1 [23:1]THEN Jesus spoke to the mult.i.tudes and his disciples, [23:2]saying, The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. [23:3]All things therefore which they tell you, do and keep. But do not their works. For they say and do not, [23:4]but bind heavy burdens and put them on the shoulders of men, but will not move them with their finger.

[23:5]And they do all their works to be seen by men. For they make broad their prayer fillets, and enlarge the fringes, [23:6] and love the first tables at feasts, and the first seats in the synagogues, [23:7]and salutations in the markets, and to be called by men, Rabbi.

[23:8] But do not you be called Rabbi; For one is your teacher, and you are all brothers. [23:9]And call no man your father on the earth, for one is your heavenly Father. [23:10]Neither be called leaders, for one is your leader, the Christ. [23:11]But the greatest of you shall be your servant, [23:12]and whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

2 [23:13]But woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven before men; for you enter not into it, neither do you suffer those entering to go in. [23:15]Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you compa.s.s the sea and the dry land to make one proselyte; and when he is gained you make him twice as much a child of h.e.l.l as yourselves. [23:16]Woe to you blind guides, who say, Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound. [23:17]Fools and blind! for which is greater, the gold, or the temple which sanctifies the gold? [23:18] If a man swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if he swears by the gift which is on it, he is bound. [23:19]Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar which sanctifies the gift? [23:20]He then that swears by the altar, swears by it, and by all things on it; [23:21]and he that swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him that inhabits it; [23:22]and he that swears by heaven, swears by the throne of G.o.d, and by him that sits on it.

3 [23:23]Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you t.i.the mint, and anise, and c.u.mmin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faith. These you ought to do, and not neglect the others. [23:24] Blind guides! who strain out a gnat and swallow down a camel. [23:25]Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and platter, but within they are full of plunder and excess. [23:26]Blind Pharisee!

cleanse first that which is in the cup and platter, that its outside may be clean also. [23:27]Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!

For you are like whitewashed tombs, which appear fair without, but within are full of the bones of the dead and of all impurity.

[23:28]So also you on the outside appear just to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. [23:29]Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and adorn the tombs of the righteous, [23:30]and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. [23:31]So that you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets; [23:32]and you have filled up the measure of your fathers. [23:33]Serpents, offspring of vipers! How can you escape the judgment of h.e.l.l?

4 [23:34]Therefore, behold, I send you prophets, and wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city; [23:35]that all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah, son of Bararchiah, whom you killed between the temple and the altar, may come upon you.

[23:36]I tell you truly, that all these [crimes] shall come on this generation.

5 [23:37]Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets, and stoning those sent to you, how often would I have gathered your children together, as a bird gathers her brood under her wings, but you would not!

[23:38]Behold, your house is left to you desolate; [23:39]for I tell you that you shall not see me henceforth, till you say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord!

CHAPTER XXII.

CHRIST PREDICTING THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HIS KINGDOM.

1 [24:1]AND Jesus went out and departed from the temple; and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple.

[24:2]And he answered and said to them, Do you not see all these things? I tell you truly, there shall not be left here stone upon stone that shall not be thrown down. [24:3]And as he sat on the Mount of Olives the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us when these things shall be; and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the consummation of the world? [24:4]And Jesus answered and said to them, See that no man deceives you; [24:5]for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and shall deceive many. [24:6]And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you be not terrified, for all things must be accomplished; but the end is not yet. [24:7]For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in different places; [24:8]but all these things are the beginning of sorrows.

2 [24:9]Then they shall deliver you to affliction, and kill you, and you shall be hated by all nations on my account; [24:10]and then many shall be offended, and shall betray one another, and hate one another; [24:11]and many false prophets shall be raised up and deceive many, [24:12]and because wickedness shall abound the love of the many shall become cold: [24:13]but he that endures to the end shall be saved.

[24:14]And this good news of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a testimony to all nations; and then shall the end come.

3 [24:15]When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place--let him that reads understand,-- [24:16]then let those in Judea flee to the mountains.

[24:17]Let not him that is on his house come down to take the things from his house; [24:18]and let not him that is in the field return back to take his clothes; [24:19]and woe to those with child and giving nurse in those days! [24:20]But pray that your flight may not be in the winter, nor on the Sabbath; [24:21]for at that time there shall be great affliction, such as has not been from the beginning of the world even till now, nor ever shall be. [24:22]And unless those days were shortened no flesh would be saved: but on account of the elect those days shall be shortened.

4 [24:23]Then if one says to you, Behold, here is the Christ, or there!

believe it not. [24:24]For false Christs and false prophets shall be raised up, and shall show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect. [24:25]Behold, I have told you before.

[24:26]If, therefore, they say to you, Behold he is in the wilderness, go not forth; Behold he is in private rooms, believe it not. [24:27]For as the lightning comes forth from the East, and shines even to the West, so shall the coming of the Son of man be. [24:28] Wherever the dead body is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

5 [24:29]And immediately after the affliction of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

[24:30]And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.

[24:31]And he shall send his angels with a loud sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather his elect from the four winds, from the one end of heaven to the other.

6 [24:32]But learn the parable of the fig tree. When its branch is now green, and puts forth leaves, you know that the summer is nigh.

[24:33]So also when you see all these things, know that [the Son of man] is nigh, at the doors. [24:34]I tell you truly, that this generation shall not pa.s.s away till all these things shall be accomplished. [24:35]Heaven and earth shall pa.s.s away, but my words shall not pa.s.s away.

7 [24:36]But of that day and hour no man knows, nor the angels of heaven; but my Father only. [24:37]And as the days of Noah, so shall the coming of the Son of man be. [24:38]For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, till the day that Noah entered the ark, [24:39]and knew not till the flood came and took them all away, so shall the coming of the Son of man be. [24:40]Then two shall be in the field; one is taken and the other left. [24:41]Two women shall be grinding at the mill; one is taken and the other left.

8 [24:42]Watch, therefore, for you know not on what day your Lord comes, [24:43]But know this, that if the householder had known in what watch the thief comes, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken into. [24:44]Therefore be you also ready, for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes. [24:45]Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom the Lord has placed over his family to give them food in due season? [24:46]Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he comes, shall find so doing. [24:47]I tell you truly, that he will place him over all his estates.

9 [24:48]But if that evil servant says in his heart, My Lord delays his coming, [24:49]and begins to beat his fellow-servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards, [24:50]the Lord of that servant will come on a day when he looks not for him, and at an hour that he knows not of, [24:51]and will punish him with the utmost severity, and appoint his portion with hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of the teeth.

10 [25:1]Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their own lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom; [25:2]and five of them were foolish, and five wise. [25:3]The foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them; [25:4]but the wise took oil in the vessels with their lamps. [25:5] And while the bridegroom delayed, all slumbered and slept; [25:6]but at midnight there was a cry, Behold the bridegroom; go out to meet him. [25:7]Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their own lamps. [25:8]And the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps have gone out. [25:9]But the wise answered, saying, [No]; lest there be not enough for us and you; go rather to those that sell, and buy for yourselves. [25:10]And while they went to buy the bridegroom came; and the ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut. [25:11]And afterwards the other virgins came, and said, Lord, Lord, open to us. [25:12]But he answered and said, I tell you truly I know you not. [25:13]Watch, therefore, for you know not the day nor the hour.

11 [25:14]For, as a man going abroad called his servants, and delivered to them his estates; [25:15]to one he gave five talents [$5,000], to another two [$2,000], and to another one [$1,000]; to each according to his ability, and immediately went abroad. [25:16]And he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five; [25:17]in like manner, also, he that received the two gained two others; [25:18]but he that received the one went away and dug in the earth and hid his lord's money. [25:19]And after a long time the lord of those servants came, and had a settlement with them. [25:20] And he that received the five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, Lord, you committed to me five talents; behold, I have gained five other talents. [25:21]His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few [talents], I will place you over many: enter into the joy of your lord. [25:22]And he that received the two talents also came to him and said, Lord, you committed to me two talents; behold, I have gained two others.

[25:23]His Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few [talents], I will place you over many: enter into the joy of your lord.

12 [25:24]And he that received the one talent also came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sowed, and gathering where you have not scattered, [25:25]and being afraid I went away and hid your talent in the earth; behold, you have what is yours. [25:26]And his Lord answered and said to him, Evil and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather whence I have not scattered? [25:27]And you ought then to have given my money to the brokers, and at my coming, I should have received my own with interest. [25:28]Take his talent, therefore, from him, and give it to him that has ten talents; [25:29]for to every one that has shall be given, and he shall have an abundance; but from him that has not, even what he has shall be taken away; [25:30]and cast the unprofitable servant into the darkness outside; there shall be weeping and gnashing of the teeth.

13 [25:31]But when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory, [25:32]and all the nations shall be a.s.sembled before him, and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; [25:33]and he shall place the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on his left.

14 [25:34]Then shall the king say to those on his right hand, Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; [25:35]for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; [25:36]naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me. [25:37]Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you? or thirsty, and give you drink? [25:38]when did we see you a stranger, and take you in? or naked, and clothe you? [25:39]when did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you? [25:40]And the king shall answer and say to them, I tell you truly, that inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me.

15 [25:41]Then shall he say to those on his left hand, Depart from me accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

[25:42]For I was hungry and you gave me no food; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink; [25:43] a stranger, and you took me not in; sick and in prison and you visited me not. [25:44]Then shall they also answer and say, Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not serve you? [25:45]Then he shall answer them saying, I tell you truly, that inasmuch as you have not done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have not done it to me. [25:46]And these shall go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.

CHAPTER XXIII.

CHRIST AT BETHANY, THE PASCHAL AND LORD'S SUPPER, ETC.

1 [26:1]WHEN Jesus had finished all these words he said to his disciples, [26:2]You know that after two days is the pa.s.sover, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified. [26:3]Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were a.s.sembled in the court of the chief priest, who was called Caiaphas, [26:4]and they took counsel to seize Jesus by stratagem, and kill him. [26:5]But they said, Not at the feast, lest there be a tumult among the people.

2 [26:6]And Jesus being at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, [26:7]a woman came to him having a vase of very costly ointment, and poured it on his head, as he reclined. [26:8]And his disciples seeing it were displeased, and said, Why is this waste? [26:9]This could have been sold for much and given to the poor. [26:10]But Jesus knowing it, said to them, Why do you trouble the woman? for she has done a good work for me; [26:11]for the poor you always have with you, but me you have not always. [26:12]For in putting this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. [26:13]I tell you truly, that wherever this good news is preached in all the word, what this woman has done shall be told for a memorial of her.

3 [26:14]Then went one of the twelve called Judas Iscariot to the chief priests, [26:15]and said, What will you give me to deliver him to you?

And they gave him thirty [shekels] of silver [$16.80]. [26:16]And from that time he sought a good opportunity to deliver him up. [26:17]And on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where do you wish us to prepare for you to eat the pa.s.sover? [26:18]And he said, Go into the city to such a one, and say to him, The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the pa.s.sover with you, together with my disciples. [26:19]And the disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and prepared the pa.s.sover; [26:20]and when it was evening he reclined with the twelve. [26:21]And as they were eating, he said, I tell you truly, that one of you will betray me. [26:22]And being grieved exceedingly, they each one began to say to him, Lord, is it I?

[26:23]But he answered and said, He that dips his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me. [26:24]The Son of man goes indeed, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed!

it would be good for him if that man had not been born. [26:25]And Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He said to him, As you say.

4 [26:26]And as they were eating Jesus took the bread, and having blessed, broke and gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. [26:27] And taking the cup, and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink you all of it; [26:28]this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

[26:29]And I tell you that I will not drink henceforth of this product of the vine, till that day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father. [26:30]And having sung a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives.

5 [26:31]Then Jesus said to them, You will all be offended with me this night; for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered; [26:32]but after I have risen I will go before you into Galilee. [26:33]And Peter answered and said to him, If all men shall be offended with you, I will not. [26:34]Jesus said to him, I tell you truly, that this night, before the c.o.c.k crows, you will deny me thrice. [26:35]Peter said to him, If it should be necessary for me to die with you, I will by no means deny you. And all the disciples said the same.

CHAPTER XXIV.

CHRIST IN GETHSEMANE, AND BEFORE THE SANHEDRIM.

1 [26:36]THEN Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, Sit here, till I go and pray there. [26:37]And taking Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and dejected. [26:38]Then he said to them, My soul is sorrowful even to death; remain here and watch with me. [26:39]And going forward a little, he fell on his face, and prayed and said, My Father, if it is possible let this cup pa.s.s from me; but not as I will, but as thou wilt. [26:40]And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, Are you so unable to watch with me one hour?

[26:41]Watch and pray that you enter not into trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

2 [26:42]Going away again a second time, he prayed, saying, My Father, if this cup cannot pa.s.s from me unless I drink it, thy will be done.

[26:43]And he came and found them sleeping again, for their eyes were heavy. [26:44]And leaving them, again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. [26:45]Then he came to the disciples and said to them, Do you sleep still and take your rest? Behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is delivered into the hands of sinners. [26:46]Arise, let us go; behold, he that betrays me is at hand.

3 [26:47]And while he was yet speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great mult.i.tude, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. [26:48]And he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, The one that I shall kiss is he; take him. [26:49]And immediately coming forward to Jesus, he said, Hail, Rabbi, and kissed him. [26:50]But Jesus said to him, Comrade, for what have you come? Then they came forward, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. [26:51]And behold, one of those with Jesus, stretching out his hand, drew his sword, and striking the servant of the chief priest cut off his ear. [26:52]Then Jesus said to him, Put up your sword in its place; for all who take the sword shall perish by the sword. [26:53]Do you think that I could not ask my Father, and he would furnish me more than twelve legions of angels? [26:54]How then would the Scriptures be accomplished, that it must be so?

4 [26:55]At that time Jesus said to the mult.i.tudes, Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take me? I sat daily teaching in the temple, and you did not take me; [26:56]but all this was done that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples all forsook him and fled. [26:57]And having taken Jesus, they led him away to Caiaphas, the chief priest, where the scribes and elders were a.s.sembled. [26:58]But Peter followed him at a distance, even to the court of the chief priest, and going in sat with the officers to see the end.