In order that you may be able to satisfy yourself of the accuracy of the story which you have heard from the lips of others.]

In the reign of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the Division called after Abijah. His wife, whose name was Elizabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron.

But the angel said to him: " Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, whom you shall call by the name John.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit,

And all who heard it kept it in mind, asking one another-- "What can this child be destined to become?" For the Power of the Lord was with him.

All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story,

And the shepherds went back, giving glory and praise to God for all that they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Yes, the sword will pierce your own heart--and so the thoughts in many minds will be disclosed."

However he went down with them to Nazareth, and submitted himself to their control; and his mother treasured all that was said in her heart.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of the Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was Governor of Judea, Herod Ruler of Galilee, his brother Philip Ruler of the territory comprising Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias Ruler of Abilene,

But Prince Herod, being rebuked by John respecting Herodias, the wife of Herod's brother, and for all the evil things that he had done,

"Doubtless," said Jesus, "you will remind me of the saying-- 'Doctor, cure yourself;' and you will say 'Do here in your own country all that we have heard that has been done at Capernaum.'

"We have been hard at work all night, Sir," answered Simon, "and have not caught anything, but, at your bidding, I will throw out the nets."

A good man, from the good stores of his heart, brings out what is good; while a bad man, from his bad stores, brings out what is bad. For what fills a man's heart will rise to his lips.

But those who have listened and not acted upon what they have heard may be compared to a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation. The river swept down upon it, and the house immediately collapsed; and great was the crash that followed."

So his answer to the question was: "Go and report to John what you have witnessed and heard--the blind recover their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is told to the poor.

(All the people, when they heard this, and even the tax- gatherers, having accepted John's baptism, acknowledged the justice of God.

And Joanna (the wife of Herod's steward, Chuza), and Susannah, and many others--all of whom ministered to Jesus and his Apostles out of their means.

But by that in the good ground are meant those who, having heard the Message, keep it in the good, rich soil of their hearts, and patiently yield a return.

Prince Herod heard of all that was happening, and was perplexed, because it was said by some that John must be risen from the dead.

But Herod himself said: "John I beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things?" And he endeavored to see him.

For, I tell you, many Prophets and Kings wished for the sight of the things which you are seeing, yet never heard them."

His reply was--"'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thou dost thyself.'"

When Jesus left the house, the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to press him hard and question him closely upon many subjects,

Hence all that you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear, within closed doors, will be proclaimed upon the housetops.

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

Just then some Pharisees came up to Jesus and said: "Go away and leave this place, for Herod wants to kill you."

One of the guests heard what he said and exclaimed: "Happy will he be who shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God!"

Meanwhile the elder son was out in the fields; but, on coming home, when he got near the house, he heard music and dancing,

Seeing this, Jesus said to his disciples: "How hard it is for men of wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!

"Then who can be saved?" asked those who heard this.

He will come and put those tenants to death, and will let the vineyard to others." "Heaven forbid!" they exclaimed when they heard it.

At this they exclaimed: "Why do we want any more evidence? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!"

And, having satisfied himself that Jesus came under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who also was at Jerusalem at the time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly pleased, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, having heard a great deal about him; and he was hoping to see some sign given by him.

And Herod, with his soldiers, treated Jesus with scorn; he mocked him by throwing a gorgeous robe round him, and then sent him back to Pilate.

And Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, for before that there had been ill-will between them.

Nor did Herod either; for he has sent him back to us. And, as a fact, he has not done anything deserving death;

And then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, said to Jesus: "Are you staying by yourself at Jerusalem, that you have not heard of the things that have happened there within the last few days?"