Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Seven days thou shalt reconcile the altar and sanctify it, that it may be an altar most holy: so that no man may touch it but they that be consecrate.

And sanctify them that they may be most holy: so that no man touch them but they that be hallowed.

And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering?


And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering?


All the beasts of the field, and all the beasts of the wood, shall come to devour him. For his watchmen are all blind, they have altogether no understanding. They are all dumb dogs, no being able to bark; they are sleepery, sluggish, and lie snorting. They are shameless dogs, that be never satisfied. The shepherds also in like manner have no understanding, but every man turneth his own way, everyone after his own covetousness, with all his power. read more.
"Come," say they, "I will fetch wine, so shall we fill ourselves, that we may be drunken. And do tomorrow, like as today; yea, and much more."

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, "Perceivest thou not, how that the Pharisees are offended in hearing this saying?" He answered, and said, "All plants which my heavenly father hath not planted, shall be plucked up by the roots. Let them alone, they be the blind leaders of the blind. If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

Woe be unto you, blind guides, for ye which say, 'Whosoever swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever swear by the gold of the temple, he offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' read more.
Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering? Whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all that thereon is. And whosoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the seat of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which tithe mint, anise, and cumin, and leave the weightier matters of the law undone: judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which make clean the outer side of the cup, and of the platter: but within they are full of bribery and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first, that the inside of the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may also be clean.

And he put forth a similitude unto them, "Can the blind lead the blind? Do they not both then fall into the ditch?


Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said, "What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" And they appointed unto him thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went away unto the high priests, to betray him unto them. When they heard that, they were glad, and promised that they would give him money. And he sought, how he might conveniently betray him.

Then entered Satan into Judas, whose surname was Iscariot, which was of the number of the twelve: and he went his way, and communed with the high priests and officers, how he might betray him to them. And they were glad: and promised to give him money. read more.
And he consented, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them, when the people were away.

Thus the priest is become like the people. Wherefore I will punish them for their wicked ways, and reward them according to their own imaginations.

Hear, O ye heads of the house of Jacob, and ye leaders of the house of Israel: Should not ye know, what were lawful and right? But ye hate the good, and love the evil: ye pluck off men's skins, and the flesh from their bones; ye eat the flesh of my people, and flay of their skin; ye break their bones, ye chop them in pieces as it were into a cauldron, and as flesh into a pot. read more.
Now the time shall come, that when they call unto the LORD, he shall not hear them, but hide his face from them, because that through their own Imaginations they have dealt so wickedly.

O hear this, ye rulers of the house of Jacob, and ye judges of the house of Israel: ye that abhor the thing that is lawful, and wrest aside the thing that is straight;

O ye judges, ye give sentence for gifts; O ye priests, ye teach for lucre; O ye prophets, ye prophesy for money. Yet will they be taken as those that hold upon God, and say, "Is not the LORD among us? Tush, there can no misfortune happen us."

"Hearken another similitude. There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and made a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a strange country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive the fruits of it, and the husbandmen caught his servants, and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. read more.
Again, he sent other servants more than the first, and they served them likewise. But last of all, he sent unto them his own son, saying, 'They will fear my son.' But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir: come on, let us kill him, and let us take his inheritance, to ourselves.' And they caught him, and thrust him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the Lord of the vineyard cometh, what will he do with those husbandmen?" They said unto him, He will cruelly destroy those evil persons; and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall deliver him the fruit at times convenient.

And when the chief priests and Pharisees heard these similitudes, they perceived that he spake of them.

saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, All therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but after their works do not: for they say, and do not. Yea, and they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders: but they themselves will not heave at them with one of their fingers. read more.
All their works they do, for to be seen of men. They set abroad their phylacteries, and make large borders on their garments, and love to sit uppermost at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, 'Rabbi.'

Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven before men: ye yourselves go not in, neither suffer ye them that come to enter in. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, for ye devour widows' houses: and that, under a colour of praying long prayers, wherefore ye shall receive greater damnation. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which compass sea and land, to bring one into your belief: and when he is brought, ye make him twofold more the child of hell, than ye yourselves are. read more.
Woe be unto you, blind guides, for ye which say, 'Whosoever swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever swear by the gold of the temple, he offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering? Whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all that thereon is. And whosoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the seat of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which tithe mint, anise, and cumin, and leave the weightier matters of the law undone: judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which make clean the outer side of the cup, and of the platter: but within they are full of bribery and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first, that the inside of the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may also be clean. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are like unto painted tombs which appear beautiful outwards: but are within full of dead men's bones and of all filthiness. So are ye, for outward ye appear righteous unto men, when within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous and say, 'If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in the blood of the prophets.' So then: ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them, which killed the prophets. Fulfill ye likewise the measure of your fathers: ye serpents and generation of vipers, how should ye escape the damnation of hell?

The chief priests, and the elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, for to put him to death, but found none: insomuch that when many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said, "This fellow said, I can destroy the temple of God, and build the it again in three days." read more.
And the chief priest arose, and said to him, "Answerest thou nothing? How is it that these bear witness against thee?" But Jesus held his peace. And the chief priest answered, and said to him, "I charge thee in the name of the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be Christ the son of God." Jesus said to him, "Thou hast said. Nevertheless I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the son of man sitting on the righthand of power, and come in the clouds of the sky." Then the high priest rent his clothes saying, "He hath blasphemed: what need we of any more witnesses? Behold, now have ye heard his blasphemy: What think ye?" They answered and said, "He is worthy to die." Then spat they in his face, and buffeted him with their fists. And others smote him with the palm of their hands on the face, saying, "Tell us, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee?"

And he began to speak unto them in similitudes. "A certain man planted a vineyard, and compassed it with a hedge, and ordained a winepress, and built a tower in it, and let it out to hire unto husbandmen, and went into a strange country. And when the time was come, he sent to the tenants a servant that he might receive of the tenants of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him and beat him and sent him again empty. read more.
And moreover he sent unto them another servant, and at him they cast stones and brake his head, and sent him again all too reviled. And again he sent another, and him they killed: and many others, beating some, and killing some. "Yet had he one son whom he loved tenderly, him also sent he at the last unto them, saying, 'They will fear my son.' But the tenants said amongst themselves, 'This is the heir: come, let us kill him and the inheritance shall be ours.' And they took him and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall then the Lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants, and let out the vineyard to others. Have ye not read this scripture? 'The stone which the builders did refuse, is made the chief stone in the corner: This was done of the Lord, and is marvelous in our eyes.'" And they went about to take him, but they feared the people. For they perceived that he spake that similitude against them. And they left him and went their way.


But ye shall not suffer yourselves to be called Rabbi, for one is your master, that is, to wit, Christ, and all ye are brethren. And call ye no man your father upon the earth, for there is but one, your father, and he is in heaven. Be not called masters, for there is but one, your master, and he is Christ.

And it came to pass, as he sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down also with Jesus, and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw that, they said unto his disciples, "Why eateth your master with publicans and sinners?" When Jesus heard that, he said unto them, "The whole need not the physician, but they that are sick. read more.
Go and learn, what that meaneth: 'I have pleasure in mercy, and not in offering.' For I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance."

saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, All therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but after their works do not: for they say, and do not. Yea, and they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders: but they themselves will not heave at them with one of their fingers.

Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven before men: ye yourselves go not in, neither suffer ye them that come to enter in. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, for ye devour widows' houses: and that, under a colour of praying long prayers, wherefore ye shall receive greater damnation. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which compass sea and land, to bring one into your belief: and when he is brought, ye make him twofold more the child of hell, than ye yourselves are. read more.
Woe be unto you, blind guides, for ye which say, 'Whosoever swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever swear by the gold of the temple, he offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering? Whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all that thereon is. And whosoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the seat of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which tithe mint, anise, and cumin, and leave the weightier matters of the law undone: judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which make clean the outer side of the cup, and of the platter: but within they are full of bribery and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first, that the inside of the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may also be clean. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are like unto painted tombs which appear beautiful outwards: but are within full of dead men's bones and of all filthiness. So are ye, for outward ye appear righteous unto men, when within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous and say, 'If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in the blood of the prophets.' So then: ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them, which killed the prophets. Fulfill ye likewise the measure of your fathers: ye serpents and generation of vipers, how should ye escape the damnation of hell? "Wherefore, Behold, I send unto you prophets, wise men, and scribes. And of them: some shall ye kill and crucify, and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city; that upon you may come all the righteous blood that was shed upon the earth: from the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zachariah the son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar:

"Every man therefore shall be salted with fire: And every sacrifice shall be seasoned with salt. Salt is good. But if the salt be unsavoury: what shall ye salt therewith? See that ye have salt in yourselves. And have peace among yourselves, one with another."


All the beasts of the field, and all the beasts of the wood, shall come to devour him. For his watchmen are all blind, they have altogether no understanding. They are all dumb dogs, no being able to bark; they are sleepery, sluggish, and lie snorting. They are shameless dogs, that be never satisfied. The shepherds also in like manner have no understanding, but every man turneth his own way, everyone after his own covetousness, with all his power. read more.
"Come," say they, "I will fetch wine, so shall we fill ourselves, that we may be drunken. And do tomorrow, like as today; yea, and much more."

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, "Perceivest thou not, how that the Pharisees are offended in hearing this saying?" He answered, and said, "All plants which my heavenly father hath not planted, shall be plucked up by the roots. Let them alone, they be the blind leaders of the blind. If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

Woe be unto you, blind guides, for ye which say, 'Whosoever swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever swear by the gold of the temple, he offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' read more.
Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering? Whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all that thereon is. And whosoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the seat of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which tithe mint, anise, and cumin, and leave the weightier matters of the law undone: judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which make clean the outer side of the cup, and of the platter: but within they are full of bribery and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first, that the inside of the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may also be clean.

And he put forth a similitude unto them, "Can the blind lead the blind? Do they not both then fall into the ditch?


Woe be unto you, blind guides, for ye which say, 'Whosoever swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever swear by the gold of the temple, he offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' read more.
Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering? Whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all that thereon is. And whosoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the seat of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.


As there gathered together an innumerable multitude of people - insomuch that they trod one another - he began to say unto his disciples, "First of all, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

"Moreover, when ye fast, be not sad as the hypocrites are: for they disfigure their faces, that they might be seen of men how they fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face, that it appear not unto men how that thou fastest, but unto thy father which is in secret: and thy father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

"Hearken another similitude. There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and made a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a strange country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive the fruits of it, and the husbandmen caught his servants, and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. read more.
Again, he sent other servants more than the first, and they served them likewise. But last of all, he sent unto them his own son, saying, 'They will fear my son.' But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir: come on, let us kill him, and let us take his inheritance, to ourselves.' And they caught him, and thrust him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the Lord of the vineyard cometh, what will he do with those husbandmen?" They said unto him, He will cruelly destroy those evil persons; and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall deliver him the fruit at times convenient. Jesus said unto them, "Did ye never read in the scriptures? 'The same stone which the builders refused, the same is set in the principal part of the corner: this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.' Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and shall be given to the Gentiles, which shall bring forth the fruits of it. And whosoever shall fall on this stone, he shall be alto broken. But on whosoever it shall fall upon, it will grind him to powder." And when the chief priests and Pharisees heard these similitudes, they perceived that he spake of them. And they went about to lay hands on him, but they feared the people, because they took him as a prophet.

Whensoever therefore thou givest thine alms, thou shalt not make a trumpet to be blown before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues, and in the streets, for to be praised of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou doest thine alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be secret: and thy father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. read more.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, because they would be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou prayest, enter into thy chamber, and shut thy door to thee, and pray to thy father which is in secret; and thy father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. "And when ye pray, babble not much, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard, for their much babbling's sake. Be ye not like them therefore: for your father knoweth whereof ye have need, before ye ask of him.

Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem, saying, "Why do thy disciples transgress the traditions of the elders? For they wash not their hands, when they eat bread." He answered, and said unto them, "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God, through your traditions? read more.
For God commanded, saying, 'Honour thy father and mother,' and, 'He that curseth father or mother, shall suffer death.' But ye say, 'Every man shall say to his father or mother: That which thou desirest of me to help thee with, is given God.' And so shall he not honour his father or his mother. And thus have ye made, that the commandment of God is without effect, through your traditions. Hypocrites; well prophesied of you Isaiah, saying, 'This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouths, and honoureth me with their lips, howbeit their hearts are far from me: But in vain they worship me, teaching doctrines which are nothing but men's precepts.'"

Then came to him the Pharisees with the Sadducees also, and did tempt him, desiring him to show them some sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, "At even ye say, 'We shall have fair weather,' and that because the sky is red: And in the morning, ye say, 'Today shall be foul weather,' and that because the sky is cloudy and red. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the fashion of the sky: and can ye not discern the signs of the times? read more.
The forward nation, and adulterous, seeketh a sign: and there shall none other sign be given unto them, but the sign of the prophet Jonah." So left he them and departed. And when his disciples were come to the other side of the water, they had forgotten to take bread with them. Then Jesus said unto them, "Take heed, and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the Sadducees." And they thought in themselves, saying, "Because we have brought no bread with us." When Jesus understood that, he said unto them, "O ye of little faith, why are your minds cumbered because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet perceive, neither remember those five loaves, when there were five thousand men, and how many baskets took ye up? Neither the seven loaves, when there were four thousand, and how many baskets took ye up? Why perceive ye not, then, that I spake not unto you of bread, when I said, 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?'" Then understood they, how that he bade not them beware of the leaven of bread: but of the doctrine of the Pharisees, and of the Sadducees.

saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, All therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but after their works do not: for they say, and do not. Yea, and they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders: but they themselves will not heave at them with one of their fingers. read more.
All their works they do, for to be seen of men. They set abroad their phylacteries, and make large borders on their garments, and love to sit uppermost at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, 'Rabbi.' But ye shall not suffer yourselves to be called Rabbi, for one is your master, that is, to wit, Christ, and all ye are brethren. And call ye no man your father upon the earth, for there is but one, your father, and he is in heaven. Be not called masters, for there is but one, your master, and he is Christ. He that is greatest among you, shall be your servant. But whosoever exalteth himself, shall be brought low. And he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven before men: ye yourselves go not in, neither suffer ye them that come to enter in. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, for ye devour widows' houses: and that, under a colour of praying long prayers, wherefore ye shall receive greater damnation. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which compass sea and land, to bring one into your belief: and when he is brought, ye make him twofold more the child of hell, than ye yourselves are. Woe be unto you, blind guides, for ye which say, 'Whosoever swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever swear by the gold of the temple, he offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering? Whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all that thereon is. And whosoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the seat of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which tithe mint, anise, and cumin, and leave the weightier matters of the law undone: judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which make clean the outer side of the cup, and of the platter: but within they are full of bribery and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first, that the inside of the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may also be clean. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are like unto painted tombs which appear beautiful outwards: but are within full of dead men's bones and of all filthiness. So are ye, for outward ye appear righteous unto men, when within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous and say, 'If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in the blood of the prophets.' So then: ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them, which killed the prophets. Fulfill ye likewise the measure of your fathers: ye serpents and generation of vipers, how should ye escape the damnation of hell?

And he was a casting out a devil, which was dumb. And it followed when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake, and the people wondered. But some of them said, "He casteth out devils by the power of Beelzebub, the chief of the devils." And others tempted him seeking of him a sign from heaven. read more.
But he knew their thoughts, and said unto them, "Every kingdom divided within itself shall be desolate: and one house shall fall upon another. So if Satan be divided within himself: how shall his kingdom endure? Be cause ye say that I cast out devils by the power of Beelzebub? If I by the power of Beelzebub cast out devils: by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt, the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man, armed, watcheth his house; That he possesseth, is in peace. But when a stronger than he cometh upon him, and overcometh him: he taketh from him, his harness, wherein he trusted, and divideth his goods. "He that is not with me is against me. And he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through waterless places seeking rest. And when he findeth none, he sayeth, I will return again unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits worse than himself: and they enter in, and dwell there. And the end of that man is worse than the beginning." And it fortuned, as he thus spake those things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, "Happy is the womb that bare thee and the paps, which gave thee suck. But he said, "Yea, happy are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." When the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil nation. They seek a sign, and there shall no sign be given them, but the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so shall the son of man be to this nation. The queen of the south shall rise at the judgment, with the men of this generation, and condemn them. For she came from the end of the world, to hear the wisdom of Solomon: and behold a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh shall rise at the judgment, with this generation, and shall condemn them: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah: And behold, a greater than Jonah is here. "No man lighteth a candle, and putteth it in a privy place, neither under a bushel: But on a candlestick, that they that come in, may see the light. The light of thy body is the eye. Therefore, when thine eye is single: then is all thy body full of light. But if thine eye be evil: then shall all thy body also be full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee, be not darkness. For if all thy body shall be light, having no part dark: then shall all be full of light, even as when a candle doeth light thee with his brightness." And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. When the Pharisee saw that, he marveled that he had not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said to him, "Now do ye, O Pharisees, make clean the outside of the cup, and of the platter: but your inward parts are full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools: did not he that made that which is without, make that which is within also? Nevertheless, ye give alms of that ye have, and behold: all is clean to you. But woe be to you Pharisees: for ye tithe the mint, and rue, and all manner herbs; and pass over judgment, and the love of God. These ought ye to have done, and yet not to have left the other undone. Woe be to you Pharisees: for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are as graves which appear not; And the men that walk over them, are not aware of them." Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, "Master, thus saying, thou puttest us to rebuke also." Then he said, "Woe be to you also ye lawyers: for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be born, and ye yourselves touch not the packs with one of your fingers. Woe be to you that build the sepulchers of the prophets: for your fathers killed them: Truly ye bear witness, that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they killed them, and ye build their sepulchers. "Therefore said the wisdom of God: I will send them prophets and apostles, and of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all prophets, which was shed from the beginning of the world, may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple. Verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this nation. Woe be to you lawyers: for ye have taken away the key of knowledge, ye entered not in yourselves, and them that came in ye forbade." When he thus spake unto them, the lawyers and the Pharisees began to wax busy about him, and to stop his mouth with many questions; Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something of his mouth, whereby they might accuse him.

Then resorted unto him all the publicans and sinners, for to hear him. And the Pharisees, and scribes murmured, saying, "He received to his company sinners, and eateth with them." Then put he forth this similitude to them, saying, read more.
"What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them doth not leave ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find him? And when he hath found him, he putteth him on his shoulders with joy: And as soon as he cometh home he calleth together his lovers, and neighbours saying unto them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either, what woman having ten groats, if she lose one, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently, till she find it? And when she hath found it she calleth her lovers, and her neighbours saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the groat which I had lost.'


Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven before men: ye yourselves go not in, neither suffer ye them that come to enter in. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, for ye devour widows' houses: and that, under a colour of praying long prayers, wherefore ye shall receive greater damnation. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which compass sea and land, to bring one into your belief: and when he is brought, ye make him twofold more the child of hell, than ye yourselves are. read more.
Woe be unto you, blind guides, for ye which say, 'Whosoever swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever swear by the gold of the temple, he offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering? Whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all that thereon is. And whosoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the seat of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which tithe mint, anise, and cumin, and leave the weightier matters of the law undone: judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which make clean the outer side of the cup, and of the platter: but within they are full of bribery and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first, that the inside of the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may also be clean. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are like unto painted tombs which appear beautiful outwards: but are within full of dead men's bones and of all filthiness. So are ye, for outward ye appear righteous unto men, when within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous and say, 'If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in the blood of the prophets.' So then: ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them, which killed the prophets. Fulfill ye likewise the measure of your fathers: ye serpents and generation of vipers, how should ye escape the damnation of hell?


saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, All therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but after their works do not: for they say, and do not. Yea, and they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders: but they themselves will not heave at them with one of their fingers. read more.
All their works they do, for to be seen of men. They set abroad their phylacteries, and make large borders on their garments, and love to sit uppermost at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, 'Rabbi.' But ye shall not suffer yourselves to be called Rabbi, for one is your master, that is, to wit, Christ, and all ye are brethren. And call ye no man your father upon the earth, for there is but one, your father, and he is in heaven. Be not called masters, for there is but one, your master, and he is Christ. He that is greatest among you, shall be your servant. But whosoever exalteth himself, shall be brought low. And he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven before men: ye yourselves go not in, neither suffer ye them that come to enter in. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, for ye devour widows' houses: and that, under a colour of praying long prayers, wherefore ye shall receive greater damnation. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which compass sea and land, to bring one into your belief: and when he is brought, ye make him twofold more the child of hell, than ye yourselves are. Woe be unto you, blind guides, for ye which say, 'Whosoever swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever swear by the gold of the temple, he offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering? Whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all that thereon is. And whosoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the seat of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which tithe mint, anise, and cumin, and leave the weightier matters of the law undone: judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which make clean the outer side of the cup, and of the platter: but within they are full of bribery and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first, that the inside of the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may also be clean. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are like unto painted tombs which appear beautiful outwards: but are within full of dead men's bones and of all filthiness. So are ye, for outward ye appear righteous unto men, when within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous and say, 'If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in the blood of the prophets.' So then: ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them, which killed the prophets. Fulfill ye likewise the measure of your fathers: ye serpents and generation of vipers, how should ye escape the damnation of hell?

And they sent unto him certain of the Pharisees with Herod's servants, to take him in his words. And as soon as they were come, they said unto him, "Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: For thou considerest not the degree of men, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, or not? Ought we to give, or ought we not to give?" He understood their dissimulation, and said unto them, "Why tempt ye me? Bring me a penny, that I may see it." read more.
And they brought him one. And he said unto them, "Whose is this image and superscription?" And they said unto him, "Caesar's." And Jesus answered, and said unto them, "Then give to Caesar that which belongeth to Caesar: and give to God that which pertaineth to God." And they marveled at him. Then came the Sadducees came unto him, which say there is no resurrection. And they asked him, saying, "Master, Moses wrote unto us, if any man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children: that then his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were seven brethren and the first took a wife, and when he died left no seed behind him. And the second took her, and died: neither left he any seed, and the third likewise. And seven had her, and left no seed behind them. Last of all, the wife died also. In the resurrection, then, when they shall rise again: whose wife shall she be of them? For seven had her to wife." Jesus answered, and said unto them, "Are ye not therefore deceived, and understand not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise again from death, they neither marry, nor are married: but are as the angels which are in heaven. As touching the dead, that they shall rise again: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?' He is not the God of the dead: but the God of the living. Ye are therefore greatly deceived." And there came one of the scribes, that had heard them disputing together, and perceived that he had answered them well, and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is, 'Hear, Israel, the Lord God is One Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second is like unto this, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor, as thyself.' There is none other commandment greater than these." And the scribe said unto him, "Well master, thou hast said the truth, that there is one God, and that there is none but he. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the mind, and with all the soul, and with all the strength. And to love a man's neighbor as himself, is a greater thing than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." And no man after that durst ask him any question. And Jesus answered, and said, teaching in the temple, "How say the scribes, that Christ is the son of David? For David himself, inspired with the holy ghost, said, 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy foot stool.' Then David himself calleth him Lord, and by what means is he then his son?" And much people heard him gladly. And he said unto them in his doctrine, "Beware of the scribes which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market places, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and to sit in the uppermost rooms at feasts, and devour widows' houses: and that, under a colour of long praying. These shall receive greater damnation."

And the Lord said to him, "Now do ye, O Pharisees, make clean the outside of the cup, and of the platter: but your inward parts are full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools: did not he that made that which is without, make that which is within also? Nevertheless, ye give alms of that ye have, and behold: all is clean to you. read more.
But woe be to you Pharisees: for ye tithe the mint, and rue, and all manner herbs; and pass over judgment, and the love of God. These ought ye to have done, and yet not to have left the other undone. Woe be to you Pharisees: for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are as graves which appear not; And the men that walk over them, are not aware of them." Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, "Master, thus saying, thou puttest us to rebuke also." Then he said, "Woe be to you also ye lawyers: for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be born, and ye yourselves touch not the packs with one of your fingers. Woe be to you that build the sepulchers of the prophets: for your fathers killed them: Truly ye bear witness, that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they killed them, and ye build their sepulchers. "Therefore said the wisdom of God: I will send them prophets and apostles, and of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all prophets, which was shed from the beginning of the world, may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple. Verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this nation. Woe be to you lawyers: for ye have taken away the key of knowledge, ye entered not in yourselves, and them that came in ye forbade." When he thus spake unto them, the lawyers and the Pharisees began to wax busy about him, and to stop his mouth with many questions; Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something of his mouth, whereby they might accuse him.



If there arise among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and give thee a sign or a wonder - and that sign or wonder which he hath said come to pass - and then say, 'Let us go after strange gods which thou hast not known, and let us serve them': hearken not unto the words of that prophet or dreamer of dreams. For the LORD thy God tempteth you, to wete whether ye love the LORD your God with all your hearts and with all your souls.

Whosoever breaketh one of these least commandments, and teacheth men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whosoever observeth, and teacheth the same, shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, All therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but after their works do not: for they say, and do not. Yea, and they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders: but they themselves will not heave at them with one of their fingers. read more.
All their works they do, for to be seen of men. They set abroad their phylacteries, and make large borders on their garments, and love to sit uppermost at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, 'Rabbi.' But ye shall not suffer yourselves to be called Rabbi, for one is your master, that is, to wit, Christ, and all ye are brethren. And call ye no man your father upon the earth, for there is but one, your father, and he is in heaven. Be not called masters, for there is but one, your master, and he is Christ. He that is greatest among you, shall be your servant. But whosoever exalteth himself, shall be brought low. And he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven before men: ye yourselves go not in, neither suffer ye them that come to enter in. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, for ye devour widows' houses: and that, under a colour of praying long prayers, wherefore ye shall receive greater damnation. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which compass sea and land, to bring one into your belief: and when he is brought, ye make him twofold more the child of hell, than ye yourselves are. Woe be unto you, blind guides, for ye which say, 'Whosoever swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever swear by the gold of the temple, he offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering? Whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all that thereon is. And whosoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the seat of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which tithe mint, anise, and cumin, and leave the weightier matters of the law undone: judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which make clean the outer side of the cup, and of the platter: but within they are full of bribery and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first, that the inside of the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may also be clean. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are like unto painted tombs which appear beautiful outwards: but are within full of dead men's bones and of all filthiness. So are ye, for outward ye appear righteous unto men, when within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous and say, 'If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in the blood of the prophets.' So then: ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them, which killed the prophets. Fulfill ye likewise the measure of your fathers: ye serpents and generation of vipers, how should ye escape the damnation of hell?

"Why do thy disciples transgress the traditions of the elders? For they wash not their hands, when they eat bread." He answered, and said unto them, "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God, through your traditions? For God commanded, saying, 'Honour thy father and mother,' and, 'He that curseth father or mother, shall suffer death.' read more.
But ye say, 'Every man shall say to his father or mother: That which thou desirest of me to help thee with, is given God.' And so shall he not honour his father or his mother. And thus have ye made, that the commandment of God is without effect, through your traditions. Hypocrites; well prophesied of you Isaiah, saying, 'This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouths, and honoureth me with their lips, howbeit their hearts are far from me: But in vain they worship me, teaching doctrines which are nothing but men's precepts.'" And he called the people unto him, and said to them, "Hear and understand. That which goeth into the mouth, defileth not the man: but that which cometh out of the mouth, defileth the man." Then came his disciples, and said unto him, "Perceivest thou not, how that the Pharisees are offended in hearing this saying?" He answered, and said, "All plants which my heavenly father hath not planted, shall be plucked up by the roots. Let them alone, they be the blind leaders of the blind. If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Then answered Peter and said to him, "Declare unto us this parable." Then said Jesus, "Are ye yet without an understanding? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever goeth in at the mouth, descendeth down into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, breaking of wedlock, whoredom, theft, false witness-bearing, blasphemy. These are the things which defile a man. But to eat with unwashen hands, defileth not a man."

When the Pharisee saw that, he marveled that he had not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said to him, "Now do ye, O Pharisees, make clean the outside of the cup, and of the platter: but your inward parts are full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools: did not he that made that which is without, make that which is within also? read more.
Nevertheless, ye give alms of that ye have, and behold: all is clean to you. But woe be to you Pharisees: for ye tithe the mint, and rue, and all manner herbs; and pass over judgment, and the love of God. These ought ye to have done, and yet not to have left the other undone. Woe be to you Pharisees: for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are as graves which appear not; And the men that walk over them, are not aware of them." Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, "Master, thus saying, thou puttest us to rebuke also." Then he said, "Woe be to you also ye lawyers: for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be born, and ye yourselves touch not the packs with one of your fingers. Woe be to you that build the sepulchers of the prophets: for your fathers killed them: Truly ye bear witness, that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they killed them, and ye build their sepulchers. "Therefore said the wisdom of God: I will send them prophets and apostles, and of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all prophets, which was shed from the beginning of the world, may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple. Verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this nation. Woe be to you lawyers: for ye have taken away the key of knowledge, ye entered not in yourselves, and them that came in ye forbade."


Woe be unto you, blind guides, for ye which say, 'Whosoever swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever swear by the gold of the temple, he offendeth.' Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, 'Whosoever sweareth by the altar it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the offering that lieth on the altar offendeth.' read more.
Ye fools and blind: whether is greater; the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering? Whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all that thereon is. And whosoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the seat of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.