Luke 20 Cross References - WNT

¹ On one of those days while He was teaching the people in the Temple and proclaiming the Good News, the High Priests came upon Him, and the Scribes, ² together with the Elders, and they asked Him, "Tell us, By what authority are you doing these things? And who is it that gave you this authority?" ³ "I also will put a question to you, "He said; ⁴ "was John's baptism of Heavenly or of human origin?" ⁵ So they debated the matter with one another. "If we say 'Heavenly,'" they argued, "he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?' ⁶ And if we say, 'human,' the people will all stone us; for they are thoroughly convinced that John was a Prophet." ⁷ And they answered that they did not know the origin of it. ⁸ "Nor will I tell you," said Jesus, "by what authority I do these things." ⁹ Then He proceeded to speak a parable to the people. "There was a man," He said, "who planted a vineyard, let it out to vine-dressers, and went abroad for a considerable time. ¹⁰ At vintage-time he sent a servant to the vine-dressers, for them to give him a share of the crop; but the vine-dressers beat him cruelly and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹ Then he sent a second servant; and him too they beat and ill treated and sent away empty-handed. ¹² Then again he sent a third; and this one also they wounded and drove away. ¹³ Then the owner of the vineyard said, "'What am I to do? I will send my son--my dearly-loved son: they will probably respect him.' ¹⁴ "But when the vine-dressers saw him, they discussed the matter with one another, and said, "'This is the heir: let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.' ¹⁵ "So they turned him out of the vineyard and murdered him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? ¹⁶ He will come and put these vine-dressers to death, and give the vineyard to others." "God forbid!" exclaimed the hearers. ¹⁷ He looked at them and said, "What then does that mean which is written, "'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BEEN MADE THE CORNERSTONE'? ¹⁸ Every one who falls on that stone will be severely hurt, but on whomsoever it falls, he will be utterly crushed." ¹⁹ At this the Scribes and the High Priests wanted to lay hands on Him, then and there; only they were afraid of the people. For they saw that in this parable He had referred to them. ²⁰ So, after impatiently watching their opportunity, they sent spies who were to act the part of good and honest men, that they might fasten on some expression of His, so as to hand Him over to the ruling power and the Governor's authority. ²¹ So they put a question to Him. "Rabbi," they said, "we know that you say and teach what is right and that you make no distinctions between one man and another, but teach God's way truly. ²² Is it allowable to pay a tax to Caesar, or not?" ²³ But He saw through their knavery and replied, ²⁴ "Show me a shilling; whose likeness and inscription does it bear?" "Caesar's," they said. ²⁵ "Pay therefore," He replied, "what is Caesar's to Caesar--and what is God's to God." ²⁶ There was nothing here that they could lay hold of before the people, and marvelling at His answer they said no more. ²⁷ Next some of the Sadducees came forward (who deny that there is a Resurrection), and they asked Him, ²⁸ "Rabbi, Moses made it a law for us that if a man's brother should die, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up a family for his brother. ²⁹ Now there were seven brothers. The first of them took a wife and died childless. ³⁰ The second and the third also took her; ³¹ and all seven, having done the same, left no children when they died. ³² Finally the woman also died. ³³ The woman, then--at the Resurrection--whose wife shall she be? for they all seven married her." ³⁴ "The men of this age," replied Jesus, "marry, and the women are given in marriage. ³⁵ But as for those who shall have been deemed worthy to find a place in that other age and in the Resurrection from among the dead, the men do not marry and the women are not given in marriage. ³⁶ For indeed they cannot die again; they are like angels, and are sons of God through being sons of the Resurrection. ³⁷ But that the dead rise to life even Moses clearly implies in the passage about the Bush, where he calls the Lord 'THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB.' ³⁸ He is not a God of dead, but of living men, for to Him are all living." ³⁹ Then some of the Scribes replied, "Rabbi, you have spoken well." ⁴⁰ From that time, however, no one ventured to challenge Him with a single question. ⁴¹ But He asked them, "How is it they say that the Christ is a son of David? ⁴² Why, David himself says in the Book of Psalms, "'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND ⁴³ UNTIL I HAVE MADE THY FOES A FOOTSTOOL UNDER THY FEET.' ⁴⁴ "David himself therefore calls Him Lord, and how can He be his son?" ⁴⁵ Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to the disciples, ⁴⁶ "Beware of the Scribes, who like to walk about in long robes, and love to be bowed to in places of public resort and to occupy the best seats in the synagogues or at a dinner party; ⁴⁷ who swallow up the property of widows and mask their wickedness by making long prayers. They will be punished far more severely than others."

²³ He entered the Temple; and while He was teaching, the High Priests and the Elders of the people came to Him and asked Him, "By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you this authority?" ²⁴ "And I also have a question to ask *you*," replied Jesus, "and if you answer me, I in turn will tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵ John's Baptism, whence was it? --had it a heavenly or a human origin?" So they debated the matter among themselves. "If we say 'a heavenly origin,'" they argued, "he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' ²⁶ and if we say 'a human origin' we have the people to fear, for they all hold John to have been a Prophet." ²⁷ So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," He replied, "by what authority I do these things."

⁵⁵ Then said Jesus to the crowds, "Have you come out as if to fight with a robber, with swords and bludgeons to apprehend me? Day after day I have been sitting teaching in the Temple, and you did not arrest me.

²⁷ They came again to Jerusalem; and as He was walking in the Temple, the High Priests, Scribes and Elders came to Him ²⁸ and asked, "By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you authority to do them?" ²⁹ "And I will put a question to you," replied Jesus; "answer me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. ³⁰ John's Baptism--was it of Heavenly or of human origin? Answer me." ³¹ So they debated the matter with one another. "Suppose we say, 'Heavenly,'" they argued, "he will ask, 'Why then did you not believe him?' ³² Or should we say, 'human?'" They were afraid of the people; for all agreed in holding John to have been really a Prophet. ³³ So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," said Jesus, "by what authority I do these things."

¹ Shortly after this He visited town after town, and village after village, proclaiming His Message and telling the Good News of the Kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him,

⁴⁷ And day after day He taught in the Temple, while the High Priests and the Scribes were devising some means of destroying Him, as were also the leading men of the people. ⁴⁸ But they could not find any way of doing it, for the people all hung upon His lips.

²⁰ "As for me," replied Jesus, "I have spoken openly to the world. I have continually taught in some synagogue or in the Temple where all the Jews are wont to assemble, and I have said nothing in secret.

¹ While they were saying this to the people, the Priests, the Commander of the Temple Guard, and the Sadducees came upon them,

¹² In this way they excited the people, the Elders, and the Scribes. At length they came upon him, seized him with violence, and took him before the Sanhedrin.

³⁵ Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their outer garments on the colt they placed Jesus on it. ³⁶ So He rode on, while they carpeted the road with their garments. ³⁷ And when He was now getting near Jerusalem, and descending the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began in their joy to praise God in loud voices for all the mighty deeds they had witnessed. ³⁸ "BLESSED IS the King," they cried, "WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD: in Heaven peace, and glory in the highest realms." ³⁹ Thereupon some of the Pharisees in the crowd appealed to Him, saying, "Rabbi, reprove your disciples." ⁴⁰ "I tell you," He replied, "that if *they* became silent, the very stones would cry out."

⁴⁵ Then Jesus entered the Temple and proceeded to drive out the dealers. ⁴⁶ "It is written," He said, "'AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE THE HOUSE OF PRAYER,' but you have made it A ROBBERS' CAVE."

¹⁸ So the Jews asked Him, "What proof of your authority do you exhibit to us, seeing that you do these things?"

²² The Father indeed does not judge any one, but He has entrusted all judgement to the Son, ²³ that all may honour the Son even as they honour the Father. The man who withholds honour from the Son withholds honour from the Father who sent Him. ²⁴ "In most solemn truth I tell you that he who listens to my teaching and believes Him who sent me, has the Life of the Ages, and does not come under judgement, but has passed over out of death into Life. ²⁵ "In most solemn truth I tell you that a time is coming--nay, has already come--when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will live. ²⁶ For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He has also given to the Son to have life in Himself. ²⁷ And He has conferred on Him authority to act as Judge, because He is the Son of Man.

⁷ So they made the Apostles stand in the centre, and demanded of them, "By what power or in what name have you done this?" ⁸ Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he replied, "Rulers and Elders of the people, ⁹ if we to-day are under examination concerning the benefit conferred on a man helplessly lame, as to how this man has been cured; ¹⁰ be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that through the name of Jesus the Anointed, the Nazarene, whom *you* crucified, but whom *God* has raised from among the dead-- through that name this man stands here before you in perfect health.

²⁷ "But the man who was doing the wrong resented his interference, and asked, "'Who appointed you magistrate and judge over us?

³⁵ "The Moses whom they rejected, asking him, 'Who appointed you magistrate and judge?' --that same Moses we find God sending as a magistrate and a deliverer by the help of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. ³⁶ This was he who brought them out, after performing marvels and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea, and in the Desert for forty years. ³⁷ This is the Moses who said to the descendants of Israel, "'GOD WILL RAISE UP A PROPHET FOR YOU, FROM AMONG YOUR BRETHREN, JUST AS HE RAISED ME UP.' ³⁸ 'This is he who was among the Congregation in the Desert, together with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and with our forefathers, who received ever-living utterances to hand on to us. ³⁹ "Our forefathers, however, would not submit to him, but spurned his authority and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

⁵¹ "O stiff-necked men, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you also are continually at strife with the Holy Spirit--just as your forefathers were.

² "Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders by not washing their hands before meals?" ³ "Why do you, too," He retorted, "transgress God's commands for the sake of your tradition?

⁶⁸ and if I ask you questions, you will certainly not answer.

⁶ Let your language be always seasoned with the salt of grace, so that you may know how to give every man a fitting answer.

⁷ When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind? ⁸ But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed? Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings' palaces. ⁹ But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is he of whom it is written, "'SEE I AM SENDING MY MESSENGER BEFORE THY FACE, AND HE WILL MAKE THY ROAD READY BEFORE THEE.' ¹¹ "I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no greater has ever been raised up than John the Baptist; yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he. ¹² But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John. ¹⁴ And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah who was to come. ¹⁵ Listen, every one who has ears! ¹⁶ "But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like children sitting in the open places, who call to their playmates. ¹⁷ "'We have played the flute to you,' they say, 'and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten your breasts.' ¹⁸ "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they exclaim, 'See this man! --given to gluttony and tippling, and a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!' And yet Wisdom is vindicated by her actions."

¹¹ "Elijah was indeed to come," He replied, "and would reform everything. ¹² But I tell you that he has already come, and they did not recognize him, but dealt with him as they chose. And before long the Son of Man will be treated by them in a similar way."

²⁵ John's Baptism, whence was it? --had it a heavenly or a human origin?" So they debated the matter among themselves. "If we say 'a heavenly origin,'" they argued, "he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' ²⁶ and if we say 'a human origin' we have the people to fear, for they all hold John to have been a Prophet." ²⁷ So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," He replied, "by what authority I do these things." ²⁸ "But give me your judgement. There was a man who had two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "'My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.' ²⁹ "'I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry, and went. ³⁰ He came to the second and spoke in the same manner. His answer was, "'I will go, Sir.' "But he did not go. ³¹ Which of the two did as his father desired?" "The first," they said. "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you. ³² For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him.

²⁸ "I tell you that among all of women born there is not one greater than John. Yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of God is greater than he. ²⁹ And all the people, including the tax-gatherers, when they listened to him upheld the righteousness of God, by being baptized with John's baptism. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and expounders of the Law have frustrated God's purpose as to their own lives, by refusing to be baptized. ³¹ "To what then shall I compare the men of the present generation, and what do they resemble? ³² They are like children sitting in the public square and calling out to one another, 'We have played the flute to you, and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not shown sorrow.' ³³ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon!' ³⁴ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, there is a man who is overfond of eating and drinking--he is a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!' ³⁵ But wisdom is justified by all who are truly wise."

¹⁸ I will rise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you:

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

¹⁹ This also is John's testimony, when the Jews sent to him a deputation of Priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him who he was. ²⁰ He avowed--he did not conceal the truth, but avowed, "I am not the Christ." ²¹ "What then?" they inquired; "are you Elijah?" "I am not," he said. "Are you the Prophet?" "No," he answered. ²² So they pressed the question. "Who are you?" they said-- "that we may take an answer to those who sent us. What account do you give of yourself?" ²³ "I am THE VOICE," he replied, "OF ONE CRYING ALOUD, 'MAKE STRAIGHT THE LORD'S WAY IN THE DESERT,' fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah." ²⁴ They were Pharisees who had been sent. ²⁵ Again they questioned him. "Why then do you baptize," they said, "if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the Prophet?" ²⁶ "I baptize in water only," John answered, "but in your midst stands One whom you do not know-- ²⁷ He who is to come after me, and whose sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten." ²⁸ This conversation took place at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

¹⁵ John gave testimony concerning Him and cried aloud, saying, "This is He of whom I said, 'He who is coming after me has been put before me,' for He was before me." ¹⁶ For He it is from whose fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace. ¹⁷ For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No human eye has ever seen God: the only Son, who is in the Father's bosom--He has made Him known.

³⁰ This is He about whom I said, 'After me is to come One who has been put before me, because He was before me.'

³⁴ "This I have seen, and I have become a witness that He is the Son of God."

²⁶ they came to John and reported to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you on the other side of the Jordan and to whom you bore testimony is now baptizing, and great numbers of people are resorting to him."

³⁶ He who believes in the Son has the Life of the Ages; he who disobeys the Son will not enter into Life, but God's anger remains upon him.

³³ "You sent to John, and he both was and still is a witness to the truth. ³⁴ But the testimony on my behalf which I accept is not from man; though I say all this in order that you may be saved. ³⁵ He was the lamp that burned and shone, and for a time you were willing to be gladdened by his light.

²⁵ But John, towards the end of his career, repeatedly asked the people, "'What do you suppose me to be? I am not the Christ. But there is One coming after me whose sandal I am not worthy to unfasten.'

⁹ But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.

⁵ And he would have liked to put him to death, but was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a Prophet.

²⁶ and if we say 'a human origin' we have the people to fear, for they all hold John to have been a Prophet."

⁴⁶ but though they were eager to lay hands upon Him, they were afraid of the people, for by them He was regarded as a Prophet.

⁵ But they said, "Not during the Festival, lest there be a riot among the people."

¹² And they kept looking out for an opportunity to seize Him, but were afraid of the people; for they saw that in this parable He had referred to *them*. So they left Him and went away.

⁷⁶ And you moreover, O child, shall be called Prophet of the Most High; For you shall go on in front before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,

²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A Prophet? Aye, I tell you, and far more than a Prophet. ²⁷ John is the man about whom it is written, 'SEE, I AM SENDING MY MESSENGER BEFORE THY FACE, AND HE SHALL MAKE READY THY WAY BEFORE THEE.' ²⁸ "I tell you that among all of women born there is not one greater than John. Yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of God is greater than he. ²⁹ And all the people, including the tax-gatherers, when they listened to him upheld the righteousness of God, by being baptized with John's baptism.

⁴¹ Large numbers of people also came to Him. Their report was, "John did not work any miracle, but all that John said about this Teacher was true."

²⁶ Upon this the Commander went with the officers, and brought the Apostles; but without using violence; for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

¹⁹ And this is the test by which men are judged--the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness more than they loved the Light, because their deeds were wicked. ²⁰ For every wrongdoer hates the light, and does not come to the light, for fear his actions should be exposed and condemned.

³⁹ "I came into this world," said Jesus, "to judge men, that those who do not see may see, and that those who do see may become blind."

¹⁰ and by every kind of wicked deception for those who are on the way to perdition because they did not welcome into their hearts the love of the truth, so that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this reason God sends them a misleading influence that they may believe the lie; ¹² in order that all may come under judgement who have refused to believe the truth and have taken pleasure in unrighteousness.

⁸ And just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also these false teachers withstand the truth--being, as they are, men of debased intellects, and of no real worth so far as faith is concerned. ⁹ But they will have no further success; for their folly will be as clearly manifest to all men, as that of the opponents of Moses came to be.

³ But, above all, remember that, in the last days, men will come who make a mock at everything--men governed only by their own passions,

¹⁴ Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind; and if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into some pit."

⁴ A wicked and faithless generation are eager for a sign; but none shall be given to them except the sign of Jonah." and He left them and went away.

²⁷ So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," He replied, "by what authority I do these things."

³³ So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," said Jesus, "by what authority I do these things."

³³ "Listen to another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, made a fence round it, dug a wine-tank in it, and built a strong lodge; then let the place to vine-dressers, and went abroad. ³⁴ When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes; ³⁵ but the vine-dressers seized the servants, and one they cruelly beat, one they killed, one they pelted with stones. ³⁶ Again he sent another party of servants more numerous than the first; and these they treated in the same manner. ³⁷ Later still he sent to them his son, saying, "'They will respect my son.' ³⁸ "But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one another, "'Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' ³⁹ "So they seized him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and killed him. ⁴⁰ When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?" ⁴¹ "He will put the wretches to a wretched death," was the reply, "and will entrust the vineyard to other vine-dressers who will render the produce to him at the vintage season." ⁴² "Have you never read in the Scriptures," said Jesus, "'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BEEN MADE THE CORNERSTONE: THIS CORNERSTONE CAME FROM THE LORD, AND IS WONDERFUL IN OUR EYES'? ⁴³ "That, I tell you, is the reason why the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and given to a nation that will exhibit the power of it. ⁴⁴ He who falls on this stone will be severely hurt; but he on whom it falls will be utterly crushed." ⁴⁵ After listening to His parables the High Priests and the Pharisees perceived that He was speaking about them; ⁴⁶ but though they were eager to lay hands upon Him, they were afraid of the people, for by them He was regarded as a Prophet.

¹⁴ "Why, it is like a man who, when going on his travels, called his bondservants and entrusted his property to their care.

¹ Then He began to speak to them in figurative language. "There was once a man," He said, "who planted a vineyard, fenced it round, dug a pit for the wine-tank, and built a strong lodge. Then he let the place to vine-dressers and went abroad. ² At vintage-time he sent one of his servants to receive from the vine-dressers a share of the grapes. ³ But they seized him, beat him cruelly and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴ Again he sent to them another servant: and as for him, they wounded him in the head and treated him shamefully. ⁵ Yet a third he sent, and him they killed. And he sent many besides, and them also they ill-treated, beating some and killing others. ⁶ He had still one left whom he could send, a dearly-loved son: him last of all he sent, saying, "'They will treat my son with respect.' ⁷ "But those men--the vine-dressers--said to one another, "'Here is the heir: come, let us kill him, and then the property will one day be ours.' ⁸ "So they took him and killed him, and flung his body outside the vineyard. ⁹ What, therefore, will the owner of the vineyard do?" "He will come and put the vine-dressers to death," they said; "and will give the vineyard to others." ¹⁰ "Have you not read even this passage," He added, "'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CORNERSTONE: ¹¹ THIS CORNERSTONE CAME FROM THE LORD, AND IS WONDERFUL IN OUR ESTEEM?'" ¹² And they kept looking out for an opportunity to seize Him, but were afraid of the people; for they saw that in this parable He had referred to *them*. So they left Him and went away.

¹² So He said to them, "A man of noble family travelled to a distant country to obtain the rank of king, and to return.

¹ "I am the Vine--the True Vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. ² Every branch in me--if it bears no fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are cleansed--through the teaching which I have given you. ⁴ Continue in me, and let me continue in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself--that is, if it does not continue in the vine--so neither can you if you do not continue in me. ⁵ I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who continues in me and in whom I continue bears abundant fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If any one does not continue in me, he is like the unfruitful branch which is at once thrown away and then withers up. Such branches they gather up and throw into the fire and they are burned. ⁷ "If you continue in me and my sayings continue in you, ask what you will and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this is God glorified--by your bearing abundant fruit and thus being true disciples of mine.

⁶ I planted and Apollos watered; but it was God who was, all the time, giving the increase. ⁷ So that neither the planter nor the waterer is of any importance. God who gives the increase is all in all. ⁸ Now in aim and purpose the planter and the waterer are one; and yet each will receive his own special reward, answering to his own special work. ⁹ Apollos and I are simply fellow workers for and with God, and you are *God's* field-- *God's* building.

³⁴ When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes; ³⁵ but the vine-dressers seized the servants, and one they cruelly beat, one they killed, one they pelted with stones. ³⁶ Again he sent another party of servants more numerous than the first; and these they treated in the same manner.

² At vintage-time he sent one of his servants to receive from the vine-dressers a share of the grapes. ³ But they seized him, beat him cruelly and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴ Again he sent to them another servant: and as for him, they wounded him in the head and treated him shamefully. ⁵ Yet a third he sent, and him they killed. And he sent many besides, and them also they ill-treated, beating some and killing others.

⁴⁷ Alas for you! for you repair the tombs of the Prophets, whom your forefathers killed. ⁴⁸ It follows that you bear testimony to the actions of your forefathers and that you fully approve thereof. They slew, you build. ⁴⁹ "For this reason also the Wisdom of God has said, 'I will send Prophets and Apostles to them, of whom they will kill some and persecute others,' ⁵⁰ so that the blood of all the Prophets, that is being shed from the creation of the world onwards, may be required from the present generation.

³⁴ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou who murderest the Prophets and stonest those who have been sent to thee, how often have I desired to gather thy children just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not come!

¹⁶ It is not you who chose me, but it is I who chose you and appointed you that you might go and be fruitful and that your fruit might remain; so that whatever petition you present to the Father in my name He may give you.

⁴ So, my brethren, to you also the Law died through the incarnation of Christ, that you might be wedded to Another, namely to Him who rose from the dead in order that we might yield fruit to God.

³⁰ and your boast is, "'If we had lived in the time of our forefathers, we should not have been implicated with them in the murder of the Prophets.' ³¹ "So that you bear witness against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the Prophets. ³² Fill up the measure of your forefathers' guilt. ³³ O serpents, O vipers' brood, how are you to escape condemnation to Gehenna? ³⁴ "For this reason I am sending to you Prophets and wise men and Scribes. Some of them you will put to death--nay, crucify; some of them you will flog in your synagogues and chase from town to town; ³⁵ that all the innocent blood shed upon earth may come on you, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Berechiah whom you murdered between the Sanctuary and the altar. ³⁶ I tell you in solemn truth that all these things will come upon the present generation. ³⁷ "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! thou who murderest the Prophets and stonest those who have been sent to thee! how often have I desired to gather thy children to me, just as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not come!

⁵² Which of the Prophets did not your forefathers persecute? Yes, they killed those who announced beforehand the advent of the righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become--

² But, as you will remember, after we had already met with suffering and outrage at Philippi, we summoned up boldness, by the help of our God, to tell you God's Good News amid much opposition.

³⁶ Others again were tested by cruel mockery and by scourging; yes, and by chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tried by temptation, they were killed with the sword. They went from place to place in sheepskins or goatskins, enduring want, oppression and cruelty.

¹⁷ while a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This is My Son, the dearly loved, in whom is My delight."

⁵ He was still speaking when a luminous cloud spread over them; and a voice was heard from within the cloud, which said, "This is My Son dearly beloved, in whom is My delight. Listen to Him."

³⁵ Then there came a voice from within the cloud: "This is My Son, My Chosen One: listen to Him."

¹⁶ For so greatly did God love the world that He gave His only Son, that every one who trusts in Him may not perish but may have the Life of Ages. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything to His hands. ³⁶ He who believes in the Son has the Life of the Ages; he who disobeys the Son will not enter into Life, but God's anger remains upon him.

³ For what was impossible to the Law--powerless as it was because it acted through frail humanity--God effected. Sending His own Son in a body like that of sinful human nature and as a sacrifice for sin, He pronounced sentence upon sin in human nature;

⁴ But, when the time was fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born subject to Law,

⁹ God's love for us has been manifested in that He has sent His only Son into the world so that we may have Life through Him. ¹⁰ This is love indeed--we did not love God, but He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever yet seen God. If we love one another, God continues in union with us, and His love in all its perfection is in our hearts. ¹³ We can know that we are continuing in union with Him and that He is continuing in union with us, by the fact that He has given us a portion of His Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God--God continues in union with him, and he continues in union with God.

² inquiring, "Where is the newly born king of the Jews? For we have seen his Star in the east, and have come here to do him homage." ³ Reports of this soon reached the king, and greatly agitated not only him but all the people of Jerusalem. ⁴ So he assembled all the High Priests and Scribes of the people, and anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ "At Bethlehem in Judaea," they replied; "for so it stands written in the words of the Prophet, ⁶ "'AND THOU, BETHLEHEM IN THE LAND OF JUDAH, BY NO MEANS THE LEAST HONORABLE ART THOU AMONG PRINCELY PLACES IN JUDAH! FOR FROM THEE SHALL COME A PRINCE--ONE WHO SHALL BE THE SHEPHERD OF MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'" ⁷ Thereupon Herod sent privately for the Magi and ascertained from them the exact time of the star's appearing. ⁸ He then directed them to go to Bethlehem, adding, "Go and make careful inquiry about the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and do him homage." ⁹ After hearing what the king said, they went to Bethlehem, while, strange to say, the star they had seen in the east led them on until it came and stood over the place where the babe was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, the sight filled them with intense joy. ¹¹ So they entered the house; and when they saw the babe with His mother Mary, they prostrated themselves and did Him homage, and opening their treasure-chests offered gifts to Him--gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² But being forbidden by God in a dream to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by a different route. ¹³ When they were gone, and angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise: take the babe and His mother and escape to Egypt, and remain there till I bring you word. For Herod is about to make search for the child in order to destroy Him." ¹⁴ So Joseph roused himself and took the babe and His mother by night and departed into Egypt. ¹⁵ There he remained till Herod's death, that what the Lord had said through the Prophet might be fulfilled, "OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON." ¹⁶ Then Herod, finding that the Magi had trifled with him, was furious, and sent and massacred all the boys under two years of age, in Bethlehem and all its neighbourhood, according to the date he had so carefully ascertained from the Magi.

⁷ they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have not brought any bread."

²⁵ John's Baptism, whence was it? --had it a heavenly or a human origin?" So they debated the matter among themselves. "If we say 'a heavenly origin,'" they argued, "he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

²¹ So when the Governor a second time asked them, "Which of the two shall I release to you?" --they cried, "Barabbas!" ²² "What then," said Pilate, "shall I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?" With one voice they shouted, "Let him be crucified!" ²³ "Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they kept on furiously shouting, "Let him be crucified!" ²⁴ So when he saw that he could gain nothing, but that on the contrary there was a riot threatening, he called for water and washed his hands in sight of them all, saying, "I am not responsible for this murder: you must answer for it." ²⁵ "His blood," replied all the people, "be on us and on our children!"

⁴⁷ And day after day He taught in the Temple, while the High Priests and the Scribes were devising some means of destroying Him, as were also the leading men of the people.

⁵ So they debated the matter with one another. "If we say 'Heavenly,'" they argued, "he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?'

¹⁹ At this the Scribes and the High Priests wanted to lay hands on Him, then and there; only they were afraid of the people. For they saw that in this parable He had referred to them.

² and the High Priests and the Scribes were contriving how to destroy Him. But they feared the people.

⁴⁷ Therefore the High Priests and the Pharisees held a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What steps are we taking?" they asked one another; "for this man is performing a great number of miracles. ⁴⁸ If we leave him alone in this way, everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and blot out both our city and our nation." ⁴⁹ But one of them, named Caiaphas, being High Priest that year, said, "You know nothing about it. ⁵⁰ You do not reflect that it is to your interest that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish."

²³ delivered up through God's settled purpose and foreknowledge--you by the hands of Gentiles have nailed to a cross and have put to death.

¹⁵ The Prince of Life you put to death; but God has raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses as to that.

¹⁷ and if children, then heirs too--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ; if indeed we are sharers in Christ's sufferings, in order that we may also be sharers in His glory.

² has at the end of these days spoken to us through a Son, who is the pre-destined Lord of the universe, and through whom He made the Ages.

³⁷ Later still he sent to them his son, saying, "'They will respect my son.' ³⁸ "But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one another, "'Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' ³⁹ "So they seized him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and killed him. ⁴⁰ When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?"

⁶ He had still one left whom he could send, a dearly-loved son: him last of all he sent, saying, "'They will treat my son with respect.' ⁷ "But those men--the vine-dressers--said to one another, "'Here is the heir: come, let us kill him, and then the property will one day be ours.' ⁸ "So they took him and killed him, and flung his body outside the vineyard. ⁹ What, therefore, will the owner of the vineyard do?" "He will come and put the vine-dressers to death," they said; "and will give the vineyard to others."

¹² And for this reason Jesus also, in order, by His own blood, to set the people free from sin, suffered outside the gate.

⁴¹ "He will put the wretches to a wretched death," was the reply, "and will entrust the vineyard to other vine-dressers who will render the produce to him at the vintage season."

⁷ So the king's anger was stirred, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burnt their city.

²⁷ But as for those enemies of mine who were unwilling that I should become their king, bring them here, and cut them to pieces in my presence.'"

⁴⁶ Then, throwing off all reserve, Paul and Barnabas said, "We were bound to proclaim God's Message to you first. But since you spurn it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of the Life of the Ages--well, we turn to the Gentiles.

⁴² "Have you never read in the Scriptures," said Jesus, "'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BEEN MADE THE CORNERSTONE: THIS CORNERSTONE CAME FROM THE LORD, AND IS WONDERFUL IN OUR EYES'?

⁵ Grieved and indignant at the hardening of their hearts, He looked round on them with anger, and said to the man, "Stretch out your arm." He stretched it out, and the arm was completely restored.

²³ Then looking round on His disciples Jesus said, "With how hard a struggle will the possessors of riches enter the Kingdom of God!"

¹⁰ "Have you not read even this passage," He added, "'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CORNERSTONE:

⁴¹ When He came into full view of the city, He wept aloud over it, and exclaimed,

³⁷ For I tell you that those words of Scripture must yet find their fulfilment in me: 'AND HE WAS RECKONED AMONG THE LAWLESS'; for indeed that saying about me has its accomplishment."

⁶¹ The Master turned and looked on Peter; and Peter recollected the Master's words, how He had said to him, "This very day, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times."

⁴⁴ And He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you--that everything must be fulfilled that is written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and the Psalms concerning me."

²⁵ But this has been so, in order that the saying may be fulfilled which stands written in their Law, 'THEY HAVE HATED ME WITHOUT ANY REASON.'

¹¹ This Jesus is THE STONE TREATED WITH CONTEMPT BY YOU THE BUILDERS, BUT IT HAS BEEN MADE THE CORNERSTONE.

⁷ To you believers, therefore, that honour belongs; but for unbelievers-- "A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BEEN MADE THE CORNERSTONE," ⁸ and "A STONE FOR THE FOOT TO STRIKE AGAINST, AND A ROCK TO STUMBLE OVER." Their foot strikes against it because they are disobedient to God's Message, and to this they were appointed.

³⁴ When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes;

⁴⁴ He who falls on this stone will be severely hurt; but he on whom it falls will be utterly crushed."

¹⁶ for they still try to prevent our preaching to the Gentiles so that they may find salvation. They thus continually fill up the measure of their own sins, and God's anger in its severest form has overtaken them.

³ Then the High Priests and Elders of the People assembled in the court of the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas, ⁴ and consulted how to get Jesus into their power by stratagem and put Him to death.

¹⁴ "But when the vine-dressers saw him, they discussed the matter with one another, and said, "'This is the heir: let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.'

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went and consulted together how they might entrap Him in His conversation. ¹⁶ So they sent to Him their disciples together with the Herodians; who said, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and that you faithfully teach God's truth; and that no fear of man misleads you, for you are not biased by men's wealth or rank. ¹⁷ Give us your judgement therefore: is it allowable for us to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" ¹⁸ Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, "Why are you hypocrites trying to ensnare me? ¹⁹ Show me the tribute coin." And they brought Him a shilling. ²⁰ "Whose likeness and inscription," He asked, "is this?" ²¹ "Caesar's," they replied. "Pay therefore," He rejoined, "what is Caesar's to Caesar; and what is God's to God." ²² They heard this, and were astonished; then left Him, and went their way.

² and binding Him they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the Governor.

² They closely watched Him to see whether He would cure him on the Sabbath--so as to have a charge to bring against Him.

¹³ Their next step was to send to Him some of the Pharisees and of Herod's partisans to entrap Him in conversation. ¹⁴ So they came to Him. "Rabbi," they said, "we know that you are a truthful man and you do not fear any one; for you do not recognize human distinctions, but teach God's way truly. Is it allowable to pay poll-tax to Caesar, or not? ¹⁵ Shall we pay, or shall we refuse to pay?" But He, knowing their hypocrisy, replied, "Why try to ensnare me? Bring me a shilling for me to look at." ¹⁶ They brought one; and He asked them, "Whose is this likeness and this inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. ¹⁷ "What is Caesar's," replied Jesus, "pay to Caesar--and what is God's, pay to God." And they wondered exceedingly at Him.

⁵⁴ lying in wait to catch some unguarded expression from His lips.

²⁶ There was nothing here that they could lay hold of before the people, and marvelling at His answer they said no more.

²⁸ So they brought Jesus from Caiaphas's house to the Praetorium. It was the early morning, and they would not enter the Praetorium themselves for fear of defilement, and in order that they might be able to eat the Passover. ²⁹ Accordingly Pilate came out to them and inquired, "What accusation have you to bring against this man?" ³⁰ "If the man were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you." ³¹ "Take him yourselves," said Pilate, "and judge him by your Law." "We have no power," replied the Jews, "to put any man to death." ³² They said this that the words might be fulfilled in which Jesus predicted the kind of death He was to die.

³ Thirsting for riches, they will trade on you with their canting talk. From of old their judgement has been working itself out, and their destruction has not been slumbering.

¹⁶ So they sent to Him their disciples together with the Herodians; who said, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and that you faithfully teach God's truth; and that no fear of man misleads you, for you are not biased by men's wealth or rank.

⁴⁹ So he went straight to Jesus and said, "Peace to you, Rabbi!" And he kissed Him eagerly. ⁵⁰ "Friend," said Jesus, "carry out your intention." Then they came and laid their hands on Jesus and seized Him firmly.

¹⁴ So they came to Him. "Rabbi," they said, "we know that you are a truthful man and you do not fear any one; for you do not recognize human distinctions, but teach God's way truly. Is it allowable to pay poll-tax to Caesar, or not?

² He came to Jesus by night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher from God; for no one can do these miracles which you are doing, unless God is with him.

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak. "I clearly see," he said, "that God makes no distinctions between one man and another; ³⁵ but that in every nation those who fear Him and live good lives are acceptable to Him.

¹⁷ We are; for, unlike most teachers, we are not fraudulent hucksters of God's Message; but with transparent motives, as commissioned by God, in God's presence and in communion with Christ, so we speak.

¹⁰ For is it man's favour or God's that I aspire to? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were still a man-pleaser, I should not be Christ's bondservant.

⁶ From those leaders I gained nothing new. Whether they were men of importance or not, matters nothing to me--God recognizes no external distinctions. To me, at any rate, the leaders imparted nothing new.

⁴ But as God tested and approved us before entrusting us with His Good News, so in what we say we are seeking not to please men but to please God, who tests and approves our motives. ⁵ For, as you are well aware, we have never used the language of flattery nor have we found pretexts for enriching ourselves--God is our witness;

²⁵ "Yes," he replied, and then went into the house. But before he spoke a word Jesus said, "What think you, Simon? From whom do this world's kings receive customs or capitation tax? from their own children, or from others?"

¹⁷ Give us your judgement therefore: is it allowable for us to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" ¹⁸ Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, "Why are you hypocrites trying to ensnare me? ¹⁹ Show me the tribute coin." And they brought Him a shilling. ²⁰ "Whose likeness and inscription," He asked, "is this?" ²¹ "Caesar's," they replied. "Pay therefore," He rejoined, "what is Caesar's to Caesar; and what is God's to God."

³⁷ After him, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean, and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.

¹ Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him; and, to make trial of Him, they asked Him to show them a sign in the sky.

¹⁸ Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, "Why are you hypocrites trying to ensnare me?

²² Well aware of their reasonings, Jesus answered their questions by asking in turn, "What is this that you are debating in your hearts?

⁸ He knew their thoughts, and said to the man with the withered arm, "Rise, and stand there in the middle." And he rose and stood there.

¹⁶ Others, to put Him to the test, asked Him for a sign in the sky. ¹⁷ And, knowing their thoughts, He said to them, "Every kingdom in which civil war rages goes to ruin: family attacks family and is overthrown.

⁵³ After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced a vehement attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand answers on numerous points, ⁵⁴ lying in wait to catch some unguarded expression from His lips.

²⁰ So, after impatiently watching their opportunity, they sent spies who were to act the part of good and honest men, that they might fasten on some expression of His, so as to hand Him over to the ruling power and the Governor's authority.

²⁴ But for His part, Jesus did not trust Himself to them, because He knew them all, ²⁵ and did not need any one's testimony concerning a man, for He of Himself knew what was in the man.

¹⁹ This world's wisdom is "foolishness" in God's sight; for it is written, "HE SNARES THE WISE WITH THEIR OWN CUNNING."

⁹ And do not let us test the Lord too far, as some of them tested Him and were destroyed by the serpents.

¹³ And no created thing is able to escape its scrutiny; but everything lies bare and completely exposed before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

²⁸ But no sooner had that servant gone out, than he met with one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 shillings; and seizing him by the throat and nearly strangling him he exclaimed, "'Pay me all you owe.'

² and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a day, sent them into his vineyard.

¹ Just at this time an edict was issued by Caesar Augustus for the registration of the whole Empire.

¹ Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being Governor of Judaea, Herod Tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip Tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias Tetrarch of Abilene,

²² Is it allowable to pay a tax to Caesar, or not?"

² "We have found this man," they said, "an agitator among our nation, forbidding the payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be himself an anointed king."

²⁸ one of whom, named Agabus, being instructed by the Spirit, publicly predicted the speedy coming of a great famine throughout the world. (It came in the reign of Claudius.)

⁸ But, in reply, Paul said, "Neither against the Jewish Law, nor against the Temple, nor against Caesar, have I committed any offence whatever." ⁹ Then Festus, being anxious to gratify the Jews, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there stand your trial before me on these charges?" ¹⁰ "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal," replied Paul, "where alone I ought to be tried. The Jews have no real ground of complaint against me, as in fact you yourself are beginning to see more clearly. ¹¹ If, however, I have done wrong and have committed any offence for which I deserve to die, I do not ask to be excused that penalty. But if there is no truth in what these men allege against me, no one has the right to give me up to them as a favour. I appeal to Caesar." ¹² Then, after conferring with the Council, Festus replied, "To Caesar you have appealed: to Caesar you shall go."

³² And Agrippa said to Festus, "He might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar."

²² All God's people here greet you--especially the members of Caesar's household.

²⁷ "However, lest we cause them to sin, go and throw a hook into the Lake, and take the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth, you will find a shekel in it: bring that coin and give it to them for yourself and me."

²¹ "Caesar's," they replied. "Pay therefore," He rejoined, "what is Caesar's to Caesar; and what is God's to God."

¹⁷ "What is Caesar's," replied Jesus, "pay to Caesar--and what is God's, pay to God." And they wondered exceedingly at Him.

¹⁹ But Peter and John replied, "Judge whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you instead of listening to God. ²⁰ As for us, what we have seen and heard we cannot help speaking about."

²⁹ Peter and the other Apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than man.

⁶ Why, this is really the reason you pay taxes; for tax-gatherers are ministers of God, devoting their energies to this very work. ⁷ Pay promptly to all men what is due to them: taxes to those to whom taxes are due, toll to those to whom toll is due, respect to those to whom respect is due, honour to those to whom honour is due.

³¹ Whether, then, you are eating or drinking, or whatever you are doing, let everything be done to the glory of God.

¹³ Submit, for the Lord's sake, to every authority set up by man, whether it be to the Emperor as supreme ruler, ¹⁴ or to provincial Governors as sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and the encouragement of those who do what is right. ¹⁵ For it is God's will that by doing what is right you should thus silence the ignorant talk of foolish persons. ¹⁶ Be free men, and yet do not make your freedom an excuse for base conduct, but be God's bondservants. ¹⁷ Honour every one. Love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the Emperor.

¹¹ If any one preaches, let it be as uttering God's truth; if any one renders a service to others, let it be in the strength which God supplies; so that in everything glory may be given to God in the name of Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the might to the Ages of the Ages. Amen.

¹² "'My friend,' he said, 'how is it that you came in here without a wedding robe?'

²² They heard this, and were astonished; then left Him, and went their way.

³⁴ Now the Pharisees came up when they heard that He had silenced the Sadducees,

¹⁷ When He had said this, all His opponents were ashamed, while the whole multitude was delighted at the many glorious things continually done by Him.

³⁹ Then some of the Scribes replied, "Rabbi, you have spoken well." ⁴⁰ From that time, however, no one ventured to challenge Him with a single question.

¹⁹ But it cannot be denied that all that the Law says is addressed to those who are living under the Law, in order that every mouth may be stopped, and that the whole world may await sentence from God.

¹⁰ For there are many that spurn authority--idle, talkative and deceitful persons, who, for the most part, are adherents of the Circumcision.

⁶ and when Jesus said to them, "See to it: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees,"

¹² Then they perceived that He had not warned them against bread-yeast, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

²³ On the same day a party of Sadducees came to Him, contending that there is no resurrection. And they put this case to Him. ²⁴ "Teacher," they said, "Moses enjoined, 'IF A MAN DIE CHILDLESS, HIS BROTHER SHALL MARRY HIS WIDOW, AND RAISE UP A FAMILY FOR HIM.' ²⁵ Now we had among us seven brothers. The eldest of them married, but died childless, leaving his wife to his brother. ²⁶ So also did the second and the third, down to the seventh, ²⁷ till the woman also died, after surviving them all. ²⁸ At the Resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? for they all married her." ²⁹ The reply of Jesus was, "You are in error, through ignorance of the Scriptures and of the power of God. ³⁰ For in the Resurrection, men neither marry nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in Heaven. ³¹ But as to the Resurrection of the dead, have you never read what God says to you, ³² 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? He is not the God of dead, but of living men." ³³ All the crowd heard this, and were filled with amazement at His teaching.

¹⁸ Then came to Him a party of Sadducees, a sect which denies that there is any Resurrection; and they proceeded to question Him. ¹⁹ "Rabbi," they said, "Moses made it a law for us: 'IF A MAN'S BROTHER SHOULD DIE AND LEAVE A WIFE, BUT NO CHILD, THE MAN SHALL MARRY THE WIDOW AND RAISE UP A FAMILY FOR HIS BROTHER.' ²⁰ There were once seven brothers, the eldest of whom married a wife, but at his death left no family. ²¹ The second married her, and died, leaving no family; and the third did the same. ²² And so did the rest of the seven, all dying childless. Finally the woman also died. ²³ At the Resurrection whose wife will she be? For they all seven married her." ²⁴ "Is not this the cause of your error," replied Jesus-- "your ignorance alike of the Scriptures and of the power of God? ²⁵ For when they have risen from among the dead, men do not marry and women are not given in marriage, but they are as angels are in Heaven. ²⁶ But as to the dead, that they rise to life, have you never read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the Bush, how God said to him, 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB?' ²⁷ He is not the God of dead, but of living men. You are in grave error."

¹ While they were saying this to the people, the Priests, the Commander of the Temple Guard, and the Sadducees came upon them, ² highly incensed at their teaching the people and proclaiming in the case of Jesus the Resurrection from among the dead.

¹⁷ This roused the High Priest. He and all his party--the sect of the Sadducees--were filled with angry jealousy

⁶ Noticing, however, that the Sanhedrin consisted partly of Sadducees and partly of Pharisees, he called out loudly among them, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees. It is because of my hope of a resurrection of the dead that I am on my trial." ⁷ These words of his caused an angry dispute between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly took different sides. ⁸ For the Sadducees maintain that there is no resurrection, and neither angel nor spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge the existence of both.

¹² But if Christ is preached as having risen from the dead, how is it that some of you say that there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead?

¹⁷ and their teaching will spread like a running sore. Hymenaeus and Philetus are men of that stamp. ¹⁸ In the matter of the truth they have gone astray, saying that the Resurrection is already past, and so they are overthrowing the faith of some.

²⁷ And since it is reserved for all mankind once to die, and afterwards to be judged;

²⁴ "Teacher," they said, "Moses enjoined, 'IF A MAN DIE CHILDLESS, HIS BROTHER SHALL MARRY HIS WIDOW, AND RAISE UP A FAMILY FOR HIM.' ²⁵ Now we had among us seven brothers. The eldest of them married, but died childless, leaving his wife to his brother. ²⁶ So also did the second and the third, down to the seventh, ²⁷ till the woman also died, after surviving them all. ²⁸ At the Resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? for they all married her."

¹⁹ "Rabbi," they said, "Moses made it a law for us: 'IF A MAN'S BROTHER SHOULD DIE AND LEAVE A WIFE, BUT NO CHILD, THE MAN SHALL MARRY THE WIDOW AND RAISE UP A FAMILY FOR HIS BROTHER.' ²⁰ There were once seven brothers, the eldest of whom married a wife, but at his death left no family. ²¹ The second married her, and died, leaving no family; and the third did the same. ²² And so did the rest of the seven, all dying childless. Finally the woman also died. ²³ At the Resurrection whose wife will she be? For they all seven married her."

⁸ "And the master praised the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for, in relation to their own contemporaries, the men of this age are shrewder than the sons of Light.

²⁷ Men were eating and drinking, taking wives and giving wives, up to the very day on which Noah entered the Ark, and the Deluge came and destroyed them all.

² But because there is so much fornication every man should have a wife of his own, and every woman should have a husband. ³ Let a man pay his wife her due, and let a woman also pay her husband his. ⁴ A married woman is not mistress of her own person: her husband has certain rights. In the same way a married man is not master of his own person: his wife has certain rights. ⁵ Do not refuse one another, unless perhaps it is just for a time and by mutual consent, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer and may then associate again; lest the Adversary begin to tempt you because of your deficiency in self-control. ⁶ Thus much in the way of concession, not of command. ⁷ Yet I would that everybody lived as I do; but each of us has his own special gift from God--one in one direction and one in another. ⁸ But I tell the unmarried, and women who are widows, that it is well for them to remain as I am. ⁹ If, however, they cannot maintain self-control, by all means let them marry; for marriage is better than the fever of passion. ¹⁰ But to those already married my instructions are--yet not mine, but the Lord's--that a wife is not to leave her husband; ¹¹ or if she has already left him, let her either remain as she is or be reconciled to him; and that a husband is not to send away his wife. ¹² To the rest it is I who speak--not the Lord. If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. ¹³ And a woman who has an unbelieving husband--if he consents to live with her, let her not separate from him. ¹⁴ For, in such cases, the unbelieving husband has become--and is--holy through union with a Christian woman, and the unbelieving wife is holy through union with a Christian brother. Otherwise your children would be unholy, but in reality they have a place among God's people. ¹⁵ If, however, the unbeliever is determined to leave, let him or her do so. Under such circumstances the Christian man or woman is no slave; God has called us to live lives of peace. ¹⁶ For what assurance have you, O woman, as to whether you will save your husband? Or what assurance have you, O man, as to whether you will save your wife?

³¹ "FOR THIS REASON A MAN IS TO LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER AND BE UNITED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BE AS ONE."

⁴ Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be unpolluted; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

³² And whoever shall speak against the Son of Man may obtain forgiveness; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, neither in this nor in the coming age shall he obtain forgiveness."

²⁹ The reply of Jesus was, "You are in error, through ignorance of the Scriptures and of the power of God.

²⁴ "Is not this the cause of your error," replied Jesus-- "your ignorance alike of the Scriptures and of the power of God?

³⁶ But beware of slumbering; and every moment pray that you may be fully strengthened to escape from all these coming evils, and to take your stand in the presence of the Son of Man."

²⁹ they who have done what is right to the resurrection of Life, and they whose actions have been evil to the resurrection of judgement.

⁴¹ They, therefore, left the Sanhedrin and went their way, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace on behalf of the NAME.

¹⁵ and having a hope directed towards God, which my accusers themselves also entertain, that before long there will be a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous.

⁵ For these are a plain token of God's righteous judgement, which has in view your being deemed worthy of admission to God's Kingdom, for the sake of which, indeed, you are sufferers.

³⁵ Women received back their dear ones alive from the dead; and others were put to death with torture, refusing the deliverance offered to them--that they might secure a better resurrection.

⁴ Yet you have in Sardis a few who have not soiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white; for they are worthy.

³⁰ For in the Resurrection, men neither marry nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in Heaven.

²⁵ For when they have risen from among the dead, men do not marry and women are not given in marriage, but they are as angels are in Heaven.

¹⁷ and if children, then heirs too--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ; if indeed we are sharers in Christ's sufferings, in order that we may also be sharers in His glory. ¹⁸ Why, what we now suffer I count as nothing in comparison with the glory which is soon to be manifested in us. ¹⁹ For all creation, gazing eagerly as if with outstretched neck, is waiting and longing to see the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the Creation fell into subjection to failure and unreality (not of its own choice, but by the will of Him who so subjected it). ²¹ Yet there was always the hope that at last the Creation itself would also be set free from the thraldom of decay so as to enjoy the liberty that will attend the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole of Creation is groaning together in the pains of childbirth until this hour. ²³ And more than that, we ourselves, though we possess the Spirit as a foretaste and pledge of the glorious future, yet we ourselves inwardly sigh, as we wait and long for open recognition as sons through the deliverance of our bodies.

²⁶ The last enemy that is to be overthrown is Death;

⁴² It is the same with the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in a state of decay, it is raised free from decay;

⁴⁹ And as we have borne a resemblance to the earthy one, let us see to it that we also bear a resemblance to the heavenly One.

⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sounding of the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incapable of decay, and *we* shall be changed. ⁵³ For so it must be: this perishable nature must clothe itself with what is imperishable, and this mortality must clothe itself with immortality. ⁵⁴ But when this perishable nature has put on what is imperishable, and this mortality has put on immortality, then will the words of Scripture be fulfilled, "DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY."

²¹ who, in the exercise of the power which He has even to subject all things to Himself, will transform this body of our humiliation until it resembles His own glorious body.

¹³ Now, concerning those who from time to time pass away, we would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, lest you should mourn as others do who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus has died and risen again, we also believe that, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who shall have passed away. ¹⁵ For this we declare to you on the Lord's own authority--that we who are alive and continue on earth until the Coming of the Lord, shall certainly not forestall those who shall have previously passed away. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven with a loud word of command, and with an archangel's voice and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Afterwards we who are alive and are still on earth will be caught up in their company amid clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

¹ See what marvellous love the Father has bestowed upon us--that we should be called God's children: and that is what we are. For this reason the world does not recognize us--because it has not known Him. ² Dear friends, we are now God's children, but what we are to be in the future has not yet been fully revealed. We know that if Christ reappears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.

⁶ Then, midway between the throne and the four living creatures, I saw a Lamb standing among the Elders. He looked as if He had been offered in sacrifice, and He had seven horns and seven eyes. The last-named are the seven Spirits of God, and have been sent far and wide into all the earth. ⁷ So He comes, and now He has taken the book out of the right hand of Him who is seated on the throne. ⁸ And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four Elders fell down before the Lamb, having each of them a harp and bringing golden bowls full of incense, which represent the prayers of God's people. ⁹ And now they sing a new song. "It is fitting," they say, "that Thou shouldst be the One to take the book And break its seals; Because Thou hast been offered in sacrifice, And hast purchased for God with Thine own blood Some out of every tribe and language and people and nation, ¹⁰ And hast formed them into a Kingdom to be priests to our God, And they reign over the earth." ¹¹ And I looked, and heard what seemed to be the voices of countless angels on every side of the throne, and of the living creatures and the Elders. Their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, ¹² and in loud voices they were singing, "It is fitting that the Lamb which has been offered in sacrifice should receive all power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." ¹³ And as for every created thing in Heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and everything that was in any of these, I heard them say, "To Him who is seated on the throne, And to the Lamb, Be ascribed all blessing and honor And glory and might, Until the Ages of the Ages!" ¹⁴ Then the four living creatures said "Amen," and the Elders fell down and worshipped.

⁹ After this I looked, and a vast host appeared which it was impossible for anyone to count, gathered out of every nation and from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in long white robes, and carrying palm-branches in their hands. ¹⁰ In loud voices they were exclaiming, "It is to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, that we owe our salvation!" ¹¹ All the angels were standing in a circle round the throne and round the Elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces in front of the throne and worshipped God. ¹² "Even so!" they cried: "The blessing and the glory and the wisdom and the thanks and the honor and the power and the might are to be ascribed to our God, until the Ages of the Ages! Even so!"

⁶ Blessed and holy are those who share in the First Resurrection. The Second Death has no power over them, but they shall be priests to God and to Christ, and shall be kings with Christ for the thousand years.

⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death shall be no more; nor sorrow, nor wail of woe, nor pain; for the first things have passed away."

² On either side of the river, midway between it and the main street of the city, was the Tree of Life. It produced twelve kinds of fruit, yielding a fresh crop month by month, and the leaves of the tree served as medicine for the nations. ³ "In future there will be no curse," he said, "but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in that city. And His servants will render Him holy service and will see His face, ⁴ and His name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ And there will be no night there; and they have no need of lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will shine upon them, and they will be kings until the Ages of the Ages."

⁹ But he said to me, "Oh, do not do that. I am a fellow bondservant of yours, and a fellow bondservant of your brethren the Prophets and of those who are mindful of the teachings of this book. Worship God."

³ and sent his servants to call the invited guests to the wedding, but they were unwilling to come. ⁴ "Again he sent other servants with a message to those who were invited. "'My breakfast is now ready," he said, 'my bullocks and fat cattle are killed, and every preparation is made: come to the wedding.' ⁵ "They however gave no heed, but went, one to his home in the country, another to his business; ⁶ and the rest seized the king's servants, maltreated them, and murdered them. ⁷ So the king's anger was stirred, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burnt their city. ⁸ Then he said to his servants, "'The wedding banquet is ready, but those who were invited were unworthy of it. ⁹ Go out therefore to the crossroads, and everybody you meet invite to the wedding.' ¹⁰ "So they went out into the roads and gathered together all they could find, both bad and good, and the banqueting hall was filled with guests. ¹¹ "Now the king came in to see the guests; and among them he discovered one who was not wearing a wedding-robe. ¹² "'My friend,' he said, 'how is it that you came in here without a wedding robe?' ¹³ "The man stood speechless. Then the king said to the servants, "'Bind him hand and foot and fling him into the darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth.' ¹⁴ "For there are many called, but few chosen." ¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went and consulted together how they might entrap Him in His conversation. ¹⁶ So they sent to Him their disciples together with the Herodians; who said, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and that you faithfully teach God's truth; and that no fear of man misleads you, for you are not biased by men's wealth or rank. ¹⁷ Give us your judgement therefore: is it allowable for us to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" ¹⁸ Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, "Why are you hypocrites trying to ensnare me? ¹⁹ Show me the tribute coin." And they brought Him a shilling. ²⁰ "Whose likeness and inscription," He asked, "is this?" ²¹ "Caesar's," they replied. "Pay therefore," He rejoined, "what is Caesar's to Caesar; and what is God's to God." ²² They heard this, and were astonished; then left Him, and went their way.

³⁰ "But at the end of forty years there appeared to him in the Desert of Mount Sinai an angel in the middle of a flame of fire in a bush. ³¹ When Moses saw this he wondered at the sight; but on his going up to look further, the voice of the Lord was heard, saying, ³² "'I am the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.' "Quaking with fear Moses did not dare gaze.

⁵⁷ As the ever-living Father has sent me, and I live because of the Father, so also he who eats me will live because of me.

²⁵ "I am the Resurrection and the Life," said Jesus; "he who believes in me, even if he has died, he shall live; ²⁶ and every one who is living and is a believer in me shall never, never die. Do you believe this?"

¹⁹ Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me: because I live, you also shall live.

¹⁰ Death has no longer any power over Him. For by the death which He died He became, once for all, dead in relation to sin; but by the life which He now lives He is alive in relation to God. ¹¹ In the same way you also must regard yourselves as dead in relation to sin, but as alive in relation to God, because you are in Christ Jesus.

²² But now that you have been set free from the tyranny of Sin, and have become the bondservants of God, you have your reward in being made holy, and you have the Life of the Ages as the final result. ²³ For the wages paid by Sin are death; but God's free gift is the Life of the Ages bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

⁷ For not one of us lives to himself, and not one dies to himself. ⁸ If we live, we live to the Lord: if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ⁹ For this was the purpose of Christ's dying and coming to life--namely that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living.

¹⁶ And what compact has the Temple of God with idols? For *we* are the Temple of the ever-living God; as God has said, "I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM, AND WALK ABOUT AMONG THEM; AND WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND IT IS THEY WHO SHALL BE MY PEOPLE."

⁴ For though it is true that He was crucified through weakness, yet He now lives through the power of God. We also are weak, sharing His weakness, but with Him we shall be full of life to deal with you through the power of God.

³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ appears--He is our true Life--then you also will appear with Him in glory.

¹⁶ but, as it is, we see them eager for a better land, that is to say, a heavenly one. For this reason God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has now prepared a city for them.

¹⁵ For this reason they stand before the very throne of God, and render Him service, day after day and night after night, in His sanctuary, and He who is sitting upon the throne will shelter them in His tent. ¹⁶ They will never again be hungry or thirsty, and never again will the sun or any scorching heat trouble them. ¹⁷ For the Lamb who is in front of the throne will be their Shepherd, and will guide them to watersprings of Life, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

¹ Then he showed me the river of the Water of Life, bright as crystal, issuing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

³⁴ Now the Pharisees came up when they heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, ³⁵ and one of them, an expounder of the Law, asked Him as a test question, ³⁶ "Teacher, which is the greatest Commandment in the Law?" ³⁷ "'THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD,'" He answered, "'WITH THY WHOLE HEART, THY WHOLE SOUL, THY WHOLE MIND.' ³⁸ This is the greatest and foremost Commandment. ³⁹ And the second is similar to it: 'THOU SHALT LOVE THY FELLOW MAN AS MUCH AS THYSELF.' ⁴⁰ The whole of the Law and the Prophets is summed up in these two Commandments."

²⁸ Then one of the Scribes, who had heard them disputing and well knew that Jesus had given them an answer to the point, and a forcible one, came forward and asked Him, "Which is the chief of all the Commandments?" ²⁹ "The chief Commandment," replied Jesus, "is this: 'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; ³⁰ AND THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH THY WHOLE HEART, THY WHOLE SOUL, THY WHOLE MIND, AND THY WHOLE STRENGTH.' ³¹ "The second is this: 'THOU SHALT LOVE THY FELLOW MAN AS THOU LOVEST THYSELF.' "Other Commandment greater than these there is none." ³² So the Scribe said to Him, "Rightly, in very truth, Rabbi, have you said that HE STANDS ALONE, AND THERE IS NONE BUT HE; ³³ and TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL ONE'S HEART, WITH ALL ONE'S UNDERSTANDING, AND WITH ALL ONE'S STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE ONE'S FELLOW MAN NO LESS THAN ONESELF, is far better than all our WHOLE BURNT-OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES." ³⁴ Perceiving that the Scribe had answered wisely Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." No one from that time forward ventured to put any question to Him.

⁹ So there arose a great uproar; and some of the Scribes belonging to the sect of the Pharisees sprang to their feet and fiercely contended, saying, "We find no harm in the man. What if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel----!"

⁴⁶ No one could say a word in reply, nor from that day did any one venture again to put a question to Him.

³⁴ Perceiving that the Scribe had answered wisely Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." No one from that time forward ventured to put any question to Him.

¹ The Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

⁴¹ While the Pharisees were still assembled there, Jesus put a question to them. ⁴² "What think you about the Christ," He said, "whose son is He?" "David's," they replied. ⁴³ "How then," He asked, "does David, taught by the Spirit, call Him Lord, when he says, ⁴⁴ "'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND UNTIL I HAVE PUT THY FOES BENEATH THY FEET'? ⁴⁵ "If therefore David calls Him Lord, how can He be his son?"

³⁵ But, while teaching in the Temple, Jesus asked, "How is it the Scribes say that the Christ is a son of David? ³⁶ David himself said, taught by the Holy Spirit, "'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I HAVE MADE THY FOES A FOOTSTOOL UNDER THY FEET.' ³⁷ "David himself calls Him 'Lord:' how then can He be his son?" And the mass of people found pleasure in listening to Jesus.

³⁸ Then, at the top of his voice, he cried out, "Jesus, son of David, take pity on me." ³⁹ Those in front reproved him and tried to silence him; but he continued shouting, louder than ever, "Son of David, take pity on me."

⁴² Has not the Scripture declared that the Christ is to come of the family of David and from Bethlehem, David's village?"

³⁰ Being a Prophet, however, and knowing that God had solemnly sworn to him to seat a descendant of his upon his throne,

³ who, as regards His human descent, belonged to the posterity of David, ⁴ but as regards the holiness of His Spirit was decisively proved by His Resurrection to be the Son of God--I mean concerning Jesus Christ our Lord,

¹⁶ "I Jesus have sent My angel for him solemnly to declare these things to you among the Churches. I am the Root and the offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.

²⁰ "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'LET HIS ENCAMPMENT BE DESOLATE: LET THERE BE NO ONE TO DWELL THERE'; and "'HIS WORK LET ANOTHER TAKE UP.'

³⁴ For David did not ascend into Heaven, but he says himself, "'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND ³⁵ UNTIL I MAKE THY FOES A FOOTSTOOL UNDER THY FEET.'

³³ that God has amply fulfilled it to our children in raising up Jesus; as it is also written in the second Psalm, 'THOU ART MY SON: TO-DAY I HAVE BECOME THY FATHER.' ³⁴ And as to His having raised Him from among the dead, never again to be in the position of one soon to return to decay, He speaks thus: 'I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY AND TRUSTWORTHY PROMISES MADE TO DAVID.' ³⁵ Because in another Psalm also He says, 'THOU WILT NOT GIVE UP THY HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.'

²⁵ For He must continue King until He shall have put all His enemies under His feet.

¹³ To which of the angels has He ever said, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND TILL I MAKE THY FOES A FOOTSTOOL FOR THY FEET"?

⁷ For this reason--as the Holy Spirit warns us, "TO-DAY, IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,

¹⁴ The armies in Heaven followed Him--mounted on white horses and clothed in fine linen, white and spotless. ¹⁵ From His mouth there comes a sharp sword with which He will smite the nations; and He will Himself be their Shepherd, ruling them with a scepter of iron; and it is His work to tread the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Ruler of all. ¹⁶ And on His outer garment and on His thigh He has a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. ¹⁷ And I saw a single angel standing in the full light of the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds that flew across the sky, "Come and be present at God's great supper, ¹⁸ that you may feast on the flesh of kings and the flesh of generals and the flesh of mighty men, on the flesh of horses and their riders, and on the flesh of all mankind, whether they are free men or slaves, great men or small." ¹⁹ And I saw the Wild Beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, all assembled to make war, once for all, against the Rider upon the horse and against His army. And the Wild Beast was captured, and with him the false Prophet ²⁰ who had done the miracles in his presence with which he had led astray those who had received the mark of the Wild Beast, and those who worshipped his statue. Both of them were thrown alive into the Lake of fire that was all ablaze with sulphur. ²¹ But the rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the Rider on the horse. And the birds all fed ravenously upon their flesh.

²³ "MARK! THE MAIDEN WILL BE WITH CHILD AND WILL GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY WILL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL" --a word which signifies 'GOD WITH US'.

³¹ You will conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you are to call His name JESUS. ³² He will be great and He will be called 'Son of the Most High.' And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His forefather David; ³³ and He will be King over the House of Jacob for the Ages, and of His Kingdom there will be no end." ³⁴ "How can this be," Mary replied, "seeing that I have no husband?" ³⁵ The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for this reason your holy offspring will be called 'the Son of God.'

¹¹ For a Saviour who is the Anointed Lord is born to you to-day, in the town of David.

⁵ To them the Patriarchs belong, and from them in respect of His human lineage came the Christ, who is exalted above all, God blessed throughout the Ages. Amen.

¹⁶ And, beyond controversy, great is the mystery of our religion-- that Christ appeared in human form, and His claims justified by the Spirit, was seen by angels and proclaimed among Gentile nations, was believed on in the world, and received up again into glory.

¹⁰ Then, when He had called the people to Him, Jesus said, "Hear and understand.

¹ Then Jesus addressed the crowds and His disciples. ² "The Scribes," He said, "and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses.

⁵ And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large, ⁶ and love the best seats at a dinner party or in the synagogues, ⁷ and like to be bowed to in places of public resort, and to be addressed by men as 'Rabbi.'

³⁴ Then calling to Him the crowd and also His disciples, He said to them, "If any one is desirous of following me, let him ignore self and take up his cross, and so be my follower.

³⁸ Moreover in the course of His teaching He said, "Be on your guard against the Scribes who like to walk about in long robes and to be bowed to in places of public resort, ³⁹ and to occupy the best seats in the synagogues and at dinner parties,

²⁰ Those who persist in sin reprove in the presence of all, so that it may also be a warning to the rest.

¹⁵ and when He admonished them, "See to it, be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod,"

⁴³ Alas for you Pharisees! for you love the best seats in the synagogues, and you like to be bowed to in places of public resort.

¹ Meanwhile the people had come streaming towards Him by tens of thousands, so that they were trampling one another under foot. And now He proceeded to say to His disciples first, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is to say, beware of hypocrisy.

⁷ Then, when He noticed that the invited guests chose the best seats, He used this as an illustration and said to them,

¹⁰ As for brotherly love, be affectionate to one another; in matters of worldly honour, yield to one another.

³ Do nothing in a spirit of factiousness or of vainglory, but, with true humility, let every one regard the rest as being of more account than himself; ⁴ each fixing his attention, not simply on his own interests, but on those of others also. ⁵ Let the same disposition be in you which was in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ You also should beware of him; for he has violently opposed our preaching.

⁹ I wrote to the Church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first place among them, refuses to listen to us.

²² Only I tell you that it will be more endurable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of Judgement than for you. ²³ And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted even to Heaven? Even to Hades shalt thou descend. For had the mighty works been done in Sodom which have been done in thee, it would have remained until now. ²⁴ Only I tell you all, that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom on the day of Judgement than for thee."

¹³ "But alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you lock the door of the Kingdom of the Heavens against men; you yourselves do not enter, nor do you allow those to enter who are seeking to do so.

²⁶ Blind Pharisee, first wash clean the inside of the cup or dish, and then the outside will be clean also. ²⁷ "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are just like whitewashed sepulchres, the outside of which pleases the eye, though inside they are full of dead men's bones and of all that is unclean. ²⁸ The same is true of you: outwardly you seem to the human eye to be good and honest men, but, within, you are full of insincerity and disregard of God's Law.

⁴⁰ and who swallow up the property of widows and then mask their wickedness by making long prayers: these men will receive far heavier punishment."

¹² "I tell you that it will be more endurable for Sodom on the great day than for that town. ¹³ "Alas for thee, Chorazin! Alas for thee, Bethsaida! For had the miracles been performed in Tyre and Sidon which have been performed in you, long ere now they would have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. ¹⁴ However, for Tyre and Sidon it will be more endurable at the Judgement than for you.

⁴⁷ And that servant who has been told his Master's will and yet made no preparation and did not obey His will, will receive many lashes. ⁴⁸ But he who had not been told it and yet did what deserved the scourge, will receive but few lashes. To whomsoever much has been given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been entrusted, of him a larger amount will be demanded.

⁵ For, as you are well aware, we have never used the language of flattery nor have we found pretexts for enriching ourselves--God is our witness;

² For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, profane. They will be disobedient to parents, thankless, irreligious, ³ destitute of natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers. They will have no self-control, but will be brutal, opposed to goodness, ⁴ treacherous, headstrong, self-important. They will love pleasure instead of loving God, ⁵ and will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet live in defiance of its power. Turn away from people of this sort. ⁶ Among them are included the men who make their way into private houses and carry off weak women as their prisoners--women who, weighed down by the burden of their sins, are led by ever-changing caprice,

¹⁶ They profess to know God; but in their actions they disown Him, and are detestable and disobedient men, and for any good work are utterly useless.

¹ Do not be eager, my brethren, for many among you to become teachers; for you know that we teachers shall undergo severer judgement.