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.

He shall be to you a joy and a delight; and many shall rejoice over his birth.

"How can I be sure of this?" Zechariah asked the angel. "For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years."

"I am Gabriel," the angel answered, "who stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

"I am the servant of the Lord," exclaimed Mary; "let it be with me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

John, addressing them all, said: "I, indeed, baptize you with water; but there is coming one more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to unfasten his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

When Simon Peter saw this, he threw himself down at Jesus' knees, exclaiming: "Master, leave me, for I am a sinful man!"

Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying as he did so: "I am willing; become clean." Instantly the leprosy left the man;

When a man gives one of you a blow on the cheek, offer the other cheek as well; and, when any one takes away your cloak, do not keep back your coat either.

Give, and others will give to you. A generous measure, pressed and shaken down, and running over, will they pour into your lap; For the measure that you mete will be meted out to you in return."

So Jesus went with them. But, when he was no great distance from the house, the Captain sent some friends with the message-- "Do not trouble yourself, Sir; for I am unworthy to receive you under my roof.

Then he went up and touched the bier, and the bearers stopped; and Jesus said: "Young man, I am speaking to you--Rise!"

This is the very man of whom Scripture says--'Behold, I am sending my Messenger before thy face, And he shall prepare thy way before thee.'

By the seed which fell upon the rock are meant those who, as soon as they hear the Message, welcome it joyfully; but they have no root, and believe it only for a time, and, when the time of temptation comes, they draw back.

By that which fell among the brambles are meant those who hear the Message, but who, as they go on their way, are completely choked by this world's cares and wealth and pleasures, and bring nothing to perfection.

If people do not welcome you, as you leave that town, shake even the dust off your feet, as a protest against them."

Afterwards, when Jesus was alone, praying, his disciples joined him, and he asked them this question-- "Who do the people say that I am?"

"But you," he went on, "who do you say that I am?" And to this Peter answered: "The Christ of God."

And all present were struck with awe at the majesty of God. In the midst of the general astonishment at all that Jesus was doing, he said to his disciples:

And, while they were on their way, a man said to Jesus: "I will follow you wherever you go."

Now, go. Remember, I am sending you out as my Messengers like lambs among wolves.

Just then a Student of the Law came forward to test Jesus further. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do if I am to 'gain Immortal Life'?"

For the Holy Spirit will show you at the moment what you ought to say."

Do you think that I am here to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but to cause division.

But Jesus answered: "Go and say to that fox 'Look you, I am driving out demons and shall be completing cures to-day and to- morrow, and on the third day I shall have done.'

The next said 'I have bought five pairs of bullocks, and I am on my way to try them. I must ask you to consider me excused';

While the next said 'I am just married, and for that reason I am unable to come.'

I am no longer fit to be called your son; make me one of your hired servants."'

'Father,' the son said, 'I sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer fit to be called your son; make me one of your hired servants.'

'What am I to do,' the steward asked himself, 'now that my master is taking the steward's place away from me? I have not strength to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.

I know what I will do, so that, as soon as I am turned out of my stewardship, people may welcome me into their homes.'

So he called out 'Pity me, Father Abraham, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering agony in this flame.'

Even if he wrongs you seven times a day, but turns to you every time and says 'I am sorry,' you must forgive him."

Instead of saying 'Prepare my dinner, and then make yourself ready and wait on me while I am eating and drinking, and after that you shall eat and drink yourself'?

For a time the judge refused, but afterwards he said to himself 'Although I am without fear of God or regard for man,

The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way--'O God, I thank thee that I am not like other men-- thieves, rogues, adulterers--or even like this tax-gatherer.

And one of the Presidents asked Jesus this question--"Good Teacher, what must I do if I am to gain Immortal Life?"

The master answered 'Out of your own mouth I judge you, you worthless servant. You knew that I am a stern man, that I take what I have not planted, and reap what I have not sown?

And Jesus said: "See that you are not led astray; for many will take my name, and come saying 'I am He,' and 'The time is close at hand.' Do not follow them.

And so may you, as soon as you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.

And you shall say to the owner of the house 'The Teacher says to you--Where is the room where I am to eat the Passover with my disciples?'

The man will show you a large upstairs room, set out; there make preparations."

Which is the greater--the master at the table or his servant? Is not it the master at the table? Yet I myself am among you as one who serves.

"Master," said Peter, "with you I am ready to go both to prison and to death."

Jesus then went out, and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, followed by his disciples.

A little while afterwards some one else--a man--saw him and said: "Why, you are one of them!" "No," Peter said, "I am not."

"Are you, then, the Son of God?" they all asked. "It is true," answered Jesus, "I am."

And now I am myself about to send upon you that which my Father has promised. But you must remain in the city until you have been invested with power from above."