(22)And he said to him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow; (23)why then gavest thou not my money to the bank, so when I came I might have required it with interest? (24)And he said to those who stood by, Take from him the maneh, and give it to him who hath the ten manehs. (25)(And they say unto him, Sir, he hath ten manehs.) (26)For I say unto you, That to every one who hath, shall more be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him. (27)But as for these enemies of mine, who would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me.

(28)And having thus spoken, he proceeded forward, going up to Jerusalem. (29)And it came to pa.s.s, as he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, to the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, (30)saying, Go into the opposite village; in which, as ye are at the entrance, ye will find a foal tied, on which no man hath ever yet sat: loose, and bring him. (31)And if any man ask you, Why ye loose it? thus shall ye say to him, That the Lord hath need of him.

(32)Then they who were sent, going, found it just as he had described to them. (33)And as they were untying the foal, the owners of it said to them, Why loose ye the foal? (34)And they said, The Lord hath need of him. (35)And they brought him to Jesus: and throwing their cloaks on the foal, they set Jesus thereon. (36)And as he went, they spread under him their garments on the road. (37)And when he was now approaching, at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole mult.i.tude of the disciples rejoicing began to praise G.o.d with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen; (38)saying, Blessed is the King, who cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

(39)And some of the Pharisees from the crowd said unto him, Master, reprove thy disciples. (40)And he replying said to them. I tell you that, should these be silent, the very stones would cry out.

(41)And as he drew near, beholding the city, he wept over it, (42)saying, Oh that thou hadst known, even in this thy day, the things that are for thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. (43)For the days will come upon thee, when thy enemies shall cast up a trench around thee, and encircle thee about, and straiten thee on every side, (44)and will dash thee on the ground, and thy children within thee; and will not leave in thee one stone upon another: because thou knewest not the season of thy visitation.

(45)And entering into the temple, he began to cast out those who sold and bought in the temple; (46)saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer[16]: but ye have made it a den of robbers.

(47)And he continued daily teaching in the temple. Then the chief priests and the scribes sought to destroy him, with the heads of the people, (48)but did not discover how they could do any thing: for all the people attentively hung on his lips.

CHAP. XX.

AND it came to pa.s.s, on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and scribes with the elders came upon him, (2)and spake to him, saying, Tell us by what authority thou doest these things or who is he that giveth thee this authority? (3)Then he answering said to them, I also will ask you one question; and resolve me: (4)The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? (5)And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we reply, From heaven; he will say, Wherefore then did ye not believe him? (6)But if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet. (7)And they answered, We know not from whence. (8)And Jesus said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

(9)Then he began to speak to the people this parable: A certain man planted a vineyard, and delivered it to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long while. (10)And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that they might give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat, and sent him away empty. (11)And he again sent another servant: and him also they beat, and treating him with indignity, sent him away empty. (12)And he sent yet a third: and him they also wounded, and cast out. (13)Then said the master of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: probably when they see him, they will shew him respect. (14)But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be our own. (15)So casting him out of the vineyard, they slew him. What then will the master of the vineyard do with these men? (16)He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said G.o.d forbid.

(17)Then he looked on them, and said, What is this then which is written[17], The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? (18)Every one who falleth upon this stone shall be broken to pieces; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. (19)And the chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him at that time; and were afraid of the people: for they knew that he had spoken this parable against them.

(20)And watching him, they sent men they had suborned, who pretended that they were righteous persons, in order to lay hold of some word of his, that they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governor. (21)And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou speakest and teachest rightly, and respectest no man's person, but teachest the way of G.o.d in truth: (22)Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar, or not? (23)Then he, aware of their crafty design, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? (24)Shew me a denarius. Whose image and inscription hath it? And they answering said, Caesar's. (25)Then said he to them, Pay therefore to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to G.o.d the things which are G.o.d's. (26)And they were unable to lay hold of a single expression of his before the people: and marvelling at his answer, they were silenced.

(27)Then certain of the Sadducees, who contend that there is no resurrection, asked him, (28)saying, Master, Moses wrote for us[18], If a man's brother die, having a wife, and he die childless, that his brother should take the wife, and raise up seed for his brother.

(29)Now there were seven brothers: and the first taking a wife, died childless. (30)And the second taking the wife, he also died childless.

(31)Then the third took her; and also all the seven in like manner: and left no children, and died. (32)And last of all died also the woman.

(33)In the resurrection therefore whose wife of them shall she be? for the seven had her to wife. (34)And Jesus in reply said to them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: (35)but they who are counted worthy to attain to that world, and the resurrection of the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: (36)neither can they die any more: for they are like the angels; and are the children of G.o.d, being the children of the resurrection. (37)Now that the dead are raised, even Moses intimated at the bush[19], when he called the Lord, "the G.o.d of Abraham, and the G.o.d of Isaac, and the G.o.d of Jacob."

(38)Now G.o.d is not the G.o.d of the dead, but of the living: for all live with him. (39)Then some of the scribes addressing him said, Master, admirably hast thou spoken! (40)And after that they durst not put another question to him.

(41)Then he spake to them: How say they that the Messiah is the son of David? (42)Yet David himself, in the book of Psalms, saith, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit down at my right hand, (43)until I put thine enemies for a footstool of thy feet[20]." (44)David then calleth him Lord, and how then is he his son?

(45)And whilst all the people were hearkening, he said to his disciples, (46)Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk about in trailing robes, and love salutations in the public places, and the princ.i.p.al seats in the synagogues, and the most honourable couch at suppers; (47)who devour the houses of widows, and for a pretext make long prayers: these shall receive a more abundant punishment.

CHAP. XXI.

AND as he looked up, he saw some casting their gifts into the treasury who were rich. (2)And he observed also a certain widow, miserably poor, put in there two mites. (3)And he said, Of a truth I tell you that this poor widow hath put in more than all they: (4)for all they have of their superfluity cast into the oblations for G.o.d: but she out of her indigence hath cast in all the substance which she possessed.

(5)And some of them talking of the temple, how adorned it was with the beautiful stone-work and the dedicated offerings, he said, (6)As for these things which ye are gazing upon, the days will come, in which one stone will not be left upon another, that shall not be utterly thrown down. (7)And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what is the sign, when these things are ready to come to pa.s.s? (8)Then he said, Take heed that ye be not deluded: for many will come in my name, saying, I am he; and the period approaches: go not therefore after them. (9)But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pa.s.s; but the conclusion is not immediately. (10)Then saith he unto them, Nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: (11)and great earthquakes shall be in different places, and famines, and pestilences; and in the heaven shall be frightful appearances, and mighty signs. (12)But before all these things, they will lay hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and to prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

(13)And it shall afford you an opportunity to bear your testimony.

(14)Therefore rest satisfied in your hearts, not to premeditate what apology to make: (15)for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall be utterly unable to contradict or resist.

(16)But ye shall be betrayed even by parents, and brethren, and relations, and friends; and some of you they shall put to death.

(17)And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. (18)Though a hair of your head shall in nowise perish. (19)In your patience possess ye your souls. (20)But when ye see Jerusalem, encircled with armies, then know that the desolation of it approaches. (21)Then let those who are in Judea fly unto the mountains; and let those who are in the midst of her get far away: and they who are in the countries, let them not enter into her. (22)For these are the days of vengeance, when all things which are written shall be fulfilled. (23)But wo to those who are big with child, and have infants at their b.r.e.a.s.t.s, in those days!

for there shall be great distress on the earth, and wrath upon this people. (24)And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden under foot of the Gentiles, until the times appointed for the Gentiles shall come to their period. (25)And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (26)men terrified to death with fear, and expectation of the calamities coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (27)And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory. (28)And when these things begin to come to pa.s.s, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

(29)And he spake a parable unto them, Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees, (30)when they now put forth, as soon as ye see it ye know in yourselves that the summer is now near: (31)so ye also, when ye see these things come to pa.s.s, know that the kingdom of G.o.d is at hand.

(32)Verily I say unto you, That this generation shall in nowise pa.s.s away, until all these things come to pa.s.s. (33)Heaven and earth shall pa.s.s away: but my words shall never pa.s.s away. (34)But take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts should be overloaded with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the anxious cares of life, and that day should come upon you unawares. (35)For as a snare shall it come upon all that are settled on the face of the whole earth. (36)Watch therefore, praying at every proper opportunity, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things which are ready to come to pa.s.s, and to stand before the Son of man.

(37)And during the day he continued teaching in the temple; but at night he went out, and lodged in the mountain called the mount of Olives. (38)And all the people came to him early in the morning at the temple, to hear him.

CHAP. XXII.

AND the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Pa.s.sover, was at hand. (2)And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might destroy him; for they were afraid of the people. (3)Then entered Satan into Judas called Iscariot, though he was of the number of the twelve.

(4)And he went and conversed with the chief priests and the captains, by what means he could betray him unto them. (5)And they were glad, and agreed with him to give him a sum of money. (6)And he gave them his promise, and sought the favourable opportunity to betray him to them, in the absence of the mult.i.tude.

(7)Then came the day of unleavened bread, on which the pa.s.sover must be killed. (8)And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go, prepare for us the pa.s.sover, that we may eat it. (9)And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare it? (10)And he said unto them, Lo! as you are at the entrance of the city, there will a man meet you, carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house whither he is going. (11)And say to the master of that family, The teacher saith to thee, Where is the dining-room, in which I can eat the pa.s.sover with my disciples? (12)And he will shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

(13)And they going away, found it just as he had told them: and they made ready the pa.s.sover. (14)And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. (15)And he said unto them, With earnest desire have I longed to eat this pa.s.sover with you before I suffer: (16)for I tell you, that I will no more ever eat of it, until it shall be fulfilled in the kingdom of G.o.d. (17)And taking the cup, after having given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide among yourselves: (18)for I say unto you, that I shall no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of G.o.d come. (19)And taking a loaf, he gave thanks, and brake, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me. (20)And the cup in like manner, after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (21)But lo! the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me at the table. (22)And the Son of man indeed goeth, as is decreed: but wo to that man by whom he is betrayed!

(23)And they began to question among themselves, who it could possibly be of them who should do this thing.

(24)Now it came to pa.s.s, that there was also a contention among them, even which of them should be accounted to be the greatest. (25)And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they who exercise authority over them are called benefactors. (26)But ye shall not act thus: but the superior among you, let him be as the junior; and he that presideth, as he that serveth. (27)For which is the greater, he that sitteth at table, or he that waits? is not he that sitteth at table? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth. (28)Ye are they who have continued with me during my trials. (29)And I appoint you, as my Father hath appointed me, a kingdom; (30)that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and be seated on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

(31)And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, lo! Satan hath earnestly sought you, that he might sift you as wheat: (32)but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith may not fail: and when thou art returned, stablish thy brethren. (33)Then he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, to prison, and to death! (34)And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the c.o.c.k shall not crow this day, before thou shalt thrice deny having known me.

(35)And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, or scrip, or sandals, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. (36)Then said he to them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him also take a scrip: and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. (37)For I tell you, that what hath already been written must be fulfilled in me, namely, "He was numbered with the transgressors[21]:" for the things also concerning me draw to their period. (38)Then they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords, and he said to them, It is enough.

(39)And going out, he went, according to his custom, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. (40)And when he came to the spot, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

(41)And he withdrew from them about a stone's cast, and kneeling down, he prayed, (42)saying, Father, if thou wilt, remove this cup from me!

nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done. (43)And an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. (44)And being in an agony, he prayed with greater intenseness: and his sweat was as clots of blood falling on the ground. (45)And when he rose up from prayer, on coming to his disciples, he found them sleeping from sorrow. (46)And he said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise up, and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.

(47)And while he was yet speaking, behold a mult.i.tude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and approached Jesus to kiss him. (48)Then said Jesus unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? (49)Then when they who were about him saw what was ready to happen, they said unto him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? (50)And one of them struck at a servant of the high-priest, and cut off his right ear. (51)Then Jesus, addressing them, said, Permit me thus far: and touching his ear, he healed him. (52)Then said Jesus to the chief priests and captains of the temple, and to the elders who were come forth against him, Are ye come out as against a robber, with swords and staves? (53)When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched out no hands upon me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

(54)Then seizing upon him, they led him away, and brought him into the palace of the high-priest. But Peter followed at a distance. (55)And as they had lighted a fire in the middle of the hall, and had seated themselves in a company, Peter sat down in the midst of them. (56)But a certain maid-servant who sat at the fire, eyeing him, and looking at him stedfastly, said, This man was also with him. (57)But he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. (58)And after a little while another seeing him, said, Surely thou art one of them. Then said Peter, Man, I am not. (59)And at about an hour's distance, another person strongly a.s.serted, saying, Of a certainty this fellow was also with him: for he too is a Galilean. (60)And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And instantly, while he was yet speaking, the c.o.c.k crew.

(61)And the Lord, turning round, looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, That before the c.o.c.k crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. (62)And Peter going without, wept bitterly.

(63)And the men who held Jesus insulted him, beating him with rods; (64)and blindfolding him, smote him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is he that struck thee? (65)And many other things, blaspheming, spake they against him.

(66)And when the day broke, the elders of the people and the chief priests and scribes a.s.sembled, and brought him into their sanhedrim, saying, (67)If thou art the Messiah, tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: (68)and if I shall ask you any question, ye will neither answer me, nor let me go free. (69)Hereafter shall the Son of man sit at the right hand of the power of G.o.d.

(70)Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of G.o.d? And he said unto them, Yourselves say that I am. (71)Then they said, What further need have we of witness? for we have heard it from his own mouth.

CHAP. XXIII.

AND the whole mult.i.tude of them rising up, led him to Pilate, (2)and began to accuse him, saying, We have found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay tribute to Caesar; pretending that he himself is the King Messiah. (3)Then Pilate interrogated him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said to him, Thou sayest so. (4)Then said Pilate unto the chief priests and the mult.i.tudes, I find nothing culpable in this man. (5)But they were urgent, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching through all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place. (6)When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean? (7)And when he knew that he came out of Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was himself at Jerusalem in those days.

(8)Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was vastly delighted: for he had been long desirous to see him, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to see some miracle wrought by him. (9)And he put a variety of questions to him; but he made him no reply. (10)And the chief priests and the scribes stood up vehemently accusing him. (11)Then Herod with his guards treated him with contempt, and in derision clothed him in a splendid robe, and sent him back to Pilate. (12)And Pilate and Herod the same day became friends together: for they had previously been at enmity with each other.

(13)Then Pilate, convoking the chief priests and the rulers and the people, (14)said unto them, Ye have brought this man to me, as one who perverteth the people: and lo! on examining him before you, I have found nothing culpable in this man, respecting the charges ye bring against him: (15)nor Herod neither: for I referred you to him; and, lo, nothing is done to this man, as if he deserved death. (16)I will therefore, after scourging, discharge him. (17)(Now he held it necessary to release one to them at the feast.) (18)Then the whole mult.i.tude set up a cry, saying, Away with this fellow, and release unto us Barabbas! (19)(who for a certain sedition raised in the city, and for murder, had been cast into prison.) (20)Again therefore Pilate called out to them, desirous to see Jesus at liberty. (21)But they clamoured the more, saying, Crucify, crucify him. (22)Then the third time he said to them, What evil hath this man done? I have found nothing deserving death in him: I will therefore, after scourging, discharge him. (23)But they were instant with the most clamorous vociferations, soliciting that he might be crucified. And their clamours, and those of the chief priests, bore him down. (24)Then Pilate decreed that their pet.i.tion should be granted.

(25)Then released he to them him who for sedition and murder had been cast into prison; but he gave up Jesus to their will. (26)And as they led him out, laying hold on one Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, they laid on him the cross, to carry after Jesus. (27)And a great mult.i.tude of the people and of women followed him, who also beat their b.r.e.a.s.t.s and lamented him bitterly. (28)But Jesus turning to them, said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but for yourselves, and for your children. (29)For, behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs which have not borne, and the b.r.e.a.s.t.s which never suckled. (30)Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us! and to the hills, Cover us! (31)For if they do all these things with the green wood, what will be done with the dry?

(32)Now there were two other persons, malefactors, led out with him to be executed. (33)And when they came to a place called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, the one on the right hand, and the other on the left. (34)And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Then dividing his garments, they cast the lot.

(35)And the people stood looking on. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this fellow is the Messiah, the elect of G.o.d. (36)And the soldiers also insulted him, coming and offering him vinegar, (37)and saying, if thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself. (38)And there was an inscription written over him in Greek, Roman, and Hebrew characters, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

(39)Then one of the suspended malefactors blasphemed him, saying, If thou art the Messiah, save thyself and us. (40)But the other addressing him, rebuked him, saying, Hast thou no fear of G.o.d, when thou art under the same condemnation? (41)And we indeed justly, for we receive deserved punishment for the crimes we have committed: but this man hath done nothing amiss. (42)And he said to Jesus, Remember me, Lord, when thou comest in thy kingdom. (43)And Jesus said to him. Verily I say unto thee, To-day thou shalt be with me in paradise.

(44)And it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. (45)And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. (46)And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit: and having said this, he expired. (47)And the centurion observing what had come to pa.s.s, glorified G.o.d, saying, Verily this man was a righteous person.

(48)And all the mult.i.tudes who had come together for this spectacle, when they saw the things which were done, beating their b.r.e.a.s.t.s, returned. (49)And all his acquaintance stood afar off, and the women which followed him from Galilee, beholding these things.

(50)And lo! a man named Joseph, being a member of the council, a good man, and a just; (51)(who had not given his a.s.sent to their determination and deed;) being of Arimathea, a city of the Jews: who himself also expected the coming of the kingdom of G.o.d. (52)He went in to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. (53)And taking it down from the cross, he wrapped it in linen cloth, and laid it in a sepulchre hewn out of a rock, where none had ever yet lain. (54)And that was the preparation-day, and the sabbath's twilight[22] was approaching.

(55)Then the women also, his attendants, who had followed him out of Galilee, observed the sepulchre, and how his corpse was laid out.