Mark Cross References - JMNT

¹ A beginning of the good news, which is Jesus Christ, God's Son (or: [The] beginning of the message of ease and wellness which pertains to and has its source in Jesus Christ – Son of God). ² In accord with what has been written in Isaiah the prophet [other MSS: in the prophets]: "Look and consider! I, Myself, am periodically sending forth My agent (messenger) on a mission – before Your face – who will progressively construct (build; furnish; equip; put in readiness) Your road (Way; path). [Mal. 3:1] ³ "A voice! One repeatedly crying out (shouting; exulting; exclaiming; imploring): 'Within the midst of the wilderness (desert; desolate place; abandoned and uninhabited region) you folks at once prepare and make ready the road of [the] Lord (the path whose source is [Yahweh]; the Way whose character is that of, and which pertains to, [the] Owner [= Yahweh])! Be progressively constructing (or: Make it a habit of making) His highway (thoroughfare) well-placed and straight.'" (or: "A sound! One is continuously crying out within the midst of the desert: ... ") [Isa. 40:3] ⁴ John – the one habitually baptizing (immersing; dipping) – came into the scene within the wilderness (or: came to be in the uninhabited area of the desert), repeatedly heralding the proclamation of a baptism (an immersion) which signifies, is connected to, and has the characteristics of a change of thinking [= recognition of being headed in the wrong direction] (a change of perception, frame of mind and mode of thought; a change of understanding; = a new attitude involving trust and obedience) and a turning back [to Yahweh, which leads] into an abandoning of and divorcing from failures (a sending-away of errors; a letting-go of sins; a release from and a dismissal of mistakes; a letting-flow-away of situations where the target was missed). ⁵ And all the Judean territory (province; region; country) – even all the people of Jerusalem – kept on traveling out to him in a steady stream, [to be] face to face with him, and were one by one being immersed (baptized) by him within the midst of the Jordan River, while they were continuing in openly confessing-out and acknowledging their failures (mistakes; errors; sins; times of being out of line and falling short of the goal). ⁶ Now John was by habit being one who had dressed himself in a garment woven of camel's hair with a leather belt (or: a girdle made of an animal skin) around his waist and loins, and was customarily eating locusts (or: [dried] grasshoppers) and wild honey [as his food]. ⁷ And he had kept on making a loud public proclamation, as a herald, repeatedly saying, "Behind me the One (or: the Man) stronger than me is progressively approaching (steadily coming) – of Whom I am not (do not exist being) of adequate size or sufficient strength to be competent to, while stooping down, loose and unfasten the strap (thong; lace) of His sandals. ⁸ "I myself, indeed, immerse (or: baptized) you folks within water, yet He Himself will proceed immerse and saturating (or: baptizing) you in a set-apart spirit (or: within [the] Holy Spirit; within a Holy Wind; in a set-apart Breath-effect; in union with a sacred attitude)." ⁹ And within the course of those days it occurred [that] Jesus came from Nazareth, of the Galilee [district], and was immersed into (baptized in) the Jordan by John. ¹⁰ Then immediately, while stepping back up straight from out of the water, He saw (perceived & became aware of) the atmosphere and sky (or: the heavens) being progressively split and torn apart, so as to be divided, and the Breath-effect (the Spirit; the Wind; the Attitude) – as a dove (or: pigeon) – progressively descending into Him! [with other MSS: progressively stepping down and continuously remaining upon Him.] ¹¹ And a Voice was birthed (or: a sound occurred) from out of the midst of the heavens (or: [torn] atmospheres; or: = the sky and outer space; or = the realms of God's presence; or = the holy places of the realms of spirit): "You Yourself are (or: continue being; habitually exist being) My Son – the Beloved One! I seem at ease and appear well and prosperous in union with and within the midst of You (or: I delight in You; I think and imagine ease and wellness within You; I am well-pleased and approve in You)!" ¹² Then immediately (straightway; directly; without delay) the Breath-effect (the Spirit; the Wind; the Attitude) progressively impels Him forth out into the midst of the wilderness (the uninhabited, desolate desert), ¹³ and He continued being within the midst of the wilderness forty days and was constantly being with the little (small) wild animals, being repeatedly (or: constantly) examined and put to the proof by [various] attempts in tests, ordeals and trials by (under [the influence of]) the adversary (satan). And yet agents (messengers) had kept on giving attending service and support to (or: in; or: provision for) Him. ¹⁴ Now, after the handing over of John (or: the [situation for] John to be given out of hand [to be arrested and imprisoned]), Jesus came (or: went) into the Galilee [district], continuously heralding God's good news (or: the message of goodness, ease and wellness which is God and which pertains to God and has its source in God) in a loud, public proclamation, ¹⁵ and constantly saying, "The season and appointed situation has been fulfilled (The fertile moment has been filled up and now continues full and is now ripe) and God's kingdom (the reigning and ruling of God as King; God's activity of exercising sovereignty) has approached and is now near at hand and is close enough to touch (= has arrived and is now accessible)! You folks be progressively and continuously changing your thinking – change your perceptions, frame of mind, mode of thought and understanding; change your direction and turn back [toward God] – and be progressively believing while constantly placing your trust in the good news (the message of goodness, ease and wellness)!" ¹⁶ And while passing along beside (= walking alongside) the Sea of (or: Lake) Galilee, He saw and perceived Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon, repeatedly envelope-casting [their] purse net (a large, circular fishing net) in the sea, for they were fishermen (those who earned their living by catching fish). ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, "Hither, you [two] come on behind Me (= follow after Me and join Me), and I will proceed making you to become fishers of human beings (of people)!" ¹⁸ So at once, abandoning the fishing nets, they followed Him (walked the same path with Him). ¹⁹ Next, upon stepping forward a little, he saw Jacob (= James), the [son] of Zebedee, and John, his brother, and perceived them while [at work] within the boat, putting the nets in order (i.e., mending, adjusting, cleaning and folding them – making ready for the next use in fishing), ²⁰ so at once He called out to them ([i.e., presuming that the boat was off in the water]; or: Then He suddenly invited them). And after abandoning their father, Zebedee, within the boat with the hired men, they went off behind (= followed after) Him. ²¹ Later they continued traveling on and entered into Capernaum. Then on [one of] the sabbaths, immediately upon entering into the synagogue, He, as was His habit, began teaching. ²² Now they became increasingly astounded and continued being progressively bewildered, so as to be completely amazed – even lost in admiration – at His content and manner of teaching, for He was progressively teaching them as one continuously possessing authority (holding and having the right from out of Being; = from out of Who He was) – and not as the scribes (scholars; experts in the Law; = ordained theologians). ²³ Also within their synagogue, there was just then a man in union with an unclean spirit (or: within the midst of an impure mood and a foul, unpruned attitude; in the sphere of influence of a contaminated breath, or an unpurged blowing), and he momentarily shouts (screams; or: cried out), ²⁴ in saying, "Ah! What business have you with us (or: What [is there in common] for us and for you; Why do you meddle with us), Jesus, [you] Nazarene? You came (or: Do you come ...?) to destroy us! I have seen to know [other MSS: We now know] you – who you are: God's set-apart one (or: the Holy One of God; the set-apart one whose source is God; or, as a genitive of apposition: the Holy One who is God)!" ²⁵ And Jesus spoke seriously but respectfully to him, adding a penalty (or: Jesus respectfully charged it; or: Jesus appraised him and assessed a penalty, assigning a punishment upon him; or: Jesus strongly speaks to him in reproof {censure, reprimand, or strict enjoining}), in saying, "Be muzzled (= Be silent) and go (or: come) forth from out of the midst of him at once!" ²⁶ So momentarily convulsing him (pulling him to and fro), the unclean spirit (or: mood; attitude) – also uttering a great sound (exclaiming or screaming in a loud voice) – at once went forth from out of the midst of him. ²⁷ Now everyone was startled and amazed (or: suddenly filled with fearful astonishment; or: = at once swept over with admiration), so as to keep on inquiring of one another (discussing [the incident] among themselves), repeatedly saying, "What is this? Fresh and effective teaching that is new in kind and character, corresponding to authority (or: in the sphere of privilege from within the Being)! He is even proceeding to assign a place upon (set an arrangement upon) the unclean spirits, and they are continuing to submissively hear and obey him." (or: "This is some new and novel teaching! In accord with authority, and backed up by the right to, he now gives orders to the impure motives, moods and attitudes – and in submission they proceed to obey him!") ²⁸ And so His report (or: the rumor about Him) went forth at once everywhere (in all places) into the whole country around the Galilee [district; region]. ²⁹ Then they went straight out of the synagogue, with Jacob (James), into the house (home) of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰ Now Simon's mother-in-law had for some time been bedridden and was still lying down continuing sick with a burning fever, and they at once began telling Him about her. ³¹ So upon approaching and facing her, He, taking a strong hold on her hand, raised her up, and the fever suddenly flowed away and abandoned (or: left) her, and she began giving attending service to them. ³² Now with evening's arriving (coming to birth), when the sun set, they began and kept on in a steady stream bringing and carrying to Him all those continuing to hold badly (= having an illness; = possessing a poor quality of life and a worthless condition) – even those (or: as well as those) being habitually affected by demons [note: a Hellenistic word and concept; = animistic influences] – ³³ and the whole city was eventually there, having gathered together right at, and facing, the door. ³⁴ So He tended, attentively served, gave treatment to, began therapy with, prescribed ongoing treatment for, or cured and healed many folks who were continuing to hold badly (= having a poor condition) with (or: in; by) various kinds of sicknesses and diseases, and He threw (or: cast; drove) many demons [= what was attributed to animistic influences] from out of the midst, and He kept on refusing the demons (= influences) permission to continue speaking, because (or: in that) the folks (or: they) had come to see, and perceive, Him to be Christ (or: anointed; [other MSS omit "to be Christ," so read: they had seen and knew Him]). ³⁵ And early one morning, rising very early while it was still dark, He came forth [outside] and went away into a desolate, out-of-the-way place, and there He began and continued praying (thinking with a view toward goodness and well-being; = talking to God). ³⁶ However, Simon and those with him tracked Him down (hunted Him out) ³⁷ and found Him, and then proceed saying to Him, "Everyone is now trying to find You (or: They all continue seeking You)." ³⁸ So He is then saying to them, "We should keep on going somewhere else (or: Let us continue leading on elsewhere), into the next adjoining and nearby (or: neighboring) unwalled country towns and villages, so that I can herald and publicly proclaim the message there also, for into this [mission and purpose] I am gone forth (or: I came out)." ³⁹ And He came (or: went) into their synagogues – into [the] whole [region of] the Galilee [area] – constantly heralding (loudly publicly announcing) as well as repeatedly throwing out the demons [Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences]. ⁴⁰ There also is progressively coming toward Him, [to be] face-to-face with Him, a leper (one who has some variety of various skin diseases), repeatedly entreating (imploring) Him to come to his side to give him aid and encouragement, and then proceeding to kneel down, is repeatedly saying to Him, "If you should will it – and would from reason continue intending – you continue able and have the power to cleanse and make me clean." ⁴¹ Now Jesus, being instantly moved with compassion in His inward being [other MSS: emotionally swelling internally from His natural disposition and movement of soul; or: filled with warm indignation], instantly stretching out His hand, touches him, even as He continues in saying to him, "I continually will it and am habitually intending to! Be at once cleansed and made clean!" ⁴² And so immediately the leprosy (skin disease) went off and away from him, and he was at once cleansed and made clean. ⁴³ And then, inwardly snorting (possibly: = muttering) at him with powerful emotion, He at once thrust him out from the midst, ⁴⁴ and continues by saying to him, "See [the situation]. You should tell nothing to anyone [at all], but rather, begin to withdraw, then continuing to go off, show (display; exhibit) yourself to the priest, and bear forward the offering of the things which Moses set forth in order (arranged and gave forth instruction; directed) – concerning your cleansing – [directed] into a testimony for and witness to them." ⁴⁵ Yet after going out, the man started (began) to repeatedly proclaim and loudly herald a great deal in public and to spread abroad the account, with the result that [it was] no longer possible [for] Him to continue to enter openly into a town, but to the contrary He continued being outside, upon desolate (uninhabited and unfrequented) places. And yet, people kept on coming to Him from all sides (or: all parts; everywhere).

⁵ So they said to him, "Within Bethlehem [Hebrew: House of Bread], of the Judean [district], for thus it stands written through the prophet,

²³ and coming into a city being normally called (or: termed) Nazareth, he settled down in a home – so that the [oracle; prophecy] being spoken through the prophets could (or: would; should) be fulfilled, that "He will habitually be called a Nazarene [Hebrew: a sprout; a shoot]."

¹ Now in those days [i.e., years later, when Jesus would have come to be known as a Nazarene], John, the Immerser (or: Baptist; the one who immerses), is repeatedly coming to be at the side, progressively birthing himself (= making an appearance) in the midst of the wilderness (within the uninhabited area; in the desert) of the Judean [district], continually making public proclamation as a herald,

¹ Now in those days [i.e., years later, when Jesus would have come to be known as a Nazarene], John, the Immerser (or: Baptist; the one who immerses), is repeatedly coming to be at the side, progressively birthing himself (= making an appearance) in the midst of the wilderness (within the uninhabited area; in the desert) of the Judean [district], continually making public proclamation as a herald, ² habitually saying, "You folks be continuously and progressively changing your thinking – change your perceptions, attitudes, frame of mind, mode of thought and understanding, and turn back [toward God], because the reign of the heavens (the expression and effect of kingdom rule which has its source in the atmospheres; the activity of exercising the sovereignty which exists being the heavens; the reigning [of the King] which pertains to the heavens; the kingdom which belongs to and comes from the atmosphere; the influence of the sovereignty which is the heavens) has approached and is now near at hand and is close enough to touch (= has arrived and is now accessible)!"

² habitually saying, "You folks be continuously and progressively changing your thinking – change your perceptions, attitudes, frame of mind, mode of thought and understanding, and turn back [toward God], because the reign of the heavens (the expression and effect of kingdom rule which has its source in the atmospheres; the activity of exercising the sovereignty which exists being the heavens; the reigning [of the King] which pertains to the heavens; the kingdom which belongs to and comes from the atmosphere; the influence of the sovereignty which is the heavens) has approached and is now near at hand and is close enough to touch (= has arrived and is now accessible)!"

² habitually saying, "You folks be continuously and progressively changing your thinking – change your perceptions, attitudes, frame of mind, mode of thought and understanding, and turn back [toward God], because the reign of the heavens (the expression and effect of kingdom rule which has its source in the atmospheres; the activity of exercising the sovereignty which exists being the heavens; the reigning [of the King] which pertains to the heavens; the kingdom which belongs to and comes from the atmosphere; the influence of the sovereignty which is the heavens) has approached and is now near at hand and is close enough to touch (= has arrived and is now accessible)!" ³ You see, this is the man being spoken [of?] (or: this is the one [= declaration, or, prophecy] being spoken) through Isaiah the prophet, continuing in saying, "A voice! One repeatedly crying out (shouting; exulting; exclaiming; imploring): 'Within the midst of the wilderness (desert; desolate place; abandoned and uninhabited region) you folks prepare and make ready the road of [the] Lord (or: the path whose source is [Yahweh]; the Way whose character is that of, and which pertains to, [the] Owner [= Yahweh])! Be progressively constructing (making) His highway (thoroughfare) well-placed and straight.'" [Isa. 40:3] (or: "A sound! One is continuously crying out within the midst of the desert: ... ")

³ You see, this is the man being spoken [of?] (or: this is the one [= declaration, or, prophecy] being spoken) through Isaiah the prophet, continuing in saying, "A voice! One repeatedly crying out (shouting; exulting; exclaiming; imploring): 'Within the midst of the wilderness (desert; desolate place; abandoned and uninhabited region) you folks prepare and make ready the road of [the] Lord (or: the path whose source is [Yahweh]; the Way whose character is that of, and which pertains to, [the] Owner [= Yahweh])! Be progressively constructing (making) His highway (thoroughfare) well-placed and straight.'" [Isa. 40:3] (or: "A sound! One is continuously crying out within the midst of the desert: ... ") ⁴ Now John himself was in the habit of having his clothing of woven camel's hair with a leather belt (or: a girdle made of an animal skin) around his waist and loins, and his nourishment continued being locusts and wild honey.

⁴ Now John himself was in the habit of having his clothing of woven camel's hair with a leather belt (or: a girdle made of an animal skin) around his waist and loins, and his nourishment continued being locusts and wild honey. ⁵ At that time [folks from] Jerusalem, all the Judean [area], and the region around the Jordan [River] were traveling out to (or: toward) him in a steady stream,

⁵ At that time [folks from] Jerusalem, all the Judean [area], and the region around the Jordan [River] were traveling out to (or: toward) him in a steady stream, ⁶ and they were one after another being immersed (baptized) by him in the Jordan River, while in turn openly confessing (speaking out in agreement with) their failures (their mistakes, sins and failures to hit the target).

⁶ and they were one after another being immersed (baptized) by him in the Jordan River, while in turn openly confessing (speaking out in agreement with) their failures (their mistakes, sins and failures to hit the target).

⁶ and they were one after another being immersed (baptized) by him in the Jordan River, while in turn openly confessing (speaking out in agreement with) their failures (their mistakes, sins and failures to hit the target). ⁷ Now upon seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees [two religious and political sects of the Jewish culture] repeatedly or in turn coming upon the immersion (baptism) [event], he said to them, "O offspring (progeny; brood) of vipers (poisonous snakes)! Who secretly pointed out to you people (gave you a private, confidential suggestion) to flee, so as to escape, away from the inherent fervor (the internal swelling that gives rise to an impulse and mental bent which may be expressed in strong emotion, such as anger or wrath; a vigorous upsurge of [God's] nature) which is progressively about to be [demonstrated]? ⁸ "Produce, then, fruit which has a corresponding value to, and is appropriate of, a change in thinking and attitude, as well as a turn [toward God]. ⁹ "Furthermore, do not presume to be habitually saying among yourselves, 'We continue having Abraham [as] a father,' for I am now saying to you that God continues able (or: constantly has power) to at once raise up (or: awaken) children to Abraham (or: for Abraham; in Abraham) from out of these stones! ¹⁰ "Now you see, the ax is already continuing lying [being focused] toward (or: facing toward) the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree not habitually (repeatedly; = seasonally) producing beautiful (ideal; fine) fruit is customarily being cut out [of the orchard or garden], and is normally thrown into a fire. [comment: to be used for fuel] ¹¹ "I myself, on the one hand, continue immersing you folks in water, [which proceeds] into the midst of a change in thinking ([leading you] into a change of perception, frame of mind and mode of thought – into a change of understanding and a turning back [to Yahweh]). On the other hand, the One progressively coming close after me is (exists being) stronger than me (or: I), whose sandals I am not competent (or: adequate) to lift up and carry off. He, Himself, will proceed immersing (baptizing) you folks within the midst of a set-apart Breath-effect and Fire (or: will repeatedly submerge you to the point of saturation, in union with [the] Holy Spirit, even to the permeation of a Sacred Attitude, as well as with [the] Fire) –

¹¹ "I myself, on the one hand, continue immersing you folks in water, [which proceeds] into the midst of a change in thinking ([leading you] into a change of perception, frame of mind and mode of thought – into a change of understanding and a turning back [to Yahweh]). On the other hand, the One progressively coming close after me is (exists being) stronger than me (or: I), whose sandals I am not competent (or: adequate) to lift up and carry off. He, Himself, will proceed immersing (baptizing) you folks within the midst of a set-apart Breath-effect and Fire (or: will repeatedly submerge you to the point of saturation, in union with [the] Holy Spirit, even to the permeation of a Sacred Attitude, as well as with [the] Fire) –

¹³ At that time Jesus progressively births Himself from the Galilee [province; region], coming to be at the side at the Jordan [River], [and coming] toward John for the purpose of being immersed by him (or: in order to be baptized under him). ¹⁴ Now John kept on trying to completely dissuade and prevent Him, repeatedly saying, "I, myself, continue having a need to be immersed (baptized) by and under You, and yet You are now coming to me?!"

¹⁴ Now John kept on trying to completely dissuade and prevent Him, repeatedly saying, "I, myself, continue having a need to be immersed (baptized) by and under You, and yet You are now coming to me?!" ¹⁵ But, decidedly responding, Jesus said to him, "Let this situation flow its course and send [Me] off, right now (at present), for it is in this way proper and fitting for us to fulfill all that accords with the way pointed out (or: to make full every aspect of being turned in the right direction, and of being in right relationship [within the covenant])." Then he let the moment flow on, and proceeded to allow Him (or: At that point [John] yields, and sends Him forth). ¹⁶ Now upon being immersed (baptized), Jesus immediately (straightway) stepped back up from the water – and now look and consider! – the heavens at once opened back up again! [or, with other MSS: the atmospheres were opened up to Him!] Then He saw God's Spirit (Breath-effect; Breath) – as if it were a dove steadily descending – progressively coming upon Him. [cf Gen. 1:2]

¹⁶ Now upon being immersed (baptized), Jesus immediately (straightway) stepped back up from the water – and now look and consider! – the heavens at once opened back up again! [or, with other MSS: the atmospheres were opened up to Him!] Then He saw God's Spirit (Breath-effect; Breath) – as if it were a dove steadily descending – progressively coming upon Him. [cf Gen. 1:2] ¹⁷ And then – look and consider! – a Voice (or: sound) from out of the midst of the atmosphere (or: the sky and the heavens), repeatedly saying, "This is My Son, the Beloved One in Whom I take pleasure and imagine thoughts of well-being (or: This One exists being My dearly loved and esteemed Son, in Whom I approve)!"

¹⁷ And then – look and consider! – a Voice (or: sound) from out of the midst of the atmosphere (or: the sky and the heavens), repeatedly saying, "This is My Son, the Beloved One in Whom I take pleasure and imagine thoughts of well-being (or: This One exists being My dearly loved and esteemed Son, in Whom I approve)!"

¹ Thereupon Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Breath-effect (or: was at once brought {or: guided} back again, under the Spirit, into the lonely, desolate and uninhabited region) to be examined, tested, tried, put to the proof, and put through an ordeal under and by the one who thrusts [something] through [folks] (or: the devil; the prejudiced adversary; the slanderous opponent; the backbiting false accuser; or: by that which was cast through [Him]). ² And after fasting forty days and forty nights, He subsequently experienced hunger (or: felt famished). ³ Then, upon approaching and facing [Him], the examiner (the one continuously testing and bringing ordeals) said to Him, "Since You are God's Son (or: If you continue existing being a son of and from God), speak so that these stones can become (or: should come to be) loaves of bread."

³ Then, upon approaching and facing [Him], the examiner (the one continuously testing and bringing ordeals) said to Him, "Since You are God's Son (or: If you continue existing being a son of and from God), speak so that these stones can become (or: should come to be) loaves of bread." ⁴ Yet He, making a discerning reply, said, "It has been written, 'Mankind (or: The human) will not be habitually living on bread, alone, but rather on every utterance (gush-effect; result of a saying; effect of a flow; declaration; spoken word) which is constantly going forth (or: proceeding out) through God's [= Yahweh's] mouth.'" [Deut. 8:3] ⁵ At that time, the adversary (the one who thrusts [something] through folks; the devil) proceeds in taking Him along into the set-apart (holy) city, and then sets (or: placed; stationed; stands) Him upon the little wing of the Temple complex (or: court; grounds), ⁶ and it proceeds saying to Him, "Since You are God's Son (or: If you exist being a son of and from God), hurl (fling; cast) Yourself down, for it has been written, 'He will constantly give inner direction (or: an imparted goal) to His agents (or: messengers) about (concerning) You,' and, 'They will repeatedly lift You up (or: = catch You) on [their] hands (or: = so as to carry You in their arms) so that You would never strike Your foot against a stone (or: = so that you can at no time stumble or hurt Yourself).'" [Ps. 91:11-12] ⁷ Jesus affirmed to it, "Again, it has been written, 'You will not continue putting [the] Lord [= Yahweh], your God, to the test (or: You will not repeatedly attempt to set Yahweh out on trial or check out some proof about Him).'" [Deut. 6:16] ⁸ Again the opponent (adversary; one thrusting-through into [Him]) is progressively taking Him along – into an extremely high mountain range (or: a very high mountain), and successively points out for Him all the world's kingdoms (or: progressively shows to Him all the reigns of the controlling ordered-system of secular society), as well as their glory (their splendor and manifestations which call forth praise; their reputations). ⁹ Then it said to Him, "I will give all these things to You, if – falling prostrate – You would pay homage to me (worship me; do obeisance to me)." ¹⁰ At this [saying], Jesus then says to it, "Bring [it] under control, adversary (or: Subject [yourself], satan; Sink down below, adversary; Carry [this] off below, hateful accuser; or: Go away, satan)! You see, it has been written, 'You will constantly pay homage to (do obeisance to; worship; fall down and kiss the feet of) [the] Lord [= Yahweh] your God, and to Him alone you will repeatedly render hired service (or: sacred service).'" [Deut. 6:13] ¹¹ At that point, the opponent (the adversary; the one who had been thrusting [Him] through) progressively flowed away from Him (or: proceeded to divorce Him; presently abandoned Him) – and, note and consider this! – agents (messengers) approached (came forward) and began giving attending service to (or: continued rendering ministering service and provision for) Him. ¹² Now [later], upon hearing that John was handed over (delivered up; = arrested and put in prison), He withdrew from the area and returned into the Galilee [province]. ¹³ So after leaving Nazareth and coming into Capernaum-by-the-sea, He settled down (took up residence) [there] – within the midst of the territories of Zebulun and Naphtali,

¹⁷ From that time on, Jesus began to be repeatedly making loud public proclamations (performing as a herald), and to be continually saying, "You folks be progressively changing your thinking (change your frame of mind, mode of thought, perceptions and understanding and turn your focus to [Yahweh]), because the sovereign reign and activity of exercising the sovereignty of the heavens (or: kingdom from the sky and the atmosphere) has drawn near and now continues being at hand and is close enough to touch (= has arrived and is now accessible)." ¹⁸ Now while proceeding in walking along Lake Galilee (or: the Sea of Galilee), He saw two brothers, Simon – the one commonly called Peter – and Andrew, his brother, repeatedly casting a purse net into the lake (or: sea). You see, they were by habit fishers (or: fishermen) [for earning a livelihood]. ¹⁹ So He proceeds to say to them, "Come here, back behind (or: after) Me! I will also make you men fishers of humans (of people; of mankind)!"

¹⁹ So He proceeds to say to them, "Come here, back behind (or: after) Me! I will also make you men fishers of humans (of people; of mankind)!" ²⁰ Now at once abandoning their nets, they followed Him.

²⁰ Now at once abandoning their nets, they followed Him. ²¹ Then going on from there He saw two other brothers, Jacob (or: James), the [son] of Zebedee, and John, his brother – within the boat with Zebedee, their father, continuing in thoroughly adjusting, mending and preparing their nets – and He called them.

²¹ Then going on from there He saw two other brothers, Jacob (or: James), the [son] of Zebedee, and John, his brother – within the boat with Zebedee, their father, continuing in thoroughly adjusting, mending and preparing their nets – and He called them. ²² Now at once abandoning the boat and their father, they followed Him. ²³ Later, Jesus continued leading [them] around (or: about) within [the] whole of Galilee, continuously teaching (or: progressively giving instruction) within their synagogues and repeatedly making loud public proclamations about the good news (the message of goodness, ease and wellness) which pertains to the Kingdom (or: which has its source in the Reign; which characterizes and belongs to the influence of Sovereignty; which is the Reign; or: the kingdom's glad tidings) – as well as continuing in curing (or: giving attentive care and prescribing therapy or ongoing treatment for) every chronic disease and every occasional illness (sickness; delicate condition) among the people. ²⁴ So His reputation and the report concerning Him went off into the whole [region] of Syria. And people brought to Him all those having it badly (those in poor conditions; = having an illness), [those] with various diseases, and those being continuously gripped by pain (or: confined in testing situations), as well as those being habitually affected by demons [note: a Hellenistic concept and term that denoted animistic influences], and those being repeatedly affected by the moon (either = lunatics, or, epileptics) and paralytics – and He cured or gave attentive care or prescribed therapy or instigated ongoing treatment for them! ²⁵ Consequently many and huge crowds followed Him – from the Galilee [province] and Decapolis (the Ten Cities; a league of cities east of the Jordan) and Jerusalem and Judea, as well as [from] the other side of the Jordan [River] (or: Transjordan).

²⁸ And so it happened that when Jesus finished these discourses (thoughts; ideas), the crowds began to be amazed and astounded at what He taught and His way (manner) of teaching, ²⁹ for He was continuing in teaching and instructing them as one holding authority ( or: having the right out of Being) – and not as their scribes (theologians; experts in the Law; scholars) [taught].

² And then – look and consider! – a leper approaching began doing obeisance to (paying homage to; worshiping) Him, repeatedly saying, "O Lord (Master), if you should want to, You are able and continue having power to at once cleanse me!" ³ So, stretching out His hand, He touched him, while saying, "I am habitually wanting to: Be cleansed at once!" And immediately his leprosy was cleansed! ⁴ Then Jesus continues saying to him, "See here. You may not tell [this] to even one person, but rather, proceed to depart, leading [yourself] under [this word]. [Then] show yourself to the priest and offer the gift which Moses arranged with a view to [this situation, which leads] into a witness to them and provides evidence for [everyone]."

⁴ Then Jesus continues saying to him, "See here. You may not tell [this] to even one person, but rather, proceed to depart, leading [yourself] under [this word]. [Then] show yourself to the priest and offer the gift which Moses arranged with a view to [this situation, which leads] into a witness to them and provides evidence for [everyone]."

¹⁴ Later, Jesus, upon coming into Peter's house, saw his mother-in-law having been thrown [out of good health] and now being bedridden and burning with a fever. ¹⁵ And so He touched her hand, and the fever flowed away from her. Then she got up (arose) and began giving attending service to Him. ¹⁶ Now with it becoming evening, people brought many folks being habitually affected by demons, and He cast out the spirits (breath-effects; attitudes) with a word (by a message; by a thought), and He served, cured and restored to health (or: gave attentive care or prescribed therapy or instigated ongoing treatment for) all those continuously having it badly (= those habitually with illness).

²¹ Now a different one of the disciples said to Him, "Master (Sir; Lord), permit me first to go off and to bury my father." ²² But Jesus says to him, "You continue following Me, and abandon (divorce; leave behind; or: let; allow) the dead folks to bury their own dead ones."

²⁹ So look and consider! They cried out, repeatedly saying, "What [does this mean] for us and for You, O Son of God? Do (or: Did) You come here to test us or to cause us pain or distress before the appointed season (or: before the right situation; before the fertile moment)?"

³⁰ And their eyes were instantly opened up! Jesus further, being deeply moved to the point of snorting with emotion for them, is then saying, "You are now continuing to see! Not even one person is to come to know [about this]." ³¹ Yet they, upon going out, thoroughly spread the news about Him within that whole land.

³³ And then, upon the demon (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influence) being thrown out, the "mute man" spoke! And the crowds were amazed and filled with wonder, one after another saying, "Never was it thus seen (or: was it shown in light to be made visible in this way) within Israel!"

³⁵ And then Jesus began leading the way around all the cities and villages, habitually teaching within their synagogues and, as a herald, repeatedly making public proclamations of the good news (the message of goodness, ease and wellness) which pertains to and has its source in the "reign" (which exemplifies and comprises the kingdom) – as well as continuing in curing (or: giving attentive care or prescribing therapy or ongoing treatment for) every disease and all incapacities (weaknesses; infirmities; sicknesses). ³⁶ Now upon seeing the crowds, He felt deep feelings, tender affection and compassion about them (was affected in the inward parts of His body, encircling them with His emotions), because they were (they continued being) folks having been skinned (or: flayed and lacerated; and so: harried and troubled) and hurled down or tossed out – as if [being] sheep not having a shepherd.

² Now these are the names of the twelve men sent forth with a mission (emissaries; envoys; representatives): First, Simon, the one called Peter, and then Andrew, his brother. Next, Jacob (James) the [son] of Zebedee, and his brother John.

⁷ "Now as you are traveling on your way, be constantly performing the work of a herald, repeatedly saying publicly that the reigning and activity of exercising the sovereignty of the heavens (or: kingdom of the atmospheres) has drawn near and is close enough to touch (= has arrived and is now accessible)!

³⁷ "The person habitually having fondness and affection for father and mother over and above for Me is not suitable for Me (or: worthy or of equal value with regards to Me). Likewise the person continuing in having fondness and affection for a son or daughter over and above for Me is not suitable for Me (worthy of Me).

² Now John, hearing in the prison (or: jail) [about] the works and acts of the Christ [and] sending by means of his disciples,

⁵ "The blind folks are habitually seeing again, and the lame and crippled folks are continually walking about. The lepers are one-after-another being cleansed, and deaf people are habitually hearing. [Isa. 35:5-6] Even dead people are one-by-one being awakened and raised up [Isa. 26:14] – and the poor folks, the destitute ones, are continually having the good news of ease and wellness announced to them. [Isa. 61:1]

¹⁰ "This person is he concerning whom it has been written, 'Look and consider! I, Myself, am repeatedly sending forth My messenger, as an emissary on a mission – before Your face (or: ahead of Your personal presence) – who will progressively make Your road (or: path) useable by constructing or repairing and preparing it in front of You (or: who will prepare Your way before You).' [Mal. 3:1]

²² At that time people brought to Him a man continuously affected and controlled by a demon (a Hellenistic concept and term; = an animistic influence) – blind and mute (incapable of speaking). And so He treated and cured him, so that the mute man [began] to be repeatedly speaking and continuously seeing. ²³ Well, all the crowds began being set out of place (or: being made to stand out of themselves) in amazement, and began saying, "Is not this one perhaps the son of David?"

⁴³ "Now whenever the unclean spirit (or: unpruned attitude; unpurged breath-effect; foul wind) should come forth (or: go out) away from the person (or: human), it normally passes through waterless places, continuously seeking a resting place (or: rest; a ceasing from activity) – and it continues finding none.

⁵⁴ So later, upon coming into His fatherland (= His native land and home territory), He began, and continued, teaching them within their synagogue, with the result for them to be constantly moved from out of their positions and be overwhelmed with astonishment, even to be periodically saying, "From where [comes] this wisdom and the expressions (demonstrations; effects; works) of power and ability by (or: in; to; for) this person?

² and said to his court servants and attendants, "This person is John, the immerser (the one baptizing) – he was raised from the dead ones, and through this the powerful works (exhibitions and deeds of power) are constantly operating within him!"

²³ And so, upon dismissing and dispersing the crowds, He went back up into the mountain (or: hill country) – in accord with what was His own (or: corresponding to His own [thoughts and feelings]; or: privately) – to be praying. So then, it coming to be late in the evening, He was there alone.

³³ Now the men within the little boat paid Him homage by kneeling down and with obeisance kissing toward Him – some reverently kissing His feet – while one after another was saying, "Truly, You are God's Son (or: In reality You exist being a son of God; You really are [the] Son, whose origin, quality and character is God)!"

²⁸ At that point Jesus, in making a decided reply, said to her, "O woman (or: O dear lady), your trust, faith and confidence [are] great! Let it at once come to be and happen just as you continue intending and desiring." And so, from that hour, her daughter was cured and healed.

³¹ so that the crowd marveled with rapture and amazement – consecutively seeing mute ones speaking and lame ones walking around, then blind folks now seeing – and they gave credit to the God of Israel, enhancing His reputation.

⁵ Now consider this! While he was still speaking, a cloud composed of light (or: a cloud full of light; a cloud radiating light; a luminous cloud; an illuminated cloud) suddenly brought shade upon them (or: cast a shadow over them; overshadowed, or enveloped them). And think of this! A Voice – from out of the midst of the cloud – progressively saying, "This Man continues existing being My Son! The Beloved One (or: The One exemplifying and expressing My love) within Whom I think good thoughts (or: in Whom I imagine thoughts of wellness and ease; in Whom I appear well; in Whom I approve and of Whom I have a good opinion). Make it a habit to listen, to continue paying attention, and then to [really] hear Him (implies: obey Him)!"

¹⁴ Then, upon coming toward the crowd, a man came toward Him, proceeding to fall to his knees [before] Him, and then saying,

²⁷ At that time Peter, making a considered response, said to Him, "Look at our [situation]. We, ourselves, abandoned all, letting everything flow away, and we follow You. What will there consequently (or: actually) continue being for us?" ²⁸ So Jesus said to them, "It is true (or: Truly; Amen), I now am saying to you men, In the rebirth – when the Son of the Man (mankind's Son; = Adam's son; [or: the eschatological messianic figure]; or: the human) can sit upon the throne of His glory (or: the throne of his good reputation and manifestation which calls forth praise) – you yourselves, the ones following Me, will continue sitting down – even you, upon twelve thrones – continuously separating [issues], making decisions and administering justice for the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹ "And further, everyone – whoever, on account of My Name, abandons or lets flow away houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields – will continually receive many times more [other MSS: a hundred times as much], and he will be progressively inheriting, and enjoying an allotment of, eonian life (life from and with the character and quality of the Age [of the Messiah]; or: life of and for the ages). ³⁰ "Now many folks [being] first ones will proceed being last ones – and [many] last ones [will be] first ones.

³¹ "Which of the two did the will of the father?" They [as a group] are saying, "The first one." [other MSS read vs. 29-31 thus: "Now he, giving a considered reply, said,' I {go}, sir,' and yet he did not go off. So, upon approaching the second one, he said likewise. Yet he, giving a determined reply, said, 'I will not! 'Subsequently, he thought better of it {and} went forth. Which of {these} two fulfilled the desire of {his} father?" They are saying, "The latter one."] Jesus said, "That's right (You got it; Amen)! I am now saying and laying it out for you that the tax (or: tribute; toll) collectors (or: tax farmers; businessmen who bought the contract to collect taxes for the government) and the prostitutes are constantly preceding you men into God's reign (or: the kingdom of God; the sovereign activity of God)! ³² "You see, John came toward you men within the path (or: on the road) of fairness and equity, in accord with the way pointed out, and in the right relationship which pertains to justice – and you men did not trust him or put your faith in him (or: you did not believe him). However, the tax collectors and the prostitutes trusted him (put their faith in him; believed him), yet you men – upon seeing [this] – still did not change your thoughts or interests (or: regret your behavior and think better of it) [so as] to trust in him (put faith in and believe him).

² "The scribes (scholars; theologians; experts in the Law [Torah]) sit upon Moses' seat. ³ "Therefore, you people be constantly doing and keeping (observing; maintaining) everything – as many things as they should tell you. But do not continue doing or performing according to their works or actions, for you see, they are habitually 'saying,' and yet they are not doing or performing (= they are 'all talk and no action').

¹⁶ "It will be a tragic fate for you, blind guides of the way and leaders on the path, folks who are constantly saying, 'Whoever should lay hold of a sacred object in the Temple (or: swear within, or in union with, the Temple), it is nothing (= it does not matter). Yet whoever should lay hold of the gold of the Temple, as a sacred object (or: swear an oath pertaining to a connection with the gold of the Temple), he continues indebted and is owing [it].' ¹⁷ "[You are] senseless morons (stupid folks), as well as blind ones! For which is greater: the gold, or the Temple which is setting apart and consecrating the gold? ¹⁸ "Further, [you say], 'Whoever grabs hold of the altar as a sacred object (or: Whoever may swear an oath in connection with the altar), it means nothing. Yet, whoever should lay hold of the gift (or: may swear an oath in connection with the offering) which is on top of it, he continues indebted and is owing [it].' ¹⁹ "Senseless morons and blind ones! You see, which one [is] more important (greater): the gift (offering), or the altar which is constantly setting the gift (the offering) apart and consecrating [it]? ²⁰ "Therefore, the person laying hold of the altar for a religious purpose (or: swearing an oath in conjunction with the altar), continues holding onto it (or: swearing in relation to it) as well as in union with all the things which are on top of it. ²¹ "Also, the person holding onto something in the Temple, or swearing in union with it, continues to hold onto it – or swearing in its midst – and also to, and in union with, the one making His home down in (dwelling in; inhabiting) it. ²² "Further, the one taking hold of something within heaven (or: in union with the atmosphere, sky or outer space), or swearing in its midst, continues to hold onto, and is swearing in the presence of, God's throne, as well as the One constantly sitting on top of it. [comment: the term heaven refers figuratively to the Temple; the ark was "God's throne"] ²³ "O the tragic fate by (or: for; with) you folks – scholars, theologians and experts in the Scriptures and [the] Pharisees – [you] under-discerning folks who live by close inspection of minor details [see 6:3, above]: [it is] that you habitually give away a tenth (or: tithe back) from the mint and the dill and the cummin, and yet you abandon and let flow away the weightier (= more important) matters of the Law [= Torah]: the justice (equity; fairly evaluated decisions), the mercy, and the trust (the faith; the faithfulness and the fidelity; the reliance and the reliability; the confidence). Now these things it continued being binding and necessary [for you] to do and perform – and not to abandon (send away; set aside) those things! ²⁴ "Blind 'guides and leaders' of the way: constantly filtering and straining [out] the gnat, yet habitually gulping (drinking; swallowing) down a camel!

²⁴ "On the one hand, the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; = the representative human; = the eschatological messianic figure) is progressively leading the way under (or: is now going away) – just as (correspondingly as) it has been written about and concerning Him. Yet tragic will be the fate for THAT MAN through whom the Son of the Man is in the process of being turned over. It was continuing being beautiful for Him [i.e., for the Son of the Man] (or: It was being ideal to Him; It was existing fine for Him) – if THAT MAN was not brought to birth (or: had [just] not been born)!"

³¹ At that time, Jesus went on saying to them, "All you folks will proceed being caught in the snare in union with Me, and will continue being caused to stumble, within this night. You see, it has been written, 'I will proceed smiting (or: striking down) the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will proceed being thoroughly scattered and dispersed.' [Zech. 13;7]

⁵³ "Or, are you continually imagining or supposing that I am not constantly able (or: that I do not habitually have power) to at once call My Father to My side for assistance, and He will right now place by Me (or: furnish for Me; put at My disposal) more than twelve legions [= regiments; a legion was 6000 foot soldiers plus 120 on horse, plus auxiliaries] of agents?

⁵⁵ But in addition, many women were there, continuing in viewing and watching from a distance – those who followed Jesus from the Galilee [district], constantly giving attending service to, and materially providing for, Him –

¹⁵ So they, after taking the silver [coins], did as they were instructed. And thus, this idea (saying; message) was rumored throughout and spread abroad among and by the Jewish culture and religion until this very day.

⁵ And all the Judean territory (province; region; country) – even all the people of Jerusalem – kept on traveling out to him in a steady stream, [to be] face to face with him, and were one by one being immersed (baptized) by him within the midst of the Jordan River, while they were continuing in openly confessing-out and acknowledging their failures (mistakes; errors; sins; times of being out of line and falling short of the goal).

¹⁶ And while passing along beside (= walking alongside) the Sea of (or: Lake) Galilee, He saw and perceived Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon, repeatedly envelope-casting [their] purse net (a large, circular fishing net) in the sea, for they were fishermen (those who earned their living by catching fish). ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, "Hither, you [two] come on behind Me (= follow after Me and join Me), and I will proceed making you to become fishers of human beings (of people)!" ¹⁸ So at once, abandoning the fishing nets, they followed Him (walked the same path with Him). ¹⁹ Next, upon stepping forward a little, he saw Jacob (= James), the [son] of Zebedee, and John, his brother, and perceived them while [at work] within the boat, putting the nets in order (i.e., mending, adjusting, cleaning and folding them – making ready for the next use in fishing), ²⁰ so at once He called out to them ([i.e., presuming that the boat was off in the water]; or: Then He suddenly invited them). And after abandoning their father, Zebedee, within the boat with the hired men, they went off behind (= followed after) Him. ²¹ Later they continued traveling on and entered into Capernaum. Then on [one of] the sabbaths, immediately upon entering into the synagogue, He, as was His habit, began teaching.

²³ Also within their synagogue, there was just then a man in union with an unclean spirit (or: within the midst of an impure mood and a foul, unpruned attitude; in the sphere of influence of a contaminated breath, or an unpurged blowing), and he momentarily shouts (screams; or: cried out),

²⁵ And Jesus spoke seriously but respectfully to him, adding a penalty (or: Jesus respectfully charged it; or: Jesus appraised him and assessed a penalty, assigning a punishment upon him; or: Jesus strongly speaks to him in reproof {censure, reprimand, or strict enjoining}), in saying, "Be muzzled (= Be silent) and go (or: come) forth from out of the midst of him at once!"

³¹ So upon approaching and facing her, He, taking a strong hold on her hand, raised her up, and the fever suddenly flowed away and abandoned (or: left) her, and she began giving attending service to them.

³⁴ So He tended, attentively served, gave treatment to, began therapy with, prescribed ongoing treatment for, or cured and healed many folks who were continuing to hold badly (= having a poor condition) with (or: in; by) various kinds of sicknesses and diseases, and He threw (or: cast; drove) many demons [= what was attributed to animistic influences] from out of the midst, and He kept on refusing the demons (= influences) permission to continue speaking, because (or: in that) the folks (or: they) had come to see, and perceive, Him to be Christ (or: anointed; [other MSS omit "to be Christ," so read: they had seen and knew Him]).

³⁹ And He came (or: went) into their synagogues – into [the] whole [region of] the Galilee [area] – constantly heralding (loudly publicly announcing) as well as repeatedly throwing out the demons [Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences].

⁴⁵ Yet after going out, the man started (began) to repeatedly proclaim and loudly herald a great deal in public and to spread abroad the account, with the result that [it was] no longer possible [for] Him to continue to enter openly into a town, but to the contrary He continued being outside, upon desolate (uninhabited and unfrequented) places. And yet, people kept on coming to Him from all sides (or: all parts; everywhere).

¹ And so, upon entering again into Capernaum after the ensuing days, it was heard (or: And again entering into Capernaum, after some days it was heard) that He is currently within [the] house (or: = at home).

¹ And so, upon entering again into Capernaum after the ensuing days, it was heard (or: And again entering into Capernaum, after some days it was heard) that He is currently within [the] house (or: = at home). ² Consequently many folks were gathered together [there], resulting in there being no longer any room, not even [outside] facing the door, and so He was continuing in chatting and making conversation, then began speaking the message (the Word; the Logos; the thought and idea) to them.

¹³ Later He went out again along (beside) the seashore, and crowd after crowd all kept on coming to Him, and in turn He was teaching them (or: and from all sides, the crowd was progressively flocking to Him, and He kept on progressively teaching them).

² Now they [= the Pharisees and Herodians, of vs. 6] began narrowly watching and, at the side, kept on closely observing Him – [to see] if He will proceed tending, attentively serving, giving treatment to, beginning therapy with, prescribing ongoing treatment for, or curing and healing him on (= during) one of the sabbaths – so that they could accuse and bring charges against (down on) Him by a haranguing speech in a public assembly.

⁷ Then Jesus, accompanied by His disciples, withdrew back toward a place at the sea (lake) and a vast multitude [of people] from the Galilee [district], as well as from the Judean [area], followed after Him.

¹¹ Even the unclean breath-effects (impure or foul spirits; indecent an unpruned attitudes) – whenever they kept on gazing at and contemplating (continued being a spectator of) Him – were repeatedly falling toward Him so as to be prostrate to Him and kept on exclaiming (calling or crying out in a loud voice), saying, "You Yourself are (continuously exist being) God's Son (or: the Son of God; as a genitive of apposition: the Son who is God)!" [comment: this action was being taken by people, but Mark identifies these folks with their condition – they were inwardly unclean, but still convicted by His presence and character, which they recognized] ¹² So, many times He was having to speak seriously, but respectfully, to them (or: charge them under threat of a penalty to be assessed) so that they would not make Him displayed in the light (manifest; apparent and conspicuous; clearly seen).

¹² So, many times He was having to speak seriously, but respectfully, to them (or: charge them under threat of a penalty to be assessed) so that they would not make Him displayed in the light (manifest; apparent and conspicuous; clearly seen).

¹⁶ So He made (formed) the twelve. And He put upon (= added on) Simon [the] name "Peter;" ¹⁷ and [with] Jacob (James), the [son] of Zebedee, and John, the brother of Jacob (James), He also put upon (= added on) them [the] name "Boanerges" – which is (= means) "Sons of Thunder." ¹⁸ And [the others included were] Andrew and Philip and Bartholomew [may = Nathaniel] and Matthew and Thomas and Jacob (James), the [son] of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus [may = Lebbaeus] and Simon the Cananite [other MSS read: Cananaean; = the Zealot or the Enthusiast, a political party member]

³⁹ When being thoroughly awakened, He at once spoke authoritatively yet respectfully to the wind, and said to the sea (lake), "Be progressively quiet and continue silent! Be as one having been muzzled, and remain so!" And so the wind instantly abated (ceased its labor and became exhausted) and a great calm was birthed (occurred; came to be).

² Then on His coming out of the boat, a man in union with (or: within the midst of) an unclean spirit (or: and uncleansed attitude; a culturally unpruned breath-effect) immediately came to confront Him (or: went out to present himself and to meet Him) from out of the memorial tombs.

⁷ Then crying out in a loud voice, he is saying, "What [is there common] for/with me and for/with You (or: What [is there] in me and in You), Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I continue adjuring You (I am now solemnly appealing to You as with an oath; or: I proceed to put You under oath) [to; by] God: may You not distress me or give me pain by examining me or putting me to the test with the touchstone [the lapis Lydius which was applied to metals, especially gold, to test purity or quality]!"

²³ and is repeatedly entreating Him to be his paraclete (or: begs for assistance) many times, continually saying, "My little daughter is now having [her] last [moments] (or: continues holding-on in a way that seems final; = is at the point of death)... Please! (O that!) In coming You can (or: might; would) 'place the hands' on her, to the end that she can be restored to health (be saved; be rescued) and can live! (or: will continue living)"

²⁹ And instantly the fountain (or: spring) of her blood was dried up, and she knew by experience that she had been healed and remained cured from the grievous illness (or: disorder) which had been like being scourged with a whip.

³⁷ Now He did not allow anyone to follow together with Him, except Peter, Jacob (James) and John, the brother of Jacob.

⁴¹ Then, taking a strong grip of the little girl's hand, He proceeds to say to her, "Talitha coumi (or: koum)," which is normally being translated and interpreted, "Little girl (or: Maiden; = Young lady), I am saying to you, wake up and proceed to arise (or: get up)."

⁴³ Then He made a determination and fully arranged many things for them, so that no one would know this, and said something should be given to her to eat.

² When it came to be a sabbath, He began to continue teaching within the synagogue. And the majority of those hearing [Him] and continuing to listen began to be puzzled, then astounded and amazed, [one after another] in turn saying, "From where [are] these things in (or: by) this one? And what wisdom that [is] being given by (or: in) this man! (or: And why [is] this wisdom being given to this fellow?) – and such powers (or: abilities) repeatedly coming into being through (or: by means of) his hands!

³⁴ Upon getting out [of the boat], Jesus saw a large crowd and was at once moved in His inner being (intestines and internal organs) and compassion was extended upon them, because they were (continued being) like sheep not having a shepherd, so He at once began (started) to continue teaching them many things.

⁴⁶ And upon making arrangements and saying good-bye to them, He went off into the mountain (or: the hill country) to pray. ⁴⁷ By now it was becoming evening, [and] the boat was still in the middle of the sea (or: lake) – yet He continued being alone, upon the land. ⁴⁸ And seeing them being continuously tested (having the touchstone applied; being distressed; or, as a middle: = exerting themselves) within the midst of the constant driving [of the storm] and the need to be continuously rowing – for the wind continued being hostile and contrary, blowing in the opposite direction against them – He proceeded to come towards them, at about [the] fourth watch of the night (between three and six A.M.), progressively walking along upon the sea (or: lake). Now He had been intending to go past them (or: to pass them by; to go by alongside of them),

³ For, you see, the Pharisees and all the Jews [i.e., those who adhere to the practices of the Jewish culture] are not in the habit of eating, unless they can (or: should) ceremonially wash [their] hands up to the wrist (or, perhaps: up to the elbow with a fistful of water; [Aleph & other MSS instead read: frequently]) – continuing to keep a strong hold on the traditions of the elders (also = the men of former times). ⁴ Even when returning from a marketplace, they are not in the habit of eating unless they can (or: should; would) ritually sprinkle or dip (= wash; baptize) themselves – and there are many other similar things which they accepted and take to their sides to be constantly holding fast: immersions (baptisms; = washings; ritual sprinklings) of cups and pitchers and copper vessels (or: bronze utensils), and of couches (beds; mats). ⁵ So both the Pharisees and the scribes continued with a question to Him: "Why are your disciples not continuing to walk (= conduct themselves; order their manner of living) in accord with and corresponding to the tradition of the Elders (the older men; the men of former times), but to the contrary they continue to eat the bread (= the meal) with ritually unclean (unwashed; common) hands?" ⁶ Yet He insightfully and decidedly said to them, "Isaiah beautifully (aptly; ideally) prophesies (or: prophesied) about (or: concerning) you the overly judging and critical folks (hupokrites; or: those who put texts under close inspection to sift and separate and then give an answer, an interpretation, an opinion; or: those who live by separating things yet who under-discern; or: those who make judgments from a low view; or: those who under-estimate reality; or: perverse scholars who focus on tiny distinctions), as it has been written [D reads: and said]: 'This people continues honoring Me with [their] lips, yet their heart is habitually distant (continues holding [itself] far) from Me. ⁷ 'But they habitually venerate Me (show Me adoration and reverence in worship and pious deeds) futilely (uselessly; ineffectually; fruitlessly; in vain), repeatedly teaching the results of men's directions (or: the effects of human commands, ordinances, precepts and implanted goals) for "teaching".' [Isa. 29:13] ⁸ "Abandoning (Sending off; Divorcing; Letting go) the implanted goal (impartation of the finished product within; inward directive) of and from God, you folks continuously keep a strong hold on the traditions of and from men." [some MSS add: – baptisms (= ceremonial washings) of pots (pitchers, jugs) and cups, and you are constantly doing many other similar things of this sort] ⁹ Further, He went on to say to them, "You men keep on beautifully (adroitly) setting aside God's implanted goal (impartation of the finished product within; inward directive and purposed destiny) so that you can keep and maintain your tradition, ¹⁰ "For instance, Moses said, 'Be habitually honoring and constantly expressing value for your father and your mother,' [Ex. 20:12] and, 'Let the one habitually saying something worthless, of bad quality, corrupt, or evil to or about father or mother progressively come to an end by (or: in) death (or: = be put to death).' [Ex. 21:17] ¹¹ "Yet you folks are yourselves constantly saying [that] a person (a man) can at any time say to father or mother, 'Whatever of mine by which you might have been helped or benefited [is] Corban (or: a korban; = an oblation, offering or sacrifice) ' – which is an approach present (a gift dedicated to God and usable for no other purpose). ¹² "You continue allowing him to no longer do a single thing (or: And so you people still continue releasing him to do nothing) for father or mother! ¹³ "This is habitually invalidating (depriving of lordship; making void of authority) the Word of God (God's Logos; God's thought and idea; God's message) by (or: in) your tradition which you folks give over (= handed down) – and you are constantly doing many such things of this kind (or: repeatedly performing many such similar [rituals] along this line)."

²⁵ On the contrary, at once upon hearing about Him, a woman – whose little daughter continued having an unclean spirit (or: was still holding in impure breath-effect; was yet having a vicious and unpruned attitude; was continuing to hold a disposition which reeked of dirt, refuse and the contents of a grave) – upon entering, immediately prostrates (falls forward) toward His feet.

³⁰ So, after going away unto her house, she found the young girl [with other MSS: her daughter] prostrate, having been laid upon the bed (couch; mat) – the demon (= inner malady) having completely gone out.

³⁶ And with that He Himself made full arrangements with them, cautioning them to the end that they could (or: should) be then telling no one; yet, as much as He kept on making these arrangements for them, cautioning them, they themselves much more kept on proclaiming it publicly to a greater degree. ³⁷ Indeed, they kept on being superexceedingly amazed and astonished beyond all bounds, repeatedly saying, "He has done all things beautifully (has made everything ideally and finely): even the sensory blunted (or: deaf) ones He continues making to be habitually hearing, and speechless (mute) ones to be constantly speaking!"

² And then, after six days, Jesus proceeds in taking along Peter, Jacob (James) and John, and continues leading (or: bringing) them up into a high mountain – privately [and] alone (= by themselves). And He was transformed in front of them

⁷ And then a cloud formed, progressively overshadowing (casting shade upon) them. Next a voice sounded (came into existence; was birthed) from out of the midst of the cloud, saying, "This One is (ongoingly exists being) My Son, the Beloved One. Be habitually hearing, listening to [and thus, obeying] Him!"

²⁰ So they brought him to Him, and at having seen Him, the spirit (breath-effect; attitude; mood and internal disposition; result of a breath or of breathing) at once violently convulses him and then, falling on the ground, he began rolling and wallowing (or, as a passive: continued being rolled) while continuously frothing at the mouth.

²² And [the father] said, "From childhood on. Further, many times it also throws him into fire or into places of water, so that it might destroy him (or, possibly: that it can loose-away from him). But now, if you continue having power and ability [to do] anything, in instant out-flowing of compassion upon us, come quickly to our aid, and help us!" ²³ So Jesus said to him, "As to your 'if you continue having power and ability,' all things [are] possible to (for; by; in; with) the one habitually trusting (or: progressively believing)." [or, reading with A & other MSS: "About the 'if': you continue being able (having power) to trust (or: to believe). Everything (or: All) {is} endued with power for the one continuously trusting (or: progressively believing; constantly having confidence)!"]

²⁵ Now Jesus, noticing (or: seeing) that the crowd is progressively running together upon [their position] (or: rapidly converging on [them]), at once spoke seriously but respectfully to the unclean spirit (or: culturally unpruned, and thus unproductive, attitude), adding a charge (or: Jesus respectfully penalized the unclean breath-effect; or: Jesus appraised the impure spirit and assessed an injunction upon it; [or, paraphrasing an interpretation: Jesus strongly speaks to the disabling mental, physical and psychological condition in reproof {censure, reprimand, or strict enjoining}]), saying to it, [that is, to] the speechless and dull spirit, "I, Myself, am now making complete arrangements for you (or: am presently setting an injunction upon you): at once come forth from out of the midst of him, and no longer (or: no more) may you at any time enter into him." ²⁶ Then, after crying out and throwing him into severe convulsions, it went out, and he became as if dead – so as for it to be said by the majority that he died.

¹ Then, upon rising from that place, He proceeds in going into the border areas (regions, or, districts which were the boundaries) of Judea, as well as [the] other side of the Jordan [River]. And again crowds are progressively traveling together toward Him, so again, as He had been accustomed (had been in His usual habit), He went to constantly teaching them.

¹⁷ Later, during His traveling out into [the] road (or: a path; or: as He was setting out on His way), a certain rich man, running toward [Him] and falling on his knees [before] Him, began asking Him, "Good Teacher! What should I do (or: perform) to the end that I can (or, as a future: will) inherit (receive and enjoy an allotment of) eonian life (life pertaining to and having the qualities of the Age; life into the unseeable and indefinite future; life for and of the ages)?"

²⁴ Now the disciples began being affected by an emotion of astonishment in which awe is mixed with fear, upon [hearing] His words which expressed His thoughts and reasoning. So Jesus, giving a considered response, continues again by saying to them, "Children, how difficult and fretful [a thing] it is (or: [the situation or process] continues to be [Texts omit, but other MSS add: {for} those having placed their confidence upon money or the effects of wealth]) to enter into the kingdom of God (the sovereign actions and influences from God).

²⁸ Peter began to speak his thoughts to Him, "Look (or: Take into consideration), we ourselves at once abandoned everything and have followed You!" ²⁹ Jesus affirmed, "It is so (Amen). I now say to you folks, there is not even one person who leaves (or: releases; lets flow away) a house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or fields (or: farms; lands; estates) on My account, and on account of the good news (the message of goodness, ease and well-being),

²⁹ Jesus affirmed, "It is so (Amen). I now say to you folks, there is not even one person who leaves (or: releases; lets flow away) a house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or fields (or: farms; lands; estates) on My account, and on account of the good news (the message of goodness, ease and well-being), ³⁰ "who would (or: may; should) not get (or: receive) one hundred times as much now (at the present time) – within this appointed season (or: fitting situation): houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields (farms; lands; estates), along with their pursuits (or: with the effects and results of hurry, rapid motion and pressing after [things]; or: accompanied by persecutions), then, within the progressively coming age, life pertaining to that age (or: eonian life; life which has the qualities and character of the Age [of Messiah]; life whose source is the Age; life of and for the ages). ³¹ "Yet many first ones will proceed being last ones, and the last ones first ones (or: there are many [who are] first who will be existing last; and those last [who will be existing] first)." [comment: reversals seems to be a common ingredient to the kingdom; the Jews had been "in first place" and the good news came to them first; still, first and last describe a whole – all are included] ³² Now they had been in the road, on the way progressively walking up into Jerusalem – and Jesus had been steadily leading the way ahead of them – and they began being filled with awe and continued being amazed, yet the folks who were still following along began fearing. Then, once again taking the twelve aside, He began to tell them the things [i.e., the events, the situations] that were progressively being about to be suddenly in step together with Him, and to at once converge on Him,

³⁵ Then at one point Jacob (= James) and John – the two sons of Zebedee – by habit continue to make their way toward Him [and] proceed to be laying out their thoughts to Him, saying, "Teacher, we continue wanting (desiring; willing; intending) that You would do for us whatever we should request of You."

³³ Then He proceeded in taking Peter, Jacob (James) and John aside (or: along) with Him and He began to be increasingly affected from out of a stunning sense of extreme awe and terrifying astonishment, and to be progressively depressed and sorely troubled with distress.

⁴¹ – those who had been following with (accompanying) Him and continued giving ministering service to Him when He was within the Galilee [district] – and many other women who were walking up together with Him into Jerusalem.

² just and correspondingly as the original (the from [the] beginning) eyewitnesses (= personal examiners) and assistants (deputies and subordinates – "under-rowers," or, those under orders) of the Word (message; idea; Logos; Reason; thought) gave, and give, [them] over to us, ³ it seems [necessary; important; a good idea] also for (or: to) me – having followed alongside and accompanied closely from the earlier period – to write to (or: for) you, most excellent Theophilus (or: most mighty friend and lover of God; or: O man most strongly loved of God), all things consecutively (or: point by point; systematically) [and] accurately (or: with details exact), (or: – having from above {i.e., in descending order} intensively traced and investigated on all things – to write for you in logical order and with precise details {the course and movement}...),

¹⁵ "You see, he will continue being great (or: = important) in the sight of (or: before) [the] Lord [= Yahweh], and he should under no circumstances drink wine or [other] strong drink (= intoxicating beverage). Also, he will be continuously filled with a set-apart breath-effect (or: holy spirit; a separated and consecrated wind; [the] Holy Spirit; a sacred Attitude) still [not] out from (or: still from the midst of) his mother's womb. ¹⁶ "Later, he will proceed turning many of the sons (= people) of Israel back upon [the] Lord [= Yahweh] their God. ¹⁷ "And so, he himself will continue advancing in His presence (or: going forward in His sight) – within and in union with a breath-effect (or: wind) and ability having the character and qualities of Elijah (or: in association with Elijah's spirit and power; or: in an attitude and an ability which is Elijah [= God is Yah]) – ‘to turn back hearts of fathers upon children,’ [Mal. 3:23] and stubborn folks (or: incompliant ones; unpersuaded people) in a thoughtful (sensible; prudent) frame of mind which has the character and qualities of fairness, equity, rightwised relationships, and justice which pertain to the Way pointed out: to prepare and make a people having been fully formed into vessels and utensils, as well as being completely furnished and supplied with equipment, by, for and in [the] Lord [= Yahweh]."

³⁵ Then, giving a decided response, the agent (messenger) says to her, "A set-apart (or: holy) breath-effect (or: a consecrated wind; or: sacred spirit and attitude; [The] Holy Spirit) will continue coming upon you, and a power (ability; or: [the] Power) which has its source and origin in (or: which pertains to; or: which has the qualities and characteristics of; or: which is) [the] Most High will continue casting a shadow upon you. For that reason, also, the Set-apart One (or: holy thing) being progressively generated and born will continue being called God's Son (or: a son of God; 'Son of God').

⁷⁰ "Just and correspondingly as He spoke through [the] mouth of His set-apart (or: holy) prophets from [that] age,

⁷⁶ "Now you also, little boy, will proceed being called a prophet of [the] Most High, for you will continue to ‘go your way before and in the sight and presence of [the] Lord [= Yahweh], to prepare and make ready His paths (roads; ways) ’: [Mal. 3:1; Isa. 40:3] ⁷⁷ "to give intimate, experiential knowledge of deliverance (salvation; safety; rescue; health and wholeness; return to the original state and condition) to and for His people, in conjunction with a sending away (a divorcing; an abandoning; a flowing away; forgiveness) of their mistakes, failures, shortcomings, deviations and sins,

¹⁰ And so the agent (messenger) says to them, "Stop being afraid (or: Do not continue fearing)! Look, and consider this – for you see, I, myself, am now bringing and announcing good news (a message of ease and wellness) to and for you folks: great joy which will progressively be for all the people (or: will continue existing in the entire general public), ¹¹ "that a Savior (Deliverer; Rescuer; Restorer to health, wholeness, and to your original state, condition and position) was birthed and brought forth to, for and among you folks today, within the town of David, Who is (exists being) Christ [the] Lord (or: [the] Lord Christ; or: an Anointed Lord, Master and Owner; an Anointed One, a Lord; = Messiah, [the] Lord)!

⁴⁹ So He said to them, "Why [is it] that you were trying to find Me? Had you not seen so as to now know that it continues binding and necessary for Me to be within the midst of the men belonging to My Father (or: to constantly be among the things that pertain to My Father; or: to continue being in union with those things which are My Father)?"

² on the [occasion and term of the priesthood of] chief (or: ranking) priests, Annas and Caiaphas, a gush-effect which was God (or: the result of a flow from God; God’s spoken word; a declaration from God) came into existence (came to be; was birthed) upon John, son of Zechariah, within the midst of the wilderness (the uninhabited, desolate place).

² on the [occasion and term of the priesthood of] chief (or: ranking) priests, Annas and Caiaphas, a gush-effect which was God (or: the result of a flow from God; God’s spoken word; a declaration from God) came into existence (came to be; was birthed) upon John, son of Zechariah, within the midst of the wilderness (the uninhabited, desolate place). ³ And so he came (or: went) into all [the] region around the Jordan [River], repeatedly making a public proclamation heralding an immersion (or: baptism) of a change of mind and way of thinking [which also implied a return to God], into a flowing-away of failures (a sending-away of mistakes; a letting-go and release of failed attempts to hit the target and attain the goal; abandonment of sins; a divorce from, and a forgiveness of, errors).

³ And so he came (or: went) into all [the] region around the Jordan [River], repeatedly making a public proclamation heralding an immersion (or: baptism) of a change of mind and way of thinking [which also implied a return to God], into a flowing-away of failures (a sending-away of mistakes; a letting-go and release of failed attempts to hit the target and attain the goal; abandonment of sins; a divorce from, and a forgiveness of, errors). ⁴ As it has been and stands written within the scroll of [the] words of Isaiah the prophet, "A voice (or: sound) of someone repeatedly exclaiming and imploring loudly within the midst of the wilderness (the desolate place): 'You people at once make ready (or: 'Within the wilderness [now] prepare) the Way (Road) of [the] Lord [= Yahweh's Path]! Be progressively making His worn thoroughfares and highways straight.

⁴ As it has been and stands written within the scroll of [the] words of Isaiah the prophet, "A voice (or: sound) of someone repeatedly exclaiming and imploring loudly within the midst of the wilderness (the desolate place): 'You people at once make ready (or: 'Within the wilderness [now] prepare) the Way (Road) of [the] Lord [= Yahweh's Path]! Be progressively making His worn thoroughfares and highways straight. ⁵ 'Every ravine (or: gully; place narrowly enclosed by cliffs) will be progressively filled, and every mountain and hill (or: all hill country and rising ground) will continue being made low. Then the crooked things (or: places) will proceed in being [made] into straight ones, and rough and uneven places, into smooth roads!

⁵ 'Every ravine (or: gully; place narrowly enclosed by cliffs) will be progressively filled, and every mountain and hill (or: all hill country and rising ground) will continue being made low. Then the crooked things (or: places) will proceed in being [made] into straight ones, and rough and uneven places, into smooth roads! ⁶ 'Then all flesh will proceed in seeing God's Deliverance (Salvation; Rescue; health and wholeness; Returning [all; things] to the original state and condition)!'" [Isa. 40:3-5]

⁶ 'Then all flesh will proceed in seeing God's Deliverance (Salvation; Rescue; health and wholeness; Returning [all; things] to the original state and condition)!'" [Isa. 40:3-5] ⁷ However, he [i.e., John] kept on saying to the crowds that were one after another going their way out to be immersed by him, " [You] offsprings (or: Results of the births) of poisonous snakes (vipers), who (or: what) privately suggested (or: secretly showed; pointed out under [cover]) to you folks to be at once taking flight (fleeing) away from the progressively impending inherent fervor (internal swelling towards fruition; agitation of soul; or: anger; wrath)? ⁸ "Be at once, then, producing fruit of corresponding value to (or: of equal worth of; worthy of) the aforementioned change of mind and way of thinking! And so, you should not start (or: begin) to be repeatedly saying among yourselves, 'We continue having Abraham [as; for] a father,' for I am now saying to you folks that God continues able (constantly has power) to raise up children to (or: for) Abraham from out of the midst of these stones! ⁹ "Now the ax already continues lying [positioned with its aim] toward the root of the trees. So then, every tree not seasonally producing beautiful (fine; ideal; choice) fruit is customarily cut out [of the orchard] and is regularly being tossed into a fire [to heat or to cook]." ¹⁰ And so the crowds began putting questions to him, one after another saying, "What, then, should we be doing?" ¹¹ So, giving a decided reply, he began saying to them, "The person habitually having two tunics (undergarments), let him at once share with the one not normally having [one]; and the person habitually having things to eat (food), let him regularly do likewise." ¹² Now tax collectors (or: government revenue contractors; customs agents) also came to be immersed (baptized), and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we be doing?" ¹³ So he said to them, "Be habitually practicing (thus: collecting, demanding or exacting) nothing more besides the thing having been precisely arranged and prescribed for you (= charge nothing beyond the standard rates)." ¹⁴ And then soldiers (men serving in the army) also began putting questions to him, as a group saying, "What should we also be doing?" And he said to them, "You men should not at any time violently shake anyone (thus, also: intimidate, harass or extort from anyone), nor should you at any time inform on, blackmail or falsely accuse [people]. Also, be habitually content and satisfied with your subsistence rations and pay." ¹⁵ Now during the people's continued anticipation – keeping an eye open and directed forward in watchful expectation – [and] while everyone kept on reasoning and debating in their hearts concerning John, whether perchance he might be the Christ (the Anointed One; = the Messiah), ¹⁶ John gave a decided response, repeatedly saying, "I, myself, on the one hand am in the process of immersing (baptizing) you folks in (or: with) water. Yet on the other hand, the Person stronger than I is now progressively coming – the lace (or: strap; thong) of Whose sandals I am not competent (fit; sufficient) to loosen or untie. He, Himself, will proceed immersing (or: baptizing) you folks within the midst of set-apart Spirit (or: set-apart spirit; sacred attitude; Holy Breath-effect) and (or: even) Fire –

¹⁶ John gave a decided response, repeatedly saying, "I, myself, on the one hand am in the process of immersing (baptizing) you folks in (or: with) water. Yet on the other hand, the Person stronger than I is now progressively coming – the lace (or: strap; thong) of Whose sandals I am not competent (fit; sufficient) to loosen or untie. He, Himself, will proceed immersing (or: baptizing) you folks within the midst of set-apart Spirit (or: set-apart spirit; sacred attitude; Holy Breath-effect) and (or: even) Fire –

²⁰ added this also, upon everything [he had done]: he locked down John within the midst of a prison (or: jail). ²¹ Now during [the period and situation for] all the people to be immersed (baptized), and with Jesus also having been immersed (baptized) and then continuing in prayer (or: thinking with a view toward goodness and well-being), [the time and situation] had come to be (or: had been birthed; occurred) [for] the heaven to be opened back up again, ²² and [for] the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: the Holy Spirit; the Sacred Attitude) to descend (step down) – in bodily perceptual appearance as a dove (or: pigeon) – upon Him, and [for] a Voice from out of the midst of heaven (or: a Sound from [the] atmosphere, or sky,) to birth Itself: "You, Yourself, are (continuously exist being) My Son – the Beloved One! I have good thoughts within the midst of You (or: I take delight in You; I am disposed to good things and wellness in union with You; In You I think ease and imagine well-being; [instead of this last sentence, D reads, and this reading is found in various second and third century church fathers, over a wide geographic area from Spain to North Africa, to Palestine: Today I, Myself, have given birth to You])!"

²² and [for] the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: the Holy Spirit; the Sacred Attitude) to descend (step down) – in bodily perceptual appearance as a dove (or: pigeon) – upon Him, and [for] a Voice from out of the midst of heaven (or: a Sound from [the] atmosphere, or sky,) to birth Itself: "You, Yourself, are (continuously exist being) My Son – the Beloved One! I have good thoughts within the midst of You (or: I take delight in You; I am disposed to good things and wellness in union with You; In You I think ease and imagine well-being; [instead of this last sentence, D reads, and this reading is found in various second and third century church fathers, over a wide geographic area from Spain to North Africa, to Palestine: Today I, Myself, have given birth to You])!"

¹ So Jesus, full of a set-apart spirit and attitude (or: a set-apart Breath-effect; [the] Holy Spirit; [the] sacred Breath), turned back away from the Jordan [River] and began being led within the (or: that) Breath-effect (or: in union with the Spirit; in that attitude) within the midst of [other MSS: into] the wilderness (desert; desolate and uninhabited place) – ² [for] forty days being constantly examined and tested (or: tried and proved) by, and under, the one who thrusts or hurls [things; thoughts] through [us] (or: the adversary). And He did not eat anything within those days, and so, at their being brought together to the purposed goal, and concluded, He became hungry. ³ So the one who thrusts through [folks] (the adversary) said to Him, "Since (or: If) you are (exist being) God's son, speak to this stone with the result that it can (may; would) come to be a loaf of bread." ⁴ And then Jesus gave a decided reply to him, "It has been written, 'Humanity (or: The Man; or: The human being) will not continue living upon bread alone, but rather upon God's every gush-effect (or: on every result of God's flow, spoken word or declaration).'" [Deut. 8:3] ⁵ Then, upon leading Him up into a high mountain, the adversary (thruster-through) pointed out to Him all the kingdoms (reigns; dominions; empires) of the inhabited earth (the civilized world; or: = the Roman Empire), within a point (or: puncture; moment) of time, ⁶ and then the adversary (the thruster-through; or: that which was cast through the midst [of Him]) said to Him, "I will proceed giving to you all this authority (or: right and privilege from out of Being), as well as their glory and reputation (or: even that which is supposed to be from them; or: also that which appears and seems to be them; or: and also their imagination) – because it has been given to me (or: handed down by me; delivered in me), and to whomsoever I may wish (will; want; intend; purpose) I am normally periodically giving it. ⁷ "Therefore, if you yourself would at some point bow down in homage or worship before me, it will all proceed being yours (or: it will all continue existing being that which is you)!" ⁸ And so, giving a decided answer, Jesus said to him, "Go submissively (or: Sink down) behind me, adversary! It has been written, 'You will continue being bowing down in homage and worship to [the] Lord [= Yahweh], your God, and to Him alone will you continue giving public sacred service.'" [Deut. 6:13-14] ⁹ So he (or: it) led Him into Jerusalem and stationed (set; stood) Him upon the little wing of the Temple complex, then said to Him, "Since you are (or: If you exist being) God's son, cast (throw; hurl) yourself down (= jump) from this place, ¹⁰ "for it has been written that, 'He will proceed imparting a goal in (giving the end in view to) His agents (messengers) about (concerning) you, [with the directive] to carefully protect, keep and guard you.' ¹¹ "also, that, 'Upon [their] hands they will continue lifting you, lest at some point you could (or: might) strike (or: dash) your foot toward a stone (= stub your toe; or: =stumble).'" [Ps. 91:11-12] ¹² So, giving a determined response, Jesus said to him, "It has been said, 'You will not proceed in testing-out (or: put out on trial) [the] Lord [= Yahweh], your God.'" [Deut. 6:16] ¹³ And then, upon concluding and bringing all [of the] test and examination to its goal, the adversary (the through-thruster) withdrew and took a stand away from Him, until an appointed season (or: a fertile moment; a fitting or convenient situation).

¹⁶ Later He came (or: went) into Nazareth, where He had been brought up (raised, supported, nourished, provided for, cared for, educated and prepared for adulthood), and according to His custom on the day of the sabbaths, He entered into the synagogue. In time, He stood up to read. ¹⁷ So a scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Then, upon opening up the scroll, He found the place where it was written,

¹⁷ So a scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Then, upon opening up the scroll, He found the place where it was written, ¹⁸ " [The] Lord's [= Yahweh's] Breath-effect (or: [The] Spirit of [the] Lord; or: a spirit from [Yahweh]; or: a spirit and attitude which is [the] Lord) [is] upon Me [Old Syriac MS: you], on account of which He anointed Me [Syriac: you] to bring and proclaim good news (a message of ease and wellness) to destitute folks – and so He has sent Me off as an emissary (a missionary; one commissioned as His representative) to cure and heal folks with [their] heart having been crushed, to publicly proclaim, as a herald, to (for; among) captives a release and liberation (a letting go away) and to (for; among) blind folks a seeing again (a recovery of sight), to send away with a mission those having been shattered by oppression, in a state of release and liberation,

¹⁸ " [The] Lord's [= Yahweh's] Breath-effect (or: [The] Spirit of [the] Lord; or: a spirit from [Yahweh]; or: a spirit and attitude which is [the] Lord) [is] upon Me [Old Syriac MS: you], on account of which He anointed Me [Syriac: you] to bring and proclaim good news (a message of ease and wellness) to destitute folks – and so He has sent Me off as an emissary (a missionary; one commissioned as His representative) to cure and heal folks with [their] heart having been crushed, to publicly proclaim, as a herald, to (for; among) captives a release and liberation (a letting go away) and to (for; among) blind folks a seeing again (a recovery of sight), to send away with a mission those having been shattered by oppression, in a state of release and liberation, ¹⁹ "to publicly and loudly proclaim [the] Lord's [= Yahweh's] year which is characterized by being welcomed, favorably received and approved...!" [Isa. 61:1-2; 58:6; note: some see this as a reference to the 'year of Jubilee,' Lev. 25:10]

¹⁹ "to publicly and loudly proclaim [the] Lord's [= Yahweh's] year which is characterized by being welcomed, favorably received and approved...!" [Isa. 61:1-2; 58:6; note: some see this as a reference to the 'year of Jubilee,' Lev. 25:10] ²⁰ Then, upon rolling up the scroll [and] giving [it] back to the attendant, He sat down – and the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were staring intently at Him. ²¹ So He started to be saying to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your ears (= your hearing)."

³¹ So He went down into Capernaum, a city of the Galilee [district]. Then He was continuing in teaching them, during the sabbaths. ³² And they kept on being struck out of themselves with astonishment at His teaching – that His word was being in union with authority (or: because His idea was in the midst of right and privilege; that His message and thought was existing in a sphere from out of [His] Being).

³² And they kept on being struck out of themselves with astonishment at His teaching – that His word was being in union with authority (or: because His idea was in the midst of right and privilege; that His message and thought was existing in a sphere from out of [His] Being). ³³ Further, in – and as a part of – the synagogue there was a man (or: person) continuously having and holding a breath-effect (spirit; attitude) of an unclean demon (Hellenistic concept and term: = a culturally unpruned animistic influence), and he uttered up (or: cried out) with a loud voice, ³⁴ "Ah! (or: Ha!) What [is this] for us... and for You (or: What [business is there] between us and You; What [is there in common] for us and for you; Why do you meddle with us), Jesus, you Nazarene? You came to get rid of us! (or: Do you come to destroy us?) I have seen and know You... Who (or: What) you are! – God's set-apart One! (or: the Holy man whose source is God; as a genitive of apposition: the Holy One {or: man} Who is God!)" [comment: it has been assumed that when saying "us" this person was referring to the animistic influence; but was he perhaps referring to the Jewish culture, religion and political entity, of which he was a part? Cf Acts 16:16-18]

³⁴ "Ah! (or: Ha!) What [is this] for us... and for You (or: What [business is there] between us and You; What [is there in common] for us and for you; Why do you meddle with us), Jesus, you Nazarene? You came to get rid of us! (or: Do you come to destroy us?) I have seen and know You... Who (or: What) you are! – God's set-apart One! (or: the Holy man whose source is God; as a genitive of apposition: the Holy One {or: man} Who is God!)" [comment: it has been assumed that when saying "us" this person was referring to the animistic influence; but was he perhaps referring to the Jewish culture, religion and political entity, of which he was a part? Cf Acts 16:16-18] ³⁵ So Jesus gave a respectful directive (or: spoke a value-based command) to it, saying, "Be at once muzzled (= Be quiet, or, silent) and go (or: come) out – away from him." Then, after pitching (or: convulsing) him into [their] midst, the demon (= animistic influence) went out – away from him – [in] nothing hurting or harming him.

³⁵ So Jesus gave a respectful directive (or: spoke a value-based command) to it, saying, "Be at once muzzled (= Be quiet, or, silent) and go (or: come) out – away from him." Then, after pitching (or: convulsing) him into [their] midst, the demon (= animistic influence) went out – away from him – [in] nothing hurting or harming him. ³⁶ And so there came to be amazement (wonder, astonishment or bewilderment) upon everyone, and they began conversing together, repeatedly saying to one another, "What word (or: message; idea) [is] this? – that in authority and power (or: in union with privilege, or, prerogative, and ability) He is now giving orders to the unclean breath-effects (spirits; or: attitudes), and they proceed coming out!" [comment: note that the people equate the concept of a "demon" with that of a spirit, or attitude]

³⁶ And so there came to be amazement (wonder, astonishment or bewilderment) upon everyone, and they began conversing together, repeatedly saying to one another, "What word (or: message; idea) [is] this? – that in authority and power (or: in union with privilege, or, prerogative, and ability) He is now giving orders to the unclean breath-effects (spirits; or: attitudes), and they proceed coming out!" [comment: note that the people equate the concept of a "demon" with that of a spirit, or attitude] ³⁷ So a reverberating noise (= an echoing report, or, rumor) began proceeding forth concerning Him – into every place of the surrounding region.

³⁷ So a reverberating noise (= an echoing report, or, rumor) began proceeding forth concerning Him – into every place of the surrounding region. ³⁸ Now upon rising up from the synagogue, He entered into Simon's house. But Simon's mother-in-law had been continuing gripped by and confined by a high fever, so they asked Him about her. ³⁹ Then, upon taking a place over her, He spoke a respectful directive to the fever, and it released her and flowed away (or: abandoned her). Now without delay, after standing up, she began performing attending service to, for, and among them. [comment: note that He responded to the illness in the same way that He did to the demon/spirit, in vs. 35, with a similar result] ⁴⁰ Now while the sun was setting, everybody – whoever were having folks being weak and infirm with various diseases – led them to Him. So He, placing [His] hands upon each one of them, was one, after, another treating, or curing, or giving attentive care to, or prescribing therapy to, or instigating ongoing treatment for them. ⁴¹ And thus, demons (= animistic influences) also kept on going out from many folks, [as] one by one [of them] were uttering cries or exclamations, and then saying, "You, Yourself, are God's Son!" And so, while speaking respectful directives, He was not permitting them to continue speaking, because (or: to continue sounding forth that) they had seen, and thus knew, Him to be the Christ (the Anointed One; = the Messiah). [comment: note that Luke equates the terms "Christ" and "God's Son"] ⁴² Now, when it came to be day, upon going out He went His way into a desolate (desert; uninhabited) place. And yet, the crowds kept on trying to find Him, and so they came to Him and they kept on detaining Him so that He would not be leaving them. ⁴³ But He, Himself, said to them, "It is necessary and binding for Me to bring and declare the good news – God's reign (or: the kingdom from God; the influence and activity of the sovereignty which is God; [note: reign/kingdom is in the accusative, and thus in apposition to the verb, so here "reign/kingdom of God" defines "the good news"]) – in different towns and cities, as well, because I was sent off as an emissary (envoy; representative) on this mission."

⁴³ But He, Himself, said to them, "It is necessary and binding for Me to bring and declare the good news – God's reign (or: the kingdom from God; the influence and activity of the sovereignty which is God; [note: reign/kingdom is in the accusative, and thus in apposition to the verb, so here "reign/kingdom of God" defines "the good news"]) – in different towns and cities, as well, because I was sent off as an emissary (envoy; representative) on this mission."

⁴³ But He, Himself, said to them, "It is necessary and binding for Me to bring and declare the good news – God's reign (or: the kingdom from God; the influence and activity of the sovereignty which is God; [note: reign/kingdom is in the accusative, and thus in apposition to the verb, so here "reign/kingdom of God" defines "the good news"]) – in different towns and cities, as well, because I was sent off as an emissary (envoy; representative) on this mission." ⁴⁴ And so He was constantly making public proclamation [when entering] into the synagogues of the Judean [district].

¹ Now this happened during the [situation, or time, that] the crowd continued pressing close and imposing upon Him in order to be listening to and hearing the Word from God (or: God's thoughts and ideas; God's message), and He Himself was there, standing beside Lake Gennesaret. ² And He saw two sailing vessels moored at the lakeside (= at the shore), but the fishermen, after disembarking from them, had started washing the nets. ³ So, stepping into one of the boats (or: ships; sailing vessels) – which was Simon's, He asked him to pull away (or: lead back upon [the water]) from the land a little. So, upon sitting down, He began teaching the crowds, from out of the sailing vessel. ⁴ Now as He ceases [the] session of speaking, He says to Simon, "Pull away again on [the lake], into the deep, and you men lower your nets into a catch." ⁵ And so Simon, in a considered reply, said, "Captain (or: Commander; Chief; = Boss; perhaps: Instructor), after being wearied and spent with labor through the whole night, we took nothing. Yet, upon Your spoken word (the effect of Your flow), I will proceed lowering the nets." ⁶ Then, upon doing this, they shut up together and enclosed a multitude of fishes, so much – yet their net began tearing and ripping in two. ⁷ And so they with hand gestures motioned to [their] partners in the different boat to, upon coming, get together with them and help out. So they came, and they filled both ships so that they began to progressively sink! ⁸ Now Simon Peter seeing [this], fell down at the knees of Jesus, while saying, "Go out, away from me, O Sir (or: Lord), because I am a man with the qualities of an outcast (a man characterized by failure; a missing-the-target male; a sinful man; an adult male full of error, deviations and mistakes)!" ⁹ You see, awe, fear and astonishment suddenly surrounded, engulfed and then overwhelmed him – as well as all those together with him – upon [the impact], at the catch of the fishes which they together took in hand. ¹⁰ Now [it was] likewise, also, [with] Jacob (or: James) and John – sons of Zebedee. They were partners and mates with Simon. Then Jesus says to Simon, "Stop fearing (or: Do not continue being afraid). From now on you will be repeatedly catching humans (or: [the] people) alive!"

¹⁰ Now [it was] likewise, also, [with] Jacob (or: James) and John – sons of Zebedee. They were partners and mates with Simon. Then Jesus says to Simon, "Stop fearing (or: Do not continue being afraid). From now on you will be repeatedly catching humans (or: [the] people) alive!" ¹¹ Then, after bringing the sailing vessels back down upon the land, abandoning all things, they followed Him.

¹¹ Then, after bringing the sailing vessels back down upon the land, abandoning all things, they followed Him. ¹² Later, it happened for Him to be in one of the towns, and – look and think about this – an adult male full of leprosy [was there]. Now upon seeing Jesus, after falling upon [his] face, he begged (or: from out of his need urgently asked) Him, presently saying, "O Lord (or: Sir; Master), if you should continue willing [it] (or: if you are now wanting to) you continue able (or: constantly have power) to at once make me clean!" ¹³ And so, stretching out [His] hand He touched him, while saying, "I am now wanting [to], and continue willing and intending [it]. Be at once made clean!" Then immediately the leprosy went away from (or: left) him. ¹⁴ And then He gave to him a message at the side: to speak to no one [about this], but rather, "Upon going off (or: away), show yourself to the priest, and bear forward an offering concerning your cleansing – just as arranged and directed by Moses – with a view to evidence for them (or: [leading] into a testimony and a witness to them)."

¹⁴ And then He gave to him a message at the side: to speak to no one [about this], but rather, "Upon going off (or: away), show yourself to the priest, and bear forward an offering concerning your cleansing – just as arranged and directed by Moses – with a view to evidence for them (or: [leading] into a testimony and a witness to them)." ¹⁵ However, the account concerning Him began spreading throughout to an even greater extent and many crowds began gathering (coming together) to continue hearing, and to repeatedly hear, as well as to be cured by Him – or be given attentive care or be prescribed therapy or have instigated ongoing treatment – from their weaknesses, illnesses and diseases. ¹⁶ So He, Himself, was progressively withdrawing and retiring into the desolate places (wildernesses; deserts; uninhabited places) and was continuing in prayer.

¹⁶ So He, Himself, was progressively withdrawing and retiring into the desolate places (wildernesses; deserts; uninhabited places) and was continuing in prayer. ¹⁷ And then it occurred on one of those days – it was also as He Himself was proceeding in teaching and there were Pharisees and teachers of the Law [= Torah] continuing in sitting [there] who had been coming out of every village of the Galilee [district], as well as from Judea and Jerusalem – and [the] Lord's [= Yahweh's] power and ability was being there [leading] into the [situation for] Him to continue healing.

¹² Now it happened (or: came to be) during these days [for] Him to go out into the mountain (or: hill country) to have thoughts with a view towards having goodness, ease and well-being (or: to pray), and so He was continuing through the night within the midst of God's thoughts towards holding goodness (or: in union with possession of the action of God which was directed toward ease; in the influence leading to having well-being, which was God; or: in union with the prayer whose source was God).

¹⁴ Simon, whom He also named Peter (Rock), then Andrew, his brother, and Jacob (James). Also John, Philip and Bartholomew.

⁶ So Jesus journeyed on with them. But at His already being then not far distant from the house, the centurion sent friends, [to be] presently saying to Him, "O sir (or: Lord; master), do not continue being bothered (or: having to take the trouble) [with this], for I am not fit (or: qualified [= ceremonially clean]; or: [important] enough; of sufficient [social standing]) that you should enter under my roof (or: covering). ⁷ "For this reason, neither do I consider myself worthy to come to you, but rather, speak by a message (or: in a communication; with a word), and let my servant be healed.

¹² Now as He neared the town gate, – look, and consider this – a dead man, [being the] only-begotten son for his mother – and now she herself was a widow – was being progressively carried out [for burial], and a good-sized crowd from the town was continuing in being together with her. ¹³ So, upon seeing her, the Lord (Master; Owner) was on the spot affected in His inner parts and felt tender compassion upon her, and so said to her, "Stop weeping (or: Do not continue crying)!"

²⁷ "This man is he concerning whom it has been written: 'Look and consider! I am now sending off My agent (messenger) as an emissary (representative) before Your face (= ahead of Your presence): he who will progressively construct, fully prepare, equip and put in useful order Your road (path; way), in front of You.' [Mal. 3:1] ²⁸ "For truly, I now say to you folks, among the people born of women, no one exists being greater than John [with other MSS: there is not even one prophet more important than John the immerser; or: no one continues being a greater prophet than John the Baptist]. Yet the smaller (= less significant) person within the midst of God's reign (or: in union with the sovereign kingdom of God) exists being greater (= more important) than he.

¹ Later it occurred that He Himself then began making His way through city by city and village by village, in consecutive order, repeatedly making public proclamation as a herald, and constantly bringing and declaring God's sovereign reign (or: kingdom; the influence and activity of the ruling which is God) as good news of ease and well-being – and together with Him, the twelve, ² as well as certain women who were ones having been treated, cured or restored from bad attitudes (worthless breath-effects; malicious spirits) and weaknesses (or: illnesses): Mary, the one normally being called Magdalene – from whom seven demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) had gone out (had departed), ³ then Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's man in charge (or: manager; steward; financial secretary), and Susanna, as well as many different women, who continued giving attending and supportive service to them [i.e., to Jesus and His comrades] – from out of their personal possessions and resources.

²⁸ Now, upon seeing Jesus and uttering up a cry (or: crying aloud; screaming), he fell toward Him. And then in a loud voice he said, "What [is there] for me and for You (or: What [is the connection] to me, and in You; may = What do want with me), Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg (or: urgently request) You... You should not test my qualities or cause me pain or distress!"

³⁷ As a result, the whole fullness (= the entire populace) of the territory (or: region) surrounding Gerasenes [other MSS: Gergesenes] asked Him to go (or: get) away from them – because they began being constrained and hemmed in with a joint-possession, pressing them together by and in a great fear.

⁵⁶ And so her parents "stood out of themselves" in amazement and ecstasy. But He gave instructions to them to tell to no one the [incident] having been birthed (or: having happened and coming to exist).

¹ Now later, after calling the twelve together unto Himself, He gave to them power and ability, as well as authority, upon all the demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) and thus to be habitually giving care for, treating or curing sicknesses and diseases.

³⁵ And then a Voice was birthed (or: a Sound occurred) from out of the midst of the cloud, progressively laying it out and saying, "This Man is (or: exists being) My Son, the Man having been selected, picked out and chosen! From Him you men continue hearing (or: You folks be habitually listening to Him)."

³⁹ and look, a breath-effect (or: spirit; attitude) is periodically (or: habitually) taking hold of him, and unexpectedly he suddenly cries out, and it repeatedly convulses and tears him, accompanied with foam – and it is normally withdrawing and departing from him with hard labor, continuing to rub him [against things] and bruise him.

⁴² But while he is still approaching, the demon (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influence) burst forth [in] him (= tore and shattered his inner being) and then with [him] violently convulsed. So Jesus spoke a serious but respectful directive to the unclean breath-effect (or: unpruned attitude; or: = diseased spirit; = distorted life-force) and so healed the boy and gave him back to his father.

⁵⁸ Then Jesus said to him, "The foxes are normally having burrows (or: dens; holes), and the birds of the sky (or: atmosphere; heaven) [have] nests (or: roosts; places for 'tenting-down,' i.e., camping or lodging), yet the Son of the Man is not normally or presently having [a place] where He may recline [His] head."

⁹ "and continue treating, giving attentive care for or curing the sick and weak folks within it. Then be constantly saying to them, 'God's reigning and activity of exercising sovereignty (or: kingdom) has drawn near upon you people – close enough to touch (= has arrived and is now accessible)!'

¹¹ "'Even the dust being caused to cling unto our feet – from out of your town –we are now in the process of wiping off for you people (= with regard to you folks; [see note: ch. 9:5])! Furthermore, continue knowing this by intimate experience, that God's reigning (or: sovereignty; kingdom) had drawn near and is close enough to touch (= has arrived; = is accessible)!'

¹⁵ And you, Capernaum! You will not proceed in being ‘lifted up (or: exalted) to heaven (or: as far as [the] sky)! You will [instead] progressively climb down (or: descend; subside; [other MSS: be mounted so as to be brought down]) to the unseen (or: as far as Hades; or to the [state and condition of being] unseen).’ [Isa. 14:13, 15]

¹⁷ Now the seventy [other MSS: seventy-two] returned with joy, one after another saying, "O Lord, even the demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) are continually being subjected to us (or: set under and arranged below for us) within and in union with Your Name!" [comment: 70 in Judaism = the non-Jewish nations – Bruce Chilton] ¹⁸ So He said to them, "I continued gazing, contemplating and repeatedly watching the adversary (opponent; enemy; or: satan) suddenly falling – as lightning from out of the sky (or: as lightning – from out of the atmosphere and heaven). ¹⁹ "So look, and realize – I have given to you folks the authority to habitually step on and trample snakes (serpents) and scorpions – as well as upon all the power and ability of the enemy (or: the hostile or adversarial person) – and nothing will proceed in any circumstance causing you folks harm (or: wronging you or treating you unjustly). ²⁰ "Nevertheless, do not continue rejoicing in this – that the breath-effects (spirits; attitudes; life-forces; winds) are being continually subjected to you people. Instead, be constantly rejoicing that your names have been written on and stand engraved (or: inscribed; [other MSS: were/are written]) within the heavens (or: in union with the atmospheres; in the skies)."

²² "Yet as soon as (or: if ever) a person stronger than him, after coming upon [him], can conquer (or: may overcome) him, he progressively lifts up and carries off his full armament (all the armor and weaponry) upon which he had trusted and placed his confidence – and now progressively distributes his spoils (booty).

¹⁰ Now He had been repeatedly teaching within one of the synagogues, on the sabbaths.

²⁶ "If anyone continues coming to (or: toward) Me, and does not habitually regard with a negative will (= put lesser importance to; hate, in the sense of giving less preference to) his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters – and still [more], even his own soul-life (his inner being and its concerns; the person which is himself) – he has no power and is unable to be My disciple!

³³ "Thus, then (or: Therefore, in the same manner), everyone from among you folks who is not in the habit of setting-off and arranging-away from himself all his own possessions which are continuing to be his subsistence, he continues with no power and is unable to be My disciple.

¹² at His entering into a certain village, ten adult men – lepers – encountered Him. They stood up at a distance, ¹³ and they themselves raised a voice, together saying, "Jesus, Leader (or: Sir; One-who-stands-upon/over-us; Boss), mercy us (do at once that which will be merciful to us)!" ¹⁴ And so, upon seeing [them], He said to them, "After going your way, at once fully exhibit (show for examination) yourselves to the priests!" And then it happened – during their proceeding to go under [His instructions] they were at once cleansed!

¹⁴ And so, upon seeing [them], He said to them, "After going your way, at once fully exhibit (show for examination) yourselves to the priests!" And then it happened – during their proceeding to go under [His instructions] they were at once cleansed! ¹⁵ Now one from among their group, upon seeing that he was healed, turned around under [this awareness] with a loud voice constantly ascribing the glory to God, enhancing His reputation, ¹⁶ and then fell upon [his] face beside His feet, repeatedly giving thanks to Him – not only that, this same man was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Now giving a discerning response [to the crowd], Jesus said, "Were (or: Are) not the ten men cleansed? So where [are] the nine? ¹⁸ "Were none found returning to give glory to God, except this foreigner (person of another birth, race or nation)?" ¹⁹ And so He said to him, "After arising (or: standing up), continue going your way. Your trust and faith has made you healthy and left you whole (or: has healed, delivered and saved you so that you are now rescued from your prior condition)."

²⁸ Now Peter said, "Look, and take us into mind – we, upon letting our own [plans; possessions; desires; lives] flow away (or: after abandoning our own things), we follow You!" ²⁹ So He says to them, "It is true (or: Amen; Count on it). I am now saying to you folks that there is no one who abandoned (or: lets flow away) house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children on account of (or: for the sake of) God's reign (kingdom; royal rule; sovereign influence and activities) ³⁰ "who would not by all means be getting back and receiving many times more, in this season (or: fitting situation and opportunity; fertile moment), as well as eonian life (life that has the character and qualities of the Age; life whose source comes from the Age; or: life of and for the ages) within the Age which is progressively coming." ³¹ Now, taking aside the twelve, He said to them, "Look, and consider this. We are progressively walking up into Jerusalem, and all the things having been written through the prophets for (or: pertaining to) the Son of the Man (= the eschatological messianic figure; = Adam's Son) will progressively be brought to their purposed goal and destiny (or: finished; completed; perfected; made fully functional).

¹⁵ "You see, I Myself will continue giving to you people a mouth (= ability and an opportunity to speak) as well as wisdom, to which all your opponents, who are repeatedly lying in ambush against you, will not continue being able to at any point stand in opposition to or resist, nor to speak against or contradict.

³⁹ Later, upon going out, corresponding to [His] custom (or: as usual) He went His way into the Mount of Olives – now the disciples also followed Him. ⁴⁰ So, on coming to be at the place, He said to them, "Be habitually praying (or: Be repeatedly expressing a wish with a view toward goodness and for having it well, so as) not to enter into an attempt to bring you into a test which will put you to the proof or will try you." ⁴¹ Then He was dragged (or: pulled) away from them about [the distance] of a stone's throw, and kneeling, He began speaking toward having ease and well-being (or: praying),

⁴¹ Then He was dragged (or: pulled) away from them about [the distance] of a stone's throw, and kneeling, He began speaking toward having ease and well-being (or: praying), ⁴² saying, "O Father, if You continue purposing (willing; intending) [it], at once bear along (or: carry aside) this, the cup, away from Me. Yet more than that, not My will or desire, but to the contrary, let Yours continue of itself progressing into being (or: let Yours keep on happening to itself, and from itself come to be, then progressively take place for itself)!" [note: vss. 43 & 44 are omitted in p75, Aleph1, A, B, N, T, W, 579, 1071*, and others, as well as writings by Marcion, Clement, Origen, Athanasius, Ambrose, Cyril John-Damascus, a Georgian MS, and others; Aleph*, D, L, later MSS, various church Fathers, and others include them; Griesbach and Nestle-Aland bracket them; UBS footnotes them in the apparatus] ⁴³ Now an agent from the atmosphere (or: a messenger fromheaven) was seen by Him, continuously strengthening Him. ⁴⁴ Then, coming to be within the midst of great inner tension and conflict (or: agony and anxiety), He continued praying more intensely and more stretched out, and so His sweat came to be as it were large drops and clots of blood, steadily dropping down upon the ground. ⁴⁵ Later, rising from the expression of having ease and goodness (or: the prayer) and going toward the disciples, He found them continuing outstretched in slumber, from the distress (or: pain of sorrow). ⁴⁶ And so He said to them, "Why do you folks continue sleeping? Upon standing up (or: rising), carry on thinking of having ease and well-being (or: praying), so that you folks would not enter into a test or a trial."

¹⁹ And then He said to them, "Which (or: What sort of) things?" So they said to Him, "The things about (or: concerning) Jesus – the one from Nazareth – a Man who came to be a prophet, powerful in deed as well as word (or: able in work and expressed thought), before (in front of and in the sight and presence of) God and all the people;

⁴⁷ "and then, upon the [authority and basis of] His Name, a change of mind and thinking – [proceeding, or, leading] into a flowing away of failures (a sending away of mistakes; a forgiveness of sins; a divorcing of the situations of missing the target; an abandonment of guilt; a release from error) – is to be proclaimed by heralds unto all the ethnic multitudes and nations (or: the Gentiles; the non-Israelites), beginning (or: with folks starting) from Jerusalem.

¹⁴ And so The Word (the Idea; the Thought; the Reason; the Discourse; the Message; The Collected Expression of Rational Logic; The Logos; = the meaning, plan and rational purpose of the ordered universe) births Itself flesh (or: became flesh; came to be [in] flesh; came into existence being flesh; = God's thought, the ground of all real existence, became projected into creation as an immanent power within the world of mankind, inhabiting flesh), and lives in a tent, within us (or: set up a tent and tabernacled among us), and we view (attentively gaze at; looked at so as to contemplate) Its (or: His) glory (Its manifestation which calls forth praise; Its appearance which creates and effects opinions in regard to the whole of human experience; = His manifest presence): a glory (= prestige and importance; reputation and opinion-forming appearance) as of an only-begotten one at a father’s side (or: [the] glory from [the presence of the] Father, as a uniquely-born One), full of grace and truth (filled with favor as well as reality and genuineness). ¹⁵ John is continuing witnessing about It (or: Him) and has cried out, repeatedly saying, "This One was the One of Whom I said, 'The One progressively coming behind me has come to be in front of me (or: has taken precedence of me),' because He was existing first, before me (or: ‘that He was first [in place and station] in regard to me’),"

¹⁹ And this is (or: continues being) the testimony of John (the witness having its source in John), when the [religious authorities of the] Jews sent forth the priests and the Levites [note: thus, these may have included some Sadducees] as emissaries out of Jerusalem toward (or: to) him – to the end that they may ask him, "You, who are you?" – ²⁰ and he confessed and did not deny, even agreed that, "I am not the Christ (the Anointed One; = the Messiah)." ²¹ And so they asked him, "What, then? Are you Elijah?" And then he continues saying, "I am not." "Are you The Prophet?" Then he distinctly replied, "No!" ²² Therefore they said to him, "Who are you, so that we may give a decided reply to the ones sending us – what are you in the habit of saying about yourself?" ²³ He affirmed, "I am a voice (or: [the] sound) of one repeatedly calling out loudly (crying out; exclaiming; imploring) within the desolate place (the wilderness; the uninhabited region; the lonely place), 'Straighten the way of [the] Lord (the Lord’s road; the path pertaining to [the] Lord [= Yahweh or Christ, the Messiah]) (or: habitually shouting, ‘Make straight in the wilderness the way originating in [the] Owner [= Yahweh or Christ] ’)!' [Isa. 40:3] just as Isaiah, the prophet, said." ²⁴ Now the folks having been sent as emissaries were [sent] from the Pharisees. ²⁵ And then they asked him, and said to him, "Why, then, are you continuously immersing (or: baptizing), since (or: if) you are not the Christ nor Elijah nor The Prophet?" [note: by immersing folks, either John was treating the Jews as non-Jewish proselytes, or else it should be the Messiah, or His representative, initiating Israel into the new Age – if all the Jews were now supposed to be immersed] ²⁶ John replies distinctly to them, saying, "I am repeatedly immersing (baptizing) within water. He, Whom you men have not seen or perceived, and have no knowledge of or acquaintance with, has stood in your midst [other MSS: continues presently standing in your midst]. ²⁷ "He is the very One, Who, progressively coming behind me, has come to be in front of me, of Whom I am not worthy (equal of value) that I should loose the lace (strap; thong) of His sandal."

²⁷ "He is the very One, Who, progressively coming behind me, has come to be in front of me, of Whom I am not worthy (equal of value) that I should loose the lace (strap; thong) of His sandal." ²⁸ These things occurred (or: came into being) in Bethany, on the other side of the Jordan, where John was living his life (or: was existing), repeatedly immersing.

²⁸ These things occurred (or: came into being) in Bethany, on the other side of the Jordan, where John was living his life (or: was existing), repeatedly immersing. ²⁹ The next day (or: On the morrow) he is looking at and observing Jesus progressively coming toward him, and he begins saying, "Look! (Pay attention, see and perceive)! God’s Lamb (or: the Lamb from God; the Lamb having the character and qualities of God; or, in apposition: the Lamb which is God), the One continuously lifting up and progressively carrying away the Sin of the world, and removing the sin which belongs to and is a part of the System (or: habitually picking up and taking away the failure and error brought on by the organized system; progressively removing the falling short and the missing of the goal from the world of culture, religion, economy and government [= from humanity and secular society])! ³⁰ "This One is He over whose situation [other MSS: concerning Whom] I said, 'An adult male is progressively coming behind me Who has come to be in front of me,' because he was existing before me (or: was continuously being first in rank and importance in regard to me). ³¹ "And I had not seen Him to know, recognize or be aware of Him, but nevertheless, to the end that He may be brought to light in (or: for) Israel (or: be manifested to Israel) – because of this – I came continuously immersing (or: baptizing) in water." ³² And John testified (gave witness), repeatedly saying that, "I have viewed and continued gazing at, so that I can now visualize, the Spirit progressively stepping down (or: the Breath-effect continuously descending), as a dove, forth from out of [the] atmosphere (or: as a pigeon out of the sky, or from heaven), and It remains and dwells upon Him (or: It abode upon Him). ³³ "And yet, I had not seen Him to know or be aware of Him! But further, the One sending me to be habitually immersing (baptizing) in water, that One said to me, 'Upon whomever you may see the Spirit progressively stepping down (or: the Breath-effect continuously descending) and then continuously remaining (dwelling; abiding) upon Him, this One is (continuously exists being) the One progressively (or: habitually) immersing (or: baptizing) within a set-apart spirit (or: in [the] Holy Spirit; in union with the Sacred Breath).' ³⁴ "And so I myself have seen and given witness, and thus now bear testimony, that this One is God’s Son (or: continuously exists being the Son which is God; or: the Son having the character and qualities of God; or: the Son from God)."

³⁴ "And so I myself have seen and given witness, and thus now bear testimony, that this One is God’s Son (or: continuously exists being the Son which is God; or: the Son having the character and qualities of God; or: the Son from God)."

⁴⁰ Now Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two hearing at John’s side, and following Him. ⁴¹ This one [i.e., Andrew] is first finding his own brother, Simon, and is saying to him, "We have found the Messiah [and so now know Who and where He is]!" – which is presently being translated with explanation, 'Christ ([the] Anointed One)' – "so we now know Who and where He is!" ⁴² And so he led him toward Jesus. Looking within (or: on) him, Jesus said, "You are Simon, the son of John [other MSS: Jonah]. You will be called Cephas" – which is presently being translated and interpreted, "Peter (a stone)."

⁴⁹ Nathaniel considered and replied to Him, "Rabbi, You – You are the Son of God! You – You are Israel’s King!"

¹⁶ "For thus God loves the world (the universe; the ordered arrangement; the organized system [of life and society]; or: = all mankind), so that He gives His uniquely-born [with other MSS: the only-begotten] Son, (or, reading wste as an adverb: You see, in this manner God loves the sum total of created beings as being the Son: He gives the Only-begotten One; or: reading wV te: For you see, [it is] in this way [that] God loves the aggregate of humanity – even as it were His Son: He gives the uniquely-born One), to the end that all (or: everyone) – the one habitually believing, putting confidence and trusting into Him – would not lose or destroy himself, or cause himself to fall into ruin, but rather can continuously have (or: would habitually possess and hold) eonian life (age-durative life with qualities derived from the Age [of the Messiah]; living existence of and for the ages). [note 1): I have here given the “fact” sense of the aorist tense of the verbs “love” and “give” rather than the simple past tense. The statement by Jesus is a “timeless” fact of God; it signifies that the object of His love and His gift (that object being the cosmos, the universe, the world of men and created beings) is in view as a whole, and both the love and the gift are presented as fact, as one complete whole (punctiliar) which exists apart from any sense of time (i.e., coming from the realm or sphere of the “eternal,” or, “the Being of God;” note 2): Paul Tillich defines "love" (agape): the whole being's drive and movement toward reunion with another, to overcome existential separation; an ecstatic manifestation of the Spiritual Presence; acceptance of the object of love without restriction, in spite of the estranged, profanized and demonized state of the object; – Systematic Theology III, pp 134-138]

²² After these things, Jesus and the disciples went (or: came) into the Judean territory (land; country; region), and He was wearing away the time there with them. He was also periodically immersing (or: baptizing). ²³ Now John was continuing repeatedly immersing (baptizing) in Enon, near Salim, because much water was (or: many waters were) there, and [folks] kept showing up alongside and were being immersed (baptized),

²³ Now John was continuing repeatedly immersing (baptizing) in Enon, near Salim, because much water was (or: many waters were) there, and [folks] kept showing up alongside and were being immersed (baptized), ²⁴ for not yet was John one having been cast into the guardhouse (jail; prison).

²⁶ So they went to (or: come toward) John, and said (or: say) to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across (on the other side of) the Jordan [River], to whom you have borne witness (or: for whom you have testified), look (see; consider), this one is continually immersing (baptizing), and everyone is (or: all are) constantly coming toward (or: going to) him."

²⁸ "You folks, yourselves, repeatedly bear me witness (or: habitually testify for me) that I myself said, 'I am not the Christ (the Anointed One)!' But rather that, 'I am one having been sent forth as an emissary (one sent forth with a mission as a representative) in front of That One.'

²⁸ "You folks, yourselves, repeatedly bear me witness (or: habitually testify for me) that I myself said, 'I am not the Christ (the Anointed One)!' But rather that, 'I am one having been sent forth as an emissary (one sent forth with a mission as a representative) in front of That One.' ²⁹ "The One continually holding (or: constantly having) the bride is (exists being) a Bridegroom (or: [the] Bridegroom). Yet the friend of the Bridegroom – the man having taken a stand, and continuing standing, and continuously listening and hearing from Him in joy – is constantly rejoicing because of the Bridegroom’s voice! This joy – the one [that is] mine – has therefore been fulfilled (or: This, then, my joy, has been made full).

²⁹ "The One continually holding (or: constantly having) the bride is (exists being) a Bridegroom (or: [the] Bridegroom). Yet the friend of the Bridegroom – the man having taken a stand, and continuing standing, and continuously listening and hearing from Him in joy – is constantly rejoicing because of the Bridegroom’s voice! This joy – the one [that is] mine – has therefore been fulfilled (or: This, then, my joy, has been made full). ³⁰ "It is necessary and binding for That One to be progressively growing and increasing, yet for me to be progressively less (or: continually made inferior).

³⁰ "It is necessary and binding for That One to be progressively growing and increasing, yet for me to be progressively less (or: continually made inferior). ³¹ "The One repeatedly coming back again from above (or: habitually going again to a higher place) is above upon all people (or: constantly exists being up over upon all things). The person continuously being forth from out of the earth [as a source] is (or: constantly exists being) from out of the earth, and is habitually speaking forth from out of the earth. The One continuously coming (or: habitually going; repeatedly coming and progressively going) forth from out of the midst of the heaven (or: the atmosphere) is, and constantly exists being, above upon all people (or: up over upon all things).

³¹ "The One repeatedly coming back again from above (or: habitually going again to a higher place) is above upon all people (or: constantly exists being up over upon all things). The person continuously being forth from out of the earth [as a source] is (or: constantly exists being) from out of the earth, and is habitually speaking forth from out of the earth. The One continuously coming (or: habitually going; repeatedly coming and progressively going) forth from out of the midst of the heaven (or: the atmosphere) is, and constantly exists being, above upon all people (or: up over upon all things). ³² "What He has seen and hears (or: heard), to this He continuously bears witness (or: is repeatedly testifying and giving evidence), and yet no one is presently grasping (or: habitually takes in hand; continues receiving) His witness (or: testimony; evidence). ³³ "The one receiving (grasping; taking in hand; getting hold of) His witness (or: testimony; evidence) certifies – by setting a seal (= giving attestation) – that God is true (real; genuine; truthful), ³⁴ "for He Whom God sends forth with a mission (dispatches as an Emissary and Representative) habitually is speaking the gush-effects from God (the results of the flows of God; God's declarations or sayings), for God is habitually (or: continuously) giving the Spirit (Breath; or: Attitude) [and] not from out of a measure (= not by a measured portion or limit; = without measure and without limitation). ³⁵ "The Father continuously loves the Son, and He has given all humanity (or, as a neuter: all things) [to Him] so that He has it (or: them) as a gift within His hand. ³⁶ "The one habitually trusting (or: continuously going on confidently believing with loyalty) into the Son is now constantly holding and progressively having eonian life (life having the characteristics and qualities of the sphere of the Age; life of and for the ages; eon-lasting life; life whose source is the Age [of Messiah]). Yet the person now continuing being unpersuaded by the Son (or: presently being constantly incompliant, disobedient or disbelieving to the Son; being repeatedly stubborn toward the Son) will not be catching sight of (seeing; observing; perceiving) [this] life. To the contrary, God’s inherent fervor (teeming passion and swelling desire; mental bent and natural impulse; propensity and disposition; or: anger, wrath and indignation) is continuously remaining (is now habitually dwelling and abiding) upon him." [note: vss. 31-36 may be narrative by the author, John, and not continued sayings of the Baptist]

³⁴ Jesus then says to them, "My food is (or: exists being) that I should do (can perform; would produce; [other MSS: can continuously be doing; or: habitually do]) the will intent and purpose of the One sending Me, and that I should and would bring His work to its purposed goal and destiny (or: can complete His act; may finish and perfect His deed).

⁵⁰ Jesus then says to him, "Be proceeding on your way (or: Depart and continue traveling). Your son continues living." The man trusts and believes the word (message; statement) which Jesus said to him, and began proceeding on his way. ⁵¹ Now at the time of his steadily descending, his slaves meet him, and so they report, saying that his boy continues living. ⁵² He then inquired from them the hour within which he began to better hold himself (or: started to have better health; held a turn to a more trim and improved condition), and they then said to him, "Yesterday [at the] seventh hour, the fever released from him (or: let him go away; divorced and abandoned him; emitted from him; flowed off him; [note: this verb is usually translated "forgive"])." ⁵³ Then the father knew by this experience that [it was] in that hour within which Jesus said to him, "Your son continues living," and he believed (or: experiences trust; possessed conviction), he and his whole household.

²⁰ "for the Father likes the Son (or: continuously has affection for and expresses friendship to the Son) and habitually points out (constantly shows; progressively exhibits) to Him (or: in Him; or: by Him) everything (or: all things) which He is constantly doing, and He will continue exhibiting in Him greater works than these (or: He will point out to Him greater acts than these), to the end that you folks may be constantly amazed (filled with astonishment and wonder). ²¹ "You see, just as the Father is habitually (repeatedly; constantly; presently) raising up the dead folks, and is repeatedly (continually; presently) making [them] alive, thus also, the Son is habitually (constantly; presently) making alive which ones He is presently intending (willing; purposing), ²² "for neither is the Father presently (progressively; constantly) separating and making a decision about (evaluating; judging) anyone, but rather, He has given all sifting and decision-making in the Son (or: has granted all judging by the Son; has handed over all evaluating of issues to the Son), ²³ "to the end that everyone (or: all mankind) may continuously be honoring the Son (or: would habitually value, and constantly find worth in, the Son), correspondingly as they may be continually honoring the Father. The one not habitually honoring (valuing; finding worth in) the Son is not habitually honoring (valuing; finding worth in) the Father – the One sending Him."

³⁷ "Also, the One sending Me, that Father, has borne witness (has testified) about Me. You folks have neither heard His voice at any time, nor have you seen (or: perceived) His external appearance (shape; figure of what is seen; = what He looks like),

² Now a large crowd kept following Him, because they had been attentively viewing the signs which He had been doing (making; constructing; creating; performing; producing) upon those who were sick (without strength; infirm; ill).

⁸ One of His disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, then says to Him,

¹⁵ Jesus, therefore – experientially and intimately knowing (or: coming to perceive) that they are presently about to be coming and to proceed snatching Him away (seizing and forcefully taking Him away) to the end that they may make [Him] king – withdrew Himself, alone, back up (or: retires; leaves the area and goes back up) again into the mountain (or: hill country).

⁶⁹ – and we ourselves have trusted and are now convinced so as to now be believing, and we by personal, intimate experience have come to know that You Yourself ARE (or: continuously exist being) God’s Holy One (or: the Sacred One from God; the Set-apart One which is God)."

⁴⁶ Then the subordinate officials, after consideration, replied, "Never (Not even once) did a human (a person; a man) speak thus (like this; in this way)!"

⁴ "It is constantly necessary (or: binding) for Me [other MSS: us] to be habitually performing the works (accomplishing the deeds; active in the acts; doing the business) of the One sending Me [other MSS: us] while it is day; night (or: a night; = darkness; cf Gen. 1:5) progressively (repeatedly; habitually) comes, when no one is able (or: has power) to continue performing work (accomplishing deeds; doing business).

³ So the sisters dispatched a message to Jesus, which was saying, "O Lord (Master), take note, he whom You habitually regard as a friend (constantly treat with fondness and affection; continuously cherish and love as a congenial associate) continues being weak and sick."

⁴⁸ "If we let him go on in this way (or: If we disregard him in this manner; or: Suppose we thus abandon, neglect or leave him alone), they will all progressively put trust (will continue believing) into him, the Romans will proceed to come, and they will progressively take away both our place and our nation (= political station, culture and corporate ethnic identity)."

¹⁹ So the Pharisees said among themselves (to one another), "You are observing (noticing; or, as an imperative: Be watching and considering) that your efforts are futile (that you men are benefiting nothing; = that you are getting nowhere). Look and consider! The world (or: Secular society; the system of our culture; = the inhabitants of our organized society; or: = Everyone) went off after (or: goes away behind) him!"

²² Philip proceeds to go and he tells Andrew [note: also a Greek name]. Andrew and Philip then continue on to Jesus, and proceed telling Him.

²⁸ "O Father, glorify Your Name (bring glory and renowned reputation to your Name in a manifestation which calls forth praise)!" Then a voice (or: sound) came from out of the midst of the heaven (or: the sky; the atmosphere): "I both bring (or: brought) glory to [it], and I will continue glorifying [it] again!" ²⁹ Hence the crowd of common folks, the [crowd] standing around and hearing [it], began to say that it had thundered. Others were saying, "A messenger (or: An agent) has spoken to him." ³⁰ Jesus decidedly replied, and said, "This voice (or: sound) has occurred (happened; come to be) not because of Me, but rather because of you folks (= for your benefit).

³ "You folks, yourselves, are already cleared (cleansed) and pruned ones through and because of the word (Logos; message; thought; idea) which I have spoken to you (in you; for you; among you).

²⁸ "I came from out of the midst of [other MSS: I went forth from beside] the Father and I have come into the ordered arrangement (the world; the System of culture, religion, economics and politics; or: the aggregate of humanity). I am progressively forgiving the aggregate of humanity (or: releasing the system of culture and religion; or: leaving the ordered arrangement), and then I am progressively journeying on (traveling to another place), directed to and facing toward the Father."

⁴ "I Myself glorify (or: brought a good reputation and a manifestation which called forth praise to) You upon the earth (or: the Land), finishing and perfecting (bringing to its goal, purpose, destiny and fruition) the Work (the Deed; the Act) which You have given to (or: in; for) Me, to the end that I could do (or: would perform) [it].

⁸ "because I have given to them the gush-effect (results of the flow; spoken words; sayings; declarations) which You gave to Me and give in and by Me, and they themselves took and received [them], and they intimately and experientially know truly (or: with reality) that I came out from beside You (or: went forth from Your presence), and they trust, believe and are convinced that You, Yourself, sent Me forth as an Emissary (or: Representative).

³¹ Yet these things have been written to the end that you folks can (or: may; would) continue trusting and keep on believing [other MSS: should come to trust and believe] that Jesus is the Christ (Anointed One; [= Messiah]), God's Son (or: the Son of The God), and so that continually trusting, having conviction and believing, you can continuously hold (may progressively have) life [other MSS: eonian life (or: life whose source and realm is the Age; age-lasting life)] within (or: within the midst of) and in union with His Name.

¹ Indeed, I made (did; composed) the first account (word; narrative; message; laid out and arranged collection of thoughts, ideas, expressions and statements; logos), O Theophilus (or: O friend and lover of God; or: O man loved of God), concerning everything (or: about all the things) which Jesus both began to continuously do (or: started to progressively make or construct) and to habitually and progressively teach, ² until a (or: [the]) day in which He was taken (or: received) back up again, after – through a set-apart Breath-effect (or: [the] Holy Spirit) – imparting the goal withinthe folks sent off with a mission (giving the end in view to the emissaries; investing mature directives for the commissioned representatives), whom He selected (picked out and chose) for Himself,

⁵ "because John, indeed, immersed (or: baptized) in water, but you yourselves will proceed being immersed within the midst of [the] Holy Spirit (or: dipped into the midst of to the point of being saturated in a set-apart Breath-effect; baptized in a holy attitude; immersed in a union with a sacred wind; [D* adds: which, also, you are presently about to continuously receive]), after not many [of] these days [D* adds: – until Pentecost]."

¹³ And so when they entered [the city], they went up into the upstairs room where they were residing (or: continuing to stay) – both Peter and John, as well as Jacob (James) and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, Jacob (James) Ben-Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, also Judah (Judas) Ben-Jacob (or: [son] of James).

⁴ And then they all were filled with [the] Consecrated Breath-effect (or: [the] Holy Spirit; or: a set-apart attitude), and they started (or: began) to continuously (or: repeatedly) speak in different tongues (= languages) – accordingly and correspondingly as the Breath-effect (or: the Spirit; the Attitude) kept on giving (or: granting) to them to be continuously (or: intermittently) uttering loudly and clearly.

¹⁷ 'And so it will proceed being (or: existing) within (or: during) the last days,' – God is now saying – I will progressively pour (or: diffuse; shed) from out of the midst of My Breath-effect (Spirit; attitude) upon all flesh (= humans, people) and then your sons and your daughters will proceed prophesying, and your youths (older girls and boys; young people) will continue seeing sights (or: visions), and your old folks (or: elder ones) will be repeatedly dreaming dreams.

²⁷ 'because (or: that) You will not continue leaving my soul (my interior self; my existential life) down in (or: abandon me into) [the] Unseen (or: Hades, the unseen abode of the dead), neither will You proceed giving Your loyal one (a person sanctioned by God's law, and by nature; a pious and devout person) to see (= experience) corruption (thorough ruin, rot and decay).

³⁶ "Therefore, let all [the] house of Israel, for a certainty and without slipping or tripping, come to progressively know by intimate experience that God made and creates Him [to be] both* Lord (Master; Owner) and Christ ([the] Anointed One; [= Messiah]) – this Jesus, whom you folks put to death on a stake (crucified)!" [*note: "both" omitted by p91] ³⁷ Now, upon hearing [this], they were pierced down to the heart (the core of their being), and so said to Peter and the rest of the commissioned and sent-forth folks (or: emissaries), "Men... brothers, what can or should we do?" ³⁸ So Peter at once affirms to them, "At once change your way of thinking (your frame of mind and point of view; [by customary use this implies: and return to Yahweh]). Then at once let each one of you folks be immersed (baptized) within the Name (= in union with the identity, the character, the authority, the essence) of Jesus Christ (or: of [the] Anointed Jesus; with is Jesus [the Messiah]) – into the midst of a release and sending away, a divorce and an abandonment, a cancellation and a forgiveness: of your failures, your mistakes, your times of missing the target, your errors, and your sins – and then you will proceed receiving and continue taking in hand the free gift (the gratuity) of the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: which is the Holy Spirit; or: which has its source in and the character of the Sacred Attitude).

³⁸ So Peter at once affirms to them, "At once change your way of thinking (your frame of mind and point of view; [by customary use this implies: and return to Yahweh]). Then at once let each one of you folks be immersed (baptized) within the Name (= in union with the identity, the character, the authority, the essence) of Jesus Christ (or: of [the] Anointed Jesus; with is Jesus [the Messiah]) – into the midst of a release and sending away, a divorce and an abandonment, a cancellation and a forgiveness: of your failures, your mistakes, your times of missing the target, your errors, and your sins – and then you will proceed receiving and continue taking in hand the free gift (the gratuity) of the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: which is the Holy Spirit; or: which has its source in and the character of the Sacred Attitude).

³⁸ So Peter at once affirms to them, "At once change your way of thinking (your frame of mind and point of view; [by customary use this implies: and return to Yahweh]). Then at once let each one of you folks be immersed (baptized) within the Name (= in union with the identity, the character, the authority, the essence) of Jesus Christ (or: of [the] Anointed Jesus; with is Jesus [the Messiah]) – into the midst of a release and sending away, a divorce and an abandonment, a cancellation and a forgiveness: of your failures, your mistakes, your times of missing the target, your errors, and your sins – and then you will proceed receiving and continue taking in hand the free gift (the gratuity) of the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: which is the Holy Spirit; or: which has its source in and the character of the Sacred Attitude). ³⁹ "For you see, the promise is (continuously exists being) to and for (and in?) you folks, as well as to (for; in?) your children – even to and for (and in?) all people: to and for (and in?) the folks [being] a long way off – in such an amount as [the] Lord [= Yahweh] our God would call to [Himself]!" ⁴⁰ Besides [this], he gave full testimony, completely laying out the facts of the case, with different thoughts and ideas, and by many more words. Then he kept on calling one after another to his side, repeatedly urging, encouraging and admonishing them, while saying, "You folks can be rescued and kept safe, away from this generation which has become warped and crooked from drying out (or, as an imperative: Be restored to health and wholeness – be at once saved – as you are separated from this perverse generation)!" ⁴¹ Therefore the people who indeed, as it were with their hands, took away and fully received, welcomed and embraced his word (his idea; his message) were at some point immersed (baptized). And so on (or: during) that day about three thousand souls (= people) were added [to the group and community] (or: were placed and set toward [the goal]).

¹⁴ "But then you yourselves renounced (disowned; denied) the set-apart and fair Person (the holy and just One Who personified the Way pointed out; the consecrated and rightwised One), and instead you demanded for yourselves an adult man [who is] a murderer – to be at once graciously surrendered to you, as a favor.

²⁷ "For in truth (actuality; reality) both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with ethnic multitudes and [the] People of Israel – [coming] upon (= against) Your set-apart Servant (or: holy Boy) Jesus, Whom You anointed – were gathered together (thus: were made to join forces) in this city

¹⁰ and yet they were not continuing strong [enough] to withstand (= hold their own position against) the wisdom and the spirit in which (or: with which; or: the Breath-effect or Spirit by which) he continued speaking.

⁶⁰ Now kneeling, he cried out with a great (or: loud) voice, "O Lord [= Christ or Yahweh], You should not place (or: set; cause to stand) this mistake (failure; error; sin) to (or: on) them (= do not charge this sin against them)!" Then, after saying this, he fell asleep (euphemism: he died). Now Saul was endorsing (approving in; thinking well together [with them] about) his assassination (at his lifting up; in his murder).

²¹ Yet all the folks presently listening and hearing [him] continued amazed and astonished (literally: standing out of themselves), and were one after another saying, "Is not this man the person [who] in Jerusalem was laying waste (devastating; ravaging; trying to kill) the people habitually calling upon this Name? And now he has come here, into this place (or: unto this purpose), so that after [their] having been bound, he could lead them on to the head (chief; ranking) priests!" ²² But Saul kept on being more exceedingly empowered and was progressively given inner abilities, and so he kept on pouring [thoughts; ideas; Scriptures] together – [to the point that] he was creating an uproar among, and was confounding, the Jews presently living and permanently dwelling in Damascus – progressively causing [his arguments] to stand together, thus proving conclusively that this Man is (exists being) the Christ (the Anointed One; = the Messiah; [note: = "God's Son," of vs. 20, above]).

⁴¹ And so, giving her a hand, he raised her up (or: helped her stand up). And now, after summoning the set-apart folks (the saints; the holy people) and the widows, he stood her alongside (or: presented her), now living.

³⁷ "You yourselves have seen and thus know the thing happening (coming to be) – [the] result of the flow (or: spoken word; or: = the subject talked about) [going] down through the whole of the Judean [district], beginning from Galilee, after the immersion (or: baptism) which John, as a herald, publicly proclaimed –

⁴⁵ Then the trusting (full of faith and loyal) folks from among [the] Circumcision (= those of the Jewish culture and religion) who came with Peter "stood out of themselves" in shocked amazement, that the free gift (the gratuity) of (or: which is) the set-apart Breath-effect (the Holy Spirit) had been poured out upon the nations (the ethnic multitudes; the non-Jews) as well,

¹⁵ "However, within the midst of my starting to continue speaking, the set-apart Breath-effect (or: Holy Spirit) fell upon them – even as also upon us, in the beginning. ¹⁶ "At this I was reminded of the results of the flow and the gush-effects (or: words spoken) by the Lord, as He was repeatedly saying, 'John, indeed (or: for his part), immersed in water, yet you yourselves will be immersed (baptized) within the midst of set-apart Breath-effect (or: in [the] Holy Spirit).'

² And so he took up Jacob (or: James), the brother of John, and assassinated [him] with a (or: by [the]) sword.

¹⁴ They themselves, however, after passing on through from Perga came along unto the Pisidian Antioch. Then having gone into the synagogue on the day of the sabbaths, they sat down. ¹⁵ Now after the public reading of the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders (rulers; chiefs) sent a message over to them, saying, "Men (= Gentlemen), brothers, if within or among you folks there is any word (or: message) of relief, comfort, encouragement or exhortation to the people, be now speaking [it] (= you are invited to be speaking at this time)." ¹⁶ So, arising (or: after standing up) and gesturing – making a downward motion – with [his] hand, Paul said, "Men (= Gentlemen), Israelites – as well as the folks fearing God (i.e., the God-fearers: Gentile proselytes) – listen, and hear. ¹⁷ "The God of this people Israel picked out and chose our fathers (= ancestors), then exalted (put up high) the people during [their] period of living as alien residents (as foreigners) within the land of Egypt. Next He led them out of it with an uplifted (high) arm, ¹⁸ "and then for about forty years' time He carried them in His arms as a nurse [reading with p74, A, C and others; Aleph, B, C2, D and others read: put up (or: was tolerant) with their behavior, disposition, moods and manners] within the midst of the wilderness (desert; lonely and desolate place). ¹⁹ "Later, after pulling down seven nations (or: demolishing seven ethnic groups) within the land of Canaan, He distributed [A, C D2 and others add: to them] their land [D* reads: the land of the foreign tribes], by lot, as an inheritance ²⁰ "– for about four hundred and fifty years. Then after these things, he gave [them] judges – until Samuel, the prophet (the one who had light ahead of time, and spoke it before folks). ²¹ "And from there they asked for a king, and so He gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man out of the tribe of Benjamin – [for] forty years. ²² "Then, upon changing the standing of (or: deposing; dismissing) him, He raise up David to (or: for) them, unto [the position of] king – about whom He also said, showing evidence and giving testimony, 'I found David, the [son] of Jesse, a man corresponding to and in accord with My heart, who will continue doing all the effects of My will (or: who will progressively perform all the results of My intent, purpose and desire).' [Ps. 89:20] ²³ "From the seed of this one (or: From this person's descendant) – corresponding to and in accord with [the] promise – He brought to (or: for; in; by) Israel a Deliverer (Savior; Rescuer; Restorer to health and wholeness), Jesus. ²⁴ "John's previous heralding – before His personal entrance – was publicly proclaiming an immersion (a dipping; a baptism) which pertained to a change of mind (a change in thinking and life, which also involved a return of their focus to Yahweh) to and for all the people [of] Israel.

²⁴ "John's previous heralding – before His personal entrance – was publicly proclaiming an immersion (a dipping; a baptism) which pertained to a change of mind (a change in thinking and life, which also involved a return of their focus to Yahweh) to and for all the people [of] Israel. ²⁵ "Yet as John continued fulfilling [his own] race course (= completed [his] career), he kept on repeatedly saying, 'What or who are you people continuing to secretly think (or: repeatedly conjecturing; presently supposing) me to be? I myself am not [what you think] (or: not [the One])! To the contrary, look and consider! One is progressively coming – after me – the sandals of Whose feet, I am not worthy to loosen or untie.'

²⁵ "Yet as John continued fulfilling [his own] race course (= completed [his] career), he kept on repeatedly saying, 'What or who are you people continuing to secretly think (or: repeatedly conjecturing; presently supposing) me to be? I myself am not [what you think] (or: not [the One])! To the contrary, look and consider! One is progressively coming – after me – the sandals of Whose feet, I am not worthy to loosen or untie.'

²⁵ "Yet as John continued fulfilling [his own] race course (= completed [his] career), he kept on repeatedly saying, 'What or who are you people continuing to secretly think (or: repeatedly conjecturing; presently supposing) me to be? I myself am not [what you think] (or: not [the One])! To the contrary, look and consider! One is progressively coming – after me – the sandals of Whose feet, I am not worthy to loosen or untie.' ²⁶ "Men! Brothers! Sons of the race (or: family) of Abraham as well as those among you continuously fearing God (or: [who] are God-fearers)! The Logos (Word; message) of this deliverance (salvation; return to health, wholeness and our original state of being) was sent forth out to us [other MSS: you]! ²⁷ "You see, those presently residing (dwelling; having a permanent home) in Jerusalem, along with their rulers, not knowing this or even the voices of the prophets – those being regularly and repeatedly read in accord with every sabbath – they fulfilled [them] in judging [Him] (or: not recognizing or knowing, and being ignorant about, this One, by judging [Him] they fulfilled the voices of the prophets which are continuously being read, down on every sabbath). ²⁸ "And even though not finding in Him even one cause for (or: grounds deserving) death [D* adds: after judging Him they turned {Him} over to Pilate {and}], they asked Pilate to take Him up to be executed. ²⁹ "So as they ended (brought to fruition; brought to its goal and destiny; finished; completed the final act and purpose of) all the things having been written concerning Him, after taking [Him] down from the wooden pole (stake; cross), they put [Him] into a memorial tomb. ³⁰ "Yet God aroused and raised Him up from out of the midst of dead folks, ³¹ "Who was from time to time seen on many days by those walking back up together from Galilee into Jerusalem – who at this time continue being witnesses of Him (or: evidence for Him; His folks who give testimony) to the people. ³² "And thus we ourselves continue bringing and declaring [to] you folks the good news [about] the promise that was being birthed to (or: was coming into existence, or occurring, toward) our fathers (= ancestors), ³³ "that God has filled this out of [our] midst (or: has fully fulfilled this) for (or: to; in) our children [other MSS: us, their children,] in raising (resurrecting; standing back up again) Jesus – even as it has been written in the second Psalm, 'You are My Son; I Myself have given birth to You today (or: today I Myself have become Your Father).' [D adds: You see then, request of Me and I will proceed giving to You the ethnic multitudes (nations and people groups) {for} Your allotted inheritance, and the limits and uttermost parts of the earth {as} Your firmly held possession.] [Ps. 2:7] ³⁴ "Now, seeing that He raised Him up (resurrected Him; stood Him back up again) from out of the midst of dead folks – no longer being about to be progressively returning (or: not anymore continuing about to be constantly or repeatedly turning below, or under) into corruption and decay. Thus He has declared, 'I will proceed giving to and among you people the faithful and trustworthy qualities and aspects of pious and benign loyalty which belonged to David.' [Isa. 55:3] ³⁵ "Wherefore also, in a different [Psalm], it continues saying, 'I will not proceed in giving Your Pious and Benignly Loyal Person to see (= experience) decay or corruption.' [Ps. 16:10] ³⁶ "You see David, on the one hand – in his own generation – after rendering subordinate service to (or: in; by; for; with) the counsel and express will of God, fell asleep (= died) and was placed facing toward (or: was added to) his fathers – and then saw (= experienced) decay and corruption. ³⁷ "On the other hand, He whom God aroused and raised up did not see (= experience) decay or corruption. ³⁸ "Therefore be it now known to you and progressively experienced by you folks – men... brothers – that through This One is being continuously and progressively announced, as a message come down to (or: for; among) you people, a flowing-away of mistakes (a sending away of failures; a divorce from sins; an abandoning of errors; a forgiveness and release from situations of missing the target), ³⁹ "even from every thing (or: all things) of which you folks, in union with (or: within) [the] Law of Moses, had no power or ability to at any point be rightwised (turned in the right direction; made fair, equitable and in right relationships within the Way pointed out). In union with and within This One, everyone who is habitually trusting and continuously believing is being progressively rightwised (habitually placed in right relationships which accord with the Way pointed out; continuously made fair and equitable). ⁴⁰ "Therefore see to it [that] the thing having been declared within the Prophets (= the writings of those who had light ahead of time) may not be coming upon you folks, ⁴¹ 'Continue looking and keep on directing your eyes, you scorners and despisers who maintain a down frame of mind, and be at once wondering and marveling in amazement – and then be caused to disappear (be made invisible), because I Myself am progressively accomplishing a work in your days – a work which you folks can not trust or put your faith in (or: would not believe) even if someone would relate [it] in detail to you.'" [Hab. 1:5] [D adds: And they {i.e., those hearing him} were silent.] ⁴² Now at their being out from the midst of the synagogue, folks began asking them to come to their sides for assistance [and for] these gush-effects (or: sayings and declarations resulting from the flow) to be spoken to them [during the days] between, [leading] unto the next sabbath. ⁴³ So with the breaking up of the gathering (the dissolving of the synagogue assembly), many of the Jews and the reverent proselytes (Gentiles who wished to embrace the Jewish faith) followed Paul and Barnabas who, in continuing to speak to them, began persuading and convincing them to be habitually remaining focused toward God's grace and favor. [D adds: Now accordingly it happened {for} God's Logos (Word; message; idea; reason) to go throughout the whole of the city]. ⁴⁴ So on the coming sabbath almost all the city was led together to listen to and hear the Logos (Word; message) of the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ; other MSS: God; D reads: to hear Paul delivering a long message concerning the Lord].

⁴⁴ So on the coming sabbath almost all the city was led together to listen to and hear the Logos (Word; message) of the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ; other MSS: God; D reads: to hear Paul delivering a long message concerning the Lord]. ⁴⁵ Now upon seeing the crowds, the Jews were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things being spoken by Paul, while repeatedly speaking abusively (or: arguing with slander and invectives; speaking light-hindering misrepresentations; defaming with accusations of villainy). ⁴⁶ Continuing bold, expressing the inherent right to speak the whole truth publicly with freedom from reprisal, both Paul and Barnabas said, "It was a matter of constraint, compulsion, and pressed indispensability [for] God's Logos (Word; message; idea) to be spoken to you folks first! Yet since you folks continue to push it away from yourselves, and are repeatedly judging (or: deciding) yourselves [to be] not worthy of the eonian life (the life pertaining to the Age [of Messiah]; the life whose source and character is from the Age), look! We are now being turned (or, as a middle: progressively turning ourselves) unto the nations (the ethnic multitudes; the Gentiles; the non-Jews). ⁴⁷ "You see, thus has the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] directed to us: 'I have placed (or: set) you unto [being] a light of nations (ethnic multitudes; non-Jews), [in order for] you to be [placed] into the midst of a deliverance (a rescue and a return to health and wholeness; a restoring to the original state of being and condition) as far as [the] last [point] of the earth!'" [Isa. 49:6] ⁴⁸ Now upon hearing [this], the non-Jews (the [folks of the] nations and ethnic groups) began rejoicing and continued glorifying (enhancing the reputation of) the message from God (God's Logos: God's Word and idea). And so they trusted and believed – whoever were folks having been set and arranged into an eonian life (or: into life which has is source and quality from the Age). ⁴⁹ So the message of the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] (or: the Lord's Word and idea) began being carried through the midst in all directions – and continued thus throughout the whole country (or: region). ⁵⁰ But the Jews incited and spurred on the reverent, respectable (or: reputable; influential; of good form and decorum) women, as well as the leading (principal; foremost) men of the city, and they aroused (raised up; mounted) a pursuit and persecution upon Paul and Barnabas, and then threw them out of their midst – away from their boundaries (= city limits; or: territory; district). ⁵¹ So they, after shaking out (or: off) the dust from their feet on them (= as a repudiation, signifying that their city was like the unclean heathen), they went into Iconium. ⁵² Furthermore, the disciples (the students) continued being progressively filled with joy and a consecrated attitude (a holy spirit; a set-apart Breath-effect; or: [the] Holy Spirit).

¹⁶ Once it happened, during our going our way unto the place of prayer (= synagogue; or: the place devoted to imparting well-being and to speaking toward things being well), [that] a certain servant-girl (or: maid) – continuously holding a python spirit (or: repeatedly having a python breath-effect; = a serpent attitude and orientation; = an animistic practitioner; [note: in Greek mythology, Python was a giant snake guarding the oracular sanctuary at Delphi until slain by the god Apollo; later, the term came to refer to divination, ventriloquism and oracular spirits]) suddenly comes to meet with us (or: comes from under to confront us face to face), who, by habitually performing many acts of the craft of divining, fortune-telling and casting spells, had been consistently providing a steady source of income for her owners (or: masters; lords). ¹⁷ This girl, repeatedly following Paul and [the rest of] us down [to the river], kept on crying out and shrieking, constantly saying, "These people (or: humans) are slaves of the Most High God [= El Ha Elyon], who are constantly and progressively bringing the news down and are announcing to you folks [other MSS: to us] a way (or: path) of safety and deliverance (or: health, wholeness and salvation)."

¹⁷ This girl, repeatedly following Paul and [the rest of] us down [to the river], kept on crying out and shrieking, constantly saying, "These people (or: humans) are slaves of the Most High God [= El Ha Elyon], who are constantly and progressively bringing the news down and are announcing to you folks [other MSS: to us] a way (or: path) of safety and deliverance (or: health, wholeness and salvation)." ¹⁸ Now she kept on doing this for many days. So, being thoroughly wearied and exasperated [from this], and finally turning around [toward her], Paul says to the breath-effect (or: spirit; or: said in and by the Breath-effect and Spirit), "I am now giving a directive to you (or: passing on an announcement for you) – within and in union with [the] Name of Jesus Christ (or: the Anointed Jesus) – to go out and away from her at once!" And thus, it went out that very (or: same) hour [D reads: it went out at once].

² Now corresponding to the custom having been normally practiced by Paul, he went into [their] midst to face them (= to join their meeting), and thus, upon three [consecutive] sabbaths he laid out thoughts and ideas to them through reasoning from the Scriptures (or: he held thorough discussion with them from out of the writings; he led a dialogue through [a path] from the midst of the Scriptures for them),

⁴ Now he continued dialoguing and reasoning in the synagogue on every sabbath, [and] was repeatedly persuading and convincing both Jews and Greeks. [D reads: Now repeatedly going his way into the synagogue on every sabbath, he continued holding discussions and habitually implanting the Name of the Lord Jesus and repeatedly persuading and convincing not only Jews but also Greeks.]

³ So he said, "Into what, therefore (or: then), were you folks immersed (or: baptized)?" And they said, "Into the immersion that originated with (or: which had the character of and pertained to; which was carried out by) John." ⁴ Yet Paul said, "John immersed (or: baptized) [into] an immersion (a baptism) of a change of thinking for the people, repeatedly saying that they could and should at once put their trust in, believe and place loyalty into the One progressively coming after him – that is, into Jesus."

⁴ Yet Paul said, "John immersed (or: baptized) [into] an immersion (a baptism) of a change of thinking for the people, repeatedly saying that they could and should at once put their trust in, believe and place loyalty into the One progressively coming after him – that is, into Jesus." ⁵ Now, upon hearing [this], they were at once immersed (or: baptized) into the Name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ Then, after (or: during) Paul's placing [his] hands upon them, the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: the Holy Spirit) came [p38 and D read: immediately fell] upon them and they began speaking in languages (or: with tongues), and then began (or: and continued) prophesying (speaking light ahead of time and in front of people).

¹⁸ More than that, many of the folks having believed, trusted and come to be full of faith and loyalty, continued coming, one after another, constantly making open confession (speaking out agreement) and continuing in reporting again their practices in public announcements.

²¹ "to both Jews and Greeks constantly certifying with thorough testimony about and full witness of the change in thinking and the returning into God, as well as faith and trust [directed] into our Lord, Jesus [p74, Aleph, A, C & D add: Christ].

²⁵ "And thus now, consider this. I have seen and am thus aware that all you folks, among whom I passed through constantly and progressively making public proclamation heralding the reign and kingdom [D adds: of Jesus; E and others read: of God], will no longer see my face.

¹⁶ "'And so now, what are you presently waiting for (or: why do you continue delaying)? Upon rising (standing up), at once immerse yourself (dip yourself) and you yourself wash away your mistakes (your failures to hit the target; your errors; your sins), after having called upon His Name!'

⁵ "You see, [we have been] finding this man [to be] a plague and a pest – also repeatedly putting insurrections in motion among the Jews down through the inhabited land (= the Empire), besides [being] a spearhead (or: ringleader; one standing in the first rank) of the sect (or: party; or: heresy) of the Nazarenes,

²³ Then, having themselves arranged a day with him, more folks came to him, into [his] place of lodging, to whom he continued setting forth, explaining from out of [his] midst, while progressively giving thorough evidence and double witness of God's reign (or: the sovereign influence, actions and kingdom of God), besides constantly using persuading and convincing [reasoning with] them concerning Jesus – both from the Law (= Torah) of Moses and from the Prophets – from early morning until evening.

¹ Paul, Jesus Christ’s slave (or: a slave servant of and from [the] Anointed One, Jesus; a slave belonging to Jesus [the] Anointed [= Messiah]), a called person, one sent forth with a mission (or: an ambassador or emissary by invitation), being one having been marked off by boundaries (parted away and determined by bounds; separated away and limited off; delineated; defined) unto God’s good news (or: into a message of goodness and well-being which is God), ² which He Himself previously promised through His prophets, within [the] set-apart writings (or: holy and sacred Scriptures), ³ about (concerning; with reference to) His Son – the One coming into existence (or: birthing Himself) from out of David’s sperm (or: Davidic seed; = David's descendant), down from and in the line of succession of flesh (or: = in the sphere of the natural realm); ⁴ the One being bounded (marked off, thus defined; separated, and so designated; divided away, and so determined; or: appointed) God’s Son (or: a Son Who is God; or: a Son from, or having the character and qualities of, God; = God's Regent, cf Ps. 2; 2 Sam. 7:14) immersed within the midst of power and in union with ability, down from (or: corresponding to and on a level with; in the sphere of) a Breath-effect of set-apartness (or: an attitude of holiness and sacredness; a spirit pertaining to being set apart) forth from out of a resurrection (a standing back up again) from among dead folks – Jesus Christ, our Lord (Master and Owner),

⁴ the One being bounded (marked off, thus defined; separated, and so designated; divided away, and so determined; or: appointed) God’s Son (or: a Son Who is God; or: a Son from, or having the character and qualities of, God; = God's Regent, cf Ps. 2; 2 Sam. 7:14) immersed within the midst of power and in union with ability, down from (or: corresponding to and on a level with; in the sphere of) a Breath-effect of set-apartness (or: an attitude of holiness and sacredness; a spirit pertaining to being set apart) forth from out of a resurrection (a standing back up again) from among dead folks – Jesus Christ, our Lord (Master and Owner),

³ You see, [because of] the powerlessness and inability of the Law (from the written code; = associated with Torah) – within which it kept on making [folks] weak and feeble ([note: the active voice]; but as an intransitive: in which [incapability] it was constantly falling sick and continued being without strength) through the flesh (= the alienated self oriented toward the System; or: = Torah culture and cultus, with boundary-marker observances) – in sending His own Son (or: by sending the Son, Who is Himself) within a result of a likeness of flesh that is connected with sin (or: in an effect of being made similar to sin’s flesh; = in union with a result from being made like the alienated existence that is marked by failure), and concerning sin (or: encircling failure and error; to address a missed target; surrounding deviation; [note: or, as a technical term for the sin offering: = to be the sin-offering; see: Lev. 4:32; 5:6-9; 2 Chron. 29:24; Ps. 40:6; Ezk. 42:13, LXX]), God gives a commensurate decision from a corresponding negative evaluation which falls in line with and follows the pattern which divides down (or: condemned; gives a down-oriented verdict; passed down a sentence on and gave judgment against) the Sin within the flesh [system] (or: the failure, the error, the miss of the target and the deviation [which is] in union with the human condition; or: = the mistake of the estranged, System-dominated self),

³² Surely (or: Actually; In fact; Certainly), He Who at one point did not spare (or: spares not) His own Son, but further, over [the situation] of us all (or: on behalf of all of us), He at one point handed Him over (or: gives Him up [into the hands of another]), how will He not also, in grace and joyous favor, freely be constantly and progressively giving all things (or: The Whole) to us, together with Him?

⁴ You see, as much as was written before was written [leading] into the teaching (the instruction and training) [which is] ours (or: was written unto and for our instruction), to the end that through the persistent remaining-under to give support (the humble yet relentless endurance in handling the blows), and through the calling-alongside of the Scriptures (or: through the Scriptures' comfort, consolation, relief, aid, support and performance as a Paraclete) we may constantly hold expectation (or: have expectant hope).

²⁶ but now is being brought to light and manifested, and through prophetic Scriptures, down from (in accord with, on the level of and in line with) a command of the eonian God (from the God Who exists through and comprises the ages; of God in relation to the ages; or: = from the God who created, inhabits, owns and rules the ages), [which leads] into hearing obedience from faith as well as a humble listening and paying attention belonging to trust, pertaining to confidence and which comprises loyalty – suddenly being made known unto all the ethnic multitudes (nations; Gentiles; pagans; non-Israelites),

⁵ Are we not in any way continuing to have [the] right (authority; privilege from existence) to be habitually leading around a sister [as] a wife – as also the rest of those sent out on a mission and the Lord's brothers, and Cephas?

¹¹ Now all these things went on progressively (or: from time to time) stepping together among (or: to) those folks typically (as examples; figuratively), and it was written with a view toward a placing [of them] into the minds of us: ones unto whom (directed into the midst of whom) the ends (= conjunctions; or: consummations; goals) of the ages have come down to (or: arrived at) and are now face to face [with us]. [note: “the ends,” plural, may describe a picture of a succession, where “one end” meets “another end,” this latter being really the beginning of another indefinite time-period, stretched out like a rope; each rope in the time-line having “two ends.”]

¹³ For we, ourselves – within the midst of one Spirit (or: in union with one Breath-effect and Attitude) – are all submerged into one body (or: were all immersed into, so as to be enveloped by, one body) – whether Jews or Greeks (or: Hellenists), whether slaves or free folks – and we all are (or: were) made (or: caused) to drink one Spirit (or: spirit; Breath-effect; Attitude).

² To the contrary, we speak-away from ourselves (or: spurn; renounced; disowned) the hidden things pertaining to the shame (or: whose source is [our] shame; that result in dishonorable conduct or bring disgrace), not habitually walking around (= living our lives) in craftiness (or: in union with the capability for every work; within readiness to do anything), neither constantly diluting or adulterating God's message (God's thought and idea; the Word of God), but rather, in a manifestation of the Truth and by a setting of the Reality in clear Light, we are progressively placing ourselves together in addressing every conscience of mankind (or: commending ourselves toward every human conscience), in God's sight (= before God).

¹⁶ so that we, from the present moment (or: from now) [on], have seen and thus know (or: perceive; or: are acquainted [with]) no one on the level of (or: in the sphere of; in correspondence to) flesh (= the estranged human nature; = the self enslaved to the System), if even we have intimately, by experience, known Christ ([the] Anointed One) on the level of flesh (or: = in the sphere of estranged humanity; or: = in correspondence to a self oriented to the System), nevertheless we now (in the present moment) no longer continue [thus] knowing [Him or anyone].

⁴ Yet when the effect of the filling of the time came (or: that which was filled up by time reached full term), forth from out of a mission (or: from out of the midst of [Himself]), God sent-off His Son, being Himself come to be born from out of a woman, being Himself come to be born under [the rules, authority and influence of] Law,

¹⁰ [leading] into a planned administration of the effects of that which fills up the appointed seasons and fertile moments (or: unto a dispensing of the entire contents of the opportune situations; [leading] into a house-law of the result from the full measure of the fitting situations and a management of the household of the complement of the seasons; into an administration of the full effect from the eras), [designed] to itself bring back all things (or: the whole) up under one Head (or: to bring back to and gather round the main point and source of all things) within and in union with the Christ: those things upon [other MSS: within] the heavens (or: the atmospheres) and the things upon the land (earth) within and in union with Him!

¹⁷ And so upon coming, He brings goodness and proclaims as good news (or: as a message of ease and wellbeing), Peace (harmony; lack of discord; [= shalom]) to you, the folks far off, and Peace (harmony; = shalom) to the people nearby,

¹⁴ On account of this I continually bend my knees (= in loyalty, respect and reverence) to (toward; or: face-to-face with) the Father [other MSS add: of (or: Who is) our Lord Jesus Christ],

¹⁸ By means of all thought, desire or imparted message toward having things be well (or: Through every prayer) and request (or: declaration) regarding need, [be] folks continuously thinking, speaking and acting toward goodness and well-being (or: praying) within every season (in union with every fitting situation; on every occasion; in the midst of every fertile moment) within and in union with [the] Spirit (Breath-effect; Attitude), while maintaining a constant alertness (or: in spirit being constantly vigilant and abstaining from sleep), also, to that end, in all focus to unremitting and stout continuance (or: in union with every view to resolute, potent perseverance which brings control) and request regarding need concerning (or: surrounding) all of the set-apart folks (holy ones; saints; sacredly different people),

⁵ You see, this way of thinking (this attitude and disposition) is continuously within and among you folks (or, as an imperative: So let this minding be habitually within you folks) – which [is] also within Christ Jesus,

⁸ But further – indeed, then, as a matter of fact – I even am habitually considering (or: regarding) all things (all; everything) to be a loss (a disadvantage; a bad bargain; damage; a forfeit; a penalty) because of (on account of; for the sake of) the thing that is constantly holding things above and thus having all-surpassing value and superiority: that which pertains to and comes from the experience of the intimate knowledge of my Lord, Jesus Christ (or: of Christ Jesus, my Owner) – on account of and for the sake of Whom I undergo loss of (experience the forfeit of; receive as a disadvantage) all things (everything; the whole life-experience, environment and possessions) and I continue considering (or: regarding) them to be [either] a lot of refuse and filth (pieces of dung; a pile of manure) [or] things that are cast away from the table to the dogs (garbage), to the end that I may have the advantage of Christ (or: could maintain the gain of the Anointing; enjoy the assets of or make a profit from [Messiah]),

¹³ He who drags us out of danger (or: rescued us) forth from out of the midst of the authority of the Darkness (from Darkness's jurisdiction and right; from existing out of gloomy shadows and obscure dimness; = the privilege of ignorance), and changes [our] position (or: transported [us], thus, giving [us] a change of standing, and transferred [us]) into the midst of the kingdom and reign of the Son of His love (or: into the midst of the sovereign influence of the Son Who has the characteristics and qualities of His accepting love; into union with the sovereign activities of the Son Whose origin is His love; or: into the sphere of the reign of the Son of the Love which is Him; into the center of the kingdom of the Son, which is His love),

¹⁶ and so confessedly (admittedly; with common consent and sameness of speech) great is the secret (or: mystery) of the reverence (the standing in awe of goodness, with adoration; the healthful devotion and virtuous conduct of ease, in true relation to God): which is made visible (manifested) within flesh (= a physical body), is rightwised (set in equity and right relationship in the Way pointed out; also = is placed in covenant) in spirit (in union with Breath-effect), is seen by agents (or: messengers), is heralded (preached) within multitudes (among nations and ethnic groups), is trusted and believed within [the] world (an ordered system; secular culture), is received back in good opinion and reputation. (or: Who [some MSS read: God; others: He] was brought to clear light within flesh (= the natural realm); was shown righteous and just (= set in covenant) within spirit and attitude; was seen by agents; was proclaimed among Gentiles {non-Jews}; was believed within [the] world of society, religion, and government; was taken back up again, within glory – a manifestation which calls forth praise!)

²⁵ in accommodating meekness and with consideration constantly educating (training; disciplining; instructing; correcting) those habitually setting themselves in complete opposition or who offer resistance. May not God at some time give a change of thinking to them (or: Would not God grant in them and supply for them a change of mind), [directing and leading them] into a full and accurate experiential knowledge of Truth and reality? ²⁶ And then they can and may sober up (or: would come back to their proper senses) from out of the adversary's snare (or: forth from out of the midst of the trap of the person who thrusts something through folks) – being folks having been [previously] captured alive under (or: by) him, into the will (intent; design; purpose) of that one (or: that person).

¹⁰ You see, many folks, especially those from out of the Circumcision (= the Jews), are (constantly exist being) insubordinate ones (not submitted to the arrangement; un-subjected to the order), empty, vain and profitless talkers, even seducers of the intellect (deceivers of the mind; people who mislead thinking),

⁵ not from out of works [which arise from] within religious performance which we ourselves do [= deeds associated with the temple cultus of the old covenant] (or: not forth from actions in union with an act of righteousness which we, ourselves, did; not in a relationship based upon our own performance; not deeds in a system of justice, equity and fairness which we, ourselves, constructed), but to the contrary, down from and corresponding to His mercy, He delivered us (or: He saves, rescues and restores us to the wholeness and health of our original condition) through a bath of and from a birth-back-up-again (or: [the] bathing of a regeneration; note: can = a ritual immersion pool of rebirth) and a making back-up-new (of a different kind and quality) again from a set-apart Breath-effect (or: of a renewal and renovation whose source is [the] Holy Spirit; or: a set-apart spirit's creating or birthing [us] back-up-new-again; a renewal which is a holy spirit) – ⁶ which (or: from which source) He pours forth (or: poured from out of) upon us richly through Jesus Christ, our Deliverer (Savior; Healer; Rescuer; Restorer; Safe-keeper),

¹ Long ago (or: In the old days), in many parts (or: fragments; divided portions; = bit by bit) and in much-traveled ways consisting of many turns and directions, God, having spoken to (or: by; in; with) the fathers – in (= through; in [the words of]) the prophets – ² upon [the] last of these days spoke to us in a Son whom He placed (or: sets) [as; to be] Heir of all (or: One who receives all humanity as an allotment; or: heir of all things; or: One who received everything as his allotted inheritance) through Whom He also made the ages (or: formed and constructed the various designated periods of time [which compose existence, as well as God's influence and activities]); ³ Who, continuously being an effect of the radiance from (or: a result from a dawning and breaking forth of the bright light of the Day which is; a result of the outshining which is; an effulgence from; an effect of an off-shining [light]-beam belonging to; or: a result of a reflection of) the Glory and Splendor as well as an exact impress (or: exact likeness as from a stamp or a die; or: a carving) of His substructure (or: of His substance [that is] standing under as a foundation; which is the underlying support of His outward form and properties; from His sub-placing; or: from His assumed groundwork of the full expression [of His idea]) – besides continuously bearing (or: and while progressively carrying; and then repeatedly bringing) the whole (all things; everything and all existence) by the gush-effect which is His power (or: in the result of the flow from the power which is Him; or: with the saying pertaining to His ability; in the spoken declaration of, and which has the character of and its source in, His power and ability) through and by means of Himself – in producing a cleansing of (or: after making a ritual purification in regard to) the failures (the misses of the target; the mistakes and errors; or: a clearing by pruning which pertains to the sins) He at once seated Himself within [the] right part (or: hand; = in union with the receiving aspect, honored position and place of power) of the Greatness centered and resident within high places.

¹⁷ Wherefore, He was indebted (or: obliged) to be assimilated by (or: made like or similar to) the brothers in accord with all things (or: concerning everything; = in every respect; or: in correlation to all people), so that He might become a merciful and a faithful (or: loyal) Chief Priest (Leading, Ruling or Beginning Priest) [in regard to] the things toward God, into the [situation] to be repeatedly and continuously overshadowing the failures (mistakes; errors; misses of the target; sins) of the People with a gentle, cleansing shelter and covering.

¹⁷ Wherefore, He was indebted (or: obliged) to be assimilated by (or: made like or similar to) the brothers in accord with all things (or: concerning everything; = in every respect; or: in correlation to all people), so that He might become a merciful and a faithful (or: loyal) Chief Priest (Leading, Ruling or Beginning Priest) [in regard to] the things toward God, into the [situation] to be repeatedly and continuously overshadowing the failures (mistakes; errors; misses of the target; sins) of the People with a gentle, cleansing shelter and covering. ¹⁸ For you see, in what He has experienced Himself, having been tried in ordeals, He is able to run to the aid of those who cry for help – those being tried (put through ordeals).

¹² For the Word of God (or: God's thought, idea and message; or: the expressed Logos from God; or: the Word which is God) [is] living (or: alive), and active (working; operative; energetic; at work; productive) and more cutting above every two-mouthed sword, even passing through (penetrating) as far as a dividing (or: parting; partitioning) of soul and spirit (or: of inner self-life and breath-effect), both of joints and marrows, even able to discern (separate; judge; decide) concerning thoughts (ponderings; reflections; in-rushings; passions) and intentions (notions; purposes) of a heart (= core of the being). ¹³ And no creature (thing formed, framed or created) is (or: exists being) out of sight (not manifest; concealed) in His (or: in Its – i.e., the Word's) presence, but all things [are] naked and have been gripped and bent back at the neck [thus, exposing the face and throat] to (or: in; by) His (or: Its) eyes, face to face with Whom (or: Which) in us (or: to us; for us; with us) [is] this Word (or: with a view to Whom by us [is] the message and the account; or: toward whom, for us and among us, [comes] the Idea and the Reason).

¹⁵ For you see, we do not have a chief priest who is unable or has no power to sympathize (to have a sense-experience with; to feel a stab of sympathy or suffer together; cf ch. 2:10) with our lack of strength, but One having been put to the proof – in accord with all things (or: down with all men; corresponding to all people) [and] in corresponding likeness – apart from failure (mistake; error; sin; failing to hit the target).

⁷ Who, during the days of His flesh (= existence as a human), with a strong (or: robust) outcry and tears, offered both earnest requests (supplications from need) and petitions (or: supplications; literally: olive branches carried by suppliants, which symbolized a request for help and protection) toward the One being continually able and powerful to deliver (rescue; save) Him forth from out of the midst of death. And so He was being heard (or: was being listened to), from this discretion and precaution (or: the disposition of taking hold well with prudent understanding; or: the receiving of goodness and well-being; or: [His] undertaking with care).

¹⁹ You continuously believe (or: trust; are convinced) that God is One (or: that God exists being One; that One exists being God; or: that there is one God). [Deut. 6:4] You are performing (doing) beautifully (excellently; ideally) – even the demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) continuously believe (or: presently trust; are constantly loyal; are normally convinced [about this]), and constantly shudder (bristle; shiver; are ruffled). [comment: in this last phrase Jacob is either making an ontological statement about “demons, ” or he is using sarcasm, referring in a derogatory manner to the Jews who also believe this; Jesus used the term diablos (devil; one who thrusts-through folks) to refer to Judas in John 6:70; He used the term satan when speaking to Peter in Mark 8:33; this phrase could also refer to the superstitious mindsets of folks who have believed Jewish or pagan myths, or have accepted animistic influences into their thinking]

¹⁴ Is anyone among you habitually experiencing weakness or normally infirm? Let him at once call to himself the older folks of the called-out community, and then let them speak well-being (or: pray goodness) upon him, anointing (or: massaging) him with olive oil in union with and in [the authority of] the Lord's [= Yahweh's, or, Christ's] Name, ¹⁵ and then faith's impartation of well-being (or: the prayer which comes from trust; the desire of conviction) will progressively deliver (restore to health; rescue; save) the one being continuously labored to weariness and exhaustion, and then the Lord [= Christ, or, Yahweh, ] will proceed causing him to rise, and if it may be he has been making mistakes (performing amiss; doing acts which miss the goal) it will proceed being caused to flow away from him (sent forth for him; let go off in him; forgiven to him).

¹⁷ for you see, from the side of (or: [standing] beside) Father God, [He was] receiving honor (value; preciousness) and glory (or: a reputation) from a Voice being carried to Him by the fitting greatness and majesty of glory and which came from the manifestation which called forth praise (or: = of a Sound or Shout being swept along under the magnificent grandeur of the Sh'khinah Presence) such as follows: "My Son, My Beloved One, is This One [other MSS: This One is existing being My Son, My Beloved One] into the midst of Whom I Myself placed delight [other MSS: within Whom I was well pleased, and find approval; in union with Whom I have good thoughts]." ¹⁸ And we ourselves, being together with Him within the set-apart (or: holy; sacred) mountain, heard this Voice being carried out of heaven (or: swept along from the midst of [the] atmosphere and sky).

¹ The One who was continuously existing from [the] beginning (or: He Who was progressively being parted away from Headship and Rule). The One whom we have listened to, and still hear; the One whom we have seen, and now yet perceive with our eyes (or: in our eyes); the One whom we gazed upon as a public spectacle (as an exhibit in a theater) and our hands handled (felt about for and touched) – groping around the Word of the Life (or: the Logos, which is the Life; the thought which pertains to life; the Idea from the Life; the message which has the character and qualities of the Life; the Reason which belongs to the Life; [note: I have treated ho as the definite article in the first four phrases here and in vs. 3; many treat it as a neuter relative and render it: That which]) ² And the Life was manifested (or: is brought into the clear light and made visible) and we have seen, and still observe, and are repeatedly testifying (bearing witness; giving evidence) and in a message are constantly reporting to you folks the Life which has the character and qualities of the Age (or: the life of, for and pertaining to the ages; eonian life) which Certain [Life] was continuously existing [oriented and proceeding] toward (or: was face to face with) the Father, and was manifested (or: is made visible) to us, in us, by us, and for us. ³ The One whom we have seen, and still now see, and we have heard, and now continue listening to and hearing, we are also constantly reporting to you, to the end that you, too, may be continuously having common being and existence (or: would be progressively holding partnership and participation) with us. And yet, our common being and existence (or: participation; fellowship; partnership; sharing) [is] with the Father, even with His Son (or: as well as with the Son from Him; or, in apposition: and with the Son which is Him), Jesus Christ.

⁸ If we should up and say that we have no error (or: do not periodically possess deviation or hold sin and mistake), we are continuously leading ourselves astray (or: deceiving ourselves and driving ourselves off the Path), and the Truth is not (or: reality does not exist) within us. ⁹ If it would be our habit to confess (admit; avow; say the same thing as; speak in accordance with; or: would continue in agreement [about]) our error (our failure; our sin; our mistake), He is constantly faithful and just (fair; in accord with the Way pointed out and in right relationship; rightwised), to the end that He would at once send away for us (or: dismiss or pardon and cause to flow away in us) the errors ([some MSS add: our] failures, mistakes and deviations) and then would cleanse [other MSS: He will cleanse] us from all injustice (all that is contrary to the Way pointed out; every unrighteousness; all unfairness, inequity and unrighteous relationships; every behavior that is turned in the wrong direction). ¹⁰ If we would say that we have not failed to hit the target (or: sinned; made a mistake; erred; deviated), and exist thus, we habitually make Him a liar (one who utters falsehood), and His Word (Thought; Idea; message; Logos) does not exist among (or: is not within) us.

¹¹ And so this is the evidence (or: exists being the testimony, witness and attested affirmation): that God gives (or: gave; grants) Life pertaining to, and having the quality of the Age (life whose source is the Age [of Messiah]; eonian life; Life of, for and on through the ages) to, for and in us, and this very Life continuously exists within His Son (or: is in union with the Son which is Him)! ¹² The one continually holding (or: constantly having; progressively possessing) the Son continuously holds (constantly has; progressively possesses) the Life. The person not continuously holding (constantly having) God's Son does not now have (or: hold) the Life. [comment: it seems that the Son is the Life]

⁷ "And so to the agent and message-bearer of the called-out community in Philadelphia, write: 'The Set-apart One (The Holy One; The Saint), the True One, the One having (continuously holding) David’s Key, the One habitually opening – and no one keeps on shutting (or: locking) – and He is repeatedly shutting (locking) – and no one keeps on opening – [Isa. 22:22] He, is presently saying these things,