Then he said to them: "Go into all the world, and proclaim the Good News to all creation.

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who refuses to believe will be condemned.

"The time has come, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the Good News."

After John had been committed to prison, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God--

Moreover these signs shall attend those who believe. In my Name they shall drive out demons; they shall speak with 'tongues';

The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ.

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.'

For even the Son of Man came, not be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

"The first," answered Jesus, "is--'Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is the one Lord;

After his rising again, early on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first of all to Mary of Magdala, from whom he had driven out seven demons.

When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought some spices, so that they might go and anoint the body of Jesus.

Then came up one of the Teachers of the Law who had heard their discussions. Knowing that Jesus had answered them wisely, he asked him this question: "What is the first of all the commandments?"

Some days later, when Jesus came back to Capernaum, the news spread that he was in a house there;

If your hand proves a snare to you, cut it off. It would be better for you to enter the Life maimed, than to have both your hands and go into the Pit, into the inextinguishable fire.

And, as Jesus was resuming his journey, a man came running up to him, and threw himself on his knees before him. "Good Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to gain Immortal Life?"

And therefore I say to you 'Have faith that whatever you ask for in prayer is already granted you, and you will find that it will be.'

Calling the people and his disciples to him, Jesus said: "If any man wishes to walk in my steps, let him renounce self, take up his cross, and follow me.

Now about that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

They seized upon these words and discussed with one another what this 'rising from the dead' meant.

Why say 'possibly'?" Jesus replied. "Everything is possible for one who has faith."

Then Jesus added: "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath;

In the evening of the same day, Jesus said to them: "Let us go across."

But about 'That Day,' or 'The Hour,' no one knows--not even the angels in Heaven, nor yet the Son--but only the Father.

Some of the people were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them; but the disciples found fault with those who had brought them.

And they came to the other side of the Sea--the country of the Gerasenes;

One day the Pharisees and some of the Teachers of the Law who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus.

What good is it to a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?

Afterwards Jesus and his disciples went into the villages round Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples this question-- "Who do people say that I am?"

And, if the woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she is guilty of adultery."

Is not he the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters, too, living here among us?" This proved a hindrance to their believing in him;

But, at the beginning of the Creation, God 'made them male and female.'

They came to Jericho. When Jesus was going out of the town with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road-side.

He will himself show you a large upstairs room, set out ready; and there make preparations for us."

And to the people he said: "Is it allowable to do good on the Sabbath--or harm? to save a life, or destroy it?"

And, at three, Jesus called out loudly: ??Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani?'" which means 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain alone by themselves. There his appearance was transformed before their eyes,

While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and, after saying the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: "Take it; this is my body."

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo much suffering, and that he must be rejected by the Councillors, and the Chief Priests, and the Teachers of the Law, and be put to death, and rise again after three days.

So the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God.

Some fell on rocky ground, where it had not much soil, and, having no depth of soil, sprang up at once;

There were about four thousand people. Then Jesus dismissed them.

For it is from within, out of the hearts of men, that there come evil thoughts--unchastity, theft, murder, adultery,

On leaving that place, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And he went into a house, and did not wish anyone to know it, but could not escape notice.

When, however, Jesus saw this, he was indignant. "Let the little children come to me," he said, "do not hinder them; for it is to the childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs.

And, whenever you stand up to pray, forgive any grievance that you have against any one, that your Father who is in Heaven also may forgive you your offenses."

Then Jesus sat down opposite the chests for the Temple offerings, and watched how the people put money into them. Many rich people were putting in large sums;

Whoever is ashamed of me and of my teaching, in this unfaithful and wicked generation, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his Father's Glory with the holy angels."

"Have faith in God!" replied Jesus.

In the morning, long before daylight, Jesus rose and went out, and, going to a lonely spot, there began to pray.

When they had almost reached Jerusalem, as far as Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent on two of his disciples.

When the Apostles came back to Jesus, they told him all that they had done and all that they had taught.

Jesus again began to teach by the Sea; and, as an immense crowd was gathering round him, he got into a boat, and sat in it on the Sea, while all the people were on the shore at the water's edge.

And they walked into Capernaum. On the next Sabbath Jesus went into the Synagogue and began to teach.

One day a leper came to Jesus and, falling on his knees, begged him for help. "If only you are willing," he said, "you are able to make me clean."

And in fulfillment of this, John the Baptizer appeared in the Wilderness, proclaiming a baptism upon repentance, for the forgiveness of sins.

"I tell you," he added, "that some of those who are standing here will not know death till they have seen the Kingdom of God come in power."

Jesus at once called them, and they left their father Zebediah in the boat with the crew, and went after him.

As soon as they had come out from the Synagogue, they went, with James and John, into the house of Simon and Andrew.

I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

They shall take up serpents in their hands; and, if they drink any poison, it shall not hurt them; they will place their hands on sick people and they shall recover."

On leaving that place, Jesus, followed by his disciples, went to his own part of the country.

"I tell you that if any one should say to this hill 'Be lifted up and hurled into the sea!', without ever a doubt in his mind, but in the faith that what he says will be done, he would find that it would be.

They left their nets at once, and followed him.

Presently some Pharisees came up and, to test him, asked: "Has a husband the right to divorce his wife?"

And he said: "Any one who divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of adultery against his wife;

It was now two days before the Festival of the Passover and the Unleavened bread. The Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law were looking for an opportunity to arrest Jesus by stealth, and to put him to death;

James and John, the two sons of Zebediah, went to Jesus, and said: "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask."

It is said in the Prophet Isaiah--'Behold! I send my Messenger before thy face; He shall prepare thy way.'

When Jesus was still at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, while he was at table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of choice spikenard perfume of great value. She broke the jar, and poured the perfume on his head.

These men came to him and said: "Teacher, we know that you are an honest man, and are not afraid of any one, for you pay no regard to a man's position, but teach the Way of God honestly; are we right in paying taxes to the Emperor, or not?

By the time Jesus had re-crossed in the boat to the opposite shore, a great number of people had gathered to meet him, and were standing by the Sea.

As Jesus was walking out of the Temple Courts, one of his disciples said to him: "Teacher, look what fine stones and buildings these are!"

His answer was: "It was well said by Isaiah when he prophesied about you hypocrites in the words--'This is a people that honor me with their lips, While their hearts are far removed from me;

He called the Twelve to him, and began to send them out as his Messengers, two and two, and gave them authority over foul spirits.

And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent apart, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him,

As soon, however, as you see 'the Foul Desecration' standing where he ought not" (the reader must consider what this means) "then those of you who are in Judea must take refuge in the mountains;

On the first day of the Festival of the Unleavened bread, when it was customary to kill the Passover lambs, his disciples said to Jesus: "Where do you wish us to go and make preparations for your eating the Passover?"

As soon as it was daylight, the Chief Priests, after holding a consultation with the Councillors and Teachers of the Law--that is to say, the whole High Council--put Jesus in chains, and took him away, and gave him up to Pilate.

"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons by using your name, and we tried to prevent him, because he did not follow us."

On leaving that place, Jesus went into the district of Judea on the other side of the Jordan. Crowds gathered about him again; and again, as usual, he began teaching them.

As Jesus was going along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the Sea, for they were fishermen.

One Sabbath, as Jesus was walking through the cornfields, his disciples began to pick the ears of wheat as they went along.

So the disciples set out and went into the city, and found everything just as Jesus had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

Jesus also said: "This is what the Kingdom of God is like-- like a man who has scattered seed on the ground,

"How is it," they asked Jesus, "that our Teachers of the Law say that Elijah has to come first?"

They came to Jerusalem. Jesus went into the Temple Courts, and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of the pigeon-dealers,

but whoever slanders the Holy Spirit remains unforgiven to the end; he has to answer for an enduring sin."

Jesus looked at the man, and his heart went out to him, and he said: "There is still one thing wanting in you; go and sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall heave wealth in Heaven; then come and follow me."

On another occasion Jesus went in to a Synagogue, where they was a man whose hand was withered.

And Jesus began to speak to them in parables: "A man once planted a vineyard, put a fence round it, dug a wine-press, built a tower, and then let it out to tenants and went abroad.

Going on a little further, he saw James, Zebediah's son, and his brother John, who also were in their boat mending the nets.

"Abba, Father," he said, "all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me; yet, not what I will, but what thou willest."

Presently they came to a garden known as Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples "Sit down here while I pray."

They came to Bethsaida. There some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and begged him to touch him.

But they set out, and made the proclamation everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Message by the signs which attended it.

In those days, after that time of distress, 'the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give her light,

There were some women also watching from a distance, among them being Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James the Little and of Joseph, and Salome--

And, if any one puts a snare in the way of one of these lowly ones who believe in me, it would be far better for him if he had been thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck.

Afterwards they sent to Jesus some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to set a trap for him in the course of conversation.

Now King Herod heard of Jesus; for his name had become well known. People were saying--"John the Baptizer must have risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are active in him."

Immediately afterwards the Spirit drove Jesus out into the Wilderness;

And Jesus made his way up the hill, and called those whom he wished; and they went to him.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man: "Child, your sins are forgiven."

And his mother and his brothers came, and stood outside, and sent to ask him to come to them.

Hearing this, Jesus said: "It is not those who are in health that need a doctor, but those who are ill. I did not come to call the religious, but the outcast."

The second is this--'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thou dost love thyself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Later on, he made himself known to the Eleven themselves as they were at a meal, and reproached them with their want of faith and their stubbornness, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen from the dead.

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a great crowd round them, and some Teachers of the Law arguing with them.

Immediately afterwards, getting into the boat with his disciples, Jesus went to the district of Dalmanutha.

But, when the sun rose, it was scorched, and, having no root, withered away.

Jesus looked at them, and answered: "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for everything is possible with God."

The next day, after they had left Bethany, Jesus became hungry;

But vainly do they worship me, For they teach but the precepts of men.'

But Jesus called the ten to him, and said: "Those who are regarded as ruling among the Gentiles lord it over them, as you know, and their great men oppress them.

Immediately afterwards Jesus made his disciples get into the boat, and cross over in advance, in the direction of Bethsaida, while he himself was dismissing the crowd.

In the course of his teaching, Jesus said: "See that you are on your guard against the Teachers of the Law, who delight to walk about in long robes, and to be greeted in the streets with respect,

The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught them like one who had authority, and not like the Teachers of the Law.

And he said: "To you the hidden truth of the Kingdom of God has been imparted; but to those who are outside it all teaching takes the form of parables, that--

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, and whoever, for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, will lose his life shall save it.

"I tell you," said Jesus, "there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or land, on my account and on account of the Good News,

And they led Jesus out to crucify him; and they compelled a passer-by, Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them to carry his cross.

Leaving that place, Jesus and his disciples went on their way through Galilee; but he did not wish any one to know it,

And alas for the women that are with child, and for those that are nursing infants in those days!

The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

On returning from the district of Tyre, Jesus went, by way of Sidon, to the Sea of Galilee, across the district of the Ten Towns.

"Do not be dismayed; you are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified; he has risen, he is not here! Look! Here is the place where they laid him.

And a man on the house-top must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house:

And the Teachers of the Law, who had come down from Jerusalem, said: "He has Baal-zebub in him, and he drives the demons out by the help of Baal-zebub, their chief."

And he appointed twelve--whom he also named 'Apostles'--that they might be with him, and that he might send them out as his Messengers, to preach,

They came to Capernaum. When Jesus had gone into the house, he asked them: "What were you discussing on the way?"

Pray, too, that this may not occur in winter.

But Jesus rebuked the spirit: "Be silent! Come out from him."

The boy's father immediately cried out: "I have faith; help my want of faith!"

And, noticing a fig-tree at a distance in leaf, he went to it to see if by any chance he could find something on it; but, on coming up to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.

The evening had already fallen, when, as it was the Preparation Day--the day before the Sabbath--

Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were keeping a fast, and people came and asked Jesus: "Why is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, while yours do not?"

Meanwhile a woman who for twelve years had suffered from hemorrhage,

One day, when they were on their way, going up to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in front of the Apostles, who were filled with misgivings; while those who were following behind were alarmed. Gathering the Twelve round him once more, Jesus began to tell them what was about to happen to him.

"Why do you call me good?" answered Jesus. "No one is good but God.

For false Christs and false Prophets will arise, and display signs and marvels, to lead astray, were it possible, even God's People.

"Come and follow me," Jesus said, "and I will set you to fish for men."

Being, however, unable to get him near to Jesus, owing to the crowd, they removed the roofing below which Jesus was; and, when they had made an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.

At midday, a darkness came over the whole country, lasting till three in the afternoon.

About that time, when there was again a great crowd of people who had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him, and said:

But Jesus remained silent, and made no answer. A second time the High Priest questioned him. "Are you," he asked, "the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"

Wisely do you set aside God's commandments," he exclaimed, "to keep your own traditions!

"I am," replied Jesus, "and you shall all see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Almighty; and 'coming in the clouds of heaven'."

You neglect God's commandments and hold to the traditions of men.

They dressed him in a purple robe, and, having twisted a crown of thorns, put it on him,

"Elijah does indeed come first," answered Jesus, "and re-establish everything; and does not Scripture speak, with regard to the Son of Man, of his undergoing much suffering and being utterly despised?

Should we pay, or should we not pay?" Knowing their hypocrisy, Jesus said to them: "Why are you testing me? Bring me a florin to look at."

The soldiers then took Jesus away into the court-yard--that is the Government House--and they called the whole garrison together.

But they were to wear sandals, and not to put on a second coat.

Shrieking out in a loud voice: "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? For God's sake do not torment me!"

And the fame of Jesus spread at once in all directions, through the whole neighborhood of Galilee.

And, when they had brought it, he asked: "Whose head and title are these?" "The Emperor's," they said;

But I tell you that Elijah has come, and people have treated him just as they pleased, as Scripture says of him."

Nor must one who is on his farm turn back to get his cloak.

Immediately on leaving the Synagogue, the Pharisees and the Herodians united in laying a plot against Jesus, to put him to death.

You say 'If a man says to his father or mother "Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is Korban"' (which means 'Given to God')--

Why, then you do not allow him to do anything further for his father or mother!

In the evening he went there with the Twelve,

The foul spirit threw the man into a fit, and with a loud cry came out from him.

Some fell into good soil, and, shooting up and growing, yielded a return, amounting to thirty, sixty, and even a hundred fold."

And would not allow any one to carry anything across the Temple Courts.

"Teacher," he replied, "I have observed all these from my childhood."

Jesus went up to her and, grasping her hand, raised her up; the fever left her, and she began to wait upon them.

Now Simon's mother-in-law was lying ill with fever, and they at once told Jesus about her.

And, had not the Lord put a limit to those days, not a single soul would escape; but, for the sake of God's own chosen People, he did limit them.

For Jesus had said: "Come out from the man, you foul spirit."

So, addressing the tree, he exclaimed: "May no man ever again eat of your fruit!" And his disciples heard what he said.

Sighing deeply, Jesus said: "Why does this generation ask for a sign? I tell you, no sign shall be given it."

And, wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth, and he is pining away. I asked your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they failed."

Some of the seed fell among brambles; but the brambles shot up and completely choked it, and it yielded no return.

And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said: "I tell you that one of you is going to betray me--one who is eating with me."

"Teacher, in our Scriptures Moses decreed that, should a man's brother die, leaving a widow but no child, the man should take the widow as his wife, and raise up a family for his brother.

"Whenever you go to stay at a house," he said, "remain there till you leave that place;

Jesus, at once intuitively aware that they wee debating with themselves in this way, said to them: "Why are you debating in your minds about this?

Now the disciples had forgotten to take any bread with them, one loaf being all that they had in the boat.

But many who are first now will then be last, and the last will be first."

They began talking to one another about their being short of bread.

But, as soon as they saw Jesus, all the people, in great astonishment, ran up and greeted him.

But the man's face clouded at these words, and he went away distressed, for he had great possessions.

They brought him to Jesus; but no sooner did the boy see him than the spirit threw him into convulsions; and he fell on the ground, and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.

As soon as evening fell, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

So Jesus gave them this warning. "Take care," he said, "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."

And the second took her, and died without family; and so did the third.

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again: "My children, how hard a thing it is to enter the Kingdom of God!

And Jesus said: "Let any one who has ears to hear with hear."

So he left them to themselves, and, getting into the boat again, went away to the opposite shore.

There were once seven brothers; of whom the eldest took a wife, but died and left no family;

But some of the Teachers of the Law who were sitting there were debating in their minds:

And a great number, hearing of all that he was doing, came to him from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Edom, from beyond the Jordan, and from the country round Tyre and Sidon.

And then began to salute him. "Long life to you, King of the Jews!" they said.

Jesus cured many who were ill with various diseases, and drove out many demons, and would not permit them to speak, because they knew him to be the Christ.

Now the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law heard this and began to look for some way of putting Jesus to death; for they were afraid of him, since all the people were greatly impressed by his teaching.

But Jesus took his hand, and lifted him; and he stood up.

"What are you arguing about with them?" Jesus asked.

and he begged Jesus again and again not to send them away out of that country.

And he asked him: "What is your name?" "My name," he said, "is Legion, for there are many of us;"

So Jesus told his disciples to keep a small boat close by, for fear the crowd should crush him.

And they kept striking him on the head with a rod, spitting at him, and bowing to the ground before him--going down on their knees;

True, the Son of Man must go, as Scripture says of him, yet alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is being betrayed! For that man 'it would be better never to have been born!'"

But Simon and his companions hastened after him;

All the seven died and left no family. The woman herself died last of all.

And the whole city was gathered round the door.

Instantly the leprosy left the man, and he became clean;

Then Peter recollected what had occurred. "Look, Rabbi," he exclaimed, "the fig-tree which you doomed is withered up!"

But Jesus said to them: "Let us go somewhere else, into the country towns near, that I may make my proclamation in them also; for that was why I came."

When they were indoors, the disciples asked him again about this,

You do not know the meaning of this parable!" he went on; "Then how will you understand all the other parables?

The words of the charge against him, written up over his head, ran thus--'THE KING OF THE JEWS.'

OMITTED TEXT

Jesus gave them leave. They came out, and entered into the pigs; and the drove--about two thousand in number--rushed down the steep slope into the Sea and were drowned in the Sea.

The foul spirits, too, whenever they caught sight of him, flung themselves down before him, and screamed out: "You are the Son of God"!

Which is easier?--to say to the paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven'? or to say 'Get up, and take up your mat, and walk about'?

But he repeatedly warned them not to make him known.

For he had cured many of them, and so people kept crowding upon him, that all who were afflicted might touch him.

"It is one of you Twelve," said Jesus, "the one who is dipping his bread beside me into the dish.

"O faithless generation!" exclaimed Jesus. "How long must I be with you? how long must I have patience with you? Bring the boy to me."

Others again said--"He is Elijah," and others--"He is a Prophet, like one of the great Prophets."

'Though you have eyes, do you not see? and though you have ears, do you not hear?' Do not you remember,

There was a large drove of pigs close by, feeding on the hill- side.

"Be careful not to say anything to any one; but go and show yourself to the Priest, and make the offerings for your cleansing directed by Moses, as evidence of your cure."

When the Teachers of the Law belonging to the party of the Pharisees saw that he was eating in the company of such people, they said to his disciples: "He is eating in the company of tax- gatherers and outcasts!"

"How long has he been like this?" Jesus asked the boy's father.

The man got up, and immediately took up his mat, and went out before them all; at which they were amazed, and, as they praised God, they said: "We have never seen anything like this!"

The People meant by the seed that falls along the path are these--where the Message is sown, but, as soon as they have heard it, Satan immediately comes and carries away the Message that has been sown in them.

Then he took a cup, and, after saying the thanksgiving, gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

"Then who can be saved?" they exclaimed in the greatest astonishment.

And he went about making his proclamation in their Synagogues all through Galilee, and driving out the demons.

"What authority have you to do these things?" they said. "Who gave you the authority to do them?"

"It was owing to the hardness of your hearts," said Jesus, "that Moses gave you this direction;

He is not God of dead men, but of living. You are greatly mistaken."

Yet can we say 'human'?"--They were afraid of the people, for everyone regarded John as undoubtedly a Prophet.

"I tell you," answered Jesus, "that you yourself today--yes, this very night--before the cock crows twice, will disown me three times."

For those days will be a time of distress, the like of which has not occurred from the beginning of God's creation until now-- and never will again.

OMITTED TEXT

And, noticing this, Jesus said to them: "Why are you talking about your being short of bread? Do not you yet see or understand? Are your minds still so slow or comprehension?

"Even if every one else falls away," said Peter, "yet I shall not."

And, when they had left off mocking him, they took off the purple robe, and put his own clothes on him.

When they came to Jesus, they found the possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind--the very man who had had the 'Legion' in him--and they were awe-struck.

So Herodias was incensed against John, and wanted to put him to death, but was unable to do so,

And the man and his wife shall become one;' so that they are no longer two, but one.

But, when Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly collecting, he rebuked the foul spirit: "Deaf and dumb spirit, it is I who command you. Come out from him and never enter him again."

"To you I say, Get up, take up your mat, and return to your home."

And the spirits begged Jesus: "Send us into the pigs, that we may take possession of them."

When Jesus went indoors, away from the crowd, his disciples began questioning him about this saying.

After this his enemies were eager to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd; for they saw that it was at them that he had aimed the parable. So they let him alone, and went away.

"What direction did Moses give you?" replied Jesus.

The sower sows the Message.

They were grieved at this, and began to say to him, one after another: "Can it be I?"

And so many people collected together, that after a while there was no room for them even round the door; and he began to tell them his Message.

Learn the lesson taught by the fig-tree. As soon as its branches are full of sap, and it is bursting into leaf, you know that summer is near.

Jesus entered Jerusalem, and went into the Temple Courts; and, after looking round at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

and, when they found him, they exclaimed: "Every one is looking for you!"

(For the Pharisees, and indeed all strict Jews, will not eat without first scrupulously washing their hands, holding in this to the traditions of their ancestors.

On this the men who tended them ran away, and carried the news to the town, and to the country round; and the people went to see what had happened.

No man ever sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; if he does, the patch tears away from it--the new from the old-- and a worse rent is made.

Greed, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, haughtiness, folly;

Jesus answered: "Can the bridegroom's friends fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

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At the resurrection whose wife will she be, all seven brothers having had her as their wife?"

Those meant by the seed sown among the brambles are different; they are the people who hear the Message,

The man looked up, and said: "I see the people, for, as they walk about, they look to me like trees."

And no man ever puts new wine into old wine-skins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are lost. But new wine is put into fresh skins."

But when Herod heard of him, he said--"The man whom I beheaded--John--he must be risen!"

So the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law asked Jesus this question--"How is it that your disciples do not follow the traditions of our ancestors, but eat their food with defiled hands?"

When they come from market, they will not eat without first sprinkling themselves; and there are many other customs which they have inherited and hold to, such as the ceremonial washing of cups, and jugs, and copper pans).

The passers-by railed at him, shaking their heads, as they said: "Ah! you who 'destroy the Temple and build one in three days,

Nothing is hidden unless it is some day to come to light, nor was anything ever kept hidden but that it should some day come into the light of day.

So Jesus went with him. A great number of People followed Jesus, and kept pressing round him.

And then he will send the angels, and gather his People from the four winds, from one end of the world to the other.

And they watched Jesus closely, to see if he would cure the man on the Sabbath, so that they might have a charge to bring against him.

They had noticed that some of his disciples ate their food with their hands 'defiled,' by which they meant unwashed.

And he wondered at the want of faith shown by the people. Jesus went round the villages, one after another, teaching.

"Moses," they said, "permitted a man to 'draw up in writing a notice of separation and divorce his wife.'"

"Let the children be satisfied first," answered Jesus. "For it is not fair to take the children's food, and throw it to dogs."

And when the seven for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you pick up?" "Seven," they said.

But see that you are on your guard! I have told you all this beforehand.

Then he taught them many truths in parables; and in the course of his teaching he said to them:

A suitable opportunity, however, occurred when Herod, on his birthday, gave a dinner to his high officials, and his generals, and the foremost men in Galilee.

When I broke up the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets of broken pieces you picked up?" "Twelve," they said.

And then Jesus, after sternly warning him, immediately sent him away, and said to him:

For John had said to Herod--'You have no right to be living with your brother's wife.'

He took with him Peter, James, and John; and began to show signs of great dismay and deep distress of mind.

And those who led the way, as well as those who followed, kept shouting: "'God save him! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'

Blessed is the coming Kingdom of our father David! 'God save him from on high!'"

And Judas Iscariot, the man that betrayed him.

So, too, those meant by the seed sown on the rocky places are the people who, when they have heard the Message, at once accept it joyfully;

When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the Synagogue; and the people, as they listened, were deeply impressed. "Where did he get this?" they said, "and what is this wisdom that has been given him? and these miracles which he is doing?

But the people meant by the seed sown on the good ground are those who hear the Message, and welcome it, and yield a return, thirty, sixty, and even a hundred fold."

This corner-stone has come from the Lord, and is marvelous in our eyes.'"

Yet, after I have risen, I shall go before you into Galilee."

At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants, to receive from them a share of the produce of the vintage;

For a woman, whose little daughter had a foul spirit in her, heard of him immediately, and came and threw herself at his feet--

The stars will be falling from the heavens,' and 'the forces that are in the heavens will be convulsed.'

The man, however, went away, and began to speak about it publicly, and to spread the story so widely, that Jesus could no longer go openly into a town, but stayed outside in lonely places; and people came to him from every direction.

But, as they have no root, they stand only for a short time; and so, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Message, they fall away at once.

No man who has got into a strong man's house can carry off his goods, without first securing him; and not till then will he plunder his house.

How he went into the House of God, in the time of Abiathar the High Priest, and ate 'the consecrated bread,' which only the priests are allowed to eat, and gave some to his comrades as well?"

"Go to the village facing you," he said; "and, as soon as you get there, you will find a foal tethered, which no one has ever ridden; untie it, and bring it.

Because Herod stood in fear of John, knowing him to be an upright and holy man, and protected him. He had listened to John, but still remained much perplexed, and yet he found pleasure in listening to him.

And, as soon as Jesus had got out of the boat, he met a man coming out of the tombs, who was under the power of a foul spirit,

The woman was a foreigner, a native of Syrian Phoenicia--and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.

And with power to drive out demons.

"My heart is moved at the sight of all these people, for they have already been with me three days and they have nothing to eat;

"From his childhood," he answered; "and it has often thrown him into fire and into water to put an end to his life; but, if you can possibly do anything, take pity on us, and help us!"

"Have you never read," answered Jesus, "what David did when he was in want and hungry, he and his companions--

And to 'love him with all one's heart, and with all one's understanding, and with all one's strength,' and to 'love one's neighbor as one loves oneself' is far beyond all 'burnt-offerings and sacrifices.'"

Then those who had seen it related to them all that had happened to the possessed man, as well as about the pigs;

So Jesus called them to him, and answered them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan?

And with him they crucified two robbers, one on the right, and the other on the left.

"Stand out in the middle," Jesus said to the man with the withered hand;

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the possessed man begged him to let him stay with him.

For, to those who have, more will be given; while, from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away."

Let all who have ears to hear with hear.

Taking the blind man's hand, Jesus led him to the outskirts of the village, and, when he had put saliva on the man's eyes, he placed his hands on him, and asked him: "Do you see anything?"

It is about John's baptism. Was it of divine or human origin? Answer me that."

But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty- handed.

So the man went, and began to proclaim in the district of the Ten Towns all that Jesus had done for him; and every one was amazed.

"John the Baptist," they answered, "but others say Elijah, while others say one of the Prophets."

Upon which they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood.

"Do not you understand now?" he repeated.

And when his daughter--that is, the daughter of Herodias--came in and danced, she delighted Herod and those who were dining with him. 'Ask me for whatever you like,' the King said to the girl, 'and I will give it to you';

"My little daughter," he said, "is at the point of death; I beg you to come and place your hands on her, that her life may be spared."

And his clothes became of a more dazzling white than any bleacher in the world could make them.

All these wicked things come from within, and do defile a man."

But those tenants said to one another 'Here is the heir! Come, let us kill him, and his inheritance will be ours.'

But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be parted from them, and they will fast then--when that day comes.

And presently, as he was sowing, some of the seed fell along the path; and the birds came, and ate it up.

But Peter vehemently protested: "Even if I must die with you, I shall never disown you!" And they all said the same.

I tell you that I shall never again drink of the juice of the grape, until that day when I shall drink it new in the Kingdom of God."

And, if any one says to you 'Why are you doing that?', say 'The Master wants it, and will be sure to send it back here at once.'"

Then they brought the foal to Jesus, and, when they had laid their cloaks on it, he seated himself upon it.

"For saying that," he answered, "you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter."

Jesus at once became aware of the power that had gone out from him, and, turning round in the crowd, he said: "Who touched my clothes?"

The woman went home, and found the child lying on her bed, and the demon gone.

"Rabbi," said Peter, interposing, "it is good to be here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

He had still one son, who was very dear to him; and him he sent to them last of all. 'They will respect my son,' he said.

"I will put one question to you," said Jesus. "Answer me that, and then I will tell you what authority I have to act as I do.

The people had sufficient to eat, and they picked up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left.

And when a household is divided against itself, it will not be able to last.

And then sleeps by night and rises by day, while the seed is shooting up and growing--he knows not how.

What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and put the tenants to death, and he will let the vineyard to others.

And if I send them away to their homes hungry, they will break down on the way; and some of them have come a long distance."

When Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately: "Why could not we drive it out?"

A second time the owner sent a servant to them; this man, too, the tenants struck on the head, and insulted.

Jesus told the crowd to sit down upon the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, and, after saying the thanksgiving, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve out; and they served them out to the crowd.

The ground bears the crop of itself--first the blade, then the ear, and then the full grain in the ear;

Next came some Sadducees--the men who maintain that there is no resurrection. Their question was this--

"Look!" the Pharisees said to him, "why are they doing what is not allowed on the Sabbath?"

This was said in reply to the charge that he had a foul spirit in him.

And the two disciples answered as Jesus had told them; and they allowed them to go.

Many of the people spread their cloaks on the road, while some strewed boughs which they had cut from the fields;

So they seized him, and killed him, and threw his body outside the vineyard.

And from the heavens came a voice--"Thou art my Son, the Beloved; in thee I delight."

Night and day alike, he was continually shrieking in the tombs and among the hills, and cutting himself with stones.

With a loud cry the spirit threw the boy into repeated convulsions, and then came out from him. The boy looked like a corpse, so that most of them said that he was dead.

So she went in as quickly as possible to the King, and made her request. 'I want you,' she said, 'to give me at once, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist.'

And he swore to her that he would give her whatever she asked him--up to half his kingdom.

He immediately dispatched one of his bodyguard, with orders to bring John's head. The man went and beheaded John in the prison,

He sent another, but him they killed; and so with many others- -some they beat and some they killed.

And who made his home in the tombs. No one had ever been able to secure him, even with a chain;

And Elijah appeared to them, in company with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.

For, though he had many times been left secured with fetters and chains, he had snapped the chains and broken the fetters to pieces, and no one could master him.

But, as soon as the crop is ready, immediately he 'puts in the sickle because harvest has come'."

"Yes, Master," she replied; "even the dogs under the table do feed on the children's crumbs."

So, if Satan is in revolt against himself and is divided, he cannot last--his end has come!

Heard about Jesus, came behind in the crowd, and touched his cloak.

As they were going down the mountain-side, Jesus cautioned them not to relate what they had seen to any one, till after the Son of Man should have risen again from the dead.

The two disciples went, and, finding a foal tethered outside a door in the street, they untied it.

"If I can only touch his clothes," she said, "I shall get well!"

The girl went out, and said to her mother 'What must I ask for?' 'The head of John the Baptizer,' answered her mother.

When Jesus had sat down on the Mount of Olives, facing the Temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew questioned him privately:

Some of the by-standers said to them: "What are you doing, untying the foal?"

See to yourselves! They will betray you to courts of law; and you will be taken to Synagogues and beaten; and you will be brought up before governors and kings for my sake, that you may bear witness before them.

And undergone much at the hands of many doctors, (spending all she had without obtaining any relief, but, on the contrary, growing worse),

And Jesus said to them: "Is a lamp brought to be put under the corn-measure or under the couch, instead of being put on the lampstand?

When a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot last;

They had also a few small fish; and, after he had said the blessing, he told the disciples to serve out these as well.

Jesus sent him to his home, and said: "Do not go even into the village."

"Where will it be possible," his disciples answered, "to get sufficient bread for these people in this lonely place?"

For he did not know what to say, because they were much afraid.

Some of those standing round heard this, and said: "Listen! He is calling for Elijah!"

When John's disciples heard of it, they came and took his body away, and laid it in a tomb.

Then they took Jesus to the High Priest; and all the Chief Priests, the Councillors, and the Teachers of the Law assembled.

Then Jesus again placed his hands on the man's eyes; and the man saw clearly, his sight was restored, and he saw everything with perfect distinctness.

On which Jesus charged them not to say this about him to anyone.

"This is my Covenant-blood," he said, "which is poured out on behalf of many.

The King was much distressed; yet, on account of his oath and of the guests at his table, he did not like to refuse her.

"You see the people pressing round you," exclaimed his disciples, "and yet you say 'Who touched me?'"

Then he came and found the three Apostles asleep. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could not you watch for one hour?

"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!"

At once the mischief was stopped, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint.

Jesus also said: "To what can we liken the Kingdom of God?

"How many loaves have you?" he asked. "Seven," they answered.

'The voice of one crying aloud in the Wilderness: "Make ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight."'

They went out, and fled from the tomb, for they were trembling and bewildered; and they did not say a word to any one, for they were frightened;

Jesus went out again to the Sea; and all the people came to him, and he taught them.

The Roman Officer, who was standing facing Jesus, on seeing the way in which he expired, exclaimed: "This man must indeed have been 'God's Son'!"

Then will be seen the 'Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory;

For Herod himself had sent and arrested John, and put him in prison, in chains, to please Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because Herod had married her.

"Do you see these great buildings?" asked Jesus. "Not a single stone will be left here upon another, which shall not be thrown down."

And suddenly, on looking round, they saw that there was now no one with them but Jesus alone.

Presently Jesus said to them: "All of you will fall away; for Scripture says--'I will strike down the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'

See that you are on the watch; for you do not know when the time will be.

I tell you, unless a man receives the Kingdom of God like a child, he will not enter it at all."

Afterwards, when he was alone, his followers and the Twelve asked him about his parables;

As they remained silent, Jesus looked round at them in anger, grieving at the hardness of their hearts, and said to the man: "Stretch out your hand." The man stretched it out; and his hand had become sound.

And, bringing his head on a dish, gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.

"Come by yourselves privately to some lonely spot," he said, "and rest for a while"--for there were so many people coming and going that they had not time even to eat.

Now there was in their Synagogue at the time a man under the power of a foul spirit, who called out:

In the evening, after sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who were ill or possessed by demons;

They came to Jerusalem again. While Jesus was walking about in the Temple Courts, the Chief Priests, the Teachers of the Law, and the Councillors came up to him.

Then he began to teach. "Does not Scripture say," he asked, "'My House shall be called a House of Prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.'"

As he went along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting in the tax-office, and said to him: "Follow me." Levi got up and followed him.

While Jesus was teaching in the Temple Courts, he asked: "How is it that the Teachers of the Law say that the Christ is to be David's son?

Whenever they betray you and hand you over for trial, do not be anxious beforehand as to what you shall say, but say whatever is given you at the moment; for it will not be you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

And he was there in the Wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and among the wild beasts, while the angels ministered to him.

So he appointed the Twelve--Peter (which was the name that Jesus gave to Simon),

And just then, while he was still speaking, Judas, who was one of the Twelve, came up; and with him a crowd of people, with swords and clubs, sent by the Chief Priests, the Teachers of the Law, and the Councillors.

for he was instructing his disciples, and telling them-- "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of his fellow men, and they will put him to death, but, when he has been put to death, he will rise again after three days."

They then sang a hymn, and went out up the Mount of Olives,

But among you it is not so. No, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

"It is what comes out from a man," he added, "that defiles him,

"Daughter," he said, "your faith has delivered you. Go, and peace be with you; be free from your complaint."

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said: "If any one wishes to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all."

On getting out of the boat, Jesus saw a great crowd, and his heart was moved at the sight of them, because they were 'like sheep without a shepherd'; and he began to teach them many things.

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And some people came bringing to him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four bearers.

You always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you will not always have me.

And later on he was in his house at table, and a number of tax-gatherers and outcasts took their places at table with Jesus and his disciples; for many of them were following him.

But go, and say to his disciples and to Peter 'He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.'"

"Listen! The sower went out to sow;

And you will be hated by every one on account of my Name. Yet the man that endures to the end shall be saved.

The whole of Judea, as well as all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, went out to him; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

"Are you the King of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "It is true," replied Jesus.

What God himself, then, has yoked together man must not separate."

But one poor widow came and put in two farthings, which make a half-penny.

"You may go," Jesus said; "your faith has delivered you." Immediately he recovered his sight, and began to follow Jesus along the road.

Here the Pharisees came out, and began to argue with Jesus, asking him for some sign from the heavens, to test him.

For 'nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom'; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This will be but the beginning of the birth-pangs.

"Wisely answered, Teacher!" exclaimed the Teacher of the Law. "It is true, as you say, that 'there is one God,' and that 'there is no other besides him';

While Peter was in the court-yard down below, one of the High Priest's maidservants came up;

Then Jesus went away with his disciples to the Sea, followed by a great number of people from Galilee.

One young man did indeed follow him, wrapped only in a linen sheet. They tried to arrest him;

But the Good News must first be proclaimed to every nation.

John was clad in clothing of camels' hair, with a belt of leather round his waist, and lived on locusts and wild honey;

And one of the Presidents of the Synagogue, whose name was Jaeirus, came and, as soon as he saw Jesus, threw himself at his feet with repeated entreaties.

And Jesus replied: "Pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and to God what belongs to God." And they wondered at him.

But the cares of life, and the glamour of wealth, and cravings for many other things come in and completely choke the Message, so that it gives no return.

When men rise from the dead, there is no marrying or being married; but they are as angels in Heaven.

In this way you nullify the words of God by your traditions, which you hand down; and you do many similar things."

Salt is good, but, if the salt should lose its saltiness, what will you use to season it? You must have salt in yourselves, and live at peace with one another."

Going into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on their right, in a white robe, and they were dismayed; But he said to them:

And he could not work any miracle there, beyond placing his hands upon a few infirm persons, and curing them;

Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying as he did so: "I am willing; become clean."

"A spirit of this kind," he said, "can be driven out only by prayer."

'Though they have eyes, they may see without perceiving; And though they have ears, they may hear without understanding; Lest some day they should turn and be forgiven.'

As to the dead, and the fact that they rise, have you never read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the Bush, how God spoke to him thus--'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?

I tell you that men will be forgiven everything--their sins, and all the slanders that they utter;

And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb, after sunrise.

In the same way the Chief Priests, with the Teachers of the Law, said to one another in mockery:

Now, at the Feast, Pilate used to grant the people the release of any one prisoner whom they might ask for.

So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."

If your eye proves a snare to you, tear it out. It would be better for you to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye, than to have both eyes and be thrown into the Pit,

Joseph, having bought a linen sheet, took Jesus down, and wound the sheet round him, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of the rock; and then rolled a stone up against the entrance of the tomb.

It is easier for a camel to get through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God."

Who will not receive a hundred times as much, even now in the present--houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and land--though not without persecutions, and, in the age that is coming, Immortal Life.

"He saved others, but he cannot save himself! Let the Christ, the 'King of Israel,' come down from the cross now, that we may see it and believe." Even the men who had been crucified with Jesus reviled him.

Joseph from Ramah, a Councillor of good position, who was himself living in expectation of the Kingdom of God, came and ventured to go in to see Pilate, and to ask for the body of Jesus.

"Tell us when this will be, and what will be the sign when all this is drawing to its close."

There is nothing external to a man, which by going into him can 'defile' him; but the things that come out from a man are the things that defile him."

But that you may know that the Son of Man has power to forgive sins on earth"--here he said to the paralyzed man--

Therefore watch, for you cannot be sure when the Master of the house is coming-- whether in the evening, at midnight, at daybreak, or in the morning--

But, on looking up, they saw that the stone had already been rolled back; it was a very large one.

On which Jesus said: "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relations, and in his own home."

"Listen!" he said. "We are going up to Jerusalem; and there the Son of Man will be betrayed to the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law, and they will condemn him to death, and they will give him up to the Gentiles,

Jesus rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea: "Hush! Be still!" Then the wind dropped, and a great calm followed.

And, when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; such things must occur; but the end is not yet.

"I am sad at heart," he said, "sad even to death; wait here, and watch."

For while Moses said 'Honor thy father and thy mother,' and 'Let him who reviles his father or mother suffer death,'

They drove out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were infirm, and cured them.

"Any one who, for the sake of my Name, welcomes even a little child like this is welcoming me, and any one who welcomes me is welcoming not me, but him who sent me as his Messenger."

Watch and pray," he said to them all, "that you may not fall into temptation. True, the spirit is eager, but human nature is weak."

Jesus went into a house; and again a crowd collected, so that they were not able even to eat their food.

Then Jesus began: "See that no one leads you astray.

They are the men that rob widows of their homes, and make a pretense of saying long prayers. Their sentence will be all the heavier."

He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey- -not even bread, or a bag, or pence in their purse;

Take care what you listen to," said Jesus. "The measure you mete will be meted out to you, and more will be added for you.

"Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God?"

David said himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit-- 'The Lord said to my lord: "Sit at my right hand, Until I put thy enemies beneath thy feet.'"

She has done what she could; she has perfumed my body beforehand for my burial.

The Temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom.

Then a cloud came down and enveloped them; and from the cloud there came a voice--"This is my Son, the Beloved; him you must hear."

For they said: "Not during the Festival, for fear of a riot."

And I tell you, wherever, in the whole world, the Good News is proclaimed, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her."

Before he had finished speaking, some people from the house of the President of the Synagogue came and said: "Your daughter is dead! Why should you trouble the Teacher further?"