The Work in Galilee

14 Moved by the power of the Spirit, Jesus returned to Galilee. Reports about him spread through all that region; 15 and he began to teach in their synagogues, and was honoured by everyone.Titleless Section Break

16 Coming to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, Jesus, as was his custom, went on the Sabbath into the synagogue, and stood up to read the scriptures. 17 He was given the book of the prophet Isaiah; and Jesus opened the book and found the place where it says –

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

for he has consecrated me to bring good news to the poor,

he has sent me to proclaim release to captives and restoration of sight to the blind,

to set the oppressed at liberty,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

20 Then, closing the book and returning it to the attendant, he sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him, 21 and Jesus began,

‘This very day this passage has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

22 All who were present spoke well of him, and were astonished at the beautiful words that fell from his lips. ‘Isn’t Joseph’s son?’ they asked. 23 ‘Doubtless,’ said Jesus, ‘you will remind me of the saying – “Doctor, cure yourself;” and you will say “Do here in your own country all that we have heard that has been done at Capernaum.” 24 I tell you,’ he continued, ‘that no prophet is acceptable in his own country. 25 There were, doubtless, many widows in Israel in Elijah’s days, when the heavens were closed for three years and six months, and a severe famine prevailed throughout the country; 26 and yet it was not to one of them that Elijah was sent, but to a widow at Zarephath in Sidonia. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, yet it was not one of them who was made clean, but Naaman the Syrian.’ 28 All the people in the synagogue, as they listened to this, became enraged. 29 Starting up, they drove Jesus out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town stood, intending to hurl him down. 30 But he passed through the middle of the crowd and went on his way.Titleless Section Break

31 Then Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee. On the Sabbath he taught the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his words were spoken with authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of a foul demon in him, who called out loudly, 34 ‘Stop! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!’ 35 But Jesus rebuked the demon. ‘Be silent! Come out from him,’ he said. The demon flung the man down in the middle of the people, and then came out from him, without causing him further harm. 36 And they were all lost in amazement, and kept saying to one another, ‘What words are these? For he gives his commands to the foul spirits with a marvellous authority, and they come out.’ 37 And rumours about Jesus traveled through every place in the region.

38 On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went into Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a severe attack of fever, and they asked Jesus to cure her. 39 Bending over her, he rebuked the fever; the fever left her, and she immediately got up and began to take care of them. 40 At sunset, all who had friends suffering from various diseases took them to Jesus; and he placed his hands on everyone of them and cured them. 41 And even demons came out from many people, screaming “You are the Son of God.” Jesus rebuked them, and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

42 At daybreak, Jesus went out and walked to a lonely spot. But crowds of people began to look for him; and they came to where he was and tried to detain him and prevent his leaving them. 43 Jesus, however, said to them, ‘I must take the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, for that was why I was sent.’ 44 And he continued to make his proclamation in the synagogues of Judea.

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5 Once, when the people were pressing round Jesus as they listened to God’s message, he happened to be standing by the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats close to the shore. 2 The fishermen had gone away from them and were washing the nets. 3 So, getting into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, Jesus asked him to push off a little way from the shore, and then sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Push off into deep water, and throw out your nets for a haul.’

5 ‘We have been hard at work all night, Sir,’ answered Simon, ‘and have not caught anything, but, at your bidding, I will throw out the nets.’ 6 They did so, and enclosed such a great shoal of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; and they came and filled both the boats so full of fish that they were almost sinking. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he threw himself down at Jesus’ knees, exclaiming, ‘Master, leave me, for I am a sinful man!’ 9 For he and all who were with him were lost in amazement at the haul of fish which they had made; 10 and so, too, were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners. ‘Do not be afraid,’ Jesus said to Simon, ‘from today you will catch people.’ 11 And, when they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything, and followed him.Titleless Section Break

12 On one occasion Jesus was staying in a town, when he saw a man who was covered with leprosy. When the leper saw Jesus, he threw himself on his face and implored his help, ‘Master, if only you are willing, you are able to make me clean.’ 13 Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying as he did so, ‘I am willing; become clean.’

Instantly the leprosy left the man; 14 and then Jesus impressed on him that he was not to say a word to anyone, ‘but,’ he added, ‘set out and show yourself to the priest, and make the offerings for your cleansing, in the manner directed by Moses, as evidence of your cure.’ 15 However, the story about Jesus spread all the more, and great crowds came together to listen to him, and to be cured of their illnesses; 16 but Jesus used to withdraw to lonely places and pray.

17 On one of those days, when Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and Doctors of the Law were sitting near by. (They had come from all the villages in Galilee and Judea, and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was on Jesus, so that he could work cures.) 18 And there some men brought on a bed a man who was paralysed. They tried to get him in and lay him before Jesus; 19 but, finding no way of getting him in owing to the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him through the tiles, with his pallet, into the middle of the people and in front of Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith, Jesus said, ‘Friend, your sins have been forgiven you.’ 21 The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began debating about this. ‘Who is this man who speaks so blasphemously?’ they asked. ‘Who can forgive sins except God?’

22 When Jesus became aware of the way in which they were debating, he turned to them and exclaimed, ‘What are you debating with yourselves? 23 Which is the easier? – to say “Your sins have been forgiven you”? Or to say “Get up, and walk”? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’ – he spoke to the paralysed man – ‘To you I say, Get up, and take up your pallet, and go to your home.’ 25 Instantly the man stood up before their eyes, took up what he had been lying on, and went to his home, praising God. 26 The people, one and all, were lost in amazement, and praised God; and in great awe they said, ‘We have seen marvellous things today!’Titleless Section Break

27 After this, Jesus went out; and he noticed a tax-gatherer, named Levi, sitting in the tax office, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ 28 Levi left everything and got up and followed him. 29 And Levi gave a great banquet at his house, in honour of Jesus; and a large number of tax collectors and others were having dinner with them.

30 The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law belonging to their party complained of this to the disciples of Jesus. 31 In answer Jesus said, ‘It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are ill. 32 I have not come to call the religious, but the outcast, to repent.’

33 ‘John’s disciples,’ they said to Jesus, ‘Often fast and say prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, while yours are eating and drinking!’

34 But Jesus answered them, ‘Can you make the groom’s friends fast while the groom is with them? 35 But the days will come – a time when the groom will be taken away from them; and they will fast then, when those days come.’ 36 Then, as an illustration, Jesus said to them, ‘No one ever tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old one; for, if they do, they will not only tear the new garment, but the piece from the new one will not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wine-skins; for, if they do, the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine itself will run out, and the skins be lost. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh skins. 39 No one after drinking old wine wishes for new. “No,” they say, “the old is excellent.” ’
6 One Sabbath Jesus was walking through cornfields, and his disciples were picking the ears of wheat, and rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. 2 ‘Why are you doing what it is not allowable to do on the Sabbath?’ asked some of the Pharisees. 3 Jesus’ answer was, ‘Haven’t you read even of what David did, when he was hungry, he and his companions – 4 That he went into the house of God, and took the consecrated bread and ate it, and gave some to his companions, though only the priests are allowed to eat it?’ 5 Then Jesus added, ‘The Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.’

6 On another Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught; and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. 7 The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely, to see if he would work cures on the Sabbath, so that they might find a charge to bring against him. 8 Jesus, however, knew what was in the their minds, and said to the man whose hand was withered, ‘Stand up and come out into the middle.’ The man stood up; 9 and Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it allowable to do good on the Sabbath – or harm? To save a life, or let it perish?’ 10 Then, looking round at them all, he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ The man did so; and his hand had become sound. 11 But the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees were mad with rage, and consulted together what they could do to Jesus.

12 Now about that time, Jesus went out, up the hill, to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God. 13 When day came, he summoned his disciples, and chose twelve of them, whom he also named “apostles.” 14 They were Simon (whom Jesus also named Peter), and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon known as the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who proved a traitor. 17 Afterwards Jesus came down the hill with them and took his stand on a level place. With him were a large crowd of his disciples, and great numbers of people from the whole of Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast district of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be restored to health. Those, too, who were troubled with foul spirits were cured; 19 and everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him, because a power went out from him which restored them all.

20 Then, raising his eyes and looking at his disciples, Jesus said:

‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

22 Blessed are you when people hate you,

and when they expel you from among them,

and insult you,

and reject your name as an evil thing –

because of the Son of Man.

23 Then indeed you may be glad and dance for joy, for be sure that your reward in heaven will be great; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 24 But

alas for you who are rich,

for you have had your comforts in full.

25 Alas for you who are sated now,

for you will hunger.

Alas for you who laugh now,

for you will mourn and weep.

26 Alas for you when everyone speaks well of you;

for this is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

27 But to you who hear I say – love your enemies, show kindness to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who insult you. 29 When someone gives one of you a blow on the cheek, offer the other cheek as well; and, when anyone takes away your cloak, do not keep back your coat either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you; and, when anyone takes away what is yours, do not demand its return. 31 Do to others as you wish them to do to you.

32 If you love only those who love you, what thanks will be due to you? Why, even the outcast love those who love them! 33 For, if you show kindness only to those who show kindness to you, what thanks will be due to you? Even the outcast do that! 34 If you lend only to those from whom you expect to get something, what thanks will be due to you? Even the outcast lend to the outcast in the hope of getting as much in return! 35 But love your enemies, and show them kindness, and lend to them, never despairing. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the thankless and the bad.

36 Learn to be merciful – even as your Father is merciful. 37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and others will give to you. A generous measure, pressed and shaken down, and running over, will they pour into your lap; for the standard you use will be the standard used for you.’

39 Then, speaking in parables, Jesus said, ‘Can one blind person guide another? Will they not both fall into a ditch? 40 A student is not above their teacher; yet every finished student will be like their teacher. 41 And why do you look at the speck of sawdust in someone’s eye, while you pay no attention at all to the plank of wood in your own? 42 How can you say to your friend “Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,” while you yourself do not see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take out the plank from your own eye first, and then you will see clearly how to take out the speck in your friend’s. 43 There is no such thing as a good tree bearing worthless fruit, or, on the other hand, a worthless tree bearing good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. People do not gather figs off thorn bushes, nor pick a bunch of grapes off a bramble. 45 A good person, from the good stores of their heart, brings out what is good; while a bad person, from their bad stores, brings out what is bad. For what fills someone’s heart will rise to their lips. 46 Why do you call me “Master! Master!” and yet fail to do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and listens to my teaching and acts on it – I will show you to whom they may be compared. 48 They may be compared to a person building a house, who dug, and went deep, and laid the foundation on the rock. Then, when a flood came, the river swept down on that house, but had no power to shake it, because it had been built well. 49 But those who have listened and not acted on what they have heard may be compared to a person who built a house on the ground without any foundation. The river swept down on it, and the house immediately collapsed; and great was the crash that followed.’
7 When Jesus had brought to a conclusion all that he had then had to say to the people, he entered Capernaum.

2 A centurion in the Roman army had a slave whom he valued, and who was seriously ill – almost at the point of death. 3 And, hearing about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, with the request that he would come and save his slave’s life. 4 When they found Jesus, they earnestly implored him to do so. ‘He deserves the favour from you,’ they said, 5 ‘For he is devoted to our nation, and himself built our synagogue for us.’ 6 So Jesus went with them. But, when he was no great distance from the house, the centurion sent some friends with the message – ‘Do not trouble yourself, Sir; for I am unworthy to receive you under my roof. 7 That was why I did not even venture to come to you myself; but speak, and let my manservant be cured. 8 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.’ 9 Jesus was surprised to hear these words from him; and, turning to the crowd which was following him, he said, ‘I tell you, nowhere in Israel have I met with such faith as this!’ 10 And, when the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave recovered.

11 Shortly after, Jesus went to a town called Nain, his disciples and a great crowd going with him. 12 Just as he approached the gate of the town, there was a dead man being carried out for burial – an only son, and his mother was a widow. A large number of the people of the town were with her. 13 When he saw her, the Master was moved with compassion for her, and he said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ 14 Then he went up and touched the bier, and the bearers stopped; and Jesus said, ‘Young man, I am speaking to you – Rise!’ 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus restored him to his mother. 16 Everyone was awe-struck and began praising God. ‘A great prophet has arisen among us,’ they said. ‘God has visited his people.’

17 And this story about Jesus spread all through Judea, and in the neighbouring countries as well.Titleless Section Break

18 All these events were reported to John by his disciples. 19 So he summoned two of them, and sent them to the Master to ask – ‘Are you “the coming one,” or are we to look for someone else?’

20 When these men found Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask – Are you “the coming one,” or are we to look for somebody else?’ 21 At that very time Jesus had cured many people of diseases, afflictions, and wicked spirits, and had given many blind people their sight. 22 So his answer to the question was, ‘Go and report to John what you have witnessed and heard – the blind recover their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the good news is told to the poor. 23 And blessed is the person who finds no hindrance in me.’

24 When John’s messengers had left, Jesus, speaking to the crowds, began to say with reference to John, 25 ‘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 dressed in rich clothing? Why, those who are accustomed to fine clothes and luxury live in royal palaces. 26 What then did you go to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 27 This is the man of whom scripture says –

“I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

and he will prepare your way before you.”

28 There is, I tell you, no one born of a woman who is greater than John; and yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’

29 (All the people, when they heard this, and even the tax collectors, having accepted John’s baptism, acknowledged the justice of God. 30 But the Pharisees and the students of the Law, having rejected John’s baptism, frustrated God’s purpose in regard to them.)

31 ‘To what then,’ Jesus continued, ‘should I compare the people of the present generation? What are they like? 32 They are like some little children who are sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another – “We have played the flute for you, but you have not danced; We have wailed, but you have not wept!” 33 For now that John the Baptist has come, not eating bread or drinking wine, you are saying “He has a demon in him”; 34 and now that the Son of Man has come, eating and drinking, you are saying “Here is a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax collectors and outcasts.” 35 And yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.’

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to dine with him, so Jesus went to his house and took his place at the table. 37 Just then a woman, who was an outcast in the town, having heard that Jesus was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and placed herself behind Jesus, near his feet, weeping. Then she began to make his feet wet with her tears, and she dried them with the hair of her head, repeatedly kissing his feet and anointing them with the perfume.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, ‘Had this man been “the prophet,” he would have known who, and what sort of woman, this is who is touching him, and that she is an outcast.’ 40 But, addressing him, Jesus said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’

‘Pray do so, teacher,’ Simon answered; and Jesus began, 41 ‘There were two people who were in debt to a moneylender; one owed five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty. 42 As they were unable to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them, do you think, will love him the more?’

43 ‘I suppose,’ answered Simon, ‘it will be the man to whom he forgave the greater debt.’

‘You are right,’ said Jesus, 44 and then, turning to the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house – you gave me no water for my feet, but she has made my feet wet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You did not give me one kiss, but she, from the moment I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint even my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. 47 So I tell you, her great love shows that her sins, many as they are, have been pardoned. One who is pardoned little loves little.’ 48 Then he said to the woman, ‘Your sins have been pardoned.’ 49 The other guests began to say to one another, ‘Who is this man who even pardons sins?’ 50 But Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has delivered you; go, and peace be with you.’

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8 Shortly afterwards, Jesus went on a journey through the towns and villages, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, 2 as well as some women who had been cured of wicked spirits and of infirmities. They were Mary, known as Mary of Magdala (from whom seven demons had been expelled), 3 and Joanna (the wife of Herod’s steward, Chuza), and Susannah, and many others – all of whom provided for Jesus and his apostles out of their own resources.

4 Once, when a great crowd was collecting, and, when the people of town after town were flocking to Jesus, he spoke to them in the form of a parable, 5 ‘The sower went out to sow his seed; and, as he was sowing, some of the seed fell along the path and was trodden on; and the wild birds ate it up. 6 Other seed fell on rock, and, as soon as it began to grow, because it had no moisture, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell in the middle of brambles, but the brambles grew up with it and choked it entirely. 8 Other seed fell into rich soil, and grew, and gave a hundredfold return.’ After saying this, Jesus cried aloud, ‘Let those who have ears to hear with hear.’

9 His disciples asked Jesus the meaning of this parable. 10 ‘To you,’ he said, ‘the knowledge of the hidden truths of the kingdom of God has been imparted, but to others in parables only, so that though they have eyes they may not see, and though they have ears, they may not understand. 11 This is the parable – The seed is God’s message. 12 By the seed which fell along the path are meant those who hear the message; but then comes the devil and carries away the message from their minds, to prevent their believing it and being saved. 13 By the seed which fell on the rock are meant those who, as soon as they hear the message, welcome it joyfully; but they have no root, and believe it only for a time, and, when the time of temptation comes, they draw back. 14 By that which fell among the brambles are meant those who hear the message, but who, as they go on their way, are completely choked by this world’s cares and wealth and pleasures, and bring nothing to perfection. 15 But by that in the good ground are meant those who, having heard the message, keep it in the good, rich soil of their hearts, and patiently yield a return.

16 ‘No one sets light to a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or puts it underneath a couch, but they put it on a lamp-stand, so that anyone who comes in may see the light. 17 Nothing is hidden which will not be brought into the light of day, not ever kept hidden which will not some day become known and come into the light of day. 18 Take care, then, how you listen. For, to all those who have, more will be given; while, from all those who have nothing, even what they seem to have will be taken away.’

19 Presently Jesus’ mother and brothers came where he was, but they were not able to join him because of the crowd. 20 So word was brought to him – “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21 His reply, spoken to them all, was, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who listen to God’s teaching and do what it says.’

22 One day about that time, Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, ‘Let us go across the lake.’ 23 So they put off. While they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. A squall swept down on the lake, and their boat was filling and they were in danger. 24 So the disciples came and roused him. ‘Sir, Sir,’ they cried, ‘we are lost!’ Jesus rose and rebuked the wind and the rushing waves, and they fell, and a calm followed. 25 ‘Where is your faith?’ he exclaimed. But in great awe and amazement they said to one another, ‘Who can this be, who commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him?’

26 They reached the region of the Gerasenes, which is on the opposite side to Galilee, 27 and, on getting ashore, Jesus met a man, who had demons in him, coming out of the town. For a long time this man had worn no clothing, and he had not lived in a house, but in the tombs. 28 Catching sight of Jesus, he shrieked out and threw himself down before him, and in a loud voice exclaimed, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you not to torment me.’ 29 For Jesus was commanding the foul spirit to come out of the man. On many occasions it had seized him, and, even when secured with chains and fetters, and watched, he would break through anything that bound him, and be driven by the demon into the wilds.

30 ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked.

‘Legion,’ he answered (for many demons had taken possession of him); 31 and the demons begged Jesus not to order them away into the bottomless pit. 32 There was a herd of many pigs close by feeding on the hill-side; and the demons begged Jesus to give them leave to enter into them. Jesus gave them leave. 33 They came out from the man and took possession of the pigs; and the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake and were drowned. 34 When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran away, and carried the news to the town, and to the country round. 35 The people went out to see what had happened, and, when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, at Jesus’ feet; and they were awe-struck. 36 Those who had seen it told them how the possessed man had been delivered. 37 Then all the people in the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, for they were terrified. Jesus got into a boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged Jesus to let him be with him; but Jesus sent him away. 39 ‘Go back to your home,’ he said, ‘and relate the story of all that God has done for you.’ So the man went through the whole town and proclaimed, as he went, all that Jesus had done for him.Titleless Section Break

40 On his return, Jesus was welcomed by the people; for everyone was looking out for him. 41 And a man named Jairus, who was a synagogue leader, came to Jesus, and threw himself at Jesus’ feet, with entreaties that he would come to his house, 42 because his only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus was going, the people were pressing closely round him. 43 And a woman, who had suffered from haemorrhage for twelve years, and whom no one could cure, 44 came up behind and touched the tassel of his cloak. Instantly the haemorrhage ceased.

45 ‘Who touched me?’ Jesus asked; and, while everyone was denying having done so, Peter exclaimed, ‘Why, Sir, the people are crowding round you and pressing against you!’

46 ‘Somebody touched me,’ said Jesus, ‘for I felt that power had gone out from me.’ 47 Then the woman, when she saw that she was discovered, came forward trembling, and threw herself down before him; and, in the presence of all the people, she told him her reason for touching him, and that she had been cured instantly.

48 ‘Daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has delivered you. Go, and peace be with you.’

49 Before he had finished speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue leader and said, ‘Your daughter is dead! Do not trouble the teacher further.’ 50 But Jesus, hearing this, spoke to the leader, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith, and she will yet be delivered.’ 51 When he reached the house, he did not allow anyone to go in with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 And everyone was weeping and mourning for her.

‘Do not weep,’ Jesus said, ‘she is not dead; she is asleep.’ 53 They began to laugh at him, for they knew that she was dead. 54 But, taking her by the hand, Jesus said in a loud voice, ‘Child, rise!’ 55 The child’s spirit returned to her, and she instantly stood up; and Jesus ordered them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were amazed, but Jesus impressed on them that they were not to tell anyone what had happened.

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9 Jesus called the Twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, as well as to cure diseases. 2 He sent them out as his messengers, to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to work cures. 3 ‘Do not,’ he said to them, ‘take anything for your journey; not even a staff, or a bag, or bread, or any silver, or a change of clothes with you. 4 Whatever house you go to stay in, remain there, and leave from that place. 5 If people do not welcome you, as you leave that town, shake even the dust off your feet, as a protest against them.’ 6 Then they set out and went from village to village, telling the good news and curing people everywhere.

7 Herod the ruler heard of all that was happening, and was perplexed, because it was said by some that John must be risen from the dead. 8 Some again said that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9 But Herod himself said, ‘John I beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things?’ And he endeavoured to see him.

10 When the apostles returned, they related to Jesus all that they had done. Then Jesus went privately to a town called Bethsaida, taking the apostles with him. 11 But the people recognised him and followed him in crowds; and Jesus welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, while he cured those who were in need of help. 12 The day was drawing to a close, when the twelve came up to him, and said, ‘Send the crowd away, so that they may make their way to the villages and farms round about, and find themselves lodgings and provisions, for we are in a lonely spot here.’ 13 But Jesus said, ‘It is for you to give them something to eat.’

‘We have not more than five loaves and two fish,’ they answered. ‘Unless indeed we are to go and buy food for all these people.’ 14 (For the men among them were about five thousand.) ‘Get them seated in companies,’ was his reply, ‘about fifty in each.’ 15 This they did, and got all the people seated. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus looked up to heaven and said the blessing over them. Then he broke them in pieces, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. 17 Everyone had sufficient to eat, and what was left of the broken pieces was picked up – twelve baskets.

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

19 ‘John the Baptist,’ was their answer. ‘Others, however, say that you are Elijah, while others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.’

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

21 Jesus, however, strictly charged them not to say this to anyone; 22 he told them that the Son of Man must undergo much suffering, and be rejected by the elders, and chief priests, and teachers of the Law, and be put to death, and rise on the third day. 23 And to all present he said, ‘If any one wishes to walk in my steps, they must renounce self, and take up their cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save their life will lose it, and whoever, for my sake, loses his life – that person will save it. 25 What good does it do someone if, when they has gained the whole world, they has lost or forfeited themselves? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and of my teaching, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them, when he comes in his glory and the glory of the father and of the holy angels. 27 Indeed, I tell you, some who are standing before me will not know death, until they have seen the kingdom of God.’

28 About eight days after speaking these words, Jesus went up the mountain to pray, taking with him Peter, John, and James. 29 As he was praying, the aspect of his face was changed, and his clothing became a dazzling white. 30 And all at once two men were talking with Jesus; they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in a glorified state, and spoke of his departure, which was destined to take place at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions had been overpowered by sleep but, suddenly becoming wide awake, they saw Jesus glorified and the two men who were standing beside him.

33 And, as Moses and Elijah were passing away from Jesus, Peter exclaimed, ‘Sir, it is good to be here; let us make three tents, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what he was saying; 34 and, while he was speaking, a cloud came down and enveloped them; and they were afraid, as they passed into the cloud; 35 and from the cloud came a voice which said – ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One; him you must hear.’ 36 And, as the voice ceased, Jesus was found alone. The apostles kept silence, and told no one about any of the things that they had seen.Titleless Section Break

37 The next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met Jesus. 38 And just then a man in the crowd shouted out, ‘Teacher, I entreat you to look at my son, for he is my only child; 39 all at once a spirit will seize him, suddenly shriek out, and throw him into convulsions until he foams, and will leave him only when he is utterly exhausted. 40 I entreated your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they could not.’

41 ‘Faithless and perverse generation!’ Jesus exclaimed, ‘How long must I be with you and have patience with you? Lead your son here.’ 42 While the boy was coming up to Jesus, the demon dashed him down and threw him into convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, and cured the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all present were struck with awe at the majesty of God.

In the midst of the general astonishment at all that Jesus was doing, he said to his disciples, 44 ‘Listen carefully to my words. For the Son of Man is destined to be betrayed into the hands of his fellow men.’ 45 But the disciples did not understand the meaning of this; it had been concealed from them so that they did not see it, and they were afraid to question him as to what he meant.

46 A discussion arose among the disciples as to which of them was the greatest; 47 and Jesus, knowing of the discussion that was occupying their thoughts, took hold of a little child, and placed it beside him, 48 and then said to them, ‘Anyone who, for the sake of my name, welcomes even this little child is welcoming me; and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming him who sent me as his messenger. For whoever is least among you all – that person is great.’

49 John said, ‘Sir, we saw a man driving out demons by using your name, and we tried to prevent him, because he does not follow you with us.’

50 ‘None of you must prevent him,’ Jesus said to John, ‘whoever is not against you is for you.’