Now the birth of Christ Jesus occurred under these conditions: After His mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, but before they had lived together, she was found to be an expectant mother through the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Keep on rejoicing and leaping for ecstasy, for your reward will be rich in heaven; for this is the way they persecuted the prophets who lived before you.

Let your light shine before people in such a way that they may see your good deeds, and praise your Father in heaven.

So then you must not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

"You must never give the things that are sacred to dogs, and you must never throw your pearls before hogs, for fear they might trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.

And a leper came up to Him, and prostrated himself before Him, and said, "Lord, if you choose to, you can cure me."

And they suddenly screamed, "What do you want of us, you Son of God? Have you come here before the appointed time to torture us?"

And just as He was saying these things to them, an official came up and fell on his knees before Him, and said, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand upon her and she will come to life."

and after the demon had been driven out, the dumb man could talk. So the crowds were dumbfounded, saying, "Never before among the Jews was anything like this?

and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness to them and the heathen.

But whenever they persecute you in one town, flee to a different one. For I solemnly say to you, you will not cover all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man returns.

Therefore, everyone who will own me before men I will own before my Father in heaven,

but anyone who disowns me before men I will disown before my Father in heaven.

This is the man of whom the Scripture says, "'Attention! I am sending my messenger on before you; He will prepare the road ahead of you.'

But when Herod's birthday came, Herodias' daughter danced before the guests. Herod was fascinated by her,

Just before day He went out to them, walking on the sea.

When they reached the crowd, a man came up to Him, kneeling before Him and saying,

"And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.'

Again he went out about twelve o'clock and three o'clock, and did as before.

I solemnly say to you, the present age will not pass away before all this takes place.

For just as in the days before the Flood people went on eating and drinking, marrying and being married, until the very day Noah entered the ark,

and all the nations will be gathered before him, and He will separate them from one another, just as a shepherd separates his sheep from his goats,

Jesus said to him, "I solemnly say to you, this very night, before a cock crows, you will disown me three times."

But he denied it before them all, and said, "I do not understand what you mean."

Then Peter remembered Jesus' words, "Before a cock crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked Him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Yes."

So Pilate, since he saw that he was making no headway with them, but that a riot was about to break out instead, took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, and said, "I am not responsible for this man's death; you must see to it yourselves."

and made a crown of thorns and set it on His head, and they put a stick in His hand, and kneeling before Him they made sport of Him, saying, "All hail, you king of the Jews!"