Mark 9

Mace^{(i) 1} I declare unto you, said he, that some of you here present shall not die, till they see the kingdom of the Messiah usher'd in with power. ² Six days after Jesus took Peter, James and John, and accompanied them up a high mountain in private; and was transfigured in their presence. ³ his raiment was of an exceeding bright whiteness, like that of snow, and such as no fuller upon earth could imitate. ⁴ Moses and Elias likewise appear'd, and were in conference with Jesus. ⁵ then Peter thus address'd himself to Jesus, master, it is proper for us to be here: let us make therefore three tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elias. ⁶ for he knew not what he said, they were all so frightned. ⁷ then a cloud surrounded them, and a voice from the cloud, said, "this is my beloved son, hear him." ⁸ and instantly looking round about, they did not see any other person but Jesus with them. ⁹ as they were going down the mountain, he order'd them not to tell any body what they had seen, till the son of man was raised from the dead: ¹⁰ an expression which they dwelt upon, asking one another the meaning of "till he was raised from the dead." ¹¹ At length they started this question, why do the Scribes say, that Elias must first come? ¹² it is true, said he, that Elias must come beforehand to establish every thing, and that it was predicted of him, as well as of the son of man, that he should suffer very much, and be treated with contempt. ¹³ but I tell you, that Elias is already come, as it was foretold; and they have treated him at their discretion. ¹⁴ When he was come to the other disciples, he found a great crowd about them, and the Pharisees disputing with them. ¹⁵ as soon as they saw him, they were over-joyed, and ran to salute him. ¹⁶ then he ask'd the Scribes, what were you debating with them? ¹⁷ and one of the crowd answer'd, master, I have brought to you my son, who is possess'd with a dumb spirit, ¹⁸ which no sooner comes on him, but it throws him down: then the child foams, gnashes his teeth, and grows meager. ¹⁹ then said Jesus, incredulous people, how long shall I be with you? must I be always assisting you? bring him before me. ²⁰ so he was brought to him, and as soon as he saw him, the spirit threw him into convulsions, and he fell upon the ground, where he wallowed foaming. ²¹ Jesus then asked the father, how long is it since this befel him? from his infancy, said the father. ²² it has frequently thrown him into the fire, and into the water, to the hazard of his life; if therefore you can do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. ²³ Jesus said to him, provided you can believe, there is nothing but what may be effected for those that believe. ²⁴ immediately the child's father cryed out with tears, I do believe, oh supply the defect of my faith. ²⁵ Jesus observing the people came crowding to him, rebuked the evil spirit, saying, thou dumb and deaf spirit come out of the child, never to enter more, it is I command it. ²⁶ and the spirit came out of him, having made him roar, and thrown him into such agonies, that he became like one that was dead, and many were of opinion he actually was so. ²⁷ but Jesus taking him by the hand, raised him up, and he was perfectly recovered. ²⁸ now when Jesus was retired to his own house, his disciples asked him in private, why could not we cast this spirit out? ²⁹ Jesus answered, such a miracle is not effected but by prayer and fasting. ³⁰ Having left that place, they went a private way through Galilee: for he was willing to be conceal'd. ³¹ in the mean time he gave his disciples this intimation, "the son of man is going to be delivered up into the hands of men, who will put him to death, and three days after he is put to death he shall rise again." ³² but they did not comprehend the meaning, and were ashamed to ask him about it. ³³ At length, he arrived at Capernaum, where being in his own house, he asked his disciples, what were you disputing about by the way? ³⁴ at which they were silent, for upon the road they had disputed about precedency. ³⁵ then sitting down, he address'd himself to the twelve, saying, he that would be the first, must be the last of all, and the servant of all. ³⁶ then taking a little child, he set him down before them; and embracing him in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷ whoever receives such a child as this upon my account, receives me; and he that receiveth me, does not so properly receive me, as the commands of him that sent me. ³⁸ Upon this occasion John address'd himself to Jesus, saying, master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, tho' he did not belong to us, for which reason we opposed him. ³⁹ but Jesus said, do not oppose him: for no man can speak evil of me, at the same time he works a miracle by virtue of my name. ⁴⁰ such a one is not against us, but for us. ⁴¹ and whoever he be that shall give you a cup of water, as being the disciples of Christ, I assure you, he shall not lose his reward. ⁴² but if any one shall cause the meanest of those, who believe in me, to transgress, it had been better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. ⁴³ if even thy hand should make thee transgress, saw it off, and cast it away, it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than to have both hands and go into Gehenna, the unextinguishable fire: ⁴⁴ where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished. ⁴⁵ and if thy foot make thee transgress, saw it off, it is better for you to enter into life, tho' lame, than to have both feet, and be thrown into Gehenna, the unextinguishable fire: ⁴⁶ where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished. ⁴⁷ and if your eye make you transgress, pull it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God, with but one eye, than to have two, and be thrown into the Gehenna of fire: where the worm does not die, ⁴⁸ and the fire is not extinguished. ⁴⁹ such a one shall be consumed by fire, but the offering that is salted shall be preserv'd from corruption. ⁵⁰ salt is good, but if the salt become insipid, how shall it recover its savour? don't lose your seasoning, nor your peaceable behaviour to one another.