The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan;

Then, after John had been thrown into prison, Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming God's Good News.

"Come and follow me," said Jesus, "and I will make you fishers for men."

"What have you to do with us, Jesus the Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--God's Holy One."

But Jesus reprimanded him, saying, "Silence! come out of him."

One day there came a leper to Jesus entreating Him, and pleading on his knees. "If you are willing," he said, "you are able to cleanse me."

Moved with pity Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. "I am willing," He said; "be cleansed."

Jesus at once sent him away, strictly charging him,

But the man, when he went out, began to tell every one and to publish the matter abroad, so that it was no longer possible for Jesus to go openly into any town; but He had to remain outside in unfrequented places, where people came to Him from all parts.

Finding themselves unable, however, to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they untiled the roof just over His head, and after clearing an opening they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are pardoned."

At once perceiving by His spirit that they were reasoning within themselves, Jesus asked them, "Why do you thus argue in your minds?

When He was sitting at table in Levi's house, a large number of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners were at table with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many such who habitually followed Him.

Jesus heard the words, and He said, "It is not the healthy who require a doctor, but the sick: I did not come to appeal to the righteous, but to sinners."

"Can a wedding party fast while the bridegroom is among them?" replied Jesus. "So long as they have the bridegroom with them, fasting is impossible.

"Have you never read," Jesus replied, "what David did when the necessity arose and he and his men were hungry:

And Jesus said to them: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath;

But no sooner had the Pharisees left the synagogue than they held a consultation with the Herodians against Jesus, to devise some means of destroying Him.

Accordingly Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the Lake, and a vast crowd of people from Galilee followed Him;

And when he saw Jesus in the distance, he ran and threw himself at His feet,

crying out in a loud voice, "What hast Thou to do with me, Jesus, Son of God Most High? In God's name I implore Thee not to torment me."

Jesus also questioned him. "What is your name?" He said. "Legion," he replied, "for there are a host of us."

So they besought Jesus. "Send us to the swine," they said, "so that we may enter into them."

and when they came to Jesus, they beheld the demoniac quietly seated, clothed and of sane mind--the man who had had the legion; and they were awe-stricken.

So the man departed, and related publicly everywhere in the Ten Towns all that Jesus had done for him; and all were astonished.

When Jesus had re-crossed in the boat to the other side, a vast multitude came crowding to Him; and He was on the shore of the Lake,

And Jesus went with him. And a dense crowd followed Him, and thronged Him on all sides.

heard of Jesus. And she came in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak;

Immediately Jesus, well knowing that healing power had gone from within Him, turned round in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

But Jesus, overhearing the words, said to the Warden, "Do not be afraid; only have faith."

But Jesus said to them, "There is no Prophet without honour except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own home."

King Herod heard of all this (for the name of Jesus had become widely known)

When the Apostles had re-assembled round Jesus, they reported to Him all they had done and all they had taught.

So when Jesus landed, He saw a vast multitude; and His heart was moved with pity for them, because they were like sheep which have no shepherd, and He proceeded to teach them many things.

Then Jesus called the people to Him again. "Listen to me, all of you," He said, "and understand.

because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and passes away ejected from him?" By these words Jesus pronounced all kinds of food clean.

So Jesus taking him aside, apart from the crowd, put His fingers into his ears, and spat, and moistened his tongue;

Then Jesus charged them to tell no one; but the more He charged them, all the more did they spread the news far and wide.

And they came to Bethsaida. And a blind man was brought to Jesus and they entreated Him to touch him.

From that place Jesus and His disciples went to the villages belonging to Caesarea Philippi. On the way He began to ask His disciples, "Who do people say that I am?"

Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and brought them alone, apart from the rest, up a high mountain; and in their presence His appearance underwent a change.

Moreover there appeared to them Elijah accompanied by Moses; and the two were conversing with Jesus,

when Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, we are thankful to you that we are here. Let us put up three tents--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

Instantly they looked round, and now they could no longer see any one, but themselves and Jesus.

"O unbelieving generation!" replied Jesus; "how long must I be with you? how long must I have patience with you? Bring the boy to me."

So they brought him to Jesus. And the spirit, when he saw Jesus, immediately threw the youth into convulsions, so that he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.

Then Jesus asked the father, "How long has he been like this?" "From early childhood," he said;

"'If I possibly can!'" replied Jesus; "why, everything is possible to him who believes."

Then Jesus, seeing that an increasing crowd was running towards Him, rebuked the foul spirit, and said to it, "Dumb and deaf spirit, *I* command you, come out of him and never enter into him again."

but Jesus took his hand and raised him up, and he stood on his feet.

After the return of Jesus to the house His disciples asked Him privately, "How is it that we could not expel the spirit?"

"You should not have tried to hinder him," replied Jesus, "for there is no one who will use my name to perform a miracle and be able the next minute to speak evil of me.

"It was in consideration of your stubborn hearts," said Jesus, "that Moses enacted this law for you;

Indoors the disciples began questioning Jesus again on the same subject.

One day people were bringing young children to Jesus for Him to touch them, but the disciples interfered.

Jesus, however, on seeing this, was moved to indignation, and said to them, "Let the little children come to me: do not hinder them; for to those who are childlike the Kingdom of God belongs.

"Why do you call me good?" asked Jesus in reply; "there is no one truly good except One--that is, God.

Then Jesus looked at him and loved him, and said, "One thing is lacking in you: go, sell all you possess and give the proceeds to the poor, and you shall have riches in Heaven; and come and be a follower of mine."

Then looking round on His disciples Jesus said, "With how hard a struggle will the possessors of riches enter the Kingdom of God!"

The disciples were amazed at His words. Jesus, however, said again, "Children, how hard a struggle is it for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God!

Jesus looking on them said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for everything is possible with God."

"In solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that there is no one who has forsaken house or brothers or sisters, or mother or father, or children or lands, for my sake and for the sake of the Good News,

They were still on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were full of wonder, and some, though they followed, did so with fear. Then, once more calling to Him the Twelve, He began to tell them what was about to happen to Him.

"We are able," they replied. "Out of the cup," said Jesus, "from which I am to drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I am to be baptized you shall be baptized;

Jesus, however, called them to Him and said to them, "You are aware how those who are deemed rulers among the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men make them feel their authority;

Hearing that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, "Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me."

Then Jesus stood still. "Call him," He said. So they called the blind man. "Cheer up," they said; "rise, he is calling you."

The man flung away his outer garment, sprang to his feet, and came to Jesus.

"What shall I do for you?" said Jesus. "Rabboni," replied the blind man, "let me recover my sight."

"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has cured you." Instantly he regained his sight, and followed Him along the road.

When they were getting near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples on in front, with these instructions.

But on their giving the answer that Jesus had bidden them give, they let them take it.

So they brought the foal to Jesus, and threw their outer garments over him; and Jesus mounted.

When evening came on, Jesus and His disciples used to leave the city.

Jesus said to them, "Have faith in God.

"And I will put a question to you," replied Jesus; "answer me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," said Jesus, "by what authority I do these things."

"What is Caesar's," replied Jesus, "pay to Caesar--and what is God's, pay to God." And they wondered exceedingly at Him.

"Is not this the cause of your error," replied Jesus--"your ignorance alike of the Scriptures and of the power of God?

Then one of the Scribes, who had heard them disputing and well knew that Jesus had given them an answer to the point, and a forcible one, came forward and asked Him, "Which is the chief of all the Commandments?"

"The chief Commandment," replied Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord;

Perceiving that the Scribe had answered wisely Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." No one from that time forward ventured to put any question to Him.

But, while teaching in the Temple, Jesus asked, "How is it the Scribes say that the Christ is a son of David?

"David himself calls Him 'Lord:' how then can He be his son?" And the mass of people found pleasure in listening to Jesus.

"You see all these great buildings?" Jesus replied; "not one stone will be left here upon another--not thrown down."

So Jesus began to say to them: "Take care that no one misleads you.

But Jesus said, "Leave her alone: why are you troubling her? She has done a most gracious act towards me.

But Judas Iscariot, already mentioned as one of the Twelve, went to the High Priests to betray Jesus to them.

And while they were at table Jesus said, "I solemnly tell you that one of you will betray me--one who is eating with me."

Then said Jesus to them, "All of you are about to stumble and fall, for it is written, 'I will strike down the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered in all directions.'

"I solemnly tell you," replied Jesus, "that to-day--this night--before the cock crows twice, you yourself will three times disown me."

So he came, and going straight to Jesus he said, "Rabbi!" and kissed Him with seeming affection;

"Have you come out," said Jesus, "with swords and cudgels to arrest me, as if you had to fight with a robber?

So they led Jesus away to the High Priest, and with him there assembled all the High Priests, Elders, and Scribes.

Peter followed Jesus at a distance, as far as the outer court of the High Priest's palace. But there he remained sitting among the officers, and warming himself by the fire.

Meanwhile the High Priests and the entire Sanhedrin were endeavouring to get evidence against Jesus in order to put Him to death, but could find none;

At last the High Priest stood up, and advancing into the midst of them all, asked Jesus, "Have you no answer to make? What is the meaning of all this that these witnesses allege against you?"

"I am," replied Jesus, "and you and others will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the divine Power, and coming amid the clouds of the sky."

and seeing Peter warming himself she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the Nazarene."