so that you may know the certainty of the things which you have been taught.

And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time."

But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he made signs to them and remained speechless.

But why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name."

that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,

to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of all the world.

This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

And in that region there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that will be spoken against

(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

And he said to them, "Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

And even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

And he said to them, "Collect no more than is appointed you."

John answered them all, "I baptize you with water; but one mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

added this to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

He said to them, "Surely you will quote this proverb to me: 'Physician, heal yourself! Do here also in your own country what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.'"

And they rose up and cast him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down the cliff.

When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

And demons also came out of many, crying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them, and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"he said to the man who was paralyzed "I say to you, rise, take up your bed and go home."

The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much back.

Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the plank from out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it was well built.

But he who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."

When Jesus heard this, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that followed him, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."

At that very hour he cured many of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits, and to many that were blind he gave sight.

But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of perfume,

he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others it is given in parables, so that 'Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'

The ones along the path are those who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved.

And the ones that fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

But the ones that fell on the good soil are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

"No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.

For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and water, and they obey him?"

The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying,

But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; for I know that power has gone out from me."

When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.

And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.

Then her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat.

And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them."

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,

by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.

But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fishunless we go and buy food for all these people."

They all ate and were satisfied, and they took up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

Now it happened that as he was praying alone his disciples were with him; and he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"

So they answered, "John the Baptist; but others say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again."

And he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and will hardly leave him, bruising him.

And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples,

But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he that is not against you is for you."

'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.'

I tell you, it will be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

At that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Yes, Father, for so it was your good pleasure.

For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.

But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."

but only one thing is needed. And Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marveled.

If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub.

But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.

Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first."

As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that nursed you!"

The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, one greater than Jonah is here.

"No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light.

Therefore be careful that the light in you is not darkness.

The Pharisee was surprised to see that he did not first wash before dinner.

So you witness that you approve of the deeds of your fathers; for they killed them, and you build their tombs.

that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation,

In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trampled one another, he began to say to his disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves purses that do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

and be like men who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, so that they may open to him immediately when he comes and knocks.