that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.

And look, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."

The people were waiting for Zechariah, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.

When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.

It happened, when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, that the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For at that moment when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.

He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,

Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son.

Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.

It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zechariah, after the name of the father.

to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear,

Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.

It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.

It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the men, the shepherds, said one to another, "Let us go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the Law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.

He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the requirement of the Law,

Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had accomplished all things that were according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be doing the works of my Father?"

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say among yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father;' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire."

He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you."

added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff.

Demons also came out from many, crying out, and saying, "You are the Son of God." Rebuking them, he did not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.

When it was day, he departed and went into an uninhabited place, and the crowds looked for him, and came to him, and held on to him, so that he would not go away from them.

Now it happened, while the crowd pressed on him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.

They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.

It happened on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the Law sitting by, who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal.

The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (he said to the paralyzed man), "I tell you, arise, and take up your cot, and go to your house."

Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God.

Now it happened on a Sabbath that he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain, and ate, rubbing them in their hands.

But some of the Pharisees said to them, "Why do you do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?"

It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man there, and his right hand was withered.

The scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him.

It happened in these days, that he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God.

Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for look, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.

And why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Or how can you tell your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite. First remove the log from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye.

For there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit.

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 brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

But he who hears, and does not do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."

It happened soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain. His disciples, along with a large crowd, went with him.

In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.

Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

And suddenly, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment.

Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner."

It happened soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God. With him were the twelve,

He said, "To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables; that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'

Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.

That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and bring forth fruit with patience.

"No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light.

For nothing is hidden, that will not be revealed; nor anything secret, that will not be known and come to light.

Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever does not have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has."

Now it happened on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they launched out.

He said to them, "Where is your faith?" Being afraid they marveled, saying one to another, "Who is this, then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?"

They begged him that he would not command them to go into the abyss.

Now there was there a herd of many pigs feeding on the mountain, and they begged him that he would allow them to enter into those. He allowed them.

But the man from whom the demons had gone out begged him that he might go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,

But Jesus said, "Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me."

When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared to him in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

They were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead.

Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat.

As many as do not receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them."

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,

and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.

The day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said to him, "Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge, and get food, for we are here in a deserted place."

They ate, and were all filled. They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

It happened, as he was praying alone, that the disciples were with him, and he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"

They answered, "'John the Baptist,' but others say, 'Elijah,' and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again."

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God."

It happened about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray.

It happened, as they were parting from him, that Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah," not knowing what he said.

It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great crowd met him.

And suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he cries out, and it convulses him so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely.

But they did not understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem,

Then he said to them, "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.

Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you.

'Even the dust from your city that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the Kingdom of God is near.'

I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy 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 revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight."

Turning to the disciples, he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see,

for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them."

By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

On the next day, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, 'Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.'

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me."