THE JEFFERSON BIBLE
The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth
Extracted Textually from the Gospels
Compiled by Thomas Jefferson
Edited by Eyler Robert Coates, Sr.
Copyright 1996 by Eyler Robert Coates, Sr.
Permission is hereby granted to any individual to copy any or
all the materials contained herein for non-commercial personal
use. Publication of these materials in whole or in part in any
form whatsoever is by written permission only.
________________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER 1.
Now it came to pass in those days, that there went out a
decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be
enrolled.
2 (And this enrollment was the first which was made
when Quirinius, was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own
city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the
city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house
and lineage of David,
5 To be enrolled with Mary his betrothed, being then
with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the
days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And when eight days were accomplished for the
circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS.
9 And when they had performed all things according to
the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to
their own city Nazareth.
10 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,
filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to
Jerusalem, unto the feast according to the custom.
12 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they
returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem;
and his parents knew not of it.
13 But they, supposing him to have been in the
company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among
their kinsfolk and acquaintances.
14 And when they found him not, they turned back
again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
15 And it came to pass, that after three days they
found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the
teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
16 And all that heard him were astonished at his
understanding and answers.
17 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his
mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with
us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
18 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth,
and was subject unto them.
19 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature.
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius
Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and
Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip
tetrarch of Ituraea and of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the
tetrarch of Abilene,
21 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests,
22 Appeared John the Baptist in the wilderness.
23 Now the same John had his raiment of camel's hair,
and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was
locusts and wild honey.
24 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea,
and all the region round about Jordan,
25 And were baptized of him in Jordan.
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to
be baptized of him.
27 And Jesus himself, when he began his ministry, was
about thirty years of age.
28 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his
mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they
continued there a few days.
And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem.
30 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and
sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
31 And when he had made a scourge of cords, he drove
them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen;
and poured out the changers' coins, and overthrew their
tables;
32 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these
things hence; make not my Father's house an house of
merchandise.
33 After these things came Jesus and his disciples
into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them,
and baptized.
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison,
he departed into Galilee;
35 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold
upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake,
his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.
36 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for
thee to have thy brother's wife.
37 Therefore Herodias had a grudge against him, and
would have killed him; but she could not:
38 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just
man and holy, and protected him; and when he heard him,
he was sore perplexed, yet he heard him gladly.
39 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on
his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains,
and chief men of Galilee;
40 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came
in, and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat with
him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me
whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
41 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask
of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
42 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What
shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
43 And she came in immediately with haste unto the
king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me
straightway in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
44 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his
oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he
would not refuse her.
45 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and
commanded his head to be brought: and he went and
beheaded him in the prison,
46 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to
the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the
sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
48 And they were astonished at his teaching: for he
taught them as one that had authority, and not as the
scribes.
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the
corn fields; and his disciples were an hungred, and
began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.
50 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him,
Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do
upon the sabbath day.
51 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David
did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with
him;
52 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat
the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat,
neither for them which were with him, but only for the
priests?
53 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the
sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the
sabbath, and are guiltless?
And when he was departed thence, he went into their
synagogue:
55 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand
withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to
heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
56 And he said unto them, What man shall there be
among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall
into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on
it, and lift it out?
57 How much then is a man of more value than a sheep!
Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath days.
58 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for
man, and not man for the sabbath.
But the Pharisees went out, and held a council against
him, how they might destroy him.
60 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from
thence: and great multitudes followed him.
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into
a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to
God.
62 And when it was day, he called unto him his
disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he
named apostles;
63 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his
brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
64 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and
Simon called the Zealot,
65 And Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot,
who became a traitor.
66 And he came down with them, and stood in the
plain; and there was a great company of his disciples,
and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and
Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon,
which came to hear him.
CHAPTER 2.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a
mountain: and when he was set down, his disciples
came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be
comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the
earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain
mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see
God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be
called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against
you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be glad: for great is your reward in
heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you.
13 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have
received your consolation.
14 Woe unto you that are full now, for ye shall
hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now, for ye shall mourn
and weep.
15 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of
you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost
its savour, wherewith shall it again be salted? it is
thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and
to be trodden under foot by men.
17 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set
on an hill cannot be hid.
18 Neither do men light a lamp and put it under a
bushel, but on a lampstand; and it giveth light unto
all that are in the house.
19 Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father which is
in heaven.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the
prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
21 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth
pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from
the law, till all be fulfilled.
22 Whosoever therefore shall break one of the least
of these commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall
be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but
whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be
called great in the kingdom of heaven.
23 For I say unto you, That except your
righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the
scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into
the kingdom of heaven.
Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time,
Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be
in danger of judgment:
25 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with
his brother shall be in danger of judgment: and
whosoever shall abuse his brother, shall be in danger
of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool,
shall be in danger of hell fire.
26 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar,
and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought
against thee;
27 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy
way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come
and offer thy gift.
28 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou
art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary
deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee
to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
29 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means
come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost
farthing.
Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit
adultery:
31 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a
woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with
her already in his heart.
32 And if thy right eye causeth thee to offend,
pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is
profitable for thee that one of thy members should
perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into
hell.
33 And if thy right hand causeth thee to offend, cut
it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for
thee that one of thy members should perish, and not
that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
34 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his
wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
35 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away
his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth
her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her
that is divorced committeth adultery.
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said to them of
old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt
perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
37 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by
heaven; for it is God's throne:
38 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool:
neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great
King.
39 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because
thou canst not make one hair white or black.
40 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay,
nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an
eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
42 But I say unto you, That ye resist not him that
is evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right
cheek, turn to him the other also.
43 And if any man will sue thee, and take away thy
coat, let him have thy cloak also.
44 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go
with him twain.
45 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that
would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love
thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
47 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, pray for
them that persecute you;
48 That ye may be the children of your Father which
is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on
the unjust.
49 For if ye love them which love you, what reward
have ye? do not even the tax-gatherers the same?
50 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye
more than others? do not even the Gentiles so?
51 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to
receive, what gain have ye? for sinners also lend to
sinners, to receive as much again.
52 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend,
hoping for nothing in return; and your reward shall be
great, and ye shall be the children of the Most High:
for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
53 Be ye merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
CHAPTER 3.
Take heed that ye do not your good works before men,
to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of
your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound
a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory
of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand
know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father
which seeth in secret shall reward thee.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the
hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the
synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they
may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have
their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy inner
chamber, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy
Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in
secret shall reward thee.
7 And when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the
heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for
their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father
knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father
which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it
is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a
sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that
they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you,
They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head,
and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto
thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which
seeth in secret, shall reward thee.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where
moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break
through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where
thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart
be also.
22 The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore
thine eye be sound, thy whole body shall be full of
light.
23 But if thine eye be not sound, thy whole body
shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that
is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate
the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the
one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and
riches.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Be not concerned for
your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink;
nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the
life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not,
neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your
heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not of much more
value than they?
27 Which of you by being concerned can add one hour
to his life?
28 And why are ye concerned for raiment? Consider the
lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not,
neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all
his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the
field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the
oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little
faith?
31 Therefore be not concerned, saying, What shall we
eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we
be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)
for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of
all these things.
33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you.
34 Have therefore no concern for the morrow: for the
morrow shall have concern for the things of itself.
Sufficient unto the day is the trouble thereof.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
36 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be
judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be
measured to you again.
37 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good
measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running
over, shall men give into your bosom .38 And why
beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye,
but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
39 Or how canst thou say to thy brother, Let me pull
out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in
thine own eye?
40 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of
thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast
out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast
ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them
under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
42 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
43 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that
seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be
opened.
44 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask
bread, will he give him a stone?
45 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
46 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good
gifts unto your children, how much more shall your
Father which is in heaven give good things to them that
ask him?
47 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men
should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the
law and the prophets.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and
many there be which go in thereat:
49 But strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
51 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
52 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
53 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither
can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
54 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is
hewn down, and cast into the fire.
55 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
56 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart
bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the
evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
57 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men
shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day
of judgment.
58 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by
thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, which
built his house upon a rock:
60 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and
the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell
not: for it was founded upon a rock.
61 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine,
and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man,
which built his house upon the sand:
62 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and
the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:
and great was the fall of it.
63 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these
sayings, the people were astonished at his teaching:
64 For he taught them as one having authority, and
not as their scribes.
CHAPTER 4.
When he was come down from the mountain, great
multitudes followed him.
2 And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
4 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto
your souls.
5 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
6 Now one of the Pharisees desired him that he would
eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and
sat down to meat.
7 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a
sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the
Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster vial of ointment,
8 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began
to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the
hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed
them with the ointment.
9 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it,
he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a
prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman
this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
10 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have
somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
11 There was a certain creditor which had two
debtors: the one owed five hundred denarii, and the
other fifty.
12 And when they had nothing to pay, he graciously
forgave them both. Which of them, therefore, will love
him most?
13 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to
whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast
rightly judged.
14 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon,
Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou
gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my
feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of
her head.
15 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the
time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
16 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this
woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
17 There came then his brethren and his mother, and,
standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
18 And the multitude sat about him, and they said
unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without
seek for thee.
19 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother,
and my brethren?
20 And he looked round about on them which sat about
him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
21 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same
is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
22 In the mean time, when there were gathered
together a multitude of many thousands of people,
insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to
say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the
leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
23 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be
revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
24 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness
shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have
whispered in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon
the housetops.
25 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of
them that kill the body, and after that have no more
that they can do.
26 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear
him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into
hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
27 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And
yet not one of them is forgotten before God.
28 But even the very hairs of your head are all
numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than
many sparrows.
29 And one of the company said unto him, Master,
speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with
me.
30 But he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or
a divider over you?
31 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of
all manner of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth
not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
32 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The
ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
33 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall
I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
34 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my
barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my
fruits and my goods.
35 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much
goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat,
drink, and be merry.
36 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy
soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those
things be, which thou hast provided?
37 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and
is not rich toward God.
38 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say
unto you, Be not concerned for your life, what ye shall
eat; neither for your body, what ye shall put on.
39 The life is more than meat, and the body is more
than raiment.
40 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor
reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and yet
God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the
fowls!
41 And which of you with being concerned can add to
his stature one cubit?
42 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is
least, why are ye concerned for the rest?
43 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not,
they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon
in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
44 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day
in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how
much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
45And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall
drink, neither be ye of a concerned mind.
46 For all these things do the nations of the world
seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of
these things.
47 But rather seek ye his kingdom; and these things
shall be added unto you also.
48 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's
good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
49 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide
yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the
heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth,
neither moth destroyeth.
50 For where your treasure is, there will your heart
be also.
51 Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps
burning;
52 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for
their lord, when he will return from the wedding feast;
that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him
immediately.
53 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he
cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that
he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to
meat, and will come forth and serve them.
54 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come
in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those
servants.
55 And this know, that if the goodman of the house
had known what hour the thief would come, he would not
have suffered his house to be broken through into.
56 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man
cometh at an hour when ye think not.
57 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this
parable unto us, or also unto all?
58 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and
wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his
household, to give them their portion of meat in due
season?
59 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he
cometh shall find so doing.
60 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him
ruler over all that he hath.
61 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord
delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the
menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink, and
to be drunken;
62 The lord of that servant will come in a day when
he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not
aware, and will cut him in sunder.
63 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and
prepared not himself, neither did according to his will,
shall be beaten with many stripes.
64 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy
of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto
whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:
and to whom men have committed much, of him they will
ask the more.
65 And he said also to the people, When ye see a
cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There
cometh a shower; and so it is.
66 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There
will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
67 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky
and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern
this present time?
68 And why even of yourselves judge ye not what is
right?
69 While thou goest with thine adversary to the
magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that
thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to
the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer,
and the officer cast thee into prison.
70 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till
thou hast paid the very last mite.
CHAPTER 5.
There were present at that season some that told him
of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled
with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that
these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans,
because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall
all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam
fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners
above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall
all likewise perish.
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig
tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought
fruit thereon, and found none.
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard,
Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this
fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it
the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone
this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: but if not, then thou
shalt cut it down.
And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine
with him: and he went in, and sat down at meat.
11 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he
had not first washed before dinner.
12 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees
make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but
your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
13 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is
without make that which is within also?
14 But give alms of such things as ye have; and,
behold, all things are clean unto you.
15 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and
rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over justice and
the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to
leave the other undone.
16 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost
seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
17 Woe unto you! for ye are as graves which are not
seen, and the men that walk over them are not aware of
them.
18 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto
him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.
19 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye
lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye
yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your
fingers.
20 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the
key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them
that were entering in ye hindered.
21 And as he departed from thence, the scribes and
the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to
provoke him to speak of many things:
22 Laying wait for him, to catch him in some saying.
On that same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by
the sea side.
24 And great multitudes were gathered together unto
him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole
multitude stood on the shore.
25 And he spake many things unto them in parables,
saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
26 And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side,
and the fowls came and devoured them up:
27 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not
much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they
had no deepness of earth:
28 But when the sun was up, they were scorched; and
because they had no root, they withered away.
29 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung
up, and choked them:
30 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth
fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some
thirtyfold.
31 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
32 And when he was alone, they that were about him
with the twelve asked of him the parable.
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
34 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and
understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and
snatcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is
he which received seed by the way side.
35 But he that received the seed into stony places,
the same is he that heareth the word, and at once with
joy receiveth it;
36 Yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for
a while: and when tribulation or persecution ariseth
because of the word, he quickly falleth away.
37 He also that received seed among the thorns is he
that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and
the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and it
becometh unfruitful.
38 But he that received seed into the good ground is
he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; he also
beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold,
some sixty, some thirty.
And he said unto them, Is a lamp brought to be put under
a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a
lampstand?
40 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be
manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that
it should come to light.
41 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The
kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good
seed in his field:
43 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed
tares among the wheat, and went his way.
44 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought
forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
45 And the servants of the householder came and said
unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy
field? from whence then hath it tares?
46 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The
servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and
gather them up?
47 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the
tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
48 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in
the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye
together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to
burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Then he departed from the multitude, and went into the
house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare
unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
50 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the
good seed is the Son of man;
51 The field is the world; the good seed are the
children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children
of the wicked one;
52 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the
harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are the
angels.
53 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in
the fire; so shall it be in the end of the age.
54 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and
they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that
cause men to sin, and all them which do iniquity;
55 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire:
there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
56 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in
the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let
him hear.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid
in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth,
and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath,
and buyeth that field.
58 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a
merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
59 Who, when he had found one pearl of great value,
went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that
was cast into the sea, and gathered fish of every kind:
61 Which, when it was full, they drew it to shore,
and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but
cast the bad away.
62 So shall it be at the end of the age: the angels
shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the
just,
63 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire:
there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
64 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all
these things? They say unto him, Yea.
65 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe
which is instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is
like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth
forth out of his treasure things new and old.
66 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man
should cast seed upon the ground;
67 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the
seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
68 The earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first
the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the
ear.
69 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately
he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of
God? or with what parable shall we describe it?
71 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it
is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be
in the earth:
72 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh
greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches;
so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow
of it.
73 And with many such parables spake he the word unto
them, as they were able to hear it.
74 And without a parable spake he not unto them: but
when they were alone, he expounded all things to his
disciples.
CHAPTER 6.
And as they went in the way, a certain man said unto
him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
2 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and
birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not
where to lay his head.
3 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said,
Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
4 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead:
but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
5 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee;
but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at my
house.
6 But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his
hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the
kingdom of God.
And after these things he went forth, and saw a
publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom:
and he said unto him, Follow me.
8 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
9 And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and
there was a great company of publicans and
10 Many publicans and sinners sat also together with
Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they
followed him.
11 And when the scribes which were Pharisees saw him
eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his
disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with
publicans and sinners?
12 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that
are whole have no need of the physician, but they that
are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
13 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man
teareth a piece from a new garment and putteth it upon
an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent,
and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not
with the old.
14 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else
the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and
the bottles shall perish.
15 But new wine must be put into new bottles.
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these
parables, he departed thence.
17 And when he was come into his own country, he
taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were
astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom,
and these mighty works?
18 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother
called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and
Simon, and Judas?
19 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence
then hath this man all these things?
20 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto
them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own
country, and in his own house.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with
compassion on them, because they were distressed, and
downcast, as sheep having no shepherd.
22 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to
send them forth by two and two;
23 And charged them, saying, Go not into the way of
the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter
ye not:
24 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of
Israel.
25 Take ye neither gold, nor silver, nor copper in
your purses,
26 Nor bag for your journey, neither two coats,
neither shoes, nor yet a staff: for the workman is
worthy of his meat.
27 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter,
enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go
thence.
28 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
29 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come
upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return
to you.
30 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your
words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake
off the dust of your feet.
31 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of
judgment, than for that city.
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of
wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent
as doves.
33 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to
the councils, and they will scourge you in their
synagogues;
34 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings
for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the
Gentiles.
35 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye
into another:
36 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing
covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall
not be known.
37 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in
light: and what ye hear whispered in the ear, that
proclaim ye upon the housetops.
38 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not
able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able
to destroy both soul and body in hell.
39 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one
of them shall not fall on the ground without the will of
your Father.
40 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
41 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than
many sparrows.
42 And they went out, and preached that men should
repent.
43 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto
Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done,
and what they had taught.
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would
not walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.
45 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and
certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
46 And they saw some of his disciples eat bread with
defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands.
47 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they
wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of
the elders.
48 And when they come from the market, except they
wash, they eat not. And many other things there be,
which they have received to hold, as the washing of
cups, and pitchers, and copper vessels.
49 And the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk
not thy disciples according to the tradition of the
elders, but eat bread with defiled hands?
50 And when he had called all the people unto him, he
said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and
understand:
51 There is nothing from without a man, that entering
into him can defile him: but the things which come out
of him, those are they that defile the man.
And when he was entered into the house from the people,
his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
53 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without
understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever
thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot
defile him;
54 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into
the belly, and goeth out into the waste? (Thus declared
he all meats clean.)
55 And he said, That which cometh out of the man,
that defileth the man.
56 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed
evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders,
adulteries,
57 Covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness,
envy, slander, pride, foolishness:
58 All these evil things come from within, and defile
the man.
59 And from thence he arose, and went into the region
of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would
have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
CHAPTER 7.
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus,
saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set
him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be
converted, and become as little children, ye shall not
enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this
little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of
heaven.
Woe unto the world because of its stumbling blocks! for
it must needs be that stumbling blocks come; but woe to
that man by whom the stumbling block cometh!
6 And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to
stumble, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is
better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed,
rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into
everlasting fire.
7 And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it
out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to
enter into life with one eye, rather than having two
eyes to be cast into hell fire.
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of
them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and
nine upon the mountains, and goeth and seeketh that
which is gone astray?
9 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto
you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety
and nine which went not astray.
10 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is
in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go
and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he
shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
12 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee
one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three
witnesses every word may be established.
13 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto
the church: but if he neglect even to hear the church,
let him be unto thee as a Gentile man and a publican.
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my
brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven
times?
15 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until
seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a
certain king, which would settle accounts with his
servants.
17 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought
unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
18 But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his
lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and
children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
19 The servant therefore fell down, and bowed before
him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay
thee all.
20 Then the lord of that servant was moved with
compassion, and released him, and forgave him the debt.
21 But the same servant went out, and found one of
his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred denarii:
and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat,
saying, Pay me that thou owest.
22 So his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and
besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will
pay thee all.
23 And he would not: but went and cast him into
prison, till he should pay the debt.
24 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they
were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all
that was done.
25 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said
unto him, Thou wicked servant! I forgave thee all that
debt, because thou didst beseech me:
26 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy
fellowservant, even as I had mercy on thee?
27 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the
tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto
him.
28 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto
you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his
brother.
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy
also, and sent them two and two before his face into
every city and place, whither he himself would come.
30 And he said unto them, The harvest is great, but
the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the
harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his
harvest.
31 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs
among wolves.
32 Carry neither purse, nor bag, nor shoes: and
salute no man by the way.
33 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say,
Peace be to this house.
34 And if a son of peace be there, your peace shall
rest upon him: if not, it shall turn to you again.
35 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking
such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of
his hire. Go not from house to house.
36 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they
receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
37 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they
receive you not, go ye into the streets of the same, and
say,
38 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth to
our feet, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be
ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh
unto you.
39 But I say unto you, that it shall be more
tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.
41 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart
hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may
see the works that thou doest.
42 For no man doeth any thing in secret, if he
himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these
things, shew thyself to the world.
43 For even his brethren did not believe in him.
44 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet
come: but your time is alway at hand.
45 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth,
because I testify of it, that the works thereof are
evil.
46 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up unto this
feast: for my time is not yet full come.
When he had said these words unto them, he abode still
in Galilee.
48 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he
also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in
secret.
49 Now the Jews sought him at the feast, and said,
Where is he?
50 And there was much murmuring among the people
concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others
said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
51 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the
Jews.
52 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up
into the temple, and taught.
53 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How hath this man
received learning, having never studied?
54 Jesus answered them, and said,
55 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of
you keepeth the law? Why do ye seek to kill me?
56 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil:
who seeketh to kill thee?
57 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one
work, and ye all marvel.
58 Moses gave unto you circumcision; (not because it
is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath
do circumcise a man.
59 If a man on the sabbath receive circumcision, that
the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at
me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the
sabbath day?
60 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge
with righteous judgment.
Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he,
whom they seek to kill?
62 And, lo, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing
unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the
Christ?
63 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such
things concerning him; and the chief priests and the
Pharisees sent officers to seize him.
64 So there was a division among the people because
of him.
65 And some of them would have seized him; but no man
laid hands on him.
66 Then came the officers to the chief priests and
Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not
brought him?
67 The officers answered, Never man spake like this
man.
68 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also
deceived?
69 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees
believed in him?
70 But this people who knoweth not the law are
accursed.
71 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus
beforetime, being one of them,)
72 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him,
and know what he doeth?
73 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of
Galilee? Search, and thou shalt find that out of Galilee
ariseth no prophet.
74 And every man went unto his own house.
CHAPTER 8.
Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the
temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat
down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought in a woman
caught committing adultery; and when they had set her in
the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was caught
committing adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should
be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, to test him, that they might have
cause to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with
his finger wrote on the ground.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up
himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin
among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and with his finger
wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, began going out one by
one, beginning at the eldest: and Jesus was left alone,
and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, he said unto
her, Woman, whither are they gone? hath no man condemned
thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do
I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
And as he passed by, he saw a man which was blind from
his birth.
13 And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who
did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born
blind?
14 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor
his parents: but that the works of God should be made
manifest in him.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by
the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other
way, the same is a thief and a robber.
16 But he that entereth in by the door is the
shepherd of the sheep.
17 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his
voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth
them out.
18 And when he bringeth forth his own sheep, he goeth
before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his
voice.
19 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee
from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
20 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth
down his life for the sheep.
21 He that is an hireling, and not the shepherd,
whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and
leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth
them, and scattereth them.
22 He fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth
not for the sheep.
23 I am the good shepherd, and know my own, and am
known of mine.
24 And other sheep I have, which are not of this
fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my
voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and put him to a
test, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal
life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how
readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy
neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right:
this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto
Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down
from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which
stripped him of his raiment, and beat him, and departed,
leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest
that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other
side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place,
came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came
where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on
him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring
in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and
brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow, he took out two denarii, and
gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of
him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come
again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was
neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then
said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a
certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said
unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught
his disciples.
39 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Father,
Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
40 Give us each day our daily bread.
41 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every
one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into
temptation.
42 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a
friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto
him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
43 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me,
and I have nothing to set before him?
44 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble
me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with
me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
45 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give
him, because he is his friend, yet because of his
importunity he will rise and give him as many as he
needeth.
46 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given
you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you.
47 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that
seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be
opened.
48 If a son shall ask a fish, will he for a fish give
him a serpent?
49 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a
scorpion?
50 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good
gifts unto your children: how much more shall your
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask
him?
CHAPTER 9.
And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one
of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath
day, that they watched him.
2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him
which had the dropsy.
3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and
Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath
day, or no?
4 But they held their peace.
5 And he saith unto them, Which of you shall have a
son or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway
pull him out on the sabbath day?
6 And they could not answer him to these things.
7 And he put forth a parable to those which were
bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief
places; saying unto them.
8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding feast,
sit not down in the highest place; lest a more
honourable man than thou be bidden by him;
9 And he that bade thee and him shall come and say to
thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to
take the lowest place.
10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the
lowest place; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may
say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou
have honour in the presence of them that sit at meat
with thee.
11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased;
and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou
makest a dinner or a feast, call not thy friends, nor
thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich
neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a
recompence be made thee.
13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the
maimed, the lame, the blind:
14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot
recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the
resurrection of the just.
Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great feast,
and bade many:
16 And sent his servant at the time of the feasst to
say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are
now ready.
17 And they all with one consent began to make
excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece
of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee
have me excused.
18 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen,
and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have married a wife, and
therefore I cannot come.
20 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these
things. Then the master of the house being angry said to
his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes
of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the
maimed, and the blind, and the halt.
21 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou
hast commanded, and yet there is room.
22 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into
the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in,
that my house may be filled.
23 For I say unto you, None of those men which were
bidden shall taste of my supper.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth
not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have
sufficient to finish it?
25 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and
is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to
mock him,
26 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able
to finish.
27 Or what king, going to make war against another
king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he
be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh
against him with twenty thousand?
28 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off,
he sendeth an embassy, and desireth conditions of peace.
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners
for to hear him.
30 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying,
This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
31 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
32 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he
lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in
the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until
he find it?
33 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his
shoulders, rejoicing.
34 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his
friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with
me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
35 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in
heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over
ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
36 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if
she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the
house, and seek diligently till she find it?
37 And when she hath found it, she calleth her
friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice
with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
38 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the
presence of the angels of God over one sinner that
repenteth.
39 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
40 And the younger of them said to his father,
Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.
And he divided unto them his living.
41 And not many days after, the younger son gathered
all together, and took his journey into a far country,
and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
42 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty
famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
43 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of
that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed
swine.
44 And he would fain have filled his belly with the
husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
45 But when he came to himself, he said, How many
hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to
spare, and I perish with hunger!
46 I will arise and go to my father, and will say
unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and
before thee,
47 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make
me as one of thy hired servants.
48 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he
was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had
compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed
him.
49 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned
against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy
to be called thy son.
50 But the father said to his servants, Bring
forthwith the best robe, and put it on him; and put a
ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
51 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and
let us eat, and be merry:
52 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he
was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
53 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came
and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
54 And he called one of the servants, and asked what
these things meant.
55 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy
father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath
received him safe and sound.
56 But he was angry, and would not go in: therefore
came his father out, and entreated him.
57 But he answering said to his father, Lo, these
many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at
any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a
kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
58 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath
devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for
him the fatted calf.
59 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me,
and all that I have is thine.
60 It was meet that we should make merry, and be
glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again;
and was lost, and is found.
CHAPTER 10.
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a
certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same
was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
2 And he called him, and said unto him, What is this
that I hear of thee? give an account of thy stewardship;
for thou mayest be no longer steward.
3 And the steward said within himself, What shall I
do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I
have not strength to dig; to beg I am ashamed.
4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out
of the stewardship, they may receive me into their
houses.
5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto
him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto
my lord?
6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he
said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and
write fifty.
7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou?
And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said
unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
8 And the lord commended the dishonest steward,
because he had done wisely: for the children of this
world are wiser in their dealings with their own
generation than the children of light.
9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends by
means of the mammon of this world; that, when it faileth
you, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is
faithful also in much: and he that is dishonest in the
least is dishonest also in much.
11 If therefore ye have not been faithful with the
worldly mammon, who will commit to your trust the true
riches?
12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is
another man's, who shall give you that which is your
own?
13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he
will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will
hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve
God and mammon.
14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard
all these things: and they derided him.
15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify
yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for
that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination
in the sight of God.
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another,
committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is
put away from her husband committeth adultery.
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in
purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
18 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus,
which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
19 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell
from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and
licked his sores.
20And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was
carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man
also died, and was buried;
21 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in
torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom.
22 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy
on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his
finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented
in this flame.
23 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy
lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise
Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted here, and
thou art tormented.
24 And beside all this, between us and you there is a
great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from
hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that
would come from thence.
25 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that
thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
26 For I have five brethren; that he may warn them,
lest they also come into this place of torment.
27 But Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and
the prophets; let them hear them.
28 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went
unto them from the dead, they will repent.
29 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and
the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one
rose from the dead.
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but
that occasions of stumbling will come: but woe unto him,
through whom they come!
31 It were better for him that a millstone were
hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than
that he should cause one of these little ones to
stumble.
32 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother sin,
rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
33 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a
day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee,
saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
34 But which of you, having a servant plowing or
keeping sheep, will say unto him when he is come from
the field, Go straightway and sit down to meat?
35 But will not rather say unto him, Make ready
wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me,
till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt
eat and drink?
36 Doth he thank that servant because he did the
things that were commanded him?
37 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those
things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable
servants: we have done only that which was our duty to
do.
38 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when
the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and
said, The kingdom of God cometh not with signs that are
observed:
39 And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be
also in the days of the Son of man.
40 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they
were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered
into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them
all.
41 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they
did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they
planted, they builded;
42 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it
rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed
them all.
43 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of
man is revealed.
44 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop,
and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to
take it away: and he that is in the field, let him
likewise not return back.
45 Remember Lot's wife.
46 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose
it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
47 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men
in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall
be left.
48 Two women shall be grinding together; the one
shall be taken, and the other left.
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that they
ought always to pray, and not to faint;
50 Saying, There was in a certain city a judge, which
feared not God, neither regarded man:
51 And there was a widow in that city; and she came
unto him, saying, Render justice for me against mine
adversary.
52 And he would not for a while: but afterward he
said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard
man;
53 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will render
her justice, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
54 And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge
saith.
55 And shall not God render justice for his own
elect, which cry day and night unto him? Shall he delay
long over them?
56 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.
Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find
faith on the earth?
57 And he spake this parable unto certain which
trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and
despised others:
58 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a
Pharisee, and the other a publican.
59 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,
God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are,
extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this
publican.
60 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all
that I gain.
61 And the publican, standing afar off, would not
lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon
his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
62 I tell you, this man went down to his house
justified rather than the other: for every one that
exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth
himself shall be exalted.
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into
a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha
received him into her house.
64 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat
at the Lord's feet, and heard his word.
65 But Martha was busy about much serving, and came
to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my
sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore
that she help me.
66 But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha,
Martha, thou art concerned and troubled about many
things:
67 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen
that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
CHAPTER 11.
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished
these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came
into the region of Judaea beyond Jordan;
2 And great multitudes followed him.
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, testing him, and
saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his
wife for any cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not
read, that he which made them at the beginning made them
male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father
and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain
shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put
asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to
give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness
of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but
from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his
wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry
another, committeth adultery.
The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so
with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this
saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born
from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs,
which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs,
which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of
heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him
receive it.
Then were there brought unto him little children, that
he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the
disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and
forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth
the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed
thence.
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Master, what
good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Wherefore asketh thou me
concerning that which is good? there is none good but
one; but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the
commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt
do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt
not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things
have I kept: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go
and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou
shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went
away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto
you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom
of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel
to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man
to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly
amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With
men this is impossible; but with God all things are
possible.
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an
householder, which went out early in the morning to hire
labourers for his vineyard.
28 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a
denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
29 And he went out about the third hour, and saw
others standing idle in the marketplace,
30 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard,
and whatsoever is right I will give you. So they went
also.
31 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour,
and did likewise.
32 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found
others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye
here all the day idle?
33 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us.
He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard.
34 And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard
saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give
them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
35 And when they came that were hired about the
eleventh hour, they received every man a denarius.
36 And when the first came, they supposed that they
should receive more; but they likewise received every
man a denarius.
37 And when they had received it, they murmured
against the goodman of the house,
38 Saying, These last have laboured but one hour, and
thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the
burden and heat of the day.
39 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I
do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a
denarius?
40 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give
unto this last, even as unto thee.
41 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with
mine own? Or is thine eye envious, because I give
freely?
42 So the last shall be first, and the first last.
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
44 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus,
which was the chief among the publicans, and he was
rich.
45 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could
not for the press, because he was little of stature.
46 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore
tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
47 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up,
and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down;
for to day I must abide at thy house.
48 And he made haste, and came down, and received him
joyfully.
49 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying,
He is gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
50 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord:
Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor;
and if I have taken any thing from any man by false
accusation, I restore him fourfold.
51 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation
come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of
Abraham.
52 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save
that which was lost.
And as they heard these things, he continued and spake a
parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because
they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately
appear.
54 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a
far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and then
to return.
55 And he called ten of his servants, and delivered
them ten pounds, and said unto them, Do business with
this till I come.
56 But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy
after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign
over us.
57 And it came to pass, that when he was returned,
having received the kingdom, then he commanded these
servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the
money, that he might know how much every man had gained
by trading.
58 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath
gained ten pounds more.
59 And he said unto him, Well done, thou good
servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very
little, have thou authority over ten cities.
60 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath
gained five pounds.
61 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over
five cities.
62 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is
thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
63 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere
man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and
reapest that thou didst not sow.
64 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will
I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I
was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and
reaping that I did not sow:
65 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the
bank, that at my coming I might have received it with
interest?
66 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him
the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
67 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten
pounds!)
68 I say unto you, That unto every one which hath
shall more be given; from him that hath not, even that
which he hath shall be taken away.
69 But those mine enemies, which would not that I
should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them
before me.
70 And when he had thus spoken, he went before,
ascending up to Jerusalem.
CHAPTER 12.
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come
to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent
Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village which is
before you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied,
and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say,
The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send
them.
4 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded
them,
5 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them
their clothes, and he sat thereon.
6 And a very great multitude spread their garments in
the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and
strewed them in the way.
7 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city
was moved, saying, Who is this?
8 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves,
Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is
gone after him.
9 Now there were certain Greeks among them that came
up to worship at the feast:
10 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of
Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we
would see Jesus.
11 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and then Andrew
and Philip tell Jesus.
12 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come,
that the Son of man should be glorified.
13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of
wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone:
but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
14 And he left them, and went out of the city into
Bethany; and he lodged there.
15 And on the morrow, when they were come from
Bethany, 16 Jesus went into the temple, and began to
cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and
overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats
of them that sold doves;
17 And would not suffer that any man should carry any
goods through the temple.
18 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not
written, My house shall be called the house of prayer
for all nations? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
19 And the chief priests and scribes heard it, and
sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him,
because all the people was astonished at his teaching.
20 And when even was come, they went out of the city.
And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking
in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and
the scribes, and the elders,
22 And he said unto them, But what think ye? A
certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and
said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
23 And he answered and said, I will not: but
afterward he repented, and went.
24 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And
he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
25 Which of the twain did the will of his father?
They answer, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I
say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into
the kingdom of God before you.
Hear another parable:
27 A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge
about it, and digged a pit for the winepress, and built
a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a
far country.
28 And at the harvest season he sent to the
husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the
husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
29 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him
away empty-handed.
30 And again he sent unto them another servant; and
they wounded him in the head, and sent him away
shamefully handled.
31 And again he sent another; and him they killed;
and many others, beating some, and killing some.
32 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he
sent him also last unto them, saying, They will
reverence my son.
33 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This
is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance
shall be our's.
34 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him
out of the vineyard.
35 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do?
he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give
the vineyard unto others.
36 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard
his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
37 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they
feared the multitude, because they took him for a
prophet.
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by
parables, and said,
39 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king,
which made a marriage feast for his son,
40 And sent forth his servants to call them that were
bidden to the wedding feast: and they would not come.
41 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell
them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my
dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all
things are ready: come unto the marriage feast.
42 But they made light of it, and went their ways,
one to his farm, another to his business:
43 And the remnant took his servants, and treated
them shamefully and slew them.
44 But the king was wroth: and he sent forth his
armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up
their city.
45 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is
ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
46 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as
ye shall find, bid to the marriage feast.
47 So those servants went out into the highways, and
gathered together all as many as they found, both bad
and good: and the wedding hall was furnished with
guests.
But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw
there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
49 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in
hither not having a wedding garment? And he was
speechless.
50 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand
and foot, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might
entangle him in his talk.
53 And they sent out unto him their disciples with
the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art
true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither
deferrest thou to any man: for thou regardest not the
station of men.
54 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it
lawful to pay taxes unto Caesar, or not?
55 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said,
Why do ye test me, ye hypocrites?
56 Shew me the tax money. And they brought unto him a
denarius.
57 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and
superscription?
58 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto
them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are
Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
59 When they had heard these words, they marvelled,
and left him, and went their way.
The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that
there is no resurrection, and asked him,
61 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having
no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise
up seed unto his brother.
62 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the
first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having
no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
63 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the
seventh.
64 And last of all the woman died also.
65 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she
be of the seven? for they all had her.
66 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not
knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
67 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor
are given in marriage, but are as the angels in heaven.
68 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have
ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God,
saying,
69 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of
the living.
70 And when the multitude heard this, they were
astonished at his teaching.
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them
reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered
them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of
all?
72 And Jesus answered him, The first is, Hear, O
Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
73 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and
with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
74 The second is thus: Thou shalt love thy neighbour
as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than
these.
75 On these two commandments hang all the law and the
prophets.
76 And the scribe said unto him, Thou speakest
rightly, Master, in that thou hast said, God is one; and
there is none other but he:
77 And to love him with all the heart, and with all
the understanding, and with all the strength, and to
love thy neighbour as thyself, is more than all whole
burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
CHAPTER 13.
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his
disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses'
seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that
observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for
they say, and do not accordingly.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be
borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they
themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men:
they make broad their phylacteries, and lengthen the
fringes of their garments,
6 And love the place of honour at feasts, and the
chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of
men, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master,
and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one
is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your
Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your
servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be
humbled; and he that shall humble himself shall be
exalted.
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for
ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men:
14 For ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye
them that are entering to go in.
15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and
when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of
hell than yourselves.
16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say,
Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but
whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is
bound thereby!
17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the
gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is
nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon
it, he is bound thereby.
19 Ye blind men: for whether is greater, the gift, or
the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth
by it, and by all things thereon.
21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by
it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the
throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye pay tithe of mint and dill and cummin, and have
omitted the weightier matters of the law, justice,
mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, without
leaving the other undone.
24 Ye blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and
swallow a camel.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
