Chapter 1
1 This is the book of the origins of Jesus the Anointed, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.
2 Abraham fathered Isaac. Isaac fathered Jacob. Jacob
fathered Judah and his brothers. 3
David fathered Solomon by the wife of UriJah. 7 Solomon fathered Rehoboam. Rehoboam fathered
AbiJah. AbiJah fathered Asa. 8 Asa fathered JehoShaphat. JehoShaphat fathered
JehoRam. JehoRam fathered UzziJah. 9 UzziJah fathered JoTham. JoTham fathered Ahaz. Ahaz fathered HezekiJah. 10
HezekiJah fathered Manasseh. Manasseh fathered Amon. Amon fathered JosiJah. 11 JosiJah fathered JeconiJah and his brothers before the deportation to
12 After the deportation to
17 So, there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David until the deportation to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to [the coming of] the Anointed.
18 This is the way that Jesus the Anointed started out: While his mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph, she was found to be pregnant by [God’s] Holy Breath before the marriage was consummated. 19 However, because Joseph her husband was righteous and didn’t want to make [Mary] a public spectacle, he planned to release her secretly.
20 But after he came to that conclusion, {Look!} Jehovah’s messenger appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been fathered in her is from [God’s] Holy Breath. 21 She will give birth to a son and you will call his name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’
22 This whole thing happened so that what was spoken by Jehovah through the Prophet would be fulfilled: 23 {Look!} The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel (which translates as, God is with us).
24 After he woke up, Joseph did what Jehovah’s messenger told him and took the woman along with him. 25 However, [Joseph] didn’t have sexual relations with her until after she gave birth to a son, who he named Jesus.
Chapter 2
1 After Jesus was born in BethLehem of Judea in the days of
King Herod, {Look!} Babylonian
Priests from the east came to
3 On hearing about this, King Herod was very disturbed, as
was all of
7 Then Herod secretly called for those Babylonian Priests
and carefully determined from them when the star had appeared. 8 And as he
sent them on to
9 Then, after listening to what the king had to say, they went on their way. And {Look!} the star that they saw in the east went ahead of them until it stood directly over where the young child was. 10 Well, when they saw the star [do this], they were beside themselves with joy. 11 And when they entered the house, they saw the little boy with Mary his mother, and they fell down and bowed before him. Then they opened their treasures and gave the child gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 However, because they had been given a divine warning in a dream that they weren’t to return to Herod, they went back home via another route.
13 After they left, {Look!} Jehovah’s messenger appeared to Joseph in a dream saying,
‘Get up! Take the boy and his mother, then hurry to
14 So, he got up during the night and took the child and his mother, then left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until Herod died, so the thing that was said by Jehovah through the Prophet was fulfilled, I called my son out of Egypt.
16 When Herod saw that the Babylonian Priests had outwitted
him, he was outraged. So he sent out [a proclamation] in
19 When Herod died, {Look!} Jehovah’s messenger appeared in
a dream to Joseph while he was in
21 So, [Joseph] got up, took the child and his mother, and
returned to the
Chapter 3
1 It was in those days that John the Baptist came preaching
in the
4 John wore clothes made of camel hair, he wore a thick leather belt around his waist, and what he ate was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then [people from]
7 When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to the baptism, he said to them, ‘Children of vipers, who has shown you the need to run from the coming rage? 8 Produce the [type of] fruitage that shows you are worthy of repentance. 9 Don’t be so bold as to say Abraham is our father. Let me tell you that God can make children of Abraham from these stones. 10 The ax is already lying at the roots of the trees and every tree that isn’t producing good fruit is going to be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 ‘Indeed, I baptize you in water [so you can show your] repentance. But, the one who is coming after me is stronger than I am. In fact, I’m unfit to take off his sandals. He will baptize you in [God’s] Breath and fire. 12 He will [take] his shovel in hand and completely clean his threshing floor. Then he will gather his wheat into the storehouse and burn the chaff with a fire that can’t be put out.’
13 Then Jesus came from
15 But Jesus said, ‘Let it be for now. This is the right thing for us to do, so we can fulfill everything that is righteous.’
And at that, [John] no longer tried to stop him.
16 After being baptized, Jesus came up out of the water. Then {Look!} the heavens opened and he saw God’s Breath coming down on him like a dove. 17 And {Look!} there was a voice that came from the sky, which said, ‘This is my loved Son. I am very pleased with him.’
Chapter 4
1 Afterward, [God’s] Breath led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Slanderer. 2 And after he fasted for forty days and nights, he was hungry.
3 Then the Tempter came to him and said, ‘If you’re a Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.’
4 And [Jesus] replied: ‘It is written, Man doesn’t just need bread to survive, [he needs] everything that is said by the mouth of God.’
5 Then the Slanderer took him to the Holy City, put him on one of the Temple’s high battle towers, 6 and said: ‘If you’re a Son of God, jump down, because it’s written, He will assign [His] messengers around you, and they will lift you on their hands, so you won’t hit your foot on a stone.’
7 But Jesus told him: ‘Again; it is written: You shouldn’t put Jehovah your God to the test.’
8 Then (one more time) the Slanderer took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he told him: ‘I will give all of these to you if you’ll just bow down and show me your respect.’
10 But Jesus said: ‘Go away Slanderer, because it’s written, It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and He’s the only one you must serve.’
11 Then the Slanderer left him, and {Look!} [God’s] messengers came and started serving [Jesus’] needs.
12 After hearing that John had been arrested, [Jesus] went
back to
17 From that time on, Jesus started preaching and saying:
‘Repent, because the
18 It was while he was walking along by the
20 Right away they dropped their nets and followed him.
21 Traveling on from there, he saw two more brothers, James [the son] of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in the boat with Zebedee their father repairing their nets when he called them, 22 and they immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23 Then [Jesus] traveled throughout all
Chapter 5
1 When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he climbed a mountain and sat down, and his disciples came to him. 2 Then he started teaching them, saying:
3 ‘The spiritually
impoverished
are blest, because the
4 The sad are blest, for they will be comforted.
5 The meek are blest, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Those hungering and thirsting for righteousness are blest, for they will find satisfaction.
7 The merciful are blest, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Those with pure hearts are blest, for they will see God.
9 The peacemakers are blest, for Sons of God they’ll be called.
10 Those persecuted for doing what’s right are blest, for
theirs is the
11 ‘You’re blest when people say bad things and persecute you; when they lie about you, or say wicked things about you for my sake. 12 Shout happily and jump for joy, for you have a huge reward in the heavens, because this is the same way they treated the Prophets before you.
13 ‘You are the salt of the earth, but if salt loses its strength, in what will it thereafter taste salty? It will be strong in nothing, and thrown outside to be walked on.
14 ‘You are the light of the world. And a city can’t be hidden on top of a mountain, 15 nor do [people] light a lamp and put it under a basket. They put it upon a lampstand instead, where it can shine on all in the house. 16 So, you should let your light shine before men, then they can see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17 ‘Don’t think that I came to
destroy the Law, or the [words of the] Prophets. I came not to destroy; [I
came] to fulfill. 18 I tell you the truth; it’s more likely that heaven and
earth would pass, than for an iota or a piece of a letter, to pass from the
Law before these things happen. 19 That’s why he who breaks the least of the
Commandments, and teaches others the same, will be called the least in
the
20 ‘I tell you this; if you aren’t more righteous than the
Pharisees and Scribes, you won’t stand a chance
of [receiving] the
21 ‘You heard it was said long ago not to murder; because a murderer must answer to the courts. 22 However, I tell to you that whoever stays angry with his brother, will have to answer in the [day] of the Judgment; he who calls his brother worthless, will have to answer to the religious court; and he who [calls his brother] a moron, will be sentenced to the fire of the garbage dump.
23 ‘If you bring a gift to [God’s] Altar, but while you’re on the way you remember that your brother holds something against you, 24 leave your gift before the Altar and go. First, make peace with your brother, then return to offer your gift.
25 ‘If anyone has a lawsuit against you, settle it quickly before it goes to court. Then there’ll be no chance that you’ll fall in the hands of the judge, and from the judge to the bailiff, and you end up being thrown into prison. 26 I tell you this for a fact: If that happens you won’t be released, until you’ve paid out your last cent.
27 ‘You’ve heard that it was said; Don’t commit adultery. 28 But I tell you that he who keeps looking at a woman, and develops a desire for her, has already committed adultery in his heart.
29 ‘If your right eye is a trap, pull it out and throw it away; for it’s better to lose a piece of your [body], than to lose your whole body in the garbage dump. 30 Also, if your right hand is a trap, cut it off and throw it away, for it’s better to lose a piece of your [body], than to lose your whole body in the garbage dump.
31 ‘It was said that whoever divorces his wife, should give her a certificate of rejection. 32 However, I say that he who divorces his wife for reasons other than sexual immorality, leaves her open to adultery. And whoever marries a woman that’s divorced, [is guilty of] committing adultery.
33 ‘Again, you heard it was said long ago; You shouldn’t swear an oath in falsehood. You
must do what you vow before Jehovah. 34 However, I say: Don’t swear
an oath by anything at all; don’t swear by heaven, for that is God’s throne, 35
or by the earth, for that is His footstool, nor by
38 ‘You heard it was said; Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. 39 However, I say: Don’t fight a wicked man. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 And if someone takes you to court to sue you for your underwear, give him the rest of your clothes. 41 Or if someone forces you in service for a mile, go with him for two miles. 42 Give freely to all those who ask, and don’t turn down those who wish to borrow.
43 ‘You heard it was said; You must love your neighbor, and dislike all your enemies. 44 However, I say: Love all who are your enemies, and pray for those who would persecute you. 45 By doing this, you’ll prove yourselves the sons of your Father in heaven. For, upon the wicked and good He allows the sun to arise, and to the righteous and unrighteous He sends rain.
46 ‘If you love just those who love you, where then is your reward? Don’t those who collect taxes do the same thing? 47 And if you greet just your brothers, what’s unusual about that? Don’t the people of the nations do the same? 48 Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
Chapter 6
1 ‘Be careful not to do what’s righteous before men, so they can see what you’re doing, or you’ll receive no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So when you give gifts to the needy, don’t blow a trumpet before you in the synagogues, or on the streets as the hypocrites do, so they can be praised by [other] men. For, I tell you the truth; they’re getting their reward in full measure. 3 But when you give gifts to the needy, don’t [tell] your left hand what your right hand is doing, 4 so your gifts to the needy can be given in secret. Then your Father who watches in secret, will be [the One] who repays you.
5 ‘And don’t be like the hypocrites when you pray, for they like to pray standing in the synagogues, and on the corners of main streets, so they can be seen by other men. I tell you the truth; they’re getting their reward in full measure. 6 But, when you pray, go into your room, and after shutting the door, pray to your Father in secret. Then you’ll be repaid by your Father, who is watching in secret.
7 ‘When praying, don’t babble the same things, as people of the nations do, for they think that by [repeating] they will be heard. 8 Don’t act like them, for your God and Father knows all that you need, even before you should ask Him.
9 ‘Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may Your Name be Holy; 10 may Your Kingdom come; may all that delights You happen on earth, as [it has] in the heavens. 11 May we be given the bread that we need for today, 12 and forgive us for the things that we owe, as we have forgiven those who owe us. 13 Also, don’t allow us to be tempted, but rescue us from the Wicked One. 14 For, if you overlook the mistakes of [other] men, your Father in heaven will overlook yours. 15 But if you don’t overlook their mistakes, your Father won’t overlook yours.
16 ‘When you fast don’t wear a sad face, as the hypocrites do, for they contort their faces to show [other] men that they’re fasting. I tell you the truth; they’re getting their reward in full measure. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so to men you don’t look like you’re fasting – just to your Father who watches in secret. Then your Father who watches in secret, will be [the One] who repays you.
19 ‘Stop saving up treasures on the earth, which can be eaten by rust and by moths, and where thieves can break in and steal it. 20 Rather, you should store up treasures in heaven, where neither moths nor rust can consume them, and thieves can’t break in and steal them. 21 Because, wherever your treasures may be, that’s where your heart will be also.
22 ‘The body’s lamp is the eye, and if your eye should be simple, your whole body will also be bright. 23 But if your eye is just wicked, your whole body will then be dark. And if the only light within you is darkness, how great that darkness will be!
24 ‘No one can slave for two masters; you won’t care for one and love the other, or you’ll stick with that one and despise the other. You can’t slave for God and for wealth. 25 This is why I’m telling you not to worry, about your lives and the things that you eat or drink… or about your bodies and what you will wear. Isn’t life more important than food, and [your] body more important than clothing?
26 ‘Pay attention to the birds in the sky; for they don’t plant seeds or harvest, or put [their things] into storage; yet your Father in heaven also feeds them. And are you not [greater than] they are? 27 Which of you by being worried, can add a smidgen to his life?
28 ‘When it comes to clothes, why worry? Learn from the lilies in the field, and from the way that they grow. They don’t work or make cloth. 29 But I tell you,; not even Solomon in all of his glory, was dressed as well as they are. 30 So, if God so well dresses plants in the fields (which are here today and thrown in the oven tomorrow), wouldn’t He rather clothe you… you with so little faith?
31 ‘So, never be worried and ask, What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? 32 For, these are the things that the nations chase after. Your Father in heaven already knows that you need all these things.
33 ‘[If you] put first the Kingdom and righteousness, then all these things will be given to you. 34 So, don’t be worried about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have its own worries, and each day has its own badness.
Chapter 7
1 ‘Don’t judge [others] so you won’t be judged. 2 For, the [rules] that you use to judge others, are the rules that will be used to judge you, and the standards you are setting for them, are the standards that they’ll set for you.
3 ‘Why do you search for the straw, within the eye of your brother, when you can’t see the rafter in your own? 4 How can you say to your brother, Let me remove this straw from your eye, when {Look!} there’s a rafter in yours? 5 Hypocrites! First remove the rafter from your own eye, and then you’ll be able to see clearly how to remove the straw from the eye of your brother.
6 ‘Give not holy things to the dogs, or throw your pearls before pigs, so they can’t trample them under their feet, then turn around and gore you.
7 ‘Keep on asking and it will be given. Keep on searching and you’ll find it. Keep on knocking and it will be opened. 8 For, all who keep asking will receive; all who keep searching will find it; and [the door] will be opened to all who keep knocking. 9 After all, of which man is this not true: when his son asks him for bread, he will not hand him a stone; 10 or if he asks for a fish, he won’t hand him a snake. 11 So, if you in your wickedness give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven, give good things to those who keep asking?
12 ‘Whatever you want men to do for you, is what you should do for them. For, it’s a fact that this is [the point] of the Law and the Prophets.
13 ‘Go through the gate that is narrow, for the road to destruction is wide, and that’s the way most others are going. 14 But the gate that leads to life is narrow and tight, and not many will [be able to] find it.
15 ‘Watch out for false prophets who come dressed as sheep, because on the inside they’re just hungry wolves. 16 You’ll recognize them by their fruitage, for people don’t pick grapes from the briers, nor pick figs from the thistles, do they? 17 All the good trees give fruit that’s good, but those that are rotten give fruit that is bad. 18 A good tree won’t give fruit that is bad, and the rotten are unable to produce what is good. 19 Trees that don’t give good fruit, are cut down and are thrown in the fire. 20 Really then, by their fruitage you will recognize them.
21 ‘Not all who say Lord, Lord to
me, will get into the Kingdom of
24 ‘Those who hear what I’m saying and do them, are like a wise man who built his home upon solid-rock. 25 The rain poured down and the floods came… the wind blew and beat against that house. Yet, it didn’t fall, for it was built upon rock. 26 However, those who hear the things that I say and don’t do them, are like the moron who built his house upon sand. 27 Then rains poured down and the floods came; and the wind blew and beat against his house, until it fell in a huge collapse.’
28 Well, when Jesus finished saying these things, the crowds were awe-struck by his way of teaching, 29 because, unlike their Scribes, he taught with authority.
Chapter 8
1 Then, when he came down the mountain, large crowds followed him. 2 And {Look!} a man with leprosy came up and bowed low saying: ‘Lord, if you just want to, you can make me clean.’
3 And stretching out his hand, he touched him, saying, ‘I want to. Be clean.’ Well, immediately [the man] was wiped clean of his leprosy.
4 Then Jesus told him, ‘Don’t tell anyone [about this], but go and show yourself to the Priests and offer the gift that Moses specified, so they can testify to what happened.’
5 When he entered
7 WAnd [Jesus] said to him, ‘I’ll cure him when I get there.’
8 However, the Centurion said, ‘Sir, I’m unfit to have you enter my house. Just say the word and I know that my orderly will be healed. 9 You see, I’m also a man who has been given authority, because I have soldiers under me. And if I tell this one, be on your way, he’s on his way; or to another, come, he comes; or to my slave, do this, he does it.’
10 Well, Jesus was amazed, and he said to those who were
following him, ‘I tell you the truth; I haven’t found anyone in
13 Then Jesus said to the Centurion, ‘Go! Let it be just as you have believed.’ And the orderly was healed in that hour.
14 When he got to Peter’s house, Jesus saw [Peter’s] mother-in-law lying down and burning up with a fever. 15 So, he touched her hand and the fever left her. Then she got up and started serving him.
16 That evening, people brought him many who were demon-possessed. So, he cast out the spirits with a word and he cured all those who were in poor health, 17 so the words spoken through the Prophet IsaiJah might be fulfilled; He took our sicknesses and carried our diseases on himself.
18 When Jesus saw that people were starting to crowd around
him, he gave orders to leave for the other side [of the
20 However, Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have burrows and birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’
21 Then another disciple said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’
22 But Jesus told him: ‘Keep following me and let the dead bury their own dead,’
23 Then he stepped into a boat and his disciples followed. 24 However, {Look!} the sea started shaking and waves were crashing over the boat. Well, at the time, [Jesus] was sleeping, 25 so [the disciples] came and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us, because we’re about to be destroyed!’
26 But [Jesus] asked, ‘Why are you so afraid… you with so little faith?’
Then he got up and scolded the winds and sea, and a great calm set in. 27 So the [disciples] began to wonder about this and ask, ‘What kind of person is this? Why, even the wind and sea obey him,’
28 When they got to the other side [of the sea] into the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him [as they were] coming out from among the tombs. They were so unusually fierce that nobody else had the courage to pass that way. 29 And {Look!} they shouted, ‘What do you want with us, O Son of God? Did you come here before the appointed time to torment us?’
30 Well, a long way off was a large herd of pigs that were feeding [in a pasture]. 31 So, the demons begged [Jesus], saying, ‘If you throw us out, send us into that herd of pigs.’
32 And [Jesus] said to them, ‘Go on!’
Then they came out and went into the pigs. And {Look!} the entire herd ran down a steep cliff into the sea, where they died in the water.
33 Well, those who were watching over the pigs in the pasture ran away. And when they got to the city, they told everything, including the story about the demon-possessed men. 34 Then {Look!} everyone in the city came out to meet Jesus. But after they saw him, they begged him to cross back [over the sea], away from their districts.
Chapter 9
1 So, stepping into the boat, he crossed [the sea] and traveled to the town where he was staying. 2 There {Look!} they brought him a paralyzed man lying on a cot. And on seeing such faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Take courage child, your sins are forgiven.’
3 However, {Look!} some Scribes [who overheard this] were thinking to themselves: ‘He’s blaspheming!’
4 But Jesus (who knew what they were thinking) said, ‘Why are you thinking such wicked things in your hearts? 5 Is it easier to say your sins are forgiven, or just get up and walk? 6 I want you to know that the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins here on the earth.’
Then he told the paralytic, ‘Get up, pick up your cot, and go home.’ 7 And with that, he got up and went home.
8 Well, when the crowds saw this, they were frightened and praised God who gives such power to men.
9 While traveling on from there, Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting in the tax office, and said to him, ‘Be my follower.’ And immediately, [Matthew] stood up and followed him.
10 Later, while [Jesus] was reclining at the table in [Matthew’s] house, {Look!} many tax collectors and sinners came in and reclined along with Jesus and his disciples. 11 On seeing this, the Pharisees asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
12 Overhearing that, [Jesus] answered, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor, the sick do. 13 So, go and learn the meaning of the words: I want mercy, not sacrifice. I didn’t come to call the righteous, just the sinners.’
14 Then some of John’s disciples came to [Jesus] and asked, ‘Why is it that, although the Pharisees and we fast regularly, your disciples don’t fast?’
15 Jesus answered, ‘The bridegroom’s friends don’t have any reason to be sad as long as the bridegroom is with them, do they? But, the day is coming when the bridegroom will be taken away from them… then they will fast.
16 ‘No one sews a patch of un-shrunk cloth on old clothes, because its [shrinking] strength would pull the clothes and make the tear worse. 17 Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins. If they did, the wineskins would burst, spilling the wine and ruining the wineskins. However, people put new wine into new wineskins, so both things are preserved,’
18 As he was telling them this, {Look!} a certain ruler came up and bowed low saying, ‘By now my daughter must be dead. Come and lay your hands on her and she will come back to life.’
19 Then Jesus got up and followed the man, as did his disciples.
20 And {Look!} [on his way], a woman who had suffered from a blood flow for some twelve years came up from behind and touched the fringe on [Jesus’] clothes. 21 [She did this] because she kept saying to herself, ‘If I can just touch his clothes I will be saved [from this condition].’
22 Well, Jesus turned around and saw her, then said, ‘Take courage daughter, your faith has saved you.’ And from that hour on, the woman became well.
23 When he entered the ruler’s house and saw flute players and a wailing crowd, 24 Jesus said, ‘Leave! The little girl didn’t die, she’s just sleeping.’ But at this, they all started to laugh and make fun of him. 25 But after the crowd had been ushered outside, [Jesus] went in, took hold of her hand, and the little girl got up. 26 Well, word of this spread throughout all that area.
27 As Jesus was leaving there, two blind men started following him, hoarsely shouting, ‘Have pity on us, Son of David.’
28 And when he went inside the house, these blind men followed him in. So, Jesus asked, ‘Do you really believe that I can do this?’
And they answered, ‘Yes, Lord.’
29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, ‘As you believed, may it happen to you.’ 30 And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus warned them sternly: ‘Make sure that nobody hears about this.’ 31 But after going outside, they spread the news about what he did throughout all that area.
32 Now, as they were leaving, {Look!} people brought
him a man who couldn’t speak, because he was demon possessed.
33 However, after the demon had been thrown out, the man was able to speak.
Well, the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in
35 Then Jesus traveled around to all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom, and curing every sort of disease and infirmity.
36 On seeing the crowds, he felt sad for them, because they were scraped and knocked about like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, ‘There is in fact a huge harvest, but too few workers. 38 So, beg the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into the field to do His harvesting.’
Chapter 10
1 Then he called his twelve disciples to him and gave them the power to dominate and throw out unclean spirits, and to cure every sort of disease and infirmity.
2 These are the names of the twelve Apostles: First there is Simon (who is called Peter), and Andrew his brother. And there’s James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. 3 Then there are Philip, BarTholomew ([NathanaEl]), Thomas, Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus ([Judas]), 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas IsCariot (who later betrayed him).
5 Jesus sent these twelve out, giving them the orders:
‘Don’t go to the nations and don’t go into Samaritan
cities. 6 Just go to the lost sheep of the house of
11 ‘Whenever you enter a city or village, search for those who are worthy and stay with them until you leave. 12 When you enter a house, offer the household a greeting of peace. 13 And if the house is worthy, let peace come into it. But if it isn’t worthy, let the peace return to you.
14 Wherever anyone doesn’t take you in or listen to your
words, on leaving that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. 15 I tell
you the truth, on the Judgment Day it will be more
bearable for the
16 ‘Look, I’m sending you out as sheep among wolves. So, prove yourselves as cautious as snakes but as innocent as doves. 17 Watch out for men who will take you to local courts and whip you in their synagogues. 18 Why, you will be taken before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them and to the nations. 19 However, when they bring you up [for trial], don’t worry about what to say or how to say it, because what you should say will be given you at that time. 20 You won’t be the only ones talking; your Father’s Breath will speak through you.
21 ‘Brothers will betray brothers for death, as fathers will do to their children. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 22 Everyone will hate you because of my name. But, whoever makes it to the end will be saved.
23 ‘When they persecute you in this city, run to another.
Because I tell you the truth; you may not call on all the cities of
24 ‘A disciple isn’t higher than his teacher, nor is a slave over his master. 25 It should be good enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave to become like his master. And if people have called the master of the house BeelZebub, how much more so [will they say it about] the others in his home. 26 So, don’t be afraid of them.
‘Nothing is covered that won’t be uncovered, and there’s no secret that won’t be known. 27 What I tell you in the darkness [you must] say in the light. And what is whispered in your ear should be preached from the housetops.
28 ‘Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the person. Rather, be afraid of Him who can destroy both the person and the body in the garbage dump.
29 ‘Don’t two sparrows sell for very little? Yet, none of them falls to earth without your Father’s [knowledge]. 30 Why, the hairs of your head are all counted, 31 so don’t be afraid, because you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 ‘For all who admit that they are with me in front of men, I will admit that I’m with them before my Father in the heavens. 33 But whoever denies knowing me in front of men I will also deny knowing before my Father in the heavens.
34 ‘Don’t think that I came to bring peace on earth. I didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 I came to divide a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a bride against her mother-in-law. 36 For a fact, a man’s enemies will be the people in his own home. 37 But whoever cares more for his father or mother than for me, isn’t worthy of me. And those who care more for their sons or daughters than for me, aren’t worthy of me. 38 And whoever doesn’t take his impaling pole and always follow me, isn’t worthy of me. 39 Those who find life will lose it, and those who lose their lives because of me will find it.
40 ‘Those who invite you in are also inviting me in. And those who invite me in are also inviting the One who sent me. 41 Those who invite a Prophet inside because he is a Prophet will get a Prophet’s reward. And those who invite a righteous man inside because he is a righteous man, will get a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones so much as a cup of cold water to drink because he’s my disciple, he won’t lose his reward… I promise that.’
Chapter 11
1 Now, when Jesus had finished giving his twelve disciples these instructions, he went out to preach and teach in their cities. 2 But John [the Baptist], who was in jail, heard about the things the Anointed One was doing. So, he sent his disciples 3 to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’
4 In reply, Jesus said to them, ‘Go back and report to John what you are hearing and seeing. 5 The blind are seeing, the lame are walking, lepers are being cleansed, the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised, and the poor are being told the good news. 6 He who doesn’t stumble over me is blest.’
7 Then, after [John’s disciples] had gone, Jesus asked the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out to the desert to see, reeds blowing in the wind? 8 What did you go to see, a man dressed in soft clothes? Those who wear soft clothes live in palaces. 9 So really, why did you go… to see a Prophet? Yes! And I tell you, far more than a Prophet, 10 for this is the one about whom it was written, {Look!} I’m sending my messenger in front of you to prepare the way ahead of you!
11 ‘I tell you the truth, of those who have been born to
women, there has never been anyone raised that is
greater than John the Baptist. But a person who is the least in the Kingdom of
12 From the time that John [started baptizing] until now,
the
16 ‘Who can I compare this generation to? You’re like young children who sit in the markets and shout at their playmates, 17 We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance. We wailed, but you didn’t beat on yourselves.
18 ‘When John came, he didn’t eat fine meals or drink [wine], so people say he’s demonized. 19 On the other hand, the Son of Man eats good food and drinks [wine], so people say: {Look!} He’s a glutton and an alcoholic… a friend of tax collectors and sinners. So, wisdom is proven righteous by the things it does.’
20 Then he started to scold the cities where he had done
most of his powerful deeds, because they hadn’t repented. 21
‘Woe to you Chorazin and woe to you
23 ‘And you
25 It was concerning this that Jesus prayed: ‘I praise you publicly Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You’ve hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have uncovered them to those who are like children. 26 Yes, Father, this is the way that You approved.
27 ‘My Father has given everything to me… and nobody really knows the Son like his Father, nor does anyone really know the Father but the Son (and anyone else to whom the Son is willing to show Him).
28 ‘Come to me, all of you who are working hard and overburdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Put on my yoke and learn from me, because I’m meek, I have a gentle heart, and you’ll find refreshment for your lives, 30 because my yoke is gentle and my load is light.’
Chapter 12
1 At that time, Jesus was traveling through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and on the way, his disciples got hungry and started picking the grain and eating it. 2 Well, when the Pharisees saw this, they said, ‘Look! Your disciples are doing what isn’t legal on the Sabbath.’
3 And [Jesus] replied, ‘Haven’t you
read what David did when he and his men got hungry; 4 how they went into the [
9 After leaving there, he entered their synagogue, and 10 {Look!} there he found a man with a withered hand. So, [the Pharisees] asked [Jesus], ‘Is curing on the Sabbath allowed?’ (They said this so they could find something to could accuse him of.)
11 But he answered, ‘Which of you who has a sheep, and if it should fall into a ditch on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you go and lift it out? 12 How much more is a man worth than a sheep? So, it’s legal to do good things on the Sabbath.’
13 Then he told the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So, he stretched it out and it became healthy, just like the other hand.
14 However, the Pharisees went out and called together a counsel to destroy him. 15 But Jesus knew this, so he left that place.
Many followed him and he cured them all. 16 However, he sternly warned them not to expose him, 17 so that the words spoken through the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, which said, 18 {Look!} My chosen child… My loved one who is approved by My whole life! I will put My Breath inside him and he will report My judgments to the nations. 19 He won’t argue or shout, nor will anyone hear his voice in the main streets. 20 He won’t crush a bruised stalk, nor will he put out a smoking linen wick until he causes justice to triumph. 21 Nations will hope in his name.
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and couldn’t speak, and he cured him, so that he could both speak and see. 23 Well, all the crowds were amazed and started asking, ‘Isn’t this the Son of David?’
24 On hearing this, the Pharisees said, ‘He’s throwing out demons by [the power of] BeelZebub, the ruler of the demons.’
25 And because he knew what they were thinking, [Jesus] said to them, ‘All kingdoms that are divided fall, and cities or houses that are divided won’t stand, 26 so if the Opposer throws out the Opposer, he’s fighting himself, and how can his kingdom stand? 27 Why, if I use BeelZebub to throw out demons, then what method do your sons use to cast them out? So this is why they will condemn you. 28 However, if I throw out demons by [the power of] God’s Breath, then God’s Kingdom has overrun you.
29 ‘How can anyone break into the house of a strong man and steal his things unless he first ties up the strong man? Only then he can loot the house. 30 Those that aren’t with me are against me, and all who aren’t on my side are scattered.
31 ‘So, I’m telling you that men can be forgiven every type of sin and blasphemy except blasphemy against [God’s] Breath… that won’t be forgiven. 32 If someone speaks against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven. But if someone speaks against [God’s] Holy Breath, he won’t be forgiven… no, not in this era or in the one to come. 33 So, either call the tree and its fruit good, or make the tree and its fruit rotten, because trees are recognized by the type of fruit [they produce].
34 ‘Children of vipers, how can you speak good things when you’re so wicked? For, your mouths talk about the things that fill your hearts. 35 A good man who has good treasured [in his heart] speaks good things. But a wicked man speaks wicked things because of the wickedness [in his heart]. 36 I tell you that for everything people say to mislead others, they will have to answer on the Judgment Day. 37 Because, either you will be found righteous or you will be condemned by the things you say.’
38 Then some of the Scribes and Pharisees said to him: ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.’
39 In reply, [Jesus] said, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign; but they won’t get one, other than the sign of the Prophet Jonah. 40 For, just as Jonah was in the belly of the large sea creature for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
41 ‘Men of Nineveh will be resurrected in the Judgment Day with this generation and they will condemn it, because they repented at what Jonah preached. But look, something more than Jonah is here.
42 ‘The Queen of the South will be resurrected in the Judgment with this generation and she will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon. But look, something more than Solomon is here.
43 ‘When an unclean spirit leaves a man, it travels through dry places searching for a resting-place and finds none. 44 Then it says, I’ll just go back to the house that I moved out of. And when it gets there, it finds [the house] empty, swept clean, and decorated. 45 So, it moves in, and brings along with it seven spirits that are even more wicked. And after getting inside, they live there. So, as it turns out, the man is worse off than when he started. That’s how it will be with this wicked generation.’
46 While he was still talking to the crowds, {Look!} his mother and brothers were waiting outside to speak to him. 47 So, someone told [Jesus], ‘Look, your mother and brothers are standing outside. They want to talk to you.’
48 But he asked that person, ‘Just who is my mother and who are my brothers?’ 49 Then he held out his hand toward his disciples and said, ‘Look… my mother and my brothers, 50 because, whoever does all that my Father in heaven wishes is my brother, sister, and mother.’
Chapter 13
1 That day, Jesus was sitting outside by the sea, 2 and huge crowds gathered around him. So, he stepped into a boat and sat down, while the crowd stood on the beach. 3 Then he started speaking to them in illustrations, saying, ‘{Look!} A farmer went out to do planting. 4 And as he was planting, some [seeds] fell on the side of the road, where birds came up and ate them. 5 Others fell in rocks where there wasn’t much soil, but they grew quickly because of shallow soil. 6 However, when the sun came up they were scorched, and because they didn’t root, they withered. 7 Others fell among the briers, which came up and choked them out. 8 Still others fell on the good soil, and started producing [much] fruit, this one a hundred, that one [gave] sixty, and the other one thirty. 9 Let the one with ears, listen!’
10 So, the disciples came and asked, ‘Why are you talking to them in illustrations?’
11 And he replied: ‘You’ve been allowed to understand the
mysteries of the Kingdom of
15 ‘The hearts of these people have grown thick, their ears listen heavily, and their eyes are closed so they will never see with their eyes, hear with their ears, or understand with their hearts, then turn around so I can heal them. 16 However, your eyes are blest because they can see, as are your ears, because they can hear. 17 I tell you the truth; many of the Prophets and righteous men wished to see the things you’re seeing and didn’t see them; and to hear the things you’re hearing and didn’t hear them.
18 ‘So now, listen to the [meaning of the] illustration of the farmer who planted: 19 Whenever someone hears about the Kingdom but doesn’t understand it, the wicked one comes and snatches away what has been planted in his heart. This one was planted beside the road.
20 ‘As for the one that was planted among the rocks; he’s the one who hears the word and quickly accepts it with joy. 21 But because he has no roots, he’s just here for a short time. For when hard times or persecution come along because of the Word, he’s immediately trapped.
22 ‘As for the one planted among the thistles; this one hears the word, but the concerns of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke-out the Word and he doesn’t produce fruit.
23 ‘But, as for the one planted on good soil; he hears the Word, understands it, and actually puts out fruit… this one a hundred, that one sixty, the other thirty.’
24 He gave them another illustration, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who had good seeds planted in his field. 25 But while his men were sleeping, an enemy came and threw weed [seeds] over the wheat and left. 26 And when the blades began to sprout and fruit, the weeds appeared.
27 ‘Then the master’s slaves came to him and asked, Lord, wasn’t it good seeds [that you gave us to] plant in your field? So, why are there so many weeds?
28 ‘And he answered; An enemy of mine did this.
‘So, they asked; Then, do you want us to go and pull up [the weeds]?
29 ‘And he replied, No, because while pulling the weeds you might uproot the wheat. 30 Let them both grow together until the harvest. And when it’s time for harvesting, I’ll tell the reapers to first collect the weeds in bundles to burn them, then to gather the wheat into my storehouse.’
31 He told them another illustration, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. 32 For a fact, it’s the tiniest of seeds. But when it grows it becomes the largest of vegetables, and actually grows [as larges as] a tree, so the birds of the sky can come and roost in its branches,’
33 He told them another illustration: ‘The
34 Jesus said all these things to the crowds in illustrations. It’s a fact that if he wasn’t using illustrations, he wasn’t talking to them. 35 This was done to fulfill what was spoken through the Prophet, which said, ‘I will open my mouth with illustrations. I will talk about things hidden since the founding [of the world].’
36 Then, after dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. There his disciples came to him and said, ‘Explain the illustration of the weeds in the field to us.’
37 So [Jesus] said, ‘The one who planted the good seeds is the Son of Man, 38 and the field is the world. As for the good seeds; they are the sons of the Kingdom, but the weeds are the sons of the wicked one, 39 and the enemy who planted them is the Slanderer. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are [God’s] messengers.
40 ‘Just as the weeds are collected and burned in a fire, that’s how it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his messengers to collect all the snares and all the lawless people out of his Kingdom, 42 and they will be thrown into a flaming furnace. There is where they will cry and grind [their] teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine as brightly as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father… Let those with ears listen!
44 ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man found and hid in a field; and to [get the treasure], he went and sold everything he had to buy that field.
45 ‘Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a traveling merchant who was searching for good pearls, 46 and when he found one very valuable pearl, he went away and quickly sold everything he had and bought it.
47 ‘Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that is dropped into the sea to collect every sort [of sea creature]; 48 then when it is full, they haul it onto the beach and sit down to collect the good ones into containers and to throw the bad ones away. 49 That’s how it will be at the end of the age; for the messengers will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous, 50 and they will throw [the wicked] into a flaming furnace. There’s where crying and grinding of teeth will happen.’
51 [He asked,] ‘Did you understand all these things?’
And they answered, ‘Yes.’
52 Then he said: ‘So every instructor (when serving
as a disciple of the
53 Now, when Jesus had finished explaining these illustrations, he left that area. 54 And going to the place where he was raised, he started teaching in their synagogue. However, they were dumbfounded and asked, ‘Where did this man get such wisdom and powers? 55 Isn’t he the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters… aren’t they all with us? Where did he get all these things?’
57 So, they were trapped by him. But Jesus said, ‘A Prophet isn’t [treated] without honor, except in the area where he was raised and in his own home.’ 58 And he didn’t do many powerful deeds there, because of their lack of faith.
Chapter 14
1 It was about this time that the district ruler, Herod, heard about Jesus. 2 And he said to his boys, ‘This is John the Baptist. He was raised from the dead, and this is why he can do such powerful things.’
3 Herod had arrested John and thrown him in prison because of his Brother Philip’s wife. 4 For John kept telling him: ‘It’s against the Law for you to have her.’ 5 And although [Herod] wanted to kill [John], he was afraid of the masses, because they believed he was a Prophet. 6 But, during Herod’s birthday party, Herodias’ daughter danced, which pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her anything she asked for. 8 So (with her mother’s coaching) she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’
9 The king was really saddened by this, but because he had given his word (and because of those who were eating at the table with him), [Herod] gave the command 10 and sent to have John beheaded in prison. 11 Then, when his head was brought in on a platter, it was given to the young girl, and she took it to her mother.
12 Later, [John’s] disciples came to get his body and buried him. Then they went back and reported to Jesus. 13 And when Jesus heard this, he took a boat to a quiet place where he could be alone. But when the crowds heard [where Jesus was going], they followed him on foot from the cities. 14 So, when he got there, he saw a huge crowd of people. And feeling sorry for them, he cured their sick.
15 That evening, [Jesus’] disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a remote place and it’s really late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy something to eat.’
16 But Jesus replied, ‘They don’t have to go; you give them something to eat.’
17 However, [the disciples] answered, ‘All we have is five loaves [of bread] and two fish.’
18 Then he said, ‘Bring them to me.’
19 Next, he told the crowd to lie down on the grass. Then he took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven, spoke a blessing, and he broke the bread, handed it to the disciples, and the disciples distributed in to the crowds. 20 So, all ate until they were full. And when they picked up the scraps, there were twelve baskets full. 21 Yet, almost five thousand men ate, not counting the women and children.
22 Then [Jesus] immediately sent the crowds away and had his disciples take the boat to go to the other side [of the sea] ahead of him. 23 And once the crowds were gone, he went up the mountain to a private spot to pray. And although it was getting dark, he stayed there all alone.
24 By then, the boat was already a long way from land and it was fighting the waves, because [a strong] wind was blowing against it. 25 However, [sometime before sunrise, Jesus] came to them, walking over the sea. 26 And when they saw him walking on the sea, the disciples were terrified and said, ‘It’s a phantom!’ And they screamed in fear.
27 But right away, Jesus told them, ‘Be brave. Don’t be afraid, it’s me!’
28 In reply, Peter said, ‘Lord, if it’s you, command me to come to you on top of the water.’
29 So, [Jesus] said, ‘Come!’
Then Peter got out of the boat and walked across the water toward Jesus. 30 But he got distracted by the windstorm and became afraid, and then he started to sink and shouted, ‘Lord, save me!’
31 Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him, then said, ‘You with so little faith; why did you start to doubt?’
32 And after they got into the boat, the windstorm subsided. 33 Then the others in the boat bowed low to him, saying: ‘You really are God’s Son.’
34 Finally, they finished the crossing and came to land in Gennesaret. 35 There the men recognized him and sent word throughout the surrounding countryside, and people brought him all those who weren’t doing well. 36 They all begged just to touch the fringes on his clothes. And everyone who touched them was made completely well.
Chapter 15
1 Then some Pharisees and
Scribes came to Jesus from
3 But [Jesus] asked, ‘Why is it that you overstep the Commands of God with your traditions? 4 God told you to honor your father and mother, and to let those who speak badly to their fathers or mothers be put to death. 5 Yet you say it’s okay to tell your father and mother that whatever you have to help them out with has already been dedicated [to God]. 6 So, [what you are really saying] is that they shouldn’t honor their parents at all. And when you do this, you are voiding the Word of God with your traditions. 7 You hypocrites! How well Isaiah prophesied about you when he said, 8 These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 It’s a waste for them to keep worshiping Me, because they preach the teachings of men as commandments.’
10 With that, he called the crowds closer and said to them, ‘Listen and understand: 11 It isn’t the things that go into his mouth that dirty a man, it’s the things that come out of his mouth that pollute him.’
12 Then the disciples came up and asked, ‘Don’t you know that the Pharisees were stumbled by what you said?’
13 But he replied, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be pulled up. 14 Let them go, for they’re blind guides; and if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.’
15 Then Peter said, ‘Then explain that illustration to us.’
16 And [Jesus] asked, ‘Don’t you get the point? 17 Don’t you realize that whatever you put into your mouth goes into your belly and then into the sewer? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart… these are the things that dirty a man. 19 Because, out of the heart comes wicked thinking, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, thievery, false testimony, and blasphemy. 20 These are the things that pollute a man. But eating with unwashed hands doesn’t dirty a man.’
21 On leaving that place, Jesus next traveled up into areas
of
23 However, [Jesus] wouldn’t answer her.
Then his disciples asked him to [do something for her], because ‘she keeps following us and shouting at us.’
24 And he answered, ‘I wasn’t sent to [help] any other than
just the lost sheep of the house of
25 But when the woman came closer, she bowed low to [Jesus] and begged him, ‘Lord, help me!’
26 So he said to her, ‘It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the puppies.’
27 But she said, ‘Yes Lord, but aren’t puppies allowed to eat crumbs that fall from the tables of their masters?’
28 Then Jesus answered, ‘O woman, you have a lot of faith. May it be as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed from that hour on.
29 Going cross-country from there, Jesus traveled close to
the
32 Finally, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I feel sorry for the crowds, because they’ve stayed with me for three days and they don’t have anything to eat. I certainly don’t want to send them away hungry, because they might give out on the road.’
33 However, the disciples asked: ‘Where are we going to get enough bread to satisfy this large a crowd in such a remote location?’
34 Then Jesus asked, ‘How many loaves do you have?’
They said, ‘Seven, and a few little fish.’
35 So, he told the crowd to lie down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after offering thanks, broke them, gave them to the disciples, and the disciples in turn [gave them] to the crowd, 37 and they all ate and were satisfied. And [afterward], they picked up seven full provision baskets of scraps. 38 Yet, there were four thousand men, plus women and children, who ate.
39 Finally, after sending the crowd away, he got into the boat and traveled to the area of Magadan.
Chapter 16
1 Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came to [Jesus] and tried to tempt him by asking for a sign from heaven. 2 But he told them, ‘In the evening you might say, It will be fair weather, because the sky is fire-red. 3 And in the morning, The weather will be cold and rainy today, because the sky is fire-red but gloomy. You know how to read the face of the sky, but you can’t read the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation keeps looking for a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’ And he just walked away, leaving them there.
5 When the disciples got to the other side [of the sea], they [realized that they] had forgotten to bring along any bread. 6 So, when Jesus told them: ‘Keep your eyes open and watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees,’ 7 they said to each other, ‘Why? We didn’t bring any bread along!’
8 Knowing this, Jesus said, ‘You with little faith, why are you talking about not having bread? 9 Don’t you get the point? Don’t you remember how [we fed] five thousand [with just] five loaves, and how many baskets you picked up? 10 Or how we fed four thousand with the other seven loaves, and how many provision baskets you picked up? 11 So, why do you fail to recognize that I’m not talking to you about bread? [I’m telling you to] watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’
12 Well with that, they [finally] realized that he wasn’t telling them to watch out for the yeast in the bread, but for the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
13 When he went to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples, ‘Who are people saying the Son of Man is?’
14 And they answered, ‘Some say you’re John the Baptist, others EliJah, and still others say you are JeremiJah or one of the Prophets.’
15 Then he asked, ‘But who would you say that I am?’
16 And Simon Peter answered: ‘You’re the Anointed; the Son of the living God.’
17 Then Jesus said to him, ‘You are blest, Simon son of Jonah, because this wasn’t shown to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in the heavens.
18 ‘I also tell you this, ‘You are
Peter, and I will build my congregation
on this bedrock so the gates to the grave
won’t overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys to the Kingdom
of
20 Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he is the Anointed.
21 That’s when Jesus the Anointed [One] started to show his disciples that he would have to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at [the hands of] the elders, Chief Priests, and Scribes. Then he would be killed, but [he would be] raised [from the dead] on the third day.
22 At this, Peter took him aside and started scolding him, saying, ‘Be kind to yourself Lord, this isn’t going to happen to you!’
23 But [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me opposer! You’re a trap to me, because you aren’t thinking God’s thoughts, but those of men.’
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny his own needs, pick up his impaling pole, and walk behind me. 25 For, whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 Why, what good does it do for a man to gain the whole world if he loses his life? Or what will a man give [to save] his life?
27 ‘The Son of Man is about to go into the glory of his Father and His messengers. Then he will repay each one for the things that they did. 28 I tell you the truth; some of you who are standing here won’t taste death until you see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.’
Chapter 17
1 Six days later, Jesus took along Peter, James, and John (the brother of James), and brought them to a private spot on a high mountain. 2 Then he changed form in front of them. His face became as bright as the sun and his clothes were as white as light. 3 And {Look!} they saw Moses and EliJah talking to [Jesus].
4 In reaction, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it’s good for us to be here. And if you want, I’ll put up three tents; one for you, one for Moses, and one for EliJah.’
5 But as he spoke {Look!}, a bright cloud covered them and {Look!} a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my loved Son of whom I approve. Listen to him!
6 At hearing this, the disciples were frightened and they fell upon their faces. 7 Then Jesus came over to them and touched them, saying, ‘Get up; don’t be afraid.’ 8 And when they looked up, they saw just Jesus by himself.
9 Then, as they walked down the mountain, Jesus came up to them and warned, ‘Don’t tell anyone what you saw until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’
10 And these disciples asked him, ‘Why do the Scribes say that EliJah must come first?’
11 In reply, he said, ‘EliJah does indeed come, and he restores everything. 12 However, I tell you that EliJah has already come and they didn’t recognize him, so they did whatever they wanted to him. This is the same way that the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.’
13 It was then that the disciples realized that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
14 Well, ahen they got near to a crowd, a man approached him, kneeled down, and said, 15 ‘Lord, have mercy on my son. He has epilepsy and often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t cure him.’
17 Then Jesus said, ‘O faithless and twisted generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer will I have to put up with you? Bring him here to me.’ 18 So, Jesus scolded the demon and it came out, and the boy was cured from that hour on.
19 Later on, the disciples came to Jesus while he was alone and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we cast it out?’
20 And he answered, ‘Because of your lack of faith. I tell you the truth; if your faith was the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it would go. Nothing would be impossible for you.’
21 ——
22 It was while they were all gathered in Galilee that Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 23 who then will kill him… but he will be raised the third day.’ This made them all very sad.
24 After they arrived in
25 And he replied, ‘Yes.’
However, when he went into the house, Jesus was already ahead of him and asked, ‘What do you think, Simon? Who do the kings of the earth get their duties or head taxes from, their sons or from strangers?’
26 And [Peter] answered, ‘From strangers.’
And Jesus said, ‘Then the sons are really tax free! 27 But, so that we aren’t a trap to them, go to the sea, cast out a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take that and give it to them for both you and me.’
Chapter 18
1 It was less than an hour later that the disciples came up to Jesus and
asked, ‘Which [of us] will be the greatest in the Kingdom
of
2 Then [Jesus] called a little boy over and stood him in their
midst, 3 and said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change your ways and
become like little boys, you won’t get into the
7 ‘Woe to the world because of its traps! Of course, traps will be there, but woe to the man who sets them! 8 If your hand or your foot traps you, cut it off and throw it away. For it’s better to enter life maimed or lame than to be thrown into the fire of the age with two hands or two feet. 9 Also, if your eye is a trap to you, tear it out and throw it away. For it’s better for you to enter life with one eye than to be thrown with two eyes into the fiery garbage dump.
10 ‘And make sure that you don’t dislike one of these little ones, because I tell you, their messengers look on the face of my Father in the heavens throughout all time. 11 ——
12 ‘What do you think… if a man comes to have a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on a mountain and search for the one that strayed? 13 And if he happens to find it, I tell you, he’s happier over that one than over the ninety-nine that didn’t stray. 14 So, my Father in the heavens doesn’t want even one of these little ones to perish. 15 So, if your brother should sin, take him aside and discuss it between you and him alone. For if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he doesn’t listen, bring along one or two others, so that whatever is said can be proven by the mouths of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, speak to the congregation. And if he refuses to listen even to the congregation, then let him become as a man of the nations or a tax collector to you.
18 ‘I tell you the truth; everything that you make binding on earth will be bound in heaven. And everything that you set free on earth will be set free in heaven. 19 Again, I tell you truthfully; if two of you agree to anything on earth that you ever need to ask for, it will happen because of my Father in heaven. 20 For, wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I will be there among them.
21 Then Peter came up to him and asked, ‘Lord, how many times am I required to forgive my brother when he sins against me… up to seven times?’
22 But Jesus replied, ‘I tell you; not up to seven times,
but up to seventy-seven times. 23 To illustrate; the Kingdom
of
27 Moved to pity at this, the master forgave him and freed him from all his debt.
28 ‘But that slave thereafter went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him just a hundred small coins. And he grabbed him and started choking him, saying: Pay back everything that you owe me!
29 ‘Well, the fellow slave fell down and started begging him, saying, Be patient with me and I’ll pay you back.
30 ‘However, he wasn’t willing, so he had him thrown in jail until he could pay everything he owed.
31 ‘And when all the other slaves saw this, they became very upset; so they went and told their master what had happened. 32 Then his master summoned him and said, Wicked slave; I canceled all that debt for you because you begged me. 33 So, didn’t you see the need to show the same type of mercy to your fellow slave that I showed for you? 34 And the master became so furious that he had him taken off to jail until he could repay all that he owed. 35 This is how my heavenly Father will deal with you if you don’t forgive your brothers from your hearts.’
Chapter 19
1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left
4 And [Jesus] replied, ‘Didn’t you read that the One who created them long ago made them male and female, 5 and said: This is the reason why a man will leave his father and mother and stick to his wife, because the two will be one flesh? 6 So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. And what God has put together under the same yoke shouldn’t be separated by any man.’
7 Then they asked, ‘So, why did Moses say we could give her a divorce certificate and dismiss her?’
8 He answered: ‘Moses, realizing how hardhearted you are, allowed that you would divorce your wives. But it hasn’t always been that way. 9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual infidelity, and marries another, is an adulterer.’
10 Then his disciples said to him, ‘If this is true of a man and his wife, then it’s best not to marry.’
11 And he replied, ‘This is something that not every man can do, just those who have the gift. 12 Because, there are eunuchs who were born that way, eunuchs who were made that way by men, and those who have made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven. Let those who can make room for it, make room for it.’
13 Then [people] started bringing their young children to
him, so he could lay his hands on them and offer a prayer, but the disciples
scolded them. 14 However, Jesus said, ‘Leave the children alone and don’t stop
them from coming to me, because the
16 Now, {Look!} a person came up and asked, ‘Teacher, what kind of good things must I do to get life in the age?’
17 And [Jesus] replied: ‘Why do you ask me about doing good things? There’s just One who is truly good. But, if you want to enter into life, obey the Commandments.’
18 He asked, ‘Which ones?’
And Jesus replied: ‘Why, you must not murder, you must not commit adultery, you must not steal, you must not give false testimony, 19 honor [your] father and mother, and you must love your neighbor as [you love] yourself.’
20 Then the young man said to him, ‘I’ve kept all these things. So, what else am I lacking?’
21 And Jesus said to him: ‘If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor, then come be my follower, and you will have treasures in heaven.’
22 Well, after the young man heard this, he went away very sad, because he owned many things.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth;
it will be difficult for a rich man to get into the
25 Well, the disciples were very surprised at hearing this, and they asked, ‘Then, who can really be saved?’
26 And looking them straight in the face, Jesus said, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’
27 Then Peter said to him: ‘Look, we’ve left everything and followed you. So, what will we really get?’
28 And Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth; in the rebirth – when the Son of Man sits down on his glorious throne – you who have followed me will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands for the sake of my name, will receive many times more, and they will inherit life in the age. 30 But, many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Chapter 20
1 ‘For, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man, the master of his house, who went out very early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 When he agreed with the workers on one silver coin per day, he sent them out to work in his field. 3 But when he went out again (about the third hour), he saw others standing around unemployed in the marketplace. 4 So he said, You go into the vineyard too and I’ll pay you whatever is fair. 5 And off they went.
‘He went out again about the sixth and the ninth hours and did the same thing. 6 And finally (about the eleventh hour) he went out and found more workers standing around, and he asked them, Why have you been standing here all day long unemployed?
7 ‘Then they answered, Because nobody has hired us.
‘So, he said to them, You too, go into the vineyard.
8 ‘Then that evening, the master of the vineyard said to his man in charge,: Call all the workers and pay them their wages. However, proceed from the last to the first.
9 ‘Well, [after] the eleventh-hour, the men came and they were each [paid] a silver coin. 10 So ,when it came time [to pay] the first, they figured that they would be getting more, but they were also paid a silver coin. 11 And as they were receiving it, they started complaining about the master, 12 saying: These last ones just put in one hour’s work; but you paid them the same as those of us who worked all day long in the burning heat!
13 ‘In reply to one of them, [the master] said: Man, I haven’t done you any wrong. Didn’t we agree on a silver coin? 14 Take what is yours and go. I paid the last ones the same as you, because I wanted to. 15 Isn’t it legal for me to do whatever I want with my own things? Or are you looking at things in a wicked way