On one of these days, when Jesus was teaching the people in the Temple Courts and telling the Good News, the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law, joined by the Councillors, confronted him,

"I, too," said Jesus in reply, "will ask you one question. Give me an answer to it.

"Then I," said Jesus, "refuse to tell you what authority I have to do these things."

But Jesus began to tell the people this parable-- "A man once planted a vineyard, and then let it out to tenants, and went abroad for a long while.

But Jesus looked at them and said: "What then is the meaning of this passage?-- 'The very stone which the builders despised has now itself become the corner-stone.'

After this the Teachers of the Law and the Chief Priest were eager to lay hands on Jesus then and there, but they were afraid of the people; for they saw that it was at them that he had aimed this parable.

Having watched their opportunity, they afterwards sent some spies, who pretended to be good men, to catch Jesus in the course of conversation, and so enable them to give him up to the Governor's jurisdiction and authority.

These men asked Jesus a question. They said: "Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and that you do not take any account of a man's position, but teach the Way of God honestly;

Seeing through their deceitfulness, Jesus said to them:

"The Emperor's," they said; and Jesus replied: "Well then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and to God what belongs to God."

"The men and women of this world," said Jesus, "marry and are given in marriage;

But Jesus said to them: "How is it that people say that the Christ is to be David's son?

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to the disciples:

Looking up, Jesus saw the rich people putting their gifts into the chests for the Temple offerings.

When some of them spoke about the Temple being decorated with beautiful stones and offerings, Jesus said:

So the disciples questioned Jesus: "But, Teacher, when will this be? and what sign will there be when this is near?"

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.

During the days, Jesus continued to teach in the Temple Courts, but he went out and spent the nights on the hill called the 'Mount of Olives.'

The Chief Priest and the Teachers of the Law were looking for an opportunity of destroying Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.

And he went and discussed with the Chief Priests and Officers in charge at the Temple the best way of betraying Jesus to them.

So Judas assented, and looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them, in the absence of a crowd.

Jesus sent forward Peter and John, saying to them: "Go and make preparations for our eating the Passover."

So Peter and John went on, and found everything just as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

When the time came, Jesus took his place at table, and the Apostles with him.

Then Jesus took some bread, and, after saying the thanksgiving, broke it and gave to them, with the words: "This is my body, [which is now to be given on your behalf. Do this in memory of me."

Jesus, however, said: "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their oppressors are styled 'Benefactors.'

"I tell you, Peter," replied Jesus, "the cock will not crow to-day till you have disowned all knowledge of me three times."

"Master," they exclaimed, "look, here are two swords!" "Enough!" said Jesus.

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

While he was still speaking, a crowd appeared in sight, led by the man called Judas, who was one of the Twelve. Judas approached Jesus, to kiss him;

On which Jesus said to him: "Judas, is it by a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?"

But when those who were round Jesus saw what was going to happen, they exclaimed: "Master, shall we use our swords?"

On which Jesus said: "Let me at least do this"; and, touching his ear, he healed the wound.

Those who had taken Jesus prisoner took him away into the house of the High Priest. Peter followed at a distance.

The men that held Jesus kept making sport of him and beating him.

At daybreak the National Council met--both the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law--and took Jesus before their High Council.

"If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us so." "If I tell you," replied Jesus, "you will not believe me;

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

Then they all rose in a body and led Jesus before Pilate.

"Are you the King of the Jews?" Pilate asked him. "It is true," replied Jesus.

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.

So he questioned him at some length, but Jesus made no reply.

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.

Pilate, however, wanting to release Jesus, called to them again;

He released the man who had been put in prison for riot and murder, as they demanded, and gave Jesus up to be dealt with as they pleased.

And, as they were leading Jesus away, they laid hold of Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and they put the cross on his shoulders, for him to carry it behind Jesus.

So Jesus turned and said to them: "Women of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

There were two others also, criminals, led out to be executed with Jesus.

When they had reached the place called 'The Skull,' there they crucified Jesus and the criminals, one on the right, and one on the left.

[Then Jesus said: "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."] His clothes they divided among them by casting lots.

One of the criminals who were hanging beside Jesus railed at him. "Are not you the Christ? Save yourself and us," he said.

Jesus," he went on, "do not forget me when you have come to your Kingdom."

And Jesus answered: "I tell you, this very day you shall be with me in Paradise."

Then Jesus, with a loud cry, said: "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit." And with these words he expired.

All the friends of Jesus had been standing at a distance, with the women who accompanied him from Galilee, watching all this.

He now went to see Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus;

The women who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how the body of Jesus was laid,

And, on going into it, they could not find the body [of the Lord Jesus].

Then they remembered the words of Jesus,

While they were talking about these things and discussing them, Jesus himself came up and went on their way with them;

"What is this that you are saying to each other as you walk along?" Jesus asked. They stopped, with sad looks on their faces,

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?"

"What things do you mean?" asked Jesus. "Why, about Jesus of Nazareth," they answered, "who, in the eyes of God and all the people, was a Prophet, whose power was felt in both his words and actions;

And, not finding the body of Jesus there, came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels who told them that he was alive.

So some of our number went to the tomb and found everything just as the women had said; but they did not see Jesus."

Then Jesus said to them: "O foolish men, slow to accept all that the Prophets have said!

When they got near the village to which they were walking, Jesus appeared to be going further;

But they pressed him not to do so. "Stay with us," they said, "for it is getting towards evening, and the sun in already low." So Jesus went in to stay with them.

So they also related what had happened during their walk, and how they had recognized Jesus at the Breaking of the Bread.

While they were still talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, [and said "Peace be with you."]

But Jesus said to them: "Why are you so startled? and why do doubts arise in you minds?

While they were still unable to believe it all for very joy, and were wondering if it were true, Jesus said to them: "Have you anything here to eat?"

After this, Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and there raised his hands and blessed them.

For the Law was given through Moses, love and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him, and exclaimed: "Here is the Lamb of God, who is to take away the sin of the world!

He looked at Jesus as he passed and exclaimed: "There is the Lamb of God!"

The two disciples heard him say this, and followed Jesus.

But Jesus turned round, and saw them following. "What are you looking for?" he asked. "Rabbi," they answered (or, as we should say, "Teacher"), "where are you staying?"

One of the two, who heard what John said and followed Jesus, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

Then he brought him to Jesus. Fixing his eyes on him, Jesus said: "You are Simon, the son of John; you shall be called Kephas" (which means 'Peter,' or 'Rock').

The following day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip, and said to him: "Follow me."

He found Nathanael and said to him: "We have found him of whom Moses wrote in the Law, and of whom the Prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, Joseph's son!"

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said: "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit!"

"How do you know me?" asked Nathanael. "Even before Philip called you," replied Jesus, "when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

"Do you believe in me," asked Jesus, "because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You shall see greater things than those!

Two days after this there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and Jesus' mother was there.

Jesus himself, too, with his disciples, was invited to the wedding.

"What do you want with me?" answered Jesus. "My time has not come yet."

Jesus said to the servants: "Fill the water-jars with water;"

This, the first sign of his mission, Jesus gave at Cana in Galilee, and by it revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

After this, Jesus went down to Capernaum--he, his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; but they stayed there only a few days.

Then, as the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Upon this the Jews asked Jesus: "What sign are you going to show us, since you act in this way?"

But Jesus was speaking of his body as a temple.

Afterwards, when he had risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the passage of Scripture, and the words which Jesus had spoken.

While Jesus was in Jerusalem, during the Passover Festival, many came to trust in him, when they saw the signs of his mission that he was giving.

But Jesus did not trust himself to them, since he could read every heart,

This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: "Rabbi, we know that you are a Teacher come from God; for no one could give such signs as you are giving, unless God were with him."

"In truth I tell you," exclaimed Jesus, "unless a man is reborn, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."