"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has anointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to announce release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set oppressed people free,

"Once there was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and live in great luxury every day.

so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Now in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,

Just then an expert in the Law stood up to test Jesus. He asked, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God.

Now in those days an order was published by Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be registered.

Then Jesus said, "A man had two sons.

Then he told all of them, "If anyone wants to come with me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross every day, and follow me continuously,

One Sabbath, Jesus went to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal. The guests were watching Jesus closely.

Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been raised. As was his custom, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. When he stood up to read,

So all the people went to their hometowns to be registered.

Now as they were traveling along, Jesus went into a village. A woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.

Once Jesus was praying in a certain place. After he had finished, one of his disciples told him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."

Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray all the time and never give up.

Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned and told them,

Then Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan. He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him. So he went to the Pharisee's home and took his place at the table.

Since many people have attempted to write an orderly account of the events that have transpired among us,

After this, the Lord appointed 70 other disciples and was about to send them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place that he intended to go.

They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting old.

and the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."

Jesus kept saying, "Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they're doing." Then they divided his clothes among them by throwing dice.

But at early dawn on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.

"But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.

Give, and it will be given to you. A large quantity, pressed together, shaken down, and running over will be put into your lap, because you'll be evaluated by the same standard with which you evaluate others."

And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned.

But Jesus asked him, "Mister, who appointed me to be a judge or arbitrator over you people?"

When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence,

Then he took a loaf of bread, gave thanks, broke it in pieces, and handed it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Keep on doing this in memory of me."

Jesus also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves, thinking they were righteous, but who looked down on everyone else:

One day, as the crowd was pressing in on him to listen to God's word, Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.

Absolutely not, I tell you! But if you don't repent, then you, too, will all die.

When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him.

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as his own life, he can't be my disciple.

The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Jesus closely to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, in order to find a way of accusing him of doing something wrong.

Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.

Then he told them, "These are the words that I spoke to you while I was still with you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled."

On the same day, two of Jesus' followers were walking to a village called Emmaus, about 60 stadia from Jerusalem.

Jesus told him, "I tell you with certainty, today you will be with me in Paradise."

he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests.

Then someone in the crowd told him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me."

Stop being afraid, little flock, because your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners kept coming to listen to Jesus.

Or if he asks for an egg, would he give him a scorpion?

"We're wiping off your town's dust that clings to our feet in protest against you! But realize this: the kingdom of God is near!'

As Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it,

Jesus himself was about 30 years old when he began his ministry. He was (as legally calculated) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,

He answered, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbor as yourself."

Then Mary said, "My soul praises the greatness of the Lord!

I am sending to you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

At that time, some people who were there told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth,

and then repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Caesar Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, watching their flock during the night.

Then Jesus looked at his disciples and said, "How blessed are you who are destitute, because the kingdom of God is yours!

"I've come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already ablaze!

During the reign of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

"Why do you keep calling me "Lord, Lord,' but don't do what I tell you?

Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favor with God and his fellow man.

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and there will be distress on earth among the nations that are confused by the roaring of the sea and its waves.

Then Jesus returned to Galilee by the power of the Spirit. Meanwhile, the news about him spread throughout the surrounding country.

Look at my hands and my feet, because it's really me. Touch me and look at me, because a ghost doesn't have flesh and bones as you see that I have."

"Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has asked permission to sift all of you like wheat,

I tell you, on the last day it will be easier for Sodom than for that town!"

Then they began to discuss among themselves which one of them was going to do this.

When all the people had been baptized, Jesus, too, was baptized. While he was praying, heaven opened,

Then he told them, "Be careful to guard yourselves against every kind of greed, because a person's life doesn't consist of the amount of possessions he has."

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.

When the days grew closer for Jesus to be taken up to heaven, he was determined to continue his journey to Jerusalem.

Now about eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up on a mountain to pray.

Now Jesus was saying to the disciples, "A rich man had a servant manager who was accused of wasting his assets.

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come. He answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with a visible display.

Then, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them all the passages of Scripture about himself.

Whatever you want people to do for you, do the same for them.

Then his disciples began to ask him what this parable meant.

Every year Jesus' parents would go to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who keep asking him!"

One day, Jesus was traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee on the way to Jerusalem.

Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God's promises."

While they were all talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and told them, "Peace be with you."

So I say to you: Keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you,

Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice and said, "Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit." After he said this, he breathed his last.

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done."

Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be leveled. The crooked ways will be made straight, and the rough roads will be made smooth.

Today your Savior, the Lord Messiah, was born in the City of David.

"Then the other servant came and said, "Sir, look! Here's your coin. I've kept it in a cloth for safekeeping

But the crowds found out about this and followed him. He welcomed them and began to speak to them about the kingdom of God and to heal those who needed healing.

After this, Jesus traveled from one city and village to another, preaching and spreading the good news about God's kingdom. The Twelve were with him,

But the synagogue leader, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, told the crowd, "There are six days when work is to be done. So come on those days to be healed, and not on the Sabbath day."

He told them, "This is how it is written: the Messiah was to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

Then an official asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Look! I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to destroy all the enemy's power, and nothing will ever hurt you.

"Stop judging, and you'll never be judged. Stop condemning, and you'll never be condemned. Forgive, and you'll be forgiven.

Soon afterwards, Jesus went to a city called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were going along with him.

Now it was in those days that Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in prayer to God.

After the men had done this, they caught so many fish that the nets began to tear.

But Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he told the man with the paralyzed hand, "Get up, and stand in the middle of the synagogue." So he got up and stood there.

Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?"

After careful consideration, Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of bandits. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.

Then the angel told them, "Stop being afraid! Listen! I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.

Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus.

Later on, Mary set out for a Judean city in the hill country.

They will fall by the edge of the sword and be carried off as captives among all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the unbelievers until the times of the unbelievers are fulfilled."

After Jesus had said this, he traveled on and went up to Jerusalem.

So he told them, "Whenever you pray you are to say, "Father, may your name be kept holy. May your kingdom come.

But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens."

and the Holy Spirit descended on him, appearing in the form of a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you!"

But the servant who did things that deserved a beating without knowing it will receive a light beating. Much will be required from everyone to whom much has been given. But even more will be demanded from the one to whom much has been entrusted."

because I, too, am a man under authority and have soldiers under me. I say to one "Go' and he goes, to another "Come' and he comes, and to my servant "Do this' and he does it."

Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long.

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel! He has taken care of his people and has set them free.

It will be easier for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you!

"Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to people who enjoy his favor!"

He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God.

No one would give him anything, even though he would gladly have filled himself with the husks the pigs were eating.

Any man who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery."

He told them, "I watched Satan falling from heaven like lightning.

When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,

John replied to all of them, "I'm baptizing you with water, but one is coming who is more powerful than I, and I'm not worthy to untie his sandal straps. It is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

"But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even look up to heaven. Instead, he continued to beat his chest and said, "O God, be merciful to me, the sinner that I am!'

He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant sealed by my blood, which is being poured out for you.

They landed in the region of the Gerasenes, which is just across the lake from Galilee.

"When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then understand that its devastation is approaching.

Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place, along with many of his disciples and a large gathering of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon.

People won't be saying, "Look! Here it is!' or "There it is!' because now the kingdom of God is among you."

The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!"

Now when the hour came, Jesus took his place at the table, along with his apostles.

"Just as it was in Noah's time, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man.

As they were listening to this, Jesus went on to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and because the people thought that the kingdom of God would appear immediately.

Then Jesus told them, "O, how foolish you are! How slow you are to believe everything the prophets said!

Except for this foreigner, were any of them found to return and give praise to God?"

When he came closer and saw the city, he began to grieve over it:

So if you will worship me, all this will be yours."

Then the angel told her, "Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God.

The 70 disciples came back and joyously reported, "Lord, even the demons are submitting to us in your name!"

"One day, the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.

After eight days had passed, the infant was circumcised and named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

"Constantly be on your guard so that your hearts will not be loaded down with self-indulgence, drunkenness, and the worries of this life, or that day will take you by surprise

and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no place for them in the guest quarters.

Then he told them, "But now whoever has a wallet must take it along, and his traveling bag, too. And the one who has no sword must sell his coat and buy one.

Rather, love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind even to ungrateful and evil people.

"Watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.

Then he told them a parable. He said, "The land of a certain rich man produced good crops.

After Jesus had finished saying all these things to the people who were there listening, he went to Capernaum.

Now a man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. This man was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

just as they were passed down to us by those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning,

Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with very little is also dishonest with a lot.

"You must keep your belts fastened and your lamps burning.

Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen, since I have not had relations with a man?"

Then he opened their minds so that they might understand the Scriptures.

Jesus replied, "The things that are impossible for people are possible for God."

One day, while Jesus was praying privately and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"

So be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to take your stand in the presence of the Son of Man."

At that moment, the Holy Spirit made Jesus extremely joyful, so Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from wise and intelligent people and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this is what was pleasing to you.

"No servant can serve two masters, because either he will hate one and love the other, or be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and wealth!"

Then Jesus told his disciples, "That's why I'm telling you to stop worrying about your life what you will eat or about your body what you will wear,

"The Law and the Prophets remained until John. Since then, the good news about the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone entering it is under attack.

Meanwhile, the child continued to grow and to become strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God's favor rested upon him.

After that, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax collector's desk. He told him, "Follow me!"

Jesus told his disciples, "It is inevitable that temptations to sin will come, but how terrible it will be for the person through whom they come!

In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don't need to repent."

Then he told the man, "Get up, and go home! Your faith has made you well."

Now an argument sprang up among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

So he instructed them, "The harvest is vast, but the workers are few. So ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers out into his harvest.

Then Jesus asked them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do evil on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?"

You know the commandments: "Never commit adultery. Never murder. Never steal. Never give false testimony. Honor your father and mother.'"

One day, Jesus and his disciples got into a boat. He told them, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they started out.

In the afterlife, where he was in constant torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus by his side.

As they led Jesus away, they grabbed Simon, a man from Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country, and they put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.

Others, wanting to test Jesus, kept asking him for a sign from heaven.

He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord."

I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Now one of the criminals hanging there kept insulting him, "You are the Messiah, aren't you? Save yourself"and us!"

Now some people were even bringing their infants to Jesus to have him touch them. But when the disciples saw this, they sternly told the people not to do that.

The person who listens to you listens to me, and the person who rejects you rejects me. The person who rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

One day, as Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of the Law happened to be sitting nearby. The people had come from every village in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was present to heal them.

Jesus answered him, "It is written, "One must not live on bread alone, but on every word of God.'"

Now one of those eating with him heard this and told him, "How blessed is the person who will eat in the kingdom of God!"

That servant who knew what his master wanted but didn't prepare himself or do what was wanted will receive a severe beating.

Now Anna, a prophetess, was also there. She was a descendant of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage,

Now Jesus looked up and saw rich people dropping their gifts into the offering box.

Then they asked each other, "Our hearts kept burning within us as he was talking to us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us, didn't they?"

"But I tell you, my friends, never be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can't do anything more.

Then he left and went to the Mount of Olives, as usual. The disciples went with him.

Meanwhile, the people had gathered by the thousands and were trampling on one another. Jesus began to speak first to his disciples. "Watch out for the yeast that is, the hypocrisy of the Pharisees!

A good person produces good from the good treasure of his heart, and an evil person produces evil from an evil treasure, because the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart."

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. He will first sit down and estimate the cost to see whether he has enough money to finish it, won't he?

"Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is approaching."

Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words won't ever disappear."

One time Jesus was walking through some grain fields on a Sabbath. His disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.

Then he told them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, "Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread.

Then the apostles told the Lord, "Give us more faith!"

In the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions."

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found this kind of faith!"

However, stop rejoicing because the spirits are submitting to you. Instead, rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak.

The Lord replied to him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey and lead it out of its stall to give it some water?

He went there to be registered with Mary, who had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant.

Later, he led them out as far as Bethany, lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

So he began to think to himself, "What should I do, since I have no place to store my crops?'

While they were walking along the road, a man told him, "I will follow you wherever you go."

because I was afraid of you. You are a hard man. You withdraw what you didn't deposit and harvest what you didn't plant.'

Then Mary said, "Truly I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you have said happen to me." Then the angel left her.

Jesus told him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

When the days of his service were over, he went home.

It was already about noon, and the whole land became dark until three in the afternoon

the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Jesus, however, called for the children and said, "Let the little children come to me, and stop keeping them away, because the kingdom of God belongs to people like these.

But he told them, "I have to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God in other cities, because I was sent to do that also."

The Devil also took him to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant.

Then he went on to plead, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!"

John would say to the crowds that were coming out to be baptized by him, "You children of serpents! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

"This is what the Lord did for me when he looked favorably on me and took away my public disgrace."

"How terrible it will be for you Pharisees! You give a tenth of your mint, spices, and every kind of herb, but you neglect justice and the love of God. These are the things you should have practiced, without neglecting the others.

But the man wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby jumped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit

But as for these enemies of mine who didn't want me to be their king bring them here and slaughter them in my presence!'"

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all of them were wondering if John was perhaps the Messiah.

"How terrible it will be for those women who are pregnant or who are nursing babies in those days! because there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.

And you, Capernaum! You won't be lifted up to heaven, will you? You'll go down to Hell!

In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like large drops of blood falling on the ground.

Then the day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread came, on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed.

Everyone will see the salvation that God has provided.'"

However, it is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for one stroke of a letter in the Law to be dropped.

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near.

The Devil also took him into Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the Temple. He told Jesus, "Since you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,

Then Jesus taught in one town and village after another as he made his way to Jerusalem.

The apostles came back and told Jesus everything they had done. Then he took them away with him privately to a city called Bethsaida.

It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.

"But I tell you, the Son of Man will acknowledge before God's angels everyone who acknowledges me before people.

In the same way, I tell you that there is joy in the presence of God's angels over one sinner who repents."

"Sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves wallets that don't wear out a dependable treasure in heaven, where no thief can get close and no moth can destroy anything.

Jesus was driving a demon out of a man who was unable to talk. When the demon had gone out, the man began to speak, and the crowds were amazed.

as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and illnesses: Mary, also called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;

So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats until the boats began to sink.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones to death those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you people were unwilling!

One day, while Jesus was in one of the cities, a man covered with leprosy saw Jesus and fell on his face, begging him, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean."

He asked them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?"

As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away to the neighboring villages and farms so they can rest and get some food, because we are here in a deserted place."

After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. She said,

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

At that hour some Pharisees came and told Jesus, "Leave and get away from here, because Herod wants to kill you!"

but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail. When you have come back, you must strengthen your brothers."

so they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you're right in what you say and teach, and that you don't favor any individual, but teach the way of God truthfully.

Joseph, too, went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the City of David (called Bethlehem), because he was a descendant of the household and family of David.

Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "Pay attention! We're going up to Jerusalem. Everything written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled,

Now while some people were talking about the Temple how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God he said,

Then Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and began teaching the people on Sabbath days.

So he told them, "You try to justify yourselves in front of people, but God knows your hearts, because what is highly valued by people is detestable to God.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled, as you've heard it read aloud."

Do you think that I came to bring peace on earth? Not at all, I tell you, but rather division!

If I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own followers drive them out? That is why they will be your judges!

"Suppose one of you has 100 sheep and loses one of them. He leaves the 99 in the wilderness and looks for the one that is lost until he finds it, doesn't he?

Now some Sadducees, who claim there is no resurrection, came to Jesus

Now as the crowds continued to throng around Jesus, he went on to say, "This people living today are an evil generation. It craves a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah,

But he told them, "You give them something to eat." They replied, "We have nothing more than five loaves of bread and two fish unless we go and buy food for all these people."

When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.

He told them, "Keep on struggling to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you that many people will try to enter, but won't be able to do so.

Stay with the same family, eating and drinking whatever they provide, because the worker deserves his pay. Don't move from house to house.

Whoever doesn't carry his cross and follow me can't be my disciple.

"Or suppose a woman has ten coins and loses one of them. She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds it, doesn't she?

"Now this is what the parable means. The seed is God's word.

The others were furious and began to discuss with each other what they could do to Jesus.

He looked around at all of them and then told the man, "Hold out your hand." The man did so, and his hand was restored to health.

"Then Abraham told him, "If your brothers do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, even if someone were to rise from the dead.'"

I'll show you the one you should be afraid of. Be afraid of the one who has the authority to throw you into hell after killing you. Yes, I tell you, be afraid of him!

Now while a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from every city, he said in a parable:

Then the master told the servant, "Go out into the streets and the lanes and make the people come in, so that my house may be full.

Then the whole crowd got up and took him to Pilate.

Then he told the man who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, stop inviting only your friends, brothers, relatives, or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return and you would be repaid.

Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

That's the way it is with you. When you have done everything you were ordered to do, say, "We are worthless servants. We have done only what we ought to have done.'"

Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant in perfect health.

But some of them said, "He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons."

because it is written, "God will put his angels in charge of you to watch over you carefully.

So he released the man who had been put in prison for revolt and murder the man whose release they continued to demand but he let them have their way with Jesus.

The official replied, "I have kept all of these since I was a young man."

Then he said, "This is what I'll do. I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and I'll store all my grain and goods in them.

Since he knew what they were thinking, he told them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is devastated, and a divided household collapses.

As they came near the village where the two men were headed, Jesus acted as though he were going farther.

Now there were about 5,000 men. So he told his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about 50."

The ax already lies against the roots of the trees. So every tree not producing good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire."

When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who were invited, "Come! Everything is now ready.'

Matthew, Thomas, James (the son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the Zealot),

Even as he was saying this, all of his opponents were blushing with shame. But the rest of the crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things he was doing.

As he approached the entrance to the city, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her.

Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant.

But you are not to do so. On the contrary, the greatest among you should become like the youngest, and the one who leads should become like the one who serves.

But when the official heard this he became sad, because he was very rich.

He was always trying to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs used to come and lick his sores.

That's how it is with the person who stores up treasures for himself rather than with God."

The king told him, "I will judge you by your own words, you evil servant! You knew, did you, that I was a hard man, and that I withdraw what I didn't deposit and harvest what I didn't plant?

Indeed, it's easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God."

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed them. Then he broke the loaves in pieces and kept giving them to the disciples to pass on to the crowd.

When the Lord saw her, he felt compassion for her. He told her, "You can stop crying."

Every single one of them began asking to be excused. The first told him, "I bought a field, and I need to go out and inspect it. Please excuse me.'

A beggar named Lazarus, who was covered with sores, was brought to his gate.

Then why didn't you put my money in the bank? When I returned, I could have collected it with interest.'

But first he must suffer a great deal and be rejected by those living today.

With their hands they will hold you up, so that you will never hit your foot against a rock.'"

They did this and got all of them seated.

Now, if Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul.

If anyone asks you why you are untying it, say this: "The Lord needs it.'"

because Simon and all the people who were with him were amazed at the number of fish they had caught,

Instead, be concerned about his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you as well.

The crowds kept asking him, "What, then, should we do?"

Consider the crows. They don't plant or harvest, they don't even have a storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds!

All of them ate and were filled. When they collected the leftover pieces, there were twelve baskets.

It's like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."

But they strongly urged him, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the daylight is nearly gone." So he went in to stay with them.

Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,

After the Devil had finished tempting Jesus in every possible way, he left him until another time.

Even some tax collectors came to be baptized. They asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?"

Now if that's the way God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and thrown into an oven tomorrow, how much more will he clothe you you who have little faith?

By chance, a priest was traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he went by on the other side.

Then Jesus told Simon, "Stop being afraid. From now on you will be catching people." So when they brought the boats to shore, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Then he went up and touched the bier, and the men who were carrying it stopped. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"

Judas (the son of James), and Judas Iscariot (who became a traitor).

So if you can't do a small thing like that, why worry about other things?

"So the king told those standing nearby, "Take the coin away from him and give it to the man who has the ten coins.'

Then turning to his disciples in private, he told them, "How blessed are the eyes that see what you see!

"So the servant went back and reported all this to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and told his servant, "Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring back the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.'

So Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do want to. Be clean!" Instantly the leprosy left him.

The entire crowd was trying to touch him, because power was coming out from him and healing all of them.

Because I tell you, many prophets and kings wanted to see the things you see but didn't see them, and to hear the things you hear but didn't hear them."

The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment and condemn the people living today, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. But look, something greater than Jonah is here!"

Then his son told him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and you. I don't deserve to be called your son anymore.'

"You are the ones who have always stood by me in my trials.

Can any of you add an hour to the length of your life by worrying?

Consider how the lilies grow. They don't work or spin yarn, but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.