Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says 'Fool' will be sent to fiery hell.

Thus whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, they have their reward.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces.

And a leper approached, and bowed low before him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

They cried out, "Son of God, leave us alone! Have you come here to torment us before the time?"

As he was saying these things, a ruler came, bowed low before him, and said, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live."

And you will be brought before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them and the Gentiles.

Whenever they persecute you in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

"Whoever, then, acknowledges me before people, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.

But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven.

This is the one about whom it is written: 'Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'

But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,

But she came and bowed down before him and said, "Lord, help me!"

I tell you the truth, there are some standing here who will not experience death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

And he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.

Then Moses and Elijah also appeared before them, talking with him.

When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him,

Then the slave threw himself to the ground before him, saying, 'Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything.'

For in those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark.

All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."

Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Then Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so."

When Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but that instead a riot was starting, he took some water, washed his hands before the crowd and said, "I am innocent of this man's blood. You take care of it yourselves!"

and after braiding a crown of thorns, they put it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand, and kneeling down before him, they mocked him: "Hail, king of the Jews!"

The next day (which is after the day of preparation) the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate

If this matter is heard before the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."