bear with him.

5 For I reckon I was not inferior to the exceedingly great apostles.

6 But though I am unlearned in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; but we have been made clearly visible among you to the uttermost in all things.

7 Have I committed a sin in abasing myself that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the good news of God freely?

8 I robbed other Ekklesias, taking wages from them for service to you.

9 And when I was present with you, and was in need, I was not idle to the hindrance of anyone; for that which was lacking for me, the brothers which came from Macedonia supplied; and in all things I have kept myself, and will I keep myself, so I should not be a burden to you.

10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will seal up this boasting in the region of Achaia.

11 For what reason? Because I do not love you? God knows.

12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire opportunity; so that in what they boast, they may be found even as we.

13 For such false apostles are deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

14 And no wonder, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers are transformed as though ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.

16 I say again, let no one consider me a fool; or else, receive me as a fool, that I may also boast myself a little.

17 That which I speak, I do not speak according to the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.

19 For you bear with fools gladly, being wise.

20 For you bear it, if anyone brings you into slavery, if anyone devours you, if anyone takes from you, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone strikes you on the face.

21 I speak according to dishonour, as though we had been weak. However, in whatever anyone is daring, I speak foolishly, I am daring also.

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.

23 Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool: I am more; in labours more abundant, in wounds above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.

24 From the Jews five times I have received forty stripes less one.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once was I stoned, three times I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep sea.

26 I was often on journeys, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own nation, in perils by the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brothers;

27 in weary labour and painful hardship, often in sleepless watches, in hunger and thirst, in frequent fastings, in cold and nakedness.

28 Beside the things which are outside, the weight upon me each day is the care of all the Ekklesias.

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I do not burn?

30 If I must boast by necessity, I will boast of the things which concern my weaknesses.

31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forevermore, knows that I do not lie.

32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes, desiring to seize me;

33 and was I let down, through a window, in a basket, by the wall and escaped his hands.

2 Corinthians - Chapter 12

1 It is necessary, yet not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and unveiled revelations of the Lord.

2 I knew a man in Christ fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I do not know, or whether out of the body, I do not know: God knows; such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows;

4 how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard words which cannot be spoken, which are not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Concerning such a man, I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, but in my weaknesses.

6 For though I would desire to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I will say the truth: but now I refrain, in case anyone should think of me above that which he sees in me, or that he hears of me.

7 And in case I should be self-exalted in conceit through the abundance of the unveiled revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to strike me, in case I should be self-exalted in conceit.

8 Because of this, I begged the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said to me: 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is brought to completion in weakness.' Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my weakness, that the power of Christ may dwell upon me.

10 Therefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in abusive insults, in needs, in persecutions, in anguish for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.

11 I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me, for I ought to have been recommended by you: for in nothing was I inferior to the exceedingly great apostles, though I am nothing.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were worked out among you in all endurance, in signs, and wonders, and powerful miracles.

13 For how were you inferior to the other Ekklesias, except that I myself was not idle to the hindrance of you? Graciously forgive me this wrong!

14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be idle to the hindrance of you: for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 And I will very gladly spend and be utterly spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

16 Though it be so, I did not burden you: however, being cunningly crafty, I caught you with deceit.

17 Did I greedily take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

18 I strongly encouraged Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, beloved, for your building up.

20 For I am afraid, in case, when I come, I shall not find you such as I desire, and that I shall be found to you such as you do not desire; in case there is strife, jealousy, tempers, selfish ambition, backbiting, whispering, arrogant swelling, wild disorder;

21 and in case, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall mourn over many who have sinned already, and have not repented of the impurity and fornication and lustful indulgence which they have committed.

2 Corinthians - Chapter 13

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word stand.

2 I told you before, and tell you beforehand, as though I were present the second time; and now being absent, I write to those who sinned before, and to all others, that if I come again, I will not spare.

3 Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who towards you is not weak, but is powerful in you.

4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we are also weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God towards you.

5 Test yourselves, whether you are in the faith; examine your own selves. Do you not really know your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are unapproved?

6 But I hope that you will know that we are not unapproved.

7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is good, though we are as unapproved.

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but for the truth.

9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are powerful; we also pray for this, even your perfection.

10 Therefore, I write these things being absent, in case being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not to destruction.

11 Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfected, be strongly encouraged, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints greet you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the partnership of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.

Galatians: the School of Freedom

Chapter 1

1 Paul, an apostle, not from men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;

2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the Ekklesias of Galatia:

3 grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of God and our Father,

5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

6 I am amazed that you are so soon removed from him who called you in the grace of Christ into a different good news,

7 which is not another, but there are some who are troubling you, and would pervert the good news of Christ.

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach any good news to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, and now I say again: if anyone should preach any other good news to you besides the one you have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be the servant of Christ.

11 But I make known to you, brothers, that the good news which was preached by me is not according to man.

12 For I neither received it from man, neither was I taught it, but through the unveiled revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Ekklesia of God beyond measure, and was destroying it;

14 and advanced in Judaism above many of my peers in my own generation, being more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace,

16 to reveal his Son in me, so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood;

17 neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me: but I went into Arabia, and again returned to Damascus.

18 Then, after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.

19 But I saw none of the other apostles, except Jacob the Lord's brother.

20 Now the things which I write to you, behold, in the presence of God, I do not lie.

21 Afterwards, I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia,

22 and was unknown by face to the Ekklesias of Judea which were in Christ;

23 but they had only heard that 'he who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he was once destroying.'

24 And they glorified God with me.
Galatians - Chapter 2

1 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

2 And I went up according to unveiled revelation, and laid before them the good news which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, in case, by any means I should be running, or had run, in worthless futility.

3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised;

4 and that because of the infiltration of false brothers, who came in secretly to spy on our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might enslave us;

5 to whom we did not yield in subjection, not even for an hour, that the truth of the good news might continue towards you.

6 Now, from those reputed to be something: whatever they formerly were, it does not carry weight with me, God is not a respecter of persons; for those who reputed to be something added nothing to me.

7 But, on the contrary, when they saw that the good news for the uncircumcision had been entrusted to me, just as the good news for the circumcision was to Peter;

8 for he who was energetically working in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcision, the same was energetically working in me towards the Gentiles;

9 and when Jacob, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of partnership, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.

10 They only desired that we should remember the poor, the same which I was also eager to do.

11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be condemned.

12 For before some came from Jacob, he ate with the Gentiles, but when they had come, he withheld and separated himself, being afraid of those who were of the circumcision.

13 And the rest of the Jews joined with him in hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was also carried away with their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that they were not walking uprightly according to the truth of the good news, I said to Peter before them all: 'If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles, and not like the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to become Jewish?'

15 We, who are Jews by nature, and not sinners out of the Gentiles,

16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but through the faith of Jesus Christ, also we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified.

17 But if, seeking to be justified by Christ, we have been found also sinners, is therefore Christ a minister of sin? Not at all.

18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I show myself a transgressor.

19 For I, through the law, have died to the law, so that I might live to God.

20 I am crucified with Christ, but I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live in faith, that of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21 I do not reject the grace of God, for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for no reason.

Galatians - Chapter 3

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has put a spell on your thinking, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was previously described in writing as crucified among you?

2 Only this I desire to learn from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

4 Have you suffered so many things in vain, if indeed also in vain?

5 Therefore, the one who ministers the Spirit to you, and energetically working miracles among you, is it out of the works of the law, or out of the hearing of faith?

6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him into righteousness.

7 Therefore, you know that they who are of faith, these are the children of Abraham.

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles through faith, preached the good news to Abraham beforehand, saying: 'All the nations will be blessed in you.'

9 So then, those of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

10 For as many as are operating out of the works of the law are under a curse: 'for it is written, Cursed is everyone who does not remain in all the things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.'

11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is clear, for 'the righteous shall live out of faith.'

12 And the law is not out of faith, but 'the man having done these will live in them.'

13 Christ has redeemed us out of the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,'

14 in order that the blessing of Abraham might come into the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15 Brothers, I speak according to the way of men, even though a man's covenant, if it is confirmed, no one rejects or adds to it.

16 Now to Abraham and his seed the promises were spoken. He did not say 'and to seeds', as of many, but as of one 'and to your seed' which is Christ.

17 And this I say, that the covenant, having been confirmed beforehand by God into Christ, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not make void, that it should neutralise the promise.

18 For if the inheritance is out of the law, it is no longer out of a promise; but God graciously gave it to Abraham by a promise.

19 Therefore, why the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise was made, having been appointed through messengers in the hand of an intermediary.

20 Now an intermediary is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

21 Therefore, is the law against the promises of God? Not at all. For if a law had been given which could have given life, righteousness would truly have been out of the law.

22 But the scripture has enclosed all under sin, so that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23 But before faith came, we were guarded under the law, enclosed for the faith about to be unveiled.

24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us into Christ, so that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after this faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26 For you are all the sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all into one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if you are of Christ, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians - Chapter 4

1 Now I say, as long as the heir is an infant, he is no different from a servant, though he is lord of all;

2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

3 Even so we, when we were infants, were enslaved under the elementary principles of the world,

4 but when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: 'Abba, Father.'

7 Therefore you are no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.

8 But indeed then, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those who by nature are not gods.

9 But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known by God, how do you turn again to the weak and impoverished elementary principles, by which you desire to be enslaved again?

10 You observe days, and months, and times, and years.

11 I am afraid for you, in case I have laboured for you in worthless futility.

12 Brothers, I ask you, become as I am, for I am as you are: you have wronged me in nothing.

13 Now you know that through sickness of the flesh I preached the good news to you for the first time.

14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise, nor reject; but received me as an angelic messenger of God, as Christ Jesus.

15 Where then is the blessedness you spoke of? For I witness to you, that if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me!

16 Therefore, have I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

17 They are zealous for you, but not in a good way; indeed, they desire to exclude you, so that you are zealous for them.

18 Now it is always good to be zealous in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

19 My little children, for whom I again travail in birth until Christ is formed in you,

20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice: for I am perplexed by you.

21 Tell me, those desiring to be under the law, do you not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one out of a slave woman, the other out of a free woman.

23 But the one who was indeed out of the slave woman was born according to the flesh; but the one out of the free woman, through the promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; one indeed from Mount Sinai, birthing into slavery, which is Hagar.

25 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, and is in slavery with her children.

26 But the Jerusalem which is above is free, who is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written: 'Rejoice, you barren woman, the one not bearing children; break out and shout, the one not travailing: for the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband.'

28 Now we, brothers, like Isaac, are the children of promise.

29 But just as, at that time, the one born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so also at the present time.

30 Nevertheless what does the scripture say? 'Throw out the slave woman and her son,' for the son of the slave woman will not inherit with the son of the free woman.

31 So then, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free.

Galatians - Chapter 5

1 Therefore, stand firm in the freedom for which Christ has set us free, and do not be held again in a yoke of slavery.

2 Behold, I Paul say to you, that if you are circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.

3 For I witness again to every man being circumcised, that he is a debtor to perform the whole law.

4 You are put away from Christ, whoever of you are justified by the law: you have fallen away from grace.

5 For we in the Spirit look expectantly for the hope of righteousness out of faith.

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision, is strong for anything; but faith energetically working through love.

7 You were running well, who cut in on you that you should not obey the truth?

8 This persuasion is not of the one who calls you.

9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

10 I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will have no other mind: but he who troubles you shall bear the judgment, whoever he is.

11 And I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Therefore, the offence of the cross is neutralised.

12 I even desire those disturbing you would cut themselves off.

13 For you have been called to freedom, brothers, only do not use freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'

15 But if you bite and devour one another, pay attention in case you are consumed by one another.

16 But I say: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not accomplish the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are set in opposition, one to the other, so that you cannot do the things that you desire.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are clearly visible, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lustful indulgence,

20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, divisions, heretical sects,

21 envy, murder, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these; of these I tell you beforehand, as I have also previously told you, that they who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,

23 gentle humility, self-control: against such there is no law.

24 And those of Christ have crucified the flesh with the passions and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk orderly in the Spirit.

26 Let us not pursue the worthless glorification of a conceited self, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians - Chapter 6

1 Brothers, if a man is overtaken in a transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentle humility, regarding yourself, in case you are also tempted.

2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

3 For if anyone considers himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

4 But let every man test his own work, and then he will have the basis of a boast in himself alone, and not in another.

5 For every man will bear his own assigned burden.

6 Let the one who is instructed in the word share with him who instructs in all good things.

7 Do not be lead astray: God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8 For he who sows into his flesh will out of the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows into the Spirit will out of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

9 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not faint.

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially towards those who are of the household of faith.

11 See what large letters I have written to you with my own hand.

12 As many as desire to make you look good in the flesh, these compel you to be circumcised: in order that they might not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13 For not even they themselves who are circumcised keep the law, but desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.

14 But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision, is anything: but instead, a new creation.

16 And as many as will walk orderly by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on, let no one trouble me, for I bear on my body the marking scars of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Ephesians: the School of Destiny

Chapter 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus;

2 grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ,

4 just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless in his presence, in love;

5 having predestined us into adoption as sons through Jesus Christ into himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 into the praise of the glory of his grace, which was graciously given to us in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, according to the riches of his grace;

8 which he abounded towards us in all wisdom and understanding;

9 having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in him,

10 that in the stewardship of the fullness of times he might gather into one head all things in Christ, both those in heaven, and those on earth, in him;

11 in whom, we have also obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who energetically works all things according to the counsel of his will,

12 that we should be for the praise of his glory, who hoped in Christ beforehand,

13 in whom you also hope, having heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

14 who is the guaranteeing pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, into the praise of his glory.

15 Therefore I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love to all the saints,

16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and unveiled revelation in the real knowledge of him,

18 the eyes of your understanding being illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 and what is the surpassing greatness of his power into us who believe, according to the energetic working of the dominion of his strength,

20 which he energetically worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and seated him on his right hand in the heavenly places,

21 far above all principality, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come;

22 and has subjected all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things for the Ekklesia,

23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Ephesians - Chapter 2

1 And you who were dead in transgressions and sins;

2 in which you once walked according to the age of this world, according to the prince of the authority of the air, the spirit who now energetically works in the children of disobedience;

3 among whom we all also once lived in the lusts of our flesh, performing the desires of the flesh and its mind, and we were, by nature, the children of wrath, even as the rest.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, through his immense love, with which he loved us,

5 even when we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ, by grace you are saved,

6 and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus;

7 so that in the ages that are indeed coming he might show the surpassing riches of his grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are you saved through faith, and this not out of yourselves: it is the gift of God,

9 not out of works, so that no one should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

11 Therefore, remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh, who are called the uncircumcision by those called the circumcision, in the flesh performed by hands;

12 that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world;

13 but now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who has made both as one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 having neutralised in his flesh the hostility, even the law of commandments by decrees, so that he might create, in himself, the two into one new man, making peace;

16 and that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, having put the hostility to death by it;

17 and came and preached peace to you who were far off, and to those near;

18 so that through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

19 Therefore now you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone;

21 in whom all the building being joined together grows into a holy temple in the Lord;

22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling placing of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians - Chapter 3

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ on behalf of you Gentiles,

2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of the grace of God which is given to me towards you,

3 so that according to unveiled revelation he made known to me the mystery, just as I wrote before in a few words,

4 by which you are able, by reading, to understand my understanding in the mystery of Christ,

5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as now unveiled to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 so that the Gentiles should be co-heirs, and of the same body, and fellow partners of his promise in Christ through the good news;

7 of which I became a servant, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the energetic working of his power.

8 To me, who is lesser than the least of all the saints, is this grace given: that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 and to illuminate all concerning what is the partnership of the mystery, which has been hidden away in God over the ages, who created all things by Jesus Christ;

10 so that now, to the principalities and authorities in heavenly places, the immensely multi-faceted wisdom of God might be known, through the Ekklesia,

11 according to the eternal purpose which he performed in Christ Jesus our Lord,

12 in whom we have boldness and access in confident persuasion through the faith of him.

13 Therefore, I request that you do not lose heart at my afflictions for you, which is your glory.

14 For this reason, I bow my knees towards the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 out of whom every tribe in the heavens and upon the earth is named,

16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be increased in energetic capacity to exercise dominion with power, by his Spirit, into the inner man;

17 for Christ to dwell in your hearts through faith, rooted and established in love,

18 so that you may be fully strengthened to take hold of, with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 and to know the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power energetically working in us,

21 to him be the glory in the Ekklesia in Christ Jesus in every generation, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians - Chapter 4

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, strongly encourage you to walk worthily of the calling with which you are called,

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love;

3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, just as you are called in one hope, that of your calling;

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in you all.

7 But to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Therefore, he said 'having ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.'

9 Now concerning 'he ascended' what is it, if not that he first descended also into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He who descended is the same also who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

11 And he indeed gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 towards the mature perfection of the saints, into the work of the ministry, into building up the body of Christ;

13 until we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the real knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfectly mature man, to the measure of the mature stature of the fullness of Christ;

14 so that we are no longer infants, tossed by waves, and carried along by every wind of teaching, by the schemes of men, and cunning craftiness, towards the trickery of deceit;

15 but speaking truth in love, that we may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, the Christ;

16 out of whom the whole body, being joined together and held together through the supply of every joint, according to the energetic working in the single measure of each part, makes the increase of the body into building itself up in love.

17 Therefore, I say this, and witness in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the worthless futility of their mind,

18 having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance being in them, because of the hardness of their heart;

19 who being past feeling have given themselves over to lustful indulgence, into the working of all impurity in greed.

20 But you have not learned Christ in this way.

21 If indeed you have heard him, and have been taught by him, just as the truth is in Jesus:

22 put away the old man, according to your former way of life, which is corrupt according to the lusts of deceit;

23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 and put on the new man, created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth.

25 therefore, putting away lying, let each one speak truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another.

26 Be angry, but do not sin; do not let the sun go down upon your provocation,

27 neither give a place to the devil.

28 Let the one stealing no longer steal, but rather let him labour, working the good with his hands, so that he may share with the one who needs.

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good towards the necessary business of building up, that it may give grace to those listening.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed to the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and anger, and wrath, and outcry, and evil speaking, be removed from you, with all malice;

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, graciously forgiving one another, just as God also in Christ has graciously forgiven you.
Ephesians - Chapter 5

1 Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children;

2 and walk in love, just as Christ has also loved us, and has given himself for us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-scented fragrance.

3 But fornication, and all impurity, or greed, let it not even be named among you, as becomes saints;

4 neither obscenity, nor foolish talking, nor vulgar humour, which are not proper; but rather thanksgiving.

5 For this you know, that no fornicator, nor impure person, nor greedy one, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no one deceive you with worthless words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience.

7 Therefore, do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, walk as children of light;

9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,

10 testing what is well-pleasing to the Lord.

11 And have no partnership with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather rebuke them.

12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

13 But all things that are rebuked are made visible by the light, for all which causes visibility is light.

14 Therefore he said: 'Awake sleeper, and rise up from among the dead, and Christ will shine upon you.'

15 Therefore, pay attention that you walk carefully, not as unwise, but as wise,

16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore, do not be unthinking, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which there is lustful disorder, but be filled with the Spirit;

19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of God:

22 wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Ekklesia; and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the Ekklesia is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in all things.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Ekklesia, and gave himself for her;

26 in order that he might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

27 so that he might present her to himself a glorious Ekklesia, not having a stain, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that she should be holy and without blemish.

28 So men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord does the Ekklesia.

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 Because of this, a man will leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and these two will be into one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery, but I speak into Christ and into the Ekklesia.

33 However, let each one of you in particular so love his wife, even as himself, and the wife, in order that she may profoundly respect the husband.

Ephesians - Chapter 6

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

2 Honour your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise,

3 so that it may be well with you, and you may live long upon the earth.

4 And, you fathers, do not provoke not your children to wrath, but nurture them to maturity in the disciplined training and cautionary warnings of the Lord.

5 Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;

6 not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God out of the soul;

7 serving with goodwill, as to the Lord, and not to men;

8 knowing that whatever good thing anyone might have done, each one will receive from the Lord, whether a slave or free.

9 And, you masters, do the same things towards them, giving up threatening, knowing that your Master is also in heaven: and there is no partiality with him.

10 Finally, my brothers, be empowered in the Lord, and in the capacity to exercise dominion, of his strength.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the world-rulers exercising dominion over the darkness of this age, against evil spiritual beings in heavenly places.

13 Therefore, take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand in opposition on the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Therefore stand, having your loins fastened around in truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and your feet shod in the preparation of the good news of peace;

16 above all, having taken up the shield of faith, in which you shall be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one;

17 and receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying in every season with all prayer and petition in the Spirit, and wakeful into this in all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints;

19 and for me, that a word may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the good news,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; so that in these, I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 But so that you may also know the things concerning me, and what I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, shall make all things known to you;

22 whom I have sent to you for the same reason, so that you might know the things concerning us, and so that he might strongly encourage your hearts.

23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity without corruption. Amen.

Philippians: the School of Joy
Chapter 1

1 Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the overseers and ministers;

2 grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

4 always in every petition of mine for you all, making the petition with joy,

5 for your partnership in the good news from the first day until now;

6 being persuaded of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

7 Just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I hold you in my heart; both in my chains, and in the defence and confirmation of the good news, you all are fellow partners of my grace.

8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the compassionate heart of Jesus Christ.

9 And I pray this: that your love may abound even more and more in real knowledge and in all discernment;

10 so that you may test the things which are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offence until the day of Christ;

11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

12 But I purpose that you should know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather for the advancement of the good news;

13 so that my chains in Christ are visible in all the palace, and in all other places;

14 and many of the brothers in the Lord, being persuaded by my chains, more abundantly dare to speak the word without fear.

15 But some indeed preach Christ through envy and strife, but some also through goodwill;

16 those indeed out of strife, not purely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;

17 but those out of love, knowing that I am positioned for the defence of the good news.

18 What then? Nevertheless, in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed: and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice,

19 for I know that this shall turn out for my salvation through your petition, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ;

20 according to my eager expectation and my hope, that in nothing I will be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so also now Christ will be magnified in my body, whether through life, or through death.

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour, but what shall I choose? I do not know.

23 For I am pressed between the two, having a deep desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better;

24 yet, to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.

25 And having this persuasion, I know that I will remain alongside you all for your progress and joy of the faith;

26 so that your boasting in Jesus Christ may abound through me by my coming to you again.

27 Only conduct yourselves as citizens worthily of the good news of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or being away, I may hear of the things concerning you, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith of the good news;

28 and in nothing terrified by those opposing: which is to them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and this from God.

29 For to you it is given on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake,

30 having the same fight such as you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Philippians - Chapter 2

1 Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercy,

2 fulfill my joy, so that you think the same, having the same love, of one accord in soul, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or worthless glorification of a conceited self, but in humility of mind let each one esteem the other better than themselves.

4 Let each one not only regard his own interests, but each one consider also those of others.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it the seizing of spoils to be equal with God,

7 but emptied himself out, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men;

8 and being found in the shape of existence as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.

9 Therefore God has also highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth;

11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God who works in you to both desire and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling and debate,

15 that you may be blameless and without mixture, the sons of God, unblemished, in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

16 holding out the word of life, that I may boast in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain, neither laboured in vain;

17 and even if I am being poured out upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with all of you.

18 For the same reason you also rejoice, and rejoice with me.

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up, when I know the things concerning you.

20 For I have no one with the same soul, who will genuinely care for the things concerning you.

21 For all seek their own things, not the things of Christ Jesus.

22 But you know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he has served with me in the good news.

23 Therefore, I indeed hope to send him at once, as soon as I see the things concerning me.

24 But I am persuaded in the Lord that I will also come myself soon.

25 However, I considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you, my brother, and co-worker, and fellow soldier, but your apostle and minister to my needs.

26 For he yearned after you all, and was in deep distress, because you had heard that he had been sick.

27 For indeed he was sick almost to death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him, but also on me, in case I should have grief upon grief.

28 Therefore, I sent him the more diligently, so that you may rejoice when you see him again, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

29 Therefore, receive him in the Lord with all joy; and hold such ones in honour,

30 for because of the work of Christ he was close to death, having disregarded his life, to supply your lack of service towards me.

Philippians - Chapter 3

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. Indeed, for me to write the same things to you is not troubling, but for you, it is safety.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation.

3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and boast in Christ Jesus, and have no confident persuasion in the flesh.

4 Though I might also have confident persuasion in the flesh. If anyone else thinks that he might have confident persuasion in the flesh, I more:

5 circumcised the eighth day, a descendant of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew out of Hebrews; according to the law, a Pharisee;

6 according to zeal, persecuting the Ekklesia; according to the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I considered loss for Christ.

8 Yes indeed, and I consider all things but loss for the surpassing knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and consider them rubbish, so that I may gain Christ,

9 and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the partnership of his sufferings, being shaped together in conformity to his death,

11 if by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead;

12 not that I have already attained it, or already have been perfected: but I am pursuing after, if also I may take hold of that for which I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

13 Brothers, I do not count myself to have taken hold, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are indeed behind, and reaching out to those things which are before,

14 I pursue towards the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many that are perfect, think like this; and if you think anything different, God will unveil even this to you.

16 Yet, in that which we have already attained, let us walk orderly by the same rule, let us think the same thing.

17 Brothers, be imitators together of me, and carefully observe those who walk this way, just as you have us for an example.

18 For many are walking, of whom I have told you often, and now even weeping I say, they are the enemies of the cross of Christ;

19 whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, those minding earthly things;

20 for our citizenship is in the heavens, from where we also look expectantly for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ;

21 who will transform the body of our humble condition, that it may be shaped together in conformity with his glorious body, according to the energetic working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.

Philippians - Chapter 4

1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

2 I strongly encourage Euodias, and ask Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3 And I also ask you, a genuine co-labourer, help those women who laboured together with me in the good news, with Clement also, and with other my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say: rejoice.

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is near.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God;

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever respectable, whatever right, whatever pure, whatever lovely, whatever of good report; if there is any excellence, and if there is any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, practice these: and the God of peace shall be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last your care of me has flourished again; in which you were also mindful, but you were without opportunity.

11 Not that I speak according to poverty: for I have learned, in whatever condition I am, to be content.

12 I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to fall short.

13 I have strength for all things in Christ, the one who empowers me.

14 But you have done well, having partnership with my affliction.

15 Now you Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the good news, when I departed from Macedonia, no Ekklesia partnered with me as concerning giving and receiving, but you alone.

16 For even in Thessalonica you sent both once and twice for my needs.

17 Not because I seek after a gift, but I seek after the fruit that may abound into your account.

18 But I have all, and abound; I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, the fragrance of a sweet scent, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

19 But my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

20 Now to God and our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.

22 All the saints greet you, especially those out of Caesar's household.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Colossians: the School of Hope
Chapter 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and brother Timothy,

2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ who are in Colosse: grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always praying concerning you,

4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have towards all the saints,

5 for the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, which you heard of before in the word of the truth of the good news;

6 which is present in you, just as it is in all the world, and bearing fruit, as also in you, from the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth,

7 as you also learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you;

8 who also made clear to us your love in the Spirit.

9 For this reason, we also, from the day we heard, do not cease to pray for you, and to petition that you might be filled with the real knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 that you might walk worthily of the Lord in all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the real knowledge of God;

11 empowered with all power, according to the dominion of his glory, into all endurance and patience with joy;

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to participate in the inheritance of the saints in the light;

13 who has rescued us from the authority of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his beloved Son;

14 in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins;

15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creation.

16 For by him all things were created, those in heaven, and those on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or authorities; all things were created by him, and for him;

17 and he is before all things, and all things are sustained in him;

18 and he is the head of the body, the Ekklesia, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have supremacy.

19 For it pleased the Father that all the fullness should dwell in him;

20 and through him to reconcile all things into himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross, through him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens.

21 And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by the works of evil, but now he has reconciled

22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and faultless in his presence;

23 if you continue in the faith established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the good news which you have heard, and which was preached to every creation which is under heaven, of which I, Paul, have become a minister;

24 who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the Ekklesia;

25 of which I have become a minister, according to the stewardship of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;

26 even the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now is made visible to his saints;

27 to whom God has desired to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

28 whom we preach, cautioning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;

29 into this I also labour, striving according to his energy, which energetically works in me with power.

Colossians - Chapter 2

1 For I desire that you know how immense a conflict I am having for you, and for those on Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 that their hearts might be comforted, being united together in love, and into all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the real knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

3 in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden away.

4 But this I say, in case anyone should deceive you with serpent-speech.

5 For although I am away in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

7 rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, just as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

8 Pay attention, in case anyone carries you away through philosophy and worthless deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwells all the fullness of the Divine Being in bodily form.

10 And you are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and authority;

11 in whom you were also circumcised with the circumcision performed without hands, in stripping off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;

12 buried with him in baptism, in which you are also risen together with him through the faith of the energetic working of God, who has raised him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has made alive together with him, having graciously forgiven all your transgressions,

14 wiping out the handwriting of the decrees that were against us, which were opposed to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 and having stripped principalities and authorities, he made a show of them in plain view, triumphing over them in it.

16 Therefore, do not let anyone judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of a feast, or a new moon, or the Sabbath days;

17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ.

18 Let no one deceitfully disqualify you of your reward, desiring in humility even a religion of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, pointlessly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

19 and not holding securely to the Head, from which all the body by joints and ligaments being amply supplied, and united together, increases with the increase of God.

20 If you have died with Christ away from the elementary principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to decreed dogmas?

21 Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle:

22 which are all perishing with the use; according to the commandments and teachings of men:

23 which things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-willed worship, and humility, and severity with the body; these are worthless against the indulgence of the flesh.

Colossians - Chapter 3

1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things upon the earth.

3 For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.

5 Therefore, put to death in your members which are upon the earth: fornication, impurity, lustful passion, evil lust, and greed, which is idolatry;

6 because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the children of disobedience:

7 in which you also once walked, when you lived in them.

8 But now also put off all these: wrath, anger, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old man with his practices;

10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed into real knowledge after the image of him who created him;

11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Therefore, put on, as the chosen ones of God, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility of mind, gentle humility, patience;

13 bearing with one another, and graciously forgiving one another, if anyone has a quarrel against anybody: just as Christ graciously forgave you, even you do this.

14 And upon all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

15 And let the peace of God govern in your hearts, into which you are also called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and cautioning one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18 Wives, be subjected to your own husbands, as is proper in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter towards them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, in case they become discouraged.

22 Servants, obey your masters in all things according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as menpleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

23 and whatever you do, work from the soul, as to the Lord, and not to men;

24 knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ.

25 But the one doing wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done, and there is no partiality.

Colossians - Chapter 4

1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

2 Persevere steadfastly in prayer, and watching in it with thanksgiving;

3 at the same time, also praying for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been bound;

4 that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom towards those who are outside, redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

7 Tychicus shall make known to you all things relating to me, the beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord;

8 whom I have sent to you for the same reason, that he might know concerning you, and comfort your hearts;

9 with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known to you all things occurring here.

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner greets you, and Marcus, the nephew of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commands: if he comes to you, receive him)

11 and Jesus, who is called Justus; only these are my fellow workers out of the circumcision, into the kingdom of God, who have been a consolation to me.

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, greets you, always fighting on your behalf in prayer, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

13 For I witness of him, that he has much passion for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the Ekklesia which is in his house.

16 And when this letter is read among you, let it be read also in the Ekklesia of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

17 And say to Archippus: 'Pay attention to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, so that you fulfill it.'

18 The greeting by my hand, Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

1 Thessalonians: the School of Endurance
Chapter 1

1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the Ekklesia of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 We give thanks to God always concerning you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before God and our Father;

4 knowing, brothers, beloved, of your election by God.

5 For our good news did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much full assurance, just as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

6 And you became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy in the Holy Spirit;

7 so that you became examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8 For from you, the word of the Lord has echoed out, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith towards God has gone out; so that we have no need to say anything.

9 For they themselves speak out concerning us, what kind of entrance we had towards you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

10 and to wait for his Son from the heavens, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians - Chapter 2

1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our entrance to you was not in vain;

2 but having suffered beforehand, and having been abused in Philippi, just as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the good news of God with much contention.

3 For our strong encouragement was not out of deception, nor from impurity, nor by craftiness;

4 but just as we were approved by God to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.

5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, just as you know, nor an impressive performance for greed: God is witness;

6 nor seeking glory from men, neither from you, nor from others, having ability to be weighty, as apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

8 So longing for you, we were pleased to have imparted to you, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because you have become beloved to us.

9 For you remember, brothers, our labour and hardship; working night and day, so we would not be a heavy burden upon any of you, we preached to you the good news of God.

10 You are witnesses, and God also, of how we were holy and righteous and blameless among you who believe.

11 Just as you know how, as a father with his children, we strongly encourage and comfort and witness to each one of you,

12 that you should walk worthy of God, who has called you into his kingdom and glory.

13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you did not accept it as the word of men, but just as it truly is, the word of God, which also works energetically in you who believe.

14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the Ekklesias of God who are in Christ Jesus in Judea; for you have also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they have from the Jews;

15 who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God, and are against all men;

16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to ever fill up their sins; but the wrath has come upon them to the utmost.

17 But we, brothers, being separated from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, were more abundantly eager to see you in person with much deep desire.

18 Therefore we desired to come to you, I indeed Paul, both once and twice; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? Is it not also you before our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For you are our glory and joy.

1 Thessalonians - Chapter 3

1 Therefore, when we could no longer bear it, we thought it good to remain alone in Athens,

2 and sent Timothy, our brother, and minister of God, and our co-worker in the good news of Christ, to make you steadfast, and to strongly encourage you concerning your faith:

3 that no man should be disturbed by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that we are appointed to these things.

4 For indeed, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are about to suffer affliction; just as it also came to pass, and you know.

5 Because of this, when I could no longer bear it, I sent in order to know your faith, in case by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labour would be in vain.

6 But now when Timothy came to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you ever have a good remembrance of us, deeply desiring to see us, just as we also to see you;

7 therefore, brothers, we were comforted concerning you in all our distress and affliction by your faith.

8 For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

9 For what thanksgiving can we repay to God concerning you, for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God;

10 intensely petitioning in prayer, night and day, that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11 Now may God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way towards you;

12 and may the Lord cause you to abundantly increase and overflow in love towards one another, and towards all men, just as we do towards you;

13 in order to make your hearts steadfast, blameless in holiness before God, our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians - Chapter 4

1 Finally, therefore, we ask you, brothers, and strongly encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that just as you have received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would overflow to more.

2 For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God: your holiness; that you should hold back from fornication;

4 that each one of you should know how to possess his vessel in holiness and honour;

5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who do not know God;

6 that no one go beyond and cheat his brother in any matter, because the Lord is the avenger concerning these things, as we have also forewarned and solemnly witnessed.

7 For God has not called us to impurity, but in holiness.

8 Therefore, he that sets asides this, does not set aside man, but God, who has also given into us his Holy Spirit.

9 But as concerning brotherly love, you have no need that I write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

10 And indeed you are doing this towards all the brothers in the entirety of Macedonia; but we ask you, brothers, that you overflow to more;

11 and that you eagerly strive to be quiet, and do your own work, and to work with your own hands, just as we commanded you;

12 that you may walk decently towards those who are outside, and so that you may have lack of nothing.

13 But I do not desire you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you should not be grieved, just as the others who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so God will also lead away with him those who sleep, through Jesus,

15 for this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain to the coming of the Lord will certainly not precede those who are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first;

17 then we who are alive and remain shall be caught away together with those in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will ever be with the Lord.

18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians - Chapter 5

1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you.

2 For you yourselves know precisely that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say 'peace and security' then unexpected destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a woman with child, and they will certainly not escape.

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that day should come upon you as a thief.

5 You are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 Therefore, let us not sleep, as the others; but let us watch and be self-controlled.

7 For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who are intoxicated, are intoxicated at night.

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but into the purchased possession for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 who died for us, that whether we watch or sleep, we should live together with him.

11 Therefore comfort each other, and edify one another, just as you also do.

12 And we ask you, brothers, to pay attention to those who labour among you, and lead you in the Lord, and warn you;

13 and to highly esteem them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we strongly encourage you, brothers, warn those who are disorderly, comfort the discouraged, support the weak, be patient towards all men.

15 See that no one repays evil for evil to anyone; but always pursue what is good, both towards one another and towards all men.

16 Always rejoice.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 Give thanks in everything: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 Do not quench the Spirit;

20 do not reject prophecies,

21 but test all things, hold firm to the good.

22 Hold back from every form of evil.

23 And may the God of peace himself make you holy, perfectly complete; and keep blameless your whole spirit and soul and body, until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he who calls you, who will also do it.

25 Brothers, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord: this letter is to be read to all the holy brothers.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

2 Thessalonians: the School of Peace
Chapter 1

1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the Ekklesia of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ;

2 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We are obliged to always thank God for you, brothers, as it is deserving, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all towards one another abounds;

4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the Ekklesias of God for your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and afflictions that you are bearing;

5 which is a clear demonstration of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

6 since indeed it is righteous for God to repay affliction on those who oppress you;

7 and to you who are oppressed with us, a rest when the Lord Jesus will be unveiled from heaven with his powerful angels,

8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and that do not obey the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ;

9 who will pay a lawful penalty of everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his strength;

10 when he will come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at by all those who believe, because our witness among you was believed, on that day.

11 Therefore we also pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of his calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith in power;

12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians \- Chapter 2

1 Now we ask you, brothers, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together to him,

2 that you do not be quickly shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as though from us, that the day of Christ is near.

3 Let no one deceive you in any way, for that day will not come without a falling away coming first, and the unveiling of the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction;

4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

5 Do you not remember, when I was still with you, that I told you these things?

6 And now you know what holds him back that he might be unveiled in his time.

7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already energetically at work, there is only one who holds him back at the moment, until taken out of the way;

8 and then the lawless one will be unveiled, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of his mouth, and will neutralise with the glorious manifestation of his coming;

9 the one whose coming is according to the energetic working of Satan with every miracle and signs and lying wonders,

10 and with all deceitfulness of unrighteousness in those perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this reason God will send them an energetic delusion, that they should believe the lie;

12 that they all might be judged who did not believe the truth, but delighted in unrighteousness.

13 But we are obliged to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation by sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in truth.

14 In this, he called you by our good news, into the purchased possession of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 Therefore, brothers, stand fast, and hold secure the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or by our letter.

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and a good hope through grace,

17 comfort your hearts, and make you steadfast in every word and good work.

2 Thessalonians - Chapter 3

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run, and be glorified, just as it is with you;

2 and that we may be rescued from warped and evil men; for not all are of the faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who will make you steadfast, and guard you from evil.

4 And we are pursuaded in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things which we command.

5 And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the endurance of Christ.

6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in a disorderly fashion, and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

7 For you know how you ought to imitate us; for we were not disorderly among you;

8 neither did we eat any man's bread as a free gift, but worked with labour and hardship night and day, that we might not be a heavy burden upon any of you.

9 Not because we do not have authority, but in order to make ourselves an example for you to imitate us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we were commanding: that if any is not willing to work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you who are disorderly, not working at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now those who are such we command and strongly encourage by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But you, brothers, do grow weary in well doing.

14 And if any man does not obey our word through this letter, note that man, and do not associate with him, that he may be ashamed.

15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace through all in every way. The Lord be with you all.

17 The greeting of Paul with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: so I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

1 Timothy: the School of Leadership
Chapter 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the command of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope;

2 to Timothy, my own child in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

3 Just as I strongly encouraged you to remain longer in Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that you might command some not to teach differently,

4 neither pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause controversial debates; rather, the stewardship of God, which is in faith.

5 Now the end of the command is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith with hypocrisy;

6 from which some having deviated, have turned aside to worthless words;

7 desiring to be teachers of the law, neither understanding what they are saying, nor concerning what they strongly affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully;

9 knowing this, that the law is not laid out for a righteous man, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10 for fornicators, for homosexuals, for slavers, for liars, for false swearers of oaths, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to healthy teaching,

11 according to the glorious good news of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has empowered me, for that he considered me faithful, placing me into the ministry;

13 who was formerly a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and an abuser; but I received mercy, because, being ignorant, I acted in unbelief.

14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

15 Faithful is the word, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first.

16 But for this reason I received mercy, that first in me Jesus Christ might display all patience, as a model for those about believe in him into everlasting life.

17 Now to the King of eternity, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18 This command I commit to you, Timothy my child, according to the prophecies which went ahead of you, that by them you might war the good warfare;

19 holding faith, and a good conscience, which some having thrust away, concerning the faith, have been shipwrecked;

20 of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have handed over to Satan, that they may be trained not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy - Chapter 2

1 I strongly encourage, therefore, that first of all, petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving, be made for all men;

2 for kings, and for all who are in authority over us, that we may lead an undisturbed and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the presence of God our Saviour;

4 who desires all men to be saved, and to come to the real knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, the witness in his own appointed time.

7 Into whom I am placed a preacher and an apostle, I speak the truth in Christ and do not lie, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 Therefore, I intend that men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputes;

9 likewise, that women also clothe themselves in modest apparel, with discretion and a sober-mind; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or expensive garments;

10 but with what is appropriate for women proclaiming reverence for God with good works.

11 Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.

12 But I do not allow a woman to teach, nor to take dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.

13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.

14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

15 But she will be saved through childbearing, if they remain in faith and love and holiness, with a sober-mind.

1 Timothy - Chapter 3

1 Faithful is the word: if anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a good work.

2 An overseer then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, of sound mind, decent, hospitable, able to teach;

3 not given to wine, not aggressive, not greedy for shameful gain; but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money;

4 one that leads his own house well, having his children in subjection with all dignity.

5 For if a man does not know how to lead his own house, how shall he take care of the Ekklesia of God?

6 Not a young believer, in case, being puffed up with pride he falls into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover, he must have a good witness with those who are outside, so that he will not fall into the accusation and the snare of the devil.

8 Likewise, ministers must be serious, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for shameful gain;

9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be tested; then let them minister as servants, being found blameless.

11 Likewise, their wives must be serious, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in all things.

12 Let the ministers be the husbands of one wife, leading their children and their own houses well.

13 For those who have served well as ministers purchase for themselves a good standing, and much boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you swiftly,

15 but if I delay, so that you may know how you must conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the Ekklesia of the living God, the pillar and the grounding support of the truth.

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: who was manifested in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen by messengers, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 Timothy - Chapter 4

1 Now the Spirit says clearly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, paying attention to deceiving spirits and the teachings of devils;

2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron;

3 forbidding to marry, abstaining from foods, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

4 For every creation of God is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it is received with thanksgiving,

5 for it is made holy through the word of God and prayer.

6 If you lay these things down before the brothers, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, being nourished by the words of faith and good teaching, which you have closely followed.

7 But refuse profane and old wives' tales, and rather exercise yourself towards godliness.

8 For bodily exercise is profitable for a little while, but godliness is profitable for all things, possessing the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come.

9 Faithful is the word, and worthy of acceptance by all.

10 For into this we both labour and suffer accusation, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things.

12 Let no one despise your youth, but you be a model for the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

13 Until I come, pay attention to the public reading of scripture, to strong encouragement, to teaching.

14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.

15 Meditate upon these things, give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may appear to all.

16 Pay attention to yourself, and to the teaching; persist in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1 Timothy - Chapter 5

1 Do not sharply rebuke an elder, but strongly encourage him as a father, and the younger men as brothers,

2 the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity.

3 Honour widows that are really widows.

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show godliness at home, and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable in the presence of God.

5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, hopes in God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

6 But she who lives in lust for pleasure is dead while she lives.

7 And these things command, that they may be blameless.

8 But if any does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Do not let a widow be added to the list who is under sixty years old, but having been the wife of one man,

10 witnessed of for good works; if she has raised up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has given aid to the afflicted, if she has followed after every good work.

11 But the younger widows refuse; for when they are inflamed for sensual appetites against Christ, they desire to marry;

12 having condemnation, because they have set aside their first faith.

13 and at the same time they learn to be idle, wandering around the houses; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

14 Therefore, I intend that the younger women marry, bear children, rule the house, giving no opportunity to the adversary to vilify us on their account.

15 For some have already turned aside after Satan.

16 If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them give aid to them, and do not let the Ekklesia be weighed down, that it may give aid to those who really are widows.

17 Let the elders who lead well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and teaching.

18 For the scripture says: 'You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain' and 'The worker is worthy of his wages.'

19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder, unless there are two or three witnesses.

20 Those who are sinning expose in the presence of all, so that others may also fear.

21 I solemnly witness to you in the presence of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you guard these things without prejudice, doing nothing according to partiality.

22 Lay hands swiftly on no one, neither share the sins of others: keep yourself pure.

23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent sicknesses.

24 Some men's sins are clear beforehand, going ahead of them to judgment; and some also follow after.

25 Similarly, the good works of some are also clear beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

1 Timothy - Chapter 6

1 Let as many that are servants under a yoke consider their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his teaching are not blasphemed.

2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers; but rather serve them, because they are faithful and beloved, those sharing in the good work. These things teach and strongly encourage.

3 If anyone teaches differently, and does not consent to healthy words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching which is according to godliness,

4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but obsessed concerning debates and fights over words, from which come envy, strife, insults, evil suspicions,

5 self-serving arguments of men of corrupt minds, and deprived of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gaining a livelihood. Withdraw yourself from these ones.

6 But godliness with self-sufficiency is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and neither are we able to bring anything out.

8 And having food and clothing, we will be content with these.

9 But those intending to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which sink men in destruction and damnation.

10 For the love of money is a root of all evils, which some in aspiring have been seduced away from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentle humility.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of everlasting life, into which you were also called, and confessed the good confession before many witnesses.

13 I command you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate;

14 that you keep this commandment without blemish, blameless, until the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ;

15 which in his own times he will show, who is the blessed and only ruling power, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no one of men has seen, nor is able to see; to whom be honour and everlasting dominion. Amen.

17 Command those who are rich in this present age, not to be high-minded, nor to hope in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us all things richly for enjoyment;

18 that they do good, to be rich in good works, generous, willing to share;

19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the age to come, that they may lay hold of everlasting life.

20 O Timothy, guard that which is committed to your trust, avoiding profane and worthless talk, and antithetical arguments of so-called knowledge;

21 which some declaring have deviated concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

2 Timothy: the School of Ministry
Chapter 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 to Timothy, my beloved child: grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a pure conscience, that without ceasing I remember to mention you in my petitions night and day;

4 deeply desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy;

5 when I call to remembrance the faith that is in you without hypocrisy, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice and I am persuaded is also in you.

6 Therefore, I remind you to you stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands.

7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Therefore, do not be ashamed of the witness of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but be a fellow sufferer in the afflictions of the good news according to the power of God;

9 who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 but is now made visible by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has neutralised death, and has illuminated life and immortality through the good news;

11 into this, I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For this reason, I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him for that day.

13 Hold on to the pattern of healthy words, which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 Guard that good thing which was entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us.

15 This you know, that all those who are in Asia have turned away from me, of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16 The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for many times he refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains;

17 but, when he was in Rome, he searched me out very diligently, and found me.

18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord on that day, and in how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, you know very well.

2 Timothy - Chapter 2

1 Therefore you, my child, be empowered in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that you have heard from me by many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, those who will also be competent to teach others.

3 You therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No one who is at war entwines himself with the business of a livelihood, that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also competes, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully.

6 The farmer who labours must be first to participate in the fruits.

7 Consider what I say, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my good news;

9 for which I suffer affliction, as an evildoer, even to chains; but the word of God is not chained.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the chosen, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with everlasting glory.

11 faithful is the word: for if we have died with him, we will also live with him;

12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he is not able to deny himself.

14 Remind them of these things, charging them in the presence of the Lord that they do not fight about words to no profit, but to the catastrophic overthrow of those listening.

15 Be eagerly diligent to present yourself approved to God, a workman with no cause to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But avoid worldly and worthless talk, for they will advance to more ungodliness.

17 And their word will spread like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 who concerning the truth have deviated, saying that the resurrection is already past, and are overthrowing the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are his' and 'Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from unrighteousness.'

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay; and some for honour, and some for dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purifies himself from these, he will be a vessel for honour, having been made holy, and useful for the master, and prepared for every good work.

22 Also flee from the lusts of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But avoid foolish and uneducated debates, knowing that they breed fights.

24 And the servant of the Lord must not fight, but be kind to all men, able to teach, forbearing,

25 in gentle humility instructing those who set themselves in opposition, in the event that God will grant them repentance into the real knowledge of the truth,

26 and that they may regain their right mind out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him into his will.

2 Timothy - Chapter 3

1 Also know this, that in the last days savage times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3 hard-hearted, merciless, slanderous, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness,

4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

5 having a shape of godliness, but denying its power: also turn away from these.

6 For out of this kind are those who creep into houses, and take captive weak women loaded with sins, led away with various lusts,

7 always learning, and never able to come to a real knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also these resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, rejected concerning the faith.

9 But they will not advance further on, for their foolishness will be made perfectly plain to all men, even as theirs was.

10 But you have closely followed my teaching, manner of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,

11 persecutions, sufferings, which afflicted me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what kind of persecutions I persevered through, but out of them all the Lord rescued me.

12 But also all desiring to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and occult charlatans shall grow worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been established on, knowing of whom you have learned them;

15 and that from infancy you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for teaching, for persuasion, for correction, for training in righteousness;

17 so that the man of God may be ready for the moment, thoroughly prepared for all good works.

2 Timothy - Chapter 4

1 Therefore, I solemnly witness to you in the presence of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge the living and the dead according to his glorious manifestation and his kingdom;

2 preach the word, stand ready in season, out of season; persuade, rebuke, strongly encourage with all patience and teaching.

3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate healthy teaching, but acccording to their own lusts will heap up teachers for themselves, having itching ears;

4 and they will turn away from hearing the truth, and will be turned aside to myths.

5 But be level-headed in all things, suffering afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill the fullness of your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out, and the time of my departure stands ready.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have completed my race, I have guarded the faith;

8 From now on, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not only to me, but to all those who also love his glorious manifestation.

9 Be diligent to come to me swiftly;

10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present age, and is departed to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me in the ministry.

12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring with you, and the books, but especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, the Lord will reward him according to his works;

15 also be on your guard with him, for he has exceedingly opposed our words.

16 At my first defence no one stood with me, but all abandoned me; let it not be charged to them.

17 But the Lord stood with me, and empowered me, that by me the preaching might be fully carried out, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was rescued out of the mouth of the lion.

18 And the Lord will rescue me from every evil work, and will save me into his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus remains at Corinth; but I left Trophimus at Miletum sick.

21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brothers.

22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Titus: the School of Governance

Chapter 1

1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the real knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness;

2 in hope of everlasting life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began;

3 but has in his own times revealed his word through preaching, which is entrusted to me according to the decree of God our Saviour;

4 To Titus, my legitimate son according to our common faith: grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

5 For this reason, I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I had commanded;

6 if any are blameless, the husband of one wife, having believing children not accused of wild living or rebellious.

7 For an overseer must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-pleasing, not quick to anger, not given to wine, not aggressive, not greedy;

8 but hospitable to strangers, a lover of good, of sound mind, righteous, holy, self-controlled;

9 holding secure the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able by healthy teaching both to strongly encourage and to persuade those contradicting.

10 For there are many rebellious and worthless talkers and seducers, especially those of the circumcision,

11 whose mouths must be stopped, who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they should not, for the sake of shameful gain.

12 One of them said, even a prophet from among them: 'The Cretans are alway liars, harmful beasts, lazy gluttons.'

13 This witness is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be healthy in the faith;

14 not paying attention to Jewish myths, and commands of men, that turn away from the truth.

15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16 They confess that they know God, but in their works they deny him, being detestable, and disobedient, and rejected for any good work.

Titus - Chapter 2

1 But you, speak the things which are proper for healthy teaching;

2 the older men be of sound mind, serious, self-controlled, healthy in faith, in love, in endurance.

3 The older women likewise, should behave in a way appropriate for holiness, not slanders, not enslaved by much wine, teachers of good;

4 that they may teach the young women to be of sound mind, lovers of their husbands, lovers of their children,

5 to be self-controlled, pure, keepers at home, good, subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God is not vilified.

6 Likewise, strongly encourage young men to be of sound mind.

7 In all things present yourself as a model of good works; in teaching display integrity, seriousness, incorruption,

8 a healthy word, that cannot be condemned: so that he who is of the opposition may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say concerning you.

9 Strongly encourage servants to be subject to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things, not answering back;

10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith; that they may beautify the teaching of God our Saviour in all things.

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live with a sound mind, righteously, and godly, in this current age;

13 looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify for himself a people as a purchased possession, zealous for good works.

15 These things speak, and strongly encourage, and persuade with every decree. Let no one despise you.

Titus - Chapter 3

1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey leaders, to be ready for every good work,

2 to speak evil of no one, to be without fights, but gentle, everyone showing gentle humility towards all men.

3 For we ourselves were in times past mindless, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, passing time in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards mankind appeared,

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration, and renewing by the Holy Spirit;

6 which he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of everlasting life.

8 Faithful is the word, and these things I intend that you affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God might be careful to practise good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and strife, and quarrels about the law; for they are unprofitable and worthless.

10 A man who is a divisive heretic is to be avoided after the first and second caution;

11 knowing that such is a man is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.

12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis; for I have decided to winter there.

13 Send forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, so that nothing is lacking with them.

14 And let our people also learn to practise good works for essential needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

15 All that are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Philemon: the School of Friendship
Chapter 1

1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and brother Timothy, to Philemon the beloved, and our co-labourer,

2 and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the Ekklesia in your house;

3 grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers,

5 hearing of your love and faith, which you have towards the Lord Jesus, and towards all the saints;

6 so that the fellowship of your faith may become energetic by the real knowledge of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For we have much joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.

8 Therefore, though I might be bold in Christ to order that which is proper,

9 yet rather for the sake of love I strongly encourage you, being Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I strongly encourage you concerning my son Onesimus, whom I have birthed in my chains;

11 who in times past was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me;

12 whom I have sent back, therefore receive him, that is, my own heart;

13 whom I was intending to have held securely with me, that on your behalf he might have ministered to me in the chains of the good news.

14 But without your opinion, I desired to do nothing, so that your goodwill would be voluntary and not according to necessity.

15 For perhaps because of this, he departed for an hour, that you should receive him back forever;

16 not now as a slave, but above a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

17 If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

18 If he has harmed you, or owes you anything, put that on my account.

19 I, Paul have written this with my own hand, I will repay it; although I do not say to you how you owe me, even yourself.

20 Yes, brother, let me have profit from you in the Lord: refresh my heart in the Lord.

21 Being persuaded of your obedience, I wrote to you knowing that you will do even more than I say.

22 And also prepare a lodging for me; for I hope that through your prayers I will be graced to you.

23 Epaphras greets you, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;

24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my co-labourers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Hebrews: the School of Faith

Chapter 1

1 God, who at many times and in many ways spoke in ancient days to the fathers by the prophets,

2 in these last days has spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom he also made the worlds;

3 who being the radiance of his glory, and the precise image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, having through himself performed the purification our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;

4 being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name.

5 For to which of the angels did he ever say: 'You are my Son, today I have fathered you'? And again: 'I will be a Father to him, and he will be a Son to me'?

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he said: 'And let all the angels of God worship him.'

7 And of the angels he said: 'Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.'

8 But to the Son he said: 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness, and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of overflowing rejoicing above your companions.'

10 And 'You, Lord, in the beginning have laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of your hands;

11 they will be destroyed, but you remain; and they will all grow old as does a garment;

12 and as a mantle you will fold them up, and they shall be changed; but you are the same, and your years will not cease.'

13 And to which of the angels did he ever say: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool?'

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out for service, for the sake of those who are about to inherit salvation?

Hebrews - Chapter 2

1 Therefore we ought to pay exceedingly close attention to the things that we have heard, in case at any time we should let them slip away.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received the fair payment of wages;

3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so immense a salvation, which was initiated in being spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard him;

4 God also bearing witness with them, with both signs and wonders, and with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

5 For has he not put the world to come, concerning which we speak, in subjection to angels.

6 But one in a certain place witness, saying: 'What is man, that you are mindful of him? Or the son of man, that you oversee him?'

7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honour, and appointed him over the works of your hands;

8 you have put all things in subjection under his feet.' For in subjecting all things, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see that all things are not yet put under him.

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour, that he, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man.

10 For it was proper for him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the founding leader of their salvation through suffering.

11 For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all out of one, for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

12 saying: 'I will declare your name to my brothers, in the midst of the Ekklesia I will sing hymns to you.'

13 And again: 'I will put my trust in him.' And again: 'Behold, I and the children which God has given to me.'

14 Therefore, since the children have shared in blood and flesh, he also in like manner shared in the same, that through death he might neutralise him who holds the dominion of death, that is, the devil;

15 and release those who through fear of death were held in slavery all their lives.

16 For indeed he did not take upon him the nature of angels, but he took upon himself the seed of Abraham.

17 Therefore, in all things it was necessary for him to be made like his brothers, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make merciful atonement for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself has suffered having been tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews - Chapter 3

1 Therefore, holy brothers, partners of the heavenly calling, consider carefully the apostle and high priest of our confession, Christ Jesus;

2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, as Moses was also faithful in all his house.

3 For this man was esteemed worthy of more glory than Moses, just as he who has prepared the house has more honour than the house.

4 For every house is made ready by someone; but he who prepared all things is God.

5 And Moses was indeed faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a witness of those things which were going to be spoken;

6 but Christ, as a son over his own house: whose house we are, if we hold the boldness and the boasting of the hope firmly to the end.

7 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit said, 'Today if you will hear his voice,

8 do not harden your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness,

9 when your fathers tempted me, tested me, and saw my works forty years.

10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said: 'They always go astray in their heart, and have not known my ways.'

11 So, I swore in my wrath 'they shall not enter into my rest.'

12 Be careful, brothers, in case there is ever an evil heart of unbelief in any of you, in departing from the living God.

13 But strongly encourage one another every day, while it is called 'today'; in case any of you is hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we are made partners of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our assurance steadfast until the end;

15 as it is said: 'Today if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the provocation.'

16 For some, having heard, did provoke, but not all those having come out of Egypt by Moses.

17 But with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who had sinned, whose limbs fell in the wilderness?

18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter into his rest, if not to those who disobeyed?

19 And so we see that they were not able enter in because of unbelief.

Hebrews - Chapter 4

1 Let us therefore fear, in case, although a promise remains for us of entering into his rest, any of you should think to fall short of it.

2 For the good news preached was preached to us, as well as to them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with the faith of those who heard it.

3 For we who have believed do enter into the rest, just as he said: 'As I have sworn in my wrath, they will never enter into my rest' although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4 For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: 'And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.'

5 And in this place again: 'they will never enter into my rest.'

6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter into it, and they to whom the good news was first preached did not because of disobedience;

7 again, he determines a certain day, saying by David: 'Today' after so long a time; as it is said: 'Today if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.'

8 For if Joshua had given rest to them, then he would not after this day have spoken concerning another day.

9 There remains therefore a Sabbath rest to the people of God.

10 For he who has entered into his rest, he also has rested from his own works, even as God did from his.

11 Therefore, let us diligently enter into that rest, in case any man should fall after the same example of disobedience.

12 For the word of God is living, and energetic, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until the separation of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creation which is invisible in his presence, but all things are naked and laid bare to the eyes of him before whom we give the account.

14 Therefore, having a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firm our confession.

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses; but was in all things tempted as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come with boldness to the throne of grace, that we might obtain mercy, and find grace for help in time of need.

Hebrews - Chapter 5

1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf men in things relating to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins;

2 who can be forbearing with the ignorant, and on those going astray, for he himself is also subject to weakness.

3 And by because of this he is obliged, as concerning the people, so also concerning himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.

4 And no man took this honour to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ did not glorify himself to become a high priest, but he who said to him: 'You are my Son, today I have fathered you.'

6 As he said also in another place: 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up petitions and supplications with strong cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and was heard because of his reverence;

8 although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered;

9 and being made perfect, he became the author of everlasting salvation to all those who obey him;

10 called by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek,

11 concerning whom we have many things to say, and hard to be spoken, since you have become slow of hearing.

12 For by the time you ought to be teachers, you again have a need that someone teaches you the elementary first principles of the words of God; and have become those in need of milk, and not of solid food.

13 For everyone who only shares in milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.

14 But solid food is for those who are mature, those who through habitual practice have exercised their senses to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews - Chapter 6

1 Therefore leaving the beginning of the word of Christ, let us carry on to maturity; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,

2 of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of everlasting judgment.

3 And this we will do, if God permits.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partners of the Holy Spirit,

5 and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the coming age,

6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance: themselves crucifying the Son of God and making a public example of him.

7 For the earth which has drunk the rain which often comes upon it, and produces grass suitable for those who work the soil, receives blessing from God;

8 but that which brings out thorns and briers fails the test, and is near to a curse, whose end is to be burned.

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, also possessing salvation, even if we speak like this.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which you have shown towards his name, having ministered to the saints, and continue to minister.

11 And we deeply desire that each one of you shows the same diligence towards the full assurance of hope until the end;

12 so that you are not slow, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God promised to Abraham, because he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,

14 saying: 'Indeed blessing, I will bless you, and multiplying, I will multiply you.'

15 And so, after he had patiently waited, he obtained the promise.

16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all contention.

17 In this, purposing to show to the heirs of promise more abundantly the unchangeable nature of his purpose, God confirmed it by an oath;

18 that by two unchangable matters, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us;

19 which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both secure and steadfast, and which enters into the place within the veil;

20 where the forerunner has entered for us, Jesus, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews - Chapter 7

1 For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

2 to whom Abraham also gave a tenth share from all; being first interpreted 'King of Righteousness' and also after that 'King of Salem' or 'King of Peace';

3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

4 Now consider how important this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.

5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though they come from the loins of Abraham.

6 But he with no bloodline out of them received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises.

7 And without any contradiction, the lesser is blessed by the better.

8 And here indeed men who die receive tithes; but in that place, he receives them of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

9 And, so to speak, Levi also, who receives tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10 For he was still in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.

11 Therefore, if perfection was by the Levitical priesthood, for under it the people received the law, what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

12 For the priesthood being changed, out of necessity a change of the law also occurs.

13 For he of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no man offered at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord rose out of Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

15 And it is yet far more evident, that according to the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest,

16 who is made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an indestructable life.

17 For he witnesses: 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'

18 For there is indeed a setting aside of the previous commandment because of its weakness and unprofitability.

19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing on of a better hope did, by which we draw near to God,

20 and accordingly not without an oath;

21 for those priests were made without an oath, but this one with an oath by him who said to him: 'The Lord swore and will not repent: You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'

22 By so much was Jesus made a pledge of a better covenant.

23 And they were indeed many priests, because they were prevented from remaining near because of death.

24 But this man, because he remains forever, holds a perpetual priesthood.

25 Therefore, he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God by him, as he ever lives to make intercession for them.

26 For such a high priest was suitable for us, who is holy, unharmed, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27 who does not need, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices each day, first for his own sins, and then for the people's; for this he did definitively once, when he offered up himself.

28 For the law appoints men high priests who possess weakness; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected forever.
Hebrews - Chapter 8

1 Now, the main point of the things which we have spoken of is this: we have such a high priest, who is seated on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

2 a minister of the Holy Place, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; therefore, it is necessary that this man also have something to offer.

4 For indeed if he were on the earth, he would not be a priest, as there are priests that offer gifts according to the law;

5 who serve in the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was cautioned by God when he was about to complete the tabernacle; for he said: 'See that you make all things according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.'

6 But he has now obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was lawfully established upon better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for the second.

8 For finding fault with them, he said: 'Behold, the days come, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;

9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I lay hold of them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in my covenant, and I took no interest in them, says the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will covenant with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their mind, and write them on their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they will be to me a people;

11 and they will not teach, each man his neighbour, and each man his brother, saying: 'Know the Lord' for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawlessness I will remember no more.'

13 In that he said: 'A new covenant' he has made the first obsolete. Now that which wears out and grows old is near to disappearing.

Hebrews - Chapter 9

1 And indeed the first covenant had righteous works of divine service, and an earthly Holy Place.

2 For there a tabernacle was prepared; the first place, in which was the menorah lampstand, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy Place.

3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies,

4 which had the golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid all around with gold, in which was the golden jar having the manna, and Aaron's rod which budded, and the tablets of the covenant;

5 and over it the cherubims of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, concerning which we cannot now speak in detail.

6 Now, these things having been prepared in this manner, the priests indeed went always into the first tabernacle, completing the service of God.

7 Yet, into the second place the high priest went alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the sins of the people committed through ignorance.

8 The Holy Spirit was revealing this: that the way into the Holy of Holies was not yet made visible, while the first tabernacle was yet standing;

9 which was an illustration for the time then present, in which both gifts and sacrifices were offered, that could not make the one ministering perfect, as relating to the conscience;

10 only in food and drink, and various baptisms, and righteous works of the flesh, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

11 But Christ having arrived as a high priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation;

12 neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the Holy Place, having found everlasting redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls, and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling those having been defiled, sanctifies for the purification of flesh,

14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And because of this he is the mediator of the new covenant, so that by the occurence of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, those which are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

16 For where there is a will, there must also be the death of the one who made it.

17 For a will is in force after men have died; otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the one who made it lives.

18 For this reason, neither was the first covenant dedicated without blood.

19 For when Moses had spoken every command to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

20 saying: 'This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded towards you.'

21 Moreover, he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with blood.

22 And almost all things are purified with blood according to the law; and without shedding of blood is no forgiveness.

23 It was therefore necessary that the models of things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Christ has not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the copies of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

25 not so that he should offer himself many times, as the high priest enters into the holy place every year with blood of others;

26 otherwise, it would have been necessary to have suffered many times since the foundation of the world; but now, definitively once at the completion of the age, he has appeared to set aside sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed to men once to die, then after this the judgment,

28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and to those who look expectantly for him, he shall appear a second time without sin for salvation.

Hebrews - Chapter 10

1 For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, but not themselves the image of the things, can never make those drawing near perfect with the same sacrifices offered continually each year.

2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the ministers once having been purified would have had no more conscience of sins?

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance of sins each year.

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sins.

5 Therefore when he comes into the world, he said: 'Sacrifice and offering you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;

6 in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure;

7 then I said: Behold, I have come, in the scroll of the book it is written of me, to do your will, O God.'

8 Above when he said: 'Sacrifice and offering, and burnt offerings and offering for sin you have not desired, neither have had pleasure in them' which are offered according to the law;

9 when he said: 'Behold, I come to do your will, O God' he takes away the first, that the second might stand,

10 by that 'will' we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 And every priest indeed stands ministering each day and offers many times the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;

12 but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God,

13 from now on expectant until his enemies are made his footstool.

14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

15 Of which the Holy Spirit is also a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16 This is the covenant that I will covenant with them after those days, says the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and upon their minds I will write them,

17 and their sins and lawlessness I will remember no more.'

18 Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no more offering for sin.

19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus,

20 by a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 and having a high priest over the house of God;

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold firm the confession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised;

24 and let us consider one another to provoke love and good works;

25 not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as is the habit of some, but strongly encouraging one another; and so much more, as you see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,

27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery zeal, which is about to devour the adversaries.

28 He who set aside Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you think, shall he be deemed worthy, who has trampled down the Son of God, and has considered the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him who has said: 'Vengeance is mine, I will recompense, says the Lord.' And again: 'The Lord shall judge his people.'

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle of sufferings;

33 for indeed you were made a public spectacle by both accusations and afflictions; and as having become companions of those in this manner overturned.

34 For you had compassion on me in my chains, and accepted joyfully the seizing of your possessions, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring possession.

35 Therefore, do not throw not away your boldness, which has a great payment of reward.

36 For you have need of endurance, that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he who is coming will come, and will not delay.

38 Now the righteous will live by faith, but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of those who draw back to destruction, but of those who believe for the purchased possession of the soul.

Hebrews - Chapter 11

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for with bold expectations, the persuasion of actions not being seen.

2 For in this the elders were witnessed.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were completed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of out things which are visible.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, by which he was witnessed as righteous, God witnessing of his gifts, and by it, being dead, yet he speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had this witness, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who draws near to God must believe that he is, and that he is one who rewards those who diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, in reverence, prepared an ark for the salvation of his household; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness according to faith.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed, when he was called to go out into a place which he was about to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9 By faith he camped in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

10 for he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and labourer is God.

11 Through faith also Sarah herself received power to conceive seed, and was delivered a child when she was past the age of opportunity, because she considered him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore from one man was fathered, and him as good as dead, as many as the stars of the heaven in multitude, and as countless as the sand by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar, and were persuaded by them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and exiles upon the earth.

14 For those who say such things make it plain that they are seeking their own country.

15 And indeed, if they had been mindful of that country from where they came, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one, therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith Abraham offered up Isaac, being tested; and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 of whom it was said that: 'in Isaac shall your seed be called';

19 reckoning that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from where, in a manner of speaking, he also received him.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the exodus of Israel; and gave commands concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child, and they did not fear the king's commandment.

24 By faith Moses, having become great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 considering the accusation of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking away towards the payment of wages.

27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king, for he endured, as seeing him who is indeed invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, so that the one destroying the firstborn would not touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, which the Egyptians attempting to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been encircled for seven days.

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish with those who disobeyed, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For the time is lacking to tell of Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephtha; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets;

33 who through faith overcame kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were empowered, became strong in war, turned to flight the armies of the foreigners.

35 Women received their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting redemption, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

36 And others had trials of mocking and scourging, moreover of chains and imprisonment;

37 they were stoned, they were sawn in half, were tempted, were killed with the sword; they wandered around in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, abused;

38 of whom the world was not worthy, they wandered in deserts, and on mountains, and in caves and holes of the earth.

39 And these all, were witnessed through faith, having not received the promise;

40 God having provided something better for us, so that without us they would not be made perfect.

Hebrews - Chapter 12

1 Therefore, since we are also surrounded by so immense a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily obstructs us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 looking to Jesus, the founding leader and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For contemplate him who endured such contention of sinners against himself, so that you do not become tired and faint in your souls.

4 You have not yet resisted to blood, struggling against sin.

5 And you have forgotten the strong encouragement which speaks to you as to sons: 'My son, do not be careless of the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are corrected by him:

6 For whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and scourges every son whom he receives.

7 If you endure discipline, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is not disciplined by his father?

8 But if you are without discipline, which all have become partners of, then you are illegitimate, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh who disciplined us, and we gave them respect; shall we not rather much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they indeed for a few days disciplined us according to that seeming good; but he for our profit, in order to participate in his holiness.

11 Now no discipline for the present seems to be joy, but grief; yet afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

12 Therefore lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees;

13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame is not turned out of place; but rather let it be healed.

14 Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord;

15 exercising oversight, in case any man fall short of the grace of God; in case any root of bitterness springs up should trouble you, and by this many might be defiled;

16 in case there is any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright.

17 For you indeed know that afterwards, desiring to have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he searched for it diligently with tears.

18 For you have not come to the mountain that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and to blackness, and darkness, and storm;

19 and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which those who heard refused that the word should not be spoken to them any more;

20 for they could not bear that which was being commanded: 'and if a beast should touch the mountain, it should be stoned, or shot down with an arrow.'

21 And so fearful was the sight that Moses said: 'I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.'

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and a countless myriad of angels,

23 To the general assembly and Ekklesia of the firstborn, who are written in the heavens, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,

24 and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused him on earth being instructed, how much more shall we not escape, if we turn away from him who speaks from the heavens;

26 whose voice then shook the earth, but now he has promised, saying: 'Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also heaven.'

27 And this word 'yet once more' signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things having been made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, by which we may minister to God well-pleasing with reverence and godly fear.

29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews - Chapter 13

1 Let brotherly love remain.

2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have unwittingly entertained angels.

3 Remember the ones who are tied up, as though tied up with them; and those who suffer abuse, as also yourselves being in the body.

4 Let all honour marriage, and the undefiled bed; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your way of life be without love of money, and be content with the things present, for he has said: 'I will never leave you, nor forsake you.'

6 So that we may courageously say: 'The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man will do to me.'

7 Remember those leading you, who have spoken to you the word of God; imitate their faith, considering the outcome of their way of life:

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

9 Do not be carried away with various and strange teachings. For it is a good thing that the heart is made steadfast in grace; not with foods, which have not profited those who have been walking around in them.

10 We have an altar, out of which they have no authority to eat, those who are serving in the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the Holy of Holies by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.

12 Therefore Jesus that he might also sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate.

13 Let us therefore go out to him outside the camp, bearing his accusation.

14 For here we do not have a city that remains, but we seek the one about to come.

15 Through him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips confessing his name.

16 But do not forget to do good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well-pleased.

17 Obey those who lead you, and submit yourselves, for they are watching over your souls, as those who will give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grumbling, for that is unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us; for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring good conduct in all things.

19 But I strongly encourage you without measure to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, he who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 make you perfect in every good work to do his will, performing in you that which is well-pleasing in his presence, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 And I strongly encourage you, brothers, bear with this word of strong encouragement; for I have written a letter to you in a few words.

23 Know that our brother Timothy has been released; with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.

24 Greet all those who lead you, and all the saints. Those in Italy greet you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

James: the School of Wisdom
Chapter 1

1 Jacob, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greetings.

2 My brothers, consider it all joy when you fall into various trials;

3 knowing this, that the testing of your faith fashions endurance.

4 But let endurance have her complete work, that you may be complete and perfect in every part, lacking nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask from God, who gives to all men generously, and without accusation, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing; for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

7 Indeed let not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord.

8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the brother in a lowly state boast in his elevation,

10 but the rich man, in that he is humbled, because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

11 For the sun has risen with a burning heat, and withers the grass, and the flower of it falls, and the beauty of its appearance has perished; so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

12 Blessed is the man who endures the trial; for having been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and himself tempts no one;

14 but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.

15 Then lust, having conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, at full maturity, gives birth to death.

16 Do not be led astray, my beloved brothers.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shadow of turning.

18 Having purposed it, he fathered us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his created beings.

19 Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

20 for the wrath of man does not perform the righteousness of God.

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflowing of malice, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man examining his natural face in a mirror;

24 for he examines himself, and goes away, but immediately has forgotten what kind of man he was.

25 But whoever looks into the perfect law of freedom, and continues in it, not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone among you seems to be religious, and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.

27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to oversee orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unblemished by the world.

James - Chapter 2

1 My brothers, do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

2 For if a man comes into your synagogue with a gold ring, in radiant apparel, and a poor man has also come in filthy clothing;

3 and you have looked upon the one in radiant apparel, and say to him: 'Sit here in a good place' and say to the poor: 'You stand' or 'Sit here under my footstool';

4 have you not then discriminated among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?

6 But you have dishonoured the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and drag you into courts?

7 Are they not speaking evil of the good name by which you are called?

8 If you fulfil the royal law according to the scripture: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself,' you are doing well;

9 but if you show partiality, you are committing sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumbles in one thing, he is guilty of all.

11 For the one who said: 'Do not commit adultery' also said: 'Do not murder.' Now if you commit no adultery, yet murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

12 As speaking, also do, as those who are about to be judged by the law of freedom.

13 For judgement will be without mercy to the one who has not acted with mercy; and mercy triumphs over judgment.

14 What does it profit, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, and has not works? Can this faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,

16 and one of you says to them: 'Go away in peace, be warmed and supplied' yet you do not give them the necessities for the body - what does it profit?

17 Also this faith, if it has not works, is dead, by itself.

18 But a man may say: 'You have faith, and I have works' - show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well: the devils also believe and tremble.

20 But will you know, O worthless man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?

22 Do you see you that his faith worked together with his works, and by works his faith was made complete?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which said: 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness' and he was called the friend of God.

24 You see therefore that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, indeed, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works, having received the messengers, and she sent them out by another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.

James - Chapter 3

1 My brothers, not many should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a greater judgement.

2 For in many things we all stumble. If any man does not stumble in word, the same is a mature man, and also able to bridle the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bridles in the mouths of horses', that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, although being so huge, and are driven by hard winds, yet they are turned around with a very small rudder, wherever the steersman purposes.

5 Thus also is the tongue a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how vast a forest a little fire kindles!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of harm; so is the tongue arranged among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire by hell.

7 For every species of wild animal, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race.

8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is an unstable evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless God and the Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be.

11 Does a fountain pour out of the same opening the sweet and the bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brothers, produce olives? Or a vine, figs? So can no fountain produce both salty and sweet water.

13 Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Let him demonstrate it by good conduct in his works in the gentle humility of wisdom.

14 But if you have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, soulish, demonic.

16 For where envy and strife is, there is confusion and every evil matter.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, good for persuasion, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those producing peace.
James - Chapter 4

1 From where come wars and fights among you? Do they not come from here: out of the lustful pleasures that war among your members?

2 You lust, and do not have: you murder, and envy, and cannot obtain; you fight and war, yet you do not have because you do not ask.

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, so that you may consume it in your lustful pleasures.

4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore has purposed be a friend of the world is an enemy of God.

5 Or do you think that the scripture said in vain: 'The spirit that dwells in us intensely desires with envy?'

6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he said: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'

7 Subject yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

9 Be miserable, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and he shall elevate you.

11 Do not speak evil one of another, brothers. He who speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; who are you that judges another?

13 Come now, you who say: 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and will do a year there, and trade, and make a profit.'

14 You do not know what shall be tomorrow. For what is your life? It is a vapour that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away.

15 For you ought to say: 'If the Lord will, we shall live and do this, or that.'

16 But now you boast in your pride; all such boasting is evil.

17 Therefore, to him knowing the good to do, and not doing, to him it is sin.

James - Chapter 5

1 Come now, you rich men, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming upon you.

2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.

3 Your gold and silver is corroded; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as fire. You have amassed treasure in the last days.

4 Behold, the wages of the workers who have reaped your fields, those you have held back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of those who have harvested have entered into the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

5 You have lived in luxurious indulgence on the earth, and lust for pleasure; you have fattened your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous; and he does not resist you.

7 Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient for it, until he receive the early and latter rains.

8 Be also patient, make steadfast your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draws near.

9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so you are not condemned: behold, the judge stands before the door.

10 Take, my brothers, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

11 Behold, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and have seen the purpose of the Lord, that the Lord is deeply compassionate, and merciful.

12 But above all things, my brothers, do not swear, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yes be yes; and your no, no; unless you fall into judgement.

13 Is any among you suffering affliction? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.

14 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the Ekklesia, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;

15 and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16 Confess your sins to one another, and pray one for another, so that you may be healed. The energetic petition of a righteous man has abundant strength.

17 Elijah was a man of the same passions as us, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced her fruit.

19 Brothers, if any of you is led astray from the truth, and someone turns him back,

20 let him know, that he who turns the sinner from the error of his way will save a soul out of death, and will draw a veil over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter: the School of Inheritance
Chapter 1

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2 chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: grace to you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has birthed us again into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and unfading, kept in the heavens for you,

5 who are protected by the power of God through faith into salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved through various trials;

7 so that the testing of your faith, being much more precious than gold which perishes, though it be refined with fire, might be found to praise and honour and glory at the unveiling of Jesus Christ;

8 whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you do not see him, you believe, moreover, you greatly rejoice with unspeakable joy and full of glory;

9 receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets have searched out and examined diligently, who prophesied of the grace coming to you,

11 examining carefully what, or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ who was in them was revealing, witnessing beforehand to the sufferings of Christ, and the glories after these things;

12 to whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to us they were ministering those things, which are now declared to you by those who have preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; things which the angels eagerly desire to look into.

13 Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope completely to the end upon the grace that is to be carried to you at the unveiling of Jesus Christ;

14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance;

15 but as he who has called you is holy, you also be holy in all conduct;

16 because it is written: 'Be you holy; for I am holy'.

17 And if you call upon the Father, who judges without partiality, according to each man's work, pass the time of your dwelling in fear;

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, out of your worthless way of life, received by tradition from your fathers;

19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,

20 foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, yet revealed in these last times for you;

21 who through him believe in God, who raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; therefore your faith and hope are in God.

22 Having purified your souls by obeying the truth, through the Spirit, into love of the brothers without hypocrisy, earnestly love one another out of a pure heart;

23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and remains forever.

24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower of it falls away;

25 but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this is the word by which the good news was preached to you.

1 Peter - Chapter 2

1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, and all deceit, and hypocrisy, and envy, and all backbiting,

2 as newborn babes, deeply desire the deceitless milk of the word, that you may grow in it,

3 if it so that you have tasted that the Lord is kind;

4 to whom coming near, a living stone, indeed rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious,

5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house, into a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 Therefore, it is contained in the scriptures: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, precious; and the one who believes on him shall certainly not be ashamed.'

7 To you therefore who believe he is precious, but to those who are disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected, this one has become the head of the corner,

8 and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, to those who stumble at the word, being disobedient, into which they were also appointed.

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people purchased for possession; so that you may proclaim the excellence of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10 who once were not a people, but are now the people of God; who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I strongly encourage you as foreigners and exiles, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

12 maintaining good conduct among the Gentiles, so that although they speak against you as evildoers, they may because of your good works, which they shall look upon, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Submit to every human construct for the Lord: whether a king, as superior;

14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment indeed of evildoers, and for the praise of those who do good.

15 For this is the will of God, that with doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of unthinking men;

16 as free, and not using your freedom as a veil for evil, but as servants of God.

17 Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and reasonable, but also to the unfair.

19 For this is grace, if a man through conscience towards God endures grief, suffering injustice.

20 For what praise is it, if, when you are struck for sinning, you will endure? But if, when you do good, and suffer for it, you will endure, this is grace with God.

21 For you were called into this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps;

22 who committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth;

23 who, when he was vilified, did not vilify in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously.

24 Who himself took up our sins in his body upon the tree, so that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

25 For you were as sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.

1 Peter - Chapter 3

1 Similarly, you wives, be subject to your own husbands; so that, if any do not obey the word, they will also be won over by the conduct of the wives, without the word,

2 having looked upon your pure conduct in fear;

3 let this arrangement not be the outward plaiting of hair, and decoration of gold, or of the clothing of garments;

4 but let it be the secret person of the heart, in that which is incorruptible, as the way of a gentle and quiet spirit, one which is very precious in the sight of God.

5 For also the holy women in times past, who trusted in God, arranged themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands;

6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose children you are, as long as you do good, and are not afraid of any terror.

7 In the same way, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being co-heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers are not hindered.

8 Finally, let all be of one mind, sympathetic, loving as brothers, tender-hearted, courteous;

not paying back evil for evil, or abuse for abuse, yet, on the contrary, blessing; for into this you were called, that you should inherit a blessing.

10 For the one desiring to love life, and see good days, let him stop his tongue from evil, and his lips, not to speak deceit;

11 let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are towards their petitions; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

13 And who is the one who will harm you, if you imitate that which is good?

14 But if you also suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed; and do not be afraid of their fear, neither be troubled;

15 but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone that asks you for a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with gentleness and fear;

16 having a good conscience; so that, though they speak against you as evildoers, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conduct in Christ.

17 For it is better, if desires the will of God, that you suffer for doing good, than for doing evil.

18 For Christ also has definitively once suffered for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us near to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit;

19 by which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison;

20 who were disobedient in times past, when once the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, into which a few, that is, eight souls were saved through water.

21 This represents to us, the baptism which also saves us now; not the laying aside of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God; through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 who has gone into heaven, and is at the right hand of God; angels, and authorities, and powers having been made subject to him.

1 Peter - Chapter 4

1 Christ, therefore, having suffered for us in the flesh, also arm yourselves with the same mind; for the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

2 so that he should no longer live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

3 For enough of our lives in times gone past has performed the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in indulgence, lusts, excess of wine, revelling, carousing, and lawless idolatries;

4 in this they think it strange that you do not run with them to the same outpouring of wastefulness, speaking evil of you,

5 who will give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6 For this reason the good news was also preached to those who are dead, that they might indeed be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things is near, therefore be of sound mind, and self-controlled into prayer.

8 And above all things have zealous love among yourselves, for love shall cover a multitude of sins.

9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

10 Just as each one has received a gift, minister the same to one another, as good stewards of the immensely multi-faceted grace of God.

11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the words of God; if anyone serves, let him serve as out of the strength which God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to test you, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

13 but just as you have shared in Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that when his glory shall be unveiled, you also may rejoice with overflowing joy.

14 If you are abused for the name of Christ, you are blessed; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you; indeed on their part he is vilified, but on your part he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a meddler in other people's business.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this share.

17 For the time has come for judgment to have begun in the house of God, and if it first begins in us, what shall be the end of those who do not obey the good news of God?

18 And if the righteous is saved with difficulty, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.

1 Peter - Chapter 5

1 The elders who are among you I strongly encourage, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partner of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 shepherd the flock of God which is among you, overseeing, not by compulsion, but willingly; not for dishonest gain, but eagerly;

3 neither as exercising lordship over the inheritance, but as models to the flock.

4 And when the chief shepherd has appeared, you shall receive a crown of unfading glory.

5 Likewise, younger ones be subject to elders, indeed, all to one another be subject, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the powerful hand of God, that he may exalt you in due season;

7 casting all your worries upon him, for he cares for you.

8 Be self-controlled, be watchful, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks around, seeking whom he may devour;

9 whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are performed on your brothers who are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who has called us to his everlasting glory in Christ Jesus, having suffered a little while, himself will restore, make steadfast, strengthen, establish you.

11 To him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 Through Silvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I reckon, I have written a few things, strongly encouraging, and witnessing that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, and Mark my son.

14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you, all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

2 Peter: the School of Fruitfulness

Chapter 1

1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained the same precious faith with us in the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

2 grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 according to his divine power has gifted to us all things for life and godliness, through the knowledge of the one who has called us to glory and excellence:

4 through which he has gifted precious and great promises, so that through these you might become partners in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption which is in the world by lust.

5 And for this, now with all diligence, add to your faith, excellence; and to excellence, knowledge;

6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, godliness;

7 and to godliness, brotherly love; and to brotherly love, love.

8 For if these are in you, and abound, they establish you as neither idle nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But the one who lacks these things is blind, being shortsighted, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brothers, rather be diligent to make your calling and election steadfast; for indeed if you practice these things, you shall never stumble.

11 In this way, you will indeed be richly supplied with an entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you concerning these things, although you know them and are established in the present truth.

13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you awake by reminding you;

14 knowing that the laying aside of my tabernacle is swiftly approaching, just as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me;

15 moreover, I will also be diligent that, after my departure, you always have these things for remembrance.

16 For we have not followed cleverly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the magnificent glory: 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'

18 And we heard this voice which came from out of heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 We also have a more steadfast word of prophecy, which you do well to pay attention to, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morningstar has risen in your hearts;

20 knowing first this: that no prophecy of Scripture is of its own interpretation.

21 For indeed prophecy was not brought at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were carried by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter - Chapter 2

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, as also there will be false teachers among you, who will infiltrate destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their indulgent ways; through whom the way of truth will be vilified.

3 And in greed they will merchandise you with made-up words; for whom the judgment of long ago is not idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but threw them down to Tartarus, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be guarded for judgment;

5 and did not spare the old world, but protected Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, inflicting the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6 and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha were condemned, overthrown, turned into ashes as an example to the ungodly coming afterwards;

7 and rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the indulgent behaviour of the wicked;

8 for that righteous man, dwelling among them, seeing and hearing their lawless works, was tormented in his righteous soul, day after day.

9 The Lord knows how to rescue the godly out of trials, and to keep the unjust for the day of judgement, to be punished;

10 but especially those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise lordship. They are presumptuous, self-pleasing, they do not tremble to speak evil of glorious ones.

11 Whereas angels, who are greater in strength and power, do not bring an abusive judgement against them before the Lord.

12 But these ones, as irrational beasts, of a nature to be captured and destroyed, speak evil of things which they do not understand; and will be destroyed in their corruption;

13 and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they consider it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, reveling themselves with their delusions while feasting with you;

14 having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls; a heart they have exercised with greed: cursed children,

15 which have forsaken the straight way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 but was rebuked for his transgression; a mute donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried by a tempest; to whom the blackness of darkness is kept forever.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they entice by the lusts of the flesh, with indulgence, those who are escaping from the ones who live in deceit.

19 While they promise them freedom, these are the slaves of corruption; for indeed by whom a man is overcome, by that one he is enslaved.

20 If indeed after they have escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, these ones are again entangled with it, they are overcome: their latter situation is worse than at first.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment given over to them.

22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: 'a dog has returned to his own vomit'; and 'a sow having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.'

2 Peter - Chapter 3

1 This second letter, beloved, I now write to you; in both of which I stir awake your pure minds by way of remembrance;

2 that you may remember the words which were spoken beforehand by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3 First knowing this, that there shall come in the last days mockers scoffing, walking according to their own lusts,

4 and saying: 'Where is the promise of his coming? For indeed since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.'

5 For of this they are willingly ignorant, that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago, and the earth out of water and through water stands;

6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, having being deluged with water:

7 but now the heavens and the earth, by the same word are laid up, kept for fire on the day of judgement and destruction of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, do not be ignorant of this one thing, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord does not delay concerning his promise, as some men consider slowness; but is patient towards us, not intending that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall dissolve with immense heat, the earth also and the works that are in it shall be burned up.

11 Knowing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what kind of person ought you to be in all holy conduct and godliness,

12 looking for and eagerly desiring the coming of the day of God, through which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements are melting with immense heat?

13 But we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

14 Therefore, beloved, looking for these things, be diligent that you may be found by him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

15 And consider that the patience of our Lord is salvation; just as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given to him has written to you;

16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them concerning these things; in which are some things hard to understand, which those who are ignorant and unstable twist, as they also do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.

17 You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware so you do not fall away from your own stability, being led away by the deceit of the lawless.

18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him the glory both now and to the everlasting day. Amen.

1 John: the School of Love
Chapter 1

1 The one who was from the beginning, the one we have heard, the one we have seen with our eyes, the one we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life;

2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and witness, and declare to you the everlasting life, who was with the Father, and was manifested to us;

3 the one we have seen and heard we declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.

5 This then is the message which we have heard from him, and declare to you, that God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not perform the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Chapter 2

1 My little children, these things I write to you, that you do not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

2 and he is the merciful atonement for our sins; and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 And in this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 The one saying 'I know him', and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in this one.

5 But whoever keeps his word, truly in this one is the love of God perfected; in this we know that we are in him.

6 The one saying that he remains in him, ought himself, even as that one walked, also walk in the same way.

7 Brothers, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning.

8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, the one which is true in him and in you; for the darkness is past, and the true light now shines.

9 The one saying he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no offence in him.

11 But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12 I write to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven for his name's sake.

13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Do not love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone should love the world, the love of the Father is not in this one.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not out of the Father, but is from the world.

17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

18 Little children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that an antichrist is coming, and now many antichrists have arisen; therefore, we know that it is the last hour.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they might have remained with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest that not all are of us.

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that any lie is not of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son.

23 Whoever denies the Son, neither has the Father; the one confessing the Son also has the Father.

24 Therefore, let that remain in you, which you have heard from the beginning. If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall remain in the Son, and in the Father.

25 And this is the promise that he has promised us, the everlasting life.

26 These things I have written to you concerning those deceiving you.

27 But the anointing which you have received from him remains in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall remain in him.

28 And now, little children, remain in him, that when he shall appear, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of him.

1 John - Chapter 3

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father has granted us, that we should be called the children of God; therefore the world does not knows us, because it did not know him.

2 Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not yet been manifested what we will be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we will be like him; for we shall see him just as he is.

3 And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

4 Whoever commits sin also practices lawlessness: for sin is lawlessness.

5 And you know that he was manifested in order to take away our sins; and there is no sin in him.

6 Whoever remains in him does not sin; whoever sins has not seen him, neither known him.

7 Little children, let no one deceive you, he who practices righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whoever is born of God does not practice sin, for his seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, neither the one who does not love his brother.

11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

13 Do not be amazed, my brothers, if the world hates you.

14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. The one who does not love his brother remains in death.

15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has everlasting life remaining in him.

16 By this we have known the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

17 But whoever has the provisions of this world, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart of compassion from him, how does the love of God remain in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in action and in truth.

19 And by this we will know that we are of the truth, and our hearts will have confidence before him.

20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, then have we boldness towards God.

22 And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his presence.

23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he has given a commandment to us.

24 And the one who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit whom he has given to us.

1 John - Chapter 4

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God;

3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, the one that you have heard is coming, and even now it is already is in the world.

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is he who is in you, than he who is in the world.

5 They are of the world, because of this, of the world they speak, and the world hears them.

6 We are of God, the one who knows God listens to us; he who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God.

8 He who does not love has not known God; for God is love.

9 In this the love of God was manifested among us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 So this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the merciful atonement for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 In this we know that we remain in him, and he in us, because he has given to us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and witness that the Father sent the Son to be the saviour of the world.

15 Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God has in us. God is love; and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God in him.

17 In this our love is made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement, for just as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been made perfect in love.

19 We love him because he first loved us.

20 If anyone says: 'I love God' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he indeed who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, how can he love God, whom he has not seen?

21 And this commandment we have from him, that the one who loves God should also love his brother.

1 John - Chapter 5

1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and everyone who loves the one who has fathered him, also loves the one who was fathered by Him.

2 In this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not heavy.

4 For all born of God overcome the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.

5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, if not the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is he who came by water and blood: Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who witnesses, because the Spirit is truth.

7 For there are three that witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.

8 And there are three that witness in the earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; and these are three in one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which he has witnessed concerning his Son.

10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he does not believe in the witness that God witnessed concerning his Son.

11 And this is the witness, that God has given everlasting life to us, and this life is in his Son.

12 He who has the Son has the life; and he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

13 These things I have written to those believing in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have everlasting life, and that you may believe in the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the boldness that we have towards him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us:

15 And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we petitioned from him.

16 If anyone should see his brother sinning a sin which is not towards death, he will ask, and he will give him life, those who are not sinning towards death. There is a sin towards death, I do not say that he should ask concerning that.

17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin which not towards death.

18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but the one who is begotten of God guards himself, and the evil one does not touch him.

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This one is the true God and everlasting life.

21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols. Amen.

2 John: the School of Truth

Chapter 1

1 The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all those who have known the truth;

2 for the truth's sake, which remains in us, and shall be with us forever.

3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

4 I rejoiced exceedingly that I found some of your children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

5 And now I ask you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

6 And this is the love: that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so you should walk in it.

7 For many deceivers have entered into the world, who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh. This one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

8 Watch yourselves, that we do not lose those things which we have worked for, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whoever transgresses and does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. He who remains in the teaching of Christ, this one has both the Father and the Son.

10 If any comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, neither speak a greeting.

11 For he who speaks a greeting to him shares in his evil works.

12 Having many things to write to you, I do not intend to write with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you, and speak face to face, so that our joy may be full.

13 The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.

3 John: the School of Fathering
Chapter 1

1 The elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Beloved, concerning all things I desire you to prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.

3 For I indeed rejoiced exceedingly, when the brothers came and witnessed of your truth, even as you are walking in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, you act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, and to strangers;

6 who have witnessed of your love in the presence the Ekklesia, you will do well to have sent forward this kind worthily of God;

7 indeed, they went out for his name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

8 Therefore, we ought to receive such ones, that we might be co-workers with the truth.

9 I wrote to the Ekklesia, but Diotrephes, the one who loves to be first among them, does not receive us.

10 Therefore, if I come, I will remember the works which he is doing, babbling against us with evil words; and not being content with these, neither does he receive the brothers, and forbids those intending to, and throws them out of the Ekklesia!

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is bad, but that which is good. The one doing good is of God, but the one who does harm has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has been witnessed by all, and by the truth himself; and we also witness and you know that our witness is true.

13 I had many things to write, but I do not desire to write to you with ink and pen.

14 But I hope I shall see you very soon, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

Jude: the School of Judgement

Chapter 1

1 Judah, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of Jacob, to those who are made holy by God the Father, and guarded in Jesus Christ, and called;

2 mercy to you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

3 Beloved, practicing all diligence I write to you of the common salvation; it was necessary for me to write to you, and strongly encourage you that you should earnestly fight for the faith which was once definitively delivered to the saints.

4 For there are certain men who have infiltrated, those described beforehand in ancient times for condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into indulgence, and denying the only Lord God and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

5 Yet, I intend to remind you, though you once definitively knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who did not believe.

6 And the angels who did not guard their rulership, but left behind their own dwelling, he guards with everlasting chains under darkness to the judgment of the great day.

7 As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, in the same way, giving themselves over to fornication, and having gone away after other flesh, are set out for an example, suffering the vengeance of everlasting fire.

8 Likewise these dreamers also defile the flesh, cast off lordship, and speak evil of glorious ones.

9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, disputed about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring against him a vilifying judgment, but said: 'The Lord rebuke you!'

10 But these ones speak evil of those things which indeed they do not know; but those things which they know by nature, as irrational beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and in the error of Balaam they have poured out for a reward, and have been destroyed in the contention of Korah.

12 These are wrecking reefs at your love feasts, when they feast with you, shepherding themselves without fear; they are clouds without water, carried along by winds; waning trees in autumn, without fruit, twice dead, having been uprooted;

13 wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom the blackness of darkness has been maintained forever.

14 And also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these ones, saying: 'Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints,

15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly concerning all their ungodly works which they have committed in ungodliness, and of all their hard words which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.'

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaks great swelling words, amazing on the surface for the sake of profit.

17 But, beloved, remember the words which were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

18 how they told you there will be mockers in the last time, who will walk after their own ungodly lusts.

19 These are those who separate themselves, soulish, not having the Spirit.

20 But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

21 guard yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ into everlasting life.

22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;

23 and others save with fear, seizing them out of the fire; hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with overflowing joy;

25 to the only wise God our Saviour: glory and majesty, dominion and authority, both now and forever. Amen.

Revelation: the School of Mystery

Chapter 1

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John:

2 who bore witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written within: for the time is near.

4 John, to the seven Ekklesias which are in Asia: Grace to you, and peace, from him who is, and who was, and who is to come; and from the Seven Spirits which are before his throne;

5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first-born from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 and has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he comes with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn because of him. Even so, amen.

8 I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

9 I, John, who also is your brother, and companion in affliction, and in the kingdom and endurance of Jesus Christ, was on the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11 saying: 'I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and, what you see, write in a book, and send it to the seven Ekklesias which are in Asia: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.'

12 And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden menorah lampstands;

13 and in the midst of the seven menorah one like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and wrapped around the chest with a golden sash.

14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15 and his feet were like fine bronze, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword; and his face was as the sun shining in its strength.

17 And when I saw him, I fell as dead at his feet. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying to me: 'Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last.'

18 I am he who lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of hell and of death.

19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be after these things.

20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden menorah: the seven stars are the angels of the seven Ekklesias; and the seven menorah which you saw are the seven Ekklesias.

Revelation - Chapter 2

1 To the angel of the Ekklesia of Ephesus write: these things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden menorah;

2 I know your works, and your labour, and your patience, and how you cannot bear those who are evil; and you have tested those who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars;

3 and have suffered, and have endurance, and for my name's sake have laboured, and have not grown weary.

4 Nevertheless, I have this against you, because you have left your first love.

5 Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come to you quickly, and will remove your menorah out of its place, unless you repent.

6 But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Ekklesias; to him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

8 And to the angel of the Ekklesia in Smyrna write: these things says the first and the last, who was dead, and is alive;

9 I know your works, and affliction, and poverty, but you are rich, and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the gathering of Satan.

10 Do not fear any of those things which you shall suffer; behold, the devil shall throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you shall have affliction ten days; be faithful to death and I will give you a crown of life.

11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Ekklesias; he who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.

12 And to the angel of the Ekklesia in Pergamos write: these things says he who has the sharp sword with two edges;

13 I know your works, and where you dwell, even where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast to my name, and have not denied my faith, even in those days when Antipas was my faithful witness, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.

14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication.

15 So you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Ekklesias; to him who overcomes, I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and I will give to him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is written, which no one knows except he who receives it.

18 And to the angel of the Ekklesia in Thyatira write: these things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine bronze;

19 I know your works, and love, and service, and faith, and your endurance, and your works; and the last are more than the first.

20 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, because you permit that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she did not repent.

22 Behold, I will throw her into a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction, unless they repent of their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death, and all the Ekklesias shall know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your works.

24 But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this teaching, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they say: I will put upon you no other burden.

25 But that which you have already, hold fast until I come.

26 And he who overcomes, and keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations;

27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to pieces, even as I received from my Father.

28 And I will give him the morning star.

29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Ekklesias.

Revelation - Chapter 3

1 And to the angel of the Ekklesia in Sardis write: These things says he who has the Seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know your works, that you have a name that you live, but are dead.

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found your works perfect before God.

3 Therefore, remember how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come to you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come to you.

4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

5 He who overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white, and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Ekklesias.

7 And to the angel of the Ekklesia in Philadelphia write: these things says he who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens, and no one shuts; and shuts, and no one opens;

8 I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name.

9 Behold, I will make those of the gathering of Satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, but lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

10 Because you have kept the word of my endurance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which shall come upon all the world, to test those who dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.

12 He who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name.

13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Ekklesias.

14 And to the angel of the Ekklesia of the Laodiceans write: these things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot.

16 So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth.

17 Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

18 I counsel you to buy from me gold purified by the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness does not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.

21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.

22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Ekklesias.'

Revelation - Chapter 4

1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven; and the first voice which I heard like a trumpet talking with me, said: 'Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.'

2 And immediately I was in the Spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

3 And he who sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardius stone; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in sight like an emerald.

4 And around the throne were twenty four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty four elders sitting, clothed in white; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

5 And out of the throne proceeded lightning and thundering and voices; and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the Seven Spirits of God.

6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and around about the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes, before and behind.

7 And the first being was like a lion, and the second being like a calf, and the third being had a face as a man, and the fourth being was like a flying eagle.

8 And the four living creatures had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they do not rest day and night, saying: 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.

9 And when those beings give glory and honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,

10 the twenty four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

11 'You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.'

Revelation - Chapter 5

1 And I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll written within and on the outside, sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice: 'Who is worthy to open the scroll, and to loose the seals?'

3 And no one in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the scroll, neither to look upon it.

4 And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and to read the scroll, neither to look upon it.

5 And one of the elders said to me: 'Do not weep; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll, and to loose the seven seals.'

6 And I looked, and, behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the Seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the scroll out of the right hand of him who sat upon the throne.

8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having harps, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of saints.

9 And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open the seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 and have made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign upon the earth.'

11 And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

12 saying with a loud voice: 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.'

13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are on the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: 'Blessing, and honour, and glory, and dominion, to him who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.'

14 And the four living creatures said: 'Amen'. And the twenty four elders fell down and worshipped him who lives forever and ever.

Revelation - Chapter 6

1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four living creatures saying: 'Come and see.'

2 And I saw, and behold a white horse, and he who sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering, and to conquer.

3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second being say: 'Come and see.'

4 And there went out another horse that was red, and it was given to him who sat upon it to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third being say: 'Come and see.' And I looked, and behold a black horse; and he who sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures say: 'A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny, and see you do not hurt the oil and the wine.'

7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth being say: 'Come and see.'

8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse, and the name of him who sat upon it was Death, and Hell followed with him. And authority was given to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held;

10 and they cried with a loud voice, saying: 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?'

11 And white robes were given to each one of them, and it was said to them, that they should rest for a little time, until their fellow servants, and their brothers, that should be killed even as they were, should be fulfilled.

12 And I looked when he had opened the sixth seal, and, behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13 and the stars of heaven fell to the earth, even as a fig tree sheds her untimely figs, when she is shaken by a mighty wind.

14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the commanders, and the mighty men, and every slave, and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains;

16 and said to the mountains and rocks: 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;

17 for the great day of his wrath is come, and who is be able to stand?'

Revelation - Chapter 7

1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow upon the earth, nor upon the sea, nor upon any tree.

2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

3 saying: 'Do not hurt the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.'

4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed; and a hundred and forty four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.

5 Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed. Of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed. Of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed.

6 Of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed. Of the tribe of Napthali twelve thousand were sealed. Of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed.

7 Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed. Of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed. Of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed.

8 Of the tribe of Zebulon twelve thousand were sealed. Of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed. Of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

9 After this I looked, and, behold, a great crowd, which no one could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palms in their hands;

10 and they cried with a loud voice, saying: 'Salvation to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb.'

11 And all the angels stood around the throne, and about the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

12 saying: 'Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and strength, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.'

13 And one of the elders answered, saying to me: 'Who are these arrayed in white robes? And from where did they come?'

14 And I said to him: 'Sir, you know.' And he said to me: 'These are those who came out of the great affliction, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits upon the throne shall dwell among them.

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any burning heat.

17 For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall shepherd them, and shall lead them to fountains of livings waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.'

Revelation - Chapter 8

1 And when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

2 And I saw the seven angels who stood before God; and to them seven trumpets were given.

3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden incense burner; and much incense was given to him, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

5 And the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it upon the earth; and there were voices, and thunder, and lightning, and an earthquake.

6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were thrown upon the earth: and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

8 And the second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and the third part of the sea became blood;

9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.

10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

11 and the name of the star is called wormwood; and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was struck, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so that the third part of them was darkened, and the day did not shine for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

13 And I looked, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice: 'Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth because of the other sounds of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to trumpet!'

Revelation - Chapter 9

1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven to the earth; and to him was given the key of the Abyss.

2 And he opened the pit of the Abyss; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit.

3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth; and to them was given authority, as the scorpions of the earth have authority.

4 And they were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, nor any tree; but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented for five months; and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a man.

6 And in those days men shall seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

7 And the shapes of the locusts were as horses prepared for battle; and upon their heads as crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

9 And they had breastplates, like breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses running to battle.

10 And they had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails; and their authority was to hurt men five months.

11 And they had a king over them, who is the angel of the Abyss, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue his name is Apollyon.

12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two more woes.

13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

14 saying to the sixth angel who has the trumpet: 'Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.'

15 And the four angels were loosed, who were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, to kill the third part of men.

16 And the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; and I heard the number of them.

17 And so I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, and of jacinth blue, and yellow brimstone; and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

18 By these three plagues the third part of men was killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths;

19 for their authority is in their mouth, and in their tails; for their tails were like serpents, and had heads, and with them they do harm.

20 And the rest of the men who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and bronze, and stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk.

21 Neither did they repent their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Revelation - Chapter 10

1 And I saw another strong angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire.

2 And he had in his hand a little scroll which was open; and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: 'Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.'

5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that are in it, and the earth, and the things that are in it, and the sea, and the things that are in it, that there will no longer be delay.

7 But in the days of the sound of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to trumpet, the mystery of God would be completed, as he has declared to his servants the prophets.

8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again, and said: 'Go and take the little scroll which is open in the hand of the angel which stands upon the sea and upon the earth.'

9 And I went to the angel, and said to him: 'Give me the little scroll.' And he said to me: 'Take it, and eat it; and it shall make your belly bitter, but it shall be in your mouth sweet as honey.'

10 And I took the little scroll out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

11 And he said to me: 'You must prophesy again over many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.'

Revelation - Chapter 11

1 And there was given to me a reed like a rod; and the angel stood, saying: 'Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it.

2 But the court which is outside the temple leave out, and do not measure it; for it is given to the Gentiles; and they shall tread the holy city underfoot for forty two months.

3 And I will give to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy one thousand, two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.'

4 These are the two olive trees, and the two menorah standing before the God of the earth.

5 And if any man desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies; and if any man desires to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.

6 These have authority to shut heaven, so that it does not rain in the days of their prophecy; and have authority over waters, to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

7 And when they have completed their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the Abyss shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

9 And those of the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three and a half days, and shall not permit their dead bodies to be put in graves.

10 And those who dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and celebrate, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented those dwelling upon the earth.

11 And after three and a half days the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon those who saw them.

12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them: 'Come up here.' And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies looked upon them.

13 And the same hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake seven thousand named men were killed; and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe comes quickly.

15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying: 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.'

16 And the twenty four elders, which sat before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

17 saying: 'We give you thanks, Lord God Almighty, the one who is, and was, and is to come; because you have taken your great power, and have reigned.

18 And the nations were angry, and your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that you should give the reward to your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and those who fear your name, small and great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth.'

19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant; and there were lightning, and voices, and thunder, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Revelation - Chapter 12

1 And there appeared a great sign in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars;

2 and having a child in the womb, she cried out with labour pains, and suffered to give birth.

3 And there appeared another sign in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

4 And his tail drags the third part of the stars of heaven, and threw them to the earth; and the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so as to devour her child as soon as he was born.

5 And she gave birth to a male child, who is about to shepherd all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God, and to his throne.

6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should nourish her there for one thousand, two hundred and sixty days.

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels warred against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

8 and he did not prevail; neither was a place found for them any more in heaven.

9 And the great dragon was thrown out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world; he was thrown out into the earth, and his angels were thrown out with him.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven: 'Now has come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brothers is thrown down, who accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they have not loved their lives until death.

12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great anger, because he knows that his time is short.'

13 And when the dragon saw that he was thrown to the earth, he persecuted the woman who had given birth to the male child.

14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, to her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, away from the face of the serpent.

15 And the serpent threw out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.

16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon threw out of his mouth.

17 And the dragon was furious with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation - Chapter 13

1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.

3 And I saw one of his heads as though wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed; and all the world marveled after the beast.

4 And they worshipped the dragon who had given authority to the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying: 'Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?'

5 And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and authority was given to him to continue forty two months.

6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and authority was given to him over all tribes, and tongues, and nations.

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear.

10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.

11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.

12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

13 And he works great signs, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth before men;

14 and deceives those who dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles given to him do in the presence the beast; saying to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound of a sword and lived.

15 And it was given to him to give life to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand, or on their foreheads;

17 and that no one is able to buy or sell, except the one having the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty six.

Revelation - Chapter 14

1 And I looked, and, behold, a Lamb stood on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty four thousand, having his Father's name written on their foreheads.

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps.

3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song but the hundred and forty four thousand, who were redeemed from the earth.

4 These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits to God and to the Lamb.

5 And in their mouth no lie was found: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting good news to preach to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and people,

7 saying with a loud voice: 'Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment has come: and worship him who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.'

8 And there followed another angel, saying: 'Babylon is fallen, is fallen, the great city, for she made all nations drink of the wine of the fierce passion of her fornication.'

9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice: 'If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead, or on his hand,

10 the same shall drink of the wine of the fierce passion of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his wrath; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb;

11 and the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.

12 Here is the endurance of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: 'Write: blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on; yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours and their works follow them.'

14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like the Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud: 'Thrust in your sickle, and reap, for the time has come for you to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.'

16 And he who sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

18 And another angel came out from the altar, having authority over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying: 'Thrust in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.'

19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the fierce passion of God.

20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horse bridles, to the distance of one thousand six hundred stadia.

Revelation - Chapter 15

1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the last seven plagues; for in them is completed the fierce passion of God.

2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire; and those victorious over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: 'Great and marvellous are your works, O Lord God Almighty; just and true are your ways, King of the saints.

4 Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship in your presence; for your righteous judgments are made manifest.'

5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the witness in heaven was opened:

6 and the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts surrounded with golden sashes.

7 And one of the four living creatures gave seven golden bowls to the seven angels, full of the fierce passion of God, who lives forever and ever.

8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Revelation - Chapter 16

1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels: 'Go and pour out the bowls of the fierce passion of God upon the earth.'

2 And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth; and there came an afflicting and evil sore upon the men who had the mark of the beast, and upon those who worshipped his image.

3 And the second angel poured out his bowl upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living soul in the sea died.

4 And the third angel poured out his bowl upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

5 And I heard the angel of the waters say: 'You are righteous, O Lord, the one who is, and who was and who shall be, because you have judged these things;

6 for they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.'

7 And I heard another one out of the altar say: 'Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.'

8 And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given to it to scorch men with fire.

9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which has authority over these plagues; and they did not repent to give him glory.

10 And the fifth angel poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom was put in darkness; and they chewed their tongues with pain,

11 and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their works.

12 And the sixth angel poured out his bowl upon the great river Euphrates; and the water of it was dried up, so that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, so that he does not walk naked, and they see his shame.

16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

17 And the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying: 'It is done!'

18 And there were voices, and thunder, and lightning; and there was a great earthquake, like none that has been since men were upon the earth, so powerful an earthquake, and so great.

19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierce passion of his wrath.

20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21 And great hailstones descended upon men out of heaven, each stone about the weight of a talent; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague was exceedingly great.

Revelation - Chapter 17

1 And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, and talked with me, saying to me: 'Come here: I will show to you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits upon many waters;

2 with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.'

3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a woman sat upon a scarlet beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and the uncleanness of her fornication;

5 and upon her forehead a name was written: 'Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of the prostitutes and abominations of the earth.'

6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus; and when I saw her, I marveled with great wonder.

7 And the angel said to me: 'Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the Abyss, and goes into destruction; and those who dwell on the earth shall marvel, whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

9 And here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits.

10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a short time.

11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goes into destruction.

12 And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive authority as kings for one hour with the beast.

13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and authority to the beast.

14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and those who are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.'

15 And he said to me: 'The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

16 And the ten horns which you saw upon the beast, these shall hate the prostitute, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

17 For God has given into their hearts to perform his mind, and to make one mind, and give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

18 And the woman which you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.'

Revelation - Chapter 18

1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great authority; and the earth was illuminated with his glory.

2 And he cried out with a strong voice, saying; 'Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become the dwelling of devils, and the cage of every unclean spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the fierce passion of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich through the abundance of her luxuries.'

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying: 'Come out of her, my people, so that you do not share in her sins, and that you do not receive of her plagues.

5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her unrighteous works.

6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double to her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix to her double.

7 How much she has glorified herself, and lived luxuriously, so much torment and mourning give her: for she says in her heart: 'I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no mourning.'

8 Therefore her plagues shall come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her, will weep and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

10 standing far off for the fear of her torment, saying: 'Woe, woe, the great city Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.'

11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no one buys their merchandise any more;

12 the merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all citron wood, and all kinds of vessels of ivory, and all kinds of vessels of most precious wood, and of bronze, and iron, and marble,

13 and cinnamon, and spices, and perfumes, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and cattle, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and bodies, and souls of men.

14 And the fruits that your soul lusted after are departed from you, and all things which were delicious and magnificent are departed from you, and you shall find them no more.

15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand far off for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning,

16 and saying: 'Woe, woe, the great city, the one clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and gilded with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!'

17 For in one hour such great wealth is made desolate. And every shipmaster, and all those sailing and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood at a distance,

18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying: 'What city is like this great city!'

19 And they threw dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying: 'Woe, woe, that great city, in which all those who had ships in the sea were made rich by her precious value! For in one hour she is made desolate.

20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her.'

21 And a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and threw it into the sea, saying: 'Thus with violence shall the great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more.

22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall certainly not be heard in you any more; and any craftsman, of any craft, shall certainly not be found in you any more; and the sound of a millstone shall certainly not be heard in you any more.

23 And the light of a candle shall certainly not shine any more in you; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall certainly not be heard any more in you; for your merchants were the great men of the earth; for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.

24 And in her, the blood of prophets and of saints was found, and of all who were slaughtered upon the earth.'

Revelation - Chapter 19

1 And after these things I heard something as the great voice of a huge crowd in heaven, saying: 'Alleluia! Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, to the Lord our God;

2 for true and righteous are his judgments, for he has judged the great prostitute, who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his servants by her hand.'

3 And they said again: 'Alleluia. And her smoke rises up forever and ever.'

4 And the twenty four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God, the one sitting upon the throne, saying: 'Amen; Alleluia.'

5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying: 'Praise our God, all you his servants, and you who fear him, both small and great.'

6 And I heard something as the voice of a huge crowd, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of strong thunderings, saying: 'Alleluia! For the Lord God omnipotent reigns.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give the glory to him; for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready.'

8 And to her was granted that she should be clothed in fine linen, clean and radiant; for the fine linen is the righteous works of the saints.

9 And he said to me: 'Write: blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me: 'These are the true words of God.'

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me: 'See you don't do that: I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.'

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and he who sat upon it was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no one knows, but only himself.

13 And he was clothed with a garment dipped in blood; and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations, and he shall shepherd them with a rod of iron; and he treads the winepress of the fierce passion and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he has on his garment and on his thigh a name written: 'King of kings, and Lord of lords.'

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven: 'Come and gather yourselves together to the supper of the great God;

18 That you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all, both free and slave, both small and great.'

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him who sat upon the horse, and against his army.

20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast, and those who worshipped his image. These both were thrown alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

21 And the remnant were killed with the sword of him who sat upon the horse, the sword proceeding out of his mouth; and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Revelation - Chapter 20

1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the Abyss and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold of the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,

3 and he threw him into the Abyss, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years are completed; and after that he must be loosed for a little time.

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them; and I saw the souls of those who were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and who had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, nor had received his mark upon their foreheads, or on their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection; over these ones, the second death has no authority, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

7 And when the thousand years are completed, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8 and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for war; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

10 And the Devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.

11 And I saw a great white throne, and the one who sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it; and death and hell gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged each one according to their works.

14 And death and hell were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whoever was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation - Chapter 21

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying: 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither mourning, nor crying out, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away.

5 And he who sat upon the throne said: 'Behold, I make all things new.' And he said to me: 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.'

6 And he said to me: 'It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him who is thirsty from the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He who overcomes will inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he will be my son.

8 But the cowardly, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and prostitutes, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.

9 And there came to me one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying: 'Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.'

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

11 having the glory of God; and her light was like a most precious stone, as a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12 having a great and high wall, having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written upon, which are those of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

13 on the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And he who talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates of it, and the wall of it.

16 And the city lies four-cornered, and the length is as large as the breadth; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand stadia. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

17 And he measured the wall of it, one hundred and forty four cubits, according to the measure of a man, one who is an angel.

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, as clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were decorated with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasos; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each of the gates was of one pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, as transparent glass.

22 And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God illuminates it, and the Lamb is the lamp of it.

24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day, for there shall be no night there.

26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

27 And there shall certainly not enter into it anything that defiles, and those performing abomination and a lie; only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Revelation - Chapter 22

1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, a tree of life, producing twelve fruits, and yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him;

4 and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no lamp, nor light of the sun; for the Lord God illuminates them; and they shall reign forever and ever.

6 And he said to me: 'These words are faithful and true; and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show to his servants the things which must come to pass quickly.

7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.'

8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

9 Then he said to me: 'See you don't do that: for I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.'

10 And he said to me: 'Do not seal not the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.

11 The one who is unjust, let him be unjust still; and the one who is filthy, let him be filthy still; and the one who is righteous, let him be righteous still; and the one who is holy, let him be holy still.

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to each one according to his works.

13 I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

14 Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 But outside are dogs, and sorcerers, and prostitutes, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie.

16 I Jesus have sent my angel to witness to you these things in the Ekklesias. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

17 And the Spirit and the bride say: 'Come'. And let the one who hears say: 'Come'. And let the one who is thirsty come. And the one who desires, let him take the water of life freely.

18 For I witness to all who hear the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone shall add to these things, God shall add to this one the plagues that are written in this book.

19 And if anyone shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away the part of this one from the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.'

20 He who witnesses these things says: 'Yes, I come quickly. Amen.' Yes, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The Old Testament

Yahweh & Elohim

Yahweh & Elohim are most quoted names in the Old Testament.

The sacred name Yahweh (pronouced Yahoweh) is formed by four Hebrew letters YHWH. It is traditionally replaced with 'Lord' following the religious practice of reciting 'Adonai', or 'Lord' in its place. YHWH is translated as 'the one who is, who was and is to come.' Yahweh is occasionally shortened to Yah.

The term 'O God' is restored to the original word 'Elohim', the first name revealed in Genesis, referring to the Father as creator and judge. Otherwise, the shorter form 'El' and its variations, are left as within the English tradition, ie 'God', 'God of', 'our God' etc.

Psalms: the School of Prayer

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of Yahweh; and in his law he meditates day and night.

3 And he will be like a tree planted by streams of water, who brings out his fruit in his season; his leaf also will not wither; and whatever he does will prosper.

4 The wicked are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 2

1 Why do the nations rage, and the people imagine a futile thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers conspire together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their chains apart, and throw away their yoke from us.

4 He that sits in the heavens will laugh: the Lord will have them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and distress them in his anger.

6 Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree: Yahweh has said to me, You are my Son; this day I have fathered you.

8 Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, you kings: be instructed, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, in case he is angered, and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all who put their trust in him.

Psalm 3

1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

2 Yahweh, how they are increased who trouble me! Many are those who rise up against me.

3 There are many who say of my soul: 'There is no help for him in Elohim.' Selah.

4 But you, Yahweh, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

5 I cried to Yahweh with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

6 I laid down and slept; I awoke; for Yahweh sustained me.

7 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, who have set themselves against me round about.

8 Arise, Yahweh; save me, O my God: for you have struck all my enemies upon the cheek bone; you have broken the teeth of the wicked.

9 Salvation belongs to Yahweh: your blessing is upon your people. Selah.

Psalm 4

1 To the chief musician on Strings, a Psalm of David.

2 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: you have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

3 Sons of men, how long will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love vanity, and seek after lies? Selah.

4 But know that Yahweh has set apart him who is godly for himself: Yahweh will hear when I call to him.

5 Stand in awe, and do not sin, commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

6 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in Yahweh.

7 There are many who say, Who will show us any good? Yahweh, lift up the light of your face upon us.

8 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their wheat and their wine increased.

9 I will both lay down in peace, and sleep: for you, Yahweh, only make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 5

1 To the chief musician upon Nehiloth, a Psalm of David.

2 Give ear to my words, Yahweh, consider my meditation.

3 Listen to the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for to you will I pray.

4 Yahweh, my voice you will hear in the morning; in the morning I will direct my prayer to you, and will look up.

5 For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness: neither will evil dwell with you.

6 The foolish will not stand in your sight: you hate all workers of iniquity.

7 You will destroy those who speak lies: Yahweh will loathe the bloody and deceitful man.

8 But as for me, I will come to your house in the abundance of your mercy: and in your fear I will worship towards your holy temple.

9 Lead me, Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before my face.

10 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inner part is wickedness; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue.

11 Destroy them, Elohim; let them fall by their own counsels; throw them out in the abundance of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against you.

12 But let all those who put their trust in you rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them: and let those who love your name be joyful in you.

13 For you will bless the righteous, Yahweh; as with a shield, you will crown him with favour.

Psalm 6

1 To the chief musician on Strings upon Sheminith, a Psalm of David.

2 Yahweh, do not rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath.

3 Have mercy upon me, Yahweh; for I am weak: Yahweh, heal me; for my bones are distressed.

4 My soul is also greatly distressed: but you, Yahweh, how long?

5 Return, Yahweh, deliver my soul: save me for your mercies' sake.

6 For in death there is no remembrance of you: in the grave who will give you thanks?

7 I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

8 My eye is consumed because of grief; it grows old because of all my enemies.

9 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for Yahweh has heard the voice of my weeping.

10 Yahweh has heard my supplication; Yahweh will receive my prayer.

11 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly distressed: let them turn away and be ashamed suddenly.

Psalm 7

1 A meditation of David, which he sang to Yahweh, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.

2 Yahweh my God, in you I put my trust: save me from all those who persecute me, and deliver me:

3 in case he tears my soul like a lion, ripping it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

4 Yahweh my God, if I have done this; if there is iniquity in my hands;

5 if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me; (indeed, I have delivered him who is my enemy without cause)

6 let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; indeed, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay my honour in the dust. Selah.

7 Arise, Yahweh, in your anger, lift up yourself because of the rage of my enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that you have commanded.

8 So will the assembly of the people surround you: for their sakes therefore return on high.

9 Yahweh will judge the people: judge me, Yahweh, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity that is in me.

10 Let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous Elohim tests the hearts and mind of the soul.

11 My righteous help is from Elohim, who saves the upright in heart.

12 Elohim judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

13 If he does not turn, he will sharpen his sword; he has bent his bow, and made it ready.

14 He has also prepared for him the instruments of death; he sets his burning arrows against the persecutors.

15 Behold, he travails with iniquity, and has conceived mischief, and brought out falsehood.

16 He made a pit, and dug it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.

17 His mischief will return upon his own head, and his violence will come down upon his own pate.

18 I will praise Yahweh according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High.

Psalm 8

1 To the chief musician upon Gittith, a Psalm of David.

2 Yahweh our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth: who have set your glory above the heavens.

3 Out of the mouth of babes and infants have you perfected praise because of your enemies, that you may still the enemy and the avenger.

4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have established;

5 what is man, that you are mindful of him? And the son of man, that you visit him?

6 For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honour.

7 You made him to rule over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet:

8 all sheep and oxen, indeed, and the creatures of the field;

9 the bird of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

10 Yahweh our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth.

Psalm 9

1 To the chief musician upon Death of the Son, a Psalm of David.

2 I will praise you, Yahweh, with my whole heart; I will describe all your marvellous works.

3 I will be glad and rejoice in you: I will sing praise to your name, Most High.

4 When my enemies are turned back, they will fall and perish from your presence.

5 For you have maintained my right and my cause; you sat on the throne judging right.

6 You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked, you have put out their name forever and ever.

7 O enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and you have destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

8 But Yahweh will endure forever: he has prepared his throne for judgment.

9 And he will judge the world in righteousness, he will minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

10 Yahweh will also be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

11 And those who know your name will put their trust in you: for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.

12 Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

13 When he makes inquiry for blood, he remembers them: he does not forget the cry of the humble.

14 Have mercy upon me, Yahweh; consider my trouble which I suffer from those who hate me, you that lifts me up from the gates of death:

15 That I may tell out all your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in your salvation.

16 The nations are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

17 Yahweh is known by the judgment which he executes: the sinner is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

18 The wicked will be turned to hell, and all the nations who forget Elohim.

19 For the needy will not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor will not perish forever.

20 Arise, Yahweh; let man not prevail: let the nations be judged in your sight.

21 Put them in fear, Yahweh: that the nations may know themselves to be men. Selah.

Psalm 10

1 Why do you stand far off, Yahweh? Why do you hide yourself in times of affliction?

2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's lust, and blesses the covetous, whom Yahweh loathes.

4 The wicked, through the pride of his face, will not seek after Elohim: God is not in all his thoughts.

5 His ways are always grievous; your judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffs at them.

6 He has said in his heart, I will not be moved: for I will never be in adversity.

7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places he murders the innocent: his eyes are secretly set against the poor.

9 He lies in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to catch the poor: he catches the poor, when he draws him to his net.

10 He crouches, and humbles himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

11 He has said in his heart, God has forgotten: he hides his face; he will never see it.

12 Arise, Yahweh; God, lift up your hand: do not forget the humble.

13 Why therefore does the wicked despise Elohim? He has said in his heart, You will not require it.

14 You have seen it; for you behold mischief and spite, to repay it with your hand: the poor commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness until you find none.

16 Yahweh is King forever and ever: the nations are perished out of his land.

17 Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble: you will prepare their heart, you will cause your ear to hear:

18 to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

Psalm 11

1 To the chief musician, of David.

2 In Yahweh I put my trust: how can you say to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

3 For, look, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may secretly shoot at the upright in heart.

4 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?

5 Yahweh is in his holy temple, Yahweh's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids examine, the children of men.

6 Yahweh tests the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence his soul hates.

7 Upon the wicked he will rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest: this will be the portion of their cup.

8 For the righteous Yahweh loves righteousness; his face beholds the upright.

Psalm 12

1 To the chief musician upon Sheminith, a Psalm of David.

2 Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

3 They speak vanity each one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.

4 Yahweh will cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things:

5 who have said: With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

6 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, I will not arise, says Yahweh; I will set him in safety from him that puffs at him.

7 The words of Yahweh are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

8 You will keep them, Yahweh, you will preserve them from this generation forever.

9 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

Psalm 13

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

2 How long will you forget me, Yahweh? Forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

3 How long will I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

4 Consider and answer me, Yahweh my God: enlighten my eyes, in case I sleep the sleep of death;

5 in case my enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

6 But I have trusted in your mercy; my heart will rejoice in your salvation.

7 I will sing to Yahweh, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 14

1 To the chief musician, of David.

2 The fool has said in his heart: 'There is no Elohim.' They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.

3 Yahweh looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that understood, and seek Elohim.

4 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that does good, no, not one.

5 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon Yahweh.

6 There were they in great fear: for Elohim is in the generation of the righteous.

7 You have shamed the counsel of the poor, because Yahweh is his refuge.

8 Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When Yahweh brings back the captivity of his people, Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be glad.

Psalm 15

1 A Psalm of David.

2 Yahweh, who will remain in your tabernacle? Who will dwell in your holy hill?

3 He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart.

4 He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbour, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbour.

5 In whose eyes a vile person is despised; but he honours those who fear Yahweh. He who swears to his own hurt, and does not change.

6 He who does not put his money to usury, nor takes a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be moved.

Psalm 16

1 A Composition of David.

2 Preserve me, God: for in you I put my trust.

3 O my soul, you have said to Yahweh, You are my Lord: my goodness is not upon you;

4 but to the saints who are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

5 Their sorrows will be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take up their names on my lips.

5 Yahweh is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: you maintain my lot.

6 The lines are fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have an excellent inheritance.

7 I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel: my mind also instructs me in the night seasons.

8 I have set Yahweh always before me: because he is at my right hand, I will not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh will also rest in hope.

10 For you will not leave my soul in hell; neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption.

11 You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fulness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 17

1 A Prayer of David.

2 Hear the righteous, Yahweh, listen to my cry, give ear to my prayer, which does not go out of deceitful lips.

3 Let my sentence come out from your presence; let your eyes behold the things which are upright.

4 You have proved my heart; you have visited me in the night; you have tried me, and will find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

5 Concerning the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept from the paths of the destroyer.

6 Hold up my goings in your paths, that my footsteps do not slip.

7 I have called upon you, for you will answer me, God: turn your ear to me, and hear my words.

8 Show your marvellous lovingkindness, you who saves by your right hand those who put their trust in you from those who rise up against them.

9 Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me under the shadow of your wings,

10 from the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who surround me.

11 They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

12 They have now surrounded us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

13 like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

14 Arise, Yahweh, disappoint him, throw him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is your sword:

15 from men which are your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, who have their portion in this life, and whose belly you fill with your hidden treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their possessions to their infants.

16 As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness: I will be satisfied, when I awake, with your likeness.

Psalm 18

1 To the chief musician, of David, the servant of Yahweh, who spoke to Yahweh the words of this song on the day that Yahweh delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: and he said:

2 I will love you, Yahweh, my strength.

3 Yahweh is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my helper, in whom I will hope; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

3 I will call upon Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised: so I will be saved from my enemies.

4 The sorrows of death surrounded me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

5 The sorrows of hell surrounded me: the snares of death received me.

6 In my distress I called upon Yahweh, and cried to my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even to his ears.

7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was angry.

8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

10 And he rode upon a cherub, and flew: indeed, he flew upon the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion around him was dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire.

13 Yahweh also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High gave his voice; hailstones and coals of fire.

14 Indeed, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightning, and smashed them.

15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at your rebuke, Yahweh, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me: for they were too strong for me.

18 They met me in the day of my calamity: but Yahweh was my staff.

19 He brought me out also to a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

20 Yahweh rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has restored me.

21 For I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his decrees from me.

23 I was also perfect before him, and I kept myself from my iniquity.

24 Therefore has Yahweh repaided me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

25 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful; with a perfect man you will show yourself perfect;

26 with the pure you will show yourself pure; but with the perverse you will show yourself shrewd.

27 For you will save the afflicted people; but will bring down high looks.

28 For you will light my candle: Yahweh my God will enlighten my darkness.

29 For by you I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leapt over a wall.

30 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of Yahweh is tested: he is a shield to all those who trust in him.

31 For who is God except Yahweh? Or who is a rock except our God?

32 It is God who clothes me with power, and makes my way perfect.

33 He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me stand upon my high places.

34 He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of bronze is bent by my arms.

35 You have also given me the shield of your salvation: and your right hand has held me up, and your humility has made me abound.

36 You have enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

37 I have pursued my enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again until they were consumed.

38 I have wounded those so that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

39 For you have clothed me with power for the battle: you have subdued under me those that rose up against me.

40 You have also given me the necks of my enemies; that I might destroy those who hate me.

41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even to Yahweh, but he did not answer them.

42 Then I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did threw them out as the dirt in the streets.

43 You have delivered me from the strivings of the people; and you have made me the head of the nations: a people whom I have not known will serve me.

44 As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me: the sons of foreigners will submit themselves to me.

45 The son of foreigners will fade away, and be afraid out of their dens.

46 Yahweh lives; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

47 It is God that avenges me, and subdues the people under me.

48 He delivers me from my enemies: indeed, you lift me up above those who rise up against me: you have delivered me from the violent man.

49 Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.

50 He gives great deliverance to his king; and shows mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed forevermore.

Psalm 19

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

2 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament displays the work of his hand.

3 Day to day utters speech, and night to night shows knowledge.

4 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

5 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun,

6 which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices as a strong man to run a race.

7 His going out is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit to the ends of it: and there is nothing hidden from the heat of it.

8 The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring the soul: the testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple.

9 The decrees of Yahweh are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes.

10 The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of Yahweh are true and righteous altogether.

11 They are more to be desired more than gold, indeed, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

12 Moreover, by them your servant is warned: and in the keeping of them there is great reward.

13 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.

14 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then I will be upright, and I will be innocent from the great transgression.

15 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.

Psalm 20

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

2 Yahweh hear you in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend you;

3 send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion;

4 remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah.

5 Grant you according to your own heart, and fulfil all your counsel.

6 We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: Yahweh fulfil all your petitions.

7 Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

8 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of Yahweh our God.

9 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

10 Save, Yahweh: let the king hear us when we call.

Psalm 21

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

2 The king will be glad in your strength, Yahweh; and in your salvation how greatly will he rejoice!

3 You have given him his heart's desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.

4 For you meet him with the blessings of goodness: you set a crown of pure gold on his head.

5 He asked life of you, and you gave it to him, even length of days forever and ever.

6 His glory is great in your salvation: honour and majesty you have laid upon him.

7 For you have made him most blessed forever: you have made him exceedingly glad with your face.

8 For the king trusts in Yahweh, and through the mercy of the Most High he will not be moved.

9 Your hand will find out all your enemies: your right hand will find out those who hate you.

10 You will make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger: Yahweh will swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire will devour them.

11 You will destroy their fruit from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.

12 For they intended evil against you: they imagined an evil scheme, which they are not able to perform.

13 Therefore, you will make them turn their back, when you will make ready your arrows upon your strings against the face of them.

14 Be exalted, Yahweh, in your power: we will sing and praise your power.

Psalm 22

1 To the chief musician upon the Deer of the Dawn, a Psalm of David.

2 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, and from the words of my groaning?

3 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent.

4 But you are holy, you that dwells among the praises of Israel.

5 Our fathers trusted in you: they trusted, and you delivered them.

6 They cried to you, and were delivered: they trusted in you, and were not ashamed.

7 But I am a worm, and not a man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

8 All those who see me mock, they sneer, they shake the head, saying:

9 'He trusted on Yahweh that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, because he delighted in him.'

10 But you are he who took me out of the womb: you made me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.

11 I was cast upon you from the womb: you are my God from my mother's womb.

12 Do not be far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.

13 Many bulls have surrounded me: strong ones of Bashan have encircled me.

14 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

15 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax, it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

16 My strength is dried up like a shard of pottery; and my tongue clings to my jaws; and you have brought me to the dust of death.

17 For dogs have surrounded me, the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

18 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

19 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my clothing.

20 But do not be far from me, Yahweh, O my strength, be quick to help me.

21 Deliver my soul from the sword; my only begotten from the hand of the dog.

22 Save me from the lion's mouth and from the horns of the wild ox, my humiliation.

23 I will declare your name to my brothers, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.

24 You that fear Yahweh, praise him; all the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all the seed of Israel.

25 For he has not despised nor loathed the affliction of the afflicted; neither has he hid his face from him; but when he cried to him, he heard.

26 My praise will be of you in the great assembly; I will pay my vows before those who fear him.

27 The humble will eat and be satisfied; they will praise Yahweh those who seek him: your heart will live forever.

28 All the ends of the world will remember and turn to Yahweh: and all the tribes of the nations will worship before you.

29 For the kingdom is for Yahweh, and he is the ruler of the nations.

30 All those who are fat upon earth will eat and worship, all those who go down to the dust will bow before him, and he who cannot keep his own soul alive.

31 A seed will serve him; the generation that is coming will be declared to the Lord.

32 They will come, and will proclaim his righteousness to a people that will be born, that he has done this.

Psalm 23

1 A Psalm of David.

2 Yahweh is my shepherd; I will not lack.

3 He makes me lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.

4 He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

5 Indeed, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

6 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

7 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of Yahweh forever.

Psalm 24

1 A Psalm of David.

2 The earth is for Yahweh, and the fulness of it; the world, and those who dwell within it.

3 For he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

4 Who will ascend to the hill of Yahweh? Or who will stand in his holy place?

5 He who has clean hands, and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to worthless futility, nor sworn deceitfully.

6 He will receive the blessing from Yahweh, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

7 This is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O Jacob. Selah.

8 Lift up your heads, you gates; and be lifted up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory will come in.

9 Who is this King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle.

10 Lift up your heads, you gates; indeed lift up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory will come in.

11 Who is this King of glory? Yahweh of Armies, he is the King of glory. Selah.

Psalm 25

1 Of David.

2 To you, Yahweh, I lift up my soul.

3 My God, I trust in you: do not let me be ashamed, do not let my enemies triumph over me.

4 Indeed, let none who wait on you be ashamed: let them be ashamed who transgress without cause.

5 Show me your ways, Yahweh; teach me your paths.

6 Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation; I wait on you all the day.

7 Remember, Yahweh, your compassion and your lovingkindness; for they are from everlasting.

8 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to your mercy remember me for your goodness' sake, Yahweh.

9 Good and upright is Yahweh: therefore he will teach sinners in the way.

10 He will guide the humble in judgment, and he will teach the humble his way.

11 All the paths of Yahweh are mercy and truth to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

12 For your name's sake, Yahweh, forgive my iniquity; for it is great.

13 Who is the man that fears Yahweh? Him he will teach in the way that he will choose.

14 His soul will rest in goodness; and his seed will inherit the earth.

15 The secret of Yahweh is with those who fear him; and he will show them his covenant.

16 My eyes are ever towards Yahweh; for he will bring out my feet from the net.

17 Turn to me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.

18 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: bring me out of my distress.

19 Look upon my affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

20 Consider my enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

21 Guard my soul, and deliver me: do not let me be ashamed; for I put my trust in you.

22 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on you.

23 Redeem Israel, Elohim, out of all his troubles.

Psalm 26

1 Of David.

2 Judge me, Yahweh; for I have walked in my integrity: I have also trusted in Yahweh; therefore I will not slide.

3 Examine me, Yahweh, and test me; refine my mind and my heart.

4 For your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in your truth.

5 I have not sat with worthless persons, neither will I go in with deceivers.

6 I have hated the assembly of evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked.

7 I will wash my hands in innocence; so I will go around your altar, Yahweh:

8 that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and declare all of your wondrous works.

9 Yahweh, I have loved the habitation of your house, and the place where your glory dwells.

10 Do not gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

11 in whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.

12 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity: redeem me, and be merciful to me.

13 My foot stands in an even place; in the assemblies I will bless Yahweh.

Psalm 27

1 Of David.

2 Yahweh is my light and my salvation; whom will I fear? Yahweh is the fortress of my life; of whom will I be afraid?

3 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to devour my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

4 Though an army should encamp against me, my heart will not fear: though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident.

5 One thing I have desired of Yahweh, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of Yahweh all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Yahweh, and to enquire in his temple.

6 For in the time of trouble he will hide me in his shelter: in the secret place of his tent he will conceal me; he will lift me up upon a rock.

7 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around about me: therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tent; I will sing, indeed, I will sing praises to Yahweh.

8 Hear, Yahweh, when I cry with my voice: be gracious to me, and answer me.

9 When you said: 'Seek my face,' my heart said to you: 'Your face, Yahweh, I will seek.'

10 Do not hide your face far from me; do not put your servant away in anger: you have been my help; do not leave me, nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.

11 When my father and my mother forsake me, then Yahweh will take me up.

12 Teach me your way, Yahweh, and lead me on a straight path, because of my enemies.

13 Do not deliver me over to the will of my enemies: for false witnesses have risen up against me, and those who breathe out violence.

14 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living.

15 Wait on Yahweh: be courageous, and he will strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on Yahweh.

Psalm 28

1 Of David.

2 I will call to you, Yahweh my rock; do not be silent to me: in case, if you are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.

3 Hear the voice of my petition, when I cry out to you, when I lift up my hands towards your most holy place.

4 Do not draw me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but evil is in their hearts.

5 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them according to the work of their hands; return to them their reward.

6 Because they do not observe the works of Yahweh, nor the operation of his hands, he will destroy them, and not build them up.

7 Blessed be Yahweh, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.

8 Yahweh is my power and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song I will praise him.

9 Yahweh is their power, and he is the saving fortress of his anointed.

10 Save your people, and bless your inheritance, and shepherd them, and lift them up forever.

Psalm 29

1 A Psalm of David.

2 Give to Yahweh, sons of God, give to Yahweh glory and power.

3 Give to Yahweh the glory due to his name; worship Yahweh in the beauty of holiness.

4 The voice of Yahweh is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; Yahweh is upon many waters.

5 The voice of Yahweh is with strength; the voice of Yahweh is full of majesty.

6 The voice of Yahweh breaks the cedars; indeed, Yahweh breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

7 He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like the son of a wild ox.

8 The voice of Yahweh divides the flames of fire.

9 The voice of Yahweh shakes the wilderness; Yahweh shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

10 The voice of Yahweh makes the hinds to calve, and strips the forests: and in his temple everyone says 'Glory!'

11 Yahweh sits upon the flood; indeed, Yahweh sits King forever.

12 Yahweh will give power to his people; Yahweh will bless his people with peace.

Psalm 30

1 A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David.

2 I will lift you up, Yahweh; for you have drawn me up, and have not made my foes to rejoice over me.

3 Yahweh my God, I cried out to you, and you have healed me.

4 Yahweh, you have brought up my soul from the grave: you have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

5 Sing to Yahweh, you holy ones of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

6 For his anger lasts a moment, life is in his favour; weeping stays for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

7 And in my peaceful rest I said: I will never be moved.

8 Yahweh, by your favour you have made my mountain to stand powerful; you hid your face, and I was troubled.

9 I called to you, Yahweh; and to my Lord I petitioned.

10 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it declare your truth?

11 Hear, Yahweh, and be gracious to me: Yahweh, be my helper.

12 You have turned for me my mourning to dancing; you have put off my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness;

13 so that my glory may sing praise to you, and not be silent. Yahweh my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

Psalm 31

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

2 In you, Yahweh, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: rescue me in your righteousness.

3 Bow down your ear to me; deliver me quickly: be my powerful rock, for a house of defence to save me.

4 For you are my rock and my fortress; therefore for your name's sake lead me, and guide me.

5 Pull me out of the net which they have laid secretly for me: for you are my power.

6 Into your hand I commit my spirit: you have redeemed me, Yahweh God of truth.

7 I have hated those who carefully observe worthless vanities: but I trust in Yahweh.

8 I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy: for you have considered my affliction; you have known my soul in troubles;

9 and have not shut me up to the hand of the enemy: you have set my feet in a broad place.

10 Be gracious to me, Yahweh, for I am in trouble: my eye is consumed with grief, indeed, my soul and my belly.

11 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

12 I was a disgrace among all my enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a terror to those who know me: those who saw me outside fled from me.

13 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.

14 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they conspired together against me, they schemed to take away my life.

15 But I trusted in you, Yahweh; I said: You are my God.

16 My times are in your hand: deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

17 Make your face to shine upon your servant: save me in your mercy.

18 Let me not be ashamed, Yahweh; for I have called upon you; let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in Sheol.

19 Let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak arrogant things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

20 Oh how great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you; which you have prepared for those who trust in you before the sons of men!

21 You will hide them in the secret place of your presence from the pride of man: you will hide them in a shelter from the strife of tongues.

22 Blessed be Yahweh, for he has shown me his marvellous kindness in a besieged city.

23 For I said in my alarm: 'I am cut off from before your eyes' yet you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried out to you.

24 Love Yahweh, all you his holy ones: for Yahweh preserves the faithful, and abundantly rewards the proud worker.

25 Be courageous, and he will strengthen your heart, all you that hope in Yahweh.

Psalm 32

1 Of David, an insight.

2 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

3 Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh does not account iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

4 When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my roaring all the day long.

5 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me: my freshness is turned to the drought of summer. Selah.

6 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I have not hidden my iniquity. I said: 'I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

7 For this everyone who is godly will pray to you in a time when you may be found: surely in the floods of great waters they will not come near to him.

8 You are my secret place; you will preserve me from trouble; you will surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

9 I will give you insight and teach you in the way which you will go: I will guide you with my eye.

10 Do not be like the horse, or like the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held with bit and bridle, or they will not come near to you.

11 There will be many sorrows for the wicked: but he who trusts in Yahweh, mercy will surround him.

12 Be glad in Yahweh, and rejoice, you righteous: and shout for joy, all you that are upright in heart.

Psalm 33

1 Rejoice in Yahweh, O you righteous: for praise is lovely for the upright.

2 Praise Yahweh with the lyre, with the harp, an instrument of ten strings, sing to him.

3 Sing to him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

4 For the word of Yahweh is straight; and all his works are done in truth.

5 He loves righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the mercy of Yahweh.

6 By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap: he places the depths in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear Yahweh; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

9 For he spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 Yahweh brings the counsel of the nations to nothing: he makes the thoughts of the people of no effect.

11 The counsel of Yahweh stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh; the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.

13 Yahweh looks from heaven; he sees all the sons of men.

14 From the place of his habitation he gazes upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

15 He shapes their hearts alike; he considers all their works.

16 No king is saved by a great army, a powerful man is not delivered by great strength.

17 A horse is false for salvation; neither will he rescue by his great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of Yahweh is upon those who fear him, upon those who hope in his mercy;

19 to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for Yahweh: he is our help and our shield.

21 For our hearts will rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

22 Let your mercy, Yahweh, be upon us, just as we hope in you.

Psalm 34

1 Of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.

2 I will bless Yahweh at all times, his praise will always be in my mouth.

3 My soul will celebrate in Yahweh; the humble will hear of it, and be glad.

4 Magnify Yahweh with me, and let us exalt his name together.

5 I sought Yahweh, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

6 They looked to him, and were enlightened; and their faces were not ashamed.

7 This poor man called, and Yahweh heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

8 The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

9 Taste and see that Yahweh is good: blessed is the man who trusts in him.

10 Fear Yahweh, you his holy ones, for there is no lack for those who fear him.

11 The young lions lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh will not lack any good thing.

12 Come, children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.

13 Who is the man desiring life, loving many days, that he may see good?

14 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

15 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

16 The eyes of Yahweh are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.

17 The face of Yahweh is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

18 The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

19 Yahweh is near to the broken-hearted; and saves those of a contrite spirit.

20 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.

21 He guards all his bones, not one of them is broken.

22 Evil will kill the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be desolate.

23 Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants, and none of those who trust in him will be desolate.

Psalm 35

1 Of David.

2 Strive, Yahweh, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me.

3 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.

4 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against those who persecute me: say to my soul, I am your salvation.

5 Let them be confused and put to shame who seek after my soul: let them be turned back and frustrated that devise my hurt.

6 Let them be as chaff before the wind, and let the angel of Yahweh chase them.

7 Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of Yahweh persecute them.

8 For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me, which without cause they have dug for my soul.

9 Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly; and let his net which he has hidden catch himself: let him fall into that destruction.

10 And my soul will be joyful in Yahweh, it will rejoice in his salvation.

11 All my bones will say, Yahweh, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, indeed, the poor and the needy from him that robs him?

12 False witnesses rose up; they demanded things which I did not know.

13 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

14 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned to my own bosom.

15 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.

16 But in my adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: indeed, the strikers gathered themselves together against me, and I did not know it; they tore me, and did not cease;

17 with hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

18 Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, my precious life from the young lions.

19 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; I will praise you among numerous people.

20 Do not let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let them wink the eye who hate me without cause.

21 For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful matters against those who are quiet in the land.

22 Indeed, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said: 'Aha, aha, our eye has seen it.'

23 This you have seen, Yahweh: do not keep not silence, Lord, do not be far from me.

23 Stir up yourself, and awake to my judgment, even to my cause, my God and my Lord.

24 Judge me, Yahweh my God, according to your righteousness; and do not let them rejoice over me.

25 Do not let them say in their hearts: 'Ah, so we would have it'; do not let them say: 'We have swallowed him up.'

26 Let those be ashamed and brought to confusion together who rejoice at my hurt; let those be clothed with shame and dishonour who magnify themselves against me.

27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, who favour my righteous cause: indeed, let them say continually: 'Let Yahweh be magnified' who has pleasure in the peace of his servant.

28 And my tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.

Psalm 36

1 To the chief musician, of David, the servant of Yahweh.

2 My heart speaks within of the transgression of the wicked, that there is no fear of Elohim before his eyes.

3 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity is found to be hateful.

4 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he has ceased to be perceptive, and to do good.

5 He devises mischief upon his bed; he sets himself on a way which is not good; he does not loathes evil.

6 Yahweh, your mercy is in the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

7 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are a great deep: Yahweh, you save man and animals.

8 How excellent is your lovingkindness, Elohim! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings.

9 They will be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house; and you will make them drink from the river of your delights.

10 For with you is the fountain of life: in your light we will see light.

11 Continue your lovingkindness to those who know you; and your righteousness to the upright of heart.

12 Do not let the foot of pride come against me, and do not let the hand of the wicked remove me.

13 There the workers of iniquity are fallen; they are thrown down, and will not be able to rise.

Psalm 37

1 Of David.

2 Do not become incensed by evildoers, neither be envious of the workers of iniquity.

3 For they will soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green plants.

4 Trust in Yahweh, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and truly you will be fed.

5 Delight yourself also in Yahweh; and he will give you the desires of your heart.

6 Commit your way to Yahweh; trust also in him; and he will bring it to pass.

7 And he will bring out your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the midday.

8 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him: do not become incensed because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked purposes to pass.

9 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: do not become incensed in any way to do evil.

10 For evildoers will be cut off: but those who wait upon Yahweh, they will inherit the earth.

11 For yet a little while, and the wicked will not be: indeed, you will diligently discern his place, and it will not be.

12 But the humble will inherit the earth; and will delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

13 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.

14 The Lord will laugh at him: for he sees that his day is coming.

15 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to throw down the poor and needy, and to kill those of the straight way.

16 Their sword will enter into their own heart, and their bows will be broken.

17 A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.

18 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.

19 Yahweh knows the days of the upright and their inheritance will be forever.

20 They will not be ashamed in the evil time and in the days of famine they will be satisfied.

21 But the wicked will perish and the enemies of Yahweh will be as the fat of lambs; they will be consumed, they will be consumed away to smoke.

22 The wicked borrows, and does not repay; but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.

23 For those blessed by him will inherit the earth, and those who are cursed by him will be cut off.

24 The steps of a good man are ordered by Yahweh and he delights in his way.

25 Though he falls, he will not be utterly thrown down, for Yahweh upholds him with his hand.

26 I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

27 He is ever merciful, and lends; and his seed is blessed.

28 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore.

29 For Yahweh loves justice, and does not forsake his holy ones; they are preserved forever: but the seed of the wicked will be cut off.

30 The righteous will inherit the land, and dwell in it forever.

31 The mouth of the righteous meditates on wisdom, and his tongue speaks of justice.

32 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps will slide.

33 The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him.

34 Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

35 Wait on Yahweh, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

36 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a native green tree.

37 Yet he passed away, and, behold, he was not: indeed, I searched for him, but he could not be found.

38 Watch the blameless man, and consider the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

39 But the transgressors will be destroyed together; the end of the wicked will be cut off.

40 But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh: he is their power in the time of trouble.

41 And Yahweh will help them, and deliver them; he will deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Psalm 38

1 A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.

2 Yahweh, do not correct me in your wrath: neither discipline me in your fury.

3 For your arrows stick firmly in me, and your hand presses me severely.

4 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your anger; neither is there any peace in my bones because of my sin.

5 For my iniquities have gone over my head: as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

6 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.

7 I am troubled; I am exceedingly bowed down; I go mourning all the day long.

8 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.

9 I am feeble and exceedingly broken: I have roared from the turmoil of my heart.

10 Lord, all my desire is before you; and my groaning is not hidden from you.

11 My heart pants, my strength fails me; as for the light of my eyes, it also is gone from me.

12 My lovers and my friends stand away from my wound; and my relatives stand far off.

13 Those who also seek after my life lay snares for me; and those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things and imagine deceits all the day long.

14 But I, as a deaf man, did not hear; and I was as a mute who does not open his mouth.

15 So I was as a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no corrections.

16 For in you, Yahweh, I hope: you will hear, Lord my God.

17 For I said: Hear me, in case they should rejoice over me: when my foot slips, they magnify themselves against me.

18 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.

19 For I will declare my iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

20 But my enemies are living, and they are strong: and those who hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

21 Those also who render evil for good are my accusers; because I follow what is good.

22 Do not forsake me, Yahweh: my God, do not be far from me.

23 Make haste to help me, Lord my salvation.

Psalm 39

1 To the chief musician, for Jeduthun, a Psalm of David.

2 I said: I will pay attention to my ways, that I do sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

3 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

4 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then I spoke with my tongue:

5 Yahweh, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

6 Behold, you have made my days as a handbreadth; and my age is as nothing before you: truly every man in his best state is utter vanity. Selah.

7 Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are troubled in vain: he heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them.

8 And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

9 Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not appoint me the disgrace of the foolish.

10 I was dumb, I did not open my mouth; because you did it.

11 Remove your stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of your hand.

12 When you discipline man with correction for iniquity, you make his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

13 Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry; do not hold your peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and a foreigner, as all my fathers were.

14 Spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go and be no more.

Psalm 40

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

2 I waited patiently for Yahweh; and he turned to me, and heard my cry.

3 And brought me up out of an awful pit, out of the filthy clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my footsteps.

4 And he has put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God: many will see it, and fear, and will trust in Yahweh.

5 Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his confidence, and does not esteem the proud, nor those who turn aside to lies.

6 Many, Yahweh my God, are your wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are towards us; they cannot be counted up in order for you; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

7 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire; my ears you have opened; burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.

8 Then I said, behold, I have come: in the scroll of the book it is written of me,

9 I delight to do your will, my God: indeed, your law is within my heart.

10 I have preached righteousness in the great assembly: behold, I have not restrained my lips, Yahweh, you know.

11 I have not hid your righteousness within my heart; I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation: I have not concealed your lovingkindness and your truth from the great assembly.

12 Do not withhold your compassions from me, Yahweh: let your lovingkindness and your truth continually preserve me.

13 For countless evils have surrounded me: my iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head, therefore my heart fails me.

14 Be pleased, Yahweh, to deliver me: Yahweh, hurry to help me.

15 Let them be ashamed and confused together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backwards and put to shame who wish me evil.

16 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame who say to me: 'Aha, aha.'

17 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you: let those who love your salvation say continually: 'Yahweh be magnified.'

18 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me: you are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, my God.

Psalm 41

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

2 Blessed is he who understands to prosper the poor: Yahweh will deliver him in time of trouble.

3 Yahweh will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he will be blessed upon the earth: and you will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.

4 Yahweh will strengthen him upon the bed of suffering: you will make all his bed in his sickness.

5 I said: Yahweh, be gracious to me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against you.

6 My enemies speak evil of me: 'When will he die, and his name perish?'

7 And if he come to see me, he speaks worthlessly: his heart gathers iniquity to itself; when he goes outside, he tells it.

8 All who hate me whisper together against me: against me they devise my hurt.

9 'An evil disease,' they say, clings firmly to him: and now that he lies down he will rise up no more.

10 Indeed, my good friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

11 But you, Yahweh, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may reward them.

12 By this I know that you favour me, because my enemy does not triumph over me.

13 And as for me, you uphold me in my integrity, and set me before your face forever.

14 Blessed be Yahweh God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Psalm 42

1 To the chief musician, an insight, for the sons of Korah.

2 As the deer pants for the streams of water, so my soul pants for you, Elohim.

3 My soul thirsts for Elohim, for the living God: when will I come and appear before Elohim?

4 My tears have been my bread day and night, while they continually say to me: 'Where is your God?'

5 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I have gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of Elohim, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude observing the feast.

6 Why are you downcast, my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in Elohim: for I will yet praise him for the salvation of his face.

7 My God, my soul is downcast within me: therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermons, from Mount Mizar.

8 Deep calls to deep at the voice of your waterfalls: all your waves and your billows have gone over me.

9 Yet Yahweh will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song will be with me, and my prayer to the God of my life.

10 I will say to God my rock; 'Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?'

12 As with a sword in my bones, my enemies insult me; while they say to me all the day: 'Where is your God?'

13 Why are you downcast, my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in Elohim: for I will yet praise him, the salvation of my face, and my God.

Psalm 43

1 Judge me, Elohim, and fight my fight against an ungodly nation: deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

2 For you are the God of my power: why do you cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

3 Send out your light and your truth: let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, and to your dwelling places.

4 Then I will go to the altar of Elohim, to God the gladness of my joy: indeed, upon the lyre I will praise you, Elohim my God.

5 Why are you downcast, my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in Elohim: for I will yet praise him, who is the salvation of my face, and my God.

Psalm 44

1 To the chief musician for the sons of Korah, an insight.

2 Elohim, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what work you did in their days, in the times of old.

3 How you drove out the nations with your hand, and planted them; how you afflicted the people, and threw them out.

4 For they did not get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your face, because you favoured them.

5 You are my King, Elohim: command salvation for Jacob.

6 Through you we will push down our enemies: through your name we will tread them under that rise up against us.

7 For I will not trust in my bow, neither will my sword save me.

8 But you have saved us from our enemies, and have put them to shame who hated us.

9 In Elohim we boast all the day long, and praise your name forever. Selah.

10 But you have thrown off, and put us to shame; and do not go out with our armies.

11 You make us to turn back from the enemy; and they who hate us pillage for themselves.

12 You have given us like sheep for meat; and have scattered us among the nations.

13 You sell your people for nothing, and do not increase your wealth by their price.

14 You make us a disgrace to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to those who are around us.

15 You make us a proverb among the nations, a shaking of the head among the people.

16 My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face has covered me,

17 For the voice of him who disgraces and blasphemes; by reason of the enemy and avenger.

18 All this is come upon us; yet we have not forgotten you, neither have we dealt falsely in your covenant.

19 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps turned aside from your way;

20 Though you have broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.

21 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

22 Shall not Elohim search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.

23 Indeed, for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

24 Awake, why do you sleep, Lord? Arise, do not cast us off forever.

25 Why do you hide you your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?

26 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the earth.

27 Arise for our help, and redeem us for the sake of your mercy.

Psalm 45

1 To the chief musician upon Lilies, for the sons of Korah, an insight, A Song of Loves.

2 My heart is stirred to flow with a good word; I speak of my work for the king: my tongue is the pen of a skilful scribe.

3 You are fairer than the sons of men, grace is poured upon your lips, therefore Elohim has blessed you forever.

4 Tie your sword upon your thigh, powerful warrior, your glory and your majesty.

5 And in your majesty ride prosperously on the word of truth and righteousness of humility; and your right hand will teach you awesome things.

6 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies, the people fall under you.

7 Your throne, Elohim, is forever and ever; the sceptre of your kingdom is a straight sceptre.

8 You love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore Elohim, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions.

9 All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made you glad.

10 Daughters of Kings were among your honourable women: upon your right hand stood the Queen in fine gold of Ophir.

11 Listen, daughter, and consider, and turn your ear; therefore forget your own people, and your father's house;

12 so will the King greatly desire your beauty: for he is your Lord; and worship him.

13 And the daughter of Tyre will be there with an offering; the rich among the people will petition your favour.

14 The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

15 She will be brought to the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions who follow her will be brought to you.

16 With gladness and rejoicing they will be brought: they will enter into the king's palace.

17 Instead of your fathers will be your children, whom you may appoint rulers in all the earth.

18 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations: therefore the people will praise you forever and ever.

Psalm 46

1 To the chief musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Virgins.

2 Elohim is our refuge and power, a very present help in trouble.

3 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is removed, and though the mountains are carried into the heart of the sea;

4 though the waters of it roar and are disturbed, though the mountains shake with the swelling of it. Selah.

5 There is a river, whose streams will make glad the city of Elohim, the holy place of the dwellings of the Most High.

6 Elohim is within her; she will not be moved; Elohim will help her at the face of morning.

7 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; he lifted his voice, the earth melted.

8 Yahweh of Armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our high place. Selah.

9 Come, gaze upon the works of Yahweh, what desolations he has made in the earth.

10 He makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in pieces; he burns the chariot in the fire.

11 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

12 Yahweh of Armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our high place. Selah.

Psalm 47

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm for the sons of Korah.

2 Clap your hands, all you people; shout to Elohim with the voice of triumph.

3 For Yahweh Most High is awesome; he is a great King over all the earth.

4 He will subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

5 He will choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

6 Elohim has gone up with a shout, Yahweh with the sound of a trumpet.

7 Sing praises to Elohim, sing praises: sing praises to our King, sing praises.

8 For Elohim is the King of all the earth: sing you praises with understanding.

9 Elohim reigns over the nations: Elohim sits upon the throne of his holiness.

10 The nobility of the people are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham; for the shields of the earth belong to God: he is greatly exalted.

Psalm 48

1 A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.

2 Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, the mountain of his holiness.

3 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

4 Elohim is known in her palaces for a refuge.

5 For, behold, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

6 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hurried away.

7 Fear lay hold of them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.

8 You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

9 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of Yahweh of Armies, in the city of our God: Elohim will establish it forever. Selah.

10 We have thought of your lovingkindness, Elohim, within your temple.

11 According to your name, Elohim, so is your praise to the ends of the earth: your right hand is full of righteousness.

12 Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of your judgments.

13 Walk about Zion, and go around her: record her towers.

14 Set your heart to her fortifications, consider her palaces; that you may declare it to the generation following.

15 For this Elohim is our God forever and ever: he will be our guide even to death.

Psalm 49

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm for the sons of Korah.

2 Hear this, all people; give ear, all inhabitants of the world;

3 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

4 My mouth will speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart will be of understanding.

5 I will turn my ear to a proverb, I will open my riddle upon the lyre.

6 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels will surround me?

7 Those who trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the abundance of their riches;

8 none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to Elohim a ransom for him;

9 for the redemption of their soul is precious, yet it ceases forever:

10 but he would still live forever, and not see corruption.

11 For he sees that wise men die, likewise the fool and the mindless person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

12 Their inner thought is, that their houses will continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

13 Yet, man being in honour does not remain: he is like the animals that perish.

14 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

15 Like sheep they are laid in Sheol; death will shepherd them; and the upright will have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty will consume in the grave from their dwelling.

16 Surely Elohim will redeem my soul from the hand of Sheol: for he will receive me. Selah.

17 Do not be afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

18 for when he dies he will carry nothing away: his glory will not descend after him.

19 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise you, when you do well for yourself.

20 He will go to the generation of his fathers; they will never see light.

21 Man who is in honour but not understanding, is like the animals that perish.

Psalm 50

1 A Psalm of Asaph.

2 El Elohim Yahweh, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down.

3 From Zion, the perfection of beauty, Elohim has let his light shine.

4 Our God will come, and will not keep silence: a fire will devour before him, and it will be very tempestuous around him.

5 He will call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.

6 Gather my holy ones together to me; those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

7 And the heavens will declare his righteousness: for Elohim is judge himself. Selah.

8 Hear, my people, and I will speak: Israel, and I will testify against you: I am Elohim your God.

9 I will not correct you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.

10 I will take no bullock out of your house, nor male goats out of your folds.

11 For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

12 I know all the birds of the mountains: and the wild animals of the field are mine.

13 If I were hungry, I would not tell you: for the world is mine, and its fullness.

14 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

15 Offer to Elohim thanksgiving; and pay your vows to the Most High;

16 and call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you will glorify me.

17 But to the wicked Elohim says: 'What have you to do to declare my decrees, or that you should lift my covenant upon your mouth?

18 But you hate instruction, and throw my words behind you.

19 When you saw a thief, then you consented with him, and have been a partner with adulterers.

20 You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit.

21 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son.

22 These things you have done, and I kept silence; you thought that I was altogether such a one as yourself: I will correct you, and set them in order before your eyes.

23 Now consider this, you who forget God, in case I tear you in pieces, and there are none to deliver.

24 Whoever offers praise glorifies me: and to him who orders his way I will show the salvation of Elohim.

Psalm 51

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone into Bathsheba.

2 Be gracious to me, Elohim, according to your lovingkindness: according to the abundance of your compassions blot out my transgressions.

3 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

4 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

5 Against you, you only, I have sinned, and done this evil in your sight: for the sake of being justified when you speak, and being victorious when you judge.

6 Behold, I was birthed in iniquity; and in sin my mother conceived me.

7 Behold, you desire truth in the innermost parts: and in the secret place you will make me know wisdom.

8 Purge me with hyssop, and I wll be clean: wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

9 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.

10 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

11 Create in me a clean heart, Elohim; and renew a right spirit within me.

12 Do not cast me away from your presence; and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

13 Restore to me the joy of your salvation; and sustain me with a willing spirit.

14 Then I will teach transgressors your ways; and sinners will be converted to you.

15 Deliver me from bloodguilt, Elohim, God of my salvation; my tongue will shout joyfully your righteousness.

16 Lord, open my lips; and my mouth will declare your praise.

17 For you do not desire sacrifice, else I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offering.

18 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, Elohim, you will not despise.

19 Do good in your good pleasure to Zion: build the walls of Jerusalem.

20 Then you will be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then they will offer bulls upon your altar.

Psalm 52

1 To the chief musician, an insight, of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said to him: 'David has come to the house of Ahimelech.'

2 Why do boast yourself in mischief, o mighty warrior? The mercy of God is present all the day.

3 Your tongue devises wickedness; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

4 You love evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

5 You love all devouring words, deceitful tongue.

6 God will likewise destroy you forever, he will take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and root you out of the land of the living. Selah.

7 And the righteous will see, and fear, and will laugh at him:

8 behold, this is the man who did not Elohim his fortress; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and empowered himself in his wickedness.

9 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of Elohim: I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.

10 I will praise you forever, because you have done it; and I will wait on your name: for it is good before your holy ones.

Psalm 53

1 To the chief musician upon Pipes, an insight, of David.

2 The fool has said in his heart: 'There is no Elohim.' They are corrupt, and have committed loathesome iniquity: there is none who does good.

3 Elohim looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any with perception to prosper, those seeking Elohim.

4 All of them have gone back: they have become utterly filthy; there is none who does good, not even one.

5 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon Elohim.

6 There they were in dreadful fear, where no fear was; for Elohim has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you: you have put them to shame, because Elohim has despised them.

7 Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When Elohim brings back the captivity of his people, Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be glad.

Psalm 54

1 To the chief musician on Strings, an insight, of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul: 'Does not David hide himself with us?'

2 Elohim, save me in your name, and judge me in your power.

3 Elohim, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.

4 For strangers have risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set Elohim before them. Selah.

5 Behold, Elohim is my helper: the Lord is with those who sustain my soul.

6 He will reward evil to my enemies: cut them off in your truth.

7 I will sacrifice willingly to you; I will praise your name, Yahweh, for it is good.

8 For he has delivered me out of all trouble; and my eye has seen his affliction upon my enemies.

Psalm 55

1 To the chief musician on Strings, an insight, of David.

2 Give ear to my prayer, Elohim, and do not hide yourself from my petition.

3 Listen to me, and answer me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

4 because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

5 My heart is severely pained within me; and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

6 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me.

7 And I said: 'Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and dwell there.

8 Behold, then I would wander far off, and rest in the wilderness. Selah.

9 I would hurry my escape from the windy storm and tempest.'

10 Destroy, Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

11 Day and night they go around upon her walls; iniquity and sorrow are also within her.

12 Wickedness is within her: deceit and guile do not depart from her streets.

13 For it was not an enemy that disgraced me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he who hated me that magnified himself against me; then I would have hidden myself from him:

14 but it was you, a man of my rank, my guide, and my acquaintance.

15 We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of Elohim in company.

16 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down alive to Sheol: for evil is in their dwellings, and within them.

17 As for me, I will call upon Elohim; and Yahweh will save me.

18 Evening, and morning, and at noon, I will pray, and cry aloud; and he will hear my voice.

19 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

20 God will hear, and afflict them, even he who dwells from ancient past. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they do not fear Elohim.

21 He has put out his hands against those at peace with him; he has broken his covenant.

22 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

23 Cast your burden upon Yahweh, and he will sustain you: he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

24 But you, Elohim, will bring them down to the pit of destruction: bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days; but I will trust in you.

Psalm 56

1 To the chief musician, upon 'a dove of an assembly far away', a composition of David, when the Philistines lay hold of him in Gath.

2 Be gracious to me, Elohim: for man would swallow me up; he fights every day, oppressing me.

3 My enemies would swallow me up every day, for they are many who fight against me, Exalted One.

4 The day I am afraid, I will trust in you.

5 In Elohim I will praise his word, in Elohim I have put my trust; what can flesh do to me?

6 Everyday they twist my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

7 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they watch my steps, as they wait for my soul.

8 Will they escape by iniquity? In your anger throw down the people, Elohim.

9 You record my wanderings; you put my tears into your bottle: are they not in your book?

10 When I call to you, then my enemies will turn back: this I know; for Elohim is for me.

11 In Elohim I will praise his word; in Yahweh I will praise his word.

12 In Elohim I have put my trust: what man can do to me?

13 Your vows are upon me, Elohim: I will repay praises to you.

14 For you have delivered my soul from death: will you not deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before Elohim in the light of the living?

Psalm 57

1 To the chief musician, upon Taschith, a composition of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

2 Be gracious to me, Elohim, be gracious to me: for my soul trusts in you: indeed, in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until these calamities have passed over.

3 I will call to Elohim Most High; to God who performs all things to completion for me.

4 He will send from heaven, and save me from the disgrace of him who would swallow me up. Selah. God will send out his mercy and his truth.

5 My soul is among lions; and I lie even among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

6 Be exalted, Elohim, above the heavens; let your glory be above all the earth.

7 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have dug a pit before me, into the middle of which they are fallen themselves. Selah.

8 My heart is fixed, Elohim, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

9 Awake, my glory; awake, harp and lyre: I will awaken the dawn.

10 I will praise you, Lord, among the people: I will sing to you among the nations.

11 For your mercy is great to the heavens, and your truth to the clouds.

12 Be exalted, Elohim, above the heavens: let your glory be above all the earth.

Psalm 58

1 To the chief musician, upon Taschith, a composition of David.

2 Do you indeed speak righteousness, O assembly? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?

3 Indeed, in heart you work wickedness; you consider the violence of your hands in the earth.

4 The wicked are cut off from the womb: they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.

5 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; they are like the deaf adder who stops her ear;

6 who will not listen to the voice of charmers, charming so wisely.

7 Elohim, break their teeth in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, Yahweh.

8 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bends his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.

9 As a snail which melts, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.

10 Before your pots can feel the thorns, he will take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.

11 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance: he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

12 So that a man will say: 'Truly there is a reward for the righteous: truly he is an Elohim who judges in the earth.'

Psalm 59

1 To the chief musician, upon Taschith, a composition of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.

2 Deliver me from my enemies, my God: defend me from those who rise up against me.

3 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloodthirsty men.

4 For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul: powerful ones are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, Yahweh.

5 They run and prepare themselves for no iniquity of mine: awake to help me, and observe.

6 But you, Yahweh Elohim of Armies, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the nations: do not be gracious to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

7 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go around the city.

8 Behold, they pour out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who hears?

9 But you, Yahweh, will laugh at them; you will mock all the nations.

10 Because of his power I will watch for you: for Elohim is my defence.

11 The God of my mercy will meet me: God will let me look upon my enemies.

12 Do not kill them, in case my people forget: scatter them by your power; and bring them down, Lord our shield.

13 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for cursing and lying which they speak.

14 Consume them in wrath, consume them, so they are no more: and let them know that Elohim rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah.

15 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go around the city.

16 Let them wander up and down for food, and remain if they are not satisfied.

17 But I will sing of your power; indeed, I will shout joyfully your mercy in the morning: for you have been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

18 To you, my power, I will sing: for Elohim is my defence, the God of my mercy.

Psalm 60

1 To the chief musician upon 'Gathering of Lilies', a composition of David, to teach;

2 when he fought with Aram Naharaim and with Aram Zobah, when Joab returned, and struck twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.

3 Elohim, you have cast us off, you have scattered us, you have been displeased: turn yourself to us again.

4 You have made the earth to tremble; you have broken it: heal its breaches, for it shakes.

5 You have shown your people hard things: you have made us to drink the wine of trembling.

6 You have given a banner to those who fear you, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

7 That your beloved may be delivered; save with your right hand, and answer me.

8 Elohim has spoken in his Holy Place: I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.

9 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; and Ephraim is the fortress of my head; Judah is my lawgiver;

10 Moab is my washpot; over Edom I will throw my sandal; over Philistia, I shout in triumph.

11 Who will bring me to the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom?

12 Will not you, Elohim, who has cast us off? And you, Elohim, who did not go out with our armies?

13 Give us help from trouble: for worthless is the help of man.

14 In Elohim we will act powerfully: for it is he who will tread down our enemies.

Psalm 61

1 To the chief musician upon Strings, of David.

2 Hear my cry, Elohim; listen to my prayer.

3 From the ends of the earth I will call to you, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

4 For you have been a refuge for me, and a tower of power from the enemy.

5 I will remain in your tent forever: I will trust in the secret place of your wings. Selah.

6 For you, Elohim, have heard my vows: you have given me the inheritance of those who fear your name.

7 You will prolong the king's life, and his years as many generations.

8 He will dwell before Elohim forever: establish mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

9 So I will sing praise to your name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.

Psalm 62

1 To the chief musician, to Jeduthun, a Psalm of David.

2 Truly my soul waits in stillness for Elohim, from him comes my salvation.

3 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I will not be greatly moved.

4 How long will you imagine harm against a man? You will be killed all of you; as a bowing wall, as a battered fence.

5 They only consult to cast him down from his high position: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

6 My soul, wait in stillness only for Elohim; for my expectation is from him.

7 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I will not be moved.

8 In Elohim is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in Elohim.

9 Trust in him at all times; you people, pour out your heart before him: Elohim is a refuge for us. Selah.

10 Surely men of low rank are worthless, and men of high rank are a lie: for upon weighing on the balance, they are altogether less than worthless.

11 Do not trust in oppression, and do not become worthless through robbery: if riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.

12 Elohim has spoken once; twice I have heard this; that power belongs to Elohim.

13 Also to you, Elohim, belongs mercy: for you repay every man according to his work.

Psalm 63

1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

2 Elohim, you are my God; I will seek you early: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where there is no water;

3 to see your power and your glory, just as I have gazed upon you in the Holy Place.

4 Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise you.

5 So I will bless you while I live, I will lift up my palms in your name.

6 My soul will be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips:

7 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate upon you in the night watches.

8 Because you have been my help, therefore in the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.

9 My soul clings after you: your right hand sustains me.

10 But those who seek my soul, to destroy it, will go to the lower parts of the earth.

11 They will fall by the sword, they will be a portion for foxes.

12 But the king will rejoice in Elohim; everyone who swears by him will make a glorious boast: but the mouth of those who speak lies will be stopped.

Psalm 64

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

2 Hear my voice, Elohim, in my prayer: guard my life from terror of the enemy.

3 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the uproar of the workers of iniquity;

4 who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, bitter words;

5 that they may shoot in secret at the blameless: suddenly they shoot at him, and do not fear.

6 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they record hiding snares; they say: 'Who will see them?'

7 They search out iniquities; they complete a diligent search; yet the inner thought of each one, and the heart, is deep.

8 But Elohim will shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they will be wounded.

9 So they will make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all who see them will flee away.

10 And all men will fear, and will declare the work of Elohim; for they will wisely consider his actions.

11 The righteous will be glad in Yahweh, and will trust in him; and all the upright in heart will shine gloriously.

Psalm 65

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm and Song of David.

2 Praise waits for you, Elohim, in Zion: and to you will the vow be performed.

3 Hearer of prayer, to you all will flesh come.

4 Matters of iniquity prevail against me: as for our transgressions, you will purge them away.

5 Blessed is the man whom you choose, and cause to approach to you, that he may dwell in your courts: we will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.

6 With awesome things in righteousness you will answer us, God of our salvation; who is the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far away upon the sea;

7 the one who settles the mountains by his strength; being clothed with power:

8 the one who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

9 Therefore those who dwell in the uttermost parts fear your signs: you make those going out at morning and evening to rejoice.

10 You visit the earth, and water it; you abundantly enrich it with the river of Elohim, which is full of water: you prepare them wheat, for so you have established it.

11 You water its ridges abundantly; you settle its furrows; you make it soft with showers; you bless its springing up.

12 You crown the year with your goodness; and your paths drop fatness.

13 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the hills rejoice clothed all around.

14 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys are also covered over with wheat; they shout for joy, surely they sing.

Psalm 66

1 To the chief musician, a Song, a Psalm.

2 Make a joyful noise to Elohim, all the earth!

3 Sing out the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

4 Say to Elohim: 'How awesome are your works! Through the greatness of your power your enemies will submit themselves to you.

5 All the earth will worship you, and will sing to you; they will sing your name.' Selah.

6 Come and see the works of Elohim: he is awesome in his actions towards the children of men.

7 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the flood on foot; there we rejoiced in him.

8 He rules by his power forever; his eyes gaze upon the nations: let the rebellious not exalt themselves. Selah.

9 Bless our God, you people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard;

10 who maintains our soul in life, and does not permit our feet to be moved.

11 For you, Elohim, have tested us: you have refined us, as silver is refined.

12 You brought us to the net; you laid affliction upon our loins.

13 You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but you brought us out to overflow.

14 I will go to your house with burnt offerings: I will pay my vows to you,

15 which my lips have uttered, and my mouth have spoken, when I was in trouble.

16 I will offer to you burnt sacrifices of fattened ones, with the incense of rams; I will offer bulls with goats. Selah.

17 Come and hear, all who fear Elohim, and I will declare what he has done for my soul.

18 I called out to him with my mouth, and he was exalted instead of my tongue.

19 If I gaze upon iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me;

20 but truly Elohim has heard me; he has listened to the voice of my prayer.

21 Blessed be Elohim, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Psalm 67

1 To the chief musician on Strings, a Psalm, a Song.

2 Elohim be gracious to us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us. Selah.

3 So that your way may be known upon earth, your salvation among all nations.

4 Let the people praise you, Elohim; let all the people praise you.

5 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for you will judge the people uprightly, and lead the nations upon earth. Selah.

6 Let the people praise you, Elohim; let all the people praise you.

7 Then the earth will yield her increase; and Elohim, even our own God, will bless us.

8 God will bless us; and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Psalm 68

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm, a Song of David.

2 Let Elohim arise, let his enemies be scattered; and let those who hate him flee from his presence.

3 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of Elohim.

4 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before Elohim: and let them be joyful in gladness.

5 Sing to Elohim, praise his name: lift him up who rides in the wilderness by his name Yah, and rejoice before him.

6 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is Elohim in his holy dwelling.

7 Elohim sets the solitary in families: he brings out those who are bound with chains; surely the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

8 Elohim, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah;

9 the earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of Elohim; even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of Elohim, the God of Israel.

10 You sent plentiful rain, Elohim, by which you confirmed your inheritance, when it was weary.

11 Your assembly has dwelt in it: you, Elohim, have prepared in your goodness for the poor.

12 The Lord gave the word: great was the army of those who proclaimed it.

13 Kings of armies were routed; and she who tarried at home divided the spoil.

14 Though you have laid down among the pots, yet you will be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

15 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.

16 The mountain of Elohim is as the mountain of Bashan; a high mountain as the mountain of Bashan.

17 Why do you leap, you high mountains? This is the mountain which Elohim desires for his dwelling; indeed, Yahweh will dwell forever.

18 The chariots of Elohim are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

19 You have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive: you have received gifts for men; and indeed, for the rebellious also, that Yah Elohim God might dwell among them.

20 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with blessings, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

21 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and to Yahweh the Lord belong the emanations for death.

22 Surely Elohim will wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of one who keeps going on in his transgressions.

23 The Lord said: I will return again from Bashan, I will return my people again from the depths of the sea;

24 that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your enemies, and the tongue of your dogs in the same.

25 They have seen your processions, Elohim, the processions of my God, my King, in the Holy Place.

26 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the maidens playing with tambourines.

27 Bless Elohim in the assemblies, the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.

28 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

29 Your God has commanded your power: make powerful, Elohim, that which you have worked for us.

30 Because of your temple in Jerusalem kings will bring presents to you.

31 Rebuke the army of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, until each one submits himself with pieces of silver; scatter the people who delight in war.

32 Princes will come out of Egypt; Cush will eagerly stretch out her hands to Elohim.

33 Sing to Elohim, you kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord; Selah:

34 to him that rides upon the heavens of ancient heavens; behold, he lifts up his voice, a voice of power.

35 Give power to Elohim: his excellency is over Israel, and his power is in the clouds.

36 Elohim, you are awesome from of your holy places: the God of Israel is he that gives power and surpassing strength to his people. Blessed be Elohim.

Psalm 69

1 To the chief musician upon Lilies, of David.

2 Save me, Elohim; for the waters have come into my soul.

3 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I have come to deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

4 I am weary of my calling out; my throat is dried; my eyes fail while I wait for my God.

5 Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; those who would destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully, are powerful; then I restored that which I did not steal away.

6 Elohim, you know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from you.

7 Do not let those who wait on you, Lord Yahweh of Armies, be ashamed for my sake: do not let those who seek you be dishonoured for my sake, God of Israel.

8 Because for your sake I have borne disgrace; shame has covered my face.

9 I have become a stranger to my brothers, and a foreigner to my mother's children.

10 For the zeal of your house has consumed me; and the shaming insults of those who insulted you are fallen upon me.

11 When I wept, and disciplined my soul with fasting, that was to my disgrace.

12 Therefore I made sackcloth my clothing; and I became a proverb to them.

13 Those who sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

14 But as for me, my prayer is to you, Yahweh, in an acceptable time: Elohim, in the abundance of your mercy hear me, in the truth of your salvation.

15 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink; let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters.

16 Do not let the flood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and do not let the pit shut her mouth upon me.

17 Answer me, Yahweh; for your lovingkindness is good: turn to me according to the abundance of your compassions.

18 And do not hide your face from your servant; for I am in trouble: answer me quickly.

19 Draw near to my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of my enemies.

20 You have known my disgrace, and my shame, and my dishonour: my adversaries are all before you.

21 Disgrace has broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

22 And they gave me gall for my food; and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

23 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their peace, let it become a trap.

24 Let their eyes be darkened, that they do not see; and make their loins continually to shake.

25 Pour out your fury upon them, and let your wrathful anger take hold of them.

26 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.

27 For they persecute him whom you have struck; and they talk to the grief of those whom you have wounded.

28 Add iniquity to their iniquity: and do not let them come into your righteousness.

29 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

30 But I am poor and sorrowful: let your salvation, Elohim, lift me up on high.

31 I will praise the name of Elohim with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

32 And this will please Yahweh better than an ox or bull that has horns and hoofs.

33 The humble will see this, and be glad: and those who seek Elohim: your heart will live.

34 For Yahweh hears the poor, and does not despise his prisoners.

35 Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moves in it.

36 For Elohim will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and possess it.

37 Therefore, the seed of his servants will inherit it; and those who love his name will dwell in it.

Psalm 70

1 To the chief musician, of David, to bring to remembrance.

2 Elohim, hurry to deliver me; Yahweh help me quickly.

3 Let them be ashamed and frustrated who seek after my soul; let them be turned back, and dishonoured who delight in my affliction.

4 Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say: 'Aha, aha.'

5 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you: and let those who love your salvation say continually: 'Let Elohim be magnified.'

6 But I am poor and needy, Elohim, hurry to me: you are my help and my deliverer; Yahweh, do not delay.

Psalm 71

1 In you, Yahweh, I put my trust: let me never be put to shame.

2 Deliver me in your righteousness, and cause me to escape: turn your ear to me, and save me.

3 Be my stronghold for a dwelling, where I can always go: you have given a command to save me; for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Rescue me, my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the palm of the unrighteous and cruel man.

5 For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh; you are my trust from my youth.

6 By you I have been sustained from the womb: you are he that took me out of my mother's depths: my praise will always be to you.

7 I am as a wonder to many; but you are my powerful refuge.

8 Let my mouth be filled with your praise and with your glory all the day.

9 Do not throw me away in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.

10 For my enemies speak against me; and those who watch for my soul conspire together,

11 saying: 'Elohim has forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.'

12 Elohim, do not be far from me: my God, hurry to my aid.

13 Let them be ashamed and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with disgrace and dishonour who seek my affliction.

14 But I will hope continually, and will praise you still more and more.

15 My mouth will declare your righteousness and your salvation all the day; for I do not know the sum of it.

16 I will go in the power of the Lord Yahweh; I will make remembrance of your righteousness, yours alone.

17 Elohim, you have taught me from my youth; and until now I have described your wondrous works.

18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, Elohim, do not forsake me; until I have told your strength to this generation, and your power to every one that is to come.

19 Your righteousness also, Elohim, is very high, who have done great things: Elohim, who is like you!

20 Having shown me many troubles and afflictions, you will make me live again, and will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

21 You will multiply my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

22 I will also praise you with the harp, your truth, my God: I will sing to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips will greatly rejoice when I sing to you; and my soul, which you have redeemed.

24 My tongue will also talk of your righteousness all the day long: for they are ashamed, for they are brought to confusion, that seek my hurt.

Psalm 72

1 For Solomon.

2 Elohim, give your judgments to the king and your righteousness to the son of the king.

3 He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.

4 The mountains will bring peace to the people, and the hills, by righteousness.

5 He will judge the poor of the people, he will save the children of the needy, and will break in pieces the oppressor.

6 They will fear you as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

7 He will come down like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.

8 In his days the righteous will flourish; and there will be abundance of peace until the moon is no more.

9 He will have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.

10 Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before him; and his enemies will lick the dust.

11 The kings of Tarshish and of the Isles will bring presents: the Kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.

12 Indeed, all kings will fall down before him; all nations will serve him.

13 For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor also, and him that has no helper.

14 He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and will save the souls of the needy.

15 He will redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and their blood will be precious in his sight.

16 And he will live, and gold of Sheba will be given to him: prayer will also be made for him continually; and daily he will be praised.

17 There will be a handful of wheat in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit of it will shake like Lebanon: and those of the city will flourish like grass of the earth.

18 His name will endure forever; his name will be continued as long as the sun; and men will be blessed in him; all nations will call him blessed.

19 Blessed be Yahweh Elohim, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful things.

20 And blessed be his glorious name forever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

21 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

Psalm 73

1 A Psalm of Asaph.

2 Truly Elohim is good to Israel, to those of a pure heart.

3 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had nearly slipped.

4 For I was jealous of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

5 For they have no concerns for their death; but their body is well nourished.

6 They are not in labour as other mortals; neither are they plagued like other men.

7 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.

8 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they eyes pass over more than they could imagine.

9 They mock, and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak loftily.

10 They place their mouth among the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.

11 Therefore his people return here; and fulness of waters is drained out to them.

12 And they say: 'How can God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'

13 Behold, these are the evil ones, and they prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

14 Truly for nothing I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands among the innocent.

15 For I have been plagued all the day, and corrected every morning.

16 If I say, I will proclaim this; behold, I would transgress against the generation of your children.

17 So I considered this for knowledge; it was painful on my eyes;

18 until I went to the Holy Place of God; then I understood their end.

19 Surely you have placed them in slippery places: you throw them down to destruction.

20 How they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

21 As a dream when one awakes; so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their image.

22 For my heart was made sour, and I was pierced in my kidneys;

23 and I was mindless, and did not have knowledge; I was like an animal with you.

24 Yet I am always with you; you have held me by my right hand.

25 You will guide me with your counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory.

26 Whom do I have in the heavens but you? And there is none upon the earth that I desire beside you.

27 My flesh and my heart are consumed; but Elohim is the rock of my heart, and my portion forever.

28 For, behold, those who are far from you will perish; you have cut off all those who prostitute themselves away from you.

29 But it is good for me to draw near to Elohim; I have put my trust in the Lord Yahweh, that I may declare all your works.

Psalm 74

1 An insight of Asaph.

2 Elohim, why have you thrown us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?

3 Remember your assembly, which you purchased long ago; the rod of your inheritance, which you have redeemed; this Mount Zion, in which you have dwelt.

4 Lift up your steps to the perpetual desolations; all the evil the enemy has done in the Holy Place.

5 Your enemies roar in the midst of your assemblies; they set up their signs for signs.

6 A man was made known for lifting up axes in the thicket of trees.

7 And now they break down its carved work altogether with hatchets and hammers.

8 They have thrown fire into your Holy Place, they have defiled by throwing down the dwelling place of your name to the earth.

9 They said in their hearts: 'Let us destroy them together; they have burned up all the assemblies of God in the land.'

10 We do not see our signs; there is no prophet left; neither is there among us any who knows how long.

11 How long, Elohim, will the adversary cause disgrace? Will the enemy despise your name forever?

12 Why do you withdraw your hand, indeed your right hand? From inside your bosom, consume them.

13 Yet Elohim is my King from long ago, working salvation in the middle of the earth.

14 You divided the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the dragons upon the waters.

15 You broke the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gave him to be food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

16 You broke open the fountain and the river; you dried up enduring rivers.

17 The day is yours, surely the night is yours; you have prepared the light and the sun.

18 You have made all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.

19 Remember this, that the enemy has insulted, Yahweh, and a foolish people have despised your name.

20 Do not give the soul of your turtledove to wild animals; do not forget the life of your poor forever.

21 Look upon the covenant; for the dwellings of the dark places of the earth are full of violence.

22 Do not let the oppressed return ashamed; let the poor and needy praise your name.

23 Arise, Elohim, plead your case; remember how the fool insults you all the day.

24 Do not forget the voice of your enemies; the uproar of those who rise up against you ascends continually.

Psalm 75

1 To the chief musician, upon Taschith, a Psalm, a song of Asaph.

2 We give thanks to you, Elohim, we give thanks; and your wonderful works declare your name is near.

3 When the appointed time arrives, I will judge uprightly.

4 The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved; I have established its pillars. Selah.

5 I said to the fools: 'Do no be foolish' and to the wicked: 'Do not lift up the horn.'

6 Do not lift up your horn to the high place; do not speak with a stiff neck.

7 For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

8 For Elohim is the judge: he humbles one, and lifts up another.

9 For a cup in the hand of Yahweh, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he pours out from it; surely all the wicked of the earth will drain out its dregs, and drink them.

10 Yet I will declare forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

11 And I will cut off all the horns of the wicked; but the horns of the righteous will be exalted.

Psalm 76

1 To the chief musician on Strings, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.

2 In Judah is Elohim known; his name is great in Israel.

3 And in Salem is his pavilion, and his dwelling place in Zion.

4 There he broke the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.

5 You are more glorious and majestic than the mountains of prey.

6 The stouthearted are plundered, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of strength have found their hands.

7 At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse have fallen into a deep sleep.

8 You, indeed you are awesome, and who may stand in your sight when once you are angry?

9 You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,

10 when Elohim rose for judgment, to save all the gently humble of the earth. Selah.

11 For the fury of man will praise you; the remainder of fury you will clothe around yourself.

12 Vow, and pay to Yahweh your God; let all who surround him bring presents to him that ought to be feared.

13 He will cut off the spirit of the nobility; he is awesome to the kings of the earth.

Psalm 77

1 To the chief musician, to Jedithun, a Psalm of Asaph.

2 I cried to Elohim with my voice, to Elohim with my voice; and he gave ear to me.

3 In the day of my trouble I searched out the Lord; my hand stretched out in the night, and did not cease; my soul refused to be comforted.

4 I remembered Elohim, and groaned; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

5 You hold my eyes awake; I am troubled and I cannot speak.

6 I have considered the days long ago, the years of ancient times.

7 I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate with my own heart; and my spirit makes a careful search.

8 Will the Lord throw off forever? And will he be favourable no more?
9 Has his mercy failed forever? Does his speech cease from generation to generation?

10 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger closed up his compassions? Selah.

11 And I said: 'This is my sickness; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.'

12 I will remember the works of Yah, for I will remember your wonders of long ago.

13 And I will meditate on all your work, and speak of your acts.

14 Elohim, your way is in the holy place; who is so great a God as Elohim?

15 You are the God perfoming wonders; you have made you power known among the people.

16 You have redeemed your people with your arm, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

17 The waters saw you, Elohim, the waters saw you; they were shaken; surely the depths trembled.

18 The clouds poured out water; the skies sent out a sound; indeed, your arrows proceeded.

19 The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind; the lightnings illuminated the world; the earth trembled and shook.

20 Your way is in the sea, and your path in many waters, and your footsteps are not known.

21 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 78

1 An insight of Asaph.

2 Give ear, my people, to my law: turn your ears to the words of my mouth.

3 I will open my mouth with a proverb; I will pour out riddles from long ago;

4 which we have heard and known, and our fathers declared to us.

5 We will not hide them from their children, declaring to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh, and his power, and his wonderful acts which he has performed.

6 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children;

7 that the generation to come might know them, the children that should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children.

8 And place their hope in Elohim, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commands;

9 and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation which did not prepare their heart, and whose spirit was not faithful with God.

10 The sons of Ephraim, armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

11 They did not keepthe covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;

12 And forgot his acts, and his wonders which he had shown them.

13 He performed wonders in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

14 He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as a heap.

15 And he led them with a cloud by day, and all the night with the light of a fire.

16 He cut the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them much to drink as out of the depths.

17 And he brought streams out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

18 Yet they sinned still more against him by provoking the Most High in the wilderness.

19 And they tested God in their heart by requesting food for their soul.

20 Indeed, they spoke against Elohim; they said: 'Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?'

21 Behold, he struck the rock, that the waters flowed out, and the streams overflowed: 'Can he give bread also? Can he provide meat for his people?'

22 Therefore Yahweh heard this, and was furious; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and wrath also came upon Israel;

23 because they did not believe in Elohim, and did not trust in his salvation.

24 Yet he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of the heavens,

25 and had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them the grain of the heavens.

26 Men ate angels' food; he sent them food to the full.

27 He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens; and by his power he brought in the south wind.

28 And he rained meat upon them as dust, and feathered birds as the sand of the sea:

29 And he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwelling places.

30 So they ate, and were very satisfied; for he gave them their own lust.

31 They were not deprived of their lust. But while their food was still in their mouths,

32 the wrath of Elohim came upon them, and killed the fattest of them, and struck down the chosen men of Israel.

33 For all this they still sinned, and did not believe his wonderful acts.

34 Therefore he consumed their days in futility, and their years in trouble.

35 When he killed them, then they sought him; and they returned and rose early to seek God.

36 And they remembered that Elohim was their rock, and the Most High God their redeemer.

37 Yet they flattered him with their mouth, and they lied to him with their tongues.

38 For their heart was not established with him, neither were they faithful with his covenant.

39 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them; indeed, many times he turned his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

40 For he remembered that they were only flesh; a wind that passes away, and does not return.

41 How often did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!

42 Indeed, they turned back and tested God, and hurt the Holy One of Israel.

43 They did not remember his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

44 How he had performed his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan;

45 and had turned their rivers to blood; and their streams, so that they could not drink.

46 He sent flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.

47 He also gave their increase to the caterpiller, and their labour to the locust.

48 He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore trees with frost.

49 And he gave over their cattle to the hail, and their possessions to flames.

50 He sent upon them the fierceness of his anger, fury, and rage, and affliction, by sending evil angels among them.

51 He made a path for his anger; he did not spare their soul from death, but gave their life over to the plague;

52 and struck all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham;

53 but made his own people go out like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

54 And he led them on safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

55 And he brought them to the border of his holy place, to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.

56 And he threw out the nations before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents.

57 Yet they tested and provoked the Most High God, and did not keep his testimonies;

58 but turned back, and trangressed like their fathers; they turned aside like a deceitful bow.

59 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their carved images.

60 When Elohim heard this, he was furious, and exceedingly rejected Israel.

61 So that he forsook the dwelling place of Shiloh, the tent which he established among men;

62 and delivered his power into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.

63 And he gave his people over to the sword; and was furious with his inheritance.

64 The fire consumed their young men; and their virgins were not given to marriage.

65 Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows did not weep.

66 Then the Lord awoke as one out of sleep, and like a powerful warrior who shouts from wine.

67 And he struck his enemies behind; he put them to an everlasting disgrace.

68 And he refused the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;

69 but chose the tribe of Judah, the Mount Zion which he loved.

70 And he built his holy place as the high places, as the earth which he has established forever.

71 And he chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;

72 from following those with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

73 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them with the profound understanding of his hands.

Psalm 79

1 A Psalm of Asaph.

2 Elohim, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

3 They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the heaven, the flesh of your holy ones to the animals of the earth.

4 They have poured out their blood like water around Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.

5 We have become a disgrace to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to those who surround us.

6 How long, Yahweh? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?

7 Pour out your wrath upon the nations which have not known you, and upon the kingdoms which have not called upon your name.

8 For they have devoured Jacob, and destroyed his dwelling place.

9 Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassions come quickly to meet us, for we are brought very low.

10 Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for the sake of your name.

11 Why should the nations say, Where is their God? Let him be known among the nations in our sight by revenging the blood of your servants which is poured out.

12 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you; according to the greatness of your arm preserve those who are appointed to die;

13 And return to our neighbours sevenfold their shaming insult into their bosom, with which they have insulted you, Lord.

14 So we your people and the sheep of your pasture will give you thanks forever; we will declare your praise to all generations.

Psalm 80

1 To the chief musician upon 'Assembly of Lilies', A Psalm of Asaph.

2 Shepherd of Israel, give ear, the one who leads Joseph like a flock; the one who dwells between the cherubim, let your light shine.

3 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up your power, and come and save us.

4 Elohim, restore us, and cause your face to shine; and we will be saved.

5 Yahweh Elohim of Armies, how long will your anger smoke against the prayer of your people?

6 You feed them with the bread of tears; and give them tears to drink in a large measure.

7 You make us the dispute of our neighbours; and our enemies laugh among themselves.

8 Elohim of Armies, restore us, and cause your face to shine; and we will be saved.

9 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you have thrown out the nations, and planted it.

10 You prepared room before it, and caused it to root deeply, and it filled the land.

11 The mountains were covered with its shadow, and is branches were like the cedars of God.

12 It sent out its boughs to the sea, and its shoots to the river.

13 Why have you broken down its hedges, so that all those who pass by the way strip it?

14 The boar from the forest ruins it, and the wild animal of the field feeds upon it.

15 Elohim of Armies, return, we pray: look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vine;

16 and repair what your right hand has planted, and the son whom you made strong for yourself.

17 It is burned with fire, it is cut down; they perish with the rebuke of your face.

18 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, upon the son of man whom you made strong for yourself.

19 So we will not go back from you: make us live, and we will call upon your name.

20 Yahweh Elohim of Armies, restore us, and cause your face to shine; and we will be saved.

Psalm 81

1 To the chief musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph.

2 Shout for joy to Elohim our power; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.

3 Lift up a psalm, and play the percussion, the pleasant lyre with the harp.

4 Blow the shofar at the new moon, at the appointed time, on our solemn feast day.

5 For this was a decree for Israel, and a judgement of the God of Jacob.

6 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt; where I heard a language I did not understand.

7 I removed his shoulder from the burden; his hands were delivered from the baskets.

8 You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder: I tested you at the waters of striving. Selah.

9 Hear, my people, and I will testify to you; Israel, if you will listen to me;

10 there will be no strange god among you; neither will you worship any foreign god.

11 I am Yahweh your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open wide your mouth, and I will fill it.

12 But my people would not listen to my voice; and Israel did not desire me.

13 So I gave them over to the lust of their hearts; and they walked in their own counsels.

14 If only my people had listened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways.

15 I would have soon subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

16 Those who hate Yahweh would have submitted themselves to him; but their time would have endured forever.

17 And he would have fed them with the finest of the wheat; and with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.

Psalm 82

1 A Psalm of Asaph.

2 Elohim stands in the assembly of God; he judges among the elohim.

3 How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Selah.

4 Judge the poor and fatherless; do righteousness for the afflicted and needy.

5 Rescue the poor and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

6 They do not know, neither will they understand; they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are moved.

7 I have said: 'You are elohim'; and all of you are children of the Most High.

8 But you will die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

9 Arise, Elohim, judge the earth, for you will inherit all nations.

Psalm 83

1 A Song, a Psalm of Asaph.

2 Elohim, do not be silent with me; do not hold your peace, and do not be still, O God.

3 For, behold, your enemies make an uproar; and those who hate you have lifted up the head.

4 They have taken crafty counsel against your people, and taken their stand against your treasured ones.

5 They have said: 'Come, and let us annihilate them from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.'

6 For they have consulted together with one heart; they have made a covenant against you:

7 the tents of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagrim;

8 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

9 Asshur also is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot. Selah.

10 Do to them as to the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Yabin, at the River Kishon;

11 who were destroyed at En Dor; they became as manure for the earth.

12 Make their nobility like Oreb, and like Zeeb; indeed, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna;

13 Who said: 'Let us take possession of the dwellings of Elohim.'

14 My God, make them like a wheel; as stubble before the wind.

15 As the fire burns a forest, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire;

16 So persecute them with your tempest, and distress them with your storm.

17 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek your name, Yahweh.

18 Let them be ashamed and distressed forever; and let them be confused, and perish;

19 that men may know that you, your name is Yahweh, only you are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 84

1 To the chief musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

2 How lovely are your dwelling places, Yahweh of Armies!

3 My soul longs, and is even consumed, for the courts of Yahweh: my heart and my flesh cries out for the living God.

4 Surely, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, with your places of sacrifice, Yahweh of Armies, my King, and my God.

5 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah.

6 Blessed is the man whose power is in you; those ascending with their heart.

7 Passing through the valley of weeping, they make it a fountain; the early rain also covers it with blessings.

8 They go from strength to strength, each one of them appears before Elohim in Zion.

9 Yahweh Elohim of Armies, hear my prayer: give ear, God of Jacob. Selah.

10 See, Elohim our shield, and look upon the face of your anointed.

11 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand outside; I would rather stand at the door of the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

12 For Yahweh Elohim is a sun and shield; Yahweh will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from those who walk blamelessly.

13 Yahweh of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Psalm 85

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm for the sons of Korah.

2 Yahweh, you have been favourable to your land; you have brought back the captivity of Jacob.

3 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people, you have covered all their sin. Selah.

4 You have taken away all your wrath; you have turned yourself from the fierceness of your anger.

5 Bring us back, God of our salvation, and cause your anger towards us to cease.

6 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you draw out your anger to all generations?

7 Will you not make us live again, that your people may rejoice in you?

8 Show us your mercy, Yahweh, and grant us your salvation.

9 I will hear what God, Yahweh will speak: for he will speak peace to his people, and to his holy ones: but let them not return to foolishness.

10 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

11 Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

12 Truth will spring from the earth; and righteousness will look down from heaven.

13 Indeed, Yahweh will give that which is good; and our land will yield her increase.

14 Righteousness will go before him; and will place us in the way of his steps.

Psalm 86

1 A Prayer of David.

2 Bow down your ear, Yahweh, answer me, for I am poor and needy.

3 Watch over my soul; for I am holy; you are my God, save your servant who trusts in you.

4 Be gracious to me, Lord: for I call out to you all the day.

5 Make the soul of your servant glad: for to you, Lord, I lift up my soul.

6 For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon you.

7 Give ear, Yahweh, to my prayer; and listen to the voice of my petitions.

8 In the day of my trouble I will call upon you, for you will answer me.

9 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; and there are no works like your works.

10 All nations which you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; and will glorify your name.

11 For you are great, and perform wonders: you alone are Elohim.

12 Teach me your way, Yahweh; I will walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

13 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; and I will glorify your name forevermore.

14 For great is your mercy towards me; and you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

15 Elohim, the proud have risen against me, and assemblies of the violent have searched for my soul; and they do not set you before them.

16 But you, Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy and truth.

17 Turn to me, and be gracious to me; give your power to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant.

18 Perform a sign with me for good, that those who hate me may see it, and be ashamed, because you, Yahweh, have helped me, and comforted me.

Psalm 87

1 A Psalm, a Song for the sons of Korah,

2 His foundation is among the holy mountains.

3 Yahweh loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

4 Glorious things are spoken of you, city of Elohim. Selah.

5 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Cush; this man was born there.

6 And of Zion it will be said: 'This and that man was born in her'; and the Most High will establish her.

7 Yahweh will record in the register of the people: this one was born there. Selah.

8 And princes, as those who rejoice: all my fountains are in you.

Psalm 88

1 A Song, a Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief musician upon 'Hope for the Afflicted', an insight of Heman the Ezrahite.

2 Yahweh God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you;

3 let my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry;

4 for my soul is full of affliction; and my life draws near to Sheol.

5 I am counted with those who go down to the pit: I am as a man who has no strength;

6 free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom you remember no more; and they are cut off from your hand.

7 You have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the depths.

8 Your wrath lies heavily upon me, and you have afflicted me with all your waves. Selah.

9 You have put my acquaintances far away from me; you have made me loathesome to them; I am shut in, and I cannot go out.

10 My eye mourns by reason of affliction; Yahweh, I have called upon you daily, I have stretched out my hands to you.

11 Will you show wonders to the dead? Will the Rephaim rise and praise you? Selah.

12 Will your mercy be declared in Sheol? Or your faithfulness in Destruction?

13 Will your wonders be known in the dark? And your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

14 But to you I have cried, Yahweh; and in the morning my prayer will come before you.

15 Yahweh, why do you throw off my soul? Why do you hide your face from me?

16 I am afflicted and ready to die since my youth; I carry your terrors, I despair.

17 Your fierce wrath goes over me; your terrors have cut me off.

18 They surrounded me like water all day; they encircled me together.

19 You have put lover and friend far from me, and my acquaintances in darkness.

Psalm 89

1 An insight of Ethan the Ezrahite.

2 I will sing of the mercies of Yahweh forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

3 For I have said: 'Mercy will be built up forever; you will establish your faithfulness in the heavens.'

4 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn to David my servant,

5 I will establish your seed forever, and build up your throne to all generations. Selah.

6 And the heavens will praise your wonders, Yahweh; and your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.

7 For who in heaven can be compared to Yahweh? Who among the sons of god can be likened to Yahweh?

8 God is terrifying among the counsel of the holy ones, and awesome to all who surround him.

9 Yahweh, my God of Armies, who is powerful, Yah, as you? And your faithfulness surrounds you.

10 You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves arise, you still them.

11 You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one who is slain; you have scattered your enemies with your powerful arm.

12 The heavens are yours, surely the earth is yours, the world and the fulness of it, for you established them.

13 The north and the south, you have created them; Tabor and Hermon will rejoice in your name.

14 You have a powerful arm, powerful is your hand, and high is your right hand.

15 Righteous and justice are the foundation of your throne; mercy and truth will go before your face.

16 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound; they will walk, Yahweh, in the light of your face.

17 In your name they will rejoice all the day; and in your righteousness they will be exalted.

18 For you are the glory of their power; and in your favour our horn will be exalted.

19 For Yahweh is our shield; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

20 Then you spoke in a vision to your holy one, and said: 'I have laid help upon a powerful warrior; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

21 I have found David my servant; I have anointed him with my holy oil;

22 with whom my hand will be established, surely my arm will strengthen him.

23 The enemy will not exploit him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

24 And I will beat down his enemies before his face, and plague those who hate him.

25 But my faithfulness and my mercy will be with him: and in my name his horn will be exalted.

26 And I will set his hand in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.

27 He will cry to me: 'You are my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.'

28 Surely I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

29 I will watch over my mercy for him forevermore, and my covenant will be steadfast for him.

30 And I will make his seed to endure forever, and his throne as the days of the heavens.

31 If his children forsake my law, and do not walk in my judgments;

32 if they break my decrees, and do not keep my commands;

33 then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with wounds.

34 Yet, I will not break my mercy with him, nor be false in my faithfulness.

35 I will not compromise my covenant, nor alter what has issued from my lips.

36 Once I have sworn by my holiness that I will not lie to David.

37 His seed will endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me.

38 It will be established forever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

39 But you have thrown off and rejected, you have been furious with your anointed.

40 You have overturned the covenant of your servant; you have profaned his crown by throwing it to the earth.

41 You have broken down all his hedges; you have brought his strongholds to ruin.

42 All that pass by the way rob him: he is a disgrace to his neighbours.

43 You have lifted the right hand of his adversaries; you have made all his enemies to rejoice.

44 Surely, you have turned the edge of his sword, and have not let him stand in the battle.

45 You have made his purity cease, and thrown his throne down to the ground.

46 The days of his youth you have shortened: you have covered him with shame. Selah.

47 How long, Yahweh? Will you hide yourself forever? Will your fury burn like fire?

48 Remember how short my time is; for what futility you have made all the children of men!

49 What man lives and will not see death? Will he rescue his soul from the hand of Sheol? Selah.

50 Lord, where are your former mercies, which you swore to David in your truth?

51 Remember, Lord, the disgrace of your servants; I carry in my bosom the shaming insults of many nations;

52 with which your enemies have insulted, Yahweh; with which they have insulted the footsteps of your anointed.

53 Blessed be Yahweh forevermore. Amen, and Amen.

Psalm 90

1 A Prayer of Moses the man of Elohim.

2 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

3 Before the mountains were birthed, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

4 You turn man to broken humility; and say: 'Return, children of men.'

5 For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

6 You carry them away as with a downpour; they are as a sleep; in the morning they are like grass which grows up.

7 In the morning it flourishes, and grows up; in the evening it is cut down, and withers.

8 For we are consumed by your anger, and by your fury we are troubled.

9 You have set our iniquities before you, our hidden ways in the light of your face.

10 For all our days are passed away in your wrath; we consume our years as a sigh.

11 The days of our years are seventy; and if in the power of eighty years, yet their breadth is for labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

12 Who knows the power of your anger? And according to your fear, so is your wrath.

13 So teach us to number our days, that we may acquire a heart of wisdom.

14 Return, Yahweh, how long? Yet repent concerning your servants.

15 Satisfy us in the morning with your mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

16 Make us glad according to the days in which you have afflicted us, and the years in which we have seen evil.

17 Let your work appear to your servants, and your majesty to their children.

18 And let the brilliance of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish the work of our hands upon us; indeed, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 91

1 He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of Yahweh: 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God; I will trust in him.'

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the destructive plague.

4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will trust; his truth will be your shield and encircling defense.

5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night; nor of the arrow that flies by day;

6 nor of the plague that walks in darkness; nor of the destruction that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand will fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you.

8 You will only gaze with your eyes and look upon the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made Yahweh, who is my refuge, the Most High, your dwelling place;

10 no evil will afflict you, and the plague will not come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels for you, to watch over you in all your ways.

12 They will lift you upon their hands, in case you dash your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the young lion and the dragon.

14 Because he has set his love upon me, therefore I will rescue him: I will set him on high, because he has known my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Psalm 92

1 A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath Day.

2 It is good to give thanks to Yahweh, and to sing praises to your name, Most High;

3 to declare your mercy in the morning, and your faithfulness at night,

4 upon ten strings, and upon the harp; with a meditation on the lyre.

5 For you, Yahweh, have made me glad through your work; I will rejoice in the works of your hands.

6 Yahweh, how great are your works! Your thoughts are very deep.

7 A mindless man does not know; neither does a fool understand this.

8 When the wicked spring up as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is so they will be destroyed forever.

9 But you, Yahweh, are Most High forevermore.

10 For, behold, your enemies, Yahweh, for, behold, your enemies will perish; all the workers of iniquity will be scattered.

11 But my horn you will exalt like the horn of a wild ox; I will be anointed with fresh oil.

12 And my eye will see my desire on my enemies, and my ears will hear my desire upon the evil ones that rise up against me.

13 The righteous will flourish like the palm tree; he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

14 Those who are planted in the house of Yahweh will flourish in the courts of our God.

15 They will still increase in old age; they will be fat and green;

16 to show that Yahweh is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Psalm 93

1 Yahweh reigns, he is clothed with majesty; Yahweh is clothed with power, with which he has readied himself for action; surely the world is established, it cannot be moved.

2 Your throne is established from ancient times; you are from everlasting.

3 The rivers have lifted up, Yahweh, the rivers have lifted up their voice; the rivers lift up their waves.

4 Yahweh on high is more majestic than the voice of many waters, than the breaking waves of the sea.

5 Your testimonies are very faithful; holiness is lovely for your house, Yahweh, forever.

Psalm 94

1 Yahweh, God, to whom vengeance belongs; God, to whom vengeance belongs, let your light shine.

2 Be lifted up, judge of the earth: repay a reward to the proud.

3 Yahweh, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?

4 How long will they pour out and speak hard things? And all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves?

5 They break in pieces your people, Yahweh, and afflict your inheritance.

6 They kill the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.

7 Yet they say: 'Yah will not see, neither will the God of Jacob understand it.'

8 Understand, you mindless among the people; and you fools, when will you perceive?

9 He that planted the ear, will he not hear? He that formed the eye, will he not see?

10 He that disciplines the nations, will he not correct? He that teaches man has knowledge.

11 Yahweh knows the thoughts of man, that they are worthless futility.

12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, Yah, and whom you teach with your law;

13 that you may give him stillness with days of evil, until a pit is dug for the wicked.

14 For Yahweh will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

15 But justice will return to righteousness; and all the upright in heart will follow it.

16 Who will rise up for me against the evil ones? Or who will stand for me ready to fight against the workers of iniquity?

17 Unless Yahweh had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.

18 When I said: 'My foot slips'; your mercy, Yahweh, supported me.

19 In the abundance of my thoughts within me your comforts delight my soul.

20 Will the throne of iniquity, forming wickedness by a decree, have partnership with you?

21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood.

22 But Yahweh is my high place; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

23 And he will return upon them their own iniquity, and will cut them off in their own wickedness; Yahweh our God will cut them off.

Psalm 95

1 Come, let us sing to Yahweh; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.

3 For Yahweh is the great God, and the great King above all gods.

4 In his hand are the ends of the earth; and the heights of the mountains are his.

5 The sea is his, and he made it; and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before Yahweh our maker.

7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if you will hear his voice,

8 do not harden your heart, as in the place of striving, and as in the day of testing in the wilderness;

9 when your fathers tested me, examined me, and saw my work.

10 For forty years I was grieved with this generation, and said: 'It is a people that goes astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways,'

11 to whom I swore in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

Psalm 96

1 Sing to Yahweh a new song: sing to Yahweh, all the earth.

2 Sing to Yahweh, bless his name; proclaim his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations, his wonders among all people.

4 For Yahweh is great, and greatly to be praised; he is awesome above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are demons; but Yahweh made the heavens.

6 Honour and majesty are before him; power and beauty are in his Holy Place.

7 Give to Yahweh, families of the people, give to Yahweh glory and power.

8 Give to Yahweh the glory of his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.

9 Worship Yahweh in the beauty of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations: 'Yahweh reigns!' Surely the world will be established, it will not be moved; he will judge the people with straightness.

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and its fulness.

12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; then all the trees of the forest will rejoice:

13 before Yahweh, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth; he will judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Psalm 97

1 Yahweh reigns! Let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad.

2 Clouds and darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 A fire goes before him, and burns up his enemies around him.

4 His lightnings illuminate the world; the earth saw, and was shaken.

5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of Yahweh, at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

7 Let all those who serve carved images be ashamed, those who boast in idols: worship him, all you gods.

8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of your judgments, Yahweh.

9 For you, Yahweh, are Most High above all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

10 You that love Yahweh, hate evil; he watches over the souls of his holy ones; he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Let the righteous rejoice in Yahweh; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 98

1 A Psalm.

2 Sing to Yahweh a new song; for he has performed wonders; his right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him.

3 Yahweh has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

4 He has remembered his mercy and his truth towards the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

5 Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

6 Sing to Yahweh with the lyre; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

7 With trumpets and the voice of a shofar make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh.

8 Let the sea roar, and its fulness; the world, and those who dwell in it.

9 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains be joyful together

10 Before Yahweh; for he comes to judge the earth; with righteousness he will judge the world, and the people with straightness.

Psalm 99

1 Yahweh reigns; let the people tremble: he dwells between the cherubim; let the earth be moved.

2 Yahweh is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.

3 Let them praise your great and awesome name; for it is holy.

4 And the power of the king loves justice; you establish straightness, you perform justice and righteousness in Jacob.

5 Exalt Yahweh our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among those who call upon his name; they called upon Yahweh, and he answered them.

7 He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; they kept his testimonies, and the decree that he gave them.

8 Yahweh our God, you answered them; you were a God who forgave them, and took vengeance upon their acts.

9 Exalt Yahweh our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for Yahweh our God is holy.

Psalm 100

1 A Psalm for Thanksgiving.

2 Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth.

3 Serve Yahweh with gladness; come before his presence with singing.

4 Know that Yahweh, he is Elohim; he has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

5 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: give thanks to him, and bless his name.

6 For Yahweh is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness is to all generations.

Psalm 101

1 A Psalm of David.

2 I will sing of mercy and judgment; to you, Yahweh, I will sing.

3 I will be perceptive to prosper in a blameless way: when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart.

4 I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of those who turn aside; it will not cling to me.

5 A perverse heart will depart from me; I will not know an evil person.

6 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbour, I will cut him off; him that has a high look and a proud heart I will not allow.

7 My eyes will be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he that walks in a blameless way, he will serve me.

8 He that works deceit will not dwell within my house; he that tells lies will not be established in my sight.

9 Early in the morning, I will destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all workers of iniquity from the city of Yahweh.

Psalm 102

1 A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and pours out his complaint before Yahweh.

2 Yahweh, hear my prayer and let my cry come to you.

3 Do not hide your face from me in the day when I am in trouble; turn your ear to me: in the day when I call answer me quickly.

4 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as a hearth.

5 My heart is struck, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.

6 With of the voice of my groaning, my bones cleave to my skin.

7 I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert.

8 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.

9 My enemies insult me all the day; and those who pierce me are sworn against me.

10 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping;

11 because of your rage and your wrath, for you have lifted me up, and thrown me down.

12 My days are like a spreading shadow; and I am withered like grass.

13 But you, Yahweh, will endure forever; and your remembrance to all generations.

14 You will arise, and have compassion upon Zion: for the time to be gracious to her, the appointed time, has come.

15 For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and are gracious to its dust.

16 So the nations will fear the name of Yahweh, and all the kings of the earth your glory.

17 For Yahweh will build up Zion, he will appear in his glory.

18 He will respect the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

19 This will be written for the generation to come; and the people which will be created will praise Yah.

20 For he has looked down from the height of his Holy Place; from heaven Yahweh gazed upon the earth;

21 to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to release those who are appointed to die;

22 to declare the name of Yahweh in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;

23 when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.

24 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.

25 I said: 'My God, do not take me away in the middle of my days; your years are throughout all generations.

26 Long ago, you laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of your hands.

27 They will perish, but you will stand; and all of them will decay like a garment; as clothing you will change them, and they will be changed:

28 But you are the same, and your years will have no end.

29 The children of your servants will dwell, and their seed will be established before you.'

Psalm 103

1 Of David.

2 Bless Yahweh, my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

3 Bless Yahweh, my soul, and do not forget any of his rewards:

4 who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases;

5 who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with mercy and compassions;

6 who satisfies your being with good things; so that your youth is renewed like an eagle.

7 Yahweh performs righteousness and judgment for all the oppressed.

8 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the children of Israel.

9 Yahweh is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy.

10 He will not strive endlessly; neither will he be infuriated forever.

11 He has not dealt with us according to our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

12 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so powerful is his mercy towards those who fear him.

13 As far as the east is from the west, this is how far he has removed our transgressions from us.

14 As a father has compassion upon his children, so Yahweh has compassion upon those who fear him.

15 For he knows our form; he remembers that we are dust.

16 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

17 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and its place will not know it any more.

18 But the mercy of Yahweh is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him, and his righteousness to the children's children;

19 to those who keep his covenant, and to those that remember his rules to perform them.

20 Yahweh has prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rules over all.

21 Bless Yahweh, his angels, those powerful in strength, who perform his word, listening to the voice of his word.

22 Bless Yahweh, all his armies; his servants performing his will.

23 Bless Yahweh, all his works in all places of his dominion; bless Yahweh, my soul!

Psalm 104

1 Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honour and majesty.

2 Who cover yourself with light as with a garment; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain;

3 who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters; who makes the clouds his chariot; who walks upon the wings of the wind;

4 who makes his angels winds; his ministers a flaming fire;

5 who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forevermore.

6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

7 At your rebuke they fled; at the voice of your thunder they hurried away.

8 They ascend the mountains; they descend to the valleys, to the place which you have established for them.

9 You have set a boundary that they may not pass over; that they do not return again to cover the earth.

10 He sends the springs to the valleys, which run between the mountains.

11 They give a drink to every animal of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

12 By them the birds of the heavens will have their dwelling, which sing among the branches.

13 He waters the mountains from his chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your works.

14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for the service of man; that he may bring out food from the earth;

15 and wine which gladdens the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which makes the heart of man to be steadfast.

16 The trees of Yahweh are fully supplied; the cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted;

17 where the birds make their nests; as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.

18 The high mountains are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the hyrax.

19 He appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knows his going down.

20 You make darkness, and it is night: in which all the beasts of the forest do creep out.

21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God.

22 The sun rises, they gather themselves together in their dens.

23 Man goes out to his work and to his labour until the evening.

24 Yahweh, how many are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your precious possessions.

25 This great and wide sea, in which are creeping things without number, small and great creatures.

26 There go the ships; leviathan is there, whom you have formed to play in it.

27 These all wait upon you; that you may give them their food in due season.

28 You give to them, they gather; you open your hand, they are filled with good.

29 You hide your face, they are troubled; you take away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

30 You send out your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.

31 The glory of Yahweh will endure forever; Yahweh will rejoice in his works.

32 He gazes upon the earth, and it trembles; he touches the mountains, and they smoke.

33 I will sing to Yahweh as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

34 My meditation of him will be sweet; I will be glad in Yahweh.

35 Let the sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more.

36 Bless Yahweh, my soul. Hallelujah!

Psalm 105

1 Give thanks to Yahweh; call upon his name; make known his acts among the people.

2 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful works.

3 Glory in his holy name: let the heart of those who seek Yahweh be glad.

4 Seek Yahweh, and his power; always seek his face.

5 Remember his amazing works, which he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.

6 Seed of Abraham his servant, children of Jacob his chosen.

7 He is Yahweh our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

8 He has remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;

9 which he made with Abraham, and his oath to Isaac.

10 And confirmed it to Jacob for a decree, for Israel, an everlasting covenant;

11 saying: 'To you I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance.'

12 When they were numbered only a few men, very few, and strangers in it.

13 When they went around, from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people;

14 He permitted no man to oppress them; and he corrected kings for their sakes;

15 saying: 'Do not touch my anointed, and do not afflict my prophets.'

16 And he called for a famine upon the earth; he broke every support of bread.

17 He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold for a servant;

18 whose feet they afflicted with fetters; his soul entered iron;

19 until the time that his word came: the spoken word of Yahweh refined him.

20 The king sent and untied him; the ruler of the people, and released him.

21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions;

22 to bind his princes at his will; and teach his elders wisdom.

23 Therefore Israel came to Egypt; and Jacob camped in the land of Ham.

24 And he increased his people exceedingly; and made them stronger than their enemies.

25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.

26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.

27 He placed among them the word of his signs, and wonders in the land of Ham.

28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; but they rebelled against his word.

29 He turned their waters to blood, and killed their fish.

30 Their land brought out frogs in abundance, into the chambers of their kings.

31 He spoke, and there came flies, midges within all their boundaries.

32 He gave them hail for rain, flaming fire in their land.

33 And he struck their vines and their fig trees; and broke the trees of their boundaries.

34 He spoke, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and those without number,

35 and ate up all the plants in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.

36 He also struck all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

37 And he brought them out with silver and gold; and there was not one lame person among their tribes.

38 Egypt was glad when they departed, for the fear of them fell upon them.

39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.

40 The people asked, and he brought quail, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

41 He opened the rock, and the waters flowed; they ran in the dry places like a river.

42 For he remembered his holy word with Abraham his servant.

43 And he brought out his people with celebration, and his chosen with rejoicing;

44 and gave them the lands of the nations; and they inherited the labour of the people;

45 that they might keep his decrees, and guard his laws. Hallelujah!

Psalm 106

1 Hallelujah! Give thanks to Yahweh; for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.

2 Who can express the powerful acts of Yahweh? Who can make heard all his praise?

3 Blessed are those who keep justice, and he that performs righteousness at all times.

4 Remember me, Yahweh, with the pleasure towards your people; visit me with your salvation;

5 that I may see the good of your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may praise with your inheritance.

6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

7 Our fathers did not perceive your wonders in Egypt; they did not remember the abundance of your mercies; but provoked him at the sea, the Red Sea.

8 Yet he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his powerful acts to be known.

9 And he rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

10 And he saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

11 And the waters covered their enemies; there was not one of them left.

12 Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.

13 They soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel;

14 but lusted fiercely in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert.

15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

16 And they envied Moses in the camp, and Aaron the holy one of Yahweh.

17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

18 And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.

20 So they changed their glory to the construct of an ox that eats grass.

21 They forgot God their saviour, who had done great things in Egypt;

22 wonderful works in the land of Ham, and awesome things by the Red Sea.

23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, in case he should destroy them.

24 But they despised the pleasant land, they did not believe his word;

25 and murmured in their tents, and did not listen to the voice of Yahweh.

26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness;

27 and to overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.

28 They joined themselves also to Baal-Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.

29 Therefore they provoked him to anger with their actions; and the plague broke out among them.

30 Then Phinehas stood up, and executed justice; and so the plague was stopped.

31 And that was counted to him for righteousness to all generations forevermore.

32 They also angered him at the waters of strife, and it meant affliction for Moses because of them;

33 since they provoked his spirit, so that he spoke foolishly with his lips.

34 They did not destroy the peoples, which Yahweh spoke of to them,

35 but partnered with the nations, and learned their works.

36 And they served their idols, which were a trap for them.

37 Therefore, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons,

38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.

39 And they were defiled with their own works, and prostituted themselves with their actions.

40 Therefore, the wrath of Yahweh was kindled against his people; and he loathed his own inheritance.

41 And he gave them into the hand of the nations; and those who hated them ruled over them.

42 Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.

43 Many times he delivered them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.

44 Yet, he looked upon their affliction, when he heard their cry.

45 And he remembered his covenant with them, and repented according to the abundance of his mercy.

46 Therefore, he made them to be pitied by all those who took them captive.

47 Save us, Yahweh our God, and gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and to triumph in your praise.

48 Blessed be Yahweh God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting; and let all the people say, Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 107

1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of Yahweh say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

3 and gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; they found no city to dwell in.

5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

6 Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distress.

7 And he led them out by the straight way, that they might go to a city for a dwelling.

8 Let them praise Yahweh for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

9 For he satisfies the restless soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

10 Those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death, are prisoners of affliction and iron;

11 because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High.

12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.

13 Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distress.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains apart.

15 Let them praise Yahweh for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

16 For he has broken the gates of bronze, and cut the bars of iron in pieces.

17 Fools, because of the way of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

18 Their soul loathes all nourishment; and they draw near to the gates of death.

19 Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, and he saves them out of their distress.

20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

21 Let them praise Yahweh for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, doing business in great waters;

24 These look upon the works of Yahweh, and his wonders in the deep.

25 Yet he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up its waves.

26 They ascend up to the heavens, they descend again to the depths; their soul is melted with affliction.

27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunk man, and all their wisdom is swallowed up.

28 Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distress.

29 He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still.

30 Then are they glad because they are quiet; so he guides them to their desired haven.

31 Let them praise Yahweh for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

32 And let them exalt him in the assembly of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

33 He appoints rivers for the wilderness, and the springs of water for dry ground.

34 A fruitful land is made barren with the wickedness of those who dwell in it.

35 He turns the wilderness into a lake, and dry ground to springs of water.

36 And there he makes the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for a dwelling;

37 and sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield the fruits of increase.

38 And he blesses them, so that they are greatly multiplied; and does not permit their cattle to decrease.

39 Yet, they are diminished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

40 He pours contempt upon the nobility, and causes them to wander in confusion, where there is no way.

41 Yet he sets the poor on high from affliction, and appoints him families like a flock.

42 The upright will see it, and be glad; and every iniquity will close her mouth.

43 Whoever is wise, and will examine these things, they will also understand the mercy of Yahweh.

Psalm 108

1 A Song, a Psalm of David.

2 My heart is fixed, Elohim; I will sing and praise, surely with my glory.

3 Awake, harp and lyre: I will awaken the dawn!

4 I will praise you, Yahweh, among the people; and I will sing praises to you among the nations.

5 For your mercy is great above the heavens; and your truth reaches to the clouds.

6 Be exalted, Elohim, above the heavens; and your glory above all the earth;

7 For the sake of your beloved to be delivered: save with your right hand, and answer me.

8 Elohim has spoken in his Holy Place: 'I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.

9 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; and Ephraim also is the fortress of my head; Judah is my lawgiver;

10 Moab is my washpot; over Edom I will throw my sandal; over Philistia, I shout in triumph.

11 Who will bring me to the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom?

12 Will not you, Elohim, who has cast us off? And you, Elohim, who did not go out with our armies?

13 Give us help from trouble: for worthless is the help of man.

14 In Elohim we will act powerfully: for it is he who will tread down our enemies.

Psalm 109

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

2 God of my praise, do not be silent.

3 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue;

4 and they surrounded me with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.

5 For my love they are my accusers; but I am for prayer.

6 And they have placed upon me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

7 Appoint a wicked man over him; and let an accuser stand at his right hand.

8 When he is judged, let him be found wicked: and let his prayer become sin.

9 Let his days be few; and let another take his appointed place.

10 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.

11 Let his children wander endlessly, and beg; and let them search their desolate places.

12 Let a moneylender seize all that he has; and let strangers steal his labour.

13 Let there be none to extend mercy to him; neither let anyone be gracious to his fatherless children.

14 Let his family line be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

15 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered by Yahweh; and do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out.

16 Let them always be before Yahweh, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 Because he did not remember to act mercifully, but persecuted the poor and needy man, and the broken-hearted to death.

18 As he loved cursing, so let it come to him; as he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him.

19 As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, so let it come into his depths like water, and like oil into his bones.

20 Let it be to him as the garment which covers him, and for a belt with which he is always clothed.

21 Let this be the reward of my accusers from Yahweh, and of those who speak evil against my soul.

22 But you, Yahweh, Lord, deal with me for your name's sake, because your mercy is good, deliver me.

23 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.

24 I have gone like a spreading shadow; I am shaken off like a locust.

25 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh grows lean from fatness.

26 And I have become a disgrace to them: when they look upon me they shake their heads.

27 Help me, Yahweh, my God; save me according to your mercy;

28 that they may know that this is your hand; that you, Yahweh, have done it.

29 Let them curse, but you bless; when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let your servant rejoice.

30 Let my accusers be clothed with disgrace, and let them cover themselves with their own shame, as with a robe.

31 I will exceedingly praise Yahweh with my mouth; indeed, I will praise him among the multitude.

32 For he will stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those who judge his soul.

Psalm 110

1 A Psalm of David.

2 Yahweh declared to my Lord: 'Be seated at my right hand, until I place your enemies as your footstool.'

3 Yahweh will send the rod of your power out of Zion; rule in the midst of your enemies.

4 Your people will be willing in the day of your army, in the majesty of holiness from the womb of the morning: you have the dew of your youth.

5 Yahweh has sworn, and will not repent: 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'

6 The Lord at your right hand will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.

7 He will judge among the nations, fill them with dead bodies; he will shatter the heads over many lands.

8 He will drink from the stream on the way; by this he will lift up the head.

Psalm 111

1 Hallelujah!

2 I will praise Yahweh with my whole heart, in the counsel of the upright, and in the assembly.

3 The works of Yahweh are great ones, searched out by all those who delight in them.

4 His work is majestic and glorious; and his righteousness stands forever.

5 He has made his wonderful works to be remembered; Yahweh is gracious and compassionate.

6 He has given meat to those who fear him; he will remember his covenant forever.

7 He has shown his people the strength of his works, that he may give them an inheritance of the nations.

8 The works of his hands are truth and justice; all his rules are faithful.

9 They stand firm forever and ever, and are performed in truth and straightness.
10 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever: holy and awesome is his name.

11 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom; all those performing his commands have good perception to prosper.

12 His praise stands forever.

Psalm 112

1 Hallelujah!

2 Blessed is the man that fears Yahweh, who delights exceedingly in his commands.

3 His seed will be powerful upon earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

4 Wealth and riches will be in his house; and his righteousness stands forever.

5 Light rises in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, and compassionate, and righteous.

6 A good man is gracious, and lends; he will steward his affairs with justice.

7 Surely he will never be moved; the righteous will be remembered forever.

8 He will not be afraid of evil reports; his heart is fixed, trusting in Yahweh.

9 His heart is established, he will not be afraid, until he looks upon his enemies.

10 He has scattered, he has given to the poor; his righteousness stands forever; his horn will be lifted up in honour.

11 The wicked will see it, and be grieved; he will gnash with his teeth, and melt away; the desire of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 113

1 Hallelujah! Praise, O servants of Yahweh, praise the name of Yahweh.

2 Let the name of Yahweh be blessed from now and forevermore.

3 From the rising of the sun to its going down the name of Yahweh is to be praised.

4 Yahweh is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like to Yahweh our God, who dwells on high?

6 Who humbles himself to look upon the things that are in the heavens, and in the earth!

7 He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the manure;

8 that he may seat him with the nobility, with the nobility of his people.

9 He gives the barren woman a home for a dwelling, to be a joyful mother of children.

10 Hallelujah!

Psalm 114

1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a foreign people;

2 Judah was his Holy Place, and Israel his dominion.

3 The Sea looked upon it, and fled; Jordan was driven back.

4 The Mountains skipped like rams, and the Hills like children of the flock.

5 What was wrong, O Sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you were driven back?

6 O Mountains, that you skipped like rams, Hills, like children of the flock?

7 Tremble, Earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

8 who turned the rock to a pool of water, the flint to a fountain of water.

Psalm 115

1 Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, but to your name give glory, for your mercy, for your truth.

2 Why should the nations say: 'Where is their God now?'

3 But our God is in the heavens; he has done whatever he has pleased.

4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see;

6 they have ears, but they do not hear; they have noses, but they do not smell;

7 they have hands, but they do not handle; they have feet, but they do not walk; there is no speech through their throat.

8 Those who make them are like them, all who trust in them.

9 Israel, trust you Yahweh; he is their help and their shield.

10 House of Aaron, trust in Yahweh: he is their help and their shield.

11 You that fear Yahweh, trust in Yahweh: he is their help and their shield.

12 Yahweh has remembered us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.

13 He will bless those who fear Yahweh, both small and great.

14 Yahweh will increase you more and more, you and your children.

15 You are blessed for Yahweh who made the heavens and earth.

16 The heavens are heavens for Yahweh, but the earth he has given to the children of men.

17 The dead do not praise Yah, neither any who go down to silence.

18 But we will bless Yah from now and forevermore.

19 Hallelujah!

Psalm 116

1 I love Yahweh, for he has heard my voice and my petitions;

2 for he has turned his ear to me, and I will call out as long as I live.

3 The pains of death surrounded me, and the anguish of Sheol found me; I found trouble and sorrow.

4 Yet I called upon the name of Yahweh; Yahweh, I pray, rescue my soul.

5 Gracious is Yahweh, and righteous; and our God is compassionate.

6 Yahweh watches over the simple; I was brought low, and he saved me.

7 Return to your rest, my soul; for Yahweh has rewarded you.

8 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

9 I will walk before Yahweh in the land of the living.

10 I believed, for I have spoken; I was exceedingly afflicted.

11 I said in my alarm: 'All men are liars.'

12 What will I return to Yahweh for all he has rewarded me?

13 I will lift the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of Yahweh.

14 I will pay my vows to Yahweh now in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of Yahweh is the death of his holy ones.

16 Yahweh, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, and the son of your maidservant; you have broken my chains.

17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of Yahweh.

18 I will pay my vows to Yahweh now in the presence of all his people,

19 In the courts of the house of Yahweh, in the midst of you, Jerusalem.

20 Hallelujah!

Psalm 117

1 Praise Yahweh all you nations; praise him, all you people.

2 For his mercy is powerful towards us: and the truth of Yahweh endures forever.

3 Hallelujah!

Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to Yahweh; for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.

2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endures forever.

3 Let the house of Aaron now say, for his mercy endures forever.

4 Let those fear Yahweh now say, for his mercy endures forever.

5 I called upon Yah from a narrow place; Yah answered me with a broad place.

6 Yahweh is for me; I will not fear: what can man do to me?

7 Yahweh is for me with those who help me: and I will gaze upon those who hate me.

8 It is better to trust in Yahweh than to have faith in man.

9 It is better to trust in Yahweh than to have faith in nobility.

10 All nations surrounded me, but in the name of Yahweh I will cut them off.

11 They surrounded me, indeed, they surrounded me, because in the name of Yahweh I will cut them off.

12 They surrounded me like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of Yahweh I will cut them off.

13 You have hit me hard that I might fall, but Yahweh helped me.

14 Yahweh is my power and praise, and has become salvation for me.

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of Yahweh works powerfully.

16 The right hand of Yahweh is lifted up; the right hand of Yahweh works powerfully.

17 I will not die, but live, and declare the works of Yah.

18 Yah has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will go into them, and I will praise Yah.

20 This is the gate of Yahweh, the righteous will enter into it.

21 I will praise you, for you have answered me, and have become salvation for me.

22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

23 This has come from Yahweh; it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day Yahweh has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save now, I pray, Yahweh; Yahweh, I pray, send prosperity now.

26 Blessed is he that comes in the name of Yahweh; we have blessed you from the house of Yahweh.

27 God is Yahweh and he has illuminated us; bind the sacrifice with cords, to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, I will exalt you.

29 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.

Psalm 119

Aleph

1 Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of Yahweh.

2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, and that seek him with a whole heart.

3 They also do no iniquity; they walk in his ways.

4 You have commanded us to keep your rules diligently.

5 O that my ways were made straight to keep your decrees!

6 Then I will not be ashamed, when I look upon all your commandments.

7 I will praise you with uprightness of heart, when I have learned your righteous judgments.

8 I will keep your decrees; do not forsake me utterly.

Beit

9 With what will a young man make his way radiant? By keeping your words.

10 With my whole heart I have sought you; let me not wander from your commands.

11 I have hidden your sayings in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

12 Blessed are you, Yahweh, teach me your decrees.

13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of your mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on your rules, and look upon your ways.

16 I will delight myself in your decrees; I will not forget your word.

Gimel

17 Reward your servant, that I may live, and keep your word.

18 Unveil my eyes, that I may gaze upon wonders from your law.

19 I am a stranger in the earth, do not conceal your commands from me.

20 My soul breaks from the deep longing that it has for your judgments at all times.

21 You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who stray from your commands.

22 Remove from me disgrace and contempt; for I have kept your testimonies.

23 Princes also sat and spoke against me, but your servant meditated on your decrees.

24 Also, your testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.

Daleth

25 My soul clings to the dust, make me live according to your word.

26 I have declared my ways, and you answered me; teach me your decrees.

27 Make me understand the way of your rules; and I will talk of your wonders.

28 My soul melts with grief; make me stand according to your word.

29 Remove from me the way of lying; and grant me your law graciously.

30 I have chosen the way of truth, I have laid your judgments before me.

31 I have clung to your testimonies, Yahweh, do not let me be ashamed.

32 I will run the way of your commands, for you will enlarge my heart.

Hei

33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your decrees; and I will keep it to the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law; indeed, I will observe it with a whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of your commands; for I delight in it.

36 Turn my heart to your testimonies, and not to greed.

37 Turn away my eyes from looking upon the worthless; and make me live in your way.

38 Let your speech to your servant stand, who is for your fear.

39 Turn away my disgrace which I fear, for your judgments are good.

40 Behold, I have desired your rules: make me live in your righteousness.

Vaw

41 And let your mercies come to me, Yahweh, your salvation according to your speech.

42 And I will answer him that disgraces me, for I trust in your word.

43 And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in your judgments.

44 And I will keep your law continually forever and ever.

45 And I will walk in freedom, for I seek your rules.

46 And I will speak of your testimonies before kings, and will not be ashamed.

47 And I will delight myself in your commands, which I have loved.

48 And I will lift up my palms to your commands, which I have loved; and I will meditate on your decrees.

Zayin

49 Remember the word to your servant, upon which you have caused me to hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for your speech has made me alive.

51 The proud have utterly scorned me, yet have I not turned aside from your law.

52 I remembered your judgments of old, Yahweh; and have comforted myself.

53 Despair has taken hold upon me because of the wicked who forsake your law.

54 Your decrees have been songs for me in the house of my journey.

55 I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and have kept your law.

56 This came to me because I kept your rules.

Cheth

57 You are my portion, Yahweh: I have said that I would keep your words.

58 I petitioned your face with my whole heart: be gracious to me according to your speech.

59 I considered my ways, and turned my feet to your testimonies.

60 I hurried, and did not delay to keep your commands.

61 The bindings of the wicked have entangled me, but I have not forgotten your law.

62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you because of your righteous judgments.

63 I am a companion of all those who fear you, and of those who keep your rules.

64 Your mercy, Yahweh, fills the earth; teach me your decrees.

Tet

65 You have done good to your servant, Yahweh, according to your word.

66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge: for I have believed your commands.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now I watch your speech.

68 You are good, and do good; teach me your decrees.

69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep your rules with a whole heart.

70 Their heart is curdled like milk; I delight in your law.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your decrees.

72 The law of your mouth is better for me than thousands of gold and silver.

Yod

73 Your hands have made me and formed me; give me understanding, that I may learn your commands.

74 Those who fear you will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in your word.

75 I know, Yahweh, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me.

76 Let now your mercy be for my comfort, according to your speech to your servant.

77 Let your compassions come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.

78 Let the proud be ashamed, for they treated me perversely without a cause, but I will meditate on your rules.

79 Let those that fear you turn to me, and those that have known your testimonies.

80 Let my heart be blameless in your decrees, so that I am not ashamed.

Caph

81 My soul is being consumed for your salvation: but I hope in your word.

82 My eyes are consumed for your speech, saying: 'When will you comfort me?'

83 For I have like a bottle in the smoke; yet I do not forget your decrees.

84 How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute justice on those who persecute me?

85 The proud have dug pits for me, which are not according to your law.

86 All your commands are faithful; they persecute me wrongfully: help me.

87 They had almost consumed me upon the earth; but I did not forsake your rules.

88 Make me live according your mercy; and I will keep the testimony of your mouth.

Lamed

89 For ever, Yahweh, your word stands in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness is to all generations; you have established the earth, and it remains.

91 Your judgements stand today; for all are your servants.

92 Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget your rules, for with them you made me live.

94 I am yours, save me; for I have searched your rules.

95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me, but I will discern your testimonies.

96 I have seen a limit to the completion of everything; your command is exceedingly broad.

Mem

97 How I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

98 With your commands you have made me wiser than my enemies, for they are with me forever.

99 I have more perception than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the elders, because I keep your rules.

101 I have withheld my feet from every evil way, that I might keep your word.

102 I have not departed from your judgments, for you have taught me.

103 How sweet are your sayings to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!

104 With your rules, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Nun

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

106 I have sworn, and I have taken my stand that I will keep your righteous judgments.

107 I am extremely afflicted; Yahweh, make me live according to your word.

108 Please accept the voluntary offerings of my mouth, Yahweh, and teach me your judgments.

109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget your law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not strayed from your rules.

111 Your testimonies I have taken as an inheritance forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112 I have bowed my heart to perform your decrees always, even to the end.

Samech

113 I hate the cynical, but I love your law.

114 You are my secret place and my shield; I hope in your word.

115 Depart from me, you evil ones: for I will keep the commands of my God.

116 Sustain me according to your speech, that I may live; and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117 Support me, and I will be saved; and I will regard your decrees continually.

118 You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their deceit is deception.

119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love your testimonies.

120 My flesh trembles for fear of you; and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin

121 I have performed justice and righteousness; do not leave me to my oppressors.

122 Be a guarantee for your servant for good; do not let the proud oppress me.

123 My eyes are consumed for your salvation, and for the speech of your righteousness.

124 Deal with your servant according to your mercy, and teach me your decrees.

125 I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.

126 It is time for you, Yahweh, to act: for they have made void your law.

127 Therefore I love your commands above gold; indeed, above fine gold.

128 Therefore all your rules in all things are right in my eyes; and I hate every false way.

Pei

129 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul guards them.

130 The opening of your words gives light, understanding to the simple.

131 I opened my mouth, and panted, for I longed for your commands.

132 Look upon me, and be gracious to me, as the judgement for those who love your name.

133 Order my steps in your speech; and do let not any iniquity rule over me.

134 Redeem me from the oppression of man; and I will keep your rules.

135 Make your face to shine upon your servant; and teach me your decrees.

136 Rivers of waters run down my eyes, because they do not keep your law.

Tzadde

137 You are righteous, Yahweh, and your judgments are upright.

138 Your testimonies which you have commanded are righteous and very faithful.

139 My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten your words.

140 Your speech is very pure; and your servant loves it.

141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your rules.

142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is truth.

143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; your commands are my delight.

144 The righteousness of your testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding and I will live.

Koph

145 I called out with my whole heart; answer me, Yahweh; I will keep your decrees.

146 I called to you; save me, and I will keep your testimonies.

147 I have come before the dawn at twilight, and cried out; I hoped for your word.

148 My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I might meditate on your speech.

149 Hear my voice according to your mercy, Yahweh, make me live according to your justice.

150 They draw near that pursue evil schemes; they are far from your law.

151 You are near, Yahweh, and all your commands are truth.

152 From your testimonies, I have known from ancient times that you have founded them forever.

Resh

153 Look upon my affliction, and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.

154 Plead my cause, and deliver me; make me live according to your word.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your decrees.

156 Great are your compassions, Yahweh; make me live according to your judgments.

157 Many are my persecutors and my enemies; yet do I not turn from your testimonies.

158 I looked upon the transgressors, and was grieved because they have not kept your speech.

159 See how I love your rules: make me live, Yahweh, according to your mercy.

160 Your word is true from the beginning: and all of your righteous judgments will endure forever.

Shin

161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your word.

162 I rejoice at your speech, as one who finds great spoil.

163 I hate and loathe lying, but I love your law.

164 Seven times a day I praise you because of your righteous judgments.

165 Those who love your law have abundance peace; and nothing will make them stumble.

166 Yahweh, I have hoped for your salvation, and performed your commands.

167 My soul has kept your testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

168 I have kept your rules and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.

Taw

169 Let my cry come near to your presence, Yahweh; give me understanding according to your word.

170 Let my petition come before you; deliver me according to your speech.

171 My lips will pour out praise, for you have taught me your decrees.

172 My tongue will articulate your speech; for all your commands are righteousness.

173 Let your hand help me, for I have chosen your rules.

174 I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh; and your law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live, and it will praise you; and let your judgments help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commands.

Psalm 120

1 A Song of Ascent.

2 In my distress I call out to Yahweh, and he answered me.

3 Deliver my soul, Yahweh, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

4 What will be given to you? And what will be added to you, deceitful tongue?

5 Sharp arrows of a powerful warrior, with coals of juniper.

6 Woe to me, that I camp in Meshech, that I dwell with the tents of Kedar!

7 My soul has long dwelt with him that hates peace.

8 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.

Psalm 121

1 A Song of Ascent.

2 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from?

3 My help comes from Yahweh, who made the heavens and earth.

4 He will not permit your foot to be moved; he that watches over you will not slumber.

5 Behold, he that watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

6 Yahweh is your watchman; Yahweh is your shade upon your right hand.

7 The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

8 Yahweh will keep you from all evil; he will watch over your soul.

9 Yahweh will watch over your going out and your coming in, both now and forevermore.

Psalm 122

1 A Song of Ascent of David.

2 I was glad when they said to me: 'Let us go to the house of Yahweh.'

3 Our feet will stand within your gates, Jerusalem.

4 Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together:

5 where the tribes go up, the tribes of Yah, to the testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the name of Yahweh.

6 For there thrones of judgment are set, thrones for the house of David.

7 Ask for the peace of Jerusalem; they will prosper who love you.

8 Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.

9 For the sake of my brothers and companions, I will now say: 'Peace be within you.'

10 For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God I will seek your good.

Psalm 123

1 A Song of Ascent.

2 To you I lift up my eyes, the one who dwells in the heavens.

3 Behold, as the eyes of servants to the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress; so our eyes are towards Yahweh our God, until he is gracious to us.

4 Be gracious to us, Yahweh, be gracious to us; for we are abundantly filled with contempt.

5 Our soul is abundantly filled with the scorn of those who are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 124

1 A Song of Ascent of David.

2 Unless it was Yahweh who was on our side, let Israel now say.

3 Unless it was Yahweh who was on our side, when men rose up against us;

4 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;

5 then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the river would have gone over our soul;

6 then the waters of the proud would have gone over our soul.

7 Blessed be Yahweh, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth.

8 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken; and we have escaped.

9 Our help is in the name of Yahweh, who made the heavens and earth.

Psalm 125

1 A Song of Ascent.

2 Those who trust in Yahweh will be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but dwells forever.

3 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so Yahweh surrounds his people from now and forevermore.

4 For the sceptre of the wicked will not rest upon the lot of the righteous; in case the righteous send out their hands to iniquity.

5 Do good, Yahweh, to the good, and to the upright in their hearts.

6 As for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, Yahweh will lead them out with the workers of iniquity.

7 Peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 126

1 A Song of Ascent.

2 When Yahweh returned the captives of Zion, we were like those who dream.

3 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing; then they said among the nations: 'Yahweh has done great things for them.'

4 Yahweh has done great things for us; of which we are glad.

5 Return our captives, Yahweh, as the streams in the south.

6 Those who sow in tears will reap with joy.

7 He that goes out and weeps, bearing precious seed, will surely come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 127

1 A Song of Ascent of Solomon.

2 Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman watch in vain.

3 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep.

4 Behold, children are an inheritance from Yahweh; a reward of the fruit of the womb.

5 As arrows in the hand of a powerful warrior; so are children of young men.

6 Blessed is the man that has his quiver full of them; they will not be ashamed, but they will speak with the enemies in the gate.

Psalm 128

1 A Song of Ascent.

2 Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, that walks in his ways.

3 For you will eat the labour of your hands; you will be blessed, and it will be well with you.

4 Your wife will be as a fruitful vine by the sides of your house; your children like olives plants around your table.

5 Behold, for so the man will be blessed who fears Yahweh.

6 Yahweh will bless you out of Zion; and you gaze upon the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

7 And you will see your children's children; peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 129

1 A Song of Ascent.

2 Many times they have afflicted me from my youth, let Israel now say:

3 many times they have afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.

4 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made their furrows long.

5 Yahweh is righteous: he has cut apart the cords of the wicked.

6 Let them all be ashamed and turned back who hate Zion.

7 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers before it grows up:

8 With which the mower does not fill his palm; nor he that binds sheaves his bosom.

9 Neither they, which go by, say: 'The blessing of Yahweh be upon you: we bless you in the name of Yahweh.'

Psalm 130

1 A Song of Ascent.

2 Out of the depths I have called out to you, Yahweh.

3 Lord, hear my voice; let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions.

4 If you should keep iniquities, Yah, Lord, who will stand?

5 But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared.

6 I wait for Yahweh, my soul waits, and for his word I hope.

7 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

8 Let Israel hope in Yahweh: for with Yahweh there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption.

9 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Psalm 131

1 A Song of Ascent of David.

2 Yahweh, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes lofty; neither am I preoccupied with great matters, or things too wonderful for me.

3 Surely I have contented and quieted my soul, as a child that is weaned by his mother; as a weaned child is my soul.

4 Let Israel hope in Yahweh from now on and forevermore.

Psalm 132

1 A Song of Ascent.

2 Yahweh, remember David, and all his afflictions:

3 How he swore to Yahweh, and vowed to the mighty God of Jacob:

4 'Surely I will not come into the tent of my house, nor go up to my bed;

5 I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids,

6 until I find a space for Yahweh, a dwelling place for the mighty God of Jacob.'

7 Behold, we heard of it at Ephratha; we found it in the fields of the forest.

8 We will go to his dwelling places; we will worship at his footstool.

9 Arise, Yahweh, to your rest; you, and the ark of your power.

10 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; and let your holy ones shout for joy.

11 For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed.

12 Yahweh has sworn in truth to David; he will not turn from it: 'From the fruit of your body, I will appoint to your throne.

13 If your children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I will teach them, their children will also sit upon your throne forevermore.

14 For Yahweh has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place.

15 This is my rest forevermore: here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

16 I will abundantly bless her provision, I will satisfy her poor with bread.

17 I will also clothe her priests with salvation; and her holy ones will shout aloud for joy.

18 There I will make the horn of David to bud; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.

19 I will clothe his enemies with shame; but his will crown flourish upon him.'

Psalm 133

1 A Song of Ascent of David.

2 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

3 It is like the precious oil upon the head, which ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron; which descended to the opening of his garments;

4 as the dew of Hermon, which descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there Yahweh commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Psalm 134

1 A Song of Ascent.

2 Behold, bless Yahweh, all servants of Yahweh, who stand in the house of Yahweh by night.

3 Lift up your hands in the Holy Place, and bless Yahweh.

4 Yahweh bless you from Zion, who made the heavens and earth.

Psalm 135

1 Hallelujah!

2 Praise the name of Yahweh; praise him, servants of Yahweh.

3 You that stand in the house of Yahweh, in the courts of the house of our God,

4 Praise Yahweh; for Yahweh is good: sing praises to his name; for it is pleasant.

5 For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself, and Israel for his special treasure.

6 For I know that Yahweh is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.

7 Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he did in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

8 He causes the clouds to ascend from the ends of the earth; he makes lightnings for the rain; he brings the wind out of his treasuries.

9 Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal.

10 Who sent signs and wonders to the midst of you, Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

11 Who struck great nations, and killed strong kings;

12 Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan.

13 And gave their land for an inheritance, an inheritance to Israel his people.

14 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; and your remembrance, Yahweh, throughout all generations.

15 For Yahweh will judge his people, and he will repent over his servants.

16 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

17 They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see;

18 They have ears, but they do not hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

19 Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.

20 House of Israel, bless Yahweh; house of Aaron, bless Yahweh.

21 House of Levi, bless Yahweh; those who fear Yahweh, bless Yahweh.

22 Blessed be Yahweh out of Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem.

23 Hallelujah!

Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to Yahweh; for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods: for his mercy endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endures forever.

4 To him who alone does great wonders: for his mercy endures forever.

5 To him that by understanding made the heavens: for his mercy endures forever.

6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endures forever.

7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endures forever.

8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endures forever.

9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endures forever.

10 To him that struck Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endures forever.

11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endures forever.

12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm: for his mercy endures forever.

13 To him that divided the Red Sea into parts: for his mercy endures forever.

14 And made Israel pass through the middle of it: for his mercy endures forever.

15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea: for his mercy endures forever.

16 To him that led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endures forever.

17 To him which struck great kings: for his mercy endures forever.

18 And killed majestic kings: for his mercy endures forever.

19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endures forever.

20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endures forever.

21 And gave their land for an inheritance: for his mercy endures forever.

22 An inheritance to Israel his servant: for his mercy endures forever.

23 Who remembered us in our humiliation: for his mercy endures forever.

24 And has redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endures forever.

25 Who gives food to all flesh: for his mercy endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven: for his mercy endures forever.

Psalm 137

1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, indeed, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

2 We hung our lyres upon the willows in the middle of it.

3 For there those who carried us away captive requested the words of a song; and those who pierced us asked for gladness, saying: 'Sing us one of the songs of Zion.'

4 How will we sing the song of Yahweh in a strange land?

5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget.

6 If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth; if I do not ascend to Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 Remember, Yahweh, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, who said: 'Strip, strip to her foundation.'

8 Daughter of Babylon, who is to be destroyed; blessed is he that repays you your reward as you have rewarded us.

9 Blessed is he that takes and dashes your little ones against the stones.

Psalm 138

1 A Psalm of David.

2 I will praise you with my whole heart; before Elohim I will sing praise to you.

3 I will worship towards your holy temple, and praise your name for your lovingkindness and for your truth; for you have magnified above all: your name, your speech.

4 In the day when I call out you answered me, and strengthened me with power in my soul.

5 All the kings of the earth will praise you, Yahweh, when they hear the speech of your mouth.

6 And they will sing in the ways of Yahweh, for great is the glory of Yahweh.

7 Though Yahweh is high, yet he regards the lowly; but the proud he knows from afar.

8 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will make me live; you will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand will save me.

9 Yahweh will finish that which concerns me; your mercy, Yahweh, endures forever; do not forsake the works of your hands.

Psalm 139

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

2 Yahweh, you have searched me, and known me.

3 You know my sitting down and my standing up, you understand my thoughts from far away.

4 You hedge my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

5 For there is not a word on my tongue, but, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.

6 You have enclosed me behind and before, and placed your palm over me.

7 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain to it.

8 Where will I go from your spirit? Or where will I flee from your presence?

9 If I ascend up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there.

10 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, and dwell on the uttermost parts of the sea;

11 even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will lay hold of me.

12 If I say: 'Surely the darkness will cover me'; even the night will be light around me.

13 Indeed, the darkness does not make anything dark to you; but the night shines as the day: as the darkness, as the light.

14 For you have obtained my inmost thoughts; you have covered me in my mother's womb.

15 I will praise you; for I am awesomely and wonderfully made; marvellous are your works; and this my soul knows very well.

16 My essence was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, and woven together in the deepest parts of the earth.

17 Your eyes saw my formation; and in your book all of them were written, the days were shaped, when as yet there were none of them.

18 How precious also are your thoughts to me, God! How numerous is the sum of them!

19 If I should count them, they are more in abundant than sand; when I awake, I am still with you.

20 Surely you will kill the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, you bloodthirsty men.

21 For they speak against you deviously, and your enemies lift your name as worthless.

22 Do I not hate them, Yahweh, that hate you? And am I not grieved with those that rise up against you?

23 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.

24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me, and know my thoughts;

25 and see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 140

1 To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

2 Deliver me, Yahweh, from the evil man; guard me from the violent man;

3 who imagine wickedness in their heart; they are gathered together for war all the day.

4 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; the poison of adders is under their lips. Selah.

5 Keep me, Yahweh, from the hands of the wicked; guard me from the violent man; who has purposed to overthrow my steps.

6 The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set traps for me. Selah.

7 I said to Yahweh: 'You are my God; hear, Yahweh, the voice of my petitions.'

8 Yahweh, Lord, the power of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

9 Do not grant, Yahweh, the desires of the wicked; do not further his wicked scheme; in case they exalt themselves. Selah.

10 As for the heads of those who surround me, let the wickedness of their own lips cover them.

11 Let burning coals fall upon them; let them be thrown into the fire; to deep pits, so they do not rise up again.

12 Do not let an evil speaker be established in the earth; evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

13 I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.

14 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name; the upright will dwell in your presence.

Psalm 141

1 A Psalm of David.

2 Yahweh, I call to you: hurry to me; give ear to my voice, when I call to you.

3 Let my prayer be established before you as incense; and the lifting up of my palms as the evening sacrifice.

4 Place a watch, Yahweh, for my mouth; guard the door of my lips.

5 Do not turn my heart to any evil matter, to practise wicked works with men who work iniquity; and let me not eat of their delicacies.

6 Let the righteous strike me; it will be a merciful kindness; and let him correct me; it will be a premium oil, which will not break my head: for still my prayer will also be with their afflictions.

7 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they will hear my words, for they are pleasant.

8 Our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol, as when one cuts and breaks wood upon the earth.

9 But my eyes are towards you, Yahweh, Lord; my trust is in you; do not leave my soul naked.

10 Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity.

11 Let the wicked fall into their own nets together, while I pass on.

Psalm 142

1 An insight of David; a prayer when he was in the cave.

2 I cried to Yahweh with my voice; with my voice to Yahweh I made my petition.

3 I poured out my complaint before him; I declared my trouble before him.

4 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then you knew my path. In the waywhere I walked they have hidden a snare for me.

5 I gazed on my right hand, and looked, but there was none who would know me; refuge failed me; no one cared for my soul.

6 I cried to you, Yahweh, I said: 'You are my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.'

7 Listen to my cry; for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

8 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise your name; the righteous will surround me; for you will reward me.

Psalm 143

1 A Psalm of David.

2 Yahweh, hear my prayer, give ear to my petitions; in your faithfulness answer me in your righteousness.

3 And do not enter into judgment with your servant; for in your sight no man living will be justified.

4 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has struck my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

5 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

6 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works; I consider the work of your hands.

7 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts after you, as a thirsty land. Selah.

8 Answer me quickly, Yahweh: my spirit fails; do not hide your face from me, in case I am like those who go down to the pit.

9 Let me hear your lovingkindness in the morning; for in you I trust; let me know the way in which I should walk; for I lift up my soul to you.

10 Deliver me from my enemies, Yahweh: I flee to you to hide me.

11 Teach me to do your will; for you are my God; your spirit is good; lead me to the level land.

12 Make me live, Yahweh, for your name's sake; in your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.

13 And in your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul: for I am your servant.

Psalm 144

1 Of David.

2 Blessed be Yahweh my rock, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.

3 My mercy, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and in him I trust, the one who subdues my people under me.

4 Yahweh, what is man, that you have knowledge of him! Or the son of man, that you think of him!

5 Man is like worthless futility; his days are as a shadow that passes away.

6 Yahweh, bow your heavens and descend: touch the mountains, and they will smoke.

7 Blast lightning, and scatter them; shoot out your arrows, and destroy them.

8 Send your hand from the heights; rescue me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of the sons of foreigners;

9 whose mouth speaks lies, and their right hand is a right hand of deceit.

10 I will sing a new song to you, Elohim: upon a harp, an instrument of ten strings I will sing praises to you.

11 It is he that gives salvation to kings: who rescues David his servant from the sword of affliction.

12 Rescue me, and deliver me from the hand of the sons of foreigners, whose mouth speaks lies, and their right hand is a right hand of deceit;

13 that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as pillars, carved perfectly for a palace;

14 that our stores may be full, containing all kinds of supplies; that our sheep may bring out thousands and ten thousands in our fields;

15 that our oxen may be strong to labour; that there is no breaking in, nor going out; that there is no crying out in our streets.

16 Blessed are the people who are like this: indeed, blessed are the people, whose God is Yahweh.

Psalm 145

1 A Praise of David

2 I will lift you up, my God, O king; and I will bless your name forever and ever.

3 Every day I will bless you; and I will praise your name forever and ever.

4 Great is Yahweh, and extremely to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

5 One generation will praise your works to another, and will declare your powerful acts.

6 I will speak of the glorious honour of your majesty, and of your wonderful works.

7 And the power of your awesome acts will be spoken of; and I will declare your greatness.

8 They will abundantly recall the memory of your great goodness, and will sing of your righteousness.

9 Yahweh is gracious, and compassionate; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

10 Yahweh is good to all; and his compassions are upon all his works.

11 All your works will praise you, Yahweh; and your holy ones will bless you.

12 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk of your power;

13 to make known to the sons of men his powerful acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

14 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

15 Yahweh upholds all who fall, and raises up all those that are bowed down.

16 The eyes of all wait upon you; and you give them their food in due season.

17 You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

18 Yahweh is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

19 Yahweh is near to all those who call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

20 He will fulfil the desire of those who fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

21 Yahweh watches over all those who love him; but all the wicked he will destroy.

22 My mouth will speak the praise of Yahweh; and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Psalm 146

1 Hallelujah!

2 Praise Yahweh, my soul.

3 While I live I will praise Yahweh; I will sing praises to my God while I have any being.

4 Do not put your trust in nobility, nor in the son of man, for whom there is no salvation.

5 His breath goes out, he returns to his soil; in that very day his thoughts perish.

6 Blessed is he that has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh his God;

7 who made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; the one who watches over truth forever;

8 who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry; Yahweh looses the prisoners;

9 Yahweh opens the eyes of the blind; Yahweh raises those who are bowed down: Yahweh loves the righteous.

10 Yahweh watches over the strangers; he sustains the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.

11 Yahweh will reign forever, your God, Zion, to all generations.

12 Hallelujah!

Psalm 147

1 Hallelujah! For it is good to sing praises to our God: for it is pleasant; praise is lovely.

2 Yahweh builds up Jerusalem; he gathers together the outcasts of Israel.

3 He heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds.

4 He appoints the number of the stars; he calls them all by their names.

5 Great is our Lord, and abundantly strong: his understanding is infinite.

6 Yahweh lifts up the humble; he throws the wicked down to the ground.

7 Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the lyre to our God;

8 who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow upon the mountains.

9 He gives to the animal his food, and to the children of ravens which call out.

10 He does not delight in the power of the horse; he does not take pleasure in the legs of a man.

11 Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

12 Let Jerusalem praise Yahweh; praise your God, Zion.

13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you.

14 He makes your borders peace, and fills you with the finest of the wheat.

15 He sends out his command upon earth; his word runs very swiftly.

16 He gives snow like wool; he scatters the frost like ashes.

17 He throws out his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

18 He sends out his word, and melts them; he causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow.

19 He declares his word to Jacob, his decrees and his judgments to Israel.

20 He has not done so for any nation, and his judgments, they have not known them.

21 Hallelujah!

Psalm 148

1 Hallelujah!

2 Praise Yahweh from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

3 Praise him, all his angels: praise you him, all his armies.

4 Praise you him, sun and moon: praise him, all you stars of light.

5 Praise him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters that are above the heavens.

6 Let them praise the name of Yahweh; for he commanded, and they were created.

7 He has also stablished them forever and ever; he has made a decree which will not pass away.

8 Praise Yahweh from the earth, you whales, and all deeps;

9 fire, and hail; snow, and mist; stormy wind fulfilling his word;

10 mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars;

11 wild animals, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying birds;

12 kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth;

13 both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:

14 Let them praise the name of Yahweh: for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above the earth and heavens.

15 He also lifts up the horn of his people, the praise of all his holy ones, the children of Israel, a people near to him.

16 Hallelujah!

Psalm 149

1 Hallelujah!

2 Sing to Yahweh a new song, his praise in the assembly of holy ones.

3 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

4 Let them praise his name with a dance; let them sing praises to him with percussion and the lyre.

5 For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people; he will beautify the humble with salvation.

6 Let the holy ones be joyful with honour; let them shout for joy upon their beds.

7 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

8 to execute vengeance upon the nations, and correction upon the people;

9 to bind their kings with chains, and their honoured ones with fetters of iron;

10 to execute upon them the written judgment; this honour have all his saints.

11 Hallelujah!

Psalm 150

1 Hallelujah!

2 Praise God in his Holy Place; praise him in the dimension of his power.

3 Praise him for his powerful acts; praise him according to his abundant greatness.

4 Praise him with the sound of the shofar; praise him with the harp and lyre.

5 Praise him with percussion and dance; praise him with strings and pipes.

6 Praise him with loud cymbals: praise him with crashing cymbals.

7 Let everything that has breath praise Yah!

8 Hallelujah!

Proverbs: the School of Prosperity

Chapter 1

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

2 to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

3 to receive the instruction of perception which prospers, righteousness, and judgment, and straightness;

4 to give insight to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discernment of purposes.

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding will obtain sound advice;

6 to understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their riddles.

7 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;

9 for they will be an ornament of grace to your head, and chains around your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

11 If they say: 'Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

12 let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those who go down to the pit:

13 we will find all manner of precious possessions, we will fill our houses with spoil.

14 Cast in your lot among us; let us all have one purse.'

15 My son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their path.

16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

18 And they lie in wait for their own blood; they lurk secretly for their own lives.

19 So are the ways of every one who is greedy for gain; which takes away the life of the owners of it.

20 Wisdom cries outside; she broadcasts her voice in the streets.

21 She calls out in the chief meeting places, at the openings of the gates: in the city she speaks her words, saying:

22 'How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

23 Turn at my correction: behold, I will pour out my spirit to you, I will make known my words to you.

24 Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one took notice;

25 but you have ignored all my counsel, and would have none of my correction.

26 I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes;

27 when your fear comes as desolation, and your destruction comes as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish comes upon you.

28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me early, but they will not find me:

29 since they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of Yahweh.

30 They would have none of my advice: they despised all my correction.

31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own guidance.

32 For the turning away of the simple will kill them, and the contentment of fools will destroy them.

33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will rest peacefully from fear of evil.'

Proverbs - Chapter 2

1 My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commands with you;

2 so that you turn your ear to wisdom, and bow your heart for understanding;

3 indeed, if you call out for insight, and lift up your voice for understanding;

4 if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasure;

5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of Elohim.

6 For Yahweh gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

7 He stores up profound insights for the righteous: he is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

8 He guards the paths of judgment, and watches the way of his holy ones.

9 Then you will understand righteousness, and judgment, and straightness; indeed, every good path.

10 When wisdom enters to your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul;

11 discernment of purposes will preserve you, understanding will guard you:

12 to deliver you from the way of the evil man, from the man who speaks perverse things;

13 who leave the straight paths, to walk in the ways of darkness;

14 who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perversion of the wicked;

15 whose ways are crooked, and they are crafty in their paths;

16 to deliver you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words;

17 who forsakes the guide of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God.

18 For her house bows down to death, and her paths to the dead.

19 None who go into her return again, neither do they take hold of the paths of life.

20 That you may walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

21 For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it.

22 But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and those dealing unfaithfully will be rooted out of it.

Proverbs - Chapter 3

1 My son, do not forget my law; but let your heart keep my commands:

2 for length of days, and long life, and peace, they will add to you.

3 Do not let mercy and truth forsake you: bind them around your neck; write them upon the tablet of your heart,

4 and you will find favour and good perception in the sight of Elohim and man.

5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes: fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.

9 Honour Yahweh with your substance, and with the firstfruits of all your increase:

10 and your barns will be filled with plenty, and your presses will burst with new wine.

11 My son, do not reject the discipline of Yahweh; neither be weary of his correction.

12 For whom Yahweh loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who obtains understanding.

14 For her merchandise is better than the merchandise of silver, and her increase than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared to her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy is everyone who retains her.

19 Yahweh by wisdom has founded the earth, by understanding he has established the heavens.

20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, do not let them depart from your eyes: guard profound insights and discernment of purposes;

22 and they will be life to your soul, and grace to your neck.

23 Then you will walk in your way safely, and your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; indeed, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes.

26 For Yahweh will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

28 Do not say to your neighbour: 'Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give it' when you have it with you.

29 Do not devise evil against your neighbour, seeing he dwells securely by you.

30 Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy the violent, and choose none of his ways.

32 For the crafty is loathesome to Yahweh, but his secret is with the righteous.

33 The curse of Yahweh is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.

34 Surely he scorns the scorners, but he gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.

Proverbs - Chapter 4

1 Hear, children, the instruction of a father, and listen to know understanding.

2 For I give you good teaching, do not forsake my law.

3 For I was my father's son, tender and one beloved in the sight of my mother.

4 And he taught me, and said to me: let your heart retain my words, keep my commands and live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: do not forget it; neither turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing: acquire wisdom, and with all your acquiring, acquire understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you to honour, when you embrace her.

9 She will give your head a wreath of grace; she will shield you with a crown of glory.

10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life will be many.

11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in straight paths.

12 When you go, your steps will not be narrowed; and when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Take firm hold of instruction; do not let her go, guard her, for she is your life.

14 Do not enter into the path of the wicked, and do not go in the way of evil.

15 Avoid it, do not pass by it, turn from it, and cross over.

16 For they do not sleep, unless they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause someone to fall.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

18 But the path of the righteous is as a shining light, which shines more and more to the fullness of day.

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

20 My son, listen to my words; turn your ear to my sayings.

21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the middle of your heart.

22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.

23 Guard your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the emanations of life.

24 Put away from you a perverse mouth, and put devious lips far from you.

25 Let your eyes look ahead, and let your eyelids look straight before you.

26 Consider the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.

27 Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left; remove your foot from evil.

Proverbs - Chapter 5

1 My son, listen to my wisdom, and bow your ear to my understanding:

2 that you may keep the discernment of purposes, and that your lips may guard knowledge.

3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as a honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil;

4 but her end is as bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold of hell.

6 In case you should consider the path of life, her ways are wandering, that you cannot know them.

7 But now, children, hear me and do not depart from the words of my mouth.

8 Remove your way far from her, and do not come near the door of her house:

9 in case you give your excellence to others, and your years to the cruel.

10 In case strangers are filled with your strength; and your labours are in the house of a foreigner;

11 and you mourn at your end, when your flesh and your body are consumed,

12 and say: 'How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised correction;

13 and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor turned my ear to those who instructed me!'

14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the assembly and witnesses.

15 Drink waters out of your own cistern, and running waters out of your own well.

16 Let your fountains be scattered outside, and rivers of waters in the streets.

17 Let them be only your own, and not for strangers with you.

18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.

19 Let her be as the loving hind and gracious roe; let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be ravished with her love.

20 And why will you, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a foreigner?

21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of Yahweh, and he considers all his paths.

22 His own iniquities will catch the wicked himself, and he will be held with the cords of his sins.

23 He will die without instruction; and in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray.

Proverbs - Chapter 6

1 My son, if you are a guarantee for your friend, if you have struck your hand with a stranger,

2 you are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth.

3 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, when you have come into the hand of your friend; go, humble yourself, and make sure your friend.

4 Do not give sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.

5 Deliver yourself as a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, lazy one, consider her ways, and be wise:

7 which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

8 provides her food in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.

9 How long will you sleep, lazy one? When will you arise out of your sleep?

10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

11 so will your poverty come as one who travels, and your lack as an armed man.

12 A worthless man, a perverse person, walks with a crooked mouth.

13 He winks with his eyes, he speaks with his feet, he teaches with his fingers;

14 Perversion is in his heart, he devises evil continually; he sows discord.

15 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly; suddenly he will be broken without remedy.

16 These six things Yahweh hates, indeed, seven are loathesome to him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart which devises perverse imaginations, feet that are swift in running to evil,

19 a false witness who speaks lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.

20 My son, keep your father's command, and do not forsake the law of your mother:

21 Bind them continually upon your heart, and tie them around your neck.

22 When you go, it will lead you; when you sleep, it will keep you; and when you awake, it will talk with you.

23 For the command is a lamp; and the law is light; and corrections of instruction are the way of life:

24 to keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a foreign woman.

25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart; neither let her take you with her eyelids.

26 For by means of a prostituting woman a man is brought to a piece of bread; and an adultress will hunt for the precious soul of a husband.

27 Can a man take fire into his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

29 So is he who goes into his neighbour's wife; whoever touches her will not be innocent.

30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

31 but if he is found, he will restore sevenfold; he will give all the substance of his house.

32 But who commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does it destroys his own soul.

33 He will get a wound and dishonour; and his disgrace will not be wiped away.

34 For jealousy is the wrath of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

35 He will not regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.

Proverbs - Chapter 7

1 My son, keep my words, and store up my commands with you.

2 Keep my commands, and live; and my law as the apple of your eye.

3 Bind them upon your fingers, write them upon the table of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom: you are my sister; and call understanding your relative:

5 that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

6 For at the lattice of my house I looked through my window,

7 and observed among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man lacking understanding,

8 passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

9 in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night.

10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the dress of a prostitute, and a guarded heart.

11 She is loud and rebellious; her feet do not remain in her house:

12 now is she outside, now in the streets, and lies in wait at every corner.

13 So she lay hold of him, and kissed him, and with a hardened face said to him:

14 I have peace offerings with me; this day I have payed my vows.

15 Therefore I came out to meet you, diligently to seek your face, and I have found you.

16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us delight ourselves with love.

19 For the husband is not at home, he has gone a long journey;

20 he has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the appointed day.'

21 With much beautiful speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she compelled him.

22 Suddenly, he goes after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

23 until a dart strikes through his liver; as a bird hurries to the snare, and does not know that it is for his life.

24 Therefore, hear me now, children, and listen to the words of my mouth.

25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways, do not go astray in her paths.

26 For she has thrown down many wounded: indeed, many strong men have been killed by her.

27 Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs - Chapter 8

1 Does not wisdom call out? And understanding lift up her voice?

2 She stands at the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

3 She cries out at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors.

4 To you, men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

5 You simple ones, understand insight: and, you fools, be of an understanding heart.

6 Hear: for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips will be straight things.

7 For my mouth will speak truth; and evil is loathesome to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing devious or perverse in them.

9 They are all plain to him who understands, and straight to those who find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared with her.

12 I, wisdom dwell with insight, and find out knowledge of the discernment of purposes.

13 The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth, I hate.

14 Counsel is mine, and profound insight: I am understanding; power is mine.

15 By me kings reign, and princes decree righteousness.

16 By me rulers rule, and nobility, all the judges of the earth.

17 I love those who love me; and those who seek me early will find me.

18 Riches and honour are with me; indeed, enduring riches and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, indeed, than fine gold; and my increase than choice silver.

20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice:

21 that I may cause those who love me to inherit possessions; and I will fill their treasuries.

22 Yahweh possessed me at the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

23 I was established from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth was.

24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth.

26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world;

27 when he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he decreed a circle upon the face of the deep;

28 when he established the clouds above: when he empowered the fountains of the deep;

29 when he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his command: when he decreed the foundations of the earth:

30 then I was beside him, as one brought up with him; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

31 rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delight is with the sons of men.

32 And now, children, listen to me: for blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not ignore it.

34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favour from Yahweh.

36 But he who sins against me harms his own soul; all those who hate me love death.

Proverbs - Chapter 9

1 Wisdom has built her house, she has carved out her seven pillars;

2 she has killed her meat; she has mixed her wine; she has also prepared her table.

3 She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out upon the highest places of the city,

4 Whoever is simple, let him turn in here: as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him:

5 'Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mixed.

6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

7 He who instructs a scorner gets for himself shame: and he who corrects a wicked man gets himself a stain.

8 Do not correct a scorner, in case he hate you; correct a wise man, and he will love you.

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and the years of your life will be increased.

12 If you are wise, you will be wise for yourself; but if you scorn, you alone will bear it.

13 A foolish woman is loud: she is simple, and knows nothing.

14 For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

15 to call passers by who are straight in their ways:

16 'Whoever is simple, let him turn in here' and as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him:

17 'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'

18 But he does not know that the Rephaim are there; and that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.'

Proverbs - Chapter 10

1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

2 Treasures of wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

3 Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to starve, but he casts away the desire of the wicked.

4 He becomes poor who deals with a slack hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

5 He who gathers in summer is a son with perception to prosper, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son of shame.

6 Blessings are upon the head of the righeous, but mouth of the wicked covers violence.

7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.

8 The wise in heart will receive commands, but a chattering fool will fall.

9 He who walks blamelessly walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be known.

10 He who winks with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.

11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked covers violence.

12 Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love covers all sins.

13 In the lips of him who has understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.

14 Wise men treasure up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

15 A rich man's wealth is his powerful city, the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16 The work of the righteous is for life, the fruit of the wicked for sin.

17 He is in the way of life who keeps instruction, but he who refuses correction wanders.

18 He who hides hatred with lying lips, and he who spreads a slander, is a fool.

19 In the abundance of words there is no forsaking of transgression, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

20 The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, the heart of the wicked is worth little.

21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom.

22 The blessing of Yahweh, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

23 It is amusing for a fool to do mischief, but a man of understanding has wisdom.

24 The fear of the wicked, it will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be given.

25 As the whirlwind passes, so the wicked is no more, but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy one to those who send him.

27 The fear of Yahweh prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.

28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

29 The way of Yahweh is a fortress for the blameless, but destruction for the workers of iniquity.

30 The righteous will never be moved, but the wicked will not inhabit the earth.

31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perversion.

Proverbs - Chapter 11

1 A deceitful balance is loathesome to Yahweh, but a correct weight is his delight.

2 When pride comes, then comes shame, but wisdom is with the humble.

3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversion of the trangressors will destroy them.

4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless will make his way straight, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but transgressors will be caught in their own wickedness.

7 In death, the expectation of a wicked man will be destroyed, and the hope of unjust men is destruction.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes into his place instead.

9 A hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbour, but with knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of celebration.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He who lacks understanding despises his neighbour, but a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 A gossip reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.

14 Where there is no sound advice, the people fall: but in the abundance of counsellors there is salvation.

15 He who is a guarantee for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who hates pledges is secure.

16 A gracious woman holds on to honour, and powerful men hold on to riches.

17 The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

18 The wicked performs a deceitful work, but to him who sows righteousness will be a true reward.

19 As righteousness, to life, so he who pursues evil, to death.

20 Those who are of a perverse heart are loathesome to Yahweh, but those who are blameless in their way are his delight.

21 Though joining hand with hand, the wicked will not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous will be rescued.

22 As a ring of gold in a pig's snout, so is a beautiful woman who is without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases; and there is one who withholds more than is right, surely to poverty.

25 The blessing soul will be made fat, and he who waters will also be watered himself.

26 He who withholds wheat, the people will curse him, but blessing will be upon the head of him who sells it.

27 He who diligently seeks good finds favour, but he who seeks wickedness, it will come to him.

28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish as a branch.

29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, but the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he who wins souls is wise.

31 Behold, the righteous will be repaid in the earth, much more the wicked and the sinner.

Proverbs - Chapter 12

1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he that hates correction is mindless.

2 Goodness obtains favour from Yahweh, but a man of evil schemes he will condemn.

3 A man will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved.

4 A powerful woman is a crown to her husband, but she who causes shame is as rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are justice, but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

7 The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.

8 A man will be praised according to his perception to prosper, but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

9 He who is disregarded, and has a servant, is better than he who honours himself, and lacks bread.

10 A righteous man knows the life of his animal, but the compassions of the wicked are cruel.

11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows the worthless lacks understanding.

12 The wicked desires the net of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will come out of trouble.

14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the reward of a man's hands will be returned to him.

15 The way of a fool is straight in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.

16 A fool's wrath is known in the day, but an insightful man covers shame.

17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness deceit.

18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is healing.

19 The lip of truth will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who imagine evil, but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21 No iniquity will happen to the righteous, but the wicked will be filled with evil.

22 Lying lips are loathesome to Yahweh, but those who deal truthfully are his delight.

23 An insightful man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools calls out foolishness.

24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy will be under tribute.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man makes it bow, but a good word makes it glad.

26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour, but the way of the wicked seduces them.

27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but the possession of a diligent man is precious.

28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the way of its path there is no death.

Proverbs - Chapter 13

1 A wise son has the instruction of a father, but a scorner does not hear rebuke.

2 A man will eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors will eat violence.

3 He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips will have destruction.

4 The soul of the lazy one desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent will be made fat.

5 A righteous man hates lying, but a wicked man is loathsome, and comes to shame.

6 Righteousness guards him who is blameless in the way, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing, there is that makes himself poor, yet has great wealth.

8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches, but the poor hears not rebuke.

9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

10 Only by pride comes contention, but with the well advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth obtained by worthless futility will be diminished, but he who gathers by labour will increase.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

13 Whoever despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the command will be rewarded.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

15 Perception to prosper gives favour, but the way of transgressors is hard.

16 Every insightful man works with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful ambassador is healing.

18 Poverty and shame will be to him who refuses instruction, but he who regards correction will be honoured.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is loathesome to fools to depart from evil.

20 He who walks with the wise will be wise, but a companion of fools will be destroyed.

21 Evil pursues sinners, but to the righteous good will be repayed.

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

23 Abundant food is in the ploughing of the poor, but there it is destroyed when there is no justice.

24 He who restrains his rod hates his son, but he who loves him instructs him early.

25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked will lack.

Proverbs - Chapter 14

1 Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish tears it down with her hands.

2 He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will watch over them.

4 Where there are oxen are, the manger is clean, but much increase comes by the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness will breathe lies.

6 A scorner seeks wisdom, and does not finds it, but knowledge is easy to him who understands.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not know in him the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the foolishness of fools is deceit.

9 Fools are scornful of a guilt offering, but among upright ones there is favour.

10 The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not partner with his joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way which seems straight to a man, but the end of it are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that gladness is grief.

14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from himself.

15 The simple believes every word, but the insightful understands his steps.

16 A wise man fears, and departs from evil, but the fool rages, and is confident.

17 He who is quick to anger acts foolishly; and a man of evil schemes is hated.

18 The simple inherit foolishness, but the insightful are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor is hated even by his own neighbour, but the rich has many who love him.

21 He who despises his neighbour sins; and he who is gracious to the poor, he is blessed.

22 Do they not wander astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth will be to those who devise good.

23 In all labour there is profit, but the talk of the lips surely to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the foolishness of fools is foolishness.

25 A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness breathes lies.

26 In the fear of Yahweh is powerful confidence: and his children will have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

28 In the abundance of people is the king's majesty, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.

29 He who is slow to anger is of great understanding, but he of a quick spirit exalts foolishness.

30 A healthy heart is the life of the flesh, but jealousy the rottenness of the bones.

31 He who oppresses the poor insults his Maker, but he who honours him is gracious to the poor.

32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but the righteous has hope in his death.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but that which is within fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, and mercy for the proud peoples is sin.

35 The king's favour is toward a servant with perception to prosper, but his wrath is against him who causes shame.

Proverbs - Chapter 15

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but hurtful words stir up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge well: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.

3 The eyes of Yahweh are in every place, watching the evil and the good.

4 A healing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it is a breach in the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who looks for correction is insightful.

6 In the house of the righteous there is abundant treasure, but the increase of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise sow seeds of knowledge, but not so the heart of the foolish.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is loathesome to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9 The way of the wicked is loathesome to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.

10 Instruction is evil to him who forsakes the way, and he that hates correction will die.

11 Sheol and Destruction are before Yahweh: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12 A scorner does not love the one who corrects him: neither will he go to the wise.

13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but a good heart has a continual feast.

16 Better is little with the fear of Yahweh than abundant treasure and trouble with it.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred with it.

18 A wrathful man stirs up a quarrel, but he that is slow to anger calms a fight.

19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the righteous is a highway.

20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Foolishness is joy to him who lacks understanding, but a man of understanding makes his going straight.

22 Without counsel purposes are frustrated, but in the abundance of counsellors they are established.

23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

24 The path of life is upwards for him with perception to prosper, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25 Yahweh will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are loathesome to Yahweh, but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27 He that is greedy for gain troubles his own house; but he that hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous meditates to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes gladdens the heart, and good news fattens the bones.

31 The ear that hears the correction of life rests among the wise.

32 He that refuses instruction despises his soul, but he that hears correction obtains a heart of understanding.

33 The fear of Yahweh is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Proverbs - Chapter 16

1 The preparations of the heart are for man, but the answer of the tongue, is from Yahweh.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the spirits.

3 Commit your works to Yahweh, and your thoughts will be established.

4 Yahweh has made all for his answer: indeed, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Every one who is proud in heart is loathesome to Yahweh: though hand join in hand, he will not be found innocent.

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

7 When a man's ways delight Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than abundance of increase without justice.

9 A man's heart devises his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.

10 Divination is upon the lips of a king, in judgement: his mouth does not transgress.

11 The weight and balance of justice belong to Yahweh: all the stones of the bag are his work.

12 It is loathesome for kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him who speaks right.

14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

15 In the light of the king's face is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he that watches over his soul guards his way.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better to be of a gentle spirit with the humble, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 One with perception to prosper in a matter will find good; and who trusts in Yahweh, he is blessed.

21 The wise in heart will be called understanding: and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.

22 Perception to prosper is a wellspring of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is foolishness.

23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems straight to a man, but the end of it are the ways of death.

26 A soul who labours labours for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.

27 A worthless man digs up evil; and it is upon his lips as a searing fire.

28 A perverse man spreads strife; and a whisperer separates best friends.

29 A violent man entices his neighbour, and leads him in the way that is not good.

30 He shuts his eyes to imagine perverse things; moving his lips he brings evil to pass.

31 The silver head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.

32 He that is slow to anger is better than a powerful warrior; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.

33 The lot is thrown into the lap, yet from Yahweh is all its judgements.

Proverbs - Chapter 17

1 Better is a dry morsel, and contentment with it, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.

2 A servant with perception to prosper will rule over a son who causes shame, and will have part of the inheritance among the brothers.

3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but Yahweh tests the hearts.

4 A wicked one listens to lips of inquity; and a liar gives ear to a tongue of wickedness.

5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; and he that is glad at calamities will not be found innocent.

6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

7 Excellent speech is not lovely for a fool; surely neither lying lips for a noble.

8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of its owner: wherever he turns, he prospers.

9 He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates close friends.

10 A correction enters into a wise man more than a hundred lashes to a fool.

11 Surely evil seeks rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 Let a bear robbed of her young meet a man, rather than a fool in his foolishness.

13 Whoever returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is as releasing water; therefore avoid the fight, before it is exposed.

15 He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the righteous, they are both loathesome to Yahweh.

16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, yet no heart for it?

17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man lacking understanding strikes hands, and guarantees a pledge in the presence of his friend.

19 He loves transgression who loves strife: and he that exalts his gate seeks destruction.

20 He that has a perverse heart finds no good; and he that has a perverse tongue falls into wickedness.

21 He that fathers a fool does it to his sorrow; and the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A glad heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.

23 A wicked man takes a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of justice.

24 Wisdom is before him who has understanding; but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that gave him birth.

26 Likewise to punish the righteous is not good, or to strike nobility for straightness.

27 He that has knowledge restrains his words; and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; and he who shuts his lips is counted a man of understanding.

Proverbs - Chapter 18

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and uncovers every profound insight.

2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may uncover itself.

3 When the wicked comes, then also comes rejection, and with shame, disgrace.

4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, the fountain of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5 It is not good to lift up the face of the wicked, or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool's lips enter into a fight, and his mouth calls out for blows.

7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a gossip are as a delicacy, and they go down to the innermost parts of the belly.

9 He that is slothful in his work is also a brother to him who is a destroyer.

10 The name of Yahweh is a tower of power: the righteous runs to it, and is high.

11 The rich man's wealth is his powerful city, and as a high wall in his own thinking.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, and before honour is humility.

13 He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is foolishness and shame to him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his sickness; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the understanding gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man's gift makes room for him, and guides him before great men.

17 He that is first in his own dispute seems righteous, then his neighbour comes and questions him.

18 The lot causes disputes to cease, and separates between the powerful.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a powerful city; and their disputes are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man's belly will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips he will be satisfied.

21 Death and life are in the hand of the tongue; and those who love it will eat the fruit of it.

22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour from Yahweh.

23 The poor pleads with petitions; but the rich answers powerfully.

24 A man with friends must show himself friendly, yet there is one who loves that sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs - Chapter 19

1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

2 Also, a soul being without knowledge is not good, and he sins who is too quick with feet.

3 The foolishness of man perverts his way, and his heart rages against Yahweh.

4 Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

5 A false witness will not be found innocent, and he that breathes lies will not escape.

6 Many will petition the favour of a noble, and everyone is a friend to the man with a gift to give.

7 All the brothers of the poor hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? He pursues them with words, yet they are nowhere.

8 He that gets a heart of wisdom loves his own soul; he that keeps understanding will find good.

9 A false witness will not be found innocent, and he that speaks lies will perish.

10 Delight is not lovely for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11 The perception to prosper of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the disputes of a wife are a continual dropping.

14 A house and riches are the inheritance of fathers, yet a wife with perception to prosper is from Yahweh.

15 Laziness throws one down into a deep sleep; and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

16 He that keeps the command watches over his own soul; but he that despises his ways will die.

17 He that is generous to the poor lends to Yahweh; and that which he has given he will repay.

Psalm18 Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not let your soul spare for his crying.

19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment: for if you deliver him, yet you must do it again.

20 Hear advice, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.

21 There are many imaginations in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of Yahweh, that will stand.

22 The desire of a man is his lovingkindness; and a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of Yahweh is for life; and he that has it will remain satisfied; he will not be visited with evil.

24 A lazy man hides his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Strike a scorner, and the simple will gain insight; yet correct one that has understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

26 He that abuses his father, and chases away his mother, is a son that causes shame, and brings dishonour.

27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causes you to stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness scorns judgment; and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and blows for the back of fools.

Proverbs - Chapter 20

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink rages; and whoever goes astray in this is not made wise.

2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion, who provokes him to anger sins against his own soul.

3 The honour of a man ceases from a fight; but a fool will uncover everything.

4 The lazy one will not plough because of the cold; therefore he will beg at the harvest, and have nothing.

5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; and a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 An abundance of men will call out, each his own mercy, but a faithful man: who can find?

7 The righteous man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

8 A king that sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

10 Diverse weights, and diverse measures, likewise, both of them are loathesome to Yahweh.

11 Even a child is known by his actions, whether his work is pure, and whether it is straight.

12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them.

13 Do not love sleep, in case you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.

14 'Terrible, terrible,' says the buyer; but when he has gone his way, then he boasts.

15 There is gold, and an abundance of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take his garment that is a pledge for a stranger: and bind him to a pledge who is a foreigner.

17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel.

18 Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice make war.

19 He that goes around as a gossip reveals secrets, therefore do not partner with him that flatters with his lips.

20 The one who curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in deep darkness.

21 An inheritance may be gained quickly at the beginning; but the end of it will not be blessed.

22 Do not say, I will pay back evil; but wait on Yahweh, and he will save you.

23 Diverse weights are loathesome to Yahweh; and a deceitful balance is not good.

24 A man's steps are from Yahweh; how then can a man understand his own way?

25 It is a snare to the man who devours that which is holy, and afterwards make vows to make enquiry.

26 A wise king scatters the wicked, and brings the wheel over them.

27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Yahweh, searching all the inner parts of the belly.

28 Mercy and truth guard the king; and his throne is established by mercy.

29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the honour of old men is the gray head.

30 The bruise of a wound cleanses away evil; and blows the inner parts of the belly.

Proverbs - Chapter 21

1 The king's heart is in the hand of Yahweh, as rivers of water; and he turns it where he delights.

2 Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.

3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

4 A high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

5 The thoughts of the diligent are truly for prosperity; but everyone who is hasty come surely to poverty.

6 Working for treasures by a lying tongue is worthlessness tossed to and fro by those who seek death.

7 The robbery of the wicked will destroy them; because they refuse to do justice.

8 The way of man is perverse and strange, but as for the pure, his work is straight.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a quarrelsome wife in a wide house.

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil: his neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 One with perception to prosper is righteous towards the house of the wicked; this one overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.

13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, surely he will call out himself and not be answered.

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a present in the bosom powerful wrath.

15 It is joy for the righteous to do justice; and destruction for the workers of iniquity.

16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the Rephaim.

17 He that loves pleasure will be a poor man; he that loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 The wicked will be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman.

20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.

21 He that pursues righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honour.

22 A wise man scales the city of powerful warriors, and throws down the power of its confidence.

23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

24 Prideful, arrogant scorner is his name, who deals in the wrath of the proud.

25 The desire of the lazy one kills him, for his hands refuse to work.

26 He lusts greedily all the day long, but the righteous gives and does not withhold.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is loathesome: how much more, when he brings it with an evil intention?

28 A false witness will perish, but the man who hears, he speaks forever.

29 A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he establishes his way.

30 There is no wisdom neither understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but salvation is from Yahweh.

Proverbs - Chapter 22

1 A name is to be chosen rather than abundant riches, grace and goodness rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and poor meet together; Yahweh is the maker of them all.

3 An insightful man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

4 By humility and the fear of Yahweh are riches, and honour, and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse: he that watches over his soul will be far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go, also when he is old, he will not depart from it.

7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He that sows perversion will reap iniquity; and the rod of his fury will fail.

9 He that has a good eye will be blessed; for he gives of his bread to the poor.

10 Throw out the scorner, and contention will leave; indeed, strife and shame will cease.

11 One who loves a pure heart, lips of grace, the king will be his friend.

12 The eyes of Yahweh guard knowledge, and he overthrows the words of the transgressor.

13 The lazy man says: 'There is a lion outside, I will be killed in the streets.'

14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is loathed by Yahweh will fall in it.

15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction will remove it far from him.

16 He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

17 Bow down your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge.

18 For it is pleasant if you keep them within your belly; they will be established together upon your lips.

19 For your trust to be in Yahweh, I have made known to you this day, even to you.

20 Have I not written to you perfect things in good advice and knowledge,

21 That I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth; that you might answer the words of truth to those who send to you?

22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor; neither oppress the afflicted at the gate.

23 For Yahweh will fight their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

24 Make no friendship with a husband of anger; and with a man of fury you will not go.

25 In case you learn his ways, and get a snare to your soul.

26 Do not be one of those who strike palms, or one of those who are guarantees for debts.

27 If you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

28 Do not move the ancient boundary, which your fathers have set.

29 Do you gaze upon a man skilful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before ordinary men.

Proverbs - Chapter 23

1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, carefully understand what is before you;

2 and put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceitful bread.

4 Do not labour to be rich, cease striving from your own understanding.

5 Will you set your eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle towards the heavens.

6 Do not eat the bread of him that has an evil eye, neither desire his delicacies;

7 for as he thinks in his soul, so is he: 'Eat and drink,' he says to you; but his heart is not with you.

8 The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up, and corrupt your pleasant words.

9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the perception to prosper of your words.

10 Do not move the ancient boundary; and do enter into the fields of the fatherless;

11 for their redeemer is strong; he will fight their cause with you.

12 Bring your heart for instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.

13 Do not withhold correction from the child, for if you beat him with the rod, he will not die.

14 You will beat him with the rod, and will deliver his soul from Sheol.

15 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad, even mine.

16 Indeed, my thoughts will rejoice, when your lips speak uprightly.

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, yet be in the fear of Yahweh all the day long.

18 For surely there is an end; and your expectation will not be cut off.

19 Hear you, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart in the way.

20 Do not be among drunkards, among greedy eaters of meat:

21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe a man with rags.

22 Listen to your father who fathered you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

24 The father of the righteous will rejoice exceedingly: and he that fathers a wise one will be gladdened by him.

25 Your father and your mother will be glad, and she who bore you will rejoice.

26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes keep my ways.

27 For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a foreign woman is a narrow well.

28 Surely she lies in wait as for a prey, and increases the transgressors among men.

29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has disputes? Who has babbling? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has redness of eyes?

30 Those who linger long at the wine; those who go to seek mixed wine.

31 Do not gaze upon the wine when it is richly red, when it swirls in the cup, when it goes around smoothly.

32 At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder.

33 Your eyes will gaze upon strange women, and your heart will speak perverse things.

34 Indeed, you will be as he that lies down in the heart of the sea, or as he that lies upon the head of a mast.

35 They have struck me, you will say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I did not feel it: when will I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Proverbs - Chapter 24

1 Do not be jealous of evil men, neither desire to be with them.

2 For their heart meditates on destruction, and their lips talk of trouble.

3 In wisdom a house is built; and with understanding it is established;

4 and by knowledge the rooms will be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is powerful in dominion; and a man of knowledge increases strength.

6 For by wise counsel you will make your war; and there is salvation in an abundance of counsellors.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the gate.

8 He that imagines to do evil will be called a man of schemes.

9 The thought of foolishness is sin; and a scorner is loathesome to men.

10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

11 If you withhold from delivering those who are carried away to death, and those that are ready to be slaughtered;

12 if you say, 'Look, we did not know this': does not he that weighs the heart consider it? And he that guards your soul, does he not know it? And will he not reward each man according to his works?

13 My son, eat honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste.

14 So will the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; when you have found it, then there will be a reward, and your expectation will not be cut off.

15 Do not in wait, wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; do not rob his resting place;

16 for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the evil will fall into affliction.

17 Do not be glad when your enemy falls, and let not your heart rejoice when he stumbles;

18 in case Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Do not enrage yourself because of evil men, neither be jealous of the wicked;

20 for there will be no reward for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 Fear Yahweh, my son, and the king; do not partner with those who are given to change.

22 For their calamity will rise suddenly; and the destruction of both of them, who knows?

23 These things also belong to the wise: to show partiality in justice is not good.

24 He that says to the wicked: 'You are righteous'; him the people will curse, nations will loathe him;

25 but to those who correct him, it will be pleasant, and a good blessing will come upon them.

26 Lip will kiss those who give a straight answers.

27 Prepare your work outside, and make it ready for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.

28 Do not be a witness against your neighbour without a reason; and do not deceive with your lips.

29 Do not say: 'I will do so to him as he has done to me; I will reward the man according to his work.'

30 I went by the field of the lazy one, and by the vineyard of the man lacking understanding;

31 And, behold, it was all overgrown with thorns, and nettles had covered its face, and its stone wall was broken down.

32 Then I looked, applying my heart, I gazed upon it, and received instruction.

33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34 so will your lack come as one who travels; and your poverty as an armed man.

Proverbs - Chapter 25

1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

2 It is the glory of Elohim to conceal a matter, but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there will come out a vessel for the refiner.

5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Do not honour yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.

7 For it is better that it is said to you: 'Come up here'; than that you should be put lower in the presence of the noble whom your eyes have seen.

8 Do not go out hastily to fight, in case you do not know what to do afterwards, when your neighbour has put you to shame.

9 Debate your case with your neighbour himself; and do not reveal the secret of another.

10 In case he that hears shows you mercy, and your slander is not rewarded.

11 A word well spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise correction upon a listening ear.

13 As the cold of snow at the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 Whoever boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 By length of patience is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

16 Have you found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for you, in case you are filled with it, and vomit it.

17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbour's house; in case he is filled up with you, and so hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbour is a club, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20 As he that takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, so is he that sings songs to a heart of affliction.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22 For you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and Yahweh will reward you.

23 The north wind brings piercing rain; a backbiting tongue brings furious faces.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a quarrelsome wife and in a wide house.

25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a soiled fountain, and a corrupted spring.

27 It is not good to eat an abundance of honey; and for men to search out their own glory is not glory.

28 He that has no restraint for his spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Proverbs - Chapter 26

1 As snow in summer, and as rain at harvest, so honour is not lovely for a fool.

2 As the bird for wandering, as the swallow for flying, so the curse without a reason will not come.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool's back.

4 Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, in case you are also like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, in case he is wise in his own eyes.

6 He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks violence.

7 The legs of the lame are weak; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8 As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.

9 As a thorn goes up to the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 The one who forms all things is abundant, and hires the fool, and rewards transgressors.

11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his foolishness.

12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 The lazy man says: 'There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.'

14 As the door turns upon its hinges, so does the lazy one upon his bed.

15 The lazy one hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 The lazy one is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that can answer with discretion.

17 He that passes by, and meddles in a fight not belonging to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.

18 As a mad man who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 so is the man who deceives his neighbour, and says: 'Wasn't I joking!'

20 Where there is a lack of wood, the fire goes out; so where there is no gossip, the strife ceases.

21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle a fight.

22 The words of a gossip are as delicacies, and they go down to the innermost parts of the belly.

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a clay covered with silver dross.

24 He that hates deceives with his lips, and stores up deceit within him;

25 when he speaks graciously, do not believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs - Chapter 27

1 Do not boast in tomorrow; for you do not know what a day may give birth.

2 Let a stranger praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

4 Wrath is cruel, and anger overflows; but who is able to stand before jealousy?

5 Open correction is better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds of one who loves; but the kisses of one who hates will multiply.

7 The full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

8 As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man that wanders from his place.

9 Oil and incense gladden the heart; and sweet is his friend with good advice for the soul.

10 Your own friend, and your father's friend, do not forsake; neither go to your brother's house in the day of your disaster; for better is one dwelling near than a brother far away.

11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that insults me.

12 An insightful man foresees the evil, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

13 Take his garment who is a guarantee for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a foreign woman.

14 He that blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be counted a curse to him.

15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike.

16 Whoever contains her, contains the wind, and oil with his right hand, which calls out.

17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the face of his friend.

18 Whoever guards the fig tree will eat its fruit; and he that watches over his master will be honoured.

19 As water reveals face to face, so a heart, the man to man.

20 Sheol and destruction are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

21 The refining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; and a man for the mouth of one praising.

22 Though you should grind a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

23 Be careful to know the face of your flocks, and set your heart to your herds.

24 For riches are not forever; and does the crown endure to every generation?

25 The grass is revealed, and tender grass appears, and plants of the mountains are gathered.

26 The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.

27 And you will have goats' milk for your food, for the food of your house, and life for your maidservants.

Proverbs - Chapter 28

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 With the transgression of a land, there are many princes, but a man of understanding knows how it will be established to last.

3 A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those keeping the law contend with them.

5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand all things.

6 Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his ways, although he is rich.

7 Whoever keeps the law is an understanding son, but one in the company of wild ones shames his father.

8 The one increasing his wealth by usury and unjust gain, he gathers it for the one who will be gracious to the poor.

9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer will be loathesome.

10 Whoever causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that has understanding searches it out.

12 When the righteous rejoice, there is abundant glory; but when the wicked rise, a man hides.

13 He that covers his transgressions will not prosper, but the one confessing and forsaking them will have compassion.

14 Blessed is the man that is always with fear; but he that hardens his heart will fall into affliction.

15 As a roaring lion, and a roaming bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

16 The prince who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor, but he that hates greedy gain will prolong his days.

17 A man oppressed with the blood of a soul will flee to the pit; do not take hold of him.

18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, but he that is perverse in his ways will fall at once.

19 He that works his land will have plenty of bread, but he that follows after the worthless will be filled with poverty.

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but those who hasten to be rich will not be found innocent.

21 To show partiality is not good, and for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22 He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye, yet does not know that lack will come to him.

23 He that corrects a man afterwards will find more grace than he that flatters with the tongue.

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says: 'It is no transgression'; he is a companion to the man of destruction.

25 A proud heart stirs up strife, but one trusting in Yahweh will be made fat.

26 He that trusts in his heart is a fool, but the one who walks in wisdom, he will be delivered.

27 He that gives to the poor will not lack, but he that hides his eyes: abundant curses.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Proverbs - Chapter 29

1 A man, being often corrected, hardens his neck, suddenly he will be broken, and without healing.

2 In the abundance of righteous ones, the people are glad; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.

3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father glad, but he that keeps company with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

4 The king by justice establishes the land, but he that receives gifts overthrows it.

5 A man that flatters his neighbour spreads a net for his steps.

6 With transgression an evil man sets a trap, but the righteous sing and rejoice.

7 The righteous knows the justice of the poor, but the wicked do not understand knowledge.

8 Scornful men make a snare for a city, but wise men turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rages or laughs, there is no rest.

10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, but the upright seek his soul.

11 A fool brings out all his wind; but a wise man keeps it in until afterwards.

12 If a ruler listens to false words, all his servants are wicked.

13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: Yahweh gives light to both their eyes.

14 The king that judges the poor in truth, his throne will be established forever.

15 The rod and correction give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame.

16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases: but the righteous will see their fall.

17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; indeed, he will give delight to your soul.

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keeps the law, he is blessed.

19 A servant will not be corrected by words, for though he understands he will not answer.

20 Do you see you a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 He that brings up his servant indulgently from childhood will have him become his son at the end.

22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a husband of fury abounds in transgression.

23 The pride of man will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will take hold of honour.

24 Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own soul: he hears cursing, and does not declare it.

25 The fear of man brings a snare, but the one trusting in Yahweh will be safe.

26 Many seek the ruler's presence; but the judgment of each one is with Yahweh.

27 A perverse man is loathesome to the righteous, and he that is straight in the way is loathesome to the wicked.

Proverbs - Chapter 30

1 The words of Agur the son of Yakeh, the prophetic burden which the man declared to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:

2 For I am more mindless than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man;

3 and I have not learned wisdom, but I know the knowledge of the holy.

4 Who has ascended up to heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell?

5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield to those who put their trust in him.

6 Do not add to his words, in case he corrects you, and you are found a liar.

7 Two things I have asked of you; do not deny me them before I die.

8 Remove far from me worthless futility and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food assigned for me:

9 in case I am full, and deceive, and say: 'Who is Yahweh?' Or in case I am poor, and steal, and abuse the name of my God.

10 Do not accuse not a servant to his master, in case he curses you, and you are found guilty.

11 There is a generation that curses their father, and does not bless their mother.

12 There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filth.

13 There is a generation, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up.

14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

15 The leach has two daughters, crying: 'Give, give.' There are three things which are never satisfied, indeed, four things which do not say: 'It is enough.'

16 Sheol and a barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water and fire, do not say: 'It is enough.'

17 The eye that mocks at his father, and despises to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out, and the young eagles will eat it.

18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, indeed, four which I do not know.

19 The way of an eagle in the heavens; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the heart of the sea; and the way of a man with a virgin.

20 This is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says: 'I have done no wickedness.'

21 For three things the earth shakes, and for four which it cannot bear.

22 For a servant when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with food;

23 for a hateful woman when she is married; and a maidservant that is heir to her mistress.

24 There are four things which are small upon the earth, but they are exceedingly wise.

25 The ants are not a powerful people, yet they prepare their food in the summer;

26 the hyrax are not a strong people, yet they place their houses in the rock;

27 the locusts have no king, yet they go out all of them by divisions;

28 the salamander skilfully takes hold with its hands, and is in kings' palaces.

29 There are three things which go well, indeed, four are majestic in going:

30 a young lion, powerful among animals, and does not turn not away from any;

31 a rooster ready to fight; a he-goat also; and a king with his troops.

32 In lifting yourself up, or if you have devised evil, laying a hand upon a mouth, surely you have acted the fool.

33 For the agitation of milk brings out butter, and the agitation of the nose brings out blood: so the agitation of wrath brings out strife.

Proverbs - Chapter 31

1 The words of King Lemuel, the prophetic burden with which his mother instructed him.

2 What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? And what, the son of my vows?

3 Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5 in case they drink, and forget the decreed law, and pervert justice for any of the children of the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink to those perishing, and wine to those of a bitter soul.

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his sorrow no more.

8 Open your mouth for the voiceless, for the justice of all the children of the disappeared.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the case of the poor and needy.

10 Who can find a powerful woman? For her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, so he will have no lack of spoil.

12 She will reward him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool, and flax, and works delightfully with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from far away.

15 And she rises while it is still night, and gives meat to her household, and a portion to her maidservants.

16 She considers a field, and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She clothes her loins with power, and strengthens her arms.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out by night.

19 She sends her hands to the spindle, and her palms take hold of the distaff.

20 She stretches out her palm to the poor; indeed, she sends out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid for her household because of the snow; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes fine linen, and sells it; and gives belts to the merchants.

25 Power and majesty are her clothing; and she will laugh in the day to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and the law of mercy is upon her tongue.

27 She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up, and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her.

29 Many daughters have done powerfully, but you are above them all.

30 False is the grace, and beauty is worthless: but a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised.

31 Give her from the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.

Song of Songs: the School of Lovers

Chapter 1

1 A Song of Songs, which is of Solomon.

2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for your love is better than wine.

3 Because of the fragrance of your good oils your name is as oil poured out, therefore the virgins love you.

4 Draw me away, we will run after you; the king has brought me to his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in you, we will remember your love more than wine; rightly they love you.

5 I am black, yet lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

6 Do not look upon me, because I am black, because the sun has looked upon me: the sons of my mother were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; the vineyard which is mine I have not kept.

7 Tell me, the one my soul loves, where do you feed, where do you lie down at midday: why should I be as one veiled by the flocks of your companions?

8 If you do not know, most beautiful among women, then go yourself in the footsteps of the flock, and feed your young goats by the dwellings of the shepherds.

9 To a mare among the chariots of Pharaoh, I have compared you, my love.

10 Your cheeks are lovely with adornments, your neck with chains of jewels.

11 We will make for you ornaments of gold with studs of silver.

12 While the king is at his table, my nard gives fragrance.

13 A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me; he will lie all night between my breasts.

14 My beloved is to me as a cluster of henns in the vineyards of En Gedi.

15 Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; you have doves' eyes.

16 Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, surely pleasant, surely our bed is green.

17 The beams of our house are cedar, the rafters of cypresses.

Song of Songs - Chapter 2

1 I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.

2 As the lily among thorns, so is my beloved among the daughters.

3 As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. In his shadow I delighted, and I sat down and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

4 He has brought me to the house of wine, and his banner over me is love.

5 Sustain me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples: for I am lovesick.

6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me.

7 I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, or by the hinds of the field, do not stir, nor awaken the love, until he desires.

8 The voice of my beloved: look, there he comes leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

9 I have compared my beloved to a gazelle or a young deer, the stag: behold, there he stands behind our wall, looking through the windows, peering through the lattices.

10 Turned my beloved, and said to me: 'Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

11 For, look, the winter is past, and the rain is over, it is gone.

12 The flowers appear on the earth; the season of the singing has come, and the voice of the dove is heard in our land.

13 The fig tree ripens her green figs, and the vines blossom, give fragrance. Arise, come my love, my beautiful one, and come away.

14 O my dove, in the cleft of the rock, in the secret place of ascent, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

15 Catch for us, the foxes, the little foxes, who spoil the vineyards, and our vineyards blossom.

16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feeds among the lilies.

17 Until dawn of the day, and flee away the shadows, turn, be like yourself, my beloved, as a gazelle or a young deer, the stag, upon the mountains of Bether.

Song of Songs - Chapter 3

1 On my bed at night, I searched for him, the one my soul loves, I searched for him, but I did not find him.

2 I will arise now and go about in the city, in the streets and in the broad ways, I will search for the one my soul loves, I searched for him but I did not find him.

3 The watchmen that go about the city found me; 'The one my soul loves, have you seen him?'

4 When I passed them by a little, I found the one my soul loves, I lay hold of him and did not let him go until I brought him into the house of my mother and to the room of her who conceived me;

5 I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the hinds of the field,

do not stir, or do not awaken, the love until he desires.

6 Who is this coming up from the wilderness? As pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, and all the powders of the merchant.

7 Behold, the bed of Solomon, sixty mighty men surrounding, of the mighty men of Israel.

8 All of them holding sword, trained in war, each has his sword on his side, for the terror in the night.

9 A carriage he made for himself, the King Solomon, from the wood of Lebanon;

10 its pillars are made of silver, its base gold, its seat purple, inside paved with love by the daughters of Jerusalem.

11 Go out and look, daughters of Zion, on King Solomon, with the crown with which his mother crowned him, on the day of his wedding, and the day of the gladness of his heart.

Song of Songs - Chapter 4

1 Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes doves from behind your veil, your hair is as a flock of goats, that rest upon mount Gilead.

2 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep that are newly shorn, which came up from the washing; which all bear twins, and none is barren among them.

3 Your lips are like a thread of scarlet, and your speech is lovely: your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate behind your veil.

4 Your neck is like the tower of David built for an armoury, a thousand shields hang on it, all the shields of mighty men.

5 Your two breasts are like two young deer that are twins, who feed among the lilies.

6 Until the dawn of the day and flee away the shadows, I will go myself to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense.

7 You are all beautiful, my love; there is no stain in you.

8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, with me from Lebanon: from the heights of Amana, from the heights of Senir and Hermon, from the dens of the lions, from the mountains of the leopards.

9 You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride, you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one chain of your neck.

10 How beautiful is your love, my sister-bride, how much better is you love than wine and the fragrance of your oils more than all spices.

11 Your lips, my bride, drip as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under your tongue; and the fragrance of your garments as the fragrance of Lebanon.

12 A garden locked is my sister, my bride; a spring locked, a fountain sealed.

13 The plants of your orchard are pomegranates, with excellent fruits of henna with nard;

14 nard and saffron; cane and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.

15 A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.

16 Awake, north wind; and come, south wind; blow upon my garden; let flow his spices, let come my beloved to his garden, and eat his excellent fruits.

Song of Songs - Chapter 5

1 I have come to my garden, my sister-bride, I have gathered my myrrh with my spices, I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey, I have drunk my wine with my milk, eat, friends and drink and drink deep beloved ones.

2 I am asleep but my heart is awake, the voice of my beloved knocking: 'Open to me my sister, my love, O my dove, my perfect one, for my head is full of dew, my locks, with the drops of the night.'

3 I have taken off my shirt, how can I put it on? I have washed my feet, how can I defile them?

4 My beloved sent his hand by the doorway and my depths sighed for him.

5 I rose to open for my beloved and my hand dripped myrrh and my fingers with myrrh over the handle of the lock.

6 I opened for my beloved but my beloved had fled away, my soul went out at his word, I searched for him but did not find him, I called to him but he did not answer.

7 The watchmen who go about the city found me, they struck me, they wounded me; they lifted my veil from me, the watchers of the walls.

8 I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, tell him that I am lovesick.

9 How is your beloved, more beloved, most beautiful among women? How is your beloved, more beloved, that you charge us so?

10 My beloved is bright and manly, marked among ten thousand.

11 His head as finest gold, his locks full, black as a raven.

12 His eyes as doves on streams of water, washed with milk, fitly set.

13 His cheeks a bed of spices, banks of scented herbs, his lips lilies, dripping myrrh over.

14 His hands rods of gold, filled with jewels, his body a plate of ivory overlaid with sapphires.

15 His legs are pillars of marble set upon bases of gold, his form as Lebanon choice cedars.

16 His mouth is most sweet, and all of him lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.

Song of Songs - Chapter 6

1 Where has you beloved gone most beautiful among women? Where has your beloved turned? And we will seek him with you.

2 My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices to feed in the gardens and gather lilies.

3 I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feeds among the lilies.

4 You are beautiful, my love, as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners.

5 Turn away your eyes from me, for they have overcome me: your hair is as a flock of goats that rest upon Mount Gilead.

6 Your teeth are as a flock of ewes which go up from the washing, each one bearing twins, and there is none one barren among them.

7 As a piece of a pomegranate are your temples behind your veil.

8 There are sixty queens, and eighty companions, and virgins without number.

9 One is she, my dove, my perfect one, one is she to her mother, the favourite of the one who bore, they saw her, the daughters and blessed her, the queens and companions, and they praised her.

10 Who is this looking down? As the dawn fair as the moon, pure as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?

11 To the garden of walnuts, I went down to see the fruits of the valley, to see if flower the vine, if budded the pomegranates.

12 I did not know my soul, set me as the chariots of my noble people.

Song of Songs - Chapter 7

1 Return, return, Shulamite; return, return, and we will gaze on you; what would you see in Shulamite? As the dance of two armies.

2 How beautiful are your steps in sandals, royal daughter, the curves of your thighs as jewels, the work of the hands of a skilful craftsman.

3 Your navel is like a round vessel, there is no lack of mixed wine, your waist, a heap of wheat surrounded by lilies.

4 Your two breasts are like two young deer that are twins.

5 Your neck as a tower of ivory, your eyes pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath Rabbim, your nose as a tower of Lebanon looking towards Damascus.

6 Your head upon you is like Carmel, and the hair of your head like purple; a king is held captive in the tresses.

7 How fair and how pleasant you are, love, with your delights!

8 This your stature is like to a palm tree, and your breasts as clusters of grapes.

9 I said: I will go up in the palm tree, I will lay hold of its branches: now also your breasts will be as clusters of the vine, and the fragrance of your breath as apples;

10 and your mouth as the best wine, flowing for my beloved, smoothly, moving, gently the lips of the sleepers.

11 I am my beloved's, and his desire is towards me.

12 Come, my beloved, let us go out to the field; let us stay in the villages.

13 Let us arise early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flowers, open the blossom, if bud the pomegranate, there I will give my love to you.

14 The mandrakes give fragrance and at our gates all excellent fruits, new and old, my beloved, I have stored for you.

Song of Songs - Chapter 8

1 Who can give you to me as a brother, nursed upon the breasts of my mother? If I should find you outside, I would kiss you, I would not be despised.

2 I would lead you, I would bring you into the house of my mother, who instructed me, I would cause you to drink of spiced wine from the juice of my pomegranate.

3 His left hand is under my head and his right hand embraces me.

4 I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, do not stir and do not awaken the love until he desires.

5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness? Leaning on her beloved, under the apple tree I awakened you, there your mother, she brought you forth, there she brought you forth, the one you gave you birth.

6 Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm, for strong as death, love, cruel as Sheol, jealousy, flaming coals of fire, flame of God.

7 Many waters cannot quench this love and the floods not wash away, if a man gives all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.

8 We have a little sister, and she has no breasts: what will we do for our sister in the day when she is spoken for?

9 If she is a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver, and if a door we will enclose her with boards of cedar.

10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then I became in his eyes as one who found peace.

11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon; he gave the vineyard to keepers, each to bring of its fruit a thousand pieces of silver.

12 My vineyard which is mine, before me, a thousand for you Solomon and two hundred for the keepers of its fruit.

13 Dwellers in the gardens, companions, listen for your voice: let me hear it.

14 Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young deer, the stag upon the mountains of spices.

Helpful Verses

The following scriptures are useful to meditate upon, memorise and decree.

1. 'I love you'

'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' John 3:16

2. 'You are forgiven'

'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' 1 John 1:9

3. 'I will give you wisdom'

'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask from God, who gives to all men generously, and without accusation, and it will be given to him.' James 1:5

4. 'You belong to me'

'You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is he who is in you, than he who is in the world.' 1 John 4:4

5. 'My grace is enough for you'

'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is brought to completion in weakness.' 1 Corinthians 12:9

6. 'I will provide for you'

'My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.' Philippians 4:19

7. 'I will give you rest'

'Come to me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28

8. 'My plan is greater'

'We know that all things work together into good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.' Romans 8:28

9. 'You are not alone'

'I will never leave you, nor forsake you.' Hebrews 13:5

10. 'You have overcome'

'For all born of God overcome the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.' 1 John 5:4

11. 'I give you peace'

'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.' Philippians 5:6

12. 'You are able'

'I have strength for all things in Christ, the one who empowers me.' Philippians 4:13

13. 'Do not worry'

'Do not let your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.' John 14:1

14. 'You have authority'

'Behold, I give to you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing will hurt you.' Luke 10:19

15. 'You are a child of God.'

'Behold, what manner of love the Father has granted us, that we should be called the children of God.' 1 John 3:1

16. 'Nothing is impossible'

'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' Matthew 19:26

17. 'I will guide you'

'Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.' Proverbs 3:5

18. 'You are secure'

'For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.' Romans 8:38

19. 'I am your joy'

'Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say: rejoice.' Philippians 4:4

20. 'I am your hope'

'Christ in you, the hope of glory.' Colossians 1:27

21. 'You are commissioned'

'Go therefore, and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and, behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Matthew 28:19

22. 'You are blessed'

'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ.' Ephesians 1:3

23. 'You are not condemned'

'Now then, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.' Romans 8:1

Salvation Prayer

'Heavenly Father, I come before you in the name of Jesus Christ.

I acknowledge that I am a sinner and I am sorry for the sins I have committed.

(Name whatever comes to mind)

I ask for your forgiveness for all my sins.

Father, I believe that your Son Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross and died for my sins, and I now choose to turn from all of them.

Your Word says that if I confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, I will be saved.

I confess Jesus Christ is my Saviour and Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. Thank you, Lord Jesus for dying for me, cleansing me and granting me the gift of everlasting life. Come Holy Spirit, fill me and lead me into a family of faith. Amen.'

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