The Work in Galilee

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. 13 Afterwards, leaving Nazareth, he went and settled at Capernaum, which is by the side of the sea, within the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali; 14 in fulfilment of these words in the prophet Isaiah –

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

the land of the Road by the sea, and beyond the Jordan,

with Galilee of the Gentiles –

16 The people who were living in darkness

have seen a great light,

and, for those who were living in the shadow-land of death,

a light has dawned!”Titleless Section Break

17 At that time Jesus began to proclaim –

‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

18 As Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers – Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew – casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

19 ‘Come and follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will teach you to fish for people.’ 20 The two men left their nets at once and followed him. 21 Going further on, he saw two other men who were also brothers, James, Zebedee’s son, and his brother John, in their boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and they at once left their boat and their father, and followed him.

23 Jesus went all through Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people; 24 and his fame spread all through Syria. They brought to him all who were ill with any form of disease, or who were suffering pain – any who were either possessed by demons, or were lunatic, or paralysed; and he cured them. 25 He was followed by large crowds from Galilee, the district of the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

5 On seeing the crowds of people, Jesus went up the hill; and, when he had taken his seat, his disciples came up to him; 2 and he began to teach them, saying:

3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are the mourners,

for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the gentle,

for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

for they will find mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted in the cause of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward in heaven will be great; this is the way they persecuted the prophets who lived before you.

13 ‘You are salt for the world. But if salt becomes tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown away, and trampled underfoot. 14 It is you who are the light of the world. A town that stands on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp-stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before the eyes of others so that, seeing your good actions, they will praise your Father who is in heaven.

17 ‘Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law or the prophets; I have not come to do away with them, but to complete them. 18 For I tell you, until the heavens and the earth disappear, not even the smallest letter, nor one stroke of a letter, will disappear from the Law until all is done. 19 Whoever, therefore, breaks one of these commandments, even the least of them, and teaches others to do so, will be the least esteemed in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps them, and teaches others to do so, will be esteemed great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 Indeed I tell you that, unless you obey God’s commands better than of the teachers of the Law, and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

21 ‘You have heard that to our ancestors it was said – “You must not commit murder,” and “Whoever commits murder will be brought to trial.” 22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry at their brother or sister will be brought to trial; and whoever insults their brother or sister will be brought before the High Council, while whoever calls them a fool will be in danger of the fires of Gehenna. 23 Therefore, when presenting your gift at the altar, if even there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there, before the altar, go and be reconciled to them, first, then come and present your gift. 25 Be ready to make friends with your opponent, even when you meet them on your way to the court; otherwise they might hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the judicial officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you, you will not come out until you have paid the last cent.

27 ‘You have heard that it was said – “You must not commit adultery.” 28 But I say to you that anyone who looks at a woman and desires her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away. It would be best for you to lose one part of your body, and not to have the whole of it thrown into Gehenna. 30 And, if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It would be best for you to lose one part of your body, and not to have the whole of it go down to Gehenna.

31 ‘It was also said – “Let anyone who divorces his wife serve her with a notice of separation.” 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of some serious sexual sin, leads to her committing adultery; while anyone who marries her after her divorce is guilty of adultery. 33 Again, you have heard that our ancestors were told – “Do not break your oaths, keep your vows to the Lord.” 34 But I say to you that you must not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne, 35 or by the earth, since that is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the Great King. 36 Nor should you swear by your head, since you cannot make a single hair either white or black. 37 Let your words be simply “Yes” or “No”; anything beyond this comes from what is evil.

38 ‘You have heard that it was said – “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” 39 But I say to you that you must not resist those who wrong you; but, if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to them also. 40 If someone sues you for your shirt, let them have your cloak as well. 41 If you are forced to carry a soldier’s pack for one mile, carry it two. 42 Give to anyone who asks and, if someone wants to borrow from you, do not turn them away.

43 You have heard that it was said – “You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” 44 But what I tell you is this: love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may become children of your Father who is in heaven; for he causes his sun to rise on bad and good alike, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For, if you love only those who love you, what reward will you have? Even the tax collectors do this! 47 And, if you only welcome your brothers and sisters, what are you doing more than others? Even the Gentiles do this! 48 You, then, must become perfect – as your heavenly Father is perfect.

6 ‘Take care not to perform your religious duties in public in order to be seen by others; if you do, your Father who is in heaven has no reward for you. 2 Therefore, when you do acts of charity, do not have a trumpet blown in front of you, as hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that people will praise them. There, I tell you, is their reward! 3 But, when you do acts of charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your charity may be secret; and your Father, who sees what is in secret, will reward you.

5 ‘And, when you pray, you are not to behave as hypocrites do. They like to pray standing in the synagogues and at the corners of the streets, so that people will see them. There, I tell you, is their reward! 6 But, when one of you prays, they should go into their own room, shut the door, and pray to their Father who dwells in secret; and their Father, who sees what is secret, will reward them. 7 When praying, do not repeat the same words over and over again, as is done by the Gentiles, who think that by using many words they will obtain a hearing. 8 Do not imitate them; for God, your Father, knows what you need before you ask him. 9 You, therefore, should pray like this –

“Our Father, who is in heaven,

may your name be held holy,

10 your kingdom come, your will be done –

on earth, as in heaven.

11 Give us today

the bread that we will need;

12 and forgive us our wrongdoings,

as we have forgiven those who have wronged us;

13 and take us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.”

14 For, if you forgive others their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also; 15 but, if you do not forgive others their offences, not even your Father will forgive your offences.

16 ‘And, when you fast, do not put on gloomy looks, as hypocrites do who disfigure their faces so that they may be seen by people to be fasting. That, I tell you, is their reward! 17 But, when one of you fasts, they should anoint their head and wash their face, 18 so that they may not be seen by people to be fasting, but by their Father who dwells in secret; and their Father, who sees what is secret, will reward them.

19 ‘Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is unclouded, your whole body will be lit up; 23 but, if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be darkened. And, if the inner light is darkness, how intense must that darkness be! 24 No one can serve two masters, for either they will hate one and love the other, or else they will attach themselves to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

25 ‘This is why I say to you, Do not be anxious about your life – what you can get to eat or drink, or about your body – what you can get to wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the wild birds – they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns; and yet your heavenly Father feeds them! Aren’t you more precious than they? 27 But which of you, by being anxious, can prolong their life a single moment? 28 And why be anxious about clothing? Study the wild lilies, and how they grow. They neither toil nor spin; 29 yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his splendour was not robed like one of these. 30 If God so clothes even the grass of the field, which is living today and tomorrow will be thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith? 31 Do not then ask anxiously “What can we get to eat?” or “What can we get to drink?” or “What can we get to wear?” 32 All these are the things for which the nations are seeking, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But first seek his kingdom and the righteousness that he requires, and then all these things will be added for you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own anxieties. Every day has trouble enough of its own.

7 ‘Do not judge and you will not be judged. 2 For, just as you judge others, you will yourselves be judged, and the standard that you use will be used for you. 3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your friend’s eye, while you pay no attention at all to the plank of wood in yours? 4 How will you say to your friend “Let me take out the speck from your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own? 5 Hypocrite! Take out the plank from your own eye first, and then you will see clearly how to take out the speck from your friend’s.

6 ‘Do not give what is sacred to dogs; they will turn and maul you. Do not throw your pearls before pigs; they will trample them underfoot. 7 Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For the person who asks receives, the person who searches finds, and to the door will be opened to the person who knocks. 9 Who among you, when their child asks them for bread, will give them a stone, 10 or when they ask for a fish, will give them a snake? 11 If you, then, wicked though you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask him!

12 ‘Do to others whatever you would wish them to do to you; for that is the teaching of both the Law and the prophets. 13 Go in by the small gate. The road that leads to destruction is broad and spacious, and many go in by it. 14 For the gate is small, and the road narrow, that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

15 ‘Beware of false teachers – people who come to you in the guise of sheep, but at heart they are ravenous wolves. 16 By the fruit of their lives you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, too, every sound tree bears good fruit, while a worthless tree bears bad fruit. 18 A sound tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a worthless tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that fails to bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So it is by the fruit of their lives that you will know such people. 21 Not everyone who says to me “Master! Master!” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me “Master, Master, was not it in your name that we taught, and in your name that we drove out demons, and in your name that we did many miracles?” 23 And then I will say to them plainly “I never knew you. Go from my presence, you who live in sin.”

24 ‘Everyone, therefore, who listens to this teaching of mine and acts on it may be compared to a prudent person, who built their house on the rock. 25 The rain poured down, the rivers rose, the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, for its foundations were on the rock. 26 Everyone who listens to this teaching of mine and does not act on it may be compared to a foolish person, who built their house on the sand. 27 The rain poured down, the rivers rose, the winds blew and struck against that house, and it fell with a great crash.’

28 By the time that Jesus had finished speaking, the crowd was filled with amazement at his teaching. 29 For he taught them like one who had authority, and not like their teachers of the Law.

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8 When Jesus had come down from the hill, great crowds followed him. 2 He saw a leper who came up, and bowed to the ground before him, and said, ‘Master, if only you are willing, you are able to make me clean.’ 3 Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying as he did so, ‘I am willing; become clean.’ Instantly he was made clean from his leprosy; 4 and then Jesus said to him, ‘Be careful not to say a word to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift directed by Moses, as evidence of your cure.’ 5 After Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion in the Roman army came up to him, entreating his help. 6 ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘my manservant is lying ill at my house with a stroke of paralysis, and is suffering terribly.’

7 ‘I will come and cure him,’ answered Jesus. 8 ‘Sir,’ the centurion went on, ‘I am unworthy to receive you under my roof; but only speak, and my manservant will be cured. 9 For I myself am a man under the orders of others, with soldiers under me; and, if I say to one of them “Go,” he goes, and to another “Come,” he comes, and to my slave “Do this,” he does it.’ 10 Jesus was surprised to hear this, and said to those who were following him, ‘Never I tell you, in any Israelite have I met with such faith as this! 11 Yes, and many will come in from East and West and take their places beside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; 12 while the heirs to the kingdom will be banished into the darkness outside; there, there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.’ 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go now, and it will be according to your faith.’ And the man was cured that very hour.

14 When Jesus went into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law prostrated with fever. 15 On his taking her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and began to take care of him. 16 In the evening the people brought to Jesus many who were possessed by demons; and he drove out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were ill, 17 in fulfilment of these words in the prophet Isaiah – “He took our infirmities on himself, and bore the burden of our diseases.”

18 Seeing a crowd round him, Jesus gave orders to go across. 19 A teacher of the Law came up to him, and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’

20 ‘Foxes have holes,’ answered Jesus, ‘and wild birds their nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ 21 ‘Master,’ said another, who was a disciple, ‘let me first go and bury my father.’ 22 But Jesus answered, ‘Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their dead.’ 23 Then he got into the boat, followed by his disciples. 24 Suddenly so great a storm came up on the sea, that the waves broke right over the boat. But Jesus was asleep; 25 and the disciples came and roused him. ‘Master,’ they cried, ‘save us; we are lost!’

26 ‘Why are you so timid?’ he said. ‘You of little faith!’ Then Jesus rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and a great calm followed. 27 The men were amazed, and exclaimed, ‘What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!’

28 On getting to the other side – the region of the Gadarenes – Jesus met two men who were possessed by demons, coming out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one was able to pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shrieked out, ‘What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before our time?’ 30 A long way off, there was a herd of many pigs, feeding; 31 and the foul spirits began begging Jesus, ‘If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’

32 ‘Go,’ he said. The spirits came out, and entered the pigs; and the whole herd rushed down the steep slope into the sea, and died in the water. 33 At this the men who tended them ran away and went to the town, carrying the news of all that had occurred, and of what had happened to the possessed men. 34 At the news the whole town went out to meet Jesus, and, when they saw him, they entreated him to go away from their region.

9 Afterwards Jesus got into a boat, and, crossing over, came to his own city. 2 There some people brought to him a paralysed man on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ‘Courage, child! Your sins are forgiven.’ 3 Then some of the teachers of the Law said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming!’ 4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus exclaimed, ‘Why do your cherish such wicked thoughts? 5 Which, I ask, is the easier? – to say “Your sins are forgiven”? Or to say “Get up, and walk”? 6 But to show you that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’ – then he said to the paralysed man – ‘Get up, take up your bed, and return to your home.’ 7 The man got up and went to his home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were awe-struck, and praised God for giving such power to human beings.

9 As Jesus went along, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting in the tax office, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Matthew got up and followed him.

10 And, later on, when he was having dinner in the house, a number of tax collectors and outcasts came in and took their places at the table with Jesus and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat in the company of tax collectors and outcasts?’ 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not those who are healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. 13 Go and learn what this means – “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice”; for I did not come to call the religious, but the outcast.’ 14 Then John’s disciples came to Jesus, and asked, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast while your disciples do not?’ 15 Jesus answered, ‘Can the groom’s friends mourn as long as the groom is with them? But the days will come, when the groom will be taken away from them, and they will fast then. 16 Nobody ever puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for such a patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Nor do people put new wine into old wine-skins; for, if they do, the skins burst, and the wine runs out, and the skins are lost; but they put new wine into fresh skins, and so both are preserved.’

18 While Jesus was saying this, a synagogue leader came up and bowed to the ground before him. ‘My daughter,’ he said, ‘has just died; but come and place your hand on her, and she will be restored to life.’ 19 So Jesus rose and followed him, and his disciples went also. 20 But meanwhile a woman, who had been suffering from haemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind and touched the tassel of his cloak. 21 ‘If I only touch his cloak,’ she said to herself, ‘I will get well.’ 22 Turning and seeing her, Jesus said, ‘Courage, daughter! Your faith has delivered you.’ And at that very moment she became well. 23 When Jesus reached the leader’s house, seeing the flute players, and a number of people all in confusion, 24 he said, ‘Go away, the little girl is not dead; she is asleep.’ They began to laugh at him; 25 but, when the people had been sent out, Jesus went in, and took the little girl’s hand, and she rose. 26 The report of this spread through all that part of the country.

27 As Jesus was passing on from there, he was followed by two blind men, who kept calling out, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David!’ 28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came up to him; and Jesus asked them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ ‘Yes, Master!’ they answered. 29 Then he touched their eyes, and said, ‘It will be according to your faith.’ 30 Then their eyes were opened. Jesus sternly cautioned them. ‘See that no one knows of it,’ he said. 31 But the men went out, and spread the news about him through all that part of the country. 32 Just as they were going out, some people brought up to Jesus a dumb man who was possessed by a demon; 33 and, as soon as the demon had been driven out, the dumb man spoke. The people were astonished at this, and exclaimed, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!’ 34 But the Pharisees said, ‘He drives out the demons by the help of the chief of the demons.’

35 Jesus went round all the towns and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 36 But, when he saw the crowds, his heart was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and harassed, like sheep without a shepherd; 37 and he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is abundant, but the labourers are few. 38 Therefore pray to the owner of the harvest to send labourers to gather in his harvest.’

10 Calling his twelve Disciples to him, Jesus gave them authority over foul spirits, so that they could drive them out, as well as the power of curing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these, First Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-gather; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot – the apostle who betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out as his messengers, after giving them these instructions – ‘Do not go to the Gentiles, nor enter any Samaritan town, 6 but make your way rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 On your way proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, make the lepers clean, drive out demons. You have received free of cost, give free of cost. 9 Do not provide yourselves with gold, or silver, or coins in your purses; 10 not even with a bag for the journey, or a change of clothes, or sandals, or even a staff; for the worker is worth his food. 11 Whatever town or village you visit, find out who is worthy in that place, and remain there until you leave. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 Then, if the house is worthy, let your blessing rest on it, but, if it is unworthy, let your blessing return on yourselves. 14 If no one welcomes you, or listens to what you say, as you leave that house or that town, shake off its dust from your feet. 15 I tell you, the doom of the land of Sodom and Gomorrah will be more bearable in the day of judgment than the doom of that town.

16 ‘Remember, I am sending you out as my messengers like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as snakes, and as blameless as doves. 17 Be on your guard against others, for they will betray you to courts of law, and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake so that you may witness for me before them and the nations. 19 Whenever they betray you, do not be anxious as to how you will speak or what you will say, for what you will say will be given you at the moment; 20 for it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaks within you. 21 Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; and children will turn against their parents, and cause them to be put to death; 22 and you will be hated by everyone because of me. Yet the person who endures to the end will be saved. 23 But, when they persecute you in one town, escape to the next; for, I tell you, you will not have come to the end of the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a student to be treated like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 Do not, therefore, be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed which will not be revealed, nor anything hidden which will not become known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say again in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim on the housetops. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; rather be afraid of him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a one copper coin? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. 30 While as for you, even the hairs of your head are numbered. 31 Do not, therefore, be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Everyone, therefore, who will publicly acknowledge me, I, too, will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; 33 but, if anyone publicly disowns me, I, too, will disown him before my Father who is in heaven.

34 ‘Do not imagine that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have come to bring, not peace, but the sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A person’s enemies will be the members of their own household. 37 Anyone who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Anyone who does not take their cross and follow in my steps is not worthy of me. 39 The person who has found their life will lose it, while the person who, for my sake, has lost their life will find it.

40 ‘Anyone who welcomes you is welcoming me; and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming him who sent me as his messenger. 41 The person who welcomes a prophet, because they are a prophet, will receive a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a good person, because they are a good person, will receive a good person’s reward. 42 And, if anyone gives but a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because they are a disciple, I tell you that they will assuredly not lose their reward.’

11 After Jesus had finished giving directions to his twelve Disciples, he left that place in order to teach and preach in their towns.

2 Now John had heard in prison what the Christ was doing, and he sent a message by his disciples, 3 and asked – ‘Are you “the coming one,” or are we to look for someone else?’ 4 The answer of Jesus to the question was – ‘Go and report to John what you hear and see – 5 the blind recover their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are made clean and the deaf hear, the dead, too, are raised to life, and the good news is told to the poor. 6 Blessed is the person who finds no hindrance in me.’

7 While John’s disciples were going back, Jesus began to say to the crowds with reference to John, 8 ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed waving in the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man richly dressed? Why, those who wear rich things are to be found in the courts of kings! 9 What, then, did you go for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 10 This is the man of whom scripture says – “I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.” 11 I tell you, no one born of a woman has yet appeared who is greater than John the Baptist; and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the time of John the Baptist to this very hour, the kingdom of heaven has been taken by force, and people using force have been seizing it. 13 For the teaching of all the prophets and of the Law continued until the time of John; 14 and – if you are ready to accept it – John is himself the Elijah who was destined to come. 15 If you have ears, listen. 16 But to what will I compare the present generation? It is like little children sitting in the market-places and calling out to their playmates – 17 We have played the flute for you, but you have not danced; We have wailed, but you have not mourned. 18 For, when John came, neither eating nor drinking, people said “He has a demon in him”; 19 and now that the Son of Man has come, eating and drinking, they are saying “Here is a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax collectors and outcasts!” And yet wisdom is vindicated by her actions.’

20 Then Jesus began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles had been done, because they had not repented, 21 ‘Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For, if the miracles which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 Yet, I tell you, the doom of Tyre and Sidon will be more bearable in the day of judgment than yours. 23 And you, Capernaum! Will you exalt yourself to heaven? You will be flung down to Hades! For, if the miracles which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have been standing to this day. 24 Yet, I tell you, the doom of Sodom will be more bearable in the day of judgment than yours.’ 25 At that same time Jesus uttered the words, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that, though you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, you have revealed them to the childlike! 26 Yes, Father, I thank you that this has seemed good to you. 27 Everything has been committed to me by my Father; nor does anyone fully know the Son, except the Father, or fully know the Father, except the Son and those to whom the Son may choose to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all you who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest! 29 Take my yoke on you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls; 30 for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

12 About the same time Jesus walked through the cornfields one Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and began to pick some ears of wheat and eat them. 2 But, when the Pharisees saw this, they said, ‘Look! Your disciples are doing what it is not allowable to do on a Sabbath!’

3 ‘Haven’t you read,’ replied Jesus, ‘what David did, when he and his companions were hungry – 4 how he went into the house of God, and how they ate the consecrated bread, through it was not allowable for him or his companions to eat it, but only for the priests? 5 And haven’t you read in the law that, on the Sabbath, the priest in the Temple break the Sabbath and yet are not guilty? 6 Here, however, I tell you, there is something greater than the Temple! 7 Had you learned the meaning of the words – “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned those who are not guilty. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.’

9 Passing on, Jesus went into their synagogue, 10 and there he saw a man with a withered hand. Some people asked Jesus whether it was allowable to work a cure on the Sabbath – so that they might have a charge to bring against him. 11 But Jesus said to them, ‘Which of you, if he had only one sheep, and that sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath, would not lay hold of it and pull it out? 12 How much more precious a person is than a sheep! Therefore it is allowable to do good on the Sabbath.’ 13 Then he said to the man. ‘Stretch out your hand.’ The man stretched it out; and it had become as sound as the other. 14 On coming out, the Pharisees plotted against Jesus, to put him to death.

15 Jesus, however, became aware of it, and went away from that place. A number of people followed him, and he cured them all; 16 but he warned them not to make him known, 17 in fulfilment of these words in the prophet Isaiah – 18 “Here is my chosen servant, who I love and who pleases me! I will breathe my spirit on him, and he will announce a time of judgment to the Gentiles. 19 He will not contend, nor cry aloud, Neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets; 20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not quench, until he has brought the judgment to a victorious issue, 21 and on his name will the Gentiles rest their hopes.”

22 Then some people brought to Jesus a possessed man, who was blind and dumb; and he cured him, so that the man who had been dumb both talked and saw. 23 At this all the people were astounded. ‘Is it possible that this is the son of David?’ they exclaimed. 24 But the Pharisees heard of it and said, ‘He drives out demons only by the help of Beelzebul the chief of the demons.’ 25 Jesus, however, was aware of what was passing in their minds, and said to them, ‘Any kingdom divided against itself becomes a desolation, and any town or household divided against itself will not last. 26 So, if Satan drives Satan out, he must be divided against himself; and how, then, can his kingdom last? 27 And, if it is by Beelzebul’s help that I drive out demons, by whose help is it that your own sons drive them out? Therefore they will themselves be your judges. 28 But, if it is by the help of the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God must already be upon you. 29 How, again, can anyone get into a strong man’s house and carry off his goods, without first securing him? Not until then will he plunder his house. 30 Anyone who is not with me is against me, and the person who does not help me to gather is scattering. 31 Therefore, I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and slander; but slander against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in the present age, or in the age to come.

33 ‘You must assume either that both tree and fruit are good, or that both tree and fruit are worthless; since it is by its fruits that a tree is known. 34 You children of snakes! How can you, evil as you are, say anything good? For what fills the heart will rise to the lips. 35 A good person, from his good stores, produces good things; while an evil person, from his evil stores, produces evil things. 36 I tell you that for every careless thing that people say, they must answer on the “day of judgment.” 37 For it is by your words that you will be acquitted, and by your words that you will be condemned.’

38 At this point, some teachers of the Law and Pharisees spoke up. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want to see some sign from you.’

39 ‘It is a wicked and unfaithful generation,’ answered Jesus, ‘that is asking for a sign, and no sign will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For, just as Jonah was inside the sea-monster three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 At the judgment, the people of Nineveh will stand up with this generation, and will condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation; and here is more than a Jonah! 42 At the judgment the Queen of the South will rise up with the present generation, and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon; and here is more than a Solomon! 43 No sooner does a foul spirit leave a person, than it passes through places where there is no water, in search of rest, and does not find it. 44 Then it says “I will go back to the home which I left”; but, on coming there, it finds it unoccupied, and swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in, and make their home there; and the last state of that man proves to be worse than the first. So, too, will it be with this wicked generation.’

46 While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside, asking to speak to him. 47 Someone told him this, and Jesus replied, 48 ‘Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?’ 49 Then, stretching out his hands towards his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For anyone who does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’

13 That same day, when Jesus had left the house and was sitting by the sea, 2 such great crowds gathered round him, that he got into a boat, and sat in it, while all the people stood on the beach. 3 Then he told them many truths in parables. ‘The sower,’ he began, ‘went out to sow; and, 4 as they were sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it had not much soil, and, because the soil wasn’t deep, sprang up at once. 6 As soon as the sun had risen, it was scorched, and, because their roots were not deep enough, withered away. 7 Some, again, fell into the brambles; but the brambles shot up and choked it. 8 Some, however, fell on good soil, and yielded a return, sometimes one hundred, sometimes sixty, sometimes thirty fold. 9 Let those who have ears hear.’

10 Afterwards his disciples came to him, and said, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’

11 ‘To you,’ answered Jesus, ‘the knowledge of the hidden truths of the kingdom of heaven has been imparted, but not to those. 12 For, to all who have, more will be given, and they will have abundance; but, from all who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 13 That is why I speak to them in parables, because, though they have eyes, they do not see, and though they have ears, they do not hear or understand. 14 In them is being fulfilled that prophecy of Isaiah which says –

“You will hear with your ears without ever understanding,

and, though you have eyes, you will see without ever perceiving,

15 for the mind of this nation has grown dense,

and their ears are dull of hearing,

their eyes also have they closed;

otherwise some day they might perceive with their eyes,

and with their ears they might hear,

and in their mind they might understand,

and might turn –

and I might heal them.”

16 ‘But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear; 17 for I tell you that many prophets and good people have longed for the sight of the things which you are seeing, yet never saw them, and to hear the things which you are hearing, yet never heard them.

18 ‘Listen, then, yourselves to the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the message of the kingdom without understanding it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in their mind. This is the person meant by the seed which was sown along the path. 20 By the seed which was sown on rocky places is meant the person who hears the message, and at once accepts it joyfully; 21 but, as they have no root, they stand for only a short time; and, when trouble or persecution arises because of the message, they fall away at once. 22 By the seed which was sown among the brambles is meant the person who hears the message, but the cares of life and the glamour of wealth completely choke the message, so that it gives no return. 23 But by the seed which was sown on the good ground is meant the person who hears the message and understands it, and really yields a return, sometimes one hundred, sometimes sixty, sometimes thirty fold.’

24 Another parable which Jesus told them was this – ‘The kingdom of heaven is compared to a person who sowed good seed in their field. 25 But, while everyone was asleep, their enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So, when the blades of corn shot up, and came into ear, the weeds made their appearance also. 27 The owner’s servants came to them, and said “Was not it good seed that you sowed in your field? Where, then, do the weeds in it come from?” 28 “An enemy has done this,” was the owner’s answer. “Do you wish us, then,” they asked, “to go and gather them together?” 29 “No,” said he, “because while you are pulling up the weeds you might uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow side by side until harvest; and then I will say to the reapers, Gather the weeds together first, and tie them in bundles for burning; but bring all the wheat into my barn.”’

31 Another parable which he told them was this – ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a person took and sowed in his field. 32 This seed is smaller than all other seeds, but, when it has grown up, it is larger than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that “the wild birds come and roost in its branches.”’

33 This was another parable which Jesus related – ‘The kingdom of heaven is like some yeast which a woman took and covered up in three pecks of flour, until the whole had risen.’ 34 Of all this Jesus spoke to the crowd in parables; indeed to them he used never to speak at all except in parables, 35 in fulfilment of these words in the prophet – “I will speak to them in parables; I will utter things kept secret since the foundation of the world.”

36 Then Jesus left the crowd, and went into the house. Presently his disciples came to him, and said, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.’ 37 He answered, ‘The sower of the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world. By the good seed is meant the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the wicked, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest time is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 And, just as the weeds are gathered and burnt, so it will be at the close of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all that hinders and those who live in sin, 42 and will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. 43 Then will the righteous shine, like the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. If you have ears, listen.

44 ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a person found and hid again, and then, in their delight, went and sold everything that they had, and bought that field.

45 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of choice pearls. 46 Finding one of great value, they went and sold everything that they had, and bought it. 47 Or again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was cast into the sea, and caught fish of all kinds. 48 When it was full, they hauled it up on the beach, and sat down and sorted the good fish into baskets, but threw the worthless ones away. 49 So will it be at the close of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous, 50 and will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

51 ‘Have you understood all this?’ Jesus asked. ‘Yes,’ they answered. 52 Then he added, ‘So every teacher of the Law, who has received instruction about the kingdom of heaven, is like a householder who produces from his stores things both new and old.’

53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he withdrew from that place. 54 Going to his own part of the country, he taught the people in their synagogue in such a manner that they were deeply impressed. ‘Where did he get this wisdom?’ they said, ‘and the miracles? 55 Isn’t he the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, too – are not they all living among us? Where, then did he get all this?’ 57 These things proved a hindrance to their believing in him. But Jesus said, ‘A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country and in his own house.’ 58 He did not work many miracles there, because of their want of faith.

14 At that time Prince Herod heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 and said to his attendants, ‘This must be John the Baptist; he must be risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are active in him.’ 3 For Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and shut him up in prison, to please Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. 4 For John had said to him “You have no right to be living with her.” 5 Yet, though Herod wanted to put him to death, he was afraid of the people, because they looked on John as a prophet. 6 But, when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before his guests, and so pleased Herod, 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, the girl said “Give me here, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed at this; yet, because of his oath and of the guests at his table, he ordered it to be given her. 10 He had John beheaded in the prison 11 and his head was brought on a dish and given to the girl, and she took it to her mother. 12 Then John’s disciples came, and took the body away, and buried it; and went and told Jesus.

13 When Jesus heard of it, he left privately in a boat to a lonely spot. The people, however, heard of his going, and followed him in crowds from the towns on foot. 14 On getting out of the boat, Jesus saw a great crowd, and his heart was moved at the sight of them; and he cured all the sick among them. 15 In the evening the disciples came up to him, and said, ‘This is a lonely spot, and the day is now far advanced; send the crowds away so that they can go to the villages, and buy themselves food.’ 16 But Jesus said, ‘They need not go away, it is for you to give them something to eat.’ 17 ‘We have nothing here,’ they said, ‘except five loaves and two fish.’

18 ‘Bring them here to me,’ was his reply. 19 Jesus ordered the people to take their seats on the grass; and, taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and said the blessing, and, after he had broken the loaves, gave them to his disciples; and they gave them to the crowds. 20 Everyone had sufficient to eat, and they picked up enough of the broken pieces that were left to fill twelve baskets. 21 The men who ate were about five thousand in number, without counting women and children. 22 Immediately afterwards Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and cross over in advance of him, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, he went up the hill by himself to pray; and, when evening fell, he was there alone. 24 The boat was by this time some miles from shore, labouring in the waves, for the wind was against her. 25 Three hours after midnight, however, Jesus came towards the disciples, walking on the water. 26 But, when they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost,’ they exclaimed, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus at once spoke to them. ‘Courage!’ he said, ‘It is I; do not be afraid!’ 28 ‘Master,’ Peter exclaimed, ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.’ 29 Jesus said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got down from the boat, and walked on the water, and went towards Jesus; 30 but, when he felt the wind, he was frightened, and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Master! Save me!’ 31 Instantly Jesus stretched out his hand, and caught hold of him. ‘You of little faith!’ he said, ‘Why did you falter?’ 32 When they had got into the boat, the wind dropped. 33 But the men in the boat threw themselves on their faces before him, and said, ‘You are indeed God’s Son.’

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 But the people of that place, recognising Jesus, sent out to the whole country round, and brought to him all who were ill, 36 begging him merely to let them touch the tassel of his cloak; and all who touched were made perfectly well.

15 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the Law came to Jesus, and said, 2 ‘How is it that your disciples break the traditions of our ancestors? For they do not wash their hands when they eat food.’ 3 His reply was, ‘How is it that you on your side break God’s commandments out of respect for your own traditions? 4 For God said – “Honour your father and mother,” and “Anyone who abuses his father or mother shall suffer death,” 5 but you say “Whenever anyone says to his father or mother ‘Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is set apart for God,’ 6 he is in no way bound to honour his father.” In this way you have nullified the words of God for the sake of your traditions. 7 Hypocrites! It was well said by Isaiah when he prophesied about you – 8 “This is a people that honour me with their lips, While their hearts are far removed from me; 9 but vainly do they worship me, For they teach but human precepts.”’ 10 Then Jesus called the people to him, and said, ‘Listen, and mark my words. 11 It is not what enters a person’s mouth that defiles them, but what comes out from their mouth – that does defile them!’ 12 His disciples came up to him, and said, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were shocked on hearing what you said?’

13 ‘Every plant,’ Jesus replied, ‘that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Leave them be; they are but blind guides; and, if one blind person guides another, both of them will fall into a ditch.’ 15 Peter spoke up, ‘Explain this saying to us.’

16 ‘What, do even you understand nothing yet?’ Jesus exclaimed. 17 ‘Don’t you see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is afterwards expelled? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth proceed from the heart, and it is these that defile a person; 19 for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts – murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, perjury, slander. 20 These are the things that defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person.’

21 On going away from that place, Jesus went to the country round Tyre and Sidon. 22 There, a Canaanite woman of that district came out and began calling to Jesus, ‘Take pity on me, Master, Son of David; my daughter is grievously possessed by a demon.’ 23 But Jesus did not answer her a word; and his disciples came up and begged him to send her away. ‘She keeps calling out after us,’ they said. 24 ‘I was not sent,’ replied Jesus, ‘to anyone except the lost sheep of Israel.’ 25 But the woman came, and, bowing to the ground before him, said, ‘Master, help me.’

26 ‘It is not fair,’ replied Jesus, ‘to take the children’s food and throw it to dogs.’ 27 ‘Yes, Master,’ she said, ‘for even dogs do feed on the scraps that fall from their owners’ table.’

28 ‘Your faith is great,’ was his reply to the woman, ‘it will be as you wish!’ And her daughter was cured that very hour.

29 On leaving that place, Jesus went to the shore of the Sea of Galilee; and then went up the hill, and sat down. 30 Great crowds of people came to him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, or dumb, and many others. They put them down at his feet, and he cured them; 31 and the crowds were astonished, when they saw the dumb talking, the cripples made sound, the lame walking about, and the blind with their sight restored; and they praised the God of Israel. 32 Afterwards Jesus called his disciples to him, and said, ‘My heart is moved at the sight of all these people, for they have already been with me three days and they have nothing to eat; and I am unwilling to send them away hungry; they might faint on the way home.’ 33 ‘Where can we,’ his disciples asked, ‘in a lonely place find enough bread for such a crowd as this?’

34 ‘How many loaves have you?’ said Jesus. ‘Seven,’ they answered, ‘and a few small fish.’ 35 Telling the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 Jesus took the seven loaves and the fish, and, after saying the thanksgiving, broke them, and gave them to the disciples; and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 Everyone had sufficient to eat, and they picked up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left. 38 The men who ate were four thousand in number without counting women and children. 39 Then, after dismissing the crowds, Jesus got into the boat, and went to the region of Magadan.

16 Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and, to test Jesus, requested him to show them some sign from the heavens. 2 But Jesus answered, ‘In the evening you say “It will be fine weather, for the sky is as red as fire.” 3 But in the morning you say “Today it will be stormy, for the sky is as red as fire and threatening.” You learn to read the sky; yet you are unable to read the signs of the times! 4 A wicked and unfaithful generation is asking for a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’ So he left them and went away.

5 Now the disciples had crossed to the opposite shore, and had forgotten to take any bread. 6 Presently Jesus said to them, ‘Take care and be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ 7 But the disciples began talking among themselves about their having brought no bread. 8 On noticing this, Jesus said, ‘Why are you talking among yourselves about your being short of bread, you of little faith? 9 Don’t you yet see, nor remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took away? 10 Nor yet the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you took away? 11 How is it that you do not see that I was not speaking about bread? Be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ 12 Then they understood that he had told them to be on their guard, not against the leaven of bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

13 On coming into the region of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples this question – ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ 14 ‘Some say John the Baptist,’ they answered, ‘Others, however, say that he is Elijah, while others again say Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.’

15 ‘But you,’ he said, ‘who do you say that I am?’ 16 To this Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’

17 ‘Blessed are you, Simon, Son of Jonah,’ Jesus replied. ‘For no human being has revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 Yes, and I say to you, your name is “Peter” – a Rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail over it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be held in heaven to be forbidden, and whatever you allow on earth will be held in heaven to be allowed.’ 20 Then he charged his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

21 At that time Jesus Christ began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and undergo much suffering at the hands of the elders, and chief priests, and teachers of the Law, and be put to death, and rise on the third day. 22 But Peter took Jesus aside, and began to rebuke him. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘please God that will never be your fate!’ 23 Jesus, however, turning to Peter, said, ‘Out of my way, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you look at things, not as God does, but as person does.’ 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to walk in my steps, they must renounce self, and take up their cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, and whoever, for my sake, loses his life will find it. 26 What good will it do a person to gain the whole world, if he forfeits his life? Or what will a person give that is of equal value with his life? 27 For the Son of Man is to come in his Father’s glory, with his angels, and then he will give to everyone what his actions deserve. 28 I tell you, some of those who are standing here will not know death until they have seen the Son of Man coming into his kingdom.’

17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, and the brothers James and John, and led them up a high mountain alone. 2 There his appearance was transformed before their eyes; his face shown like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 All at once Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. 4 ‘Master,’ exclaimed Peter, interposing, ‘it is good to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and there was a voice from the cloud that said – ‘This is my dearly loved son, who brings me great joy; listen to him.’ 6 The disciples, on hearing this, fell on their faces, greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying as he did so, ‘Rise up, and do not be afraid.’ 8 When they raised their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus himself alone. 9 As they were going down the mountain side, Jesus gave them this warning – ‘Do not speak of this vision to anyone, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.’ 10 ‘How is it,’ his disciples asked, ‘that our teachers of the Law say that Elijah has to come first?’

11 ‘Elijah indeed does come,’ Jesus replied, ‘and will restore everything; 12 and I tell you that Elijah has already come, and people have not recognised him, but have treated him just as they pleased. In the same way, too, the Son of Man is destined to undergo suffering at people’s hands.’ 13 Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

14 When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, and, kneeling down before him, said, 15 ‘Master, take pity on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers terribly; indeed, he often falls into the fire and into the water; 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.’

17 ‘Faithless and perverse generation!’ Jesus exclaimed, ‘how long must I be among you? How long must I have patience with you? Bring the boy here to me.’ 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy; and he was cured from that very hour. 19 Afterwards the disciples came up to Jesus, and asked him privately, ‘Why was it that we could not drive it out?’

20 ‘Because you have so little faith!’ he answered, ‘For, I tell you, if your faith were only like a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain “Move from this place to that!” and it would be moved; and nothing would be impossible to you.’ 21 [fn]

22 While Jesus and his disciples were together in Galilee, he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is destined to be betrayed into human hands, 23 and they will put him to death, but on the third day he will rise.’ The disciples were greatly distressed.

24 After they had reached Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple taz came up to Peter, and said, ‘Does not your Master pay the Temple tax?’

25 ‘Yes,’ answered Peter. But, on going into the house, before he could speak, Jesus said, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings take taxes or tribute? From their sons, or from others?’ 26 ‘From others,’ answered Peter. ‘Well then,’ continued Jesus, ‘their sons go free. 27 Still, so we don’t offend them, go and throw a line into the sea; take the first fish that rises, open its mouth, and you will find in it a piece of money. Take that, and give it to the collectors for both of us.’

18 On the same occasion the disciples came to Jesus, and asked him, ‘Who is really the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ 2 Jesus called a little child to him, and placed it in the middle of them, and then said, 3 ‘I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven at all. 4 Therefore, anyone who will humble themselves like this child – that person will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And anyone who, for the sake of my name, welcomes even one little child like this, is welcoming me. 6 But, if anyone puts temptation in the way of one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be best for them to be sunk in the depths of the sea with a great millstone hung round their neck. 7 Alas for the world because of such temptations! There cannot but be temptations but sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!

8 ‘If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off, and throw it away. It would be better for you to enter life maimed or lame, than to have both hands, or both feet, and be thrown into the fire that never goes out. 9 If your eye causes you to sin, take it out, and throw it away. It would be better for you to enter the life with only one eye, than to have both eyes and be thrown into the fires of Gehenna. 10 Beware of despising one of these little ones, for in heaven, I tell you, their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 11 [fn]

12 ‘What think you? If a person owns a hundred sheep, and one of them strays, will the person not leave the ninety-nine on the hills, and go and search for the one that is straying? 13 And, if they succeed in finding it, I tell you that they rejoice more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine which did not stray. 14 So, too, it is the will of my Father who is in heaven that not one of these little ones should be lost.

15 ‘If your brother or sister does wrong, go to them and convince them of their fault when you are both alone. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But, if they do not listen to you, take with you one or two others, so that on the evidence of two or three witnesses, every word may be put beyond dispute. 17 If they refuse to listen to them, speak to the church; and, if they also refuse to listen to the church, treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax-gatherer.

18 ‘I tell you, all that you forbid on earth will be held in heaven to be forbidden, and all that you allow on earth will be held in heaven to be allowed. 19 Again, I tell you that, if but two of you on earth agree as to what they will pray for, whatever it be, it will be granted them by my Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have come together in my name, I am present with them.’

21 Then Peter came up, and said to Jesus, ‘Master, how often am I to forgive someone who wrongs me? As many as seven times?’ 22 But Jesus answered, ‘Not seven times, but seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he had begun to do so, one of them was brought to him who owed him ten thousand bags of gold; 25 and, as he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold towards the payment of the debt, together with his wife, and his children, and everything that he had. 26 The servant threw himself down on the ground before him and said “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” 27 The master was moved with compassion; and he let him go, and forgave him the debt. 28 But, on going out, that same servant came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. Seizing him by the throat, he said “Pay what you owe me.” 29 His fellow servant threw himself on the ground and begged for mercy. “Have patience with me,” he said, “and I will pay you.” 30 But the other would not, but went and put him in prison until he should pay his debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and went to their master and laid the whole matter before him. 32 So the master sent for the servant, and said to him “You wicked servant! When you begged me for mercy, I forgave you the whole of that debt. 33 Shouldn’t you, also, to have shown mercy to your fellow servant, just as I showed mercy to you?” 34 Then his master, in anger, handed him over to the jailers, until he should pay the whole of his debt. 35 So, also, will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each one of you forgives his brother or sister from your heart.’